So much to tell you about there’s no time for any flimflam!

On 23 January, we were delighted to premiere The Democratic Set, which we co-created with award-winning Australian company Back to Back Theatre and 100 people (and 2 dogs) from across our community back in November. We couldn’t be happier with the film, which is a radically joyous celebration of the city and our inclusivity. Take a break and enjoy…

We started our year in the best way, with students from Olive Academy working with HighRise Entertainment and filmmaker Jas Pitt, in and around the building, bringing the noise to make a brilliant new film. We will share what they made later in the year, and we’re really excited by the potential of our creative relationship with HighRise, who are one of our 19 associate and resident artists and companies.

Though it will no doubt make some of you feel your age (and who wants that!), on 1st April it will be 18 years since J2 and J3 first opened their new doors to the public. It will also be the 6th Birthday of the launch of our Membership scheme, and it is such a testimony to your love and loyalty that more than 500 people have now joined us on this journey. And if you haven’t become a member yet, now would be a great time to sign up, support all our excellent work and save a bunch of cash.

I know I’m always saying thank you in these things, I’m just a grateful guy I suppose. I just want to take a moment to shine the spotlight on a local business and one of our most regular supporters, the brilliant Garden Kitchen and their head honcho Andrew. If you’ve been to one of our members events or press night for the Christmas show (or generally been around Cambridge for any length of time) you’ll be well aware of Garden Kitchen’s fabulous food. Andrew is a delight to work with and helps us make our events as tasty as possible, so thank you and hurrah for Garden Kitchen.

If you’re a local business and would like to support us in any way (hint: cash is always welcome, but there are lots of different ways we could work together) please do get in touch with our Head of Development, Liz Hughes to find out more.

We’re right now this second in the middle of Independent Venue Week, a national celebration of all the passionate, committed grassroots homes of new music up and down the country. We’re one of those, don’t you know?!

And we’ve two great gigs as part of this. We had Radiohead’s incredible Philip Selway last night and join the waitlist now if you want a chance of ticket for the sold out Elvana. Who isn’t intrigued by the prospect of Nirvana fronted by Elvis (smells like cheeseburgers and teen spirit apparently).

And we’re really looking forward to working with our partner venues across the city on the second Sound + Vision festival in April. Headliners and more will be announced soon…

Have you signed up for Theatre Club yet? If you’d like to see some amazing shows and talk about them with like-minded types afterwards, this is for you. No experience or specialist knowledge required. Like a book group but for theatre. Our spring season is so good, you’re not going to want to miss a moment, and with tickets from £2.50 you could see the whole thing for far less than the price of one night in the West End.

I want to finish by celebrating a stone-cold Junction legend. If you didn’t know already its Colin Hazel’s 80th Birthday bash at ours on 10 February. Colin has been a stalwart of the Cambridge music scene since the 70s and an invaluable member of our team over the years. Sadly, Colin can’t make his party due to ill health, but with his show-must-go-on blessing we’re going ahead anyway, and want to raise a wodge of cash to support Colin in his rest and recouperation. Come raise a glass or ten (drink responsibly mind!) to Colin and skank to some fine ol’ tunes. Colin commands it!

See you real soon.

Matt Burman

Artistic Director, Cambridge Junction