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**THE LOOKING GLASS ARTS SPACE**

ATTENTION!!!! An exciting new performing arts venue opens 10th March, central Bristol

LAUNCH & FUNDRAISING WEEKEND! 10TH-11TH MARCH

To celebrate the launch of THE LOOKING GLASS join us on 10th & 11th March for a jam-packed weekend from the best of Bristol’s cutting edge with some exciting surprise guests!

PERFORMANCE/ART EXHIBITIONS/ART INSTILLATION/FILM SCREENINGS/DEBATES/GUEST SPEAKERS/LIVE MUSIC/DJS/POETRY/WORKSHOPS AND MORE!

// SATURDAY 10TH MARCH 12:00-02:00AM //

>>>SATURDAY DAYTIME<<<<<

ART

13:00-20:00 ART INSTILLATION FROM JESS ROTAS

Bristol Based muti-media Artist Jess Rotas has created an Interactive Sound and visual Instillation documenting the rich history of The Looking Glass building from 1200-2012. she will be showcasing this piece in the Cellar...through out the weekend!

FILM, GUEST SPEAKERS AND LIVE MUSIC

14:00- 15:38 FILM SCREENING // THE INVISIBLE CIRCUS: NO DRESS REHEARSAL. An inspiring feature documentary about performance, love, hard graft and pigeon shit By Naomi Smyth

http://www.invisiblecircusfilm.com/trailer.php

Meet the ring master of this invisible circus Doug Francis as he leads Bristol's anarchist circus from margins to mainstream with the motto: 'If it's not impossible, we're not interested'. The film's 3 year span takes them from chaotic squat crew to licensed building managers with huge show budgets – via rotting garages, crumbling cathedrals and a takeover of Bristol's ex-police HQ.

15:50-16:05 QUESTION AND ANSWERS SESSION

We are hosting a Q & A session to talk about artists and groups taking on dis-used spaces and turning them into to positive arts spaces. The panel will be film maker Naomi Smyth along with The invisible Circuses ring master Doug Francis and Sarah Middleton from The Looking Glass

16:10-16:40 LORI CAMPBELL

16:50-17:35 GUEST SPEAKER TRACEY MOBERLY

http://www.sanderswood.com/

Tracey Moberly is an interdisciplinary artist, author, activist, lecturer and radio show host. Tracey was also co-owner of the Foundry in Shoreditch, East London – a gallery, bar, performance and film space that was used as a meeting place for many groups social and political alike. Running for over twelve years it was prolific in all forms of creative activity and energy. The meeting and gathering place soon became a catalyst that started the area’s regeneration. As performance, music and art came spewing out of it’s doors!

Co-owners Jonathan and Tracey Moberly ran the Foundry - a former bank - in a uniquely democratic format. The three floors offered six separate exhibition spaces. Then it allowed within these spaces: a performance structure from mainstream to avant-garde and theatre to dance; musical acts from live bands to djs and films, experimental to cutting edge. It was the meeting place of a number of community and political groups such as Artists against the War and G20 Meltdown – with Ma’m (Movement Against The Monarchy), the Wombles and other activist groups also using it as their base. The Foundry formed long term relationships with prominent socio-cultural and political groups in South America, Russia, Haiti and elsewhere. In the UK many national and international groups made it their spiritual, musical and artistic home including a collective of Spanish circus and trapeze artists; London cycle couriers and rickshaw riders; New Zealand pop artists; Haitian Voudo artists… the list is limitless. The large elaborately graffitied downstairs corridor included eight works by UK street artist Bansky and ten by USA street artists Faile. The spaces were all given to artists without charge, a unique perspective in such a central London location. A strict rule of free entry to all events was implemented from the start accompanied by an absence of security staff on the doors. No percentage was ever taken on work sold from the exhibitions and shows.

The venue closed it’s doors for the last time on this site in 2010. The landowners wanted to literally build upon the reputation that the Foundry had nurtured in it’s life span and build an 18 storey 'art hotel'. As the doors closed squatters moved in and protests began to save the unique venue. Tracey and Jonathan are currently looking for a new space to relocate the Foundry and make a new home for the displaced Foundry community and for new people yet to experience the exuberant venue vibe.

The Guardian

Mark Thomas –

The comedian and activist Mark Thomas, who has performed there, said that the Foundry was "one of the most truly artistic spaces in London". He described its battered sofas and graffitied walls as "the fixtures and fittings of London's underground art scene" and the Moberlys as "the Saatchis of alternative art" in the capital. "What's unique about it is their ethos that anyone can perform or exhibit there, from Gavin Turk to a student who just happens to have an interest in maps, or something," Thomas said. "It's totally unique. And now in its place we'll have another hotel, another shopping mall, another huge cinema."

