Looking Into The Past

Following my visit to Curve on Friday, I spent some time filling in a questionnaire [all will be revealed soon...] that made me look back at the past six months of my Creative Apprenticeship.

I'd not actually realised that I'm halfway through. Already!!

And coincedentally, this weekend I came across Looking Into The Past, a Flickr Group containing shots such as these...

images courtesy of Looking Into The Past

Nice, oui?

Curve, Leicester

So, in a couple of weeks, we have an event extravaganza called U.Dance East Midlands. It’s held at 800 capacity Curve, Leicester and is...

 "a visual feast of dance highlighting the exceptional talent of young people and celebrating the wealth of youth dance in our region. Prepare to be blown away…"

Yesterday, I went for a few meetings with Linzi [who is heading up the event] at Curve, and was blown away by the sheer magnitude of the place! It’s basically a building within a building, and for those of you who haven’t been before, or seen it, you must check out their website. The stage itself is surrounding by moving walls, which can be raised up. When we arrived, and as I was shown to the huge stage for the first time, I saw this --->

..and was rather confused.

“So that is the stage?” I ask.

“That is the stage” they answer.

“What the..$%&;%”!” I think.

[N.B. And if my wee illustration hasn't painted a beautifully detailed depiction of the place, visit their website for a more comprehensive and virtual tour of the place... :o]

Immense = the only word I can use to describe its architectural design.

Thankfully, Linzi, Vanessa and everyone else involved have obviously been there plenty of times; I, on the other hand, am definitely going to need another visit, and another session studying the floor plan before I get my head around helping the management of 200 performers for U.Dance. Should be exciting. 
Belief.

Creative Block?

 

Image courtesy of ISO50

READ THIS.

Light Night

This was another grrrrreat night! Light Night is a City Council run event, which [unlike it’s Parisian counter-part] only lasts a few hours. The idea is that the city is lit up with performances, art, music et all for one night. I think it’s an awesome night though... much room for expansion!

Dance4 were there in full glory bringing Nottingham FIVE great artists for the crowds’ viewing pleasure.

And what a sight.

Pete Shenton

Sally Doughty

Simon Ellis

Gariele Reuter

+Jamie McCarthy

Set in Congregational Hall, and presented as ‘Dance4 Presents... Improvisation Congregation’, it really was a crazy concoction. We had all four dance artists and one musician set within a sunken hall, surrounded by rows of pews.

While the musician, Jamie, worked with strings, organs, keys, he manipulated the set using digital means. The dancers were left to improvise around the space, which looked beautiful and weird and mesmerising, especially with the backdrop of pews and expansive arches encircling the scene.

I bumped into a few friends who came the following night, and were happily surprised by their reviews [I wasn’t sure what their take on it would be]. Apparently, they found it pretty funny at first, quickly got sucked in, wanted to join the performers and had consequently been talking about it to people all day. It’s awesome to get the opinion of those who might never have experienced anything like that before...

The building had a constant flow of people, [which was possibly helped along by the fact we occasionally had six foot metal dragon stationed outside our doors], and the night was a great success for Nottingham all round.

Whhheeeyyyyyy!!

Who’s up for checking out Paris’ Nuit Blanche next October?

episodes2010

Friday February 06 and Sunday February 06 2010

+ Nottingham Playhouse

+ Over 300 Performers

= Fun tiiiiimes.

As one of the biggest projects I’ve supported so far, it’s fair to say I was pretty... grateful I had some excellent people showing me the way!

With months of preparation, I learnt A TON about how something of this magnitude is organised. The smooth runnings of 300 young performers over two days in one of Nottingham’s premier venues [A.K.A Nottingham Playhouse] was no mean feat, but thankfully Helen, who headed up the whole project was On It.

Each day beginning pretty damn early, and thankfully we had a small crew of volunteers consisting of uni students/recent grads to help out the manic day. Helen had organised it so there was basically a running conveyor belt – in this way, we knew exactly where everyone was at any given moment, nothing was static. Kirsten, myself and the brillllliant Playhouse Staff, then managed the performers within the boundaries set – all making for a smooth, smooth night!

I love that moment in a performance when suddenly nothing else matters; you have an aim, you have a job, and you do it. Adrenaline kicks in, and everything is realising itself around you.

The performances ranged from contemporary to street, south asian inspired to ballet; something to suit everyone and perhaps introduce something new audience members. We also had Vernon Coaker, along with our Director, Paul Russ, presenting speeches before the shows, which I felt was quite an honour.  [For those not aware, Vernon Coaker is Minister of State for Schools and Learners. Great that he must see this as an important opportunity for young people!]

For photos of the performances, check out Dance4's Facebook HERE and HERE!

All photos by the marvellous David Severn. Big up!

Save BBC6 Music!

image courtesy of Save BBC6 Music

For a detailed explanation on the situation, read HERE.

