Ska With Laurel
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery
2nd October 2010 – 8th May 2011
PLEASE NOTE: This exhibition has now closed
Ska with Laurel tells the story of Ska legend, Laurel Aitken. A major force within Ska music, Laurel was a hugely influential figure in the development of new Jamaican musical styles in the 1950s and 60s. He played a key role in bringing these genres to popularity in England.
Laurel Aitken lived in the heart of Leicester for 35 years and made a huge contribution to the cultural life of the city, inspiring and helping hundreds of young musicians.
Dubbed by Gaz Mayall as ‘The Godfather of Ska’, Laurel moved to England from Jamaica in the early 1960s, releasing records on the ‘Blue Beat’ label. Proving popular with the Mods and Skinheads in the 1960s and 70s, Laurel’s music also influenced the Two Tone sound of the early 1980s, in particular with bands such as The Specials and Bad Manners.
The exhibition, which will include audiovisual material, stage clothes, photographs, posters and press cuttings, celebrates the life and work of Laurel Aitken, a pioneer of Ska music and one of the first musicians to popularise Jamaican music in the UK.
Visitor Information:
Free admission
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery
New Walk, Leicester, East Midlands LE1 7EA
T: 0116 225 4900 E: museums@leicester.gov.uk
W: www.leicester.gov.uk/skawithlaurel
Events:
For further details of the events, including confirmation of times and ticket prices, please contact the host venue.
Ska with Laurel: The Launch Party
Friday 8th October
8.00pm till late
The Pub, 12 New Walk, Leicester
Join us to celebrate the launch of the exhibition with Ska music playing through the night! Over 18s only. www.thepubleicester.co.uk
Reggae Night at The Donkey
Saturday 16th October & 3rd Saturday of Every Month
The Donkey, 203 Welford Road, Leicester LE2 6BH
Enjoy the beats laid down by DJs 'IBI SOUND' and a live reggae band at every event. £4.00 on the door. T: 0116 270 5042. www.donkeybar.co.uk
Ska with Laurel: Poster Prints
Saturday 30th October
11.00am – 1.30pm, 2.00pm - 4.30pm
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery
Music and art merge to create distinctive styles. Create a poster with print and other materials inspired by the Ska legacy. Booking essential. £2.00
Red Stripe
Saturday 6th November
Molly O’Grady’s, Hotel Street, Leicester, LE1 5AW
Red Stripe's music is a "joyous melange" of Soca, African, Dub, Reggae, Ska, Funk and Blues, with Jazz and Indian influences thrown in for good measure! Tel: 0871 0347762 www.myspace.com/mollyogradys
Ska with Laurel: A Mirror in a Montage
Saturday 4th December
10.00am – 4.30pm
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery
Celebrating the life and legacy of a musical icon through personal objects and images. As the year draws to a close, celebrate your own achievements by creating a montage that’s all about you. Bring along photos, leaflets - anything that sums up your 2010 for a most impressive collage.
El Pussycat + Kingsize
Tuesday 28th December & Wednesday 29th December
Doors open 8.00pm
The Musician, Clyde Street, Leicester LE1 2DE
El Pussycats are a 7/8 piece 'old skool, authentic, Ska, Swing, Blue Beat' outfit in the famous Jamaican dance hall style of the 50's & 60's. Kingsize aim to bring back to audiences that solid, rhythmic and powerful Ska sound of the old time greats. Both gigs featuring former members of Laurel Aitken's band. £7.00
www.themusicianpub.co.uk
El Pussycat
Friday 31st December
The Donkey, 203 Welford Road, Leicester LE2 6BH
Make it a New Years Eve to remember with a night of authentic Jamaican dance hall style Ska. Tickets on sale from The Donkey. 0116 2705042
www.donkeybar.co.uk
Kingsize
Saturday 29th January 2011
8.00pm till late
The Pub, 12 New Walk, Leicester
Witness some Jamaican and original big-brassed dance Ska for yourself! See some of Laurel Aitken's former band members perform live. Over 18s only.
www.thepubleicester.co.uk
Album Art
Wednesday 25th February 2011
11.00am - 1.30pm & 2.00pm - 4.30pm
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery
Record covers are an art form and define the music inside them. Bring your ideas (and anything else that inspires you) and we'll bring the covers. Materials provided. Booking essential. £2.00
Ska Night
Saturday 2nd April 2011
The Pub, 12 New Walk, Leicester
Dance the night away by listening to some of the finest tunes the Ska genre has ever produced. Over 18s only. www.thepubleicester.co.uk
It's Not What You Wear, It's The Way You Wear It
Monday 18th April 2011
11.00am - 1.30pm & 2.00pm - 4.30pm
New Walk Museums & Art Gallery
The iconic personality and image of Laurel Aitken still inspires musicians today. Have fun making your own T-shirt inspired by the exhibition. T-shirt and materials provided. Booking essential. £2.00