>>>SATURDAY EVENING HOSTED BY ROLLING STAGE<<
Enter through Rolling Stage's rabbit hole and tumble in to a wired and wonderful world where all is not as it seems....This is wonderland with a contemporary twist! Rolling Stage will be bringing their fresh lunacy to this weekend event with interactive and absurd characters, performances, DJs and of course the fabulous PEEK-A-BOOTh photos! In the words of the great Cheshire Cat “We are all mad here”.01:00-02:00 THE CARNY VILLAINS

http://thecarnyvillains.bandcamp.com/

http://www.facebook.com/thecarnyvillains?sk=app_2405167945

Don't miss the fantastic Carny Villians as they tear up our stage with their infectious energy! The Carny Villains are a 6 piece circus show band playing stomping swing and ska all rolled out live and kicking with the riotous energy of punk rock.

00:30-01:00 LUC ACEEATER

00:20-00:30 THE BUREAU OF RANDOM ACTS

www.thebureauofrandomacts.com.

The wonderful Bureau of Random Acts will be here to bring a fresh, curious and occasionally absurd approach the night! With Chimp Juice and a surprise new act!

23:00 - 23:55 THE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DISASTER BAND

http://www.jazzdisaster.co.uk/

They Made their debut at Bristol's Blitz Party in December and have been taken Bristol by storm ever since.

With their fantastic energy and music that just makes you want to dance! Not to be missed!

22:40-23:00 LUC AEEATER

22:40-22:50 IN THE CELLAR.... JASMIN PERROW (LIMITED AUDIENCE SIGN UP ON THE NIGHT TO VIEW)

The purpose of this performance is to examine pure physicality and reaction to a given environment. It is an experiment. 3 performers from completely different backgrounds will undertake the same physical training for a brief period of time. They will then enter the basement under the Looking Glass and respond physically. Imagining elements of the space are inside specific parts of their body they will use all five senses; taste, sensation, sound, visual and smell to help them to make it real.Tonight, the opening night of the Looking Glass, the space is not just a basement steeped in history, it’s a rabbit hole, the underground passage way where you shift from one world to the next….Performers: Ziggy Slingsby, Sebastian Hau Walker, Laurie French, Direction and concept: Jasmin Perrow

22:30-22:40 THE ORIGINAL SPINNERS

http://theoriginalspinners.co.uk/about.php

The Original Spinners are a clown inspired dance improvisation collective. We are based in Bristol in the UK and we were founded in early 2010 by Rachael Smith-James, a community dance artist.

What do they do? They create surprise performances that take short bursts of high energy and happiness to unsuspecting audiences!! Not to be missed!

22:25-22:30 CLOWN ACT

22:05-22:15 JOHN-PAUL GIBBS

Cutting the formalities at the table and Alice. This is camp horr-ific so to speak... a ghastly vision of the Mad hatters Tea party for Alice's last supper...anyone for cake and tea feel free to drop by...this is 'Part Pains' a relatively disturbing experience which is highly intensified by hearing the euphoric heavy breathing and a heart pumping party pains around the dinner table. How you feeling Party People?'



21:45-21:55 THE BUREAU OF RANDOM ACTS

21:00-21:45 LUC ACEEATER

http://soundcloud.com/aceeater

The fantastic DJ, promoter and graphic designer for Skank n Stomp, will be here mixing a fine blend of Ska, Swing, Gypsy, Punk and all kinds of Electro!

20:00-21:00 OUI JA YES

http://www.facebook.com/ouijayes?sk=app_182222305144028

We are very pleased to be hosting Bristol's Live Electro Band Oui Ja Yes! //SUNDAY 11TH MARCH..MIDDAY- MIDNIGHT// >>>SUNDAY DAYTIME<<<<<

ART

13:00-00:00 JESS ROTAS

Bristol Based muti-media Artist Jess Rotas has created an Interactive Sound and visual Instillation documenting the rich history of The Looking Glass building from 1200-2012. she will be showcasing this piece in the Cellar...through out the weekend!

14:00-00:00 POST PRESENT FUTURE

We are very pleased to welcome Falmouth & Bristol based Multimedia Artist Ruth Cross...

Craft a letter to your future self at a Post Present Future writing desk and receive it in the post in five years time, courtesy of Cross Collaborations. Post Present Future, offers you the chance to delight in crafting a letter to your future self. What do you hope to be doing in 2017 when your letter arrives in the post? Take this unique opportunity to pour your personal and global concerns, expectations, anticipations and dreams into an envelope and allow Cross Collaborations to postpone its journey back to you by five years.

14:00-16:00 LONESOME COPY BY WAIT AND SEE

http://waitandseeblog.tumblr.com/

By Bristol based artists Becky Hall & Eleanor Fogg. Lonesome is about that weird feeling you get when you’re on your own in public. Part audio walk, part treasure hunt, Lonesome is an intimate cinematic experience: a private tour of a public space.

