Blind Tiger CIC

11/11/2025

I really need to update this page more! This is what's coming up with Blind Tiger ... helping Stockton roar again!

02/03/2025

60 days of 2025 helping communities roar again!

02/03/2025

60 days of 2025...

22/10/2024

Infant Hercules Boro tour continues on Thursday if you would like to have a night of merriment with us - male or female! We will be outside MIMA in Central Square at 6pm before heading to invade / sing outside The Infant Hercules then onto the Courtroom in Town Hall and end up at the beautiful The Zetland for around 8pm. Just come - and be a part of the spirit of the Infant Hercules & Pals

27/08/2024

MEN. Infant Hercules is the ‘life-changing’ brotherhood you never realised you were missing. Inspired by the Free & Easy singing sessions of the 19th century social clubs, men come along and - despite their reticence and introversion become part of a wall of sound that really can’t be explained!

We recommence in Stockton on Thursday September 12th at 7pm in Black Market. This is our 11th year… and it is promising to be off the scale as soon to be announced plans for 24/25 are revealed.

Join us. The original Infant Hercules built bridges across the world. It’s time for us to do the same…

Comment or message me for the FAQ!

23/08/2024

STOCKTON-ON-TEES Residential Homes…

This Autumn Blind Tiger CIC and Infant Hercules & Pals are offering ‘me’ and Pals for pop up The Speakeasy events in your place.

We bring songs, a few cans, a hefty dose of craic… and you bring the stories. Completely free, supported by Stockton Council and The National Lottery Awards for All.

Friday afternoons and occasional evenings… because everyone’s story matters.

Looking for a geographical spread across Stockton, Norton, Billingham, Thornaby, Yarm, Eaglescliffe, Ingleby.

MESSAGE me for details please - I often don’t see comments!

04/08/2024

Shall We Sing a Song For You?

What the world needs now… Love, Infant Hercules & Pals

Men don’t talk about cancer enough. We don’t seek help for diagnosis, we don’t reach out for support when faced with the disease and we don’t like to start c...

04/08/2024

Back in February, myself and members of Infant Hercules & Pals set off to walk the 130 mile Cleveland Way. We wanted to encourage more men to ‘talk the talk’ and walk the walk of our amazing location and remind them that a journey - no matter how hard will be better undertaken together.

Working with Macmillan Cancer Support we did our bit - reminding people that if we can sing about it, they can talk about it. A couple of weeks ago, we were joined by friends of Yarm School and, together with musical genius Andrew McIntyre, we produced the song we picked to tell our message. With amazing visuals from Simon Shaw, ARC Stockton Arts Centre we are quite pleased with this - marking the end of this amazing journey.

Share it please - and reach out.

May YOUR song always be sung.

Mike x

24/07/2024

It’s about time I updated people on what Blind Tiger is upto or indeed ‘is’!

Blind Tiger is the ‘umbrella’ brand for what could be described as my storytelling work. It combines gatherings like The Speakeasy, pop up Infant Hercules events, what I am now calling ‘The Navigators’ - walks and talks and TubThump - wildcatty, loud events that celebrate what we have - and how to build on that as a community.

Blind Tiger evolved as I worked across Stockton-on-Tees and the wider community. It is a focus for my collaboration with Teesside University School of Social Sciences and Humanities and creatively, it is housed in Stockton’s ARC.

Blind Tiger was the slang name for The Speakeasy back in prohibition days… a time when creatives met and committed to finding ways to ensure that the stories of the people would not be forgotten - indeed they would be celebrated.

Forthcoming programmes in development:

TubThump - August 1st in ARC. The first of a hoped for annual opportunity to bring the WHOLE community together.

The Speakeasy - WILL be returning in the Autumn in a variety of spaces and a centralised home.

The Navigators - More walks and talks including The Trails of Infant Hercules heading your way from October.

Infant Hercules - will be maintained in Stockton AND evolve to provide a voice for men in Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, Darlington and Hartlepool… and… wait and see!

This is an exciting time for Blind Tiger CiC. It takes a lot of effort, of collaboration, of time - but ultimately, Blind Tiger exists to add a voice and an unashamed roar to communities. I hope to see you soon. Mike

23/07/2024

Thursday August 1st in ARC Stockton Join The Wildcats Of Kilkenny, Anthony Chisman Music Music Paul 'funk collective' Sudlow, Jess Daley Andy The Southmartins Johnson, Infant Hercules & Pals, my Haverton Hillbillies and my long time pal Joe Peterson from Big Red and the Grinners to warm up for SIRF in triumphant fashion. Scenes of mild peril and absolute Smoggy Pride guaranteed!

TubThump warms up for Stockton International Riverside Festival. My musicking 'career' began back in 1994 when I created the Hardwick street band - the festival's first home grown carnival musical ensemble as part of my degree at Northumbria University.

I'd always pledged to use my music and enthusiasm to contribute to Stockton's cultural scene and SIRF was the start of the 30 years of mayhem I've been lucky enough to create - including launching the The Wildcats Of Kilkenny into our International adventures. That's why TubThump comes from my heart.

The TubThumpers were the original promoters of music hall and social club entertainment in the early 20th century. They made a noise in the street to celebrate the origins of community inspired art. I will always maintain that tradition in Stockton.

Warm up for the SIRF weekend by welcome our visiting artists in explosive Stocktonian style by joining The Wildcats of Kilkenny, and a host of special guests including Infant Hercules, a big bunch of Haverton Hillbillies and very special guests as the anarchic, joyful, loud and proud TubThump lands....

30/06/2024

Blind Tiger are interested in hearing from anyone with an interest in some, initially casual work with us. We are after someone who:
Loves people; has transport; enjoys administrative tasks; has a passion for music and can work flexible hours. Paid work waiting on a freelance hourly basis. May particularly suit a new graduate who is keen to find their next steps in life.

Send your details / a letter telling us about yourself to [email protected]