Liverpool is one of 12 cities to submit a bid to be the UK’s nomination for European Capital of Culture 2008. Other cities included Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton & Hove, Bristol, Canterbury, Cardiff, Inverness, Newcastle/Gateshead, one of their steepest competition, Norwich and Oxford make up the 12 (2008 City of Culture 2007) and Liverpool was the one proclaimed as the winner, this win by Liverpool came short as a shock to most bookies who was gunning for Newcastle/Gateshead and the city of course is affected by its lose to Liverpool.
It is logical to surmise that more attention will be given to Liverpool and more funds allocation too. This will mean less funds and less attention for the city of Newcastle. Liverpool will be hosting a lot of festivals and events that will promote the city further. It can be noted that Newcastle is preceded by a reputable reputation but it seems that it may benefit more in this regards by hosting more festivals in the future. Important Events
Events and festivals of note that must also not be forgotten include the Olympics and other sports events like rugby and football events that brings about the nationalist in all of us. Other significant notation should be forwarded to events like Woodstock and Nottinghill Carnival. Countries like China always celebrate their Chinese New Year with a bang and a lot of spectacle, dragon dance shows, fireworks are often part of their culture. Of all the traditional Chinese celebration, the New Year maybe the most intricate, colourful, and central.
This is a time for the Chinese to congratulate themselves for having gone over another year, a time to renew oneself and prepare for the coming year (Chinese Culture Center, 2003). One time events like that of the turnover of Hong Kong from British rule back to the Chinese was also a spectacle of events. The Evolution Festival (Newcastle Upon Tyne) The Evolution festival used to be a free festival on the bank holiday Monday. This year though, there is a ? 3. 00 charge due to water aid, and so the organisers called it 3volution.
The Evolution is a huge outdoor event that takes place around the Bank Holiday in May every year. The 8 day urban music festival is staged at outdoor and indoor venues across Newcastle/Gateshead including The Sage Gateshead, Carling Academy Newcastle, Digital and The Cluny leading up to a huge city centre dance event at Baltic Square on the bank holiday Monday followed by the finale with expected 60,000 descend on the banks of the Tyne. In 2007 the Evolution took place on Monday 28th May from 1:00 pm to 10:30 pm on the Newcastle/Gateshead Quayside.
The gigs and events leading up to the outdoor event take place at various venues in the local area starting on Sunday 20th May including a live date by Groove Armada at Carling Academy Newcastle on Tuesday 22nd May. Evolution is without doubt the biggest music festival in North East England and is growing bigger and bigger every year. Highlights this year include blues, country and roots with the Jumpin’ Hot Club gigs at the Cluny, Bullet Proof 3-D Disco at the Carling Academy and a special Domino Records night at The Sage Gateshead.
However it is the May Bank Holiday Monday which really rocks the city. 60,000 people descended on to the spectacular quayside location in 2007 to see some of the best acts in the country. In 2008, due to high demand will be charging ? 3 for festival goers to attend, with less than 11 years old are given a free pass, and with those below 14 years old needing adult companions. The event brings appearances from The Streets, Kate Nash, Reverend and The Makers, Duffy, CSS, New Young Pony Club and many more making this year the strongest and most high-profile line up yet.