By Helen Fay
After two well-received gigs at the recent Armley/New Wortley and Farnley East Pride in Place consultation events, the Man About Town Music Group are limbering up for their next performance.
The group will be performing at St Bartholomew’s Church in Wesley Road, Armley this Saturday (12 September) from 12.15pm. The musical performance is part of a Creative Frame exhibition launch running in conjunction with Heritage Open Days events to be held at the church.
The exhibition runs for two weeks and features poetry, a photography display and films made by men from LS12 plus artwork from the West Leeds Men’s Art Group.
Weather permitting, there will also be a radio controlled car display outside on Saturday. The event and exhibition is free and open to all.
Jonathan Parker, founder and director of Creative Frame CIC told WLD: “Creative Frame are delighted to have an opportunity to showcase the amazing creative work carried out by men in the area.
“It is well documented that creative pursuits of all kinds can massively improve mood and offer an opportunity for long term sustainable mental health improvement. As an organisation that supports isolated men at risk of suicide it is vital that we continue to offer opportunities for men to come together and express themselves through creativity.
“We are honoured to have been chosen by St Bartholmew’s Church, as a prominent and historical venue in LS12, to host this work. Please make sure you get down early to watch the Man About Town Music Group. They are on a high after recent gigs supporting the Pride in Place consultation events in the area. We are all LS12!”
Rose Farrar, a freelance creative producer working with St Bartholomew’s, said “Heritage Open Days gives us an amazing opportunity to share our wonderful building with the local community, and this year is extra special as we showcase the positive impact arts and culture has for individuals and communities.
“It is inspiring to work with Creative Frame to host an exhibition recognising men’s mental health needs, challenges and aspirations. We are invested in creating creative partnerships, and are keen to hear from our local community about how we can help Armley and New Wortley residents thrive, and the role arts, heritage and culture can play.”
St Bartholomew’s will also be hosting Creative Conversations at 10am on Tuesday 15 September – a focus group session for locals to share their ideas for improvements that can be made using the new Pride in Place investment funding. This will be an interactive and creative session, with refreshments provided for those that book in.
Graham Barber, PCC secretary and organist at St Bartholomew’s Church, added that further events would be taking place: “On Saturday, 19 September our friendly pop-up WHAVe! choir (“With Heart and Voice”) which has been meeting at St Bart’s since May reaches a climax in a final day of rehearsals and presentations, including a workshop with internationally-renowned choral composer Bob Chilcott. Everyone is warmly invited to drop in at any time during the day to listen.”
For more details and an opportunity to take part and register for the Pride in Place and WHAVe! Choir events, click here.
Further information about Creative Frame CIC/Man About Town Music Group can be found here.
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