Join the Digital Revoluton!

Like everyone, the last few weeks have been a challenge.

However, as a team and a community of creatives, we wanted to do our bit to make this journey maybe a little bit easier where we could.

It will come as no surprise that we have moved all of our work online.

Thanks to working with local and national makers, we’ve put together a programme that hopefully is for everyone to enjoy — from fun workshops for children to poetry, creative masterclasses, hula hooping, ukulele community orchestras, Friday night jams and classical concerts.

This is the start of our Digital Revoluton live online events programme that will take place every Thursday and Friday afternoon to evening during lockdown, starting on Thursday 16 April.

Thanks to all of our friends and co-creatives who have helped us put this programme together.

In this blog you can also find what we’re doing to provide support for Luton’s creatives, a callout for workshop participants in Bury Park and a preview of what’s coming next.

Digital Revoluton — Live and interactive online events

Live online creative events by and for Lutonians, featuring:

• interactive creative events via Zoom (register on Eventbrite to get the link and password)
• Facebook Live streams.

All our events will be available to book from Tuesday 14 April.

Until then, here’s a taster of what’s on next week!

Thursday 16 April

2pm–3.30pm Something New at 2 (4–10 years)
Presented by Luton’s Aaron Spendelowe

Join Aaron and friends for this weekly interactive session - Something New at 2! Storytelling, activities and guest friends every week.

This week’s special guest is Sara from Luton-based company Tangled Feet who are challenging us to a hula hoop challenge – so bring your hula (and that means you too grownups!).

4pm–4.30pm The Big Strum
In partnership with The Mix

Join us for weekly workshops in ukulele so that you can play like a pro! We’re looking forward to having an outdoor concert when we can finally be together again.

The world record for people playing the ukelele at the same time is 8,065 — so what do you say, fancy breaking a world record with us?

If you don’t have a ukulele you can still order and have delivered one from Chamberlain Music.

If you have a ukulele(s) that you are no longer using and might be able to donate then get in touch. We are working with and through local community groups to supply ukuleles to those that might not be able to afford it so contact info@revolutonarts.com if you have a group that you would like to nominate.

Here’s a picture of a lot of ukuleles arriving at one of our community partners. Blimey.

5.30pm–6pm Head-raps and Prose (14yrs+)
Presented by young Luton spoken word artist, Sadface the Poet

Our young artist in residence Sadface the Poet will be doing what she does best and responding to one word that you nominate each week. This week's word is ‘create’.

Featuring special guests each week.

8.15pm–9pm Lockdown Live performance
Presented by Usaama Minas and Sudha Buchar

What better way than to escape in your own home than with a lockdown live performance?

This week is a spoken word evening hosted by national artists Usaama Minhas and Sudha Bhuchar.

All ages welcome.

Friday 17 April

2.30pm–3pm Classical Strings Concert
Presented by Sinfonia Verdi

Take a moment for reflection and remembrance every Friday afternoon to hear the soaraway sounds of virtuoso musicians from Luton-based Sinfonia Verdi.

This week David Murphy and Julia Barker present performances on violin and viola.

All ages welcome.

3.30pm–4.30pm Poetry Masterclass (14+ years)
Presented by award-winning writer James McDermott

A chance to understand the craft of poetry with award-winning writer James McDermott. Open to everyone from learner to experienced writer.

James’s book of poetry is out in August so who knows, we might even get a signed copy :)

5pm–6pm Playwriting Course for young people (16–30 years)

With award-winning writer James McDermott

This interactive session is for you if you’re interested in writing your own play whilst in self-isolation — learn how to create dramatic stories and engaging characters.

Booking opens on Tuesday.

9pm–11pm Friday Late Lounge (16+)

Presented by Revoluton Arts’ Young People’s Familam

Hear the best of local talent presented each week. This week is Open Mic night so come see the best of Luton’s 18–30’s creatives – live!

Book or find out more

All events will be available from Tuesday here on our website and on our Facebook and Eventbrite.

Help for Luton’s creative community

For creatives — Information sessions on emergency Arts Council support

Presented by The Producers’ Hub

The Producers’ Hub led by 1DegreeEast is offering an online, one-off emergency information session next Tuesday 14 April for creatives who might be thinking or will be applying for Arts Council England emergency funds Round 1.

To be eligible you need to have read ACE guidance beforehand — for organisations and individuals — and ideally have had a look at the ACE Let's Create 10-year strategy.

Alongside, our Luton partners are offering on-going support — COVID-19 bid-writing assistance.

Places are offered on a first come, first served basis.

If you’re thinking of applying for Round 2 there will be a further session next week, so don’t worry if you miss this information session.

Book your 25-minute slot by emailing info@revolutonarts.com.

For creative community groups — Help with meeting online using Zoom

If you are a choir, dance group, Zumba class, local band or local creative and are finding it a challenge to meet online, then we invite you to continue to meet using our Zoom subscription.

We can offer your creative group free access to our paid Zoom account (without the 40-minute time limit of the free Zoom service).

Don’t worry if you don’t know how to use Zoom — we have our fabulous technician on hand to talk you through how to use it.

Free 15-minute Zoom training sessions will run twice a week on Tuesdays from 12.30pm and Wednesdays at 6.30pm.

To book your place, email furhaad@revolutonarts.com

Family Workshops — callout for participants in Bury Park

Presented by Bhuchar Boulevard

Last year, we partnered with Wellcome Collection to commission award-winning actor and playwright, Sudha Bhuchar, founder of Bhuchar Boulevard to explore the theme of ‘touch’ in Bury Park.

No one could have guessed that right in the middle of this work, we would all be experiencing this lockdown where overnight ’touch’ has become 'loss of touch'.

This means we’re re-framing our planned workshops and events during Sudha's residency so that — if not physically — we can still keep in touch with you.

The theme of touch is even more resonant as people are finding themselves isolated from their loved ones, and finding other ways to connect and mark family occasions, happy and sad.

We are looking for participants to explore this turbulent period through the lens of 'touch' and come together to share your stories.

If you or your family group (family in the widest sense — colleagues, friends, community group) would like to attend an online workshop led by Sudha, please get in touch.

Email: imrana@revolutonarts.com

What’s Coming Next?

This is the start of our programme so make sure you sign up to our email newsletter to get updates on our creative online events and support.

Commissions

Over the next week we will be asking Luton creatives to help us build our programme through mini commissions.

Please sign up to The Matrix — our online network for Luton creatives — if you haven’t already done to register your interest.

Live Lounge

The following week’s Friday night Late Lounge (24 April) will be hosted by Marsh Farm Outreach.

DJ Lavz Lates

Showcase event for up-and-coming Luton talent hosted by young Luton-based music producer, rapper and guitarist Lavz.

Zoom Producers’ Hub – Emergency Arts Council support

Coming next week – more details to follow.