“Tell a friend, to tell another friend, to tell to their cousins, and their cousin’s friends and cousins. Spread the word on this basically” sputtered Yaarah Schools’ newest patron, actor Daniel Kaluuya (Skins, Johnny English Reborn). He and a host of others attended last week’s ‘Fusionite’ event in Shoreditch’s Avalon club to show their support for a charity which tries to breathe new life into Ghana’s most under resourced educational systems:
Footage of Fusionite 2010
Music performances, talks, food, fashion show, fusion – night. And any of this for London Fashion Week? No. This is all in the name of Ghana’s children states Yaarah Schools founder, Marie Tejani. The inspirational lady left Ghana a few years ago utterly depleted at how 4000 primary schools in her homeland are still being taught under trees, and how 3500 additional schools are under temporary structures; explaining why the national government estimate it could take up to 25 years for the authorities to build adequate classrooms. This just won’t do affirms Marie, which is why she set up Yaarah Schools in the first place; to provide her people with:
- Classrooms in the remote villages
- Teaching equipment and furniture
- Safe drinking water, toilets and basic medical provisions
- Income generating schemes for the school community
- And adult education and skills improvement programmes within the community
Does anyone on this side of the world actually care though…?
Construction and vast preparation for the Summer Olympics and Paralympics 2012 may be erupting across London and the UK – but the response to Fusionite, Marie and her team’s work illustrates that wider picture, that sprinkle of perspective, that through all the hype and jittery excitement in the capital, there remains space, time, need and yes, a genuine want to communicate here for a community over there.
London is a bustling hot pot (which is why I love it). And it is such a dynamic environment that branches of it can and do pause to reflect, come together – and party it up for a good cause.
Come to the next Fusionite, check out www.yaarahschools.org, and you’ll see what I mean.
This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel
9/10/2011
8/31/2011
Street Summer Loving With Channel 4 & somewhereto_
What can one do in Westminster Hall? The answer is simple. More than you think…
Crushing the barriers of creative convention, this recently broadcast Channel 4 Street Summer ident shines some light on a rather grey matter couple of months (Rain? Riots? What else are people ranting about?), whilst showcasing the long-term plan and blue sky-high vision of a nationwide project called somewhereto_.
Delivered by youth engagement agency Livity, in media partnership with Channel 4 and funded by Legacy Trust UK, the name of the somewhereto_ game is to assist any 16-25 year old with a space to do the things they love, be it painting or rapping, writing or dancing, in arenas from a patchy park, to the oldest remaining part of the prestigious Palace of Westminster.
Yes. It’s been a summer of mixed news and emotions, especially in my home city of London town. But I look back and think it is very fitting that Channel 4’s Street Summer season about the contemporary urban arts scene was still dubbed a ‘celebration’. It most definitely was – setting off fireworks with projects from Concrete Circus (bringing together the world’s hottest names in urban sports), to How Hip Hop Changed the World (a hip hop history lesson), Life of Rhyme (exploring the UK rap and spoken word scene), and as for London and the Street Summer somewhereto_ stunt – well it just has a different feel for me since I saw the four lucky young street dancers blessing the floors of Westminster Hall.
Why shouldn’t we - even at times of great uncertainty and adversity - celebrate culture, community, young people, all people?
On that young people front I do raise a glass to work like somewhereto_ - which has an extra celebration at hand – a beat they hope we can all dance to long after this summer is out; in that somewhereto_ worked successfully with Parliament to open up an incredible space which would never normally open its doors to young people to dance in (an unprecedented achievement). And they are working to ensure the Westminster Hall special moment is just one of many stories which help creative young people realise that a space of any kind in their community can be theirs.
So, watch this space through Autumn and beyond as the somewhereto_ journey warms up to break some more records of their own by the time the London Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 comes by.
Any young onlookers around London and the UK – the race for space is on with somewhereto_, and there’s so much up for grabs. It’s your turn and your time to think and leap outside the box – so take your pick from any one of these: www.somewhereto.com/spaces
Space-holders – play your part and give a space here: www.somewhereto.com/spaces/give-a-space
This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel.
Note: somewhereto_ is delivered by youth engagement agency Livity in media partnership with Channel 4. The project is funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK.
