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 |
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 558 |
539 |
439 |
Artistic Director, Paul Bogen, said of The Junction's new public artwork, Bins And Benches: "The aim was to create a groundbreaking work of pioneering art that would attract attention and engage wider interest in the potential or art and technology in public spaces. In keeping with The Junction's ethos, this isn't just about art - it is also about having fun".
What do you think - is it important to enjoy the arts? And is Bins And Benches a good example of fun art. Send your views to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll print them here.
 |
| Is The Junction's new theatre well suited to the presentation of innovative drama and dance?
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 |
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 663 |
408 |
604 |
Following a visit to The Junction's new theatre (The Shed) in Spring 2005, John Retallack of Company of Angels said that he felt no theatre maker could look at the space and not want to create new work in it. It is, in his words "a space for theatre’s future.”
What do you think? If you've seen a show in it, how did you find it? Send us your thoughts and we'll print them here.
"I thought The Junction was a dance venue - so I'm delighted to know there's more on. Like the theatre design. I was thinking I needed to go to London this week to see something stimulating/cultural... It was great to...do that here in Cambridge." Amarachandra
"Like the size, space, design of the facilities. Will definitely come back." N Spark
"Beautiful new space!" A Drury
"We loved our first visit here. It was a magical performance and a great venue. Thank You." H Burton
|
| Should New Order have been given the 'Godlike Genius' Award at the 2005 NME Awards?
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Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 390 |
445 |
318 |
February 2005 saw New Order beating Brian Wilson and other nominees to win NME's new 'Godlike Genius' Award. What do you reckon? Was this well deserved or are New Order over-rated?
Send your views to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll print them here.
Your Views
"Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Joy Division/New Order fan but it is completely ridiculous to say they have had a bigger effect on music than Brian Wilson. Pet Sounds is a complete genius of an album, infact most of the music Wilson and the Beach Boys produced was groundbreaking. The man's a genius, no comparisons." Emily
"Apparently it was awarded to New Order AND Joy Division. About bloody time they received recognition for the influence and enjoyment they have provided in their quiet, polite way." Lucy Alton
"Yes, New Order are fully worthy of their NME God-Like Genius Award. From the ashes of Britain's greatest post-punk band, Joy Division, New Order have created great music, dragged 'indie' onto the dance floor and played the music business game on their own terms. They have innovated our music culture, absorbing underground trends and bringing them to the mainstream, while the band's stubborn loyalty to Factory Records also proved that being signed to a small independent label was not necessarily a barrier to commercial success. New Order's influence is everywhere. They also gave the country its most happening club (the late Hacienda) and even wrote the best ever football song - what more do you want? Blood?" Nick Thompson
"There was definitely something of lasting greatness created when Barney, Hook and co were in Joy Division. But for me, the genius lay more in Ian Curtis' lyrics and morbid delivery and Martin Hannett's remarkable production rather than the New Order part of the equation. After Joy Division I only really took any notice of 'Everything's Gone Green' and 'Blue Monday'. Saying New Order have godlike genius at this point in their careers is completely risible. 'True Faith' was rubbish without the video."
The Leg
|
| Can a computer predict whether a song will be a hit record?
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Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 408 |
551 |
357 |
A computer programme is changing the face of the music business by allowing record labels to predict a hit at the click of a mouse. Is this the death of pop as we know it, or a new hope for unsigned bands everywhere?
Send your views to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll print them here.
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 1461 |
1234 |
885 |
The momentum towards a national ban on smoking in public spaces is gathering pace.
Ireland has already legislated. Now Liverpool Council is hoping to follow suit with only a handful of councillors opposing a city wide ban. Even the Weatherspoons pub chain will bring in a ban in May 2006.
Is a countrywide ban inevitable given the known and proven dangers of passive smoking? Or is improved ventilation (like the massive new system at The Junction) and designated non-smoking areas in pubs, clubs and restaurants what we really need?
Let us know your views and we will print them here. Email gordon@junction.co.uk
Your Views
"Re the whole smoking debate, I can't wait for a full ban on smoking in public places. I smoked for 5 years and ever since stopping, I have really noticed the effects it has on others {now including me}. Clubs and pubs are often crowded and poorly ventilated which doesn't make for a pleasant environment sometimes. If I have paid to see a band at a club like The Junction (which I have often!) I like to enjoy myself. I know that smokers feel the same way but they can choose whether to smoke or not and non-smokers can't. Please keep up your leading edge and be brave enough to ban smoking in your club. It'll be safer and it won't smell as much!" Sarah Tomlinson
"I recently went to see Mercury Rev at the Junction or should i say the
chimney - please ban smoking from the junction - being surrounded by smokers
put a dampener on the evening and when we came out we didnt half stink!! -
BAN SMOKING AT THE JUNCTION NOW
- don't dilly dally about it - just do it." Jason Warne
"Like millions of people in the UK I suffer from asthma. As a consequence I am effectively 'banned' from any venue where smoking is allowed. Is it really unreasonable to ask those who wish to smoke to do so where it will not prevent others enjoying cultural activities partly funded by the taxes which they also pay? Following the introduction of the DDA this seems very much against the spirit of the times." Susan R
"I guess ultimately it is up to the club owners weather or not they allow smoking but I think if The Junction banned smoking you would find an awesome decrease in ticket sales. It is a fact that when people go clubbing, those who are smokers are gonna want to smoke - if you stop people doing it in your club, they will find somewhere else to go.
