Apna, Aawaz and the Moonwatcher

There's been a long gap since our last blog, but although the Heritage Lottery funded programme is now complete, with final reports and the leather-bound books containing all the interviews having been delivered, the project continues in various other ways. 

First the Apna continues, albeit with a reduced programme. Arry Nessa has managed to sustain an exhibition and workshop programme at the centre in Haslingden, and this looks to carry on into the winter months. The Apna took part in the Open Studios weekend with an exhibition of work by Ranaaz Shahid and Fatima Zahra Hassan.

Our links with the Aawaz Centre in Accrington have developed, and we had a key part to play mounting exhibitions at Accrington Market and Library (pictured above). The exhibitions outlined the work of women who use the Aawaz centre, led by artists from the Different Moons project led by Shamshad Khan and including Maryam Golubeva and Rahima Begum. 

The Moonwatcher play, written by Shamshad Khan and Bob Frith is still in development, with funding being sought for the making and rehearsal, as well as a soundtrack. 

Finally its worth mentioning that this summer Arry Nessa was awarded the prestigious trophy for Advocacy in Art at the Living Islam Festival. So, all in all, despite the completion of the first stage of Different Moons, the influence and networks associated with the project go from strength to strength. 

The Aawaz in Accrington

The Different Moons team is delighted that our friends at the Aawaz Project in Accrington, Hyndburn are beginning to host arts workshops (under the name Hum Arts Project) led by Shamshad Khan. The project is being supported by the Arts Council, Super Slow Way, and Horse + Bamboo, and partly inspired by our work in Haslingden. 

The group are planning to organise an exhibition of their work in the coming months. Shamshad has already led creative writing sessions, and Maryam Golubeva has run a number of paper-cutting workshops. We eventually hope that a group from the Hum Project will come and visit our Apna Centre in Haslingden.  

More information can be had from the Aawaz, 225 Blackburn Rd, Accrington BB5 0AL. Tel: 01254 398176. Website: www.aawaz.org.uk 

A day at the Library!

Yesterday was a big, big day! The Different Moons book was launched at Haslingden Library with readings, food and good spirits. The book is a lovely 100 page hard-back, illustrated volume, containing over 60 poems by local people - mainly girls and women, and almost all from the South Asian communities. 

The upstairs room in the library was full, and Shamshad Khan, who has overseen the project, compered an hour of readings by some of the participants. Lots of the young people who had been involved in the classes turned up, accompanied by parents - and we were especially pleased to see a number of the first generation family members joining us, such as Mr Mazhar Hussain and Mr Aslom Miah (below). 

At the same time our entirely new Different Moons website was launched - it's to be found at www.differentmoons.org and it's full of interviews, photos, animations and writings that have grown out of our project. 

The third big event to celebrate was the completion of the refurbishment of the Apna, down the road at 69 Deardengate in Haslingden. It's now ready to re-open, and from Wednesday this week (16th) it will host a small exhibition reminding everyone of the many projects that have happened over the past few years under the Different Moons banner! There will also be an opportunity for anyone who didn't make it on Saturday to come along and claim their free copy of the book. 

Our new website

We're working hard to get things ready for next weekend - specifically for Saturday 16th March - when we launch both our Different Moons book and website, and re-open The Apna. All the events will be focused in Haslingden, where the book launch takes place at 12 midday at the Library, and of course it's where the Apna is - at 69 Deardengate. 

Up to now we've focused on getting the book ready, and it's currently at the printers so we just have to be patient. But recently there's been a flurry of activity at the Apna (see previous post), and this week we'll be completing the website (www.differentmoons.org). For a glimpse of what our designers, Osprey Delivers, are doing there's a preview of a page above, while below there's an example of what it might look like on your phone....

...we can't wait!

The New Apna!

Proof that we're almost ready to open - and that the Apna is now fully equipped with heating, toilets and a store room! Above Arry Nessa inspects the work....

Just a few more days of cleaning and some painting...bringing back materials that have been in store, and we expect to be open for the Different Moons Book Launch, which is being held at Haslingden Library on Saturday 12th March. After that the books will be brought down to the Apna, and they'll be activities to celebrate both the book and the new website!

Different Moons animations....

Work is getting underway on the new Different Moons website that will go live on the same day as our book launch - Saturday March 12th. 

Above are some screen shots of the animations that have been made especially for the website; each of them illustrating a story or incident that has been told during the interviews with the first generation of immigrants to Rossendale from Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

The animators, from the top - Kain Leo, Megan Bolton. Rehmat Gangrecker, Elisa Sarchi, Bob Frith.

A glimpse at our book...

The Different Moons book - POEMS, LETTERS & STORIES - SOUTH ASIAN WRITING FROM ROSSENDALE - has had its final proof-reading and is ready to go to the printer in readiness for a book launch in just over a months time - Saturday 12th March. 

Here's a preview of a few pages...

Let's not forget that we're also working hard on getting the DIFFERENT MOONS WEBSITE ready for the same launch date...

Getting ready - for the Apna 2016 and our book launch.

