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Music, dance and arts festival comes to Corrie…
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weeMAD Festival (wee Music, Art and Dance Festival in Corrie, Arran, 25 – 27 September 2009)…
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weeMAD Festival on the Isle of Arran, 25-27 September
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weeMad Festival, an event in September – Ayrshire & Arran, Corrie
Posted in Press and media coverage
Programme as of 1 September 2009:
FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER
Sun Fyre Sweeney, Skye Mackenzie and Russell Deacon of Synergy Transitional Dance will kick things off on Friday evening.
Launch Evening with dynamic Transitional Dance from Synergy, sharing several creative explorations of love, alienation and the green world through movement and visual feast through body art and outfitting. The evening will interspersed with live music plus open mic sessions for everyone who wishes to share. 7.30pm onwards, entry by donation, brink food and drink to share.
SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER
Throughout Saturday the Secret Shop art-tea-house will be open from 12noon-7pm with stunning new artwork created by Clare Galloway, plus there will be reiki healing and tarot readings.
Day’s Programme:
10-11am : Yoga class with Russell Deacon, starting the day with gentle exercise to connect the mind and body.
11.15-12.15 : Musical Roots, music workshops for children up to 10yrs, including babies. Playing with the rhythms of life and singing and dancing to songs from around the world. With Kindermusik educator Suzanne Harris.
1.00-2.00pm: Join Anthar Kharana for a one hour drumming workshop
Anthar Kharana, one of the Soundweavers, does some sound-healing. Clare Galloway is the "patient".
where he will be sharing rhythms from his native Colombia. Suitable for all levels, please bring your own drum.
2.15-4.15pm Transitional Dance Workshop, a chance to learn more about and experience transitional dance yourself. Suitable for all fitness levels and no dance experience required. Children over 10 welcome with participating adult.
4.30-5.30pm Tai Ji Chuan with Russell Deacon, ending the day with this gentle meditative practice to create unity. Suitable for beginners or more experienced.
7.30-9.30pm Soundweavers Concert. Sharing mesmorising melodies, world music and healing sounds to soothe the soul. With Himalayan and Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls, Harmonium, Bazouki, Flutes, Gentle Gong, Drum…and more. With Anthar Kharana, Peter Govan and Suzanne Harris.
Performing individually and together, Anthar Kharana, Peter Govan and Suzanne Harris of Soundweavers, will enchant, excite, inspire, relax and heal...!
SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER
Throughout Sunday the Secret Shop art-tea-house will again be open from 12noon-7pm, plus there will be sound healing and reiki healing available, plus tarot readings with the newly designed Celtic Trees and Tales tarot cards.
Day’s Programme:
10-11am : Yoga class with Russell Deacon, starting the day with gentle exercise to connect the mind and body.
11.15-12.15: Soul Buddies, kids making workshop with Synergy to make their own soul buddies from socks and odds and ends. Bring anything you’d like to include on yours. For all ages, under 8′s with adult please.
1.00-2.00pm, Healing with Your Voice. A one hour workshop to develop and strengthen your voice through exercises and techniques, plus learn healing sounds for yourself and friends and family. With Anthar Kharana and Suzanne Harris.
2.15-3.45pm Harmonic Overtone Singing workshop. Learn how to produce this powerful technique yourself with Peter Govan who has been teaching overtone singing for the last 12 years.
4.00-5.00pm Tai Ji Chuan with Russell Deacon, another chance to end the day with this gentle meditative practice to create unity. Suitable for beginners or more experienced.
7.30-9.30pm Sacred Sound Journey. End the weekend with deep relaxation and immersion in healing sounds with professional Sound Therapists Anthar Kharana and Suzanne Harris. Please bring mat, blanket and cushions to be comfortable. Entry by donation.
Posted in Programme
Tagged Anthar Kharana, Arran, art, artist, artists, Clare Galloway, creativity, dance, dancers, entertainment, exhibitions, festival, festivals, fun, healing, minifest, music, musicians, overtone singing, overtones, Peter Govan, Russell Deacon, Scotland, Skye Mackenzie, Sun Fyre Sweeney, Suzanne Harris, Synergy, tarot, tarot cards, transitional dance, weeMad, weeMAD fest, weeMAD Festival, weemad minifest, workshops, world music
Flyer about Clare Galloway and her travelling shop, appearing at weeMAD. Click to see full-size.
