Brigstowe Village Band

Message from Liz about the Long Ashton gigs:

Thanks to all those who played the Long Ashton’s this weekend. Heather is writing a mail about the Harvest supper, but I wanted to add that on both days we played confidently and rhythmically, particularly the Laurel arrangements which seem to be lifting our playing.

Long Ashton Apple Day was pleasing for me because it was so much better in terms of BVB presentation than last year – a visible improvement – specially thanks to Lyn for getting folk into their places and to Heather for her persuasiveness on the dance floor. The organiser Sam was very pleased with the way BVB attacked a crowd that sat and listened!

£30 at each gig for BVB funds – and rock cakes and apple crumble to boot – good job and best wishes.

Liz

There will be a practice for the two Long Ashton gigs on Friday 4 October, 7.30pm at 23, The Crescent, Henleaze. BS9 4RP.

It will be a chance for everyone (particularly tune players) to have a little extra brush up before the gigs.

Note: For both gigs there will be readings which require interaction with the band and therefore a tiny bit of rehearsal.

We will run through both playlists and sort out intros for Sunday.

Long Ashton Harvest Festival. Saturday 5 October

• At the practice please look at Heather’s plan for your position on the stage and times of arrival.
• The setlist and info about arrival times, directions to venue etc can be found here.

Long Ashton Apple Day. Sunday 6 October

• Lyn will have a place plan which will be available at the practice. We will need to move into places efficiently because there is a group of dancers performing directly before us at 3pm.

On Sunday:

• The band will arrive at 2pm and assemble in the Youth Hall (small hall behind the main hall)
• Play through and revisit readings and interactions with the band
• Chris and Lyn will set up the stage for Part 1 with microphone on a stand for the speakers.

Playlist for Long Ashton Apple Day on Sunday 6 October: Long Ashton Apples Playlist

The steering group are in the process of putting some video material of BVB performances on You Tube (thanks to Chris Chaloner).

A selected few videos will be public and can be accessed through links from the ‘Pictures and Videos’ page of the website.

The remainder will be for the band to view only and will be accessed through links from the password protected ‘Videos of BVB’ page of the website which can be found under the ‘Rehearsals 2019’ tab. (The password is the same as for the ‘Music’ page).

We feel the videos will be useful for band members to look at, particularly in terms of how we present ourselves – seating arrangement, dress etc.

When watching:

Look for a nice balance of sound and interesting texture from harmonies and also variety of instrument groups for different verses. Varied intros also make for more interest.

Our aim is to:

Look as though we are enjoying playing.

Respond to the music.

Engage with the audience and each other.

Look at, listen to and add responses to speakers and singers.

Move to a higher level of performance skills.

The next BVB rehearsal is on Sunday 22 Sept, Jubilee Pavilion, Long Ashton Community Centre, 2 – 4.30pm.

The refreshment rota can be found here.

This terms subs are now due. Please find payment details here. Thank you.

The next Brigstowe Village Band rehearsal  with Laurel will be on Sunday 18 August, Jubilee Pavilion, Long Ashton Community Centre, 2 – 4.30pm.

Playlist to follow from Laurel when she is back from the US – but please pack our ‘old standards’

Brigstowe Village Band will be playing for the St Werburghs Community Centre ‘Picnic in the Park’, Mina Road Park, St Werburghs, Bristol. BS2 9XN on Sunday 1 September.

Anticipate an appearance from Briggy and the organisers would like dancing – if picnickers are willing.

We will be playing from 3 – 3.45pm. Please arrive for 2pm. Car share if possible (Chris and Liz can take 2 people) and allow plenty of time as access is difficult and you will have to drop ‘baggage’ and then find a place to park your car.

We will give you more precise directions later but the end of the park we are playing in is just off Cowmead Walk and that runs off Rosebery Avenue.

We are going to take advantage of a ‘sound technician’ who is available to put up some ambient mikes so there will be a ‘sound check’ beforehand.

We are preceded by a Zumba workout group (finishes 2.50) and followed by a funk band at 4pm. An eclectic mix.

There will be refreshment vouchers probably to be collected from an information point.

Please bring you friends and family with picnics – it promises to be a very good afternoon.

The setlist can be found here. (This is the same as the setlist previously used for Monk Road).

There will be a practice for this event on Friday 30 August at 23, The Crescent, Henleaze. BS9 4RP from 7.30 – 9.30pm.

Brigstowe Villlage Band will be playing at the Monk Road Street Party, Monk Road, Bishopston, BS7 8LE on Saturday 20 July.

We will open the event and will play from 3 – 4pm. Please arrive just after 2pm.

Refreshments will be available afterwards. We will be given vouchers to use at the bar and also water, cakes and possibly tea will be provided.

The band is welcome to stay for the feast (6pm). Bring your own plates and cutlery if you plan to stay.

Please see attached programme for more information about the street party:   Monk Road_2019

The set list is here: Monk Road Street Party   docx

There will be a practice for this event on Friday 19 July, at 23, The Crescent, Henleaze, BS9 4RP, 7.30 – 9.30pm.

The next Brigstowe Village Band rehearsal is on Sunday 14 July, 2 – 4.30pm, Jubilee Pavilion, Long Ashton Community Centre.

Please bring the music for the Monk Road gig. The setlist can be found here.

Message from Liz about refreshment rota for BVB rehearsals:

Dear BVB members,

Thank you to those who volunteered to do refreshments. In the interests of clarity and in order that we ensure that everyone gets their relaxing half time cuppa – I have done some re-arrangements and as Ed Gilbert (trumpet) generously offered he is in the refreshment team leader slot every time, so he takes responsibility for providing milk and biscuits and claiming the money for this from Chris.

Heather, you were the only person I couldn’t fit in on a date you wanted – perhaps you could look again.

Best wishes

Liz

Refreshment rota: Refreshments

I have also put a copy of the rota near the top of the ‘Rehearsals 2019’ page on the website.