While we're waiting for the completion of the Apna refurbishment there's still much to do. On Friday we visited Maryam Golubeva to return some of her gold paper cuts that we're had since the Apna closed. Sad to see these go back home, but it's always a pleasure to visit Maryam's house in Lancaster and see her work (photos).

Meanwhile we're putting the final touches to the Different Moons book, which will soon be at the printers and which we'll be launching at Haslingden Library on Saturday March 12th. The cover features one of Maryam's paper-cuts:

This 100-page, hard-back book contains 58 poems and writings by women, young people and children from Haslingden. It's illustrated and also has an essay on the history and background of the local South Asian community, plus some short essays about the Different Moons project. Everyone who has been involved with Different Moons will receive a free copy at the book launch.  

Working on the Apna

This is what the Apna looks like at the moment - most things have been moved out and dust-sheets cover all that remains 

Builders have been in - and changes are happening! Water and toilet facilities are being added - plus additional storage and heating. So the small back room now looks like this:

On the right is the black door leading from the front room via a small hall; 

on the left is a door to the new toilet; 

and in the centre there's another new room which will have some shelving, access to the cellar, plus a sink and a tiny kitchen area. 

For anybody who remembers the 'old' Apna, you'll know that this is all an enormous improvement. 

We hope the work will be completed by the end of January and we'll be working to open again at the end of February.  

Different Moons at the Boo

Since the Apna closed for refurbishments and the Mela at Haslingden Community Link, things have gone a little quiet - but at the weekend some the Different Moons team came together at the Boo in Waterfoot, where there was the annual Art & Crafts Market. 

Arry and Habiba offered mehndi; Farzana calligraphy (with some great calligraphic candles) and Maryam came with some of her paper cuts. Nusrat had a stall of beautiful fabrics and Mrs Azfar's daughter Ayesha had her own stall with a range of small home-made crafts.

Meanwhile work has started on the Apna gallery space in Haslingden, with access being cut to the cellar and a toilet installed. We hope that by the end of the winter the building will be open again, and we'll be offering a new set of classes, workshops and exhibitions.

Music at the Mela

Yesterday we held the 2015 Haslingden Mela at Community Link - with a dozen stalls (arranged by Habiba Shenza) selling food, clothes, shoes, offering crafts and mendhi. We also had some interesting entertainment - Stories from the Arabian Nights told by Shellac Tesab in Urdu, colourful Rajasthani marionette and hand puppets from Diana Baylis's Black Cat Theatre, and singing from Sumana Basu.

The music caused us some worry, as we were concerned that some of the women might feel excluded from the event by there being music. The songs Shellah chose to sing were mainly songs from classic Bollywood movies, and Shamshad Khan, who organised the three events, had discussed with us what music might be most acceptable, and then consulted Sumana herself.  

So we were slightly nervous - but in the event the music sessions, each about 30 or 40 minutes, were clearly very popular. The women in the audience were asked if they had requests and before long there was a list of favourite songs waiting for Sumana to sing. The short video clip above will give you a idea...

Bye Apna, Hello Mela

Today we cleared the Apna up; took Hudhaifa's calligraphy pieces away, and left everything else under a huge dust-cloth. Almost three months to the day that it opened.

Those three months of activities at the centre in Haslingden have been an enormous success, with over 1000 people participating in workshops, meetings, events and training sessions. So much so that we're committed to keeping it open. But in the meantime our very, very supportive landlord has decided to help us by refurbishing the space and, in particular, creating toilet facilities, providing running water, and facilities for decent heating. 

But over the next few months, whilst the Apna is closed and work is being undertaken, the Different Moons team will continue working in Haslingden. The next big event is the Family Mela at Haslingden Community Link on Saturday 21st November with a whole range of exciting stalls arranged by Habiba Shenza; puppetry shows for everybody - but especially children and young people; special live music in a side room, and food for all to enjoy! 

Open Day

This coming Sunday, 1st November, we're offering a unique opportunity to meet Hudhaifa Al-Awaidi, one of the Senior Calligraphers from Oman. Awaidi has been providing special classes at the Apna and on Sunday he'll be showing his work. 

Please drop by; it's very informal and Awaidi will be on hand to answer questions - he'll even show you how you can write your name using Arabic calligraphy.

From 1.30 - 5.30 it's open to all at the Apna at 69 Deardengate, Haslingden BB4 5SB.

Second animation

Kain Leo has now finished work on her second animation and she has sent me the film plus a few screenshots. The subject is a continuation of the first short film - Mr Aslom Miah's story of leaving Bangladesh for England and, in particular, the terrible wrench of having to leave his mother. 

The film is another colourful and delightful animation - but tinged with the sadness of this particular memory of his childhood.

Animations

One of the most exciting strands of our Different Moons programme has been creating short animated films inspired by the interviews we've made with some of the first generation of immigrants to Rossendale from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

We've now made 10 films, created by wide range of animators. The latest two films have been very exciting, created by a young Chinese animator Kain Leo, who based her films on the story of Mr Aslom Miah and his journey from Bangladesh to Rossendale as a young man. Above we have three screen shots from her two films.

