Surface Gallery: Street Art Festival 2022
The Words:
Every once in a while one comes across an event that fills one with excitement and anticipation. Usually, for me, these are sport or activity events. In this case however it is the Surface Gallery Street Art Festival 2022.
Street Art Festival 2022 — Surface (surfacegallery.org)
Why the excitement? well to put it in their own words “This hugely popular exhibition supports and promotes Nottingham’s vibrant alternative art scene by showcasing some of today’s best local talent.”
Why the anticipation? Well anyone can enter!! Yes if you are a professional or just budding artist then (for a small fee) you could enter your work in the hope of securing the prestige of a win (plus a small prize).
The submission date was July 9th and even I was tempted but alas found out about it far too late to craft anything worthy of submission however, upon attending the exhibition, I was soon kicking myself for not being more focused and doing so. The range of art work is both eclectic and wonderful and the age range of artists was between 8 and 60 plus…
On the opening night launch party one was able to wonder around, view great art work, chat to a few artists, imbibe bottles of craft ale or wine and even snaffle a few Caribbean delicacies care of the visiting Chefs Cottage food truck. And all this was done to the mellow DJ sounds crafted by The Big Faces. All in all this was a highly enjoyable event that entertained and inspired.
The Surface Gallery is an East Midland’s gem. It remains one of the best examples of a hub for creatives. Whether you are there to admire works from the variety of exhibitions it hosts throughout the year or are lucky enough to have secured one of the rentable artist’s workspaces it should be high on your list to experience. The icing on the cake is that the staff and artists are both friendly and welcoming.
The Street Art Festival 2022 exhibition is on till August 13th
A lot of the art is available to purchase…. (A Great opportunity to secure some original art!)
And if that wasn’t enough the percussion band Skin and Bone play there @ 2pm on Saturday 6th Aug.
And did I mention its FREE ENTRY!!
There really is no excuse so visit the website, get out, get down, marvel at the ART, become inspired and enjoy the experience.
Cheers
The Pictures:
ROTHESAY OPEN NOTTINGHAM 2022 (pt2)- The Finals
by Kevin Horace Davis
The Final to the men’s challenger 125 was contested by the number 1 and number 3 seeds (GB) Daniel Evans and (Aus) Jordan Thompson respectively.
It was a thrilling final… heated at times with rackets thrown and frustrations evident… (how refreshing!) but ultimately a good natured, hard fought battle between firm friends.
There can only be one winner however and that honour went to Dan Evans (6-4, 6-4)- Congratulations
The ladies final between the American Alison Riske and the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia. This was a another hard fought match pitting the number 6 seed, Alison, against an opponent, Beatriz Haddad Maia, who was playing only her 11th match on grass. It was another heated, emotional and tense affair with some of the angst being directed towards the referee but ultimately the match was good natured and thrilling.
In the end Beatriz Haddad Maia emerged victorious with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 win. Congratulations Beatriz.
A fantastic tournament.
ROTHESAY OPEN NOTTINGHAM 2022 (pt1)
by Kevin Horace Davis
World class tennis returns to Nottingham!
Hold on let’s take a moment to ponder that – WORLD CLASS TENNIS RETURNS TO NOTTINGHAM.
Yes. If you are a tennis fan, if you are a sports fan or if you just love a great day out then Nottingham Delivers.
The ROTHESAY OPEN NOTTINGHAM 2022 event is on 4-12 June at Nottingham Tennis Centre.
This is actually my first major Nottingham sporting event since lockdown and I have to admit to being excited whilst also full of trepidation. Excited at seeing professional tennis stars playing with passion in my hometown (more of that later) and trepidation at whether the event would be all that I hoped it would be. Fear not the event is fantastic. Nottingham and the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) have put on a show that is both extremely professional and friendly- I would just like to point that out. The ground staff in particular were very courteous and helpful as were the officials. Point in case -even that idiot who forgot to put his phone on vibrate wasn’t made to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed when his phone went off on Centre Court during the excellent Dart vs Giorgi match… yep that idiot was me lol.
Facilities wise the event also delivers with a food-hall, a separate drinks area, a picnic area with tables and coffee, pizza, ice cream and chip vans- Nice. Plus some small shops, a tennis kiosk and an Autograph signing booth!
A particular warming aspect of the event is that children are catered for with organized, supervised tennis activities. Please contact the Tennis Centre prior to arrival for details.
And now the tennis:
The Words:
Fantastic!
