ART:sync

SUSTAINED THEATRE - BRITISH ARTISTS DELEGATION TO ATTEND NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

2009-09-09T18:15:00.002+01:00

A group of leading British artistic directors, producers and writers from culturally diverse backgrounds will be coming to this years festival to explore the possibilities of setting up creative links, collaborations and exchanges with South African artists and companies.

Sustained Theatre artists aim to transform the national arts landscape to reflect the diverse , rich and vibrant talent that exists in Britain. Sustained Theatre is a regional, national and international network for artists supported by Arts Council England.

For further information contact Pervaiz Khan: pervaizbrum@yahoo.co.uk

Garfield Allen is the Artistic Director/CEO of Greenroom. A venue featuring experimental urban theatre, dance and live art from a broad range of cultures. As head of artist recruitment, development and creative programming, his vision has cemented the venues reputation as a natural 'home' for innovative and groundbreaking art forms,

Sâmir Bhamra is a multi-disciplinary artist creating dance, theatre and multimedia. He was an artist in residence at Leicester Theatre Trust. He has been part of a film festival for seven years and recently programmed the autumn season at Rich Mix in London .

Donna Briscoe-Greene is a singer/vocalist and performer with over twenty years experience. She became interested in Arts Management eight years ago. A freelance arts support worker, a festival performer for City Arts Nottingham, and a drama producer for small charity organisations. She works as East Midlands Sustained Theatre volunteer co-ordinator.

Felix Cross Artistic Director of Nitro since 1996 - Britain's longest running black theatre company (30 years old this year); composer, playwright and director with over 100 productions in UK and worldwide, from musicals to Bollywood to opera and hip hop theatre. Specifically concerned with the development of new musical theatre.

Tyrone Huggins has performed in over sixty stage productions, as well as many appearances in radio, television and film. He is a director and commissioned playwright currently producing DIGITAL INHERITANCE, comprising his Inheritance Quartet - charting Caribbean Diaspora, and his Digital Projects - four productions exploring the digitization of modern life.

Karena Johnson - director, producer and facilitator. Recent work includes Crossings by Julie McNamara a DADA Festival commission, Forty by Angie La Mar at Hackney Empire and critically acclaimed Underneath – nothing as silent as snow commissioned for the BLACK SEAS Festival in the Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania. Currently Artistic Director at the BROADWAY in London.

Pervaiz Khan is the international broker for Sustained Theatre. He is a theatre director, filmmaker and writer. His new media art has shown in the UK and Europe. For a decade he programmed cinema from Africa, Asia and Latin America. And was a contributing editor of 'Sight & Sound' international film magazine.

Jenni Lewin-Turner is a Creative Producer & Arts Consultant with a Masters degree in Cultural Leadership and is the founder of Urbanflo, a socially engaged collective of creative professionals sharing a vision of equity and excellence in the arts; collaborating to produce, programme and promote a diverse range of projects.

Jonathan Man is a British Chinese freelance theatre director, passionate about theatre that explores the dynamic between cultures. He is a member of Sustained Theatre artist leadership team. He was recently appointed Co-Artistic Director for Yellow Earth, the leading British East Asian touring theatre company in the UK.

George Matheson works for Kirklees Council as an Arts Development officer – Cultural Diversity Specialist, Co-ordinating Kirklees Diversity Season Cultural programme, coaching BME cultural leaders. Vice-Chair of the Sustain Theatre Yorkshire HUB, Advisor to Back A Yard Arts African Creative Arts Company and Non-Executive Director for Beaumont Street Studios.

Keith Saha is co-artistic director of 20 Stories High in Liverpool. Over 20 years he has worked professionally as an actor, writer, director, workshop leader, composer and musical director. In his current projects for 20 Stories High, he is exploring the marriage of Hip-Hop theatre, mask and puppetry.

AYODELE SCOTT was born in Sierra Leone into a tradition of street theatre, music and dance. He trained with the Sierra Leone Dance Troupe and in community theatre for development. He won the National Actor of the Year Award. During his 21 years in England he has shared his craft widely. He utilises the arts as a creative force for social change.

Kully Thiarai is a theatre director and arts consultant. She has extensive experience of working within a range of organisations and making work with and for diverse communities. Kully has been Artistic Director of Red Ladder Theatre Company, Leicester Haymarket Theatre, Theatre Writing Partnership and more recently Contact Theatre, Manchester.