For more information on somewhereto_ visit: www.somewhereto.com, check them on Facebook here www.facebook.com/somewhereto, or follow them on Twitter @somewhereto_
For more information on Channel 4 Street Summer visit: www.channel4.com/streetsummer
Crushing the barriers of creative convention, this recently broadcast Channel 4 Street Summer ident shines some light on a rather grey matter couple of months (Rain? Riots? What else are people ranting about?), whilst showcasing the long-term plan and blue sky-high vision of a nationwide project called somewhereto_.
Delivered by youth engagement agency Livity, in media partnership with Channel 4 and funded by Legacy Trust UK, the name of the somewhereto_ game is to assist any 16-25 year old with a space to do the things they love, be it painting or rapping, writing or dancing, in arenas from a patchy park, to the oldest remaining part of the prestigious Palace of Westminster.
Yes. It’s been a summer of mixed news and emotions, especially in my home city of London town. But I look back and think it is very fitting that Channel 4’s Street Summer season about the contemporary urban arts scene was still dubbed a ‘celebration’. It most definitely was – setting off fireworks with projects from Concrete Circus (bringing together the world’s hottest names in urban sports), to How Hip Hop Changed the World (a hip hop history lesson), Life of Rhyme (exploring the UK rap and spoken word scene), and as for London and the Street Summer somewhereto_ stunt – well it just has a different feel for me since I saw the four lucky young street dancers blessing the floors of Westminster Hall.
Why shouldn’t we - even at times of great uncertainty and adversity - celebrate culture, community, young people, all people?
On that young people front I do raise a glass to work like somewhereto_ - which has an extra celebration at hand – a beat they hope we can all dance to long after this summer is out; in that somewhereto_ worked successfully with Parliament to open up an incredible space which would never normally open its doors to young people to dance in (an unprecedented achievement). And they are working to ensure the Westminster Hall special moment is just one of many stories which help creative young people realise that a space of any kind in their community can be theirs.
So, watch this space through Autumn and beyond as the somewhereto_ journey warms up to break some more records of their own by the time the London Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 comes by.
Any young onlookers around London and the UK – the race for space is on with somewhereto_, and there’s so much up for grabs. It’s your turn and your time to think and leap outside the box – so take your pick from any one of these: www.somewhereto.com/spaces
Space-holders – play your part and give a space here: www.somewhereto.com/spaces/give-a-space
This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel.
Note: somewhereto_ is delivered by youth engagement agency Livity in media partnership with Channel 4. The project is funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK.
For more information on somewhereto_ visit: www.somewhereto.com, check them on Facebook here www.facebook.com/somewhereto, or follow them on Twitter @somewhereto_
For more information on Channel 4 Street Summer visit: www.channel4.com/streetsummer
8/10/2011
The London Riots – Understanding The Incomprehensible
“Trying to understand grievances and anger (to prevent violence and seek justice) doesn't mean you support criminality” tweeted actor, MC and buddy Riz Ahmed (Four Lions).
That is pretty much how I’ve felt: engulfed by news and soul-killing sights of my home city on fire, accompanied by this summer’s anthem of police sirens and helicopters, whilst simultaneously attempting to comprehend what looks like trails of World War 3 in my own back yard.
Amid the flames and looting, we have despicable acts like this:
And inconsolable reactions like this:
However, when the dust settles (which it will), we have to consider – then what? That is why we need time to stop, sit back, take a breather, detach, reconnect and establish how we got to this point. We must try to understand the incomprehensible.
I’ve tried…
Forget police shortcomings. Forget “bad PR for London and the Summer Olympics 2012”. And no offence, but in the bigger picture, we might as well forget about Mark Duggan – yes an unjust killing and the unravelling vital case that seemed to provide the spark to the riots (after violence broke out at an initially peaceful protest of his death on Saturday August 5). But sadly, his story is getting lost in the pool of carnage, fear, anger and confusion left in London, and now other cities across the UK.
The bigger story in my 24 year old eyes seems to be what do we do now with the so-called ‘thugs’ responsible? There is no justification for conflict and trauma inflicted upon the innocent – each and every looter and arsonist does deserve reprimanding. NO ONE is ‘too young’ to understand that stealing, mugging, and burning down a building is wrong. But I refuse to stop at punishment as a solution. It may be hard for many to have empathy with the thousands of kids on street smashing up buildings and cars, but how did it come to this? They are a substantial group of spawns from our society, and therefore much of the responsibility to make amends must rest in our hands.
