What with higher costs for fuel and taxes, not to mention higher interest rates, I think that people are feeling a bit hard up at present. As a result a lot of arts organisations seem to be suffering from lower than usual attendance.
I have just received the leaflet for the Winter Concert Series of the Suffolk Villages Festival, which is directed by the internationally known early music expert Peter Holman. I note that their annual fundraising supper, which is usually a great success, has been cancelled due to lack of support. This rings a bell with me because we are currently taking bookings for the Autumn Arts season at Gainsborough’s House and although the events will not be an embarrassing disaster, tickets are not walking out of the door in the customary manner!
This is a bit depressing, since we think that we have lined up an outstanding range of performers and speakers, some of whom are coming quite a long way to do their stuff for us. There is always the feeling that perhaps we haven’t done enough to publicise these events, but in the past most of the tickets have been snapped up by Friends and Volunteers at the museum so there has been little need for extra advertising.
Anyway, what’s the point of a blog if one can’t use it for this sort of purpose? So! if there is anyone out there who would like tickets for one of the events detailed below just e mail me, or contact Reception at Gainsborough’s House.(tel: 372958 credit cards accepted) The price for all events is £8.50 which includes a drink which makes the whole deal pretty good value even in these belt tightening times! All start at 7 for 7.30, and all will last a little over an hour with the exception of the first event, which will last for two hours with an interval.
On 1st November actress Elizabeth Norman (of British Telecom fame) and Pat Brindley have devised an evening of readings based on the theme of the Ages of Man. There will be excerpts from a wide range of writers and poets from Shakespeare to Wilfred Owen. There will also be musical interludes from Classical Guitarist Christopher Northall who will play pieces by Bach and Dowland among others.
On 7th November there will be a lecture/entertainment about British women explorers of the 19th century presented by the actor/lecturer duo The Scholar and the Star. Those who have seen their presentations have told us that they are really excellent, full of interesting insights and ‘local colour’!
On 14th November Gordon Rushmere, an official War Artist who has worked in the Gulf and
Any profit made from these events goes directly to help the work of Gainsborough’s House, which is increasingly broadening the scope of its endeavours to include not only its traditional audience and schools, but also the disabled and elderly in the community. New visitors to the House are always surprised at the friendly welcome they receive, and very often become regulars.
