C21 News March 2007 Issue 5 |
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Welcome to the latest edition C21 News, bursting at the seams with more exclusive offers for ArtsPass card holders. From insights into classical music to electro-punk and interactive film screenings to theatrical firsts, there's some-thing to tempt everyone to utilise their ArtsPass.
Read on to find out more of what's on offer, together with the latest news, views, training courses and job opportunities from across the world of Front of House, Box Office and Marketing in arts venues and organisations throughout Glasgow and beyond.
This month's C21 News features...
Staff News
Farewell, after 34 years service
Edwin Paling, Leader of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) is to retire his position at the end of the current Season, having been a member of the Orchestra for 34 years. At the age of 26 Paling was appointed Leader of RSNO and during his time has appeared with the Orchestra on over 100 recordings and performed live over 4000 times. He led the Orchestra on its debut appearance at the Carnegie Hall, New York with Sir Alexander Gibson in 1975, performed in front of The Queen at the opening ceremony of The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in 1990, and again at the opening ceremony of the new Scottish Parliament building in October 2004.
Eastwood Park Theatre
East Renfrewshire's newly refurbished theatre venue opened on 22 Feb 2007. Eastwood Park Theatre is home to a thriving amateur theatre scene as well as holding film nights and touring productions. The Scottish Arts Council contributed £250,000 to the £1.75m refurbishment which has resulted in major improvements, including upgrading of the existing auditorium (reformatting of seating creating 30 additional seats, new seats, orchestra pit); incorporation of exhibition facilities for visual arts; improved backstage and technical facilities; enhanced entrance and foyers, together with the creation of an efficient and customer-friendly box office facility. The venue boasts a new café, gallery space and art workshop, and is launching with an exciting and varied programme of events which it is hoped will increase attendance and participation levels in the arts across East Renfrewshire. To find out what's on, visit the theatre's web link.
Citizens' Theatre secures first five year sponsorship deal
The Citizens’ Theatre is delighted to announce that it has extended sponsorship deals with two of its major supporters, including its first ever five year deal. Both energy giant ScottishPower and leading UK law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn have committed to deals which will support the theatre’s programming through to 2009. Antonia Brownlee (Development Manager at the Citizens’ Theatre) said: “We are delighted that both organisations have decided to continue their relationship with The Citizens’ Theatre. Both partnerships have allowed us to develop our programme and are invaluable to the theatre's ability to produce creative, quality work."
Refurbishment at The Lighthouse
Having listened to visitor comments and feedback, The Lighthouse is working to create a more welcoming environment in the foyer and first floor area. The Lighthouse Shop will be expanding to bring a range of products available in the ground floor foyer space. Level 1 will house The Lighthouse Showroom (including a new range of exclusive products from Vitra and Marimekko), as well as a Design Resource Centre and RIAS Bookshop. During this time they will also be creating a new reception area and entrance system, which will improve access and movement through the building.
Kelvingrove is up for top UK art prize
The £35million renovation of Kelvingrove Art Gallery is in the running for Britain's top art prize. It is one of 10 projects across the UK being considered for the Gulbenkian Prize for museums and galleries. Judges will draw up a short-list of four for the £100,000 prize which will be announced in early April.
Lunchbox solutions
Situated in Merchant City and surrounded by some of Glasgow's leading and emerging galleries, the Tron bar and restaurant offers a range of menus to suit most tastes and occasions. Fresh for 2007, the Tron announces a brand new express lunch menu. The perfect accompaniment to a laid back business lunch or a more leisurely chat with friends.
Jobs Board
Big in Falkirk Vacancies
Do you want to work on one of the largest events in the country? Big in Falkirk is currently looking for a team of enthusiastic volunteers and a limited number of paid staff to assist with this year’s event on Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 May. If you are looking for a career in events, arts marketing, performing arts, theatre then this is an excellent way to gain valuable experience. To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to: Gillian McCarrey, Big in Falkirk, UZ Events, 125/129 High Street, Glasgow G1 1PH. Or you can email info@biginfalkirk.com
Deadline for applications: 6 April 2007
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Front of House Stewards (casual pool)
Greater Easterhouse Arts Company is looking for Front of House Stewards to work at The Bridge, a thriving multi-arts centre staging theatre, dance, music, visual arts and development activity. To apply please complete all the forms in the application pack and return to:
Jackie Shearer, Greater Easterhouse Arts Company, Platform, The Bridge,
1000 Westerhouse Road, Glasgow G34 9JW
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Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2007 - Want to work with us?
