It’s been one of those really special weeks on the Rotherham
Arts scene, and strangely for The Masher, mostly outside of the music
Community. Mrs Masher has hardly seen
me.
It all started on Tuesday night.
I was invited to attend the AGM of The Open Minds Theatre Company. From what I understand Open Minds is the
umbrella organisation encompassing a number of Arts Groups for Rotherham.
Artists who appeared at The Old Market Gallery during the
Festival will be pleased to hear that they got a wonderful round of applause
for your efforts.
But beyond that, I was absolutely astounded by the scope of
the work that is done by Open Minds especially with the young and disadvantaged
adults, and beyond.
The work of the Company is simply fantastic, and more’s the
pity that I’m only just discovering it and how deep the roots go into the
Rotherham Community.
The short presentation put on by the young ones demonstrated
how drama was helping them to develop and gain confidence.
The work done with the Schools especially The Shakespeare
Festival, working with Inspire, touches over a thousand of our Children
annually, and the work performed to an audience of over three thousand at
Magna. Thus bringing more people in to
sample the Arts.
Other areas of work include Colourscape, Don’t Just Sit
There, Life Act.
I make no secret of the fact that I have been a long term
critic of the Art organisations in Rotherham, seemingly now out of total
ignorance as to what was going on, which of course begs the question, why didn’t
I know? Was that I’m an idle bugger and
not trying to seek out things? I don’t
think so! It’s more a case that not enough is made of the great Good News
stories that Open Minds have to tell I fear.
It’s rather disappointing that not one of our senior elected
Representatives could find the time to attend the AGM, nor in fact looking at
the apologies, the previous year either. Their attendance might just open their eyes to what is going on and also help lift the profile of the work being done.
I hope that we can find a role for the Music Community
within all these activities. And here I
come to the nitty gritty, for some reason the general feeling amongst the music
Community appears to be that Open Minds and the rest are somehow aloof from the
music scene, that they are operating on another plane so as to speak, yet, I’ve
found the experience of the last couple of months to be inclusive.
Yes, I have my moans about certain organisational things,
but we on the music scene cannot moan about being excluded, too often, if we’re
not seen to wanting to be involved.
On the other hand it would really be good if Open Minds
actually sought out the main stream music Community in Rotherham and engaged in
a conversation of inclusion, in much the same way that they have with ROMP.
We need each other if we are going to demonstrate how the Arts
can really make a difference to people’s lives especially in these times when
we can look forward to at least a decade of austerity and all that means for
everyone’s lives. Art can help folks to
find their own identity and give meaning to what will sometimes seem a hopeless
situation.
That includes the Folk Clubs as well. Too often the Clubs are viewed as being
exclusive from the outside.
And so some of you might be asking, where’s Dickie’s
comments on the Open Arts Festival. Well
the document has been completed, but rather than publish the full range of my
comments at this moment in time I’ll just cover the main point.
1. 1. Diary
placing of the Festival. I think there
was general agreement that the Festival was held at the wrong time of the year
given the lack of facilities within the Gallery.
2. 2. Facilities at the Gallery. Toilets, heating and lighting. This was problematic, but I’m sure that
there is much that can be done given that the building is on a sort of loan
lease to RCC. But I’m sure it will be
explored.
3.
3. Matters relating to inclusion will be discussed
in detail, as has been pointed out there was far too much exclusion.
4.
4. Publicity.
Yes, probably the biggest issue.
All concerns will be explored and put right for next year.
5. 5. Expenses.
We will also be seeking to get the budget set in stone.
Hey, you are saying where’s Dickie’s normally potent and controversial
asides? Well, for those you will have to
wait longer. Vicky and I will be putting
our heads together over the next few weeks to produce a document that reflects
all our major concerns and takes us forward into 2012. We can’t put right the mistakes of 2011 or
the years before that, but what we can try to do is make this a Watershed year
where we resolve to make positive changes that will improve the profile of the
Arts in Rotherham.
The result of these discussions will be published.
So to Wednesday was a landmark day for Rotherham Arts when
Westgate Chambers was Officially Opened.
The facility of Rehearsal and low cost rented studios was 50% funded by
The Peoples Millions, and will be an amazing facility for all the Arts in
Rotherham.
