The People’s Art Fair (PAF) in Bristol is a ten day long cultural festival providing a platform for visual artists, poets, musicians and workshop leaders to show off their talents. And includes Ujima’s very own Mike Stuart who designed this fantastic new Ujima website. PAF is kept free for artists to take part in, and all ticketed events apply the principle ‘no one turned away through lack of funds’. PAF is a natural extension of our work to break down barriers and increase inclusion and voice, and is a direct challenge to the exclusionary idea that ‘real art’ is exclusive and only created by, and relevant to a small cultured, wealthy elite. PAF promotes creative cultural practice as an essential tool for people to challenge or highlight social injustice and to galvanise change.
Throughout the fair we collaborate with local social-minded creatives to offer workshops; a poetry open mic; and a music jam session, inviting everyone to share and celebrate their talents during the fair. The net result is a visually diverse and culturally rich event featuring hundreds of artworks from over 70 artists; and the emergence of a confident, mutually supportive creative community that is joyful to be part of.
For more information visit: https://prsc.org.uk/peoples-art-fair/
Ad Infinitum presents If You Fall – showing at Bristol Old Vic from5th April – 15th April 2023.
If You Fall – A moving and uplifting exploration of end-of-life care based on real personal testimonies. Directed by Helena Middleton and conceived and original direction by Nir Paldi.
The care system in the UK today remains under-resourced, resulting in older people, their families and carers struggling to approach end of life care with dignity; If You Fall aims to highlight the real people this affects using an intergenerational ensemble, a capella singing and the company’s signature style of physical theatre.
“Riveting in its tension and tragedy…feels enormous and epic” ««««The Guardian (on Beautiful Evil Things)
Based on extensive interviews and using an intergenerational ensemble and a capella singing, Ad Infinitum’s new show explores the deeply human and real-life stories of older people’s care in all its complexities in the company’s signature style of physical theatre. The care system in the UK today remains under-resourced, resulting in older people, their families and carers struggling to approach end of life care with dignity; If You Fall aims to highlight the real people this affects. Through the characterization of Margaret and Norson, the show paints a vibrant and humorous picture of the lives they have lived and the richness of their world. The ensemble’s a cappella vocals and physical movement evokes the disorientation and the relentless feeling of inevitability that comes with end-of-life, allowing the audience to reflect on a care system that is breaking at the seams.
Before and during the pandemic, Ad Infinitum conducted extensive research and interviews with care providers and care users in Bristol and the UK to produce a two-season podcast, Home from Home: Journeys into Care for Older Adults, available online here. If You Fall is a continuation of their exploration of how we look after our older adults.
Margaret is a pillar of her local community. Norson is a brilliant cook. He loves cricket and fishing. She loves singing and her lavender plants. They’re both surrounded by loving families. Their lives are full… So what happens when you lose your independence, your voice, your mind – the essence of what makes you, you?
Director Helena Middleton said “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Ad Infinitum, a company whose work I’ve admired for many years. It means so much to be directing a show about a subject that affects people across all areas of society”.
Ad Infinitum is a multi-award-winning, internationally acclaimed theatre company. They collaborate to tell stories, play and disrupt. They work with artists, activists and communities to create transformative theatre, revolutionise audiences and change the world. Founded in 2007, Ad Infinitum is based in Bristol and works internationally. Ad Infinitum is proud to be Associate Artist at Bristol Old Vic and The North Wall, and a member of the Cultural Governance Alliance (CGA).
Helena Middleton is an award-winning theatre and film director and founding member of The Wardrobe Ensemble, a theatre company committed to making devised, ensemble-based theatre. She has dedicated the past 12 years to making theatre for all ages with a particular focus on devised work and new writing. Helena’s theatre directing credits include, Mog the Forgetful Cat (Royal and Derngate, The Old Vic), Robin Hood: Legend of the Forgotten Forest (Bristol Old Vic), Education, Education, Education (Royal and Derngate, Trafalgar Studios, winner of The Stage Award for Acting Excellence), The Star Seekers (National Theatre) and Pippi Longstocking (Royal and Derngate). She has also worked as dramaturg, associate and assistant director on various productions, including Hey Duggee (Olivier Award nominated), The Live Theatre Show (Royal Festival Hall), and Witness for the Prosecution.
Running Time: 75 mins | Suitable for ages 12+BSL-integrated and captioned performances available at Bristol Old Vic, The North Wall, HOME Manchester and Northern Stage
Company information:
Directed by Helena Middleton Conceived and Original Direction by Nir Paldi.
Set and costume design by Katie Sykes Lighting design by Ali Hunter. Sound design and composed by Jack Drewry. Movement direction by Deb Pugh. Production manager Gemma Brooks. Assistant directed by Grace Dobson. Devising input from Jonathan Hawkins. BSL Interpreter Amy Astley. BSL Consultant David Ellington
Devising Company and Cast:
Clive Duncan, Elisabeth Gunawan, Jabari Ngozi, Kirris Riviere, Heather Williams and Robin Paley Yorke
5 – 15 April – Bristol Old Vic, Bristol, King Street, Bristol, BS1 4ED
Tues – Fri 8pm, Sat 3pm & 8pm | £12 – £8
13 & 15 Apr (3pm) BSL-integrated and captioned performances.
From April, one of Ujima’s longest standing shows returns to the airwaves.
