Thas A Fact?

Open Voices Project, Norwich.

Norwich’s groundbreaking Voice Project has announced details of the first of two opportunities for people to join them and learn the therapeutic benefits that singing can bring.

Open Voices is a four week course designed to get your voice freed up to sing. It is designed to be suitable for anyone from the beginner to the experienced singer. Voice Project co-directors Sian Croose and Jonathan Baker will look at how the voice works and how to get the best out of it. Those attending will learn how to use their voices to its maximum potential- singing music from a whole range of vocal traditions from Gregorian chant to African American Gospel –  as well as looking at the vocal basics – body, breath, tuning, harmony, and rhythm for singers.

The Voice Project is Norwich’s own open-access choir and vocal workshop organisation run by singers Sian Croose and Jon Baker. Since 2003 they have run exciting vocal projects, courses and festivals designed to offer anyone who is interested in singing the opportunity to take part in performances and workshops. The Voice Project Choir learn and perform new vocal music composed by great musicians from  jazz stars Andy Sheppard and Gwilym Simcock to this years Norfolk and Norwich Festival hit featuring Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen. Absolutely anyone and everyone is invited to come along and take part no previous experience is needed and and all of the music is taught by ear.

Open Voices runs from Tuesday 14 September, 7.30 – 9.30 at The Friends Meeting House, Lower Goat Lane Norwich. To book  places or for further information email info@voiceproject.co.uk or visit www.voiceproject.co.uk

The Voice Project Choir will shortly also be recruiting members for this year’s Wintersongs concert which will take place at St Johns Catholic Cathedral in Norwich in December, details will be announced soon.

Open Voices, a four week course of voice training.
Venue: The Friends Meeting House, Lower Goat Lane, Norwich 01603 624854.
Tuesdays 14, 21, 28 September and 5 October.
£40 (£35 concessions) for 4 week course.

Got a local vista you value? Love your landscape? Heart your horizon?

This year, ‘small but perfectly formed coastal art gallery’, Hatfield Hines of Holt are holding an exciting compeition to discover the best loved view of Norfolk. And should you be lucky enough to win, the rather brilliant prize is an original oil painting of the view by Norwich-born artist David Baxter worth around £400.

‘We’re always keen to show visitors new views of Norfolk’ says Gallery owner Clare Hatfield, ‘so – inspired by this year’s Holt Festival – we’re on a quest to find Norfolk’s scenic top ten.’

The survey was kicked-off by a nomination from celebrity chef-patron of the Michelin-starred Morston Hall, Galton Blackiston, who told the Gallery ‘My favourite view is seen on the drive from Langham to Morston. At one point in the journey you get a perfect view from Blakeney Point to the Watch House.  On a summer’s evening it’s just fantastic and I love it!’

Everyone who takes part in the summer scenic survey will be entered into a prize draw in September.  The lucky winner will receive a specially commissioned oil painting of their own favourite view by popular Norfolk landscape artist David Baxter.

To enter, download a form here and post it back to the gallery, pick up a form at Hatfield Hines Gallery on Fish Hill in Holt, or visit their website and enter online.

The ‘scenic survey’ is running now, with a deadline for the receipt of entries of 15th September 2010.

Hatfield Hines Gallery.

3 Fish Hill, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6BD.

Tel: 01263 713000.

Photo: Andrew Kitt Photography

Returning for its 11th year (and one of the highlights of this September’s EDP Bidwell’s Norfolk Food Festival), Lloyd Addison’s Moveable Feast looks set once again to bring food lovers out in their hundreds to enjoy fine food across the City – while raising money for a good cause.  Where else can food lovers enjoy a three-course meal in three different City restaurants – and make a difference to the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s at the same time?

Not to be confused with the equally tempting  ‘Heritage Moveable Feast’ on 9^th September, this year’s Moveable Feast will take place on Tuesday 28^th September and will offer the opportunity to sample the wares of 15 of the finest independent eating establishments around Norwich City centre.

Nick Mills, Managing Director of Brasted’s and one of the organisers of the Feast, said:

‘The Moveable Feast is a truly unique dining experience.  As well as the chance to enjoy good food in a variety of locations, there is always a great atmosphere of fun and friendship.  Groups big and small return year after year and each year we try to make the experience even better than the last.  Brasted’s are proud to be part of the Feast, offering fine dining in the remarkable surroundings of the Dragon Hall.’

In accordance with the wishes of the Feast’s founder, Lloyd Addison, proceeds from the annual event are donated to Parkinson’s UK to support its search for a cure for the condition, which affects nearly 2,000 people across Norfolk.   This year’s Food Lovers’ raffle at the Feast includes some fantastic prizes, including Bed and Breakfast at The Pigs in Edgefield, a day’s pampering at Jarrold’s and a box of BBC Masterchef runner-up, Tim Kinnaird’s, scrumptious signature macarons.

Cynthia Addison, Lloyd’s wife, remarked:

‘Lloyd was passionate about food but also about community and helping others.  After he developed Parkinson’s in his late thirties, he became committed to fundraising to help find a cure for the condition.   He would be absolutely delighted to see the Moveable Feast continuing in his name to raise awareness of Parkinson’s and funds for research.’

