Coming up at the Welshmill Hub, and supported by Frome FM, is an afternoon and evening of creative words, poetry, live music and open mic for all to enjoy on the 9th November from 5.00pm.
“Growerz Corner” has been set up to bring creative together and supports all those wanting to perform, grow as performers or just be entertained on a Sunday in a unique way.
With such a popular festival culture in Somerset over the summer months, November is that time of year when we all start to miss that feeling of community where creative people get together, have fun and explore artistic possibilities. For those who have not dipped their toes in before, this would be a great opportunity to see what local homegrown talent Frome has to offer.
The line up is already looking very exciting with the organisers pleased to announce their special guest for the night Carrie Tree, one of the UK’s leading female vocalists.
Other acts will include Liv Torc, Bard of Exeter (2010) and winner of the South West heat of the Radio 4 Poetry Slam (2009), Helen Moore (eco poet and author), XJX, local rhythm and word performer, Jepson (‘from a galaxy far, far away’), ‘Henry, Stu and Ben the Flowerpot Men’ and teenage band Kuki and the Bard. The latter are a fantastic example of fresh, young up and coming talent. Vocalist Kuki and her brother Ize (‘the Bard’), aged 12 and 15 respectively, have been touring the South West and wowing crowds at such festivals as Sunrise, Small World and Buddhafield. Once described as ‘fresher than a limoncello’ Kuki’s vocals are sure to delight her audience. There will also be a one-hour open mic during the evening. With poets at 5pm, live music from 6pm and open mic commencing at 7.30pm there will be something for everybody to enjoy.
Organiser Daniel Dobbie, an experienced festival producer who has worked with the Green Man and Big Chill Festivals explains, “Growerz Corner is about growing people through spoken words, music and open mic. It’s about getting people together to enjoy each other’s company and also supporting people to step up and do the creative things they dream of doing. This will be a one-off festival-style evening at what promises to be an exciting new venue”.
Growerz Corner will be brought to Frome in association with the successful Edventure: Frome, which is a social enterprise offering an apprenticeship programme to young people aged 18 to 30, as well as support and training in entrepreneurship for young adults.
Edventure’s Welsh Mill Hub is fast becoming a well-loved creative venue in Frome for hot desking, meetings for community groups and creative events such as this.
Daniel Dobbie goes on to explain, “I think this is a great opportunity to demonstrate how people in the community can support young adults, giving them confidence and coaching in the arts, crafts and business world. We already have four local poets under the age of 24 performing and we will be supporting them in rehearsal so that they grow through this experience. It will be a really positive and multi-generational event!”
Chloe Meanwell, operations manager at Edventure and former apprentice, says of the event, “Growerz Corner will be a one-off music and spoken word event happening at the Welsh Mill Hub (a new community venue in Frome). It precedes a series of future events which will be starting here, funded by Frome Town Council and Edventure: Frome, although Growerz Corner is an independent event.
“Growerz Corner has a unique set-up but we should soon have a wide variety of different events happening at the Welsh Mill Hub, a flexible, creative arts and music venue. Get in touch if you’re interested in using the space for your own projects!”
Frome’s Mayor, cllr Peter Macfadyen has been involved with Edventure: Frome from its inception and said of this event, “I think Edventure is now playing a really interesting and important role in bringing people together through their Welsh Mill Hub. This event should appeal to anyone and everyone, either as performers in a supportive place, or as an audience enjoying a great night out.”
It is not too late to get involved, so if you have a passion for spoken words you can email the organizers at chloe@edventurefrome.org explaining exactly what you want to sing or say. Any video or audio links are preferred but not essential.
Recommended donations on the door will be £3/£5/£8- with free entry for under 18s. There will be a bar available serving a range of drinks run by Edventure: Frome. All proceeds on the door go back into supporting artists and future productions.
