Bell Square 2016 gets off to a fantastic start

I've been coming to Hounslow all my life and it is really exciting to see quality arts events happening here. I work with Watermans, the arts centre in Brentford, and have been involved in Bell Square myself in 2015. This year I have become the first Bell Square Blogger. 

Carousel attracted the biggest crowd I’d seen at the Square. It was fantastic to see people clapping along and cheering at the end. The act itself was best in its moments of high energy, with a toe-tapping folk score. The story that Southpaw was telling was classically tragic. It was great to see a dance show so focused on telling an emotional story captivating a large and diverse group of people.

Of Man and Beast by Company Chameleon didn’t draw a huge crowd, due to performing twice in the afternoon and the bad weather. The show itself was very interesting though, again with a narrative focus. It was fun to hear Rage Against the Machine being blared in the middle of Hounslow. Interviewing the performers was a brilliant experience that I recommend to any young people interested in journalism.

Teatr KTO told a wacky but pretty easy-to-follow tale about modern working life. I heard people talking about the show in a local shop after, describing it as very raunchy. And while it wasn’t afraid to take risks, the show seemed suitable for everyone. It tackled everyday life in a truthful and funny way. Initially, when the pack of dancers began to sprint away into the high street, I wasn’t too pleased about having to chase them down. However, after seeing the crowd grow and change every time they moved, I came to see the decision as incredibly smart. Company Chameleon had said that the venue was great because of the people passing through, but when both the act and the audience are in transit, they become even more intertwined. Despite the show's outlandishness, it seemed to grab people’s attentions more than any other. It has been amazing to see audiences getting more involved and the acts connecting more and more.

Check out my video of these three events below:

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5AsYBaRzWQ&w=854&h=480]

Your chance to perform!

We are looking for local dance groups or individuals to have the opportunity to perform at the Big Dance Bus event on 10 September at Bell Square.

Please contact Seth Richardson seth@watermans.org.uk to find out more or register your interest.

Introducing our first Bell Square blogger Connor Cochrane

Connor Cochrane is joining the Bell Square bloggers and will the be first to post about Company Chameleon, the dance and theatre company which will be performing on May 21 at 1pm and 3.30pm on Bell Square.

Connor loves writing and has written for gaming web site Zelda Universe for the last six months and was previously an editor of several web sites. 

"I've been coming to Hounslow all my life and it is really exciting to see quality arts events happening here. I love writing, film and instagram, so this is perfect for me. The events are thought provoking, with plenty to talk about and it also gives me the opportunity to do some video production."

Watch out for Connor on social media this Saturday and he'll be posting his review of the event here, so watch this space.

Twitter: @ConnorLCochrane

Instagram: @rogums

Follow Bell Square and Company Chameleon on Social Media to

Company Chameleon Facebook: facebook.com/companychameleon

Company Chameleon Twitter: @chameleon_info

Bell Square Facebook: facebook.com/BellSquareLDN/

Bell Square Twitter: @BellSquareLDN

Do you love the arts and free outdoor shows? Become a Bell Square Blogger

If you love Bell Square events and want to share your point of view, then why not volunteer as a Bell Square Blogger?

You'll join a small team of people who photograph, video, write about and share THEIR experience of Bell Square events and what they mean to the local community.

Bell Square Bloggers might film the event, interview the artists, write a personal response to the performance, or just tweet and post on your own social media pages... it's your call.

We'll give you a free training session to help you master blogging and social media techniques. You don't need to be an expert - just enthusiastic and interested in sharing your experience online.

All we ask of you is that you come to the training and attend at least two Bell Square events during the year. 

If you're interested in taking part, please contact eva@homeofsocial.com to will be able to tell you more.