People's Republic of South Devon » Arts

Bums on new, comfy seats at The Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter

PRSD — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:07:41 +0000

The Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter, new seats – donated from the Oldham Coliseum Theatre

Live performance is all about bums on seats, and The Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter, has addressed the comfort of the former by improving the latter.

A kind donation from Oldham Coliseum Theatre saw 60 beautiful, retro, second-hand, red, folding theatre chairs make their way into the Exeter theatre’s auditorium.

‘These seats provide our theatre audiences with added cushioning, comfortable arm rests and greater leg room for an improved theatre experience,’ a spokesperson for the Bike Shed said.

The old chairs have gone to Exeter’s Book Cycle for indefinite storage.

Pop along to see some of the varied performances at The Bike Shed – you can vote with your feet, and then with your seat!

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Newton Abbot’s Community Choir concert at St Bartholomew’s Church, East Ogwell

PRSD — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:00:04 +0000

St. Bartholomew’s Church East Ogwell: Newton Abbot's community choir will perform there

Newton Community Choir will be giving a concert at St Bartholomew’s Church, East Ogwell.

The choir will perform a wide range of music including popular songs, such as Summer Holiday, mixed with gospel, sea shanties, hymns and world music – ensuring there really will be something for everyone. The concert takes place on Thursday, February 16 between 7.30pm-8.30pm

The concert is free to attend, refreshments will be provided and a collection will be held to raise money for church and choir funds.

St Bartholomew’s is a beautiful building dating back to the mid 15th century, and is located in the centre of East Ogwell.

The concert will give people the opportunity to admire the church, enjoy a relaxed sociable event and help to raise funds for a worthwhile cause. It is also an ideal introduction for those interested in joining the choir to find out more.

Choir leader, Megan Beadman, has recently launched a gospel choir in Newton Abbot.

(image: This image was taken from the Geograph project collection. See this photograph’s page on the Geograph website for the photographer’s contact details. The copyright on this image is owned by Derek Harper and is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.)

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Torbay filmmaker’s story of faith shortlisted for Tony Blair award

Kevin Dixon — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:00:56 +0000

Ala Elhoudiri (right) with Tony Blair

Ala Elhoudiri of Torbay Inter-Faith Forum 4 Youth, produced a short film about how her faith inspires her life, entitled Hope and Justice, for the international Shorts 2011 competition of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.

Ala’s entry was shortlisted and she recently attended the award ceremony with her family at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in Piccadilly, London.

The judges included Dawn French, Hugh Jackman, Nik Powell and Lord Puttman and, of course, Tony Blair, who said: ‘The stories these films tell are incredibly powerful, some challenging, others uplifting. They all confront head-on many of the prejudices and damaging stereotypes that often surround religion and are full of conviction and hope.”

Ala’s film recorded her despondent reaction to the Libyan crisis in which her cousin died and the resulting realisation that her faith challenged her to use her voice to promote hope and justice in the world.

Although she did not win an award, Ala said it was a wonderful experience because she met so many people from the world of film and has made lots of useful contacts. Further, to her surprise and delight, her film was submitted to the Insight Film Festival in Manchester, where she was awarded the Best Short award for Framing British Muslim Awards.

Ala, who now reads English at Plymouth University, is determined to develop her filmmaking interest and skills. Ala said: “I cannot believe my simple message was judged by some of the most successful people and managed to spread around the world.

“That’s enough to prove to me that justice through faith means a lot to many people. This experience has encouraged me to continue film-making to launch more messages of goodwill to our community and the world.”

Ala has already participated locally in the making of an excellent DVD It Matters to Me, produced by Devon Faith and Belief Forum for use in Religious Education in Devon schools, where she explains the difference that her Islamic Faith makes to her life. She is grateful for the inspiration generated by this project.

Ala is a great credit to Torbay’s Inter-Faith Forum 4 Youth which aims to cross cultural and faith boundaries in order to promote a more harmonious society.

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Exe Factor line-up announced

PRSD — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:50:52 +0000

Writer and creatrix of multi-media shows, Jackie Juno will be at The Exe Factor

The Exe Factor, an evening of live music, dance and entertainment, organised by East Devon Green Party, in Exmouth, has finalised its line up.

The evening of vocals, beats, moves and locals, which takes place on Saturday, March 17, features Jackie Juno, Kulu, Moussa Kouyate, the Exeter Latin American Dance, and The Current dJAMbes.

