So pleased to see my photos from the Masquerade Ball at the Royal Norfolk show in this months "Places and Faces". It was a magical event and so much money raised for the amazing work that Break-charity do. So happy to share the magazine with Rory Graham too! Good article my friend.
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The Norwich Freemen are the first Freemen in the UK to put their records online. The launch will take place on the 6th September and as I was passing the Norfolk Record Office I was treated to a quick look around the strong room. It's massive! We are (apparently) very lucky as a county to have so many good records and here in my hand is a a scroll from 1333 detailing the accounts for the Cathedral! In the next room some notes from Richard Bright (He of Bright's disease fame) were being restored. These notes are from 1833 and unfortunately got wet at some point in their past. The mould has now been removed and the pages maintained by a thin backing film. So great to see a master at work. In a democracy, the open access to historic records is very important, it was quite something to see how these records are stored and cared for. The NRO is open to the public if you are passing county hall and have time on your hands. As the season closes for most theatres for another year, things are starting to calm down and it's time to reflect on the year and look forward to what's ahead. Working in and around The Royal Opera House has been truly emotional and inspirational. The Russian ballet are taking over for a couple of weeks and its so good to see "The House" so busy even though I can't read the notices in the lift :) I'm looking down over covent garden to watch the visitors taking over the city and feel very lucky and privileged. Every time I'm lucky enough to have some time on my hands I can be found at "Aint Nothing but.." on Kingly street. Live music every night and some real gems. Tonight was blues jam night and a steady stream of talented people take to the stage. Time flew by and before I knew it, I was dashing for my train... again :) Another great night of foot tapping entertainment. You know I'll be back soon :) www.aintnothinbut.co.uk A chance ticket to see Buddy Guy at the Hammersmith Eventim? Too right! :) It was an incredible night and Buddy's legendary guitar skills are not overrated. He played his own well known tracks and copied some other artists guitar sounds, I loved every moment. Probably my last chance to see him and I was not disappointed. Thank you Buddy. Helping those wonderful people at my Business Networking group (Breakaway) this morning and supporting our charity for the year, "Keeping Abreast". It's a charity that supports women who have had to have reconstructive surgery following breast cancer. Avery worthwhile charity and some inspirational talks from people who have benefitted from their support. There are some amazing people out there dealing with some life changing events. It truly makes you humble. http://www.keepingabreast.org.uk I have just finished Sound Engineering "The Producers" at the Norwich Puppet Theatre for Planet Theatre Productions. What makes working for this production company such a wonderful experience is the friendly nurturing environment, more than a group of like minded individuals they are warm and supportive, not something that you find everyday and it's very special. The team decided to fill the small Puppet Theatre Stage with the massive show that is "The Producers", technical issues and sheer "How do we fit this set in here?" questions were all spectacularly answered. I know that there will be a lot of people missing this production and I am one of them. Keep being amazing you beautiful people and hope to catch up with you all again. A review can be found here. For the technical inquisitive amongst you... Yes we mixed a live band, we put them in a separate building (because we love a challenge) and connected them via a stage box and Cat5 cable. The mix was live (by yours truly) on Allen & Heath kit, 32 channels with 4 separate effects processors. 8 sennheiser Radio mics and a two way video link. That's the way we rock n roll :) Yes, we may have had to supplement the venue kit ;-) Team planet... You rock! Bring it on! I recently had the good fortune to pop along and see how "Alice underground" is doing. This award winning show has been on my perimeter vision for some time and now that my good friend Karen Davies, Dr Who Mastermind, awesome stage manager and all round awesome person, is ASM there it seemed an ideal opportunity. It was amazing! Please go and see it! You'll not be disappointed!
