Gambler's luck

by kb

I was over-enthusiastic when booking seats. Monday's looking good. I reckon it should be possible to run from Pam Thompson's poetry launch in the Clephan Building to Will Kaufman's Woody Guthrie performance in PACE, though life would be easier with a zip wire from the third floor of Clephan to the first floor of PACE. Did no-one think of this or was it vetoed on Health and Safety grounds?

But when I booked my Wednesday tickets, I didn't notice that the interview with Charles Dance continued half an hour after my next event had started. I wasn't sure that leaving early would be polite, but I really want to hear what Professor Keith Laybourn has to say about working-class gambling in Britain in the first half of the twentieth century.

Gambling is a common theme in working-class literature. I've come to think that although it offers little hope for people with low incomes and no chance of a well-paid job or a lucky break, that little hope is better than no hope at all. For many people, gambling is often the only hope there is, though today the gamble may involve auditioning to appear on reality TV rather than queuing at the bookie's or doing the football pools. The movie-going public seem to agree - Slumdog Millionaire is a fairy tale about a young man who clutches at the frailest wisp of impossible luck.

My gambling v. Charles Dance dilemma has been resolved. Mr Dance's fans may be upset but I was slightly relieved at the news that he has cancelled. I won't be the annoying person who tries to creep out of an audience without attracting attention. Instead I can focus on a subject that interests me - and learn from someone else's research.

Gambling, here I come!

Celebrity Status

by tira

Trevor Nelson, Charles Dance, Billy Bragg. When else will loan-ridden university students see these giants within one week, in one building, for free (or very cheap)? Welcome to Cultural Exchanges, our humble opportunity to share breathing space with stars and learn their trade secrets.

Of course, celebrity status is subjective. I'll admit that some of the most famous names in the Cultural Exchanges brochure were unfamiliar to me. Reading descriptions of “major” and “award-winning” artistes did not resonate.

However, my eyes did spot the names of intriguing people whose interests and purposes relate to mine. I found the right celebrity for me, a man whose name is hitherto unmentioned in the pre-Cultural Exchanges excitement: Joshua Mowll. A writer talking about children’s adventure books... Ah, yes, now that resonates!

There is undoubtedly something for everybody in Cultural Exchanges 2009. Who will your celebrity be?

Where could I be (or heading towards) in three years?

By AJ

I don't like that question (in the title), how can anyone answer a question like that when life moves at the pace that it does. Lord, I don't even though where i'll be tomorrow, I don't tend to plan that far ahead. Thats what I like about the uncertainty, why would I want to plan out my life like a dot-to-dot. However, there is nothing wrong with a glimpse into the future.

Next week marks the beginning of Cultural Exchanges, a week long festival featuring talks from people who have crafted their names in the industry. One i'm looking out for is the Creative Writing launch on Thursday 5th March at 10am-12pm in Clephan Building room 2.30, DMU's Creative Students begin to step out into the big bad world, each one in my eyes like pioneers.

Adaptation...The key to cultural evolution

by Panel Hopper

Modern science tells us that the key to survival is adatpation, the ability to change yourself or your materail in order better suit your envioment or audience.

As you may be able to tell by now, what I'm getting at is of course, screenwriting and adaptation for films.

It is one of the most well known "little known facts" that almost 60% percent of original scripts that emerge in Hollywood are the the highly bastardised versions of unpublished novels and, if the last five years are anything to go by, the other 40% is largely made up of adaptations of well loved books, comics and video games. It seems ovbious therefore, that good adaptation has now formed the backbone of Hollywood, and I look forward to gaining some insider knowledge of the process next week.

Creative Writing Launch

By PointyKitty

I was thinking that I might be so lucky as to have a week off during Cultural Exchanges seen as I didn't get the week to spend half term with my boy. However, I was wrong, the blog bullies have forced me into attending events and reviewing them!

Much to my stubborness' dismay, there are several events that take my fancy. The "Creative Writing Launch" appeals to me as I think it will be interesting to see the work/publications that other Creative Writing students have prepared and find out about what they are intending to do with their degrees once they have graduated. This is one that I will not be missing as I believe it will be very helpful for me and to other students on the course.

Interestingly enough, Kathleen has just informed me that these students will be the first to graduate Creative Writing as the course is only 3 years old. Well, you really do learn new and interesting facts every day! Good luck to the third years.

