Cultural Quarter. Leicester. Podcasts

By hook or by crook, we’ll always get the CQ team where they need to be!

And after a hellish M1 journey, all 3 of us piled into Nicky ’absolute saint’ Docherty’s car and she drove us to Earl Shilton. A small town just 5 miles from Leicester and home to William Bradford Community College.

Inside the college’s sports hall, 20 odd fearless girls skate until there hearts content every Tuesday to practice.

We were welcomed with open arms and we’d like to think into the family of Dolly Rockits, if for only 60 mins.

We watched aghast as they weaved in and out of their skating lines and in some cases pushed their fellow ‘Rockits’ out the way!

Mikey got his camera out (small pun intended!) and snapped away at the very fast paced skaters. He also filmed some of the action. SO watch this SPACE!!

I (Becky) spoke to both ‘Nitro Noush’ and ‘Vi O’lence’ whilst Harriet recorded.

All of this is in our up coming podcast. So keep an eye out for the link.

A MASSIVE THANK YOU, to the Dolly Rockit Rollers, we simply adored you guys. And if we can persuade her, Harriet will be attending your InTake.

INTAKE: 6th Feburary 2011

They are held from 11.30am-1.30pm at Parklands Leisure Centre, Oadby, LE2 5QG. Each two hour session costs £5 including your skate hire.

Bout (Competition): 5th Feburary 2011

It’s the Dolly’s 1st birthday!! 

They’re taking on ‘Romsey Town Rollerbillies’ 

At  Parklands Leisure Centre, Oadby, LE2 5QG.

Check out http://www.dollyrockitrollers.co.uk/ for more info.

‘The Black and White One’ - Above.

On January 22nd 2011 , CQ-ers Harriet Mahase and Mikey Rollins strode down to the Phoenix Sq for the Docfilm Festival to see what all the fuss was about.

I’m dutily informed that upon entrance the two culture finders found the room was filled with friendly film fanatics, families and filthy laughs .. you know who you are.

Mikey is quoted as saying : ‘That man there has a presence, it’s his hair’ … That man was Mr Citizenseye, John Coster.

He is featured in our podcast. (Shameless Plug)

Harriet and Mikey were encouraged to watch some of the documentaries and throughly enjoyed the 24 hour doc and ‘the black and white one’ …. do you get the feeling some drinks were consumed here .. me too!

Anyway .. a great time was had by both. Bring on the next event (below).

CQ’s Mikey Rollins went to check out the goings on at the Phoenix Arts Centre which was the setting for a showcase of live music, visual art and a very hush-hush exhibition called ‘Secret Sounds’.

The lively and warm atmosphere was worlds apart from the cold and solitary streets surrounding the building. Filled inside was a patiently excited audience, waiting for the nights proceedings to begin. Large visual displays projected behind two live performance areas, where all eyes redirected as Cpulse Director, Rob Weale took to the stage. As a gesture of Christmas cheer an offering of mince pies and mulled wine were announced before introducing the live performers.

One man musical assailant ‘Plutonic Pleasure’ aka Dean Sharman showcased music from his newly released Inception EP. Armed with a ‘Apple’ MacBook, keyboard and trigger pads he orchestrated a transformational electro-musical journey. Taking influences from simple piano chords and chopped breakbeats he brought metallic sounds into fluid construct.

In a word, Mikey found it “Impressive”.

Now… this Secret Sounds’ thing. 1 big room, a hidden corner, pencils & paper, a pile of shredded paper, a shredder and some interesting sounds. DMU student and composer Adam Chetty spoke to Mikey about what it was all about.

Listen to the interview with Adam and sample the evenings events look out for our Podcast- COMING SOON!

(Source: phoenix.org.uk)

CQ’s Gaze and Mahase got dolled up and jumped in a cab ready for the Curve’s production of The King and I.

And what a fantastic production it was …

The Curve have created the perfect Christmas treat for both young and old with the delicious set design and a show that will leave you feeling all warm inside despite the cold weather.

A little birdy tells me they’ve just added extra tickets … so get yourself down to the cultural quarter for a festive treat!

Book Online Here.

You can hear more about ‘The King and I’ on our podcast - COMING SOON!

@LoloPants - aka Laura Hadland, Senior Curator - History - Leicester City Council.

Two members of the Cultural Quarter team, Rebecca Gazeley and Harriet Mahase contacted Laura via twitter to arrange a meeting.

So one wintry afternoon, we snuck out of lectures and grabbed a coffee with the more recently infamous Mrs Hadland, for a chat over Coffee.

Laura has recently hit the headlines with her toast and blu-ray mosaics (has seen in picture above)  … Daily Mail Article

But it was her work with the Laurel Aitken Exhibition at New Walk Museum, Leicester that we were interested in …

We loved Laura, she was great fun and had lots of great tips for us.

To listen to the interview with Laura … please keep your eyes peeled for our Podcast - COMING SOON!

Ska With Laurel
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery
2nd October 2010 – 8th May 2011 
Free Admission

The CQ team galloped up New Walk, Leicester in search of some more information about Laurel Aitken.

Laurel Aitken was a Ska artist selling records during the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s and who seems to have settled in Leicester for some 30 years with his wife.

The New Walk Museum, Leicester are currently holding an exhibition in his honour, the exhibit contains some of Laurels clothes and other personal belongings.

The back wall of the exhibit is lit up with a video of Laurel performing.

There is plenty to read and an handheld audio player with more information available to you.

WELL WORTH A LOOK.

An interview with the curator of this exhibit is in the  podcast - Coming Soon