In the Dark is a project that's all about listening in new ways. They organise events for alternative audio lovers, allowing audiences to indulge their ears (and rest their eyes) in dark cinema-like surroundings. They say they "aim to create a mini-revolution in the way we think about the art of spoken-word radio, by lifting it out of its traditional settings and curating it in new and unusual ways". Sounds good.
On 5 March, In the Dark will be holding its first ever all-day extravaganza, christened Clock and Clouds, it's to be "an alternative audio conference for feature-lovers". A series of talks, master-classes and listening sessions are planned, plus lots of opportunities to meet industry types. Probably pitched at people working in — or aspiring to work in — spoken-word radio, it's also meant to be accessible to people who just enjoy all things audio.
Speakers include Julie Shapiro, who organises the Third Coast Festival, sound artist and producer John Wynne, docu-drama expert Peter Nash and Laurence Grissell from the BBC Documentaries Unit. Tickets are a rather pricey £55 (£45 concessions), but that does include lunch and coffee breaks. In the Dark also organises more pocket-friendly evening events if that's totally out of your price range. There’s more information and tickets for sale on their website.
Clocks and Clouds, an In the Dark all-day event, Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, E1 6LS; www.inthedarkradio.org
