What's On at OPEN - Issue 2

KINDLY SPONSORED BY

Left to right

The Comedy Bank Half Term Fun Norwich Fashion Week

WHAT’S ON · 02/16-05/16

#2

ADVERTORIAL - PRODUCTION BUREAU

PHOTOGRAPHY JULIA HOLLAND, ALL-ABOUTIMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

PRODUCTION BUREAU is one of the UK’s leading Live Event and Creative agencies.

Formed in 1989 they now employ over 50 staff in studios and offices in Norwich and Edinburgh.

Pb provides a wide range of creative services including graphic design, illustration, video production, motion graphics and animation.

They also produce live events including conferences, exhibitions and seminars, all of which are supported by their own technical and manufacturing teams.

Pb employs a number of young designers, technicians and production staff who were educated in Norfolk and the company believes strongly in nurturing local talent. “We do as much as we can, locally, to encourage students to take up a career in the creative industries.” says Pb’s founder Ian Greenfield.

The wide range of services that Pb offers, coupled with consistent growth means there are bound to be further opportunities to join the team. As a company Pb is always keen to hear from those interested in building a creative career.

Pb has built a close relationship with OPEN, “It’s a fantastic space to work in and offers our clients a unique location,” says joint managing director Sally Ann Edmonds. Pb has staged many conferences and fashions shows at the venue and look forward to continuing their successful partnership.

Pb is proud to provide production support for Keeping Abreast fashion shows held at OPEN

OPENNORWICH.ORG.UK · 02/16 - 05/16

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OPEN all hours!

Providing opportunities that make a positive difference to the lives of young people in Norfolk

JOHN GORDONSAKER Chief Executive

Visit us 20 Bank Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 4SF – Call us (01603) 763111 – Email us info@opennorwich. org.uk

Twitter @OPENNorwich – Facebook /opennorwich – Instagram OPENNorwich – Online opennorwich.org.uk Registered charity no. 1108712 Company registered no. 5320333

THE BEST THING about running a venue with a mission to fund a youth charity is that every day is different, especially as the demand to extend our opening hours increases.

Over the past few months OPEN has hosted a range of musical events from the revival of the Norwich Cathedral Choir Carol Concert to The Darkness gig with a sell-out crowd of 1,400 people. Our Banking Hall and Club enjoyed their busiest Autumn and Christmas ever with corporate conferences and parties, birthday, wedding and Diwali celebrations, festivals, fairs, exhibitions, shows, award ceremonies and boxing.

This diverse mix is expanding even further in 2016 with a sold-out darts match, new corporate clients, sporting events like the Euros and Olympics making use of our giant 7 metre screen and, on the music front, sell-out gigs by Bellowhead, Public Sector Broadcasting and Machine Head with a return by Craig Charles and his burgeoning funk and soul following.

We have some ambitious plans for our ''Our plans youth work too and have teamed up with to open our The Feed, a social enterprise group that will drop-in centre be training young people in kitchen skills, whilst catering for our events. Your Life, the full time programme created to provide vulnerable with a café, and disadvantaged young people with the life skills and confidence to find their way climbing wall into meaningful work continues to develop and gym are and our plans to open our Drop-In centre full starting to time with a café, climbing wall and gym are starting to take shape. take shape'' As we enter our second decade our vision of becoming a hub for youth services in Norfolk is coming to fruition, with the building now full of tenants who complement our mission like the Prince’s Trust, Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation Trust (Young Mental Health) Wellbeing Team and YMCA Training.

So we are looking forward to an exciting year in our development and, with every penny of profit from the venue going to the benefit of young people in Norfolk, OPEN is an irresistible proposition for anyone interested in corporate social responsibility, sponsorship or personal giving.

OPENNORWICH.ORG.UK · 02/16 - 05/16

OPEN is the new official home of Norwich Fashion Week 2016 in March.

We're delighted to be hosting the city's largest annual fashion event. Here are the details of core shows taking place

The Designers Show sponsored

by Canaries Official and the Hippodrome Great Yarmouth Tuesday 15th March, 7pm A creative, circus themed spectacular designed to promote the very best of Norwich’s designers, tailors, milliners and stylists. Perfect for discovering the next big thing.

PHOTOGRAPHY GEMMA LOCK | PAUL BAYFIELD | ANDI SAPEY | KERRY CURL

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OPENNORWICH.ORG.UK · 02/16 - 05/16

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MERCEDESBENZ OF NORWICH RETAILERS SHOW Thursday 10th March, 8pm

This annual catwalk event is a firm favourite with fashionistas. It showcases current and future trends from local independents and highstreet retailers.

