Nervous Baby Dolphin

I’ve been taking Grace to Swimkidz. The babies are dunked underwater right from the start to build on their natural instinct for it. Some impulsively kick their legs and one little beauty is way ahead with a butterfly stroke, aka big arm waving. Grace on the other hand cries her little heart out. Eeek! But it has helped me learn how to comfort her really well. So on top of swimming, she is learning that although Mum won’t shield her from doing scary things, I will be there to help her be brave and learn new skills.

Becoming a Mum is like joining a special club. But it’s a special club full of every kind of person, so I’m not guaranteed to get on with them all. I’ve been feeling guilty about not attending more baby groups so far. Partly I am a little intimidated because I visited my local centre for an antenatal class and I was patronised out of going back by a pregnant Doctor in the group. She was so desperate to be right over being friendly or helpful. It was really rude and bullying. So I’m kinda not up for hanging out there.

I also haven’t really wanted to yet. Being freelance, there is every reason to make hay in prosperous times. I’ve got some lovely contracts ticking along just now, but I have no idea what will be around the corner. I am in year four of independent trading and I love my lifestyle, but my take home profit is non existent. I more achieve the lifestyle I want, through enjoying of the trappings of my profession. As her Auntie Kate says, there is no such thing as a work life balance. There is just life. I am making the best use of what I have. At the moment I work in baby’s nap times. Sometimes writing, sometimes designing and more frequently now sewing garments. I have opened an Etsy Shop. I will be adding my creations in coming weeks. I hope to use the extra cash to buy the things I need for baby Grace. 

She likes the sewing days because she enjoys the physical aspect of my moving about the room waving colourful fabrics and counting out patterns. We’ve also discovered that dancing for her is a completely successful form of baby entertainment. Ghetto Funk is a firm favourite so far. But I haven’t worked out how to make a living out of that yet. Exercise video anyone?

I get on with the Mums at Swimkidz. Not least because they have been so supportive of my taking her in order to consciously avoid passing on my own fear of water. I’m actually grateful that Grace cried all the way through her first session. We can only get better from here and it proves that the guided sessions are a worthy investment for a nervous baby dolphin. But also because we have something in common, more than just children of the same age. A small, regular group means I get to have meaningful interactions with the other Mums. I feel like at this early stage in Grace’s life, I will find Mums who we’ll get on well with if I seek out activities that mean something to me. I wonder if anyone else originally just signed up because they want to have their own baby version of the Nevermind album cover?

Swimkidz

Pure Liberty on Etsy

Ghetto Funk

Glittery Cardboard Box Bottoms @ Shambala 2015

Originally written 30th August 2015

I have just completed my forth gig touring the Marie Celestial at Shambala, a wonderfully fluffy, glitter-ridden utopian festival. There is so much glitter shedding from the twenty-thousand strong crowd that the trackway literally sparkles. 

The Marie Celestial is my adventure into running my own circus with my best friend 3D artist Ruby Soho. It has been a continual whirlwind of effort for nearly a full year now. I can report that the dedication and sacrifice of sanity somewhat outweighs the end result, but what we have made is good. Very good. It's far from perfect yet, but it's attracting attention and it's making people smile. It's also draining the life force out of others, hurting, breaking and offending some. But having come this far, there is no turning back, we all want to make it count. Plus it's far more fully fledged than a dead loss. We just need to streamline... everything. I could spend a lifetime picking to pieces my life lessons. Hell I already do, which is why other areas of my life have fallen silent. I'm also pregnant for the first time which is as equally fascinating, daunting and irreversible. 

Perhaps it's my sobriety or perhaps it's simply a rare moment of peace where I find myself, but I wanted to report a few simple things before the next leg of the tour. I'm tucked up in my Transit van named Biscuit while rain falls and the weekend-long party draws towards it's close.

