Leeds Silver Steel Sparrows play Leeds City Varieties

On January 30 the Sparrows played the Leeds Child Friendly Awards at Leeds City Varieties.


And on January 30 I was having a minor op at St James' Hospital Leeds. As the Sparrows' band leader I was sadly unable to count to four and rifle through files of songs as is my wont, but now find myself in a fetching hospital gown, and leaving the steelband honours to Bex, Bart and Georgia with sterling support from Vicky.

Players were Peter, Millie S, Claudia, Georgia, Chloe, and they fitted snugly into the space in front of the stage. No space for a drum kit, so we were subtle. (I say, we, cos I was there in spirit).

We received this thanks from organiser, Richard C:

 

I would like to say a massive thanks to all the Sparrows for doing a stellar job at the Awards last Thursday. If you remember, we had a group of young people planning the whole event. They specifically requested to have a steel band as they thought it would give the event a warm and happy atmosphere at people arrived and thanks to you all this is exactly what the 300+ guests got.

 

I received several bit of praise about you from members of the audience who I talked to after the event and on behalf of myself, the young people who organised the event and the rest of the planning team – THANKS!. Please could you also pass on our thanks to all the players on the evening.

 

Thanks again for filling the auditorium full of the happy sounds of steel pans!

 

Regards

East Steel play Beeston Festival

Debs, I gotta tell you that this was the best organised festival that we have had the pleasure to play at in a very long while.

And I have written that in bold. That's how good it was!



We were me, Bex, Vicky, Tim, Ruth, Alli, Karen, Anne, Lynn, Wanda, Kirsty, Katie, Cheryl., with guests:Tim and Amy.  The weather was great, the stage was proper; the overheads mikes did their job; the band played really well - lots of new tunes, and no arguing.

Hilary Benn, local MP [and also my MP] opened the show and yet again found himself sharing a stage with one of my bands. Told Kirsty off for letting him play some notes on her double seconds.



We introduced a few new tunes, favourite being El Condor Pasa. Then I drove the van round to Cross Flatts whatever, and with the help of bemused local resident, Simon, loaded it over the fence from the park.

Then Debs,  as you do, the Foxwood Players drove over to Woodhouse Moor . .  As you will see from next blog.

Foxwood at Touchstone

Like buses, this set of gigs came in threes, and now finishing the trio off is Foxwood Steel at Touchstone. We are me, Bex, Nat, Tim, Gig and Katie. We are at the White Rose Banqueting Suite, Tong Road, playing between 10 and 10.30. I knew it was an AGM. I thought that meant a committee of 20 or so around a table, and I thought that a steel band was a bit of a luxury. Debs, it was about 200!

And this is the best load in in Leeds. Van - loading entrance - stage. 2 mintes. We are ace. Acoustics - ace. I was so buzzing that I bought too any samosas at the best vegetarian Asian food shop in town [Anands on Harehills Road], ran Nat to Seacroft, Tim to Burley, then came home and passed out!

In time I may have better pics. In the meantime, here we are, and also Stephanie from Touchstone. [I first worked with Stephanie eight years ago when I took the Sparrows across to the Roscoe Luncheon Club just off Chapeltown Road [Francis Street, I think].]

East Steel at Miggy Park, and Judy says goodbye

It is a year since our new gazebo took off half way through Bob Marley in the same park. Then the weather was cold, windy with a hint of rain. And a hint of an audience. Today it's much grander, with zumba, birds of prey, majorettes, samosas, various other stalls and a raffle. A proper event.

This is our first gig since Judy decided to call it a day. And I would like to pause to say thanks. Most people join a nightclass or a band to do something for themselves, which is as it should be. [I have for example just signed up for Advanced Russian, in the hope I can reprieve my once near-competence in this fine language. The tutor asked why, I said, I meet Russians and other Eastern Europeans in my schools,  but actually I just want to speak it again. I want to roll those wonderful consonant clusters around and make the music that is speaking another language. And really make good all those eight years I spent studying it from O level to uni.]

Anyway, Judy didn't just join East Steel. She brought Bella, Rameice and bro; she bought the guitar pan that would provide the much needed lower chords; she invited us to play in her garden, and fed us all cakes. She gave Adele lifts. She wrote down all the rhythms and she said nice things; she led the dancing at gigs. So we will miss her. However, even more respect that, when it wasn't doing it anymore for her, Judy called it a day. Enough of the eulogy.




Back to the gig: We were Wendy, Jeanette, Adele, Tricia, Alli, Karen, Ruth, Vicky, Peter, Cheryl, plus me and Bex of course. In attendance also James and Michael. A passing man of the cloth joined, singing in with our first tune, Where Have All the Flowers Gone? With rather a fine voice. The lake, a perfect back-drop for the pictures, not so perfect with two Smalls on the loose.

And lastly, at the end, with everything packed away, here's the last of us to leave the lakeside.

