Successful Spring to Fall 2013 & Backing the Leicester UK City of Culture Bid 2017

SPRING Event recently at Embrace curated by Bobba Cass was an awesome success in so many ways. Including very good  turnout on a day with cold and snow, to significant levels of engagement by a diverse audience in terms of age. gender, ethnicity, and range of abilities. Embrace Arts Centre have booked a further event titled FALL ( Autumn 2013  ) with  Bobba Cass  and myself  working with other arts collaborators, to create some new work.  Building on the transliteracy and transmedia aspects of previous our work presented and shared at the SPRING - with a focus on accessibility and disability led arts. Wonderful new contacts were made with artists with a range of abilities and  impairments along with artists from the LGBT community also.

Leicester  city is all of a whirl, with a series of events to brief and consult with a wide  range of stakeholders in the arts cultural sector of the city. With regard to Leicester making a bid for UK City of Culture for 2017 to DCMS (Dept. of Culture Media & Sport ) this April. I have long extolled the cultural assets of Leicester in particular its people of the diverse, arts creative independent grassroots sector . I am pondering on a number of ideas currently and have been making my own input into the round of this bid process, with the Bid Writers at the aforementioned events . In addition to supporting other contacts to also attend and participate.  Some of the  key things to emerge as a result of these events, are : cultural diversity, artist led, collaboration, bold vision & ambition, innovation, excellence, international, national , regional profile raising, joined up/ connectedness, open calls, capacity building and legacy.

Several strands appeal to me immediately, intercultural work,  commonwealth immigration, in addition to dressing the built environment/public art, green spaces on council estates. This is all very exciting and we are all encouraged, to back the bid from now and input initial ideas and thoughts . If successful in being short listed beyond April 2013 , there will be opportunities for more detailed consultation and I have suggested training /development in the form of  artist led- creative salons for a wide range of stakeholders e.g.on cultural diversity in the arts, collaborations and partnership, equalities  and working particularly with  the private business sector.

2013 The year of the Choreopoem...?

So feeling some keen anticipation to progress further at the start of this new year.  After rounding up the first phase of the project, at the end of last year. It became clear to me fully the extent of the huge ambition for the first phase of our project.  Its  success,  particularly  the audiences responses to the work  may  have surprised some in certain quarters.  The project leadership though, all felt  vindicated  and thrilled. Confirmed in our determination to continue to adapt and expand on the work to date. In the meantime, having sat on a Black History Season  2013 artist commission panel.  I am aware and gratified to know, that at least three other Black women artists in my East Midlands region. Are inspired and plan solo multi-media  performance works for 2013 .  It only takes one artist like myself to lead successfully in the van guard for others to find courage for their own vision. 

This has all been  as I hoped  and  planned - it is real source of joy and  pride.  I have been in touch with poet Chanje Kunda (Manchester) and looking forward to her  publication of her choreopoem - by her cutting edge  publishers linked  to the North West Literature Development  Agency.  She also plans to stage her work this year also.  I  am also preparing material to promote the choreopoem art form  for other artists  to consider  via my series of  workshops, creative salons  talks and presentation.  I will  launch this with a  brief Choreopoem  introductory session at Embrace Arts Leicester, for the Event SPRING curator by Bobba Cass  of PINGGG...K ! fame. - To provide workshops  for attendees  to  perform work they have generated on the day to an audience - celebrating Leicester/shire's robust thriving Live Literature  scene. 

 However funding is needed in fact essential for  other BME artists, as mainstream arts tends not to take them on and support them in a sustained fashion  , the current  funding environment is  even more competitive and very proscribed for charities,  young people or arts of demonstrable social policy benefit .  Very tough for  individual new wave  Black woman multi-artist,  looking to advance to the next level. I remain committed  to starting a new cycle  to move forward  and maintain momentum. My vision is focused and aimed  at regional, national and international  target venues and audiences.   There has been some interest from arts management companies I have met with, to help fundraise and and manage say a  future tour programme of dates to to other theatres. Onward and upward then...

Publishing our Choreopoem - Will It Be A Song & Dance ?

I have recently had very postive dialogue on line with a high profile poet a black woman, who has also created a choroepoem and it is about to be published. With further plans to  stage this work in the future. This is all the other way round, as to my own project, as we staged the work and are now seeking to have it published. The advantage we have is we know exactly the impact it has on audiences. Based on how we have staged the work . By way of preparing the script for a publisher and an interested dramaturge (at a London theatre )   I am reviewing the show text , I feel as though I need to add more specific stage directions for the character. In relation to the previous previous script I had actually  used that was more practical  for my performance and for the creative technical team.  

I and this other poet have agreed to keep in  contact, to share our individual journeys through  this process of bringing choreopoems,  more into more a broader focus in the arts -  in particular publishing and literature . The publisher's  of this poet colleague poet  is  a well known successful independent , one of those at the very foreront of cutting edge writing in the UK .   

Setting the Pace -Legacy Pioneering Techniques & Practice

In succesfully completing the Evaluation of phase 1 of our project and a review of all the project  achievements. I have a big smile on my face due, to all the stunning digital images created, a rich  text, as one audience member put it 'philosophical poetic prose ' that was understood and was engaging, the cool physical theatre moves and bespoke music. A particular delight was to read  in reponse to our show , all the very positive diverse audience feedback, also from  creative team members and our community ensemble  artists also.

It is my pleasure to be currently reviewing digital still and moving images material,  to share the projects wonderful  digital visual highlights with the wider world . Very specifcally to send to interested Programmers , Artistic Directors Dramaturgs at other theatres with a view to toruign in 2013/14. So to be able to see it all - 360 degrees and contemplate how it has changed my own and other peoples lives. In some way the ambition was really huge - something I more fully realise now it has been achieved in part.  Evidence of the projects legacy is provided by the fact that to my knowledge, there ar at least three other Black women in in my region planning solo shows featuring digital multi - media. I am thrilled by these developments and boosts my confidence in  taking the project into  its second phase. We have so much to share in terms of developing collaborative multi-disciplinary practice.
     

Bright Golden Sun of Achievement ...Consoldiation Leads to Expanded Horizons

A golden sun of memories  forever within me , it is the after glow of supreme achievement. Evidenced, by the continuing flow of positive comments regarding our the performance of our show  at Curve , from audience attendees and my arts peers, met randomly in Leicester streets.  Including Curve's Artistic Director Paul Kerryson's  most welcome positive feedback, to send me soaring, in my hopes and ambition for the future .

 It has been all so worthwhile,  As an artist , I  can completely relate to how the London 2012 Olympic athletes feel - taking part and winning ! ! Particularly those from small poorer countries, including my fellow Jamaicans, wonderful achievements in a historic year of the  celebration 50th Jamaica's independence.  2012 wil be a shining pinnacle of success, a celebration very emotional joyous , an inspiration we will never forget.

So now to walk back down the mountain so to speak ....and mark all the key  steps along the journey and to evaluate what has been  achieved all . e.g. did  we set out all we wanted to achieve,  what is the legacy , how to  move forward from here ?  This phase is  some what delayed, a bit like the huge effort at the begin gin of the journey , in fact begins a new positive phase or cycle of possibilities,  my artistic career will not be the same again. So it with this in mind , to begin the process of evaluation and reportage etc. This blog is of enormous importance  to assist in this task, as well as be of  value to other artists . Of special interest is how it documents ,the journey of  a Black woman artist working in recession hit England today . So now is the the time for consolidation , also to note alongside the thrllls, magic, delights and victories, the struggles, mishaps, disappointments and losses. In the manner of Ariadne to pick up and trace all the threads, yet  to leave some some untied to lead to new moorings, as new  regional, national, international , digital horizons beckon.

Victory ! Success ! - Atop the Mountain The Sweetest Feeling ...

