Derbyshire Open Arts

Derbyshire Open Arts got off to a slow start, due to the weather, however artists have almost all sold something and I have signed up 23 members; 14 today!
The weather has been atrocious and, as a result, Matlock Bath was almost empty yesterday (24th). It was bad this morning with considerable rainfall until about 11am. After that it cot steadily drier and by 3.30 the sun came out.
This year we have fewer exhibitors, but a better average quality. We have a potter, whose work can be seen on the left of the photo, and a number of artists. Pollyanna Pickering again put on a super display of pictures.
Thanks to all who are helping in the Café. Judy is training them all well!
Gregor

The Derbyshire Open Arts Café

Here is Judy with her merry band of helpers!
You can see Clare, with her "found penny", Pearl and Liz.
They have helped keep the café happy and productive on the first day.
The Weather has been atrocious! I only signed up 8 new members, which is a sign of how few people came through the door!
Gregor

Ashover Carnival

Carnival time is here again and so the Friends of the Grand Pavilion is here with the stall signing up members.

The Ashover Carnival is one of the best carnivals in the area.

Our stall is shown here behind the carnival procession .

We signed up 7 new members and got two renewals.

Gregor

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Welcoming Guests for A Night at the Opera

Here is Oliver Gerrish and Lynn Allison greeting guests arriving at the Night at the Opera. This will be one of our biggest events this year.
Gregor

Belinda Behind the Bar

Here is Belinda Heaney behind the bar at one of our events. Thanks to all of you who have helped so far. Those who have not yet come and helped, come and have fun! It is not hard work.
Gregor

A Night at the Opera - A Full House

We could have fitted a few more people, but not many! Here is the Grand Pavilion full of guests to listen to Meeta and Ollie after enjoying cava and canopies, provided as part of their ticket price.
The audience loved the evening and we really had a super night. I heard someone saying that it was rather like the "Lord Lieutenant's Ball"! Quite a complement for a building which is a "little bit scruffy".
Gregor

Here comes the Piano

This is the piano arriving at the Grand Pavilion for our Night at the Opera. It was quite a job getting it up the stairs, but we managed it quite quickly and got it onto the stage in no more than 20 minutes.
Gregor

Les gets his Overalls

Here is Les getting his Overalls for the Pavilion. He has do so much to help us to get the Pavilion to the position that it is now; open active and full of people!
Gregor

Theatres Trust Conference

This is the Leeds City Varieties Music Hall and the Theatres Trust Conference. It was extremely well attended and although the lunch was poor, as usual, the conference was informative and relevant. This time they concentrated on small theatres and there were lots of delegates from small venues like the Grand Pavilion.
The big "take home" for me was the need to get Grade 2 Listing for the Grand Pavilion. I hope that we can do this; which will help to get a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Gregor

Bon Jovi UK

Here are Bon Jovi UK at the Grand Pavilion. They had a great set and attracted an audience that made the Pavilion look full. We had a good night on the bars, which has meant that we made a profit from the event.
Gregor

Lucy Ward Plays

Lucy did a super set with lots of interesting takes on other artists' work, as well as her own compositions. There were two sets with an interval; quite a lot of work for one evening!
My favourite was their take of Dexy's Midnight Runners's "Come on Eileen".
Gregor

Lucy Ward

Here are punters queuing to get into our Lucy Ward event. We eventually had 200 at this seated event, which gives us a useful profit, once the bar and café takings are added.
Gregor

Mick in a Silly Hat!

This is Mick Hirstwood in my bowler hat! I wear it to the Steampunk events and have a lot of fun. This time I managed to get Mick to wear it and got this snap before he took it off.
Mick does a fantastic job ensuring that the electrical facilities in the building are safe.
Gregor

Our Brochure is Launched

This is the front page of our Brochure.
We have printed 10,000 copies of this 28 page brochure, so you should find one through your door or in your local pub or restaurant.
We have 30 events throughout the summer and autumn. There will be more so watch out website for details: www.thegrandpavilion.com.
Gregor

BB Blackdog at the Pavilion

No Steampunk event would be complete without BB Blackdog appearing in the Pavilion. Here they are with their new guitarist Molly.
Gregor