The weekend what-to-do

Well chuffedIt's time for a Christmas fair or two, and where better place could you possibly want be this Sunday than Edge Hill Station? All right, don't all answer that at once.

The people who live there, arts organisation Metal, are planning a Christmas event that re-kindles some of the traditions celebrated during the Victorian era, the early years of the station’s history.

Decorating the station with Christmas garlands, there will be a programme of local entertainment, films, market stalls and food and drink in the Welcoming spaces and Engine Room inside the newly renovated buildings. Don't forget your platform shoes.

*Victorian Christmas at Edge Hill Station, Tunnel Road, Liverpool, L7 6ND, Sunday, 13 December 2009, 12-4pm. Free

Dickens and docks
Before that, the Albert Dock will be celebrating the onset of Christmas with a Saturday festival dedicated to the creator of Scrooge himself, Charles Dickens. From noon onwards the dock will step back to the time when Dickens himself first tramped along winding streets of Liverpool. The author was undertaking research for his novels at the time of his visit and produced an account of the night he spent at the docks, Poor Mercantile Jack, which appeared in The Uncommercial Traveller.

Staying in touch with Liverpool’s rich maritime heritage, Father Christmas will be arriving by boat, supported by his elves and ably assisted by the so-called Heartful Dodgers, including children from Rotunda Community Arts College. Unlike their near namesakes, these dodgers will not pick your pick your pockets but instead fill them with sweets and small gifts.

Complete with a special yuletide performance by renowned singer/songwriter Susan Hedges, beautifully lit and graceful boats, performers from Liverpool Lantern Co, colourful tableaux, mulled wine, mince pies and a festive welcome guaranteed from all the dock businesses. Albert Dock looks as if it will be providing different fare from the predictable Christmas shopping madness and something for all of the family to enjoy.

*Dickens Of A Christmas @ Albert Dock – Saturday December 12th. Starts 12pm. Free.

McNabb it and runn Christmas Eve 2008 I met Ian McNabb in my local pub. He was rather excitable. Over time we had a good conversation, managed to steal an acoustic guitar from somewhere and it looked like we were going to start a new musical project with no limitations or boundaries.

That was until he stumbled up and alleyway at precisely midnight and disappeared from sight and mind, never to be seen again.

Was this an hallucination? Had I tuned myself into an Edgar Allen Poe style of thought wherein copious amounts of alcohol lent themselves to visions?

Should you attend this show, make sure you ask about me…and what happened to that project!

That is of course, if you find the time between the songs presented on the night. McNabb will be performing the entire Icicle Works’, first album and a few numbers since.

Icicle Works’ biggest success came in 1983 with the single Love Is A Wonderful Colour and count Oasis drummer Chris Sharrock amongst their former members.

*Ian McNabb @ Liverpool O2 Academy – Saturday December 12th. Tix, 15 from Ticketweb

Tide of change
Liverpool City Council had earmarked 2009 as the Year of the Environment. With the year drawing to a close and news that this past decade has been the warmest on record FACT will be examining the nature of sustainability and what it means to us, asking questions and opening out discussions via a series of artists residencies, debates, films and exhibitions.

Following its successful residency during their Climate for Change exhibition earlier this year, the High Tide project returns to FACT with its nomadic and enigmatic Office for Environmental Democracy.

This time they are bringing us exclusive views of the dramatic political events as they unfold during the hugely anticipated 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15). Acting as the official High Tide COP15 envoy (08 - 18 December), distinguished ecological artist Aviva Rahmani will be immersing herself in the burgeoning eco-political activism in the city and sharing her experiences with us via a daily blog.

Patrons are more than encouraged to open dialogue with Rahmani, so feel free to pose questions, offer your own interpretations or wail your doomsday prophecies.

*The Gathering Storm COP15 Project @ FACT, Wood Street, Exhibition and website www.hightideuk.org will be running until 15th December.
Compiled by Joseph Viney