Let us show you around the place. Sit and wait with us, wander around with us, step into the scene from a different angle. Become the protagonist in your own story. Bring a partner, branch out alone, and be prepared for a chance meeting. MUSIC & EVENTS

13:00-13:30 LORI CAMPBELL

13:40-14:10 FOOLISH STORY TELLING

14:20-15:05 POETRY SESSION FROM JEREMY TOOMBS

Jeremy Tombs will be hosting a session of beat-poetry on Sunday with some of Bristols finest poets!

15:15-15:25 FRENCH CLOWN ACT

15:30-16:30 AN IMPROVISED SITCOM BY THE WARDROBE THEATRE

The Wardrobe theatres infamous improvised sitcom is coming to The Looking Glass! ever wanted to determine the fate of the sitcom characters that you are watching! well you can now! Very funny and a must see!

16:40-17:25 BLUES/FOLK FROM JIM EVANS

www.myspace.com/jimevans

Jim is a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, banjo and a home-made biscuit tin slide-guitar. His songs borrow from the traditions of old-time American folk music, blues, bluegrass and country. He also throws in some arrangements of tradition folk songs that have been passed around for hundreds of years the world over.

>>>SUNDAY EVENING<<<

23:00-00:00 DJ RACKABEAT

http://www.rackabeatandbar-low.co.uk/

Rackabeat one half of the infamous Rackabeat & Barlow Chai Wallah's resident DJs! This super-producer/remixer/DJ is tighter than two coats of paint, on and off the decks. Anyone witnessing his storming sets up and down the UK at this summer’s festival season will testify to that. Bouncing around like a man possessed of the Holy Ghost, Rack and Low turned up the heat in the muddiest tents from Shambala to Glastonbury as residents of the much loved Chai Wallahs arenas. Playing a patented blast of hip-hop, funk, soul, beats, breaks, DnB, reggae, bootlegs and dubstep (occasionally at the same time, rocking a live drum machine and hand-built dub siren box!

22:00-23:00 JONAH FLATFOOT & HIS JOCKY WHEEL JIVERS

http://www.facebook.com/zenhussies

This formidable live act with their original brand of swinging stomp and song.A mighty brass and reed section blow hot and heavy to the roots rhythm section will be gracing our stage to bring cheer to all!

21:55 JOHN-PAUL GIBBS PRESENTS..SLUG FACE!

All shall be revealed...!

21:30-21:55 DJ RACKABEAT

20:30-21:30 BERT MILLER & THE ANIMAL FOLK

http://www.animalfolkmusic.co.uk/

We love Bert Miller & The Animal Folk, Raw and up-beat with fantastic lyrics we welcome them to The Looking Glass Stage to bring warmth to our special Sunday night programme! "one of the most unique bands in bristol." kit mckensie, the grainbarge 2010. "playful toungue-in-cheek songs from a band with a love for animals." the harbourside festival bristol

19:30-20:30 JIVE-BY GOOD OL JULESY

///// THE WEEKEND! /////

There will be stalls selling locally made up-cycled gear and delicious Cake and refreshments too as well as our fully stocked bar with locally sourced Ales, Ciders and organic Larger plus our special surprise Looking Glass Cocktails!

PLEASE NOTE: MANY MORE EXCITING ACTS TO BE ANNOUNCED VERY SOON! WATCH THIS SPACE



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ABOUT THE LOOKING GLASS

Sarah Middleton from Rolling Stage is opening THE LOOKING GLASS, an arts venue next to St Nick’s Market in the heart of Bristol. Steeped in history and dating back to the 1700s, this disused pub will open its doors for the first time in over 10 years to host a series of exciting and cutting edge performing arts events and happenings.

OUR WORK

THE LOOKING GLASS will provide an affordable space where artists can present their work and to create a vibrant community hub where art, music, enterprise and innovation can thrive.

THE SPACE

Just around the corner from Corn St, next to St Nick’s Market, THE LOOKING GLASS offers several areas, all full of character. The Main Bar upstairs has a stage and is fully equipped for performances and events, while The Cellars downstairs offer several quirkier spaces, ideal for performance, interactive theatre and installation. There are two separate entrances to the venue.

USING THE SPACE

If you would like to use the space, contact us at thelookingglassartsspace@gmail.com. Performing arts, exhibitions, installations, rehearsal spaces, workshop space, pop-up galleries, shops, restaurants, cinema, launch events, private arts events, and more, are all welcome.



CONTACT

Sarah Middleton

THE LOOKING GLASS

39 High Street

Bristol

BS1 2AW

E: thelookingglassartsspace@gmail.com

T: 07595 415 670

FACEBOOK LINK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Looking-Glass/264010630318794?sk=info



This project is supported by Capacity..