Norfolk Contemporary Art Society

The Norfolk Contemporary Art Society has a new website: www.n-cas.org.uk. 

The Norfolk Contemporary Art Society is a charitable association, with some 550 members, which promotes contemporary visual art, particularly that of artists working in the region.  Since it was founded, in 1956, to encourage the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery to acquire work in the modern idiom to balance its fine collections of the nineteenth-century Norwich School of painters, the Society has acquired its own art collection which forms the basis of holdings in post-war art in the Castle.

The NCAS mounts a lively programme of monthly events, mostly in Norwich, which include lectures by artists, critics and art historians, visits, auctions, private views, parties and happenings.

Open Submission Exhibition NCA12 
This is  a major open selling exhibition of recent paintings, prints, photographs, drawings, textiles, videos and sculpture by artist members of NCAS. There are no constraints on themes or subject matter. The exhibition will be held in The Forum, Norwich from Tuesday 17th July to Thursday 26 July 2012.

Artist members of NCAS are invited to submit images of up to three recent works, completed between 2010 and 2012. Images must be supplied on a CD (preferably in JPEG format, with each image below 2MB). The CD, together with a completed submission form  should be sent by post to arrive before 16 April 2012. Please do NOT send original works at this selection stage. Two-dimensional works must not exceed an overall size of 2.0m in height and 2.5 m in width (including frame if present). An illustrated catalogue will be produced.
 If you are a local artist who is not a member of NCAS, but who would be keen to submit work to this exhibition, then you can join the society, using the NCAS application form, and then complete a submission form. Both forms can be downloaded from the website at www.n-cas.org.uk

Olympic Torch Relay

The last Norfolk destination that the Torch Relay passes through is Great Yarmouth, beginning on Yarmouth Road close to Yarmouth Stadium, at around 8.55 am, Thursday, 5th July.  The route will follow Caister Road, Lawn Avenue, North Quay, then left at the roundabout at Fuller’s Hill.  The Torchbearer will then bear right – heading across the Marketplace, down Regent Street, Hall Quay, Bridge Road, finishing on Pasteur Road close to Homebase at around 9.40am.  The Flame is then driven on to Lowestoft.

The County Council has announced a fund where community groups or organisations and town and parish councils can bid for up to £500 from to help stage an event to celebrate the arrival of the Olympic Flame. Both the application form for funding from ‘Norfolk’s Year of Celebrations 2012 Fund’ and a useful Event Planner can be downloaded by visiting www.torchrelay.norfolk.gov.uk

The deadline for the next round of funding for ‘Norfolk’s Year of Celebrations 2012 Fund’ is Friday April 27.

Events taking place to celebrate the Torch Relay will be listed on the site. The County Council is aware that many residents may not apply for funding but may still be planning their own celebrations. The Council is keen to list as many events as possible on the site and residents can let the council know of their event by emailing details to norfolk2012@norfolk.gov.uk

Fisher Theatre, Bungay

Just to let you know about a few exciting shows we have coming to the Fisher Theatre during next month.
We begin with The Story of Ellen Terry, which is a brand new play by Cambridge Devised Theatre which chronicles the extraordinary life of the Victorian actress Ellen Terry on Monday 2ndApril at 7.30pm. That Saturday we have the ever popular band X-Men coming back to perform on the 7th April. The following Wednesday 11th April we have another lunchtime concert where HarmonieMusik will be performing music for piano and winds to present an entertaining programme. On Monday 16th April the theatre is showing the ‘heart-breaking, explosive, top-notch’ film Oranges & Sunshine at 7.30pm. Two days later the art exhibition launch of Stuart Green who will be exhibiting landscape paintings throughout the month of April. Very few places are left for our extremely popular Italian Evenings, with the next one not being until the end of August (!). Thursday 19th April (BOOKING ESSENTIAL). Friday 20th April, Mad Dogs & Englishmen come to present the Charles Dickens’ classic tale David Copperfield. Something for the children the next morning, Aesop’s Touring Theatre Company are presenting The Adventures of the Gingerbread Man, two shows 11am & 1.30pm on Saturday 21st April. The award winning all original Brotherhood of Man share their hilarious secrets and take you on a fun packed romp through the Seventies recalling the fabulous songs. Tickets are selling fast for this performance on Friday 27th April with our final band performing on the following night. Saturday 28th Aprilwe see (& hear!) Midnight Train who offer a selection superb musicians behind an exceptional vocalist. More information can be found online at www.fishertheatre.org about all forthcoming productions & performances.

