Something old. something new, something borrowed ...

Cultural Exchanges? What is it all about I hear you ask? I was asking that very same question a month ago. Since then I have done my homework, gathered my research and concluded it is something that should be celebrated by all as we focus on the supreme talents that both De Montfort University and the country has to offer in the arts.

As part of my blogging review I have decided to see not just those I am familiar with, but also things I have little or no prior knowledge of:


Something old: Jasper Carrott. A favourite of mine for many years. His humour and anecdotes never fail to bring a smile to those who see him.

Something new: Postgraduate Creative Writing Showcase:  This is the opportunity to see some of the future stars of literature presenting their finest work to date.

Something borrowed: Alan Baker and Will Buckingham: On the advice of somebody I cannot name (you know who you are) I am taking the opportunity to see how the poems and stories of the book I Ching are still relevant today (No, me neither). 

So I appeal to all of you, get out there try something new and you never know you may even enjoy it.


Chris Franklin

Slimy stomachs, gruesome battles - and Manda Scott

I have a confession. Recently I've developed a slight obsession with the first century, specifically first century Britain and Celtic tribes and the Romans. So imagine my joy when I discovered Manda Scott, author of Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth, would be at Cultural Exchanges.

I've written for as long as I can remember, but always fantasy and always involving vampires and elves and princesses. I've never attempted a historical novel; the amount of research needed is daunting and terrifying and makes my stomach feel all slimy!

What better opportunity than to speak with a historical novel writer about her books before diving head first into my new obsession?

I am definitely looking forward to reading Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth and meeting the woman herself. Hopefully her historical-novel-writing wisdom will sink in and settle the stomach, and inspire me to widen the genre of my writing.

After all, what can be better on Britain's plains than a bloody and gruesome battle between painted Celts and armoured Romans?
 

Jennifer Ryan

Cultural Exchanges - the basics

So what is this Cultural Exchanges thing? 

Basically it's a week of many events, all happening on campus at De Montfort University. You get to hear writers, stand-up comedians, poets etc. But there are also others events including writing workshops and lots of fun stuff. I'll give you a link at the end, and you're welcome to come along. 

Of course, you don't have to be there, but this is really interesting stuff.  I'd recommend keeping an open mind, as well as looking for something that interests you. Who wouldn't want to learn about stand-up comedy or how to write something epic? 

Am you trying to sell it to me? 

In a word, yes. But most of the stuff for Cultural Exchanges week is free. The rest would be like, £3.00. So unless the economic climate as gotten so bad that nobody can pay that much, you're fine. 

So here's the link I promised: read the programme and book your tickets HERE.

Tommy Dignan

American poet leaves the museum

My friends know I already have a busy schedule of eating, sleeping and thinking.  They also know I love poetry - a lot.

So next Monday at 6.00 I'll be attending a reading by American poet Michael Heller.  I'm pretty excited.

I looked up a few of his poems and one in particular struck me.  It's called 'Leaving the Museum' and it's amazing.

Michael, I await your reading with high expectations -and I apologise in advance for the weird questions I may ask you afterwards. 

Eloise Cundill

The home of witty banter

Of all the things I saw this week I found Steve North the most interesting, possibly because he was talking about something that I and most people are interested in: TV.

The session was crowded and we were all eager to hear what North had to say about Dave TV and if he would answer the age-old question, why Dave and who is he? I am pleased to say he answered this question and I now feel at peace with the world knowing why Dave TV is called Dave TV. One man wasn't so pleased with North's answer and shocked most of the audience with his outrage at Dave being called Dave, calling it sexist, and then as North politely answered his question, he fiddled on his phone.

FYI Dave doesn't exist, which is a bit disappointing. I was hoping for them to bring him out - you know, so that I could put a face to the name.

There was a question/answer interview style to the talk which I found amusing but I'm not sure why. It was being recorded too which felt a bit too professional for the lecture theatre where I'm usually half-asleep on Monday mornings.

The co-ordinator of Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival was there too and gave an interesting talk. I thoroughly enjoyed the Festival this year and am looking forward to its return in 2013.

Now as I sit down to watch numerous re-runs of Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Gavin and Stacey on Dave I will also think about how much I now know about the home of witty banter.


C.Mackie

Big up #Jamal - that went very well indeed

"Was nervous but I think that went very well.. I love doing talks like that. Big up everyone at #DMU." That was Jamal Edwards' tweet as he left the lecture hall with the crowd in awe after his inspiring Q&A session.

His post was followed by countless tweets saying how 'humble' and 'passionate' the young entrepreneur was right up to climbing into the taxi outside the Clephan building of De Montfort - waving his goodbyes to the passing audience along the way

During the hour long Q&A, Jamal answered many questions about his background, his acheivements, his struggles and of future ventures for himself and his leading UK online youth broadcasting site - SBTV. He answered all questions put to concerning his celebrity saying "it's nuts" and "it's just crazy", showing genuine modesty surrounding his achievements.

Jamal promoted self-belief and hard work acting, also telling how he uses his expertise to help others wanting to get into the music/entertainment business. Quoting Robert R. Kennedy's words, "Some people see things as they are and ask why? I dream things that never were and ask, why not?" Jamal said this was a quote he often refers to in life. He also revealed an exclusive of a new artist he had filmed just the day before, allowing us a glimpse of his world.

A perfect representative of the strength and creativity of the younger generation, Jamal Edwards - CEO age twenty-one, was simply real and inspirational.


Celia Wilding

"Chase your dreams, not the competition"

Jamal Edwards' talk had the highest percentage of youths in the audience. As a "youth" myself, I shouldn't have noticed. But I love that as a young, accessible entrepreneur, Edwards has managed to interest so many of my generation in pushing their potential. He didn't audition for a show like Britain's Got Talent or The X-Factor but, as a normal guy from a normal background, he made himself a business out of nothing but his own passion and a camera he received for Christmas. His business that has led to the success of other artists, one of the more famous ones being Ed Sheeran.

Listening to Edwards talk made me realise what a natural businessman he was, which was lucky as he doesn't appear to have been taught any business at school. He spoke of new ventures which he's undertaking as he doesn't want to exclude or alienate anyone from SBTV. He wants to continue letting it grow and change. He mentioned expanding overseas as well as posting videos of poetry.

He's a businessman without the greed. Though he likes the money, he claims that if you're only doing it for the money then it will not go well. He puts his success down mainly to being his own target audience. Shrewd.

He clearly wants to be an inspiration and a role model, but at the moment he humbly believes that he has yet to reach that stage - and that he hasn't reached his fullest potential yet. But when you knock out quotes like "chase your dreams, not the competition" and already own a very successful business at the age of 21, it's obvious that you're going to be an inspiration.


Maz Haynes and Elise Cook