Kora Workshop with 'The Kora Workshop' 16th -17th October 2010
For anyone interested in guitars, harps, drums or more generally in West African music, this workshop is a must!The Kora is the 21 stringed harp-like instrument played by the 'jali' or musician/storytellers of Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso and The Gambia.
Whether you are an experienced musician, a complete beginner, an improving Kora player or musicologist, this workshop will be fascinating and very rewarding. There will also be the opportunity to learn some of the songs and stories that are integral to this rich tradition.
Please click on the link below to visit the website and book on the weekend.
www.thekoraworkshop.co.uk
Basket Making with Frances Keenan
Frances Keenan is a basket maker. Her childhood was spent living on the Somerset Levels, and later in Herefordshire where she studied art and design. Always interested in building fabrics by knitting, knotting or weaving, she has also worked a lot with wool.
She now lives and works in Herefordshire, spending the winter months harvesting willow near Hay-on-Wye. She uses unstripped willow, using different varieties with their many colours of bark, making mainly functional baskets to sell at fairs or shows and in galleries. Most of her work is through commissions. She has taught basket making for the past five years and loves passing on skills to all ages.
Over the two days students will learn how to weave a round basket using different varieties of unstripped willow. Students can choose whether to make a fruit bowl, wastepaper basket, tray, or a picking basket with a handle. Depending on ability sometimes a second basket is achievable, or perhaps an oval one. You can expect to take away with you at least one sturdy functional basket which will last you a life time!
Felting and Weaving with Jane Meredith
Jane Meredith has always loved gardening - starting with vegetables to feed a young family, tentative attempts to grow flowers, and then exploring dye plants. Spinning and knitting were also skills she learnt when her family were young, and over the years, Jane has developed her knowledge of wool, particularly the dyeing process. When weaving and feltmaking she always uses plant-dyed fleece. The workshops have grown out of this way of living. She loves passing on her knowledge to people, and sharing with them the joy and peace that can come from this age-old craft.
The weekend workshop will include peg loom weaving, Brinkley loom weaving and feltmaking. You will be able to do all three, but may want to concentrate on just two of these skills. If there is time we can have a go at hand spindle spinning. By the end of the weekend you should have a small peg loom mat, a wall hanging or belt or scarf made on the Brinkley loom and a 3 dimensional piece of felt like a bowl or a bag. All of these will be done with natural and plant dyed fleece.
www.plantdyedwool.co.uk
Rag Rug Making with Jenni Stuart-Anderson
In the workshop we will cover the traditional rag rug making techniques of Hooking and Progging and you can start a project or make a sampler which could be a hessian bag (a useful sampler). True to the tradition, Jenni uses old clothes and furnishings in rugs and hangings and you will learn how to transform your cast-offs into beautiful items both decorative and useful. The workshop is suitable for beginners, accompanied children and lapsed rag rug makers who want to get started again. There will be tools to try or buy, hessian, bags, books for sale. You bring scissors and some rags. Warning - this craft can be addictive!
www.jenni.ragrugs.freeuk.com
African Gospel Singing with Pinise Saul
Pinise Saul formed the South African Gospel Singers to celebrate the rich vocal musical heritage of her native land. And it is with this sense if celebration that she teaches her hugely enjoyable singing workshops. Participants will sing together music that embraces township and traditional harmonies, spirituals and gospel songs, in an experience that will remain with them for years to come.
