Friday 20th November – Cardiff Canton Singers alongside our new friends from Newport “Cascapella”– concert in aid of the Refugee council and “Freedom from Torture arranged by Sarah Harman.
Performers…Cascapella; Cardiff Canton Singers; Bread and Roses; The Variegated Women; The Quiet Ranters..
Despite feeling exhausted and slightly under rehearsed with the “Variegated women” – and Pauline and Frankie being a bit ill – and Ruth ill with chicken pocks so not able to be with us – this was a really fabulous evening – all the groups performed beautifully. It was quite a full-on eve for myself and even more so for Sarah as she had organized it all and had the great idea of hers and my Thursday night choirs (Cascapella and Cardiff Canton Singers) getting together to sing as a massed choir! Though requiring extra effort from all of us it was extremely worthwhile – extra fun – extending our singing worlds and friendships as well as all feeling like we’re all “In the same boat” to quote the song “Different Ships” written by Kirsty Martin which was one of the highlights of this beautiful – and hopeful event. The whole evening kicked off with the Variegated Women (minus Ruth) singing “Harbour Me” by sweet Honey in the Rock – as a first time performance by us – which gave the eve exactly the right tone for the occasion. There was much fun also with the “Quiet Ranters” performing “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair”. A brilliant – and slightly sobering speech from Maureen of the Welsh Refugee council anticipating some knee jerk reactions due to the Paris attacks which could undeniably lead to even more hardship for asylum seekers and displaced people if tackled in the wrong way…….
Some very moving songs and some joyous and hopeful. My “Right hand woman” of Cardiff Canton Singers – Rebecca Ballard lead the choir with Una May’s arrangement of “Rain Rain” by Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Simply gorgeous!