We are so excited to welcome back Code of the Streets to the Ujima airwaves.
From Saturday 8th April between 8-10pm, check out Bristol’s legendary DJ Style in the mix with the hottest Hip Hop – RnB – Afrobeats & Dancehall & live interviews.
Plus once a month check out the Classic Old School Mix.
Shaq has been at Supertonic, the coolest Barbers in St Paul’s, Bristol for over 6 years. Sharpening his skills after school and on Saturdays, Shaq has built up a tasty following on Tik Tok with over 500 million Likes, this Bristol Barber is set for success!
Shaq has always wanted to be a barber, and started cutting hair at just 10 years old. His first trim was his dad, and he went from there. His proud dad is Lucky House Management’s Jade Fearon and is Shaq’s biggest fan, and said he’s in awe of his work ethic.
On his afternoons and evenings off, he’s been visiting a number of schools in Bristol where young pupils rush to watch his skills with the clippers. Shaq’ille has been to Fairfield School, Downend School and Bristol Met, and his TikTok videos in a ‘Pulling Up To UK Schools’ is getting tens of thousands of views each time as he cuts hair outside the schools for free.
Watch this space for more news about this social media sensation, @barbershaq
Make sure you follow him on socials to see what happens next!
The Cause Bristol is a community organization formed in 2020 based in the city of Bristol.
Made up of a team of like-minded individuals from different backgrounds with various assets, qualities, skills, and life experiences, who all share a mutual passion for The Cause Bristol to promote Unity, Equality, and Opportunity.
Aiming to create a community that works for everyone, striving to find effective solutions, and inspire change for the future, through collaboration, regular discussion, and proactively challenging ongoing underlying issues.
The Cause Bristol also places young people at the heart of what they do, as they want to create numerous opportunities in order to support and nurture voices, ideas, and creativity.
The Cause Bristol believe divisions still exist between people of different class, race, age, sexuality, gender identity, disability & minority groups, and even as people move towards a more compassionate society, there are still those who are left behind.
Whilst there are organizations that do great work to promote inclusion on behalf of single demographic groups, inevitably that means some people, often the most marginalized in society, find themselves under represented.
The Cause Bristol aim to promote an inclusive culture that can exist between ALL, and rather than just imposing their own ideas and philosophies, they will collectively listen, understand, to then take action that actually achieves goals.
Priding themselves in the ongoing development of people, from 1-2-1 mentorship, small to large group settings, and taking a holistic approach to those with specific and additional needs.
The Cause Bristol work to put empowerment and making a real difference first, striving to ensure the knowledge and tools that will enable individuals to see and feel the benefits of continuous progression, are available to those who require it most.
The Cause Bristol have weekly Creative Youth Sessions that are located in various Youth Centres around Bristol and offer the opportunity for young people to express themselves mentally and physically freely through the means of
creativity.
The Cause Bristol Creative Workshops are designed to give people the chance to explore their creativity within music production, vocal recording, live performance, DJ-ing and video / photography and opportunities to learn more about the creative industries.
The Cause Bristol also facilitate community events, pop ups, and collective discussions in order to find effective solutions to barriers many face, as they believe different ideas along with aligned principles can strongly contribute to change.
The Cause Bristol is a self funded organization and are always looking to partner and collaborate with individuals and other organizations who may have their own ideas but share the same principles as theirs to promote Unity, Equality, and Opportunity.
Ujima Radio’s DJ’s Mum, Lorna Da Angel, has global success with hit single!
Mum of Docta Flex, Lorna Da Angel recently released her hit single “Hot Gyal Step Out” and has been played all over the world!
Lorna has been featured on Ujima since her single was released and performed at Ujima’s Christmas Party at The Mount Without and again at the Ujima Sisters Takeover on International Women’s Day at Cosies in St Paul’s, Bristol.
Lorna is enjoying her moment in the spotlight with her song being played all over the world. Lorna Miles released, her debut single Hot Gyal Step Out under the name Lorna Da’Angel.
Now it’s been played in the United States to Holland and France.
Lorna said: “I feel great to know that my talent is taking my single places that I have never travelled before.”
Harbouring a musical talent? Applications are open to perform at the 2023 Bristol Harbour Festival
Bristol Harbour Festival is calling out for local talent to perform at this year’s harbourside celebrations
The iconic city-wide Bristol Harbour Festival will return from the Friday 14 – Sunday 16 July 2023 and organisers are calling for singers, songwriters and performers to submit their applications to perform before the deadline on Friday 21 April.
Previous editions of the Bristol Harbour Festival have seen more than 80% of the acts and entertainment on offer coming through the Expression of Interest application form. Once again, festival organisers are on the look-out for even more artists and entertainers to wow crowds and communities from across the city in the unique setting of the harbour.
Bristol Harbour Festival is one of the UK’s biggest free-to-attend events, attracting around 250,000 people across the weekend in what is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Bristol’s rich musical, maritime and cultural heritage. More information about this year’s festival will be announced shortly.
The wide-spread stages that create the iconic festival include stellar acts including multiple music stages, a theatrical stage bursting with circus performers and trapeze and the much-loved on the water entertainment.
To submit an application and join in the city’s celebrations, head to the Bristol Harbour Festival website and complete the Expression of Interest form before 5pm on Friday 21 April 2023. To keep up to date with all Harbour Festival news, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
