BradfordAlternative Media/Event/Publishing Summit
Published:
December 02, 2009 22:06
by
Some Hack
Neighbourhoods: treehouse_cafe
Published by group:
Claptrap Zine
A meeting concerning the future of "alternative" media, events and publishing took place today (2nd December) at the Treehouse Cafe, part of the Bradford Centre for Non-Violence.
A meeting concerning the future of "alternative" media, events and publishing took place today (2nd December) at the Treehouse Cafe, part of the Bradford Centre for Non-Violence.
Prominent members of the Bradford "alternative event scene" were there, as well as some knowledgeable persons from Northern Indymedia.
The focus was on taking a fresh look at old projects such as the (in)famous Claptrap zine, as well as discussion around new opportunities, such as a proposed online Zine Library.
The content of forthcoming Beep! Fanzine was also on the cards, as Bradford Council have awarded them a handsome sum of money to cover printing costs.
Interesting propositions included the intended metamorphosis of Claptrap into a listings Zine, as there was a general feeling at the meeting that venues, promoters and events in Bradford too often struggle alone with little or no communication between them. It is hoped that solidarity between these people will increase the benefit for all.
It was suggested that most of the "content and talent" from Claptrap will be transferred into the Beep! format, the latter magazine in the main probably consisting of arts/music/musings. However, a high edict from elders of Council Funding declared "swears" a no go in Beep! , but members of the Claptrap collective eased the pain with the promise of twice the amount of Effing and Blinding as before in their publication. Claptrap will probably also still contain a few quirky articles and "cheeky" titbits of news as necessity and creativity dictates.
Huge enthusiasm was shown for the idea of an online zine library, which seems to contain the scope and potential to work on a global scale. It is still in an embyronic stage where practicalities have yet to be chewed over, however, such exciting ideas as ethical, on demand printing that will be linked to this service seem to suggest that the creativity and cooperation will win over any problems it might encounter.
Various musical opportunities were discussed, including the idea of "Carousel Gigs": a regular, monthly event that switches venues each time. The notion of staging events at "The Mill" in Bradford was also entertained, with the potential to have "all-dayers" on all three floors.
Both ideas were met with extreme enthusiasm.
The formidable Northern Indymedia will hopefully act as keystone and communication tool for these events and if you're interested in any future meetings or discussions concerning the above, please remember to check Northern Indy Media regularly.
Additions
The Mill
Published: December 11, 2009 14:22
by
Jen Claptrap
I have heard so many rumours about The Mill. I think what may have happened is that the events are the last ever of that particular night, not the last ever event to be held at The Mill.
Let's hope there's lot's more!
Future of Zines in Bradford!
Published: December 11, 2009 14:23
by
Claptrap
Ey up!
I'm writing to you all out of a necessity.
There are so many bubbles of energy and action in Bradford, groups of people doing incredible, creative things... and yet there is nothing linking them all together. No one place people can read about the myriad of brilliant things that people in Bradford are doing out of our own volition.
We called a meeting of Zine and DIY Publishing people, contributors to stuff like Claptrap, Beep!, Mono and Wild West Yorkshire and decided to try and put this right.
So we will be working together to bring two Zines to Bradford in the new year, both have been around for a little while in some guise, but both will be changing into something far more vital and useful.
Claptrap will be handling listings, political activism, DIY events and the like. It will be coming out every month in a cheap and cheerful black and white, A5 DIY style. Beep! Has managed to secure some council funding to do print runs of a glossier, full colour kind. It will be more concerned with interviews, features, reviews and everything else in between.
On the month that they are both released, Claptrap will come as an inlay to Beep! And they will be distributed together.
We in the Claptrap Collective are also changing the concept of the Zine to be more like a DIY 'Seal of Aproval', applicable to all gigs, events, releases, bands, zines and concepts that are committed to – Non-for-personal profit – supporting local acts – independent – community minded – would otherwise find it difficult to promote their events on a wide scale.
We're currently working on a kind of 'constitution' to articulate this better. Please do get involved.
This is all going to be linked in with the fantastic Northern Indymedia who will be- 1. Hosting a new Claptrap site, which will be very easy to upload things onto as they are sorted out. 2. Starting an online Zine library to store DIY publishing in one place and allow people to access and distribute it freely.
One thing that is vital to this project is- YOU! But that's obvious... to be more precise- We are looking for individuals from every single one of these 'bubbles' to be our 'informants' on everything that is happening in that particular space. These 'Community Updates' will be a key part of the new Claptrap, both in terms of events and news (lets face it... the T and A isn't really fighting our corner).
These spaces will then double up as distribution points for the new zine. Everyone wins.
All you musical types, we need your tips and current favorites for a monthly 'Musical Map'. All genres, all ages, just a big monthly roundup of what people are listening to in Bradford.
So please think about getting involved with this, it has the potential to really collate the vibrant, but disparate, brilliance that we all know this city is full of. Individually, it wont take too much of your valued time or energy, but once it's all put together it should be really fucking powerful.
Claptrap Collective
x
claptrap.bradford@gmail.com
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Thought The Mill Has Closed
Thought last Saturday's parlez was the last ever event at The Mill.
Has somebody else taken it over, or is it going to stay open after all??????
I've heard rumours and yet more rumours from sources but they have not been confirmed