singing – Page 5 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

EPIC! Timebank Temptations shortlisted for award

Can the Timebank Temptations be The People’s Choice?

North Edinburgh’s Timebank Temptations choir has been shortlisted for a Voluntary Arts EPIC Award. Voting opens on Monday for the UK and Ireland’s largest amateur cultural award.

Run by Voluntary Arts, the Epic Awards recognise and reward excellence and innovation in the amateur cultural sector. Last year’s Epic Award winners included a drumming group who came together for the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, an arts festival in a remote Scottish village, an Irish poetry group that held sessions in their local park and a Welsh knitting project that brought their entire community together – from farmers to ferrymen.

Across the UK and Republic of Ireland over 60,000 voluntary arts groups provide regular opportunities for cultural engagement in their local areas and the Epic Awards shine a spotlight on their achievements. All voluntary-led arts groups were eligible to apply, and entries this year were encouraged from:

groups that formed interesting collaborations;
projects that engaged with their local community or beyond;
creative activity that inspired others or increased participation;
groups that used new ideas in innovative ways.

The Timebank Temptations certainly tick a box or two – and now they need your support.

From Monday 20 April you can visit www.epicawards.co.uk and vote for Timebank Temptations as the People’s Choice!

Showcase: Raising the roof to support cancer charity

Showcase25 Launches!

Last week saw the launch of Showcase25, with the cast of a hundred finding out what is going to be in the 25^th anniversary celebration of Showcase on 29 and 30 May in the King’s Theatre.

Showcase is a musical theatre company which has performed annually since 1990 to raise money for charity using the musical skills and talents of some of the best ‘non-professional’ performers in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. Their aim is to produce a highly entertaining and professional show incorporating a wide variety of musical styles.

Cast member Amanda Hendrie, said: “Showcase25 will be my ninth show performing with Showcase and I cannot wait to perform on the King’s Theatre stage in May! The programme for this show is very strong and I am excited to be getting into rehearsals and putting it all together.”

Showcase25 will be a musical extravaganza paying tribute to Showcase past, present and future. It will feature a selection of the very best of Showcase including songs by Queen and Adele, as well as musical numbers from Les Miserables and Wicked.

Director, Andy Johnston, said: “It has been very difficult compiling a show that accurately represents 25 years worth of Showcase hits – our first draft programme would have run for nearly four hours! – but we feel this show will be an accurate representation of where Showcase came from, and of where we are now.”

While everyone involved performs in Showcase because of their love of the theatre, there is also a very serious side. Showcase is an important fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland, having raised over £220,000 to date.

Andy Johnston added: “Each and every one of our cast gives so freely of their talents and time all to benefit Macmillan Cancer Support – I often remind the cast that as a company, we are in a very special position that we have a hobby than can genuinely change someone else’s life – and what can be more important than that?’

With 310,000 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year, many of the cast and supporters of Showcase have been affected by cancer and have first-hand experience of the support Macmillan gives.

Jayne Forbes, Macmillan Cancer Support Fundraising Manager, Edinburgh said: “We are extremely grateful to Showcase for their considerable support to date. They have raised an incredible amount of money which has helped us make a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer.

“We help people in many ways, from specialist nurses and doctors, to help and advice for people who have financial worries as a result of their cancer diagnosis.

“In Edinburgh there are 53 specialist Macmillan nurses and health care professionals, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.

“None of this would be possible without supporters like Showcase. 98% of our funding comes from public donations. Quite simply, we couldn’t provide our services with support of local people.”

With over 100 voices singing in glorious harmony, it is bound to raise the roof of the King’s Theatre. Tickets are from £15 and are available at www.edtheatres.com/showcase.

Sing out at St Serf’s

THE SINGING GROUP
FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA & THEIR CARER(S)
(Formerly known as Singing for the Brain)

Our group has been running since June 2010, meeting at 2.30pm on the first and third Thursday of each month. We currently meet at Inverleith St Serf’s Church Hall on Clark Road, Edinburgh

The group is for people with dementia, and their carers, who still live at home in the community. Research has indicated that people with dementia leave singing groups ‘on a high’ and this positive mood can last for some time after each session. This is also good for the well being of the carer.

The group come together to sing with emphasis on enjoyment and fun. Volunteers are on hand but those with dementia should be accompanied. There is no charge for attending the Singing Sessions, but a donation for refreshments is appreciated.