For the first time in her colourful career, artist Clare Galloway is returning to her roots for the launch of her travelling art-tea-house, and for a very special mini festival!
Homecoming!
The well-known Scottish artist will arrive on Arran in mid-September, setting up studio in her 5m bell tent, next to the family home in High Corrie. She has kept close connection with the island since leaving for art school in 1991, and has recently sold paintings of High Corrie and Glen Sannox painted in her inimitable style. This will be the very first time that she has brought a significant body of work back to the island. The tent will be transformed into a travelling version of Clare’s famous Secret Shop ‘art-tea-house’, which she’s been running from her Borders home.
Art Direct!
Scottish artist, Clare Galloway, one of the organisers of the weeMAD Festival, who is bringing her famous "Secret Shop" art-tea-house to weeMAD.
Once camped next to Corrie Hall for the weeMAD festival, the doors of her ‘mini-big-top’ will be open to the public for an intimate show of artwork ‘hot off the easel’! From noon through into the evening, islanders and visitors are invited to soak up the magical atmosphere, have a good blether, and buy colourful paintings inspired by the local landscape. The new range of small paintings on wood will sit alongside a vibrant array of cards, prints and T-shirts, and special prices will run for the duration! The artist will be present to give personal insight and an extra dimension to the powerful, unique work.
Nurtured by the Roots
Clare hopes to use this trip to the island to explore the landscape more deeply, building on the rapidly expanding body of bright landscape paintings she has been working on in the Borders. “My close connection with the land is the most enduring aspect of my upbringing in High Corrie, and the essence of Arran continues to inform and inspire my artwork. It is a treat to be returning to work and present new paintings on the island. This is the best place travelling Secret Shop could possibly be launched in!”
This tent will become a wonderful art-tea-house at weeMAD!
Travelling Secret Shop enables Clare to work in a simple, natural atmosphere, within the landscape she’s painting, and it’s a means of opening a more direct relationship between the artist, the artwork and the public.
Clare will be available on 07905 922 370 whilst on the island and 0845 458 2946 local rate beforehand.
See http://www.claregalloway.co.uk for further information on the artist, the artwork, Secret Shop, and the weeMAD Festival.
Posted in Clare Galloway
Tagged Arran, art, artist, artists, Clare Galloway, exhibitions, festivals, minifest, Scotland, weeMad, weeMAD Festival, weemad minifest
Flyer about Synergy transitional dance, appearing at weeMAD. Click to view full-size.
Transitional Dance is ever changing, growing & evolving as we are, whilst walking our paths of self discovery, truth and freedom. Many words can be used to describe the aspects of this type of dance, such as creative, expressive, intuitive, imaginative, soulful, connected… Transitional Dance is as unique as the individual. So…how do you define that which defies definition?! Expressing the experiences of life’s journey not only through movement, sound, and connection with self and others, but also in creating outward physical elements that embody the essence of one’s true self. They invite you to be amazed by their launch evening performance, then to join them on their various workshops over weeMAD.
“‘I am all things…I am no thing…I simply am.’ I may have been born across the wee pond…but my heart, my soul, has always known Scotland as my true home. I grew up near the San Francisco Bay Area and spent much tyme (aye…I know it’s spelled with an ‘i’ but choose not to buy into the illusion of ‘time’) watching and mimicking the many various street performers …be it mime, contortion, street dance, belly dance, etc., these styles and many others have influenced my dance and movement throughout the years. My mother’s spellbinding dance and imaginative designs for her outfits inspired my own passion and creativity. She and my Nana taught me how to bring to reality whatever my imagination could conjure, using new materials or ‘re-creating’ something new from something old. I dreamt of being a dancer/choreographer/designer. Like so many…the distance between me and my dreams grew as my choices in life took me farther away from realising them. I remember well the moment I realised that the only thing standing between me and my dreams was me, and when I stepped out of my own way…well, it has been an amazing journey to say the least! This journey has brought me here…to Arran…which I hope to soon call my home. I bring with me a diverse background of experiences which have culminated in the co-creation of Transitional Dance with Sun Fyre Sweeney. I also create unique garments designed to celebrate each individual’s expression of self, specialising in cutwork and inlaid leather attire.”
