SAMIZDAT
Out of the Blue Newsletter Spring 2007
Welcome to the Out of the Blue newsletter. We are only four months in but this year already goes down as one of the most momentous in Out of the Blue's (OOTB) history.
THE OUT OF THE BLUE DRILL HALL LAUNCH
To celebrate the completion of the latest phase of the major redesign of Edinburgh's newest multi-arts space, The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, OOTB staged a launch party on April 19. The new space provided a stunning backdrop for breathtaking performances from aerialist Jen Paterson, the Curious Seed dance company choreographed by Christine Devaney, LaNua's Merav Israel and Sebastian Ramirez Maya in another dance piece specially devised for the launch and music from Stringjammer featuring Catriona MacDonald and Jenny Gardner on violin, Pete Dorward on viola, Joey Sanderson on cello and Conrad Ivitsky on double bass. And in a cup overflow scenario, the first view of an exhibition featuring work from OOTB studio artists provided more than 600 guests with plenty of extra inspiration. If you would like invitations to parties, openings, performances and all manner of other exciting OOTB events, then sign up to the OOTB Membership scheme. Details on how to join will be unveiled on www.outoftheblue.org.uk soon.
Click to see OOTB launch photo report
LOTTERY CASH BOOST FOR OOTB
In welcome recognition of OOTB's achievements and to secure The OOTB Drill Hall's future as a resource for the community, Big Lottery's Growing Community Assets fund in February awarded OOTB nearly £250,000 towards the third phase of improvements. On the basis of this grant, heritage organisation Historic Scotland has also pitched in to the tune of some £140,000 to carry out vital repairs to the fabric of this listed building. It is a real honour, particularly since OOTB has become the first ever urban project included by the Big Lottery scheme.
ROLL OF HONOUR
As OOTB coordinator Rob Hoon reminded us in his keynote speech at the launch, The OOTB Drill Hall is a fantastic achievement and a unique resource for Edinburgh. However, there is still untapped potential. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors (see acknowledgements at the foot of this newsletter for a complete list), OOTB has already raised some funds towards the next phase of refurbishment which will create vital new studios on a mezzanine level and a sculpture garden making it a truly world class centre for the arts. However, OOTB can not rely on major funders alone to make this vision a reality. Your personal contributions are vital. To help build a better future for the arts, just Click-A-Brick here. Better still, visit The OOTB Drill Hall in person, fill in a leaflet on display in the entrance and add your name to the roll of honour on the Click-A-Brick wall.
CAFÉ SOCIETY
While you are there, check out the newly opened Drill Hall Arts Café. Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm, you can enjoy delicious food, Zapatista Rebelde coffee and carefully selected wine and beer from the affordable menu, all underneath the majestic sweep of the cantilevered steel and glass roof. The atmosphere is buzzing too with The OOTB Drill Hall's 60 plus resident artists plotting their latest collaborations over a cup of coffee or glass of wine. And in a stop press announcement, Samizdat readers are also eligible for a special introductory offer. A bottle of extremely drinkable Sicilian red and generous bowl of olives is yours for only £7.50 between 5 and 7pm throughout May. For more info call 0131 555 7100.
PRACTISE MAKES PERFECT
The redesign also created a new multi-purpose rehearsal and meeting space. The 1,000 sq ft room features a seven metre to apex ceiling, underfloor heating, a sprung floor and wall length mirror and is perfect for low volume rehearsals of all kinds or as a striking setting for workshops or meetings. For availability and rates call Nicole Lambeng on 0131 555 7102 or email nicole@outoftheblue.org.uk.
OOTB GALLERY
Edinburgh gets a brand new showcase for the visual arts too in the shape of The OOTB Gallery. An exciting programme of exhibitions, talks and events gets underway at The OOTB Drill Hall with an OOTB studios group show until May 26. Featuring new work in a range of different mediums by artists based at The OOTB Drill Hall as well as The OOTB Powerhouse in Portobello, the exhibition is open between 10am and 8pm, every day except Sundays. Admission is free. OOTB would also welcome expressions of interest from potential exhibitors. Contact Aaron McCloskey at exhibition@outoftheblue.org.uk to discuss your ideas.
ART AND SHOPPING
OOTB has always supported the practise of up-and-coming artists and a new initiative at Ocean Terminal is designed to do just that. Kicking off with a joint show of paintings and illustrations from OOTB Powerhouse denizens Sharon Whyte and Ian Reddie, the Leith shopping centre has asked OOTB to curate regular exhibitions from emerging artists. It's a chance to reach a large audience who might not normally be exposed to fine art. You will find the exhibitions on the second floor by the entrance to the car park between 9am and 10pm. Interested artists are again invited to email Aaron at exhibition@outoftheblue.org.uk
DARK ROOM TO DRILL HALL
The visual arts programme at The OOTB Gallery continues with an exhibition of course work by final year students from the Stevenson College HND photography course. Exposed 07 features 120 of the students' best photographs and runs from June 13 until 24.
