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Drop Dead Angus – Apocalyse Now EP review

I feel as if I’ve been waiting my entire life to review a local band that have managed to avoid being sucked in to the incredible black hole that the Arctic Monkeys have left behind in Sheffield. It’s nice to see some other genres emerging that perhaps aren’t quite as in fashion as the folky/indie scene that is prominent at the moment.

These tracks are energetic, exciting and entice you to get up from your seat and start moving which is exactly what this genre expects from you. It’s the kind of music that makes you want to learn every lyric and sing along. If I were to draw comparisons they remind me very much of a slower paced Rise Against and this is huge compliment.

There are hundreds of people in Sheffield sat twiddling their thumbs waiting for something like this to happen and here we have it. It appeared that when MySpace died so did Sheffield’s love of heavier alternative music and I think I could be time for it to make a reappearance and genuinely believe that Drop Dead Angus could be the ones to start things up.

I would really like to see these guys play live – I can only imagine the atmosphere to be incredible.

The digital album can be bought here https://dropdeadangus.bandcamp.com/ for just £5! Can I also just mention how wonderful that artwork is!

Watching The Tour

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By Sam Newton

As Sheffield prepares to welcome the world’s largest sporting event into the City, organisers have advised spectators to plan ahead in order to get the most out of their day.

Hundreds of thousands of cycling enthusiasts are expected to descend on the City next week for the Tour de France which has gained a worldwide appeal since its formation in 1903.

Spectators will have the opportunity to savour the full race experience on 6th July at special designated Spectator Hubs along the route, with each hub equipped with a live coverage screen, refreshments, entertainment and facilities. Admission to the hubs is free as organisers set to make this the most inclusive Tour to date.

Councillor Isobel Bowler, the City Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure said: “we aim to provide a safe, enjoyable and well-managed experience for all spectators when the Tour arrives in Sheffield. The spectator hubs will be set up along the course as well as in the city centre and we have worked with local community groups to ensure as many people as possible are involved”

Two official hubs will be in place at Don Valley Grass Bowl and Oughtibridge, alongside 4 additional hubs at High Bradfield, Abbeyfield Park, Wincobank Common, and Meadowhall.

Activities on offer at the hubs include free entry to the first ever Bradfield Beer Festival at High Bradfield. The Greentop Circus performances at Abbeyfield Park. Drumming workshops from group Unbeatable Energy at Wincobank Common and a Fan Fest at Meadowhall.

Full details of the Tour route, road closures and other important information can be found at www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/tdf2014, while the interactive map at www.letouryorkshire.com/travel can be utilised to help spectators further plan their day. Further guidance can be found on Twitter @TdFYorksTravel

Major Boost For Sheffield’s New Retail Quarter

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By Samuel Newton

A long-awaited city centre regeneration scheme looks set to finally come into fruition after Sheffield City Council announced that it is committed to moving plans forward.

The New Retail Quarter scheme, previously marketed as Sevenstones, was shelved last year after a partnership between the project’s contractors Hammerson and Sheffield City Council fell through.

The project has now re-surfaced and will see the property between the Devonshire Quarter and The Moor developed into high-class retail spaces.

The options for structuring the property deal are being finalised and will be presented to Cabinet for approval. The Council will then consider whether to find a forward sale with interim funding or fund the scheme directly themselves.

Talks are currently being held with affected property owners in the area, who are hoping to be able to continue trading in their properties, until building developments are due to commence.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Development, Leigh Bramall said: “We are fully committed to moving the development of the New Retail Quarter forward urgently now and this decision to secure the ownership of the properties needed for the development is key to making things happen”.

Drawing on the necessity to keep the area attractive to shoppers until the development gets underway, Mr. Bramall continued: “We are also conscious that the existing businesses should be able to continue their trade in their current premises whenever possible to ensure the area remains attractive to shoppers during this crucial period of transition”.

The Quarter is set to be a crucial element for the regeneration of the city centre as it sits alongside other developments including new improvements to The Moor which have already seen success as the Heart of the City scheme looks to shift up a gear. It is expected that the scheme will provide around 2,500 new jobs.

Councillor Ben Curran, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources said: “Once completed, the New Retail Quarter will help to improve the status of the City and will help to stimulate further office, commercial and leisure opportunities in Sheffield City centre. This development will bring significant external investment into the city as well as giving a massive boost to the city centre’s retail offer”

Spot the local stars in Sheffield Community Media film

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A new short film shows how excited Sheffielders are about the plans to allow people who live, work, or have interests in Sheffield to own their very own television channel.

