A Save Forest Update: Happening, Press, Beyond!
Amazing news of events in London, a thrilling splash of press coverage, and a special announcement about the total raised so far — and what you can do to help hit the target of £50,000 by June 1st.
The Happening
The night of Friday 11th saw exceptional goings on in old London town, as long-lost friends of Forest gathered together to celebrate everything that is wonderful about this place and raise a bundle of cash to help keep as alive. Forest’s roots aren’t just in Edinburgh: they’re spreading underground and busting up the concrete all across the world. If you think you can top the Happening and run a Forest Fundraiser in your own city, e-mail fundraising@theforest.org.uk for ideas and support. Jane Flett had this to say about the night:
Yum, it turns out the HAPPENING was a success, raising over £1000 and providing London with a delirious showcase of Forest-spawned music, art, theatre and decadence!
There was a yeti projecting Residents videos from its eyeballs, a stage in an igloo, Paper Cinema, LEDs, eye-hats, total recall body count, tigers on ukuleles, tequila, Syrian lingerie, Forest Fringe theatre, more music than you could shake a stick at, more dancing than our feet knew what to do with, yards of duct tape, and Kate Bush Bondage Opera. Amongst other things.
It was so much fun that we will probably be doing it again soon, so keep your ears to http://lostintheforest.info. Next time there are plans for hypno-theatre and a hot tub.
“such a phenomenal night. the world needs more forests!” - Dan Jones, Happening attendee/local London resident.
A million thank yous to everyone involved, especially those who played for free and came from afar! We adore you. See you next time.
The Press
Turns out we’ve had some big press coverage in the last few weeks. Of course, journalists like to take the doom-and-gloom angle, but we’re hoping these articles have put the wind up some more of Forest’s friends and encouraged people to join the campaign. And we haven’t heard anything more from these mysterious buyers yet. Who knows, we might have scared them off? We will keep you updated with any definite news on this score: email fundraising@theforest.org.uk to be the first to hear. Save free arts! Save Forest!
Thom Dibdin in the Stage: More fears raised over future of Edinburgh’s Forest Cafe
Charlotte Higgins in the Guardian: Forest Fringe uprooted
Rosamund West in the Skinny: Building Sale Puts Edinburgh Arts Venue At Risk
The Running Total
Saving the best news til last:
Over £18,000 raised so far!
36% of the way to the target!
Remember, we’re trying to hit £50k by June 1st. That’s enough to pay a year’s commercial rent in this or a similar building, and a hugely impressive chunk of money that we can point to when we’re talkin to big funders to show how much support we have to keep going. We’re making great progress, but we’ve got to keep pushing. So remember to do three things:
Become a monthly donator. You can download the form here — all you need to do is to fill in yer details and pop it into the café. If you hand it to us, we’ll probably give you a special treat. And that’s on top of knowing that you’re giving to Forest in the most effective possible way.
Sign the petition. We need to make sure potential buyers know just how strong we are. So go to our petition and click “Sign”. And then go and tell all your friends. We’ve hit 1241 so far — let’smake it 2000 by the end of the month.
Join the fundraising team. We need more people, more energy, and more ideas. The fundraising team meets every fortnight to make plans, organise events, make decisions and keep us driving forward. Whatever you have to offer, we want to hear from you — so e-mail fundraising@theforest.org.uk right now!