Playing Fields and the Head of Steam, and . . .

Obviously Debs, I work my leisure time around your farewell parties. But first Sue demanded my presence at a photo-shoot. So it's over first to the Leeds Girls High Playing Fields to tell the government in our small way - don't talk about Olympic Inheritance and then sell off even more school playing fields. For inner-city children with little playing space these fields, around which I once ran in my youth, would be a bit of a bonus. This is us with the photographer.

I dropped my bicycle at home, then Rick dropped me at the station; I missed the first train, consequently bumped into Marina and spent a very informative journey till she gets off at Mirfield. [Marina is a costume designer from Huddersfield who didn't play Huddersfield Carnival but who is about to play Leeds. I am a steelband leader who played lead float at Huddersfield Carnival but who has not been asked to play Leeds for the second year running.]

Here you are practising wrapping a pan stick in the Head of Steam. It was shortly after this I grabbed my camera and dashed off to catch the 10.16. It was shortly after that that I found I had also grabbed your mobile. I already knew that you were leaving Huddersfield at 6 a.m. in order to get an early flight back to the Emirates, so . . .

Consequently here we are at the station again, this time at 6a.m. with cups of tea, the station cat and you on the train just before the doors close.

Leeds Silver Steel Sparrows Play Holary Rosary St Anne's, Chapeltown, Leeds

Well, Debs, it was local; there's a pool of about 14 Sparrows, more if you add Doves, so I told the people who lived miles away not to worry about trekking through Leeds in Friday rush hour. That was a mistake!
I had to do a pan workshop for YAMSEN:SpeciallyMusic in the morning, then mind Maya, then load van, all the while wondering if Claudia had remembered, and whether Ashley would time to play and get ready for his prom. Would Emily's mum [Sharon] brave the traffic and Millie S's mum [Tricia] have correctly accepted on Millie's behalf. Would I get through student moving house day traffic before Han started panicking?

Han was indeed panicking, and trying to get Katharine on Reception to ring me when I turned up in the big white van. Han told me that he loved travelling in the van, and asked was it mine. Debs, I wish. How did I cope with driving on the left? Well, Han, I live in the UK. It comes natural; thus the questions all the way to Chapeltown.

At Holy Rosary, Ashley's reassuring figure hoves into view. Then Katie. Han changes into his new purple Sparrows' top in the back of the van. Now now we are four. I text Natalie to ask her to bring Chloe. Under a tree in the warm June afternoon sun we set up the pans; discover I've not packed the bass drum; phone Rick.

Enter Millie S [with mum and sister]; enter Emily [with mum]; enter Claudia; enter Natalie and Chloe.  By now we are full band; Rick brought the bass drum over; with double bass [ie minus Aflat and Eflat] and unfamilar guitar pans, we ruin I Will Always Love You. Whatever. We end on a high note. Metaphorically. It was a lovely laid-back gig on a lovely day.

Foxwood and Foxwood Doves do the Jubilee in the Rain One: Adel

Well, as I republican I should have spotted, at the point of asking, why we had been booked to play all these street parties, and possibly might have declined. And I was just thinking what a nice idea all this community togetherness was.  Anyway, union jack bunting or not, they were a very nice idea. And Adel, thanks to Sophie's mum, Barbara, was a very nice idea.

But now it's raining. We are at The Drive Adel. We are gloomily contemplating getting the PA stuff moved off the stage that is the lorry, when I spot a handy gazebo. As it turns, out a rainproof gazebo. We are Amy, Joe, Tim, Bex, me, Stewart, Georgia, Sophie and Vicky.

We play Singin' in the Rain, and If It's Raining, it's Raining, as you do on these occasions. It makes folks smile, and after all that's what we're here for - to spread a little happiness.  The good people of the Drive then started dancin' in the Rain, and afterwards we all go home - some to work, some to look after their kids, and some of us, who were, in previous lives, both barmaids and mothers of young children, now retire to the implausible plots of the UK detectives programmes. [And unload the van later].

Foxwood and Foxwood Doves on tour of Leeds Primary Schools

Well, we had just agreed to do Cross Flatts when we find that normal emails being regarded as spam can wreak havoc with the old plans. So, it's St Barts as well, after all!

To ensure that I don't do Work work on my day off I agreed to mind Maya on Fridays while Georgia does a shift at the Malt Shovel. So, it's pans in the blue van, Maya in the car seat and we're off on tour. The best laid schemes o' mice and grandmothers - eh! Anyway she needs to get used to it. 

At Cross Flatts the kids are all eating on tables set up outside; we set up in the playground facing the tables, start playing and the kids then all run into the playground behind us. We are Varshika, Joe, Katie, Sophie, and Amy. Maya sits on a pan case.

