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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
NEWS

Southampton YMCA is pioneering a new initiative in the city to engage with young people in conjunction with YMCA England and Youth Achievement Awards, part of a project going on all over the country. Music is the subject chosen for Southampton’s Exclude Me In Project with workshops based on music skills including guitar, drums and keyboards plus vocal and production techniques which will be held at the YMCA. They will be backed up by coverage of essential life and enterprise skills such as vision, team, communication, administration and responsibility. The project has already started with members of the YMCA and it is hoped to extend it into the local community at a later date. The full story can be seen in our Articles section next month.

Anyone in the Southampton area who wants to slip back to the 60s sound of Soul and Motown should get along to the African Caribbean Centre, also known as The Lick Nite Spot in Trinity Road near Six Dials on Saturday September 4. As well as the chance to dance away the evening, there is also the chance to sample some Caribbean curry. It’s only £5 entrance and another fiver for the food. For more details telephone 02380 238991 or mobile 0780 395 6006. Doors open at 8pm and it goes on til late.

Fans of The Handsome Family will be glad to hear that the American husband and wife duo will be back in the UK towards the end of the year. Brett and Rennie will be bringing their uniquely sinister brand of alt country to The Big Session with The Oyster Band when they play support on their tour. As well as gigs in London and Brighton there are concerts at The Anvil in Basingtoke on Wednesday December 1 and Salisbury City Gall on Thursday December 9.

Following on from the successful Vocal Harmonies Workshop at Thornden Hall, Chandlers Ford in April this year with Jacqueline Dankworth, Liane Carroll and Sara Colman, who sing together as The Passion, the second community workshop in the series is planned for Sunday October 17.
The workshop presented by Angela Jackson features The Swedish/Italian Method, which will be delivered by maestro David Jones, from New York and Ann De Renais, Belgian Coloratura soprano, both teachers of the Swedish/Italian method of singing. The workshop is suitable for anybody over the age of 16, beginners or advanced singers, and teachers who wish to learn new methods, and up-date present skills, to pass on to their students.
David is a well-known teacher of vocal technique throughout the USA and Europe, now teaching in Amsterdam, Paris, London, Berlin and Brussels. His singers have performed at venues such as the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera, through to the Zurich Opera, Berlin Staatsoper, Vienna Staatsoper and Carnegie Hall.
Ann De Renais studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Conservatoires of Brussels and Ghent, Belgium and is a former member of The Swingle Singers. Ann teaches in London and performs regularly with London Voices. She has recorded for TV, radio, and feature films and can be heard in The Return of the King (Lord of the Rings 3) and Harry Potter.
More details about the workshop, which will be at Thornden Hall, Chandlers Ford, on Sunday October 17 from 11am - 4pm can be obtained from Angela Jackson on: 02380 25 3428 or at www.angelajacksonsworkshops.co.uk . The last workshop sold out, so early booking is advisable.
Following the workshop, there will be a concert at Thornden Hall at 8.00pm featuring Ann De Renais and Ensemble Andromeda, whose music ranges from the Baroque, French romantic, jazz, cabaret, through to operatic and contemporary repertoire. Details and tickets are available from Angela Jackson: 023 8025 3428 or Thornden Hall: 023 8026 5852 - £9/£7 to include a drink.

Just a reminder that The Brook is closed this month and next for improvements. The Southampton venue will reopen on October 21. I don’t know how we’ll manage until then, but meanwhile there is plenty of good stuff on down Portswood Road at Talking Heads - have a look at the Listings section.

Anyone who wants to have a go at African drumming better visit the Allsorts Psychic Cafe in Carlton Place, Southampton. Workshops have been arranged for beginners on Friday August 20 & Friday September 17, and for intermediate drummers on Saturday August 21 and Saturday September 18. Advance booking is advisable through Rick on 077699 01615 or Dave 07742 693655 & you had better tell them if you need a drum or are bringing your own! All kinds of other strange things go on at Allsorts Psychic Cafe including tarot reading - it’s well worth a visit anyway.

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Bowling For Soup. Southampton Guildhall, Southampton. Tuesday 28.


Last Night’s Fun. Swanage Folk Festival, Swanage. Saturday 11.


Richmond Fontaine. The Railway Inn, Winchester. Thursday 16.


The RedEyeBand.
Mr Kyps, Poole Saturday 18
& The Albert Bar, South Parade Pier, Southsea
Thursday 23.


Steve Knightley, Seth Lakeman & Jenna Witts
Various Gigs throughout September.


The Bees
Bestival, Robin Hill Country Park, Newport IOW
Friday 10.