Radio Rooms is back in business

A live music and events venue in Tweedmouth is offering a varied summer programme starting this weekend.
Inside The Radio Rooms.Inside The Radio Rooms.
Inside The Radio Rooms.

The schedule includes 12 events as part of a project called A Journey Through Genres following a successful funding application to Arts Council England.

And Jemima Martin who runs The Radio Rooms on Main Street that first opened at the beginning of 2019, has plenty of ideas to take things forward – including plans for it to be a base for community activities. She has already linked up with Northern Soul Kitchen food waste initiative.

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A Journey Through Genres will feature different music genres and a mix of local emerging and established musicians. The programme, which will also be live-streamed, starts on June 5.

A few of the separate events will be outdoors, including the first one to mark the re-opening on Saturday (Sounds of Summer) after being closed for months due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Jemima said: “Getting everything ready has been very stressful, although I’m sure I’ll be excited on the day of the events.

“As part of trying to find out if I could apply for funding given the impact of Covid-19, I spoke with people I know at the Music Venue Trust charity and was told about the Emergency Grassroots Music Venues Fund from the Government that was being looked after by Arts Council England.

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“It turned out that it was the only one available to small venues like us, therefore I thought it was worth applying even if I didn’t think I would get a grant.

“So I was over the moon to receive funding, which has been a major contributing factor for re-opening.

“There will be workshop elements to some A Journey Through Genres events to get audiences involved and people between the ages of 16 and 21 can apply for free tickets – email [email protected] for more information. Those under 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult or I will need to speak with their parents/guardians in advance.

“As for the future, I’m feeling positive about expanding our offering and I hope to set-up a charitable branch of The Radio Rooms so more community events and activities can take place here. I’m also aiming to help inspire more women and girls to get involved in music.

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“In addition, it’s great that Northern Soul Kitchen are moving into The Radio Rooms kitchen to provide a delicious food menu with soul.

“Meals bought will contribute to the fantastic work being done to alleviate food poverty, reduce good food from going to landfill and supporting the community in many different ways.”

The Radio Rooms is open from noon to late on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For more details about its events, go to www.radiorooms.co.uk

You can purchase tickets online or in person at the venue during opening hours. There is currently a reduced capacity to take into account the Covid-19 restrictions that are still in place.

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