There was more smoke in the air on Saturday night from the smoke machine than there was from people smoking cigarettes; if you ban cigarettes please ban the smoke machine too!"
Rose Wood
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 2176 |
2030 |
1996 |
On Thursday 19th August 2004 The Junction reopened it doors following an extensive 18 week refurbishment programme. Major improvements include a massive new ventilation system in the main auditorium, which is newly named THE STRIPE, plus air cooling in the chill out bar, new floor surfaces, new technical infrastructure, lift access to the first floor and 100% more women's loos.
Is it an improvement?
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll print them here.
Your Views:
"I am most impressed with more ladies loos - queuing for the two cubicals
by the bar has always been a nightmare - I did not have to queue once on
Saturday night! Thank you! Also - people making crepes on the opposite
side of the dance floor - fantastic idea! Cloak room is now in a far
better location, hardly had to queue for that either. On the whole it
is the same although much cleaner, smarter and looking a bit more cared
for. Hope it stays cared for.
Parking - nobody wants to pay for the multi-story car park next door!
What happened to the free parking that has always been there? As a
consequence I think there will always be hundreds of cars parked out on
near by roads/streets.
Oh and the temperature...too hot downstairs and too cold upstairs - I
think the aircon needs evening out across the building."
Rose Wood
"Looks quite nice, much cleaner, good decor. The place is brighter so there is no longer this sometimes dodgy and not very safe atmosphere one could experience in the old Junction.
But, and there is a big but: the dancefloor is FAR TOO bright, who needs so much light to dance? One gets the impression to be in a restaurant or supermarket and it's hard to to get in the mood for dancing.. I want a dancefloor that tells me I'm in a nightclub!!"
Patrick, Cambridge
"Anything's got to be an improvement on the previous Junction, especially the toilets! Not impressed with the new club listings though, haven't found a single thing I want to go to yet. Where's all the Trance? Did venture to 'Pop Art' last Friday, would have been alright if it was more than half full. No atmosphere! Cambridge just isn't big enough to hold an 'alternative' music night on a Friday in a club the size of the Junction, there's simply no interest. We need commercial, with no dress code and the Junction's the place to make that happen! "
O.Wilson
"I'm a man who is well known for his brutal honesty. Your website invited
comments, so let's get straight down to business:
Good:
- Very clever new layout upstairs makes the whole experience far more
intimate
- I approve of the dark red colour scheme, looks smart but still compatible
with Junction ethos.
- Like the new bogs
- Like the aircon
- Downstairs sound: Flying the tops and adding soundproofing really helps
sound quality
- Upstairs sound: Martin Audio are the best there is
Bad:
- Sticky floor in auditorium (will this settle down over time?)
- Food outlet should not face straight onto dance floor
- Events schedule seems a little weak - where's the trace/techno/house?
More goods than bads so I guess good overall (but of course your attention
must now focus upon the bad points; back patting creates hubris and does no
good)."
John
|
| Is Parkour set to become the next exciting development in live performance?
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Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 1946 |
1929 |
1938 |
"Parkour, a dazzling athletic choreography that takes its influences from skateboarding, breakdancing, martial arts and military training, began life about 15 years ago in a Paris suburb as a way for teenagers to escape their boredom. Today, the pursuit is inspiring thousands of British youths to get off their sofas and do something"
Kate Burt, The Independent Review 25 Aug 2004
To find out more visit www.urbanfreeflow.com
Let us know your thoughts on Parkour and we'll print them here. Email gordon@junction.co.uk
|
| Might theatre shows and film documentaries tell us more about what is really going on in Iraq than our TV news?
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Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 1621 |
1564 |
1600 |
Send you thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll print them here.
True or false:
• Iraq threatened the UK/US with weapons of mass destruction
• Saddam Hussein had links with Al Qaida
• British foreign policy is not about oil
TV news has a powerful influence on public opinion and how we see and understand our world. But the impression of world events we receive through our TV, radio sets and newspapers is at best incomplete and, at worst, seems constructed to make us see something quite remote from the reality abroad. How else does one explain that at one point 45% of Americans were convinced that Saddam Hussein was 'personally involved' in 9/11?*1
Recently a number of theatre shows like 'Guantanamo' and documentaries such as 'Control Room' and 'Farenheit 9/11' have emerged, giving more personal witness to events surrounding our 2003/4 military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In fairness it is easy to see why a less than accurate reality may be unintentionally painted by our media. Firstly, 24 hour news puts pressure on producers to speed news and comment straight onto the screen. Investigative journalism doesn't work on such short deadlines and neither do exhaustive checks to ensure accuracy. Secondly, it is rare today that news reporters are where they need to be to get their own take on a situation *2. Thirdly, an information holder's option to turn off the tap of information and refuse interviews to a journalist can be a very powerful disinsentive for that reporter to embarrass them by revealing a very different side to a story.
