Newsreel

Circus Futures, a conference and a series of showcases, will be providing an opportunity for promoters to sample the best of UK contemporary circus work available to tour to national and international markets. The event will take place in Bristol on 10 and 11 October, and each showcase will offer work in different locations, including outdoor spaces, to highlight the versatility of the artform. Applications are being accepted until 14 August from companies and individuals wanting to showcase their work, and all participants will be eligible to apply for one of three Circus Futures bursaries to assist work to tour after the event.
e: [email protected]; w: http://www.circusfutures.org

Amateur Theatre Week will take place from 21 to 28 October, aiming to encourage new audiences and new participants, and to raise the profile of amateur theatre, including community theatre companies, amateur dramatic and operatic societies, youth groups, schools, colleges and universities. Organisers are particularly keen to hear from amateur theatre groups drawn from disadvantaged and ethnic minority communities. A media advice kit is available to help amateur groups to publicise their event to the local media.
t: 0870 770 2480; w: http://www.amateurtheatreweek.org.uk

Arts organisations are being invited to play a part in the 7th annual Big Draw in October, by holding drop-in drawing events, workshops, exhibitions or talks. All registering organisations will receive a CD giving drawing strategies, practical advice, funding guidance and publicity materials, plus a booklet illustrating last years Drawing Inspiration Award winners. Participants are encouraged to apply for one of five £500 Awards recognising the most imaginative events in the initiative.
w: http://www.thebigdraw.org.uk; http://www.drawingpower.org.uk

A project to research and share best practice in the creative industries is seeking examples of creative businesses worldwide that are willing to share their successful business practices with cultural enterprises internationally. This best practice will then be shared through UNESCOs global networks and partnerships, and the research findings will be presented to a United Nations conference next year. UNESCO will also publish a guide to best practice in the creative industries, based on the project.
w: http://www.t-shirtsandsuits.ltd.uk/unescoglobalalliance.htm

A new website has been created to make Off West End theatres more accessible. OffWestEnd.com holds information on over 30 theatres and their performances, and visitors to the site can book tickets direct with theatre box offices, free of commission fees. A free email service linked to the site also enables subscribers to receive last minute ticket offers.
w: http://www.offwestend.com

Brighton-based Komedia has unveiled plans for a new extension which will include a new foyer bar that will host live acoustic music, cabaret and comedy performances by up and coming local artists. The bar will feature a small stage and capacity for an audience of 60 people. In addition to events booked directly by Komedia, performers are being invited to approach the Artistic Director with ideas for acoustic events.

Jeremy Holford
We are deeply saddened by the death, on 11 July, of Jeremy Holford, aged 58. As a writer of News from the Nationals for ArtsProfessionals online newsletter, APe-mail, Jeremy was a highly valued member of our editorial team. His writing career, however, extended much further than this and he achieved success in some perhaps surprising fields. Co-authoring with Anne Hooper, his first published work was Adler for Beginners, a documentary comic book which is still used as an introductory text for English students beginning an Adlerian psychology training. Their second joint publication was How Big is Big?  a light-hearted look at the science of sexology. Jeremys final and most recent work was as the solo author of Gallop Your Maggot, a collection of sexual slang, and probably the most esoteric piece of eroticism anyone might ever desire! Jeremy was a delight to work with: we remember him fondly and will particularly miss his dry wit and unfailing cheerfulness. A fuller obituary for Jeremy written by Anne Hooper, appears in APe-mail issue 110 and is on our website at http://www.artsprofessional.co.uk