Heads and Myths
š§¢ Human Explorations is a striking collection of large charcoal drawings and monotypes exploring human emotions and mythological themes produced over the past five years by one of Britainās foremost figurative artists. Alison Lambertās work is characterised by physicality and spontaneity. The drawings on show at Derby Museum and Art Gallery through to 4 May use a collage technique, allowing her to āfindā the image she is searching for by layering and tearing her paper and re-drawing areas that donāt feel right. For Lambert, the process is long and arduous yet exciting as it features an element of chance and accident, requiring an intuitive dialogue with the works as they progress. Her work features in public collections including the V&A, British Museum and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
š§¢ This weekās āTop Pickā @WeightmanPR: Check-in to Grand Babylon Hotel
The New Vic Theatre will present the world premiere of The Grand Babylon Hotel, an adaptation of a story by acclaimed Stoke-on-Trent author Arnold Bennett, as a centrepiece of the cityās centenary celebrations in their next season. Stoke-on-Trent-born playwright Arnold Bennettās rollicking comedy thriller will be adapted for the stage by Deborah McAndrew and directed by UK Theatre Award Best Director nominee and Artistic Director of Claybody Theatre, Conrad Nelson (One Man Two Guvnors, The Card). Previously aired as a radio play, this latest version will be the first ever stage production of Arnold Bennettās comedy thriller. Coinciding with the anniversary of Stoke-on-Trent officially gaining city status, it will open on Saturday 13 September.
š§¢ Derby welcomes Vaillant Live
Vaillant Live is the new name for Derby's flagship Becketwell entertainment venue. In the making for several years, and opened as recently as 5 April, the 3,500 capacity destination for concerts, family events, sports and conferencing, Vaillant Live will bring a world-class, purpose-built entertainment venue back to Derby. The new name comes as Vaillant becomes the sole sponsor of the brand new venue space. The five-year partnership will be formally unveiled with the installation of Vaillant Live signage with the first events at the newly-named venue to take place from April. The first events to be revealed include In Conversations with Tim Peake, Miriam Margolyes and Iām A Celebrityās, GK Barry, live music including Wet Wet Wet and Bjorn Again, and comedy from Paul Chowdhry, John Bishop and Jason Manford. Itās anticipated that the new Ā£45.8 million venue will host over 200 cultural and commercial events each year, attracting an additional 250,000 visitors to Derby city centre annually.
š§¢ In search of a world record
Stoke-on-Trent is brewing something special for the summer as part of its Centenary celebrations. The city also hopes to break a world record as it hosts Big Centenary Tea Party at 11am on Tuesday, 8 July. The event, supported by a wide partnership of local organisations, will see tea parties hosted across the city and beyond, in honour of Stoke-on-Trentās 100 years of city status. Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Lyn Sharpe, said: āThis is going to be a fun-filled event involving so many people from across our city. I canāt wait to sit down, enjoy a friendly chat with others and tuck into a tasty cream tea. Our cityās tea sets are famous all over the world so I canāt think of a better way for us to get together for a brew in Stoke-on-Trent than this.ā The world record attempt aims to gather the largest number of people taking part in a simultaneous cream tea party across multiple venues. From garden gatherings and office events to street parties and family get-togethers, every cup of tea will count toward making history.