Description
Merging folk, early music and dance traditions through new musical arrangements as a means of exploring worship and self-expression in a sacred space.
Throughout Christian history there have been many restrictions on music and dance within a sacred building, with some early Church leaders and groups deeming it ‘unholy’. Perhaps this has resulted from an association with the sometimes ‘undignified’ nature of traditional dance and secular music, or its ties with aggression or protest, or the question of morality in some traditional folk songs?
This collaborative event seeks to demonstrate the power of traditional music and dance in self-expression and worship, breaking away from the ‘ritual’ of performance and instead embracing the potential that music and dance have to create community. There will be opportunities to participate through movement and experience the liberation of dance, though this is not mandatory! The programme will incorporate mediaeval, renaissance, baroque and modern traditions, with a couple of Laura’s own tunes added to the mix.
The ensemble will feature Laura Sutcliffe with fellow students and staff from the University of York, Nina Kümin, Genevieve Fisher, Bethan Kelly, Rachel Gray and Susanna Pell.
Biography
Laura is a 21-year old multi-instrumentalist specialising in folk and early performance practice, writing and arranging her own music. Laura spent a year creating new arrangements and touring with the National Youth Folk Ensemble before joining the Scargill Community for her gap year before university, contributing to music workshops, performing and recording, and co-organising a music festival incorporating music, dance and worship. Throughout her music degree she has been a member of the University Baroque Ensemble and has co-founded the duo, Weaver and Wood, which fuses folk and early music through improvisation. Laura has also worked with the Swaledale Festival, Inside Out Musician, and the Good Neighbours scheme, and has played with a professional York-based ceilidh band.
Tickets & Accessibility
'Releasing the jig' will be presented at The Spurriergate Centre, Coney Street, York, at 7pm on Thursday 16th March. Doors open from 6:30pm.
Tickets are limited to 100. Please note that, whilst the majority of spaces will be seated, there may be some standing-only room. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
There is step free access from the front of the building.
Email info@streetlifeyork.uk and las602@york.ac.uk for more information.
Booking information
Please book via the link below.