roll up, roll up........
November will soon be rolling around with Christmas chaos not far behind so we'd like to invite you to visit our website with our calendar of events for 2018 before the mania sets in. The very first thing you'll no doubt notice is that with over 11 years of hosting workshops under our belt, we are straying from the path of textiles, expanding our interests, and fizzing up our choice of creative cross-pollination. It's not been easy finalising the short-list, and whilst we are delighted that favourites Julie Arkell and Åsa Tricosa will be returning next year to lead their incredibly popular workshops (we love these ladies!) - as well as the talented Robert Race who'll be introducing more movements behind his extraordinarty automata - we've also snuck in some seriously innovative and entertaining events over the 2018 summer season.. You'll need to visit the website for our full programme and we really hope you'll feel more than a little inspired; but if the dates don't quite fit and you know of someone who could use some inspiration at our welcoming and supportive venue, we'd love you to pass along the website details. After all, there is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.
So here goes.....:
- A Food Styling and Photography workshop with Louise Pickford and Ian Wallace of Come Cook in France. Having been on several of their one-day workshops ourselves, we can guarantee this will be a wonderful 5 day / 6 night event, particularly relevant to anyone interested in food, its sourcing and representation.
- Laughter is definitely the best medicine in these uncertain times, so if you're in need of adding a smidgeon of mirth (and who isn't?) you couldn't be in better hands than those of Instantwit. Absolutely no experience of acting, performing or comedy improvisation is required to benefit from a blockbuster funny weekend with these masters of comedy, who have been making people giggle out loud for the past 20 years..
- After her hugely popular appearance at our Blues and Boogie Weekend last July, the multi-talented US Jazz pianist, saxophonist and singer, Deanna Bogart, will be returning to Les Soerus Anglaises to lead her first week-long Jazz Lab here. Whether you're someone approaching jazz for the first time, a more advanced player, or a professional looking to "sharpen your musical edges" this event promises to open your heart to the infinite world of Jazz whatever your musical qualifications (or lack of them).
Next year we've decided to keep our numbers low; this not only allows more individual participant time with the workshop leaders, but we've found adds generally to the relaxed and informal atmosphere of Les Soeurs Anglaises. But this mean places fill up a little more quickly, so don't delay if you're thinking of joining us. To help you decide we are offering a 5% discount if you book before the end of 2017 / 10% if you've been a participant here before.
Meanwhile, here are a few things to keep you busy....:
- Matisse in the Studio at the Royal Academy, London: 5 August — 12 November 2017. This sumptuous exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the artist’s personal collection, as well as the paintings, sculptures and drawings it inspired. Seen together, they reveal how Matisse’s masterful vision of rich and masterful energy first stemmed from the collage of patterns and rhythms which he found in the world of objects. Not to be missed.
- The Knitters Yarn is a new website offering super stylish patterns and superb yarns. The mastermind behind the site is Susan Rutherford, a past participant of a Les Soeurs Anglaises/Patricia Roberts workshop several years ago. When Patricia's yummy, bijou shop in Knightsbridge closed down last year, Susan, and her daughter Alice who studied Fashion Design at College and University, were keen to build up a collection of yarn and patterns to encourage others to learn knitting from scratch, to take up their needles again or to extend their existing knitting repertoire. A crisp and beautifully presented website with easy to follow links.
- Oh, to be 15 years old again. Flamenco at 15 , the Academy Award-winning short documentary, is a welcome antidote to the depressing specter of youthful bodies in a chronic state of computer-related postural collapse. Director Cynthia Scott’s thirty-minute vignette cannot help but show off the beautiful, highly trained physiques of the young dancers delving into the art of flamenco at Canada's National Ballet School. Be inspired....
- Japanese artist Noriyuki Saitoh constructs life-sized insects using bamboo captures anatomical essences with uncanny skill. The natural material’s versatility lends a surprisingly wide range of colors and textures to each creature. And although the first impression is of insects that are ready to crawl or fly off the page, Saitoh engages a thoughtful process of paring down each bug to its essential forms that give the impression of life.
- Looking for plain organic fabrics for an upholstery project or long skirt? We can recommend the mail-order company, Whaleys of Bradford, West Yorkshire.. With everything from plain cotton twills, to linens, muslin, buckram and silk; coated fabrics for digital printing, hair canvas and interlinings. A veritable candy store of tempting textiles for every and any project you've been considering. No time like the present....
