When not drawing or painting, I am usually Flamenco dancing or organising Music and Dance events. These events often inform and inspire my art-making. Managing performances for me, has been in a voluntary capacity, although recentIy, I have been hugely grateful to the Arts Council England for supporting this particular project.
For Part 2' of the '3 Cultures project' there will be an exciting exhibition which opens on 10th May -6th July 2025 at 'The Front Room Gallery', The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge,' 18 High street, Canterbury CT1 2RA and is free to attend. The gallery is closed on Mondays. At 2pm on 10th, there will be live music and dance + an opportunity to meet the artists.
About The Three Cultures Project Exhibition
In April 2024, British and Ukrainians, including those displaced by war, met in Canterbury to begin an innovative training program in Flamenco Dance. Meanwhile, ‘Canterbury 4 Ukraine Ladies Choir’ was hard at work rehearsing, as was ‘On Yellow and Blue’-original band of three. At the same time popular local group ‘Gypskazz’, was developing a lively repertoire of Gypsy Jazz music. 1,380 miles away, in Cádiz, Spain, celebrated Flamenco troupe ‘Punta del Boquerón’ was creating new music and dance arrangements, rooted in Gypsy history, for their trip to England. Visual artists were sharpening their minds and tools in preparation for the spectacular.
Performers finally merged on stage at The Clagett Auditorium on 16th and 17th August for a powerful ‘Three Cultures Music & Dance Performance’. This was the first of its kind in the UK. The theme was ‘Journey-far from home’ and the finale erupted with a protest song, sung in 4 languages. Some people commented that it was one of the best evenings of their lives.
This exhibition documents stages & processes of this unique music and dance journey, told through the eyes of artists with paint, textiles, print-making, sculpture/installation, photos, digital projections, film and a poem by a member of the audience. It gives original insights into activities… the hard work & joys behind the scenes, including observations and responses during early and mid-term rehearsals, final performances and a special ‘Dwell-being’ art, environmental/historical outing to Harbledown. The perhaps improbable-sounding vision of the project arose and was realised by artist, Flamenco dance teacher and creative director Charlotte Baynes, who like many, was deeply moved by the invasion of Ukraine + the ensuing displacement and separation from loved ones. She also has a strong 17-year connection with artists in Spain + keenly follows the diverse wealth of music on our local doorstep in East Kent.
”Having attended a ‘3 Cultures Festival’ in Southern Spain and heard of similar events in Rajasthan, I thought: ‘Why not here?’ Britain is culturally rich. The ‘3’ factor helped me to create a manageable focus. Of course, there is a much broader tapestry of cultural heritages involved, within the ‘3’. I could not have predicted how things would turn out. Incredible artists, musicians, individuals and communities, preparing and performing with great courage, skill and enthusiasm. It was especially moving for me, to catch glimpses of Ukrainian and UK Flamenco students doing extra rehearsing together in Westgate Park.
With the present backdrop of war, I wanted to help address the balance of experiences…to create some positive opportunities that would encourage integration + ensure, as much as possible, that everyone had a good time. The Arts form an excellent platform for this to happen. I am very excited about this exhibition and honoured to be showcasing the work of such competent artists. People are still talking animatedly about those 2 magical evenings, which exploded with colour, dynamic music, dance and emotion + since the project started, lasting friendships have formed across cultures. I am enormously grateful to the Arts Council for its support, along with visual artists, musicians, dancers, collaborators including Canterbury 4 Ukraine, The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, The ‘Flores’ dancers, audiences and not least, the many volunteers, who have helped to make it all, such an invaluable and unforgettable experience”.
For Part 2' of the '3 Cultures project' there will be an exciting exhibition which opens on 10th May -6th July 2025 at 'The Front Room Gallery', The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge,' 18 High street, Canterbury CT1 2RA and is free to attend. The gallery is closed on Mondays. At 2pm on 10th, there will be live music and dance + an opportunity to meet the artists.
About The Three Cultures Project Exhibition
In April 2024, British and Ukrainians, including those displaced by war, met in Canterbury to begin an innovative training program in Flamenco Dance. Meanwhile, ‘Canterbury 4 Ukraine Ladies Choir’ was hard at work rehearsing, as was ‘On Yellow and Blue’-original band of three. At the same time popular local group ‘Gypskazz’, was developing a lively repertoire of Gypsy Jazz music. 1,380 miles away, in Cádiz, Spain, celebrated Flamenco troupe ‘Punta del Boquerón’ was creating new music and dance arrangements, rooted in Gypsy history, for their trip to England. Visual artists were sharpening their minds and tools in preparation for the spectacular.
Performers finally merged on stage at The Clagett Auditorium on 16th and 17th August for a powerful ‘Three Cultures Music & Dance Performance’. This was the first of its kind in the UK. The theme was ‘Journey-far from home’ and the finale erupted with a protest song, sung in 4 languages. Some people commented that it was one of the best evenings of their lives.
This exhibition documents stages & processes of this unique music and dance journey, told through the eyes of artists with paint, textiles, print-making, sculpture/installation, photos, digital projections, film and a poem by a member of the audience. It gives original insights into activities… the hard work & joys behind the scenes, including observations and responses during early and mid-term rehearsals, final performances and a special ‘Dwell-being’ art, environmental/historical outing to Harbledown. The perhaps improbable-sounding vision of the project arose and was realised by artist, Flamenco dance teacher and creative director Charlotte Baynes, who like many, was deeply moved by the invasion of Ukraine + the ensuing displacement and separation from loved ones. She also has a strong 17-year connection with artists in Spain + keenly follows the diverse wealth of music on our local doorstep in East Kent.
”Having attended a ‘3 Cultures Festival’ in Southern Spain and heard of similar events in Rajasthan, I thought: ‘Why not here?’ Britain is culturally rich. The ‘3’ factor helped me to create a manageable focus. Of course, there is a much broader tapestry of cultural heritages involved, within the ‘3’. I could not have predicted how things would turn out. Incredible artists, musicians, individuals and communities, preparing and performing with great courage, skill and enthusiasm. It was especially moving for me, to catch glimpses of Ukrainian and UK Flamenco students doing extra rehearsing together in Westgate Park.
With the present backdrop of war, I wanted to help address the balance of experiences…to create some positive opportunities that would encourage integration + ensure, as much as possible, that everyone had a good time. The Arts form an excellent platform for this to happen. I am very excited about this exhibition and honoured to be showcasing the work of such competent artists. People are still talking animatedly about those 2 magical evenings, which exploded with colour, dynamic music, dance and emotion + since the project started, lasting friendships have formed across cultures. I am enormously grateful to the Arts Council for its support, along with visual artists, musicians, dancers, collaborators including Canterbury 4 Ukraine, The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, The ‘Flores’ dancers, audiences and not least, the many volunteers, who have helped to make it all, such an invaluable and unforgettable experience”.
The 3 Cultures Music and Dance Performances and Exhibition
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