About this project
I am Ellie Westbrook, a performance artist, clown, opera singing interdisciplinary person and I love beautiful weird art that makes me laugh and cry and feel humanity.
I make performance work in my beautiful home of Hastings, and I want to be able to pay local artists and collaborators, offer some cheaper tickets to those who need them, and continue to contribute to the already buzzing arts culture here.
Tickets will be on sale closer to the event, at a full price of £20. Any donation would be amazing, or you can check out one of our rewards. More details below.
It’s been a long time since any performance has happened in Hastings Castle and I believe it should be a recognised location for that. We are a collective of local artists who want to fill its cracks with creativity.
Concert at the Castle will present a performance of Judith Weir’s mini-opera “King Harald’s Saga” and then
- live strings with local cellist Tara Franks and her duo Balladeste,
- local singers, including Bev Lee Harling
- synths and samples from Tullis Rennie
…which will all expand and experiment with the piece, exploring how we remember, what we remember, and what we forget…
This will all be augmented by interactive lighting artist Peter Hudson.
It will be a truly beautiful and unique event, and we will do it on September 13th 2024.
Why we need your support
I need your help so I can pay artists and collaborators and offer some cheaper tickets for those who need them. Ticket sales won’t cover the costs of the event and we haven’t yet received any funding.
- To pay all artists and technical team to make this event happen on the day costs £2,166. This is our initial target.
- To also cover some rehearsal time costs £4,016 in total. This will be our stretch goal.
If we get more support, and perhaps grant funding, we will also pay a local filmmaker and photographer to capture the event and help get further support for future projects. This will bring the total to £5,566.
I want this to be the beginning of a creative relationship with the Castle, to put on bigger, more ambitious, community-involved events at this venue. This would be a simple starter to invest in a fruity future.
Special rewards
We've cooked up some treats for you if you'd like to get a bit more for your donation.
T-Shirt Collaboration
We're combining forces with local award-winning illustrator Benjamin Phillips to make a beautiful screen-printed t-shirt. It will feature a 'Concert in the Castle' original illustration, screen printed in a local studio. You can either get the t-shirt on its own, or a t-shirt and a ticket. After printing costs, all proceeds from the t-shirt sales will be split with Benjamin.
Date Night for 2
Bringing someone special to the concert? This reward bags you 2 tickets and 2 drinks from the bar (provided by the Crown). And we'll reserve a run at the front of the audience for you, so you don't miss a moment of the action.
Sponsor Package
If you're a local business or philanthropist, willing to support with a little more, this reward is for you. In return we'll pop your name or logo on our flyers and posters, and do a public thank you at the end of the concert.
** This will be a weather dependent event and subject to postponement if conditions are too windy/wet **