Sun Fyre Sweeney
“Though I have been formally trained as an artist, dancer, teacher and healer, I have chosen not to limit myself to any of these titles or descriptions. Through imagination and intuition, the path I walk weaves together expressions of the journey creatively integrating life’s rich experiences into form as it needs be. Poems become dance, dance becomes art becomes healer and all is an expression of our uniqueness and connection with ourselves, others, the natural and supernatural world, i.e. spirit, source, otherworld, universal energies etc. I will be bringing to Arran some artwork and wisdom cards from a long-term involved project known as Celtic Trees and Tales Tarot. Approximately 3 years in the making, the work has culminated in an approximately 200-page, soon-to-be-published book/working manual, and 50 original artworks translated into a full set of working tarot cards. Drawing on Celtic wisdom from the trees (Tree Ogham) and Celtic stories, the cards re-present imaginatively a rich source of knowledge and fantastic archetypical tales with faeries, dryads, giants, ghouls, gods and goddesses. By cross-referencing the wisdom of the Celts with the tarot, I believe the cards represent not only a beautiful exploration of the wisdom of the Celts but also a powerful tool of divination that can give the seeker access to profound and powerful readings – for which there will be opportunity during weeMAD.”
“I have been practicing tai ji since 2000, and all those years have been filled with good people and good times. The practice of tai ji and my fine teachers have helped me understand how to keep my back pain-free. How to win a fight. How energy is exchanged in all forms of interaction, and how this is a universal quality. The practice is meditative and allows a quiet pleasure to come from the body. Its power is in unity. During the workshops I can transmit a reliable technique for thinking and feeling in these terms. It would be a pleasure to give you a start on this path or indeed help you reflect on what you already have. Yoga fell into my life when I was 15 because I was not allowed to do martial arts. But it has set the rhythm of my life. Relationship to the body gymnastically and holistically (only separated by skill) has made my life free and a joy. Given me access to the deepest states I have experienced. My favourite teachers have a soft warmth to their spine, fluid hips and a mind that seeks softness. Yoga and tai ji achieve the same things by different routes. Putting them together is a fertile approach to the health of your body and mind.”
You can find us all on Facebook, or contact us via:
email: synergydance@ymail.com or imagine.skye@gmail.com or tel. 0798 323 1325
Posted in Synergy
Tagged Arran, dance, dancers, festivals, minifest, music, Russell Deacon, Scotland, Skye Mackenzie, Sun Fyre Sweeney, tarot, tarot cards, tarot readings, weeMad, weeMAD Festival, weemad minifest
Flyer about Soundweavers, appearing at weeMAD. Click to view full-size.
Soundweavers are a collaboration of three artists and healers who have joined together to bring soothing and healing sounds to their audiences through concerts, workshops, healing sessions and recordings. They began creating world music together in May 2009, weaving a plethora of crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, Colombian flutes, strings, Harmonium, overtone singing and soaring vocal harmonies. They weave magic, sometimes gentle, sometimes with fire, and always with spirit. They are Suzanne Harris, Anthar Kharana and Peter Govan. Suzanne and Anthar studied together as soundt herapists and began working together in March ’09, delivering sound baths, treatments and workshops. Peter then joined them taking their work to a new level and reaching wider audiences through concerts and performances.
Suzanne Harris
Suzanne Harris has been singing to local audiences in Scotland for a number of years and her voice displays a beautiful depth and emotional clarity. Su1anne recently qualified as ap ractitioner of Sound Therapy training with the British Academy of Sound Therapists (BAST) and also as a children’s music educator she is expanding and developing new ways to incorporate healing within her music. Suzanne has been a regular visitor to Arran since 1997 when she first started holidaying on the island with her sister’s family. Tragically her beautiful niece and god-daughter, Emily-Jane Gold, died aged 16 in 2008 and there is now a stunning pink picnic bench in Emily-Jane’s memory on Kildonan beach. Arran was a very special place for Emily-Jane and the family have wonderful memories of their holidays here together. As part of weeMAD Suzanne will be delivering a children’s music workshop and sharing healing sounds with voice, bowls and percussion at the Soundweavers concert on Saturday night. She will also be offering special discounted sound therapy treatments and workshops on the Sunday, and delivering a special Sound Journey on the Sunday evening.