My feet hardly touching the ground, smiles of utter joy and satisfaction, happiness radiating  and deep pride !!!
The success of the first phase of my project is the sweetest of feeling, the sweeter for begin shared with audiences, supporters and exquisitely with my creative team. It has been a tremendous journey , involving many different people in so many ways.  This blog  testifies to all the ups and downs twists and turns along the way .
It is indeed marvellous , magical  even to fulfill such a big vision,  a dream  that manifests, in the most beautiful way . To then  luxuriate in the overwhelming  bliss of 'climbing the mountain'  so to speak and then to admire the  breath taking view infused with total  upliftment. Such superb  moments of excellent  achievement are to be completely savored not rushed..

A big up and big thanks , in particular those Lesta audiences who came over two amazing nights to see our show, that proved to be so fab, the audience looked lovely with their glow sticks !

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Diva a Choeopoem @ Curve is a world premier ! We are delighted with, post show discussion feedback via social media, one to one etc. , as it showed they engaged and loved Solitaire's character , her unique language ( 91 5 line verses- non iambic pentameter but an afrocentric rhythm) of Lesta, Jamaican patwa, Romany and Polari gay slang.  In addition to the Leicester storyline, the music - Disco Retro &; 90's house music Plus fantastic digital visuals, with some cool martial arts, world influenced dance moves . 

MADE IN LESTA - HEADS UP !!!!! A personal dream fulfilled , on behalf of the myself and the team , we are soooo happy so very proud !!

Lesta is as cool as for arts, creative heads, for excellence with diversity at the heart of it all as a unique strength .

We know.... our show has created interest from a top international performing festival in South Africa in 2013  also Soho Theatre London.... We are representing !

Stages Of Note

At this point an important stage is noted, we are getting close to the first of our events that is part of our project. The Curve Show is within sight and very real, as evidenced by our Show ticket I held in my hand last night!  Momentum is building, as more print and other publicity is being rolled out, the character of our 'Solitaire the character  of  the piece is 'speaking via Facebook.  People are talking about it all online and offline.  On reflection there have been numerous challenges - yet here we are still on track .  This Summer will be a very special one, intact the whole year. With two further events scheduled,  inspired by the narrative , featuring Community Choir Music Concert  in the Autumn and a Digital Installation/Exhibition in November . 

On journeys it is important, in the hustle and bustle  to take  a moment, to actually enjoy the journey itself.  Just being at this point is gratifying and I feel grateful to have got this far. I am equally pleased,  that others have contacted me, as they have been inspired to make their own cross arts/choreopoem project - from Manchester  Chanje Kunda and others in Canada. The internet has been key to this ability, to link with other artists across great distances.   So much as been learnt working on this project , by myself , the creative team , volunteers and community ensemble players. Especially in a 'cold climate' for the arts in the UK . I am hoping for a very diverse audience, for our performance at Curve, including many who have never attended a theatre before.

Wonderful opportunities , are happening in tandem, I have two poems  of mine, featured in an important Anthology titled 'Out Of Bounds ' Edited by Jackie Kay, published by Blood Axe Books May 2012.  In addition I will be reading my poetry,  for the first time at Manchester Book Fair , hosted by Comma Press . This will be videoed and an E Book  Anthology featuring  the poets  appearing that will be created.  Finally , I am featured Writer Of the Month, for Writing East Midland Writign Development Agency  please see link  http://www.writingeastmidlands.co.uk/ 

Moving more  centre stage... 

Launched ! 'Solitaire' Character hits the Internet in May 2012!!!!

This is a big moment , our Diva character 'Solitaire' from our narrative , will hit the internet this month via our social media on a regular basis . She will  give her  own updates , comments via twitter and facebaook,  that reflect her own unique take on things. This something of an interesting experiment, that  we have planned .  For the character  Solitaire, to enter cyberspace and take a presence there.  I am very excited about this , as it is all new territory, in terms of my work to date.   We hope there will be  interest and engagement, in this development . As as she will be describing some of her own feelings, prior to the build up  to the build up to her  forthcoming 'Awards Show'  June 21/22nd June 2012 !   We will share this with our  Audience Ambassadors also. So to bravely Go ...

