Sunday

PHILIPPA TODAY!

My interview with writer Philippa Roberts, recorded at my home when a power-cut hit Stroud FM studios on Tuesday, will be going out TODAY AT 3 [Sunday February 28]...don't miss it! Philippa reads some of her distinctive poems, and also a cliff-hanger few pages from one of her short stories. 


For all budding writers, this is must-listen interview...Philippa is one of the few freelance writers who actually makes her living from her writing.
 

Philippa has published ebooks, short stories, poetry, reviews and journalism, at intervals, over a period of about 20 years. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, from children’s magazines, Horizon and Aquila, to Cadenza and Quality Womens’ Fiction. It has also appeared in a number of anthologies, including children’s poetry from OUP. Philippa edited print editions of Winter Jasmine, The Golden Glory has Fled and A Wartime Poetry Journal - books of poetry by her grandmother, Effie M.Roberts - for her own publishing company, Fractal Publishing. She is at present working on a script and a mystery novel.


Due to the power cut, this interview will be repeated at the next Art Lot Slot on March 9. So listen in to hear some great writing tips...
NEWS! NEWS!NEWS!

NEW WEBSITE: POET KEN HEAD
Check out poet Ken Head's new website. I met Ken [pictured left] a few years back at an unforgettable [there's a story there!] poetry workshop weekend in East Anglia...we've kept in touch ever since, and I read his latest collection a few Art Lots ago; check out his new website:

http://www.kenhead.co.uk/

This poem is typical of Ken's no-nonsense poetry:

from: Bedrock
From a safe distance, because our nervous
guide doesn't want to risk going closer,
we stare towards the beach through razor wire.
They use inner tubes or home-made oil-drum
rafts and this is where the current drives them.
If they're lucky and don't choose a moonless
night to cross, a patrol boat may find them
before the sharks. Some survive, but flotsam
and jetsam here are the stuff of nightmare.
Those who make it in one piece are sent back.
Amputees follow when they can travel.
Freedom gets more expensive every day.
  

SEE THIS PLAY!
Recent Art Lot guest theatre-man Chris Garner sends this:
‘The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley’ : Studio Theatre of The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham. 11-13th March.
"In the early part of the twentieth century, Constance Smedley was a celebrity: a successful artist, playwright, feminist journalist and author of numerous novels and children’s books. She founded the International Lyceum Club for Women, established its clubhouse in London, and oversaw the foundation of similar Lyceum Clubs all over Europe. A century later there are Lyceum Clubs worldwide.

"Constance Smedley lived in Minchinhampton during the five years leading up to the First World War. Together with her husband, the artist Maxwell Armfield, she organised theatrical and musical entertainments, set up a toymaking co-operative, opened a bookshop and organised a spectacular Pageant of Progress in Stroud, out of which grew the Cotswold Players. She also found time to write three novels as well as several plays which the Cotswold Players toured round villages in the Stroud valleys under her direction.

"Frank Hatt’s play is based on events in the remarkable life of this woman, made all the more remarkable by the fact that from childhood she battled with a disability that paralysed her from the waist down. Her achievements were indeed amazing; her behaviour was often preposterous.

"‘The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley’ tells the story of a slice of forgotten local history. But it also tells a bigger story: of a disabled woman with forty publications to her name, who contributed significantly to the women's movement, the international peace movement and the avant-garde theatre of the early twentieth century.

"Six of Frank Hatt’s previous plays have been performed professionally, mostly touring Gloucestershire and the south-west. They include ‘Walking to Whiteway’, ‘Not In My Back Yard’, ‘Surfing the Severn’ and ‘Against the Grain’.

"His interest in Constance Smedley was aroused when he was presented with a large bundle of Smedley family letters that a lady had rescued from a builders’ bonfire."

DON'T MISS IT!


News flash!
If you fancy an art workshop in the sun this summer, check out superb artist Helen Layfield ... www.helenlayfield.com

News flash!
This year I'm starting a charity of the month and I will give out details of that charity during the show ... so if you want to nominate your charity, and post a comment on this blog.

The first charity, of course -- for those who know me, will be The Encephalitis Society ... the charity very dear to my heart. Check it out on www.encephalitis.info.



Don't forget: if you have an event you'd like posted on The Art Lot Blog, then just add a 'Comment' and I'll post it asap!



Tune in! 107.9 locally, or from http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/ anyw

Monday

BLACKOUT DISASTER HITS STROUDFM STUDIO...Next 4-to-5 guest prolific writer Philippa Roberts; AND Alexander John's latest success; AND poet Ken Head's new website; AND Diamonds in the Rough exhibition; AND see-this play; AND MORE! Read on....

