Charlie Hammond

Where does this blog find me?

Well I’ve recently run a workshop in Sheffield (The Art of Being A Silly) and I’ve got a full flavour show in Sheffield (Tender Vessels – Thursday 2nd July at Alder). I’ve sculpted out this bit of time for testing and experimenting how it feels to perform and run workshops again – I’m feeling aware that I’ve not laid out any set plans post August. Feels both strange to have the lull but also I’ve got other things that I should really give some attention to (such as finishing my Therapeutic Approaches to Wilderness Practice which is exciting and daunting).

I’m finding it a bit tricky to make space solely for creating and playing for its own sake, especially as my spare time is very much eaten up. I’ve been working four days a week in a JOB of all places, and whilst I have become much more efficient with my producing time it does add a bit of extra loads for all the little hobbies and avenues I’d like to have time to explore. And friends and community, huh, what’s that about?

Something that I have been reflecting on in terms of my artistic work, is now that I’ve stopped traveling around so much, I am so very reluctant to do any travel for my creative work. Which is very challenging for any ambitions of growing work to elsewhere. I’m trying to lean into making work where I am at, as well as considering what else might support this (video, audio, ect), but I do really envy those who ended up building their lives in London, or Manchester, or Bristol, with a much bigger performance scene and opportunities for a continued live career. It’s tricky at a time where I’m really needing to be rooted in Sheffield, and cherishing my life here, against the knowledge that the way to grow work is in the bigger cities. Anyway, I’m happy doing what I’m doing, so one step, one step, one step.

I also finished a stand-up course, and whilst I’ve brimming with a few ideas of how I might continue that if I wanted, I have a similar feeling of ‘I really can not be bothered to be traveling all evenings of the week’. I’m so very impressed by the hunger and passion of my course mates going of to find gigs.

Let’s reflect on this wee workshops first shall we.

The Art of Being Silly – 30th May – St Andrews Church on Psalter Lane, Sheffield

This was such a delightful experience. I’ve been in contact with St Andrews Church on Psalter Lane and Shirley House for a space enquiry before, and they are so calm and easy to talk to which really makes a difference and sets the tone for everything else that follows. I was struggling to find a suitable location for the day and ended up booking the main Church space which ended up feeling like such a luxury. We had 8 of us in total in the space and all the room to play with, particularly as we were told there was only ONE THING we were not allowed to touch and everything else was there to play with.

I don’t spend much time in Churches these days, but it was a pretty magical space to play in. Very calm, very spacious, and lots of beautiful sights and sounds to delight in.

Running a day workshop is also quite a lot to take on – there’s a lot of arriving to do both for yourself as a facilitator and for the group coming together. And I’m also really interested in providing spacious exploration for people – but that often stirs up feelings of wanting to pack more into a day or to make it feel meaningful and purposeful. Add to that my desire to be responsive to a group needs and to be able to chop and change my plan, allow lots of time for checking in and a day can really fly by. This especially felt pertinent in how this particular workshop went as there was more of a need for a slower pace for parts of the day from some of the members and I do think there is a lot of value in finding ways to adjust the plan and feel into the flow of what is needed. But sometimes that can make me feel like I’m just making it up on the fly again, instead of, I have a wealth of experience to draw on. Those naughty critical voices.

Parts of the day that I found particularly moving:

We had some sensory time exploring the church and my partner led me around the space placing my hand on a window warmed by the sun.

Watching adult humans play together! I’ve been doing a lot more office based work these days, and also a lot of my connection with people can sometimes be more around talking and catching up, but it’s so delightful to spend time in company with others where there is play or different forms of connection. I think it can often bring more intimacy than knowing the exact details of someone’s background, but is very powerful for bringing groups into connection and building a sense of safety.

We ended the day with some reflective drawing and writing and seeing a group of people around a kid’s plastic table playing with pastels and colours is an absolute honour.

My body system the next day felt so settled and grounded despite having worked hard the previous day, and that’s a real difference in some of the creative work I have done over the years where I can be extremely flat after quite intense focus and exertion.

In short, it was a very moving joyous day, and it stirs up more wonderings in what I might be able to offer. I’m also currently interested in different kinds of workshops and experimentations; I recently went to very beautiful one where we made little transportable shrines in a tin to carry with us and set up whenever we needed.

Tender Vessels – 2nd July @ Alder, Sheffield

I’ve also got a show coming up! Come! As always at the moment, it may end up being the last time I ever perform. Or it may be the start of something. I’m really curious about this one. The last half-hour version I did was quite a blast and a very different kind of performance to some of my previous creations. There is something special in it. I’m hopeful that I am able to tease something else out in this longer version. I’m also curious as my life is quite busy and there’s a lot of emotions so how that plays out in this could be very interesting. Especially as I’ve got a lot more guard dog / considerate protector parts these days when it comes to performance, but also really want to find safe ways to open things for an audience. Plus two great support acts – Adam Blake and Lizzy Margereson! Such lovely fools and clown souls to summer with. Tickets here!