Looking back at the week in Manchester
We would like thank all who made Showcase 2011 and the Creative Case Symposium such an inspiring and constructive event – the best yet! The thrilling performances and challenging discussions will soon be uploaded for Showcase Online. We will also share news of the collaborations, tours and new ventures that have been developed.
In the meantime here’s a media round-up of the week in Manchester:
Creative Case Symposium video - follow this link to watch interviews and keynote speeches
The Creative Case for Diversity - read articles, case studies and keynote speeches on this purpose built mini-site
Disability Arts Online – the team from DAO were in Manchester all week to cover the Creative Case and decibel Performing Arts Showcase. Follow this link to read extensive reviews, interviews and discussion summaries
The Stage – decibel Performing Arts Showcase review – reviews of performances by Pen-ultimate, Brian Lobel, Crying in the Wilderness Productions, Sunday Driver, Shock and Awe Tours and Performance Anxiety
Telegraph.co.uk - Culture - Hassan Mahamdallie states the Creative Case for Diversity
Arts Professional - Observations - Tony Panayiotou, Head of Diversity, sets out Arts Council England's vision for a diverse future of the arts
The Stage - Up the Volume - Jo Caird interviews Nike Jonah, decibel Performing Arts Showcase Project Manager, Sara Cocker of The Eggs Collective, Gareth Lloyd Roberts of Wales Millenium Centre, Hetain Patel and Bill Bragin of Lincoln Centre, NYC
Arts Hub - Nike Jonah, decibel Performing Arts Showcase Project Manager, and Magdalena Moreno CEO of Kultour, Australia, discuss embracing diversity in arts policy
The Stage - ACE launches revamped diversity strategy - read the news story
International Arts Manager - Diversity at heart of ACE planning - read the news story (subscribers only)
Speak to Strangers - read all of Gemma Seltzer’s wonderful 100-word Speak to Strangers stories written in Manchester during the week at Showcase
What people are saying about decibel…
Registration for the 5th decibel Performing Arts Showcase closes this Sunday, 4 September.
decibel is a chance to witness a snapshot of the vibrant and innovative hotbed of diverse talent that make the UK’s performing arts scene famous worldwide. But don’t just take our word for it, here’s why other people see Showcase as an unmissable event in their calendar:
“decibel delivered something unexpected: a genuinely intriguing and eclectic performing arts showcase with work attracting healthy international interest.”
Jon Pratty, Guardian.co.uk
“Showcase should be on the schedules of every festival producer wanting to engage with a broader range of artistic voices from the UK. It is a market place not only for talent but also for ideas, networks and potential future collaborations.”
Ismail Mahomed, Festival Director, National Arts Festival, South Africa
“I can't recommend this showcase more highly. It's been one of the pivotal points in my professional development. Brilliant for networking, witnessing some fabulous talent and checking out new work.”
Julie McNamara, artist
“decibel gave me a great opportunity to discover a broad variety of diverse British art, especially work coming from artists with disabilities. Being there expanded my thinking about how to include the work of artists with disabilities in our programming more generally.”
Bill Bragin, Director of Public Programming, Lincoln Centre, USA
“decibel is a rare chance to experience the creative diversity that the UK offers in one city. As the Artistic director of a producing and presenting venue it is a key festival to find exciting new shows and artistic collaborations.”
Baba Israel, Artistic Director, Contact Theatre
“I attended the last showcase to write reviews and realised it was the only place I would want to pitch new work at. It's a gem of an opportunity for artists and programmers.”
Sarah Pickthall, artist
10 Questions - Julie McNamara
Published 19 May 2009
In our latest artists interview we ask Julie McNamara about her influences, creativity and the best job she's ever had...
'''Ten Questions'''
'''Name:''' Julie McNamara
'''Role:''' Playwright / Actor
'''Showcase Performance:''' Crossings
'''1. Where do you find inspiration for your work? '''
Life. I stay open to the unexpected. ‘Crossings’ was inspired by a random discovery. I was searching for my Father’s boat on the Mersey; the Dajam was sold on after his death. In my searches I’d go to visit The Maritime Museum, instead I wandered into the International Museum of Slavery at Albert Dock in Liverpool and uncovered the truth about another boat entirely – a notorious slave ship called The Zong.
I was incensed that this hadn’t been a part of our education in Merseyside. I was born in Birkenhead, two members of the family worked in the Ship yard at Camell Lairds. Nobody told us about the Zong.
'''2. What has been your most memorable performance?'''
Performing ‘Pig Tales’ a one-woman production, before the Maori elders at ‘Good Health Whanganui’ a psychiatric conference in Whanganui, New Zealand.
'''3. Where in the world would you most like to perform... and why?'''
I would like to perform ‘Crossings’ in Auckland before the elders of the Nga Pui who blessed the production after reading the initial script and allowed me to use the image of Hine Nui Te Po, one of their elders. That portrait, taken by Lisa Reihana, had moved me to tears at Te Papa Museum in Wellington when I was researching a character for ‘Crossings’. I asked for permission to incorporate Lisa Reihana’s work in the projected images on the ship’s sails. Hine Nui Te Po appears in the production as ‘First Woman’ calling the young Shelley out of trouble. I’d just like to give them something back.