Just to cover some facts, I'm six months along, expecting a little girl in December. I've come to accept that she is not a talking dolphin, unicorn or other such mythical or imaginary creature. Yes I am romantically partnered with her father. I love him very much. He shares many of my peculiar anxieties, but together we face the world and find comfort and familiarity in music and choice of pudding. He is working as a sound engineer in one of the venues at the festival. Our little girl is kicking me from the inside in a comforting fidget I recognise in both of us. The Marie Celestial is my full time occupation, it represents my biggest ever professional challenge, but also my proudest achievement career wise.

I've never been to Shambala before. It has a reputation for being the festival at the end of the summer where touring crews finally let their hair down. I will be on my way to another first thing tomorrow but that is another chapter.

The best thing I have seen all weekend is a cardboard-box robot absolutely loosing it on the dance floor in the Wandering Word. Space hats off to you my cardboard android friend. You shook your square bottom like I never knew was possible! 

This is a different cardboard robot from Secret Garden Party 2012.

Marie Celestial

Marie Celestial Facebook

Buckle Up Baby on Board

I have been away from my blog for some time, preoccupied with two of the most incredible achievements of my life. My biggest independent professional project to date and a baby!

I can happily report that we did indeed receive a business loan as a result of our A Star business plan. Although we were not permitted to put this towards a property as planned. We do not yet own an arts centre or a hot tub, but I have a beautiful baby girl and Ruby has a baby boy on the way! We couldn’t be happier.

My pregnancy was discovered in March 2015. I had already moved out of my last home and I was surfing a collection of sofas whilst we awaited news of the business loan, for a very long time. When finally successful I used this to buy a Transit van and I moved into that. I was fortunate enough to score a park up at Yard Arts. A circus performers collective and land custodian in St Pauls in Bristol, with the baby’s father. Our first home together.

Baby on board we set about touring the Marie Celestial. Intergalactic mechanical circus! The tour was incredibly challenging but also a huge achievement and a veritable ski jump of a learning curve. I would like to try to retrospectively fill in some of the gaps in the professional development of Liberty Rocks, still so named so far.

The content of my blog may change a little with the new arrival demanding attention. But I would like to focus on the curious aspects of being a freelancing, working mum in the arts.

Buckle up, it’s a hell of a journey. X

The Transit towing the Marie Celestial at The Lost Carnival.

Yard Arts Collective

Lost Carnival 

Slow Motion Action Scene

Everything is up in the air. The state of Liberty Rocks is a slow motion, action scene. The smoking gun is flying high in the air while I perform flying scissor kicks below, holding every outcome in perfect poise... metaphorically at least. The next bit will either be a gravity defying victory or sudden death.

I am maintaining a calm and professional face and confident, relaxed tones reassuring that everything is underhand and on the way. All the while I am shuffling some very exciting prospects, closer to becoming reality. The seeds are planted yet there is a pressure to produce something tangible.

Big news is on the way. While we are waiting for spring to break and for summer to start taking shape, behind the scenes everything is ticking away. But let me elaborate on that crazy action packed scene I opened with.

I am the Writer and Producer behind the Marie Celestial. The mechanical, travelling, circus spaceship. Ruby Soho is building the craft. With her I am producing, marketing, business planning and administrating what could be known as the "back office". Very soon we will have to board that ship and pilot it to a host of gorgeous festival destinations. Many of which will be completely new to us!

Over the cranky Christmas period we had this bright idea to formally go into partnership together. Above and beyond creating the Marie Celestial. We propose that pooling our resources will afford us a hot tub and a cocktail deck on top of the metallic beast.

But talking seriously, we have dreamed of becoming our own arts centre. After eight years of friendship, now we can genuinely visualise this coming true. We are piecing together our respective ambitions for progressive art and hands-on education. We've written an A Star business plan to prove it.

Phase one will mean moving in together and opening a new workshop under the moniker of Liberty Soho! We were so sure in all of this plotting, that I mentioned it to my landlord and accordingly he got the builders in, who have been drinking tea when in my kitchen when I crawl through it to wash, which is now a dust ridden and crusty hovel thanks to their efforts towards a new family moving in... in ten days time.

