Assorted Steelband at Allerton Grange

I promised Vicky that, if she would play at Allerton Grange, it would be lovely weather. Well, it was sunny, but also windy.

 

 

 

We were me, Vicky, and from Allerton Grange - Claudia, Phil and Alice.

 

 

 

 

nice reflections in the windows

 

A lady came up to us and asked if we could liven it up a bit with some Rihanna. I told her we only had one member of the actual school band, and that we were sight-reading our way  through the New World Foxwood Songbook. [And I thought, not doing too bad.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway we reconsidered our set and managed a bit of Michael Jackson. You Are Not Alone. No we weren't, but it was a close thing!

 

 

 

 

What a hoot! What did Charlotte always say, in the manner of Laurel and Hardy, "Is this another fine mess, Victoria, that you have got me into?" Well I reckon it was!

 

 

Thanks to Laura for the lovely pics, and for getting the teas, and here's Avtar's dhol-players who followed us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the pan players above first learnt pans with Leeds ArtForms. If you would like to learn steelpans or book a steelband please contact Leeds ArtForms, or find us at foxwoodpanyard@outlook.com.

Allerton Grange Allstars at Allerton Grange

It is always a pleasure to play at Allerton Grange World of Music concerts, mostly because I get to see all the other acts, and they are, unfailingly, awesome! First off, must be three or four years ago now I was bowled over by Theo's steelband, and also indie-rockband, Glassbody [some same personnel here], a sort of mix of Cure, Bloc Party and one other that I forget now. But some of my all-time favourite bands.

Then there's the singers. There's never a year that one singer doesn't bring tears to the eye. Avtar's dhols - astonishing! Cellists, pianists, concert band, and the rest. All great, and the concert so well-paced, thanks to Mr Mercer and Mrs Casey. End of eulogy.

The other reason that I like Allerton Grange concerts is that, as the school is very diverse, culturally and religiously, there is no obligation to do Jingle Bells at the December concert. Excellent! And I don't. Also it was at Allerton Grange that I asked ArtForms colleague, Alex if he could recommend a drummer for us, and next thing I know, George is drumming for the Sparrows as well. Yippee!

So here we are,  the so-called beginners [Iuean, Alice and Polly] playing Au Clair de la Lune, and X, everybody plays Redemption song as people coming in for the second half, then the daytime class [Sophie, Josie, Kris, Findlay, Seb] and the after school club [Destoni, Sabna, Sarah] join forces to give us You Are Not Alone and Sing A Rainbow. I have also volunteered Yi Bai and Ashley to support the bands.

Which of course they were happy to do, in an arm-bending kind of way.

This week I have mostly been playing Redemption Song

 
 
 It's Black History Month, and Mr Stewart wanted some steel pannistes playing all the different year assemblies at Allerton Grange School, Leeds.






So we did. We played Redemption Song [one of my favourites] every morning for four days. At first it was just me and Claudia, then fortunately Josie and Sophie appeared and we were a quartet.





Can't show the audience as this a school assembly, but I can assure you there always was one.











By the end of the week, we had got quite good, and received our first round of applause [thanks, Year 11]

 

 

Allerton Grangette Allstars play their school's Carboot Sale

First up, Phil carried all the pans we needed to their performance area, Secondly we came and played, bringing a coupla extra pans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly all the players took at least two pieces of equipment back, enough for them to get to understand what gigging is about, but not enough, I hope to put them off gigging for life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grangettes [Allstars? still waiting for the right name] were Kris, Finlay, Seb and Josie [with Sophie and Adam off being athletic somewhere - separately, on this the hottest day of the year!]. George and Claudia from the Sparrows played kit and bass as support, and Vicky S and I joined in as well.

 

We played Redemption Song, Monday Morning, Jamaica Farewell, Liza Jane, Oh When the Saints. And I bought some tomato plants and calendulas. And, as you see, Phil took some of the best photos of band in setting ever!

Leeds Silver Steel Sparrows and Allerton Allstars at Allerton Grange Showcase

And so, Debs onto one of the best concerts of my social calendar. Here I saw Glassbody first live and somewhat unexpected for the first time.

The Sparrows have reached a point where there are more Allerton Grange students in this band than from any other [high] school. And Sam M and I thought it would be entirely appropriate for them to guest at the Showcase.

So, we did. Then, because Allerton Grange is not quite on the beaten track, Sparrows were not so sure about getting there, and other complications, of coursework and the like. So I asked a few extra players jut in case, and lift favours from Bex and Vicky, Wendy brought Peter, no idea how Chloe got there but Bex took her and Millie C home.

Gigs next to stations, Debs, that's the way to do it!

It was hard, Debs, to take over from another teacher, at this school, and it has taken four years, but we  were blown away with our reception. Dohl players and rock guitarists came over and hi-fived us (well, verbally), and a lady from the audience just came to shake my hand. (I love it when people do that). The Sparrows supported the two Allerton Grange Allstar bands, and sight-read Redemption Song.

It was a lot of effort but, not only were we received well, and the overall standards and variety at this concert at this school always make it worth attending. Two many stand-out artists to mention! Would have given the Garforth Music for Youth competitors a run for their money.

[I'll insert the pics just as soon as Fehmina shows me how to unzip them.]

 

 

Allerton Allstars at Allerton Grange Winter Show

A whole week now passes without a gig. Ah, bliss.

Then next up it's Thursday and it's Allerton Grange winter show. As ever this show is packed full of acts and of talent. My two groups get one song each. We will make them count.

First up is Year 7. They are Kris, Adam, Seb, Phoebe and Finlay, and guest Jonah, supported by Polly and     . They play Monday Morning. They have been playing for four months. I count in; they don't need me; I stand to one side in pride.







Next up is the Year 8 and 9s. They are Polly, Isobel, Rowena, Sophie and Josie. I he3lp out with the tune.They tackle I'm a Believer. This is tricky; they are amazing. George plays kit for both bands. Thanks, George.

Foxwood Steel, Allerton Grangettes, Sparrows and Steel Risingat Tropical World Wednesday

It's that time of year again: standing on an artifiical beach on the other side of the wall from the meerkats, and just along from the crocs at Tropical World Roundhay park [Leeds, of course].

As we play each evening for three hours, and we are the same band, and the Tropical World staff are the same staff, it's my mission that we vary the repertoire and the style of play and the visuals as much as possible.

So this evening it's Foxwood [me, Bex, Sarah, Katie, Gig. Sophie, Tim, Vicky],

Foxwood Steel

 then the wonderful Allerton Grangettes [Sophie, Leila, Josie, Claudia, Ciara,  then it's Foxwood again, then Leeds Silver Steel Sparrows [Claudia, Ciara, Georgia E, Peter, Millie], then Foxwood again, then after I left early to go to City of Leeds School for the City Vibe Show, it was Steel Rising [Alli, Karen, Vicky plus].

Me, Gig and Maya got to City; Rick took them [G and M] off in the car, but the bit where I would have played for City Vibe hadn't happened before I had to leave . . .  Such is life. Thankfully Sophie was able to stand in.

Foxwood and Sparrows

Foxwood n Sparrows

Grangettes and some Foxwood