So who can we trust to give us the real insights we need? Saddam Hussein?
And where else can we get an authentic picture? According to an article in The Financial Times, increasingly disillusioned voters are returning to political theatre for enlightenment.
Political theatre is raising its voice
"We are entering a bumber era of political theatre. A new production of 'Gautanamo: Honor bound to defend freedom' opens in New York, off-Broadway, next Thursday.
And while the original London 'Guantanamo' production - one of the most remarkable pieces of documentary drama ever presented, and one of the surprise hits of London's theatre summer *3 - draws to the end of its West End run on September 4, two other big London prductions about aspects of the Iraq war are about to open.
'Embedded' - a satire by the Hollywood actor Tim Robbins, already performed in Los Angeles and New York - arrives at Riverside Studios, with preview performance starting on August 31.
At the National Theatre, previews of 'Stuff Happens', David Hare's latest play, start on September 1.
The latter takes its title from one of Donald Rumsfeld's soundbites: "Stuff happens and it's untidy, an freedom's untidy, and free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things."
Rumsfeld and Jack Straw are stage characters in both 'Stuff Happens' and 'Guantanamo'. The dramatis personae of 'Stuff Happens' also include George W.Bush, Tony Blair, Kofi Annan, Hans Blix, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, Dick Cheney, Robin Cook and Alastair Campbell.
It is unlikely they will be presented in the light-romp style with which Margaret Thatcher featured in some 'Anyone for Denis?'-type entertainments in the 1980s.
If you ask: "Why this wave of political theatre?" it would be easy to reply, Clinton-style, "The war, stupid."
Alastair Macaulay, The Financial Times 21 Aug 2004
*1 A New York Times/CBS poll in March 2003 showed that 45% of American believed Saddam Hussein was 'personally involved' in 9/11.
*2 Hundreds of international journalists were being briefed at US military press centres in Qatar and Kuwait throughout the US/UK invasion of Iraq. Others were embedded with US (but not Iraq's) troops.
*3 NICK CURTIS for THE EVENING STANDARD says of 'Guantanamo'... "Shocking, depressing, inspiring, enraging material: I urge you to see it." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "The show leaves you shocked at the violations of justice committed in the name of freedom." CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "Shocking and often deeply moving production." RAYMOND WHITAKER for THE INDEPENDENT says, " An evening which left one stirred, questioning, and with a sense that one could no longer seek refuge in ignorance."
|
| Do we just want artists (DJs, musicians) to help us escape the daily humdrum?
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Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 1269 |
1504 |
1212 |
Some artists couldn't be better at making us feeling uplifted and allowing us to completely forget our troubles. Others grumble a bit and this mirrors our own mood in a strangely comforting way. Others have outspoken opinions on politics, relationships and the human condition. Others set out to shock our sensibilities.
Do artists have a serious duty beyond pure entertainment? Which type of artists have moved you most. Name some names, tell us who soothed you, who grooved you, who changed your mind, which DJ saved your life... and we'll print extracts here.
All comments to gordon@junction.co.uk
|
| Will on line music stores stop illegal music downloads?
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Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 2266 |
2354 |
2230 |
'Over the last few days the British Phonographic Institute (BPI) has stepped
up its fight against computer owners who download music illegally over the
internet. The record industry trade body is now threatening to take legal action
against consumers who do not disable file-swapping software like KaZaa and
WinMX on their PCs.
Apparently the illegal download of music in this way is costing the record
industry millions of pounds and many analysts see it as the main reason for the
demise of the CD single.
Yet hidden among the BPI's release is a very interesting statistic. It claims
that 92% of the eight million people in the UK downloading music are using
illegal sites. The amazing figure is not the 92%, but the 8% of computers owners
actually paying for tracks!
Even though around 8% of computer owners might not sound like much, it does
highlight that there is a core of consumers prepared to give legitimate
downloads a chance.
After all, there are advantages of grabbing tracks from legal sites. Users of
file sharing networks often inadvertently download spyware on their
computers. Legal sites' users are assured they are getting the track they want, and
that is of good quality. With file swapping software there are no guarantees the
track that has just been downloaded is what it purports to be.
So what will change the minds of the other 92%? Being hounded the BPI?
Probably not. No, what the UK needs is the arrival of high-profile music download
sites driven by brands users trust.
In the US the arrival of Apple's iTunes service kick-started legal downloads
and the company now claims that fifty-million tracks have been downloaded from
its site by both Mac and Windows PC users since its launch last year. The
tracks are in the Advanced Acoustic Coding (AAC) format, which offers superior
sound to MP3 and can be seamlessly transferred to Apple's iPod music
players.
