Leeds theatre company Slung Low has unveiled an exciting new programme of Pay What You Decide cultural classes for their second term at the Cultural Community College, now in Holbeck.
The new terms starts on the 17 February, offering a wide range of cultural activities which include Woodwork, Podcasting, Asian Cookery, T’ai Chi and Mental Health First Aid. All courses and classes are Pay What You Decide.
Over 350 people attended the first term, with courses rapidly fully subscribed. The second term’s courses, chosen by participants from the first term, will be led by the region’s artists, who will share their enthusiasm, skills and experience with students. Among those are Manjit’s Kitchen’s team, poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan and author Adelle Stripe.
Slung Low’s Artistic Director Alan Lane said:
“We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm for the first college term. The enjoyment and confidence that people found in that first lot of subjects were more than we could have hoped for. With this second term we’ve listened to what people told us they wanted to learn, and we’re developing the curriculum even wider. We’re committed to growing the college community as wide as possible and excited to welcome new friends and old friends.”
Slung Low is a company whose aim is to make unlikely, ambitious and original adventures for audiences, each with a powerful, moving story at its heart. Recently the company produced the award-winning Flood by James Phillips as part of Hull UK City of Culture 2017.
The Cultural Community College plays a part in realising Slung Low’s ambition to create Leeds People’s Theatre: combining Slung Low’s trademark staging style with a permanent programme of participation and citizen training.
Slung Low’s Cultural Community College is supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Arts Council England. An advisory board made up of educators from across the education spectrum including universities, theatre education departments and the private sector will support the team throughout the new term.
For further information on the new term at the Cultural Community College please visit https://www.slunglow.org/cultural-community-college/
SECOND TERM PROGRAMME (Published by the College)
All courses will take place at The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn, Holbeck, Leeds, LS11 9QX
February
The Holbeck Choir
Sing for your supper. Each Tuesday evening we come together to chat and eat some home-cooked food before singing together as a group. Tessa Smith will lead you through a selection of songs, skilfully arranged into three or four-part harmonies. Her focus is always that singing is enjoyed, no matter what musical style is explored or the experience of the singers. So, if you’ve ever felt like joining a choir, then now’s the time to give it a go!
Dates: Tues 19 Feb to Tues 26 Mar:
Dinner from 6.30pm,
Times: Singing 7.00pm – 8.30pm
Manjit’s Kitchen
Discover how to cook delicious vegetarian street food based on traditional south Indian dishes, with Leeds’ very own Manjit’s Kitchen. Manjit and her team, who recently won a BBC Food and Farming Award, will guide you step-by-step through the recipes as you learn how to make tasty curries, chutneys and more. All equipment and ingredients are provided.
Course Format: Each workshop is stand-alone. Take part in one or both sessions to learn different recipes.
Dates: Sat 23 Feb , Sat 23 Mar and Sun 12 May
Times: 11am – 1 pm (for all three sessions)
BIG IDEAS Inspirational artists discuss their passion projects – Kannan Arunasalam
Conflict Documentary – Kannan Arunasalam is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Specialising in working in conflict and post-conflict environments, Kannan is also a human rights lawyer. Kannan will share some of his work and talk through his experience, with an emphasis on gaining the trust of characters, the challenges of working in difficult political environments and getting your work seen in today’s busy media landscape.
Dates: Sun 17 Feb. Times: 5pm
March
Waling on Air –An Introduction to T’ai Chi
T’ai Chi is a sequence of slow motion, flowing steps, which originated in China. It is movement for health. The soft steps and gestures of T’ai Chi, and its companion Chi Kung (“breathing skill”) are designed to stimulate a healthy flow of blood and energy around the body – keeping the joints lubricated, the muscles elastic, and the mind refreshed and uplifted. Because the movements are so gentle, they can be performed by adults of all ages. T’ai Chi is good for the breath, for balance, and for a general feeling of calm and wellbeing. Come and try it: it’s a peaceful and lovely thing!
Course Format: Short course of 3 Saturdays sessions. Take part in one, two or all three sessions to learn different techniques.
Dates: 2,9 & 16 Mar
Times: 11am – 1pm
Fire Eating and Body Burning
Learn to touch, taste and eat fire in this extraordinary one-off session with The Fire School’s Sarah Harman. Perfect for anyone seeking a thrilling new experience, you will explore Fire Eating and Body Burning techniques, and learn to manipulate fire safely. This workshop is designed for complete beginners.
