May « 2010 « LoveLincoln.co.uk

May 21, 2010

LoveLincoln.co.uk meets Mostly Autumn

Filed under: Features — admin @ 8:29 am

In the run up to their gig tomorrow (22nd May) at the Lincoln Drill Hall, LoveLincoln.co.uk caught up with Bryan Josh, lead singer of the band Mostly Autumn.

What has been the most memorable gig you’ve played?

Probably when we played the Town Theatre in Times Square, New York. It was shortly after 9/11 and when we played one of our songs “Heroes Never Die” the atmosphere was overwhelming, I spontaneously dedicated it to the firemen and by chance there were a lot of them at the gig. We had an emotional standing ovation after that one.

Supporting Bryan Adams in the Murrayfield stadium at Edinburgh was also very memorable.

How do you think the band has developed over the years?

It just has. In the early days I guess there was more of a celtic feel and the songs were a little more progressive but we have just moved with our feelings, the songs have always been emotionally driven and generally about life and we put them across as we feel best at the time. Being fashionable has always been irrelevant.

Where do you like to hang out when you’re in Lincoln?

It’s always nice to have a wander about as it is a very beautiful town but we always end up in a pub, often by the canal, time permitting.

If you weren’t in Mostly Autumn, what would you do?

I would be in another band or create another band. If I wasn’t in music I would love to own a camping shop, I love them.

Who are your musical inspirations?

Pink Floyd have been in my blood since I was about 7 years old but I also loved Genesis, Supertramp, Deep Purple, Queen, UFO and many others. I had an older brother and sister who would pour all this great music over me from being very young as I sipped the froth off party seven cans from about the age of 5.

Great bands that inspire me in more recent times would be Coldplay, Elbow, Kean, Snow Patrol and of course I have always admired Bon Jovi.

Where’s the furthest place you’ve travelled to to perform?

That would be Mexico, we headlined a festival a few years ago.

What do you think of shows like The X Factor, love them or hate them?

I can’t relate them to the music industry at all but it makes good television, it’s just a different kind of entertainment. I do think Mr Cowell knows what he’s on about, not that I have seen a lot of it but I do respect him. The answer to your question is I don’t hate them but I wouldn’t make a special effort.

What do you usually do before and after a gig?

Before would be all about sound checks and then some booze and focus on the performance with some loud tunes that we all enjoy to get vibed up. After would be chilling for a few minutes and then some more booze and tunes and possibly a curry.

Comments (0)

Paul Smith supports Coming into Fashion

Filed under: News — admin @ 8:14 am

British designer Paul Smith will be supporting this year’s University of Lincoln gala fashion show tonight (21^st May) at the Engine Shed.

This year the budding designers will be competing for a coveted work experience placement with Paul Smith.

The lucky winner of tonight’s gala show will be presented with the Paul Smith Award, a suit or bag of their choice from the Paul Smith range and a minimum of one week’s work at the London headquarters.

The shows, entitled Coming into Fashion, are the culmination of three years’ hard work and dedication by students on the BA (Hons) Fashion Studies course and will showcase their final collections.

Previous fashion students from the University of Lincoln have gone on to be very successful in the fashion industry, securing jobs with TV series Gok’s Fashion Fix, fashion retailer New Look, Closer magazine and designer DKNY.

Inspirations for the collections include birds of paradise, music festivals and sophisticated burlesque.

A quote from Coco Chanel inspired Chelsea Debnam, who said: “For my collection I took quotes from Coco Chanel, particularly one about style running through the veins.

“I expanded on this by using leaves as my inspiration and using wools and silks.”

The fashion show was first launched in 2008 by international fashion designer Antonio Berardi, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts by the university in 2007.

The event is sponsored by Paul Smith, Debenhams, Urban Decay, Ruddocks, Brandfour, Talking Heads, Small Beer, TRB Marquees, Primark, Millhouse, Drapers, Hub, Lancôme, Eden Hall, Doddington Hall, Yots Bar and Bistro, Yak, Lush, Marks and Spencer, birdy’s boutique, Body Shop and the Lincoln School of Art and Design.

