Local News Archives - Page 23 of 70 - Blackpool Social Club

05 Jun

altBlackpool backs #OneNorth petition

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsLocal News

Normally, altBlackpool is dedicated to arts and culture in Blackpool and across the Fylde Coast however, to access our beloved coastline and cultural assets, transport is essential. TODAY we issue a rallying cry to the north: join us to demand what government promised us. As part of a day of action, news titles across the region are starting a petition calling on ministers to come good on their northern powerhouse pledges - by ending the chaos on our rail services, signing off the upgrades they promised us and redressing decades of underfunding to the region. Four years ago this month,…

24 May

Punk Rock Cartoons – Shaws

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsLocal News, Visual Arts & Exhibitions

I had seen David Worth's rock and pop cartoons in HMV in the past. I hadn't really appreciated he was a local artist until I saw he was the latest to exhibit at Shaws. The opening night was today (Thursday) so I went and had a look. David started doing his cartoons in 2010 and is self-taught. The first cartoons he drew were of Public Image Limited and these were published on johnlydon.com and also on pilofficial.com. Although his repertoire does indeed include a large number of punk rock icons there are many other rock and pop acts included. I…

23 May

Open Studio May 2018: Fine Artist, Andy Ostin

Laura Green0 CommentsLocal News, Visual Arts & ExhibitionsAndy Ostin, Art, Art Break Hotel, artist, studio

Last month we visited local artist Sam Jayne Simpson at her studio in Blackpool. For May’s edition of Open Studio we head down the coast to meet Andy Ostin in his St. Anne's studio and to peek at the space he shares with another creative, Leo Smyth. Behind the main shopping street at the heart of St Annes is a maze of back alleys teeming with activity. Artist studios and antique stores rub shoulders with plant shops and other curiosities behind a row of old Victorian houses. Off one of these alleyways is a narrow ginnel tucked away from the…

01 May

New speakers boost independent cinema’s classic film programme

David Simper0 CommentsFilm, Local NewsFilm, film festival, filmmaking

As a regular attendee at Blackpool's incredible independent cinema, The Regent, my one criticism has been the sound quality. In the cinema's defence, my recent adoption of reading glasses probably needs to be followed by a hearing test, but nevertheless the new projector's picture quality enhancement has not been matched by better sound. So, it was with delight that I learnt that new speakers had been installed for the showing of Jaws back in March. This is a classic film and memory from my growing up in the '70s past. It was showing when I was about 12, was an…

22 Mar

Marvel-lous new features at Madame Tussauds

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsLocal News

This evening saw the launch event for the exciting new elements in the Madame Tussauds experience this season. AltBlackpool were among the crowds there for the big unveiling. This isn't a minor refresh of the experience, a large new extension on upper storage floors has brought a far greater range of activities for all the family. The first of the two new elements is the Sporting Hero Academy. Interactivity is the name of the game here, with football simulation and a climbing wall among the activities. The big draw for most people in the added elements however is probably the…

03 Mar

cREate Care and Repair Cafe comes to Blackpool.

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsLocal Newscafe, community, vintage

I had a chat with Catherine Peters, the individual behind the great altruistic initiative, The cREate Care and Repair Cafe. Tell me more about the cREate Care and Repair Cafe and who you are. The cafe is a place where local communities can bring items, to be repaired or re-purposed instead of sending to landfill, whilst also acquiring essential skills for life or just for fun and to socialise. The initial idea is to launch different themes weekly / monthly, for example our first sessions are planned around sewing and knitting. You could bring an item of fabric, clothing or household haberdashery and…

13 Feb

Postcards From Blackpool with Tina Demspey.

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsLocal News, Visual Arts & Exhibitions

Tina Dempsey is a proactive individual creative around Blackpool with her own practice and providing a number of childrens workshops across the Fylde. I caught up with her to find out about her most current project: Postcards From Blackpool. Q: Tell me a little bit about you. a: I am a local artist born and bred and my work is a series of abstract cultural landscapes. Using collage, printmaking, drawing and painting I document my reactions to the world around me, to the social, physical and emotional spaces I encounter via colour, pattern and form. Q: How did your postcard…

26 Jan

Culture Blackpool Launch – The B Side

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsColumns & Opinion, Local News

My hometown, Blackpool. I am here by accident really, my family moved here in the 70's to open a guest house, Blackpool was thriving then with carnivals and hoards of visitors promenading the seafront. It is still a busy hub of activity in high season but out of season, the town belongs to the locals. If you walk around the town on a blustery winters day, the atmosphere you catch is tangible, remnants of people, place and time. The town belongs again to its residents. I studied elsewhere for a Fine Arts Degree and could not wait to leave at…

14 Jan

Radio Wave team digs for Winter Gardens green victory

David Simper0 CommentsLocal News

People's carbon footprint tends to be a lot bigger than they think: all credit to the Winter Gardens for recognising this and putting an off-set plan in place. Not only that, it's being carried through, not just blathered on about with no actual action. As well as looking beautiful, young and growing trees lock up carbon taken from the atmosphere. And this is not the only action being taken. Hayley and Scott, Radio Wave's incomparable breakfast team, have taken delight in planting the first of many such trees, this one sited in our lovely Stanley Park where it will be valued…

04 Jan

Winter Gardens Open Day

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsLocal News

The world-famous Winter Gardens will again throw open its doors for an exclusive access all areas event, allowing the public a rare chance to explore every nook and cranny of the grade 2* listed building and witness firsthand the extensive renovations taking place. The free event is on Saturday 27th January, 11am – 3pm. Visitors will get the chance to visit backstage at the Opera House and have a chance to tread the boards so many famous faces have previously walked on, visit the backstage dressing rooms, and get up-close to the historic Wurlitzer theatre organ. The grandeur of the Empress…