Going For It In a Big Way & Other Good News !

April has seen a flurry of activity as tickets are now on sale, around the recruitment of ambassadors for our novel 'Black Divas ' Ambassadors audience development scheme.  We designed this scheme and it is being implemented by Dare to Diva and Curve Box Office.  We have our own website up http://www.dareto diva.com  and our social media on Facebook and Twitter is buzzing.

We are making good progress towards our target number. Plans are afoot , to launch some pre-publicity around our Exhibition/Digital Installation at Phoenix Digital Media Centre  in November 2012 and our  Music Concert at Peepul Centre  September 15th 2012. This year will be the culmination, of all our hard work, creatively fulfilling for me  a long held ambition. There is even more of a papable feeling of creative play,  welcome joy even . We are going for it big time !!

Together with the anticipation and excitement around the arrival of all our promotional print. This is being distributed, with some venues, showing interest also in the ambassador scheme. Some of our  project partners, are well ahead- with placing our promotional information on their websites, pdf documents for circulation to their contacts etc. Soon they will do e mail outs also . Raising our profile locally, regionally  nationally  and internationally.  Demonstrated by keen interest is being shown by Grahams Town International Arts Festival , in South Africa for next year  We have a physical presence by way of a promotional Banner in the Curve Foyer.

Our bespoke props look simply gorgeous, really glam and very well made fit for purpose. A welcome synergy  several New York Productions also Choreopoems. By African American and Sri Lankan American women  artists respectively.  I' am also excited as a very special book  Out of Bound (on Amazon) an anthology of Black & Asian Poets, is launch in the next weeks. Published by the prestigious Blood Axe Books featuring a staggering 120 poets 348 pages !! With such  esteemed poets as Jackie Kay, Wole Soyinka, Jean 'Binta' Breeze  and many others alongside newcomers as myself BRILLANT !!!
Its going to be a really momentous year ....

Dancing with Muses

We have had the press launch of the East Midlands Cultural Olympiad in Nottingham at a place called Primary. After all thats happened on the journey . So off we go at last !!!!!

Our brilliant new audience development , ambassador scheme is now also launched . It uses famous and semi famous Black Diva names, selected by the myself as artistic director, for their contribution to disco house dance music also with a song title of theirs that links to our production narrative (they are encouraged to look their divas song on youtube to enjoy the experience ) . Ambassadors pass this Black Diva name, to their contacts to use when booking their tickets at the theatre box office for our production in June 2012 . the Box office staff have enjoyed setting up and checking out this particular innovative scheme.

After a lot of stress after losing phone , email account problems and losing a purse . Now feeling happy , overcoming those gremlins , there, is now a payable feeling of enjoyment, of arrival to have come this far... Our promotional print is here ready for distribution . Prop development is good and I have excavated why I am the artist. I am and been delighted to be reaffirmed in my current role, by being inspired by such theatre practitioners as , Augustus Boal , Peter Brooks and Rani Moorthy . Yesterday I watched the poetic film Nine Muses by John Akromfah its beauty was stunning...I know why I do what I do I must dance with my muses...

A Flawed Female Character

Looking back at famous characters of theatre and film, actors often remark how they and audiences, really enjoy very strong flawed characters. ! Solitaire our character of the piece, is Leicester born bred Highfields gal and is unmistakably a remarkable one ! Love her or hate her ? This will probably be, a defining question for the audiences . How much of her role is something audiences in some degree, will identify and project their own responses , or be repelled by in some way - will be really interesting.

Often there is a need to play out our own desires onto fictional characters. Leicester is known for a number of high profile sports, literary, persons and some media personalities etc. But what about fictional characters of note ? Sadly , they are often always male and white e.g. Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole comes to mind, as Alan Sillitoe's Seaton are both known worldwide, hailing from Leicester and Nottingham respectively. Trainspotting - the massive UK film introduced the character Renton globally. I often wonder about who are the really strong female characters, particularly Black women characters from our Theatre and Film. Those who have left incendiary trails behind them, that challenged ' the rules of the game as set by society?.

