Cultural programme

Thursday, 30 March, 12:00 - 13:45  Phil McConnell

Perhaps there is no sound more guaranteed to attract attention than the Scottish bagpipes. We will be welcomed on Thursday afternoon by the nostalgic music of the Scottish Highlands played by Phil McConnell. Phil will provide the ideal musical accompaniment to the arrival of delegates to our international Congress, playing for us outside the venue and leading us in to the Main Hall for the formal opening.

Thursday, 30 March, 12:00 - 13:45 George Ferguson Dance Troupe

The Liverpool-based George Ferguson Irish Dance troupe has been entertaining communities throughout the UK for nearly 38 years. They are led and choreographed by George himself, a former World Champion (although he would not want you to know this was in 1972, so I won’t tell you!) They have proudly represented their world-famous and well-loved dance routines on both US and Chinese network television. Recently, they featured on the BBC series ‘Don’t Tell the Bride’, where George and his dancers taught a Ghanaian groom an Irish Jig, to perform to his newly-wed Irish wife! They have also featured in ‘A Question of Sport’. Anyone who has travelled widely will know that the Irish are beloved all over the world – their music and their cultural heritage is overwhelmingly popular. Please ensure you are there on the piazza in front of the ACC Centre in Liverpool on the Thursday afternoon, where they will be performing in the open air for delegates, as you arrive for our historic Joint Congress.

Thursday, 30 March, 21:00 - 21:20 World Choir Hope Street Harmonies 

Hope Street Harmonies is an a’cappella choir based in Liverpool. They have been performing now for over ten years and are led (and inspired!) by Claire Jones. They have a wide repertoire, ranging from set pieces such as traditional Gregorian and African songs through to their own unique and innovative arrangements of popular songs. They perform professionally for local arts organisations, conferences and regional events, as well as corporate events, weddings and parties. Hope Street Harmonies also arrange an annual concert for the public, showcasing their latest work. The majority of the choir’s pieces are original arrangements arranged by choir members and musical director. “They are chic, funky and inspire you to join in. Fabulous!” Helen Jones – Presenter: BBC Radio Merseyside. Hope Street Harmonies will perform for us at our Welcome Ceremony on Thursday in the main auditorium and again after the evening meal downstairs in Hall 2.

Friday, 31 March, 21:30 - 23:00, The Fab Beatles

Formed in 1991 have risen through sheer hard work & dedication to be one of the most sought-after Beatles tribute bands in the world today, with concerts performed all over the UK, Europe, Middle East & the Americas. The Fab Beatles show starts with early "Hamburg" material & goes right through all the singles & album tracks to "Let It Be" & the "break-up", with a repertoire that is second to none! Chosen by the BBC as "The Best" & commissioned by EMI to promote the "Beatles 1" CD The Fab Beatles pride themselves on professionalism & attention to detail & It's well documented that the Fab's sound is the closest you will ever hear to the originals. The Fab Beatles use only authentic instruments & costume & can now boast to have the very drum-kit Ringo used on The Beatles 1964 American tour no-less! The Fab Beatles are the industry's choice & considered the ultimate standard to aspire to by other acts. See & hear for yourself.

Saturday, 1 April, 21:30 - 23:30, Young Greens Quiz

Join the Young Greens of England and Wales for their traditional conference quiz in Room 3 with rounds exploring global culture, geography and that favourite of green topics, that's right renewable energy! The Young Greens quiz promises a combination of testing your knowledge with an evening of pure entertainment with your host Rangi Rain and extra special guests. Entry to the quiz is a minimum £2 donation with all proceeds going to the Young Greens of England and Wales for their training and campaigning.

Saturday, 1 April, 21:30 - 23:00, Seize the Day

Seize the Day are probably the Green Party of England and Wales' most popular band – if you have never heard of them, well, on Saturday night, 1st April (not fooling!), at our Liverpool Joint Congress, you can put this right and become one of the Converted. Put it this way: just about every song this remarkable group has written, sung and played since they started over twenty years ago, has dealt with the issues that concern all eco-activists, yet in a variety of compelling styles guaranteed to make you think, laugh, get angry and/or inspired, cry, dance. They are a 21st Century radical, progressive, alternative 'traditional' folk-group, who have toured the world tirelessly, gaining legions of loyal fans and followers. This 8-piece band of oh-so-talented multi-instrumentalists, led by one of the finest partnerships on the circuit, Shannon and Theo, will wow you with their musicianship, their beautiful harmonies, their wit, rhythms and incisive lyrics. Their main message to their audiences, having entertained and often exhausted us, is to endorse activism. Wherever there is an issue involving non-violent direct action, whether it be a profile 'unjust' court case, a demonstration against fracking, the Heathrow 3rd runway, a wind-turbine factory about to be closed down, Hinkley 'C' – you name it – Seize the Day will be there, up front, energising and motivating us to do even more for the Common Good.

Don't take my word for it: take a look on line at their amazing pedigree, read some of the reviews from some far less subjective, listen to some of their songs, get stuck into their brilliantly subtle lyrics (here's just one example), and please 'LIKE' their facebook page!

Saturday, 1 April, 23:00 - 01:00, DJ Thomas

ElectroSwing meets BalkanBeats