Quite how successful the legitimate music downloads services will be really
is anyone's guess. The service users are most likely to subscribe to, in the
short-term at least, could depend on the type of personal audio player they want
to transfer the tracks to. So put your money on Apple and Sony.'
Ashley Norris, The Guardian, 27 March 2004
'The industry's aggressive pursuit of pirates is showing results, with the number of illegal peer-to-peer music files available on the internet falling 20 per cent over the nine months to January 2004.
In the US, the number of Americans who paid for downloads in the second half of 2003 doubled from 8 to 16 percent compared with the first half of the year. There are up to 500,000 tracks - the equivalent of 40,000 albums - available to legitimate US users.
But the music business still has a long way to go. Even after the 20 percent fall in the number of illegal files available, the number still stands at an enormous 800m. Downloading legally from the internet is still too complicated, with competing formats. Too much of the music people want to listen to is still unavailable through legitimate channels.
The industry also needs to remain careful about whom it sues and when, if it is to avoid alienating usually law-abiding music lovers. Yesterday it announced the start of "waves of lawsuits" against users outside the US, beginning with Canada, Germany, Italy and Denmark. It said there were 50 sites available to paying purchasers in Europe. But the best-established sources of legal online music, including iTunes, are still not available in Europe. It would have been preferable to announce the lawsuits after the legitimate sites were up and running.'
Financial Times 31 March 2004
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll post them here.
|
| Are more people buying guitars than they used to?
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|
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 2069 |
2052 |
2034 |
Congratulations if you voted yes.
"Sales figures show a steepening upward curve. In 1999, a quarter of a million guitars were sold in the UK, a 19 per cent rise on the previous year. In 2000, sales were up by 23 per cent. In 2001, they rose by 30 per cent – and they are still rising. Fender – the guitar equivalent of Ford Motors – sold 57,000 of its Squier model last year, compared to 43,000 in 2001. The Squier is considered the typical guitar choice of young men hoping to start a rock band. Marshall MG amplifiers flew out of the shops last year, selling 20,000 more than in 2001, an increase of 90 per cent."
John Walsh, The Independent 28/2/03
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll print them here.
|
| Would you like to see The Junction promoting any particular company or artist in the next 12 months?
|
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|
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 2558 |
2927 |
2611 |
The Junction has supported a huge number of companies and performers since it opened in 1990 often at a point in their careers where other venues were unable to help.
We are constantly on the look out for excellent new theatre and dance companies to grace our stage and welcome suggestions along with feedback on any professional companies whose work you have seen and particularly enjoyed. All suggestions are forwarded to our programming team.
Simply email your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk
Some of the companies presented by Junction CDC:
Drama
ATC • Blast Theory • Border Crossings • Cartoon de Salvo • Company Gavin Robertson • Company of Angels • David Glass Ensemble • Faulty Optic • Fecund • Forced Entertainment • Foursight Theatre • Graeae • Hoipolloi • If Performance Collective • Jade • Filter • Improbable Theatre • Indefinite Articles • M6 Theatre Company • Menagerie • Mike Maran
Mind The…Gap • Negative Equity • Network of Stuff • New International Encounter • Paines Plough • Peepolykus • People Show • Quicksilver • Rejects Revenge • Ridiculusmus • Riot Group • Robin Deacon • Scarlet Theatre • Spy Monkey • Starving Artists • The Red Room • Theatre Absolute • Theatre Centre • Theatre First • Theatre Resource • Theatre Sans Frontieres • Theater Taptoe • Told by an Idiot • Trading Faces • Trestle Theatre • Unlimited Theatre Company • Will Power • Wishbone
Dance
Adventures in Motion Pictures • Adzido • Akram Khan • Candoco • Henri Oguike • Jasmin Vardimon • Mark Bruce • Protein • Random • Ricochet • Sonia Sabri • The Cholmondeleys • V-tol.
|
| Is the closure of The Boatrace a major loss for Cambridge's music scene?
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Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 771 |
414 |
400 |
The following statement has been released by Enterprise Inns (the pub chain which owns The Boat Race).
"The Boat Race in Cambridge will be closing towards the end of January....There will be a new licensee for the pub and we cannot yet comment about the style of operation he/she will choose to adopt and whether that includes live music."
Could this spell the end of the local music scene which has built up and flourished around The Boatrace over many years? The Boatrace has serviced literally 1000s of bands (many local or up and coming national bands) and large numbers of students and music fans. It's future looks very uncertain at the moment.
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll post them here.
Your Views
"Yes, it is a huge loss. The Boat Race is the only half decent place to see live bands in Cambridge. I've been going out in Cambridge for quite a few years now after living somewhere where there was no live music. It was a refreshing change to hear something different and meet 'normal' people rather than the usual drunken 'lads' only out for a fight! True its not the nicest looking of places, but when you go there you know what your going to get, some live tunes be them good or bad. Its a huge loss to the live music scene. Sadly, I'll have to travel to Peterborough now for my live fix." Sal
"I think it is a pity The Boat Race is changing licencees. I used to love the good question blues nights on monthly Friday." Ed Excess
|
| Does shopping till you drop lead to unhappiness?
|
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|
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 1238 |
1247 |
1199 |
According to a recent report from the government's sustainable development commision, shopping until you drop leads not to happiness, but to debt and misery.
