Gravesend RFC Hosts Ska Concert Night
A community rugby union club in Kent got a financial boost last month when they hosted a musical event featuring The Skatonics and ska and Northern soul DJ Paul Pettitt.
Gravesend RFC member and concert organiser Robert Bardell says that the event was also open to non-club members, and they were simply hoping to “generally allow everyone to have a great social event and make some money for the rugby club.”
They met their fundraising goal by taking in around £400 on door and getting over £3000 on the bar that night.
An eight piece band, The Skatonics have been playing all over England since 2007. They specialise in covers of the classic Jamaican Trojan Ska of the ‘60s and the second wave Two Tone ska sound of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.
Each individual member has years of experience playing corporate and private gigs. Together they’ve worked for an impressive array of clients, including Royal Bank of Scotland, Addington Palace, Imperial College London, British Motorcycle Federation and Bexley Help 4A Hero. They’ve also played with or supported many well-known ska bands, including The Beat, Bad Manners, The Selecter and members of Madness.
A typical two hour set from The Skatonics can feature over 30 rollicking ska favourites. The band keeps their sound authentic by using keyboards and brass instruments, as well as drums, bass and guitar, in their shows. Band members even dress the part of early ska rockers to complete the audience experience.
“This is the fourth time we have had this band at the club, and all [the shows] have more than made money [for us],” Bardell states. “Everybody has a great time and can’t wait for the next [concert]. We usually get between 200 and 300 in attendance, which [makes these events] our best attended function by far. For most social events, we just aim to break even and make [a profit] on the bar, so it shows how popular these nights are.”
Bardell publicised the performance through word of mouth and posters put up at their club. He also posted details for the engagement on club and band websites, and used Facebook to get the word out.
Bardell admits it was “hard graft for four weeks, sending texts, emails [and other notices about the event]!” And, he has some good advice for those planning similar celebrations.
“[You should] start to plan three months out, with Facebook, posters and tickets,” Bardell offers. “Decide where you want to sell tickets, [like the] clubhouse, pubs [or at] other similar events; have more than one place [set up for people] to get tickets. [Also], make an effort to sell or have orders for 50 to 70 percent of tickets completed before concert night [to ensure a return on your investment in the show].”
The 2013 Cartoon Exhibition ‘Steadman at 77’ Hits London
Ralph Steadman, the notorious British cartoonist most well-known for his collaboration with Hunter S. Thompson that resulted in illustrations for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas among many others, will celebrate his 77th birthday on 15 May, 2013. In honor of the incredible work he’s created throughout his career, the London Cartoon Museum will feature an exhibition of his drawings from now until the 21st of July.
In addition to Fear and Loathing… Steadman is also known for illustrating editions of classic literary works, like Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island, and George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
Select drawings from some of these editions will be on display at the unique retrospective exhibition, as well as some political cartoons created by the celebrated cartoonist.
The Major Highlights
Featuring more than 100 original works of art from Steadman, the ‘Steadman at 77’ exhibition will cover much of his on-going career, starting with his first Punch cartoon in 1956, and including illustrations from Private Eye, New Statesman, and The Observer, just to name a few.
Steadman’s most recent book, Extinct Boids, which shows beautifully detailed real and imaginary birds drawn in intriguing ways, will also have featured illustrations on display at the museum.
London’s Cartoon Museum is the perfect place for this major retrospective.
By coupling art with humour, the museum gives illustrators and cartoonists a chance to display their works of art among the rest of the city’s artful gallery scene.
Steadman’s Notoriety
Born in 1936 and known to be one of the most relevant and gifted illustrators of our time, Steadman is credited with helping Hunter S. Thompson create his notorious “Gonzo” journalism.
Recently, Steadman starred in For No Good Reason, a biographical documentary about his life that premiered at the 2012 London Film Festival. In the past, he has worked with many notable writers, such as Ted Hughes, Adrian Mitchell and Brian Patten.
