Fire gathering and stuff - 2 March 2010 (still postponed)

[Clare]

Hello one and all

Many thanks to everyone who wrote with sympathies and support about the fire gathering last mailout - I very much appreciated your thoughts

(and I will get back to all of you... it's just that after the juggling convention I caught that sinusy cold that's going around, so was a bit ill for a few days... getting back into things again today though )

Anyways... thanks so much to everyone who came to the juggling convention shows - they went really well and I was very happy. Thanks to all the performers/volunteers who generously gave their time (and to Will, for not killing me during my stressed out fits and making all the lovely food ). If anyone has pics/film... please send them along (especially of the fire show!)

Righto.... I've continued to be in touch with the council about the fire gatherings. I have spent hours on the phone, answered numerous questions and sent through my insurance and risk assessment. It looks like it's coming down to an issue of insurance... ("we'd obviously love for this to continue, but it has to be insured"). Of course, it will be a nightmare to get this thing insured.... or at least, unfeasibly expensive.

I've already been in touch with my insurance company, and am waiting to hear back... but they aren't hopeful for such a broad event. Maybe the council could fund the insurance, I don't know...? Cross your fingers for me!

The plan of action is to wait to hear back from both council and broker... if I still get a no, then I will start the petitions, protests and 'inside persuasion' (there's a couple of people in the council on our side ). Please keep the support strong, and don't let this event get buried under red tape. Keep 'er Lit, and suchlike

Best wishes everyone, and thanks again,
love and hugs
Clare xx

Stuff:

Much good stuff happening in the next few weeks and months! Sorry all the links are to Facebook things... but it seems to be the best way to advertise events these days

* NewMoon Showcase: Happening this Saturday night in the Spring and Airbrake. More info here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=485482210493

* Bentley Rhythm Ace: Blast from the past Also happening this Saturday at Laverys... More info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=301471245324

* Outside IN: Circus shows at the circus space this Sunday... Tis the Magilligans this week, I think... http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=360696387243

* Big Freeze: Fearon's Big Freeze event happens next Saturday (March 13). Get ready to stand still! check out the page here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=315027228124&ref=mf

* Drum Circle: Joe Loughlin is holding a drum circle on Saturday 13 at the Yamaha school of music in Holywood. It says here that it's at 7am... but I'm pretty sure that's wrong Keep checking here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=331687424505

* Mother's Day: Tis Mother's Day on March 14... just a helpful reminder to do something nice

* St Patrick's Day: We're avoiding the Holyland riots this year... and taking part in the Bray parade instead Hurrah! Have yourselves a great party (just avoid Belfast )

* Mumford and Sons: This gig might be sold out... but I quite like them, so just in case it isn't... Mumford and Sons are playing in Belfast on March 20 in the Mandela... http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=185656162507

* Clothes Swap: There's going to be a clothes swap, part of the V-Day event, raising money for women in conflict zones around the world. Support it if you can! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=350343090228

* Drum 4 Haiti: Joe Loughlin from Gathering Drum is holding a drum circle for the people of Haiti in Belfast on March 28... keep on supporting this cause, because they can't afford for us to stop... Sign up here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=318926404121

* Palookaville: The newest cool place to go in Belfast... Palookaville happens in the Oh Yeah centre once a month or so... More info here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=317204857270

* DJ Yoda: Plays the Spring and Airbrake on April 5. More info here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=317337981385

* Dublin Circus Convention: Happens in Dublin on April 23-25. This should be a great convention, with loads of cool things. More info here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10150100164555263

* Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip: In the Mandela Hall on April 27. I would have Loved to go to this... but have to be elsewhere with my dad. GO SEE IT, if you can http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=249191965955

* New Crescent Term: The new term in the revamped Crescent building starts on May 10, with enrolment on May 4... There's been loads of people asking about poi class in the last couple of weeks... so please spread the word!!

* Phoenix Juggling Convention: Happening in Tullamore from May 7-9. I'll (hopefully) be taking our convention fire show down... should be fun More info here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=297479834318

* Vantastival: Van-based festival in Louth... happening the first weekend of May. More info here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=237751148033

* Knockengorrach: Apparently, one of the best little festivals in the UK... I'd love to go someday! If you fancy a trip to the Scotland at the end of May, more info here:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=202738162926

* Rathlin: Unconfirmed rumours suggest that the Rathlin Jigs and Rigs festival may be back this year. Absolute no guarantee on this though, so don't get too excited If it was to come back, it would probably need to have a couple of hugely successful fundraisers to make it happen, with loads of enthusiastic volunteers... I'd have thought... and maybe one of those fundraisers might be on July 3 at the Black Box. But, you never can tell with these things...

*Glasgowbury: Is back on July 24&25... in Draperstown. More info here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=323399283615

* Wilco: (Finally, loads of things on!!) But I heard Wilco are headlining the Open House Festival this year... this will probably sell out, so get your tickets soon! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=368933365585