decibel Performing Arts Showcase: News

News

decibel launches Showcase Online
Published 15 March, 2010 by Chris Baker, Colman Getty

Taking place during March, April and May 2010, decibel Showcase Online gives the artists and delegates who attended the fourth decibel Performing Arts Showcase in 2009 a chance to re-live the experience. For those who were unable to attend, it provides an opportunity to enjoy these brilliant performances and pitches for the first time.

The central focus of Showcase Online is video footage of the performances and discussions that took place in September. These are now hosted online on Vimeo. Every two weeks we will release videos from one day of the showcase. We are also uploading photographs of the showcase onto FlickR.

From the feedback we have received, it seems that one of the things artists and delegates most enjoyed about decibel Performing Arts Showcase 2009 was the opportunity to meet and network with like-minded people. Showcase Online now provides an opportunity to connect and engage through decibel’s pages on the social media sites Facebook and Twitter.

The showcase will take place across the following websites:

decibel Performing Arts Showcase website
The hub for all things decibel – news, videos, information and links
Click here to return to the Home page

Vimeo - decibel Performing Arts Showcase channel
Full length videos of each performance
Click here to watch decibel on Vimeo

FlickR – decibel Performing Arts Showcase
Photos from Manchester
Click here to see Nick Gurney's photos
Click here to see Jon Pratty's photos

Facebook – decibel Performing Arts Showcase Fan Page
Links to videos, photos, performing arts news and diversity discussion. This will be your space for all decibel related discussion and news - please post any relevant news and information to the wall.
Click here to become a fan

Twitter - @decibelshowcase
Links to videos, performing arts news and diversity discussion. The best site for professional networking.
Click here to follow our tweets

'No Idea' confirm UK tour
Published 15 March, 2010 by Chris Baker, Colman Getty

Lisa Hammond and Rachel Spence performed 'No Idea' as a work in progress at decibel Performing Arts Showcase on Tuesday 15 September 2009. As a result, seven out of ten venues now-confirmed for their Spring/Summer UK tour were secured directly through decibel. Project Manager David Luff describes how decibel Showcase opened doors for the duo.

"decibel Performing Arts Showcase was a fantastic, incredibly rich and enjoyable experience. It gave us the opportunity to present a condensed 30 minute excerpt of our piece, 'No Idea', to a wide range of industry professionals from both the UK and overseas. We also had opportunities to meet other artists at meet-and-greet sessions and evening events and we felt very much a part of an exciting artistic exchange of ideas.

"I certainly feel that the profile of our piece was raised significantly due to the experience of performing at decibel. When contacting venues following the festival, it was noticeably easier to confirm tour-dates. We had fantastic feedback for the show - particularly for Lisa and Rachael themselves, our two performers. Furthermore we received a very favourable review from an online magazine, which we have used to be able to market the production.

"Following the Showcase, I was able to book a ten-venue UK tour for Spring/Summer 2010. Seven out of the ten venues were secured from representatives watching the Showcase performance. All our venue partners have been incredibly supportive of the project, and I believe this was largely due to the warm response we received at decibel. They have all offered advice and assistance during the development in the build-up to our UK tour, whilst retaining a trust in our artistic vision for the production.

"In addition, we have been lucky to receive tremendous support from Arts Council England. This was crucial for our realisation of the final piece, which will tour the UK this Spring (see below for dates). We have also received interest from a venue in the USA and we intend to pursue a US tour for 2011."

'NO IDEA', Spring tour 2010

9-10 April artsdepot (previews)
15-17 April Royal Exchange Studio, Manchester
22-23 April Unity Theatre, Liverpool
25 April Greenwich Theatre
30 April Ludlow Assembly Rooms
5-8 May Drum Theatre, Plymouth Theatre Royal
11-12 May The Door, Birmingham Rep
14- 15 May Mayfest, Bristol Old Vic Studio

Contact Lisa Hammond and Rachel Spence

Have your say until 14 April 2010
Published 14 March, 2010 by TA

How will Arts Council England work to create positive change for the arts over the next 10 years? Join the debate...

Arts Council England is currently asking for views about future priorities for the arts – Achieving great art for everyone. This consultation looks at work with artists and arts organisations to create positive change for the arts over the next 10 years.

This is your chance to make your voice heard and to contribute.

Jon Pratty journalist and digital publishing specialist who currently manages Disability Arts Online shares his thoughts.

‘When you open the doors to unfettered creativity it hits you hard. At the Arts Council's Decibel09 Performing Arts Showcase in Manchester I saw stuff that blasted me against the back of the theatre with excellence, impact and inclusion……

…..we’re great at making arts, we’re not all great at recording what we do and telling our own stories and in a shrinking funding base you’ve got to make your mark.

Talent development now is not just about artists, or curators, or writers. It’s also about learning to make a fuss about our work.

If we develop these skills we’re serving our own strategic agendas, not just developing cool arts, but developing healthy and popular routes to audience and funder alike.’

Don’t miss the opportunity to read Jon’s full article and to share your views with the Arts Council about future priorities by visiting
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/consultation