News

Looking back at the week in Manchester

Sunday Driver - Photo by Nick Gurney
Sunday Driver - Photo by Nick Gurney

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

To top

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

decibel launches Showcase Online

Published 15 March 2010

Taking place during March, April and May 2010, decibel Showcase Online gives the artists and delegates who attended the fourth decibel Performing Arts Showcase in 2009 a chance to re-live the experience. For those who were unable to attend, it provides an opportunity to enjoy these brilliant performances and pitches for the first time.

The central focus of Showcase online is video footage of the performances and discussions that took place in September. These are now hosted online on Vimeo. Every two weeks we will release videos from one day of the showcase. We are also uploading photographs of the showcase onto Flickr.

From the feedback we have received, it seems that one of the things artists and delegates most enjoyed about decibel Performing Arts Showcase 2009 was the opportunity to meet and network with like-minded people. Showcase Online now provides an opportunity to connect and engage through decibel’s pages on the social media sites Facebook and Twitter.

The showcase will take place across the following websites:

decibel Performing Arts Showcase website - the hub for all things decibel – news, videos, information and links.

Vimeo - decibel Performing Arts Showcase channel - full length videos of each performance.

Flickr – decibel Performing Arts Showcase' Photos from Manchester

Facebook – decibel Performing Arts Showcase fan page - links to videos, photos, performing arts news and diversity discussion. This will be your space for all decibel related discussion and news - please post any relevant news and information to the wall.

Twitter - @decibelshowcase - links to videos, performing arts news and diversity discussion. The best site for professional networking.