Where were the parents in all this? Note: If my parents found out I was looting before my balls dropped, my dad would’ve had me on lock down and thwacked me with a rolled up newspaper, whilst my mum would’ve given me the silent treatment (the harsher punishment).
Not saying my family is perfect, or that it’s not hard for those bringing up unruly children – but now (if ever) is the time for all parents, the government, media, schools and our communities to swallow some home truths, and listen to the young voices…
Unemployment of youth in the UK is at an all time high, as is homelessness; with numbers of those without a home souring through the non-present roof – reports say partly due to EMA cuts and rent cost inflation. This with further cuts to youth services nationwide leaves the odd teen (some of which not even old enough to vote) a tad cold towards the system. The media evidently can’t be trusted (bon voyage News of the World), and as for the police - many comments I have heard thrown out by some young people sing that age old tune: “F**k the police! They’re racist anyways”. Yet however ‘juvenile’ their perceptions may be, and despite the fact they probably haven’t helped their employment options by smashing up shops they could’ve worked in (some gathering criminal records in the process), there are too many with the same opinion to go unheard, and over the last week we heard just how loud the masses of the disconnected can be.
I’m not saying that every adolescent ‘vandal’ on the street carries a legitimate reason behind their actions. Of course there are hundreds of opportunists lacking half a logical brain cell out there who saw nothing but free trainers in JD Sports and Foot Locker. However three days of mayhem and resistance in a torn apart capital can’t be caused by a few idiotic criminals – what we witnessed was an uprising (be it with legitimate purpose or not).
That’s why, if this ever happens again (God forbid), I don’t believe sending the culprits to jail, boot camp, Guantanamo Bay (as one friend suggested) is enough. Nor is a national curfew, military intervention, rubber bullets or that ever-mentioned water cannon; that may tidal wave away some of the delinquents, but it won’t alter the mentality of a seemingly lost generation.
IF we are not to follow with the same naivety, misguidance and apathy as the young guns we label as ‘senseless thugs’, we must now act as a nationwide attentive community to reinforce social values (not just discipline); government, schools, parents and young people in it for the long haul. There is no quick fix, we shouldn’t look for one – but instead perhaps embrace and learn from the great mini-headlines from the riots portraying brighter community potential for the aftermath; particular shout outs to the Riot Cleanup groups, my local shopkeepers on Green Street in east London (and elsewhere) standing together and chasing off gang trouble-seekers, and the youth-led media response from the likes of those at Livity’s Live Magazine - based in Brixton - constantly overcoming any pigeon-hole negative assumptions concerning the younger generation with their socially responsible, active and objective youth voice and work.
Much has been taken. But there is much to take.
It is now a task of immense proportions, but cross-community commitment will be rewarded upon the horizon. I’m not the optimistic type by nature, but when asked if I can make sense of the London riots, I prefer to conclude by thinking that together, we just might be able turn this around, and then, hopefully my 13 year old nephew’s generation might look back in 10 years and say – “Well, that was just stupid, innit!”.
This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel.
That is pretty much how I’ve felt: engulfed by news and soul-killing sights of my home city on fire, accompanied by this summer’s anthem of police sirens and helicopters, whilst simultaneously attempting to comprehend what looks like trails of World War 3 in my own back yard.
Amid the flames and looting, we have despicable acts like this:
And inconsolable reactions like this:
However, when the dust settles (which it will), we have to consider – then what? That is why we need time to stop, sit back, take a breather, detach, reconnect and establish how we got to this point. We must try to understand the incomprehensible.
I’ve tried…
Forget police shortcomings. Forget “bad PR for London and the Summer Olympics 2012”. And no offence, but in the bigger picture, we might as well forget about Mark Duggan – yes an unjust killing and the unravelling vital case that seemed to provide the spark to the riots (after violence broke out at an initially peaceful protest of his death on Saturday August 5). But sadly, his story is getting lost in the pool of carnage, fear, anger and confusion left in London, and now other cities across the UK.
