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Concert showcases pool of talent Concert showcases pool of talent
(about 2 hours later)
The second part of the celebrations to mark the launch of Liverpool's Capital of Culture year takes place later. The second part of the celebrations to mark the launch of Liverpool's Capital of Culture year are under way.
Liverpool The Musical, which is billed as a once in a lifetime show, will be staged at the city's brand new £164m Echo Arena at the King's Dock. Liverpool The Musical, which is billed as a once-in-a-lifetime show, is being staged at the city's brand new £164m Echo Arena at the King's Dock.
A cast of 700 people, aged from six to 78, will take to the stage at 20.08 GMT in the musical extravaganza. A cast of 700 people, aged from six to 78, took to the stage at 20.08 GMT in the musical extravaganza.
About 50,000 people gathered in the city on Friday night for the People's Opening Ceremony.About 50,000 people gathered in the city on Friday night for the People's Opening Ceremony.
Ringo Starr premiered his new song on the 100ft high roof of St George's Hall, reminiscent of the Fab Four playing on top of the Apple Building in London's Savile Row in 1969.Ringo Starr premiered his new song on the 100ft high roof of St George's Hall, reminiscent of the Fab Four playing on top of the Apple Building in London's Savile Row in 1969.
Liverpool starts the party Launch in picturesLiverpool starts the party Launch in pictures
On Saturday, he will take centre stage in the proceedings once again. On Saturday, he is expected to take centre stage in the proceedings once again.
Other performers include a special collaboration between Vassily Petrenko and the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, with No Fakin DJs, Valley Brass Band and the Liverpool Welsh Choir.Other performers include a special collaboration between Vassily Petrenko and the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, with No Fakin DJs, Valley Brass Band and the Liverpool Welsh Choir.
An eclectic mix of Liverpool talent will be showcased, including hotly-tipped new band The Wombats, city legends Echo and the Bunnymen and blues singer Connie Lush. An eclectic mix of Liverpool talent is being showcased, including hotly-tipped new band The Wombats, city legends Echo and the Bunnymen and blues singer Connie Lush.
Also on stage will be the former Christians frontman Gary Christian, The Farm, Pete Wylie, and Jenny John and the Sense of Sound choir with 100 local schoolchildren.Also on stage will be the former Christians frontman Gary Christian, The Farm, Pete Wylie, and Jenny John and the Sense of Sound choir with 100 local schoolchildren.
Organisers have once again planned an audio-visual spectacular, with 90 minutes of specially-commissioned film being played out during the show.Organisers have once again planned an audio-visual spectacular, with 90 minutes of specially-commissioned film being played out during the show.
CAPITAL OF CULTURE FACTS Stavanger in Norway is also Capital of Culture for 2008It is thought Capital of Culture will boost the city's economy by £100mLiverpool is expected to benefit from £2bn of investment over the next five yearsThe investment could create about 14,000 new jobs Liverpool beat 12 other cities to win the Capital of Culture titleIt is estimated more than two million tourists will visit Liverpool this yearCAPITAL OF CULTURE FACTS Stavanger in Norway is also Capital of Culture for 2008It is thought Capital of Culture will boost the city's economy by £100mLiverpool is expected to benefit from £2bn of investment over the next five yearsThe investment could create about 14,000 new jobs Liverpool beat 12 other cities to win the Capital of Culture titleIt is estimated more than two million tourists will visit Liverpool this year
Local band Urban Strawberry Lunch, who make instruments from anything they can find, will accompany aerial spinners who will be suspended from the roof on wires.Local band Urban Strawberry Lunch, who make instruments from anything they can find, will accompany aerial spinners who will be suspended from the roof on wires.
The design for both the People's Opening and Liverpool the Musical, was drawn up by director Nigel Jamieson, responsible for the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games and the closing ceremony for the Manchester Commonwealth Games.The design for both the People's Opening and Liverpool the Musical, was drawn up by director Nigel Jamieson, responsible for the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games and the closing ceremony for the Manchester Commonwealth Games.
He is also the co-director of both shows, along with co-founder of Liverpool superclub Cream, Jayne Casey.He is also the co-director of both shows, along with co-founder of Liverpool superclub Cream, Jayne Casey.
The two shows will use more than 200 moving lights, 600m of trussing and 4km of cable. It took more than 120 people 15,000 hours to put together.The two shows will use more than 200 moving lights, 600m of trussing and 4km of cable. It took more than 120 people 15,000 hours to put together.
Saturday's performance will be the inaugural event for the new 10,600-steater stadium. Saturday's performance is the inaugural event for the new 10,600-steater stadium.
This weekend kick-starts a programme of more than 350 events that are to take place over the year.This weekend kick-starts a programme of more than 350 events that are to take place over the year.