Day 347: Anima Circus and company...

Tonight I have been to a charity concert at Uni and it was brilliant. It's funny, you spend three whole years studying at a place and have no idea what kind of talent is in a couple of buildings down. There were choirs, performances on french horn, saxophone and even a bassoon. They were fantastic. Then to add to the classical flavour, there was a few tracks from a jazz/scar band called Anima Cricus who were AMAZING! I mean, these people have been right under my nose with so much talent and creativity! I didn't even know.

I had a great evening, but there's a part of me that came away sad. Sad that I'm leaving that creative place in a month and sad that I didn't go to more concerts, plays and events that could have given so much inspiration. It's good to share in other people's creativity.

So what I'm saying is, don't miss out. What's going on at your school/college/town? Be inspired by what's under your nose, before it's too late...

Day 343: McVitie's Hobnob Medley

Now this is what I call creative advertising. It makes me want to rush out in my dressing gown, slippers and wet hair to buy some right now!

I won't.

But the principle is there.

Day 341: Doctor What

This is what I'm talking about people. Using what you like as inspiration for creativity. I know I alllllways go on about Charlie, but I just think he's so cool. Check this his video below and be inspired!

Day 338: Ryan Woodward

Here is a Animation by Ryan Woodward. Just watch it and follow it's emotive story.



Music, dance, animation, art, all in one video.

What does it inspire you to create?

Day 328: Boating with Jamie Cullum

Okay, so I didn't actually go boating with Jamie Cullum, but I did see him and go boating on the same day. Not just any day, my birthday.

Here are the creative highlights of my 24th birthday. Firstly, I took a turn at rowing down the Avon River. I have to say, I wasn't too bad at it, (although I'm rubbish at steering. I kept getting distracted by cute duckings swimming beside us!) but it took me a while to get the hang of rowing, so I made up a little song to help me keep rhythm. The lyrics are the following:





Up and along and down and through x3
Through the river we glide.

Up and along, down and through x3
Through the river we glide.

To be honest, the lyrics don't do it justice, but it shows purposeful creativity nonetheless!

Second highlight is the Silver Ring Choir. We went to see them in concert, celebrating their 60th Anniversary. They were stunning. Apparently they've toured the whole world, Paris, Canada, New Zealand...all over! The best song (in my opinion) was their rendition of, 'Sing a song of sixpence'. It made me cry a little bit, it was so incredibly creative and melodic.



The main highlight has to of course be Jamie Cullum, who played after the choir.

Believe it or not, this picture is actually Jamie. Can I get away with calling it creative exposure??

He.
Is.
Incredible.

I mean, I can't even do him justice through these words. He has so much energy, I don't know how else it could be released but through creativity itself (shown brilliantly by my amateur photography skills). At one point he was playing the piano, drumming on it's top, singing and beat boxing all at the same time. I was literally gob-smacked! He sang, 'What a difference a day makes' too and I was transported to another place, it was so peaceful and calm. Amazing.

A brilliant birthday. I wish every day we like that!

Day 322: Ray Charles

Today's post is dedicated to a musical legend. Not just any musical legend, a jazz legend. Let your ears sail along with Ray Charles...

Day 305: California Gurls by Katy Perry

Because it's real sunny at the moment, every morning I wake up, head up to the bathroom and the hall is filled with sunshine, which just makes me feel great! Everyone loves the sunshine.

Immediately Katy Perry kicks into my head with, 'California gurls, we're unforgettable...' It's such a sunny song which has been stuck in my head since the beginning of spring. I sing it in the shower, brushing my hair, preparing my breakfast...sunshine does strange and wonderful things to a person.

So, as I sat down to my computer in my summer dress, ready to write, guess what was going round my head? It was like it wanted to be written about today. BUT, when I watched the video, I was gutted. I mean, why wasn't it the same as the one I play in my head when I sing it? Doesn't Katy Perry know the version that runs in my head? Her one isn't even about California. At least in my version there are sun-filled beaches with girls roaming around on roller skates, eating ice cream, But, no! In Katy Perry's it's all about candy and clouds and nakedness! What has that got to do with anything??

As you can probably tell, I was a little disappointed with what I found. Her creative ideas are clearly different from mine, which is fine, I guess. If we were all the same, then life would be pretty boring.

I hope I'm not the only one that does this: come up with their own version of music videos in their heads. My brain is obviously on creativity overload!

