LIVERPOOL LOVES to Return with Two-Day Festival This Weekend

Liverpool Loves is back for 2017 this weekend with a free two-day festival which takes over the city on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August.

New for 2017, Liverpool Loves will take place across two locations and over two days; the main stage located in Derby Square, whilst Liverpool ONE will host an exciting family and community programme of cultural and wellbeing activities.

Just in time for the summer holidays, organisers Orb CIC are now excited to reveal the full family and community programme at the festival's second site in Liverpool ONE running from 12pm - 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The On The Green programme in Chavasse Park and The Culturebox Stage on Thomas Steers Way will feature a whole host of family fun including masterclasses and demonstrations, plus top-class live entertainment.

LIVERPOOL LOVES - ON THE GREEN PROGRAMME, CHAVASSE PARK

There will be plenty to keep the kids entertained over the weekend and Chavasse Park will be transformed in to a wellbeing zone with the On The Green programme, offering a selection of health and wellbeing demonstrations plus learn new skills with a wide array of fun activities and performances.

Start the day off right and let the little ones have a go at relaxing and calming yoga with Yoga Bears from the Liverpool Yoga Centre. Yoga can help a child stay strong, supple and emotionally centred for their entire life. It will be fantastic fun that enabLes Children of all ages and abilities to improve their fitness levels, concentration, mood, social skills and much more.

As well as traditional yoga, why not try Jordan's Laughter Yoga. Having endless health benefits this form of yoga consists of breathing and stretching exercises followed by child-like play and laughter exercises which increases oxygen levels to the body and brain, releases endorphins meaning laughter can relax the whole body, improve sleeping and engages core muscles and tightens the abs.

Ever dreamt of running off and joining the circus? Well Bring the Fire Project will be teaching all the skills required in their Circus Skills demonstration which includes learning to spin poi, staff, levitation stick and juggling. Entertaining, fun and educational, it is a chance to discover the magic of circus and try something completely new. The skills learnt can also aid in a child's development helping to improve concentration, balance, reflex and rhythm whilst offering a great stimulus for creativity and social interaction.

Learn the art of Hoop Dancing from Liverpool company Stay Beautiful. This Native American dance is a form of storytelling dance incorporating anywhere from one to thirty hoops as props used to create both static and dynamic shapes, which represent various animals, symbols, and storytelling elements.

Dance enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to show off their samba moves and shake it to the samba beat with a sizzling Samba demonstration; get ready to shake those pom-poms with a high-energy performance from Eclipse Cheerleading; and Britain's Got Talent finalist's, dance troupe MD Productions will be demonstrating some of their internationally acclaimed dance routines. And Martial arts fans will be able to enjoy, Tai Chi and Bushido Karate demonstrations.

LIVERPOOL LOVES - CULTUREBOX STAGE, THOMAS STEERS WAY

If that wasn't enough then be sure to also check out The Culturebox Stage, a platform to celebrate the rich diverse cultures of the city, which includes an eclectic mix of performances from the very best local and international music, dance and community groups.

Entertainment will come from all corners of the globe, celebrating an amazing array of cultures. Dance to the beat - the African drum beat - with the Liver Drummers; then head to South America with Viva Brasil Samba and The Anahis who will be shaking their very best sizzling samba moves. From Brasil to China, witness an explosion of colour and noise as Liverpool School of Cantonese Kung Fu demonstrate their exciting traditional Dragon Dance; and Alandalus Flamenco will present the sultry southern spanish traditional Flamenco dancing.

A trio of the city's finest vocal choirs will entertain the crowds over the weekend including the heavenly sounds of Liverpool Harmonic Gospel Choir, whilst audiences will have their socks blown off from the talent of community choir Singing Our Socks Off and the Choir With No Name presents a feel good selection from pop, rock, gospel, reggae and musicals.

Other musical performances come from up and coming artist Liv Pritchard, a 17-year-old Liverpool born singer who has been making waves on the music scene; representing Liverpool Irish Festival, duo Tippin' It Up present their selection of traditional music on guitar, mandolin and bouzouki; Liverpool's own ukulele band D'Ukes of Hazzard play a fantastic selection of covers in their own unique way; and home-grown girl band Girl Talk perform an exhilarating and energetic set which is certain to have the crowds singing and dancing along.

New for 2017 is a special performance from the Liverpool Loves Superstars. The Big Lottery-funded initiative is bringing children and young people together from across North Liverpool for a masterclass in dance and performance.

The project is directly working with 40 'Superstars' in a kick-start Summer holiday bootcamp; as well as providing opportunities for other performing arts academies from across Liverpool City Region to unite and perform at the festival in Liverpool ONE. The initiative aims to promote social inclusion through the arts and empower disadvantaged young people to work together towards a better quality of life and has been planned in partnership with successful local dance academy Pulse Performing Arts.

Liverpool Loves, organised by Orb CIC, is a celebration of all things Liverpool - with four core themes of business, culture, food and well-being showcasing the best of life in the region.

The festival has continued to go from strength to strength since its inaugural year in 2015 with an attendance of 27,000 visitors over three days. An audience of 40,000 attended the second event in 2016, and Orb CIC is now on a mission to continue to build on this success. It has previously been located at the Pier Head.

Liverpool Loves is a feel good festival which celebrates and promotes all the fantastic things that Liverpool has to offer. Returning to the city centre on Saturday 5 August and Sunday 6 August, the festival focuses on the festival's four core themes of business, culture, food and well-being. The event was first staged in 2015. For more information, visit www.liverpoolloves.co.uk.

Orb CIC is a value-led, full-service event management company based in Liverpool's emerging creative quarter, the Baltic Triangle. The team have been behind some of the city's largest events including Liverpool Pride, Brazilica and Farm Feast.