The Something for Everyone event takes place on 2 June on UCLan’s Preston Campus
If you want to try your hand at drumming, singing or dancing then an upcoming free taster day at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is for you.
On Saturday 2 June, The Something for Everyone event is offering people a chance to have a go at a variety of creative activities as part of the Preston Jazz & Improvisation Festival.
Senior Lecturer in Music and Audio Art Dr Jon Aveyard, organiser of the UCLan Something for Everyone project, said: “This is a great opportunity to visit the University and have a go at lots of really exciting and diverse activities, and it’s all for free. The sessions are based on regular sessions that are open to the public so if people like what they try then they can continue with these groups.”
The friendly and informal workshops will run from 2.00pm until 6.00pm in UCLan’s Media Factory. All workshops will be led by professionals and they are open to complete beginners, but children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Throughout the afternoon, attendees can choose to learn songs with Moira Hill, of the Preston People’s Choir, who follows the Natural Voice approach of unaccompanied songs in three or four-part harmony that are learnt by ear; or they could have a jam on a variety of percussion instruments led by Tim Saunders, of the Rhythm Jam sessions.
"is a great opportunity to visit the University and have a go at lots of really exciting and diverse activities."
Anna Debbage is leading a creative prayer session in which colouring, moving, drawing, writing, modelling and stillness are all available as forms of prayer, while Ryan Dixon is running a session teaching techniques and patterns for Afro-Brazilian conga drumming.
There is a chance to sing and play pop songs as part of a scratch band led by Jon and Anna or hear a demonstration of autobiographical storytelling by the Reading the World project.
If samba drumming is more your thing then Jon, who is a member of UCLan’s Worldwise Samba Drummers, is leading a session or if singing and vocal improvisation are more your thing then the Sound Out workshop, with Angela Vowels, could be the one to try.
The day ends with a relaxing gong bath led by Paul Dilworth making use of various gongs, singing bowls, drums, rattles and chimes.
Attendees can feel free to bring along instruments to take part in the rhythm jam or scratch band, though some will be provided. Outdoor shoes must be removed for the creative prayer session in the dance studio. A yoga mat is recommended for the gong bath though some will be provided.
Find the ‘Something for Everyone taster day’ on Facebook. Further enquiries can be directed to Jon Aveyard on JAveyard@uclan.ac.uk