It's nearly half term. For some of you it'll be exam revision and no half term really. Just remember your hard work now will help support the rest of your life. Those of you finishing this year will get a huge holiday after so working hard this week is a small price to pay. What I have tried to do is to share fun things and supportive things for you to access whatever your current situation. A celebration or in need of support, I have something for all of you. I hope the week will be productive and creative for all of you and I look forward to seeing and hearing about all the great cultural experiences you have had over the break. See you all when you get back. Good luck with all your preparations and make sure you do the best you can.
TV: EUROVISION
Another year another festival of fun, camp and most of all great music. Whatever you think of Eurovision, it is always a fantastic showcase for inclusivity and acceptance. All genres of music and groups of people are accepted no matter who you are. If you are comfortable in your skin, Eurovision celebrates you. This year Liverpool hosted on behalf of the Ukraine so we got a cool hybrid of Ukrainian and British culture with the usual sarcastic, but loving, commentary from Graham Norton and this year, Mel Giedroyc. No politics is allowed so it's a party from start to finish.
Many people in college hosted viewing parties, eating foods from chosen countries, some will have had sweeps on who won. In the end it was Loreen, from Sweden setting up the 50th Anniversary of Abba at Eurovision back in Sweden. (Was it a fix? Probabley not it was the best song on second listen)
If you missed it then I recommend you watch it back on the IPlayer whilst you can. A few hours of absolute entertain and the best thing if you don't like a song, it will be over in 3 minutes and another one will follow.
RADIO: JOURNEYS IN SOUND WITH NEMONE
Journeys in Sound is a show on Radio 6 on a Sunday afternoon. This week was David Holmes, the musicaian and film composer. He has a new album coming out and he explains how the experiences in his life, growing up during the troubles in Belfast influenced his career. From his family in Chicago sending him White Label records to the death of his parents and sister it's a very interesting listen.
A real insight into how different experiences can shape you, the relationships you have with your friends and family and how they can inspire and enhance your creative outcome.
You might know this song, which was played at the Olympics as David Beckham drove a boat down the Thames. Very cool.
IPLAYER: MENTAL HEALTH SEASON
Mental Health Awareness week was last week and so there were many great articles, radio shows and TV programmes that responded. On the BBC there is an entire section dedicated to a huge range of programmes, covering a whole host of Mental Health challenges, all told in a supportive, informative and fun way.
The programmes might help you personally or help you better support a friend or family member through their struggles.
PODCAST: FOOTBALL UNTOLD
A bit of a shameless plug for my multi award winning, journalist brother Mick's new podcast. There are 5 episodes available so far. Mick talks to footballers who tell us about the "darker side to the beautiful game" The issues regarding mental health, suicide, depression, addiction and many more are handled in a sensisitive and supportive way. Each episode has a different footballer telling their stories and experiences. It's a fascinating listen/watch again full of advice and support, if not for you then for a member of your family or friends.
All episodes are available to watch on YouTube or listen to on whichever podcast platform you use.
FILM: THE MONUMENTS MEN
This film the Monuments Men came out in 2014. I went to the cinema to watch it and I watched it again the other night. It's the story of a group of creatives who were sent to save the treasures that were stolen, by the Nazis from museums and the Jewish communities they murdered.
Although a dramatic retelling, the monuments men were actual real people who did just that. Teachers and Museum creators tasked with ensuring our cultural heritage wasn't lost forever. A fantastic cause.
Why not explore the story, the film is great and you learn alot about a different side of the war.
TV: DESIGNING THE HEBRIDES
To end with a creative flair, Design The Hebrides is an interior design show that is great to see a person working to a brief set by a specific client. It's an entertaining journey through the design process with the importance of listening to your client and the life changing effect it has on a group or community if done well.