I have always wanted to go to Wimbledon and experience the highest quality grass court play. One day that will happen but for now I happily admit that the ROTHESAY OPEN NOTTINGHAM 2022 event is an extremely good substitute. What I loved about it was that I was so close to the action and players. I could hear every grunt and experience, close up, the angst and joy of the players as they battled and weaved themselves about the court. The crowds also were vibrant and appreciated every drop of sweat the players exuded in efforts to win those vital points. Excellent
And oh yeah… the legend PAT CASH was coaching….
The Pictures:
I was fortunate enough to first see the thrilling conclusion of the (GB) Harriet DART vs (IT) Camila GIORGI match [5-7, 6-4, 7-6 –Dart win)
World number 5 (Gr) Maria SAKKAARI vs (Cn) Rebecca Marino [1-6, 6-3, 6-3 –Sakkari win)
The East Midlands (Leicester) own (GB) Katie BOULTER vs Ajla TOMLJANOVIC [6-3, 6-4 –Tomljanovic win]
And the legend PAT CASH !
Flamenco: Nottingham
Weekends come and weekends go. What makes them memorable are the people you meet, the experiences had and the memories made. Saturday 20th July 2019 will go down as a good weekend made excellent. The New Art Exchange, Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham, home to o Nottingham-based Amity, hosted the magnificent Flamenco dance talent of Rebeca Ortega. Amity, a community organisation dedicated to encouraging everyone to engage with the arts, served up a remarkable day of fun and joy for all those fortunate enough to snag one of the places at this ‘sold out’ event. Midday began with a free flamenco workshop. Well over an hour of guidance and tutor-ledge in the the art of this expressive and engaging dance medium. Those who participated, energized by the experience, were then, after a much needed time out, treated to the pinnacle event of the afternoon. Rebeca Ortega joined by Martin Revuelo Jr on spanish guitar and highly accomplished flamenco dancer Josie Sinnadurai delivered a stunning, inspiring and truly excellent flamenco performance. Over an hour of dance and music of the highest calibre, honed on the streets and theaters of Seville, truly delivered something special. At times I got lost in the performance, often preferring to put down my camera and just drink in the emotion and power of the performance. This, without a doubt, ranks as one of the best dance performances I have ever seen.
Rebeca, Josie and Martin
Josie Sinnadurai
Rebeca Ortega
Rebeca Ortega
The end of the performance was greeted by a standing ovation and the artists, clearly moved by the experience, stayed and met and conversed with those who just didnt want to leave.
All in all an absolutely stunning event made even more remarkable by the organisation and professionalism of Amity and by the fact that the whole event was free!
When Rebeca Ortega returns to Nottingham no price would be too much to experience this again.
As always more pictures to follow (-:
Hockley Hustle 2018
Another excellent event. The UFO orchestra and their supporting guests is quickly becoming the pinnacle event of the 30 venue 300 act extravaganza that is Nottingham’s Hockley Hustle
Hosted for the first time at Metronome the UFO orchestra and their guests excelled at creating a vibrant and well received melody of tunes that stirred the assembled to rapturous applause and appreciation.
Such was the popularity of this event though that I fear that UFO has already, unfortunately outgrown this excellent venue. Hockley Hustle 2019 needs a larger venue to accommodate this 60 piece orchestra, its guest singers and the increasing numbers of fans.
A very small snippet of the quality of the music played is shown below.
UFO + Rob Green.
UFO + Natalie Duncan
Stephen Collishaw’s (Noir Press) Shtetl Love Song book launch
Sunday 20th November 2017 was the date. Jam Cafe, Nottingham was the venue. Noir Press were the hosts and Shtetl Love Song by Grigory Kanovich was the autobiographical book. A social gathering of Lithuanians, families, musicians, readers and the interested made a fine and enjoyable book launch event. Hosted by the owner of Noir Press, Stephen Collishaw, the event was a popular and busy affair. Filled with live music and select readings from the novel; the gathering were entertained and thought provoked by the imagery Grigory Kanovich’s written words conjured forth. A packed out, highly enjoyable and successful event. Please see Noir Press’s facebook page for further details.
