Oh, come all ye Brummies!

Following our recent success in developing a partnership with a Dutch community group, Active Arts is now looking to set up other strategic partnerships with our fellow Brummies. The group’s community arts remit means that we’re always looking to make new links with fellow community groups, artists and creatives, and funders. In the coming months we will be looking to set up exciting new projects, which have the potential for city-wide appeal. So, if you run a community group, can provide training, or have an idea for a project or work that you could offer then please get in touch.

Going Dutch

Always one for developing international partnerships,  Active Arts was delighted to play host to a group of residents and community workers from Pendrecht, Rotterdam on Saturday 12th April.

The group, aged 13-82, came to Birmingham to perform their original piece of theatre, ‘The Pendrecht Dialogues’. The play, which was performed at Castle Vale’s Spitfire House and later The Custard Factory, explored some of the issues prevelant within the Pendrecht community, including social and cultural division, youth culture and immigration.

The performance was a huge success with the largely local audience, who later got the opportunity to participate in a chaired discussion with the Dutch performers.

Friends and contacts have been made, and Active Arts intends to continue to develop this new relationship with the hope of a return visit. Fingers crossed!

 

The art is in the making

Castle Vale’s Active Arts Day made an impressive debut on Saturday-even if we do say so ourselves. The event, designed to launch the new Active Arts group and offer locals a chance to take part in a range of free performances and workshops, drew hundreds of participants from all over Castle Vale and Birmingham, and indeed as far as Warwickshire! 

Despite the weather, The Grand National and various other reasons to stay at home, people flocked to take part and all four of the community venues, which had been turned into arts ‘hubs’ for the day, were filled with people making, doing, watching and generally enjoying something new and creative. 

Since Saturday we’ve been inundated with requests from locals who would like to see some of the taster workshops turned into regular classes. If you participated in a session on the day and have something to say, or have any thoughts about activities that you would like to see run in the area, please don’t hesitate to contact us. All ideas will be considered by the Active Arts steering group, and hopefully you’ll start to see some new additions to Castle Vale’s already vibrant arts programme over the coming months. 

Our thanks to everyone who supported the event and to Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Mike Sharpe and his wife, Thelma, who opened the day’s proceedings.

 

Get with the programme…

By now you may have heard the buzz around the Vale about the forthcoming aCtiVe arts day. As the name suggests, on Saturday 5th April we’ll be hosting an array of free arts events and taster workshops for residents and non-residents to participate, or be ‘active’, in.

You can get a glimpse of the outline programme here. You saw it here first, folks!

aCtiVe arts programme

Carnival chameleon…

Things are buzzing here at aCtiVe arts with the news that the Castle Vale carnival of old has undergone a bit of a transformation. This year residents, and non-residents, will be treated to a live outdoor music event, along with performances by talented local dance groups. The list of performers is yet to be finalised, but you can expect a mix of musical styles to suit all ears (and eras!)

Don’t despair if you’re a bit of a traditionalist; the event will retain many of the old  favourites, including the usual array of stalls and family friendly activities. 

The event, which we’re hoping will become Castle Vale’s own Party in the Park, will take place on Sunday 6th July. Spread the word! More details to be posted here soon….

Four weeks and counting…

We’re now just over four weeks away from the Castle Vale aCtiVe arts day and steering group re-launch. Venues for the day’s performances and workshops are confirmed as the Residents’ Club, Castle Vale library, St. Cuthbert’s Church and The Sanctuary. All venues are along the central bus routes through the Vale, but if you have any queries about access or reaching one of these sites please do not hesitate to contact us.

A full programme of events will be posted here in the coming days. So make sure that you visit us regularly!

Calling all arts enthusiasts!

Do you run a class or group that meets regularly in the Castle Vale area? Are you a resident who has skills or interests in the arts and would like to do more? Then we’d love to hear from you…

aCtiVe arts is keen to hear from dancers, painters, actors, photographers, musicians; indeed anyone with a skill or talent that they would like to share or develop, regardless of age and experience.  In a bid to match up enthusiastic residents with arts groups and leaders we would like to put together a directory of all of the classes, clubs and sessions that currently take place on Castle Vale. If we know who you are then we can promote your work!

To register your class or activity, or to find out about groups already working in your area, contact claire@bigbrum.plus.com

Alternatively, if you have an idea for an arts activity that you’d like to see happening on the Vale, or that you yourself would like to run, drop us a line.

Join us for aCtiVe arts day!

Ever fancied trying your hand at drawing? Or having a go at salsa or street dancing? Want to learn a new skill, but think it might not be for you? Well, now you can, and for free! 

On Saurday 5th April ‘08 Castle Vale’s own arts steering group, aCtiVe arts, will be hosting a celebration of arts activity on Castle Vale.  The event, which takes place in four community venues across the Vale, will provide opportunities to participate in free workshops or taster sessions and enjoy a range of live music, dance and drama throughout the day.

 Workshop sessions are to be confirmed, but will include:

• Digital photography for beginners;
• Flower arranging;
• Line dancing;
• Willow weaving;
• DJ-ing;
• Graffiti art;
• Art and drawing;
• Street dance;
• Card making;
• Genealogy-Trace your family history;
• Arts and crafts for children.

Other activities include face painting and storytelling for children.

A full programme of events will be available soon, but in the meantime put the date in your diary!