'Retail therapy', the commission argues, is driven by sexual competition and the need to show off and increase social status. But this conspicuous consumption damages the environment and the quality of life for all of us.
As the government's economic policy is all about getting people to consume more, they are unlikely to suggest that shopping is a bad idea.
Meanwhile, we continue to create mountains of non-biodegradable household waste, burying it for future generations to worry about.
Still, who cares?! How dull would life be without shops to fill our weekends and fill us with desire. And won't all this plastic we keep chucking in the ground be good fuel stock for our children?
What do you think? Does shopping like crazy do it for you or does it lead to stress and disappointment? Could creating mountains of plastic actually have practical benefits?
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll print them here.
|
| Will dancing with other people always be a popular way to socialise?
|
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|
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 474 |
415 |
399 |
Hasn’t dancing been around for a really LONG time? Worldwide we find all kinds of excuses for doing it - to celebrate marriages, successes and even the start of the weekend. But is it on its way out? Don't Europeans now have a hundred other ways to entertain themselves?
What do you think? Will dancing always be a popular way to mix with and meet other people.
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll print them here.
Your Views
"Dancing will always be great way to connect with other people. Rhythm helps us get things done. It recharges the batteries and makes them last longer. Evolutionary speaking, rhythmic people have become survivors. Even those of us who don’t dance, usually achieve some success in other 'rhythmic activities' (nudge nudge wink wink) which will ensure our genes are passed on to another generation."
The Leg, Nov 2003
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 1451 |
1379 |
1368 |
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk
Your Views
“Graffiti used to have something to say and said it hard, straight and with a passion. But today it is really starting to look like lazy scrawl, like an idle boast. Tags are multiplying on people’s garages, houses and street signs rather than on great pieces of street art. The more colourful forms of grafitti, the strange graphic styles, the humourous characterization and bold intoxicating messages seem very rare. Meanwhile tags just seem to say ‘I’m still here – don’t ignore me” when graffiti ought to be about challenging the status quo”.
The Leg, 2003
|
| Should coalition troops have prevented the looting of art from Bagdad in 2003?
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|
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 844 |
587 |
646 |
In one of his dispatches for The Independent, Robert Fisk anguished:
"Why? How could they do this? Why, when the city was already burning, when anarchy had been let loose - and less than three months after US archaeologists and Pentagon officials met to discuss the country's treasures …did the Americans allow the mobs to destroy the priceless heritage of ancient Mesopotamia?”
"Stuff happens," came US Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld’s reply. "It's untidy. And freedom's untidy. Free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things".
What do you think? Does art represent an important part of a country’s identity and heritage? Should it be protected? Does it matter if it is stolen and sold off and reappears in foreign countries? Does it belong in its country of origin?
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we’ll print them here.
|
| Are you seeing & hearing more good new artists thanks to new technology?
|
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|
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 487 |
438 |
415 |
Broadband has arrived and with it the potential for another major revolution in how artists will get seen and heard across the globe. Musicians will no longer depend on major labels to record and distribute their songs. Bands will record albums at home and fans will download them direct from the website. Moviemakers will no longer depend on major distributors taking their films to cinemas as viewers will download new films from the web. Photographers can already present and sell work from permanent on-line galleries.
None of this was possible 25 years ago. New technology has brought both the tools of production and means of distribution within the grasp of virtually all aspiring UK artists.
With access to a website, email, broadband and plenty of determination, it ought to be near impossible for a group of UK artists who are talented, inventive and potentially very successful, to remain ignored.
Or has new technology made it so easy to produce work and get it seen and heard that underdeveloped artists are now crowding out the real quality? Do you have the sense that there are too many people producing work which is half finished or a poor copy of someone else’s work? Are artists hitting the market place before they have mastered their art – in particular the art of performance?
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll print them here.
|
| Will extended pub and bar opening hours reduce drunkenness?
|
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|
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 2623 |
2553 |
2347 |
In summer 2004 a new licensing bill will be rolled out nationally which looks set to relax the opening hours which have hitherto prevented licensed premises (pubs, bars, restaurants) opening late.
Will being able to spread your drinking over many hours reduce the tendency to drink too much too fast? Let us know what you think. Email gordon@junction.co.uk
Your comments
"I think that the extended pub and bar opening hours would certainly reduce binge drinking, and avoid stacks of drunk shirts and skirts on the streets of towns and cities. Clubs and some drinking bars have extended licensing-and prove to be a success. Plus it will delay a rush of people heading to the nearest club after closing hours of 11pm. But whether or not this would affect the club trade or not remains to be seen." Susan Yates
|
| Can live music 'rock' without guitars and drums?
|
back to top |
|
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 1780 |
1884 |
1988 |
mmm... obviously the right answer.
