Trying to keep the staff at Royal Mail amused...

I couldn't resist it...

Books NI.Biz

Hi Reader,
It's been a while and I'm sorry I haven't been blogging here much lately. I've started another blog and nearly forgot about this one. The new blog was started after I'd been asked to speak at a networking event for book publishers in Northern Ireland,which I didn't do. I'm that shy and retiring and feel comfortable hiding behind a big blog-wall. I'd also noticed more and more press releases and invites to numerous events in my inbox from book publishers. To add to this it seemed to me there was a gap that wasn't being filled, interesting information about books and authors from N.I. that could be shared. So I started http://www.BooksNI.Biz and have already blogged about...

• Gaylit in the North West. - 02 March 2010
• Bob on BlogTalkRadio talking about Werewolves, Shapeshifters, Lycanthropes, and Man-Beasts. - 28 February 2010
• Don’t fear the Reader - 25 February 2010

I've also added The Shop @ Books NI where you can buy books written by Northern Irish authors and buy books about Northern Ireland.There's also sections in the shop devoted to books from Guildhall Press, Blackstaff Press and Appletree Press.
I hope to be back blogging here again soon.

Yours,
d_a_v_e_

Ask Avalard

No it's not a new TV show, or not yet. It's from formspring.me....

Send and receive anonymous questions, and learn more about people you
find interesting by following their answers.

Answering  questions regularly over the last week has been Mr Robert J.E. Simpson from Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Questions about reincarnation, which I reckon was a doomed failure from the start. Questions abound about Hammer films on which he is an expert. He was also asked...

Why should people ask you questions?

They don't have to. Free will exists and the option is there.

But quite a few people have questions they like to ask me at events, in
gatherings, and so on, and this is an opportunity to do so. If they want
to talk about Hammer and/or my research then I'll talk about it here.

If they want to know more about me (not that I assume anyone does), then
I can deal with that too - and they have the luxury of keeping identity
secret (some people don't like asking questions and being identified).

Ask the right question and I might be entertaining. Or interesting. Or
just different. Or none of the above.

So far I've taken it quite seriously. One day I'll snap.

I hope he continues on what I reckon might end up as an alternative to blogging. I also hope more people join up formspring.me especially local celebs and politicians.If you've got a question to Ask Avalard you can do it here.

Drama on dealing with the past

via studio-ni@yahoogroups.com
Tender for a Drama on Dealing with the Past

TENDER BEGINS

CALL FOR TENDERS

Healing Through Remembering Resource - Drama on dealing with the past  

Status:                          Task specific contract

Location:                     Northern Ireland and Border Region

Closing date:              Monday 1^st March 12 noon

Duration:                     Phase 1 by 25^th March; Phase 2 by 30^th April 2010

Fee:                               Inclusive fee £5,000

Project background

Healing Through Remembering (HTR) requires the services of an appropriately skilled playwright to produce a script on the issue of dealing with the past relating to the conflict.

The appointee will work under the instruction of the Healing Through Remembering Board, liaising with the organisation director.

Criteria

The successful candidate should have a minimum of three years' demonstrable skills and experience in playwriting for production.  They must have a minimum of three years experience in using the arts to deal with the past, a working knowledge of community facilitation and an acute awareness of the ethics inherent in presenting community narratives.  In addition, the successful candidate should indicate an understanding of the work of HTR and how the set deadlines can be met successfully.  

Specification

The final script must be capable of performance in its entirety in a variety of community settings.  Excerpts from it must be able to be used in isolation at other types of events (e.g. conferences, etc).  The proposal must represent value for money and be appropriate to the needs of HTR

Project activity

The successful candidate will produce a drama for use as a resource in the work of Healing Through Remembering.

Specifically this will include:

• Concept development in line with HTR requirements (Phase 1)
  - to stimulate debate

- engage with HTR's diverse membership
- deal sensitively and effectively with the divisive issues involved

• Liaison with individuals, organisations and groups as identified by HTR - including HTR Sub Groups and Kabosh Theatre Company (Phase 1)
• Production of final script (Phase 2)
• Participation in promotional activities
• Maintaining an effective record of work undertaken and feedback of all relevant information to HTR

Application Process

Tenders, marked `Drama', should be sent to HTR (email, post or fax) marked for attention of Claire (claire@healingthroughremembering.org)

They must include the following:

a)         experience and interest in this area in relation to the Criteria above

b)         an outline of your approach to this piece of work, taking note of the Specification above .

Those tenders that best meet the Criteria listed above will be shortlisted.

Following shortlisting, appointment will be made on the basis of the outline of approach.

Tenders must be received by 12 noon Monday 1^st March 2010.

Receipt of submission may be confirmed by telephone: 028 90238844

All correspondence for this tender to:

Alexander House, 17a Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, BT2 8HD

or

By fax to 028 90239944

or

By e-mail to claire@healingthroughremembering.org

A project supported by PEACE III Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the Community Relations Council/Pobal Consortium.

TENDER ENDS