Those of you who’ve been studying my weblog for lengthy sufficient will keep in mind that I used to put in writing common posts that detailed the issues that had been inspiring and delighting me over the earlier month.
My Monthly Muses posts have been all the time pretty well-liked (I’m not speaking hundreds of views, simply greater than common!) – however after we went into lockdown, we had little or no to do, nowhere to go, and I discovered it onerous to search out issues to get actually enthusiastic about.
Let’s simply say there wasn’t a lot to share. Of course, I discovered exhibits to lose myself in, on-line workshops I cherished, and booked I loved, however I simply didn’t really feel like shouting about it the best way I used to. So, other than a few resurrections round a 12 months in the past, my Monthly Muses fell silent.
Now that issues are transferring at a quicker tempo and occasions are kicking off once more, I’m eager to deliver again these semi-regular summaries of issues that make me blissful and hold me inventive. I’m not promising month-to-month updates, however I do wish to proceed having an area to share what I’ve cherished recently with you, within the hope you’ll adore it, too!
And what higher time of 12 months than now, latching onto that ‘contemporary begin’ feeling that comes with autumn?
I’m switching it up just a little – no extra Monthly Muses. Just ‘What I’ve been loving recently’, with zero stress and nil guidelines.
On that be aware, listed here are some issues I cherished throughout September 2021 (sure, this publish is just a little late, however life is busy like that!)
(Cover Image: Hetain Patel at John Hansard Gallery)
Tokyo Rose, MAST Mayflower Studios
I used to be very fortunate to see Toyko Rose at MAST Mayflower Studios in September; a model new, award-winning musical by Maryhee Yoon and Cara Baldwin. This manufacturing shares the astounding story of Iva Toguri, who leaves her Japanese mother and father in America to find her roots in Japan, earlier than changing into trapped there when the Second World War breaks out. It’s story of trickery, supposed treason, and in the end tenacity, and at last provides unstated feminine voices in historical past a platform.
While it was, I felt, just a little longer than it wanted to be, it was brimming with a gifted, all-female forged, and a few stunningly easy staging that basically put the story and songs on the coronary heart of the present. If you want Six, you’re positive to like this.
It’s exhibiting over the subsequent few months in London, Oxford, Leicester, Newbury and Birmingham, so seize a ticket!
GHT Late Night Takeover
If you observe me on social media, you’ll know by now that God’s House Tower is one in every of my favorite areas in Southampton. Early in September, they opened their doorways for a night celebrating younger up-and-coming expertise, with exhibitions, poetry, music and comedy.
I spoke with so many mates and fellow creatives, a lot of whom I haven’t seen since instances BC (Before Covid) and I left feeling completely alive with concepts and inspiration and enthusiasm for my very own work and for the tradition within the metropolis.
Thank you GHT – I can’t look ahead to extra nights like this!
AD | Beats and Eats Southampton
I used to be invited alongside to Hoglands Park one Sunday for some stay music and good meals within the early September sunshine. I had a good time – you possibly can learn my overview of the occasion if you wish to discover out extra!
Hetain Patel’s Trinity at John Hansard Gallery
John Hansard Gallery is one other of my favorite locations within the metropolis. The artwork all the time gives one thing uncommon and thought scary, and its newest exhibition, by Hetain Patel, isn’t any totally different. Fusing the epic cinema and storylines of superhero films with motion, language and his Indian heritage, Trinity is de facto one thing particular.
Trinity is on till 30 October, and I extremely suggest you cease by. After all, it’s free too – which makes it an absolute discount.
AD | Amy Harwood’s workshops
I’ve loved a lot of Amy Harwood’s on-line workshops during the last 12 months, so was delighted when she requested me alongside to one in every of her first in-person periods. Again, this has it’s personal weblog publish, so learn my overview to search out out what you possibly can anticipate from her artwork workshops, and how one can get entangled.
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers
I sped via Small Pleasures – it’s delightfully written, wealthy in imagery, and set in post-war Kent (and having grown up within the county, I recognised so many areas referenced!). The story focuses on a curious occasion that has medical doctors baffled and its main woman and native journalist, Jean, swept up in thriller and the complexities of one other household’s secrets and techniques. Definitely one in every of my favorite books of the 12 months up to now.
‘Complete Portrait of Arthur Jeffress’ at Southampton City Art Gallery
We have been fortunate sufficient to seize an area at Southampton City Art Gallery’s first exhibition launch because the pandemic hit, and totally loved exploring the brand new shows.
One of those new exhibitions, specializing in a group by Arthur Jeffress, was extremely particular; not merely due to the great works on show, however as a result of Jeffress was a really intriguing man, with native connections, a passion for extra, and a very distinctive way of life his life earlier than his tragic dying. Complete Portrait of Arthur Jeffress is on till 22 January 2022 – one other free exhibition that I extremely suggest.
Re:Claim Festival
You might need noticed my posts on social media about being concerned in a challenge with The Big Issue and Go! Southampton, making a particular journal to advertise town, and its newest occasion, Re:Claim Festival.
Taking town by storm on 25 September, the occasion celebrated road tradition, with stay graffiti and road artwork creations, skateboarding, BMXing, music and extra.
It was completely what we wanted as a metropolis now that we are able to come collectively once more; the sense of neighborhood and celebration was great and there was some critical expertise being showcased. I can’t wait to see what comes subsequent!
AD | Heavenly Desserts
There’s all the time room for dessert, so I used to be delighted to be invited to Heavenly Desserts’ VIP launch forward of its Southampton opening. Waffles, cake, ice cream, milkshakes – no matter candy deal with you’re keen on probably the most, you’ll discover it right here, served with a little bit of decadence! I ordered the rose and lychee latte – divine – and the I’ll Have What He’s Having waffle, with coconut ice cream, strawberries and chocolate sauce – scrumptious.
It’s just a little extra luxurious and rather less about ‘household enjoyable’ than different dessert locations within the metropolis, so when you fancy one thing fancy after your primary meal, you’re more likely to discover it right here!
Concerts within the cafe at MAST Mayflower Studios with Opera Up Close
I’ve been to a few operas now – each has shocked me with its wit and humour (and drama, since some are tragedies in any case!). I really like how relatable they’re for an artwork kind seen as one thing so elite. So having opera carried out in a restaurant – in such a low-key, relaxed means – is a superb thought!
Opera Up Close carried out in MAST’s cafe final week in Concerts within the cafe, and it was a good way to get pleasure from their expertise and music stripped again. They sat in among the many viewers – which was a stunning shock! – and we have been wowed by their expertise. I significantly loved a spoken phrase piece about Shakespeare’s girls, which was stunning and brilliantly humorous.
Read my newest posts:
