Three workshops: Leeds Civic Hall and Swarthmore

 

On Monday morning Diane and I took three sets of tamboo bamboo to the Civic in order to do a workshop for the Girls Can conference at Leeds Civic Hall. I started our workshop with a stamping clapping exercise, and then Diane did her whizzy thing with tamboo bamboo sticks. This is actually a bit tricky even if you are only trying to keep a hold of the one rhythm that you have been given, and with or without a verbal phrase to remember the rhythm by.

 

 

 

Leaving Diane to it in Glorious Building No 1, I skipped up to the bus stop by the Merrion Centre, took the 56 home, jumped into the blue van that I prepared earlier, down to the Swarthmore Centre, Glorious Building Number 2, set of pans up to top floor [students did that, phew!]. Workshop with Natalie S's class, met Gosh, practised my Polish on her, did some tunes, left the pans there, went home, passed out.

 

 

Next morning back to Swarthmore, more tunes, took photos of those who wanted to be in them [the act natural bit didn't happen!], bumped into my old friend, Martin C. left the class to continue the lesson without me and shot off to last school of the day, watched Pippa's lovely steelband play a concert, took some photos [no permission to show yet], then back to collect pans which students had already brought down. Sting helped me load the van, parked nervously at the front, but together this took no time at all.

 

Went home, passed out. Holidays anyone?

 

 

 

Foxwood one EastSteelette and an Unexpected Sparrow play Fair Trade event at Leeds Civic Hall

Now then Debs,



 Five weeks post-op and it's three gigs inaweek!

But this one is for Fair Trade, and that is a cause that I'm up for. We have done this gig a couple of times before, hanging out on Briggate with people in banana outfits. Back in the days when taking kids out of school was an educational experience worth giving them

And, do you know Debs, it's not about the recycling of those 12 songs; it's the parking, the loading of pans, from school to van, from one van into another, from van into my hall, back out, carparks, lifts, stairs, locked doors, turnstiles [pans over them] stages, clearing the stage while the Lord Mayor or guest VIP is speaking [bottoms up! See below].

Then it's paperwork, songsheets, permission letters, phone calls about loading entrances, receptionists, parking, and, if you're playing in Leeds centre you definitely can't be the band leader and a driver. Being a wheelchair-user, Bart is able to park just anywhere, and also we can stack several stands on his knees at one time. Who know which will give out first: His knees or his wheelchair!


I had wanted to bring a primary school steelband to the Civic, but just not possible from the old sick-bed, well not legal either, now you mention it. So, an email out to any Foxwood or East Steel on lunchtime, or available any old how [no questions asked]. Anyway, a good cause and we have me, Vicky, Wanda, Chloe [an unexpected Sparrow], Gig, Fehmina, Bart and Danielle.

 . . . . which is when we discover that the double guitars that we have ready for Music For Youth are out of tune! Next!

I love Leeds Civic Hall. It reeks of history, display cases stuck in time - I hope they never modernise them, rich carpets red and gold things, balconies, huge, huge high ceilings, delightfully wasteful of space and heat [but keeping body smells at bay, as new-build school occupants will tell you!]. The names of the great and the possibly good from Leeds Days gone past. Huge sweeping stairs.

And, yes, nice set. Thanks to Bankside headteacher for suggesting a steelband and to Hannah for asking us. [Thanks to Trish for saying she would if we really needed her, but as it happens we were nearly in double figures!]

Ad hoc Foxwood Steel rocks Christmas Singalong

Day Two of the Singalong

It's the Singalong again at the Civic Hall, Banqueting Suite. Over the years I have taught and played at most of the Special Schools in Leeds, and events like these brings me together with old friends and colleagues from way back then. Bit like Christmas really, and, in fact we have as much a need to keep staff in good spirits, as entertain the children [obviously contrary to some current government thinking].

So far Foxwood is me and Georgia. Then Richard the clarinettist and Jermaine a pannist from Manchester join us for some sight-reading and playing by ear. Father Christmas still sounds suspiciously Italian.

Two visits to the Civic Hall in one Day!

Debs, I had Monday off, in which to prepare for two very different visits to Leeds Civic Hall. Thankfully, Diane was on form on both occasions, as my energy levels were well fading!

In the morning we had brief brush with a travesty of justice [to be documented more fully in my Leeds local blog]. In the afternoon we met a group of Korean post-grad music/teaching students who were on a fact-finding tour of some European countries, and who were investigating music provision for people with additional [Special] needs.






Ironically, it was the very blog describing the unexpected and deplorable closure of the West Park Centre that caught the Korean students' internet eyes. I explained that they wouldn't be able to see all the things we described in the blog that YAMSEN:SpeciallyMusic did/do, but by now they had also bought our book, and were anxious that the writers should sign it. And this here we are in the beautiful Tiled Cafe in Leeds Art Gallery having our photographs taken by Sangah Seouk and her pals.

After the unexpected book-signing, we went to the Leeds Civic Hall where wheel-chair-user, David and his dad kindly came in the help us demonstrate some of our hi tech equipment, including switches and sound-beam [which David plays in quite an advanced way]. Then some low-tech equipment, including lycra and puppets.

From YAMSEN:SpeciallyMusic we were me, Diane and Joanna. PIcs were from the Korean students [names and more pics to follow].

Lees Silver Steel Sparrows at Lord Mayor's Charity Banquet

Tumbling off the train, up Park Row, into the waiting arms of Leeds Civic Hall, Banqueting Suite, unload the van, set up, sandwiches waiting for us.


We are staff: me, Nat and Vicky [who didn't know she was coming to Harrogate till yestaerday, and didn't know she was coming to the Civic Hall till she got to Harrogate.



Players: Peter, Millie S, Millie S, Chloe, Claudia, Ciara, Naomi, Sarah, Little Georgia, Danielle, Imogen, Amy.

Just in time, let's go through our set again, then reprise Clocks, Buffalo Soldier, Blue, Is Heat, and OMG the new players are sight-reading, listening to chords being shouted at them. Proud? Bursting! Play the set again [for late arrivals].



Lord Mayor is Anne Castle. She made us take a bow. We shuffled about awkwardly in the doorway. Finishing packing and disappeared into the rainy Leeds night.