So who copied who? You decide. I just have to add here we launched our Season Brochure complete with image back in April so, as Peter would say, think on!
Blast is the BBC's youth creativity service. From first-timers to emerging artists, Blast is a powerful and free resource which inspires and supports creative journeys for 13-19's.
Blast on Tour takes its mobile media village to around 30 locations each year. In 2008 it traveled the UK to provide free creative arts workshops and showcases for 150,000 participants. With purpose-built digital workshop spaces and a performance area, young people can book into activity led by BBC mentors and industry professionals or drop in to taster sessions, Q&A's with celebrity talent or just chat to one of the team in the Discovery Space.
Young people can book themselves onto workshops as individuals by going to the Blast website at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blast/143952 or by emailing blast-bolton@bbc.co.uk
In addition to the main event on the 8-10th October, we will also be bringing the Blast Advance Tour to Bolton from 30th September to 3rd October. The Blast Advance reaches out to young people by travelling around the Bolton area, going to schools, parks and youth clubs offering drop-in taster sessions which will hopefully encourage young people to attend the main event. The Blast Advance will be at the following locations outside of school times:
* Wednesday 30th September, 6.30pm-8.30pm - Farnworth Youth Centre
* Friday 2nd October, 6pm-8pm - Leverhulme Park (in the car park by the Children's Centre)
* Saturday 3rd October, 10am-4pm - Town Centre, Victoria Square
..a selection of the print. Ghosts and Oliver Twist seemed to be the most looked at...
The thing that amused me most was we were between stands for STI testing and the beauty students offering free manicures, hairstyling and other glamourising treatments. Hmmm, I think there is some moral comment about sexuality and sexual diseases that I could make here but I won't....! But it was fitting that the Ghosts print resided in the middle of these two.
..and cake...yes we are bribing audiences with cake...
...oh and good looks...
...and a well-known face....
...and general charm...
...but it was mainly the cake that seemed to work...
...so lovely people, leaflet hand out, cake bribery, disruptive marketing....done!
Thanks team cake - we love you!
These ingredients can only mean one thing, the Bolton Food and Drink Festival (Fri 28 - Sun 30 August) is back and it’s better than ever. I can vouch for this as I went for a wander at lunchtime and my wallet is significantly lighter for it. My eye was caught by beautifully coloured and scented soaps (great stocking fillers for Christmas), a bottle of Dandelion and Burdoch Cordial (it was the lovely packaging) and the jewellery stall. Luckily, I had already had my lunch or I could still be out there grazing...I caught a news item the other night about Tilda Swinton and her Screen Machine mobile cinema project. She is hoping to bring film to communities that no longer have a cinema by way of a 'cinema bus' called the Screen Machine. As she rightly pointed out most towns, back in the day, had a cinema of some description and she wanted to bring that resource back for a short period of time, encourage people to see little known films and share in a communal experience. Bolton, around 30 years ago, according to Keith (our finance man and expert on all things Bolton), had 3 'picture houses' in Bolton town centre alone. We obviously still have cinemas here but now they are more on the periphery. But anyhoo, this item got me thinking about communities.
This was compounded later that evening, there was a programme called Crime UK. A segment of this focused on how town planners were redesigning problem estates to provide a safer, crime free community. The bit on 'architecture with surveillance in mind' was very interesting but it also talked about Thames Valley Police and their community football scheme for the local young people. Both of these pieces prompted me to do a round up of some of the community focused projects that are currently on our radar:
Our involvement in the RECLAIM scheme.
activ8's Summer School project which plays to the public this week.
The first show of the new season, Mixed Up North, is based on the words and experiences of those involved in a community project in Burnley.
Our casting project for Oliver Twist where we encourage young people from the local community to audition. Please note: all applications must be received by 28 August so if your youngster wants to become part of the Octagon acting community request an application now!
Email: info@octagonbolton.co.uk
Call: 01204 529407).
Although things are relatively quiet here at the theatre at the moment, we will soon be starting preparations for next season. The production staff will be back after their well deserved summer holidays, cast will arrive to start rehearsing once again and our exciting special events programme will commence.