The bigger story in my 24 year old eyes seems to be what do we do now with the so-called ‘thugs’ responsible? There is no justification for conflict and trauma inflicted upon the innocent – each and every looter and arsonist does deserve reprimanding. NO ONE is ‘too young’ to understand that stealing, mugging, and burning down a building is wrong. But I refuse to stop at punishment as a solution. It may be hard for many to have empathy with the thousands of kids on street smashing up buildings and cars, but how did it come to this? They are a substantial group of spawns from our society, and therefore much of the responsibility to make amends must rest in our hands.
Where were the parents in all this? Note: If my parents found out I was looting before my balls dropped, my dad would’ve had me on lock down and thwacked me with a rolled up newspaper, whilst my mum would’ve given me the silent treatment (the harsher punishment).
Not saying my family is perfect, or that it’s not hard for those bringing up unruly children – but now (if ever) is the time for all parents, the government, media, schools and our communities to swallow some home truths, and listen to the young voices…
Unemployment of youth in the UK is at an all time high, as is homelessness; with numbers of those without a home souring through the non-present roof – reports say partly due to EMA cuts and rent cost inflation. This with further cuts to youth services nationwide leaves the odd teen (some of which not even old enough to vote) a tad cold towards the system. The media evidently can’t be trusted (bon voyage News of the World), and as for the police - many comments I have heard thrown out by some young people sing that age old tune: “F**k the police! They’re racist anyways”. Yet however ‘juvenile’ their perceptions may be, and despite the fact they probably haven’t helped their employment options by smashing up shops they could’ve worked in (some gathering criminal records in the process), there are too many with the same opinion to go unheard, and over the last week we heard just how loud the masses of the disconnected can be.
I’m not saying that every adolescent ‘vandal’ on the street carries a legitimate reason behind their actions. Of course there are hundreds of opportunists lacking half a logical brain cell out there who saw nothing but free trainers in JD Sports and Foot Locker. However three days of mayhem and resistance in a torn apart capital can’t be caused by a few idiotic criminals – what we witnessed was an uprising (be it with legitimate purpose or not).
That’s why, if this ever happens again (God forbid), I don’t believe sending the culprits to jail, boot camp, Guantanamo Bay (as one friend suggested) is enough. Nor is a national curfew, military intervention, rubber bullets or that ever-mentioned water cannon; that may tidal wave away some of the delinquents, but it won’t alter the mentality of a seemingly lost generation.
IF we are not to follow with the same naivety, misguidance and apathy as the young guns we label as ‘senseless thugs’, we must now act as a nationwide attentive community to reinforce social values (not just discipline); government, schools, parents and young people in it for the long haul. There is no quick fix, we shouldn’t look for one – but instead perhaps embrace and learn from the great mini-headlines from the riots portraying brighter community potential for the aftermath; particular shout outs to the Riot Cleanup groups, my local shopkeepers on Green Street in east London (and elsewhere) standing together and chasing off gang trouble-seekers, and the youth-led media response from the likes of those at Livity’s Live Magazine - based in Brixton - constantly overcoming any pigeon-hole negative assumptions concerning the younger generation with their socially responsible, active and objective youth voice and work.
Much has been taken. But there is much to take.
It is now a task of immense proportions, but cross-community commitment will be rewarded upon the horizon. I’m not the optimistic type by nature, but when asked if I can make sense of the London riots, I prefer to conclude by thinking that together, we just might be able turn this around, and then, hopefully my 13 year old nephew’s generation might look back in 10 years and say – “Well, that was just stupid, innit!”.
This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel.
7/27/2011
Interview With West London Award-Winning Comedian - Nathan Caton
He talks about the Game Boy era, the ‘Your Mum’ generation, gangs, guns and knife crime, bad hip hop lyrics, the good, bad and ugly of family and community life – all with raw truth, cutting satire and hilarious punch and kick lines.
(a taster of Caton from ITV’s FHM Stand Up Hero)
Catching award-winning Greenford-based stand-up comedian Nathan Caton at the Rich Mix (www.richmix.org.uk) in Shoreditch last week was a summer highlight; he’s a fellow 80s child who gave me moments of nostalgia, cracking me up to the extent I literally choked on my Magners. After the set and the realignment of my facial muscles, I met the 26 year old funny guy to thank him for my t-shirt stain, and in turn, nail him down for a little Q&A about his ever-evolving home city, his calling, and his thoughts on the art of stand-up:
Q: I’ve read that you were never the class clown, but that you were the ‘shy bookworm’. Is that true?
A: Yeah, I was quite a reserved kid… a teacher’s pet to be honest.
