Author name: spanarts

completed project

Arts at a Distance

An online artistic programme to reduce isolation and loneliness, alleviate fear, stress and boredom, and build community networks in Pembrokeshire.
This programme had its roots in Span Digidol, enabling us to respond quickly to the COVID crisis.

Molara, Community Engagement Officer
collaborators

Molara

Molara is an inspirational singer, songwriter, teacher and performer, whose maternal grandfather was a founder member of the George Formby society, and whose father’s cousin was Fela Kuti. After a degree in drama and French literature, Molara went on to become an original member of dub dance pioneers Zion Train. She subsequently sang and recorded with a wide range of bands and artists which include Mad Professor, Femi Kuti, The Ruts DC and Baka Beyond.She is a musicologist and founded One Voice Choir in 2005 to celebrate her love of international singing techniques, and was one of the founders of The Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival in 2008. She is a trustee of the Natural Voice Network.She has delivered educational provision of music and the arts to people aged 0 to 106, of differing abilities and backgrounds since 1992, and has worked for Span Arts, National Theatre of Wales, Arts Council of Wales and Ruskin Mill Trust.She is a passionate advocate of human rights and has worked with Race Council Cymru, the Welsh government’s Race Equality Action Plan, and in promoting Seni’s Law following the death of her cousin at the hands of the police.

Volunteer

Bertie Malpas

“At age 12 I ad-libbed in a school operetta and got a laugh. As a trumpeter I have always loved the stage but never minded not earning much. I cut my teeth as a stage manager at Glastonbury. It’s not about the money, it’s the smell of the grease paint and the roar of the crowd. All aspects of running a show are rewarding, be it cloakroom, box office steward and all the other cogs that turn to put on a show. lt’s grrrreat!”

completed project

Clwb Digi

SPAN’s creative technology club for children aged 8-16. SPAN trialled a monthly creative technology youth club from February 2019 to April 2020 encouraging young people to “get stuck in” to creative technology guided by artists and experts. Sessions included stop-frame animation, app-making for beginners, an introduction to robotics, Raspberry Pi computers and simple programming,  Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Digital Mapping, electronic music making and vocal looping—and more! All were well attended with excellent feedback showing a desire for more. ‘I liked everything…the right amount of challenge.’ ‘Very entertaining and easy to follow’

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Black Voices

Streamed live on 30th October 2020. Formed in 1987 by its Music Director Carol Pemberton MBE, Black Voices has gained a reputation as Europe’s finest female a cappella quintet. For over 25 years the ensemble has captivated global audiences with their singing and performances in the black oral tradition – an early music form that is based on the ancient folklores and story telling of Africa and the Diaspora and which has impacted on the development of classical and more recent music genres such as blues and jazz. Drawing inspiration from that rich tradition, Black Voices has developed a unique repertoire and arrangement of spirituals, traditional African, Caribbean and English folk songs, jazz, gospel, pop and reggae as well as a fusion of contemporary and classical styles that has earned them world wide recognition as a performance and teaching company. Black Voices is honoured to have been invited to perform before members of the British Royal Family both in the UK and overseas. In 1998, the ensemble performed at an open air concert for Pope John Paul 11 in Loreto, Italy and in 1996 they appeared before former President Nelson Mandela at the Two Nations Concert, Royal Albert Hall. Traveling

activity, watch

Our Connections With Africa

Singer and arts practitioner Molara, storyteller Phil Okwedy and poet Eric Ngalle Charles ran a series of workshops over video calls exploring welsh connections with the continent of Africa. Through storytelling, poetry, song and more, participants shared their links with the places, people, clothing, foods, music and languages that make up the world's second largest continent.  
News

Cânu Gwerin

After the success of Under Milk Wood, Theatr Soffa is preparing now for its next production, telling lockdown stories and weaving them into an online performance. Join us! Everyone welcome.