Bea Udeh is a producer. She finds that radio, theatre and creative writing are her avenues for delivering productions which come from grass-roots values. Bea is behind Pieces: Unity through Comedy, the TMA 2009 award-winning comedy sketch show and the Big House of Tiny Starts - a BBC radio series.

OSCAR WATSON is director of NECDAF an organisation supporting the professional development of artists from other countries who live and work in North East England. Oscar is a director and playwright with experience of training actors. He is a former director of the actors centre and coordinator of the Black Theatre Forum.

HOT OFF THE PRESS - MI21 IS GOING TO THE ROUNDHOUSE

2009-09-02T12:38:00.001+01:00

*HOT OFF THE PRESS*

KALA PHOOL is proud to announce the finale date of the 2009 MI21 UK TOUR will be taking place at The Roundhouse in Camden on SUN 25 OCT.

Details will soon be ready for release so please be patient. There will be limited tickets for this event so make sure you get in there double quick once info is announced.

We are feeling chuffed that the tour is going so well and already each venue we have been to was a sell out.

There are still tickets for:

BRISTOL - TUE 22 SEP - MI21 is performing on an extra special night along with Talvin Singh.

COVENTRY - SAT 10 OCT

MUSICPORT FESTIVAL - SAT 24 OCT - Nitin Sawhney will also be at this one.

Big fat grin :)

MI21 IS A BRIGTON SELL OUT

2009-09-02T12:37:00.001+01:00

Next stop on the MI21 UK TOUR is Brighton this Saturday (5th September) where we managed to sell out over 2weeks ago but then with the support of the venue managed to squeeze some extra tickets (6 to be exact!) - now theyve all gone too.

We're really excited about showing Brighton MI21, especially as its KALA PHOOL's main home town. For those of you who know our work, you'll know about us delivering the UK's largest Hip Hop festival, RISING STYLES (www.risingstyles.com 1-4 OCT 09).

We look forward to seeing you Saturday and hope you enjoy the show.

Sweet :)

BandBazi - Love Indeed tour dates 2009

2009-08-14T11:24:00.004+01:00

BandBazi’s latest aerial production takes its inspiration from Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra and the first passionate meeting between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Love Indeed is a heady drama performed 20 feet in the air.

Within both the public and private realm of these iconic characters, love and pleasure conflicts with lust and power. On a film set in Italy in 1961, two actors meet. She’s a superstar, he’s a Shakespearian actor. They have both come to make the film Cleopatra. Over 12 intense scenes the dynamic of their relationship is explored from falling in love, to jealously, infidelity and obsession.

This is a vibrant piece of new writing with a strong narrative line. Scenes from Shakespeare’s mature romance are interwoven with a contemporary love story, contrasting his sublime poetry with sparse modern text to create a piece that explores universal themes of middle aged love and relationships.

BandBazi’s is a Brighton based company known for its creative productions, combining circus with theatre. Its last production Breakfast at Audrey’s won a 2005 Edinburgh Festival Fringe First.

Brighton’s Argus called Love Indeed “A touching and beautiful love story, drenched with a joy of performing and storytelling, which adds a cheeky hint of modernity to an ancient and enduring tale.”

Tour dates:

Mon 28 Sep
Brighton, Pavilion Theatre
8.00pm

Tue 29 Sep
Maidenhead, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
7.30pm

Wed 30 Sep & Thu 1 Oct
Reading, South Street
8.00pm

Fri 2 Oct
Maidestone, Hazlitt Arts Centre
7.30pm

Mon 5 Oct
Poole, Jellicoe Theatre
7.30pm

Tue 6 Oct
Eastbourne, College Theatre
7.00pm

Thu 8 Oct
Worthing, Northbrook College Theatre
7.30pm

Thu 15 Oct
Bristol, Circomedia
7.30pm

Sun 18 Oct
Bracknell, South Hill Park
7.30pm

Thu 22 Oct
Glasgow, G12 Gilmorehill
2.00pm & 7.30pm

Sat 24 Oct
Musselburgh Brunton Theatre
7.30pm

-----------------------------------------------

BandBazi
Young Peoples Centre, Ship St, Brighton, BN1 1AE
01273 245584
07805 451530
mail@bandbazi.co.uk
www.bandbazi.co.uk <http://www.bandbazi.co.uk>

BandBazi is a professional circus theatre company and an associate company of Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead. BandBazi runs an inclusive youth circus theatre for young people aged 11-25 years, with a focus on young refugees and asylum seekers, and provides workshops for community and school groups in trapeze, circus skills, drama and creative writing.

