Elliot Richards trio at Seven Arts
The future for a unique community-owned music venue in Tyneside is
looking more secure in these uncertain times as a result of a grant from
the government’s Culture Recovery Fund. The Globe in Newcastle has been awarded £80,000 to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
The £1.57 billion fund has been used to support a wide range of cultural organisations across the country.
Despite
strict local regulations The Globe is putting on gigs three nights a
week, including jazz, folk and rock, that are simultaneously enjoyed by
small audiences in the venue and by hundreds more at home via
livestream.
“Hybrid audiences are the way forward for live
music” says Dave Parker, co-chair of the cooperative that owns The
Globe. “We are demonstrating that a mixed audience of customers at our
Covid-aware venue and those at home watching online is actually better
than either approach alone. According to our customers, the live
audience’s responses in the venue and the live chat from those viewing
online actually enhance the overall experience for both.”
The
Globe has been developing and improving its livestreaming since May. It
has streamed from musicians’ homes during lockdown, then from the empty
venue and most recently with an audience in the building. The Globe has
been refurbished and redecorated, and new sound, light and video
equipment has been installed by a team of volunteers.
“Getting
this grant is a huge relief, especially after all the effort so many
people have put in to keep The Globe going. When we closed in March we
consulted widely with our members and supporters to develop a vision for
a post-pandemic future. This formed the basis of our grant application.
I specifically want to thank the Music Venues Trust for their lobbying
on behalf of grassroots music venues and Co-operatives UK who argued
successfully that co-ops should be eligible for the funding.”
Leeds too has had some good news - the main jazz venue, Seven Arts in Leeds
has also been awarded funding - £50,000 -from the government’s Culture
Recovery Fund. Seven Arts are a Community Interest Company, promoting
the arts tirelessly since 2007 in Chapel Allerton to the north of the
city centre. Seven have been putting on live music and comedy events
since July - both outside in their small courtyard and inside within
their concert venue, with social distancing.
Says Steve Crocker from Jazz Leeds : "Really pleased that Seven Arts Leeds
has been awarded funding under the Culture Recovery Fund of the Arts
Council. Seven Arts is a unique acoustic venue for the arts - especially
jazz - and is run by a committed team who have been so impressive at
allowing live music to keep going when others have sat on their hands.
So it's great news. Times are tough of course and things may change but
it's lovely to have some good news at last".
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