Figures from notable Sheffield businesses, and from the worlds of music (including one of Sheffield’s home grown music stars – watch the film to find out who), media and education, have joined Sheffielders in welcoming the channel:

As excitement grows (you can read more comments here), so does investment into Sheffield Community Media Ltd, an organisation set up for community benefit which has been established to support community media development in Sheffield, including the new local digital TV channel.

Readers can become a part owner and can invest from £100 to £20,000, payable by instalments if preferred. Sheffield Community Media aims to pay a modest rate of interest after 3 years. Details here.

Community Shares are a form of social investment to raise funds for projects of community benefit. Sheffield Community Media Ltd want Sheffielders to support this groundbreaking project. The “Pioneer and Community Share Offer” is available at www.sheffieldlive.org/shares

Sheffield Community Media Ltd is a society for the benefit of the community incorporated under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965. Registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration No: 31727R. Registered address: 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX

We’d like to thank Matthew Neale of The Sheffield College and Norton Creative for editing and directing this film, and College students for capturing footage; Daren Eagles and Sheffield Hallam University students for the introductory ident; Rob Speranza and Sangita Basudev for supplying additional footage; and the featured Sheffield Live show producers, as well as all of the interviewees, for taking part.

From New York to Nether Edge: Avenue Q

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The Avenue Q cast with Sheffield Live presenter Vicky Oag

The Avenue Q cast with Sheffield Live presenter Vicky Oag

What do you get when you cross a meaning of life story, with sesame street, the muppet show and some distinctly adult humour? No, its not the start of a really bad joke but it does sum up the plot line of musical comedy Avenue Q about to hit the stage of The Lantern Theatre in Sheffield by new amateur theatre company, Cutting Edge.

And Sheffield Live 93.2FM has an interview with the cast – on today’s Communities Live show at noon.

Set on a Avenue Q in New York’s southernmost neighbourhood, the show follows new graduate, Princeton as he works out exactly what is his purpose in life.  Supported by a small cast of humans, monsters and puppets, Princeton and his new neighbours take a comedic journey through “the real issues in modern life – employment, love, politics and exactly why the internet was invented.”

Avenue Q is the first performance project of Sal Foster-Major and Gavin Usher, the people behind Cutting Edge.

Director of the show Sal says: “We set up Cutting Edge to focus on new, innovative and unusual dramatic and musical theatre productions.  Often, amateur musical performers miss out on shows that only require a small cast and we wanted to create somewhere they would give them the opportunity to perform some of the smaller but just as interesting and exciting shows.”

Musical Director Gavin adds: “We wanted to make an impact with our first show so we chose Avenue Q for the visual spectacle of the puppets, the great music and the sheer comedy of the script.  Although it is most definitely aimed at adults, it is a real feel good show with a modern twist.  Whether you love or hate musicals, you cant help but enjoy this show.”

Cast member and puppeteer Chris Hanlon is in charge of one of the colourful cast of puppets that makes this particular show so unique. “There are only 11 of us in the cast and none of us have ever done anything like this before.  Singing, dancing, acting and operating a ‘muppet’ puppet has been quite a challenge but as a cast we have laughed all though the rehearsals, the show is just so funny! We cant wait to get on stage and share it with an audience.”

As well as being the first show produced by the team at Cutting Edge, the small cast also have the kudos of claiming to be the first full scale musical  to be staged at the 84 seater Lantern Theatre.  The 120 year old venue located in Nether Edge has been home to a wide variety of performances including Tony and Olivier award nominated acts but has yet to host anything like this singing and dancing line up of 2 humans, 6 puppets, 2 monsters and 2 very cute but slightly misguided teddy bears.

What next?

  • Avenue Q, presented by Cutting Edge Theatre Company is on at The Lantern Theatre in Sheffield from the Monday 16th June to Saturday 21st June.  Tickets are available from www.lanterntheatre.org.uk or on 07788 594 133.
  • Listen to an interview with the cast  on today’s Communities Live programme, on Sheffield Live from noon-1pm (or download the podcast afterwards)

1930 Berlin Diary – Review

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Marmalade Inspired presents… 1930 Berlin Diary – Review by Gemma Crump

On Sunday the 8th of June, the public put on their dancing shoes, suits and 1930s fancy dress and headed down to Crystal Bar on Carver street for a night they would never forget.

1930 Berlin Diary is an account of Warren Peace’s time in 1930s Berlin. The show takes the audience back to a pre-Nazi Germany where Peace lived, worked and performed at Madame Lola’s Cabaret establishment. Throughout the evening we were transported back in time and introduced to a wide range of characters who entertained us all night long.

