A new documentary about Newcastle's DIY venue Cobalt Studios. To the dancersis now on sale.
The film is available to rent and will be screened at the Beeston Film Festival on April 27th.
According to a press release from director Susie Davis: To the dancers Exploring the “universal power of music and dance to protect and transform communities” through the story of Cobalt Studio, where “the local queer scene and its queens party late into the night” and rising stars “glamour the stage” do.
The 24-minute film details the struggles of independent venues against the backdrop of Brexit, rising costs and gentrification, and describes Cobalt Studios as a space with “unparalleled hospitality and an enchanting atmosphere”. It is praised as a unique venue.
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Davies previously directed a documentary about Newcastle's 90s free party scene. kick, snare, hat, clap This is the story of how ravers transformed a post-industrial space into a party haven.
This was made clear in a statement sent by the director. Mix mug: ”To the dancers This is a story about a small music venue in my city, but it's relevant to music scenes around the world. ”
Shedding light on the founder's wavering dedication to the venue, working 70-hour weeks, Mark, Kate and son Jacob, documentary interviews and participants, performers and organizers diving into a “chaotic and colorful world of cobalt” I'm guessing.
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“Against a backdrop of deindustrialization, gentrification, and a life without money, artists are finding ways to take up space, celebrate, challenge, and make noise,” Davis added.
Described in the trailer as a “rare gem” of venues, Cobalt Studios has a history as a creative studio dating back to 1999, before first taking shape as a DIY space in 2015.
Since then, this nonprofit, multifaceted space has hosted artists of all kinds, including music, exhibitions, and workshops.
In an article about Newcastle's thriving DIY scene, Cobalt Studio co-owner Kate Hodgkinson said: mix mug“Newcastle City Council often doesn’t understand the cultural value of the nighttime economy here…We need them to understand the value of DIY venues.”
Check out the trailer for To the dancers See below and rent the full movie here.
Click here for more information on the documentary.
Belle Richardson is a digital intern at Mixmag.follow her twitter