The week long festival has plenty of activities for the whole family...
Nottingham’s festival of music and the moving image returns, bringing with it an exhilarating line-up of events across the city. A vast world of film, gaming and video like you’ve never seen before will be revealed between Monday 11 - Sunday 17 of March. The festival is supported using public funds by Arts Council England.
A variety of venues will host the festival, including Lakeside Arts and Broadway Cinema, as well as the brand spanking new venue Metronome. From intergalactic boogies and Beethoven to classic video game arrangements, you are sure to be enthralled by a majestic world of sound and moving image. Acts such as the Hallé Orchestra, BBC film critic Mark Kermode, The Dodge Brothers, BBC Philharmonic, Able Orchestra and Blake 'Protodome' Troise. The seemingly endless array of things to do and see include film screenings with live accompaniment, free fringe events, and participatory activities, including the opportunity for families to create a new film score for a classic silent film.
Neil Bennison, Music Programme Manager at the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, said: “Nottingham is well-known particularly for its musical and visual culture, so it’s exciting to be able to bring these together in Soundstage. From Disney’s Fantasia to the Killer Bees turning Sci-Fi scores upside down in the Festival Fringe, there really is something for everyone.”
Five events to check out:
Able Orchestra and Soundtrack Ensemble
When? Sunday 12 March, 6.30pm
Where? Metronome
What? A real-time composition performance where no one knows what might happen... including the orchestra! Able orchestra is a project based around enabling people to create music regardless of their physical dexterity or musical experience, using laptops and ipads to create music which can be played alongside orchestral performances.
How much? Free
More info
Sound Stage Festival Quiz
When? Thursday 14 March, 8.45pm
Where? Broadway
What? Think you know your stuff when it comes to movie music? Come and test out your knowledge in this Fantasy film and game quiz which explores the depth of the genre. Enjoy an hour and a half of competitive fun alongside likeminded people.
How much? Free
More info
Soumik Datta - Kings of Ghosts
When? Friday 15 March, 7.30pm
Where? Royal Concert Hall
What? Come and be absorbed into a world of Indian film as sarod star Soumik Datta and City of London Sinfonia perform a double bill of music for Indian film. The first half of this double bill, Around India with a Movie Camera includes some of the earliest footage from India, along with home movies and archived newsreels from British, French and American movie makers. Just to top it off, the concert also includes a live original soundtrack which features musicians such as pianist Al McSween and percussionist Cormac Byrne.
How much? £13.50 - £17.50
More info
Pixelheads: Soundstage Saturday
When? Saturday 16March, 1.30pm
Where? National Videogame Museum
What? An afternoon of videogame music composition for seven to fourteen year-olds. Come along for drop-in activities from 1.30-4pm, followed by the Become an Algoraver workshop from 2pm-3pm, and the Join the Electronic Orchestra workshop between 3pm-4pm. Use the inspiration you’ve gathered from the festival so far to bring your dreams alive.
How much? Free
More info
The Dodge Brothers
When? Sunday 17th of March, 8pm – 12am
Where? Metronome
What? Mark Kermode (yes the very same Mark Kermode that reviews films for the BBC!) plays a St Patrick’s Day gig with his band in Metronome. The Dodge Brothers play skiffle-and-blues music with influences from jug-band blues and early rock’n’roll.
How much? £10 - £15
More info
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