THE DIPPLE AND CONWAY HAIR SHOW Friday 11th March, 8pm

THE VINTAGE SHOW

New for NFW16, hair stylists will demonstrate how the hair and fashion industries work in harmony by each showcasing five models on the catwalk, all to a live DJ set by the Tropico collective.

sponsored by Zaks Sunday 13th March, 8pm

With the city famed for its vintage scene, this ‘Spring’ themed show will capture the essence of Norwich’s vintage boutiques and styling, highlighting fashion from the 1930s through to the 1980s.

Thursday 17th March, 9pm (over 18s only)

FASHION EXCESS sponsored by Dr. Martens

A quirky fashion show for those who love mixing up their style. It fuses the latest fashion from Norwich’s independents, local designers and the high street to live music from local bands.

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OPENNORWICH.ORG.UK · 02/16 - 05/16

Clockwise from below: Teleman, Public Service Broadcasting and Craig Charles

Live music

2015 WAS OUR BIGGEST year yet for gigs but obviously we want to do even more this year. One show that was originally booked for last year but was postponed until now is the outstanding Public Service Broadcasting on February 12th. It will be the third time PSB will have played at OPEN but the first time in the Banking Hall. The following night (13th) we welcome Two Tone Legends’ The Beat. Also in February we have Little Comets on the 17th, the first Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club of 2016 on the 19th and locals Lightscape on the 20th with Turin Brakes with support from Tom Speight coming on Sunday 21st.

March starts with Metal giants Machine Head on the 2nd, The Cut (which showcases local artists put forward by our friends BBC Introducing In Norfolk and Outline Magazine). The latter are also involved alongside Future Radio two nights later on Saturday 5th March as it’s the Final of the 2016 Next Big Thing with 6 acts hoping to follow in the footsteps of Harry Edwards, Raevennan Husbandes, The Kabeedies and the little guy from Diss called Ed Sheeran. The Final is always a great night out and if you’ve never been to one then this is definitely the year to check it out.

Also in March we have the return of Zion Train.

In April look out for Teleman. This band are cool! At the end of April we’ll be hosting Bellowhead for our third and final time. In May we’ll be hosting two great shows for the Norfolk & Norwich Festival.

For details on the festival and all our other shows please keep an eye on our website (www. opennorwich.org. uk) and follow us on social media.

OPENNORWICH.ORG.UK · 02/16 - 05/16

PHIL NICHOL

JOE BOR

Phil is a truly unique performer. An acclaimed actor, award winning comedian, producer, presenter, writer and musician – there is no end to his talent! His skill as an improviser whether it be musical, comedy or straight is unparalleled.

07

NINIA BENJAMIN One of the UK’s hottest female comedians with a wealth of television, stage and live stand-up experience. She was catapulted to stardom as one third of BBC3’s 3 Non-Blondes and was crowned the Winner of Celebrity Scissorhands.

AWARD-WINNING

Joe Bor is one of the best observational character comedians on the circuit. He regularly works as a warm up for Mock The Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Alan Carr Chatty Man and The Graham Norton Show.

SUSAN MURRAY A seasoned performer, Susan has taken her comedy all over the world and is one of the UKs best MCs. She has just starred in ITV’s ‘The Job Lot’ playing a Black Country chav Mom, which wasn’t much of a stretch.

She’s a ‘feisty fireheaded pocket rocket.’

14th April we On Thursday rst night of laughter will host our fiith THE COMEDY and hilarity wng...

BANK, featuri n pe -o at kn ba m ro dye f me bl /co a k l ai .u av .co e 0 £1 brit s et ent ck Ti w.ev ww

28 Mar–2 Apr | The Forum, Norwich | FREE / / / / / /

INDIE GAMES GAMING VILLAGE RETRO ARCADE TALKS & WORKSHOPS MEET DEVELOPERS CAREERS & PARENTAL ADVICE

#NGF2016

Norwich Gaming Festival

PUB QUIZ at Open

£7.50 per person, max of 6 per team

Fri 1 Apr | 7.30pm–midnight (doors 7pm) / / / /

Quiz Chiptunes DJ Henry Homesweet & VJ Prize for winners Raffle to support SpecialEffect Charity

norwichgamingfestival.com

Ticket info www.opennorwich.org.uk

The Norwich Gaming Festival

@NorwichGFest

Brought to you by The Forum in association with lead education partner Norwich University of the Arts and education partner University of East Anglia

OPENNORWICH.ORG.UK · 02/16 - 05/16

PHOTOGRAPHY ARCHANT/SIMON FINLAY

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Support our work AS WE CONTINUE to provide opportunities for young people in Norfolk so we continue to raise funds to make this possible. We are always on the lookout for Volunteers and for people to fundraise for us.

