What’s on TODAY – Saturday 12th June

By Miranda on June 11, 2010

Today is SUPER SATURDAY!

It is the busiest day of the Festival with all four sections operating. Here’s the low down for what’s on in each area:

ART – the Exhibition opens at 9am on the Ground Floor of the Civic Centre. The Exhibition will end at 5.30pm and awards will be presented at 6.00pm. Collection of artwork will follow at 6.30pm. Please remember to bring your tickets so that we can be certain the correct artwork is paired with the correct artist!

CREATIVE WRITING – this is taking place in the Upper Room at the Memorial Hall. It runs between 12 noon and 1.30pm.

SPEECH AND DRAMA – performances start at 9.30am and run until approximately 5.00pm. Performances on show will include Verse Speaking, Duologue Acting, Solo Acting, Shakespeare Acting, Group Acting, TV News Reading, Solo Mime, Logical Grumbling, Prepared Reading, Memorised Prose, Duologue Mime, Bible Reading and Public Speaking.

MUSIC – continues in the Memorial Hall starting at 9.30am with Ensemble followed by Woodwind, Piano Duet, Family Groups, Piano Solos, Jazz, Strings and Brass. The last class of the day is Piano Solos which starts at 8.15pm.

REFRESHMENTS – will be on sale from 9am through to 4pm on the Ground Floor of the Civic Centre so pop by for your lunch or afternoon tea we will have filled rolls, tea, coffee, soft drinks, crisps, sweets, biscuits and HOME MADE CAKES.

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Categories: Art, Creative Writing, Festival LIVE, Music, Photography, Speech and Drama

What’s on TODAY – Friday 11th June

By Miranda on June 11, 2010

Starting at 6.00pm in the Memorial Hall we have an evening of Piano Solos, at least 36 of them, at grades up to and including grade 2.

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Categories: Festival LIVE, Music

What’s On TODAY

By Miranda on June 10, 2010

For those thinking about coming along to the Festival in the afternoon on Thursday 10th June you will have a chance to see:

  • Pre-School Groups
  • Primary Age Choirs
  • Secondary Age Choirs
  • Folk Songs for 7-10 years
  • Songs from Operetta, Shows and Films for 7-10 years
  • Folk Songs for 11-13 years
  • Songs from Operetta, Shows and Films for 11-13 years

Then in the evening the classes include:

  • Sacred and Spiritual Songs
  • Folk Songs
  • Duets
  • Songs from Operetta, Shows and Films
  • Adult Vocal Groups and Adult Choirs
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Categories: Festival LIVE, Music

What’s On at the Wootton Bassett Arts Festival

By Miranda on June 8, 2010

With only two days to go until the Festival begins we thought it would be helpful to give you a guide to “What’s On” to help you decide what performances you would like to visit.

The Festival Begins…

On Thursday at 1.00pm the Festival opens in St Bartholomew and All Saints Church on Wootton Bassett High Street. Thursday afternoon starts with Pre-School and Junior Choirs and moves on to a variety of other Junior Vocal classes. The evening session continues at the church at 6.00pm with Secondary age Vocal Classes, Adult Vocal Classes, Adult Choirs and Vocal Groups. The evening is expected to finish at approximately 9.00pm.

A Plethora of Piano Solos

Friday evening is dedicated to young pianists studying Piano at grades Preliminary, 1 and 2 and takes place in the Memorial Hall on Station Road.

Super Saturday!

Saturday morning starts early… At 9.00am the doors will be open at the Civic Centre ready for the Verse Speaking classes on the 1st floor and TV News Reading in the Mayor’s Parlour both of which start at 9.30am. On the ground floor of the Civic Centre  REFRESHMENTS will be on sale and you can view the ART EXHIBITION throughout the day. All art entries will be adjudicated at 6.00pm at which point awards will be presented. During the rest of the morning you can watch Duologue Acting, Solo Acting, Solo Mime, Duologue Mime, Memorised Prose, Prepared Prose Reading and “Logical Grumbling”. Followed in the afternoon by more Solo Acting, Verse Speaking, Prepared Prose Reading, Bible Reading, Solo Shakespeare Acting, Group Acting and Public Speaking.

Meanwhile, at the Memorial Hall the day starts at 9.30am with Ensembles followed by Piano Duets, Woodwind, Family Groups, Jazz and Piano Solos. Between 12 noon and 1.30pm Creative Writing will be adjudicated in the Upper Room and Music continues from 2.15pm onwards with Woodwind, Strings, Brass and Jazz. Music starts again for an evening session of Piano Solos beginning at 6.30pm.

Spectacular Sunday

Jazz Piano kicks-off Sunday morning bright and early in the Memorial Hall at 9.00am with Piano Solos taking up the rest of the morning. In the afternoon you can enjoy the Harp followed by Strings, Woodwind, Modern Pop Songs, Songs from Operetta, Shows and Films and finally some classic Disney tunes.

