Kurious City

In this episode, Tara Brown from the Arthouse returns to give us an update on how the fundraising is going, how you can help, other opportunities available and also a very special performance of her new poem written performed by Big Sean of The Everly Pregnant Brothers! Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/daisy039s-campaign-for-the-art-house Check out opportunities here: https://www.arthousesheffield.co.uk/sample-page/volunteering-jobs/ Follow Big Sean here: https://everlypregnantbrothers.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Sheffield based author and writer, Judith Watkins about her book 'Stones in my Bra', her past as an interpreter and the articles she currently is writing for the Sheffield Telegraph about life in lockdown. To purchase her book you can do so at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stones-Bra-enlightenment-perfect-flapjack/dp/B087GVXZ25/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=stones+in+my+bra+judith+watkins&qid=1591227464&sr=8-1 and you can learn more about her as well as read her articles at https://judithwatkins.co.uk/

This episode, we have a very special follow-up with Mike Scown, Pottery Manager of the Art House. We discuss how the fundraising campaign has been going for the organisation since we last spoke, what resources they have available for people to get involved in and most importantly their new fundraising Rainbow Quiz and Big Yorkshire Art Auction! Get involved via the links below: Quiz: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy_HYG-_WEO Auction: www.arthousesheffield.co.uk

In this episode, we speak to Steve Allen, art writer, critic and mastermind behind the wonderful art blog 'That Looks Queer'. Learn more about how Steve got into art criticism, the workshops they are currently working on and how you can get involved. Follow them @looksqueer on Twitter and @thatlooksqueer on instagram. You can also view past workshops on Steve's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqlcKP3RRctF6upZ4Yj3k2w And keep up to date with the newest ones here: htttps://www.facebook.com/events/218121382743447/

Today, we're talking to Jo Eckersley, Deputy Managing Director of Sheffield Flourish- a wonderful Sheffield Mental Health Charity that works to promote resources and stories to support those with lived experience of mental health. They also run the Sheffield Mental Health Guide www.sheffieldmentalhealth.co.uk Find out about how they're helping to tell service users' stories to remind Sheffielders they are not alone at this time, the support they are looking for both during and after the current pandemic and where you can go for resources if you are struggling. www.sheffieldflourish.co.uk @SheffFlourish @SheffMHG

This special episode of Kurious City was recorded pre-lockdown so dates and events were factually correct as of 12/03/2020 On this episode we talk to Jess Gibson a local performing artist and workshop facilitator in Sheffield about her work in dance, theatre and interdisciplinary art as well as twerking workshops and other fantastic stories from her recent R&D. You can follow Jess on Facebook at JessGibsonArts and on twitter @jessijaygibson

Today we're talking to Chantelle Parke, Participation & Mental Health Coordinator at Chilypep (Children & Young People's Empowerment Project) - a fantastic charity dedicated to promoting rights, well-being & opportunities to young people across South Yorkshire. Find out all about how they are helping young people make a real impact through existing projects, what they've got in the pipeline & how you can get involved. Oh & keep an eye out for the weekly Chilypep Challenges coming soon across their social media. @Chilypep https://www.chilypep.org.uk/ https://www.chilypep.org.uk/donate https://www.facebook.com/chilypep

This episode features the delightful David McLeavy, Director of Bloc Projects - a not-for-profit contemporary arts organisation in Sheffield that supports a wealth of emerging artistic talent, as well as offering an innovative & inspiring public programme of talks, workshops & events. Tune in to hear all about their new lockdown initiative - an interactive digital events programme, as well as the ways in which they're supporting local food banks. Website: https://www.blocprojects.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlocProjects Twitter: @blocprojects

Can games keep you sane in lockdown? HELL YEAH! Today we're talking to Ruth Haigh, co-owner of The Treehouse - Sheffield's much-loved, one & only board game cafe. Ruth reveals her top quarantine gaming picks, the lowdown on their bi-monthly virtual quiz, what they're doing to support local food banks & how you can help. It's a good 'un! Follow them @TreehouseBGC and donate to the foodbank here: https://chuffed.org/project/treehouse-food-bank-fundraiser

In the zoom-seat today we have freelance piano teacher Madge Woollard, who talks about adapting her teaching methods in the present pandemic and the unexpected positive impact of going digital. For those potential key-tinklers among you, she's offering FREE 15 minute online trial tutorials. If not now, when?! For more details, visit her website: https://mwoollard.webs.com

