It was Time to Talk day last Thursday, a day in which the anti stigma campaign for mental health Time for Change encourages the wider public to open up about what they understand to be important for them in terms of the subject. It coincided with one of the Pets and Pals community walks and we mentioned the campaign prior to setting off around Sefton Park. This announcement was I feel dwarfed however by the arrival of the local press photographer. Couldn't stop myself-but yes now you ask, the last interview I had went really well and the journalist turned out to be a real lover of dogs. She totally got what I was saying about the benefits to our health in hanging out with dogs, pulled a few strings at the Liverpool Echo were she worked for over ten years and a longer feature, with photo's to boot is in progress.
Anyway, back to my main point, I gave a plug to an event that was being organised by PSS Wellbeing Services Project Worker(full title) Nicci Grieg that was being held that evening. It was called "Sticks and Stones" and was billed as "A night of live music, poetry and performance artists exploring the issues and stigma often attached to mental health." I knew some of the performance artists as I had previously performed under Nicci's direction with a group we called the PSS Creatives. I would have again as they were great experiences and we often received plaudits for our energetic and poignant performances. Of late we had developed work that was very interactive in approach, we would step out of the crowd, and create the work with something of the flash mob feel. sadly rehearsal times didn't suit my schedule and not only that. With news of Nicci's departure to warmer climbs(Oz) recently announced the future of the 'Creatives are very much in doubt.
So to the show; set up cafe bar style in a lovely situated bar called Sirens, the small stage accommodated a maximum of two performers at any on time. M.C.ing was an entertaining redheaded lad who's name escapes me but not his wit. He introduced the performers with humour and banter that rattled the show along and gave a light touch to much of the performers that were revealing material, sometimes for the first time, that were clear reflections of painful and disturbing periods of their lives to date. Mixed within these were often hilarious humour of the black variety that kept everyone on the end of their seats waiting for the next line. Musicians likewise gave acoustic performances of emotion and merit. They shared contexts in which these offering evolved that were extremely thought provoking. The Creatives popped up in our midst with an energy, drive and humour that caught your attention and made you catch your breath. A game show format drawing crazy responses from the audience members/ creatives was really quite wild. Part of me was sorry not to be part of this swan song performance but another glad to be in the audience enjoying it. It made me wonder whether previous plaudits to our performances were actually heartfelt, not just "saying it to be nice" affairs.
So to the thank-you's at the end, Nicci could not be persuaded to stand up and take the applause
at the end, but in truth all the performers on the night seemed to be happy to quietly enjoy the spirit of the event. That spirit that is about pushing into realms of experience that generally gets deleted before it reaches the publics ear. What a refreshing change. What an excellent night and much to take away and reflect on.
Anyway, back to my main point, I gave a plug to an event that was being organised by PSS Wellbeing Services Project Worker(full title) Nicci Grieg that was being held that evening. It was called "Sticks and Stones" and was billed as "A night of live music, poetry and performance artists exploring the issues and stigma often attached to mental health." I knew some of the performance artists as I had previously performed under Nicci's direction with a group we called the PSS Creatives. I would have again as they were great experiences and we often received plaudits for our energetic and poignant performances. Of late we had developed work that was very interactive in approach, we would step out of the crowd, and create the work with something of the flash mob feel. sadly rehearsal times didn't suit my schedule and not only that. With news of Nicci's departure to warmer climbs(Oz) recently announced the future of the 'Creatives are very much in doubt.
So to the show; set up cafe bar style in a lovely situated bar called Sirens, the small stage accommodated a maximum of two performers at any on time. M.C.ing was an entertaining redheaded lad who's name escapes me but not his wit. He introduced the performers with humour and banter that rattled the show along and gave a light touch to much of the performers that were revealing material, sometimes for the first time, that were clear reflections of painful and disturbing periods of their lives to date. Mixed within these were often hilarious humour of the black variety that kept everyone on the end of their seats waiting for the next line. Musicians likewise gave acoustic performances of emotion and merit. They shared contexts in which these offering evolved that were extremely thought provoking. The Creatives popped up in our midst with an energy, drive and humour that caught your attention and made you catch your breath. A game show format drawing crazy responses from the audience members/ creatives was really quite wild. Part of me was sorry not to be part of this swan song performance but another glad to be in the audience enjoying it. It made me wonder whether previous plaudits to our performances were actually heartfelt, not just "saying it to be nice" affairs.
So to the thank-you's at the end, Nicci could not be persuaded to stand up and take the applause
at the end, but in truth all the performers on the night seemed to be happy to quietly enjoy the spirit of the event. That spirit that is about pushing into realms of experience that generally gets deleted before it reaches the publics ear. What a refreshing change. What an excellent night and much to take away and reflect on.