Rutland Creative Economy Community Forum Set To Spark Spirited Debate

Email inboxes and twitter feeds lit up across the weekend as news spread about the Rutland Creative Economy Community Forum scheduled to be held this Wednesday, March 31 at the Paramount Theatre (although we see the event isn't listed on the Paramount's calendar, what's up with that?!).

Some people are genuinely excited about the event (which we hope to make, but we already had plans - seriously folks, a week's notice??!!) but others are angry about the lack of agenda for the forum.

The meeting made front page news of the Rutland Herald today with the Creative Economy's Chairwoman Tara Kelly quoted as saying the group had begun to hear that there was 'public perception that the group wasn't open and accepting of new members'.

It will be interesting to see how receptive the group is to new ideas and new members. Equally it will be interesting to see how receptive non-members are to the ideas presented by the Creative Economy - the emails we've seen doing the rounds from non-members are certainly fiery.

One email we were forwarded called projects undertaken by the Creative Economy 'Disney like' and another called the projects some of the 'worst investments ever'. Harsh. Additionally, the comments portion beneath the Herald's story features some spirited debate.

We have to say the bulk of the ideas up for contemplation during the 'open ideas' portion of the forum that were outlined in today's paper didn't exactly have us in raptures. Another reason for us to try and get there to have our say. The ideas for new groups and projects includes:

• Forming a group to spearhead a comprehensive implementation of Rutland's marketing brand (there's a marketing brand?!)
  
• Create a downtown gateway at the train station (we're sure that's the first thing visitors will notice when they stumble off the Ethan Allen at 9.05pm at night or 11.30pm on a Friday night. How about working with Amtrak to promote the service so we can have more than one train a day?)
• Beautifying the city's gateways through landscaping and prominent signage (seriously, enough with the signage already, how about filling those vacant stores and promoting local business better?)

No matter what your position is, we think it is fantastic that there are people committed to putting Rutland back on the map so while the drama queen in us is looking forward to the potential fireworks at the forum, we hope that the passion is harnessed into positive projects that will actually make a difference.

Side note: we hate to be spelling Nazi's but a shout out to the Creative Economy - there's a glaring typo on your pages

Singing Superstars Set To Rock Rutneyland

Look out Rutneyland, some of the world's biggest selling artists are on their way to the Rut. Jay-Z? Rhianna? Lady Gaga? Not quite. Try Bryan Adams and Richard Marx for starters. Yes, the guys who once rocked big hair and power ballads are both confirmed to play at the Paramount Theatre. Not together mind you, which is a shame, we'd love a power ballad sing off.

Just when Rut Girl thought it couldn't get any more 80s/90s, Mrs Rutland told us two more superstars were going to rock RutVegas. Excitement pulsed through Rut Girl's veins at the prospect of seeing Bono. Okay, maybe U2 is aiming a little too high. What about Michael Buble? Canada's not that far away after all.

Sadly that wasn't to be. Instead Mrs Rutland revealed Pat Benatar and REO Speedwagon will be here in June to rock the fairground. Awesome. It's not the first time they've toured together either so a sing off is definitely on the cards. Mind you, that tour was back in 1995 and the Rut is only the second stop on the tour, so they might be a little bit rusty. And while we jest, Rut Girl would like to point out that needy kids will get a slice of the proceeds.

Look, don't get us wrong, we're very happy to have big names come to town, we just wish it was all a bit more current.....say an artist who had an album or a single that charted in the last two years (and no, compilations, best of's and Christmas albums do not count).

The Richard Marx ad that ran in the Rutland Herald last week was hysterical. 'Over 30million albums sold’ it boldly states. Yes, in the 80s and 90s. Let's look at the stats, because we love stats (thanks Wikipedia, remember to donate everyone, what would we do without Wikipedia?):

Bryan Adams (age, 50). Last album, 2008. Cracked #80 on the Billboard Top 100.
Richard Marx (age, 46). Last album, 2004. Failed to crack the Billboard Top 100.
Pat Benatar (age, 57). Last album, 2002. Failed to crack the Billboard Top 100.
REO Speedwagon (collective age, 290). Last album, 2007. Failed to crack the Billboard Top 100.

On a side note, Rut Girl hears when Taylor 'tell it to my heart' Dayne (age 47, last album 2008) played The Rut she was less than happy about her digs at the Holiday Inn and acted like quite the diva when she was here.

I can't imagine the same behavior from Richard Marx and Bryan Adams, unless there's no hairdryer in the room, then there could be trouble.