Tipsy Tea: A lazy Sunday evening at the pub
Its not often, on a cold and wet Sunday evening, that I stray from the home comforts of warm slippers, a good film and a relaxing brew but this Sunday was different. Having been invited to Stephen Collishaw’s (Noir Press) launch of Shtetl Love Song by renowned Lithuanian writer Grigory Kanovich (see corresponding blog) I found myself at a loose end after the event. Determined to ‘go with the flow’ and resist the urge to hibernate a call from a good friend didn’t take long to convince me to head out to Mapperly Top, Nottingham to a fairly new (about a year old) gin bar called Tipsy Tea. Expecting a sedate couple of beers (they sell that too) to fuel putting the world to rights I was pleasantly surprised to find this small bar bristling with music, laughter and warm welcoming staff. The music supplied by a live three piece was entertaining as were the owners, bar staff and patrons of the bar. Highly entertaining and definitely worth a regular visit Tipsy Tea stands out in the area as a bar that would appeal to all who want a break from the raucous or loud or too quite or beer soaked carpet type bars that are also within walking distance. A great find.
Hockley Hustle 2017
What ! 300 acts dispersed over 30 stages, 27 venues all supporting 6 nottingham-esq charities compressed into sunday 8th October 2017… Nottingham what have you done?! Short answer is played a blinder !
This annual music event, covering a boggling array of musical genres took over the Hockley area of the town centre and flooded it with enough sounds, sights, aromas and tastes to provide those who attended a highly enjoyable smorgasbord of music, food and art entertainment.
From 1pm until the early hours of the night these 300 acts played their hearts out to a surprisingly diverse collection of enthusiastic people who ebbed and flowed from venue to venue in order to catch the acts that appealed to them the most.
I, like many I suspect, planned their route meticulously in advance but quickly discarded most of it as acts previously unknown shone and captivated. The acts that I did see are shown below – each accomplished and entertaining each dedicated and talented.
So many highlights so many good people met on the way.
However if there was one act (Sixty four in this case!) that, for me, were exceptional in delivery, quality and sheer enjoyment it had to be Ian Burton’s 60 piece UFO orchestra in conjunction particularly with Cecille Grey, Aurelie Guinard and the soon to be legendary Rob Green.
A fantastic collaboration that really bought something special to The Contemporary and to the Hockley Hustle event as a whole.
Please see the link above for snippets of these excellent performances.
Congratulations to everyone who performed. Great work.
Pasarela Larios 2017: Fashion
LARIOS 2017
www.PureAndCreative.com – the Peoples’ Haute Couture and Art Photography website proudly presents Malaga’s Pasarela Larios – a truly inspiring event.
Every year the city of Malaga Spain, Pablo Picasso’s birthplace, builds upon its creative heritage by hosting a true ‘peoples’ haute couture ‘ fashion event.
Designers from across Spain and Europe wow the crowds with what must be the worlds longest, free catwalk event (surely?). The Marques de Larios street in Malaga’s historic centre is transformed into a stunning, exciting platform for the very latest fashions straight from some of the most exciting design powerhouses Europe has to offer. This week long event culminates into a two night (Friday & Saturday) fashion extravagance where the talented, joyous and beautiful mix with fashion’s famous elite. With only one night to go I’ve already earmarked this stunning event for a return visit. Book yourselves in !
Follow this link for a list of designers in attendance.
Follow this link for some of the stunning photographs that capture the elegance that is Pasarela Larios
NTU Catwalk 2017- Degree Fashion Design and Knitware
NTU: Catwalk- Knitware and Fashion.
Another year has past bringing forth the next wave of wide eyed and eager Nottingham Trent University (NTU) design students ready to spin and weave and craft and make their mark in this world of fashion. The showcase for their passions- NTU Catwalk: BA(Hons) Fashion Design and Knitware Catwalks. These events, expertly co-ordinated and managed by Maggie Burnett and her team and peers was, as always, a hive of emotion, joy and pride. Over 80 students, over a two day period, got the opportunity to express their imaginations through the medium of yarn and thread to industry, academia, family, friends and the general public and they triumphed wonderfully. Aided by an array of confident and vibrant models each garment flowed in perfect sync to the back beat of evocative music and the applause of the assembled. Congratulations to all.
Note: Its always good to take a step back and be more objective but such was the atmosphere of this event that that became hard to do – It was far easier to be swept along . I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all and the event itself.
As something different book yourself in next year.
A selection of my favourite designs, photographed at the event, can be found via the link below
www.PureAndCreative.com/ntu_knitware_catwalk_2017
PureAndCreative.com event score 8/10
| Content: | 8 |
| Atmosphere: | 8 |
| Friendliness: | 8 |
| Facilities: | 8 |
| Enjoyability: | 8 |
| Creativity: | 8 |
| Total PAC Score: | 8 |
Suggestion: Bottled water in welcome pack.
www.PureAndCreative.com/ntu_knitware_catwalk_2017