MI21 UK TOUR

2009-08-10T22:34:00.002+01:00

KALA PHOOL is proud to announce the MI21 UK TOUR 2009.

MI21 (Mother India 21st Century Remix) is a live soundtrack performance.

The original film Mother India (1957) is a hugely important film in South Asian cinema, known for it's iconic imagery and powerful storyline: the common shorthand is to reference it as India's 'Gone with the wind'

MI21 essentially remixes, re-edits and rescores the original 3 hour film into a 45 minute silent film over which lead artist DJ Tigerstyle has created a contemporary electronic and strings based score. DJ Tigerstyle who is one of the worlds top Turntablist’s is accompanied by – Matt Constantine who plays keyboards and his beautiful electric cello – David Shaw on drums – Josh Ford on visuals.

MI21 will be touring across the UK and at a venue near you.

Some of the venues will have additional special events alongside the performance including:

extended DJ Tigerstyle set
post show discussion
film screenings

For all venues, dates, links to footage, images, a video of DJ Tigerstyle in action or to connect with this amazing tour, please visit:

www.kalaphool.com
www.myspace.com/kalaphool
www.facebook.com/kalaphool

The performance is suitable for all ages, and don’t worry if you have not seen the film before...let the music tell you the story and take you on the most incredible journey.

We look forward to welcoming you, your friends and family to one of the UKs most anticipated events of 2009.

KOPANO FC NEEDS YOUR HELP.

2009-07-09T10:21:00.002+01:00

Kopano Fc is also looking for sponsors so they can continue their hard work on the pitch. If you think you or any of your contacts can help please get in touch with Wayne James through this blog.

Your help is much appreciated.

THANKS from the Health Promotion and HIV awareness event in May 2009

2009-07-09T10:15:00.003+01:00

Thank you to all who attended the Health Promotion and HIV awareness event in May 2009.

The event was a great success and has had the desired effect in that a number of individuals have taken the steps to know their status by getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STD's).

A special thanks to Jenni Lewin-Turner who attended despite her grueling schedule and her husband Mark who supplied great opposition in Woodingdean Youth FC.

May it be the first of many such community events.

Wayne James
Art Sync.

JENNI LEWIN-TURNER - GRAHAMSTOWN VISIT

2009-07-03T12:53:00.004+01:00

Jenni Lewin-Turner of Urbanflo Creative Consultancy was selected by the Sustained Theatre south east group hub to represent the region at this years Grahamstown Festival. Given Jenni's long standing relationship and extremely dedicated hard work to the realm of theatre, new theatre, writing and performance, its only fitting that she was awarded this opportunity.

She is probably just landing in South Africa for a packed week of networking, seeing amazing work and seeing what links back in the UK she can instigate.

Best of luck Jenni and hope you dont mind us putting this pic of you up - we know it quite an old one but gotta show you off ;)

REFUGEE WEEK 2009 - TO SEEK AND TO ENJOY

2009-06-09T11:56:00.001+01:00

To mark the beginning of Refugee Week 2009 ...

'To Seek and To Enjoy'

A cabaret hosted by BandBazi
DATE: Sun Jun 14
WHERE: Pavilion Theatre, New Rd, Brighton
TIME: 7.00pm - 9.00pm (food from 6.15pm)
COST: £6 (£3 concessions) Brighton Dome Ticket Office 01273 709709
brightondome.org

(In English with Arabic translation)

Featuring performances by BandBazi Youth Circus Theatre, street dance from Funkstarz, Ethiopian pop from Mensur, bozoki music from Heval Akram, asylum monologues, poetry and film, plus talk and Q&A hosted by Nick Scott-Flynn, Head of Refugee Services at the British Red Cross.

