The Arts Café

The Arts Café set a-light last Friday night, revealing itself to be quite the firecracker, banging out creativity from every angle, and sparkling with an electric atmosphere.

The night began with an excited air, performers were sat relaxing- anxious to get on stage and waiting for their curtain call, whilst the spectators filed in one by one. The Core was decorated with different stalls; The Barefoot Games, Cornwall College, Green Peace, Falmouth Un

iversity, Plymouth College of Art, and many more. Alongside Paul McGowan's collection 'Precipice' from his project, 'Blockhead' gazing up at the entrance, DJ sets within the classrooms, Drummers, Three Graffiti areas, and placed accordingly at the heart of the building lies Centre Stage.

As half seven grew into place, Dizraeli and The Small Gods began on the stage, within preparation and expectation of guests. As the crowds blew in from the brisk, November wind the bar made it's first appearance- and the atmosphere grew with rapid speed and under a fizzling air.

The Night continued with Ministry of Song, who brought their own choir-acquired sound to currents and classics. An organised, lovely group of women who brought an enormous amount of team-spirit and helped to draw crowds from the exhibits above down to the main performance area.

In the mean time, The Barefoot Boutique held an animation/film activity for guests of The Arts Café, also with clay modelling for those of all ages, and a series of Graffiti activities around the building for those with hands-on creativity.

Continuing on: Jelly Jazz, who began with their own twist of popular, present chart-topping dance music. Putting a positive spin on current cool tracks, getting the crowd up and going to launch of the night. Following up on the note of DJs, Dante Gabriel, Penzance born DJ brought his mix to the tables, as he helped to unleash the night to the active, diverse rows of spectators below.

Throughout the night, there were many stands around The Core; including DJ's in a classroom- attracting those of a younger age- those who found him esteemed and very talented, and those who wanted somewhere more suited to their "cool" personalities. Either response was welcomed- and helped to make our resident performer more popular in the night.

There was truly no definite age range for the night, from youngsters of the age of ten, to perhaps those in their late 40's, there was a collective of people attending- all full of enthusiasm. I could easily pinpoint it as being the most out-of-the-ordinary, couldn't-have-had-any-idea, different event that I have ever been to.

Sadly, Kate Tempest and Sound of Rum could not attend for an unspecified reason- but the night went on, filling the audience with noises irregularly collaborated with one another. After the DJ's ended their sets, They were followed on by the Truro School of Samba, who brought half-naked ladies, dancing, drums, feathers and a more-than energetic persona to the centre-stage below. The audience began to join in, and as they brought more movement, the crowd began to join in joyously- men, women, children of all ages! Everyone had something to move to.

Dizraeli and The Small Gods then took the stage once more, accompanied by the Ministry of Song, apologising for the absence of Kate Tempest and The Sound of Rum and claiming to make the best of improvisation. The audience took their words seriously.

As the two groups began, they were also joined with guest MC's, who brought a flair of originality to the stage with the already-unpractised, and never rehearsed performance that the two acts reflected to the public. No-one was disappointed, and even the 'West Country' along with the 'Eden Project' got a mention from Dizraeli; who aimed to please everyone.

Everyone pleased the crowd, every exhibit, every activity, and every performance grew within the atmosphere at The Eden Project. Nothing failed to work and as a whole, everyone came out of the event with a smile on their face (even if they were slightly tired). No-where else in Cornwall would place an event like this in front of your eyes, and no-where else would showcase it with such a brilliant bang!

The Arts Café is set to fly into the skies, so make sure your a part of the next event!

Christmas Capers, 3rd of December 2010

Photography by Zara Farr