Why not set yourself a challenge this year and get sponsored by friends, family and colleagues and help us to continue to expand our work? We will help you every step of the way!

At OPEN we are very excited to be involved with the Community Chest Challenge in collaboration with the EDP and the Norfolk Community Foundation and will be collecting coupons from the EDP so we can apply for much needed funding throughout the year. Do help us by sending us your coupons – we need to collect 500 every month so we really need your help!

Please send them to Grainne at the Open Youth Trust, 20 Bank Plain, Norwich Norfolk, NR2 4SF.

If you would like to volunteer, fundraise or collect coupons for us please contact Grainne Buckley, Fundraising Manager either via emailing grainne@ opennorwich.org.uk or telephone her on 01603 763111

OPENNORWICH.ORG.UK · 02/16 - 05/16

Case

studies

The following are just a couple of young people's stories of their journey with the OPEN Youth Trust.

KAY STALLARD (AGE 17) KAY FIRST CAME ALONG to

OPEN’s Drop In in December 2014.

Kay then went on to attend On Point Productions, our musical theatre group and the senior contemporary dance group.

Kay says “OPEN in all of its activities, clubs and sessions are completely, utterly and totally accepting, empathetic and understanding. The staff are exceedingly supportive and helpful in a manner of ways. When I was struggling with accepting myself the other people my age and the staff were there for me and helped me become the confident and reflective young person I am today.”

LUKE CHAMPENY (AGE 17) LUKE FIRST JOINED

OPEN in February 2015 to take part in the ‘Fast Forward’ project. This project works with young people with a range of disabilities and/or special educational needs. Luke also joined the Ignite Street Dance group and, although he had never attended dance classes before, learned the routines with ease. Luke says” “I’ve made many new friends since I started at OPEN and it’s always great fun and enjoyable.”

Louise, Luke’s carer said “Since joining OPEN Luke has been doing amazingly well. I’m really proud of him and the way he has grown and developed as a young person.”

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OPENNORWICH.ORG.UK · 02/16 - 05/16

School holiday activities

Your Life THERE ARE lots of exciting things happening for children and young people at OPEN in the coming months.

We have our new Your Life programme of positive activity which includes weekly workshops in performing arts, music, cooking and climbing for those aged 11-19years.

We also have a newly formed volunteer programme to encourage young people to volunteer as a way increasing their skills, raise confidence and develop aspirations. We are running a number of courses and workshops to help young people gain employability skills such as the Work Ready and Life Hack.

And not forgetting our Drop In service which gives young people a safe haven to hang out with their friends, with the support of youth workers for any issues that they may have.

This programme has been developed with the help of young people and all aspects of delivery are to target a need for young people in Norfolk. This programme is free of charge so please do come along and visit us!

All details of our ‘Your Life’ programme are on our website at www. opennorwich. org.uk/activities.

Alternatively pop into either Drop In or Box Office and pick up a copy (as pictured below).

Looking for fun things for your children to get involved with over the school holidays?

We may have the answer. On offer are the following 2 day workshops aimed at 7 – 12 year olds:

Introduction to Climbing Intermediate Climbing Abseiling & Ascending Fashion Cycle Pop Party Stop Frame Animation Musical Theatre Fabulous Food Music Mayhem Crafty Creations Let’s Do Science Circus Skills Movie Making Rock School The cost for each 2 day activity is £30 wish some bursary places available.

For full details of each activity and how to book go to www. opennorwich.org.uk/activities

OPENNORWICH.ORG.UK · 02/16 - 05/16

discussion

JOHN RASPIN

Youth Volunteer Mentor

“MY MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

are to recruit young people onto OPEN’s Volunteer Programme; teach young people different and varying communication skills; inform young people of OPEN’s core values and how they relate to effective volunteering; encourage young people to volunteer in different sectors within OPEN; and ensure young people move up the volunteer ladder by setting goals that will lead to them receiving more responsibility.”

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Describe your job? I provide young people with training and the opportunity to volunteer within OPEN. Providing the opportunity to learn new life skills and nurturing preexisting ones enables young people to better themselves and effectively increases their employability.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Meeting and working with a diverse amount of young people. I feel I learn something new every day whilst at work; it is an effective way of enabling me to stay culturally relevant and hip.

Plus, I’ve successfully created a language!

