Monday

Alexander John Sings in May as Art Lot Guest

  Alexander John Sings in May as StroudFM Guest with Resonator Guitar

Alexander John, Regional Finalist at Live and Unsigned is to feature as a guest on Stroud FM's The Art Lot with Swithin Fry. A second time visitor to the show Alex had a guest spot on Swithin Fry's Art Lot, back in the autumn of 2009. This time Alex will attend with his fab Resonator Guitar and hot vocals to share some of his latest songs.
 Alex is a hot contender for the Live and Unsigned Regional Finals on 27th March 2010 held at the Bacon Theatre, The largest UK wide competition for original and unsigned bands and singers, and will be Doin' It For The Blues at the 8.15pm show. Alex is preparing for the Live and Unsigned Show by launching a new Stroud Blues Night Monthly at the Clothiers Arms today, Friday 26th at 9pm.


“ I'm really excited about the Live and Unsigned Regional finals in Cheltenham and will be rootin' for all blues artists and budding blues artists too. I started quite young at 17 and had a whole lot to learn, but I think it would be really cool if younger people started checking out blues music at gigs or learning to play. There are some neat lessons and tricks in slide guitar too, and I'd love to share some!


I'm looking forward to being a guest again on the Art Lot show and promise to have the vocals chords well and truly oiled for service! Thanks for all your good luck messages too and I hope to share some good news on the Live and Unsigned Regional Finals when I come back on the show!” Alexander John

Live and Unsigned : Regional Finals are at the Bacon Theatre 27th March 2010,


The Art Lot, Stroud 107.9 FM @ http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/


Bookings Info and Press info@alexanderjohn.com
07815 560 411



 
Charity of the month


The Encephalitis Society has been my If you want to nominate a charity for the Art Lot Charity of the Month since January - but I've another to mention today! But before that, just to say that a keen-eyed person in the Encep head office spotted my mention in this blog...and emailed to say 'thanks'.

That email led to another etc etc as they do, and the outcome is that my 4-to-5 guests on June 15 will be Charlie + Rachel Stanley-Evans whose baby daughter caught the virus two years ago when she was one..she recovered and is now a thoroughly naughty three-year-old, says Charlie with relief.

It will be a fascinating interview...Encephalitis hits at any age: I had it when 59. So make a date in your diary for that! Charlie and Rachel are both busy business people...yet with looking after two young daughters as well, still find time to raise money for The Encepalitis Society. http://www.encephalitis.co.uk/

Their company websites are:
http://www.rachelstanley-evanscreations.co.uk/
http://www.hhandc.co.uk/

MY NEW CHARITY OF THE MONTH is Hands Around the World: they are looking for volunteers in thisarea to go on a four-week building/cultural exchange project in Uganda and Kenya in early 2011...if you're interested, call on or email joanna@hatw.org.uk

Don't forget: if you have an event you'd like posted on The Art Lot Blog, then just add a 'Comment' and I'll post it asap!

Tune in! 107.9FM locally, or from http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/ anywhere in the world!

Friday

Art AND Hands AND Alexander John latest


My interview with Peggy Ward and Margery Cunningham of  Lansdown Art Club was great...they spoke about their own painting passions, and gave details of the Club's big exhibition at The Sub Rooms, in Stroud, on April 17 to 24...watch out for details around town!

If you missed the interview, The Art Lot is repeated next Sunday March 28 at 3pm ... so listen in!

The last time that members of the club came onto the show, they gave out fascinating insights into their work ... and some great tips on the best way to see if art is for you ...


So listen in! 107.9FM or http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/ from anyhwere in the world!

Latest Blues News!
Alexander John , Gloucester Blues Slide Guitarist and singer songwriter, is set to jazz up the Blues at a Fringe Event for The Cheltenham Jazz Festival this year. A Fringe Festival is to be held the week prior to the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

The allpay Cheltenham Jazz Fringe Festival 2010 runs from Thursday 22 April – Monday 3 May
and will feature a range of local artists performing across Cheltenham. Alexander John is to headline at the Frog and Fiddle in Cheltenham in a special Fringe Festival Blues Night that opens the week on 22nd April.

“allpay is all about inclusion. Through sponsoring the Cheltenham Jazz Fringe Festival we are able to play a vital role in enabling people to enjoy fantastic free music whilst encouraging and promoting a wide range of musical talent,” said Tony Killeen, Managing Director allpay Limited

Alexander John is a regional finalist in Live and Unsigned in Cheltenham on 27th March and is
pleased to be supporting Cheltenham Jazz Festival Fringe Event with his original blues music.