Jackie Juno is a locally-sourced free-range organic performance poet, also artist and singer with The Invisible Opera Company of Tibet. She spent many years living close to the land as a traveller in the 80s and 90s, and now lives on the edge of Dartmoor with her rock-god guitarist husband and young daughter. She has had chicken pox three times.

Kulu is a four piece band from the South West creating world fusion music from around the globe. They blend Arabian, African, Asian and European influences to produce their unique compositions.

Moussa Kouyate is a master kora player (a form of West African harp), of Griot heritage, from Senegal, living and playing in Bristol. He has played WOMAD, Glastonbury, Edinburgh Fringe.

Exeter Latin American Dance is a group of Latin American women, who live and work in Exeter. One of their members, Maya Boother choreographs some very individual displays of Latin dance!

The Current dJAMbes, from East Devon, play African percussion, mainly djembes. They meet regularly for workshops and jamming sessions.

The Exe Factor takes place at The Bath House, The Esplanade, Exmouth and doors open 7pm for start at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6 in advance, £7 on door (and with the limited capacity a sell-out is predicted). And are available from Paul Bennett on 01395 576847. Advance tickets can be purchased online from p.c.bennett18@btopenworld.com and also from Roberts hardware store on the Square, Ottery St Mary.

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The Iron Lady: revelling in a false heritage

PRSD — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:43:35 +0000

The Iron Lady: the appeal of the movie may be limited

Where Thatcher is concerned, the world is roughly split – those who cheered when working class communities were destroyed, and those who cheered when she looked broken leaving office. Which kinda cuts down the appeal of The Iron Lady biopic.

Over on our D&CFilm site, Simon Roger Key gives a preview of the week’s big movie release.

He says: “Perhaps it’s unsurprising, but I find it odd that in times of austerity, mainstream British cinema seems to be revering that oh so British characteristic, of ‘the stiff upper-lip’, with movies that border upon being, ‘heritage films’ – see last year’s The King’s Speech, for example.”

And as Polly Toynbee says in the Guardian: “This myth-making will cheer Conservative spirits.”

Read the rest of the preview and see the trailer on our D&CFilm site

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Images from the frontline: Guy Martin’s Shifting Sands in Falmouth

PRSD — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 10:34:33 +0000

Guy Martin's photojournalism in Libya makes up part of his Shifting Sands Exhibition © Guy Martin

People power has been high on the agenda in 2011, and in early 2012 you’ll be able to get a sense of what that meant for the people of Egypt and Libya in what promises to be an excellent exhibition at The Poly, Falmouth.

Shifting Sands is an exhibition of photo-journalist Guy Martins’s work in Egypt and Libya, and along with talks and screenings is a fascinating insight into the events and people who were on the frontline, both changing their world and those covering it to tell the rest of the world.

The images of the exhibition were taken by Guy before he was severely injured during a rocket attack by Gaddafi loyalists in the centre of Misrata. Two of Guy’s friends and colleagues were killed in the same attack, the co-director of Sundance-winning film Restrepo, Tim Hetherington and Pulitzer finalist Chris Hondros.

Shifting Sands Exhibition runs at the Poly, Falmouth, from Tuesday, January 10 – Saturday, January 14 between 10am-5pm. Entrance is free and in remembrance of Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros, proceeds from the week’s events will be directed to The Rory Peck Trust.

Read more about the Shifting Sands exhibition on our ArtsCulture site, and see what other events are taking place, including a talk on Women on the Frontline, a Conversation with Guy, and screenings of the animated documentary Waltz with Bashir and Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington’s documentary about the Afghanistan war Restrepo.

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Jingle Hell? The alternative Christmas playlist on Soundart Radio

PRSD — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:00:40 +0000

Give Soundart Radio a listen for alternative Christmas sounds

What’s will your Christmas soundtrack be this year? Do you really wish it could be Christmas every day? Are folks really dressed up like eskimos?

If for you, snow isn’t glistening, reindeer don’t have very shiny noses and nights aren’t silent, then tune into Soundart Radio 102.5fm, who offer an alternative playlist throughout Christmas and New Year, to their FM listeners in the Totnes area, and online listeners everywhere

The community radio station, which broadcasts work made by local artists, musicians and thinkers, have created a unique season of winter themed programmes with a difference, which can be heard every day from December 19 right through to January 8.

