In November 1990 a group of artists first squatted this building in Silver St. with the intention of creating an alternative, non mainstream art space in Reading. Since then the Rising Sun has been through innumerable changes and a number of crisis points where the future looked bleak to say the least. Now we are reasonably secure but only through the hard work of many, many people who work to keep the Centre going.
The Rising Sun's building was constructed in the nineteenth century as a Temperance House among the then massed ranks of pubs and other houses of ill repute in Silver Street . It was built to the design of the architect Alfred Waterhouse - who was also responsible for the far grander Natural History Museum in London. Architecture fans may notice his bold use of terracotta and patterned brick work feature in the design of both buildings. The main building is now listed as Grade 2 by English Heritage.
We involve volunteers in all aspects of the Centre's work. People get involved with our work as performers, artists, or promoters, by taking part in classes or workshops, by becoming involved in one of our participatory arts projects or by helping to run the Centre itself.
We've tried to stay true to the original aims of the Rising Sun 'Institute' and keep the intentions of its founders alive. Although we do indeed serve alcohol - including a splendid range of organic beers! - the Rising Sun still aims to improve the quality of life for everyone. We remain independent, run by local people, putting on ground level events which are not catered for elsewhere in the town.
we definately have a free song for you to have at www.hyhi.co.uk you definately should go there now and download it now definately thank you please excuse me x
Club Velocity presents Saturday Oct 17th 2009 Rising Sun Arts Centre 30 Silver Street Reading RG1 SKYLINE DOSSIER Readings best kept psych-beat freak secret Awesome live HOLD YOUR HORSE IS Debut Reading show (the others dont count) From Surrey.This band ROAR!Excellent band alert!Confirm Reuben were shit.Championed by Lammo and Robinson MARTY CAIN From the USofA Debut UK show.Genius singer-song writer. This kid is so IT, he should be bigger than BECK Doors 8pm ALL AGES Five pounds Bring THE firm!! www.velocityrecordings.com
Club Velocity presents Friday September 4th 2009 Rising Sun Arts Centre 30 Silver Street Reading RG1 Doors 8pm ALL AGES Tickets £5 door £4 advance www.wegottickets.com/ flyer BEN GOD MARWOOD "Britain's answer to Conor Obersts Fragmented Folk," Is This Music? TOM WILLIAMS AND THE BOAT Recently heard in session on Radio 1. A huge talent and this will be his debut show in Reading. Could give GOD a run for his money. JEMMA WILLARD Our fave new local female singer-songwriter. For fans of Anouk/Emiliana Torrini www.velocityrecordings.com
Details of more events can be found on www.readingfringefestival.com. They include one off special events from Oxfam Records, Old Orleans and The Global Cafe and Fringe themed versions of the towns host of regular music nights like Bohemian Showcase at Deja Vue and Wicked Boy Promotes at the Face Bar.
Theres only 7 days till the print deadline for the Reading Fringe Festival programmes which will be distributed to the 20,000 early arrivals at the Reading Festival Campsite and also industry and media types staying in the towns hotels with nothing to do until the main festival starts. So, if you are running an event between 21st and 27th August please consider adding it to the the Fringe roster. Together the events will have more impact.
Bandorama/Club Velocity presents Kevin Mr Rising Suns Fifty Birthday party Rising Sun Arts Centre Silver Street Reading RG1 FRIDAY JULY 31ST 2009 Doors 8pm All Ages Doors 8pm OFF THE RADAR (PowerPOP greatness Think Prisoners/Five Thirty/The Jam) THE ZEROS (Tip top punky-dub-ska sex) THE VICARS OF TWIDDLY (Ace surf punk fuzz with Go Go dancers) BRING YOUR MUM!!!
NME needs 3 weeks notice so send details of any late August gigs now at http://microsites.nme.com/php/gigguide to avoid disappointment. Then let us know.
What a corker we have for you next Friday, July 10th, at our usual haunt The Rising Sun Arts Centre in Reading.
