The English Folk Dance and Song Society opens applications for creative artist residencies

May 11, 2012 in Other by Mark Badger

The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) has launched a new scheme offering creative residencies at its London base.

The initiative is open to individuals or groups who want to explore their creative potential and the English traditions by undertaking a residency at Cecil Sharp House to research and develop new work.

The creative residencies are open to professional artists across all sectors – from classical composers and contemporary dancers to poets, musicians or visual artists – not just those working within the folk arts.

EFDSS is keen to hear from artists who are interested in exploring the potential of working cross-genre, cross-arts, or cross-culture to create work that has the potential to go on tour. Read the rest of this entry →

Choirs join forces this month in Solihull in aid of poorly children

May 8, 2012 in Artists, News, Other, Pitch, Tour dates by Mark Badger

Warkikshire Boys Choir - Symphony hall Birmingham
Two talented young choirs join forces this month in a musical extravaganza in Solihull in aid of poorly children.

Warwickshire Boys’ Choir, finalists in the BBC Choir of the Year 2010, will team up with Knabenchor Hoesel Boys’ Choir from Germany for the concert at the Bushell Hall, Solihull School, Warwick Road on 18 May at 7.30pm.

Choir leader and director of the Warwickshire County Music Service, Garry Jones, said: “These hugely talented and successful boys just love singing, and it promises to be a show not to be missed! The Warwickshire Boys have twice appeared in the final of the National Festival of Music for Youth at Symphony Hall where last year they won a major award, have toured Europe, produced two CDs and appeared on radio and TV and their German counterparts have also won awards.”

The 60 Warwickshire choristers, aged from 8-14, will raise their voices with the German choir in singing a variety of well known popular and classical hits.

Emma Hale, head of fundraising at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I really encourage people to come on down for what will be a really entertaining night.  Not only will you hear well known songs from across the ages but you’ll also be supporting vital work at our local Hospitals.”

Proceeds from concert ticket sales will go towards children’s care at Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospitals. To book, call 0121 424 3838. Tickets cost £5 each, £4 for concessions and £15 for a family ticket (two adults and two children).

You are invited to the Birmingham Music Network Meeting – 4pm Thursday 31st May 2012

May 7, 2012 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network meeting will be on Thursday 31st May 2012.

The Meeting starts at 4pm and will finish at 5.30pm at Birmingham City University, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG.

Anyone involved in Music in the region is welcome to attend, its free and there will be tea and coffee provided.

Birmingham Music Network 2011 Logo

The Music Network organises a NETWORKING EVENT on the last Thursday of each month, for the benefit of music related businesses in the West Midlands region. If you have any involvement in music, come and talk about what you’re up to and meet some new people. These Networking events are about all things music in the region. They’re about helping you to teach yourself how to do it, by yourself, for yourself and encourages you to share the knowledge with others so they can do the same. If you are a musician, a student, someone who works with musicians, represents musicians, has involvement with the music industry, or are looking to make new contacts…..the meeting will be useful.

If you have news to report, a presentation to give, an event to promote, any new points for discussion, a pitch to make, business cards or flyers to hand round, an appeal for help, advice or guidance or even if you just want the free tea and biscuits and some serious discussion…you are invited.

You can also post in by email any news or press release information for inclusion on the website and for distribution through the mailing list and RSS feed. More details on the website.

Please pass this invite on to Musicians you know or anyone else who you think may benefit.

Read the minutes from previous meetings here: http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/category/minutes/

Website: http://birminghammusicnetwork.com   Facebook   Twitter

Creative Networks 31st May 2012 Flyer
Creative Networks 31st May 2012 Flyer

Fuse 2012 to get even more family friendly

May 5, 2012 in News, Other, Pitch by Mark Badger

This year’s Fuse festival is set to get even more family friendly with organisers, Lichfield Arts, introducing a range of new measures to increase the safety and enjoyment of everyone. The free community music and arts festival will run from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th July with all events finishing at the earlier time of 10pm on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Lichfield Arts have been working closely with Staffordshire Police who will be present in Beacon Park at peak times throughout the event. The most significant change, in line with many other festivals in the UK, is that no alcohol is to be allowed into or out of the event arena. The full revised 2012 conditions of entry are on the Fuse website (www.fuselichfield.org.uk) and will be reproduced in publicity and displayed around the site throughout the weekend. As in previous years the Challenge 25 policy will be operating and a DPPO (Drinking in a Public Place Order) permanently exists in the whole of Beacon Park.