A power-cut hit Stroud High Street including our studio today, so my planned interview with Philippa Roberts has had to be rescheduled. Luckily, Philippa agreed to record the interview at my home on a mobile recorder...so the repeat next Sunday at 3pm will go ahead...assuming the electric is back on!
 

Philippa is a professional writer from the UK who has published ebooks, short stories, poetry, reviews and journalism, at intervals, over a period of about twenty years. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, from children’s magazines, Horizon and Aquila, to Cadenza and Quality Womens’ Fiction. It has also appeared in a number of anthologies, including children’s poetry from OUP. Philippa edited print editions of Winter Jasmine, The Golden Glory has Fled and A Wartime Poetry Journal - books of poetry by her grandmother, Effie M.Roberts - for her own publishing company, Fractal Publishing. She is at present working on a script and a mystery novel.


So listen in 3-4 on Sunday February 28 to hear some great writing tips...
NEWS! NEWS!NEWS!
You heard him first on The ART LOT SLOT...

Alexander John, 26, brilliant blues guitarist and singer-songwriter, who was my featured guest a while back now, has been selected to go through to the Regional Finals of ‘Live and Unsigned’ the biggest UK competition for unsigned and original artists and bands.

The Gloucestershire auditions had over 200 acts: Alexander now has an event page called 'Doin it For The Blues' @ Live and Unsigned to help support him through to the regional finals.
VOTE FOR THE MAN – HE’S BRILLIANT!
A ticket gives one vote to Alexander John and one vote to another act that deserves to go through. As far as is known, Alexander is likely to be the only act from Gloucestershire selected.
Tickets are only £7.50 for a great evening of music and the chance to support this great, young player. Alexander is offering a free promo album to the first 25 who buy!

To buy please contact 07815560411 info@alexanderjohn.com or by linking to his Facebook page

http://www.alexanderjohn.com/

NEW WEBSITE: POET KEN HEAD
Check out poet Ken Head's new website. I met Ken [pictured left] a few years back at an unforgettable [there's a story there!] poetry workshop weekend in East Anglia...we've kept in touch ever since, and I read his latest collection a few Art Lots ago; check out his new website:

http://www.kenhead.co.uk/

This poem is typical of Ken's no-nonsense poetry:

from: Bedrock
From a safe distance, because our nervous
guide doesn't want to risk going closer,
we stare towards the beach through razor wire.
They use inner tubes or home-made oil-drum
rafts and this is where the current drives them.
If they're lucky and don't choose a moonless
night to cross, a patrol boat may find them
before the sharks. Some survive, but flotsam
and jetsam here are the stuff of nightmare.
Those who make it in one piece are sent back.
Amputees follow when they can travel.
Freedom gets more expensive every day.
  
SEVEN ARTISTS...

Diamonds in the Rough is an exhibition of contemporary art from seven emerging London-based artists curated by James Early in association with Stroud Valley Artspace.  Here's what James says:

"I would like to introduce you to the work of seven of my favourite artists recruited from shows I have visited in London, and whose careers I have watched develop and in some cases flourish.  I have chosen artists whom I believe show great promise and potential and are articulate voices of contemporary art now. "

The show is open Saturday 20th to 27th February excluding Monday 22nd, 10-6,:Stroud House, formerly Stroud House Gallery, Station Road, Stroud, GL5 3AP.

James Early was born in Sheepscombe and now lives and works in London. He graduated from Chelsea College of Art in 2008. 

SEE THIS PLAY!
Recent Art Lot guest theatre-man Chris Garner sends this:
‘The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley’ : Studio Theatre of The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham. 11-13th March.
"In the early part of the twentieth century, Constance Smedley was a celebrity: a successful artist, playwright, feminist journalist and author of numerous novels and children’s books. She founded the International Lyceum Club for Women, established its clubhouse in London, and oversaw the foundation of similar Lyceum Clubs all over Europe. A century later there are Lyceum Clubs worldwide.

"Constance Smedley lived in Minchinhampton during the five years leading up to the First World War. Together with her husband, the artist Maxwell Armfield, she organised theatrical and musical entertainments, set up a toymaking co-operative, opened a bookshop and organised a spectacular Pageant of Progress in Stroud, out of which grew the Cotswold Players. She also found time to write three novels as well as several plays which the Cotswold Players toured round villages in the Stroud valleys under her direction.

"Frank Hatt’s play is based on events in the remarkable life of this woman, made all the more remarkable by the fact that from childhood she battled with a disability that paralysed her from the waist down. Her achievements were indeed amazing; her behaviour was often preposterous.

"‘The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley’ tells the story of a slice of forgotten local history. But it also tells a bigger story: of a disabled woman with forty publications to her name, who contributed significantly to the women's movement, the international peace movement and the avant-garde theatre of the early twentieth century.

