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Producer Gathering: Nassy Konan’s first blog and Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023

Mon 21 Aug 2023

Hello everyone, and welcome to the first blog from myself, Nassy Konan, the new lead of Producer Gathering! It’s a delight to properly introduce myself and an honour to move forward with this project after the incredible work of Sally Rose and everyone else who has come before me.

First things first, I’m excited to announce that I’m producing an event at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe in collaboration with Dance Base and the British Council Industry Hub. It’s a networking event called Celebrating Artists from the Global Majority (who identify as Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and/or have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’) and we’d love to see you there.

The event takes place on Wednesday, 23rd August in the Hub Forum from 3.30pm – 5pm. It’s an inclusive space where producers and programmers can interact with artists from the global majority to build connections and relationships for future collaborations.

 

 

PICK OF THE FRINGE

We’d also like to share with you Producer Gathering’s Top Picks for Edinburgh Fringe 2023, providing a platform for some of the phenomenal artists bringing work to the Fringe this year:

First off, we have an incredible resource in the form of the Fringe of Colour database, which can be found here.

And our recommendations:

The image is split in half. On a dark green background with lighter green map markings, on the left hand side of the picture, a woman wearing a white polkadot top and veil and bangles on her arms pulls the veil up to cover the bottom half of her face, leaving only her eyes and forehead to be seen. She has an air of cheekiness about her. On the right hand side, on a rust coloured background with orange map markings, a woman with dark hair in a side plat, dangly earrings and a pale pink, long sleeved top writes in a book. She looks down to her left, as if she is considering something worrying.

 

Santi and Naz (The Thelmas) – Aug 21-22, 24-28 – 13.30 – Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Two

 

Ray Young is turned to the left, side profile. They are on an over-saturated turquoise background and they wear a fuzzy turquoise and navy jumper with a geometric design. They have plants and flowers attached to their clothes and their orange dreadlocks almost glow. The bottom of the picture reflects on itself, as if Ray is stood in water.

 

Horizon Showcase: Bodies (Ray Young) – Aug 26 – 10:00, 12:00, 15:00 – Summerhall @ Deans Community High School

 

The cast of One Way Out are on a stage, leaning towards the camera. They look like they are boisterously celebrating - they have their mouths open as if they are shouting and their arms around each other. They are against a brightly coloured background with multi-coloured graffiti and sheer, pale yellow mesh curtains to either side.

 

One Way Out (Montel Douglas) –  Aug 22-27 – 18:45 – Underbelly, Cowgate – Bellybutton

 

The cast of Pitch are outside in a field against a grey sky with a hedge in the background. They are climbing on each other and grinning and they all wear brightly coloured sportswear.

 

Pitch (November Theatre and The Pleasance) – Aug 21-22, 24-28 – 15:45 – Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Above

 

The cast of Dugsi Dayz are standing huddled together in the centre of the photo, posing and smiling or pulling fun faces. They stand in front of a bright, multicoloured background with artwork of painted flowers, plants and clouds, and chalk drawings of animals and other doodles.

 

Dugsi Dayz (Side eYe Productions) – Aug 22-27 – 12:40 – Underbelly, Cowgate – Bellybutton

 

NEWS 

On the subject of Edinburgh Fringe, this article by REcreate Agency co-creator and producer Reece McMahon resonated with us.

Finally, here is what Producer Gathering will be focussing on in the coming months:

  • Crafting a Resource Guide for Self-Care: We plan to create a guide tailored to support producers grappling with burnout, offering insights and practices to foster a holistic sense of self-care. Through collaborative efforts with other producing initiatives, we aim to lay the foundation for a healthier and more resilient producing community.
  • Case Studies with a Global Perspective: In the coming months, we’re delving into enlightening case studies, focussing on international producers as well as UK-based counterparts. Through a series of captivating conversations, we’ll unearth global commonalities, building bridges that transcend geographical distances and cultural differences.
  • Satellite Gatherings, Creating Spaces for Exchange: We’re excited to announce two upcoming satellite gatherings. These gatherings serve as platforms for sharing insights, ideas, and experiences. Stay tuned for the unveiling of partnerships that promise to enrich these exchanges, fostering connections that hold the potential to spark innovative collaborations.

And our offer to producers –

  • A Working Group: In response to the intricate challenges producers face while juggling multiple projects, we’re introducing a new working group that provides a supportive space for producers navigating the delicate balance between responsibilities, ensuring high standards are met even amidst the chaos.
  • Empowering International Relationships with Bursaries: Later this year, we’ll be introducing bursaries tailored to empower producers keen on building international relationships and collaborations, reinforcing our commitment to nurturing cross-cultural creativity and fostering opportunities for growth.

I’m so excited for everything that lies ahead – let’s look forward to a time where our passion for art is met with the tools, connections, and support we deserve!

Warmly,

Nassy x

 

Nassy is a Black woman with long black hair with loose curls, a big smile and burgundy lippy on.

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