" I think the allpay Fringe Festival is a great way to showcase new talent across Cheltenham and offers a taste of more musical flavours to come in the main Jazz Festival. I'm glad to be flying the flag for the Blues and featured as a headline Blues artist at the Frog and Fiddle. If you're not sure if you like blues music, then The allpay Fringe Festival is a sure way to get a taste and at a fab venue.

For more information on The Festival see http://cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz/

Alexander John website has full gig listing. To see more go to http://www.alexanderjohn.com/

BOOKINGS / PRESS - CONTACT info@alexanderjohn.com or call Tish 07815 560 411

Charity of the month
The Encephalitis Society has been my If you want to nominate a charity for the Art Lot Charity of the Month since January - but I've another to mention today! But before that, just to say that a keen-eyed person in the Encep head office spotted my mention in this blog...and emailed to say 'thanks'.

That email led to another etc etc as they do, and the outcome is that my 4-to-5 guests on June 15 will be Charlie + Rachel Stanley-Evans whose baby daughter caught the virus two years ago when she was one..she recovered and is now a thoroughly naughty three-year-old, says Charlie with relief. 

It will be a fascinating interview...Encephalitis hits at any age: I had it when 59. So make a date in your diary for that! Charlie and Rachel are both busy business people...yet with looking after two young daughters as well, still find time to raise money for The Encepalitis Society. http://www.encephalitis.co.uk/


Their company websites are:
http://www.rachelstanley-evanscreations.co.uk/
http://www.hhandc.co.uk/

MY NEW CHARITY OF THE MONTH is Hands Around the World: they are looking for volunteers in thisarea to go on a four-week building/cultural exchange project in Uganda and Kenya in early 2011...if you're interested, call on or email joanna@hatw.org.uk



Don't forget: if you have an event you'd like posted on The Art Lot Blog, then just add a 'Comment' and I'll post it asap!



Tune in! 107.9FM locally, or from http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/ anywhere in the world!

Monday

Adventures in paint...

Two members of  Lansdown Art Club will be my next 4-to-5 guests  on Tuesday March 23rd ... so listen in and hear about the club's preparations for its next big exhibition. The last time that members of the club came onto the show, they gave out fascinating insights into their work ... and some great tips on the best way to see if art is for you ...

So listen in! 107.9FM or http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/ from anyhwere in the world!


Amazing and Preposterous PLAY!

I went to see Art Lot guest Chris Garner's play which he had directed at the Everyman ... it was great!

Called ‘The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley’ it was set in the early part of the twentieth century, and was about Constance Smedley...celebrity, artist, playwright, feminist journalist and author of numerous novels and children’s books. She founded the International Lyceum Club for Women, established its clubhouse in London, and oversaw the foundation of similar Lyceum Clubs all over Europe. A century later there are Lyceum Clubs worldwide.

An excellent play, written by Frank Hatt ... I'm hoping to persuade Frank to guest on The Art Lot as soon as I can get in touch with him ...

His interest in Constance Smedley was aroused when he was presented with a large bundle of Smedley family letters that a neighbour had rescued from a builders’ bonfire.

Charity of the month
If you want to nominate a charity for the Art Lot Charity of the Month, then just add a comment to the blog ... and I have no nominations yet, I will stick with the Encephalitis Society: http://www.encephalitis.info/default.aspx

...they do amazing work!



Don't forget: if you have an event you'd like posted on The Art Lot Blog, then just add a 'Comment' and I'll post it asap!



Tune in! 107.9FM locally, or from http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/ anywhere in the world!

Writer Philippa! AND The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley

My interview with prolific writer Philippa Roberts is being broadcast again tomorrow [Tuesday March 9 at 4pm ...it was a great interview and I want to make sure that all Art Lot fans who may have missed this due to the freak power-cut get a chance.

So listen in! 107.9 or http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/ from anyhwere in the world!

Philippa is a freelance who actually makes her living from her writing and she has some great tips for wanna-bees.

She has published ebooks, short stories, poetry, reviews and journalism, at intervals, over a period of about 20 years. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, from children’s magazines, Horizon and Aquila, to Cadenza and Quality Womens’ Fiction. It has also appeared in a number of anthologies, including children’s poetry from OUP. Philippa edited print editions of Winter Jasmine, The Golden Glory has Fled and A Wartime Poetry Journal - books of poetry by her grandmother, Effie M.Roberts - for her own publishing company, Fractal Publishing. She is at present working on a script and a mystery novel.

SEE THIS PLAY!

Recent Art Lot guest theatre-man Chris Garner sends this:

‘The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley’ : Studio Theatre of The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham. 11-13th March.