Each year, the Moveable Feast attracts around 600 people and over the last two years has raised £4000 annually for Parkinson’s research. Knowing that a great night out will also serve to benefit people with Parkinson’s, their carers and families has got to make that delicious food taste even better.

Photo: Andrew Kitt Photography.

Tickets for this year’s Feast are priced at £32.50 and can be purchased by calling Cynthia Addison on 01603 617269 or by emailing cynthia.addison@hotmail.co.uk.

For more information about the Feast and the Norfolk Food Festival, visit www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk.

To find out more about the research supported by the event, visit www.parkinsons.org.uk

Photo: Andrew Kitt Photography.

Every once in a while we come across a lotion or potion that actually delivers on the extraordinary promises made on the label (and as a bona-fide, shamelessly non-apologetic beauty-junky, we try a lot). Imagine then, our delight with Clarins‘ new offering in the day/night comfort cream repertoire: Vital Light.

In both Day and Night flavours, this delicately fragranced pale apricot blend comes encased in a timelessly elegant yet understated sparkly pot. It smooths on easily, making your skin feel instantly, well, comforted. We found the creams provided excellent hydration, even when used sparingly, and are allergy tested and non-comedogenic so they suit most skin types (we normally find all but the most specialist moisturisers too greasy for our normal-combination skin, but these are great). The real bonus is that from the very first application, we actually noticed an increase in the luminosity of our skin (as the packaging suggests you should) – after only a couple of days of using both the day and night cream, our skin felt wonderfully soft and seemed to ‘reflect the light’ better, giving us a pleasing healthy glow (well, we were pleased!). A week on, we’re still loving this product and have incorporated it firmly into our beauty regimen. Great stuff.

Clarins themselves describe the duo as ‘anti-ageing’, harnessing the powers of ‘pioneer plants’ (such as Cochlearia officinalis, Waitheria and Spregularia) and report excellent results from their test panel in an increase of type 1 collagen, dermal thickness, wrinkle depth improvement and luminosity.

With such potency, ands requiring only minimal amounts to create a marked effect, we’d highly recommend giving the Vital Light products a Vital Look (see what we did there). Certainly a more holistic investment than Botox…

The Vital Light due is available nationwide from August 30th (until then it is exclkusively available at Selfridges W1, Birmingham and Manchester).

Vital Light Day – Illuminating anti-ageing comfort cream – 50ml jar – £56

Clarins Vital Light Day.

Vital Light Night  - Revitalising anti-ageing comfort cream – 50ml jar – £59

Clarins Vital Light Night.

WE LOVE: The packaging, the scent, the ‘feel’. The fact that we saw near-on immediate visible improvement in our skin.

WE HATE: The short recommended shelf-life of the Vital Light Night. Although you probably would use it up in this time, a recommended usage within 6 months of opening (compared to 18M with the Vital Light Day) is a bit short. The price – a bit steep for most pockets in these tough economical times, but it works, so perhaps its worth it…?

The Magician’s Box - The Life of John Joseph Mechi and the pursuit of his dreams.

A play specially commissioned by jam-makers Wilkin & Sons of Tiptree to celebrate their 125th anniversary arrives in Norwich on 2nd September.

Mad Dogs & Englishmen Theatre Company from Norwich bring their play The Magician’s Box to Dragon Hall on Thursday 2nd September. The show was written by Mad Dogs and Englishmen founder Anne Courtney.

A fast, imaginative and clever production, The Magician’s Box tells the true story of agricultural reformist and visionary John Joseph Mechi, an eminent Victorian who gained huge wealth through his ‘Magic Razor’ shop in London. He was an Alderman of London and tipped to become Lord Mayor. before buying a farm at Tip-tree heath, Essex. As the onset of the Industrial Revolution created new challenges for farmers he began experiments in scientific agriculture that were at first ridiculed but changed his farm into one of the most profitable in the region.

This tale of one man’s herculean struggle to improve the lot of the humble farmer also describes his personal dilemmas and sacrifices. Described by Charles Dickens as a Magician, the production is presented with the wonder and mystery of a Magician’s box as it pieces together the illusion and reality that is Joseph John Mechi.

The story is reminiscent of a Thomas Hardy novel – the principle difference being that it happens to be true!

Mad Dogs and Englishmen Theatre Company was founded by Ann Courtney in 1995. Since then it has developed a unique style of ensemble playing with a recognisable amalgamation of physical theatre and strong text. The company has a history of productions ranging from the classical Shakespeare summer tour to new writing and exciting adaptations.

Mad Dogs regularly runs workshops for schools, colleges and other organisations that see the relevance of drama technique within their own working structure. Projects are as diverse as our audiences.

The Magician’s Box by Mad Dogs and Englishmen
Thursday 2 September 7.30pm (doors open 7pm)
Tickets £12 (£10 concessions)
DRAGON HALL King St Norwich NR1 1QE, 01603 663 922
www.dragonhall.org.uk
Dragon Hall is open to visitors Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm,
Sunday 12am to 4pm