Celebrated actress Honor Blackman, music legend Feargal Sharkey, comedienne Meera Syal, and acclaimed graphic novelist Alan Moore, are some of the big names taking part in an exciting line-up at De Montfort University’s (DMU) Cultural Exchanges festival.
Just 10 students have organised the week-long celebration of culture which begins on Monday 28 February and runs to Friday 4 March, and will feature guests and speakers from the arts, media, literature, politics and film industry.
Now celebrating its tenth year, Cultural Exchanges gives dedicated final year BA (Hons) Arts and Festival Management students the chance to plan and run a real life festival, bringing events that suit all tastes to the heart of Leicester, the UK’s largest growing cultural city.
One of the biggest female icons of her time, Honor Blackman is perhaps best known for her role as Pussy Galore in the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger. She also starred in the hit TV series The Avengers as the feisty Cathy Gale, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. On Wednesday 2 March she is talking to Marcus Hearn, author of The Avengers: A Celebration, about her life in the limelight and the great TV classic that is The Avengers. This event is being held in conjunction with Romcom Actually, a two day international academic conference on all aspects of romantic comedy.
On Tuesday 1 March Feargal Sharkey, former front man of legendary punk band The Undertones, is discussing his expansive career and key issues affecting the music industry. Sharkey has gone on to become a leading figure in the music industry, and especially in his current role as Chief Executive of UK Music. As head of the industry's umbrella body he is involved in a vast range of issues, from all matters digital to the impact of the Licensing Act on grassroots live music.
Fresh from her recent stage triumph as Shirley Valentine, actress and comedienne Meera Syal is joined by Dr Jane Dowson, DMU’s Reader in Twentieth-Century Literature, whose research interests include postcolonialism and women’s writing. On 4 March, Syal is talking about her illustrious career, including her renowned work on the award-winning TV series Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No 42, the film Bhaji on the Beach, and the musical Bombay Dreams. She has also achieved critical acclaim as an author through her books Anita and Me and Life isn’t all Ha Ha, Hee Hee.
On Friday 4 March the festival is also welcoming back English writer Alan Moore, primarily known as the author of the comic books From Hell, V for Vendetta and The Watchmen. His ambitious novel Voice of the Fire spans 5000 years and is anchored in his hometown Northampton. For 30 years his varied work has channeled interests in political dissent, eroticism and the supernatural.
Other highlights include:
- One of the UK’s most renowned theatre critics, Michael Billington, is joined by DMU’s Dr Elinor Parsons on Monday 28 February to discuss the responsibilities of a reviewer and the ever changing demands of the profession.
- On Thursday 3 March, acclaimed dancer and choreographer Lea Anderson is in conversation with DMU’s Professor Ramsay Burt about the impact of filmmakers and other influences on her screen work.
- Caroline Parker, one of the best-known deaf actresses and cabaret performers working in the UK today, is talking about her extraordinary career on Tuesday 1 March.
- Award-winning novelist Catherine O’ Flynn, and author of The News Where You Are, is discussing her work with DMU’s Gary Day on Monday 28 February.
- The university is also joined by Blake Morrison on Thursday 3 March. The highly acclaimed author is probably best known for And When Did You Last See Your Father? which in 2007 was adapted into the award-winning film starring Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent.
Festival director Tony Graves said: “Cultural Exchanges is a unique festival and every year it grows in size and significance. The students have done an excellent job attracting speakers of such a high calibre to the festival and they should be congratulated for their hard work.
“This is a stimulating programme of arts events to have in Leicester and I would urge people to come along and have a look at what’s on. We hope the festival has something for everyone.”
Around 4,000 people are expected to attend over 40 events this year.
Tickets go on sale Thursday 10 February 2011. The full festival programme is now available to view online at www.dmu.ac.uk/culturalexchanges
The vast majority of events are free to attend but it is recommended that you reserve seats. There may be a small entrance fee for headlining guests.
For a brochure of events or any other enquiries please call the Cultural Exchanges team on 0116 250 6229.
