Yo Queenslanders
2013: WHO'S THAT CHIK travels across the Capricorn Coast this Term... keep up to date, "like" our Who's That Chik? facebook page and students- tell me what your thinking K!
twitter: @thecandybowers
Back on the road for Artslink
Just got the show back on the road this week and we are doing more performances of WHO’S THAT CHIK? over the next 5 weeks than ever before.
This week we played at Yeppoon State High and Biloela State High…. so dope!
So dudes if you wanna keep conversations happening regarding Racism, Theatre, Media and cultural change, just drop me a comment and we can keep chatting K.
Lurve Candy B
(aka Lionel Richie)
Gum tree Platypus
Can someone tell Queen Koala that MC Platypus is NOT a gumtree… soon… that looks like it’s getting painful!
Over the last 2 months I have mainly been performing a show for Primary Schools called MC Platypus and Queen Koala’s Road Trip (around 9-12 times per week) but speckled through the schedule have been around a dozen performances of WHO’S THAT CHIK?
It has been extraordinary.
I have been thinking a lot about the way the Profession looks at School Touring/ Theatre in Education… I should say “looks down” on it. It’s something an Artist does when they graduate, fresh outta school and looking for experience. It’s a low stress/ low pressure gig, right? WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG! That idea could not be more WRONG…. and here’s why:-
No. 1- Young people are brilliant, their thoughts and perspectives are crucial to the country’s future (I know I’m getting all Whitney Houston up in here but for real, the young people are vital to what comes next.)
No. 2- By performing in-School for like $6 a student, you cut out so many of those issues around access, and you get to play to hundreds of children per day… Theatre for the masses!
No. 3- Creating work for young peeps that develops emotional, political, theatrical and aural literacy is the truest form of communication, education and activism (full stop y’all- FULL. STOP.)
THEREFORE Performing and creating shows for young audiences is where it’s AT!
That is all… for now… We have had some incredible moments!
WHO’S THAT CHIK? Is currently on tour with QAC in Term 3 (click for details) and in Term 4.
POWERKIDZ at Brisbane Powerhouse (26.6- 7.7)
This week at Brisbane Powerhouse the POWERKIDZ Festival takes over with work for kids and their families. My highlights include LOOK by Imaginary Theatre Company, THE TRAGICAL LIFE OF CHEESE BOY and oh yeah my workshops…. but there’s not too many spots left for CANDY B’S BOOTY SCHOOL (A 2-day Hip Hop Dance & Drama Workshop) so get in quick BOOK HERE
Candy B- MC Platypus and Queen Koala’s Road Trip
Amongst a very hectic Primary Schools Tour of my brand new work for Primary Schools “MC Platypus & Queen Koala’s Road Trip” (co-created with Musical Director and Performer Busty Beatz) WHO’S THAT CHIK? will be coming to the following High Schools… I just wrote in Term 3 (oh yes Term 4 is booked too) All up we’ll be touring schools for around 14 weeks. Can anyone recommend some good vitamins- by touche belongs to the young people!
Week 1
- Thursday July 12th 2012 Nambour State High School, Nambour QLD
Week 2
- Friday July 20th 2012 West Moreton Anglican College, Karrabin QLD
Week 3
- Tuesday 31 July 2012 Forest Lake State High School, Forest Lake QLD
- Tuesday 31 July 2012 Our Lady’s College, Annerley QLD
- Thursday 2 August 2012 Cavendish Road State High School, Holland Park QLD
- Friday 3 August 2012 Wynnum State High School, Wynnum QLD
Week 4
- Monday 6 August 2012 Marsden State High School, Waterford West QLD
Week 5
- Friday 10 August 2012 The Springfield Anglican College, Springfield QLD
*DARWIN FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE OF AUSTRALIAN BOOTY 16th/17th of August 2012
Week 6
- Monday 20 August 2012 Dalby State High School Dalby QLD
- Thursday 23 August 2012 Mount Gravatt State High School, Mt Gravatt QLD
Week 7
- Monday 27 August 2012 Helensvale State High SchoolHelensvale QLD
- Monday 27 August 2012 Benowa State High School, Benowa QLD
- Wednesday 29 August 2012 Maroochydore State High School Maroochydore QLD
- Wednesday 29 August 2012 Mountain Creek State High School Mooloolaba QLD
- Friday 31 August 2012 Ferny Grove State High School Ferny Grove QLD
- Friday 31 August 2012 Lourdes Hill College Hawthorne QLD
Realise Your Dream: Candy B’s Tips
Hello Cultural Leaders of Australia.
