It was great to have 20 people in the bar at The Key Theatre this week (Mon 26 Feb), using the Peterborough Culture Forum to have an informal catch-up over packed lunches, biscuits and brews. The facilitated check-in uncovered common themes across groups.
Read MoreIt was an exciting opportunity to work with an artist and create group coaching discussions to tie in with the theme of the sessions!
Read MoreThirty years. Jumped Up has created shows, exhibitions, films and well-intentioned chaos in all sorts of places, such as parks, schools, pubs, boxing gyms, streets and festivals, community gardens, Grand Halls and community halls, and sometimes we have even been let into theatres...
Read MoreHuman connection and new beginnings
On watching How Shall We Begin Again, by Jennifer Ramm
Sitting in an audience can be equally powerful as standing on a stage; to become completely absorbed in a live performance is such a special experience. You become part of the wider story, which is how it felt watching the Peterborough performance of How Shall We Begin Again. It has already taken place in London and Cardiff and here it was in our hometown, at last. The next pivotal chapter of Peterborough’s story was being written, the ink being the dancers’ performances, the paper being the stage. Hand-picked music injected new life into the Key Theatre auditorium, providing the soundtrack to the lives of 35 co-creators: what they need to feel or express at that moment. It resembles therapy through dance, like a pocket that holds the people of Peterborough’s hopes, dreams and life experiences.
Read MorePeterborough is a beautiful amalgamation of cultures, histories, of stories to be told by individuals from all kinds of backgrounds. From Shiamak Bollywood dance classes at Bharat Hindu Samaj Mandir temple to the Folk Dance Club at Marholm Village Hall, it is undoubtedly a city that hears a calling to represent cultures through dance. But this is also a predominantly business-oriented city, and in the open sessions, it was discussed how there’s been a drought in opportunities for the arts community in Peterborough for a while now. How Shall We Begin Again? is sure to open up a gateway to artistic expression and freedom, ignite a passion that we don’t normally get to see here, and build a vital bridge between all kinds of people, dancers and non-dancers alike.
Read MoreSuch as Community celebrations or Community-led projects or Visiting Partners programme.Particularly of interest to creatives and community leaders who want to be part of the priority in the cultural strategy to develop more “Diversity in artists and events; range of types of activity offered; increased collaboration between organisations and individuals.
Read MoreFrom Creative Careers to Creative Campaigns.Particularly of interest to young people, youth leaders, educators and creatives working with young people or young audiences on creative career pathways or youth voice opportunities.“Enhancing the level of creative skills as percentage of qualifications; use of cultural experience to deliver skills gaps across the Combined Authority area”AND “Create resilient, effective, inclusive leadership for culture in Peterborough”
Read MoreFrom a Crypto-art exhibition to venue based projects to city centre events. Particularly of interest to creatives and community leaders who want to create activity or bring audiences to established venues, in virtual spaces or in public, outdoor spaces. “More productions/exhibitions /events; greater investment in creative and heritage activities; range of people involved” AND “Greater press coverage, visitor footfall at attractions, venues and hospitality …”
Read MoreSunday 13 November - myself, Emily and 6 brilliant women who are to be part of How Shall We Begin Again? in Peterborough went to see the London-iteration of Jo Fong’s process at the Siobhan Davies Studios in Elephant & Castle, South London.
I will try to describe what I saw, from 2pm - 5pm, as a series of dancers, solo and group, came into the space, and shared the movement of their bodies and the progression of their thoughts about How Shall We Begin Again? It’s not opinion - it’s what I saw.
A Series of TedTalks. Where bodies did the talking ….
Read MoreIs there a problem with passion? “What gets you out of bed in the morning?” - it’s a question we’re constantly asking or trying to answer. When we ask questions such as “What motivates you?,” really we are asking, “What is your passion?”
Passion is a motivator for the pursuit of personal interest. It’s powerful and sometimes irrational. It’s why people become doctors, teachers, singers. Without their passion, our hospitals and classrooms would be empty, our radio stations silent.
Read MoreIf our identities were houses, each aspect of us would be a room: we should never be forced to keep any door locked.
Politicians and public figures are supposed to be accountable and transparent: since I became Youth MP for Peterborough, I’ve stood up for this over all else.
But the word ‘transparency’ scares me.
If our identities were houses, we’d show everyone around us the immaculately manicured front room only, terrified that anyone might see inside the rooms we keep locked. The aspects of us that just don’t fit with the image we want to portray.
Read Morea think piece by Jen, journalism student and member of the Jumped Up Theatre Sound Board
What defines failure? Or more importantly, who defines it?
I have just finished my Level Three BTEC in Create Media Practice, and I’m moving on to study Journalism at degree level - but only because it was my second option, after I wasn’t able to do A-Levels after all: something some may consider a ‘failure’, but I consider it a blessing in disguise. School often teaches us that life is a linear path, with all the jigsaw pieces perfectly slotting together. I think it’s vital that young people know that they have so many options in life and will get second chances if things don’t go the way they hoped, which is why we should destigmatize the concept of failure.
Read MoreI am a young person doing an apprenticeship and I have a great passion for arts and crafts, I love to create art that is random and out of the ordinary. My goal with my art is to have it speak to people when they are viewing it whether it would be consciously or subconsciously.
Read MoreTThe city needs the theatre to have LEADERSHIP, that the uses of the space are FLEXIBLE, and that it’s values need to be CONDSOLIDATED. It is a KEY entry point for residents and visitors, and reflects the character of the city. It may feel isolated now but with the development of the Embankment is can be the much-needed cultural hub, where, uniquely in Peterborough artists and audiences can truly connect. And that there needs to be a LONG-TERM commitment to create this success, otherwise we will just be back here. having this conversation again in 12-18 months time.
Read MoreTThe future of the Key Theatre needs careful, transparent and inclusive consideration, beyond the bricks of the building, or the accounts during a pandemic. Decisions made must consider the wider value of the building and its programme, the people who use it, and the communities it has the proven potential to serve. The discussion highlights that The Key has so much to offer - which can not be lost, without serious consequences on numerous individuals, organisations, communities, and elected representatives.
Let’s take a wise step forward, giving the city something to be proud of, in the face of adversity.
Read MoreWatching Rent Party is such an experience. Every cast member has a different story to share. Each one so different and evoking different emotions. These personal stories shed light on issues which those who are LGBT+ face throughout their lives but others may not be aware of. Some stories are heart-breaking. Others are more light-hearted and may even make you smile. A show like Rent Party existing reflects the need of these stories to be heard and seen.
Read MoreA dazzling on-stage party. A beautifully queer cast sharing their stories with us. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry, and some will make you reflect.
Read MoreThis was an informal session where those who attended introduced themselves, and then went into a breakout room for a chat. Like we would do in an interval at a show, or as a people arrive for a meeting.
When we came back together we gathered some thoughts that people felt passionate about, some of which relate directly to some of the recommendations in the emerging Culture Strategy - which you can find on the Culture Forum page HERE.
Read MoreWe started February 2021 by acknowledging how hard Mondays, Januarys and 2021 is already proving to be. Luckily the Peterborough Culture Forum had Dr Emily Bradfield, Director of Arts & Minds, to talk about her organisation’s approach to supporting well being and mental health through creativity - as the core purpose of her organisation and also their day-to-day practise.
Top Tips
SLOW DOWN: (To speed up) Take a step back to focus on what excites you.
THINK CREATIVELY: These are unprecedented times. Trying something you have never done before may be the solution.
BE FLEXIBLE: Adapting to changing takes time, planning and energy - make space for that.
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