It was good to see so many people come along to the Opening
and treated to performances from the more senior Youth Theatre and the Hot
Beans team.
Onwards and upwards
for everyone. Congratulations to the
team that worked so hard to complete the facility, painting and carpet work was
still being done minutes before the opening.
And it’s all been completed on a shoe string virtually non-existent budget.
It’s great to see the facility open, acting as a focal point
for a range of services to the Arts Community in Rotherham, and that includes
music.
Third night out of the week, Thursday. Off I went on a very cold and windy night to “Hot
Beans”, a comedy sketch show, written by Karen Mulcahey and Tair Rafiq.
I was of course well wrapped up against the climatic ravages
of the Gallery, but forgot my flask, something upon which many folks
commented.
The effort was well worth it. This was a fine entertainment providing much
needed laughter. It was great fun.
From my perspective I found the jokes in the main worked
really well, as Karen and Tair led us through a labyrinth of subject matter,
from Cannibalism to Bankers (who said there’s no difference).
For a first performance this was simply amazing and I’m sure
the writers will have learnt much from it, and if I was being critical, on go
on Dickie, one or two of the sketches might have had more impact with a bit of
hard editing.
And of course this was Gav Roberts farewell to the boards as
he goes off to concentrate on his own Poetry for a bit.
Gav’s reputation on
the performance Poetry scene is growing fast and he’s already picked up some “paying
gigs” for the New Year. Well done mate. But somehow I don’t think you will be allowed to
sit in the wings for long.
But, the whole Hot Beans were so completely professional in
their performance and once again demonstrates the depth of talent we have in
Rotherham. Congratulations to all.
Best of all, it was played out to a packed audience.
From one full House to another.
What a fantastic night the ROMP evenings at The Bridge are
becoming. This was the first one I’d
been able to make for a bit because of Masher commitments, and I was so pleased
to find that initial momentum of the evening has been maintained.
Brilliant creativity and talented writing from all involved bring
the evening to life. I think what
impresses me the most is that there is little of the “me” syndrome found just
too often on the music scene. Everyone
listened to, and was appreciative of, each other’s contributions which all went
to make for a super ambiance I’ve found only rarely around the Folk Clubs or
sessions.
We of the music scene can learn a lot and if you have not
been to a ROMP it’s something I can recommend, even if poetry is not your bag
you’ll enjoy the evening.
And yes rarity of rarity, The Masher made his poetical debut
with his not too often used “Nelson” and one from Attila The Stockbroker “Asylum
Seeking Derleks”. It was a bit strange
performing without a guitar wrapped around my neck.
Second Friday of the Month, starts at 7:00pm
Don’t forget to that the Acoustic Rotherham Web Site now has
a Poets Corner. At the moment Christine
has a seasonal offering on the page, and I’ll be adding a classic from Carol
Robson very shortly, or now. HERE
Music folks note the Full House signs. If Comedy and Poets can do it, music should
be able to achieve the same results with regard to audiences. I’ll
leave that one festering…….
Undoubted Star of a Star studded evening’s entertainment was
of course our Roy, one of few original artists who can flip easily from Poetry
to Music in an instant and win the audience to his side. Roy made many new friends or is that found
new groupies on Friday and was clearly like a “pig in muck”.
So it’s good news that I can now report that all the prep
work for the CD “Roy Blackman-Rotherham’s
Man of Memories” has been completed and signed off and that the product is
heading off to the duplicator this week.
This means that we should have the CD no later than Mid-January
which is of course excellent News. OK we
would have liked to have got in for the Christmas market, and every effort was
made to achieve this, but the production work on the extensive insert has
proved quite a job, and the MBMT want to make sure that the final product is
one that reflects the professionalism of the Artist. So while we wait, I know it is going to be
worthwhile.
Also we’ve opened up Reverbnation and Facebook pages for Roy
HERE and HERE respectively, where already he is gathering in a bevy of new
and old fans. The Mashers will have to
look out as their top ten position in the South Yorkshire Reverbnation charts
will soon be being challenged.
