The performance will take place after midnight on Friday 30th July 2010 and will include Super 8mm film projections shot on location along the route of James Duthie’s original cycling trip to the Arctic Circle in 1951.

Rumour has it that Olly & Alex (pictured) – recently returned from their epic mission by bike to Nordkapp – will make a guest appearance.

The festival have promised a share of profits to Dummy Jim.

Get your tickets here.

Prepare yourselves! Get the Dummy Jim album here.

Olly & Alex with a copy of Duthie's journal 'I Cycled Into The Arctic Circle'

Inspired by profoundly deaf cyclist James Duthie’s solo trip made back in 1951, the pair will retrace key stretches of Duthie’s original route, travelling from Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden, crossing into the Arctic Circle just north of Overtorneå on the Swedish/Finnish border.

Pushing on further north, way up into the land of reindeer and the Midnight Sun, they will eventually reach the northernmost tip of mainland Europe, the North Cape (Nordkapp).

Duthie was prohibited from reaching this northerly pinnacle by poor quality roads. Olly & Alex plan to complete this final stretch of the trip on his behalf, and in his honour. The journey of 1500 miles is expected to last around 5 weeks.

They are raising money for the film Dummy Jim and the National Deaf Children’s Society.

CLICK TO READ MORE & SPONSOR OLLY & ALEX

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What Goes Round ...

The Dummy Jim website is powered by Green Hosting, run by ethical web design company Make Hay.

To celebrate James Duthie’s birthday (May 8th), Make Hay kindly offered to provide a year’s hosting free of charge.

As a result we are able to put more resources directly into the production of the film.

Thank you, Make Hay!

Click to read more about why Make Hay’s services are green.

Film-makers are determined to complete the low-budget production by next summer, which will mark the 60th anniversary of Cairnbulg man James Duthie’s epic journey.

Armed with only a few jumpers, a simple tent and £12 in cash, the factory worker – who was deaf and could not speak – cycled from his home on the Aberdeenshire coast through Scandinavia and into the frozen north.

Mr Duthie died in a road accident in the mid-1960s.

Award-winning Edinburgh-based film-maker Matt Hulse has been working on bringing the story to the big screen since 2007.

His script for Dummy Jim – the nickname by which Mr Duthie was affectionally known – is based on the journal that the cyclist kept during his trip and which he went on to sell door-to-door around Fraserburgh.

Mr Hulse said enough money had been raised to begin shooting the first scenes. The crew is planning to film for three days in a “mountainous region”, although the exact location is being kept a secret.

Money was raised through donations, as well as sales of Dummy Jim badges, postcards and the film’s soundtrack by The One Ensemble and Sarah Kenchington.

Fundraising will continue with an ambitious cycle.

Next month, Glasgow-based musicians Olly Rundell and Alex South will retrace key stretches of Mr Duthie’s original route, from Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden and crossing into the Arctic Circle, just north of Overtornea on the Swedish-Finnish border. They will then pedal on to the North Cape, the northernmost point of mainland Europe.

Mr Hulse said: “The Arctic Cycle 2010 project represents our final big fundraising push.

“We are aiming to raise £5,000.”

He said the money would be equally split between the film and the National Deaf Children’s Society, which will put the cash towards drama workshops.

Specially made tea towels are also being sold to finance the movie. Mr Hulse said: “I recently learned that Mr Duthie sold his wee book door-to-door around the Broch to raise money for future trips.

“Our approach to funding our film is similar.”

Sam Dore, who recently appeared in BBC2’s drama Switch, has been confirmed for the title role.

The film-makers are also trying to achieve a tiny carbon footprint by using clockwork cameras and cycle-powered generators where possible.

For more details on the film, visit Dummy Jim’s website and, to help fund next month’s cycle challenge, go to ollyandalex.com.

(Jamie Buchan 2010)

Brainwashed Review
Norman Records Review
Miramoglu Review

Like the film and web project of the same name, the album Dummy Jim has been inspired by James Duthie’s book I Cycled Into The Arctic Circle.

'deep-seated eccentricity'

The album bears the fruit of a collaboration between The One Ensemble & Sarah Kenchington, with gentle guidance from Matt Hulse.

The music will form the basis for the soundtrack of Matt’s feature & the performers are set to appear in the film.

The project was supported by the Scottish Arts Council and Arika.

The first review comes from Brainwashed:

I haven’t seen Dummy Jim yet, but if this soundtrack is any indication, it must be a truly unconventional and memorable film. With the aid of bizarre instrument builder Sarah Kenchington, Daniel Padden and his cohorts have created a kaleidoscopic collision of traditional Anglo-folk, free jazz, drone, and deep-seated eccentricity that sounds like absolutely no one else. Anthony D’Amico

Read full review …

To purchase the album & join the growing list of Kindly Folk who are helping to make the film, please visit Dummy Jim’s shop.

For one night only, from 8pm on Friday 18th December 2009 at Stereo (Glasgow), the Dummy Jim concert is back. DRESS CODE: FISH, FISHING & THE NORTH SEA

The One Ensemble & Sarah Kenchington will once again perform their suite of new works inspired by the story of James Duthie, a profoundly deaf Aberdeenshire man, who cycled solo on a 3000 mile return trip to the far north of Europe in 1951.

Sadly he was killed in a mysterious road accident in 1965.

