What is Threshold?

Threshold is Liverpool's newest grassroots festival, an annual event boasting over 200 live acts from the worlds of music, dance, theatre, art and photography - and much MUCH more - under one roof.

Spontaneous, innovative and independent, for three days in February Threshold will transform Liverpool's CUC into a hive of arty, musical goodies; bands, dancers, exhibitions, flashmobs, photography, theatre, galleries and games, by a feast of performers and artists who're the best of the North West. Watch, listen - learn. Get involved.

Threshold is a partnership between promoters Under the Influence and the Liverpool CUC and this means it’s a festival with a conscience. Every penny you spend when you come to Threshold - every pie and pint, sandwich and snack you consume - goes straight back into helping those with greater needs and fewer chances. Profits from ticket sales are reinvested into next year’s festival.

Advance tickets cost £5 a day, or you can enjoy the whole weekend's events for a tenner. Tickets are available online at www.contemporaryurbancentre.org or via the CUC box office 0151 708 3529.

So why ‘Threshold’?

Kaya Herstad, Festival Director said "Ingi, the creative director at the CUC invited us to use the building for something special and considering its size and the variety of spaces on offer there was only one option, to run a festival. Chris and I have done a variety of music events under the Under The Influence moniker, but as we planned the festival it became clear that this event needed a separate identity. ‘Threshold’ is significant because it means ‘a starting point for a new state or experience’ a definition which we apply to the uniqueness of the festival and the venue which, until now, hasn’t been explored in this way."

Ingi Thor, CUC creative director "Put two Scandinavians and a Scouser together and great things are going to happen! I’ve always believed in this buildings’ potential and with this event being given such great support by Peter MacDonagh, Director of CUC Liverpool, and Maff Potts our new CEO, I really believe Threshold is a sign of exciting things to come. ‘Threshold’ meant something to all of us as a partnership as Under the Influence bid to take people beyond their creative Threshold and we at the CUC invite you to cross ours."

This is a really ambitious programme for the CUC who often find it hard to make you a simple cup of Tea - but being bold in 2011 is all the rage and we wish them all the best with what looks like a fantastic line up of bands. It is so lovely to see the building being used to it's maximum as everytime you visut you discover a new room or floor. - See you there. NM