How does this relate the the fact that such female characters 'are under the radar' overall ?

How much of what audiences go to see, is to reassure, to rehabilitate or to offer a fictional 'rehearsal' in order, to be able to sample different more unconventional possibilities ? Solitiaire's very modern story, is an exploration, as to what may happen, as to certain given circumstances and how events may transpire to transcend said circumstances.

Hybrid Language & Sexuality - A Valuable Literary Week in Leicester

I have had a marvellous week in Leicester, in the company of two exquisite novelists , Kerry Young from Leicester discussing her Costa nominated book Pao published by Bloomsbury . Rozena Maart from SA, her book Rosa's District Six - published by Tsar. With Kerry I questioned her at an event she was leading, at De Montfort University Cultural Exchanges, about the hybrid language and voice of her main character , a Jamaican Chinese man living in post war Jamaica, as well editorial processes and the desire to write in the first place. She explained her need to evoke the music of Jamaican Patwa and yet make it readable, for a mainstream market. A formidable achievement and I can confirm this from my early reading of her book. This being of interest to me as I am creating language and voice for my diva character Solitaire, who is from Leicester using Jamaican Patwa, peppered with other street argot. Kerry, explains, the editorial processes were valuable, if challenging and she goes on to say, after her academic and social policy achievements, she had always wanted to write a novel and be published by a prestigious publisher . Her route to being published is telling , in that she was linked via a Black Women's Group of Novelists in London. To the UK's first Black woman Literary Agent and was her very first client - well the rest they say is herstory....We have agreed to keep in touch, both being Members of the Society of Authors !

Rozena Maart dined heartily on soul food (ground nut chicken stew with smoked shrimp rice -mmm...delicious) at my house , and shared fascinating stories of her life in SA during and after Apartheid. Her utter disbelief , when she is often confronted on her travels in academic circles , with attitudes that negate a sexual life of oppressed Black people, during liberation struggles . As well as her humor, in relating wonderful, often amusing family stories in South Africa . Touching also, on some of the exciting poets and artists in SA. e.g Lebo Mashile. Together with the linguistic adaptions of her multi-ethnic , multi tribal, Gender Studies Students at Kwazulu Natal University - where she is the Head of the Department . Her book in particular, charts the pernicious racist context of the apartheid era , yet affirms , the strength of women in families , the community connectedness and their sexual exploits ! We also discussed theatre , in particular the work of Augustos Baol Theatre of the Oppressed ) and Antoin Artaud's Theatre of Cruelty . The following day , as the headliner Rozena read selected extracts from her novel , that intimately described day to day lives of Black women in District 6 SA. A culturally rich busy, former slave quarter area very poor , where later its people were forcibly removed from . This reading was at the increasingly popular, monthly Pinggg...k! -billed as the Metro Sexuality of Verse . A Poetry Spoken Word Night, hosted by poet Bubba aka Dr Robert Bennett , that is warm friendly, quite alternative, based at the Red Tent (named after the best seller book !) Leicester. The energy and commitment these two writers displayed in their writing and the subjects, they felt passionate about - I found it wholly inspiring . It has invigorated my own thinking and approach, to my own writing in myriad ways.

Simply... wonderful !!!!

Divas Deaths & Show Business 80% Business 20% Show..?.

In year or so , that has seen Vesta Williams, Amy Winehouse and most recently Whitney Houston -unwind from this mortal coil . In Whitney Houston's case in particular I have just commented , publicly to highlight and acknowledge the family's turmoil and the struggles that Divas can face in the music industry hidden from public view -i.e. when not on show. This was done via a phone link on a local BBC radio programme. It therefore , seemed timely to mark , to observe - some ordinary peoples , the media and the music businesses' responses to these sad events. On the one hand it seems to me, there is the heightened personal grief , of family and friends experienced in the harsh glare etc of the world's media. On the other, the public's natural reaction, of wanting to express their own responses , to these seemingly untimely deaths, 'amplified' via the internet and media. Leading inevitably to a rise in demand for an artists music . From which , in an unseemly manner, the music industry, rather too brusquely, seeks to make its profit.