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll print them here.
|
| If pubs and bars are allowed to open longer and later, will clubbers choose to go out later and stay out later?
|
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|
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 504 |
576 |
422 |
In summer 2004 a new licensing bill will be rolled out nationally which looks set to relax the opening hours which have hitherto prevented licensed premises (pubs, bars, restaurants) opening late.
One possible outcome may be a shift in culture to a more European model, like in Spain, where people don't usually hit the clubs until midnight. What do you reckon? Would you like to start your night later and dance right through to dawn?
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk
|
| Do you spend more leisure time with a computer than a TV?
|
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|
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 869 |
796 |
816 |
• 70% of US teenagers said they'd give up TV before giving up their computers or the internet (NOP Research, 2001)
• 65% of all 7-16 year olds are now internet users (NOP Research, 2000)
• Two thirds of internet usage is at home (NOP Research, 1999)
It looks like web-surfing and home use of computers for games, homework and communications may be overtaking TV viewing. What do you reckon?
Send your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we'll print them here.
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 625 |
1015 |
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Love it loath it, The Junction's Boogie Wonderland club night is a Cambridge institution that refuses to crumble.
With a history almost as long as The Junction’s and fans as far away as Australia, this ever popular 70/80s night has become such a lasting fixture in Cambridge night life that it has become hard to imagine life without it.
It might not be an exageration to say that The Junction wouldn't be around in its rich and varied current form were it not for Boogie Wonderland. The success of Boogie has given The Junction the freedom to offer less commercial offerings on other nights of the week.
But people, things and even club nights move on.
The Junction is set for a refurbishment and the addition of new spaces.
The time seems right to consider the future of Boogie Wonderland. Should we replace our Friday nights with a different flavour? And, if so, what could possibly replace it?
Let us know what you think. Should it go or should it stay? Send your views to gordon@junction.co.uk
Your Comments
"Having attended 1984 the other week, and not seeing the same response from people that Boogie Wonderland recieved, I must say I am a tad disappointed at the cut-back to boogie to "For One Night Only". Especially when your own poll showed an extremely large result for "No" when asked the question "Should Boogie Go?" All I hope is that you do not keep Boogie at any less than once a month, as I know for fact that many regular faces who attended Boogie are now exploring other venues in Cambridge which (in my opinion) do not hold as good nights as the Junction but people don't like losing a night that has become such an institution as Boogie. Anyhow, I'll be there on Friday as will many of the "old faces" that I've spoke to when seeing them at other clubs around the area over the past few weeks (including, I must say, some Fridays - proof indeed that loss of Boogie has lost some regulars). Personally, I think once or twice a month is the best amount of times to hold Boogie.
Anyhow, if you could inform me of any news regarding how regular I can expect Boogie to be held it would be appreciated as, as you can see from my KU Profile, I regard the Junction and Boogie in particular highly."
Daniel Megson
"Boogie wonderland is the best place to go on a friday nite.
Like ppl have sed b4 iv bin lost with out it on a friday nite.
I notice that it is only on once the 10th of september!!!!!!
I think that is crazy!!!
It shud be on every friday nite!!!!
please help me!"
S.Wing
"PLEASE DON'T TAKE BOOGIE AWAY FROM US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can't!!!!!! It IS the best night out in Cambridge!!! Life and Ballare or
the Fez don't hold a candle to the wonder that is Boogie!!!!!!
Please don't take it away from us!!!!!!!! So many people will be lost and I
know at least 20 people, me included that won't have a clue what to do on a
Friday night! I've been missing it since the Junction closed and have been
so looking forward to it re-opening just so I can go back to Boogie!!!!
It will be such a loss if it is stopped!!!!! Please don't do it to the
hundreds of people that love it! Was Boogie ever empty? NO!!!!!!
DON'T DO IT!!!! LONG LIVE BOOGIEWONDERLAND!!!!!!!!!"
Josie Chapman
"Please Please dont take it away, I haven't had chance to go yet, but I hear such good things about it, sounds so much fun. My kids all go and we would love to go too !!!!!!" Marnie
"Thank you for allowing us our say on the future of the junction, and more particulary, Boogie. I would like to see it stay, for many reasons. The atmosphere is good; the tunes are good, both down and upstairs, although 70's & 80's only like the "good old days" would be better, leave it to upstairs maybe to do the new stuff beofre karoke. Im sure you've had hundreds of emails regarding this, and from the look of it suggestions for a new commercial night of new music. Which is all good. So, save boogie as many agree, I normally go every other week anyway, so the quality CAN be only better if its every other week.
Thanks for the rant!" Scott P.
"Boogie is certainly the best club night: it's a guaranteed fun night
out, which is more than can be said about the other clubs in
Cambridge. I have been going for years and would not accept
suggestions for any other venue for my hen night a few months ago .