Comments (0)

Pamper Day

Filed under: Student in the City — admin @ 7:31 am

Brayford sunset, by Carly

Woke up feeling like death. A bad night’s sleep coupled with exams looming and the end of university in sight made me unbearable. As my mum would say: “There’s only so long you can run on false energy.”

Despite the proximity of the weekend I decided I needed a rest. I rooted around in my box of business cards and leaflets (come on: you all have one) and found the leaflet for Shanti in town.

Time: 10:30am

Me: “Can you fit me in for a back massage today? Pretty please?”

Shanti: “Yes of course we can.”

Result: Cue lots of shuffling around to make myself presentable to head into town.

Off I tootled to my appointment. After my massage I asked for a pedicure and they managed to fit me in. All I can say is that now I’m walking on air and feeling a lot better. I’m just about to head off for something to eat with the boyfriend and then maybe take advantage of the weather by sitting on a bench overlooking the Brayford. Exams and stress seem so far away.

Thank you Lincoln

Comments (0)

Latest update from Coming into Fashion

Filed under: News — admin @ 7:26 am

Dress rehearsal is well under way now. Most of us are nervous, and everyone is fretting about getting our full collections in the show. I’ve had a fair few wardrobe dramas already, but otherwise things are running smoothly.

Ticket sales are still going well, and with any luck the 8.30pm show will be a sellout, and we’re all very excited to host the VIP event beforehand!

The models are just about to have the 2nd dress rehearsal, fingers crossed that it goes well or there will be some very stressed fashion students tonight!

Pearl

Comments (0)

May 20, 2010

24 hours to go…

Filed under: News — admin @ 11:26 am

Today is the first rehearsal for the Coming Into Fashion show. With the show just 24 hours away emotions are high and there’s going to be a lot going on. The majority of us, the fashion students, are currently sitting in the sunshine, gossiping about the days to come.

So far, all students have things in the fashion show, but things are expected to be cut later on, so tension is high, but we know it’s necessary for the show to be the best it can be. The models are also patiently waiting for dress rehearsals and “walking lessons”, and most of them don’t know how hectic today is going to be!

For the time being we’re all making the most of having some free time… So that’s all for now! I’m sure there will be plenty more info later!

Pearl

Comments (0)

The Importance of Being Earnest

Filed under: Reviews — JMH @ 9:27 am

Photograph courtesy of the Lincolnshire Echo

If you’ve not yet ventured into the new-look Theatre Royal then do so this week whilst the generally excellent Importance of Being Earnest is playing.

A note of caution: make sure you steer well clear of the still very uncomfortable and inhospitable auditorium at all times other than for the show as the insensitive and detracting pre-show and interval noise ( I cannot bear to call it music) is simply shocking and does nothing to set the tone for an otherwise sublime evening of quality theatre.

While I’m here I’ll take the opportunity to big up the new front of house as fresh, vibrant and inviting, which cannot be said for the attendants, and dismiss (again) the auditorium as still very lacking.

But don’t let that put you off seeing the show, because it really is worth it.

All of the actors show sparks of genius in their characterisation, each one engaging in their own way – especially Isla Carter as Gwendoline, predictably Lynette Edwards as Lady Bracknell and (unexpectedly) Glyn Grain as the Reverend. They combined to tell this well rehearsed tale more convincingly than I’ve ever experienced before – even as an alter-ego Algie myself!

At all times they were animated, Nick Waring’s Algie and Ashley Cook’s Jack especially, the girls both feisty and sickly sweet; lines were well delivered and there was so much chemistry that it wasn’t just Bunbury that was at risk of exploding.

The setting is well conceived and very well used, although at times the dressing is somewhat detracting and the tropical birdsong located the Cardew estate at some distance from Hertfordshire. Frankly I’d love to hear the excuse for that handbag!

But I fear I am being a tad too critical – or maybe earnest – for what is actually a very stylish and accomplished show by the Lincoln Theatre Royal Repertory Company which continues to Saturday, May 22.

Comments (1)

May 18, 2010

Out with the old, in with the new

Filed under: Fortysomething — admin @ 10:07 am

Be My Baby is over so it’s straight on to the next show: Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker.