Now in it’s 12th year, Fuse will have something for all ages with childrens’ shows and activities, music, dance, comedy, theatre, visual art and a craft market. More details will be released in the coming weeks.

Jared White, Lichfield Area Policing Commander, Staffs Police, said “Fuse is a fantastic event for the people of Lichfield. We are giving our full support to the event, with a police team in Beacon Park during the weekend to ensure the event is safe and secure for all.”

Tim Perks, spokesman for Fuse, said “As Fuse gets bigger each year it is vital that we have the right measures in place to ensure public safety and security. We are working more closely than ever with Staffordshire Police to make Fuse a safe and enjoyable event for all. Our new policy of no alcohol to be allowed into the event is in line with most other festivals and there will still be a licensed bar within the festival arena for those who do want to drink sensibly. There will of course be a range of other food and non alcoholic drink stalls. It is extremely important to Lichfield Arts that Fuse 2012 is an event that is enjoyed by the whole community and that Lichfield can be proud of”.

If anyone has particular concerns they wish to raise about the event or want more details they can telephone Lichfield Arts on 01543 262223 visit www.lichfieldarts.org.uk or the dedicated Fuse website at www.fuselichfield.org.uk.

The three day festival of music, entertainment, and arts runs from July 6th to 8th in Lichfield’s Beacon Park. With the Olympics in mind, the theme for this year is Rhythm, Rings, Sticks and Strings. The Fuse Festival is a popular free event, attracting thousands of people each year, and providing arts workshops, free music, and family activities from many local people and international bands.

As always, the Festival will include fine music from across many genres, a local outreach programme, allowing local schools and community groups to be involved, workshops and arts events, and a family friendly atmosphere. The Festival runs with the help of volunteers across the board, from the planning committee to anyone willing to give up a few hours over the weekend. The Festival is looking out for help from the following groups.

Creative/artistic people

Any creative/artistic people who want to contribute or participate in Fuse by creating site art & tent decoration, art installations, run workshops, etc. would be very welcome.

Young people

We are always keen to involve young people in Fuse in as many ways as possible.

Operational help

We also need volunteers to help run the festival over the weekend; help with site set-up, general stewards, bar staff, people to man the information desk, stage crew and help with festival break-down.

As well as needing volunteers, the festival also needs financial support to provide the quality of acts and events that it has had in the past. With this in mind, a new scheme has been launched.

Become a Friend of Fuse…

For a minimum donation of £50 you will receive:

- A VIP parking pass enabling you to park adjacent to the Fuse site during the festival

- An invitation for you and a guest to a special reception to be held at Fuse

- A quality photograph taken of you and your guests at Fuse

To become a Friend of Fuse please contact Lichfield Arts on 01543 262223 or e-mail info@lichfieldarts.org.uk

Fuse Festival Spokesman Tim Perks said: ‘Following last year’s success, we want to build on the impact and the work that Fuse does, both in the local community, and in the actual festival itself. It is a lot of work, but the end result is hugely rewarding. It offers opportunities to the local community to be involved in a life changing event, it offers opportunities to local bands and musicians to perform on a professional stage, whilst also giving entertainment to the thousands of people who visit the festival”

For more information, and updated details, please check the local press, the website, www.lichfieldarts.org.uk or keep up to date with events at www.facebook.com/pages/Lichfield-Fuse-Festival and www.twitter.com/lichfieldfuse

Fuse 2012 Outreach Project community workshops in Lichfield and Burntwood

May 5, 2012 in News, Opportunity, Other, Pitch by Mark Badger

If you have ever fancied being in a circus you are invited to take part in workshops being run by Lichfield Arts.

Local people in Lichfield and Burntwood will be able to learn circus skills such as Juggling, Poi and Stilt walking at a series of workshops happening locally. The workshops will lead to public performances as part of the Fuse Festival in July.

The workshops, which are being organised by Lichfield Arts, are free and for all ages, but places are limited, and will be offered on a first come first served basis.

The Burntwood workshops will take place on Wednesdays 6.30-8.30pm at Burntwood Youth Centre, Cherry Tree Close, on May 23rd and 30th, June 13th, 20th, and 27th and July 4th. All under 10s must be accompanied by an over 18.

Workshops in Lichfield will take place on Thursdays, 6.30-8.30pm at Chadsmead School on May 24th and 31st, June 14th, 21st , and 28th and July 5th. All under 16s must be accompanied by an over 18.