Back to reality and I was Duty Event Manager for the BBC Music Magazine awards at the King's place Music foundation. A prestigious event, full of laughter, fun, wine and great music! It was very well attended and I even bumped in the legend that is Gok Wan, he complimented me on my waistcoat and I was quite proud of myself for managing an albeit short conversation without asking for a selfie! Professional to the last! :) A great big hurrah for one Duane Dibartolomeo from the Grosvenor Fish bar. He is officially a tourism superstar and not only that, he is just such an amazing guy. If you haven't been... I can't believe it! Go! Enjoy! and say Hi to Duane and Kristen from me and tell them I sent you! This is such a great (and deserved) award for them and for Norwich. Well done the whole team. My Mother in Law's sister passed away, very sad and she became quite confused towards the end. I'm glad that I remember her as a feisty, funny, laughing lady who joked with the amazing NHS staff as they wheeled her here and there. I worry for our NHS, I worry for our future and I wonder where the jokey, funny people are who make us laugh and make light of these difficult times. We miss you and need you. As I scanned the faces at todays funeral I see several generations that have never left the village. These generations were christened, married and buried at the little church, unheard of in these jet propelled times. I overheard one lady saying "What sort of a world do we live in?" in reference to the recent trend of "drive by" terrorism and I realised once again that perceptions of the wonderful peacetime that we actually enjoy, the marvel that is modern day and the wonderful things we experience are sadly misreported in our thirst for sensationalist news. Is this how we justify the backwards steps that we are taking, by believing that "Things were better years ago?" I saw the Daily Mail news headline today and I know that's the reason. Huxley's Brave new World snuck up on me while I was being vigilant for 1984. Please register your vote, please be counted and I know that I am in a minority but if we all care and take an interest in real, honest, genuine news we will prevail over all this sensationalism. Be kind and gentle to each other and we all deserve it, we all work hard and we all have the best intentions at heart. I believe in you all. It seems that a London bedsit is my place to blog! :) Camden high street this time and the place is buzzing! Good job I bought my ear plugs but I wouldn't have it any other way. Recent highlights? I am now AV Tech at the Royal Opera House! Not content with working alongside wonderful people at King's Place Music Foundation, I am now part of the ROH family. They made me very welcome, it's lovely place to work but I am equally sure that I'll never know my way around this building. Thank you to all the wonderful people for showing me around. I do have to say that I will never get bored of looking out onto that auditorium. Thanks again for the chance, I won't let you down.
As I write, Alice Underground is going into Dress rehearsal at the Waterloo Vaults and I wish them good luck and "Break a leg" I must get down to see you very soon. Back in Norwich we are head down for the Producers at the Norwich Puppet Theatre. It opens on the 26th April so get your tickets now. It's a short run but you will love it. Rehearsals are looking great fun and we can't wait to bring this one to you and show you just exactly how you fit the extravaganza that is "The Producers" in a small venue :) No puppets! All live actors in the flesh. I have also been helping out with the "Arms of Sleep" at the Assembly house. A very different and intriguing show and no, I won't be helping out all night :) I'm just helping with the lighting and setup and then I'll leave the magicians to weave their sleep spells on the public. Great to see the Assembly House involved in the Norfolk and Norwich Festival this year. Well done. And as I wait for my train back to Norfolk I'm having a cheeky gin at the Broadgate Circle. I had forgotten the buzz, the energy and the fun of Londoners unwinding at the end of a busy day. With a glass of Bloom gin in my hand I wish you a long and happy life. 2018 is the year of the Hare! Not really of course, but here in Norwich we will have the GoGoHare Trail. If you remember the GoGoDragons! then you will know that this is Break Charity's next "Wild in art" Trail. Break Charity, that supports young carers in Norfolk, will also by 50 years young in 2018 so it will be a big year for those of us lucky enough to work with and alongside the charity. I feel very privileged and honoured to support the great work that Break do.
So, Hares... coming soon and if you've been checking out my social media feed you will see that I have been out and about with the resin / Fibreglass marquettes (blank, unpainted sculptures) already. There are more to come! Today Break in association with MOA Marketing have been holding "Hare Brained Ideas" where local artists have been pitching their "Hare" based ideas to support the trail in 2018. I have been Meeting and Greeting the amazing people with awe inspiring ideas and I'm moved and emotional for them. It's very much like Dragons Den (and some people have said I have a passing resemblance to Evan Davis). Sometimes it's hard to work in the creative sector... Very rewarding of course, but these artists have given so much and then have to present their ideas and business plan for them too. Having been exposed to artistic and corporate sectors, I can't imagine many corporate people coping with that dichotomy. Be strong good people of the world, take a deep breath and be brave, take that leap into the unknown. This is where you will excel. I wish you all good luck and hope that you are successful. |
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