Hope Street Festival *PICS ADDED*
PREPARATIONS are under way for one of the biggest street parties the city has seen since the millennium to celebrate the renaissance of Liverpool's historic Hope Street.
The city's cultural quarter, which sits between the Anglican and Metropolitan Cathedrals, has undergone a transformation to make it a hub for the arts and business communities as well as making it a must-see destination for visitors.
The project was the brainchild of campaigning charity HOPES, which has pushed relentlessly for money to plough into the improvements, which include public art and pedestrianisation.
Now, after a decade of campaigning and fundraising, its volunteers are busy organising a carnival-style celebration to mark the end of the work in June.
Hilary Burrage, chairwoman of HOPES, said: "We were very keen to make Hope Street a place that people wanted to be.
"It's not just about imposing officialdom, it's a really vibrant place with so much going on that everyone should be able to share in it and feel comfortable relaxing there.
"Here, if ever there was one, is an example of how people coming from very different places can find common ground, a particularly apt metaphor in this instance, through the arts and community activity."
HOPES started its campaign to give the area a facelift in 1996. It managed to win support from Liverpool council and Liverpool Vision, who have also backed the party plans.
Officials then commissioned a scheme they hoped would create a high quality public realm to make the area more attractive to visitors, existing businesses and potential investors.
It has seen new paving, street furniture, lighting and improved pedestrian crossings installed alongside public art works. And recently the renowned Suitcases installation went back on display. It had been removed while the renovation was under way. Part of the street will be pedestrianised and work is expected to finish in the next few weeks, well before the party on Sunday, June 11. (Same time as Downton Week kicks off!)
The main attraction at the celebrations will be a performance by the HOPES Festival Orchestra of a specially commissioned piece by Richard Gordon-Smith from 1996 to mark the beginning of the charity's campaign for the renewal of the area.
Hotfoot on Hope Street is a musical interpretation of a walk along Hope Street from one cathedral to the other.
Other events proposed include a street market, a fancy dress
competition, performances by school children, children's fun activities and entertainment in St James's Gardens.
But HOPES is keen to get as many different groups of people involved in the programming for the day as possible.
It wants any amateur and student musicians who would like to join the orchestra, volunteers who can help organise the day, or any budding performers to get in touch.
Mrs Burrage added: "We are very democratic here, we want everyone to have a chance to be involved and have their say in what will happen during the party.
"We may well section up the street and give performers time slots so as many acts as possible have a chance to appear.
"I'm sure it will be a wonderful day. We have achieved what we set out to do, not many can say that."
To perform with the orchestra contact Richard Gordon-Smith or Tony Burrage by emailing hope.street@btconnect.com
Any volunteers should call 0151 281 0010.
samlister@dailypost.co.uk
Hope Street Celebrations 17 September 2007
Hi again
Just to let you know that the re-scheduled celebration of the new 'public realm' works etc is now definitely Sunday 17 September. If anyone wants to offer something (an act, idea, whatever) and has not yet done so, could you please let Gavin Sharp at the Phil (210 2895) know by the end of this week, latest?
I first came to Hope Street in 1971, so I do agree it's changed.... until recently, getting less presentable and perhaps rather impersonal. We're trying to give it back that slightly Bohemian feel which many people find attractive, but making it safer and cleaner at the same time. (Not to mention the economic regeneration which can go with that, through better local businesses, more jobs, more graduate retention etc!)
I remember Adrian Henri, Margaret Simey, Graham Frood, many famous musicians and actors, all sorts of fascinating people - and these types of folk still come, so we really do have to make the most of what we've got. It's a genuinely unique place (something I explore in the 'Hope Street' thread on my website if anyone's interested to join that discussion: www.hilaryburrage.com).
It's a fine line to balance for the public realm, between looking a little rustic / olde worlde - nothing wrong with that in the appropriate place - and making the best of the modern assets we have in the area. We've treid very hard to keep the best of what was there already, and enhance it with suitable new materials, ideas etc. This really is a chance to make something of a special part of Liverpool, to the benefit of everyone in the city.
There have been a couple of pieces in the Post & Echo in the past week or so, which also try to explain what all this is about, if anyone wants to read them.
Look forward to seeing everyone on 17 September. Put it in your diaries now....!!
Best wishes as ever,
Hilary
Hope Street Festival - website now live
