And a happy New Year to all our friends.  As we rush headlong into another year, it’s always a good time to take stock, to reflect on the year before and how we build on our successes, and learn from our mistakes.  2009 was a landmark year for us, starting with one great project, and ending on another.  This time last year, (2009 is already the past), we were putting the finishing touches to ‘I-land life’, installing our demi-boat into the Edge and working with the young people on the performance.  We moved on to developing our Echoes from the Edge partnership with US artist Shannon Flattery, which was a great success, both because we made a really great piece of work together, but also because we learned a lot about working in a new way.  Autumn saw our residency in South Africa, another great project and a learning curve like the north face of the Eiger, which we successfully conquered.  In between we developed a number of smaller scale projects, interventions and performances, regular ‘Happy Artist’ social clubs at the Edge, and a very successful community arts apprenticeship scheme through Creative Alliance.

Here’s the postcards we made during our residency in Johannesburg – available at £3.50 a pack of five + P+P (all proceeds to George Khosi’s Boxing Club in Hillbrow, Johannesburg

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A busy year, for a change, but a good one.

So, what’s in store for 2010?  We’re developing the next stage of our heritage project, continuing to map and archive oral histories in the areas of Digbeth, Deritend and Highgate, surrounding ‘HQ’, including undergoing formal oral history training – we’re interested in other, local people getting involved, so if you would like free training in the recording and archiving of oral histories, and would be prepared to volunteer some time in return, please contact us for further information.

We’re further developing the Edge as a venue, and have now put a steering group together and are currently seeking support and resources to enable a full programme of work to emerge.  In March we are hosting Jonathan Kay and the Nomadic Academy of Fools who will be producing performances at the Edge, of their Richard II adaptation, as well as some of Mr Kays incredible, interactive performances.  If you have ever experienced any of Jonathan’s work (he ‘does’ a mega show at Glastonbury every year), you’ll make sure you attend at least one of the shows (they’re all different and worth going again and again).  As well as  the shows, the Academy will be holding a number of workshops – having attended workshops with Jonathan years ago, the techniques and approaches he taught still very much come out in our work – I urge anyone interested in performance and improvisation to attend.  Entrance to shows and workshop fees are by donation, but worth digging deep and spending big for, you are unlikely to feel ripped off whatever you pay!  So as you can see, we like the fools and are very pleased to be hosting them. If you would like further information go to the Fool’s site and contact them directly.

Later in the year we’ll be announcing further projects, workshops and events at the Edge – as well as the new website where you’ll be able to keep up with all Edge-related shenanigans.  We’ll be announcing more international adventures later in the year, starting in the Spring with a visit to Bulgaria including the Goat Milk Festival and another residency further afield in the Autumn, watch this space for further details.

Finally I’d just like to thank all the people who helped make 2009 such a momentous year for us, and wish them everything they wish for themselves in 2010 – in no particular order: Bev, Mark, Nicky, Nicola, Mitra, Sanj, Babis, Harry, Si, Ben, Rachel, Shannon, Anthea, Kyla, Zara, John, Noel, Shan, Magogo, Rhonda, Rob, Lester, Thomas and everyone we’ve worked with, played with, eaten with and hung out with during the year, thank you for being you, and, in the words of Ken Campbell, Skyward Ho!