People love it and it allows the management to provide less
well-attended gigs on other nights, so why even consider scrapping
it!?
Please keep Boogie alive! I cannot wait to enjoy it again."
Lorena and friends
"I am in two minds about Boogie Wonderland. Maybe i've been to it too often,
even before I was supposed to, but it does remind me of some good times had
there and in Cambridge.
I'm sure I would go more often, if it was twice monthly and if the DJ's
played less 90s and "naughties". There are some fantastic 70's and 80's
tunes for them to keep it different, especially if it is every two weeks
etc. And to quote another fan of Boogie "Karaoke's cool and funny aswell."
Boogie is what it is supposed to be, very cheesy. And all the better for it.
A lot of the comments on the "Should Boogie Go?" page suggest another night
of cheese... but dedicated to newer music. Im for it! Don't cancel Boogie
either, just change it (the peeps on the web page have got the right idea), or I will be sad."
Sarah S
"Just thought you would like another satisfied customer to say how great Boogie was, when it was just 70's and 80's classics. Karaoke's cool and funny aswell. The staff are polite and friendly, the atmosphere at any Junction event is higher than all in Cambridge. The majority of comments seem to want it every two weeks, I agree, I'm sure it will be of a higher quality if this becomes so. And another commercial night of "general music" would be good on a friday (tho new music please, with a Boogie atmos). So here's to the next chapter. It starts in just 9 weeks. As I and the rest of the city, can't wait." Sally B
"I agree with nearly every point everyone else has made.......... SAVE BOOGIE!!! Every 2 Weeks or so!!! Real 70's and 80's cheese!!!! Maybe some 60's??!??!! Have another night with general music............. Cant wiat for the Junction to reopen! I think I'm shouting too much LOL." JM
"Boogie is a Cambridge institution - It has to stay!!! In all the holidays, all my friends and I meet up to go to Boogie to catch up and have a great time after being at uni in different cities. SAVE BOOGIE." Laura Fairbrother
"After reading all the comments on the webpage, I must say, everyone has a good point. I do think maybe Boogie Wonderland has run its course every Friday. But I know that it still has it's place in The Junction event schedule (every other week, like Carly mentioned). There's still 12 weeks to decide I guess, so I'll leave weighing out the pros and cons for you at The Junction.
I also attended Boogie Wonderland on 2nd April 04, and as Dan, Steve & Carly say, it was very good. Though the queue was probably down to people reading the ad in the newspaper or something, and finally realizing The Junction had been open for the last four months before hand. I simply found out from a flyer handed to me saying special light show "tonight at The Junction". It was pretty good though.
The voting poll is very very close really, considering the number who are not sure. I do honestly think boogie shouldn't go. It has been going on too long, it is an "institution" but if the Cambridge Clubbers don't support it, then I suppose it will be less often. Too much of a good thing is bad, so my offical verdict, every other week! And don't cancel Boogie!!!" Mark Healey
"I have just visited the junction website (after being persuaded by the blonde hair dj at the "last" boogie) to vote NO - to boogie ending (and have done so). There aren't any negative or critcal comments on the website. Im sure someone must have wrote something negative, but I understand why it has not been published.
Although I don't think Boogie Wonderland should end, I don't attend The Junction every friday for that reason, i.e. too much of a good thing is bad. An attempt to keep it fresh and innovative would be a start. The "last" Boogie was extremely enjoyed by all, I believe - and there was a different feel to the whole night. There had been some new developments with the sound and lights - using the new equipment early are we??? I have to go to another night, at another "so called club" in Cambridge at least every other week - otherwise, I would be at The Junction every week.
Maybe it is time for something different on a Friday? Boogie back to its roots (it may keep the "kids" away) and another night, something a bit more modern -alternate weeks or months. Different 70's & 80's DJs etc etc... Let me know what you think. And of course, keep me updated.
Thanking You. And I can't wait 16 weeks for you to reopen."
Carly Edwards
"So the first weekend The Junction is closed... My mates and I have no Boogie, no Karaoke AND HAVE HAD NO FUN!
We tried the other clubs before but there quite not the same... and we always need somewhere to test our vocal talent. I managed to make it to the last night of Boogie, and I must say the DJ’s on stage excelled themselves (which hasn’t happened in a while). The lights were different and exciting also – I even felt like pinching those plasmas on stage... (Not really of course).
Even if Boogie is not on quite as often... the future of The Junction better get here quick and I look forward to new club nights to attend." Steve Roberts
"I recently spent one and a half years living in the UK on a working holiday from Perth, Australia. I was introduced to your club on my first weekend in Cambridge. From then on I was hooked, I was there every friday night. Thanks for making my trip so worthwhile, you provided more fun and atmosphere than I could ever get from a club here at home.
Thanks so much!"
