Pirates of the Caribbean, Liverpool Style

It’s Liverpool’s Maritime Heritage Weekend next weekend, June 16-17, and pirates will feature large beside the more stately attractions of the tall ships themselves, including one of the world’s tallest – the Dar Mlozdiezy from Poland. For ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ fans, there’s a chance to meet Captain Rollick & Bilge and to board the tall ships with a crew of pirates, so come dressed prepared! The best-dressed pirate will win a Nintendo Wii and Pirates of the Caribbean game (on Saturday only). But all those prepared to dress up will get a gift. There’s also an inflatable village, art workshops and heritage vehicles. There’s a free park and ride (10.45am-5.30pm Sat & Sun) from Paradise Street Interchange (Stand 4), Wellington Dock and Canada Dock (where HMS Albion will dock 1pm-5pm Saturday).

If Liverpool walls could talk, what would they say?

Find out, by seeing what is being billed as one of the artistic highlights of Liverpool’s 800th birthday year. Wall Talks, by Jen Hayes and Andrew Sherlock, takes place at the evocative Heritage Market site at the Stanley Dock. Exploring Liverpool’s past and identity, the performance takes the audience “on a journey of memories, shadows, dreams and half-seen pictures.” Liverpool 08 is giving people a chance to win one pair from a total of 10 tickets it’s giving away. To be in with a chance, email your name, address and daytime contact number to info@walltalks.com. Winners will be chosen at random and closing date for entries is 14 June, 2007. Tickets for previews running until 9 June can be bought for £7, or for the period 12-30 June for £12 (£10 concessions), from the Royal Court box office on 0870 787 1866. Performances start at 7.30pm.

Arabic Arts Festival

Liverpool’s annual Arabic Arts Festival launches July 1st, and with artists from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Palestine, among others, it’s never been a more important time to experience the culture of countries who appear in the media daily but about which our understanding can, at times, can be limited. The event kicks off with a free family day at Sefton Park Palm House, between 12.30 and 4.30pm, with a blend of music, dance and food. The entire festival runs for two weeks. For more details, visit the Arabic Festival website.