This is the studio recording of the ‘Mother India – 21st Century Remix’ performance piece.

Written and produced by Alvin Seechurn (DJ Tigerstyle), Matt Constantine and David Shaw.

Available for the first time as a download and on CD in a limited release. Get it now while stocks last!

Download prices: £1 per track or £8.50 for the album.
CD price: £10 + p&p (£1.50 UK/£3.00 international)

Click here to buy it.

A short film raising funds for homelessness charities aims to tell the real story of people living on the streets.

Oliver Litondo, who stars in The Truth about Stanley. Photograph: Ben Millar Cole

In a dank side street off Covent Garden’s piazza in London, an elderly man sways along the pavement, a battered carrier bag in one hand, a white stick in the other. A little boy with a cut lip creeps behind him. You suspect the tourists passing by might not notice them if it were not for the camera crew following the pair.

The Truth About Stanley, a short film being made to raise funds for the Big Issue and Anchor House, a hostel and life skills centre for homeless adults in east London, charts the friendship between two characters living rough on the capital’s streets. Stanley, played by Kenyan star Oliver Litondo (recently seen in The First Grader), takes 10-year-old runaway Sam, played by Raif Clarke, under his wing, captivating and confusing him in turn with fantastical tall tales about his former life.

Director and co-writer Lucy Tcherniak’s aim is to make a piece that gets through to viewers more profoundly than a usual charity appeal – crucial, she thinks, at a time when need in society is on the increase and there’s a risk that people will become immune to calls for donations.

“There’s so much charity in our faces, which is good, but all these ads do the same thing: it’s all sad doe eyes at the camera,” she says.

“I’m not saying it doesn’t work, but my thing is storytelling. It’s about making that connection with these characters and seeing that they’re just like everybody else.”

Talking to homeless people while researching the script, one thing that came through strongly was the increasing difficulty of finding somewhere to sleep where you won’t be moved on, in central London at least, says Tcherniak’s writing partner, Neil Westley.

Law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, which supports homeless people through its corporate social responsibility programme, is financing the film, due to be premiered in February. The cast and crew are working for free; Pret A Manger is keeping them fed and watered.

Producer Tom Clark’s fears of how a discussion between a disparate mix of business, charity and “us arty-farty film-makers” would turn out have proved to be unfounded – he worried someone might demand the film had a happy ending. “Everyone’s always got on,” he says.

Twelve-year-old Raif from Stoke-on-Trent, who is soon to make his big screen debut in Theatre of Dreams, a fictional story about Sir Matt Busby, has researched his role carefully. “People like my character, Sam, do just run away,” he says.

You may not often see children as young as Sam on the capital’s streets, because they are trying to avoid being scooped up by a system that is likely to try to send them home or into the care of children’s services, explains Westley.

He says: “A huge number of children run away each year. Most of them really, really don’t want to go home. Just because we don’t know about them doesn’t mean they’re not out there.”

Read more about the film here.

Article from Guardian online and written by Rachel Williams.

The Drum Arts Centre, in partnership with the School of Art at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD), Birmingham City University, and RoguePlay Theatre invite Birmingham and West Midlands based visual artists to submit expressions of interest in a major new initiative (funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council), that will celebrate both the forthcoming 2012 Olympics and the 50thAnniversary of Jamaican Independence. Artists will be selected on the basis of their project proposal and subsequent interview. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate how their proposal incorporates the main themes of the project and how their practice contributes to its overarching criteria, in terms of artistic excellence, critical dialogue, cultural diversity, professional development and audience development.

Eligibility

We are seeking expressions of interest from Birmingham/West Midlands based artists, including, but not limited to, artists from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled or any other artist who may have had limited opportunities to participate in the arts.

• Applicants should be based in Birmingham or the West Midlands region;
• Applicants should be available to deliver their project between January and August 2012;
• Artists will be required to undergo CRB disclosure;

Criteria

Applicants should demonstrate in their proposal how they will realise either or both of the themes elaborated below, whilst drawing upon the overarching contexts of the project, in terms of artistic excellence, critical dialogue, cultural diversity, professional and audience development.

1. The five Olympic rings represent the five continents of the world: yellow, blue, black, red and green. The symbol of interlocking rings is an important statement of intent by the International Olympic Committee representing equality of opportunity, inviting all nations to take part in the world games. There are many positive features of the Olympic movement; but equally, there are significant concerns. Taking into account the immense diversity between nations in terms of ethnicity, religion, linguistics and culture, and the need to compete within a globalised marketplace, with access or lack of access to technology, amidst concern for the environment (as the global population goes beyond its 7 billionth person), what do these rings mean today?

2. The national motto of Jamaica ‘Out Of Many – One People’ is symbolic of the diverse origins of its citizens, from its native Taino inhabitants, to black African slaves and white European slave-owners, indentured Chinese and Indian labourers. The interplay between race, commerce and culture has defined Jamaican culture, which since Independence has contributed through a worldwide Diaspora to the arts, food, music and sport. These have been comprehensively documented in photography, film and text. Using the Jamaican national motto as your guide ‘Out Of Many – One People’ how would you demonstrate diversity today?

