Claire Griffiths, Author at Blackpool Social Club

15 Mar

Theatre Preview: Miss Nobodies

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & PerformanceBlackpool, Comedy, performance, Theatre

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Award-winning writer, comedian, and performer Ruth E. Cockburn has written ‘Miss Nobodies’ a new two-hander play celebrating female working-class voices over the last 100 years. Ruth asks, ‘What was it like to be a working-class woman in history and why is there so little literary evidence of it?’ [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Over the last couple of years, Ruth has been researching, talking to people, visiting libraries, and scouring bookshops for female voices. She was made aware of a writer and activist called Ethel Carnie Holdsworth by Mid Pennine Arts. She is cited as the first female working-class published author in the UK.…

26 Feb

Artist interview: Stephen Clarke’s Blackpool in the 80s and 90s

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsblack and white photography

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] You may have seen Stephens's images popping up on social media and with an edition of Cafe Royal Books just published, I invited him to talk about what photography means to him and photographing coastal towns. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Blackpool seems like it has always been a destination to be photographed and I always feel a "thrill" when I come across old images of my hometown. Stephen Clarke's images capture the 'Pool in monochrome and remind me of working a seasonal shift at the Pleasure Beach or the World of Coronation Street when the monorail was still in full operation and there…

24 Feb

Showtown, museum of fun and entertainment seek artist to work with Young People

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsOpportunities, Visual Arts & Exhibitionscommission, showtown

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Blackpool Council is seeking an individual or a company to design and deliver artwork for the hoardings surrounding the Showtown new museum building in co-production with the young people of Blackpool. https://www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/join/careers/artworker[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The successful artist or artist group will work with Showtown and their Young People’s Steering Group. Blackpool is described as internationally significant as the world’s first mass seaside resort. Today it remains the byword for the seaside holiday worldwide. However, this amazing success story has never been told – until now. Showtown is now entering its most exciting stage as they work toward the opening of the new Museum…

09 Nov

Bodega at Get it Loud in Libraries Gallery

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsMusic & Gigsblackpool central library, documentary photography, Music, performance

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] In Blackpool, we might be known for our flashy front, candy floss and stag do's. But we are also part of a notable music circuit that goes back years. In current times and rather surprisingly music is being found in unlikely places. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Scrolling through Instagram I noticed John Lonican's images of a recent gig at Blackpool Library. I had met John previously on a photo walk that I had hosted via The Old Electric and know his images are rather lovely. Inviting John to submit his images for Blackpool Social Club unearthed a number of beautiful images of the…

26 Sep

Sam Wallis Photographer at Hive Interview

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitions

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The new show at Hive Cafe in Blackpool Town Centre is up and running. Hosted by Hive Arts, Blackpool Social Club spoke to their current exhibitor Sam Wallis to find out more. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="36040" img_size="large"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Q. Tell us a bit about you. A. Well, I guess I’m what’s considered a mature student but regardless of the academic side of things I hold a fondness for learning. A few years back whilst on holiday, my wife Lucie had just finished her English degree and persuaded me that it’s never too late to return to studies, and since then I’ve not looked…

09 Sep

Book Launch: Scribbles from The Seaside

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsLiterature & Spoken WordBlackpool, creative writing, Grumpy Girl Graphics, Nathan Parker, Northern Wit, Spoken Word

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Where were you on the 8th of September 2022 when The Queen passed? The now famous date will be etched into many's memories - and for me, I was at The Scribbles from The Seaside book launch listening and looking at all things northern on Blackpool promenade. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="35908" img_size="large"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The invitation into a cosy room at The Art B&B situated behind The Metropole Hotel on Blackpool promenade to experience the Scribbles from The Seaside book launch was not to be missed – especially after I did indeed miss the launch event at Bootleg Social Club last week. Nathan Parker…

21 Jul

Garden Party at The Art B&B

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsEnvironment and NatureArt, art B&B, community garden, gardening

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Ever wondered where the mysterious Art B&B is in Blackpool. What lays behind the huge fried egg attached to the rear of said building. The 22nd of July 2022 is your chance to have a lookie at the blooming community garden and maybe grab a cocktail. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="35509" img_size="large"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Art B&B is an independent Boutique Hotel designed by 30 contemporary artists. It is a different experience for Blackpool and although once a classic victorian building, the Art B&B's interior and more recently outside have a refreshing alternative twist that is comparable to what you might find in the city.…

13 Jun

Photo Gallery Blackpool Pride 2022

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsLocal Newsdocumentary photography, LBTQ+, Parade, Pride

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] What better way to be at Blackpool Pride 2022 than alongside a landau owner. Accompanied by drag artists. Take a look at our latest photo gallery from Saturday's Pride parade. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="35122" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="35123" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="35125" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width="3" initial_loading_animation="none" grid_id="vc_gid:1655151318760-78b9e8ff-7f72-9" include="35124,35126,35127,35129"][vc_single_image image="35128" img_size="large" alignment="center"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When you live in Blackpool you might live nearby a performer, an ice-cream seller, a theatre worker, a comedian, hotel workers, or entertainers. I live really close to the town and it feels like the area near The Raikes Parade is home to a number of folks who work in…

09 Jun

Into The Woods at Lowther Pavillion

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performancecommunity theatre, Into The Woods, Theatre

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Producer and Director Mykey J Young has been researching the importance and relevance of regional, and community theatre and its intersection with professional theatre-making practice with Junction 4's current production of Into The Woods. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, based on a book by James Lapine. The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from Little Red Riding Hood (spelled "Ridinghood" in the published vocal score), Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella, as well as several…

03 Jun

Iridescent Women with Jo Catlow

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsVisual Arts & ExhibitionsArt, art and photography

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] As a resident in Blackpool and of working-class origins feeling invisible is a familiar sensation. Add also being a woman and approaching mid-life and that sense of disappearing is amplified. Blackpool Social Club spoke to Angela Vowles and Jo Catlow about their recent collaboration exploring a creative piece exploring this very thing. [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="35013" img_size="large"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Q: Tell us a bit about you, who you are, and what you do? Jo: I’m a multi-discipline creative practitioner. Originally a performer I’ve gone on to devise and direct a number of projects, such as directing for Glass Splinters at the Phoenix in London…