Now having worked there I know that if they’re currently touring, they’re currently rehearsing like crazy. So if you see a bunch of people in ACE hoodies jogging around Digbeth of a morning, give them an encouraging cheer because that’s their circuit training warm-up – the most arduous one of them all.
This exhibition, which covers the Film and Video Workshop movement 1979-1991, was by far the most interesting for me because I got to see a little film by Yugesh Walia called African Oasis (1982), featuring Kokuma Dance Company. Kokuma, a traditional African and Caribbean dance company which folded in 2000, was where Ian and Gail Parmel met and left to start up ACE dance and music, who live just behind the VIVID gallery (disclaimer: it’s where I work). ACE uses much more contemporary techniques with African and Caribbean movement style. I was gobsmacked to see a film of them back in the day, it made me realise what a long dance journey they’d been on. It was a real-opener.
Other highlights include Giro – Is this the modern world? (1982) by Johnnie Turpie/Dead Honest Soul Searchers. It features an unbelievably posh government minister telling one of the thousands of young, bright, unemployed people at the time, “Society doesn’t owe you a living.” No wonder there were riots, it’s 25 years on and I still feel like hitting him.
VIVID are holding a series of film screenings as part of the Participation exhibition. The next one is a trio called Amber on Thursday 9th, Friday 10th and Saturday 11th July, all at 2pm. This is followed by Black Audio Film Collective at 2pm next Saturday 18th July.
Our next stop was Eastside Projects, which had a rather serious message for us. Just say no, kids:
Walking through the bright pink tunnel was rather disorientating – it’s pure, brilliant white inside:
Another fun topic of conversation was trying to work out what was part of the current exhibition and what was left over from previous ones. I really like that about Eastside Projects, it’s like moving into an old furnished flat – you end up with odds and ends of the previous tenant’s things but assimilate them with your own stuff to make it home.
There were Bloody Marys, girls in pretty, blood-red dresses and a bloody noisy band. I’m told the party picked up during the evening but I wouldn’t know because I had to leave early with slightly ironic bloody period pain. Pah.
Saturday night saw me in work, where I was very pleased to be for ACE dance and music’s annual Christmas sharing, a great, family-feeling occassion which celebrates all the year’s achievements. There were performances by all the class groups, from Parents and Tots (so much cute!) to Adults’ African dance (oh, the shame). But the best performance was by their fantastic youth company ACE Youth.
I saw ACE Youth for the first time at the last Christmas sharing, and my jaw really did hit the floor at how amazing they are. Naturally, I’m seriously biased because I work for the company, so here’s a video for you to see for yourself. I think it was halfway through this performance at Raw Energy in the Dancexchange that me and my flatmate started laughing out loud at their sheer excellence. The youth platform show was a regional heat for Youth Dance England’s National Youth Dance Festival 2008, which they naturally sailed through to. I predict great things for ACE Youth in 2009.
After all that jumping about we got to stuff ourselves silly with lush Caribbean food from Caricom Restaurant next to the Adam and Eve on Warner Street. I slept like a baby when I got home.
Gigbeth, it’s some gigs, in Digbeth – It is! And I’ll be there with bells on! I can’t wait. Like Jon Bounds, I’m looking forward to seeing the 4Talent line-up and The Destroyers. If you’re a fan of The Destroyers, catch Mama Matrix at The Rainbow tomorrow night, who are in the front bar as part of the Consider It Done Gigbeth Fringe event. I remember seeing them years ago when they were ‘Mama Matrix and The Destroyers’. Not sure why they split into two, but both bands are still of a similar, mental vein.
Another Byte Of Banality: S.A.D Blog Entry – Poor, depressed Midge. Perhaps he’s coming down with this cold that’s working its way around Digbeth. Yes, I like to break the big local news – there’s a cold going around Digbeth. All the dancers at ACE dance and music are coughing away, including my flatmate. This does not bode well for my big Gigbeth weekend and I’m not happy about it!
Custard Factory – Punch announce BASS09 theme: Inspired by Africa and Africans – ‘The aim of this year’s theme is celebrate and explore Africa’s influence on the arts scene. Working with mainstream and grassroots organisations, we will also be encouraging a broad range of audiences to participate in and experience the global impact of African cultural expression.’
Silver Surfer destroyed in Dudley – Nick Clark’s sculpture of the Marvel Comic hero was originally intended for the Custard Factory, but instead ended up in Dudley getting smashed up by vandals. ‘The vandal attack has been reported to the police and Mr Clark added he will need a crane to get the statue moved.’ He should borrow the Custard Factory’s hydraulic lift, they only use it to rearrange wet t-shirts when Benny Gray’s due to visit.
Plus+ International Design Expo – ‘Plus is a unique design-led festival showcasing all that is innovative, pioneering, and novel in the world of international typo/graphic design.’ In Digbeth 5th-8th November, venue to be confirmed. Last year’s typography exhibition was fantastic