Whilst the artist's families numbed shocked and grief stricken, contend with the difficult task of the care and funerals of their loved ones. The music industry machine grinds on regardless, to capture the money . Whereas, a natural (it seems to me ! ) dignified period of respectful privacy and compassionate contemplation. Would result in time, in a considered reflection of the artist and their gift to the world , is not even considered, by these music industry companies. It would appear Divas in a sense, are the 'property of the company' at all times, even more so in death. So business as usual...

People Weep, Branded Now - Back to 'Wood Shedding'

On the 20th of January a really important milestone was reached !!! It has took till now to process the whole experience properly. With the huge push towards the sharing of the work in progress, at a prestigious theatre studio space, in front of a 50+ specially invited audience. The audience included the pros, Dramaturge, Director, Producer, Literary other Theatre /Performing Arts practitioners etc. Alongside Board members of the project , arts partners for the the project and Cultural Olympiad. Importantly also Community Ensemble cast (filmed), friends and colleagues. A great audience overall !! Some people wept in reponse to the performance (I spoke with them after), words used by those who saw it were; 'powerful' , 'raw ' ' great use of the Leicester idiom' 'I get the diva Solitiaire' etc. All this very gratifying and much appreciated by me . I still wait to review the full video footage of the lively Q & A at the end of the sharing, to analyze further . But I received direct feedback too, after the performance, one to one from audience members, as well some text and internet messages.

We presented the script in hand sharing/work in progress, all the elements and components of the piece, in the 30mins allotted, stage complete with three screens (large back screen , 2 smaller ones stage left and right ) for digital visuals. Starting with a dynamic moving digital visuals montage, featuring edits of all the digital visuals . Featuring all the characters of the piece with some potent House music I composed by way of soundscape. After this an exposition of the choreography of the main character Solitaire with a rhythmic soundscape. Swiftly after this , into 10 mins of dramatic monologue , with moving digital visuals woven in. Afterwards there followed a sequence of the 'Shadow Woman character's choreography on video. Finally, the main character Solitaire choreography onstage , combined with digital interactivity (MXP) projected on the large back screen. The Q& A followed straight after . (see above).

I am pleased three key objectives were achieved: to show what a choreopoem is and receive a favorable response, recruit ambassadors for new audience development (to get people to book their tickets soon), show and get positive feedback from all our arts partners. Additionally, the the theatre confirmed our performance dates 21/22nd 2012 June Curve Theatre. Fortunately, we have now we received formal approval to use the Cultural Olympiad Brand logo (no simple process this achieved with good partnership) for all our marketing . With our new Student Intern on now board for marketing purposes - GREAT STUFF !

Yesterday the Creative Team and myself viewed footage of the performance a positive and constructive excercise. There are some fairly great dramatic photographs also. In the light of all the feedback we had at that point, we made notes and discussed the piece , what areas could be further strengthened and what were the positives e.g the technology working well etc , audience response etc A key factor, is to now draw up a more intense writing performance rehearsal program for me . To divest myself of other roles, producer, director. etc. To defer the need for the technical rehearsals at a later date i.e. operator . So for me it is time for 'wood shedding' - a term I learnt form from Black jazz musicians meaning to detach and persistently rehearse fundamentals, to build to full mastery for performance. All of the above people agreed that all things taken into consideration, all bodes very well indeed for the final performance

Dancing In the Dark & Digital Challenges

I have just finished a technical rehearsal in preparation, for further rehearsals the following day.

It has gone well and working in the actual space with Technicians and later on with other digital creatives. To perform and share an extract/work in progress to a specially invited audience. With humming video screens in effect,this has been a great , a very new experience as a live performer !