Don’t let this put you off ordering your copy, because only the first 150 copies will be signed
and if you order now you immediately get
access to TWO DOWN LOAD PACKAGES which together give ELEVEN Roy tracks that
you will not find on the CD. You can
find all the detail HERE
If that’s not enough Roy Blackman News, then here’s
more. On Monday 12th December, that is (tomorrow or today
whenever you have picked this up) Roy will be making a live appearance on BishopFM to talk about his work, the CD
and Myke Barritt Music Trust, accompanied unfortunately for listeners by The
Masher. I’ve spoken to Roy this morning
and the poor chap is suffering from what sounds like a dreadful cold. We’re hoping that he will have enough voice
to volunteer some songs tomorrow night.
The Programme is streamed live on the Internet by BishopFM HERE (the listen live and live video steam buttons can be found in top right
hand corner of the page). The
programme is 9pm – 11pm. Please text,
message or Email the programme with your questions, or to let us know how much
you are enjoying Roy’s contribution.
While in the vicinity of The Myke Barritt Music Trust, a reminder that this year’s Xmas
gathering takes place at The Bridge on Saturday the 17th where
the great sounds of Papa Legbas will be bringing Christmas cheer. This a change from our normal Bash formats, as
for the first time we throw our weight behind the good things being done on the
music community in Rotherham. We will be
running a Raffle on the night with some great prizes of Christmas Spirit. Even if you’ve not been to a Papa Legbas show
in the past I hope you’ll turn out and support this event that the Band have
kindly dedicated to The Trust.
The
music all kicks off around 9:00pm.
Good news in that a
brand new monthly music night is launch itself onto the Rotherham music
scene this coming Friday at The Bridge. “Down
At The Bridge” is a completely open event from musicians of all genre. It’s planned to be a monthly event, on the
third Friday, and of course Acoustic Rotherham welcomes any imitative that
brings Musicians together.
Which brings me to the Thursday
Bridge Open Mic. Apparently a
private joke with someone who was attending this Thursday’s Session upset one
or two of the participants, a full apology was issued as no offence was
intended, and the joke was one I use against myself regularly. Just a reminder to me that not everyone has a
thick skin. However, members of the
Session know well that if it were not for their generosity and encouragement
The Mashers would not have come about, and that it’s something I shall be
eternally grateful for. I am therefore a keen supporter of the group
even if these days my commitments make it difficult to get down to play.
I bumped into Jayne Fitzgerald at the opening of the
Westgate Chambers Art Centre on Wednesday, an old friend from the Thursday
session days. As we all know Thursday is
a busy night with sessions on all over the Town, but I thought I would pass on
her recommendation about Vasco’s in
Wickersley, where apparently “Left Handed” Andy has built up a really good
night of music. Accompanied of course by
Ken The Hat. Well done lads, the work
you do is too often unsung. Which
reminds me, I need to get to that my session and experience it myself.
Jayne also tells me the Fitzgerald family ensemble has been
busy recording a CD costing £6 with the profits all going to “Lesotho”. I shall get more detail and pass them on next
week. If you can’t wait to get your
hands on a copy then head to Jayn’s Facebook page HERE and throw in a request.
With the season of goodwill upon us and we’ve already
featured the Pocketful of N’owt contribution
to this year’s body of songs (if you missed it go HERE), and here’s one with a little more rock to it from the lads
of NoWhere Fast HERE, a Band
currently making ripples in the South Yorkshire music pond, and of course
recent regulars at The Bridge.
ROAR have brought my attention to a Spring Programme of
Demonstrations and Workshops. It all
starts in February, and you can check the entire programme out on our Recourses
page HERE
The coming week looks quite boring compared with the excitement
of this week. A chance for The Masher to
get his breath back perhaps. However
all the regular events are going ahead, and you can check them out HERE
One SPECIAL Addition
to the diary is the Twixmas afternoon session to be held at the Red Lion
Braithwell on Thursday 29th December. Starts at 1:00pm and everyone is
welcome. So if you’re fed up with the
sight of the turkey and Christmas pudding Braithwell is the place to head. Someone says that there is a standard bus
service running – being ever the pessimist I shall reserve judgement until
frozen to my spot on Rotherham Bus Station.
And so that brings us to the end of our journey for this
week.
Whatever you have planned for the week ahead, have fun,
support local music and keep it LIVE.
No comments:
Post a Comment