Is this just ‘noise’ or a contribution to culture?

Jun 13 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

I HAPPENED to catch the end of a live “showcase” performance at Alexanders Jazz Theatre the other night.

Well actually it was outside; a glorious evening and a wonderfully intimate stage allowing the best of local rock bands to showcase quality music to some very happy people of Chester. This type of music is not my cup of tea, but nonetheless I was very impressed with the musicians, and with the organisers who provided a wonderful opportunity for local music to flourish.

With the new Screen Deva coming up this week, where film and digital events will take place in churches, centres and empty shops, it made me think how Chester really could develop its cultural offer, and promote itself as a great place for music (of all tastes with , art, film and theatre to occur in more intimate settings.

Such a great shame, therefore, that I also witnessed some small-minded resident complaining bitterly about the noise at the Alexanders Showcase. This sort of complaining, about anything positive, seems to be a regular occurrence in Chester these days.

Let them complain. The more they whinge, the less inclined people will be to make the city flourish with music and events. And, as we can clearly see with the front of the shamelessly derelict Odeon, the more the anti-social behaviour is allowed to take hold.

Then, those small-minded dimwits will have more on their plate to moan about; the continually decreasing value of their city centre properties.

I know what I would rather happen.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED