Berlin Reconnaissance Trip

We are off to Berlin on June 18th -24th in order to make contact with folks on the ground, to set up a support system so we can make a winter show. When we do shows in Norwich we drag stuff across town, beg, borrow, we involve our mates and colleagues, we have a seasoned web of help and expertise. In London this too is the case, with a little extra cost and stress, as London is! In Berlin we are like the new kid at school. Yes we have gigged there, visited on several occasions, have friends there, but rules of social engagement are not so familiar. Ways of borrowing/begging are untested. This will be a challenge. We are researching and understanding what our task ahead is: 1. To find a venue for an extraordinary live show possibly with an art exhibition included. 2. To find a space (gallery) ideally suited to our art exhibition within which we will also perform. 3. To have a book launch in conjunction with a reputable bookstore. 4. To meet future musical collaborators, artists, film makers, producers, re-mixers, media, pop-up shops. 5. To make solid connections with the technical and production support we will require. 6. To make solid connection with some form of marketing/promotion team so that we can reach an appropriate audience. So, plenty more hello's do to before we leave for Berlin.

Turn The Page

So our first book fair....I didn't really think about what it would entail until I was there. Our stand was by the door, nearly behind the door.... I blagged a sofa from Marzarnos... thank-you! I made the nest and then realised I had two days of talking ahead of me. gulp. After day one I hated the book, I met some lovely people, had a great chat about MAs........but I'm good to chat for about three hours and then I get bored of my own voice. I thought of the triviality of my life and why did I think this thing was so important, this book,this stupid book that took four years to make happen, cost a fortune and was just sitting there, mute, whilst I had to dance like a monkey around it, singing it's praises. Day two Sal was in charge, When I met her at 3pm to take over, she was in a similar state to me, thou worse. I had to console her tears whilst we stood in the front window of the Book Fair.whoops. After Sal left, I decided to get through the last three hours by reading the book. It was as if I flicked a switch in my head, I was taken into the book, I loved it, it made sense, I felt inspired, proud, excited.... I looked up to talk to people and happily danced like a monkey explaining our process, our time in Berlin. I had great chats with people, learnt stuff from them, made connections with people, laughed lots. thank-you Turn The Page..... the lesson is in the title!