Expect bizzarre mash ups of seasonal favourites, new storytelling, drama and comedy, live music sessions, programmes from the station’s international partners, and more.

Highlights include new radio dramas on Wednesday, December 21, and a Winter Solstice live music session on Thursday, December 22 from 5pm.

Christmas Day evening brings us a brand new, Christmas special from Dangaton Moss, followed by original stories from storyteller Professor Olivia Gatepost.

Tune in on Boxing Day for the Dangaton Moss Omnibus edition: all of the recent series back to back, kicking off at 10am right up to teatime: a great chance to catch up with what’s been going on in this very unusual Devon village, with Betty, Aggie and a host of other characters.

Over New Year’s Eve and New Years Day there’ll be back to back DJs live in the studio, and Tuesday, January 3 brings a review of 2011, with founder members Nell and Lucinda.

Check the website for regular updates and a full schedule of programmes.

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Feeling Christmassy yet? Free concert in Newton Abbot

PRSD — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:48:02 +0000

Newton Abbot Community Choir spreading festive cheer

Newton Abbot Community Choir will inspire people into festive cheer with a free concert.

It will be the choir’s second Christmas concert and will feature a range of harmonised carols and popular sing-along choices.

The event will last for approximately one hour and is the ideal way to find out more about joining this informal singing group.

The concert is at the The Avenue Church, Newton Abbot, on Thursday, December 8 at 7.30pm.

Find out more about Newton Abbot Community Choir.

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Get singing! Newton Gospel Group invites new members

PRSD — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:37:55 +0000

Get an inkling for Gospel, singing tunes inspired by many of the world’s most famous vocalists including Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Ray Davis and Elvis Presley

South Devon’s newest gospel style choir is inviting anyone with a love of music to try it, whatever their singing ability.

The Newton Gospel Group is a non-religious choir open to men and women over 16. Sessions start in January and potential members should register their interest now.

There are no auditions so everyone – from experienced vocalists to those who have never sung in public before – can join.

Group leader Megan Taper said: “Gospel is a community style of singing that doesn’t exclude anyone. You just need to love music and be willing to let your hair down. It’s a great way to gain confidence in your voice and have a lot of fun at the same time.”

Megan is an experienced musician who already runs the popular Newton Community Choir. She also teaches singing and piano and performs a wide range of musical styles at events around the region.

Gospel music has inspired many of the world’s most famous vocalists including Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Ray Davis and Elvis Presley.

The Newton Gospel Group will start weekly sessions at 7.30-9pm at the Avenue Church’s hall in Newton Abbot from January 9 2012. Sessions cost £5 each or £30 for seven.

For more information contact Megan Taper on 07865 779977 or click www.beadmanmusic.co.uk

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Exeter hosts a networked performance about connectivities and consequences

PRSD — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:45:33 +0000

make-shift performance links Exeter and Munich

Later today (Thursday, December 1) a small audience in Exeter’s Gallery 36 will be linked with a Munich apartment and online participants globally in an ecologically aware ‘house party’ with a difference.

make-shift is an intimate and unique networked performance that re-imagines the private actions of our domestic lives as multiple, interconnected and with global consequences. The event happens simultaneously between two ordinary houses and an online performance space available at www.make-shift.net to anyone around the world with internet access.

Devised by Paula Crutchlow (Devon-based performer and director) and Helen Varley Jamieson (New Zealand writer and cyberformer), make-shift relies on audience members to help stage the performance. Participants are asked to bring all the plastic they have used in the previous 24 hours to the event where they are invited to join in some easy games and tasks.

Paula and Helen guide the evening through elements of personal stories and experiences, webcam choreography, avatar puppetry and audience interaction. Everything that happens in the houses is streamed to online audiences who can also join in the activities and contribute text chat visible on the interface to everyone participating. The evening ends with a sharing of food in the houses and a discussion around the consequences of global connectivities and consumption.

Paula said: “The event uses everyday technologies to connect houses and people in different parts of the world to talk about the amount of ‘stuff’ we produce and move around on a daily basis.

“It something most people feel guilty about but don’t feel they can really do much to change. In make-shift we try to get people from across the world speaking to each other about something that in the end effects us all. We don’t profess to have answers – just a desire to plant some food for thought.”

