The Plank is an open community group where we explore many aspects of free improvisation and group playing. The sessions consist of some structured activity and some free play. We welcome artists of other mediums to respond within the space, or those that want to be passive within the space.

The 2023 programme has been supported by The Ranworth Trust and as a result we have been able to invite a number of guest artists to lead sessions, and make use of a variety of different venues.

This session will be led by Kate Carr, focussing on Spatiality.

”My work centres on articulating our relationships with each other and the spaces we move through using sound. I am particularly interested in the way sound contours our experiences of the world, how we deploy it to connect, occupy, immerse and remove ourselves from locations, events and each other.

I am a field recordist and this practice of recording the sounds in public spaces informs all of my work. Everything from vibrations caused by cars and footfalls, to indistinct murmurs, music in public space, and the roar of distant sporting events has found its way into my compositions. In its variety, layers and obscurations, the ways in which we together create our soundscape continues to inspire me.

As part of this interest I have recently developed a practice involving the creation of sonic transects. These projects involve the tracing of a trajectory in sound, and offer an experience of some of the ways we move through the world.”

This workshop will will focus on creating live soundscapes from objects. Using objects placed around the space, we will use acoustic sounds and amplification via the house PA, to play with sound and space.

The Shoe Factory Social Club, St Mary’s Plain, NR3 3AF. The venue is fully accessible with accessible toilet facilities. Tables and chairs will be provided, there is ample power supplies but please bring an extension lead if you are planning to use electronic instruments. Parking can be found at the rear of the space, accessed via Duke Street. Access to the space can be made either via entrance through the Junkyard Market, or directly from St Mary’s Plain.

Visit The Plank page for full details.

Please note: You may bring anything you like; instruments, objects, devices….
Please bring your own amplification if required, there is no PA.
You are welcome to observe, we welcome anyone who wants to form an audience.
The Plank is an entirely open platform, it will be curated and facilitated by Eastern Ear where appropriate but we welcome suggestions of any nature.
If you have a personal objective from attending ‘The Plank’ (such as to work with a drummer) then please make that clear to us at the beginning of the session.