what's on in liverpool july 18-24

By Catherine Jones on Jul 17, 09 10:00 AM

The Arabic Arts Weekender will fill Liverpool with the sights and sounds of the Middle East this weekend.
There are a number of events on at venues including the Philharmonic Hall and the Bluecoat over the next three days, and early music group The Clerks joins Syrian singers at St George's Hall on Sunday evening.

Elsewhere the 2009 Summer Pops continue with Ne-Yo (Arena) and Aswad (02 Academy) tonight, the Christians at the 02 Academy tomorrow and an Indie Weekender offering all sorts of musical talent on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, the RLPO brings its own Pops season to a close with Carl Davis (who reveals in today's arts pages he expects it to be a 'three coat' affair) conducting the always popular Last Night of the Pops with plenty of audience participation.
Incidently, Brouhaha will be at Southport on Sunday before the festival proper launched in Liverpool on July 27.
If you're not into Simple Minds, who play the Echo Arena on July 21, the Empire has a one-night celebration of the music of Dolly Parton on the same evening.
Angels With Manky Faces has a two night run at the Unity on July 22-23, and Pussycat Dolls arrive at the arena on July 22 while Scoobie Doo is at the Empire from next Thursday.
Some of the final Pops gigs of this year include Eighth Day Army at the 02 Academy on July 23 and China Crisis at the venue the next evening, while Jools Holland brings his rhythm and blues to the arena on July 24.
Not forgetting of course the myriad of on-going shows and exhibitions which take us to the end of the month and beyond.