Whistling in the dark

from New York, Tel Aviv, Hartlepool

Archive for November, 2010

Shocky!!

While wrapped in a fleecey blanket received a shock worthy of the minimally not safe for work but very funny http://www.lazertits.com

ZAP! Oww!

posted by Yaffa in internet and have No Comments

Middlesbrough Reindeer Parade and Community Carnival

Another great family event in Middlesbrough the annual reindeer Parade and Community Carnival – The theme this year was The Nutcracker.

My favourite photo was this pre-parade snap of Santa and his elves.

Middlesbrough Reindeer Parade and Community Carnival 21-Nov-2010

For more info on Christmas 2010 events in Middlesbrough see:

http://visitmiddlesbrough.com/christmas

My photos of the day below there are additional photos here.

posted by Yaffa in Middlesbrough,photography and have No Comments

Christmas Lights Switch On in Middlesbrough

Went to see the Christmas Lights Switch On in Middlesbrough Town centre after work. There was a great atmosphere.

TFM Radio was on hand to host the festivities. A bunch of families were out as well as groups of teenagers. There were sing-a-longs to popular songs and performers from the Middlesbrough Theatre Panto Jack and the Beanstalk revving up the crowd.

A giant snowman hung out by the Christmas Tree to promote the Middlesbrough Town Hall – Northern Sinfonia production of The Snowman. Kids were loving him!

Many people were wondering who the light switcher on would be. It was a young boy named Ethan whose dad is serving in Afghanistan and won’t be home for Christmas. It was quite sweet.

Wayne from TFM radio explained that he could get the excitable crowd to do whatever he wants – jump up and down, pick their noses so little Ethan asked them to jump up and down.

Wayne then told him he could ask them to pretend to be his favourite animal – what’s your favourite animal?

“A Chicken!!!!”

It was brilliant.

The weather wasn’t brilliant but the atmosphere was. Nice antithesis to celebrity culture, struck just the right note.

For info on Christmas 2010 in Middlesbrough see:

http://visitmiddlesbrough.com/christmas

posted by Yaffa in Middlesbrough and have No Comments

Iron at Middlesbrough College by Company TSU

Went to Jamal’s for dinner on Corportation Road with Lizzie and then went to see Iron, the first production by Company TSU – a new theatre group in Middlesbrough.

The official description:

“Unsettling in its opinion and unflinching in its language IRON is inspired by Nigel Williams’ play ‘Class Enemy’, re-imagined and brought to life by Company TSU.

A group of pupils rail against their lives. Angry and disillusioned they wait for a teacher, some answers, some direction but mostly they just wait for the bell to go.”

The play was performed in the round and the performances were excellent. There were video bits integrated into the play that worked well and added to the performance. (Minor quibble is one of these pieces set to the Sex Pistols’ God Save the Queen, felt long in terms of the length of the play.)

Lizzie was distracted by some of the language in the play, (a fairly constant patter of among other words the “c” word).  I don’t know if I am desensitized as a native NYer – I find it easy to filter.

Would love to see these performers again as they gain experience – they did a great job and there was some great potential on offer.

It needs to be said, Venue 2 at Middlesbrough College is another awesome space to watch theatre (in addition to the larger Hazel Pearson Theatre at the College, where we went to see an excellent production of The Laramie Project.)

Iron was performed in the round and it made you want to see more theatre groups creating productions for this amazing space.

Mayor Ray Mallon attended the performance too and reviewed it here.

posted by Yaffa in Middlesbrough,theatre and have No Comments

Pilates and baking

Just did Pilates for the second time was really feeling it in my abs and legs…off to bake a chocolate buttercream frosted marble cake for Children in Need fundraiser at work.

posted by Yaffa in food,gym and have No Comments