The Lowry

The Lowry is a theatre and gallery complex situated on Pier 8 at Salford Quays, in Salford, Greater Manchester, England. It is named after the early 20th century painter, L. S. Lowry, known for his paintings of industrial scenes in North West England. The complex was officially opened on 12 October 2000 by Queen Elizabeth II.

Background

To redevelop the derelict Manchester Docks (in Salford), Salford City Council developed a regeneration plan in 1988 for the brownfield site highlighting the leisure, cultural and tourism potential of the area, and included a flagship development that would involve the creation of a performing arts centre. The initial proposals were for two theatres and an art gallery on a prominent site on Pier 8.

Between 1990 and 1991 a competition was launched and architects James Stirling Michael Wilford Associates was selected. After the death of James Stirling in June 1992 Michael Wilford continued the project. The city council bid for Millennium and other British and European funds and private sector finance to progress the project. Funding was secured in 1996 and The Lowry Trust became responsible for the project which comprised The Lowry Centre, the plaza, a footbridge, a retail outlet shopping mall and Digital World Centre. The National Lottery provided over £21 million of funding towards its construction. The project was completed in 1999 at a cost of £106 million. The Lowry name was adopted in honour of the local artist, L. S. Lowry.

Lowry

Lowry may refer to:

People

Lowry is a common surname, and may refer to:

Lowry (band)

Lowry is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band with members originally hailing from Kansas, New Zealand, Australia, North Carolina and Canada. Originally emerging from New York City's "anti-folk" scene, the band has gone through several incarnations before settling into its current line-up in early 2008. Their debut studio album 'Awful Joy', which blended alt-country, psychedelia and rock was released in 2005. Signed to Engine Room Recordings in 2008, they released their sophomore studio album 'Love Is Dead' October 26, 2008.

Lowry appeared at the All Points West Music & Arts Festival on August 8, 2008 on the Queen of the Valley stage alongside Grizzly Bear, Andrew Bird, The Duke Spirit and Mates of State.

Lowry recorded a cover version of Toto's "Africa" for Engine Room Recordings' compilation album Guilt by Association Vol. 2, which was released in November 2008.

Current members

Lavery

Lavery, also spelled Lowry, Lowrie, and Lowery, is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Labhradha, meaning the "descendants of Labhradha".

The Ó Labhradha descend from Labhradh, who was the father of Etru, chief of the Monagh, a people belonging to the Irish over-kingdom of Ulaid. At the time of Etru's death in 1056, the sept was located in the area of Magh Rath (present-day Moira, County Down). It is in this area as well as the adjoining part of County Antrim where the surname is still most common. A strong concentration of them can also be found in the Montiaghs district of County Armagh, where many moved to during the Plantation of Ulster.

Due to the number of Laverys in these areas they had to adopt monikers to distinguish between them, as such there were three distinct branches: the Baun-Laverys, from the Irish word bán, meaning "white"; the Roe-Laverys, from the Irish word rua, meaning "red"; and the Trin-Laverys, from the Irish word tréan, meaning "strong". The Trin-Laverys often mistranslated their name into English as Armstrong. An example of the adoption of Armstrong is Dr. John Armstrong who was born Trenlavery.