Published: January 12, 2023 | Updated: 13th January 2023
Happy New Year!
This is when we all make resolutions to eat healthily, drink less, exercise more or finally fix that squeaky hinge in the bathroom.
I’ve decided that in 2023 I will become more actively creative.
Expressing our creativity helps with many areas of our wellbeing including dealing with stress and finding ways to be mindful.
But also on a professional level by engaging with our creativity we become better at finding creative solution to problems and goal setting.
There is lots to inspire us this month including an exciting project at GIANT space, burlesque at the Bournemouth Pavilion, Sherlock Holmes in Poole and an amazing baroque music ensemble touring the West of the county.
Coming up soon.
Sherlock Holmes, The Valley Of Fear, Lighthouse, Poole January 24/25.
Blackeyed Theatre’s stunning world premiere of Sherlock Holmes: The Valley Of Fear features original live music, stylish theatricality and magical story-telling to create an unforgettable theatrical experience.
Spiritato, Bridport, Ilminster, Crewkerne & Upwey – February 3 to 5.
Spiritato is one of Britain’s leading period ensembles. Producing unique, research-based performance projects and touring globally to high acclaim, the ensemble is playing as part of the Concerts in the West season.
Daniel Lismore, GIANT Project Space – From January 13.
Bournemouth born, and now globally recognised in the arts and fashion world, Daniel Lismore is a fabric sculptor, designer and campaigner. This unique event gives you a chance to see how Daniel creates work and is highly recommended
An Evening of Burlesque, Bournemouth Pavilion, 20th January.
Featuring the incredible Ivy Paige, this massively successful show is packed full with glamour, comedy and stylish, sparkling entertainment with showgirls, showboys and show-offs. Over 18s only.
Review: The Cher Show, UK tour – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton.
Millie O’Connell, Debbie Kurup and Danielle Steers in The Cher Show. Picture: Pamela Raith Photography.
The UK premiere of this Tony Award winning show was in Southampton last week playing to packed houses. This is a fascinating show featuring Cher’s incredible career highs and lows, how she dealt with being mixed race and then how she had to overcome misogynism to wrest control of her career. The writers give us three different Chers played by a trio of incredible actresses who show us Cher at defined stages of her life. Their ability to discuss situations with each other is what gives the show depth, insight and humour. Debbie Kurup, Danielle Steers, and Millie O’Connell are all powerful as Cher both vocally and from a characterisation perspective.
Although the show addresses some difficult themes it is an uplifting experience due to the writing, the performances and, of course, the incredible string of Cher hits – you will Believe!
Matt Park, Bite The Boxer.
Bite The Boxer is Shaftesbury-based Matt Park’s creative alter ego producing beautiful, melodic trip hop inspired music. Bite The Boxer’s latest album ‘Haunted Remains’ is out now and Matt talks to us about creativity.
What inspires your creative ideas?
Mostly, I try to think about the desired end-result and work back from there. Whether that’s when I’m wearing my day job hat as a marketing professional or making music. When I’m making music, I am always asking myself “would I listen to this?” and, similarly, when I’m working on marketing campaigns, I think “would I respond to this?”. I also like to learn and try something new everytime I put something together.
Why are arts and culture important to everyone?
Arts and culture is what gives us personality, it’s what brings excitement and vigor to our lives. We would be pretty boring without culture.
What advice would you give to a business to help them become more creative?
Don’t be afraid of asking for outside help or advice. All these things that we get excited about (arts, culture, creativity), they very rarely, if ever, thrive when cultivated in silo. It is so important to find a small group, or network, of people that can support and encourage each other.
Who is your creative hero?
I have two, and they may seem very different but actually their process is very similar. The artist Bob Ross and David Bowie. Bob Ross because he often talked about “happy accidents” and not being afraid to try new things and getting it wrong. David Bowie is the personification of that idea, if there was ever anyone that was unafraid of trying new ideas and pushing themselves creatively, it’s David Bowie.
What piece of creative work are you most proud of?
I have a song called Forgotten, which I thought was lost due to a technical difficulty but I recovered it a few months later and when I listened back to the rough version of it for the first time, I got really excited by it. I worked really hard on it and tried a lot of new things that I have never done before.
What are you working on now?
I gave myself a bit of a break over Christmas and New Year, which is very important to do and I am currently brushing up on my bass and guitar skills. I have been a casual guitarist since I was 15, so it is something that I want to incorporate into my music more this year – trying to work it towards a more traditional band sound but still have electronic aspects from the latest album.
Check out the latest Bite The Boxer music at bitetheboxer.com/haunted-remains
To hear more of my conversation with Matt check out the Confidently Creative Podcast here.
+++
If you need support with your creative project, or would like me to speak at your event, please drop me a line:
Business Contact: [email protected]
Instagram; @jasonwardcreative
TikTok: @jasoncreativedirector
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jason-ward-creative
