Skye Consort & Emma Bjorling
at
Village Hall
Hepworth
19:30
Description
"Trans-Atlantic Chamber Folk - unheard of!
Skye Consort & Emma Björling is a bunch of renowned musicians from Canada and Sweden who make marvelous music together. They're mixing trad music from Scandinavia, Ireland and the British Isles, French-Canada, and tunes of their own devising. They find enchanting stories and melodies, then bring them into the 21st century with worldly chamber-folk settings. "Lots of groups play those styles. None of them do it like Skye Consort." - David Noel Edwards
Voices, fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion riffing on whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns, and original compositions.
Skye Consort and Emma met during a La Nef project in Montréal in October 2017. At the end of the project, just as Emma was preparing to return to Sweden, a HUGE storm in Iceland cancelled all of the flights from North America to Europe. Emma and the members of Skye consort spent the next several days listening to tunes, jamming, and joking about starting a band. By the time Emma went home, the BAND had actually been STARTED!
Emma Björling (lead voice, percussion & shruti box) is an award-winning Swedish singer, composer, and arranger, active in the renowned Scandinavian bands Kongero, Kongero/WÖR-Songbooks, and Lyy. She has toured the world with numerous bands and stays busy on the European folk/trad scene. Emma is a board member of NASC (North Atlantic Song Community), teaches at Framnäs Collage, and conducts workshops all over the world.
Seán Dagher (lead voice, Irish bouzouki & banjo) is an active performer, arranger, and composer of music from various folk and classical music traditions. He plays with The Swindlers, The Reese Witherspoons, and Gairloch, and is co-artistic director of La Nef. Seán has provided music for video games including the Assassin's Creed series. You might have heard him singing on Black Flag and the others. Or maybe you saw him perform with 'The Longest Johns'.
Amanda Keesmaat (cello & vocals) is a vibrant presence in the Montréal early music community. She has recorded and performed with many prominent singers, instrumental soloists, and renowned ensembles. She is the founder of Space Time Continuo and a regular collaborator with La Nef. She has toured extensively in North and South America and in Europe.
With:
Alex Kehler (fiddle, nyckelharpa & vocals) is a member of Triton, La Nef, Soulwood, Kehler-Williams duo, and Les Siffleurs de nuits. Alex is one of the leading nyckelharpa players in Canada, is a much-coveted teacher at camps and courses, and is a ubiquitous presence playing for dances around Québec and New England.
or:
Simon Alexandre (fiddle, nyckelharpa & vocals) is an accomplished chamber musician and orchestral violinist. He plays with the Ximenez String Quartet and is a member of the Orchestre Philharmonique du Québec. At age 17, he moved to Sweden to study nyckelharpa. He plays in the violin, nyckelharpa, and Hardanger fiddle in the folk duo La Traverse.
Description
Hepworth Village Hall stands as a vital nexus within its namesake community, a testament to enduring local spirit and collective endeavour. Operated by the Hepworth Community Association, this venue consistently serves as a focal point for village life, underpinning a diverse calendar of events that enrich the cultural fabric of the area. Its status as a community asset ensures that every gathering contributes to the broader well-being of Hepworth.
Within its walls, the hall retains the quiet dignity of its Victorian school origins, with original architectural details hinting at a rich past. The warmth from the gas-fired central heating offers a welcoming embrace on cooler evenings, while the polished surfaces reflect the ambient light, creating an atmosphere conducive to both lively performance and thoughtful discussion. It is a space that feels lived-in, yet carefully maintained.
Practically appointed, the hall includes an equipped kitchen with a serving hatch, and a bar can be arranged for various functions. Double doors from the main space lead out to a small covered veranda, overlooking a generous playing field, where benches invite quiet contemplation. Parking is available on-site, and the venue offers accessible toilet facilities, ensuring comfort for all patrons.
Throughout the year, the hall hosts a varied programme, from regular film screenings and engaging theatre productions to intimate folk and acoustic music concerts. It also provides a consistent home for local groups, including art and craft sessions, badminton clubs, and pre-school activities, alongside charity coffee mornings and popular quiz nights, reflecting its broad appeal and utility.
Towngate,
Hepworth,
West Yorkshire,
England,
HD9 1TE.
: £19.80