IN BRIEF
BLANK CANVAS
ANNOUNCE OPEN DAY
Whilst performing at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix 2016
Miguel Doforo, Creative Director of MD Productions,
was inspired to create a provision that would break
down barriers, make change and allow people to access
free performing arts and creativity classes.
Blank Canvas is a community based project open to all ages that uses
a creative journey to engage, inspire and increase confidence whilst
building skills for stage, for work, for life – Supported by Florida
Property Corner and Evolve Group.
After a very successful first year of running the project, participating
in several community events across the Liverpool City Region, MD
Productions accessed the opportunity to take a group of young
people from the project over to perform at the place where the idea
was born - the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix 2017, held at the Yas Marina
Circuit. To continue the great success of the Blank Canvas project,
this year MD Productions are thrilled to be expanding the project
to become bigger and better by developing it into a community hub
with external creative partners, as well as providing progression
routes onto their MD Training Academy courses.
The Blank Canvas Open Day will take place on Sunday 4th February
from 11-4pm at The Tapestry on Kempston Street, Liverpool.
Throughout the day people will be able to take part in short taster
workshops, have a chance to meet the team and also look around MD
Productions new location, alongside some surprise performances.
Workshops on the day will include; Performing Arts with the
teachers at MD Productions, Film Production with Keely Lundstram
from In House Productions, DJing with Rob McPartland, Creative
Hairstyling with Lindsay Tagoe, Make-Up with Carla Lawson.
To register your interest in attending Blank Canvas Open Day,
please contact Lisa Gibson on 07738 324389 or email: lisa@
mdproductionsltd.com. Alternatively, you can arrive on the day at
11am for registration, with activities running from 12-4pm.
8 wirrallife.com
BEATLES IN INDIA
The award-winning ‘The Beatles Story’ in Liverpool
is celebrating 50 years since The Beatles travelled
to Rishikesh, India with the launch of a new special
exhibition.
Opening in February 2018, ‘Beatles in India’ will look at this key and
relatively secretive part of the Beatles’ story with never-before-seen
memorabilia, imagery and personal accounts from the people who
were there with the band in 1968.
A sitar used by Ravi Shankar will go onto display within the new
immersive area, loaned to The Beatles Story by the Ravi Shankar
Foundation. As George Harrison’s mentor, Ravi’s influence on the
Beatle ultimately helped to popularise the use of Indian instruments
in 1960s pop music. The exhibit will also include photography from
Paul Saltzman, a sound engineer for the National Film Board of Canada
at the time, who photographed The Beatles during their stay. He is
responsible for some of the most iconic and intimate images of the Fab
Four in India.
Pattie Boyd, former wife to George Harrison, and her sister Jenny
Boyd, who were amongst the star-studded list of attendees in India,
will be providing their personal insight into the time. The exhibit will
look at the groups’ inspiration for the trip, their introduction into
Transcendental Meditation as well as the songs they worked on in
advance of the White Album. Speaking about her involvement, Pattie
Boyd said: “I am delighted to have been invited to be a part of The
Beatles Story’s new ‘Beatles In India’ exhibition, marking the 50th
anniversary of the trip to Rishikesh. It really was a special, magical
time; forming many memories and, of course, an abundance of great
Beatles music. I look forward to sharing thoughts and memories of
India as part of the exhibition”.
‘Beatles in India’ will become part of The Beatles Story’s exhibition on
the Albert Dock for two years and is scheduled to open to the public
on 16th February 2018, 50 years to the day that John Lennon, George
Harrison and their wives Cynthia Lennon and Pattie Boyd arrived in
India.
To find out more and to purchase tickets, please visit beatlesstory.com