Lincoln’s amateur actors are enjoying their butterfly existence, flitting from one group to another and maintaining a freshness that eludes theatre groups elsewhere. This show is being staged as a fund-raiser by the Lincoln Mystery Plays Association but the large cast includes people from many groups – Common Ground, the late lamented Lincoln Shakespeare, Indulgence, Phoenix, Lindsey Rural Players…

The whole ambitious production is being capably pulled together by Geoff Readman, who demonstrates patience and vision in equal measure. The play tells the true story of a group of convicts in Sydney who staged a production of Farquhar’s The Recruiting Officer in the 1780s. I play the part of the woebegone Irishman Ketch Freeman, convicted of murdering a sailor in London, transported and then forced to become the colony’s hangman.

There are some laughs in it too! Our Country’s Good can be seen at Lincoln Drill Hall in September.

Comments (0)

Wideboys at Engine Shed

Filed under: Student in the City — admin @ 9:04 am

Carly grabs a piece of the action

Despite our aches and pains from the Roller Disco we put on our heels and headed out on Saturday to see the Wideboys at Engine Shed. After some confusion as to what they were called – Emma: “Oh yeh, the Wiseguys are playing….” – we started the night at a neighbour’s flat. Happy fake Birthday Hannah Cobbe! The mouldy birthday cake was the highlight for me – oh sorry I mean the food colouring….

Off to Engine Shed we went to embark on a night of dancing like fools and having a giggle – I doubt it could have been any better! We were right at the front and I gave one of the Wideboys a peck on the cheek and my Hawaiian garland, which he promptly gave away! The Wideboys were amazing – they played longer than they had planned and were on top form. We were treated to a night of old school tunes mixed in with the new. I am definitely a fan!

Walking home I was boasting that my feet didn’t hurt after dancing all night. However, when I woke up with feet that felt like they were broken I realised I was wrong!

I have until Wednesday night to regain my energy…

Comments (0)

Roller Disco – good idea?!

Filed under: Student in the City — admin @ 8:54 am

On Friday the dance floor of Engine Shed was transformed into a skate rink. We had all donned our leg warmers and 80s style attire ready for an unusual night . I mean, what more could you want when you have your friends, old school music and a skating rink instead of a dance floor…?

Your correspondent pictured right in denim shorts, looking worried

I personally wish I had accepted the offer of knee pads and elbow pads….

I fell over on numerous occasions: once straight over a friend’s head and second time around I was minding my own business and heading towards the side when I collided with a fully grown man who knocked me straight to the floor. At the time – NOT. FUNNY. To look back on – HILARIOUS.

Would I do it again? OH YES! It was one of the best nights I have ever had in Engine Shed and it made a nice change to do something a bit different. We spent the whole night skating round giggling our heads off. The morning after we all felt the effects… I think Emma Rowett’s quote summed the night up perfectly:

“It was the best but the worst idea we’ve had all year…”

Join the Facebook Group Superfunk Roller Disco Lincoln to see when it will be returning.

Comments (1)

May 17, 2010

Jazz Week 2010

Filed under: News — admin @ 3:34 pm

A week of jazz-tastic events has arrived in Lincoln with some of the best acts set to perform all over the city.

Kicking off tonight (17th May) at The Tower Hotel with a performance from the Thom Whitworth Jazz Duet, Jazz Festival 2010 continues until Saturday 22^nd, concluding with an exciting performance from six-piece jazz band Midnight Masquerade at The Barge on The Brayford.

Organised by Lincoln BIG, the scheduled events are free of charge and promise to bring fantastic music and dancing to jazz fans all across the city.

Michael Armstrong, Events & Promotions Manager at Lincoln BIG, said: “I would recommend all of the events because they all have something different to offer but in particular Saturday night promises to be a lovely, leisurely evening.

“It’ll be nice and sunny, hopefully, and we’ll have the dance floor set up out in the open on The Brayford with the band on The Barge, it’ll be perfect.

“This’ll be about the 3^rd year we’ve held the Jazz Festival and we’re building on the success year upon year, getting different acts and venues to take part. The response has been brilliant.”

For more information about the events check out our events listings.

Comments (0)

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »