Sunday 22 April 2012

RAE Meeting, News and Developments / Banners High / and The Masher on the road again


What can he possibly have to say after managing to push last week’s News Blog out so late…………. You certainly don’t know me do you………

Let’s start with a review of what turned into quite a busy week. 

On Monday night I headed out to a meeting of the Rotherham Branch of Equity at The Bridge.  This proved to be a very productive meeting in terms of support for Rotherham Art Events and what we are seeking to achieve with the grass roots arts in the Borough and for making many more new contacts.

Equity as viewed as being mainly for professional performing and theatrical / film / TV technicians, yet their membership is available to any performer with a record and proof of five paying Gigs in one year. 

I would urge everyone, even those of us who would consider ourselves to be jobbing occasional giggers to consider membership, not necessarily for the politics, but more for the protection that membership of the Union can provide, especially linked with a membership of the Musicians Union. 

You can find out more about Equity HERE, or watch this space for the next Rotherham Meeting at The Bridge in Rotherham and just come along.  

Now, over last weekend I ran out of one of my tablets, you know what it is like, the box is in the cupboard, therefore the brain says you must have at least one strip left, when in fact you’ve left the empty box on the shelf so to remember the name of the drug.  Result a two day wait.  This was my anti shake tablet, the one that stops involuntary vibrations in the muscles, not a good one to run out of – and I found out why.

So Sunday to Wednesday I was mostly in a lethargic state of mind while the electricity would shoot through the body from time to time.  The trick was staying relaxed, which is why Wednesday’s News Blog covered in depth issues that arose at the beginning of the week.

Anyway, it wasn’t helped when on Tuesday Roy called to inform me that I was playing at Handsworth that night, something I had either completely forgotten or misheard our conversation as I had it on my Diary for May.  But hey………..

The Sutherland Road Crew were quickly press ganged into action and The Masher, complete with his glad rags made it to The Cross Keys, Handsworth.  And he was glad that he did.  It turned into a super little Gig, with a really fantastic audience or in my view backing singers.  From the first song people were joining in on the songs, which really helps to generate a great atmosphere and as such a super experience for the performer, in this case me. 

I’ve been lucky to have had two Gigs like this recently, one at Barnsley and now Handsworth.

Oh what was the first song, The Gates Of Hell, and I’d not sung it for a long time, a very long time, yet it was remembered, which is great.  You artists out there who do out of the norm material will know what I mean.

The session part of the evening was fantastic, with Rob Slow at his very best, (I really wished he did more and got some of his great songs recorded) Gary, who had even taken the trouble to write a song about Roy and (humble humble) me and wow being right up to date the work that Rotherham Art Events has embarked on.  I hope he does not lose the napkin on which it was written lol  And great see Phoebe and Sylvia out and about, plus a rare solo performance from Barrie, who was also on such high that he accompanied Sue for a song or two.

And of course the poet’s contribution, with a real mixture of super lyrical storytelling and verse from Carol and humour from Hairy Dave plus many others who I hope will forgive me for not remembering their names.  All their contributions were very much appreciated.

Go get to The Cross Keys next month for another super night, one that promises to be full of poetical humour with Hairy Dave taking centre stage.  That is Tuesday 15th May.

I managed to crawl to Town during Tuesday for a chat with someone who might be up to have ago at the Commercial Fund Raising.  Some new ideas came out of the Meeting, and maybe we’ll have an announcement in around five weeks.  However, The Commercial Fund Raising role is huge, and perhaps requires a separate small Team so if you were thinking of getting involved in this area don’t be put off by the fact that Meetings are taking place.  The roles pay a Commission.

Wednesday gave me some catch up time and the delayed “Moans” News Blog was published, if you’ve not caught up with it yet it’s HERE

Thursday, Jane I spent a very interesting day making more contacts and learning a considerable amount about making bids to The Big Lottery Fund at a training day put on by SYFAB.  I can really recommend these days as it really does give you a chance to network and meet other organisations.  As well as getting loads of pointers as to why bids go wrong.   You can find out more about SYFAB and what they do HERE

We’re in that awkward position at the moment where we cannot move forward on bids until RAE is properly constituted.  Jane and I will be having a meeting on Tuesday with advisers and we hope to be in a position to quickly move towards a Business Meeting of RAE and then on to setting up a Bank Account properly, and then onto getting our bids in.

However, it is time to get everyone together along with anyone else who might have an interest and so we have called a General Meeting of RAE for Wednesday 25th April.  Sorry about relatively short notice.  It’s basically a find out what it’s about ask questions and meet the team session, and of course a chance to volunteer help for Slamfest and The Fringe.  It kicks off at 7:00pm.  To sweeten the medicine of the Meeting we have a Concert to follow, with the ever popular Swansong Acoustic supporting Kurt Sawalies who is currently on a UK Tour from Germany.  This will be his third visit to Rotherham and if you’ve not already enjoyed one of his Concerts then you are in for a real treat.

While on the Fund Raising matters.  RAE is seeking to become self-sustaining, so that bid grants can be concentrated upon initiating new projects for the Arts in the Community.  In the rather austere economic conditions that we are starting out we have to be imaginative about how we go about generating funds.  We have already put into place a number of ways in which individuals and businesses can help us, and you can find them on the Web Site. 

