May-Aug

May '15

Your Name Here

Socially engaged artist Jeni McConnell invited library users to join her for a day of workshops, and a chance to nominate an friend, loved one or role model to take part in an exciting competition.  

Artist/Company: Heart of Glass

Location(s): St Helens Central Library

Dates: 30th May

Other Information: Family Friendly Programming

Jun '15

Here Now And Looking Back

Artist Benedict Phillips was commissioned as a Cultural Hubs artist in residence to make a digital artwork in response to WW1. Benedict travelled between seven libraries situated in the North of St Helens. During these library visits he met with many local people who own artefacts, photographs and objects detailing their family's involvement in the Great War. Through recorded discussions Benedict developed this interactive artwork alongside a commemorative book and website. 

Artist/Company: Benedict Phillips

Location(s): Haydock Library

Dates: 5th June

Other Information: Family Friendly Programming

Blossoms

Get loud in libraries returns to St Helens  with a emerging Stockport band blossoms. The band found favour with BBC 6 music and get were proud to bring this exclusive event to an intimate venue. 

Artist/Company: Get Loud in Libraries

Location(s): St Helens Central Library

Dates: 19th June

Pop up poetry 

The Knives, Forks and Spoons Press brought back their unique blend of  internationally renowned poets to St Helens Library. 

Artist/Company: Knives, Forks and Spoons Press

Location(s): St Helens Central Library

Dates: 20th June, 18th July, 17th October, 12th December

pARTSticipate

As part of St Helens' contribution to the Festival of Learning and Adult Learners' Week - St Helens Central Library hosted a number of activities for all. 

Artist/Company: Various Artists, Community event

Location(s): St Helens Central Library

Dates: 20th June

Other Information: Adult Learners Week

Woodchip Anaglypta & Nicotine Artex Ceilings

Winner of Best Spoken Word at The Greater Manchester Fringe 2014, JB Barrington performed in St Helens for the first time. 

Artist/Company: JB Barrington

Location(s): St Helens Central Library

Dates: 20th June

Jul '15

Easy Virtue by Noel Coward

Local amateur theatre company Liverpool Network Theatre Company returned to St Helens to present Noel Coward's charmingly bright summer comedy set in the lustrous '20s British country estate of Colonel Whittaker. 

Artist/Company: Liverpool Network Theatre Company

Location(s): St Helens Central Library

Dates: 17th July

Other Information: Produced in association with Wonderlust Theatre

STATIk

We joined three performers as they clowned, tumbled and played their way through an energetic, laugh out loud 60 minutes, with a unique visual style and a soundtrack inspired by the wisdom of children. 

Artist/Company: Action Transport Theatre

Location(s): St Helens Central Library

Dates: 18th July

Other Information: Family Friendly Programming

Aug '15

Extemporise*

Organic Planets is a group of musicians who have learned to play through improvisation. This event was a day of improvisation without song lists and composition length. Audiences joined us for a journey through through emotion and memory. 

Artist/Company: Organic Planets

Location(s): St Helens Central Library

Dates: 1st August

Other Information: Programmed in partnership with Heart of Glass

Books & Breakin': A 13 Library Flashmob Challenge

In an attempt to break the World Record for most performances in different libraries in a day, UC Crew displayed their exciting and acrobatic moves for the people of St Helens.

Artist/Company: UC Crew

Location(s): St Helens Central Library, Thatto Heath Library, Newton Le Willows Library, Garswood Library, Moss Bank Library, Eccleston Library, Rainhill Library, Billinge Library, Parr Library, Peter Street Library, Haydock Library, Rainford Library. 

Dates: 10th August

Other Information: Programmed in partnership with Heart of Glass

The Boggle & The Shapeshifter

We all know that Boggles exist? Don't we? 

John's Dad gave him dire warnings about the strange creature that lived on their farm... audiences joined us as the strange and mischievous Boggle wreaked havoc and John set out for adventure and mayhem in far away lands.  

Artist/Company: Lawrence Speck

Location(s): St Helens Central Library, Rainhill Library

Dates: 1st August

Other Information: Family Friendly Programming

St Helens vs The Lizards

In August, St Helens Central Library became an Escape Room - the first to be built in St Helens. Designed and created by young people from across the Borough, this bespoke project questioned what we think about the world, through a series of group challenges that tested our intuition, teamwork and intelligence. 

Artist/Company: Re:Dock

Location(s): St Helens Central Library

Dates: 15th - 29th August