Welcome to ‘A Rural Review’ – a new weekly blog from Rural Arts where we recap all the exciting things that have been happening over the last week, and point you in the direction of more exciting events to look out for in the near future!
What’s been happening
Summer Slam!
This Thursday saw our final performance of the ‘FRESH’ season, the Summer Slam, a night with 3 poets, a packed courthouse and plenty of Pimms! We were thrilled with how the event turned out, and want to thank everyone that attended for making our final ‘FRESH’ performance so special. We also need to say a massive thank you to our three poets, Keelan Swift, Laurence O’Reilly and Andy Humphrey, who lit up the evening with their enthusiasm, wit and talent.
P.S although finished for now, this is not the last you will see of ‘FRESH’…. it will be returning in Spring and we need YOU! If you are an artist who has recently graduated and would like the chance to exhibit your work in a purpose-built gallery (who wouldn’t?!) contact jade@ruralarts.org.
Paper-cutting Workshop
On Saturday Rural Arts was awash with the sounds of cutting and sticking. Claire Brewster, a talented local artist, came in and did a fabulous paper cutting workshop with young people. We don’t need to say much more – the pictures speak for themselves!
Innovation Project
The Outreach time has also been busy over the last few weeks – our ‘innovation project’ working with elderly people to reduce loneliness and isolation all across the North Yorkshire region has just come to a close. It has been a wonderful new venture for us and we have loved being a part of it. We even made it into the Ripon Gazette!
Edinburgh Fringe
Over the last two weeks, three members of the Rural Arts team have travelled up to Edinburgh to try and tackle the exhilarating insanity that is the Fringe Festival. We have seen a little bit of everything, from children’s shows to comedies, dance to live art, with shows ranging from tackling tourettes to a 70’s cops pastiche with a performance including a live working Robot thrown in for good measure.
Our personal highlights include:
- My name is… – a powerful theatre performance about religion and race set in Glasgow
- Bromance – a truly unique circus show with three performances exploring what it is to be a male friend
- Backstage in Biscuit Land – A show about living with Tourettes and how to celebrate, not be ashamed of, your differences.
These are just a few of the shows we saw – if you have been to fringe we would love to hear what your favourite show was – get in contact with us via Facebook or Twitter (@ruralarts).
Whats coming up
Every Brilliant Thing
This uplifting and heart-warming show comes to us with critical acclaim and an 4 month transfer to New York under it’s belt. Every Brilliant Thing is in North Yorkshire for one night only, the 8th September at Gilling East Village Hall, before another national and international tour. Tickets are selling very fast indeed so get yours now! Click here to hear the co-writer and star Johnny Donahoe talk more about the piece.
To book call 01845 526 536 or follow the link to book online: https://www.ruralarts.org/products/pentabus/
Brochures Galore!
In the upcoming weeks look out for ON Tour brochure, detailing all the performances that could be happening in a village hall near you up until spring 2016 – and our Courthouse Brochure which lets you know all the fun things that will be happening at our Courthouse up until Christmas time, will be released! This is the best way to keep up-to-date with everything Rural Arts is involved with (apart from this blog of course!)
Art Clubs
The Rural Arts art club is back by popular demand! If you are between 5-18 and would like to give arts a go- sign up now for our weekly club that starts in September on a Thursday or Saturday, taught by professional artists with a wide range of skills. To find out more or to book call 01845 526 536 or follow the link to our website: https://www.ruralarts.org/products/saturday-art-club-3/
Also, new for this season, we are hosting an adult art club! Sessions are on from 10:30-12 on a Wednesday, beginning on the 16th September. These sessions are tailored to everyone, regardless of creative ability. Come along, explore a new style of art or develop a new technique – and hopefully take something unique home at the end.
