2012 seems
to be zooming to a close. Those feared
words, “not too long to Christmas” have re-entered the language, along with the
dreaded “after Christmas we will………”. It’s
also that time of the year when traditionally we start to look back on our year…….. BUT STOP ………
I am not going to fall into that trap, yet if I had a medal or two to
throw around I would have run out by the time that the Open Minds Theatre / RCC
Ltd AGM had come to an end.
It’s simply
incredible what OMTC has achieved in 2012, and hard to believe that it
has been done against the backdrop of massive cuts in Arts Grants stretching
across the entire Band of Funders from the Arts Council to local Government.
Once again
the jewel in the crown was OMTC’s involvement in The Rotherham Shakespeare Festival
which is one of the Borough’s finest arts projects, providing training for
teachers through hundreds of Workshops, and more importantly arts activities
for over 1,200 young people. The
project culminates in performance at Magna, where over ten nights an audience
close to 3,500 attended, many of whom had not previously been to the Theatre or
ever experienced Shakespeare.
The Festival
is getting a National and International reputation and this year the live
Webcast audience rose from 8,000 to 139,528, which is great news – and I feel
very guilty that the Webcast passed me by.
Colourscape
in it’s various forms; Kids Can Do Project; Life Act (who performed brilliantly
on The Diversity Festival stage at The Rotherham Show); there have also been
some amazing developments pushing forward the Youth Theatre; The Old Market
Gallery and acting as hosts to touring Theatre Companies as part of Cultural
Olympiad, Theatre Wally from Pakistan being the standout; “Opus Hatch – He Wants
to Friend You”, written by local writers Karen Mulcahey and Tair Rafiq.
OMTC and RCC
for a small Company do so much for the arts in Rotherham, pulling together Partnerships
far and wide; it’s just a pity that our local media choose to overlook much of
it. Not entirely the fault of the local
papers / radio or television as to be quite honest if it were not for attending
the AGM or being plugged into what is happening
I wouldn’t have a clue myself.
We’re still not the best at getting our story out there.
Just an
observation though, when there has been an arts story published by the
Advertiser it’s often weeks ahead of an event, and when it has come to the week
of the event, or the run of an event like a Month long Festival nothing!!
RAE can’t
complain too much though. We’ve had more
than our fair share of the Arts headlines in 2013 with coverage in The Star and
Advertiser of all our main events if on occasions with the rider of the above note. Our media coverage can be found HERE
This week in
The Advertiser though we had a sort of non-story. Changes to the music local Licensing
Regulations, essentially repealing the bureaucracy imposed by Blair in
2003. Personally and for the average
Band I don’t think it made slightest bit of difference. To my knowledge, not one Pub locally closed
because they were suddenly not allowed to promote amplified music, and I can’t
think of a Pub that wanted to have amplified music that didn’t promote Bands
because of the 2003 legislation.
Anyway, somehow
half a page was taken up discussing the difference this would make. My line is that it would not make the slightest bit of difference. Ironically, a Manager of a local live music
venue that is about to be sold, I believe, into closure, says the change in the
law will help local Bands to get more Gigs. Pub closures and the wind down in live music is down to many more factors than a Licensing clause that made little or no impact to my knowledge.
Interestingly,
OK not that interestingly, I gave that interview over a month ago. One suspects that it was quiet news week for
The Advertiser this week.
No danger of The Advertiser having space for “minority arts news” this week, our wonderful
Council having either made complete idiots of themselves or been well and truly
out played in the media game giving the
same “idiot” result. One thing is for
sure, someone will be losing their job be it in the Press Office or in Social
Services.
And to those
who say that we should what would amount to prescribing political parties I say
be careful for what you wish for, many of the policies if not all the policies
of UKIP are supported by Conservative Party MPs – so where does that leave us? Fight and win the argument through peaceful
debate don’t hit out at individuals who might, misguided as it might be, have
joined what they thought was a one issue and legal Political Party.
And
apologies, we at RAE have still not
fully tied up the 2013 dates for the Diary, but they will be with us very
soon. Just a couple of confirmations to
be received before we can publish with confidence. Should all be a little clearer at the end of
this week.
That also
applies to the changes to the Web Sites.
They may seem slow, but we are getting there. Please let me know if the flash spinning
things on the RAE Home page HERE slow things down too much, DON’T
SUFFER IN SILENCE.
T Shirts, to be specific, very smart
Slamfest T Shirts, are currently on a not to be repeated sale price of £4. Yes only £4.
Help Mick clear his attic and make way for 2013 stock by snapping up
these colourful garments. How do you get
your hands on one or two? Shirts from all stages are available. All the details are HERE. Failure to do so will
result in us sending around the John Lewis Snowman to leak over your living
room carpet on Christmas Eve evening!!
An
interesting development for the poets and story writing and telling followers
of the Blog, the opening of a facility close next to Wilkinsons on Corporation
Street called The Pop Up Story Book.
This has been set up under the umbrella of Inspire Rotherham. I’m not one hundred per cent sure yet what
the Shop will be doing but I understand it’s a base from which they intend to
out reach literary projects, e.g. as
part of one of their programmes Michael Rossen will be visiting High Greave
Junior and Infant School on Monday. I’m
hoping to get into the Shop for a chat with Deborah soon, meanwhile you can
find out more at the Web Site HERE
Looks as if
it’s going to be a busy build up towards Christmas. But first two shouts for help from ACOUSTIC musicians. On Saturday the 1st December
1:00pm the Campaign that is seeking to
save Herringthorpe Field being developed by The Rugby Club will be demonstrating on the field along with
a Christmas bring and buy sale. Anyone
able to get down and bash out some chords will be more than welcomed by Tom and
the organising Committee.
Also on
Saturday 1st Diamond Velocity need transport to get
to a Gig over at Barnsley. Petrol money
and a drink plus some great music is promised.
Band of four members a drum and an amp need to be shifted. If you can help Email by sending a message HERE
And then on
Saturday the 8th December The Button Tin in the Imperial Building on
Corporation Street is holding a
Christmas Arts Market + (and here’s the tempting bit) a HOG ROAST from
10:00am. ACOUSTIC MUSICIANS are needed
to make this a top event. So shift bums,
dig out the guitars and get into Rotherham Town for a real Christmas celebration. Everyone more than welcome. More details HERE
First Monday
of the Month and over at Worksop our good mates Storm Trees are doing a fine
job. Julie and Richard are hosting an
evening of music. This week they have
those old age pensioners called The Rogues and that young man Dylan Brierley
will also be attendance. A quality
night. It’s called The First Monday Club
which can be found from around 8:00pm at the The Three legged Stool.
It’s worth
saying that Julie and Richard are unsung heroes for the cause. Not only are they fantastic supporters of the
Rotherham live music scene, turning up at more Open Mic and Jam sessions than
even The Mashers in their hay and mobile days,
they are also a duo / quartet that go out and actively search out new
and virgin venues to host LIVE MUSIC. And of course they are talented – makes yer
sick! Lol
First Tuesday
and it’s Folk at The Butchers, Braithwell.
And then for first Friday it’s the Christmas ROMP for the poets down at
The Bridge, while they keep Playing On over at The Rutland in Sheffield.
You can keep
up to date with all the listings for December HERE as they come to my computer.
Just to
remind folks pictures from The Fringe Festival / Busking Day and Urban Pianos
can be found HERE and of course the
Slamfest pictures can be found HERE
Stay tuned
while the Web Sites continue to be updated and hoping to announce the full RAE
programme in the next Blog.
Whatever you are doing this weekend, have great fun, support local artists and KEEP IT LIVE
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