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Wednesday 31 March 2010

Amnesty & LMHR

This weekend sees a double act of fundaraising in the city. This site is by no means a platform for political thought [there's a time and a place], but it's always nice to see music used in such a way.

+ Amnesty International Fundraiser 
+ Nottingham Arts Theatre 
+ Saturday 03 April 
+ 8.00pm

+ LoveMusicHateRacism
+ The Maze
+ Sunday 04 April
+ 8.00pm

And while my I.D. has been sent off to the DVLA, I'm sure if I'm allowed in, I'll see some of you down there...

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Mr Penfold


image courtesy of Mr Penfold/Subism

On Saturday afternoon [amid the MediaCampNottingham2 madness], I caught a bit of Mr Penfold's live show at Montana Shop, Nottingham. Based in Cambridge, he's been in Nottingham quite a few times, and I remember seeing some stuff at a previous Subism night last year. [N.B. For those who haven't experienced a Subism night, keep an eye out on Facebook. They'll be re-launching their website soon..]

"The paintings have strong linear elements. These are gracefully drawn outlines which work both with (and against) the ground. Much of the work features people he has observed in bars and pubs. He uses screenprints, woodcuts and etching to make his prints. This is a natural extension of the work he does in a professional printmaking studio where he works with many well known artists."

Monday 29 March 2010

Prada at the Opera


image courtesy of Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera
  
A great post, re designers and their links with opera, theatre and ballet.

Sunday 28 March 2010

Summer starts here!

So, FYI, according to the Summer Time Order 2002, British summer officially starts at
"...the period beginning at one o'clock, Greenwich Mean Time, in the morning of the last Sunday in March..."
words courtesy of The Summer Time Order 2002

Saturday 27 March 2010

MediaCampNottingham2

This is happening all day today at Lace Market House, Nottingham. Completely free, completely saturated with information, and completely free. Sweet.
"MediaCampNottingham is a one day event for anyone wanting to share and expand their knowledge on digital media. For businesses, social enterprises and individuals who are curious about the digital phenomenon wanting to learn more.
The aim of the event is to share, explore, challenge and build understanding in digital media, look to future sustainability and understanding of how the Internet can be a valuable asset to everyone.
Veterans and new comers alike can learn about audio and video podcasting, blogging, web marketing, graphics, email campaigns, Second Life, Twitter and other social media tools." 

words courtesy of MediaCampNottingham2

You need a ticket though, so hurry up if you want to snap up one of the remaining places...

For more info LINK=HERE

Wednesday 24 March 2010

There Is Nothing Stopping You

image courtesy of Frank Chimero

'Nuff said.

Tuesday 23 March 2010

Fresnel... Flood..... Followspot..

To give a wee college round up [I realise I haven't]: last month, I was learning the art of [basic] light rigging and light programming[!?] among other things at NCN, which was mega fun. Part of the course that is aligned with my work placement at Dance4 is really all about making sure I'm able to converse and understand the more technical language that is part of this industry. It makes sense that it helps for me to have a better understanding of the intricacies associated and part of arts events. 

I also met the new Creative Apprentice, who is joining me. She's called Robyn, and is based at NCN, with her specialist strand focussed on Technical Theatre. It's pretty cool to have someone else in Notts doing this too, so I look forward to the rest of the year... we've already started to come up with future ideas of extra projects to do with our tutor. 

Watch this space.

Sunday 21 March 2010

The White Project



 image courtesy of Nottingham Trent University

So on Thursday 11 March, I went down to Nottingham Contemporary to see a snippet of The White Project. Held by first year Fashion Design students from Nottingham Trent University, the collection they presented was completely white while having an open brief. Emma Prince, their Senior Lecturer said:
 
"We try to get our first year students to think about the shape, form and image of their designs, which is far easier when working in white. As they become more advanced they are introduced to colour. We have given students a completely open brief so there will be a really wide range of work on show."

There were obviously good and bad designs thrown in there, but to be honest, the thing that caught my attention was the apparant lack of brief to the models. And while I'm aware they're all amateurs, it struck me how important this factor is. Is modelling essentially performing? Could this be classed as performing arts?

Saturday 20 March 2010

World Storytelling Day

Happens today! 