Light snacks provided by Brighton Voices in Exile pre-show. Painting exhibition by Phati Mnguni in the bar area. Welcome by the Right Worshipful Mayor of Brighton, Ann Norman.

www.bandbazi.co.uk

More info about refugee week 2009 in Brighton
http://education.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1157664

‘Know Your Status; Get Tested’ Football Tournament - POST EVENT FEEDBACK

2009-05-20T17:54:00.004+01:00

We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to you all partner organisations, commissioners, individuals, companies, community organisations, local businesses for your concerted efforts.

Sunday the 17th May came, it went and for those of you who were able to make it you will agree, a great time was had by all. Not even the ‘on and off weather’ could ruin the day.

Thanks goes to everyone who supported with their time, input and everything else in between. Pulling off something so big was the work of great team work and unwavering commitment. Special thanks to team Geoff (THT), Wayne (SHAE SHAE) for all their hard work and for initiating the idea in the first place. Peter and Gavin for making it possible, NAHIP for the resources and practical support…….the ‘DO IT RIGHT’ T-shirts/wallets were very popular, Maureen, Carole, Jonathan, Liz, Vannessa, Olive, Sophie, last but not least, teams AFSS/SACP. We are unable to mention everyone individually, but thank you all once again for making the day a success - to our actors and guest speakers too for delivering a clear message of Aids and Health.

African Night Fever present: AFRICA UNITE!!

2009-05-12T14:29:00.003+01:00

Live music from across the continent at the Spiegeltent as part of the Brighton Festival.

Nana Tsiboe and the Supa High Life Band (GHANAIAN HIGH LIFE)
Linos Wengara and the Nhasithafara Crew (MBIRA REGGAE)
Yiri Baa (AFRO MANDING BAND)
plus DJs

Undoubtedly the most African experience to be had at this year's Brighton Festival!!!

DATE: Tuesday 12th May @ 7.30pm - late
COST: tickets £8/£7
TO BUY visit www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk or call the Fringe box office on - 01273 709709.

IRENE MENSAH ON SOUTHERN COUNTIES RADIO LATER TODAY

2009-05-12T10:09:00.005+01:00

Spearheading the campaign to raise money for the charity rYico, Irene Mensah and rYico Director Vivienie will both be on Southern Counties (95.3 FM) Radio later today.

They will be talking about the need to support rYico and how the studio Irene is a founder of - Studio 106 - is doing something to raise funds through its communal art piece.

Please pass on this info and lets get some money into rYico for their continued work in Rwanda.

Studio 106 May Festival Exhibition 2009 & Creating a Communal Artwork

2009-05-10T17:22:00.002+01:00

Studio 106, established in March 2005, has become an extremely popular artists space to visit during the Brighton Festival, where this year’s exhibition will showcase a selection of new artwork created in this wonderful 300m2 space.

The diversity of the artists’ work from painting, prints, graphics, cartoons, photography to installation art, made the resident members decide to invite the public to join them in the creation of a large communal artwork, ‘1001 Faces Draw it Paint it Stick it Stitch it!’, using the back of the A5 exhibition flyer and any preferred medium. Each ‘face’ will be on sale for £5.00, with the proceeds going to a local charity, rYico, who work with vulnerable young people in Rwanda.

Visit Studio 106 during the 4 weekends of the Festival in May from Sat 2nd to Sun 24th, 11am–5pm. Check www.studio106.co.uk for further information of extra events.

Studio 106 artists: Dan Bennett, May Everett, Christina Fedyk, Ricki Knights, Andre Lichtenberg, Grizelda, Irene Marot, Irene Mensah, Jael O’Connor, Simon Parkin, Michael Pearce, Heather Quin, Christina Reading, Henrik Simonsen, Maria Tribe, Lucianna Whittaker.

Studio 106
1st Floor
106 Coleridge St
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 5AA.

www.studio106.co.uk

‘Know Your Status; Get Tested’ Football Tournament on 21.4.09 in Brighton, UK

2009-05-09T22:47:00.000+01:00

Press Release

Date: April 21st 2009
Contact: Hizze Fletcher at Thirteen Art Productions
Tel: 07535 118513

Kopano Fc V's Atheltico Chip Basket Fc (senior game) & Woodingdean Youth Fc V's Bec Utd Fc (junior game).

‘Know Your Status; Get Tested’ Football tournament with a purpose; a charity event brought to entertain you as well as promote good sexual health. ‘Know Your Status; Get Tested’ ………..is better at the beginning or end?