Speech and Drama moves to Noremarsh School on Sunday where you can enjoy Choral Speaking, Group Acting, Duologue Acting, Verse Speaking, Solo Acting and Solo Mime.

The Highlights Concert – The Best of the Best

The whole Festival culminates on Sunday evening at 6.30pm with the Highlights Concert where the most outstanding performers of the Festival are invited to perform their work before the Mayor of Wootton Bassett in the Memorial Hall. This is a thrilling evening of exceptional talent so do try to join us on the night. Admission is free though donations are welcomed to support the Committee’s efforts to stage the Festival in future years. Seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis and are limited by the capacity of the hall.

Programmes are ON SALE NOW (£2.50) at Brian Taylor Music, Wootton Bassett High Street, giving full details of all performances or can be bought during the Festival on the door…

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Categories: Art, Creative Writing, Highlights Concert, Music, Speech and Drama

Guest Blog Swindon Festival of Literature – Getting controversial with Daljit Nagra

By Miranda on May 28, 2010

“Push the boundaries, challenge yourself about difficult issues. Try not to be twee.” These were some of the first few words of advice and encouragement that poet, Daljit Nagra, gave to us during the writing workshop on the Swindon Festival of Literature’s finale. And what good advice. How many of us are guilty of only writing in our comfort zone; not willing to explore further through fear of what it would make us socially or politically?

The workshop began in earnest when about 20 writers – ranging from practising writers to a lady who confessed that she hadn’t written since her school days – sat down to a wholesome lunch. This was followed by tea, a slice of lemon cake and those all important introductions. With the workshop soon underway, Daljit explained that the theme of the afternoon was ‘controversial context’, and made us consider that within art there is also controversy, whether it is subtle or outright crude.

To help us engage, Daljit’s first exercise was for us to jot down what made us angry. And interestingly, being predominantly a prose writer, I found myself trying out poetry by the second exercise. The workshop was experimentary; we discussed pieces of poetry – some of which we found shocking, and there were interesting discussions to follow.

By the end of the day we each had to read out an extract – daunting, yes, but it was fascinating to hear some pretty impressive work which was already taking shape from some of the members of the group. And of course Daljit posed some more interesting questions, some of which I hope will make me think not only about what I’m writing, but how I’m writing it. And what, if at all, am I debating about in my work.

Julie Venis for the Swindon Festival of Literature

Find out more about the Swindon Literature of Festival here:

http://www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk/

http://twitter.com/literaturejenn

literaturejenn@yahoo.co.uk

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Categories: Creative Writing, Guest Blog

TV News Reading Script 14 years and under

By Miranda on May 25, 2010

For all those who have entered Wootton Bassett Arts Festival’s TV News Reading class for 14 years and under here is the script.

W.B.A.F.

CLASS SD38

TELEVISION NEWS READING

14 years and under

Total Time Limit : 3 minutes max.

Saturday 12th June 9.30am The Mayor’s Parlour

(Please introduce yourself and commence the news in your own way. ie:  “Good Morning, this is ………….(NAME) bringing you the latest news from the Wootton Bassett Studios” – you may if you wish add the Headlines in your own words if you would like to –  then read the following)

The Unite Union has made a last-minute offer to call off the latest British Airways strike if the airline reinstates travel perks for cabin crew.  The offer was delivered by Unite Joint Secretary, Tony Woodley, who added that the union wanted fresh talks with B.A.   However, B.A. said it had already offered to reinstate travel concessions once its deal had been accepted in full, and that it had agreed to more talks.  The five day walkout by Unite cabin crew is due to begin at midnight.

Iran’s intelligence minister has called on Washington to propose a prisoner swap to secure the release of three U.S. citizens arrested last July near the Iraq border. Heydar Moslehi said he had no doubt they were spies. Shane Bauer, 27, Sarah Shourd 31, and Josh Fattal 27, have been charged with espionage.  Their families said they were hiking and strayed over the border accidentally. Tehran allowed the mothers of the three detainees to meet them last week, but ignored repeated pleas for their release.

Organisers of this year’s Hay Festival have launched a search for a new kind of poetry – the most beautiful tweet ever tweeted.  It will be judged by comedian Stephen Fry, a long standing member of the Twitterati whose musings on the site attract 1.5m followers.  Entrants can submit their own tweets – messages no longer than 140 characters – or nominate other tweeters.

(2 minutes 30 seconds)

And news just in ….

(Please add a SHORT statement of news which you can invent yourself and sign off in your own way – this may involve the sport or weather – remember to observe the Total Time Limit)

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Categories: Speech and Drama

TV News Reading Script for 11 years and under

By Miranda on May 25, 2010

For all those who have entered the Wootton Bassett Arts Festival’s TV News Reading for 11 years and under here is the script.

W.B.A.F.

CLASS SD37

TELEVISION NEWS READING

11 years and under

Total Time Limit : 2 minutes max.