Today we're talking to Paul Ridgway, CEO & co-founder of The Curve, an innovative technology consultancy company based in Sheffield. They've just launched a not-for-profit community project called In It Together, which aims to connect those in need with those who can provide it throughout the pandemic. Tune in to find out how you can get involved & make yourself useful in these turbulent times. Follow them @tccslimited or check out the app at https://inittogether.app/

On the zoom-couch today we have Sheffield-based animator, illustrator & author Hayley Humphries (www.squareaquarium.com) who finds herself freshly, full-time freelancing having been made redundant days before C19 hit. Tune in to hear her recommendations for finding freelance support in the creative community & what she's doing to keep her morale up. Groups Mentioned: Artist Alley Network International-https://www.facebook.com/groups/artistalleynetworkinternational/ Coronavirus Impact Support for Sheffield Small Business and Self Employed-https://www.facebook.com/groups/350495542494295/about

Today's episode features award-winning comedian, promoter & official C19 survivor, Sean Morley. He talks to us from the now-familiar confines of his bedroom about the impact of the virus on his own career, the comedy industry as a whole & how he's attempting to diversify via live-streaming in his (admittedly very smart) Paisley pyjamas. Tune in to hear his top lockdown lol-heavy comedy picks! Links below: For Sean's work: www.youtube.com/user/SeanComedyMorley/ www.twitch.tv/seanmorl For others mentioned: Chris Gethard Public Access Archives- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHAPS5yR3ik&list=PLBDD9FE63007B95C Delightful Sausage (Tiredness Kills)-https://www.thedelightfulsausage.com/podcast-tiredness-kills Stath Lets Flats: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/stath-lets-flats Next Up Comedy: https://nextupcomedy.com/watch-stand-up-comedy/ Mandatory Redistribution Party: https://mandatoryredistributionparty.podbean.com/

I bet books are saving your bacon right now, well how about tuning in to hear how you can support La Biblioteka - Sheffield's much-loved independent, award-winning bookshop. We're talking to the owner Alex Maxwell (with a few helpful contributions from his very small son Elio), all about the impact of C19 on his day-to-day life as a bookseller & his hot tips for Quarantine Reads. Follow him on Twitter @LaBiblioteka A note from Alex: For some escapism during these insular items there's something comforting in looking at the past.  Two of the best recent releases are firmly in the historical fiction camp: The Mirror and The Light, Hilary Mantel's spectacular final book in the Wolf Hall trilogy chronicles the (fictional) lives around Cromwell's rise  s sure to clean up most book awards this year, and has the benefit of lasting through another week or two of lockdown at nearly 900 pages.  If you've already finished it, Hamnet, by Maggie O'Farrell is inspired by the son of a famous Stratford playwright, and is as immersive as it is intimate.  Now is a perfect time to tackle those chunky classics you've always passed over because you ‘don't have the time'! Whether that's Middlemarch or Anna Karenina, or, if not too close to the bone,  perhaps revisiting One Hundred Years of Solitude or Camus' The Plague could act as a bit of catharsis. This is a perfect time to lean in to domesticity, and either Tin Can Magic or Jack Monroe's Tin Can Cook make excellent arguments for digging amongst what's left at the supermarket shelves or at the back of your cupboard to fashion some tasty meals. Do Preserve by Anja Dunk goes from basic principles of pickles, jams & cordials to stunning recipes from Green Tomato Chutney to Strawberry Gin Fizz, so that we'll never be caught short again, no matter what disaster befalls us next. That is unless you have small children, in which case, by now you will be needing fresh activity ideas. The Nature of Play is full of seasonal activities, that for now, will help them rediscover the garden, and This Book Thinks Your An Inventor (and the rest of the series) should ignite their curiosity and imagination. For the younger siblings, DOT magazine is packed with playful activities, learning games & engaging stories Books can be ordered via labiblioteka.co or via our social media channels @LaBiblioteka

Meet Festival Producer and Performance Artist, Charlotte Blackburn (@charperforms), who's talking to us four days into her three month quarantine. She tells us how she's adapting the Unshut Festival (@UnShutFestival) to become a fully digital online event, how to apply and what to expect. And if that wasn't enough she's started an Instagram blog (@burstingmybubblesblog) about coping with anxiety. What a legend!

