#Mela Matters #1 – 2017
The first Mela Seminar of 2017 and launch of the Mela Matters Advocacy Document, in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, to mark the significant impact Mela and the Arts have made to South Asian communities in Britain today.
Date: 17/01/2017
Copies of the document will be made available on the day and distributed to key stakeholders and funding bodies. There will also be an online version available on this website.
www.nutkhut.co.uk/projects/partnerships/mela-partnership
By invitation only.
For Further details:
events@nutkhut.co.uk
2017 marks the 70th anniversary of Partition. Through the power of the arts, Mela has transformed the way in which South Asian communities celebrate in the public domain. Led largely by volunteers, the Mela movement has grown to create a significant critical mass over the past 7 decades. Mela successfully engages with initiatives around social cohesion and integration, access and engagement all through the prism of the arts. To mark this anniversary and the contribution made by Mela in transforming perceptions of communities, The Mela Partnership kicks off the year with this key seminar with speakers and guests who have made a significant difference in public life to Mela and to the arts in general.
Directions: http://www.wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre/about-us/getting-here/
Speakers include representatives from the Outdoor Arts sector, ACE, ISAN and the University of Wolverhampton.
Pinch, Punch – Joke’s on Us!
The Mystery of April Fool’s Day.
Do you know much about the All Fool’s Day? We sure didn’t here at NutKhut! And to be honest, we now know even less…
Much like the mischievous time itself, April 1st’s origins are uncertain.
There’s much speculation this yearly day-of-play stems from a rejoicing of springtime.
With the clocks changing and sudden summery spells headlining our weather reports, there’s plenty of colourful change to in the air that could encourage such a day.
Curiously, this ambiguous time of winter jumpers Vs. summer shirts makes us so often feels the weather is playing tricks on us, too!
Quit the clowning around, Mother Nature!
But delving deeper, there is a riotous history of parties at the time of year – including the Greco-Roman festival, Hilaria.
Traditionally celebrated on March 25th to honour Cybele, an Ancient Greek Mother of Gods, the Greeks sure knew how to throw a party!
Parades, pranks and masquerades were all on the menu to mark the occasion and the first day after the vernal equinox.
No kidding!
It’s fascinating to learn and then soon unlearn how little we really know about the day.
All the while we have so little grasp on the origins of the day, we still have taken such a fancy to it – particularly in Europe and North America.
Celebrated with jokes and good intent, there is fun to be had in this day of merriment – and why not, we say!?
Yes, the origins remain a mystery – but one thing’s for sure – us not knowing the history behind the mask but simply celebrating the whole light-hearted of the day at face-value is a welcome breath of fresh air.
We wish you a Happy April Fool’s, folks!
Nutkhut is pleased to announce that it will continue as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation for the next four years.
We will continue to create ambitious work nationally and internationally, develop new partnerships and make great art accessible to everyone.
A sincere thank you to all of our partners!
The Nutkhut Team.
Nutkhut is looking for two exceptional performers to take part in a paid two week R&D for our new family show,
The Princess and the Chickpea.
We are looking to develop the show in collaboration with selected performers over two weeks with a sharing at the end.
DATES
Audition 20th or 25th July 2017 TBC. Please indicate your availability for both of these dates.
R&D 18th-29th September (inclusive) 2017 TBC All applicants must be available for the full two weeks. We are looking for:
One female dancer / performer
The role will include playing Princesses from around the world as well as other parts that will be developed over the R&D period.
We are seeking people at a high level in:
Kathak Dance
Balinese Dance
And a secondary skill in at least one of the disciplines below:
The Prince
For this role we are looking for a performer at a high level in Kathak dance who is open to working with comedy. The suitable candidate would ideally also have a secondary skill in one of the following disciplines:
We are strongly committed to diversity and encourage submissions from all backgrounds.
To apply please send a CV, headshot and video links of your work with “Princess & the Chickpea Auditions” in the subject line to: sophie@nutkhut.co.uk
Deadline for applications is 5pm Wednesday 12th July 2017
We are only able to reply to shortlisted applicants who will be notified by Friday 14th July. Any questions, please email sophie@nutkhut.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!