Comedy Show Review

Reviewed a comedy show for Manchesters Finest. In the line up for 'Not Part Of' festival, the title drew me in somewhat. In a venue that can only be described as 'On the Buses' with 'Coronation Street' cobbles, it was a show with warmth, genuine comedy & comes highly recommended for the current Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Meditation ruined my life. Sam Brady

Challenging the MIF fever around Manchester is a vehicle that represents the city's alternative cultural identity. 'NotPartOf' is the fringe festival that adversely draws artists from across all artistic genres without charging them. In a recent interview for the Creative Times, co-director Gareth McCann noted 'If MIF selected the artists that performed at the festival, then we would facilitate every artist that wanted to be involved. If MIF curated its events, then Not Part Of would be a completely open platform'.

With this in mind I approached Sand Bar with a inquisitorial step. Attending a one man show entitled 'Meditation Ruined my Life', I took a pew in the rickety, cobblestonedned surroundings, nursing a drink until the show go-ers were summoned to a cordonedned off pokey room, enrobed in a red velvet curtain. Cramped, with almost as many candles as seats, the atmosphere was of buoyant anticipation. Earwigging, I found half knew the performer (his parents were there), and half came just for the craic. With a lonesome chair, pint of water and small remote, the harsh blue tones fell on the compere to introduce the man of the evening, Sam Brady.

Within 5 minutes I had been noted as the attractive journalist (which I enjoyed) then shown a slideshow of ladies meditating, or as crudely put, appearing ready to pleasure dwarves (I enjoyed this slightly less). A tale ensured of a near-divorced man, lost in an ocean of empty melancholy, who, in 2001, found solace in Buddhism. Cleansing himself of his past life he emerged himself into a tea-totalling regime of monk ordination training only to be handed an envelope by his spiritual guru, after only 4 years in the community. As it was Valentines day the contents had 3 possible outcomes; a declaration of love, a card for his friends birthday, or a letter initiating his ordination.

In a bid to provide background to the revelation of this mystery, Brady paints the scene of his former life; littered with anecdotes of close family negativity, from preconceptions of meditation being for the upper classes, to the hilarity of his insatiable need to be liked. The audience were hooked from go.

The transition from a high powered cut-throat ambition driven lifestyle to a lifestyle where ambition is almost frowned upon led Brady to situations a Buddhist could only nightmare about. In his desperation to succeed spiritually, he contradicted the monk mantra in the most jocular way.

Brady's ability to rouse empathy which in turn bloomed into ultimate amusement was testament to his natural charisma and talent as a comedian.

With quips about epiphany in the company of three bushy, Dutch lesbians to listing potential partners specific qualities to include sharing in his dismay at mixed-metaphors, 'Meditation Ruined my Life' is a multi-dimensional show filled with emotion, passion and guffaws. A must see and a triumph for NotPartOf.

To find out the dreaded envelope contents, visit Brady at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

From more information about Brady http://www.sambradycomedian.com/index.html

For more information about NotPartOf http://www.notpartof.org/

Press Release Example

A press release I wrote for a friends start-up company, 'One by One'. A brand with a vision, attitude and a passion for its cause. I predict big things.

Synergising the Fashion Tribes.

Bold graphic designer sets sights on uniting trend tribes.

In todays style-religious culture, when designers attempt to fuse the invisible aesthetic barriers of fashion tribes, it's usually as effective as the governments coalition. As far as fashion politics go, you're troupe is either rad or a fad. However, one young graphic designer is pushing boundaries and taking the tribes on, with a vision to unite the distinguished sects … one by one.

Manchester born Joshua Felton has worked in mid-luxe retail for almost a decade, and on seeing how culture choices limit apparel choices he has taken the humble t-shirt and transformed it into a radical vehicle of synergy between notorious culture rivals. Starting with street wear and the alternative scenes. Imagining an Emo in an oversized basketball top? Think again …

With a CV filled with graphic design work for global brands, Felton has a keen eye, both for graphic design and fashion. Embracing his own passions, he has expressed his cultural awareness through his emotive, progressive illustrations under his label 'One by One'.

Combining the heritage and prestige of a quality streetwear brand, Josh aims to inject the risk element of a true alternative scene, 'I want One by One to be a concept, a streetwear brand around which a lifestyle can develop. One by one means to stand alone, to take risks and to take the path less travelled, the designs reflect this; original, bold and individual'.

Available from August 2011, this brand has a zeitgeist, unrivalled in the streetwear sector.For information, products or images, please contact Joshua Felton: joshuafelton@ymail.com

COVERAGE RECEIVED: featured in 10 online publications, 2 printed.