Today, we're talking to Tara Brown, Wellbeing Manager at The Art House in Sheffield, an amazing charity that strives to combat social isolation and loneliness through creativity and outreach. Find out how you can save this much-loved Sheffield organisation and stay creative amidst the crisis. Follow them @ArtHouseSheff and donate to their cause: https://www.gofundme.com/f/daisy039s-campaign-for-the-art-house

Brett is an award-winning freelance filmmaker who's had a hugely positive impact on the Sheffield creative scene in his role as Digital Producer for the Sheffield Creative Guild. He talks to us today from the confines of his attic about the survival of the freelancers, the squatters in his studio and what the future may hold. NB: this episode was recorded pre-lockdown. Follow him @brettinthecity or view his work at www.brettinthecity.com

In the first episode of KuriousCity on Lockdown we're talking to Creative Producer & Project Manager Linda Bloomfield, who's recently launched the amazing South Yorkshire Creatives Covid-19 Hardship Fund. This is a brilliant initiative providing financial support for freelance creatives who find themselves suddenly out of work & struggling to make ends meet. Tune in to find out how to apply, donate & spread the word. https://www.gofundme.com/f/south-yorkshire-creatives-cv-hardship-fund (https://www.gofundme.com/f/south-yorkshire-creatives-cv-hardship-fund)

This week we're with James Stone - writer, director & stone-mason, who tells us all about his amazing new VR vs gangs project, as well as how integral his 'failed' acting career has been on his success as a director. Oh, and he spills the beans on being married to Emma Stone. (Not that one). 

This week Letty's chatting to contemporary writer & creative writing teacher/mentor Susan Elliot Wright, who's just published her FOURTH novel The Flight of Cornelia Blackwood - which explores maternal mental health & postpartum psychosis. They talk about the rollercoaster that is writing, and what compels us to keep creating against all the odds. Oh and Susan gives us some hot tips on editing the first draft. 

This week's episode features Genevieve Carver - poet, spoken word artist, theatre-maker & leader of 'Genevieve Carver & The Unsung', who gives us an insight into what it's like to be one of the busiest creatives in Sheffield. We get the lowdown on her creative process, future collaborations & debut poetry collection (which she's dedicated to Sheffield), plus a sneak preview of music from her current UK Tour.  To download their track featured in the podcast go to: https://genevievecarvertheunsung.bandcamp.com/track/little-green All proceeds will go to Refuge (https://www.refuge.org.uk)

This week's episode features Sian Williams & Allie Carr who are both artists, performers, socialists & seriously smart. Tune in to hear them discussing politics in art, neoliberalism, resilience & raison d'etres. Warning - this podcast will make you think. 

In this week's episode we meet Rob Nevitt (@spectralfilms), Festival Founder/Creator and Co-Director of Celluloid Screams (@sheffhorrorfest); Sheffield's Horror Film Festival. We chat to him about his freelance videographer/editor work, how he got into horror and what the Festival and its community mean to him. Want to know more about Celluloid Screams, check out their website here: www.celluloidscreams.co.uk

This weeks episode features multi-award winning author, senior lecturer, mentor & Mum Helen Mort. We cover everything from writing competitions to career-defining moments, her creative process and passion for The Peaks. Not to mention her wonderful Granny & The Boot Room Incident.  Learn more about her work here: https://www.helenmort.com/ (https://www.helenmort.com/)

Meet writer & facilitator & self-confessed 'gregarious loner' Russ Thomas, who's about to launch his debut novel Firewatching; the first in a new police procedural series set in Sheffield, featuring DS Adam Tyler on his hunt to track down a serial arsonist.  Learn more about his work here: https://russthomasauthor.com/index.html (https://russthomasauthor.com/index.html)

In this week's episode we chat to illustrator and animator Chloe Longden @ChloesAnimation about her love of plants, animals and activism as well as her work with Girl Gang, Children's Media Conference and Northern Ballet and what it means to be a freelance artist.

This week we're meeting Digital Artist Ben Carlin @BenjCarlin - co founder of MegaVerse @WeAreMegaverse; an immersive content studio, specialising in interactive experiences & installations for VR, AR, XR & physical applications. Ben tells us all about his ground-breaking collaborations with the likes of NYT & Sheffield Children's Hospital, and gives us an insight into what the future might look like. 

In the first episode of Kurious City, our host Letty chats to renowned debut author Molly Aitken. Molly Aitken has just signed a two book deal with Canongate; the first of which (The Island Child) is launching on the 30th January at Waterstones in Sheffield. Let's find out what makes her tick! Learn more about Molly here: http://www.janklowandnesbit.co.uk/molly-aitken (http://www.janklowandnesbit.co.uk/molly-aitken) @MollyAitken1 Learn more about the producers here: www.kurious.art @ArtsKurious