Wednesday 20 June 2012

Late but still Controversial in places. Slamfest spine Programme Published


Better get my finger out; I’m well behind with this week’s News Blog.In fact I'm well behind with everything at the moment.

It’s busy times; so busy that it’s becoming hard to keep up with myself. 

The backbone of Slamfest has now been published. HERE  Saturday 28th July is turning into something that might be very special for Rotherham.  A minimum of eight stages:  and to date over eighty BANDS from Metal to Folk all from Rotherham / South Yorkshire will be out and playing music throughout the Town.    The Special Web Site will be telling you more about the Bands and venues as the Day gets closer HERE  ROCK ROTHERHAM SATURDAY and it’s FREE

We also have some standout events throughout the week, featuring Rotherham Artists.  An evening of Folk Music to launch Roy Blackman’s CD “Roy Blackman – Rotherham’s Man of Memories”.  Keystone Acoustic will be hosting the night, with special guest Paul Pearson.  

We have a super evening fusing the musical satire and punk style of Pocketful of N’owt with the poetical talents of Mike Watts and Joe Hakim warming their engines for this year’s Edinburgh Festival, and Jon Barrington. 

At the end of the week Rotherham’s  FOF Theatre Company will be performing the work of some local script writers for an evening’s entertainment, and on a separate evening performing two of their own pieces also penned by local writers, but in house to FOF.

Friday 27th, being the man’s Birthday, we will be celebrating Myke (Masher) Barritt with this year’s  FREE Memorial Concert with Brain Bomb headlining at The Bridge in Rotherham.   Something a little different, there will also be a short burst of some classy blues from The Abbot of Unreason (joining us for the entire weekend from Worcestershire’s Southern climes) and Majority Vote.

Keep an eye on any late developments, ticketing arrangements etc and venues HERE

It’s fantastic to see more Sponsors coming on Board almost daily and a reminder that the deadline for advertising copy for the Official Printed Festival Programme is July 1st.

RAE can only promote these events with the goodwill and support of the local Business Community and if you want to get involved please contact Lisa HERE 

Another local Festival promoting local artists, with a Charitable aim is Beanfest.  For the second year the Festival will be taking place at The Park View in Swinton, (in my view even better as it’s taking the Bands out of the Town to show off their talent to audiences that may not be familiar with their work) and runs on 14th July.   This year they have a fantastic line up, including some amazing tribute Bands, which makes it even more remarkable that they have been able to keep the Festival FREE Full details on the their Web Page page HERE

Those with a keen eye will have noted that while interconnected all the various Web Sites are stand a lone addresses, and this has obviously meant that the rating of jmucreate.com that had been our traditional landing address is dropping like a stone.  But it’s fantastic to report that RAE and the Acoustic Rotherham Web Sites already head of jmucreate.com and are improving daily.  Great News for a local interest site. 


And so to move to the sad bit of this week’s Blog.  The release of the Statement and Minutes of what was the Myke Barritt Music Trust. 

You can find both HERE published along with the documents presented to the EGM.

Sad times.  There is so much that could be said but to be honest I’ve not got the energy to visit the questions that perhaps should have been answered at the EGM.  I would simply make the following observations.

The three people noted as having resigned from the Committee at the EGM, were, after of course Phoebe and Sylvia, the three most hardworking and active Committee Members of MBMT, what a pity that the EGM were not moved to thank Jane, Barrie and Sue for their work over the past couple of years. 

Looking at the assembled people at the EGM I was left scratching my head as to how a majority could make any decisions or be involved in the decision making process having not been privy to previous Meetings or the nature of the disagreement that led to half the former Committee resigning, and a fourth Member making it clear that he was unhappy with what had been going on.  But hey, that’s democracy at work………….   I think.  Indeed, much can be taken from the enthusiasm of the assembled “Members” that they could not find enough volunteers to form a Committee.

That’s it on the subject from me; I think the whole thing does a disservice to the memory of Myke, and leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.  Even the final Minutes, agreed they may be, (and my how we could tell stories about MBMT Minutes) can hardly reflect the near three hours of discussion I believe took place. 

Oh, and for the record I will give my thanks to Sue, Barrie and Jane for all their work on behalf of the Trust, sometimes they gave up entire days to set up various “Bashes” attending sessions etc. .   I’m lucky enough to have Jane as my Assistant at Rotherham Art Events, and Sue and Barrie will remain good friends and will be taking charge of the Folk venue for Slamfest along with Keystone Acoustic at The Exchange on 28th July.

I’d also direct you to details of The Myke Barritt Song Writing Contest, judging will be part of the Fringe Festival in October, HERE

I came across a really interesting Web Site serving Barnsley, called Alternative Barnsley.  Now there’s an idea!  Take a look and let us know what you think of the content.   Alternative Barnsley is HERE

Son number one spent his weekend at Donnington Park for The Download Festival texting regular updates of life on the mud flats.  It seems that for Festival goers it’s going to be one of those years, this past weekend has not been good and the weekend ahead is looking a bit dodgy too.

And so to this week. 

TONIGHT WEDNESDAY it’s ROMP at SNAFU, should be a good one this, with the usual top guys performing.  Gav is crying out for a few more musicians to pay a visit.  Last Month Phil Sinclair popped in and really enjoyed himself, so why not you.  

Also this evening, The Sheffield Ballad Club at The Riverside in Sheffield, a fantastic traditional Club.

Tonight at The Chequers in Whiston a new Showcase evening, where regulars at their Monthly Open Mic Evenings are being offered a chance to perform longer sets.   A bit like Acoustic Rotherham  events.

This Saturday.  FOF Theatre are doing two performances of their two play Presentation at St Anne’s School.   "Tea & Kisses with Lover Jane” written by Bill Doran and "Twin Reich" written by 'Papa Legbas' percussionist Chris Cooper.  Tickets £4 for the 4:00pm performance and £5 for the 7:30pm performance.  Take it from me, it’s well worth paying these two plays a visit.

The Bridge, Rotherham, have Djinn in House who have dedicated the Show to Scott Johnson, the sound man who lost his life in that shocking accident when the stage collapsed in Canada before The Radiohead Concert.   They say that Scott was a founding member of Djinn.   All credit to the lads and our commiserations to Scott’s family and friends.

And on Sunday slightly further afield, The Cricketers at Hornbury to be exact, where our good friends Keystone Acoustic will be hosting another of their fine evenings of music.

And two heads up for next week.   Monday it’s Nellie Folk at The Bridge and on the  Friday we have a great night of music coming up where Chicago Innocence are playing a Fund Raiser for Rotherham Art Events at The Titans Rugby Club in Rotherham.  They play a magic mix of music, so get along and have a great night.  Better still tickets are only £3.  Great music – great beer and great company.  You can reserve or buy a ticket HERE

Before the Chicago Innocence Gig, there’s an Open Meeting of Rotherham Art Events for those who might like to come along to find out more about what we are about and contribute to the development of the business.

The full listings can be found HERE

No comments:

Post a Comment