In Britain, Steadman is renowned for his catalogue illustrations for Oddbins. Select wine drawings will be on display at the retrospective exhibition.
Whether you’re a long time fan of Steadman’s work, or you’re just getting into his unique portfolio of drawings, ‘Steadman at 77’ is something that everyone with a fond sense for art can appreciate.
If you’re feeling creative yourself, you can make your own event out of it. Gather a group together, print up some tickets, and get the ball rolling on a fun artistic outing.
by admin on April 29, 2013
Snooker Legend Helps Club Celebrate 30th Anniversary
At a time when many long-standing businesses are having trouble keeping their doors open, hitting the 30-year mark would be quite an occasion for any establishment.
The George Scott Snooker Club in Liverpool celebrated their 30th anniversary recently by inviting members to watch snooker legend Steve Davis in action at their club.
Davis, a six-time world champion in the sport, has won more professional titles than any other player. He was also the number one player in the world for seven straight years, from May 1983 to April 1990, and became the sport’s first millionaire.
Davis has been made both a Member and an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. He now combines his professional playing with work as a proven television analyst and special commentator for snooker coverage on the BBC.
While the game of pool is favoured in the US, snooker is more popular in Great Britain and countries where it had colonial interests. Snooker takes extra skill, because the balls used are smaller, while the table is larger and the pockets narrower than those used in pool.
Event organiser Geoff Scott said the goal of the private evening was to help “raise [the club’s] profile for the next 30 years [of business].” They used word of mouth, Internet advertising, posters and the club’s Facebook page to promote the anniversary evening.
Ticket stubs were placed in a hat and then pulled randomly to give six club members the opportunity to play a frame with Davis. Member Alan Rodaway was one of the winners, and donated his frame to Billy England, the young son of a friend who was in attendance.
Another special moment for Scott was when Davis gifted the club with a limited edition portrait of himself.
Scott says that planning the evening was “no problem” and that the main thing needed for such a process is to put a lot of thought into it, while he also notes that having some prior experience does help one out a bit.
by admin on April 22, 2013
How to Celebrate the Early May Bank Holiday
May Day is fast approaching and the UK is gearing up for a lovely day off on Monday, 6 May. The Early May Bank Holiday is notorious for a few reasons, but most recently it has been known for the opportunity to celebrate workers’ rights, as well as a chance to cut loose and have a bit of fun, attend events, and catch up on some much-needed rest.
Reveling in the start of the summer season is yet another reason to get out and celebrate on May Day. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of events that you can attend to help you get your celebration on!
A Unique History
The celebration of May Day has roots in fertility rituals that were performed back in pagan times. Many events were held to celebrate the Roman Goddess, Flora. Remarkably, Scotland has been celebrating the Early May Bank Holiday since 1871, and it was established in the rest of the UK in 1978.
May’s first weekend will give many people the chance to enjoy a day off of work, and many businesses, schools, and other organisations will close as well. Select stores may be open or closed, so it’s smart to get your shopping done early for this holiday.
Maypole dancing is a popular May Day tradition worth mentioning. Children, mainly girls, dance around a large pole with ribbons hung from it, and create an attractive pattern on the pole itself with the ribbons.
What’s On for May Day 2013
The most important thing to do for the Early May Bank Holiday is to get out there, enjoy yourself and celebrate. You could try your hand at planning your own event, or if you’d rather not put in the extra work on your day off, check out one of the following events that we’ve conveniently listed for you:
by admin on April 15, 2013
Bath Fringe Festival Offers Emerging Arts in May
The town of Bath has been home to traveling performers, visitors and the arts, even prior to the Georgian era (1714-1830). The history of the Bath Fringe Festival got its true start back in the days of the Walcot Festivals of the 1970s and early 80s, which were mainly run by the Bath Arts Workshop community group.
Between local council support and dedicated sponsorship, as well as volunteering, grants and goodwill, the Bath Fringe Festival has evolved into the massive extravaganza it is today, all while staying connected to its audience, the community, and national institutions.
This festival is well-known for developing art forms and events that have in turn become more mainstream, like Spoken Word, Cabaret, Circus Arts and Folk & World Music, to name a few.
Are You Ready to Experience Art?
The Bath Fringe Festival is no small event. This spectacular and artful event boasts a 17-day spread full of every kind of art form you can think of, and some that haven’t even been named yet. With around 150 events currently on the schedule (not including the visual arts festival) featuring artists from around the world as well as the local community, this event is surely one you won’t want to miss.
Events will be held in a variety of places: the secret rooms of Bath, streets and cafes, the Spiegeltent, and also in the city’s best venues.
Not only that, but Bath’s original Old Theatre Royal (also known as Masonic Hall) will be revived to hold a unique festival of “New Writing” and a great weekend of new work.
How to Do It Yourself
The Bath Fringe Festival has a truly distinctive way of doing things when it comes to booking performers and promoting events. They encourage everyone to do their own thing with respect to event promotion.
If you want a little help publicising your gig at the festival, the Fringe will sort you out. Simply send them a link to your music along with 20 pounds, and they’ll take care of the majority of the promotions.
But if you want to get the most bang for your buck, check out some posters, flyers, or even personal invitations to send to your fan list, and make sure they know that you’re performing at the Bath Fringe Festival.
Keep them in the loop so they don’t miss out on seeing you perform at one of the most diverse and artistic festivals in the world.
by admin on April 9, 2013
’50s-Style Dance Party Aids Kidney and Coeliac Patients
Nicola Walpole is on a mission. As a dietitian, she works at the Leicester and Corby Renal Units in Northamptonshire and also supports people living with coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system assaults its own tissues. But, even when Walpole isn’t on the job, she’s labouring to ease the suffering of renal and coeliac patients.
In February, she held a Charity Rock and Roll Night in aid of Northamptonshire Kidney Patients Association (NKPA) and Coeliac UK. She feels the highlights of the night were watching all ages dancing together, and seeing all the classic 1950s outfits and hairstyles.
The event was organised to help raise money for her charity place in the London Marathon on 21st April of this year.
“So far I have arranged a Gluten Free Food Fair, a Live Band and Curry Night and [this event],” Walpole says of her fundraising efforts. “The next event will be a Vintage Rock and Roll Ball and a Vintage Auction in a marquee at Wellingborough Golf Club on 7th June. I have raised £1550 so far, and would like to raise £2500.”
Walpole’s passion is fueled by the commitment of Coeliac UK and NKPA.
“Coeliac UK rely entirely on donations to help raise awareness and knowledge, improve diagnosis rates and provide support for people with coeliac disease,” she explains. “Money is needed to continue the fantastic work they do. [This] includes funding research…and providing educational resources and literature for health professionals and people with coeliac disease.”
She goes on to say that her renal units service about 180 patients, aged 18 to 99 years, who each attend three times a week for life-saving treatment due to end-stage renal failure.
“The effects of renal failure, medication and a very restrictive diet can have profound effects both physically and psychologically,” Walpole clarifies. “Although NKPA is run largely by people with kidney disease themselves, they work tirelessly to try to improve the lives of people within the East Midlands Network, and their support is extremely valued amongst patients and staff.”
Walpole has worked tirelessly to advertise her events, and has spoken on local radio, distributed flyers to rock and roll clubs and local businesses, and contacted the local newspaper, as well as advertised her fundraisers on Facebook. She believes that the flyers and word of mouth were the most effective methods.
As someone who spends so much time planning fundraising affairs, Walpole has some solid words of wisdom for those undergoing the same process.
“Try not to get overly concerned about poor ticket sales ahead of the event, as I have found they sell well a week before. [Also], try not to reserve tickets for people on the door unless you already have the money for [those] tickets.”
by admin on March 21, 2013
London’s Top Rowing Event: Head of the River Race 2013
One of the longest-running sports traditions in London, the Head of the River Race is set to be held on the renowned river Thames on 23, March 2013. This premier rowing race will bring more than 3500 competitors and 400 crews from around the world together in London’s most famous river to compete for the championship.
