We are delighted to announce that we have received support from the Lakes to the Sea investment panel to improve facilities in our downstairs performance space at the Kirkgate Centre in Cockermouth.
The funding will provide industry standard PA equipment to compliment the existing sound facilities at the centre, as well as enable the sound engineers at the Kirkgate to share their skills and knowledge with anyone interested in operating live sound.
“Up until now if we have hosted live events in our Egremont Room bar, we have relied on artists bringing in their own equipment, or on using a rather small and outdated portable PA- definitely not of the standard expected by professional touring musicians!” says operations manager, Katie Gentry.
“Hosting events in this space also makes them far more easily accessible to those with mobility issues. Although we do have a lift to the auditorium there is limited space upstairs for accommodating customers in wheelchairs, and the sound desk is not wheelchair accessible. The Egremont Room provides completely level access for all.”
“We are also very keen to encourage more local sound engineers to join our team of volunteers at the centre, with there being so many events on our calendar it’s a lot to cover!”
Volunteer sound engineer Kev Farish (well known locally as an integral member of blues band ‘Crow Dog’) will be sharing his skills and experience of sound engineering with a series of training sessions early in 2025, alongside Peter Tandy who has been a volunteer sound engineer with the Kirkgate team for the past 18 months.
“Without the award from the Lakes to the Sea panel we wouldn’t have been able to purchase such good quality equipment for the space, which is increasingly used for live music, presentations and panel events, and this also gives us the opportunity to invite budding new sound engineers to come and learn the art of live production in a more comfortable and accessible space”
The new equipment will also be available for use by the many rural venues hosting Kirkgate Arts Out West shows across the region.
You can book a place on the course through our website www.kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Kirkgate is a charity based in Cockermouth, Cumbria. It operates an arts and heritage centre as well as working with towns and villages in West Cumbria to encourage a diverse programme of arts, culture and entertainment. Its vision is to ensure that creative talent is valued, developed and supported with opportunities for all to engage actively with, and enjoy, the arts, local heritage and community life.
The Kirkgate Centre brings the best cultural, theatrical and entertainment events to Cumbria. From the best feature and documentary films to live streaming of top London shows, to local talent, heritage exhibitions, music, theatre, comedy and more, there is something for everyone.
In the historic Kirkgate Quarter of the Gem Town of Cockermouth, sitting on the edge of the Lake District National Park, the Kirkgate Centre is the perfect venue for special occasions, conferences, meetings, courses, exhibitions or private film screenings.
Kirkgate manages Arts Out West which stages performances in community venues from Furness to the Solway, ranging from nationally-recognised theatre companies to international musicians with events that are as much a social occasion as a performance. It is a member of the National Rural Touring Forum supported by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.
Follow @kirkgatearts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
For more information:
Emma Heys 01900 829966 enquiries@thekirkgate.com www.kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk
The Kirkgate Centre, Kirkgate, Cockermouth, CA13 9PJ