WHERE ARCHITECTURE AND DANCE MEET
Theatre is also set to be a key part of the cultural programme at The OOTB Drill Hall. Following the success of 2005's Edinburgh International Festival show Nuts Coconuts, dance company Curious Seed and Out of the Blue present the premiere of Code Butterfly at The OOTB Drill Hall. The show runs from June 7 until 10 as part of the Leith Festival with previews on June 2 and 3. Fittingly, the show is a response to the architecture through movement, aerial dance and music composed by Nic and Erin Scrutton. The piece was conceived by Christine Devaney and Jennifer Paterson and also features Skye Reynolds and Gillian Thomson. All performances begin at 8pm and admission is £10/5 and £8/4 respectively. Call Leith Festival on 0845 458 9709 for tickets although a very limited number will be available on the day from the venue.
PARK LIFE IN POLE POSITION FOR CHARITY SLAM DUNK
An OOTB arts project is teaming up with sportspeople from Edinburgh's Polish community to raise money for improvements to a previously neglected local park. The Park Life project is organising an exhibition basketball game between the Poles and a local team as part of The Leith Festival on Saturday June 2. Among other charitable initiatives, spin-off organisation, The Friends of Dalmeny Street Park and children from the Lorne Primary School are planning a public planting in the park on the same day. The move follows a City of Edinburgh Council grant in February of £100,000 towards the cost of a complete overhaul of the park. If you would like to get involved then please contact Rob Hoon at rob@outoftheblue.org.uk.
SONIC SCULPTURE
The OOTB Drill Hall plays host to a unique installation during the Festival from August 20 to 25. Artist Ray Lee's Invisible Forces has teamed up with Aurora Nova to present Siren, "a whirling, spinning spectacle of mechanical movement, electronic sound and light." The show is composed of 29 three metre high tripods with rotating arms fitted with loudspeakers and LEDs that can be manipulated to create unusual visual images and sonic effects. Performances are from 10 to 10.45am with tickets available through the Fringe (www.edfringe.com),
Aurora Nova (www.auroranova.org) and in person from The Drill Hall Arts Café nearer the time.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
The OOTB Drill Hall is your one-stop corner shop for arts and leisure. For starters, OOTB's popular arts market returns on July 28. It is a unique opportunity to buy fine art and crafts in Edinburgh direct from the artists themselves. If you are an artist or maker and would like to book a stall contact Nicole Lambeng at nicole@outoftheblue.org.uk. And if your draftsmanship is a bit rusty, then get down to the drop-in life drawing classes most Sundays from 2 until 5pm. The classes are held in the rehearsal space and cost £7 for two hours or £10 for three. Contact Leigh on 0781 451 4771 for more info. With all that artwork to make, you will want to stay limber and regular Dynamic Yoga lessons, again in the rehearsal space, should hit the spot. Six week summer courses begin on July 19. Contact Rowena Warren on 07949 266 582 for prices. And if you have already some experience of Pilates, then spaces are available in intermediate classes every Wednesday at 6.30pm. Call Kathy on 0131 669 3145 for details.
BAUHAUS NORTH
And in tenants' news, OOTB-based product designers Blue Marmalade is curating a showcase of the cream of Edinburgh's design talent as part of the nationwide Six Cities Design Festival. 3DEdinburgh will be held in West Princes Street Gardens from 12 to 6pm on May 19 to 26. Congratulations also to OOTB Drill Hall-resident Art in Healthcare which has scooped a £64,000 grant from the Scottish Executive. The paintings-for-hospitals charity provides original, contemporary artworks for hospitals and healthcare communities.
That is all the news fit to print at OOTB this Spring. Samizdat will be back with another update in the summer. In the meantime, keep checking www.outoftheblue.org for all the latest news.
Out of the Blue Arts & Education Trust (charity number SCO22812) supports and promotes cultural ventures. It has an established track record as a vital catalyst for creativity in Edinburgh and beyond including the launch of cutting edge multi-arts venue the Bongo Club (www.thebongoclub.co.uk). OOTB gratefully acknowledges the support of Big Lottery, Scottish Arts Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Historic Scotland, Capital City Partnership, Communities Scotland, Fresh Futures, Social Investment Scotland, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh & Lothian, Triodos Bank, Social Enterprise Edinburgh, Scottish Community Foundation, Whiteburn and IKEA.
|