Day 303: Cliff Yates

The other day I was lucky enough to take part in two sessions lead by the poet, Cliff Yates. One of them was for ten year olds and the other was for teachers, so I pretty much got the best of both worlds!

He's always written poetry, but for 31 years he was also an English teacher, so he has lost of experience working with children, teenagers and teachers.

During his session he passed on some great words of wisdom which I scribbled down to share with you. The most intriguing for creative folk like us is this nugget:

Moments of waiting are always interesting.

Many moons ago, I wrote about this very subject on Day 77. Waiting. When you are sitting with a blank canvas piece of paper, sheet music, dance floor in front of you to fill, there is a time when you wait for your brain to work out what to do with it. After a question has been asked and the class wait for someone to answer. You know most people are thinking of an answer. Think of all those ideas that stay silent because only one is told. What could you do with all those other answers...?

Don't be afraid of waiting. It's useful. It's thinking time. Thinking often produces creativity, so it's all good! If you have an idea, why not wait for another. It might be better!

What are you waiting for?

Day 301: Adele breaks records

Yes, indeedy, Adele has reached ten consecutive weeks at the top of the album chart for her second album, simply called 21. She's beaten Madonna who held the record for nine weeks at the top with The Immaculate Conception in 1990. You know you've doing something right when you're beating the pop queen herself in the album chart, right!

But, it's not just the UK chart she's topping. Over in the US they love her too.

Amazing. A proper English rose, doing her stuff, breaking records. Her voice is so beautiful and deserved to be heard. She's an inspiration to all us creative ladies!

Here's her performance at the Brits Awards this year. I well up just watching this. It must have been incredible to be there. My invite unfortunately got lost in the mail...

Day 296: Feeder, 'Side by Side'

Feeder. You remember them, right? The good old days of, 'I think we're gonna make it...yeah.' Last summer these guys came to my Uni's to perform at our summer ball and now they've made a record to help out with the rescue efforts in Japan. Funny how things come and go in little loops in your life, isn't it?

They've bought out a single you can download from their website or itunes. Here's the video, just to give you a flavour.



Please buy this single for just 79p and make a difference.

Day 288: Rhianna, U2 and Justin Bieber sing to help Japan

These three musical phenomenons are just some of the artists clubbing together to make a digital album to raise money for those struggling in the Japan tragedy.

Big music label, Universal Music are putting it together and hope to have it out for the world to purchase by the end of the week, so keep your eyes peeled.

What a great way to use your creativity to help others. It got me thinking; what could us creative thinkers do to help?

Obviously these artists have fame on their side. If I made an album to help Japan, I don't think it would be as successful, but the point is, we are all creative and if we did our bit, then it will definitely help, even if only a little bit. 

What are you good at? What are your friends good at? Could you club together to make a difference? Think about other people/organisations you could include. Maybe your school/college/work?

What better way to put your creativity to good use than help support those struggling across the world? Put your creative thinking caps on folks and let's see how we can help.

Day 287: David Bowie

Ever wandered how massive stars like david Bowie made it to the top?

Well, now's your chance to find out. The BBC have got a 6 part radio series on the life and works of David Bowie, starting with how it all began. To catch the first one click here.

Will Mr Bowie inspire you today?

Day 282: The Pet Shop Boys' Ballet

How many creative influences can you fit into a brand new ballet show?

'The Most Incredible Thing' is the latest contemporary ballet to hit the stage at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London this month. Pop sensation, the Pet Shop Boys, who brought the world 'Always On My Mind' and 'West End Girls' have collaborated with dance choreographer, Javier De Frutos to create a brand new ballet based on a short story by Hans Christian Anderson (who wrote The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling).

It's amazing how many people have used Hans Christian Anderson as inspiration for their creative projects. He's been dead for over 130 years now, yet people are still in love with his timeless tales. What does that say about the power of stories? People are always searching for good ones.

Even the Pet Shop Boys have been mesmerized by his tales. Moving away from pop into the elegant world of ballet, this is sure to be one to watch. Check out the Sadler's Wells Website for more info. For those of you who can't wait, I managed to find this for you, just a sneak peek. Enjoy...

Day 258: The Sound of Space Music

I don't know about you, but sometimes it blows my mind to think about things outside our world. Even imagining what life must be like in other countries is difficult, but thinking outside of our solar system, well, my thoughts never go there. That was until today!

I found out that over the past three decades astronomers (people who study space) have been listening the the sounds of stars. Even our sun makes noises similar to a bass amp. They kind of vibrate, making sound waves that we have been able to pick up with all our amazing technology. Isn't that incredible! Even the stars in the sky create music.

I mean, this takes creativity to a whole new level for me! What do creative thinkers like us do with this information? We've all seen swirly pictures like the one above and thought how beautiful space can be, right? But to think that things outside our own existence make music too...well, like I say, it blows my mind.

Creativity really is everywhere!

Day 257: Adele on a Saturday morning

This morning I have been doing a spot of knitting (for one of my sisters, but sshh, don't tell her!) and listening to the lovely, Adele.

She's got such a soulful voice and it make me feel calm, you know, like it's ok that I'm spending the morning knitting instead of getting on with uni work! Jamie Cullum is another one of those who has this affect on me. I listen to them and enjoy their melodies and push on with my own creative works, whilst they get on with theirs.

Like I've said many times over the last 257 days, creativity feeds creativity. It all works together to help each other along...

What helps you to be creative? What do you enjoy listening to, watching, doing...? Add a bit of creativity to you Saturday afternoon and see where it takes you...

Day 233: Oscar Nominations 2011

It's official, the nominations for the Ocsars 2011 are here!

I love this time of year. There's loads of interesting films coming out rather than just big Hollywood blockbusters and everyone's talking films!

The film industry is such a big creative machine. Just think about all the different ways you can be involved in a movie; acting, film editing, music, storyboarding, set design, costume design, animation, make up, filming, directing, script writing...the list goes on.

Even the watching of it can be a creative experience. Thinking about how it all came together or getting sucked into the character's world.

The fact that it's celebrated through different award ceremonies all over the world shows how much it's affects our cultures. So much creativity...I can hardly hold it all in my head!

So, anyway, predictions anyone...?

Day 214: Jessie J

Jessie J, who's Jessie J?

Well, she's the winner of, BBC Sound of 2011. As far as the BBC are concerned, she's gonna be big in Music this year.

So, what's she done?

She's been writing music for ages. Songs sung by Alisha Keys, Miley Cyrus and even Justin Timberlake were written by her, so she's been behind the scenes for a while and she's only 22! Now she's writing songs for herself. What an inspiration! She's someone who's made her way up the ladder of the music industry. Check out this video to see her performing her new song, Price Tag.

To find out about other winners and artists involved in the BBC Sound of 2011 awards, click here.

Day 194: The Little Mermaid

Sometimes you just have to treat yourself. What do you do when you need a rest, a boost of energy before something big's gonna happen?

I tend to revert back to my childhood; I watch The Little Mermaid.

Yep, it's my favourite Disney film and always will be. I pretty much know all the words and I'm not ashamed to admit it. So, the other day, I climbed into bed with some chocolate and my knitting and watched The Little Mermaid, singing along to the songs and laughing at Sebastian and Scuttle. Good times.

It's a wonderfully creative animation. I love the story, the colours, the music, the characters, the songs...Everything about it is gorgeous. And, I get to be creative in my own way by knitting while I watch. (I know it so well, I don't really need to look at the screen anymore. In fact, if I just sat here right now I could probably play the whole thing out in my head, songs and all. Who needs technology, eh!)

So, for your delight, here's a clip. It's my favourite bit (along with the rest of the film!) Sing along...

Day 183: Can you meet me halfway?

Do you realise that today is exactly halfway through my blog challenge. I have given you half a year of creative inspiration, people! Now if that's not cause for celebration, I don't know what is. (Well, I can think of a few like Christmas or New Years...) I'd like to pause here to say, thank you for coming along for the ride.

What other halfway points could I use to inspire you...? Well there's Black Eyed Peas' halfway song...yep, you've all met me halfway, so thanks for that. (It's a pretty creative video actually, so I think it deserves a mention.)

Or, what about this...See this glass:

Is it half full or half empty? What do you think? As it's halfway-day, leave a comment, 'half full' or 'half empty.' Then let's see what creative things we can do with it all.

Up for it...?

Day 180: Blue

Today I want you guys to think about the colour blue.

Ask 5 people what the blue means to them. Then, do something create with that information. Art, Dance, Music, Drama, Writing, Animation...

I can be your first person: For me blue reminds me of my dad. It's always been his favourite colour and his clothes are never anything other than blue. He literally won't be seen without it.

Now it's up to you to do with that info what you want, as long as it's creative. Find four others and see where it takes you. Let me know what you come up with...

Whatever you do, start it with blue.