Hello!
Welcome to the July edition of our Bridgewater For All Playback, where we look back at the highlights of the Learning and Participation programme at The Bridgewater Hall for this month. Whether singing in the streets or on world class stages, July has been a time to have fun and celebrate with those around us. We hope you enjoy reading what we’ve been up to this month.
The L&P Department
Live at Lunchtime, 7 & 14 July
For Live at Lunchtime this month, we welcomed two amazing acts who brought so much emotion to their performances at the Hall. Singer-songwriter, Donna Marie, who’s writing style mixes musical genres from Americana to blues and country, brought a deeply personal touch to the series which went down amazing with the audience. Similarly, The Dovetail Trio, had an equally special performance, with Live at Lunchtime being the first time the band had performed together in three years! They received so much encouragement from the crowd and blew us away with their beautiful renditions of traditional folk songs – you could hear a pin drop! It was so lovely to see so many people at both performances. Our next Live at Lunchtime artist will be on Friday 1 September by Dominican born, Bachata singer and musician, July Julay – see you there!
Find out more about Live at Lunchtime here.
Manchester Family Fun MIF Take over – 8 July
It was great to bring Manchester Family Fun (MFF) to Manchester International Festival (MIF) this month. MFF consists of Manchester’s leading arts and culture venues who work together to bring the best family activities to the city. Together with The National Football Museum, Bhangracise, and Z-Arts, we took our Music Makers to Factory International’s new Festival Square, for a morning of free family fun. From poetry readings to family jams, it was lovely to see everyone come together to celebrate Manchester’s arts and culture scene. Our Music Makers session was led by Sarah Atter and Joe Harrison-Greaves who took our group to the moon and back with sing-along songs, flutes, guitars and, naturally, a parachute. Thank you to everyone who attended, and MIF for hosting us – it was a lovely day!
Be Hear Now – 9 July
It was great to see so many young people and families at July’s Be Hear Now. Led as always, by the amazing Beth Bishop, this month’s session featured Live Music Now musician, Esme Bridie. In the interactive workshop, Beth showed us how by playing our instruments slow or fast, loud, or quiet, music can help us express how we’re feeling inside. Esme then brought her lovely acoustic renditions of some classic songs, such as Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours, on guitar and ukulele. It was a super relaxing concert – a perfect way to end the term before summer. Be Hear Now returns on Sunday 17 September, and tickets are on sale now!
Find out more about Be Hear Now here.
Private Tour: Bridgewater Academy, Alicante – 9 July
This month we welcomed students from Bridgewater Academy to the Hall for a private tour of the venue. The group travelled all the way from Alicante, Spain to visit the Hall, as well as other iconic sites around the venue. They were led by our wonderful tour guide, Richard, who was able to share some secrets of the Hall and its history. If you’re interested in booking a tour for your group, feel free to drop us a line at learning@bridgewater-hall.co.uk.
Bridgewater Hall Singers – 12 & 29 July
July has been an actioned packed month for our Bridgewater Hall Singers. On the 12 July, our Singers took to the main stage for their last rehearsal of the term. It’s always a joy to hear to Singers fill up the auditorium with their amazing voices. It was also a great chance to get some practice in ahead of their Manchester Day performance later in the month. With it being the last rehearsal before the summer break, it was only fitting to celebrate an amazing term with cake, tea, and coffees all around. Manchester Day on the 29 July was an equally joyful day for the Singers, as we met up with the rest of Simply Singing’s choirs to perform on New Cathedral Street. The audience were amazing, the sun was shining, and it was a great way to welcome in the weekend. A big thank you to Walk the Plank for hosting us, and for everyone who came to watch. Also, a huge well done to the Simply Singing mega choir – everyone sounded wonderful and put on a great show. Our Singers will be meeting again after a much-needed rest at the Hall on the 27 September, so if you feel like joining do pop along!
Find out more about the Bridgewater Hall Singers here.