For those in Nottingham wanting to get into the world of storytelling, Nottingham Storytellers take part in events around the country, and also host their own in the city. They will also be holding a workshop in May:
 
+ Beginners Storytelling Workshop
+ Saturday 15 May
+ 10.00am
+ Arnold Library

They're a dying breed, I tell ye! Anyway, you can find out more about this ancient art and it's presence in the city HERE

EDIT: It's also Alien Abduction day. An important fact to note, I feel..

Thursday 18 March 2010

Danza Contemporanea de Cuba


"From the heat of Cuba comes the heart of dance.
World famous, but rarely seen outside of Cuba, this breath-taking company of 21 dancers bring the heat and passion of Cuba to the stage with an eclectic mix of contemporary dance fused with Afro Caribbean and Spanish styles."

The Cubans landed in Nottingham on Thursday 04 March. The following four days in the city were IMMENSE.


image courtesy of Manuel Harlan via Dance Consortium [Mambo 3XXI by George Céspedes]

A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to shadow Heather [Co-Ordinator] and Nina [Interpreter] of Dance Consortium who bring international dance to venues across the UK, during their stop in Nottingham. As I arrived to greet them at their hotel, the hoard of 21 or so dancers, Director and Team from Cuba's infamous Danza Contemporanea de Cuba came floating through the door; I knew this was going to be a pretty cool experience.

During their manic tour around.. everywhere [?], I got to catch a glimpse of what it's like to be on tour, to organise the days within a venue while on tour, and the general workings of bringing an international company to the UK. Heather occasionally gives talks on the subject at LIPA, and I gradually caught on to many of her 'Touring 101 Tips'. [I basically noted these down on a two year old notepad. Complete geek.]


image courtesy of Manuel Harlan via Dance Consortium [Folia by Jan Linkens]

They performed three pieces:
Demo-n/Crazy, choreographed by Rafael Bonachela - I'd seen Bonachela Dance Company a few days before at the Playhouse, so it was a wee bit interesting to see the piece he'd done with the Cubans
Folia, choreographed by Jans Linken
Mambo 3XXI, choreographed by George Cespedes - Their in-house choreographer, George led class each day with them, which I was lucky enough to join in with [I need to exercise waaay more]

The company were absolutely brilliant to be around; despite the sliiiiight language barrier, I was able to understand enough not to look like a complete mong. [Nanny Pereles would be proud.] [N.B. If any Cuban's are reading this/Nina, I have duly enrolled onto a Spanish course which starts April 01. YES.] They have a different way of communicating and behaving with each other, which was really beautiful; it reminded me of being with family or something, pretty sweet.

Highlights from the experience include: the curtain raising on the first night and realising what it was about / Nina pulling me onto stage for the Post-Show Talk / random golden tips from Heather when I would least expect them / having a philosophical conversation about age and personality and the body and the mind in two languages while listening to a beaut of a playlist / cutting the hair of a company member communicating only through screams / finding Nicola, the Dresser at Playhouse, soaked after the steamer had exploded / running around, and actually knowing where I was going and who I was looking for / being sat in the Auditorium, the curtain raising on the second night and knowing I knew the people who walked on stage / the Capoeira party at Nottingham Contemporary after the second night [They can definately dance.]

The remaining dates are both in London at Sadler's Wells:
+ Friday 19 March / 7.30pm
+ Saturday 20 March / 7.30pm

LINK=HERE for more information.
And on that note, I'm probably going to Cuba for my next holiday.

But this isn't the end... In May, the Brazilian Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker will be hitting the Nottingham Playhouse stage through Dance Consortium, and I will be shadowing once again. Should be awesome. More info later...

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Mad Go

It's been mad these past two weeks. I'll post it all up in the next day or so...

In the mean time:

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Fashion Week Roundup

While we have a few guys in the office, it is rather rammed with girls.
On that note, I present a couple of links on London Fashion Week.

 

image courtesy of Mark Reay

Why not have a quick peek at:
and 

Monday 1 March 2010

Conversations Around Choreography

In the winter, Siobhan Davies held a series of talks with a number of artists from different disciplines centering around the subject of Choreography.


"‘Do you recognise choreographic practice in your work?’ Striving to extend her understanding of the meaning of choreography through other people's practice, artistic director and choreographer Siobhan Davies speaks with a number of eminent artists and practitioners from outside the world of dance. Explore these eight published conversations which consider creative process and choreographic practice."

The results can be found at the new live site dedicated to the subject HERE, and make for an interesting read [provided you have the time... I suggest bookmarking the pages!]
You can also find the Foreword by Francis Hodgson, HERE.