Q: So how/when did you discover stand-up?
A: Over my teenage years I started getting a bit more courage, I became more of an extrovert. Then one time in church I was joking around about doing stand-up for a talent show, and my friend told me to give it a shot. I thought ‘naaaaah’, but I ended up doing it and I liked the buzz on stage. I still did A-Levels, even went to university and studied architecture, but I spent more time in comedy clubs than doing uni work. I got back into comedy, practiced at home in the mirror; every now and then I’d try it out on my mum – she’s a tough nut to crack, so if she’d laugh I’d know it’s funny. Eventually at some point, I decided stand-up was something I really wanted to do... even though I bombed a few times (laughs).
Q: You mean awful tumbleweed ‘I can hear a pin drop in this room’ experiences?
A: Unfortunately yeah I got a few of those - but that’s part of the learning curb as a comedian. I’ve been to gigs where the audience just talk over you and really don’t care that you’re on stage, but if I ever did have a gig like that, I’d just try and get another gig so I can smash it, do better, and erase the memories from the bad shows.
Q: As far as London goes, where are the places you go to catch some good stand-up comic relief?
A: The Comedy Store in Piccadilly Circus, the Bearcat Comedy Club in Twickenham and Headliners in Chiswick are my favourite joints.
Q: Where’s the one spot you want to perform in the capital?
A: Hammersmith Apollo – I was born in Hammersmith, so that would be cool.
Q: What are your best and worse memories of growing up in London?
A: Being a teenager here was normal, hanging out with friends, talking about girls with mates, going cinema etc. My best memories are the last days of school when you’re just waiting for the summer jam. The worse thing was girls didn’t really like me that much. I got bare knock downs (laughs).
Q: A common theme in your show refers to how much teenage lifestyle (including gun and knife crime) and communities have changed since our school days. Is there an underlying message in your comedy?
A: I want to naturally portray me as me on stage – for the audience to see me and get to know my life and the world as I see it through my comedy. As a result I do hope it may break down some assumptions and barriers. So yes, I have a laugh about today’s societies and knife crime, but it’s good if it can make people aware too. We hear it all the time – and it (knife and gun crime) is a problem that needs to be addressed by governments and councils more, especially as gang culture seems to have come to the forefront again in the last 10 years or so. In London, I guess that’s because I don’t think there’s as much of a community feel as there was when I was a kid; it’s a melting pot of multiculturalism, so many different people with different mentalities, with some parts segregated and ignorant to others. But at the same time I can see that aspect of community gradually seeping back into London, and in terms of the next generation, I won’t ever stereotype – I actually believe a lot of teenagers and young kids are misunderstood, one of the reasons being the media gives a wrong, unbalanced perception a lot of the time.
Q: Any advice for young jokers who want to get on stage?
A: Write a lot - anything you find funny, write it down. Constantly gig. Don’t give it up if it’s what you want to do. It’s taken me six years to get here, a grind and a half, but well worth it.
Q: Who are your kings of stand-up?
A: As a kid it was Lenny Henry as a face and voice of black comedy. Then there is Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle – all funny and clever inspirations. Right now I’m really into Reginald D Hunter, a guy who can make you think, and laugh – qualities I only see as good things in stand-up.
Q: You had a joke in your set about being irritated by someone comparing you to a ‘young posh Lenny Henry’, and that it happens because you’re a ‘black UK comedian’. Does that still make you twitch?
A: Don’t get me wrong, Lenny is a legend, and it’s a positive comparison as he is funny. But it is a bit annoying as of course I don’t want to be pigeon holed. And yeah I don’t see myself as a black comedian - comedy is universal. Race does not matter. But in terms of public and media perspectives, that’s just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes…
Nathan will be performing around the country this summer, including a set at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August (www.edfringe.com).
For more info on Nathan Caton and his upcoming shows, check out www.nathancaton.com
This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel
(a taster of Caton from ITV’s FHM Stand Up Hero)
Catching award-winning Greenford-based stand-up comedian Nathan Caton at the Rich Mix (www.richmix.org.uk) in Shoreditch last week was a summer highlight; he’s a fellow 80s child who gave me moments of nostalgia, cracking me up to the extent I literally choked on my Magners. After the set and the realignment of my facial muscles, I met the 26 year old funny guy to thank him for my t-shirt stain, and in turn, nail him down for a little Q&A about his ever-evolving home city, his calling, and his thoughts on the art of stand-up:
Q: I’ve read that you were never the class clown, but that you were the ‘shy bookworm’. Is that true?
