This Sunday 19th May (at The Spread Eagle from 4 till 7pm) is the offcial launch of 'SoapBox People' - our new year-long membership programme - with a special guest spoken word set from Johnny Marriott. We are very excited to welcome him back to SoapBox for his first spoken word gig in 5 years. Known as the energetic, authentic and poetic front man of Pet Needs, a burgeoning Punk/Rock band from Essex who are signed to Xtra Mile Recordings, we are utterly delighted that our old friend agreed to share his incredible words & writing with us all on this very special occasion.
The launch event will also feature performances from SoapBox People members including: Jackie Montague, Ellen Clayton, Philip Rösel Baker, Rachel Davy, Tülin Silverwind, (and more to be confirmed). Hosted by Amy Wragg.
The low price of £36 per year will only be available until this Saturday 18th May, and can be bought online >>>HERE<<< If you wanted to come along to this Launch this Sunday, its an absolute bargain. Every members gets two free tickets to this launch event. From Sunday onwards the price will bet fixed at £60 per year. Don't say I didn't warn ya!
Entry is free for members, and there are some (limited) public tickets available at £5 each (plus 10% booking fee), which can be bought online through WeGotIckets >>> HERE <<< Please note, tickets will NOT be available on the door, and entry to the pub will be limited to members & ticket holders only.
Soapbox People membership is a new project that supports artists, musicians, writers, poets & creatives to develop their craft. Membership consists of:
- Monthly SoapBox zine in the post. (Zines are not available digitally)
- Two free tickets per member to 4 special events a year (including the launch event on Sunday 19th)
- Priority submission to the zine. Send in your art/projects for free print promotion.
- Free tickets to development workshops, at least 4 a year. (Topics to be agreed amongst members according to need)
- Artist support sessions
When I intially launched SoapBox People, I set two prices, £36 per year, or £60 per year (for those who can afford a bit more). Both memberships are exactly the same. There was such a positive response, and we now have 25 members, which is absolutely fantastic! After getting some feedback from other professionals in the creative community, I have been advised to offer one membership price at £60 per year. I am offering quite incredible value (for either price), but in order to create a sustainable and valuable offer to both my members & myself, the new annual membership price will be £60 per year from Sunday 19th May onwards.
If you'd be thinking about joining, and hadn't gotten round to it yet, please signup before Sunday in order to take advantage of the lower earlybird price of only £36 per year. Each member has joined for a whole variety of reasons - for example networking or free development opportunities - so even if you just LOVE my zines and want to get a lovely piece of post in your letterbox every month, then now is the time to join at this bargain price! With postage costing £1 per month, you'll actually only be paying £2 per zine. Which is amazing! (Membership is annual, so £36 is paid upfront in one go).
None of the SoapBox zines can be found online, they are NOT available digitally, and this is a deliberate choice.
Huge never-ending thanks to all the cuurent SoapBox People members who have supported this new project in its infancy. All memberships runs from May 2024-May 2025. It will be an organic process that responds to need, so please don't be shy, do tell me what you need. Upon joining, members will receive a link to the first questionnaire, in order to identify what our community needs. I will be announcing a programme of workshops next week and invite you to bring along your ideas to the launch event. There is so much talent in our community and I want to support you to create fantastic art. I've been working professionally in the arts for 18years, so if I don't personally have the skills to support you, I know someone who can. (Delighted that we have had two offers already inclduing: mental health as a performer, and a guide to publishing.)
The majority of our members are writers of some sort, but we also have musicians and creatives making visual arts. Members will also be informed of local & national opportunities, funding, & support to develop their work. As a multi-disciplinary artist myself, I am always encountering fantastic opportunities from across the UK, and will be sharing these in the monthly Members email and membership will evolve and be shaped by the people who join.