News: Author Ann Cleeves to host live whodunnit in Newcastle to help save the day for Boho Arts

 Author Ann Cleeves to host live whodunnit in Newcastle to help save the day for Boho Arts

The author of Vera and Shetland, Ann Cleeves is to host her interactive murder mystery, Bannocks and Blood on Sunday 5th March, to raise funds for Boho Arts’ crowdfunding campaign: to transform an old vacant building near central station into a vibrant creative arts venue that will bring people together to connect, collaborate and be creative in this post-covid era. But the project is at risk if the public don’t get behind it too.

“I'm delighted to host a fun murder mystery to support this fabulous project. Boho Arts will provide a wonderfully inclusive space for creative people throughout the region.”

Ann Cleeves, Author

Anne Cleeves 
Photo: Joe Haydon Photography

Boho Arts launched the crowdfunding campaign in November, and raised £34,000 in public donations so far, including £25,000 from North of Tyne Combined Authority. But if they don’t hit their £41,400 target by the 13th March deadline, all the money is returned, and the project can’t go ahead.

“Industry without art is brutality. But artists need a place to work, to write, to paint, sculpt and perform. That’s where Boho Arts come in and why their project is so important. We’ve stumped up £25,000 but we need the public to help get them over the line. Please donate if you can.” 

Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor

Bev Fox and Ian McLaughlin, founders of Boho Arts, formed as a charitable company in response to the pandemic and the demolition of artists’ ‘meanwhile spaces’, are well known in Newcastle as members of The Suggestibles improv comedy group, who will also be performing at the fundraiser.

There is a lack of available, accessible and affordable space in Newcastle for grassroots artists to develop and engage with audiences. It’s a serious problem for the creative community. Now with a 25-year lease being prepared and planning permission granted for a theatre, workshop rooms and a café-bar, if the new venue comes to fruition off the back of the campaign, it will create new jobs and offer lots of ways for the public to enjoy different artforms in fun and meaningful ways.

“We were totally thrilled when Ann offered to support our campaign. We hope more people will take part in making this vision a reality. After getting so far it would be incredibly sad to fall at the last hurdle.” 

Bev Fox, Co-founder, Boho Arts

Tickets:

Murder Mystery with Ann Cleeves and the Suggestibles

Sunday 5th March at the Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre, 67 Westgate Road, NE1 1SG

Book Tickets at: https://www.bohoarts.co.uk/fundraiser-events 

Pledge to Boho Arts’ Crowdfunding Campaign on Spacehive: https://www.spacehive.com/help-a-new-arts-venue-in-newcastle 

Other ways to donate: click the blue donate button at the top of Boho Arts’ website: https://www.bohoarts.co.uk/ 

Boho Arts on Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/bohoartsNCL 

https://www.instagram.com/bohoartsncl/ 

https://twitter.com/bohoartsNCL 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/boho-arts/ 

#bohoartscrowdfund