The group meet for coffee and conversation first, giving people a chance to socialise. Support is also available from volunteers and other families. When singing begins, we sit in a circle ensuring that everyone is equal and not identified by their illness. We then sing along together for around
45 minutes, led by ‘music volunteers’.

The group was started by a small number of individuals who were inspired by the “Singing for the Brain” groups running in England.

For further information, please contact: Sheila Hardie 551 1229, Kate Walker 554 4940, Diana Kerr 552 3857 or Pam Robertson 553 7239.

North Edinburgh Arts launches Autumn programme

Summer’s almost over, but cheer up – North Edinburgh Arts have just launched their exciting Autumn programme!

The holidays are over but the fun doesn’t have to be!

North Edinburgh Arts can’t wait to see you all back again to enjoy our packed Autumn programme.

Activities for Children

Join Alice in Zoo Arts every Wednesday from 4.00 – 5.30pm. These visual art sessions are for local young artists (9-14 years) who would like to be inspired, improve their creative skills and get involved with exciting visual art projects that run on a 2-4 week basis. Sessions are 50p per child which includes a healthy snack. Follow them onFacebook here.

Thursday and Saturday mornings see the return of Create, our very popular creative, messy play project for 0-5 year olds and their parents/carers. The sessions demonstrate resourceful and inspiring ways to actively learn with your wee ones. These drop-in sessions run from 10am -12noon and are are 50p per child per session. ‘Like’ them on Facebook here.

Eco Kidz is back with more ideas to turn recylcing into crafty, sellable items. Learn a variety of skills in these fun sessions including art, design, craft, marketing and retailing. The group will eventually go on to sell items made in these weekly sessions. Eco-Kidz is on Friday, 1.45 – 3.15pm and all sessions are free. ‘Like’ them on Facebook here.

If you’re looking for a way to burn off some energy and get creative on a Saturday morning, NEA has everything you need . Along with our Create sessions, we also runart and danceworkshops for children aged 5-12 years. Between 10am – 12noon, the two age groups (5-8 and 9-12years) alternate between high energy dance sessions and colourful art and craft workshops. A healthy snack is provided half way through and it only costs 50p. Arrive in plenty of time as these popular drop in sessions are always busy!

Programme for Adults

The North Edinburgh Theatre Project is working on a very exciting project, 1d Tenement Opera project for production in January 2015 and you are very welcome to join.

Join in if you are interested in singing, dancing, making costumes, lighting & sound, making sets, drawing and designing, writing for the blog and doing stories, photography, social history, making sure the people of North Edinbrugh tell the stories… and spreading more whispers and rumours about the project.

If you are interested in some of the activities and you would like to find out more, please contact box office on 0131 315 2151.

United We Stand, 17^th October, 7.30pm
Townsend Productions presents a powerful new play by Neil Gore based on the true story of one of the most turbulent industrial battles – the 1972 Builders’ Strike.
Tickets: £8, £5 concession, £3.00 good neighbours.
townsendproductions.org.uk

The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
24^th October, 7.00 – 8.00pm
The SMHAFF is one of Scotland’s most diverse cultural events. North Edinburgh Timebank Temptation singers showcase the transforming power of communal singing in their performance of various rock, folk, pop and world music titled ‘Lean on Me’.
Tickets are free. Booking is advised.
www.mhfestival.com

Lockerbie: Lost Voices, 31^st October, 7.30pm
Lee Geshuny’s new play follows six passengers onto Pam Am Flight 103 destroyed over Lockerbie by a bomb in 1988. Tribute to those who tried to uncover the truth about the tragedy.
Tickets: £8, £5 concession, £3.50 good neighbours.
www.sacc.org.uk/articles/2013/lockerbie-lost-voices

Luminate Festival 1^st – 31^st october
If Luminate has one message, it’s that creativity has no age. Luminate includes new work, collaborations and international projects specially planned and programmed for the festival, as well as independently-run projects led by a wide range of cultural and community organisations.
www.luminatescotland.org

To book tickets for any of the above events, call box office on 0131 315 2151 or emailadmin@northedinburgharts.co.uk.

Pop-In Cafe

Our Pop-In Cafe is open Monday – Friday, 10am – 2pm and Saturday 10am – 12noon. We use ingredients grown in our very own garden and Michele cooks up delicious specials every day to make lunch time a real treat. We also serve delicous freshly ground coffee and home made cakes everyday. See full menu here.

