Not on the Label

Having arrived at Not on the label after booking it on a whim, I was pleasantly surprised at the passion and content expressed in the talk. 

 

To kick it off, Andrew Reeves spoke a little about DMU’s sustainability initiatives (the university now has an electricity contract with a renewable energy company!) and its relation to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The whole talk focused around one step in particular: responsible consumption and production.

Leading the topic were Dr Claire Lepiniere and Emma Wood, explaining responsible consumption and production in textiles. After briefly explaining the differences between The Linear Model (make, take and dump) and The Circular Model (an initiative that the UN hopes to implement universally), they put us into small groups to undertake an activity. This was designed to show the water and energy consumption that goes into manufacturing certain materials found in our clothes.

Bringing the talk to a close was Amanda Berlan with a compelling insight into the cocoa industry, child labour and the fairtrade movement. Her passion for the subject served to incite passion in the rest of our group – who wouldn’t be interested in children’s rights, chocolate and equality?

After walking into the talk with little to no knowledge of its content, I found that my inner eco-warrior was crying to break free. I promptly signed up to hear more about DMU’s sustainability initiatives and hope to be more involved going forward into next year.

 

 

E.M. Williams

Actress, Arsonist, Suffragette!

Kitty Marion, uncovered!

 

Fern Riddell's brand new book Death in Ten Minutes, tells the story of political activist and radical suffragette, Kitty Marion, through her own, never seen before diaries.

 Fern Riddell is an expert in sex, suffrage and entertainment in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. In her book she draws on Kitty Marion's diary and uses her own words to bring the story back to life!

The FREE event takes place at De Montfort University, Clephan Building on the 2nd of March, click here to get your tickets.

C. O Brown

Vinay Patel, BAFTA-nominated playwright ... and cat-lover

Vinay Patel, BAFTA nominee, writer, and most importantly, cat lover, is attending De Montfort University in Leicester for the Cultural Exchanges Festival 2018. 

Patel has a very long list of writing credits, including theatre, television film and radio, including credits for the BBC and ITV. As an aspiring writer, I think that hearing Patel discuss his career so far and respond to questions on his writing could be extremely beneficial for not only me, but other writers who dream of seeing their work depicted on screens. 

My interest doesn't just stem from Vinay Patel's impressive portfolio of professional work but also from his blog titled 'shut up and deal', and from his use of social media. Patel is rather active on his verified Twitter page, where he posts about his work, personal life, and his beautiful cats.

The Cultural Exchanges Festival has something for everyone, and definitely has events that intend to entertain audiences in areas they may not be familiar with.

I look forward to attending some of these events, not only to benefit my writing but also to find ways to expand culturally. 

You can book for Vinay's "in conversation" session here. It's on Thursday 1st March, at 5 in DMU's Clephan Building.

Paige Nicole

Identity for the Youtube generation

In the era of social media, Youtube is more important than ever for young kids and teenagers who spend hours browsing. Youtube influencers change people’s lives every day. 

 

Roly, a Non-Binary Youtuber, LGBTQ+ advocate and Body Modification enthusiast, is one of them. He believes that self-expression is extremely important and he shares with his 100,000 plus subscribers online. He is an important figure for the LGBTQ+ community as he inspires others to be themselves and embrace their differences. 

 

On Thursday, Roly joins Jack Wilkin, Vice Chair of DMU LGBTQ+ Society, in a conversation about how he uses his channel to help others accept themselves and their identities. Don’t miss him at DMU’s Cultural Exchanges Festival on Thursday 1st March at 4pm in Clephan 3.03.

 

You can book tickets HERE.

 

 

 

Francisca Quadrio

Getting poetry - with Kei Miller

Poetry? Not for me. Which begs the question - why was I watching a poet on youtube at 2am?

The rich and varied works of Jamaican-born Kei Miller have changed my views on contemporary poetry beyond imagination. Anchored firmly in the Caribbean, but with forays around the world, A Light Song of Light (2010 Carcanet Press) took me on an emotional journey, from daytime to night, through light and darkness, from elation to heart-rending despair. 
 
Miller's disrupted syntax, his mellifluous cadence and startling subjects are best appreciated through performance and, for the first time in my life, I 'get' it. From one poem to the next, to the next, to the next, I simply couldn't stop watching.

With the passion of any new convert I can't shut up about my new-found love and I'll be the first in line when Miller speaks at 6pm on Wednesday, 28th February during the DMU Cultural Exchanges 2018 event.

 

Cultural Exchanges runs from 26th February - 2nd March 2018

Book here.

Helen Abbot

The man behind Revolution Farm

Animal Farm is no more. Make room for James Kenworth's update, Revolution Farm.

Tomorrow James Kenworth is coming to DMU's Cultural Exchanges Festival to talk about how he turned a classic into a modern-day phenomenon. Reviews have acclaimed his work as "a masterpiece", "a contemporary twist" and "a powerful update."   

 Kenworth is regularly commissioned as a playwright and has received grants from places like 'The Royal Docks trust'. He also lectures on Creative Writing and has both children and University students.


I think his talk is unmissable and it's even a free event.

 So book your tickets now for Wednesday 28th February from 6-7pm in the Clephan Building at De Montfort University.

You can book tickets from here.
And, did I mention, they're FREE!?


Josh Harwood

Kizuna Dance Company are coming to DMU!

All the way from NYC Kizuna Dance, led by Cameron McKinney, are coming to give an exciting and exclusive performance in our PACE building at De Montfort University, Leicester. The performance will include the European premiere of their latest dance piece Koibito and Hitsuzendo, a piece inspired by Zen Buddhism and Japanese calligraphy. 

McKinney founded the Kizuna Dance company in 2014 with the aim of creating works that celebrate Japanese language and culture. Hip-hop, house, and contemporary movements create an original blend of physicality, humanity, humour, and intricacy.

You don't want to miss out on this amazing opportunity to see the Kizuna Dance company wow us with their "compositionally fascinating”, “beautifully crafted”, and “intricately detailed” work (Stewardship Report).

There are still some tickets left but get them quickly, before they all go!

Book your tickets here! 

Bethany Shirtcliffe