'''4. Who/what has been the greatest influence on your creative output?'''
My father. He was great compost for stage material, although he was a very damaged being. He’d had a tortured childhood that left him emotionally constipated and remote. Although he wrote me extraordinary letters, full of poetry and bigotry. He was a great singer and storyteller, more often drunk than sober but he came to life on the sea. He’d built a boat with his own hands. Dredged up an old hull from the bed of the Mersey. He’d always say Liverpool was the bowels of hell and we were all living in a den of iniquity. That boat was his salvation. After his death I found every post card I’d ever sent him from across the world, in date order, carefully archived. I decided from that moment on I was going to live to the full or do my damnedest to live my dreams. I didn’t want my life reduced to a post card.
'''5. What has been the highlight of your career so far?'''
Last year! 2008 was a great year for highlights. I had three commissions that took me from Liverpool (DaDa Festival) where we presented ‘Crossings’ to Adelaide’s Feast Festival working on ‘Steak and Chelsea Out To Lunch’ with No Strings Attached Theatre, to Auckland working with Philip Patston and Diversityworks on ‘Derby and Joan’.
'''6. Who would you most like to work with...and why?'''
I am currently working with a new Director, Paulette Randall. I would dearly like to work in partnership with her, co-producing new work, acting as her Assistant Director while she shows me the ropes. She’s inspirational, thrilling in her creative approach, her imagination and her treatment of a script.
'''7. What is the best job you have ever had?'''
Working for Skyros Holidays, in 1995 I was contracted to set up and direct a new project in Tobago. It was stunningly beautiful and I had to experience every excursion and tour on the island before our punters arrived. (Someone’s got to do it.)
'''8. Where do you see yourself/your company in 5 years?'''
I’d like to be creating cutting edge work on an international platform, working with exciting new voices and pushing people from the political peripheries onto mainstream stages.
'''9. What makes you happiest about performing?'''
Connecting with the audience, through connection with the story, the actors on stage and the energy. It’s alchemy and it’s addictive.
'''10. What concerns you most about the state of the Performing Arts Sector in the UK?'''
We have inherited a dinosaur. We have state funded monuments to the establishment that are so far out of touch with contemporary Britain that they are struggling to retain audiences. They have little common ground with the vibrant voices currently working on the cutting edge of Theatre, Live Art or Performing Arts. The funding needs to be shared more equitably, merited through talented creativity and imagination, not assumed through social privilege. I’m hoping projects like Decibel will begin to change things.
10 Questions - Karengera Eric Soul
Published 12 May 2009
In our latest artists interview we ask Karengera Eric Soul from AfroGroov about his influences, creativity and the best job he's ever had...
'''Ten Questions'''
'''Name:''' Karengera Eric Soul
'''Role:''' Musician
'''Showcase Performance:''' Black Atlantic
'''1. Where do you find inspiration for your work?'''
The inspiration is drawn from various sources, it is rooted in cultural identity and tradition as well as all the experiences encountered while growing up between my country of origin Rwanda and Europe. The fierce struggle of my people to remain culturally relevant while surrounded by a dominating and influential western culture is a source of great drive to pursue this avenue.
'''2. What has been your most memorable performance?'''
Too many to mention; the top ones were to be able to create sonic connections while supporting Keziah Jones in Paris 2003 and sharing the DJ booth with Afrika Bambaata - The Godfather of Hip Hop in Germany in 2006.
Following his DJ set with an AFROGROOV selection made total sense and brought me a lot of satisfaction. It confirmed the relevance of an abstract concept I have been trying to share with people for a long time.
'''3. Where in the world would you most like to perform... and why?'''
On a big open air space by or on one of the 7th wonders of the world .Imagine a massive booming sound system set up on a stage by the Pyramids in Egypt or by the Great Wall of China:-).
To share my music with a maximum of people in such a surrounding would connect the spiritual undertone and the story my DJ set is attempting to tell... In fact, on top of one of the 1000 hills in the wonderful landscape of Rwanda would be amazing.
'''4. Who/what has been the greatest influence on your creative output?'''
My mother's music and Fela Kuti's relentlessness taught me about the gratification of musical integrity. The Michael Jackson of '78 to '91 taught me greatness and excellence through hard work. The inventiveness of DJ's such as Jazzy Jeff and Cash Money taught me about the importance of practicing your craft and the entrepreneurial skills,and the achievement of US Hip Hop moguls showed me the economic power and influence that music has on popular and global culture.
'''5. What has been the highlight of your career so far?'''
a)Being congratulated personally and in writing by Jack Straw for my work during the Holocaust Memorial Day in 2001.
b)The trust and satisfaction OXFAM bosses expressed when I delivered a perfectly timed show for the MakePovertyConcert in Meadows in 2005, where I was appointed musical director.
'''6. Who would you most like to work with...and why?'''