Soundweavers weave enchantment using a variety of instruments and rich vocal harmonies.
Peter Govan is based in Edinburgh and has been teaching overtone singing internationally for the last 12 years. He has inspired participants with his sensitive yet humorous teaching style, as well as moving his audiences deeply the world over with his soaring voice and gentle heart opening Overtone singing concerts. Peter first visited Arran in 2006 when he holidayed in Corrie! He met Suzanne and Anthar following the introduction on their workshops and sound healing events in Peebles and Edinburgh and the three joined forces to blend their unique styles and multiple talents to create a wonderful and uplifting experience for audiences all over. Peter will be performing as part of Soundweavers on Saturday evening, as well as delivering a special 90 minute workshop on Harmonic Overtone singing on Sunday afternoon, plus offering Reiki healing sessions throughout the weekend.
You can find us all on Facebook, or further info on the following websites:
Anthar: www.khantara.com, Peter: www.petergovan.com
For further info on Soundweavers contact Suzanne on 01721 720788, or email Suzanneharris89@hotmail.com
Posted in Soundweavers
Tagged Anthar Kharana, Arran, chanting, chants, festivals, healing, minifest, music, overtone singing, overtones, Peter Govan, Scotland, Suzanne Harris, Tibetan music, weeMad, weeMAD Festival, weemad minifest, world music
Flyer about the Arran weeMAD festival. Click to view full-size.
weeMAD is a 3-day celebration of evolved music, art and dance, thought up by artist Clare Galloway and sound-healer Suzanne Harris as a means of bringing world-class artists to unique rural locations.
It aims to stimulate cultural exchange, and inspire and invigorate community in a brilliant atmosphere. There will be a variety of events and shows at this, its inaugural event, including sound healing, vibrant paintings from the surrounding landscape and cutting edge dance, all crammed into Corrie Hall on the Isle of Arran!
The September weekend, 25th-27th, will see a veritable cavalcade descend on the village! The launch evening will be at 7.30pm on the Friday, where everyone is invited to join open mic sessions between stunning performances by dance group Synergy.
Taster of Excellence
There will be fantastic evening concerts, drumming! dance! tai chi! children`s workshops, individual healing sessions und a glorious art exhibition in the bell tent, all at special discounted rates. International artist Anthar Kharana will be appearing, along with multi-albumed vocalist Peter Govan, and well-known artist Clare Galloway, who grew up in the village.
Community, Celebrate!
The wide-ranging programme will be based in the main hall, with the art-tea-house set up outside in a beautiful bell tent. There will be ample opportunity for everyone to enjoy themselves; from watching the main performances on the Friday and Saturday nights, participating in workshops, relaxing sound journeys, or receiving guidance through a personal tarot reading. Watch out around the island for a full programme which will appear shortly or visit the website below.
Arran Connects
Having met the Soundweavers back in spring this year, and been hugely impressed with their music and healing, Clare found they had Arran in connection with her, and were also keen to take their work there. Her old friend Sun Fyre and Skye Mackenzie are soon to move to the island, and their Synergy dance troupe liked the sound of the festival. Coinciding with the launch of the Travelling Secret Shop, the ideas began to buzz: ”Fitting auspiciously into the space that Corrie Capers has left; we saw the perfect opportunity to bring some exciting new vibes to the village – whilst having a busman`s holiday ourselves!”
You can find us all on Facebook, or via our websites:
www.thesecretshop.biz, www.khantara.com, www.petergovan.com
More info on the festival is on Clare’s site – www.thesecretshop.biz – click on weeMAD.
We very much look forward to seeing you all!
Posted in Overall description
Tagged Arran, arran festivals, art, artists, creativity, dance, dancers, entertainment, festival, festivals, festivals arran, festivals in Arran, festivals in Scotland, fun, healing, minifest, music, musicians, originality, overtone singing, overtones, scotish art exhibitions, Scotland, scotland art festivals, scotland dance festivals, scotland music festivals, scottish art, scottish dance festivals, Scottish festivals, scottish music festivals, weeMad, weeMAD fest, weeMAD Festival, weemad minifest, workshops
