Category Archives: music

“…the point is to change it”: Remembering Ruth and Eddie Frow and the WCML

Posted on November 13, 2017 by lipstick socialist

  Last Saturday’s event commemorated the lives of the  Frows,  showing  how their belief in communism was about grassroots activity which included the creation of the Working Class Movement Library in the 1950s. They wanted  to encourage  future generations to … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-cuts, Communism, drama, education, feminism, human rights, labour history, music, political women, Salford, Socialism, trade unions, Uncategorized, women, working class history, young people | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My review of “Sound System, The Political Power of Music” by Dave Randall

Posted on March 25, 2017 by lipstick socialist

Dave Randall is a professional musician and ex-member of the SWP. In this new book he charts his own awakening into the world of music and politics and tries to explain why music is so important to all of us. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alice Nutter, anti-cuts, book review, Ireland, Irish second generation, labour history, Manchester, music, North of Ireland, trade unions, Uncategorized, working class history, young people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Read my weekly roundup of radical arts and politics…julieta, Right to Remain Gathering, Salford and Cheetham Hill in Focus Exhibition and Voices across Borders

Posted on August 28, 2016 by lipstick socialist

                Watch   julieta the latest film from Pedro Almodovar. I love his films because they take on real issues, and also have actors that look like real people both in size and … Continue reading →

Posted in art exhibition, drama, feminism, films, human rights, labour history, Manchester, music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Finnish by design: my trip around Finland

Posted on August 11, 2016 by lipstick socialist

There are three things I love about Finland: the music of Jean Sibelius, the writings and art of Tove Jansson, and the architecture of Alva Aalto. Sadly, all dead, but in their lives they embody much of  the history of … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-cuts, art exhibition, Communism, education, feminism, labour history, music, trade unions, Uncategorized, working class history | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Read my weekly roundup of radical arts and politics..Up for Love, Thorn,Javier Camanas and Chernobyl Prayer

Posted on August 7, 2016 by lipstick socialist

                Watch Up for Love (Home). It looks like your average French film-glamorous woman, Diane, who is a lawyer meets attractive architect. Big difference is that architect, Alexander, is only 4ft 5inches tall. … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-cuts, art exhibition, book review, Communism, education, feminism, films, music, peace campaigns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Read my weekly roundup of radical arts and politics..Rent Rebels,Joan,Babs and Shelagh too,Madonna in a Fur Coat and Argh Kid

Posted on July 10, 2016 by lipstick socialist

                Watch Rent Rebels organised by Manchester Film Coop and Greater Manchester Housing Action on 18 July at 7pm at the Partisan Collective, Manchester. Walk around Manchester city centre and you cannot miss … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-cuts, book review, drama, education, feminism, films, human rights, music, Uncategorized, women, working class history, young people | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fiery Women: my review of The Red Virgin and the Vision of Utopia by Mary M Talbot and Bryan Talbot and Petroleuse by Steph Pike

Posted on June 9, 2016 by lipstick socialist

In 2016 we need our heroes and in these new  books there is much to remind us that another, fairer world is possible.  Mary M. and Brian Talbot’s graphic novel, The Red Virgin and the Vision of Utopia,  is about … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-cuts, book review, education, feminism, human rights, Ireland, labour history, Manchester, music, North of Ireland, novels, poetry, political women, Uncategorized, women, working class history | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Read my weekly roundup of radical arts and politics..Measure of a Man,Manchester Histories Festival, Reveal in Bolton and Manchester music.

Posted on June 5, 2016 by lipstick socialist

Watch The Measure of a Man or the French title The Law of the Market (Home)– another stunning film from France digging deep into the realities of life for the unemployed. Thierry, played by the wonderful Vincent Lindon, is 51, … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-cuts, drama, education, feminism, films, human rights, labour history, Manchester, music, political women, Socialist Feminism, trade unions, Uncategorized, women, working class history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stop,Look,Listen…my weekly selection of favourite films, books and events to get you out of the house

Posted on April 25, 2016 by lipstick socialist

Watch Dheepan (Home)…how much do we really know about the refugees who escape war in their country and arrive in the west? Few people know about the war in Sri Lanka and the role of militants, the Tamil Tigers, who … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-cuts, book review, drama, feminism, films, human rights, Ireland, Irish second generation, labour history, Manchester, music, novels, political women, trade unions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Stop,Look,Listen…my weekly selection of favourite films, books and events to get you out of the house

Posted on January 31, 2016 by lipstick socialist

  Watch Spotlight (nationwide). A fantastic film about the importance of investigative journalism in rooting out the abuse of power in high places. Set in Boston (USA) in 2001 the film  is about how the local paper, The Boston Globe, … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-cuts, art exhibition, Catholicism, drama, feminism, films, human rights, labour history, music, political women, Socialism, trade unions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment