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Friday 25 December 2009

One more thing!

NB: About previous post 'Ont BIG SCREEN' regarding film 'Only When I Dance'. This is on Channel 4 today. If you're not tucking into a mountain of food/unwrapping more scarves from your dad/pouring another drink for family you barely know [all of which I will be doing] [I'm good at multi-tasking], then check it out. Alternatively, and if you can, Sky+ it!

+ Only When I Dance 
+ Channel 4 
+ Friday 25 December 
+ 1.25pm

Have a good one :)

Merry Christmas!



image courtesy of Alexandra Darrow circa '57

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Theo Adams

This guy seems to be popping up in all manner of websites/email inboxes. [Good Marketing Manager??]

"Theo Adams is a self-taught, 20 year old director, performer and visionary. Fresh from an epic collaboration with acclaimed photographer David Sims and W Magazine; His newly formed company of talented and passionate dancers, musicians, artists and performers are travelling from London to Tokyo to realise their most ambitious project to date. Entirely self-funded, managed and motivated, this new generation of interdisciplinary collaborators provide an uncompromised vision that is as exciting, artistic and powerful as it is unusual."

His group, The Theo Adams Company, are now back in London from debuting the piece 'Cry Out' in Tokyo at the end of last month.

Trailer, here -->



Monday 21 December 2009

Stocking Fillers

En caso.

Ok, maybe not on the same wavelength as a Terry's Chocolate Orange. These images are perhaps more inspirational than aspirational, but I can only speak for myself at this point...



image courtesy of Vito Acconci 


You should keep an eye out for Nowness, where this snippet was found. It's a new website [officially launching in 2010] that chronicles daily content

"from the most respected and innovative creatives working today. Ever evolving. Forward thinking. NOWNESS presents a highly creative and technologically advanced approach to showcasing the best of fashion, art, culture and travel. Each day, NOWNESS introduces you to a new world of ideas, delivering multi-faceted stories and exclusive content."

Sunday 20 December 2009

Before Christmas

It's been such a mental few months..! Christmas break now.

It's about time I mention the Dance4 Christmas party we had laaaast Friday. Mr Mans, Mr Mans... I bow down to you. Good night.

On Saturday we took part in the [uber-special] Sneinton Arts Market featuring not only Dance4, [bringing Maison Foo and The Force], but Backlit, Tether, Can, Hatch [with their Santa's Workshop] and many many others. Were you there??

+ Sneinton Market
+ Saturday 19 December
+ 10.00am-4.00pm

Hopefully we'll be getting some photos up soon, when we're back in the office, to commemorate the day.

The event was pretty good, despite the aching cold and my [too] late discovery of a marquee holding magic fire. There was a whole load of talk about the regeneration of the Sneinton area, especially the Square, and the role of the Arts in that process. Opinions were flying about everywhere. For a slice of what people had to say, look out for the interviews hosted by Tether's Tethervision on their website and HERE. Coming soon to a laptop near you..

Tuesday 15 December 2009

Secret Santa

 

image courtesy of obsessedwithfilm

Thank you!!

Friday 11 December 2009

D&C

Ever wondered how they put those big fancy magazines together? So beautiful and lovingly.




Wednesday 9 December 2009

FYI/DIY




image courtesy of Viv W

Tuesday 8 December 2009

Ont BIG SCREEN



image courtesy of Stage and Cinema

 "Only When I Dance is an extraordinary documentary film following a year in the life of two ballet dancing teenagers, Isabela Coracy and Irlan Da Silva, as they dance their way out of the infamous Complexo do Alemão, one of the most violent favelas in Rio de Janeiro. With wit, charm and tenderness, the film tracks the journeys of these two young hopefuls across Brazil, Europe and eventually New York."

Ok, ok, so... I'm not sure if they're really showing this film in Nottingham [yet, at least..]. Anyway, it came out last friday - here's hoping it pops up in the next couple of days... :/  Dazed Digital did an interview with Irlan Da Silva, one of the young stars of the film, HERE.

Plus. Click on the link above to go the official site, which bears the beauty that is the trailer. It gives a bit of another dimension to films focussed on dance.

Monday 7 December 2009

"How it would be, if a house was dreaming"

Speaking of Media kids...

 

More suh-weet vids at the urbanscreen website.

Sunday 6 December 2009

Creative [Media] Apprenticeship anyone?

Last week I went to a Creative Apprenticeship event for Media kids at Broadway. You know, just to scope out the competition. Or something. [Plus, they had free coffee].

While I was there, we heard from some people in Manchester who had their whole media plan up and running, to let us know what we could have in Nottingham. Was pretty interesting.

If you want to know more about Creative Apprenticeships in Media [or Live Events & Promotion in the Arts, which is what I'm focussing on] then GOOGLE. There's way too much information, pdfs, faq lists, etc for me to pinpoint. Depends what kind of info you're looking for.

A good place to start = HERE.

Saturday 5 December 2009

GOLD.



BOOMBOX courtesy of Ely Kim

That is all.

Wednesday 2 December 2009

Art of the Trench

My sister told me to go on this.
It's from Burberry.
Trench coats are ok I guess.



image courtesy of The Sartorialist

It's the layout of the website that kicks ass.
I think they're onto something here...

Anyway, who needs photo blogs???

Monday 30 November 2009

Ont Telly [#2]




image courtesy of GIF PARTY

Apparantly this is on now. Or later, if you can get onto BBC iPlayer...

++ Margot
++ BBC Four
++ Monday 30 November
++ 9.00pm

About Margot Fonteyn.
Bit o' dance history for your there. Perhaps? Maybe? We'll see. Anyway, all I know is that it's tvguide.co.uk's Pick Of The Day. That's got to say something...

"Anne-Marie Duff plays the ballerina, who became a global celebrity after she embarked on a complicated relationship with Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev"

Thursday 26 November 2009

I'm Not From London...

...is a promotions group based in Nottingham. They put on gigs and that.

 

image courtesy of INFL

More importantly, Head Honcho Will Robinson has brought together over 50 of Nottingham's best musical talents for the massive feat that is:

At the weekend, they shot another load of bands at The Art Organisation, which was semi-open to the public. Following this, they had the open afterparty at Jam Cafe, for performers, the like, and apparantly various members of Dance4 staff[?!].

This is a really important project in Nottingham's music scene; like no other, it's something that is championing local talents and condensing it in a way that those outside of our fair city can easily see what [musical awesomeness] there is on offer and tap into that.
Keep checking back on their site to see when future filming dates are taking place, and get down to support your local music.

Can't wait to see the finished product.

Tuesday 24 November 2009

Lunch?


 
image courtesy of iwhospice.org

If you're working in Nottingham tomorrow and like to eat.. and stuff... instead of lunching at the nearest jacket potato spot [a.k.a. your desk], why not walk down to Nottingham Contemporary?

As well as having a cafe, for all your culinary needs, they offer lunchtime talks every Wednesday.

"...walk through Nottingham Contemporary’s galleries with one of our own curators. This is a friendly and informal opportunity to learn more about the themes of our current exhibitions and our artistic ethos..."

++ Every Wednesday
++ 1.00-1.45pm 
++ Meet at Reception

No. I'm not talking about the architecture of the building. 
Yes. I am talking about lunch.

Thursday 19 November 2009

Arts Award

Heard of it? Some might. Some mightn't.

A rough guide to the Arts Award:
#1 You can do it in your own time
#2 You do the things that you're interested in creatively [i.e. you're not forced to paint pictures, or make a music a music track when what you really want to do is host a fashion show]
#3 You work with advisers who guide you through the process
#4 You can do it in a group
#5 You can participate at different levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold
#6 You can take part as long as you're under 25



image courtesy of artsaward.org.uk

Basically set up as an Arts Sector version of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, the Arts Award is on the National Qualifications Framework. Those of you who want something to show for your hard work, those of you who are interested in working in the Sector and want to focus on getting a bit more experience, those of you who simply want a varifiable excuse to go and review a theatre piece when all you'd usually be doing is catching the latest Miss Marple, may find this interesting.

"Arts Award aspires to support any young person to enjoy the arts and develop creative leadership skills."

LINK = HERE with a more comprehensive guide...

Monday 16 November 2009

RJD2

My friend posted this on Facebook yesterday.



"Post hip-hop troubadour RJD2 teamed with dance and media artist Bill Shannon for the 'Work It Out' video. Shannon, born with a degenerative hip condition, developed a way to express himself through dance [and even skateboarding] on crutches. Director Joey Garfield took to the streets of New York and captured one continuous shot of Shannon, injecting RJD2 into random roles throughout the video."

This is a taste of something guuurd. Bill's website is packed up with more videos, pictures, doodles...
For those who are intruiged by this, you may also like to check out Candoco Dance Company

What is dance?
Who can dance?

Friday 13 November 2009

The FF

The Friday Feeling

Stephen is a

 Fine

 Artist

Are you from Nottingham?
No.

What do you think of the creative scene in this city?
I think it is an unexploded bomb in the cultural scene, and I can't think for the life of me why it's not all recognised. The structure's all here. As a visitor you have to find it though; what cities have a national representative of dance [Dance4], a Royal Theatre and Concert Hall, Broadway [a Media and Cinema Hub], a thriving amateur theatre scene, Nottingham Contemporary, Lakeside, two major universities [UN and NTU], Michelin star restaurants, and what I hear there is a great shopping scene, great independent shops. It should have a huge confidence in itself. 


"[Nottingham is] A volcano waiting to explode... it just needs a poke!"

And what brings you to Dance4?
I'm on the interviewing panel for the new Communications and Development Manager. [N.B. Stephen is a Board Member of Dance4]

Have you enjoyed your time here?
I always enjoy my time here, there are great people. Always a very stimulating environment.

How many times have you been to the building?

Approx 20 times.

How long have you been involved in the Dance sector?
30 years!

What’s been a highlight for you this year?
Going to Jamie Oliver's restaurant Fifteen, with my family. Very yummy food and a stimulating atmosphere. Also going to the Tate Modern this year (before it was open to the public!).


What's you’re favourite tea?
Builders tea - made by somebody else. Best cup of tea is in an Italian Cafe opposite the Royal Opera House early in the morning, it was always full of interesting types.

When we say Dance, you say…?
Interesting...


If you could ask us one question, what would it be?
Are you going to Nottingham Contemporary tomorrow?


Hell yeah!

Wednesday 11 November 2009

Butoh. Yeah?

When you search YouTube for 'Butoh', this is what comes up:



So. I'm pretty new to the Butoh thing. I came across it a few months back, and can vividly remember having a chat about it to someone in the office when I first started as Creative Apprentice: 'Yeah, yeah, well I found this really cool thing a few months back. It's pretty eye-opening and wierd and makes me a bit uncomfortable when I look at it and I can't help but embrace that feeling and stare even more and it's also Japanese and only, what, fifty years old(?) and I'm almost definitely sure I want to see some in real life one day. Ahh man, you gotta get on it, it's called Butoh. Yeah? Butoh?'

Anyway... turns out Butoh's pretty big.

If you're in London this autumn/winter, there's a festival where you can witness all the white make-up, taboo hitting action. The London Butoh Festival runs annually September-November, and this year marks the 50th year of official existence which was lead by Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno. Check. This. Out.

Want more information? Google it, lazy.

NB: I will give you this one nugget. Fans of Antony and Johnsons may/may not be surpised to know that their latest release 'The Crying Light' is actually dedicated to Kazuo Ohno, who also stars as the artwork for the album. Interessant?

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Indeed

"Let's get to know the drums to which we march"

words courtesy of Glass Candy

Monday 9 November 2009

Ont Telly


   
image courtesy of GIF PARTY

If you have nowt to do next Saturday night/do have something to do, but maybe have nowt to do in another gap of your life and have access to BBC iPlayer...

++ What Is Beauty? with Matt Collings
++ BBC Two
++ Saturday 14 November
++ 8.30pm

He talks about beauty in art and that.
Part of The Modern Beauty season on BBC Two and BBC Four.

Sunday 8 November 2009

White Hot Truth Y'all!!

Find it here. An amazing post.



image courtesy of me :)

++ Bonus image here from Keri Smith.

Kioskiosk in Nottingham

One of the first wee outing's I got as Creative Apprentice at Dance4 was perdy damn cool.

The launch of Kioskiosk in Nottingham. With Wayne ['Seriously, he's going to be here? In Nottingham!?'] Hemingway.



image courtesy of investinnottingham.co.uk

The idea of Kioskiosk is to give small creative businesses the opportunity to showcase and sell their wares to the people of the streets. And we're lucky enough to be the only city outside of London to be part of this programme that was launched by the co-founder of super label Red or Dead.

The Kiosk, which is run on an application basis, is rent-free and comes as an answer for those up-and-coming businesses who are faced with walls when trying to startup their companies. It's been noted that there are 60 000 design students in the UK - and this number keeps on growing. Those of you who want to get involved in this round of Kioskiosk may be too late, but click on the calendar to see who's in there on what day and support those who made it through!

++ Pelham Street [right opposite Homemade]
++ Every day
++ 30 September to 31 December

Lovely Jubbly!

Saturday 7 November 2009

Got an idea??

Get going, times running out if you want a part of the BIG fund they have at IdeasTap!



Closing date is Wednesday 11 November. Tick Tock.
Late? Worry not my young padawan! There's a looooaaad of useful things on the site that don't have a time bomb deadline. Just watch the promo vid for more info. 
Go on. 
Get on it.

This started on Friday. We're going to do it every week...

The Friday Feeling

Usha is a
 mIxeD 
 MEdIa 
 aRtISt

Are you from Nottingham?
Yes I am.

What do you think of the creative scene in this city?
Sometimes really good, sometimes quite random, some quiet times.

And what brings you to our building?
I’m here to do some experiments with my friend Marcus.

Have you enjoyed your time here?
Yeah! We want to use the space more, we’ll be back next week!

How many times have you been to the building?
Many, many times. I’ve been coming here years back, for performances, workshops, to run workshops, over fifty times easily.

How long have you been involved in the Dance sector?
All my life. 

"As a child I loved moving, movement’s very special to me."

What’s been a highlight for you this year?
Go Ape!

What's you’re favourite tea?
Bog standard builders brew.

When we say Dance, you say…?
YES!

If you could ask us one question, what would it be?
What makes you smile?

Friday 6 November 2009

For the blog at work

CA - Part One: Before

It’s just over a month and a half since I started at Dance4 as Creative Apprentice. And it’s just over a week since the end of nottdance09. Strange that. So much has happened in my time here that it seems a little bit weird to try and sum it all up in blog entry.

While I’m sure you’d love to hear about my first couple of weeks, and how I majestically learnt how to deal with a stubborn printer, how I ceremoniously used a franking machine by my own accord, or how I [semi-] mastered the art of the tea round [all very impressive, I think you’ll agree], we’ll stick to the good stuff. The meaty stuff. nottdance09.

Right now, the office is pretty still, oddly still; my only real experiences of working in Dance4 are a flurry of new names and faces entering the place, artists from around the world in the studios rehearsing, dates and meetings flung into my [seriously] tiny diary, people in and out delivering props, branded material and the like [umbrellas anyone?].

Some of the most interesting things pre-festival, were simply having the artists around. One of them using the space asked for our musical suggestions for his piece, and after having a sharing, a couple of tracks were definitely recognised [a proud moment for all involved…].

Helping/shadowing the orchestration of other projects and working on licensing were [probably secretly, definitely geekily] enjoyed by yours truly. It was also kind of comforting to know there were other people out there who had my obsession with lists. These things were flying everywhere.

I feel pretty lucky and extremely thankful. Soaking up everything I can, and learning as much as is possible, is why I’m here after all. And I like it.

Your Creative Apprentice,
X

PS – I apologise for all the brackets. Be prepared for more.