Tim Perks, Fuse Festival Spokesman, said: ‘Fuse is all about giving people of all ages from Lichfield District the opportunity to experience and take part in new activities. Come along and join in. You might even discover a new talent’.

Anyone wanting to know more about the workshops can email Info@lichfieldarts.org,

visit the Lichfield Arts website, phone the offices on 01543 262223, or call into the offices in Donegal House, Bore Street.

Party In The Park Monday 7th May 2012 Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge

May 5, 2012 in News, Other, Pitch, Tour dates by Mark Badger

Party In The Park Monday 7th May 2012 Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge

Party in the Park website
Party In The Park Monday 7th May 2012 Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge
Party In The Park Monday 7th May 2012 Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge

Dan Whitehouse, Chris Tye, Boat To Row, Scott Matthews to play The Big Session Festival, Catton Hall, June 2012

April 30, 2012 in Artists, News, Other, Tour dates by Mark Badger

Scott Matthews

Among those taking to the stage at The Big Session, which takes place from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 June, are singer-songwriters Dan Whitehouse, Chris Tye and Boat To Row, plus Wolverhampton’s own globe-trotting troubadour, Scott Matthews.

Dan Whitehouse

They’ll be joining a varied line-up of major names including festival co-founders and three-times BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2012 winners Oysterband, former Fairground Attraction singer Eddi Reader, the legendary June Tabor, West Country acoustic roots duo Show Of Hands, fresh from headlining London’s Royal Albert Hall, tubthumping folk/punksters Chumbawamba, plus the much lauded Leisure Society.

Taking place in the picturesque grounds of Catton Hall, in South Derbyshire, the three day event also boasts its own Real Ale and Cider Festival, an onsite Sculpture Village (complete with a working forge and chain-saw wood carving), impromptu music and singing sessions, morning yoga, on-site luxury camping and a rolling programme of family-friendly activities.

A spokesperson for The Big Session said: “Over the last seven years, the festival has built a great reputation as a welcoming and enjoyable festival with a broad appeal, and that’s something we’re very proud of.

“While we certainly attract big names, we also showcase some fantastic new talent too, making this a festival that is very much rooted in the Midlands.”

The Big Session Festival, Catton Hall,15-17 June, 2012 South Derbyshire

Three-day/weekend tickets begin at £92.95, one day tickets from £32.95 per day (including all fees). Child tickets begin at £10 per day, with under 5s free. Camping is also available.

For more information, including tickets, see: www.bigsessionfestival.com or call 023 8071 1818.

Dapper FM from 8 till 10pm (UK time) on Tuesday 1st May 2012

April 30, 2012 in Broadcast, News, Other, Podcast, Radio by Mark Badger

Our next radio show will be on 1st May, 2012. The first day of May is significant for many reasons. For some it is seen as International Workers Day (Mayday) and for others it is the Celtic festival of Beltane. We will be commemorating both on this weeks show.

We will feature several numbers appropriate to International Workers Day, with unions, people power and general anti-establishmentism getting a plug; including brand new tunes from Inner Terrestrials, Anti-flag and Dreadzone

We will also be showcasing some of the bands playing The Beltane Buzz festival in West Wales next weekend, including Captain Accident and the Disasters, Zinc Bukowski and brand new exclusives from The Bleedin’ Noses and Cakehole Presley.

For all this, plus much more, log on to www.dapperfm.co.uk from 8 till 10pm (UK time) on Tuesday 1st May.

Clint Iguana
http://www.peppermintiguana.co.uk

Creative Networks Thursday 26th April 2012 at Birmingham City University, Millennium Point, Birmingham B4 7XG

April 24, 2012 in Artists, Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

Creative Networks is about bringing together all parties involved in screen-based and sound media in the West Midlands, promoting both successful business development and collaboration.