Arriving early I had the privilege of going back stage and meeting members of the cast while they got ready for the evening performance. There was a sense of excitement about the upcoming show with a healthy batch of nerves. I watched perplexed as preparations were made and makeup was applied. Rotherham College hair and media department’s tutors and students were hard at work preparing the performers and making them all look glamorous.

So many aspects of this show gave it an edge and set it apart from other touring performances. For one having artists, soldiers, magicians and popcorn girls encouraging the audience to get involved. This gave a good sense of immersion to the piece. I for one am still baffled by the French magician Benoit Pierre’s fascinating coin illusion trick which was flawless and incredible. A big hand must go to the Soft Dance Jazz Band who had us all dancing the night away until our feet ached.

The show itself went off smoothly. Although there were a few technical hiccups with the music, this did not faze the performers who stayed in character and used it as an opportunity for audience involvement. A fond moment of the night for me was when the music went down and so we had to sing the can-can for the audience members on stage. This added a comic value and had me in hysterics at the back of the audience.

The vast range and talent of the performers was unlike any show I have seen. There were moments when your breath caught in your throat at the sheer beauty of the dances. A good example of this was in Scarlet Butterfly and her astonishing control while dancing on a pole. I can only imagine the stamina and practice it takes to be that elegant.

There are many acts I could mention: the two funny clowns played by Jennie Swift and John Slater certainly made me laugh; all the way to Stella Overdrive who played Warren Peace’s feisty landlady. Warren himself was bursting with talent and comedy. However the man who stole the show was comedian Sam Skinny, with his hilarious weight lifter routine to his French comic act. There was not a person in the room who didn’t have a smile on their face.

After interviewing the audience at the interval it is clear the show was a hit.

  • Quotes included “Brilliant”
  • “fabulous show!”
  • “Really good atmosphere”
  • “It is the simple things that make this show so good”
  • “The most bizarre thing to be doing on a Sunday night (in a good way)”
  • “Best night out we have had in a long time”

The audience’s reactions speak for itself as this truly was a mind-blowing show. The company Marmalade Inspired in my opinion is going places. I highly recommend keeping up to date with future events and shows so that you don’t miss out on experiences such as this.

Major congratulations to the cast and crew that put the evening together and did such a good job. All the performers should be proud of themselves as well as backstage and all the volunteers that made it all a success. A truly amazing show, something that I would come and see over and over again. Well done!

108 holes of golf – all in aid of Support Dogs

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Support_dogsThree clubs, six courses, 108 holes of golf… this Friday (20 June) Mercury Taxis’ Dermot Griffiths and Peter Holmes will attempt a “Golfathon” – aiming to play 18 holes of golf at six different golf courses in and around the Sheffield area.

And it’s not just for fun – they’re raising money for Support Dogs, a national charity dedicated to increasing independence and improving the quality of life for children and adults affected by autism, epilepsy and physical disability.

Starting out at 4.45am in the morning at Abbeydale Golf Club and finishing (hopefully) at around 10pm in the evening up at Tankersley Park Golf Club, Dermotand Peter will be undertaking their ‘Golfathon’ with the aid of just three golf clubs each.

During the day Dermot and Peter will also be playing at Dore and Totley Golf Club, Beauchief Golf Club, Tinsley Park and Hillsborough Golf Clubs as part of the challenge.

Peter told Sheffield Live:

“If you’d like to make a donation it’s very easy – you can either visit our Just Giving page, or alternatively you can donate via a simple text message from your mobile phone as follows – send a text with our personalised code – HOLE50, followed by the amount you wish to donate – ie £1 to 70070.

“All monies that are raised will be donated to what we consider is one of Sheffield’s best charities ‘Support Dogs’. Please try and help us by supporting our cause, we will be very grateful.”

What next?

Sheffield GP Surgery’s threatened

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sign of devonshire green GP Surgery

GP surgery’s in Sheffield have said that they may have to close if funding cuts continue to be phased in over the next few years.

Cuts to the Minimum Income Practice Guarantee (MPIG) pose a real threat to the survival of up to five surgery’s in Sheffield.

Sheffield could see up to 13,000 patients being directly affected because of the withdrawal of MPIG funding.

The additional funding supports GP surgeries which serve populations with more complex and demanding health needs. The Government began withdrawing MPIG funding in April 2014 and plans to phase it out totally over the next seven years.

NHS England says 100 GP surgeries across the country are threatened by closure as a result, whilst the British Medical Association has warned that the number of surgeries seriously affected will be far higher.

Some practices under threat could lose more than £100 per patient per year, while others will lose £20 or £30 per patient.

Devonshire Green Medical Centre and the Hanover Medical Centre are two of the affected surgery’s in Sheffield. MPIG funding cuts could be in the region of £140,000 between them.