The Fisher Theatre. 10 Broad Street, Bungay, NR35 1EE
Tel: 01986-895367 (Office)
Tel: 01986-897130 (Box Office)

Circus school

GET YOUR STILTS ON AND JOIN THE COOLEST NEW CIRCUS SCHOOL IN TOWN!

SeaChange Arts are looking for young people to join our brand new circus school at the Drill Hall. If you have a passion for circus or if you have always wanted to try it out, then join our school and get taught by professional circus trainers. Develop skills in juggling and object manipulation, acrobatics, tightwire, hula hoop and much more, plus specialist sessions with international circus performers throughout the year.

Come along to our FREE introductory session on Tuesday 3rd April 2012 from 4.30pm – 6pm for 8 – 12 year olds, and 6.30pm – 8pm for 13 – 18 year olds.

The session will take place at The Drill Hall, York Road, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2LZ. Places are limited and on a first come first served basis so sign up today!

The regular school will run weekly starting on:
Tuesday 17th April, 4.30pm – 6pm for 8 – 12 year olds or 6.30pm – 8pm for 13 – 18 year olds

The school is FREE to attend but participants need to sign up for a term as the sessions are limited to 15 young people per group.

For more information or to book a place contact Laurie on 01493 745458 or 07585 809813, or email laurie@seachangearts.org.uk

Easter events at the Museums

Events at the Time and Tide Museum for Easter 2012 include:

Science ‘Eggs-perimiters’: Tuesday 3rd April and Wednesday 4th April – a 2 day event fuill of scientific experiments and demonstrations that will amaze and inspire children of all ages.

Identify Yourself: Wedensday, 11th April – exploring masks from the museum collections on display in the YOU ARE HERE exhibition, and creating own masks.

The YOU ARE HERE exhibition in the temporary gallery is on from 31st March to 11th November 2012 and explores the journeys of people and objects to Great Yarmouth, celebrating both the cultural diversity of the museum collections and the communities that shape the town in the 21st Century.  Entrance to the exhibition is free with normal museum admission.

The Tolhouse Museum with its historic Gaol and the 16th Century Elizabethan Museum are also open from 1st April.  If you visit any one of these museums, there is a discounted entry to the other two.   For further information about Great Yarmouth Museums, including opening times and admission prices,  go to www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk  or email yarmouth.museums@norfolk.gov.uk or tel. 01493 743930. 

The Nelson Museum at 26 South Quay is open  February to November Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturday & Sunday 1pm – 4pm.  For more information go to  www.nelson-museum.co.uk/.  The wonderful English Heritage Great Yarmouth Row Houses next door on South Quay are open from 1st April Monday to Friday 11am – 4 pm, closed Saturday and Sunday except Good Friday and Easter Monday (but not Easter Sunday), open 11am – 4pm and other holidays.  For more information click here for the Great Yarmouth page on the EH website.

Museums at Night 2012: on Friday 18th May, the museums will be opening their doors for free from 6-10 pm with lots of special evening events and activities for all ages.

Craftmania Demo Day

PATIENCE (AFTER SEBALD)

PATIENCE (AFTER SEBALD) (12A) will be screened at the Fisher Theatre, Bungay at 7.30 pm on Sunday 15 July 2012. UK 2012. 86 minutes. Director: Grant Gee.

This film essay was inspired by THE RINGS OF SATURN by W.G Sebald (1944-2001). The Norwich-based German-born, writer’s book takes as its starting point a walk around Suffolk, but develops into a discussion of geography, history, culture and time. With contributions from contemporary artists and writers.
“In keeping with the spirit of Sebald’s writing: teasing, elegant and perhaps inevitably unresolved: an invitation as opposed to a destination.” Xan Brooks in The Guardian.

