This weekend we went to the first ever Kora Festival in the UK (maybe in Europe) at Brighton. The kora is an amazing 21-stringed African instrument a bit like a harp. It sounds just wonderful and is very beautiful but difficult to play.

Some of the world’s best players gathered and ran workshops and performances all afternoon culminating with most of them on stage at the same time at the end.

It really was wonderful and we met up with load of people we knew there from the drumming and African music world.

We stayed in a b & b for a change as it would cost more in fuel than a hotel to take Moon Palace and on the way home we visited my dad and his wife which was lovely.

There are loads more great pictures of the Kora festival at this link:

Kora Festival

This must be the longest gap between blog posts but I’ve just been so busy! The summer always is busy for me as we attend or work at many and various festivals and drum camps.

We went to the amazing WOMAD festival at Charlton House where you get to see and hear top world music acts – Afro Celt Sound System to mention one of the best we saw plus a huge array of people from all over the globe.

Then I had an amazing two day felt making class (already posted pictures on Facebook which a lot of you have already seen) and I’m keen to do more of it as it was really fun, rewarding and creative.

The weekend of 6-8th Aug we had a camping party at our house with lots of friends and family and some wonderful music jamming and playing – bonfires and great company.

Then finally we’re just back from the Tribe of Doris annual inter-cultural summer school – here’s the link to some great photos:

Tribe of Doris

Right now we’re spending a few days in Bristol and I’m lolling about in bed with a horrible cold and have to get Moon Palace an MOT tomorrow then back to the Oxfordshire countryside for a few days before a new round of happenings on the horizon…..

watch this space………

We’re back home from a wonderful Drum Camp that we go to annually! Each day I did two workshops – one sabar drumming in the morning and in the afternoon sabar drumming for the dancers which is very fast and energetic!

Photo courtesy of Will Sharatt

We also attended an early morning workshop twice which was called a Gong Bath – everyone lay on the ground for about an hour in a closed big top and closed our eyes. Then the guy running the session created the most amazing soundscape using gongs, chimes, singing bowls, bells, flutes, rain makers and other strange instruments. He moved around while generating the sounds which led to the effect of strange sounds washing over you from all directions. Slowly you lose sense of everything outside the marquee until you are brought right into the moment – very similar to meditation and I was quite transported by the experience – thanks to Ant the facilitator for that!

I’ve been working on a pet project of mine too, an online Radio Station at IAC where I also have a site similar but I think better than Myspace.  Here’s the link – if you like it you can add it to any website to listen to it and I’ll be adding tracks regularly – all kinds of genres but especially songs which feature the moon

Over The Moon Radio Station

What a glorious weekend we had in Wales. A chance to take all the grandchildren on P’s side off to a very rustic and beautiful campsite near Llandridnod Wells. Very basic facilities, an eco-camp.

The full moon came up over the horizon and I’d never seen such a gorgeous moonrise before. The children had a riot and a good time was had by all.

I don’t really know where to start with this post – too much to try and cover in a short post!

We were on site on and off from Weds till Monday and the event was a great success. The format was people could arrive from the Friday night and get their camping gear set up and have a meal. Saturday all day there were amazing performances of West African music from both students and professional artists. Each person could do one workshop of their choice in one of the marquees or in the main barn area for African dancing.

Apart from one or two things – the whole thing went off without a hitch and we’re hoping to do a longer event next year depending on a venue.

There are lots of photos up on various Facebook sites but for now here’s one to be going on with (I actually didn’t have time to take a single one – doh!)

This is us playing as part of Sankofa – a UK sabar group.

I can’t believe so much time has passed since I last posted something.

It’s been hectic to say the least!

I’ve been to and fro from Bristol and had family staying all weekend which was lovely – especially seeing my sister who lives in Australia which is always a very special treat.

Tomorrow we’re off in Moon Palace to start setting up ABC – the whole site has to be marked out, a stage built, all the preparations put in place for an amazing line up of drum and dance workshops and performances this coming weekend. It’s a real team effort (about 5 organisers and 20 crew and up to 200 punters) and if last year’s got anything to go by – it’ll be fantastic and worth all the effort.

I’ll try and get some photos in between everything else and see you all next week!

Sorry I haven’t posted in so long!

I had a lovely couple of days with Ann visiting from Bristol. We went to Canon’s Ashby National Trust place yesterday and despite the cold wind it was beautiful.

My blogging mojo is not up to scratch but I’m still around and no doubt will have more to say another day.

Meanwhile here’s a picture from the gardens yesterday.

Hello everyone

Please support African Beats Camp Day by buying your ticket before 8th May. This event is wholly dependent on ticket sales. If we have not sold enough advance tickets by 8th May we will have to cancel!

For only £50 you get:

2 nights camping (Fri 4th june & Sat 5th june) in the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside

Friday night:

Jam in the big barn or chill out round the campfire

Saturday:

1 booked workshop of your choice (Djembe, Sabar, Balafon, Sabar dance)

2 open workshops: Singing with Su hart from Baka Beyond and Guinean dance with Hamana Bjemakan.

All day entertainment from some of the world’s best African artists: Seckou Keita, Surahata Suso, Iya Sako, Landing Mane, Nansady Keita, Mockoulo Sawane, Idrissa Camara, Diene Sagna, Batch Gueye….and many more. Plus midnight onwards, dance the night away with top reggae DJs Mr Tobes and Ian Marchant!

Plus Stalls, Bar, African food, cakes, tea , coffee, chai . . . .

Sunday:

Wake up in a lovely field, have a tasty breakfast, then go home feeling like you have had a mini break in West Africa!!! What more could you want!

Or for £45 you get:

1 night (Sat) camping in a beautiful setting, 1 booked workshop, 2 open workshops and all day and night entertainment (as above)!

Or for £30 you get:

1 night (Sat) camping in a beautiful setting, 2 open workshops and all day entertainment.Perfect for partners, friends and relatives to sample a bit of West African culture!

Or for £18 you get:

1 night (Sat) camping in a beautiful setting, evening entertainment from 6.30 onwards. Bring partners, friends and relatives to see performances from the best West African musicians, all under one roof!

African Beats Camp 2009 was a fantastic 5 day drum and dance camp. We would love to be able to run another 5 day event in 2011, but we can only do this if you come and support African Beats Camp 2010! BUY YOUR TICKET NOW AND SECURE A FUTURE FOR AFRICAN BEATS CAMPS!!!

Check out our website to see more and buy your ticket! http://www.hartbeats.co.uk/abc

I’m looking forward to the weekend – tomorrow we’re going to a small festival in the van at the Rollright Stone Circle (if the weather holds off) and Sunday we’re having a barbecue/camping do for P’s birthday.

We’ve been busy planning ABCD (African Beats Camp Day) which is happening at the beginning of June the last few days and it’s going to be an amazing event but we need to sell more advance tickets to make it feasible.

My sister from Oz is in the country and I can’t wait to see her next week – it’s been about 3 years since I’ve seen her – much too long.

Back to normal – thank goodness.