Sussex African Communities Project (SACP) working with Shae Shae Creations and Kopano FC, is holding a football tournament at Southwick Football Club (Brighton, UK) home ground on Sunday 17th May 2009 to bring awareness to Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities across Sussex about the benefits of early HIV testing.

The event is about encouraging leadership and ownership of the health issues around us. With the main slogan ‘Know Your Status’ ‘Get Tested’. The key objective is to reduce the numbers of undiagnosed HIV amongst BME communities by encouraging people to utilise local HIV testing services.

Despite the fact that newer medications make HIV manageable for many, people often fail to identify themselves as being at risk, or they feel that being tested and diagnosed is a burdensome stigma. By ignoring the fact that they may be at risk, hiding from it or prolonging the time before seeking medical attention, they allow the virus to replicate unchecked and the disease to progress. Late stage disease generally results in poorer disease outcomes and reduced quality of life.

Beatrice Nabulya, Project Coordinator for SACP says: “We bring communities together to learn, share and support each other by participating in HIV prevention openly, challenging stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS.”

Event co-organiser Wayne James, player/manager of Brighton-based football team Kopano FC, will join other players in taking an HIV test prior to the day. They will share their experience of the testing process at the event in an attempt to help combat stigma as well as increasing community awareness and responsibility. There will be free Chlamydia screening on the day.

This is a family-based event with youth and adult teams competing in the tournament. There will be a DJ and live entertainment plus refreshments. The event is free, but entrance will be by ticket only which entitles you to food, a soft drink and entertainment. Donations on the day will be appreciated to support our local HIV charity work.

Your free ticket collection points:
Shae Shae Creations: 50 Queens, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3
Tel: 01273-230832 Daytime
Mob: 07955-079059 Mobile
Afrik Mart: 4 Preston Road, Brighton, BN1 4QF
Tel: 01273691101

Notes to editors

The prevalence of diagnosed HIV in Black African and Afro-Caribbean communities in England is estimated to be 3.7% and 0.4% respectively, compared to 0.09% among the white population.

40% of all new HIV diagnoses in the UK were among Black Africans. The majority had acquired their infection heterosexually. New diagnoses among Afro-Caribbeans represented 3% of new diagnoses.

Among new diagnoses the percentage of late diagnoses of HIV was highest among Black Africans (42%). 27% of HIV diagnoses among Afro-Caribbeans were late.

Sussex African Communities Project is a sexual health and HIV prevention project working with local Black African and Afro-Caribbean communities living in West Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

The football tournament will be held on Sunday 17th May from 12 until 6pm.
Entrance will be by ticket only which entitles the bearer to food and entertainment.
Southwick Football Club ground is located at Old Barn Way, Southwick, BN42 4NT

Contacts

Beatrice Nabulya, Project Coordinator, Sussex African Communities Project (SACP)
Tel: 01273 229002 / 07877301269
Email: Beatrice@afss.org

Wayne James, Shae Shae Creations & Event Co-organiser
Tel: 01273 230832 / 07955079059

HI FROM ART:sync

2009-05-09T22:24:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the new ART:sync blog.

ART:sync is a hotbed of art and business inspired through culture jointly working together from Brighton, South East (UK) to bring to the fore an honest dialogue on the cultural art landscape.

BACKGROUND
A year-long Redemption Song Programme started in March 2007 and featured an eclectic series of over 50 creative projects. Funded by Arts Council England and Brighton & Hove City Council to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, the campaign was tailored specifically to promote wider engagement in the arts by offering unique opportunities for under-represented groups to participate. Partners for the project included a diverse range of artists, cultural organisations, practitioners and commercial agencies. A major legacy of the Redemption Song Programme was the formation of the ART:sync association,
developed by Creative Producer, Jenni Lewin-Turner in response to the initial consultation process.

DEVELOPMENTS
Building on the successful and highly productive inaugural year, the ART:sync consortium currently has 4 main strands of development - Arts, Children & Young People, Business and Sports. The overarching themes are participation, inclusion, cross-cultural and cross-sector collaborations, and international links. The evolving group currently have 15 separate projects in various stages of development, encompassing a range of disciplines and sectors including; literature, film, music, performing arts, heritage, mental health, sports, circus, carnival, visual art, design, photography, multi-media, festival and touring projects.

We hope you enjoy reading about projects we're involved in and look forward to hearing from you.