Staff are concerned that they may have to close. Dr Graham Pettinger, who works at both practices said: “At the moment, NHS England have a poor understanding in my view on the impact this is going to have on practices and the patients in Sheffield and across the country on a whole.” Dr. Pettinger continues “This is an extremely serious threat to our survival – if we are unable to find replacement money then the practice may have to close its door to the patients and the community.”

Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, challenged Health Minister’s on this issue. He said: “Local GPs have expressed serious concerns to me about the consequences of this vital funding being withdrawn. The Health Minister’s answer to my question was shockingly complacent. He’s putting patients at risk and I’ll now be seeking a meeting with Ministers to press this issue further.”

Mr Blomfield added “Our local GP surgeries are the first port of call for most people who are unwell or have health difficulties. No-one wants to see service cutbacks having to be made which is why I’m raising this issue now before the situation gets critical. The Government should be talking to GP surgeries now and rethinking this decision.”

A spokesperson for the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw area team of NHS England, said: “We are committed to making sure patients have access to high quality GP services. The minimum practice income guarantee (MPIG) payment is being phased out to make funding for GP services more fair for everyone.” They continued “This is a national plan. Future funding for GP services will be based on the numbers of patients that a GP practice serves and the health needs of those patients. These changes started in April this year and will happen over a seven year period.”

Dr Graham Pettinger speaks to Sheffield Live! George Torr

Review: Gareth Malone’s voices tour

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Gemma Crump

Gemma Crump

By Gemma Crump

Gareth Malone’s voices tour, which came to Sheffield City Hall on 28th May, was equal parts fun and emotional. The haunting beauty of unaccompanied voices harmonising together was hypnotising.

Malone took to the stage with his 16 talented young singers to give the audience an unforgettable evening. Each member was given a chance to shine and shine they did, displaying technical skill in the way they harmonised on a wide selection of songs.

Malone’s charisma and charm put the audience at ease and even encouraged us to have a go singing in songs such as ‘Fields of Gold’. He made the audience feel as if we were one big choir – even the shyest members of the audience got involved with giant smiles on their faces.

Malone showed us his talent to get anyone to sing by plucking a young doctor out of the audience to sing ‘Stand by Me’ on the stage. His natural charm put her at ease, she sung exquisitely and got a wonderful reception from the audience.

The songs were varied but each beautiful in its own way. Naomi Bank’s solo of ‘Try sleeping with a broken heart’ had a gorgeously Smokey undertone to it and was a great way to open the show. One of my favourites however was the rendition of Fleet Foxes’ ‘White Winter Hymnal’ with its catchy tune and beautiful harmonies. I have not stopped listening to it or singing it since leaving the concert. Other songs included ‘Wherever You Are’ written for the Military Wives choir, leaving the audience with a tear in their eyes and Gary Barlow’s ‘Sing’ that had such a magic to it.

Apart from assistant musical director Michael Higgins wonderfully playing the keyboard and a backing of beat boxing on a ‘looping’ machine, the rest of the songs were unaccompanied. It was magical to see how beautiful a sound you can make putting different voices together. Each and every member of Malone’s voices were spectacular and incredibly talented. It has left me with a renewed love of choral music and has rekindled my passion for music. An emotional and enjoyable evening that I shall never forget.

 

Academic Tour de France

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By Sam Newton

With just under a month remaining until the Tour de France proudly rattles through Yorkshire, academics from the University of Sheffield have created an innovative website designed to offer a fresh perspective on the world’s most prestigious cycling event.

This will be the first time the Tour has come to Yorkshire and the University of Sheffield are eager to celebrate it. Their new interactive website – Deconstructing the Tour – gives an academic viewpoint of the Tour de France. It drawing on the event’s diverse history and evolution through video clips, sound files and blog posts.

Perhaps owing his career to the Tour, the first set of videos on the site comes from Emeritus Professor of French David Walker. A cycling enthusiast from a young age, Walker became interested in the Tour and began learning the vocabulary of the event, alongside taking a serious interest in France’s language and culture.

Noting the importance of the event in France, Professor Walker said “The Tour de France is significant as a cultural event in France and dates back before the invention of modern bikes. “ Walker continues, “It can initially be traced back to young apprentice artisans travelling around France to work with skilled masters in their field to learn their craft. This was a process known as the ‘Tour De France”.

Running between Saturday 5 July and Sunday 27 July 2014, the 101st Tour de France will cover 3,656 kilometres split into 21 stages, with the 2nd stage culminating at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena on July 6th after a 201 kilometre flat race from York.

The Deconstructing the Tour website will be regularly updated with new content between now and the start of the race, and can be found at www.deconstructingthetour.group.shef.ac.uk/