activity, join in

Sing

Everyone Cân Sing! Join Cat's friendly group of online singers. Singing is so good for us. All welcome. Fortnightly singing workshops led by Natural Voice Practitioner Catriona Fothergill, the group is friendly and open to all abilities and interests. Since March 2020 when the Covid pandemic hit, SPAN’s singing group has been singing online rather at SPAN. Singers from across Pembrokeshire have been coming together online to share in the uplifting benefits of singing, led by the fabulous natural voice practitioner Catriona Fothergill. “We know that singing helps us to feel good and connect with each other. It makes us breathe deeply and stops our anxious thoughts while we enjoy singing and listening to harmonies.” Says choir leader Cat Fothergill The project has provided vital support and connection and helped to improve people’s wellbeing at this most difficult time. Singers have found the experience “Stimulating, connecting and heart-warming” with “with just the right mix of warm up, chat and song.” Get Involved: Book here to join our online Can Sing classes. Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 7pm.
join in

Map Digi Penfro

The Map records nature, science, art, history and poetry. Points have been placed by people young and old and in between, with their memories, knowledge, and ideas. You can add some too.

make

Paint a lane

Guy Manning guides a painting demonstration painting the lane as viewed from his front door. A gentle meditation on contrast, tone and shade. The workshop took place on the 16th May 2020.   “This is the lane I walk on every day with our dog, sometimes twice daily. In this step-by-step demonstration, alongside oil paints on canvas, I show you how you can plan the painting using things like everyday cardboard and house emulsion etc, so you can all have a go even if you haven’t access to a box of art paints.”   Guy took his first forays into the digital realm with his postcards from Pembrokeshire series when he set himself the challenge to paint an image of Pembrokeshire daily and to share it digitally for a year.  Guy has since opened the Art Room in Tenby. Donations welcome. Supported by Arts Council Wales and Leader Arwain Sir Benfro. The live session was streamed on 16th May 2020.
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Make a gift box

As part of our Kindness Project Show It, Share It. Volunteer Ann Maidment demonstrates how to create your very own gift box through stop motion animation.     
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Marionette puppet bird tutorial

Designer and puppet maker Di Ford shows you how to make your very own marionette bird puppet! Using household materials you will learn to make this happy little chappie and become a puppet maker!    
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Design and make woven patches

Create unique woven patches for your mending projects or to upcycle garments or interior textiles. Transform your mending pile with this simple technique. The possibilities are endless and achievable using materials and equipment from around the house.  Learn how to vary structure for interesting textures and colour combinations with each patch being unique to you. We hope you enjoy!  
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Live at Home with Bardd & support from Eädyth

Beatbox, innovative Live Looping, Electric Kalimba, Folk Violin, Jazz Organ, Blues Guitar and Spoken Word. Bilingual beatboxer Mr Phormula with poet and lyricist Martin Dawes pioneer a new fusion of music that explores traditional and modern processes. On Saturday 12th September Bardd performed an exclusive live stream gig, bringing a night from the bardic roots of Wales to a freedom funk disco! Supporting the band was 22 year old singer songwriter Eädyth. The singer and instrumentalist, from Merthyr Tydfil, has been releasing records in both languages over the past four years. It was a night of Beatbox, innovative Live Looping, Electric Kalimba, Folk Violin, Jazz Organ, Blues Guitar and Spoken Word Poetry, alongside danceable beats. Bardd are Award Winning Spoken Word Artist Martin Daws (Young People’s Laureate Wales 2013-16), legendary Emcee, Beatbox and Live Looper Mr Phormula (Double Wales Beatbox Champion) and outstanding multi-instrumentalist Henry Horrell (Guitars/Keys/Violin). Bardd state their aim as “bringing all that we are together into one beautiful groove”

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The Baghdaddies

  On the 13th June SPAN joined forces with The Baghdaddies for an exclusive pre-recorded gig.  Along with the specially recorded tracks for SPAN, the band joined us on the chat to keep the spirits high and have a natter with the audience.  SPAN knew that everyone was missing the dance floor, so they decided to bring it to the people of Pembrokeshire and beyond with this exuberant and rampant band! The exhilarating cocktail of Balkan melodies, ska and latin grooves and sizzling brass played with furious energy and theatrical humour definitely got peoples toes tapping!  One of SPAN’s top priorities has been to support artists and musicians, especially during lockdown, whilst continuing to bring music of the highest caliber. In order to continue to stick to their aims,  the gig was fundraiser for the organisation so they could continue to do what they do! If you like what you see and want to help support the arts in Pembrokeshire SPAN would be hugely grateful for any contributions that you can afford.  Donate here

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