Diss Coming Events:
| Sat 04 Sep 3:00 |
The Drones presents: The Toy Symphony - a family matinee concert |
Music | Book/Details |
| Sat 04 Sep 8:00 | The Drones evening performance | Music | Book/Details |
| Thu 09 Sep 8:00 | The Wrestler (15) | Cinema | Book/Details |
A Toy Symphony for all the family - Saturday 4th at 3pm
In August we had Bhangra dancing and drumming which set the Corn Hall alight. Now September is starting in just as exciting a fashion! In the Old Stables Gallery the Waveney Springs Art Collective exhibit their work all month, bringing with them recommendations from such famous art figures as Brian Sewell!
On Saturday 4th September, come and listen to the intriguing sounds of The Drones at 8pm. This London-based quartet has been heard at the Purcell Room, the Barbican and on Radios 3,4 and 5, and will be bringing to Diss their unique and original compositions played on a combination of cello, teapot, bouzouki, car parts, toys, clarinets and didgeridoos. Not to be missed!
For families, The Drones are also performing their spectacular Toy Symphony at 3pm on the 4th September. Using toys as instruments, the quartet move between haunting melodies and hilarity-inducing numbers whilst heliballoons and giant birds sweep through the air above! Children are encouraged to bring their own toy or instrument and get involved in this musical and visual extravaganza!
And, you can catch Oscar nominated ‘The Wrestler’ (15) on Thursday 9th at 8pm – a fantastic performance from Mickey Rourke. Tickets £4
Waveney Springs Private View – 4th September 6-7.45pm – Free (with pay bar)
The Drones – Toy Symphony – 4th September 3pm – All tickets £3
The Drones – Evening Performance – 4th September 8pm – Tickets £8 / Students £6
You can book in person at the revamped Stables Box Office, by phone on 01379 652241 or on-line by clicking the Book/Details button above. We now have facilities for credit card payments.
The Corn Hall Regeneration Project
Plans to improve the Corn Hall and turn it into a first class centre for the arts (in the broadest sense) continue. With the squeeze on funding, we probably have to accept that a major grant to fund the whole project is unlikely, and that progress will be step by step. The next month or so will tell us if some crucial funding bids have been successful so that we can start with some priorities – for instance the acoustics. Our Regeneration blog will tell you how things have been going.
The Corn Hall Trust is now set up but we need lots of volunteers to help with stewarding at events, box office, marketing and fundraising. If you want to get involved, click on the 'Get Involved' button.
Classes
Regular Line Dancing classes are held on Monday and Tai Chi on Tuesday; for details look under the appropriate day.
Check out our new events programme for April-June 2010
Regeneration
Black Ram's Love's Labours Rocked!
Black Ram Theatre Company's hugely enjoyable production on Wednesday 25 August was a mix of Shakespeare and High School Musical - rather more Love's Labours Rocked than Love's Labour's Lost.
Whereas the Branagh film used 1930s music, this production features pop songs from the 50s to Lady Gaga. A haunting line like 'Did not I dance with you in Brabant once?' falls oddly at the high school prom. You have to remind yourself that the popular blonde over there is the princess of France. But, after the initial raising of eyebrows, it works well. The story of the young men who abjure women for three years of study, until these girls turn up, is timeless.
One critic called the play 'a feast of language'. The delete button accounts for chunks of it, with even the 'greasy Joan' epilogue being replaced by a Buddy-like finale. But what remains, like Berowne's 'And I, forsooth, in love!' speech, is acted with relish. The masquerade of Muscovites, even when acted in leather jackets and shades, has something about it.
With no programme available I could not identify the actors; but was impressed by their commitment, speaking and singing. I could imagine William Shakespeare doing high fives in his grave.
Basil Abbott
Monday 30th August 2010
Anna Mudeka Band - a force of nature
Anna Mudeka took the Diss Corn Hall by storm on Saturday night. For a few precious hours an audience of about 150 felt the seductive power of authentic African music. Anna started performing in her native Zimbabwe at the age of six and has been professional since she was 14. Based now in Norfolk, she tours Europe and has played festivals like Womad. So there was much anticipation.
But nothing could have prepared us for this force of nature. Backed by a slick band with fine drummers, Anna and her co-singer belted out a succession of songs that got the audience on the balls of their feet. The singers, too, were dancing as they sang. It was a riot in the nicest sense. Amazingly, there’s another chance to see this fine singer at Saturday’s Wow Festival in Burston (www.wow-arts.co.uk or 01379 651476). Alternatively, or as well, the Corn Hall is showing the great animated film, Fantastic Mr Fox, as a 5pm Saturday matinée. So much to see, so much time.
Tuesday 29th June 2010
Redecoration of the Assembly Hall to start in two weeks
Contractors have been appointed to start redecoration work in the Corn Hall's Assembly Room on Monday, 28 June. The rich red and deep plumb shades will give the main space a warm, welcoming and classic new look.
The redecoration will also include the hanging of specialist acoustic panels which will vastly improve the sound quality for the full range of events now held at the Corn Hall.
Further work to upgrade the toilet facilities is due to start in August and should be completed around November.
We have some wonderful events lined up for the autumn so we have devised a plan to keep The Corn Hall open throughout the work. There's bound to be the odd bit of disruption but we know you'll think it's worth it.
Monday 14th June 2010