The first Head of the River Race was held back in 1926, initiated by the Cambridge and Tideway oarsman Steve Fairburn. Originally, the historic race was organised so that crews could practice long rows during the off-season, and thus be fully prepared for the summer series of boat races.
The yearly event will include hundreds of boats, manned by crews of 8 men each, competing by rowing over the 6.8 km course (4.25 mi) stretching from Mortlake to Putney.
Springing into Action
Not only is the Head of the River Race a historic tradition for rowers all over the world, it’s also the perfect time for locals in the UK and visitors from across the globe to celebrate the emergence of spring.
Whether you’re getting up early to grab a good spot on the banks of the river Thames or you’re simply watching on the telly, gather your friends and family and get ready to cheer on your favourite rowing team for the win.
With hundreds of rowing crews from all over the world competing in the championship course, and with one of the highest participation rates in the city of London, you surely won’t want to miss this incredible boating event.
Are You Part of the Crew?
Traditionally, the winners from the previous year will start off the race, and subsequent crews will start each at 10-second intervals according to the order they finished last year. Newbies are set to start in alphabetical order.
Before, the race, the official Head of the River Race committee highly advises that every rowing crew watch the “Coxing a Tideway Head” video.
The river Thames will be closed for an hour before the start of the race (12:45pm) on Race Day, and the usual rules will be suspended at that time. They do, however, apply all other times.
No matter who you’ll be cheering for, or whether you’ll be taking part in the historic boating event yourself, Head of the River Race Day is a fabulous opportunity to celebrate spring with a bit of friendly competition.
by admin on March 14, 2013
How Earth Day is Celebrated in the UK
Every year on 22 April, the world recognises that Earth’s global ecosystem and all its individual parts provide people, animals, insects and everything else that exists here with the ability to sustain life. International Mother Earth Day (or simply, Earth Day) strives to promote awareness that humans, as conscious, sentient beings, have a common responsibility to advocate for harmony with nature, and bring balance to the social, environmental and economic needs of current and future generations.
Earth Day is no small deal. Even major world government organizations like the United Nations observe and promote International Mother Earth Day.
“Mother Earth” is a familiar expression for many countries around the world, and it signifies the very relationship between living creatures and the planet that Earth Day seeks to bring attention to.
How to Help Mother Earth in 2013
The first Earth Day was celebrated in America on 22 April, 1970, and people from all walks of life came together to start this contemporary environmental awareness movement. Since then, landmark legislature such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act, as well as others have been successfully adopted in the US.
From that initial Earth Day observance grew the Earth Day Network, which is comprised of 192 countries and over 22,000 partners across the globe. Over a billion people participate in Earth Day the world over, which makes it the biggest civic celebration in the world.
When it comes to celebrating Earth Day in the UK, there is definitely no shortage of ways to participate.
From planting a tree to joining the UK Youth Climate Coalition, you can get out there and help inspire and mobilise people all over Britain.
How UK Teachers Can Help Motivate Students
International Mother Earth Day is a fabulous opportunity for teachers to promote Earth-conscious behaviors and present positive ways of thinking about our planet to their students. There are many ways to reflect on how Earth nurtures us as living creatures, and countless ways to discuss how we can care for it in return.
Teachers can look online to find free materials and ideas, or they can come up with their own type of Earth Day event.
You need not be a teacher to help motivate others for Earth Day. Anyone with a conscious mind and a caring heart can plan their own International Mother Earth Day event. So what are you waiting for?
Start planning your UK Earth Day event today!
by admin on March 4, 2013
Why and How the UK Celebrates Mothering Sunday
Mothering Sunday is a popular holiday in the UK that occurs on the 4th Sunday of Lent. Traditionally a Christian holiday, Mothering Sunday is not to be confused with the widespread American holiday known as Mother’s Day, which occurs in May. The two, however, are celebrated in much the same way, although Mothering Sunday has unique origins that date back as far as the 16th century.