Impending homelessness has not left the Powers That Be, feeling any particular need to hurry. Those making the decision whether we will receive the loan we need to move house, start a business and generally rock the mechanical, circus, arts world happily ever after, are slack, slow and mildly disparaging at best.

I performed an interview in request of this momentous decision over the telephone today. Sat in Olympia, at the Event Industry Expo. While a man in drag as the Queen blared out a generic year 2000 cheese, pop tune, over and over again. (Please tell me that the idea of corporate discos is finally dead??)

There was no choice as to when the phone call would arrive. I am at least busy earning my keep by talking to fellas who think it's perfectly normal to dress as a television, thank you Bearded Kitten. Buzzing about in London Town with a completely empty bank account, while I am asking for a post financial crash lender, to support my ambition to roam welly wearing, middle England, in a chicken-shaped spaceship.

But there's nothing like running on empty to make you value everything that really matters.

Watch this space!

Follow the Marie Celestial

How to Fundraise with a Kickstarter Campaign

1. Why Kickstarter?
   Kickstarter is the original and most widely recognised crowdfunding platform. They have a focus on arts based projects. There are others which focus more specifically on business, entrepreneurship and social projects. Make it work for you by choosing a platform which won’t need too much explaining to your audience, or even better has an audience of it’s own which you can mine.

2. Ask for what you need.
   Have a realistic budget for your entire project before you start. Smaller targets are easier to reach. Try to fundraise from a variety of sources which added together will make up the full budget. Check the deadlines for grant awards and schedule back up options to cover unsuccessful bids. Kickstarter is a great place to start because it creates a webpage for you which will remain after the deadline has passed. A successful campaign is a strong marketing tool.

3. Remember to consider the cost of making, producing and delivering your rewards. It works best to keep them closely related to the project your are fundraising for. i.e. tickets to the performance, a copy of the finished article, artwork, keepsakes. Most backers will be altruistic and will select no reward in return for their donation. Most feel shy about taking part in experiences so offer them a group activity if you can.

4. Build momentum. Remember if you ask your long lost friends directly and impersonally for a cash payout, they may be offended. However it is great opportunity to reconnect and show them what you are doing now! Just be personal about it. Talk to people, don’t over sell. If they like what you’re doing they will be receptive about sharing your good news.

5. Be real. Show your gratitude and be positive. Even if you don’t make your target, running a crowd funding campaign is a great way to talk about your aspirations. Try to share lots of news and photos throughout your campaign to keep it fun and interesting.

6. Be confident. Affirm your supporters and keep things rolling with good news and developments. Use local media and create a buzz, by giving back to your local community by sharing other people’s news and ask for as much help as you can in return.

The Stats: You will pay 10% in fees to Kickstarter and Amazon, so make sure you have accounted for this. Remember also to account for costs associated in fulfilling your pledges including postage and packaging fees. Keep your pledges simple. For the most part backers are feeling philanthropic and want to see you succeed. Giant rewards trigger guilt, so small rewards work wonders. Think momentos and keepsakes.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/714020266/the-marie-celestial

Royal de Luxe and Coca-Cola Tête-à-Tête

Royal de Luxe, who are responsible for the Sultan’s Elephant, which visited London from their base in Nantes in France in 2006 and Liverpool in 2014, have launched a legal battle against Cola-Cola. 

They accuse the multi-national of plagiarising it’s “giants”. 

Director Jaques Leroy states that he is “not afraid” of taking on such a powerful opponent, stating that it is a “moral issue”.

A complaint was filed against Coco-Cola in June  for an advertising campaign screened at the end of 2012 in 61 countries, featuring a giant puppet Santa Claus. He is manipulated by “Lilliputian” people and mimics the “watchful eye, wink and same scenery” all trademarks of the Royal de Luxe's iconic puppetry.

It is reported that ahead of releasing the campaign, Cola-Cola communicated with Royal de Luxe in numerous emails offering a partnership deal. This was declined on grounds of “refusing to serve a brand”. 

