Sunday 27 October 2013

Going Public

This week I was delighted to see a small feature on this project published in our local free paper. Hopefully people will read it, and  phone me without delay to make a booking for 2014.

I have been posting leaflets to many of the care homes and nursing homes in Norfolk- I didn't realise there were so many- and I've also had interest from the EDP newspaper itself, although it's proving difficult to get together enough of my team of volunteers at one time to create a decent photograph! It may end up being just me and the cat…

If you are a new reader to this blog, and you happen to know someone working or living in a venue that cares for the elderly, please do spread the word! We want to help, and its free- there really is no catch at all!

My phone number is 01508 570620. For full contact details, click on the 'Contact The Organiser' page of this blog, or of course you can use the contact widget thingy at the right-hand side of the page.







Sunday 20 October 2013

Spreading a Little Happiness

Some brief reflections on yesterday's Pop Up Proms concert at Brooklands Care Home in Drayton.

Just one picture for now.
But a picture tells a thousand words, and we've got some fantastic photos of last night's audience having a whale of a time at our very first Pop Up Proms concert. When I have the relevant permissions I'll set up a photo gallery.

But until then, I will attempt to illustrate the concert myself. 

It went very well indeed. About thirty residents attended, which was, apparently, an excellent turnout. Some residents' family members also came, and of course, the staff and carers popped in and out as well. Brooklands staff helped decorate the room with red, white and blue bunting and flags- it looked a proper Proms treat.

We were in the residents' lounge, a largish, low-ceilinged room, with comfy chairs and sofas arranged in a circle around the edge - and a huge pillar in the centre. We worked around it!

As we waited to begin our show, Christina set to work capturing those all important reminiscences from some of our elderly audience.

After a short introduction from me, Martyn kicked off the show with 'Oh What a Beautiful Morning'. Any fears we may have had about people not joining in with the singing were instantly allayed. EVERYONE joined in! It was brilliant.

They continued to join in (in some cases even when we didn't ask!) throughout the whole show. All the performers did wonderfully. Highlights for us all were the lady who danced to every song and the lady who loved the Matt Munroe medley. And how could we ever forget Joanie's rendition of Big Spender - sung from the laps of various surprised and delighted elderly gentlemen?!

The timings went according to plan and the last 15 minutes, set aside for our special 'Proms Finale', arrived in a flash. Armed with lyrics sheets to sing from and Union Jack flags to wave, our audience enthusiastically participated throughout 'Land of Hope and Glory' and 'Jerusalem', and our final number, 'Rule Britannia'!

Christina managed to capture some more recordings as we tidied our things away. The staff were thrilled with the hour's entertainment and commented on what an extremely positive experience the visit from the Pop Up Proms Project had been for all concerned.

All in all, a good evening's work. And home by 8.30!




Wednesday 16 October 2013

Changed Running Order for Pop Up Proms 19th October

Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, we probably have two fewer performers on Saturday night. Therefore we have a new running order and here it is...

1 Martyn- Oh What A Beautiful Morning
2 Rachel- Cain't Say No
3 Sally - Oom pah pah
4 Martyn- Be My Love
5 Izzy- If I Loved You
6 Joanie- Viva Espana
7 Rachel- Que sera sera
8 Izzy- I Could Have Danced All Night
9 Joanie- Big Spender
10 Izzy- Think of Me
11 Martyn - Matt Monroe Medley
12 Rachel- Oh Mr Porter
13 Rachel- My Old Man Said Follow The Van
14 Joanie- Sempre Libre (or something else classical) 
15 All- Proms Finale: Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, Land of H&G.

By the way, if Cassie and/or Selwyn ARE able to participate on Saturday after all, we'll revert to the previous running order. But assume it's this one unless I tell you any different!

Many, many thanks my lovely flexible friends xx

Monday 7 October 2013

Pop Up Proms Running Order 19th October.

A hearty good day to you all, and thank you again for volunteering your time and talents for this project. Are you gearing up for some singing to amuse our local elderly folk?! Keep reading...

Here's some useful info for Pop Up Proms on 19th October at Brooklands in Drayton.

Venue: Brooklands Residential Care Home, Costessey Lane, Drayton, Norwich, NR8 6HB.
N.B. We are performing 'in the round' because there is a massive pillar in the centre of the room.

Timings: 'Curtain Up' (although there's no curtain) at 6.30 pm. I'll be there from 5.30pm. Please arrive any time after 5.30- allow whatever time you think you will need to prepare yourself! The concert should end no later than 7.30, because our audience will be tired by then.

Clothing: Please include some element of red, white, and/or blue if possible. Anyone wearing a skirt or dress, please make it below the knee in length please! (Martyn WILL keep putting on his mini skirt: inappropriate...). There's a slim possibility I'll also be wearing some sparkly jewellery. Please feel free to join me.

Backing tracks: Please LABEL your cd with YOUR NAME, your SONG NAME(S) and TRACK NUMBERS so that whoever happens to be pressing 'play' for you has a chance of playing the right track.

Props: Please bring whatever props -if any- that you consider necessary for your own songs. Please also bring any Union Jack flags or hats you may have, to wave/wear during the Proms Section at the end of the  concert. I will provide lyrics on the day for Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Land of H&G.

Running Order:*
1 Martyn- Be My Love
2 Cassie-  Broadway Baby
3 Sally - Oom pah pah
4 Selwyn- Albert and the Lion
5 Izzy- If I Loved You
6 Joanie- Viva Espana
7 Rachel- Que sera sera
8 Selwyn- The Guinea Pig 
9 Cassie- Madeira
10 Izzy- Think of Me
11 Martyn - Matt Monroe Medley
12 Joanie- Big Spender
13 Rachel- Oh Mr Porter
14 Rachel- My Old Man said Follow The Van
15 All- Proms Finale: Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, Land of H&G.
*This is it unless you hear differently from me!