lockdown Archives - Blackpool Social Club

07 Jul

All Locked Down and Nowhere to Go – Part 2

Linda Hampton0 CommentsVisual Arts & ExhibitionsBlackpool, cafe, Exhibition, lockdown, photographer, photography

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Here’s PART 2 of when Linda Hampton met Jill Reidy, one of Blackpool’s talented and prolific photographers and a member of Blackpool Social Club’s team, as she launches her latest exhibition ‘When the Chairs Went Up’ this July. They discuss Jill’s photographic style and her thoughts on the photographer’s responsibilities at a time of global shift and change. If you've not read part 1, you can find it here. Q: I was lucky enough to see your exhibition ‘Seaside Towns out of Season’ where you had photographed many seaside holiday destinations during the winter. How does ‘When the Chairs Went…

30 Jun

All Locked Down and Nowhere to Go – part 1

Linda Hampton1 CommentVisual Arts & ExhibitionsBlackpool, cafe, lockdown, photographer, photography, Place

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Linda Hampton talks to Jill Reidy, one of Blackpool’s talented and prolific photographers and a member of Blackpool Social Club’s team, as she prepares to launch her latest exhibition ‘When the chairs went up’ this week. In PART 1 they discuss Jill’s personal experiences of lockdown and her inspiration for the work on show. Q: How has the last 15 months been for you both personally and professionally during the pandemic? Personally, like many others, I’ve found the pandemic a bit of a roller coaster. I had times when I despaired of ever seeing my grandchildren again; feared that…

26 Jun

Title Of Show Review

Hazel0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performance#onlinetheatre, lockdown, performance, Theatre

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] On Saturday 10th April 2021, as part of my Silver Arts Award Art Critic badge, I watched an online performance of a musical called Title of Show by a company called New AJE Productions. Title Of Show is a one act Tony Award Winning Musical that was originally written by Jeff Bowen (Music and Lyrics) and Hunter Bell (Book). The show was directed by Phil Cross with musical direction from Simon Phillips.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]New AJE Productions are a new theatre company that were founded in November 2020 who aim to provide new, innovative, and affordable ways to access theatre across the…

10 Mar

A photography student in lockdown

Jill Reidy1 CommentVisual Arts & Exhibitionslockdown, photography

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] I first encountered Emilia Zogo on Facebook when she posted about her lockdown photography and the fact that she had produced a zine. I thought it looked interesting, made contact and arranged to meet with her for a chat and to get my own copy of the Zine. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] How did the Zine come about, and was it easy to produce? I always dreamt of creating a Zine, but I’d planned my first one on a different topic. Due to the pandemic outbreak and the impact it created, I decided to create a Zine on this topic. The production…

06 Feb

Garden Safari: Doing the Big Garden Birdwatch in Blackpool

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsEnvironment and Naturebird-watching, lockdown, nature

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Following on from the the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch last weekend, Blackpool Social Club's resident birder, Stephen Dunstan reports on his experiences of nature in lockdown. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We have all been spending a lot of time at home. For those who draw energy and hope from nature, their gardens have been a lifeline. And in that context colour and life comes not just from flowering plants, but also from visiting birds. In that context, it isn’t surprising that interest in avian garden visitors has expanded, and this in a nation that was already big on backyard birds. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The last two…

14 Jan

No Lockdown Stone Unturned

Stephen Dunstan1 CommentEnvironment and Naturebirds, environment, lockdown, nature, Wildlife

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] It seems a long time ago now, but in the first lockdown the roads were largely empty and most people were at home. If you asked them what they noticed, many people would have said to you that there was more birdsong as nature reasserted itself. Of course there wasn’t more birdsong really, it was just that we had more time and less aural interference getting in the way. At a local level all three lockdowns have led to a greater appreciation by Blackpool residents of one specific bird. Let me explain. The Turnstone is a familiar sight on…

08 Jan

Front of House: the devastating impact of Covid-19 on musicians

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsMusic & Gigslockdown, musicians, photography

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] “A world without live music feels like living in a house with no windows. Live music is uplifting, it’s nourishing, it’s social glue. It’s well and truly missed by me.” (Participating musician, Rob Young) [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="31137" img_size="large" add_caption="yes" alignment="center"][vc_column_text]Do you miss gigs, live music events, dancing with your friends sloshing a plastic beaker of booze as you break out your moves on the dance floor? It's something I have thought about a lot in lockdown - not so much one to attend the swathes of events I went to in my 20's or late teens but know how those…

24 Nov

Photo Gallery: Small Pleasures During Lockdown, Jill Reidy

Jill Reidy0 CommentsVisual Arts & ExhibitionsJill Reidy, lockdown, photography

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] As for many people around the world, this year has been one of the most difficult I’ve had to endure. However, I’m one of the lucky ones - so far. Although some members of the family have succumbed to Covid, nobody in my circle has died or even been afflicted badly, and for that, I’m eternally grateful. I’m also fortunate in that I’m pretty self-contained, and actually quite happy with my own company. I’m never bored, I can always find something to do, but I’m also very aware that I wouldn’t like to remain in this situation forever. I’m…

27 Oct

A Graduate Filmmaker inspired by her Dad’s love of Rave Culture

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsFilmdocumentary, Film, lockdown, Rave

I came across Mischa by a chance encounter, intrigued by her influences, I found out more about what it felt like graduating in lockdown and how Blackpool and music might inform her film making. Mischa, tell us a bit about yourself. My name is Mischa Baker, I’m a filmmaker/multi-media artist/content creator, born and raised in Blackpool. Initially self-taught, then later advancing into Creative Media at Blackpool Sixth form and recently graduating from Manchester Met University with a BA Hons in Filmmaking. My dedication to filmmaking for the past 5 years has allowed me to have the pleasure of working with…

06 Sep

Meet the Maker: Iz Durose from PotBound

Catherine Mugonyi0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsartist, ceramics, lockdown, maker, plants, st annes

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Not long ago, in the middle of lockdown, Iz Durose found that collecting and looking after houseplants had given her purpose, happiness and mental stability in such an unpredictable time. Having carried out lots of research on the huge list of mental and physical benefits of having houseplants, Iz wanted to share the joy that she had discovered with anyone she could. Meet Iz Durose from PotBound. What drew you to plants and painting plant pots? I started to use the plant pots as a way to create bespoke artwork, not only because it came hand-in-hand with the houseplants, but because…