Too many to mention, from Jazzy Jeff to Seun Kuti via K’Naan or even my own mother would be fantastic.
They are inspiring and ridiculously talented while successful with integrity and cultural depth. I love finding that combination in artist.
'''7. What is the best job you have ever had?'''
I've been blessed to be able to pursue a creative path since my teenage years. A project where I collaborate with like-minded people and am able to express and execute my ideas without third party interference have been the most satisfying and successful. Currently, I am producing and presenting a musical TV show and I think the best time is still to be had.
'''8. Where do you see yourself/your company in 5 years?'''
Probably commuting between here and Africa, doing what I do now on a much bigger scale, creating a bigger impact with our initiatives and ideas. The company should be in a position to nurture and jump-start the careers of talented and dedicated individuals. I'd like to transpose all of my skills in as many parts of the African continent as possible. With my modest experience, I d like to be able to give something back for the empowerment of people and especially artists of Africa. Africa is such a wealthy niche of mis-managed talents.
Also, to find the magic formula, to balance it all out with a decent family life would be the icing on the cake.
'''9. What makes you happiest about performing?'''
Bringing pure joy in people hearts ...making them lose their heads and forget their worries for that little time. On a collective level, there are so many sources of satisfaction we achieve in a single performance, I can’t think of only one, however, seeing the sceptic smiling in disbelief is a great highlight during performances. At the risk of sounding motivated by the financial aspect, to be fairly valued and getting paid appropriately for a performance makes me really happy indeed.
'''10. What concerns you most about the state of the Performing Arts Sector in the UK?'''
A lot of genuinely, extremely talented artists do not have the eloquence to translate their ideas in a language that the industry understands and require in order to be taken seriously. It create a wide gap between genuine & natural talent and intellectualised art....everybody is losing out a bit in this climate.
10 Questions - Liz Liew, Chi2
Published 3 May 2009
We ask Liz Liew about her career highlights, creative influences and where she might be in 5 years time.
'''Ten Questions'''
'''Name:''' Liz Liew, Chi2
'''Role:''' Co-composer, co-performer
'''Showcase Performance:''' SONG OF THE FISHERMAN
'''1.Where do you find inspiration for your work?'''
Sometimes when I’m least expecting it and often when I’m relaxing – when I’m painting, enjoying a gig, on the train, even when I’m doing the washing up! I often find more inspiration in other artforms than my particular genre (east west fusion style).
'''2. What has been your most memorable performance?'''
There have been so many! With my band Chi2 I think our launch Monkey King show at the Bernie Grants Centre was memorable - so much work had gone into that production and it was good to finally do the show! Further afield Chi2 tours in the South East Asia were great and our headline slot at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, Canada was a great gig to do.
'''3. Where in the world would you most like to perform... and why?'''
Tricky one! I’ve been fortunate to have performed all around the world with my band Chi2 as well as other bands. I would say I’d love to play in the States with my band and our Song of the Fisherman project as I would like to see what audiences there make of our East West fusion music, from our British perspective. We haven’t as yet played our music to American audiences. I do think there’s a market out there - the ABC’s (American Born Chinese) especially would hopefully find our music really interesting and unique.
'''4. Who/what has been the greatest influence on your creative output?'''
I think that collaborating with other musicians and producers has helped me push my creative boundaries.
'''5. What has been the highlight of your career so far?'''
There have been so many memorable moments and I feel incredibly fortunate to be doing what I enjoy doing. One highlight would be touring our Monkey King Beijing Opera inspired project last summer in the UK. Also I love touring with other bands – memorable tours include Gnarls Barkley (and dressing up in mad costumes), Lamb and also around the world with Moby (highlights would be playing the grand piano at the Nobel Peace Prize, Slane Castle etc). I
’ve just found out that I’ve been shortlisted for the Ten Outstanding Chinese Young Persons in the UK Big Ben Awards (yes a bit of a long title!)… Of course I won’t win but it’s nice to be nominated in the first place!
'''6. Who would you most like to work with...and why?'''
Hard to say. I can’t think of anyone in particular. I would like to work with some more ‘pop/mainstream’ producers on my own stuff and see how that would sound. Perhaps Royksopp / Radiohead beats with Chi2 melodies?!
'''7. What is the best job you have ever had?'''
The one I have now as a freelance musician and composer! I feel privileged to be doing what I love doing and just about making ends meet!
'''8. Where do you see yourself/your company in 5 years?'''
More composition maybe veering into writing music for TV and film, that type of thing. Also hope to be touring more shows in SE Asia, US/Canada, and Europe. What I do now but on a much larger scale!
'''9. What makes you happiest about performing?'''
The buzz of playing music live on stage to a captive audience and gauging their response instantly!
'''10. What concerns you most about the state of the Performing Arts Sector in the UK?'''
Funding seems to have been cut drastically across the board for venues and festivals so consequently as a musician it’s been less busy on the gigs front since the recession hit. However, things seem to have picked up since and our UK Monkey King tour has been booked for the Autumn.
View more details about their [http://decibelpas.com/en/showcase/performance/62 performance]