For business, there are Sponsorship, part Sponsorship, and a relatively inexpensive Friend Scheme, while for the individual there are two levels of Friendship scheme in place. 

I would though draw your attention to the Brochure / Programme Advertising.  Special rates for ROAR Members, etc.  So check out the page HERE.  We will need your copy by the middle of May at the latest.   If there’s a business or Trade Union out there who would like to Sponsor the programme £300 buys the outside back cover and ads on both the Acoustic Rotherham and RAE Web Site for a year for the Banners High Festival.

Our first Festival is of course Banners High on the 2nd June, an event which has not been without controversy around certain circles in Town.  Some silly people instead of seeking cooperation think it’s great fun to cause inconvenience, e.g. bringing the Festival to the attention of the Police, the first time in all my time as a Promoter in Rotherham this has happened.  The long arm of the law are satisfied that we do not pose a threat to public order and safety now. 

The On line Box Office is HERE.  £10 for an amazing day of thought provoking discussion, music and words cannot be bad value and there is a limited edition T Shirt that people can order to.  It’s not all heavy political stuff, The Ed Pole Tudor Concert with support from three top local Bands including Papa Legbas is a chance for a rite wiggle and knees up.

The Banners High Festival has been given full support from Rotherham Against The Cuts and The Rotherham Trades Council.

We hope to have a buy over the counter Box Office open the first week in May. 

However because of the venue sizes tickets are limited to 250 for each event or for the Day Ticket so get your reservations in as soon as you can.

If we make a surplus the money will be carried over to Slamfest at the end of July.  The cost of the Banners High will be £1,500. 

So who is speaking? Well, names are hard to place yet, but shall we say we’ll be having a representative from The Respect Party, Liberty, and a few more, with musical interludes from The Rotherham Red Choir and The Mashers, there will be one other artist which has yet to confirm.  For the Acts appearing in the afternoon session see the main page HERE

Where was I?  Oh yes Friday!   A great a super progressive meeting with Tom Donaldson and King of Rock Mick Hill.  Wow the ideas came flooding out.  Watch out for Fund Raising Concerts and more coming your way over the Months ahead.  Mick did twist my arm into a pint and a half which as you know with my medication is not a great idea, so once back on the bus that was that!  I shall have to check notes to see if the ideas make sense.

AND LET US NOT FORGET ACOUSTIC ROTHERHAM 15 29th April at The Queens, Rawmarsh.  Starts 1:00pm ish  

Now I’m going to be honest, I’ve not done as much work on this one as should have done.  However, we have Richard and Debbie Row coming from North Yorkshire, I’m hoping that Gaz has remembered that some version of Stomping on Spiders is supposed to be making their way up the M1 from Worcestershire, and Keystone Acoustic are making a welcome return. 

Following the success of the less formal format towards the end of the last Session we will be seeking to do the same, the PA will still be there for those who need it. 

If you want to book a spot just Email at acousticrotherham@jmucreate.com

However, given the short notice I’m going to open it all up a bit and if anyone wants to come along and give us a song or two they will be really welcome.

From here on in Acoustic Rotherham Events will be tied into RAE and so organisation etc will be back to normal.  I apologise for the tardiness on this occasion.

AND WHERE ARE YOU OVER 45 YOUNG’UNS? We need you!  What for?  The Wath Folk Festival “Silver Roots Competition”.  A top prize of £50 + a Cup, + Tickets to the rest of the Festival including the Main Concerts; can’t be bad.  Email me HERE to get your name down.   It takes place at the Red Lion in Wath on Saturday 5th May, 1:00pm according to the flier and runs to around 4:00pm However, the start time is variable according to which information source one is using so watch this space for the proper time.

The 5th May is going to busy, as 10:30am at Town Hall, The Rotherham May Day March will be gathering, organised by Rotherham Against The Cuts.  I think The Masher has been roped in to provide a little music – but we’ll see if it’s raining.

There’s a fantastic Concert this coming week at the Old Market Gallery on Corporation Street, if you’ve not found it yet, it’s the glass fronted building opposite the Imperial Building.  But to the Concert.  It’s entitled The English Rebels with the fantastic Rotherham Red Choir, Toein’ In The Dark, and Ray Hearne adding to what promises to be a great evening. Oh, when is it?  Friday 27th April at 8:00pm.  Entry is £5 or £3 for the low waged.

And this in a Nellie Folk week.  Yes it’s Nellie Folk on Monday 23rd – which is of course St Georges Day.  This is Rotherham’s best singers / musician Folk Club, so why not pop out and come and give us a song?

I think that there is now more than enough here to fill the head…………………. However,

ROAR are mounting a new Exhibition “The Creativity of Rotherham” in the Imperial Building starting Monday 26th April, ANYONE who has something to exhibit of A3 or smaller is welcome to submit work, even after the exhibition has started.  You’ll need to contact Matt at ROAR for more information matt@rotherhamroar.org

And of course we welcome Sharon Gill to her new Post as CEO of ROAR and wish her the best of luck in her role.

Don’t forget to Sponsor Carol Robson’s Critter adventure in aid of the ladies who are suffering as a result of PIP Implant scandal.  You can find a form in Poets Corner HERE

The development of the new look Web Site continues.  We’re going well. 

The Dairy pages are all up to date find out all the great stuff in the week ahead HERE

And that does it for now. 

Whatever you are doing this week have great fun, support local artists and KEEP IT LIVE

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