"Six of Frank Hatt’s previous plays have been performed professionally, mostly touring Gloucestershire and the south-west. They include ‘Walking to Whiteway’, ‘Not In My Back Yard’, ‘Surfing the Severn’ and ‘Against the Grain’.

"His interest in Constance Smedley was aroused when he was presented with a large bundle of Smedley family letters that a lady had rescued from a builders’ bonfire."

DON'T MISS IT!


News flash!
If you fancy an art workshop in the sun this summer, check out superb artist Helen Layfield ... www.helenlayfield.com

News flash!
This year I'm starting a charity of the month and I will give out details of that charity during the show ... so if you want to nominate your charity, and post a comment on this blog.

The first charity, of course -- for those who know me, will be The Encephalitis Society ... the charity very dear to my heart. Check it out on www.encephalitis.info.




Don't forget: if you have an event you'd like posted on The Art Lot Blog, then just add a 'Comment' and I'll post it asap!



Tune in! 107.9 locally, or from http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/ anywhere in the world

Thursday

Artist of the gods...

Terry Cripps' interview repeat tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow...Sunday February 14...did you catch his exhibition at The Space this week? Brilliant! He showed paintings from his latest book ‘Erik, the lost god of Crete‘...a tale about a god left abandoned on Crete.The story is inspired by the view across the olive groves at Zakros on the eastern coast of Crete and the reading of Robert Graves’ book on Greek myths and legends.

At the exhibition, he told me about a strange coincidence which links his work to ancient Crete...so tune in on Tuesday and hear more!

By the way, that's me above...taken by my elder daughter, Lucie... she's a great photographer!


News flash!
If you fancy an art workshop in the sun this summer, check out superb artist Helen Layfield ... www.helenlayfield.com

News flash!
This year I'm starting a charity of the month and I will give out details of that charity during the show ... so if you want to nominate your charity, and post a comment on this blog.

This also means I won't have time to read a what's-on, so again, just post to your what's-on on the blog as a comment and I will make it live just as soon as I can. Pass the word around. Please!

The first charity, of course -- for those who know me, will be The Encephalitis Society ... the charity very dear to my heart. Check it out on www.encephalitis.info.

News flash

Alexander John Blues News Update 2010
Year has begun positiviely for young Alexander John [of Art Lot Guest fame] the slide blues guitarist, singer songwriter and the SeaSick Steve of Gloucestershire.

He has been playing loads of  local gigs already...more studio appearances are set for radio stations across Gloucestershire and the UK...including second guest appearance and performance with his shiny resonator guitar on the Art Lot ...keep blogging and I'll get that date here asap!

Gig listings include more performances in Gloucester and Cheltenham, Stroud and even interest as far afield as the Shetland Isles for a Blues podcast and possibly the Shetland Blues Festival!

The FarmFestival at Myspace http://www.myspace.com/farmfestival brings good news of a thoroughly decent festi possibly wanting the smoky vocal and sexy blues slide of Alexander John.

Wychwood, Two thousand Trees are also festival possibilities, along with some fab blues venues and fesitvals in London - Green Note, The Lexington, Dingwalls and The Blues Kitchen Festival of Rhythm and Blues to name a few.

ALEXANDER JOHN ALBUM 'MUDDY WATERS CD REVIEW - ANNOUNCING!
Blues Matters Magazine are set to review Alexander John's CD 'Muddy Waters' ...issue 54 (April)

CD is Available NOW to buy at the website http://www.alexanderjohn.com/

LIVE AND UNSIGNED AUDITION!
Alexander John has also got an audtiion for Live and Unsigned in Gloucestershire! Check out the Live and Unsigned profile at Myspace for more info and follow Alex and show your support at Myspace Twitter and also at Facebook
http://www.myspace.com/alexanderjohnblues
http://twitter.com/Alexander_John
http://www.facebook.com/people/Alexander-John/100000279641914



Listen in...4 to 5! 107.9 locally, or from anywhere in the world http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/
Repeated the following Sunday at 3pm!


WOT's ON?
Check out:
1.
CREATING HEALTH with CONSCIOUS BREATHING
Fri 19-Sun 21 February 2010 at Hawkwood College, Stroud
Dr David Beales FRCP MRCGP
Jonathan Nunn DO
In a new collaboration, the tutors bring together leading edge holistic medical
thinking with both ancient and contemporary psycho-spiritual thought
and practice.Learn how to create and appreciate conscious breathing patterns aided in
part by new biofeedback capnography. Coupled to mindfulness, a compelling,
simple and effective approach is created.
01453 759034
http://www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk/

Don't forget: if you have an event you'd like posted on The Art Lot Blog, then just add a 'Comment' and I'll post it asap!



Tune in! 107.9 locally, or from http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/ anywhere in the world!