A: Yeah, I was quite a reserved kid… a teacher’s pet to be honest.
Q: So how/when did you discover stand-up?
A: Over my teenage years I started getting a bit more courage, I became more of an extrovert. Then one time in church I was joking around about doing stand-up for a talent show, and my friend told me to give it a shot. I thought ‘naaaaah’, but I ended up doing it and I liked the buzz on stage. I still did A-Levels, even went to university and studied architecture, but I spent more time in comedy clubs than doing uni work. I got back into comedy, practiced at home in the mirror; every now and then I’d try it out on my mum – she’s a tough nut to crack, so if she’d laugh I’d know it’s funny. Eventually at some point, I decided stand-up was something I really wanted to do... even though I bombed a few times (laughs).
Q: You mean awful tumbleweed ‘I can hear a pin drop in this room’ experiences?
A: Unfortunately yeah I got a few of those - but that’s part of the learning curb as a comedian. I’ve been to gigs where the audience just talk over you and really don’t care that you’re on stage, but if I ever did have a gig like that, I’d just try and get another gig so I can smash it, do better, and erase the memories from the bad shows.
Q: As far as London goes, where are the places you go to catch some good stand-up comic relief?
A: The Comedy Store in Piccadilly Circus, the Bearcat Comedy Club in Twickenham and Headliners in Chiswick are my favourite joints.
Q: Where’s the one spot you want to perform in the capital?
A: Hammersmith Apollo – I was born in Hammersmith, so that would be cool.
Q: What are your best and worse memories of growing up in London?
A: Being a teenager here was normal, hanging out with friends, talking about girls with mates, going cinema etc. My best memories are the last days of school when you’re just waiting for the summer jam. The worse thing was girls didn’t really like me that much. I got bare knock downs (laughs).
Q: A common theme in your show refers to how much teenage lifestyle (including gun and knife crime) and communities have changed since our school days. Is there an underlying message in your comedy?
A: I want to naturally portray me as me on stage – for the audience to see me and get to know my life and the world as I see it through my comedy. As a result I do hope it may break down some assumptions and barriers. So yes, I have a laugh about today’s societies and knife crime, but it’s good if it can make people aware too. We hear it all the time – and it (knife and gun crime) is a problem that needs to be addressed by governments and councils more, especially as gang culture seems to have come to the forefront again in the last 10 years or so. In London, I guess that’s because I don’t think there’s as much of a community feel as there was when I was a kid; it’s a melting pot of multiculturalism, so many different people with different mentalities, with some parts segregated and ignorant to others. But at the same time I can see that aspect of community gradually seeping back into London, and in terms of the next generation, I won’t ever stereotype – I actually believe a lot of teenagers and young kids are misunderstood, one of the reasons being the media gives a wrong, unbalanced perception a lot of the time.
Q: Any advice for young jokers who want to get on stage?
A: Write a lot - anything you find funny, write it down. Constantly gig. Don’t give it up if it’s what you want to do. It’s taken me six years to get here, a grind and a half, but well worth it.
Q: Who are your kings of stand-up?
A: As a kid it was Lenny Henry as a face and voice of black comedy. Then there is Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle – all funny and clever inspirations. Right now I’m really into Reginald D Hunter, a guy who can make you think, and laugh – qualities I only see as good things in stand-up.
Q: You had a joke in your set about being irritated by someone comparing you to a ‘young posh Lenny Henry’, and that it happens because you’re a ‘black UK comedian’. Does that still make you twitch?
A: Don’t get me wrong, Lenny is a legend, and it’s a positive comparison as he is funny. But it is a bit annoying as of course I don’t want to be pigeon holed. And yeah I don’t see myself as a black comedian - comedy is universal. Race does not matter. But in terms of public and media perspectives, that’s just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes…
Nathan will be performing around the country this summer, including a set at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August (www.edfringe.com).
