The Ball is rolling…

Saturday 2nd August was the Stoke Sounds launch event @ Burslem Park, and my first official outing as Creative Republic.

Ruth picked up a folding table from her mum’s – thanks Pauline! Then Ruth, Shakira and I headed to the shop to pick up clipboards and pens.

We arrived at around 11.30 to set up our stall, I called Melodie and she came over to me and we just needed to wait for our stall to be put up…this was more complicated than you might think! The tent was laid out on the grass and they were short of parts, I asked at 12.15 when did they go to get the other pieces? ‘The response was, they haven’t…I need to go and get them.’

People were beginning to arrive and when the guy came back it was all hands on deck to put up the tent. I was sharing with Sarah or Gig Junkie and once the tent was up we moved our table and pop-up in. Well…the pop-up wouldn’t fit under so we positioned it just outside and attached it to the tent.

Once we were set up I seized the chance to sign up all the stall holders, musicians, organisers and any others working in some sort of capacity. It was a really great day and a lot of acts played both the main and acoustic and the park was buzzing with people of all ages, and apart from a stray gazebo it all went without any glitches.

You can find some reviews and press at Stoke Sounds, Radical Press, The Sentinel, and Upstart.

Anyway…scores on the doors – I managed to collect 38 signatories, 35 of which had all the email addresses on them! Personally, I am very pleased and hopefully we raised the profile of Creative Republic within the city. My initial target was set at 50 for the duration of my placement…put that champagne on ice!

Now all that is left is to build momentum, send out emails, continue to meet with people and build on the network and contacts we have already collected.

On Wednesday 30th July I attended a North Staffs Chamber network lunch at Chatterley Whitfield so managed to talk to a number of creative businesses there.

I’ll keep you updated…