According to his surviving cousin, 85 year old Joy Buchan, he set off on his adventure with just a couple of jumpers, a blanket & a pair of ‘khaki knickers’ with only £12 in the pocket.

Duthie later penned a journal called ‘I Cycled Into The Arctic Circle’ that artist Matt Hulse has evolved over the past 8 years as a project for web, cinema and now also as a book, called Dummy Jim.

Concert at Dovecot Studios

The music created by The One Ensemble & Sarah Kenchington is the result of an SAC New Music Award.

With additional support from Arika, the works premiered will form the basis of the soundtrack for Matt’s next feature film.

This special performance is a vibrant example of expanded cinema, with Super 8mm film projections shot on location along the route of Duthie’s original trip, extracts from the  journal and cut-ups of Hulse’s screenplay.

The new album Dummy Jim (released on Unshaped Led) will be available for just £10.

Sales of the album go into the making of the Dummy Jim film.

Sarah Kenchington

If you’d like a copy in advance so you can sing / sway / shadowbox along, just head along to Dummy Jim’s shop.

Additionally, Sokobauno Puppet Theatre have created a shadow peep box inspired by Dummy Jim’s story and this will be on show before and during the concert.

Oh, and there’ll be a raffle, too.

£3 on the door – Doors 8pm – please get there early.

Stereo Cafe Bar
20 Renfield Lane
Glasgow, G2 5AR
0141 222 2254

DRESS CODE: FISH, FISHING & THE NORTH SEA

LINKS

THE ONE ENSEMBLE
http://www.myspace.com/theoneensemble

DANIEL PADDEN & SARAH KENCHINGTON
http://www.myspace.com/paddenkenchington

According to his surviving cousin, 85 year old Joy Buchan, he set off on his adventure with just a couple of jumpers, a blanket & a pair of ‘khaki knickers’ with only £12 in the pocket.

Duthie later penned a journal called ‘I Cycled Into The Arctic Circle’ that film maker & artist Matt Hulse has evolved over the past 8 years as a project for web & cinema, called Dummy Jim.

The music created by The One Ensemble & Sarah Kenchington is the result of an SAC New Music Award. With additional support from Arika, the works premiered will form the basis of the soundtrack for Hulse’s next feature film.

These special performances will include Super 8mm film projections shot on location along the route of Duthie’s original trip.

The concerts will also celebrate the launch of the album ‘Dummy Jim’ which is released on Daniel Padden & Matt Hulse’s new label Unshaped Led.

Copies will be available at the concerts for just £10, with proceeds going towards the making of the film. You can also purchase the album securely online at Dummy Jim’s shop.

Additionally, Sokobauno Puppet Theatre have created a shadow peep box inspired by Dummy Jim’s story and this will be on show before, during and after the concerts.

CONCERT DETAILS

Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary St, Edinburgh
Friday 13th November, 1900h, Admission Free, Numbers Limited

Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, 113-117 Trongate, Glasgow
Saturday 14th November, 1900h, By Donation, Numbers Limited

Peacock Visual Arts, 21 Castle St, Aberdeen
Sunday 15th November, 2000h, £6 / £8, 01224 641122

The concert at Dovecot Studios rounds off an evening which sees the launch & private views of two new shows, both of which you are warmly invited to attend.

Follow A Thread is an exhibition of contemporary responses to the art of tapestry including work by Jo Barker, Sarah Brennan, Linda Green, Anna Ray and includes a film projection by Matt Hulse, created in collaboration with the Dovecot weavers.

Image/Craft is an exhibition exploring the relationship between craft and photography, including work by (amongst many others) Shannon Tofts, Clare Twomey, Edmund de Waal & Sussie Ahlburg.

The concert at the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall has a strict dress code which is ARCTIC. Wrap up warm, the more extravagantly the better. Snow shoes are expected.

Whilst the ARCTIC dress code has a thematic connection, it also has a practical purpose, for the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall is freezing cold in mid November. Hot chocolate will be available, along with frozen ukuleles.

If you’re short of winter garb, then head along to the Panopticon shops which you’ll find at 45 & 49 High Street, Glasgow (closed Mondays).

At the Aberdeen concert, welcome support will come in the form of Matricarians, duo Alan Davidson and Susan Matthew who create improvised musical pieces incorporating traditional lyrics from the folksongs of North East Scotland.

The winners will be announced at the Jodi Awards event on 2 December 2009 at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (6.00-8.30 pm). The awards will be presented by Martha Lane Fox, the UK government’s Digital Inclusion Champion.

Update: the winner in this category was artist Sally Booth. Congratulations from the Dummy Jim team.

Martha Lane Fox

Named in memory of Jodi Mattes (1973-2001), who worked at the British Museum and RNIB, a tireless champion of equal access to culture for disabled people, the awards were first given in 2003 to museums, libraries and archives.

‘The Jodi Awards celebrate practice that inspires locally, nationally or internationally,’ said Matthew Cock, Chair of the Jodi Mattes Trust and Head of Web at the British Museum.

‘We welcome nominations from all kinds of projects, small and big, low-tech and hi-tech and for small and large audiences. What counts is the value of your project and the quality of its engagement with disabled people. In an age when digital technology is at the forefront of society, it is vital that accessibility is central to our work in the cultural and creative sectors.’

The award in