Page 20 - link magazine

Community News

New music project at Swindon 105.5

The Bohemian Balcony continues to draw support from across Swindon
(L-R) Musicians Lewis James and Nathan Baines record with Chris English
Launch night for the Balcony
A team from Swindon 105.5 the community is welcome as long
community radio have launched a as they have fun. This is for those
new music project that hopes to people who want to make music Swindon’s latest arts space, The is that the audience are actively
help budding musicians from all but thought they couldn’t for Bohemian Balcony, will have its required to give feedback and tell
backgrounds find their voice. whatever reason. official launch on Wednesday 1 the acts what they think (this is
The project is based at Liden “We will be running a 10-week March. carefully managed). These nights are
Library and utilises the Sir Daniel training course with anyone Having recently taken part in the second Tuesday of each month.
Gooch studio at Swindon 105.5 interested in using the recording the January Swindon Soup event “Swindon’s own sketch troupe The
to record tracks with artists from equipment and creating their own gaining a boost of £200 to go Institute of Complementary Comedy
across the town, including staff tracks, and setting up events for towards set up costs and further are also setting up shop at The
from the station itself. project users. This is a user led projects, the Bohemian Balcony is Bohemian Balcony and are looking
An expression of interest from the service that focuses on people and rapidly becoming a focal point for for new members so if you want
group has been put in to operate finding their musical voice.” the artistic community of Swindon. to perform and create new sketch
half of Liden library and expand The project kicked off their first The space now hosts a monthly comedy then come along to a free
the project to include full recording live show at Bake ‘N’ Roll on Swindon Scratch night for workshop on 15 March.”
facilities, space for instrument Groundwell Road in early February performers from across the arts to The Balcony, sited at the Palladium
lessons and more. as part of the cafe’s new evening test new material, as well as acting Cinema building on Jennings Street
Andy Watts, who has helped set opening hours, providing a well as the base for creative writers, in Rodbourne, has been utilised as a
up the project said: “Anybody from attended open mic session. theatre groups, photographers, bingo hall and printing house before
musicians and comedians, including local teacher Dan Rivers struck a

West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze former Swindon Live and Local radio deal with the building’s owners to
presenter turned comic theatre
renovate and use the space for the
Church Partnership producer Sean Hodgson. creative arts once more.
Sean said: “Over the past few Dan said: “We have so many
Please join us in worship on Sunday mornings months I’ve been part of the team thoroughly brilliant people living
Westlea Church, Westlea School: 10am moving, shifting and painting to in Swindon, but our arts scene can
sometimes be fragmented with
help create what will be quite a
St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze unique collective and collaborative people working in pockets. What
- the church in the park: 10am arts space. It already gives off the we want to do is unite these people
Holy Trinity, Shaw: 10.30am vibe of a mid 1960s underground in a space that informs and excites
Toothill Church: 10.30am artsy rock club. All we need now is them, that gives them somewhere
our own Pink Floyd and some lava to connect with other minds and
For details of these and our other services lamps! share ideas. Launching this space
call the Partnership Office on 01793 874221 “The Swindon Scratch is an will be the next step towards that
Email: [email protected] Website: WSwinlyd.org.uk opportunity for theatre groups, I hope.”
writers and comedians to try out For more information visit:
Anglican • Baptist • Methodist • United Reformed Church
new material. The added benefit bohemianbalcony.com

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20 swindonlink.com n March 2017

NW March 2017 Master Pages.indd 20 17/02/2017 11:27