It's easy to think there is not much going on in life that is good. But there is, of course.
Over the last couple of days, I watched this Prom on iPlayer:
I like the Proms in general and watch quite a number each year. But this one was special. I would say it is the best since they did a Sondheim special a decade or so ago.
It is s really well worth watching.
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Heard something ridiculous this morning about North East music.
They are building a new centre next to The Sage, which is going to be called The Sage.
The Sage is being renamed at lunchtime today.
I presume some of you on here know what The Sage is.
That is bizarre….
Exactly. Everyone knows what The Sage looks like. There was a whole weekend of the Proms at The Sage this year. This is what is happening to the area, using levelling-up funding.
https://northeastbylines.co.uk/new-levelling-up-grants-for-north-east/
They are using The Sage in their advertising, so why change its name, or rather take over its name?
It’s the best known music venue in the North East, with all sorts of music played there, its own orchestras, etc.
Has Sage demanded it? They produce accounting software….
No. Sage Group still supports Sage Gateshead and is no more involved in the name change than anyone else. I think they did not want to be connected to The Sage new building as they are a charity. Two hotels are going to be built as part of it. I think it’s political, as both parts of Tyneside are labour controlled, and the tories want the kudos of levelling up money being used on an iconic building. Could be biased, of course.
Sage Group headquarters is over the river in Newcastle. It’s a good way to connect the two sides of the Tyne.
I think this explains the situation with the renamed Sage now to be called the Glasshouse:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/13/sage-gateshead-music-hall-renamed-glasshouse
Shame on Sage, I say….
But I don’t much like their software either.
Interesting, calling it The Glasshouse. At the same time as this renaming of The Sage Sunderland is trying to keep the National Glass Centre.
https://northeastbylines.co.uk/mothballing-of-the-national-glass-centre-in-sunderland/
Irony or what?
https://www.change.org/p/save-glass-blowing-in-the-historic-st-peter-s-ward-save-the-national-glass-centre/u/31905179
I mean: “The Onion” was just there for the taking!
Good to hear that you really liked the Northern Soul Prom, Richard. It was magnificent – and I say that as someone who spent several years (1974 – 1977) making the journey up to Wigan Casino from Burton on Trent on a Friday or Saturday night, by coach (with many other ‘soulies’ from the Burton area), or with four of us crammed in my 850 Mini). Stuart Maconie deserves all the praise and credit he’s had for getting the event together, and the singers and BBC orchestra for their rendition of so many Casino classics. It was hard to tell many of them from the originals.
Ivan
I side of you I was unaware of
Respect!
Richard