Vicky, Australia
"A lot of my friends go to university etc and
its great to meet up and go to Boogie (reminds me of when we were all
together all the time ;)... It's great basically. I go regulary now (2/3 times a month) and have a fantastic time (with new and old friends) - we spend more time upstairs aswell now since the karoke started (good fun) and the r-n-b tunes at the start. Sometimes we wonder how
we stay up there for 3hours :)!!! Commercial and Fun! So, Should Boogie Go? NO. It's simply been going on too long for it to stop."
Jess, the Cambridge Clubber
"Personally I love boogie, as said on one of the other comments its a great
place to meet your friends and have a cracking night. If this was to go me
and my friends would be reduced to going to one of the other terrible clubs
that we have in Cambridge! So to finish Boogie should definitely stay - it just wouldn't be a good Friday without it x" MB Media
"You MUST NOT let boogie go! It's still the best place to be on a Friday night in Cambridge! If Boogie goes then the Cambridge residents shall lose what has become our figurehead night out in opposition to the Cambridge Uni - which most of the City Centre nights are geared up for. If you close Boogie there are a lot of people (who, by the way, often spend a fair amount on drink) who have been coming to boogie week-in, week-out for years who would be disillusioned with The Junction for axing what to them is a key part in their weekend. Without Boogie the weekend just wouldn't be the same!
SAVE BOOGIE!"
Dan Megson (Boogie Fan)
"Please do not let the powers that be end Boogie!! Everyone loves Boogie and everyone is always talking about it!! Its an excellent night out and you always know your gonna have a good one up there!! Me and my friends are gutted about the closure for refurb so please don't end Boogie completely!! Many thanks. xx" Emma Howlett
"I've been going to Boogie as much as possible for yonks now, its the only time I go clubbing in Cambridge. I'm gutted it's closing for 4 months, don't close it for good!
cheers"
Sarah Spears
"Great Night on 2nd April - living proof that Boogie is an institution and the size of the queue shows this nights massive following. As said before, Boogie must not be struck off the Junction line up after the refurb - cause that'll suck! Cheers for many-a-blinder, thanks very much Mr. Boogie Man for your many photos of me and the lads - we keep our peepers on the Junction website in earnest for the photos from 2nd April!
Rock on and take care - look forward to seeing you all at Boogie after the re-fit!"
Dan Megson
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 2660 |
2615 |
3280 |
Sick to death of the bass drum going thud thud thud thud or excited by the way house music has embraced latin american and other more funky flavours?
Tell it straight. Mail your thoughts to gordon@junction.co.uk and we’ll publish a selection of them in the space below.
Your Views
"HELL NO! House music is diversifying and going from strength to strength. Having come from cambridge (21years there) I never really saw house unless in poor
quality clubs - having come to Liverpool - with possibly 5 of the best clubs
in the UK located there I came to love nay obsess about this funky funky
house groove. Why does The Junction promote r n b and hip hop so much
when most violence I have come across is in these clubs (the first Warning
after the refurb springs to mind - seeing 17-18yr olds largin it up too each
other and trying to be violent and hard. why?) when in Liverpool these house
clubs have drugs in yes - no one denies it -but try to stop it. But the people
there... the MOST friendly and up for it crowd clubbers!
Now tell me, why can we not have a friday or saturday club scene to rival
Liverpools? Lack of dj's.... NO. The crowds would be there and Cambridge
needs this please..." rob nicholson
"Is house music dead? - hopefully! The problem with house music is it almost falls into the easy listening category - it is uninteligent, boring music. If you hear one bar of a tune - you've heard them all. I have never heard any house music that really captures my imagination or urges me to dance; breakbeat is the way forward - it is intelligent, layered, exciting music." Rose Wood
Results
| Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
| 454 |
406 |
248 |
You are now browsing the new Junction website. It has been on line since February 2003. Changes include up-to-date news articles accessible from the home page, two click access to on-line booking, and a sophisticated voting system which allows your opinions to count.
In terms of design, we’ve put readability and ease of navigation above arty looks and plug ins. The deeper you delve though, the more content you’ll find – including in the what’s on section where you’ll find sounds, photos, postcards and animations within the ‘freebies’ area.
Hope you like the site. Please send all comments, positive or negative, to gordon@junction.co.uk
Your views
"nice one - the website is a million times better"
Matt, Trip Hazard
"I think the new website is great...well worth the wait" Neil Jones, Star FM
"looks like it was designed by John Major. Even the
Junction logo is in grey & white!" T O’Malley
" The Boom animation is AMAZING" Sophie Halls
"you get the impression that there is loads going on"
Paul Darking, Good Times
"very impressive" Damian, Hoipolloi
"looks like a newspaper" Paul Sully, Royston
"goes beyond imagination, providing invaluable info to musos and fans alike." Jimi Nix, Den of Iniquity
"a massive improvement over the old one, which I'd given up on using because it was near impossible to find out What's On Tonight." Dom Latter, Boat Race Webmaster
"An accessible, coherent information fest for the arts heart of Cambridge. Geared towards their young market the site is practical not patronizing, informative with out being formal". Clare Szembek
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