Course Format: One-off session
Dates: Sat 2 Mar
Times: 3 – 5pm
BIG IDEAS Inspirational artists discuss their passion projects -Ian McMillan
Sir Alec Clegg’s book The Excitement Of Writing. Sir Alec was instrumental in the founding of Bretton Hall College – a hothouse of Northern creative radicalism. You don’t need to know anything about Clegg or his book to enjoy this – come along and hear a brilliant Northern artist talk with passion about a work that made him the artist he is today.
Dates: Sun 3 Mar
Mar. Times: 5pm
Make a Podcast
Tell the world about it. Do you enjoy having a chat? Have you ever fancied yourself as a bit of a radio presenter? Would you like to learn how to make a podcast? Then this is the course for you! Join Claire Irving for a five-week course to make a radio programme on a subject decided by you. No previous experience necessary, just an interest in people and place. Come along, and let’s start the conversation.
Course Format: Short course made up of 5 Wednesday evening sessions
Dates: Wed 6 Mar to Wed 3 Apr
Times: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health issues are a normal part of life.
In any year, one in four of us experience at least one diagnosable mental health issue.
Join accredited Mental Health First Aider Caroline Dunn to explore common symptoms, reduce stigma, know when to get help, and share positive strategies to keep yourself and others well.
Course format: One-off session.
Date: Sun 10 Mar
Times: 2.30 – 4.30pm
Junkheap Challenge – Unleash Your Practical Creativity
One box of recycled materials . One challenge. Four hours. Go!
Under the supervision of Alex Halfpenny from #alshackshack, create something that will solve a particular challenge where the limit is simply your imagination. Learn how to use new tools, new techniques and communication skills to create something unique, useful and beautiful.
Instruments, tools and safety equipment will be provided.
Course Format: One-off session
Dates: Sat 16 Mar
Times: 2 – 6pm
The Asian Vegan with Rani Moorthy
A day-long practical exploration of vegan Asian cooking Rani Moorthy. There’ll be some Tamil recipes, some Malaysian and Thai. Discover how to master Tempeh, Tofu and Seitan with Rani Moorthy, actor, director and writer, Artistic Director of the acclaimed Rasa Theatre, star of the much-loved show Curry Tales and one of the finest cooks we’ve ever met. Try new cuisines, new flavours and enjoy some good chat along the way. No experience necessary. All equipment and ingredients are provided.
Course Format: One-off session
Dates: Sun 17 Mar
Times: 11am – 4pm
BIG IDEAS Inspirational artists discuss their passion projects – Adelle Stripe
Andrea Dunbar was the celebrated, brilliant playwright from the Buttershaw estate in Bradford. Adelle is a poet and novelist. Adelle wants to share the genius of Andrea Dunbar with us, through an exploration of archive material and reading scenes from her plays. You don’t need to know anything about Andrea already to enjoy this. Come along and hear about her life and work from one of the region’s most interesting writers.
Dates: Sun 24 Mar. Times: 5pm
CPR
Join us for a practical session in CPR and basic first aid to gain the knowledge and confidence to respond to a range of common emergencies and practise CPR. This course is designed for complete beginners looking to have a go and learn basic lifesaving skills with our experienced instructor firefighter Gary McCurdy.
Course format: One-off session, which is repeated so you can choose your preferred time slot.
Date: Sat 30 Mar
Times: 11.30am-1.30pm or 2.30 – 4.30pm
April
Introduction to Green Woodwork
Discover the basic skills and techniques used in green woodwork. You will use carving axes, drawknives, shave horses and carving knives to turn a log into spatulas and spreaders. No woodworking experience is needed. By the end of the day, you will have developed new skills and have your own handmade green wood items to take home with you. All tools and materials are provided.
Course Format: One-off session which is repeated over two days, so you can choose your preferred time slot.
Dates: Fri 5 Apr or Sat 6 Apr
Times: 11am – 4pm
About Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Paul Hamlyn Foundation was established by Paul Hamlyn in 1987. Upon his death in 2001, he left most of his estate to the Foundation, creating one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK.
Our mission is to help people overcome disadvantage and lack of opportunity, so that they can realise their potential and enjoy fulfilling and creative lives. We have a particular interest in supporting young people and a strong belief in the importance of the arts and social justice is the golden thread that links all our work. www.phf.org.uk
Arts Council England
Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to visual art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk
Feature photograph of the Slung Low team by Joseph Priestley.
