BLINK's 2018 TOP 10

2018 has seen many changes in BLINK, we’ve grabbed life by the handle bars and we believe it’s paid off…

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10. SEND SCHOOL SHOWS

This year we have written, directed and designed 4 school shows in our regular schools; Jack Tizard and Brookfield House . Shows have engaged over 200 students with SEND from early years to sixth form.

Summer term saw the creation of: The Alien Rehoming Extravaganza and Octa-decca-puss on the loose!

Winter term we’ve been busy with: Santa This is Your Life and The Grinch.

We were amazingly supported by students from Central School of Speech and Drama and Goldsmith's University and volunteers from Yarrow Opening Doors and Mencap

[description] A collage of 4 pictures. Top Left: Delson as Santa and a student from Jack Tizard School performing a duet, Top Right: Francis dressed as the Grinch in shiny green mermaid leggings, a long shaggy green and black wig and a cane pulling a monster face, Bottom Left: The Octa Decca Pus prop/character which is a lycra yellow face with googley eyes and purple and yellow strechy legs, Bottom Right: A student from Jack Tizard performing as a member of ‘The Who’ playing a huge keyboard close to his face in his wheelchair lit beautifully with green lights.

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9. DRAG SYNDROME

Coming in at number 9 is our collaborations with Culture Device on their Drag Syndrome and Radical Beauty projects.

These have enabled Francis’s drag act Francesca to flourish and find new levels of expression and self esteem. The Drag Syndrome troupe have performed over 30 shows this year across London and beyond; a highlight was being part of Alternative Miss World at Shakespeare’s Globe for an audience of 1,500. They also starred in a mini documentary for ITV.

Watch this space for more shows and fun coming to 2019.

[description] Francis as Francesca in a bright frilly pink and blue dress by designer Sophie Cochevelou with clear plastic pockets down the front containing brightly coloured plastic toys. Francesca also wears a flowing blue and blonde wavy wig, clues lipstick and very long white eyelashes. She smiles playfully at the camera.

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8: BOSSY

In the Summer Francis teamed up with award winning artist Roland Carline to create 'BOSSY' for the Royal Academy Schools Show 2018 as part of the RA 250th birthday celebrations. 

The performance was incredible; raw, poignant and side split-tingly hilarious. It featured dynamic films the duo created, punctuated with live interactive dance.

7. EXPANDING TEAM

We were awarded a grant from Hammersmith United Charities to train two new learning disabled facilitators. As a result in Winter term we were delighted to welcome Maisa Mendes and Sabir Abdul to the BLINK facilitator team.

We have also welcomed Mandy Moir as a long term volunteer this year who is providing invaluable admin support in finance and book-keeping as well as a good dose of moral support at our shows and events…we promise we won’t make you dance on stage Mandy!

[description] A collage of 3 pictures Left: Mandy has cropped blonde hair, and a wide friendly smile. Left bottom: Maisa is a young female with a shy smile and a sparkle in her eye and long black wavy hair. She is holding a yellow sign which reads XMAS 18 from our Winter show. Left bottomt: Sabir is a young man with a relaxed smile, short brown hair with a short beard. He is pictured outside of the school gates with his Winter coat on and his BLINK t shirt peeking through.

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6: PULL UP TOUR

Co-Director Delson created Project PULL UP: Where gritty reality collides with mystic euphoria. He directed BLINK performers Vicki, Rachel and Francis in a track-by-track animation of his album. The full show debuted at Goldsmith’s University and was later shown at Crystal Palace Festival and ROAR fest Oxford. Delson also did a DJ set a Bristol’s Mayfest.

Photography: Stu Allsopp/ Rachel Cherry

[description] A collage of 6 pictures. Top Left: Francis as ‘The Beast’ in a black fur head piece pulling a ferocious face. Top middle: Vicki and Rachel dancing with a small girl wearing huge comedy green sunglasses who volunteered to come onto the main stage during their workshop at Crystal Palace festival. Top right: Vicki, Francis and Rachel during the performance at Crystal Palace festival. They are on grass with a bright yellow and purple circus tent backdrop. They are wearing astronaut helmets and facing the front in a line behind one another at different heights. Bottom right: Vicki mid performance at ROAR fest with her black and white hood up commanding the traffic from her ‘motorbike’. Middle bottom: Delson on his red carpet in a suit balancing confidently on one leg looking directly into the camera. Bottom right: Rachel is crouched on the floor looking up at a lit up white glove. She is wearing a white shirt and black tie.

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5. BABY LOVE

In July our Co-Director Kat gave birth to our first BLINK baby; Elijah. He’s already wearing the uniform and has performed on stage with us as well as being an avid member of the audience on countless occasions over the months. We have missed Kat but he’s totally worth it….

[description] Francis and Rachel are holding baby Elijah who is wearing a BLINK onesie.

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4. IT’S MY MOVE TOUR

We enjoyed our third school’s tour of It's My Move in collaboration with Face Front Inclusive Theatre this time taking the production to theatres as well as SEND schools and colleges across London. A highlight of the tour was a quote from a student who watched the show: ‘Now i know how to use my voice to make my choice to do my plan, Yes I can!’. This is why we do what we do, it makes all the hard work worth it and we hope many young people now have the confidence to advocate for themselves.

Photography: Andrew Bradford

[description] Francis and Delson are posing on stage in red hoodies with white shirts and school ties. Francis has his hood up and Delson’s hands are outstretched in front of him mid rap.

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3: 5TH BIRTHDAY

We were blown away by how many people came to celebrate our 5th birthday with us. So many people who have grafted, cheer-leaded, laughed and cried with us along our journey so far. It was such a special night and important time for us to reflect on our hard work, amazing BLINK family and crazy journey so far.

We had a buzzing open mic too with performances from 2 decks, Sylvia Entwistle, Tanya Muchanyuka, Francesca ;) and Ben Myers.

[description] a collage of 5 pictures centred around the BLINK logo. Top: Darren ‘2 decks’ posing in a cap, sunglasses and headphones in front of a graffiti wall. Middle Left: Sylvia with her Ukulele smiling against a white backdrop, Centre right; Francesca pouting in a green wig, Bottom left: the BLINK team against a colourful geometric backdrop, Bottom Right: a close up of Tanya with a huge smile nose piercings, glowing skin and beautiful braids.

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2. DARK ROOM

BLINK were nominated for The Darkroom residency at Battersea Arts Centre produced by China Plate and were 1 of 3 lucky artists to be selected. We worked with writer Caro Horton and were given space, time and money to experiment, rejuvenate and enliven our creative practice. We had THE BEST time, and will continue to reap the benefits of the experience for many years to come.

[description] The BLINK Co-Directors are posing with collaborators: writer Caro Horton and Artistic Enablers Cherie Brennan and Tanya Muchanyuka in front of the grand marble steps in the entrance hall at Battersea Arts Centre

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1. FUNDING

We applied for our first over 15K grant from Arts Council England and were successful first time! This will be life-changing for us and we will create a new portfolio work coming this March as well as lots of exciting company developments. Watch this space for announcements!

Photography: Travis Crowther aka The Modern Designer

[description] Vicki, Kat, Delson, Rachel and Francis are standing in a line with big smiles against a colourful geometric backdrop.

Happy New Year everyone.
We are looking forward to 2019 and all it will bring...stay posted!