From: English Folk Dance and Song Society <efdss_at_efdss_dot_pmailuk_dot_com>

Date: 3 December 2008 18:10:54 GMT

Subject: December 2008 at Cecil Sharp House

Sent by: English Folk Dance and Song Society Reply to the sender

For Immediate Release English Folk Dance and Song Society   Press Release  December 2008   DECEMBER 2008 AT CECIL SHARP HOUSE Christmas Champions, A Ceremony of Carols and Customs and the last weeks of 'The Seeds of Love' Christmas Champions directed by Tim Dalling on Thursday 4th December   *IMPORTANT UPDATE* Hugh Lupton has been taken ill and is unable to take part in the Christmas Champions tour. With the help of director Tim Dalling, the role of narrator has been shared among the rest of the cast and the show will continue as planned albeit without Hugh.   This festive and unique show mixes the voices of past generations with ritual theatre, seasonal song, storytelling and music in a celebration of England's most enduring midwinter custom: The Mummers Play. This is the true, native, vernacular mystery play and Christmas Champions brings it vividly to life through the casts spellbinding storytelling, Chris Wood's inspired compositions, and the sheer exuberant musicianship of the English Acoustic Collective. Christmas Champions was originally written by BBC Folk Award winning duo Chris Wood and Hugh Lupton for BBC Radio 3's Late Junction and was first performed at The Barbican in 2007. Commissioned by the Sage Gateshead as a theatrical performance, it is now a seasonal live multimedia show which builds upon the traditional music of midwinter, both choral and instrumental, with new songs and re-workings of established carols. The English Acoustic Collective are, Robert Harbron - Voice/ Concertina; John Dipper - Voice/ Violin; and Olivia Ross - Voice/ Viola. Tickets still available at the door on the night or in advance from www.wegottickets.com priced at £14 (plus booking fee). Doors open 7pm.     Join in the festive celebration with A Ceremony of Carols and Customs on Sunday 14th December   The annual all-day event of festive celebration begins with a Tea Dance featuring caller Brenda Godrich with music from Maggie Fletcher, Vic Godrich and Alison Messer. The Evening Concert host Taffy Thomas MBE presents an array of performers including the Greensleeves Morris Men, Hoddesdon Crownsmen, Westminster Morris Men, Julie & Alan Kimber-Nickelson, Laura Thomas, Denis & Jenny Smith, the debut performance by the Cecil Sharp House Community Choir and you the audience with lots of carols for everyone to sing in making the day an unforgettable one! Tea Dance 2 - 5pm, Evening Concert 7pm All day ticket £14, £12 conc. Evening ticket £11, £9 conc. Family tickets (2 Adults + 2 Children) £25 Meal ticket in advance, booking essential £7 Tea Dance only £5 on the door Children under 12 admission is free. Tickets available on 020 7485 2206 or download a form from www.efdss.org   The Seeds of Love - Final Weeks!   Since 18th September 2008 The English Folk Dance and Song Society has been proud to present an exhibition of work from Whitby-based artist David Owen. The Seeds of Love, the first show of an exciting new visual arts programme at the house, features a dazzling array of folk inspired prints, photographs and posters. The exhibition is now in its final weeks and continues to be free to the general public. The exhibition is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 6pm and will run until December 20th. If you would like to see more of David Owen's work online you can visit his website at www.theinkcorporation.co.uk   '...As a visual artist I have had to find ways to interpret the themes, images and stories in a visual language to demonstrate that folk music is contemporary, modern, relevant and also beautiful, sad, and funny...' David Owen   ends  *** Note for Editors:   For further information and photographs, please contact Jon Garlick, marketing_at_efdss_dot_org, English Folk Dance and Song Society, Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London NW1 7AY. Tel: 020 7485 2206. www.efdss.org The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) has, for over a hundred years, worked to record, develop and promote the folk music, dance, song traditions of this country. With over 3,000 members and affiliated clubs and organisations, it is regarded as one of the premiere folk development and advocacy organisations in the UK. The EFDSS's Mission is to develop its resources, especially the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, to maintain itself as a centre of excellence for the study, practice and dissemination of traditional English song, dance and music; to provide national and local outreach services that enable and increase access; and to celebrate diversity and promote equality. The EFDSS is a charity registered in England and Wales. ***   This e-mail was sent from English Folk Dance and Song Society Immediate removal with PatronMail® SecureUnsubscribe. To forward this e-mail to a friend or colleague, use this link. To change your e-mail address or update preferences, use this link.