somewhereto_ Strip!

Perhaps I've been neglecting you all of late?! But I must confess as previously stated in blogs I've been doing the ever increasingly difficult job of completing the task of somewhereto_ grow up. As much as I would like to think its my full time job to volunteer in the somewhereto_ restore space unfortunately that is not the case. Needless to say I've had my nose down and have been heavy on the job hunt. Three weeks later it was a success, I'm a big grown up and now a support worker! A lot of which, arguably is thanks to somewhereto_ and the experiences I've had here and on previous events with somewhereto_. BUT ENOUGH OF THE SMOOSHY THINGS.

What did I do on Sunday evening I hear you ask! - Well kind online reader chums Sunday evening was a little prologue to the intensive rehearsals we're soon to encounter with Educactus's production of 'Strip The Halls' they were there all day but after a long week of driving and training for work (did I mention I'd got a proper job..?) I only made it into the last few hours of their rehearsal. Considering I was tired, full of cold and had the habitual 'It's Sunday, tomorrow means I have to get up early and look presentable' hat on (we all get it, don't lie) I was so very pleased to have a group of people put a smile on my face with such ease. They're still in the organic and early blocking stages and yet my ability to remain quiet and professional in the rehearsal space was severely challenged, I have no doubt that the final result will be a proper little crowd pleaser!

What will definitely be an evening of hilarious (but I must add, PG) entertainment full of festive frivelties and wonderfully humerous misunderstandings isn't one to miss. Performances are in the Belle Vue hotel on 21st - 23rd of November at 7:30pm Tickets can be booked by emailing educactustheatre@gmail.com, stating what evening you wish to attend and how many tickets you require.

Written by a wonderful individual with the ability to fill any room with laughter, whom I have worked with very briefly previously, James Lawbuary. Directed by our very own local celebrity and accidental face of the restore shop, you will have noticed him pop up on your news feed if you've liked the Aberystwyth re:store page. (If you haven't why haven't you? Do it and do it now! re:store Facebook) RSC's very own, Paul Ditch. A good friend of mine with the ability to pin point the most acute of goings ons in ANY situation to make them entertaining, watchable and painfully yet hilariously realistic. With James's words and Paul's visions bringing them to life 'Strip The Halls' is going to be an all round winner.

Starring some very good friends of mine as well as some other extremely large talent including, Marianne Hayes, David Dixon, Katie Littlewort, Marcus Dobson, Norma Izon, Guy Taylor, Owen Watts and Sam Sherlock. If this isn't enough to get you interested there's to be a few half naked guys and girls treading the boards. What more can one show offer?
 
Educactus will be taking over the restore space soon for an intensive rehearsal period of 'Strip The Halls' so I shall keep plugging when that happens. Until I can do that, get involved and keep up to date through their Facebook.. Educactus Theatre Company Facebook

The somewhereto_ restore space has turned into a creative space which is full of creative possibilities and talents, I for one am very over excited!!

Don't be a stranger, get involved and support the local talents we're so lucky to have.

 

EVENT: OPEN MIC

Everyone loves an open mic and in a town like this which loves all things peformative and theatrical; there's plenty of hidden musical talent waiting for a chance to perform. We have a modest little stage here, a stage none the less, with a few lights (some are even flashy!), plenty of sound equipment and a stool for the inner singer / song writer in you. Our open mic last Friday (The 4th) we were really pleased with! - so pleased in fact that they're now becoming a fortnightly event. It was a real tribute to the young talent of today, to see artists coming to perform both original music and covers. But even more of a tribute to see them all support one another.

Here's a little shout out to all of the lovely artists we had in the shop for the evening:


LLEW + LOWRI EVANS:
Brother and sister duo Llew and Lowri were up first with a mixture of both original and song covers. I've always been sceptical about families forming artistic bonds but these two really did present a strong argument to prove me wrong! Entirely in tune with one another, superb harmonies. I've been promised a link to a sound cloud as soon as they get it sorted, watch this space to hear about them for yourself. No confirmed dates as yet, but what I can tell you is that Llew / Lowri have two gigs in The Druid Inn, Goginan in the upcoming weeks.




GEORGE HIGGINS:
Somewhereto_s favourite boy George Higgins came back to serenade us again (complete with own loyal fan club) Giving a wonderful performance as ever with all original work, plenty more heart stealing and plenty of light hearted humour during and between songs.

GEORGES SOUND CLOUD     GEORGES YOUTUBE    GEORGES TWITTER

ARTHUR BATES:
After having graced us with some lovely sounds at the previous weeks Paper Club both alone and with company, Arthur came back to give us a full set of what he can do. Having spoken to him after the event I've discovered that he doesn't have any recorded material yet, such a shame. Get on it Arthur, I heard some really, genuinely beautiful stuff last week.




CHELSEA ORME - WILLIAMS:
Another Paper Club discovery of ours, Chelsea came back to give us some of her original pieces again. I've found myself humming 'Crazy Sue' ever since last Friday only having heard it performed live twice. Certainly an act to keep an eye on. Remain up to date on Chelsea by searching 'Chelsea Orme-Williams' on vimeo, soundcloud and youtube.



FRANK GREENWOOD:
We found Frank a week before open mic during The George Higgins and Friend (s) weekend acoustic session. He was both Charming and lovely then and even more so during his set in the open mic event which, in my opinion was at it's best during his cover of The Stranglers, 'Golden Brown'
FRANKS SOUND CLOUD          FRANKS TWITTER




GEORGE JONES:
Wonderful playwright and singer song writer George just finished writing his second album sang us a variety of his songs all with a wonderful narrative and story within it. Returning back soon to do some more, definitely worth checking out!        
GEORGES BANDCAMP




ILYA:
Ilya, the pirate, ran into the shop to give us a sing song and then out again to lead his society Broad-ways theatre and film society on their social, hence the attire. He did, quite frankly a brilliant job of putting a smile upon all our faces. Giving us a few up beat and happy go lucky songs. Including the Pokémon song, I could not have been happier.

