Share your memories of venues with us and help support live theatre and music

Our venues all have a story to tell - but we know many of you will have stories to tell about them.

That’s why we want to hear from you about what you love about your favourite local arts venue.

Maybe it was the first place you experienced the loveable mayhem of a pantomime or where you saw a play that changed your perspective on the world.

Perhaps you lost yourself in the throbbing crowd of a gig or were transported to another plane by a beautiful piece of music.

Tell us your stories of your favourite venues (photo: Shutterstock)Tell us your stories of your favourite venues (photo: Shutterstock)
Tell us your stories of your favourite venues (photo: Shutterstock)

Was it the scene of a first date, first kiss, even a proposal? Did you make a life-long friend there - or suffer the pain of heartbreak or rejection accompanied by the sound of your favourite band?

It could be a place where you were inspired to make a life-changing decision or to have a go at acting or music or dancing or any other creative pursuit.

These venues are part of our physical landscape, but they also have a hold on our hearts. They are places of memories and dreams - not to mention, on occasion, wild and hedonistic fun.

Plays, musicals, gigs and classical concerts are nothing without their audiences. These venues would not exist without you. So we want to celebrate your part in their history - while hoping we can all have a role in securing their future.

Please email us with your tales, and feel free to send us some photos too - pictures can often capture the thrill of a moment more powerfully than words.

We would also like to hear about your views on this campaign. Feel free to let us know if there is anything in particular you think we should be covering and any ideas you may have about how best to help these venues and the people who depend on them.

We know that many of our villages, towns and cities are overlooked by the national media. The places many of us live and work don’t get the attention they deserve - and often lose out as a result. With your help, we want to champion our local arts scenes. Their stories are yours too - so please get in touch and share them with us.

* This article is part of The Show Must Go On, JPIMedia's campaign to support live arts venues