Sound Bites: Music Store
is a new style of music shop, created by local singer/songwriter and ex BlueJam participant, Christopher Nelson. Although the store will stock some mainstream CDs, Sound Bites will be largely orientated to acoustic, indie, rock and metal genres - genres that are often felt to be neglected in other music shops.
However, Sound Bites is much more than a commercial record store; the shop will feature a wide range of musical related items such as t-shirts, giftware including bracelets, necklaces, posters, badges and stickers. Instrument accessories ranging from strings, guitar picks, drumsticks to many other items that will also be available to purchase in the store.
What makes Sound Bites unique however, is the focus brought to independent, local and up-and-coming musicians that rarely get the much needed recognition they deserve. New music in this area will be available to the public on a listening station in-store, which will feature the top ten local and up-and-coming artists to watch out for. Their CDs and EPs will then be available to buy first hand inside if you like what you hear! Details of these artists and much more are available on the Sound Bites Facebook page, keeping up-to-date with the music scene in Cumbria and the UK.
www.facebook.com/soundbitesmusic
Fusion Cafe Acoustic Nights
Anne Clayton is running regular acoustic music nights at her cafe in Brougham Hall, Penrith. The cafe is a small welcoming venue which provides amazing food.
Anne has had many successful sessions already, featuring her daughter Fiona Clayton, Paul Harrison, Tom Macmillan and Rory Connor and the amazing Catherine Ashcroft.
As a musician herself and in fact one of the original tutors at BlueJam (Jam stands for Jilly, Anne and Mike) Anne is a passionate supporter of live music and has organised the evenings so that food and music take equal importance and everyone can listen to the two sets of music between courses.
To book a seat, phone the cafe on 01768 867888.
In 2011 more gigs to come: Sarah Wallcook, Geoff Bartholomew & Jilly Jarman - trio performing a mix of classical art song, modern jazz and things that happen in the space between. November 11th 7.30pm
Anne also runs a gospel-based choir on Monday evenings open to anyone who wants to sing.
Visual Arts
Jess Mills has joined BlueJam's team of leaders and artists and was an instant hit at the Tuesday session in the foyer on January 12th 2010 with her recycled box shadow puppet theatre. Working with Cameron on piano, Rueben on vocals and Jake on drum, they worked out a short show in 20 minutes using the puppets Jess had brought with her. Look out for more storylines emerging as the idea takes off.
Calthwaite Project
Dawn Hurton organised a successful community mapping project in Calthwaite based on the Monopoly theme.
The image shows the silver play pieces which represent symbols of life in the village. There are 7 banners depicting a ‘community chest’ of village treasure hanging inside the church which is open in the day for viewing.
Outside is Calthwaite’s ‘Mr Monopoly’ a wire sculpture searching to unearth what is important about the place and people.
Other projects are working with video, Polaroid and mosaic.
As a finale all the artwork, sculpture and the video was displayed in the Church. There were also games on the football field using pink spacehoppers and BlueJam brought its Music Machine along and gave samba workshops throughout the afternoon. In the evening Jen and Mouse and Jilly performed classical and jazz music in the Church. Funded by Awards For All.
Dawn is now working in Carlisle and organising more great projects.