ILYAS SOUNDCLOUD              THE POKEMON SONG


ADRIAN PIGGOT:
'Hi my names Adrian, and I'm not a pirate' used - to - be local boy Adrian came into the open mic night on his weekend visit to Aberystwyth. A few nights of sofa surfing / drinking and an open mic. True musician style. Played us a few great original tracks, yet to be recorded. He ought to get on that.

EMILY FARR:
Emily of Aberystwyth rewired comes in every week on a Wednesday for 'Workshop Wednesdays' and the more she comes in / the more I hear her vocal styling's. The more I fall in love with her. Come down every Wednesday and have a jam with her and her people! Rewired do open mic nights in rummers every Sunday. Definitely a space to watch! - and I most definitely want her to record some stuff! Soon! Not a voice to miss.

EMILY COVERING 'SWEET DREAMS'







somewhereto_ Review

We have been open for two weeks and what a successful and busy two weeks it has been! I have genuinely lost count of how many people we have signed up to somewhereto_ and the ever growing amount of exciting things that are on their way to happen in here.

This week is quietening down so I will actually have time to keep chatting to you guys through this blog. I have however been working hard and attacking the social media relms via Facebook and the amount of likes we're getting now is getting bigger and bigger, it is all going well, but we want to reach more people in Aberystwyth! We want everyone involved, and everyone to have a chance to put their creative ideas in this shop. Share Share Share. 

THE FACEBOOK PAGE.

 

HERE'S OUR FIRST TWO WEEKS SUMMED UP IN PHOTOGRAPHS

 

 

 

somewhereto_ have your heart stolen. EVENT: George Higgins and friend (s)

On Saturday we were graced with the musical talents of the lovely George Higgins and Dalton Franceschi. Both extremely talented young men serenading us in an afternoon of music from heartfelt numbers to lighthearted banterous tunes but all none the less great songs. It really was a place to have your heart stolen, repeatedly, charming.

Support the up and coming young talent of our area by subscribing and liking everything you can! The more likes he gets from us, the more likely they are to come back and they would definitely be welcomed.

George Higgins on Facebook
George Higgins on Youtube.
George Higgins on Soundcloud
George Higgings on Twitter

'Somewhere in Paradise' - George Higgins.

EVENT: Buzz's Birthday week set.

Aberystwyth university's dance music society Buzz are celebrating their 4th birthday this week, they've been burning the candle at both ends since freshers began as a means of promoting themselves as much as possible as the genuinely talented DJS they are. Today in the shop we were lucky enough to experience a more chilled out but equally as epic afternoon set before their final freshers blow out tonight, by the sounds of today's warm up they will be going out with a bang. Unfortunately and fortunately I had to to promote the shop at an event / talk up at the uni, so I did miss the bulk of today's sets but what I did hear I got very into. Will certainly be making an appearance at the boys final birthday bash to tonight.

Not all that much more to say, you really need to experience it for yourself, I've been to their nights in the Angel Inn before and they have never failed to deliver a top evening of music and dancing. They're getting a good rep about town, don't miss out!

Get involved:

Event information: BIRTHDAY EVENT INFORMATION, ANGEL INN, TONIGHT.

Facebook, like like like, share the love: BUZZ

EVENT: THE PAPER CLUB.

 

Tonight, in the shop, we have The Paper Club, aka, somewhereto_ draw on the walls to music. Myself and a few others spent the last few hours covering the wall in paper (and getting it as flat as possible; not as easy as anticipated, big shout out to all those who can wallpaper effectively.) The evening shall exist as follows, we've made a stage area, complete with lamps drilled into the walls (oh Bazza, you manly man) upon said stage area there shall be live music and upon said paper covered walls audiences are encouraged to draw their responses. All those years of not being allowed to draw upon walls as a child and now we're blowing it wide open!

 

* * * * * * *

 

Two hours since opening and I must say that this is one of the most interesting events I have ever been involved with, or been to. There's an array of instruments dotted about the place and musicians never far away, we've been through a series of genres but all with a wonderfully creative feel. The walls are quickly being filled with peoples reactions to the music, to their days, to the project, to the people. The most unique type of wall paper that I have ever seen.

 

The people we have to thank for this evening are: Liz Falton, Nick Troull and Joe Gardom. Inspired by an event from their home town called 'Drink n Draw' and a wonderfully creative evening it has been. Speaking straight from the heart here, there is not enough places (anywhere, not just here in Aberystwyth) that enable people to allow their creativity to run riot. Not long ago I witnessed something that I never knew could ever happen. Two complete strangers met, person A asked person B if he wanted to play guitar to his vocals. Person B agreed, they then proceeded to play together for at least an hour, something went right somewhere because it was genuinely beautiful music, hilariously light hearted and included songs about 'Alison with no legs' but all the same, beautiful and beautifully quaint.

 

The most communal and inspired jam of the evening included:

- 2 x acoustic guitars

- 1 x bass guitar

- 1 x bongo drum

- 1 x saxophone

- 1 x keyboard

- 1 x harmonica

- & countless voices.

 

With any luck the drawings will be left up for the next few days. Come in and check them out. Or better, go to their next event. October 13th in the Coopers Arms. Have been talking a lot to the organisers and if we're lucky we'll be sorting monthly or fort nightly Paper Club evenings, I for one, am entirely hopeful of this happening!

 

- Pictures and videos of the event to follow later on or tomorrow.

somewhereto_relax

somewhereto_ take over the high street.