culture clearing
I remember 'clearing' all too well. Too much watching Worcestershire play cricket at New Road left me with less than impressive A level results.
I was that close to going to Manchester Poly who bless them, offered me a place after several sleepless nights.
But in the end I opted to retake a couple of exams, come out with an A and B, and head for the university I really wanted.
Of course, Phil Redmond's idea of Cultural Clearing - revealed in today's ECHO - is slightly different and hopefully less agonising all round.
But the basic idea is still the same. Take an arts organisation/individual (ie student) who hasn't got what they were expecting, and match them up with a college (sponsor/backer) who can help but hasn't been asked to so far.
Without the retakes.
On the face of it, what a great idea.
I know many people who have been disappointed when it came to winning financial backing for their capital of culture-inspired projects, either because the grant system was oversubscribed or for some other reason (such as the Liverpool Mural Project which was deemed not edgy enough).
Phil Redmond reckons there are also organisations out there who have cash to invest in Capital of Culture but who may have either thought it was too little compared to the big-name sponsors, or who have not had their calls returned by those at Millennium House.
Well, if there are, I hope they all saw today's Echo and they bring their money, however great or small, to the table. It's a fantastic opportunity to increase involvement in 2008 from both the community and business community - and maybe hook up these two groups long after Capital of Culture finishes.
Anyone out there want to sponsor a mural?
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Catherine Jones is the Liverpool Echo Arts Editor, and she'll bring you the news, reviews, recommendations and gossip from one of the most vibrant arts and culture scenes in the UK
Seems to me Liverpool08 should ask the Mural Project to be their press officers.
Those guys really know how to get a story out there.
It seems our culture does get recognised down south. Just found this...
Troubadours @ Carling Academy - Thurs 06th Sept 07
'We are much better up in Liverpool' - tuts guitarist Johnny Mol, ' you should come and see us
up there' he says, as singer Mark Frith tunes his own guitar.
In which case we should all up sticks and become scousers. Because these songs are so undeniably classic,
they remind you why rock n roll was invented.
Halfway through the set, the 'Gimme Love' single rattles past like a lazarus La's .
Wonderfully its only the fourth or fifth best song in their set.
They play with an easy confidence assured without trying too hard to whip the crowd up.
The secret weapon is Elmo Watts who seems the most naturally rythmic drummer since Reni hung his beanie up.
Set closer 'Where the rain falls' is a multi-harmonised haze Arthur Lee would smile down on
Even better 'All the kings men' will be 2008's best single, shifting gears as it encapsulates the history of pop.
They are utterly unstoppable. - 9/10, Channel 4 / Teletext
Scandalous! if the Liverpool Mural project, the first collaboration anywhere between artists from both communities in N.Ireland working together and involving Liverpool community arts groups doesn't get funded now.
If this opportunity gets missed and something similar ends up being done in another UK city, then the 'culture club' will of badly let the people of Liverpool down, with the strong connections to both communities in N.Ireland.
See the Liverpool Mural Project made a full page in The Guardian, obviously they understand the historic event this will be, the first time artists from both communities of Belfast are prepared to work together on murals, and teach their skills to the arts groups in Liverpool. When are The Liverpool Echo gonna realise how historic this will be and the positive worldwide media attention this will generate, and do a proper feature on the project. Have a look at their website and see the kind of support they're getting. The Echo needs to be promoting things like this so the people of Liverpool can see the real creative ideas that comes from Liverpool people.
www.theliverpoolmuralproject.com
Make peace, not war!