Royal de Luxe accept only private sponsorship which is responsible for 80% of it’s funding. One of these emails even states that Royal de Luxe are in fact “the inspiration for this beautiful idea”. Coca-Cola denies plagiarism and the case continues.

This is gravely concerning for independent arts, on behalf of the power, scale and the dangerous lack of integrity Coca-Cola demonstrates.

Photo credit: Royal de Luxe

Source:

Culturebox

Royal de Luxe

What's Hot at Boomtown Fair

Boomtown Fair is set in a curious natural bowl in the Hampshire hillside, formed long, long ago by glacial procession.

But that’s another story…

This is a festival unique in it’s objectivity of itself. It knows what it is. It’s the summer of seasons. It’s the crop top of fashion. It’s shaking it’s stick gloriously without shame. It’s boom and bust baby!

It’s whole agenda is reflective of it’s self-awareness. Like the temporary settlements of the gold rush. It’s set-like, city scape is an experiential binge in a quick flourish.

Akin to the British summer, it’s short-lived but we’ll be damned if we waste a second of the sunshine! In case you are unfamiliar, summer time in Britain is commonly celebrated with the charring of animal  legs on ‘quick-light’ boxes of questionably flammable material, accompanied by toasting one’s own milky pins to a flattering shade of lobster. It’s over in a flash, so come as you are and party all the way!

Thankfully BBQs are not allowed at Boomtown, leaving us free to enjoy not only shit-hot cooking from the expert vendors, but with that a breath of fresh air and some serious body and head space, as we all require once in a while! 

Boomtown promises it’s ‘residents’ no legacy, no tin-pot idealism. It is truly a crucible for creative experimentation. It’s one of the most sincerely progressive artistic events currently taking place in the United Kingdom. More traditionally formatted festivals are practically dinosaurs by comparison.

I’m not sure if the following illustrates a point or not, but I can’t get it out of my head so I’ll share:

At last year’s Boomtown Fair, an old buddy of mine popped up to say hello! He’d happened upon some people offering grass wigs. Honestly, bits of turf. Well in his ingenuity my, buddy had asked for a chin one. Live green grass flapping about wildly while he chattered away to me most lithely! Now that’s fresh.

But seriously; if festival programmers need to have a finger on the pulse of talent, then Boomtown makes it’s heart race. It invests in entrepreneurial ideas. Certainly in terms of providing a testing ground for artistic production that nudges boundaries with a ‘what if…’ attitude. You’ll see venues from some of the most forward-thinking producers in the industry, giving it a good go. It’s the audience which completes this ebb and flow, so remember to tell me what you think!

Get on my face(book) and tell me your favourite bits... If you show me yours I’ll show you mine!
https://www.facebook.com/libertyrockspr

So with no further ado. Here’s what’s better than sliced bread and hotter than toast at Boomtown Fair 2014!

Circo Baile

High energy, sexy circus, right over your head to high energy, stomping BPM DJs like Stanton Warriors.

10pm - 1pm Saturday and Sunday

Barrio Loco

www.basslinecircus.org

The Holy Roller
Rolling stage… the absolute best surprise stage on site… A motorised church - jump aboard for a rave with the the best DJs and performance artists of all time in total secret! Just don’t expect to know where you are when you get dropped off! Don’t you dare miss miss it!

Mouse Outfit

Super tight funk and hip-hop with on the point lyrical excursions, off the cuff.

Hidden Woods

http://themouseoutfit.bandcamp.com

wAgAwAgA 

Electronica mixed with exotica, synthesisers, live drums with an eastern influence.

Chinese Tech Shop

8pm Saturday 

https://soundcloud.com/wagawaga

John Langan Band

Celtic, gypsy, roma, flamenco with a high energy punk attitude.

Old Mines

https://soundcloud.com/thejohnlanganband

Afriquoi

Electronica take on traditional African sounds mixed with UK bass, glitch and live instruments.

Old Mines

https://soundcloud.com/afriquoi

Cheeryoke

Bearded, girl-pop kareoke. So feel good you’ll pop your socks, or your cherry. Too much fun to be missed!

Park Hotel