By PointyKitty

Culture

by Sossij

Next week promises to be an interesting venture. De Montfort University hosts a variety of broadcasters, writers, actors and musicians in the Cultural Exchanges festival. I am particularly looking forward to Charles Dance in conversation as I am a big fan of his work. I am also tempted by Andrew Davies and Lemn Sissay. As an aspiring writer and aspiring actor, I think these will be best suited to me.

I wouldn't say no to Trevor Nelson though. He has gained a lot of respect from his peers.

Give it a go...what's the worst that could happen?

By Thurms



What is the image of cultural exchanges? To some it is a week off where they can spend the week at home and relax because lectures and workshops are cancelled for one whole week. To others it is an opportunity to see some of the most inspirational people (that were available and could be bothered to talk to a load of university students) in Britain. Until about a week ago i was definitely one of the stay at homies, having a week relaxing...that was until i looked at some of the speakers. (And when i was told i had to see at least three performances)



Once i was told i had to see at least three performances, i decided to get behind the idea as there is no point in dreading something and expecting it to be awful because (even if you are 99.9% sure it will be) it will probably live up...or down to your expectations. So after re-looking through the Festival guide i have seen a number of performances and speeches that look very interesting and ones that i would like to go and see. These include Lemn Sissay, Charles Dance, Billy Bragg and Chris Cowey to name but a few.



Why am i telling you about my sudden, albeit forced, change of opinion about the week? Well there are two reasons: first i have been told to write a blog about cultural exchanges but secondly (and this is definitely the most important reason behind telling you) it is because it actually looks like it will be a very interesting week. If you are one of those stay at home people who is planning to go home or just stay in bed all of next week then i urge, nay i implore you to change your mind. To stay at DMU for the next week, go to cultural exchanges, save the world in the process...OK I'll admit it is getting very preacher like now...basically i think you should take a look at the Festival guide at the very least. If you don't know many of the performers then use it as an opportunity to learn something new.



Well isn't that what you are supposed to do at university?

Cultural Exchanges: My Week Ahead

By LD

Next week De Montfort University welcomes Cultural Exchanges. From the 2nd to the 6th of March the voices of leading creative forces will be heard echoing around the University’s Clephan and PACE buildings. Guests from the world of media, music and writing will be appearing (mostly) free of charge.

Ive booked up for three talks to get me started, Will Kaufman (“All You Jim Crow Fascists!” Woody Guthrie’s freedom songs) on Monday, Dr Stuart Price (“STOCKWELL: the overproduction of force”) on Wednesday and Billy Bragg (“In Conversation”) to end the week on Friday (Also my birthday!)

I can't wait! What a fantastic opportunity. I'm looking forward to my eyes being opened!

Psst - what's Cultural Exchanges!?

By Jack O'Sullivan

Right, ok, blogging on the Cultural Exchanges blog... The first port of call was to find out what Cultural Exchanges actually is. The words hung around in my head like a fading smell - I'd heard them before, but it was on one of those occasions where you've more or less only got your brain turned on for the sake of it. Like during adverts or whilst listening to Jeremy Kyle.

Anyway, back on track. My faithful buddy Google knew exactly how to deal with this situation, even kindly correcting my spelling for me after suspecting that I was in fact not intending to search for "cyltural ecchanges" (I should also note that Google achieved this without making me feel like a delinquent). That's what happens when you're trying not to disturb a cat sprawled across your keyboard.

After removing said disgruntled feline, I delved into the hits Google had brought up for me (in 0.31 seconds). The first result seemed suitable, having DMU in the URL, so I clicked away. From the page that flashed up, I discerned that it was a sort of celebration of the Humanities/Art faculties, based initially on the opening of the Clephan building in 2000. This seemed much more plausible than my first theory gleaned from their advertising logo that it was some kind of obscure tattoo parlour. Many notable guests speakers turn up for the week long festival, and it seems overall to be a very formative experience.

You can expect fascinating talks such as Dr Ian Hunter's "Cult film as a guide to life - which delves into just how emotionally and philosophically attached fans can become of cult movies - ranging all the way to Jonzi D, who will be giving a demonstrative show of "hip hop theatre". That one does sound pretty interesting.

So that's it from me and Google for now, though be sure to look up Cultural Exchanges yourself too! Don't just take our word for it. Learn more about Cultural Exchanges week.

There is a small fee involved for some of the events, further details can be found by following the above link.

Introducing the Radio 1 DJ... Trevor Nelson!