NEA Garden

The NEA garden run Tuesday afternoon drop-in sessions, 1-5pm for families and 16+ years (children must be accompanied). Learn how to grow your own vegetables, herbs and other useful gardening skills in these free sessions run by Valla, outr community gardener. If you would like to be involved in the garden outside of these sessons, please contact Valla directly at northedinburghgrows@gmail.com. Keep up to date on their blog here.

Full Autumn Programme here

Sing with the Time Bank choir!

Time Bank Sings!

We’re having an open evening on Wednesday 11 June from 7pm -8pm with a free crèche.

This is for anyone who wants to come along and try a bit of singing for fun. We’d like to have new members. The group is very friendly and easy going. No experience needed.

Some comments from people who have come along:

“Singing is great fun and I enjoy being part of a community. Great for your confidence!”

“ Meet new people, stops me being isolated”

“Works well as a group. We are positive!”

“Iit lifts your mood!”

So come along and lend your voice to our very own North Edinburgh Time Bank Singers!

Julie Smith

North Edinburgh Time Bank Broker

For further information visit:

www.edinburghtimebank.org.uk

email Julie at north.timebank@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

or telephone 07807 002 591.

Love music? Come hear the Community Choir!

Edinburgh’s very own Love Music Community Choir (LMCC) are performing at the Usher Hall tonight (Tuesday) at 7.30pm and some tickets are still available.

LMCC was established to encourage Edinburgh residents of all abilities to sing, and it’s been a huge success – the ensemble is now the UK’s biggest community choir.

LMCC plan an evening of music to inspire and entertain, and with songs from Irving Berlin to Puccini, Jamaican Ska to Mexican Bolero, Latin Rumba, Gospel and Rufus Wainwright in there too there’s truly something for everyone!

Conductor is Stephen Deazley, pianist Dave Milligan with special guest musicians Dougie Hudson on drums and percussion and Andy Cooke on Ugandan instruments.

The concert will last approximately 90 minutes. Tickets are£3 | Free to under 16 or unwaged. £1 transaction fee when booking online / phone. Tonight’s event is supported by the Usher Hall and The City of Edinburgh Council.

LMCC aims to inspire Edinburgh to sing – there no auditions and people with all levels of experience are welcome. For more info: www.choir.lovemusic.org.uk

WANTED: More people to make more noise!

Timebank Temptations start the new term on

Thursday 22 August 10am – 12 at North Edinburgh Arts.

We need more people to join us – your local friendly community singing group!

We sing a huge range of songs and everyone is free to chip in with something they particularly like.

Whether you think you’ve got a great voice or that you sound like a cat being strangled we want you to come along. None of us thought we could do this when we started, but we have a great time. Really brilliant for cheering yourself up when you’re a bit down.

Anyone is welcome any Thursday morning – come along and see for yourself!

Julie Smith

North Edinburgh Time Bank Broker

c/o North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court

Edinburgh, EH4 4TZ

Mob: 07807002591

Website: www.edinburghtimebank.org.uk

For one night only … the fabulous Timebank Temptations!

The Timebank Temptations is the local singing group formed by members of North Edinburgh Timebank.

Fresh from their appearance opening the Volunteer Awards ceremony at the City Chambers last week, they are doing a free show for all their supporters, friends and families tomorrow evening. All welcome!

Friday 14 June at 7pm in North Edinburgh Arts

catch them before they go global!

No, not those Temptations - the Timebank Temptations! — No, not those Temptations – the Timebank Temptations!

Sing, sing, sing!

The timebank singers, now called North Edinburgh Sings Together, want to recruit more members.

We meet Thursday mornings, 10-12 at North Edinburgh Arts. Everyone is welcome, you don’t have to be a great singer. It’s a relaxed informal way to enjoy singing, and we positively welcome new people dropping in. You don’t have to make any commitment, come along any Thursday when you can. We’re also keen that speakers of other languages get involved as we would like to learn songs from around the world.

We are also looking for a pianist to accompany the group on Thursday mornings. We can pay them for their time! So any local musician with time on a Thursday morning, let us know!

Julie Smith, North Edinburgh Time Bank Broker

c/o North Edinburgh Arts 15a Pennywell Court

Mob: 07807002591

Website: www.edinburghtimebank.org.uk