Following its successful introduction at Tate Modern and Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool will be throwing open its doors after hours for Late at Tate: a series of monthly late-night openings. Late at Tate will take place on the last Thursday of every month from 18.00 – 21.00, as the city centre bustles with late-night shoppers. Starting monthly from Thursday 26 July, there will be an opportunity to drop-in after 18.00 and enjoy a series of one-off events themed around the artworks on display, see all the Tate Liverpool exhibitions, and enjoy a different kind of Tate experience. Entry to Tate Liverpool on Late at Tate nights will be free. Special exhibition entry is £5, and special events cost £7.
On Late at Tate nights Tate Café will be open and offering a special dinner menu, providing the perfect opportunity to refuel before or after enjoying an evening of art and culture. A pay bar in the foyer will provide refreshments for those enjoying the music – visitors can expect to see DJs, live bands and acoustic performances as they arrive at Tate Liverpool.
On Thursday 26 July is inspired by Peter Blake: the Godfather of British Pop art and Liverpool’s adopted son. Peter Blake: A Retrospective opened at Tate Liverpool at the end of June, and this Late at Tate night pays homage to one of Britain’s greatest living artists with a night of Blake-inspired events. Peter Blake and Tracey Emin take to the floor at 18.00 and ‘in conversation’ discuss Peter’s life, work and influences, in what promises to make thrilling listening! This event has sold out, but afterwards Peter will take to the gallery floor to sign copies of the catalogue that accompanies the current exhibition, which will be on sale in the newly-refurbished Tate Shop. Big kids can indulge their inner child as poet John Hughes leads Storytelling for Grown-Ups in the Peter Blake exhibition, using artworks as the impetus for imaginative tales (£7). In the foyer Mellowtone DJs will respond to Blake’s musical influences in their DJ set, to be followed by a selection of music from Emin and Blake’s own musical playlist. Finally, Artprojx present ARENA’s Masters of the Canvas (1992) and Ken Russell’s Pop Goes the Easel (1962) – two rarely-seen screenings about Blake and his work.
On 30 August Centre of the Creative Universe: Liverpool and the Avant-Garde is the exhibition of choice - Late at Tate events for this include a musical performance by one of the bands on the Liverpool Deltasonic record label, screenings of art films inspired by Liverpool’s waterfront and a series of connecting events with the Cream-inspired exhibition at Site, on the Albert Dock. In September Late at Tate focuses on the major rehang of the Tate Collection at Tate Liverpool, in particular on the work of American Pop artist Andy Warhol. The evening includes a performance by Velvet Underground inspired musician Natty. In October the newly-opened Turner Prize exhibition will take centre-stage with free exhibition entry, performances by LIPA students along The Colonnades of the Albert Dock and a series of discussions – some of which will take place in the bathrooms!
Details of future Late at Tate events will feature on the Tate Liverpool website (www.tate.org.uk/liverpool) and in forthcoming visitor guides – more acts and events to be announced. To book tickets for exhibitions and ticketed events, or for further information, please contact Tate Liverpool on 0151 702 7400.