A good amount of patience, care diligence , understanding, communication skills, is needed working with a range of digital equipment . Technology changes, at a rapid rate, components prices vary widely in price and functions. A specific digital brief and spec , with back up plans b's is also essential in the event of any mishaps, or the expected gremlins -as I call them that can turn up anywhere ,there is a conglomeration of electronic items in close proximity . Flexibility continues to be key , to be able to adapt very quickly and with some confidence, for problem solving at a rapid rate . Whilst remaining very positive but coolly realistic - not for one minute losing the vision of your work . Strong team work and collaboration, comes to the fore here and highlights - clearly , the interdependency , support of creative colleagues - in a joint endeavour . It is however a real buzz ,sharing our individual mutual satisfaction and delight in the work. As as it begins to take beautiful shape before our very eyes - is what is all about !

Walkiing the Stage 'Plank' Musing Musically with Logic

Whirl wind of a week testing filming and to finalize 'the Diva's Dressing Gown' at the very least for the forthcoming sharing . Everything is becoming so real and taking shape by turns. This is all incredibly exciting and nerve racking all at the same time . Recently the Creative Team and myself did a site visit to the theatre (for staging /technical purposes) , where we will be doing our first sharing of project work to date. Just standing in the space, like I had never been in there before - empty bar us and other theatre practitioners. A black box into a black ocean of space ...sink or swim -either way one of the primary purposes of the sharing next week is to LEARN !

Today was very enjoyable, the first music set down for the piece-a wonderful melange of strong west african polyrhythms , urban/contemporary with touches of Indian and Chinese motifs. An verall feel of elegant grandeur and mystery loneliness even ? The genesis of an overarching theme for a soundscape begins.... A musical 'gumbo', much like the physical theatre choreography ,to be further developed -very thrilling ! I am very impressed sounds available on Logic software configured to my Mac computer.

Here's a definition of the word gumbo - we use it to mean a intercultural mix of different influences, cultural traditions, practices art forms e.g Africa India China - as we in 'welcome the world' within 'our world' within the project.

Testing Testing 123 - Digital Visual Blast Off !

After holiday inertia coughs and colds, Sean and Andy (digital performance platform visuals and lighting design respectively with myself . Have done us proud with testing all the technical kit acquired Mac Mini etc) and electronic bits and gummings, in preparation for our first sharing , work in progress , at a theatre later this month. In addition to it also being preparatory work for our project installation later in the year at a local digital media centre. The three days testing at De Montfort Performing Arts Centre of Excellence Studio included filming footage of a character solo dance sequence with Louise and Sally , also for the sharing . All this has gone really well and I had a chance to really experience fully and not just visualize, the whole performance staging area , in relation to the different screens with the lighting. A new and challenging experience having not performed with moving digital visual in quite this way before. It presents new challenges around staging movement i.e. blocking and lighting. See more here Sean's Blog http://www.seanclark.me.uk/the-loneliness-of-the-long-dista.html

African Rhythm & English/Patwa (Patois) Langauge & Creating Chimeras & Chiaroscuro

A single pulse of an old african diaspora five beat rhythm in my mind -is the vision for the entire piece. As it underpins the choreopoem of our project , all the text. choreography, movement - the whole dynamic of the piece etc is structured on these five beat cycles . In writing the text this is from within me and moves without . I aim to infuse it into the creative team and for it to be fully internalized by all of them. The same later on by , audiences - but on a more subtle level. For now as we work , we will be further aided by my setting of, the precise bpm (beats per minute) and tempo , recording it and building on it further on it for edits and soundscape etc.. One of my key influences for theatre e.g. Berkof (alongside Peter Brooks ) displays keen attention to language and rhythm e.g.Berkof's work East - this is also the case for Shakespeare's works too. I reflect my identity. african peoples musical legacy , alongside the universality within many popular forms of diverse music , embodying this african rhythm. By my use of it thus, it becomes all the more critical for the actual words/language of this specially created argot . A s it is not iambic pentameter that is usual.