For more info on Nathan Caton and his upcoming shows, check out www.nathancaton.com
This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel
7/21/2011
Review: Just Do It - A Tale Of Modern-Day Outlaws
A few months back, I caught a special preview of Emily James’ documentary film Just Do It – a mind boggling fly on the wall observation into the world of the climate change activist; that direct action packed species hell-bent on civil disobedience in the name of the environment…
I was sold, even more so as I loved The Age of Stupid (another groundbreaking climate change film of which James was the executive producer), and even though a reflex reaction made me picture an inanimate pair of Nikes when I first heard ‘Just Do It’. Silly me - but how will communities across the UK and the world react to the film, and James’ portrayal of the key sparks in the climate change movement; from the Plane Stupid guys to Climate Camp, from the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference (COP15) to the occupation of coal power stations and airports in London and across the nation?
The film is currently touring cinemas across the UK, and on July 16 I jumped on the bus down the road to Stratford Picturehouse to see what those in my own back yard thought – plus there’s nothing like seeing once more, real people on the big screen having a jolly old rave on top of a police wagon (one of my favourite scenes from Just Do It).
Kyle Miers, a student from east London stated: “Well it’s not the same kind of thrill as the final Harry Potter movie…” – released the same week. “But it is so inspiring, sad, funny, honest, and depicts the real capability of people power” he added.
Waitress Meliz Pravin took a chance on the film through a recommendation “I know near to nothing about climate change, but my friend said I should give it a shot, and I’m really glad I did. It’s an eye-opener, and illustrates how much we as communities, in London and around the world, need to do to ensure this planet doesn’t go to s**ts.”
Such an impact I’m sure James herself will be hoping for all around, as she expresses the need not to underestimate the scale and consequences of global warming: “It's almost tempting to be flippant about it (climate change) but we really must resist that. It’s a problem of such a great scale that will dominate the rest of our lives.”
No wands or wizards, but do not overlook this on screen magic this summer. Just Do It is an action film through and through, one that is as enthralling as it is informational and inspiring. It provides an exciting, different way of looking at climate change and our world as a whole, provoking the kind of reaction to make any neutral viewer budge from the couch and fence they may well be perched on.
For all UK screenings of Just Do It, click here: www.justdoitfilm.com/screenings
Click here for more info: www.justdoitfilm.com
Photo: Kristian Buus
This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel
I was sold, even more so as I loved The Age of Stupid (another groundbreaking climate change film of which James was the executive producer), and even though a reflex reaction made me picture an inanimate pair of Nikes when I first heard ‘Just Do It’. Silly me - but how will communities across the UK and the world react to the film, and James’ portrayal of the key sparks in the climate change movement; from the Plane Stupid guys to Climate Camp, from the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference (COP15) to the occupation of coal power stations and airports in London and across the nation?
The film is currently touring cinemas across the UK, and on July 16 I jumped on the bus down the road to Stratford Picturehouse to see what those in my own back yard thought – plus there’s nothing like seeing once more, real people on the big screen having a jolly old rave on top of a police wagon (one of my favourite scenes from Just Do It).
Kyle Miers, a student from east London stated: “Well it’s not the same kind of thrill as the final Harry Potter movie…” – released the same week. “But it is so inspiring, sad, funny, honest, and depicts the real capability of people power” he added.
Waitress Meliz Pravin took a chance on the film through a recommendation “I know near to nothing about climate change, but my friend said I should give it a shot, and I’m really glad I did. It’s an eye-opener, and illustrates how much we as communities, in London and around the world, need to do to ensure this planet doesn’t go to s**ts.”
Such an impact I’m sure James herself will be hoping for all around, as she expresses the need not to underestimate the scale and consequences of global warming: “It's almost tempting to be flippant about it (climate change) but we really must resist that. It’s a problem of such a great scale that will dominate the rest of our lives.”
No wands or wizards, but do not overlook this on screen magic this summer. Just Do It is an action film through and through, one that is as enthralling as it is informational and inspiring. It provides an exciting, different way of looking at climate change and our world as a whole, provoking the kind of reaction to make any neutral viewer budge from the couch and fence they may well be perched on.
For all UK screenings of Just Do It, click here: www.justdoitfilm.com/screenings
Click here for more info: www.justdoitfilm.com
Photo: Kristian Buus
This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel
7/07/2011
Review: Juliyaa, Bands And Stables @ Proud, Camden
That’s it. I’ve decided. This is probably where I’m spending my next birthday.