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Training Events/Opportunities
Dazzled by Data?
ADUK
has commissioned the Arts Marketing Association and Network (the consortium of marketing and audience development agencies across the UK)
to plan a training programme devoted to audience data which will be delivered in partnership with key organisations across the sector - including Glasgow Grows Audiences. The programme of workshops will be held in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Birmingham during April/May and Sept/Oct 07. The courses are aimed at helping people who work in the arts to make use of data and information to develop audiences, visitors and participation. For full course details visit the AMA website.
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Sales Process in the Box Office
Baker Richards can provide in-house training tailored for your box office team, led by Debbie Richards. The course typically focuses on what the box office says to customers – are you saying the right things to deliver your organisation’s objectives? Other training topics covered include: asking the right questions during transactions, active listening, active selling and "how the work works" (or doesn’t work) in your box office. Because the session takes place in your own venue with your own team, training is tailored to your programme and your practical concerns can be addressed. For further information contact debbie@baker-richards.com or visit www.baker-richards.com
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What: Customer Service Conference 2007
Where: Glasgow Hilton
When: 14 March 2007 (9am - 3.45pm)
Cost: £85 + VAT
Delivering excellent customer service is essential for Scotland's continued development as a tourism destination of international quality. Scottish Enterprise is hosting this sixth Customer Service conference to assist businesses raise standards and succeed in line with the increasing demands of their customers. The line-up of world-class speakers, who will offer valuable, practical advice on how to win and retain customers, and share their strategies to 'raise the bar' year on year, includes Adrian Hardwicke, Head of Visitor Services & Operations at the Tate Modern. Check the website for further information, or contact Katharine George at Starkevents (T. 0141 357 2235 or email katharine@starkeventsuk.com)
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Essentials of Marketing: Druidstone Scotland (June 2007)
Druidstone Scotland offers those arts marketers in the early stages of their careers a comprehensive grounding in all aspects of marketing for both the performing and visual arts. Areas covered include advertising, copywriting, graphic design & print, marketing planning, press & PR and touring. The aim of the course is to give participants the confidence, based on the latest knowledge about existing and potential arts attendees, to develop their work to its maximum potential on returning to their own organisations.
Frontline II: Front of House Conference 2007
Birmingham Hippodrome - 13 June 2007
A one day conference on changing aspects and legislation within House Managers' responsibilities. Every business needs to ensure it develops and retains a competitive advantage. Service has a key role to play. Is there a difference between customer care and customer service? How do you measure service standards and who should lead in setting these? What is the relationship between marketing and house management? How do you deal with abusive and violent members of the public? Find out all this and more.
For further details about these events and to book a place, visit the TMA website or contact the TMA on 020 7557 6706.
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"Learning how to learn is life's most important skill."
Tony Buzan
Industry News
Celebratio launches in style
A large crowd gathered at the Cafe Royal, London on 12 February for the secureTicket launch of their new ticketing system – Celebratio – new to the arts and entertainment industry, but quickly learning theatrical flair. The name of this new system is Latin for 'audience'.
secureTicket is a subsidiary of Telsecure who bring a fresh perspective, largely from the world of banking, but with a huge input from frustrated venue managers, producers and promoters in Canada as well as the UK, which has led to Celebratio.
Celebratio has multiple protections for touting and credit card fraud, offers print-at-home and mobile phone tickets with easy access control, and guaranteed instant real time authorisation of all transactions. One benefit of this secure approach is an equally robust focus on customer relationship management (CRM). The system needs to recognise every customer and track all their contacts and behaviours and therefore it enables 'push' and 'pull' marketing using both old and new technologies. And secureTicket guarantees that all customer data belongs to and is in the control of the venue. Read more...
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The sound of ringing tills
The London West End is alive with the sound of musicals, with the highest box office takings for the past 21 years during 2006. The city has bounced back from terrorist threats and a fall in tourism during the first half of the year to show a rise of 0.48% on 2005. TV links 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?' and the Monty Python rip-off of Spamalot have done their bit, while advance ticket sales have also increased. Another symptom of growth is the buyout of the West End Theatre Bookings Agency by Holidaybreak, which is seeking to bolster its Superbreak Mini-holidays division by packaging weekend trips with theatre visits.