For our next film/digital test session, my preparation all centers around the creation of the character's nemesis who appears as nightmares. She is a chimera , frightening by turns, not quite visible . Our last creative team discussion centered a lot on lighting. I like the chiaroscuro effect and will explore this further for this key part - but also overall in line with the artistic themes and motifs that I have previously set. There is also special costume to finalize and a headdress to make all on deadline. I have enjoyed designing these bespoke costumes both for the effect, period/culture , dance movement, ease of wear, and to work with lighting etc. In costume key influences , range from africa, china and India - places of inspiration for all divas down the ages. I delight to find key design shapes , fabrics and ornamentation ideas, that are shared and span theses great continents and their diverse cultures. Thereby affirming important links and welcoming the world, through our aesthetics for the piece .

The Caravan Rolls On

Something of a roller coaster, in the last week or so . Branding, logos artwork , media interviews, recruiting new Student Interns, staging deviser, planing the most technically challenging film live action and digital interactivity - Whoah !!! All rounded off marvellously with costume consultations, a project management task list, with loads of tasks completed, plus an injection of further funding, for the music (acoustic and electronic) component of the project CHAMPION ! as they say in the North East of England.

Whatever gremlins, obstacles, challenges, problems that pop up like , on a target range- are swept up and batted around, until a suitable solution is found. A good working relationship with partners is paramount, to help with any number of hurdles. As the momentum continues to build and the caravan rolls on... I cannot help but really enjoy the creative journey we are all on, in particular , myself as a black woman artist. I feel am continuing the legacy, of those that came before me , I 'am thinking now of the heady days of the Harlem Renaissance, the 30's very tough economic times (like now) but some of greatest pioneers of music ,dance theatre in NYC got their mojos going- I take inspiration from them . Clearly my visit to the Schomburg Centre has a deep and lasting effect, that has got me to where I am now.

Coming In To Light - Making It All Real

What I write below, makes me happy, very proud and relieved - to actually be making good progress,s its all becoming very real the vision - despite a lot tense moments ... (no time for blogging just go go go !) over the last number of weeks . The whole 2012 branding logo matter is finally resolved, with a partner coming to our aid and our creative design branding person saving the day ! But it highlighted a number of key issues around legal status, for a solo entrepreneurial artist like my self . I cannot emphasize enough the importance of professional bodies e.g. Equity the Society of Authors etc to support artists in this project work . Providing umbrellas and good advice etc for a small fee in consideration of the actual benefits. Professionalism and membership is critical to ones standing in the field also.

We remain in a fundraising mode - for finance for the musical components of the project and in time for touring !! However we begin the planning and preparation for some big moments - the specialist equipment , purchasing. building the prop, lighting design, and then testing, further script development staging and devising and creative design images etc. leading up to a brief sharing work/ in progress early in the new year. I am working with a new staging/ deviser with a truly impressive track record and similar tastes and interest in theatre. GREAT I am very excited about all that. so we move closer to standing everything up on its feet, to see and learn what works and what may not ...2012 the new year is filled with anticipation, excitement and a feeing of getting to our destination !!

So I say to the world shine a light , Dare to Diva are in residence at Phoenix Arts Digital Media Centre Leicester, busy , developing their new innovative multi- disciplinary arts project 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Diva - A Choreopoem' written and performed by Carol Leeming. The production is set to debut at Curve Theare June 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

This highly talented collaborative creative team includes , choreographer Louise Katerega filmaker Sally Hossack , digital Designer, Sean Clark staging/deviser Kim Jackson, lighitng designer Andy Elston, and Mina Gadhia Costume Maker. Earlier in the project Sarah Dickenson was Dramaturg as part of the Apples & Snakes Evolve program. Project partners include Apples & Snakes, Phoenix Digital Media Centre, Curve Theatre, Peepul Centre. With support from Igniting Ambition and Arts Council Engand.