 For more information visit www.bungayfilmclub.com.  

Bungay Film Club is run by a small group of film enthusiasts. The club shows foreign, independent or classic films once a month at the Fisher Theatre in Bungay, Suffolk.  The screening date is usually (but not always) the last Monday of each month. Screenings begin at 7.30pm. Members pay £10 for a year’s membership and £2.50 for each film. Guests are very welcome and pay £5 for each film.

The licensed bar is open for half an hour before each screening and for an indefinite time afterwards, providing a welcome opportunity for members and guests to discuss the evening’s film or simply enjoy a drink together. Drinks may also be taken into the auditorium during a screening.  Contact us at bungayfilmclub@hotmail.co.uk

St. George’s Theatre

A short digital film has been released to show how St. George’s will look and what its role will be within the community .  The film can be viewed on line at www.stgeorgestheatre.com

Two full-time members of staff have  been appointed  to assist the manager, Chris Moore, and  the team is  now recruiting for volunteers ready for the theatre opening later this year.  Volunteer support is being sought for the front-of-house team  and for the Box Office which is located at the Drill Hall in York Road, now the  home of SeaChange Arts.

As well as working with amateur groups who will be using the theatre,  St. George’s has its own drama club, which will offer members  opportunities to learn acting skills and stagecraft  and be involved in productions.   Chris Moore is also working on developing a comedy club.

To find out more about getting involved, send an email to the St. George’s team at hello@StGeorgesTheatre.com, with details of which areas of the theatre you are interested in.

Free Workshops Spring 2012

TCHC and East Anglian Complementary Health bring you free workshops, which are funded by EU European Social Fund and co-financed by the Skills Funding Agency via the Community Grants Project. The workshops are for people living in Norfolk and Suffolk who are 18+ and unemployed or economically inactive. Minimum attendance of 8 hours required.

These workshops will be held at the  Shrublands Y&A Centre, Magdalen Way, Gorleston, NR31 7BP

Computers for Absolute Beginners 4 sessions, Wed 18th & 25th April & 2nd & 9th May  10.30am-12.30pm

Creative Textiles 4 sessions, starting Tues 3rd April

Fabric Brooches 1 session, Tues 3rd April, 10am-12pm

Fabric ‘Bon Bon’ Dishes 1 session, Tues 10th April, 10am-12pm

Cushion Making 1 session, Tues 1st May, 10am-12pm

Fabric Bags 1 session, Tues 8th May, 10am-12pm

Crystal Dowsing 1 session, Tues 1st May, 10am -12 pm

Crystal Chakras 1 session, Tues 8th May, 10am -12 pm

Effective Communication Certificate 4 sessions, starting Wed 18th April

Listening Skills 1 session, Mon 16th April, 9.30am-11.30am

Body Language 1 session, Mon 23rd April, 9.30am-11.30am

Memory Skills 1 session, Mon 30th April, 9.30am-11.30am

Speaking with Confidence 1 session, Mon 14th May, 9.30am-11.30am

Reiki Level 1 4 sessions, Tues 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th April, 9.30am – 12.30pm

Relaxation/Meditation 4 sessions, Tues 17th & 24th April & 1st & 8th May, 12.45pm-1.45pm

Being Involved & Making a difference 3 sessions – April starting Thurs 12th April:

How you can influence local/regional and national issues Thurs 12th April, 10am-12pm
(Partitions, demonstrations and lobbying, as well as local context)

What you need to do to assert your views? Thurs 19th April, 10am-1pm
(Looking at case studies and pathways that have been taken to achieve change)

Being part of a community group. Thurs 26th April, 10am-1pm
(Meetings, roles and etiquette and partnerships)

For more information and to book tel. 01493 663437 or email enquiries@eastangliancomplementaryhealth.com

Courses for 16-18 yr olds

On 29th March, from 2-5 pm, the Aspire Centre will be holding an Open Afternoon in “The Base-Ment” at  1-2 Market Row, Great Yarmouth, for 16-18 yrs old to see what is on offer on the Foundation Learning Programme.  For further information, phone 01603 306571 or email to learner.services@norfolk.gov.uk.