Darling Buds of May.

Since May 23

Spent a short time in Blackpool; home to the hens & stags, tacky as a travellers wedding & inhabitants (not to tar every Blackpoolian with the same brush) resembling Wayne & Waynetta slob.

Jumped upon my soapbox about the riots, copping an eyeful of the Mancunian rats involved. I can't convey how utterly saddened I was by their mindless desecration. If I was offered just 3 good reasons or suggestions as to why they committed such unprovoked pillage I could pop on down to the pavement. Disillusioned youth? Pah.

Moved back to London. Indeed, I've skipped back to the capital, only 2 days ago. With the intentions of pursuing internships whilst working at a well known retailer on Regent Street.

Reviewing; art, films, fashion

Writing; Press Releases, site content and pretty letters (if only to practice my handwriting)

The next few posts will demonstrate I've been cantering along North, with the aim to gallop South, yet win the race. Determination.

By Phuong Quoc Tri, 'Determination'

By Scott.

I watched Scott Pilgrim vs the World last night. I say watched ... I watched half & fell asleep. The plot was a little, robotic, which it was meant to be, I understand, I really do, but when a theme becomes counter-ironic? You have a predictable ticking clock of boredom on your hands.

With a synopsis of 'Scott Pilgrim must defeat his new girlfriend's sever evil exes in order to win her heart' I should have known. I'm not one who understands comic books, so to adapt a great series by Bryan Lee O'Malley and allow me to view it? A mistake in itself. Like subjecting a Football Fantasy enthusiast to viewing the Elizabeth duo (speaking from experience). It was doomed from the start.

Wafter thin plot, a band called Sex Bob-omb and dare I say it, an overload of Michael Cera predicability*. I was bored.

On a lighter note, I am elation epitomised at the thought of the imminent Arrested Development film.

* Cera, please acquire another dimension and put a few pounds on, you looked quite the alien in SPvsW.

10 things I hate about you ...

I can hardly believe it's been ten weeks since I last scribed. I'd like to admit it's been due to a trip abroad where it's less wi-fi, more high-fly. However, the facts are that I did go away, to Amsterdam. For 6 days only.

I take this 10 week 'sabbatical' in two ways, with two quotes (spot the operative word);

You can't teach people to be lazy, either they have it or they don't. (Dagwood Bumstead)

I haven't really got much get up and go. I can't believe I'm on the telly. I'm so lazy. (Alan Carr)

This will change ...

T4 Testosterone.

I went to the GQ & Selfridges SS event on Thursday evening in MCR. Wrote about it for Manchester's Finest (opinions welcome)

Highlights X 5

1. Gladiator sandals for men. Really Kurt Geiger? Truly French Connection? This is MCR, not Milan.

2. Free Coke, vodka-tonic, Makers Mark and beer? Tick

3. Selfridges are too slick to comprehend

4. Jameela Jamil is Goddess like. An individual who genuinely lights up a room/whole floor of fashion

5. When males make an effort, I melt like crayons in the back of a hot car. Wowzers.

3 days later & I daren't think about the testosterone flying about that floor. Straight or otherwise there were some delightful sights. The clothes were pretty flash as well.

Filleting a Fish.

MFN (Manchester Fashion Network) put on a darn good talk Monday night; 'The Affiliate Marketing Talk'. The blurb, for want of a better word, was enticing; 'an opportunity for brands, bloggers and PRs to (s)ome* together to learn more about affiliate marketing, how it works and who it can benefit.'

In a sentence? This was a no-nonsense, informative event that did what it said on the tin. With gusto-enhanced-balls.

The three panelists were overly apt; Paul Hurst (online Marketing Manager at Boohoo.com), Justine Goldstraw (affiliate account Manager at R.O.EYE Ltd) and Vicki Day (owner of Fashionable Maven).

Any perspective you were interested in hearing about, they covered. From brands, to portals. Blogging, to company marketing strategies, this was a jam-packed hour, getting to the roots of what affiliate marketing is about. Who it's for. &most importantly how to make a pretty penny from it.

I won't whittle on about what I personally gained from the talk, but I shall note their top tips;

Register everything

Brands want to give you information, work with you, & for you

Small blogs make a difference (!)

Post regularly

Be yourself

The sites to check out if you're interested in affiliate marketing (for want of a less daunting phrase) is linkshare, affiliatesforyou.com and Google analytics

Shopping Trolley Art.

*Yes ... it was a typo.