Helen said: “Our research was initially broad but when we started to narrow things down I became completely obsessed about plastic. It is such a valuable thing that we treat as if it were worth nothing.

“That research has lead to the idea of disposability, and what that means in our consumerist lifestyle at the smallest domestic level as well as globally. At the same time we are exploring disposability from a more philosophical perspective.”

Helen and Paula met in Wellington’s theatre scene in the mid-90s. After Paula returned to the UK in 1999 they remained in contact, and in 2010 began to conceive of a collaborative work that they could develop within the realities of their lives in different countries and time zones.

Helen said: “We wanted to create something that is highly portable, flexible and sustainable – but at the same time well crafted, and deeply engaging and provocative for audiences.”

Audiences for make-shift at Gallery 36 need to arrive at 8pm, booking is essential. The make-shift interface is screening live at 9pm as part of Two Short Nights so take your plastic along to the Black Box for an communal online experience of it all.

This make-shift event is the second in an Arts Council England-funded tour running until July 2012 connecting homes across the South West with homes and audiences in New Zealand, Australia, India, Germany, Holland and France.

The next performance is on Saturday, December 10 at 10am (UK time) between a house in Devon and a warehouse living space in Auckland, New Zealand. Check the website for further dates.

Paula and Helen have a few spaces left in this tour for anyone who wants to host to have make-shift in their own home. If you are interested in participating email brokers@make-shift.net

Find out more about make-shift on their site, or on our D&CFilm and ArtsCulture stories.

• make-shift takes place on Thursday, December 1, 9pm (UK time) Gallery 36, Denmark Rd, Exeter/Munich/Online Live interactive screening as part of Two Short Nights at the Black Box, Exeter Phoenix. Booking is essential through brokers@make-shift.net or Exeter Phoenix Box office 01392 667080. This event is part of a 15 date tour across South West England /Internationally between now and June 2012

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Soundart Radio celebrates fifth birthday with cake and performances

PRSD — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:52:49 +0000

Mae and the Midnight Fairground, the Totnes-based band will perform at Soundart Radio's fifth birthday celebrations

Mae and the Midnight Fairground will be one of the bands helping community radio station Soundart Radio celebrate its fifth birthday.

The ‘Cinqo di Soundart’ bash, as we’re calling it, will take place on Saturday, November 12 at studio 3 in Dartington.

Join the radio station from 6pm for birthday cake and complimentary mulled local cider, then down to Lower Close from 7pm for performances by the Clockwork Moth puppet theatre, Totnes Improvisers Orchestra, Mae and the Midnight Fairground and Matthew and Me (formerly Spree), all for £5.

And just to get you in the mood, here’s a link to our conversation with Mae, or Mae on the Midnight Fairground from 2010.

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Apollo Cinema Torbay remains committed to supporting young and independent filmmakers

PRSD — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:30:24 +0000

Torbay Apollo cinema looking forward to film festivals and independent events on their screens in the future

Those good people at the Apollo cinema chain have responded to our request for a comment and questions about the hoo-ha surrounding the cancellation of the English Riviera Film Night.

This is what they said:

“Since being made aware of the connection between the people in Sods Law and the case of animal cruelty, the festival organisers have decided to cancel the film festival; and while it is regrettable that the festival will no longer run, Apollo Cinemas Torbay supports their decision not to be associated with promoting the work of anyone who has been convicted of such a crime.

“Apollo Cinema Torbay does, however, remain committed to supporting young and independent filmmakers and feels passionately about showcasing this talent to the local community. We therefore look forward to welcoming the film festival and other independent events to our screens in the future.”

We followed up with a few questions, to which the Apollo replied. Here they are:

Why did you decide to cancel the film festival rather than just omit the offending film?
“The decision to postpone the film festival was an obviously a regrettable one; however, Apollo Cinemas is nevertheless supportive of the decision and is still looking to reschedule the festival in the future, with new material.”

You mention looking forward to welcoming the film festival to your screens in the future, are there any dates or plans at the moment for the English Riviera Film Night to take place?
“The film festival has been postponed to a later date, when new material for the showcase will be found.”

And do you take objection to all films associated with convicted criminals?
“Apollo Cinemas does not hold prejudice towards those films associated with convicted criminals; however, in this instance we feel the right decision was made to cancel the screening in question.”

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