"In the early part of the twentieth century, Constance Smedley was a celebrity: a successful artist, playwright, feminist journalist and author of numerous novels and children’s books. She founded the International Lyceum Club for Women, established its clubhouse in London, and oversaw the foundation of similar Lyceum Clubs all over Europe. A century later there are Lyceum Clubs worldwide.

"Constance Smedley lived in Minchinhampton during the five years leading up to the First World War. Together with her husband, the artist Maxwell Armfield, she organised theatrical and musical entertainments, set up a toymaking co-operative, opened a bookshop and organised a spectacular Pageant of Progress in Stroud, out of which grew the Cotswold Players. She also found time to write three novels as well as several plays which the Cotswold Players toured round villages in the Stroud valleys under her direction.

"Frank Hatt’s play is based on events in the remarkable life of this woman, made all the more remarkable by the fact that from childhood she battled with a disability that paralysed her from the waist down. Her achievements were indeed amazing; her behaviour was often preposterous.

"‘The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley’ tells the story of a slice of forgotten local history. But it also tells a bigger story: of a disabled woman with forty publications to her name, who contributed significantly to the women's movement, the international peace movement and the avant-garde theatre of the early twentieth century.

"Six of Frank Hatt’s previous plays have been performed professionally, mostly touring Gloucestershire and the south-west. They include ‘Walking to Whiteway’, ‘Not In My Back Yard’, ‘Surfing the Severn’ and ‘Against the Grain’.

"His interest in Constance Smedley was aroused when he was presented with a large bundle of Smedley family letters that a lady had rescued from a builders’ bonfire."

DON'T MISS IT!


Don't forget: if you have an event you'd like posted on The Art Lot Blog, then just add a 'Comment' and I'll post it asap!



Tune in! 107.9 locally, or from http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/ anywhere in the world!

Wednesday

Press Release: For Immediate Release ALEXANDER JOHN

BBC Radio Play for Live and Unsigned:


Regional Finalist Alexander John:

Alexander John Gloucestershire Slide Blues Guitarist and Regional Finalist in Live and Unsigned
the largest UK Music competition for unsigned and original acts has recently been featured on the
BBC Gloucestershire Radio Show - BBC Gloucestershire Introducing. The show provides a
platform for unsigned musicians across the county to share their music and gain additional exposure
to fans and those searching for talent across the UK. The Show hosted by Rob Champion had
featured him in December 2009 and show producers had returned again in February to more blues
music Alex had uploaded.

Alex is delighted that he has been given this exposure in the midst of his progression onto the
Regional Finals of Live and Unsigned and indeed was commented by Rob Champion as being' no
surprise he's through to the Regional final of Live and Unsigned! '. Rob Champion went on to
give a great review of Alex and his music:

" New Music from Gloucestershire.. that's Alexander John and 'Katy'. First played him towards the
beginning of last month we heard Muddy Waters from him, fantastic stuff, really loving it, and no
surprises really that he's through to the next round of Live and Unsigned.......I'm quite partial here
to coming up with my own analogies here to music, ( as you probably know if you're a regular
listener), we have a lot of folk- rock taking place in the county, which I have called 'frock'.

Alexander John is a man after my own heart. His main loves in music are blues, country and
gospel, Cajun, Americana, blues, Zydeco and something he calls 'Fo'jun' : Folk and Cajun
combined! Absolutely fantastic Fo'jun, lovin' it!.... ..... you'll be hearing more from Alexander John
next week (on the show) and looks like his next gig is at Live and Unsigned on 27th March.”
Rob Champion, BBC Gloucestershire.. Introducing show. 27th Feb 2010
Listen again to the show at this link – only available for 7 days from date of show
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006jzxd/BBC_Gloucestershire_Introducing..._27_02_2010/
I'm really pleased to be getting such a lot of support from people at Myspace, Facebook,
Wohomusic and from BBC Gloucestershire Introducing show with the airplay I have received. Its
great. What I really need now, is for fans to support me and get a Ticket for the show through my
website or for late comers The Alexander John Live and Unsigned Late Guest List + first 25 ticket
sales get a Free copy of my Muddy Waters Album at the following link
http://www.alexanderjohn.com/page9.htm .

I know there is heaps to be done still but I am always on the go, and definitely, Doin it For The
Blues!! @ Live and Unsigned Regional Finals!!

If you love Blues Music then it would be fantastic if you could come and support me here at this
event! I Know Tish ( We Got The Blues & AJ Management) has been pushing and pushing on the
promotions front for me and that is great, but I need the backing of all BLUES FANS and to help to
put blues music on the map in a national competition! As far as I know I am the ONLY act that is
supporting BLUES MUSIC in the whole competition!!!

