Explore Acomb Library Learning Centre ADAM Festival Saturday 20th July 2013

From 9am – 3pm on Saturday 20th July, we’ll be helping to celebrate the first ever ADAM Festival (Acomb Dance and Music Festival). We’ll be presenting the following free events throughout the day:

10.00 – 10.45am : Ross Meikle
Ross Meikle is a York-based storyteller who entertains audiences with his original fairy tales and fanciful fantasies with charm, gentle innuendo, and an improvised running commentary to each story.

11.00 – 11.45am : Le Petit Artiste Theatre Present ‘Hunt The Giggle’ Le Petit Artiste Theatre are an emerging theatre from the Central School of Speech and Drama. They have a passion for theatre that pushes the boundaries using puppetry, mask and live music. Free tickets available from Explore Acomb Library Learning Centre.

12.00 – 12.30pm : Cactus
Dave Brough and Liam Wilkinson have been performing as an acoustic duo in York for the last six years. With their tight blend of harmonies and a repertoire of well-known foot-tappers and self-penned songs, Cactus always guarantee an entertaining show.

12.30 – 1.00pm : Anneliese Emmans Dean
Anneliese has written poems for children and adults, performing them at festivals, theatres and even the UK’s largest planetarium. She is the founder of theBigBuzz, bringing poetry to life. Annaliese will be reading a selection of poems as well as judging our ADAM Festival Children’s Poetry Competition.

1.00 – 1.30pm : Gordon McJannett
As an electric guitar instrumentalist, Gordon McJannett dazzles with his interpretations of hits by such artists as Fleetwood Mac and The Shadows. Lovers of that unique 1950s and 60s guitar sound will love his expert performance.

2.00 – 2.45pm : Le Petit Artiste Theatre Present ‘Hunt The Giggle’
Another chance to see Le Petit Artiste Theatre’s new show. Free tickets available from Explore Acomb Library Learning Centre

Have you got an EYE for watercolour painting?

This watercolour landscapes workshop is being held on Sat 20 July 10am to 3pm at The Eye of York.

During the session you will gain practical knowledge and learn tips and techniques for producing landscapes in watercolour with the emphasis on gaining skills and sharing practical knowledge.

Through tutor presentation, demonstrations, practical exercises and individual guidance you will cover areas such as: washes for skies, creating clouds, the importance of tone, scale and placement, colour mixing and handy tips to produce buildings in perspective.

So come along and let us bring out the artist in you!

Cost: £30

What a difference a week makes

Last week the Press followed up our story about the York Council objecting to a government initiative which would have seen empty City centre property brought into residential use.

The Council leader James Alexander said then, “There is a real concern that, in the present economic climate, some property-owners may take only a very short-term view and seek to dispose of existing office accommodation for residential uses.

Former Liberal Democrat council leader Steve Galloway said the authority’s move was “likely to be a blow to those hoping to bring empty commercial properties back into use”, as his party opposes plans for thousands of new homes on green belt land through the council’s draft Local Plan.

Coun Alexander claimed the Lib Dems were suggesting such housing conversions as a “misguided” alternative solution to York’s “homes crisis

A week later and we see a breathtaking double reverse somersault with twist as The Press reveals that as many as 800 additional flats could be converted out of unused commercial space in City centre buildings

The local newspaper reports, “The Press can reveal the city has been awarded £450,000 to help convert the upper floors of the old White Swan hotel in Piccadilly into 18 flats, and hundreds more city-centre flats could now follow elsewhere, to go some way to easing the city’s housing crisis”.

Council leader James Alexander said the work between various organisations on the White Swan project, coupled with the study’s conclusions, “provides evidence of a wealth of potential accommodation for people or businesses which supports our ambition for new homes and jobs, as outlined in the Local Plan”.

He said the council’s role on the White Swan indicated its willingness and innovation to help turn city-centre premises into homes.

The building’s upper floors have been empty for more than 30 years, but talks are now ongoing between the council, the White Swan’s owners and the Fabrick Group, which runs the Tees Valley Housing Association.