This autumn Blackpool Grand is hosting a new series of Murmurations – interactive sessions for women aged 18+ who are interested in connection and creatively exploring what it means to be a woman living in Blackpool today
Across four Saturdays between September and November, the group will work through herstory, comedy, activism and Shakespeare to examine at that question from a different angle each time.
First up, on 19 September, is Gallery of Rogues, led by comedian, writer and performer Ruth Cockburn, who’ll help participants name and unblock whatever’s standing in the way of their creativity.
Participants will explore women as maker and muse, asking, ‘Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?’ in an attempt to remove the blocks and start making art in its many forms. Work created here will help shape the wider Gallery of Rogues project, produced by comedy and theatre duo Black Liver (Ruth Cockburn and Keith Carter) and recently backed by Creative Blackpool’s new Seed Fund, part of the town’s Arts Council England Place Partnership.
Gallery of Rogues will culminate in a live touring show and gallery created by local communities. It aims to develop the artistic skills of the public, who might feel disconnected to local culture, by introducing people to the burgeoning art scene in Blackpool and involving them in the creation of a professional live performance.
There wasn’t a competitive edge to anyone, just honest interest in each session and a feeling of sisterhood.
Session two, on 3 October, welcomes women from Bradford Alhambra Theatre for a workshop based on The 7 Ages of Woman – a reworking of Shakespeare’s Seven Ages of Man written by the Bradford group through their Shakespeare Nation project. Using drama and discussion, it digs into women’s health and the misogyny that can lurk within health systems.
On 24 October, the group turns its attention inward for Murmurations Story Chest, part of the Grand’s ongoing project collecting stories from Blackpool’s community groups. Participants will trace how Murmurations itself has evolved and work together to create a group story, motto or emblem for the Grand’s growing Story Chest archive.
The run closes on 14 November with Art + Activism, led by artist Sam Edwards (also known as Phoebe Foxtrot), who’ll guide the group through craft and art-making to create work celebrating what it means to be a woman.
Murmurations have been steadily growing over seven previous sessions, with past attendees praising its supportive, intergenerational atmosphere.
“There wasn’t a competitive edge to anyone, just honest interest in each session and a feeling of sisterhood,” said one.
Another said: “A group in any format which women can bond and create social infrastructure in their lives is not just a ‘hobby’, it’s fundamental to finding and giving the support we all need.”
All four sessions take place at Blackpool Grand Theatre Studio, running 10am-1pm on 19 September, 24 October and 14 November, and midday-3pm on 3 October. To find out more or book a place email [email protected].
