Creatives Looking Both Ways in Armidale

 
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As part of Arts North West’s Arts Restart project, three creative roundtables are being facilitated by renowned Walcha artist Angus Nivison and Uralla writer, Sophie Masson.

The Looking Both Ways roundtables have been designed for selected New England North West creatives to study the inspiration and the interplay of text and image, engaging eleven professional local writers and eleven professional local artists.

The first roundtable was held at NERAM late last month with great success.

“Not often there is an opportunity to delve deeply into the creative process – to take the time to look at how collaboration might work” said Arts North West Executive Director Caroline Downer.

“Artists and writers really benefited from insights from both Sophie and Angus.” Ms Downer continued

Local writers include:

Helena Pastor

Suzie Wicks

Nate Weatherall

Nicole Alexander

Fiona McDonald

Bronwyn Parry

Trish Donald

Rob Waters

Gail Galloway

Phillipa Trelford

Local artists include:

Leah Bullen

James O'Hanlon

Brent Emerson

Maree Kelly

Nadia Kliendanze

Liz Powell

Joanne Stead

Jodie Herden

Gabi Briggs

Mike Terry

Lizzie Horne

Looking Both Ways is a continuation of Arts North West’s successful 2019 project, Art Word Place in which Angus and Sophie were paired together and Angus created a work in response to Sophie’s writings.

“I wrote a poem called Sky Dramas, New England, and Angus created a painting inspired by it called But in the Dry, based on the second stanza of the poem, which was fueled by the terrible drought we were in the midst of at the time” said Looking Both Way facilitator, Sophie Masson.

“Looking Both Way is a two-part workshop, the first-round table concentrating on setting everything up and beginning paired projects and a final one on April 17 where completed works will be presented to the group. It's going to be an amazing experience.” Ms Masson continued.

In addition, Sophie Masson and Angus Nivison will collaborate to create work for a 2022 exhibition at NERAM

The Looking Both Ways project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through Arts Restart.

SOONCHILD IN THE SADDLE FOR SADIE’S WILD RIDE

 
Photo: Shootin’ Sadie creator and actor, Natasha Soonchild. Image supplied by Natasha Soonchild.

Photo: Shootin’ Sadie creator and actor, Natasha Soonchild. Image supplied by Natasha Soonchild.

 

A HOMEGROWN night of Wild West-inspired theatre created by Nundle-based artist Natasha Soonchild is set to tour the small halls of the New England North West from late April, brought to audiences by Arts North West On Tour’s annual Pocket Productions program.

Soonchild will hit the stage in the title role of Shootin’ Sadie, an acclaimed one-woman show written and developed in Nundle and directed by Gwenda Blackwell.

A multi-talented performing and visual artist, Soonchild will inhabit multiple characters for the production, narrating Sadie’s story of adversity and triumph through the entertaining and accessible prism of the Wild West genre.

“We’re saddling up and getting ready to hit the road with Shootin’ Sadie in just a few weeks!” Soonchild said.

“Sadie’s journey is one of adversity and strength revealing the moral compass that guides her conscience. She has true grit.

“I’m lucky enough to have special guest musician John Krsulja performing as the opening act for the show. I’ve seen John in rehearsals and he is bringing something super special to the evening!”

An established acoustic musician from Nundle, Golden Guitar-winning Krsulja will perform a blend of Folk, Rock and Country in his pre-show set.

Wild Ride

First stop on Sadie’s wild ride will be the DAG Sheep Station, Nundle on Saturday April 17, after which the show will continue to The Australian Poetry Hall of Fame at Guyra on Thursday April 22.

A year since the Hall reopened, owner James Warren is excited to be presenting Shootin’ Sadie as the first touring production at the town’s revived Arcadia Theatre.

“After a 50-year pause as an entertainment venue, the town of Guyra once again has a community entertainment and arts hub which Shootin’ Sadie will help revitalise,” he said.

To book for the Guyra performance, head online to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/147473522275 or contact the venue on 0423 478 656.

Moving audiences

The Shootin’ Sadie tour comes just five months since Arts North West On Tour brought Country Witches Association to the region, a tour of raucous comedy and original song from acclaimed performers Mandy Nolan and Áine Tyrell.

Keeping the performing arts venues of the New England North West from going dark is a mission for Arts North West’s touring coordinator Michael Burge.

“We’ve all endured the pandemic with strict limits on the performing arts,” Burge said.

“It’s heartening that we have now reached a time when venues can play to full capacity, although it’s critical that COVID-safe operations continue.”

“I saw Hell Ship at the Chapel Theatre Glen Innes this month, a one-man show written and performed by Michael Veitch, a whole year since the original tour had to be postponed.

“Michael’s play was a gripping and very moving theatre experience, and audiences across our region gave Arts North West On Tour the same feedback.”

“Arts North West On Tour is committed to attracting excellent touring shows. We encourage New England North West residents to support their local venues by following them on social media and keeping abreast of what’s coming soon to a theatre near you,” Burge said.

The Shootin’ Sadie Tour

Contact each venue for more information on performance times and ticketing.

Saturday April 17 DAG Sheep Station Nundle 67693486

Thursday April 22 Australian Poetry Hall of Fame Guyra 0423 478 656

Friday April 23 Currabubula Hall 0427 000 633

Saturday April 24 Kelvin Hall 1800 KOALAS

Thursday April 29 Yetman Hall 0400 970 866

Friday April 30 Deepwater School of Arts 0431 269 104

Saturday May 1 Uralla Central School 0412 424 718

Sunday May 2 Sunnyside Hall Tenterfield 67363500