Then the van comes back. We reload and set off for St Barts. Katie leaves us here, and Rick takes Maya back to Gig; Daisy, Lola and Vicky join us. At St Barts we play between the railings and the bouncy castle. I give Lola a little purple pan to use that I "borrowed" from a supplier at an education conference, in exchange for a formal evaluation. After that Joe and Varshika have an excellent fight over who gets to sit in the front. For a while it's a stand-off as I find they're both in it!

East Steel at the West Park Centre

Between 31 May and 9 June, and between all three bands: East Steel, Foxwood Steel and Sparrows I did eight gigs; of the other band leaders, Bex did six, Natalie did five and Admin Extraordinare: Vicky did six.  Foxwood Doves playing Aminor, G and F beyond the call of the duty were Varshika and Joe on five, and Amy on four.

This included playing under gazebos of varying watertightness in torrential rain, and breaking down on the way to and at golf club near Hemel Hempstead. Good thing it was half term.

Thursday 31 May was at the West Park Centre.  Natalie's East Leeds Music Centre Band supports East Steel in the most glorious plant-selling, bun-eating,  tea-swilling concert of a concert. Natalie's players were Liam, Chloe, Alex and Celia. Chloe was nervous about the first song so I stood next to her and hopelessly attempted her part. I was rubbish; Chloe was great. They were all nervous; they were all great!

East Steel featured some first time giggers, and some old hands [old, as in "experienced " of course!]. All in all: Karen, Alli, Ruth, Cathy, Judy, Rameice, Perez, Bella, Lynn, Anne, Tricia, Wendy, Jeanette, Peter, Vicky, Katie, Bex, me.

And we solved the problem of unsightly accessories, including handbags, trolleys and pan cases. Large screens. Just don't take photos from behind!

Foxwood Steel and Foxwood Doves at Gateway Church Easter Sunday at Notre Dame

Well Debs, it's the last lap this Easter break, and when I'm getting the 20 to 11 train from Harrogate last night, I know, and so does Bex, Joe MC, Varshika, Amy and Sophie, that there will be no Sunday lie-in. It's the thought of tea and hot cross buns at 10.30 that keeps me going. And now it's Sunday morning and now we are joined by Vicky, Katie and Lizzie. Helen, from Gateway agrees to guest on one song, which was probably an ask too far,

she ends up standing/sitting there for all the sets.Sorry, Helen.
There's some pictures of Bex still on the walls of the hall at Notre Dame, from when she was at college here. Does this mean she was very important student, or that they don't change their displays very often?

We play all our top tunes. We have realised that, in the absence of yourself, Gig, Danielle and Charlotte, it's up to me and Bex to play most of the melodies, and sometimes on one of our owns. Eek. Lizzie and Varshika take a couple of numbers. It's Matt from Gateway Church who is responsible for our lack of lie-in, but who does take some nice pics of us. And the hot cross buns were plentiful and lovely.

East Steel and some Foxwood and a Dove at Harewood House on 18 March 2012

Debs, What with all these gigs in March I nearly forgot the One Mile Whatever which was the day after Oakwood. This was an Age UK fund raising event, as they all are these days. Your friends pay a third person a few pounds for you to raise a sweat in some sporting way. I can see that it works, but, personally, I'm more in favour of a sponsored litter-pick. Anyway, they wanted some music; another band had pulled out, and despite my misgivings about sporting sponsorship in general, it is a nice little outing for me and my bands, both amateur and desperately-trying-to-be-professional.
East Steel, as you know, because you also have played with them, is Leeds ArtForms Music Centre steelband. Leaders are myself and Bex. Players range in age from 12 to 70, and vary in their musical experience and ability. Some play other instruments; some were rubbished musically as children

[as indeed I was] by their teachers. East Steel is a home for players to find themselves in and feel safe in. And it is also place for all players to push themselves in, as soon as they feel ready.
Back to to Harewood. From East Steel were Judy, Joyce, Bella, Vicky, Anne, Alli, Lynn, Adele; Amy was our Dove; from Foxwood Natalie, Vicky [member of both bands], Sarah, me and Bex. Michale and James helped Bex play kit when Natalie needed a break.

Choosing where to play was tricky. There was a little stage/marquee/sound system alongside the other little stalls, which include food and drinks and brilliant toilets.

We felt it better to be away from them, because some very unhappy past experiences [Debs, you remember Knaresborough?] have included trigger happy DJs.

Debs, we needn't have worried. The sound system went louder and quieter as was needed, and did not attempt to drown out the live music; the organisers allowed us to choose where we wanted play; and it didn't rain.

And afterwards, on bliss, the food place went on serving teas and chips; there were benches to sit and the birds of prey hovered above and let us take pics. Some of us stayed on and waited for the traffic to calm down.

Vicky and I posed on the start line. So nice after we've packed away and Rick [driver] has gone off to join the traffic queues.
Of course, there's unloading later, but that's later. And here's a litte film clip on youtube, filmed by Sarah, youtubed by Andy.  http://youtu.be/vObOPoqk85Y