What do you like most about your job? I enjoy giving young people the opportunity to better themselves; it’s difficult in today’s economic climate for the younger generation to find a job, so offering them useful experience that can increase their employability is very rewarding.

How do you relax outside of work? I enjoy reading and playing music in my band The Thinking Men.

What would you do if you were not doing this? I would probably be in a job that is less rewarding, or I would have the time to put more effort into my personal studies.

How long have you lived in the Norfolk area? All my life.

What’s the best thing about Norfolk? The city of Norwich is the best thing for me. From the ever-growing amount of local businesses through to the beauty of the cobbled streets and the vibrant music scene, Norwich is indeed a fine city to inhabit. I could move anywhere in the world, but Norwich will always feel like my home.

Who is the most famous person you have ever met?

I have never met a famous person, but if I had a choice I would love to meet, Jesus, Tom Waits, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, Jack White and in another life, Jim Morrison.

Tell us something about you that we wouldn’t know? I’ve written a novel.

Sum up yourself in three words Confident, spontaneous, creative.

Sum up Norfolk in three words Cultured, relevant, vibrant.

And finally… what is the one piece of advice you would give to a complete stranger? Never act out of anger and always think before you speak.

''I could move anywhere in the world, but Norwich will always feel like my home''

ADVERTORIAL - NORWICH GAMING FESTIVAL

... returns to Norwich!

THE NORWICH Gaming Festival is back! The week-long festival is returning to The Forum on 28 March – 2 April and will celebrate all aspects of video games and their development. The festival is free and for all ages: from newcomers to enthusiasts, young people to older generations, game developers to schools, colleges and universities.

The Norwich Gaming Festival Pub Quiz on Friday 1

April at 7.00pm! This year the quiz will take place at Open and will feature Chiptunes DJ Henry Homesweet and a VJ. Tickets £7.50 from www.opennorwich.org.uk

For all the latest festival news visit www.norwich gamingfestival.com Twitter @NorwichGFest #NGF2016 Facebook The Norwich Gaming Festival

Conference

One of the most exciting and versatile event venues in the region Located in the centre of Norwich with boutique style conference rooms www.opennorwich.org.uk | twitter @OPENNorwich | 01603 763111 Custom Conference Advert for Places & Faces.indd 1

28/01/2016 17:13

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PHOTOGRAPHY THE FA

OPENNORWICH.ORG.UK · 02/16 - 05/16

BIG SCREEN SPORT

Including Euro 2016 and the Rio Olympics

FEBRUARY 27th

CORPORATE BOXING

An evening of boxing where men and women from the white-collar professions who have trained like a real boxer take to the ring.

MARCH

Calendar

10th-17th

NORWICH FASHION WEEK

See feature on pages 4 & 5.

–

28th (to 2nd April)

NORWICH GAMING FESTIVAL

See opposite page ‘Pub Quiz’ for details.

from a variety of West End favourites, it’s a concert not to be missed.

–

11th-24th

NORTH NORFOLK FESITVAL AMBASSADORS EXHIBITION

Discover how tourism developed in North Norfolk from the 19th century to the present day in this touring exhibition created by young volunteers. The exhibition has been created as part of the HLF-funded North Norfolk Stories project: www.northnorfolkstories.org

APRIL

4th-8th

WEST END EXPERIENCE WEEK

After four days of intensive musical theatre training, from some of the West Ends finest professionals, 50 local youngsters and 30 adults will take to the stage alongside pros from the West End. With musical numbers

23rd April

OPEN DAY AT OPEN

We will be opening our doors and showcasing everything that goes on inside our venue.

So come and have a go on our climbing wall, visit our Drop In, taste the food from The Feed in our conference rooms and listen to live music performances. There will be something for everyone of all ages, individuals and businesses alike.

14th

COMEDY BANK

New for 2016! OPEN in association with Studio UrbanBlu Ltd brings you our very own brand of stand-up – see page 7.

MAY 22nd

NORWICH & NORFOLK FESTIVAL: TINDERSTICKS

Formed in 1993, Tindersticks are masters of restraint and poetic human emotion; for this gig they play songs from their latest album each accompanied by a specially commissioned film to create a truly immersive audio-visual event.

COMING SOON: SUMMER AT OPEN July GIN FESTIVAL August NORFOLK

GUITAR FESTIVAL August NORFOLK JAZZ WEEKENDER

Live Events Audio Visual Exhibitions & Display Video, Motion GFX & Design

Production Bureau, The Dog, Main Road, Swardeston, Norfolk NR14 8AD

T 01508 578 598 E general@productionbureau.com

Pb_Ltd www.productionbureau.com