Blackpool Social Club, Author at Blackpool Social Club

16 Jun

Tramshed Theatre: What has volunteering ever done for me?

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performanceinclusive, Theatre, volunteer, volunteering

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] We catch up with Shelley Nicholson as she shares her experience of volunteering with the Tramshed Team I am known by many names, but you can call me Shelley! So, whilst I sit here, with a nice cup of tea, in this hybrid world between lockdown and freedom, I am thinking about volunteering and in particular reflecting on my time volunteering at TramShed. I have spent a lot of hours, over the years, and used a lot of energy in meetings, sessions, rehearsals and show weeks, in a volunteering capacity. Looking back, I have given a lot! However, what has…

08 Jun

Tramshed Theatre: Just can’t get enough

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performancecommunity, community groups, community theatre, performance

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Cast your mind back to 2009: Matt Smith was replacing David Tennant in Doctor Who, Rage Against the Machine was Christmas No.1, the Black-Eyed Peas were dominating our brains with “I Gotta Feeling”, and giant sunglasses and fake tan were an absolute fashion staple. I was 21. Also, I was in a bit of a flap because I was about to leave university with a Drama degree. Bearing in mind that this was during the recession - a time when the news was telling us the job market was not looking good for any soon-to-be graduates, let alone Drama…

28 May

Blackpool’s newest performance venue opens with punchy performances

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performanceheritage, oldelectric, performance

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Blackpool’s newest theatre will open its doors to audiences for the first time later this month with a fresh take on a family favourite. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Based on traditional pantomime and puppetry techniques, The Diabolical Mr Punch takes Punch & Judy and gives it a thoroughly modern twist that children will love. During the show, two performers will bring Mr Punch and his friends to life with laugh-out-loud moments aplenty. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Diabolical Mr. Punch takes place Sunday, May 30 at 11 am and 3pm, with further performances on Sunday, June 27 at 11am and 3pm. Tickets are priced £4 each and are…

26 May

Tramshed Theatre: Writing with Passion

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performancecommunity, community groups, community theatre, performance

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] In this blog post, we catch up with Tramshed Parent Julie Ellison So, I’m sitting pondering how to start a blog and I think it goes something like this…….. Zac: Julie please can you write a blog for our page Me: Yes, of course not a problem Zac: Julie how is the blog going, I need it by Friday? Me: It’s all in hand…….. I then start to wonder what a BLOG actually is and in true me style turn to Google!! I am reliably informed that it is something like a discussion published on the www. A BLOG…

19 May

Catching up with Tramshed Theatre

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performancecommunity, community groups, community theatre, performance

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Here's our latest update from our friends at Tramshed Theatre. Phoenix Rising from the Ashes Kathleen Paintin, TramShed Member & TramShed Voice When TramShed’s Adult Company performed their physical theatre piece in the 2019 Christmas Show ‘All Together Now’ to Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’, no-one knew how prophetic that song would be. We had no knowledge of the juggernaut COVID-19, the pandemic that was hurtling towards us in the new year that would change all of our lives. TramShed had been a massive part of our lives for thirteen years and when the national lockdown closed everything down including…

14 May

Bella B: I learned to skateboard, but this is what skateboarding taught me

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsSports & Wellbeingskate, skate culture, Skateboard

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] As Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 draws to a close, we're pleased to bring you this brilliant guest article from mental health advocate and skateboarder Bella Borgers [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]I’ll be honest – some days I think: wow, I really shouldn’t be on a skateboard. I’m terrible at looking both ways before I cross the street and I feel genuinely guilty about the number of times I’ve literally stepped on my mother’s toes – I’m that clumsy. Not to mention, I burst into tears when I’m afraid (even at the sudden whisper of BOO!) and I’m completely anxiety-ridden when I feel…

05 May

Tramshed Theatre: Resilience!!

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performancecommunity, community groups, community theatre, performance

Most of you will know me as Oscar and Tobias’ mum, but I’m Latrisha. I am always amazed when Zac invites me to be involved as a parent supporter via TramShed Voice or feels people would like to hear my input. Unlike most people in TramShed when the spotlight comes on in my direction, I tend to leg it! The faith he and the volunteers have in me is always humbling. Although often I find it personally challenging. I regularly finish zoom meetings thinking “I can’t do that!!” Then I take things one step at a time and I make…

02 May

Spring Programme comes to the Grundy

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsVisual Arts & ExhibitionsArt, contemporary art, Exhibition, The Grundy Art Gallery

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] As it celebrates its 110th anniversary, the Grundy Art Gallery is delighted to announce details of its upcoming Spring Programme and its plans for reopening the galleries and shop. The Spring programme activity is now live on the Grundy’s website and social media platforms, however the gallery is due to reopen very soon in line with the government's coronavirus roadmap. If all goes to plan, the Grundy will open to the public from 11am on Tuesday 18 May 2021. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] REMOTE WORK REMOTE WORK brings together new work by Nicola Dale, Kieran Leach, David Penny, Shy Bairns and Ciarán Wood; five…

28 Apr

Tramshed Theatre: Catching up with the members and volunteers

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performancecommunity, community groups, community theatre, performance

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] We catch up with the volunteers from Tramshed Theatre... What’s in the Box? Sophie England What’s in the box is a game we played a lot at TramShed, we’d open an imaginary box and act out what was inside, and others would guess what it was. The game is something I really enjoyed but I never thought the box would become a lot deeper than that. The box became a safe space, a springboard from which we could create friendships, build communities and connect with each-other in a time of uncertainty, to create performances we never thought possible in…

12 Apr

Tramshed Theatre: The Bad and the Good

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performancecommunity, community groups, community theatre, performance

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] This week's blog post is from Tramshed member and volunteer Tiagan Christie. As a volunteer you have to adapt to the changes that can happen in a session, and this year has been the biggest change of all. Going from seeing people face-to-face to seeing people through a screen. As a volunteer the way you support the member is a complete 180 from how you support them face-to-face. In face-to-face you would be able to hug a member if they're feeling upset, whereas online you can't do that. All you can do is ask if they are alright. In…