THE MUSIC NETWORK with Robin Valk 4PM until 5.30PM – WWW.BIRMINGHAMMUSICNETWORK.COM

BIRMINGHAM SCREEN IMAGE NETWORK 4PM UNTIL 5.30PM – WWW.BSIN.CO.UK

Creative Networks 5.45PM UNTIL 9.00PM WWW.CREATIVENETWORKSONLINE.COM

at BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY, MILLENNIUM POINT, CURZON STREET, BIRMINGHAM B4 7XG

BAFTA NOMINATED SHORTS ON TOUR: BIRMINGHAM 5.45pm

Following on from the Orange British Academy Film Awards on 12 February 2012, the nominated short films and short animations are touring the country. Join us at Birmingham City University’s Millennium Point, for a special screening and Q&A brought to you by Creative Networks and BAFTA. Read the rest of this entry →

Robin Valk & The Music Network Meeting – 4pm Thursday 26th April 2012

April 15, 2012 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

Robin Valk
Robin Valk will be leading The Music Network meeting once again on Thursday 26th April 2012 at Millennium Point, Birmingham.

The Meeting starts at 4pm and will finish at 5.30pm at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG. Anyone involved in Music in the region is welcome to attend, its free and there will be tea and coffee provided.

Robin is a broadcast and software consultant. He has been in radio for over 40 years, working on student radio, US Rock Radio, Commercial Radio and BBC Radio 2. When not consulting, teaching, podcasting or writing on radio and music, Robin works on radio and music projects – most recently, a documentary project on the music and musicians of Handsworth, Birmingham, and he’s leading the Pilot Project for the British Library.

Robin is one of the most experienced music programmers in Europe, working for RCS, makers of Selector, at their New York HQ for ten years. He offers consultancy in Selector and  P Squared’s AutoTrack / Myriad, for whom he is currently authoring online help, as well as other systems. Recent consult work has taken Robin to Southampton, Glasgow and Budapest. He is currently developing new ultra-low cost radio approaches for Internet radio streaming.

In recent months Robin has turned his attention to blogging more about local music and the stories he has uncovered. Recent blog posts have included Toy Hearts, National Radio Airplay Stats, Misty’s Big Adventure and Friends of the Stars, a fantastic Audio documentary called Handsworth Evolution interesting pieces on Richard Shakespeare BRMB Four Local DJ’s Two Local Studios  Steve Gibbons, The Destroyers, Ruby Turner and Jim Cleary

You are welcome to contact Robin through this blog (email to robin@radiotogo.com) for voicing work, software training and database troubleshooting, music consultancy or other radio projects.

Birmingham Music Network 2011 Logo

The Music Network organises a NETWORKING EVENT on the last Thursday of each month, for the benefit of music related businesses in the West Midlands region. If you have any involvement in music, come and talk about what you’re up to and meet some new people. These Networking events are about all things music in the region. They’re about helping you to teach yourself how to do it, by yourself, for yourself and encourages you to share the knowledge with others so they can do the same. If you are a musician, a student, someone who works with musicians, represents musicians, has involvement with the music industry, or are looking to make new contacts…..the meeting will be useful.

If you have news to report, a presentation to give, an event to promote, any new points for discussion, a pitch to make, business cards or flyers to hand round, an appeal for help, advice or guidance or even if you just want the free tea and biscuits and some serious discussion…you are invited.

You can also post in by email any news or press release information for inclusion on the website and for distribution through the mailing list and RSS feed. More details on the website.

Please pass this invite on to Musicians you know or anyone else who you think may benefit.

Read the minutes from previous meetings here: http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/category/minutes/

Website: http://birminghammusicnetwork.com   Facebook   Twitter

Robin Valk & The Music Network Meeting – 4pm Thursday 29th March 2012

March 28, 2012 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

Robin Valk
Robin Valk will be leading The Music Network meeting on Thursday 29th March 2012 at Millennium Point, Birmingham. The Meeting starts at 4pm and will finish at 5.30pm at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG. Anyone involved in Music in the region is welcome to attend, its free and there will be tea and coffee provided.

Robin is a broadcast and software consultant. He has been in radio for over 40 years, working on student radio, US Rock Radio, Commercial Radio and BBC Radio 2. When not consulting, teaching, podcasting or writing on radio and music, Robin works on radio and music projects – most recently, a documentary project on the music and musicians of Handsworth, Birmingham, and he’s leading the Pilot Project for the British Library.

Robin is one of the most experienced music programming operators in Europe and offers consultancy in other systems including AutoTrack/Myriad and Station Playlist. Recent consult work has taken Robin to Southampton, Glasgow and Budapest. He is currently developing new ultra-low cost radio approaches for Internet radio streaming.