Our plan is to launch all of the films in 2016, when they will be part of a brand new Different Moons website, alongside the publication of a book of poetry and other writings by the participants in our creative writing workshops. We'll also be delivering the collected interviews and transcriptions and presenting them to local history libraries and North West Archives.

Masterclasses

It's a busy time for the Different Moons programme, and for the Apna Drop-In Centre in Haslingden in particular. 

Today there's a meeting with the designers who will help us put together the Different Moons website. There's also work beginning on a performance that will grow out of the DM project, particularly the stories that we've recorded from the first immigrants to Rossendale from South Asia.  Bob Frith and Shamshad Khan are working together on various approaches and ideas to develop this.

But the main current focus is on the Apna, where master calligrapher Hst al-Awaidi (above) has arrived this morning from Oman. This weekend we're planning to hang a selection of his calligraphy work, and over the next month Awaidi will be holding masterclasses in Liverpool, Manchester and at the Apna. 

The Apna classes are planned for the weekends of the 24/25th October and 31st Oct/1st November. For more information contact 01706 210335.

Sholay at the Boo!

After a great weekend at the Apna with London Bangladeshi artist Rahima Begum as part of the Rossendale Art Trail we're really delighted to be starting a great season of Bollywood classics.

These start at the Boo in Waterfoot on Saturday 10th October at 6.30pm. These are films suitable for the whole family and they come with free Asian snacks in the interval. 

Tickets are £5 and £3 for concessions - you can order on-line through the Boo shop (www.horseandbamboo.org) , or phoning 01706 220241 - or just pay at the door on Saturday. 

The first of the classic films starring Amitabh Bachchan is the all-time classic SHOLAY, loosely based on 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'. Don't miss it!

Art at the Apna

For a short period only there's a new exhibition at the Apna in support of PEACE ONE DAY. The show consist of three striking images by Jalal Abdin and Saif Mistaul Ali, both young artists studying at Huddersfield and Liverpool Universities respectively.  

The Apna itself is closed over Eid but reopens at the weekend - come and visit to see these powerful works. They will only be on show until Thursday 1st October when we will be hanging work by Rahima Begum which will open for the Rossendale Art Trail weekend. 

Worth mentioning too that the Chand Raat and Eid Bazaar held last Friday was an enormous success, with over 200 ladies attending and the little Apna bursting at the seams! Thank you so much to everyone who helped or took part.

Eid Mubarak!

A future for the Apna?

The Apna programme has now been planned right through to the first day of November when the rental agreement for the Apna as a pop-up space ends.

There are 44 events being planned during this period, ranging from Guided Walks to Calligraphy Masterclasses; from World Braid workshops to a special Eid Bazaar and Mela.

The activities calendar only went public last Sunday, but already many of the classes have been fully booked. Arry is busy organising the timetable and signing-up participants (above).

When we decided to try a pop-up centre, with a focus on providing activities for local South Asian women, it was very much an experiment. I'm astonished at just how quickly it has proven there to be a need, and how enthusiastic people are about what's on offer. It's a great credit to Arry Nessa and her small team of helpers.

Now we're having to make some calculations and decisions about whether the Apna has a future...

A stock-take

Now that we're in September there are just 6 months left of the Different Moons project or, rather, 6 months left of the work funded by the Heritage Lottery under that title. So, inevitably it's time for a stock-take in order to make some decisions about the immediate future of the work - and beyond.

The interviews 

We've completed the main body of interviews with first-generation immigrants (from Pakistan and Bangladesh) to Rossendale, and transcribing these is almost completed. The transcriptions will be bound into folders during the next few months and donated to local libraries and archives, along with the original audio files.

The animations

Short animated films are being made of extracts from some of the interviews. So far there are 6 films completed or almost completed. We expect to double this number by early 2016. They will form part of a Different Moons website when the project is completed. 

Workshops

Our programme of training and other workshops is now finished. It's been brilliantly successful and the resulting artwork, mainly in the form of poetry, are being gathered together in the form of a 100-page book to be published in March 2016.

The events programme

In the Autumn of 2014 we held a number of events to celebrate the Different Moons project and announce the DM exhibition at the Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery. This year we'll do something similar in order to spread the word about our book launch. We're planning a mela and a music event at Haslingden Community Link, as well as a special Book Launch mushaira. We're also beginning a season of Bollywood films at the newly renovated Boo, down the Valley in Waterfoot.

The Apna

The Apna has grown out of the Different Moons Events programme, It's an intimate community space and gallery and to a large extent it is carrying on the work of DM workshop and events programmes. Situated in a small shop premises right in the centre of Haslingden, it is (half-way through) a three-month experiment in creating a community centre, focused on the needs of local South Asian women. So far it has been an outstanding success, and we will soon be having to decide on whether to extend this work. It has to some extent already taken on a life of its own since Arry Nessa, who has coordinated and brilliantly managed the Apna, has received a grant from the Arts Council for her work at the centre.

A performance

Shamshad Khan, who has led the Different Moons project, and Bob Frith, who devised and has overseen the work, are currently working together on creating a touring performance inspired by the project. This is still in its early days, but the hope is to create a show incorporating poetry, puppetry, film and story-telling.