About this Event
Step back in time and into the festive season with a programme of Early English music. Walk with Dick Whittington, Chant with Hildegard Von Bingen, Attend an evening concert in Wren’s Lantern.
12:00 - 13:00: Who Was The Real Dick Whittington?
Find out through our ballad walk around his final resting place.
Our session starts inside the church of St Michael Paternoster Royal, resting place of Richard Whittington (1350-1423), home of The Mission for Seafarers for 50 years, with some of the finest 20th century stained glass in London. Vivien will lead participants on a short walk around the vicinity of St Michaels, with ballads and stories, exploring this richly historic part of London, which once thronged with sailors, tradespeople, beggars, wine merchants, servants and wealthy mercers, one of whom was none other than Dick Whittington. Discover the remarkable truth behind this pantomime hero, thrice Lord Mayor of London, whose 600th anniversary we celebrate next year.
An easy walk, starting & ending at St Michael Paternoster Royal. Free, booking required. Please bring appropriate clothing.
14:00-15:00: Chant!
Introduction to early chant from London, and world traditions, taught by ear. Led by Vivien Ellis, song leader of The Mental Fight Club, and the Dragon Cafe Singing Group. No skills or previous experience required. Come and take part, or listen and chill out. All welcome. Free, booking advised.
15:30- 16:30: Danceworks - Stepping into the past
This special Danceworks session will bring a flavour of the past along with it. Everyone is wellcome to come along and join in this special session focusing on popular dance styles throughout history. No dance experience is necessary to join in and enjoy this fascinating journey through dance.
17:00 - 18:00: Something Interesting Always Happens - an exploration in sound and music.
Join Gawain Hewitt and Matt Maguire for a participatory exploration in sound and music where something interesting always happens, and everyone who comes along is invited to make music. Gawain is a composer and artist and believes that the act of making music is intrinsic for well-being. He’s made music with lots of groups of people as well as with ice, water, made up instruments and electrical circuits. Matt is Sub-Principal viola for the City of London Sinfonia. Matt brings joy and a love of music to his playing and work, and Gawain and Matt have worked together on many projects. As part of a special programme for BBC Radio 3 to be broadcast over the coming months, Gawain is creating a piece of music that's seeking to capture and portray a range of mental health experiences, and what we make today will definitely feature in what is submitted. No prior music experience necessary – everyone is welcome. Come and make music with us.
Free, booking essential.
At St James Garlickhythe, Garlick Hill, London, EC4V 2AF
18:30-19:30: ‘Wren’s Lantern’ an Evening Concert of Traditional songs and Ballads.
Early, folk and new music from Alva ensemble: Giles Lewin (voice, fiddle), Leah Stuttard (voice, early harp), Vivien Ellis (voice, sinfonye).
A wealth of ballads about the Livery Companies associated with St James, Dick Whittington, rich Mercer and pantomime hero who lived nearby, plus exquisite plainchant from London, and songs of Christmas & Angels. After the Great Fire of 1666, Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt the church, and the foundation stone was laid in 1676. Apart from St Paul's, the forty foot high ceiling is the highest in the city and Wren was so successful at introducing natural light that the church became known as 'Wren's Lantern'.
Free, booking advised.
At St James Garlickhythe, Garlick Hill, London, EC4V 2AF
With an invitation to join artist Vanessa Lawrence in throughout the day.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
St Michael's Church : Paternoster Royal, College Hill, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00