Leicester: Big Screen

Something to note for Leicester-ites. I got this email a while back, but after meeting few more Leics-dwellers at last months EMPAF Event [tres interessant, and I might post about this event soon. Any creatives within the East Midlands participatory arts scene should check these guys out. Now!], I thought, I may as well add info I receive for our regional brother!

"Think of it as a city centre venue rather than a big screen. There'll be live opera and concerts, interactive games, events, short films by local film makers, artistic pieces and videos from local bands.

The screen is one of a growing number of Big Screens across the UK and will be a showcase for community projects, film makers, bands and artists from across the region and beyond.

With its camera on top and ability to relay live events, Leicester's new Big Screen is much more than just a big telly. Why not make sure you're on it?"

words courtesy of BBC Leicester
 

Find out more HERE.

I'm still alive!

I'll give you an update as to my absence in a few days...

Keep your eyes peeled!

Good stuff.

Tips For Better Ideas

Dance4 Presents... Intern

This week, we talk to:

Laura Cherry, Dance4 Presents... Intern

Are you from Nottingham? 

No. I’m from London.

What do you think of the creative scene in this city?
Really impressive actually. I like the fact theres not just theatres, theres also Nottingham Contemporary, and other places which are not just designated to one type of art. A lot of galleries and so on. I like how everythings close together, really accessible, not miles apart like some places.

And what brings you to Dance4?
My placement for university. I've travelled all this way as it’s a really good organisation. You touch on all different areas. Especially experimental dance which I love.

Have you enjoyed your time here?
I have. Its been very… inspiring and informative and very nice because everyones lovely. And it really benefits me and my future career because its an insight into the professional world which is nice to have before I leave uni. Everyone should go on placement, a lot of people can just be dreamers in uni...

How many times have you been here?
First time!

How long have you been involved in the Dance sector?
Since I was five. I started doing ballet and modern and disco which was amazing. I joined an amateur theatre company doing musical theatre for a long time, then I started going to contemporary dance youth groups in northants with northantsDance. Then YDE in 2007 and carried doing contemporary. I then moved to London doing a BA in Dance Performance and joined a company, DRA Dance Collective beginning of last year. We're a company who collaborate with fashion designers, musicians and filmmakers to create a company that is for the general public for the purpose of promoting contemporary dance.

What’s the most exciting thing you’ve done this year?
Being a part of DRA. Weve done loads... Glasto, music videos... We do all the admin, marketing and everything. I've learnt a lot from Dance4 regarding that. Especially on how to really go for it.

What you’re favourite tea?
Oh. Green. (!)

When we say Dance, you say…?
4!?

[Linzi: 'We’ve branded her already!']

If you could as us one question, what would it be?
Can you set one a place up in London please??

Dance4 Cookie?

When branding meets food...

Any of you who have ever received an email, letter, seen a brochure, or even got the monthly newsletters from Dance4 will notice the blaaa-tant branding involved.

Black text.

Helvetica.

etcetc

Notice my delight as I see Helvetica Cookie Cutters. 

Dance4 Cookies anyone??

image courtesy of Beverly Hsu

The Charleston

This week.

The Promotion Part

So as you can see, I am a Creative Apprentice in Live Events and Promotion.

I saw this 7:43 short film a few days ago made by Pringle of Scotland. In it, Tilda Swinton [The White Witch?] is attentively followed by Ryan McGinley's camera [one of my favourites] through a Scottish forest, field, castle and sea. All the while, she is wearing a number of Pringle's pieces from their newest collection and well, they look pretty beautiful.

It got me thinking about the promotion part and the effort that brands have to go to sell their products.

In a few years, how are we supposed to grab people's attention? How are we meant to engage audiences with our ideas? To what lengths are we meant to go to stand in a sea of competitors?

I like clothes

 

images courtesy of the Botanski Flickrstream 

...but perhaps this is too much?

Read more about Christian Boltanski HERE.

And read more about Personnes HERE. 

Also, read about the annual event that is Monumenta HERE.

+ Monumenta 2010 

+ Christian Boltanski: Personnes 

+ Grand Palais, Paris, France 

+ Wednesday 13 January - Sunday 21 February 

+ €4.00 Standard Admission

Let's Dance Instead!

Just found a group on Facebook.

Again, Nottingham kids... While you're all obviously coming to Nottingham Contemporary next weekend [see earlier post on this], another happening is happening before the Saturday 23 January installation peice at the Contemporary.

 

image courtesy of Let's Dance Instead!

"Come join us [Let's Dance Instead] on saturday the 23rd of January in Nottingham City Centre to dance instead of buying more things we don't need! We'll be dancing for around an hour. Meet us at 1pm outside Victoria Shopping centre the doors with the clock tower. All you will need is something to listen to your music on and your best dance moves!!"

LINK=HERE

Remember, later that day... 

+ Nicola Conibere The Beckoning and the Escapades

+ Saturday 23 January 2.00-5.00pm

+ Nottingham Contemporary

+ £FREE