Latest news with #RossMillard
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Live album recording to create portrait of Sunderland
A Wearside venue will be transformed into a studio over the weekend, when more than 100 local people will come together to record an album in real ranging in age from 4 to 93, will perform 13 original tracks at the Fire Station in Sunderland as part of a project to create a musical portrait of the city. Ross Millard, from The Futureheads, who has written music for the show, called it a "celebration of all things Sunderland".Their performance will be recorded and pressed onto vinyl, with the vinyl due to be displayed at the British Library and Sunderland Museum. The new production, called Public Record, has been developed in collaboration with the National Theatre, Sunderland Culture and Sunderland Empire. "Each track of the album is a scene of the show that involves music and dance and fragments of a story," said co-director Dan Canham."It becomes a portrait of the city told through its people." Mr Millard said the event offered those involved an opportunity for a moment of reflection about Sunderland."In songs, we're talking about our identity as Mackems," he said. "We dig into our history a little bit."I think it will ask the audience a few questions."It's a moment to celebrate Sunderland - where we've been, and where we're going. " 'Mackem magic' Local people taking part in the recording have been rehearsing at Southpaw Studio, in the city's Sheepfolds, since Emily Lim said the performance was full of "heart and joy", adding the range of experiences people had shared was "striking".A section of the production is opened by the oldest participant, Harry Wynne, 93, from Ryhope, and closed by one of the youngest members of the company, Momo, six. "I think it's that range of life that is so moving," said Ms Lim. Steven Udale, who opens the show, said he was "nervously excited".Mr Udale was born in Southwick - not far from the rehearsal venue - and grew up in the area. "It's been quite hard, at times, trying to bottle up that emotion and childhood memories, to say that I'm performing with the National Theatre with this beautiful cast in my hometown," he said. The 49-year-old said the city had "really taken off". "The sleeping giant, as they call us, is certainly waking up." Folasade Fasoyiro - 'Sade' - is also taking part, with her son and daughter. Ms Fasoyiro, who is founder of Sunderland Nigerian Families Group, said being involved in the project was "exciting"."We're all forming very special bonds that will not go away any time soon," she said. The 40-year-old recalled researching the city before her arrival more than three years ago."I came to study my Masters at the University of Sunderland. I remember going on Google to see everything about the city," she said. "For me, my story of Sunderland started with, this is where I want to live, this is where I want to belong." Twenty-one-year-old Angelica Anthony said she would miss the weekly rehearsals when the recording is completed. "For me, if I were to move out of Sunderland, one thing that would definitely bring me back is the warmth of the city; how the people here are always so welcoming and so sweet to you," the Sunderland University student said. Jo Cooper, CEO of Hendon-based charity Back on the Map, who is also performing, told the BBC: "I think it's just exciting for the people of Sunderland to have an opportunity to come together. "It's such a joyful experience, to celebrate the place that we love."The people are just magical. I always say there's Mackem magic in the air in Sunderland." Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Night planned to celebrate city's cultural hub
A one-off night of celebration to shine a light on a city's cultural hub is to take place. Sunniside, in Sunderland, has been identified as being full of creative potential with music venues, artist studios and filmmakers in residence. Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID) said a lot creativity happened "behind closed doors" and she wants to "celebrate everything that is already there". The event, Sunniside Nights, will take place on 21 March during which venues in the area will open their doors to showcase creative spaces. The one-off event is being organised by Futureheads musician Ross Millard who said Sunniside had "long been the place for artists and creative people in Sunderland". "We want it to be a coming-together moment, focusing on artists and working with the venues who are already striving all day, every day to make the city a more interesting place." Following a £202,253 grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Sunderland BID and the city council created the Sunniside Activation programme to bring the creative community together. The event will feature live performances, screenings and talks and will become a regular fixture if it proves a success. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here. City music festival celebrates 10th anniversary Proposed new Glassworks site announced Plans for 75 new homes in city centre approved Council ponder new tenant for city leisure hub Sunderland BID
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sunderland's Sunniside to host culture open night
A one-off night of celebration to shine a light on a city's cultural hub is to take in Sunderland, has been identified as being full of creative potential with music venues, artist studios and filmmakers in Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID) said a lot creativity happened "behind closed doors" and she wants to "celebrate everything that is already there".The event, Sunniside Nights, will take place on 21 March during which venues in the area will open their doors to showcase creative spaces. The one-off event is being organised by Futureheads musician Ross Millard who said Sunniside had "long been the place for artists and creative people in Sunderland"."We want it to be a coming-together moment, focusing on artists and working with the venues who are already striving all day, every day to make the city a more interesting place." Following a £202,253 grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Sunderland BID and the city council created the Sunniside Activation programme to bring the creative community together. The event will feature live performances, screenings and talks and will become a regular fixture if it proves a success. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here.