£4 entry gets you an evening of fun with:
BIDGIE REEF making a very very welcome Untidy return.
Celebrating the relase of their new album and warming up for a big Festival gig the VERY next day DARRELL MITCHELL & THE OCCASIONAL ORCHESTRA
The first sighting of a harmonium at Big Untidy comes from A BAND OF HOPE
Described by Nightshift Magazine as “An amazing and dynamic voice – with all the grace and emotion of Jeff Buckley & Damien Rice” - THE MEDECINE travel down from Oxford to say Hello.
And, on the very welcome recommendation of Pete from Bidgie Reef there's another Untidy debut this time from SALVADORE SUNHONEY
Date Friday MAY 29TH Venue Rising Sun Arts Centre 30 Silver Street Reading RG1Doors 8pm ALL AGES Tax £5 door or £$ advance www.wegottickets.com / flyerHUNTING THE SHY (Big Black/Leonard Cohen/Grandaddy) www.myspace.com/hunttheshyTHE BLACK HEART ORCHESTRA (Rapeman/13th Floor Elevators/Birthday Party) www.myspace.com/theblackheartorchestraTILEHURST CHILDRENS ARKESTRA (Explosions in The Sky/Slint/Mogwai) www.myspace.com/tilehurstarkestra This is a gig NOT a roast dinner
Club Velocity with BlahBlah presents READING ON FIRE (CELEBRATING THE BEST IN NEW LOCAL TALTENT) Saturday June 13th 2009 at Plugnplay 35 Milford Road Reading RG1 Doors 8pm Tax £5 door £4 advance www.wegottickets.com MIDIMIDIS (Two piece 8 bit punks, creating music like no one else. Championed by Eddy Temple-Morris/Frank Musisk/Your mother) MR FOGG ("Astounding," Tom Robinson 6 Music "Ace,ace,ace," Huw Stephens (Radio 1)) OM CORPORATION (Like no other band around. They may only have a cello, drums and an acoustic, but these guys rock HARD!) VIENNA DITTO ("Portishead doing a Taranito soundtrack," Huw Stephens Radio 1) Shitty Limits djs Bring yr mum!!!
from Reading solo and acoustic Jake Lloyd Dollery from Essex, playing bass guitar and singing anthony. love from Northampton and back smoking again Lew Bear from Brighton stand up comedy from Doug Devaney from somewhere in between The Kings of the Wild Front Ear plus Special Guests
ridiculous value at only £4 doors open 8 pm Tell a friend and pass it on!
A Big Club Velocity show Friday April 24th Rising Sun Arts Centre 30 Silver Street Reading RG1 Limited to 100 tickets TOM HINGLEY (lead singer of Inspiral Carperts, one of the most successful bands not only to come out of Manchester,but the UK. The Carperts had more hit singles than THE STONE ROSES or HAPPY MONDAYS, they headlined Reading Festival in 1990, sold out G Mex in Manchester, toured the world and Noel Gallagher used to be their roadie. This will be one of the smallest shows he has done in many a year.It will be very special. Tom will be playing solo and has promised he will play the hits!!)/ Ben Marwood/Jay Newton will support Doors 8pm All Ages Advance £10 www.wegottickets.com £12 door
Friday April 10th “another of the very wonderful BIG UNTIDY NIGHTS OUT” at the Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street, Reading.
HUMSTRUM, otherwise known as Pressgangs Damian Clarke and Marco Neumann from German band OffLimits, only the second time they have performed in the UK and a rare opportunity to catch one of their highly unusual acoustic shows showcasing a mix of traditional and self-written songs and instrumentals and you can even dance and sing along.
Main support on the night will be Darrell Mitchell and The Occasional Orchestra, previewing tracks from their forthcoming mini album “Japeeza!” Readings very own Paula Curtis, Nick Shorey and Occasionally David, perhaps best known for their complete remake of Forever Changes.
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