Wednesday 5th August 2020 – Day One Hundred & Twenty Seven
Good morning all,
Happy midweek you all! We are halfway to the weekend! But then again, many of us are working from home and in our PJs…so what even is time?
Just kidding. I hope you are all doing well. If I am being completely honest, I’m not feeling super great at the moment. I just watched an interview President Trump had with Axios on YouTube and it’s left me feeling a little queasy. I don’t mean to get political in this newsletter, so I won’t say much about it, but…. let’s just say I am looking forward to rejoining you all in the UK! If you’d like to tell me your thoughts on this, feel free to email me.
Other than that, things are going well here. My family decided to continue with our camping trip. We are a small group. So in my next newsletter, I will be writing from the sandy beach of Oahu’s North Shore. I promise to include some pictures!
My email is amber@dragonhall.org.uk
FOOD / SHOPPING
Thank you to everyone who has forwarded their wonderful support and comments to me regarding the Food Bank Project organised by Covent Garden Community Centre / 7 Dials Club. It is really gratifying to hear that so many people are benefiting from the service:
Foodbank – We are flexible with regards to who we can help. If you fit the following criteria, please register.
- Self Isolation due to symptoms
- Isolation due to vulnerable or shielded status
- Income reduction because of lockdown & crisis measures
- Income reduction while waiting for benefits to arrive
- Homeless
Just a reminder. If you (or know of anyone) who cannot go out because they are vulnerable, self isolating or for any other reason and need help with food etc.
Assistance can be found on the government web page. The form is rather long, but is fairly straightforward. If you (or know of anyone who needs support) please let us know.
What can I share with you today?
QUEENS GALLERY WORKSHOP
From Sarah (Royal Collection Trust): Reading Paintings in the Royal Collection, Thursday, August 6th at 2 PM.
Dawn Purkiss will be leading us in a fascinating study of paintings held within the Royal Collection. Dawn will help us de-mystify a painting teaching us how to ‘read’ an art work. She will also encourage us to consider extending our studies to objects found at home via art, drama or photography etc.
Please email John for the Zoom link
ART & CULTURE
From Chris B:
Announcing August’s performances in the RCM’s online concert series
Join the Royal College of Musci online for the final month of their digital performance programme. The series, which commenced in April 2020, was specially curated by Artistic Director Stephen Johns and has brought over 40 classic Royal College of Music performances to the screen so far!
Over the last five months, RCM’s online concert series has showcased the wide variety of music-making at the RCM, including orchestral, vocal, and chamber music. For the final programme, they’re offering three Premiere broadcasts and a new on demand performance every weekday, keeping you thoroughly entertained during the summer months!
From John:
Bernard Haitink conducts Strauss Alpine Symphony
The massed forces of the RCM Symphony Orchestra are joined by conducting legend Bernard Haitink in a performance of Strauss’s epic Alpine Symphony. Its sprawling form encapsulates the sights, experiences and the passage of time in this musical depiction of an eventful and memorable ascent to the top of an alpine mountain.
We would like take this opportunity to ask you for your help during these unprecedented times. Many RCM musicians rely on gigs, teaching, performances and other work to cover their living costs and student fees. As a result of Covid-19, most of this work has been cancelled. We are asking our community to support our Covid-19 Hardship Fund to support those students facing significant financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
From Theresa:
What makes a successful portrait? Julia Margaret Cameron knew.
She’s one of the most innovative and recognisable photographers of the 19th century.
WEEKLY ZOOM WORKSHOPS
A summary of our current weekly timetable
Every Monday morning (11.00 – 11.45) – Flamenco with Sam
For full details please email Sam: info@flamencoshow.co.uk
Every Monday evening (18.00pm – 18.45pm) – Retro aerobics
For full details please email Christine: christinescoker@gmail.com
Every Tuesday morning(10.30 – 10.15) – Meditation with Marcos
For full details please email Marcos: m.viliotti@btinternet.com
Every Thursday Morning (10.30 – 11:15) – Chair Yoga with Marcos
For full details please email Marcos: m.viliotti@btinternet.com
Every Thursday Afternoon (14.00 – 15.00) – Queens Gallery Workshop
Dawn Purkiss will be leading us in a fascinating study of paintings held within the Royal Collection. Dawn will help us de-mystify a painting teaching us how to ‘read’ an art work. She will also encourage us to consider extending our studies to objects found at home via art, drama or photography etc.
Please email me for the link
Every Thursday evening (19.00 – 19.45) Conversational French with Constantin
This social class will teach you the basics and fundamentals of the french language, and enable you to practice your new learned skills with your colleagues and teacher(s) in the class. The classes are conducted on a powerpoint presentation for guidance and explanation, and then we utilise the multiple slides to interact amongst each other in the class.
For full details please email Constantin: constantin.zavvos@gmail.com
** is there a Zoom class that you would like me to arrange? Please send me an email with your suggestion.
FOOD
Chris T has sent over a plethora of recipes!
I will sprinkle them throughout the next few newsletters. So, all you chefs out there…get your ladles and rolling pins ready!
POETRY CORNER
Are you a fan of Slam Poetry/Spoken Word?
Here I share the work of a talented poet who uses the medium to share her work.
“Born Funny” – by iCON
As an artist, SHA’CONDRIA “iCON” SIBLEY stands for and represents for those who are oftentimes marginalized and whose voices are silenced in today’s society. iCon is a nationally-acclaimed championship poet/spoken word artist/actress/teaching artist. As a founding member of Team SNO (Slam New Orleans), she has helped the team win multiple regional and national titles, solidifying them as a “dynasty” in the world of slam poetry.
THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE
* Celia has graced me with her artistic talent and drawn a chibi character of me!
From Jerry (Quote for the day):
“The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.”
― Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby
From me:
Ready for the weekend like….
That’s all for now – You can contact me at amber@dragonhall.org.uk
or you can reach John at 07759 646507 in case of an emergency.
Be safe – and remember to laugh at the little things!
– Amber