Cwtch

The Children of Ysgol Bodfeurig and Ysgol Tregarth spent 8 days each working on a variety of artistic skills: Writing poetry and raps, making and moving puppets, painting and sculpting, drumming and dancing, filming and recording.
See a short documentary video of the project and a photo-stream from Ysgol Bodfeurig.
Together we have funnelled the creative process into creating an origin myth of the “Cwtch” Character, the world in which he lives, his friends and his favourite past times.

The core artistic team of Colin Daimond, Ed Holden and Pete Powell were further supported by poet Rhys Trimble and maker Enya Koster and the wonderful staff at both schools.

Tregarth Rap

This launch project has been funded by the Arts Council of Wales through their “Creative Collaborations” scheme. The project Manager – Colin Daimond –  is working in partnership with Learning Links International CIC, who have provided the organisational structure needed to deliver the project. 

We hope, with further development, Cwtch will go on to other schools to develop stories, performances and other education products.

Legend:

A magical egg fell from the heavens,

A flash of light comes out from the egg and Cwtch is born,

Hatching from the egg with wings,

but, he falls into the rainbow river.

An old man finds him, feeds him

And carries him to Ysgol Bodfeurig.

The children of Bodfeurig name Cwtch “Cwtch”.

With love and cuddles from Bodfeurig his wings grew bigger,

and he grew up into a strong, friendly, brave and caring dragon.

He flew off to the island of imagination

and visits Ysgol Bodfeurig/Tregarth every year on the 17th of March.

Cwtch Ysgol Bodfeurig show
Cwtch Balans Balance
Dreigiau Bodfeurig DragonsCwtch Dychymyg Imagination

 

 

 

 

Seckou Keita Drum and Dance Experience

seckou_logoSaturday 9th April 2016

Llanfairfechan Community Centre, Village Road, Llanfairfechan, Gwynedd, LL33 0AA

(located opposite Llanfairfechan Post Office)

A Workshop with Seckou Keita Focussing on the Djembe – an Invitation to Drum!

A unique opportunity to learn rhythms and share musical insight with the charismatic Senegalese drummer who comes from a family of hereditary musicians. Seckou is famous and popular for both his awe-inspiring renditions of traditional music and his ground-breaking contemporary collaborations with musicians across the globe.

A participatory and interactive event aimed at beginner and intermediate drummers.

Please bring Djembe and any other related African percussion.

Doors open 1.30pm workshop at 2 – 4.30pm 09/04/2016

Cost £35 (£25 if booked and paid before 01/04/2016)

An Audience with Seckou Keita Focussing on Dance – an Invitation to Dance!

A unique opportunity to surrender to the beautiful music of Seckou Keita in a safe space dedicated to dance.  Open to the flow of music from Kora and Drum and let Seckou guide you on a journey, allowing your body and being to respond the music.

Close your eyes and express yourself through dance.

This will be a personal, participatory event for people who love to dance.  Please wear loose clothing and bring water and a blanket.

Doors open 7.30pm with dancing from 8.15 – 9.45pm 09/04/2016

Cost £25 (£15 if booked and paid before 01/04/2016)

Cost for both sessions:  £60 (£40 if booked and paid before 01/04/2016)

Places are limited, so please book early: Booking Form

More details: Facebook event

Enquiries and to book please contact: jennie@carrregyfedwen.wales

Chinese New Year – Dragons Parade

chinese_new_year_2016_poster_500

 

Bangor University’s Confucius Institute celebrated Chinese New Year on Saturday 13th February with an awe-inspiring Two Dragons Parade through central Bangor; created, performed and puppeteered by schoolchildren from Ysgol Hirael.

See the video here: Colin Daimond Dragons Project

Colin Daimond is the artistic director for the project working alongside materials artist / puppeteer Peter Powell and Dancer Liu Yuan from the Beijing Dance Academy.

In an adaptation from Chinese legend, two dragons (one Welsh and one Chinese) wound their way through the streets of Bangor to the sound of drums, chasing an elusive pearl swept away by a storm. The project has been developed over several weeks with movement, music and craft workshops taking place at Ysgol Hirael.

The parade started at Ysgol Hirael on Orme Road and made its way through the city centre finishing at Bangor Town Clock for a grand finale.

“The Chinese and Welsh dragons dancing together are a potent symbol of cultural exchange and we are very proud that Ysgol Hirael is able to represent Bangor at such a prestigious event.”

said Miss Valmai Davies, Headteacher at Ysgol Hirael.

 

2 lines hirael

More information about the Confucius Institute’s events can be found at: www.bangor.ac.uk/confucius-institute. 

Junk Percussion

Physics of sound, education junk percussion Wales

Physics of sound, education junk percussion Wales

Junk Percussion is particularly popular for summer community events and festivals – people of all ages can come and drop in, arrange their own Drumkit, make their own instruments and jam with strangers. Colin works to facilitate creativity, musicality and experiential learning with all ages and all abilities. Colin has also used Junk Percussion to deliver creative educational projects to Key Stage 1,2 & 3 on the themes of recycling and the physics of sound, choreographed Junk Percussion orchestras and used Junk percussion as a corporate Team Building tool.

Next public workshop is at Greenwood Forest park on Tuesday 27th October. https://www.facebook.com/events/770056656474135/

Here are some links to short videos:

Myself and Iolo “bashing out some ideas” on portable metal work; Hit Sgrap

And a Jam on some recycled Drainpipes: Pipe Jam

Junk percussion workshops North Wales

Junk percussion workshops North Wales

Capoeira Mocambo

Batizado Capoeira Mocambo 2011

Batizado Capoeira Mocambo 2011

Monitor Colin Daimond started training Capoeira in 1997 and has been qualified to teach since 2004, his work in Capoeira has always involved community outreach projects and public performance. He formally established his own school Capoeira Mocambo in 2010. Capoeira Mocambo is commited to the teaching and development of traditional Capoeira in North Wales. www.capoeiramocambo.co.uk Colin is responsible for the Project Management of Capoeira Mocambo’s events. There are upcoming Drum Workshops, Samba Dance Classes, Brazilian themed parties and Samba Band gigs coming up around Bangor, North Wales. Follow this link: Drum and Dance workshops

Urban Dance Collage

urbandancecollage-pressrelease “Press Release / Datganiad i’r Wasg”  ( http://youtu.be/zvKeyUKTah4 showreel). In early 2013 Colin was awarded Arts Council of Wales support to promote professional Male Dance in North Wales. “Press Release” was the first performance piece  bringing together different Movement disciplines, Hip Hop Dance styles and artistic skills. It premiered in June 2013 as part of the “INC” weekend at Galeri, Caernarfon, and was selected for performance at “CASGLIAD 2014” – the North Wales Dance Collectives showcase event. As well as choreographing and performing in the piece, Colin also co-wrote and recorded a world music score with Henry Horrell, produced by Ed Holden – www.mrphormula.com The “Urban Dance Collage” project also spawned a second piece – a site specific improvisation called “Scratch” – here is some rough footage of the first performance  http://youtu.be/1J73L9wj5e0