By BS


Like many of you I am sure, I listen avidly to BBC radio 1: Scott Mills, Edith Bowmen, Annie Mac, Zane Lowe, Jo Whiley and I even manage to drag myself out of bed early enough to listen to some Chris Moyles. However, the people above are easy to listen to; not only are they entertaining, but they also play a selection of popular music within the top 40 or (as it is with Zane) play new and up coming stuff giving you the freshest music of the scene.

I'm not one for R 'n' B music at all. Actually if I'm honest, I would say that I didn't really like it. Yet I find myself listening more and more to Trevor Nelson on the beeb. As he is known as a pioneer for urban music, you may be thinking that this is strange, but I think that, this is because he not only doesn't force urban music down my throat or insists that I listen to it, but he has this way of gentle coaxing it into my head till I find myself, sort of in a trance, downloading a certain urban track off ITunes.

To me this beats all of the humor and wit (which he still has) as it subconsciously gets me listening to music I had previously written off as 'not my thing'. This is why, in my long winded way, I am suggesting to you to go and see him next Monday at the Cultural Exchanges week at 4pm (advance booking only.) I believe that not only will you find it fascinating and humorous but your eyes will also be opened to new music in a way that you've never seen before.

Post-Show Discussions - Get Your Money's Worth

By SCN

I for one, have already seen Martin McDonagh's latest play, The Pillowman at Leicester's new theatre, The Curve. I was lucky enough, to go to the preview show last month and it is one of the most gripping macabre plays of this year.

In the light of this, I urge anyone who has got tickets for the show on Tuesday 3rd March 2009, to go to the post show discussioon "Fiction and Moral Repsonsibility." It is set to be a heated debate, chaired by the Artistic Director of Curve and director of The Pillowman, Paul Kerryson, as well as visiting guest academics from DMU.

To top it off, some of the cast and crew will also be there, so this means Marc Warren could be there.

If this is not enough of a reason to attend the post show talk, at least take the time to go see the actual show. It is a spectacle you won't soon forget, filled with nail biting tension and a twisted yet brilliant plot.

By this point, if you've already got a ticket, get your money's worth. The post-show discussion is free to all ticket holders.

Check out The Curve's website for tickets which start at £14.

Launching

by kb

We've been preparing for three years. When the undergraduate Creative Writing degree was set up and we offered places for the first time, we knew there would be a launch. It's time for the Demon Crew, as De Montfort's creative writers are known, to go out into the world.

In their final year, students study self-publishing and work with desk-top and web-design software. They have to submit a publication in the format of their choice. They've been worried about this. I've been worried too. The publications have to be good enough to launch at Cultural Exchanges.

This week, the first pamphlets and posters arrived. I was stunned. They looked so professional - far better than many pamphlets of poetry I have bought. The students have a strong sense of visual style. I wanted to read everything at once but was scared of damaging the pristine copies, fresh from the press.

Next week, the students will work more on the vocal skills they need to read, present and perform their work. There will be little tasters at the launch. We're still fixing the programme but I think there will be two different blocks of readings and performances at 10.30 and 11.30. There will also be a chance to wander round, meet the students and see their work.

We're not promising any big names of today. Instead we're offering visitors a chance to talent-spot the writers of tomorrow.

If you're in Leicester on the morning of Thursday, 5th March, why not come along? The launch is in the Clephan Building between 10 and 12. It's free. You could even add a comment if you're planning to attend ...

I'm not getting tattoos

by kb

There's something slightly alarming about this year's Cultural Exchanges brochure. I don't like needles - something to do with failing Needlework at school, I expect - and prefer to avoid them in all guises, from the large needles used for neat embroidery to the even larger implements employed for injections at the doctor's surgery. Tattoo parlours make me squirm though, at a previous Cultural Exchanges festival, I spent a happy hour or so listening as Joolz Denby talked to students about the joys of "body modification." Still, I find the new brochure cover slightly alarming.

All the more reason to open the brochure quickly and decide on my bookings. Pam Thompson on Monday for certain. She's a friend and I love her poems. And I can't miss Liz Lochhead on Thursday, though I'm not sure whether I have the nerve to attend her workshop. But I'm weaving my way through a series of painful clashes. Why does Liz Lochhead's performance clash with Lewis Wolpert? I want to hear Lemn Sissay but I'm also fascinated by the history of working-class gambling. And then there's the clash between the Granta evening and Billy Bragg "in conversation." Didn't the programme organisers know that these events would attract exactly the same people?

Hmm. ... Decision time.