Very rarely does one find a performing arts company that has the opportunity and ability, not only to challenge the status quo in an avant-garde manner, but manages to continually succeed, leads the city, region, and country in the international marketplace and generates its own sustainable future.
James Yarker is the Artistic Director with Stan’s Cafe (pronounced ‘Caff’ – not Café like wot I did!), and along with Craig Stephens and Charlotte Martin (both lovely people that I met again today), the company are moving forwards with ambitious plans, and gaining rightful international recognition with every performance they produce.
I dare say, that we will be hearing a lot more from Stan’s Cafe in the future, and I for one will be attending some of their performances, in what looks like a very ambitious and exciting programme of future productions.
I urge you to do the same wherever you are… if Stan’s Cafe appear near you, please make an effort to go check them out. You can find more information at http://stanscafe.co.uk
In this video, I visit Kerry Thomas and Dave at Fused Magazine.
We talk about the past history and success achieved, and Kerry gives us an insight into what the future holds, both for them, and also for print-based media, and the creative industries in Birmingham.
I managed to steal 15 minutes of Helga’s time at the Fierce Earth offices in The Big Peg, right in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
Contained within the interview, Helga tells us her thoughts on the creative industries and a way forwards for Birmingham; her use of social media, connectivity and communications; and how the use of digital media in the arts requires an attitude shift from cultural providers, to encourage listening to audiences, and the democratic process involved when engaging with them. Finally, we hear of Fierce Earth’s upcoming programme and their plans for the future.
Helga is a graduate in Drama and French, a qualified lawyer and a former Associate at Wragge & Co.
Her experience includes Business Development Manager for Second Sight and being the first administrator for Women & Theatre. Helga is a Board Member of Bright Space (UK) Ltd and Geese Theatre and has previously held the position of Chair of the Board for Creative Republic.
In addition, Helga has particular expertise in professional services marketing, presentation skills training and meeting facilitation. Currently, Helga is leading the on-line campaign team behind Birmingham’s City of Culture bid.
Self-described as “Tireless champion of the West Midlands’ creative industries and fan of a nice cup of tea” – you can contact Helga via her blog, twitter or LinkedIn.
Filmed in early December 2009, I manage to catch up with Clare at home, immediately before a performance with Notorious Choir in Birmingham city centre, and straight off the back of a trip to India.
I ask about what drives her, where her passion comes from, and what sort of things in her work make her happy with what she achieves.
Featuring exclusive rehearsal footage, we see a short insight behind Clare’s daily life…
Some of the photographs within the above video were kindly supplied by Andrew Dubber and Jez Collins. You can find more about their India project at http://dubberandjez.posterous.com/, part of the Un-Convention series
Publisher, agent, social entrepreneur, company director, serious networker and a busy busy busy lady.
Justice tells me what sort of things really drive her forward, and how she feels about the current plans and programmes that are offered to young entrepreneurs like her, and the people she works with.
A few home truths within, this comes straight from the heart- deliberately unedited.
Echoing the words of Dermot Finch, Justice doesn’t sit on the fence here- “Birmingham doesn’t sing enough” “Give Back” “Get Creative” “Take Risks” “Less talk- More action” … you’ll see what she means just by clicking the Play button.
On Friday 11th July, I was invited to interview Clive Dutton OBE.
Clive is the Director of Planning and Regeneration at Birmingham City Council.
He has been in post since February 2005, and with the original remit to “shake things up”- he’s certainly fulfilled the brief.
Filmed on the 25th floor of Alpha Tower, Clive gives us his views of the past, The Big City Plan, communication, his successes and achievement, London and Birmingham’s future.
Clive will be leaving Birmingham soon, to take up the position of Executive Director for Regeneration, Planning and Property at the London Borough of Newham.
Sincere thanks must go to Nat Higginbottom of Aquila TV for helping me with his editing skills. This has shown up that I need to get the white balance on the cameras sorted, so colours are shown in better contrast, plus I need better microphones- that’s 2 things I’ll put right for all future interviews.
