Artform Spotlight: Kathak Dance with Sonia Sabri Company

Sonia Sabri Company first stepped onto Live & Local stages way back in 2015 and are highly regarded both nationally and internationally for presenting Kathak dance in a contemporary context while maintaining the integrity of the art form. For those who are new to this particular style of dance, Kathak is a versatile and accessible […]

Artform Spotlight: Victorian Theatre #2 with Townsend Theatre

In our previous post, we reflected on the joys of Victorian theatre and we continue that theme by looking at another element of Victorian art and culture – The Magic Lantern show. Magic lantern shows were arguably the first example of cinema. Square glass slides (33⁄4 inch) of still images were projected onto large cloths, […]

Artform Spotlight: Victorian Theatre #1 with Don’t Go Into The Cellar!

When thinking about Victorian culture, many of us will undoubtedly bring to mind examples of classic literature – Dickens, Hardy and the Brontës to name but a few. Perhaps we also think back to those school textbook images of wide skirts and top hats? What many of us may be less familiar with is the […]

Artist Spotlight: Patfield & Triguero

What do you think of when you hear juggling? Possibly birthday clowns, or an ill-fated attempt at attending circus school off the A308, in a lay-by, in 1995? (Just us then??) Whatever your previous experience, chances are it won’t be anything like this! Poetic, absurd and stylistically dazzling, masters Patfield & Triguero are here to […]

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: ALREWAS VILLAGE HALL

This year, Alrewas Live & Local came of age, celebrating 21 successful years. Promoter Richard Evans tells us what it’s been like… Back in 1998, the group, originally named Alrewas Arts, was founded by a villager with a vision, the late Wendy Jones. Wendy’s dream was to introduce more community art and culture to the […]

Artist Spotlight: Ma Bessie and The Pigfoot Band

The ‘Empress of Blues’, Bessie Smith is given the royal treatment in this dedication to prohibition era blues and jazz by Ma Bessie and the Pigfoot Band on their first rural tour with Live & Local … Julia’s rich vocals combined with a group of musicians that look as well as sound the part. Ma […]

Live & Local Brand Rationalisation

From the start of the new Autumn 2019 season, Live & Local is phasing out the ‘Shindig’, ‘Centre Stage’, ‘Village Ventures’ and ‘Lincolnshire Rural & Community Touring’ brands and is renaming all its county networks Live & Local (followed by the county name) e.g. Live & Local Nottinghamshire, Live & Local Worcestershire. This will ensure […]

Artist Spotlight: Worry Dolls

As Live & Local’s AW 2019/20 season begins we are introducing or re-introducing you to our roster of artists. Before they begin their shows in October, we had a chat with one of our new artists Worry Dolls to find out what to expect this year. Warm, heartfelt harmonies. Worry Dolls. Sums them up. The […]

Edinburgh Fringe 2019

Edinburgh Fringe has been and gone for another year. The Fringe has always been a great way for us at Live & local to see new shows and hear about companies perfect for rural touring. We sent Mollie Davidson, Marketing Assistant extraordinaire to Scotland’s capital to see what the Fringe had to offer… The dance this […]

New Season AW19/20 – Fresh Faces

October is fast approaching and that can only mean one thing: the start of your new Live & Local season. Alongside stunning new acts, a selection of familiar faces will also be returning to the stage. We’ve selected a few newbies who are touring with Live & Local this year– read on and learn about […]