Bit of background:
Every year friends, acquaintances and a few strangers contact me and ask for some advice regarding the Realise Your Dream Award. I was a Winner in 2008 and traveled to London and Manchester in November 2009 (Black Heritage Month- Boom!) I spent around 5 weeks seeing work, meeting Artistic Directors, Diversity Associates, Producers, Presenters and Artists from the UK’s Theatre, Hip Hop and Spoken Word scenes. I had a brilliant time and my experiences gained me connections and gave me the inspiration I needed to keep on the path. The best thing about the Award was that it was up to me to create the itinerary, the British Council of the Arts made a bunch of professional contacts for me but I chose the area and the people I wanted to meet.
Most Artists are also Entrepreneurs, we have had to self produce at least 80% of our careers and we’ve all invested our own bucks, blood and sweat into our Artistic endeavours. The Realise Your Dream Award finances a trip to meet, seed, root, develop and/or nurture relationships with the Creative sector in the UK. It also allows you to see how your work stands up in an International setting. I found it extraordinary how interested folks were in Aussie stories, also as a part of the African global diaspora I was absolutely in my element… yes it twas the bomb.
RYD: 5 Tips by Candy B:
1. Put you ART where your MOUTH is.
Find the words- get articulate (not academic or intellectual- unless that’s your thang) just cut to the heart of what you do and why you do it…. That sounds easy but we all know its hard because it’s so personal. You can do it!
2. Put yourself FIRST, that is- GET COMPETITIVE!!!!
Are you groaning, most Artists do… “I’m awesomely unique, I’m shy, I’m cool, I don’t compete- that’s why I’m an Artist and not in Advertising” right? I get it, BUT do you want the coin? Selling yourself and what you do is how you move from just good and awesome to KNOWN and SEEN and SOLVENT. Take a deep breath and step up…. I promise you don’t need to be an a-hole to put yourself forward, find out how you do it and go hard sister/son/z.
3. Choose 3 Giants/ Inspirations/ Nemesis’ from the UK in your field.
Who or which Creative company do you look to and say- “that’s me in the future, OR that’s where I wanna be, OR that’s me already, I could be them right now.” Research how they got there (funnily enough many many many UK and European Artists have been supported by the British Council of the Arts at one time in their career) think on a strategy. Basic path. Basic connections. Mix it up, look to some Indie style folks and some big-ass established companies.
4. Fully understand what Cultural Leadership means.
Say what? It’s not just about being a brilliant Artist? No. This is probably the hardest bit (although maybe some of youse have got this going on in bucketfuls!) You are gonna need to work out your leadership potential. What is the social impact of what you do? How are you gonna impact on the country and the UK/OZ connection? Think on it. Get on point… Feeling intimidated? Go back to Tip 2- GO HARD…GIT THAT OPPORTUNITY & GIT SEEN.
5. JUST DO IT… If you don’t get through the first time GO AGAIN and push your professionalism to the next level.
Artists simply don’t have the opportunity to put all of the above into action very often. We constantly have to be brave- we’ve all chosen to take a step of the beaten path and follow our souls work NOW marrying that passion with the hard sell is crucial to longevity. So get brave, research and put your art where your mouth is fam.
LOVE LOVE LOVE CANDY B…. Just my thoughts yeah!