Situated in the heart of the Stables Market (itself a bustling tourist attraction) in Camden, Proud is where I embraced a manic Monday night doing what every individual in London should be doing on the first day of the week – listening to live music and having an embarrassing battle on the dance floor.
Proud has got pretty much everything you need for a summer loving night; a lovely terrace with comfy seating, a BBQ smoking away and a bar (a spot not just for the smokers). Inside there’s a long lit up room with another bar and seven separate ‘stables’, chill out areas which you’re able to rent out for parties (there’s even one with a dance pole, but this night wasn’t that kind of party!). Walk through and we reach the main music stage room – with yes, yet another bar (you can never have too many).
And the common factor across the venue? The answer, on this particular Fourth of July, was an array of live music on hand. From the terrace, to the stables and the main music stage, unsigned band after solo act after acoustic set stepped up to create the infectious ‘I’m not going home until last train’ vibe. Family, friends, and fans of the performers eventually just merged into clusters of audiences, spoilt for choice at what, and who to jam to.
I vouched for Juliyaa in the main room, an awesome front girl (Julia Suit) and her band responsible for that shameful dance-off aforementioned. I loved it. Call Juliyaa soothing soul with a stiff kick, with blissful beats such as Talk to Me, Down To The River, and a stunning piece of vocals in a remix of Outkast’s Hey Ya.
Note: For more of Juliyaa catch her on Facebook and Twitter.
Veteran visitors of Proud will know it’s not just about up and coming music and bars though, as spoken word poetry, film screenings, and established acts from Florence and the Machine to Babyshambles, and even The Saturdays have featured there. So for any Proud virgins, visit www.proudcamden.com, see what’s on, and have a go.
This was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel
Situated in the heart of the Stables Market (itself a bustling tourist attraction) in Camden, Proud is where I embraced a manic Monday night doing what every individual in London should be doing on the first day of the week – listening to live music and having an embarrassing battle on the dance floor.
Proud has got pretty much everything you need for a summer loving night; a lovely terrace with comfy seating, a BBQ smoking away and a bar (a spot not just for the smokers). Inside there’s a long lit up room with another bar and seven separate ‘stables’, chill out areas which you’re able to rent out for parties (there’s even one with a dance pole, but this night wasn’t that kind of party!). Walk through and we reach the main music stage room – with yes, yet another bar (you can never have too many).
And the common factor across the venue? The answer, on this particular Fourth of July, was an array of live music on hand. From the terrace, to the stables and the main music stage, unsigned band after solo act after acoustic set stepped up to create the infectious ‘I’m not going home until last train’ vibe. Family, friends, and fans of the performers eventually just merged into clusters of audiences, spoilt for choice at what, and who to jam to.
I vouched for Juliyaa in the main room, an awesome front girl (Julia Suit) and her band responsible for that shameful dance-off aforementioned. I loved it. Call Juliyaa soothing soul with a stiff kick, with blissful beats such as Talk to Me, Down To The River, and a stunning piece of vocals in a remix of Outkast’s Hey Ya.
Note: For more of Juliyaa catch her on Facebook and Twitter.
Veteran visitors of Proud will know it’s not just about up and coming music and bars though, as spoken word poetry, film screenings, and established acts from Florence and the Machine to Babyshambles, and even The Saturdays have featured there. So for any Proud virgins, visit www.proudcamden.com, see what’s on, and have a go.
This was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel
7/03/2011
Review: Foo Fighters @ Milton Keynes Bowl - 70,000 Fans, 200 Green Flies, Fireworks And Alice Cooper
So, I'm on the M1 home from the national bowl in Milton Keynes. I'm with my 3 friends in a rented KIA titch car (which looks like something straight out of The Inbetweeners). It's 3am, we've been stuck in traffic for 3 hours, eating rotten quiche, listening to dance anthems from the 80s on the radio. I NEED to piss, I've swallowed 200+ green flies, I smell of beer, I'm battered from multiple mosh pits (including one instigated by a guy with his arm in a sling!), and now making my passenger friend type this up because that's how bored I am. The reason for this turmoil? A day with 70,000 others at the best rock 'n' roll feast ever, headlined by the Foo Fighters, with additional cameo highlights including Alice Cooper, that drummer from Queen (Roger Taylor) and the mighty supporting Biffy Clyro.
I will die smiling.
I will die smiling.
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