Indicative of Glasgow's popularity with international visitors, 775,000 people visited the city and surrounding area in 2005, netting £228m for local businesses.
More than 17 million tourists took overnight trips to Scotland in 2005. They spent £4.2bn, while the industry supports 9% of all employment.
The United States is the biggest overseas market, accounting for 14% of the overseas trips. Germany is second with 12%; Canada 8%; Ireland 7%; France 6%; Sweden, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands account for 5% each.
The rest of the UK accounts for 86% of tourism trips to Scotland; overseas visitors make up the remaining 14%
73% of overseas visitors' trips are taken between April and September. By contrast, only 54% of UK visitors travel to Scotland in these months.
88% of overseas visitors to Scotland have arrived in the UK by air; 63% of visitors from the rest of the UK come by car.
Overseas tourists stay an average of 10.2 nights, Scottish tourists an average of 3.2 nights and English tourists an average of four nights.
Average spend per night is £50 for overseas tourists and £66 for English tourists.
It is estimated of the 50 million people in England, half of them have never been to Scotland.
The tourist industry in Scotland has a target to increase total tourist spending by 50% between 2005 and 2015.
Source: The Herald/VisitScotland
Cue confusion at the box office...
A granny visits the ticket office at Rothes Halls in Fife to buy five tickets to see her grand-daughter appear with the Sara Hendry Dancers at a special Burns night at the venue. She was taken aback to be charged £75 for the five tickets and wanted assurance that she would get a good view of her grand-daughter. “Your grand-daughter?” says the ticket chap. “Yes says the granny, she’s one of the dancers". ”Dancers? I never knew there would be dancers,” continued the puzzled ticket fellow. It was then that he realised he had in fact sold them tickets for the seven times world champion Stephen Hendry’s snooker exhibition with Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Latest ticket offers available to ArtsPass card holders...
What's on: Blitzkrieg Bop
Where: The Arches
When: Fri 9 March & 13 April 2007 @ 10.30pm - 3.00am
ArtsPass Offer: half price tickets
Pulling together the best in chemical pop, electro-punk and live mash-up, The Blitzkrieg Bop has now firmly settled into its regular monthly slot at the Arches. The formula is simple - a heady mix of achingly cool live acts and DJs from all over the electro-rock scale offer a shaken-up, synthesized take on your local indie disco, at scandalously cheap prices. There's often a strong Glasgow-art-punk feel, but the girls and boys at the Bop are no slouch when it comes to pulling in the international acts either. Recent acts have included Dananananaanaykroyd, Lo Fi Fnk, Velvet Underwear and Akira The Don.
Find out more...
Buy at the door (with ArtsPass) or in advance - bookings in person @ Arches Box Office, Argyle Street - call 0870 2407528 and quote ArtsPass Offer. Over 18s only!
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What's on: The Unconquered
Where: Cumbernauld Theatre
When: Sat 10 March 2007 @ 7.45pm
ArtsPass Offer: 2 for 1 tickets
Tickets cost £10.00/£8.00
Powerful poetic language, dark humour and provocative ideas build a fast moving story around a fiercely intelligent young girl and her relentless refusal of the establishment. When suddenly a people's revolution breaks out and a mercenary soldier intrudes the family home, the conflict between the regime and the unconquered girl is revealed. Under the direction of Muriel Romanes (The Memory of Water) and wit the striking setting designed by visual artist Keith McIntyre, an ensemble of high profile actors will draw you into a surreal and compelling theatrical experience, both frighteningly dark and brutally funny. The Unconquered follows Tom Betts' most recent successes in London with The Lunatic Queen and The Biggleswades. Find out more...
There will be a chance to meet the director and the cast for an informal chat in the bar after the show. After the performance your ticket stub will also get you 50p off a glass of wine or bottle of beer in the theatre bar.
To book, call 01236 732887 and quote ArtsPass Offer. Offer is limited to 4 tickets per ArtsPass holder. Age restriction: 15 years +
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What's on: Naked Classics - New World Symphony
Where: The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
When: Thur 15 March 2007 @ 7.30pm
ArtsPass Offer: 2 for 1
Tickets Normally: £10
The RSNO has been causing a stir with its new series Naked Classics! Why not find out what the buzz is all about and come along to the next performance on 15 March? Join presenter Paul Rissmann as he takes to the stage using a mixture of projections, lighting and excerpts performed by the Orchestra to reveal the stories behind Dvorak's infamous New World Symphony (the one in the Hovis advert). After the interval, you can sit back and enjoy the work performed in full by the RSNO under the baton of its Guest Principal Conductor, Garry Walker. Find out more...
Quote ArtsPass Offer when booking by phone 0141 353 8000 or in person at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Box Office, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY.
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 What's on: The International Classical Season - The Zehetmair QuartetWhere: The City Halls
When: Sun 25 March 2007 @ 3.00pm
ArtsPass Offer: 2 for 1 tickets
Tickets normally £12.50/£15.00/£17.50
"In a superbly controlled and tingling performance, Thomas Zehetmair and his players defined every detail of the music, refining to the threshold of inaudibility every innuendo." The Herald
The International Classical Season features performances from the world's leading conductors, soloists and orchestras and celebrates star names alongside new and challenging work. Don't miss this opportunity to her one of the world's most exceptional string quartets perform. Find out more...
Quote ArtsPass Offer when booking by phone 0141 353 8000 or in person at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Box Office, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY.
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What's on: Hughie
Where: The Arches
When: 2 - 17 March 2007 @ 7.30pm
ArtsPass Offer: 2 for 1 tickets (up to 4 tickets per performance - Mon to Fri)
Manhattan, 1928. The lobby of a small, second-rate hotel, in the late, late hours of a very long night. Erie Smith returns after a five-day bender, all faded glamour and unsubstantiated, maudlin boasting. Six days ago he attended the funeral of the hotel’s night clerk, Hughie. In a mood to ramble, he’s left with no-one to talk to but the new night clerk Charlie Hughes, no relation.
Andy Arnold directs this little-known play by one of twentieth century America’s best dramatists. Hughie was Eugene O’Neill’s last one-act play; a brilliantly sharp and witty piece of writing which focuses on charismatic compulsive gambler Erie Smith. Part intense character study, part tender in memoriam, Hughie has been performed by actors as diverse as Jason Robards and Al Pacino. However, it still remains largely unknown in the UK and with Benny Young in the central role along with Neil Docherty, this is the play’s Scottish premiere. Find out more...
Buy at the door (with ArtsPass) or in advance - bookings in person @ Arches Box Office, Argyle Street - call 0870 2407528 and quote ArtsPass Offer. Age restriction: 14+.
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What's on: Docspace Screening - Stolen
Where: CCA (CCA 4)
When: Wed 14 March 2007 @ 6.00pm
ArtsPass Offer: 2 double passes
In 1990, in the early morning hours after St Patrick's Day, thieves disguised as policemen gained access into Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner museum and successfully executed the largest art heist in modern history. Among the thirteen priceless works stolen was Vermeer's 'The Concert', one of only 35 of the master's surviving works. To date, not a single work has been recovered.
Docspace are proud to host this multi-venue film screening of Stolen. The screening will be followed by Q & A with director, Rebecca Dreyfuss, live from Edinburgh College of Art. Ms Dreyfuss will not only take questions from the Edinburgh audience but will interact, via web-streaming, with the audiences at CCA, Dundee Centre for Contemporary Arts, Robert Burns Centre in Dumfries, Taigh-Chearsabhagh in North Uist and the Peacock Visual Arts Centre in Aberdeen. Find out more...
Quote ArtsPass Offer when booking by phone on 0141 352 4900 or in person at CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street.
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What's on: The Songs of Nick Drake
Where: The Arches
When: Sun 18 March 2007 @ 7.30pm
ArtsPass Offer: Half price tickets (10 pairs available)
Tickets normally: £10 in advance
Considered too fragile and painful to engage the wilder audiences of the early 70s, Nick Drake’s poignant, evocative songs have found listeners thirty years after his death. Singer-songwriter Keith James and double bassist Rick Foot offer 21st century audiences a chance to experience his work live. Find out more...
Tickets to be booked in advance @ Arches Box Office, Argyle Street - call 0870 2407528. Quote ArtsPass Offer. Over 18s only!