So Do it For Me, Or simply Do It for the Blues!!! -Thanks for your friendship and wishing you all a
great week !! Cheers Alex :-) ------- more news next week!! --- we got lots planned !!
See more about Alexander John visit http://www.alexanderjohn.com

CONTACT

Tish @ AJ Management & We Got The Blues

Press - Info & Bookings: Tish Mata - We Got The Blues & AJ Management

07815 560 411

info@alexanderjohn.com

info@wegottheblues.co.uk

NEXT ART LOT SLOT!

My interview with writer Philippa Roberts, recorded at my home when a power-cut hit Stroud FM studios on Tuesday, will be going out again on Tuesday March 9th at 4pm......don't miss it! Philippa reads some of her distinctive poems, and also a cliff-hanger few pages from one of her short stories.
For all budding writers, this is must-listen interview...Philippa is one of the few freelance writers who actually makes her living from her writing.

Philippa has published ebooks, short stories, poetry, reviews and journalism, at intervals, over a period of about 20 years. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, from children’s magazines, Horizon and Aquila, to Cadenza and Quality Womens’ Fiction. It has also appeared in a number of anthologies, including children’s poetry from OUP. Philippa edited print editions of Winter Jasmine, The Golden Glory has Fled and A Wartime Poetry Journal - books of poetry by her grandmother, Effie M.Roberts - for her own publishing company, Fractal Publishing. She is at present working on a script and a mystery novel.

NEWS! NEWS!NEWS!

NEW WEBSITE: POET KEN HEAD

Check out poet Ken Head's new website. I met Ken a few years back at an unforgettable [there's a story there!] poetry workshop weekend in East Anglia...we've kept in touch ever since, and I read his latest collection a few Art Lots ago; check out his new website:

http://www.kenhead.co.uk/


This poem is typical of Ken's no-nonsense poetry:

from: Bedrock
From a safe distance, because our nervous
guide doesn't want to risk going closer,
we stare towards the beach through razor wire.
They use inner tubes or home-made oil-drum
rafts and this is where the current drives them.
If they're lucky and don't choose a moonless
night to cross, a patrol boat may find them
before the sharks. Some survive, but flotsam
and jetsam here are the stuff of nightmare.
Those who make it in one piece are sent back.
Amputees follow when they can travel.
Freedom gets more expensive every day.

SEE THIS PLAY!
Recent Art Lot guest theatre-man Chris Garner sends this:
‘The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley’ : Studio Theatre of The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham. 11-13th March.
"In the early part of the twentieth century, Constance Smedley was a celebrity: a successful artist, playwright, feminist journalist and author of numerous novels and children’s books. She founded the International Lyceum Club for Women, established its clubhouse in London, and oversaw the foundation of similar Lyceum Clubs all over Europe. A century later there are Lyceum Clubs worldwide.

"Constance Smedley lived in Minchinhampton during the five years leading up to the First World War. Together with her husband, the artist Maxwell Armfield, she organised theatrical and musical entertainments, set up a toymaking co-operative, opened a bookshop and organised a spectacular Pageant of Progress in Stroud, out of which grew the Cotswold Players. She also found time to write three novels as well as several plays which the Cotswold Players toured round villages in the Stroud valleys under her direction.
"Frank Hatt’s play is based on events in the remarkable life of this woman, made all the more remarkable by the fact that from childhood she battled with a disability that paralysed her from the waist down. Her achievements were indeed amazing; her behaviour was often preposterous.

"‘The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley’ tells the story of a slice of forgotten local history. But it also tells a bigger story: of a disabled woman with forty publications to her name, who contributed significantly to the women's movement, the international peace movement and the avant-garde theatre of the early twentieth century.

"Six of Frank Hatt’s previous plays have been performed professionally, mostly touring Gloucestershire and the south-west. They include ‘Walking to Whiteway’, ‘Not In My Back Yard’, ‘Surfing the Severn’ and ‘Against the Grain’.

"His interest in Constance Smedley was aroused when he was presented with a large bundle of Smedley family letters that a lady had rescued from a builders’ bonfire."
DON'T MISS IT!


News flash!
If you fancy an art workshop in the sun this summer, check out superb artist Helen Layfield ... http://www.helenlayfield.com/

News flash!
This year I'm starting a charity of the month and I will give out details of that charity during the show ... so if you want to nominate your charity, and post a comment on this blog.

The first charity, of course -- for those who know me, will be The Encephalitis Society ... the charity very dear to my heart. Check it out on http://www.encephalitis.info/.

Don't forget: if you have an event you'd like posted on The Art Lot Blog, then just add a 'Comment' and I'll post it asap!


Tune in! 107.9 locally, or from http://www.stroudfm.co.uk/ anywhere in the world