The very first Liverpool Loves festival starts today, Thursday, 6 August, celebrating all that is great about our magnificent city.

The three-day festival takes place at Pier Head Liverpool, a stunning location with the Three Graces as the backdrop.

Liverpool Loves runs from Thursday to Saturday (6-8 August), and will shine the spotlight on all that is special about Liverpool with four core themes for 2015 – business, culture, food and well-being. Liverpool Loves is supported by the city’s Mayor Joe Anderson.

Liverpool Loves starts on Thursday 6 August with Liverpool Loves Business, a showcase and advice hub with seminars and panel sessions for creatives, entrepreneurs and independents. Friday 7 August is Liverpool Loves Ireland, an evening of traditional entertainment to celebrate the links between the city and the Emerald Isle. Finally, Saturday 8 August is Liverpool Loves, a full festival day celebrating culture, health and well-being, with entertainment, activities and live music.

Liverpool Loves is the brainchild of Liverpool-based Orb CIC, who have a strong proven track record in staging major city events and festivals.

THURSDAY 6 AUGUST – LIVERPOOL LOVES BUSINESS

Liverpool Loves will be launched with an opening ceremony in the Business Big Top from 8.45am, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Tony Concepcion and Professor David Gibson from Liverpool John Moores University Centre for Entrepreneurship, followed by a breakfast networking opportunity with catering provided by Hardy’s Kitchen.

The seminar programme starts at 10am and will continue throughout the day until 5.30pm (6.00 festival launch party general pubic welcome). The day will serve as a platform to showcase new and up-and-coming businesses; provide opportunities for business owners and professionals to develop skills and connect; and aims to encourage entrepreneurs with the next big idea to take the plunge – all through a series of themed workshops, seminars and discussion panels.

The North West Fund are headline sponsors of Liverpool Loves Business. They join Campanile Hotels UK, part of Louvre Hotels Europe, who are also supporting the event.

Liverpool Loves Business on Thursday is free at attend. However those wishing to attend are asked to register in advance for a complimentary delegate pass at http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/liverpool-loves-business-tickets-15797767548

FRIDAY 7 AUGUST – LIVERPOOL LOVES IRELAND

With an estimated three quarters of Liverpool’s population having Irish roots, Liverpool Loves Ireland will bring a real Irish party atmosphere to the city’s waterfront in the bespoke Big Top between 7pm and 11pm (Doors 6pm).

An evening of Irish entertainment will include traditional music and dance. Headliners Cream of the Barley feature three of the original line-up – John Walsh vocals/guitar, PJ McCarthy vocals/bodhran and Eddie Hughes banjo/mandolin – plus some special invited new guest members for a special one-off appearance.

The event is hosted by Liverpool historian Frank Carlyle. The line-up also features Eleanor McEvoy; Jack Owen; Michael Coyne; The Jesse Janes; and The Bolger Cunningham Irish Dancers. Traditional Irish food and drink will be available to purchase throughout the evening.

Liverpool Loves Ireland on Friday is a ticket only event. Tickets are priced at £22.50 online from www.ticketquarter.co.uk or by telephoning 0844 8000 410 (online and telephone ticket sales are subject to a booking fee per ticket and a handling fee per transaction). Tickets can also be bought in person from TicketQuarter at Queen’s Square (no booking fee on cash sales). Special group offer – Buy 9 Tickets Get 1 FREE. This offer is only available for group bookings of 10 or more by calling 0844 561 7672 or email groups@ticketquarter.co.uk

SATURDAY 8 AUGUST – LIVERPOOL LOVES FESTIVAL DAY

Liverpool Loves Festival Day is free to attend and open to all. It will run from 11am to 11pm – 12 hours of culture, entertainment and activities on the banks of the River Mersey. The family friendly programme will span across zoned areas covering music, the arts, dance, food and drink and health and well-being.

The city’s fascinating world culture will be evident with traditional dance, music and art from the communities represented, including the Chinese dragon dancers; Indian Bollywood demonstrations; Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival; and a Brazilian samba drum ensembles.

Martin O’Shea from Bold Management is curating the soundtrack to the day, which will feature a live music programme across four stages throughout the day and evening, including Liverpool Loves New Music; Dovedale Social; Merseyrail Sound Station and Liverpool Loves Allstars.

Dance music fans will not want to miss Portuguese producer and DJ Rui Da Silva who closes the Big Top Stage, famous for the anthem Touch Me which went to number 1 in the UK charts in 2001.

Plan your Liverpool Loves experience with the official brochure, which is available online by visiting http://issuu.com/mattbea/docs/liverpool_loves_brochure_2015

Festival Director Josh Boyd from Orb CIC commented:

“Festival week has finally arrived – and we cannot wait to get Liverpool Loves underway. The Orb team have been working tirelessly for over 12 months to ensure the inaugural festival is a resounding success so we’re very much looking forward to opening the event on Thursday with an exciting and extensive programme spanning all areas of Liverpool life – business, culture, music and well-being.

“The three-day programme really does offer something for everyone – creative and independent businesses starting their journey; visitors who want to celebrate Liverpool’s strong and diverse cultural roots; and an exciting festival day programme which will keep festivalgoers – young and old – engaged and entertained from dawn until dusk.

“This city is so unique so let’s come together and celebrate everything we love about Liverpool.”

Keep up to date with the latest announcements at www.liverpoolloves.co.uk

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