Application Requirements

Applicants are requested to provide a proposal, supported by examples of their visual arts practice. Please do not send physical art works through the post. Supporting materials required to accompany your proposal can be as follows:

• Visual support in the form of jpeg, CD, DVD, website links to your work (ensure films are no longer than 10 minutes);
• CV – indicating your experience and any exhibitions in which you have featured;
• A statement about your professional development requirements in no more than 200 words;
• An expression of interest outlining your proposed project and how it will be achieved in no more than 500 words. Please include a draft budget for your project – which should be in the region of £5,000, including materials and the cost of exhibition.

Deadline

The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Friday 6th January 2012. Applications will not be considered after this deadline. Short listing will take place on Friday 13th January 2012; interviews are scheduled for Friday 20th January 2012 at the School of Art, Margaret Street, Birmingham.

Submissions address

Applications can be submitted by email or post. For email please send your application and all attachments to:markerting@the-drum.org.uk. Postal applications should be addressed to: Kalaboration Artist Commission, The Drum Arts Centre, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU.

Selection Process

Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of their proposal and supporting material. The selection panel will consist of members of the Steering Committee. Decisions will be made on the basis of the proposal submitted and the subsequent interview.

Project timeline

‘Kalaboration’ is scheduled to commence in January 2012 and to end in November 2012. The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Friday 6th January 2012. Applications will not be considered after this deadline. Short listing will take place on Friday 13th January 2012; interviews are scheduled for Friday 20th January 2012 at the School of Art, Margaret Street, Birmingham.

Further information

For further information about this project please contact Leeanne Stoddart, Marketing & Press Officer 0121 333 2409 or email l.stoddart@the-drum.org.uk

Kalaboration Press Release (1) Dec

13 – 24 February 2012

Urbanflo Creative Consultancy in collaboration with Brighton Photo Fringe, Crawley Borough Council and the Barbados Commission for Pan African Affairs are pleased to announce “Roots & Wings”, an international photography exhibition to launch the Olympic-inspired Programme – connecting artists and communities across cultural, social and geographical divides. The exhibition celebrates the forthcoming presence of the Barbados, Grenada, Bahamas and Dominica Olympic training camps in Crawley, and will be linked to a partner exhibition in Barbados. (Further details about the Barbados exhibition and 2 exciting international residency opportunities will be announced in the New Year).

Entry to the exhibition is open to all, but we are particularly seeking submissions from UK-based photographers with connections to the Caribbean, and from Caribbean-based artists with connections to the UK. Other artists are welcome to submit works that explore the theme of “Roots & Wings”.  Please take a few minutes to read through the application guidelines below and if you would like your work to be considered for the exhibition then we’d love to hear from you.

Deadline for applications is 9 January 2012, and entries will be selected by a panel made up of representatives from Urbanflo and Brighton Photo Fringe. The selected works will be digitally printed and mounted by Urbanflo for exhibition in the UK and Barbados. The UK exhibition will be held at The Hawth, Crawley from 13th – 24^th February 2012. There will be a special Launch Event and Private View held on 12^th February 2012.

Guidelines for Submissions

Submission Items: To apply for selection for the “Roots & Wings” exhibition you will need to submit the following items together with the attached Application Form:

1. Up to 10 digital images of your work (10 is the maximum but you can submit fewer if you wish):

• Resolution: 300dpi
• Format: .jpg, .gif or .png only
• Size: each file must be NO larger than 1Mb.
• The caption/title, medium and dimensions for each image you intend to submit

1. An artist’s statement regarding your work and your UK/Caribbean links (if applicable).
2. A brief one-paragraph bio suitable for use in a book or exhibition catalogue (optional).
3. A CV (Curriculum Vitae – maximum 2 pages A4) focussing on your artistic career.
4. Your complete contact information -  address, phone, e-mail, and website details if you have one etc.

Submission Deadline: MONDAY 9 January 2012 . Selected exhibitors will be contacted by 15 January.

Eligibility: Entry is open to all regardless of photography experience

Judging Criteria: Creativity/Innovation; Impact; Composition; and where appropriate, Interpretation of theme

Fees: There is no submission fee for you to pay and there will be no fee payable for works selected for exhibition.

Copyright: All work must be submitted by the copyright owner.  Artists maintain the copyright of their work.

Usage Rights: All entrants agree that any image they submit to the “Roots & Wings” Exhibition may be used for marketing and promotional purposes directly related to or “Roots & Wings”. This use may include, but is not limited to, publication in any or “Roots & Wings” printed materials, advertisements, electronic media, Internet, television, catalogue, DVD, magazine and gallery shows. Any image used by the “Roots & Wings” Exhibition will be accompanied by all credit information on the artist. Copyright and all other rights remain that of the artist.

Please complete the “Roots & Wings” Exhibition Application Form overleaf and send it together with all the required attachments to info@urbanflo.com You can also get in touch with us at the same email address if you have any further questions.

Roots & Wings Submission Info & Application Form

http://www.urbanflo.com/

Khoj International Artists’ Association invites applications for In Context: public.art.ecology Part III International Artists’ Residency.