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 What's on: The Friendly Guide to Mozart
Where: The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
When: Sat 10 March 2007 @ 7.30pm
ArtsPass Offer: 2 for 1
Tickets Normally: £10-30
Based on Classic FM's recent book on Mozart, TV's Charles Hazlewood conducts and presents this insight into the genius of his remarkable music. The programme will include all of Mozart's greatest hits, including famous opera overtures ( Figaro, Magic Flute, Don Giovanni), excerpts from popular concertos Elvira Madigan Piano Concerto and the Clarinet Concerto) and the best of his finest symphonies. The perfect evening for newcomers and aficionados alike! Find out more...
Quote ArtsPass Offer when booking by phone 0141 353 8000 or in person at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Box Office, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY.
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What's on: Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Where: various Glasgow venues
When: 8 - 24 March 2007
ArtsPass Offer: 2 for 1 tickets on selected shows
If you missed out on the ArtsPass Comedy Festival ticket offers in the last edition of C21 News, Ha Ha Comedy is offering ArtsPass card holders another chance to snap up '2 4 1' tickets at five more of the hottest shows in this year's Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival:
"He had us on the edge of our seats" The List
Irish comedy superstar and mobile phone salesman Ed Byrne will be making an exclusive Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival appearance at the Old Fruitmarket on St Patrick's night for Maxwell's Fullmooners. Come howl at the moon!
"A stage manner more engaging than Henry VIII and a wit sharper than an executioner's axe. Good audience rapport and a slayer of hecklers." The Big Issue
"You have to go and see Glenn Wool." The Guardian
It's the turn of the Glasgow No2ID campaign to make their grand stand with some of the best comics in the land entertaining a packed Old Fruitmarket and telling the Government that they're "having a laugh."
Book by calling the festival box office on 0870 013 5464 quoting ArtsPass 2 4 1.
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What's on: Preston Reed
Where: The Arches
When: Thur 22 March 2007 @ 7.30pm
ArtsPass Offer: Half price tickets (10 pairs available)
Tickets normally: £6 in advance
Preston Reed has virtually re-invented how the acoustic guitar is played. Since 1979, he has recorded thirteen albums of his flamboyant and self-invented percussive style. First-time listeners will find it impossible to believe they're hearing just one musician as Reed’s fingers, thumbs and fists at once suggest drummer, keyboardist, bassist and several other guitarists at work.
Find out more...
Tickets to be booked in advance @ Arches Box Office, Argyle Street - call 0870 2407528. Quote ArtsPass Offer. Over 18s only!
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Don't miss out on the latest ticket offers featured in C21 News and available exclusively to ArtsPass cardholders. No one working in front of house, box office or marketing should be without one! If you don't have a card yet, ask your supervisor how you can sign up or contact Kirsty at GGA. Remember ArtsPass ticket offers are sometimes limited - so don't be last, act fast!
What's on ... in 1904?
The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow raised its curtain for the first time on Monday 29 February 1904. The advertisement in that morning's Glasgow Herald promised a "grand opening" variety show featuring Severus Schaffer, "the world renowned juggler", various singers, a ventriloquist, a number of comedians and Dandy George "society clown" with his canine friend Rosie. There were performances at 7pm and 9pm nightly, and at 2pm on Thursday afternoons. Tickets cost 3d for the gallery.
Competing entertainments advertised that day included Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal, Mother Hubbard at the Princess's and Are You A Mason? at Paisley Theatre. For non theatre-goers, there was the forty-third annual exhibition of the Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts, a display of paintings by Alma Tadema in the rooms of Messrs. James Connell and Sons, or a meeting of the Glasgow Glee and Madrigal Society in the Queen's Rooms.
Don't forget, C21 News is for you, about you and written by you!
We want to hear what you've got to say about what's going on with you and your colleagues at your venue or organisation. Have you taken advantage of your ArtsPass yet - what did you think of what you saw? What training have you attended recently and how useful did you find it? We'd welcome your reviews, comments and recommendations to feature in the next edition of C21 News.
Please send contributions by Friday 30 March 2007 to Kirsty at GGA.
Until next time - best wishes
Kirsty
Kirsty McKenzie
Office Manager
Glasgow Grows Audiences (GGA)
Suite 1/1
6 Dixon Street
Glasgow G1 4AX
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