Saturday 12th June 12.05am Civic Centre 2nd Floor

(Please introduce yourself and commence the news in your own way. ie:  “Good Morning, this is ………….(NAME) bringing you the latest news from the Wootton Bassett Studios” – you may if you wish add the Headlines in your own words if you would like to –  then read the following)

The Government is to spell out where it will cut £6bn in spending this year, saying immediate action is needed to start rectifying the U.K’s finances.  Conservative Chancellor George Osborne and his Lib Dem deputy David Laws will outline cuts across all departments.  Ministers admit the cuts will be painful, and Labour say they are a step too far.

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show will provide a spectacular display despite designers having to deal with recent frosts, organisers have said.  There had been concerns that flowers might be in short supply after Europe’s coldest winter in more than 30 years. Around 600 exhibitors will unveil their creations with a garden created by prison inmates vying for top honours.  More than 150,000 people are expected over the next five days.

(1 minute 30 seconds)

(Please add a short news-script on EITHER the WEATHER or the

SPORT and sign off in your own way – remember to observe the Total Time Limit)

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Categories: Speech and Drama

Guest Blog Pulsar “Live-Microphone” Performance Poetry Evening

By Miranda on May 17, 2010

Pulsar ‘Live-microphone’ Performance Poetry Evening, at The White Hart, High Street, Wroughton, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN4 9JX.  From 8.00 pm until closing time on Thursday, 10th June, 2010.  Telephone number for The White Hart is 01793-812436

The evening will be held in the pub function room, a separate room from the main bar area. There will be a small charge of £1.00 per person, to help cover costs.  The pub has ample free parking. Wroughton is approximately 3 miles from Swindon, A4361.

You may relax, listen or better still, read your own poems, (or poems of choice), to a partisan and non-competitive audience.  You may also, if you wish, play your own guitar for accompaniment, (although the emphasis is on poetry).

The event will be covered / reviewed by Pulsar Poetry Webzine, with photographs etc.  Reviews and photographs will be featured on our web site, see below.  The evening will be a celebration of poetry and will include ‘live’ contributions from local, (and not so local), published poets.  We will also film the event for posting to YouTube, (with participants’ permission).  To view videos and photographs of poets performing at previous Pulsar events you could visit the Pulsar Poetry Webzine Photo Gallery via the following link http://www.pulsarpoetry.com/Pulsar_photo_gallery.htm and click on the links to You Tube.

To express interest and gain information about the event please phone 01793 875941 or e-mail: puls...@btopenworld.com or view Pulsar Poetry Webzine: www.pulsarpoetry.com

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Categories: Creative Writing, Guest Blog

Guest Blog Janice Thompson Performance Trust – Dido and Aenaes Review

By Miranda on May 17, 2010

The Janice Thompson Performance Trust presented Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, at St Barnabas Church, Swindon, on Sunday evening, 25th April 2010.

With a cast of fifty talented young people this short tragic opera opened with lyrical, mellow singing between Belinda sung by Polly Leech and Stephanie Walsh as Dido. Supported by disciplined choral singing the sad tale was told both musically and visually under the skilful direction of Matt Fox and Janice Thompson.

The young cupids’ chorus with their wings and flowers sang sweetly and were well choreographed, supporting an outstanding Cupid, Becci Smith.

As usual there was an able group of young men singing, with David Philips, as Aeneas, giving a fine performance.  All the soloists were well cast with Flora Thompson and Catherine Welch particularly stunning as witches.

This was a most enjoyable production and can been seen again on Saturday 3 July when it will be included in the Janice Thompson Performance Trust’s Gala Concert at the Wyvern.

By Mirian Sirrelle

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Categories: Guest Blog, Music

Guest Blog Swindon Festival of Literature – Investigating MC Beaton

By Miranda on May 17, 2010

The Swindon Festival of Literature featured a creator of detectives on 11 May at the Central Library.

The author of the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth mystery series, as well as more than 100 historic romantic novels under various pseudonyms, charmed the audience instantly with her stories and amusing anecdotes.

Born and raised in Glasgow, and having lived in London, the United States of America, the Highlands of Scotland, and now sharing her time between the Cotswolds and Paris, the 74-year-old has travelled a fair bit, perhaps allowing her inspiration for her many novels to ever increase.

Her love of reading was clear, as she explained that she was a part of the reading generation, a great escape pre-TV.

She is clearly not the “moron of the family” as she was once described by her mother, creating characters that have touched the hearts of people worldwide. Moving from journalism into novels, she claims the transition was easy – “You just report what’s in your head”. Her first effort was a Regency novel, written after reading one and thinking that she could do better.

However she claims to have “no literary ambitions” and just wanted to plug a gap in the market at the time for something between Mills and Boon and the Booker Prize.

No one could fail to be drawn in by this warm, interesting woman, and I look forward to seeing if this is matched in The Agatha Raisin companion and Busy Body which will be released in October this year.

By Jennifer Ockwell, Swindon Festival of Literature

Find out more about the Swindon Literature of Festival here:

http://www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk/

http://twitter.com/literaturejenn

literaturejenn@yahoo.co.uk

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Categories: Creative Writing, Guest Blog
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