Applications are invited for an international residency ‘In Context:public.art.ecology Part III’ @ Khoj, for art projects exploring ecological thematics preferably in public spaces around Delhi. The residency will be for 4- 6 weeks starting in the first week of March to mid April 2012.

Deadline: 30th November, 2011

Proposals from individual artists and artists’ collectives are invited, with projects in response to urgent ecological issues affecting the urban city. This year the special focus is on the notion of food. The theme can be considered as artistic medium incorporating performance; art installations or interactive events that re-examine the significance and relevance of food in the social context; its connection with the body; or as a primary ritual that fosters engagement, interaction and collaboration. However, projects need not be limited to the above.

The applications should include the following:
-    Artist biography & images of previous projects
-    Concept Note
-    Production & Installation Budget not exceeding INR 1,00,000 (USD 2000) for the proposed project
Costs of travel, modest accommodation and daily allowance are separate from the above production budget.

Decision Email: 15th December, 2011
Submit to: applications@khojworkshop.org

Khoj International Artists’ Association is based in New Delhi.  They were the hosts for 1mile² Delhi between 2009 – 2011.

http://www.khojworkshop.org/

http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/content/international-artists-residency

Image © Ackroyd & Harvey

Everyone is guilty of judging a book by its cover – but now there’s a whole new meaning to the phrase!

Fans of Lady Gaga will be more than familiar with her new best friend, Zombie Boy, but not in his latest video.

The tattooed model is unrecognisable in the new DermaBlend advert in which he promotes the brands concealer and make-up remover.

Freddie Mercury was awarded the Founders Award and was represented there by his mother and sister along with Brian May from Queen.

Check out the Awards Listings for the full breakdown on categories and who was awarded them.

Roll on 2012 which we are sure will be bigger and better.

http://www.theasianawards.com/index.php

An extraordinary man – we salute you.

Wherever you are in the world, give support to Mandela Day.

Check out the video by Trenton and Free Radical (of Blackmangomusic),  a humble tribute to the man who led our country to freedom. A percentage of sales of this track go towards the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Conference Details and Registration see
http://www.gold.ac.uk/caribbean/comparativecriticalconversations/

‘Comparative Critical Conversations’ is an international 2-day conference to be held at Goldsmiths, University of London on 24th and 25th June 2011. It aims to reconfigure critical to the literature through comparative readings that take account of the nature of Caribbean literature and are interested to further understand the deep and complex relations between texts that derive from a culture variously described as mimetic, hybrid, fragmented, syncretic and so on.

Poet and author, M. NourbeSe Philip is a guest at the conference. NourbeSe will speak about connections, both personal and objective, between law and poetry and how these led her to the “un/writing” and (re) righting of ZONG!

Professor Joan Anim-Addo
Professor of Caribbean Literature and Culture
Centre for Caribbean Studies
Department of English and Comparative Literature
Goldsmiths, University of London
New Cross
London SE14 6NW
www.gold.ac.uk/caribbean

Hit the link above for full information.

DJ Krust aka K Thompson has been involved in the music business for over 20 years; 10 of those having performed at the highest level within the industry. DJ Krust is also co-founder and co-owner of one the most renowned and well respected independent record labels in the UK, Full Cycle. Full Cycle was responsible for introducing Drum & Bass to an international audience after its Mercury Prize winning release New Forms in 1997 and since then the label has upheld its reputation as a hotbed and nurturer of exciting new talent.

In addition to his work with Full Cycle and Reprazent, Krust has worked within the major label structure having been signed as a solo artist to Universal Music Group (Talking Loud) and Virgin (10 Records). He has also toured extensively throughout the world with various projects including Reprazent. Krust brings together all his experience and knowledge (both as an artist and as a record executive) to address:

• New ways of working in the music business
• A better understanding of what it means to be an artist in an ever-changing industry landscape.
• Tools tips and tricks to help you get ahead, skills to help you stand out from the crowd and the best methods to promote your music and message and get it out to the world.

The Power of Creativity

• How to use creativity in music.
• Creative tools; ideas and exercises to help you to create more music.
• Finding your voice and following your artistic vision.
• The role of imagination
• Mind mapping
• Creating a new operating system

Using Intuition

• What is it and how to identify it?
• How to use intuition to make music.

Building a Life Long Career

• How to release and promote your music.
• The ten rules of making music that stand the test of time.
• Concept building.
• Understanding your audience/fans and how to communicate with them.
• Merchandise, gigs and publishing.

Course Details
Date and Time: Saturday 21st May, 14.00pm – 17.00pm.
Location: The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, 56 East Street, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1BS. Map: HERE
Refreshments: Tea & Coffee, Please note that lunch isn’t provided.

Course Fee: This event is £10 to MusicLeader members and £20 to non-members
(Sign up and Join MusicLeader for FREE at www.musicleader.net)

To book your place:

Please contact Rachael Casoria for more information: rachael@rhythmixmusic.org.uk or 0801417484 (ext 1).

Web: www.rhythmixmusic.org.uk
Blog: www.rhythmixmusic.blogspot.com
MusicLeader South East: www.musicleader.net/south-east