Historically, Mothering Sunday was a day that children were given off of work to visit their mothers (it was not unusual for children over the age of 10 to work as servants in the 16th century).
These days, it is customary for children of all ages to give their mothers flowers, cards and gifts in honour of this festive March holiday.
How Mothering Sunday Got Its Name
It was routine for Christians in England to attend church every Sunday in the 16th century. Generally, worship was attended at a local community parish called the “daughter church.” Once a year, though, it was common for everyone to visit their “mother church,” or the central cathedral in the area.
Because so many children who were away from home working as servants would return on this day, it became associated with families being reunited. Historians assert that this return to the “mother church” is what led to the custom of children being given the day off to visit their families and mothers.
On their journeys home, children would sometimes pick wild flowers to give to their mothers as gifts.
A Rose by Any Other Name
Anyone who observes Lent is well aware that there are rules one must follow to abstain from certain things. Mothering Sunday was historically a day that those rules were allowed to be gleefully bent. The holiday was thus given the second name, Refreshment Sunday.
With fasting rules relaxed, people would prepare special meals and cakes to share with their families and celebrate the holiday. Specifically, the food most associated with Mothering Sunday is Simnel cake.
A specific type of fruit cake, the Simnel cake is prepared with two layers of almond paste and balls of marzipan icing on top. Historically, it was also customary to include sugar violets.
When it comes to modern day Mothering Sunday celebrations in the UK, this maternal festivity often includes friends, family, and of course our dear mothers. Check local listings for Mothering Sunday events, or put together your own little shindig in celebration of the most wonderful woman in your life.
by admin on February 28, 2013
How the UK Will Celebrate Commonwealth Day in 2013
In 1958, what was once known as “Empire Day” to the countries of the Commonwealth was appropriately dubbed “Commonwealth Day.” This was done with consideration to the relationship that had developed between the nations of the former empire. Since then, this celebration has brought together 54 countries from the Commonwealth of Nations on the 2nd Monday in March every year.
The yearly celebration is an opportunity for these diverse nations to globally observe and rejoice in the common bond they all share as individual parts that make up the whole, i.e., today’s Commonwealth. This glorious day is celebrated in the UK with some very specific and distinctive events.
Arguably the biggest event that will take place during the Commonwealth Day Observance is London’s Westminster Abbey service.
This is the UK’s most extensive multi-faith celebration, and it is attended by none other than Queen Elizabeth II, the Prime Minister and High Commissioners, just to name a few.
The 2013 Commonwealth Theme
Every year, a different theme is picked for Commonwealth Day. This year’s inspirational theme is “Opportunity through Enterprise, Unlocking Potential with Innovation and Excellence.” The Royal Commonwealth Society, a registered charity in England who coordinates the Westminster Abbey Service, encourages schools and youth groups to participate in this positive annual celebration.
By mixing various forms of music from around the world, in addition to a variety of different kinds of dance and unique personal testimonies, the celebration of Commonwealth Day will applaud economic innovation within the Commonwealth.
The shared determination towards helping youth and encouraging social and sustainable ventures will be honoured strongly as well.
What Can You Do To Celebrate?
Last year in 2012, Lord Howell, Minister of the Commonwealth, said at the multi-faith Westminster Abbey service, “The Commonwealth and its networks are a force for good, based on strong values, which can help deliver prosperity and enrich the livelihoods of all.”
If you’re not attending this unique service, what can you do individually to celebrate Commonwealth Day?
The Royal Commonwealth Society provides a list of different ways to get involved and join the celebration, no matter where you’re from. They also provide a handy calendar of events that you can look into as well.
Find an event to suit of your fancy, or if you can’t find a way to celebrate that fits your mood, try hosting your own Commonwealth Day celebration.