In recent months Robin has turned his attention to blogging more about local music and the stories he has uncovered. Recent blog posts have included a fantastic Audio documentary called Handsworth Evolution interesting pieces on Richard Shakespeare BRMB Four Local DJ’s Two Local Studios  Steve Gibbons, The Destroyers, Ruby Turner and Jim Cleary

You are welcome to contact Robin through this blog (email to robin@radiotogo.com) for voicing work, software training and database troubleshooting, music consultancy or other radio projects.

The Music Network meeting will be on Thursday 29th March 2012 at Millennium Point, Birmingham. Read the rest of this entry →

Soweto Kinch talks about taking The Flyover Show to South Africa on 31st March 2012

March 27, 2012 in Artists, News, Other, Pitch, Tour dates, Video, Visual by Mark Badger

UK hip-hop artist Soweto Kinch will host a groundbreaking show featuring a diverse and brilliant line-up in Freedom Square on 31st March 2012. Among the artists that have confirmed their appearance at the Flyover Show are Tumi from Tumi and the Volume, Soweto Kinch and band, Feya Faku, ESKA, Jonzi D, Bokani Dyer, DJ Raiko, Yugen Blakrok, Gin-I Grindith, Robo The Technician, Hymphatic Thabs, and the Kliptown Youth Program Gumboot Dancers.

Kinch, one of the most exciting and versatile young musicians in both the British jazz and hip-hop scenes, will bring his iconic festival from the streets of Birmingham to the streets of the township he shares his name with – Soweto. The Flyover Show is Kinch’s project and has been a day-long, music and arts festival that has taken place for five years in its unusual setting beneath a flyover in Birmingham, UK.

The Birmingham festival has featured artists as diverse as Goldie, Akala and Omar and continues to build on its reputation, bringing world class entertainment to an often forgotten corner of Birmingham.

This year the show will not only take place in Birmingham, but in the historic Freedom Square – also known as the Walter Sisulu Square of dedication in Kliptown, Soweto.

“Freedom Square is in many ways the most natural place to extend the concept of The Flyover Show. I have both a deep artistic and personal connection to Johannesburg and I’m really excited about expanding this concept there,” said Kinch, who is also an award winning alto-saxophonist.

“As an area with rich historic and often unappreciated traditions it has much similarity with the areas in Birmingham where the show originated,” he added. Read the rest of this entry →

The Flyover Show Freedom Square, Soweto, South Africa 31st March 2012 FREE 10am to 6pm

March 19, 2012 in News, Other, Pitch, Reviews by Mark Badger

The Flyover Show FLYER FRONT 31st March 2012: Freedom Square, South Africa

In the days of early apartheid rule half a century ago, on 26 June 1955, over 3 000 representatives of resistance organisations made their way through police cordons to gather on a dusty square in Kliptown, Soweto, 40km south of Johannesburg.

This was the Congress of the People, who met to draw up the Freedom Charter, an alternative vision to the repressive policies of the apartheid state.

At the time, Nelson Mandela had to stay concealed to avoid the police. On the second day, the authorities broke up the gathering, but not before the charter was adopted as a guide document. It remains the cornerstone of African National Congress (ANC) policy to this day, and is seen by many as the foundation of South Africa’s 1996 Constitution.

That dusty field has now been declared a national heritage site, and on 26 June 2005 President Thabo Mbeki lit a flame of freedom in Kliptown to mark the opening of the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication – and 50 years of the Freedom Charter.

The Flyover Show 31st March 2012:

Hip-Hop artist and award winning alto-saxophonist, Soweto Kinch, will host a groundbreaking show featuring a diverse and brilliant line-up in the historic Freedom Square on 31st March 2012. Among the artists that have confirmed their appearance at the Flyover Show are Tumi from Tumi and the Volume, Soweto Kinch and band, Feya Faku, ESKA, Jonzi D, Bokani Dyer, DJ Raiko and the Kliptown Youth Program Gumboot Dancers. Read the rest of this entry →

Creative Networks Thursday 29th March 2012 Birmingham – All Creatives Invited

March 14, 2012 in Education, Networking, News, Opportunity, Other, Strategy by Mark Badger

Creative Networks Thursday 29th March 2012

Creative Networks Thursday 29th March 2012

The Music Network Meeting – 4pm Thursday 29th March 2012 Birmingham

March 10, 2012 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network meeting will be on Thursday 29th March 2012 at Millennium Point, Birmingham.

The Meeting starts at 4pm and will finish at 5.30pm at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG. Anyone involved in Music in the region is welcome to attend, its free and there will be tea and coffee provided. Read the rest of this entry →