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Christina Alden and Alex Patterson
Rich music with intertwining harmony, sensitive accomplished musicianship and a creative song-writing style that is both delicate and moving.
Christina Alden and Alex Patterson are multi-instrumentalists and songwriters from Norwich.
Deeply inspired by the world around them, they have a keen environmental eye to craft stories with the natural world at its heart, reflecting on the relationship between humans and the wild.
They have enjoyed touring extensively in the UK and Europe; including a twenty three date concert hall tour with Show of Hands (including Union Chapel and St David’s Hall Cardiff). A show at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for Celtic Connections, headline and main stage performances at some of the UK’s most prestigious folk festivals and performances in Norway, Belgium, France and Ireland.
They have written and self-released four albums, composed music for a BBC Radio 4 documentary series and have had over a million streams on Spotify.
‘A milestone for contemporary folk song writing’ Bright Young Folk
'A bright, lively collection of songs that plays so sweetly it evokes the sensation of
a summer folk festival' The Guardian
‘Perfectly matched harmonies...at times it’s hard to tell them apart, you could be
listening to a single voice’ Folk Radio UK
'Gorgeous harmonies and lush melodies...a beautiful album that transports the
listener to wild landscapes and wild lives' BBC Countryfile
'Alden’s voice is hauntingly beautiful' Folk London
‘Alex would give even the great Swarbrick himself a run for his money in terms of
sheer feeling and passion' At The Barrier
Studio
£16
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other events you may be interested in
Cara Dillon
This extraordinary, multiple award-winning Irish folk singer is joined by acclaimed musician and producer Sam Lakeman.
They captivate with their exquisite and enthralling live performance. Every note and word is sung with a passion and confidence earned through a life of experience singing traditional songs.
Their enviable career has seen them explore opportunities to tread many different paths – from releasing folk crossover albums on indie label Rough Trade, recording on Disney soundtracks to collaborations with orchestras and even leading dance DJs.
Cara has continuously chosen to firmly plant herself within the landscape of her Irish cultural heritage and that’s something to celebrate.
The pair's enduring partnership has ensured they have remained at the very pinnacle of the folk genre for well over two decades. This performance will feature a selection of acoustic songs from previous releases and may also include material from Cara's latest release Coming Home.
An intimate evening full of exceptional music and the genuine warmth that they bring to the stage.
Courtyard Theatre
£27.50
Honey and The Bear
This British folk and roots duo bring folklore to life with delicately interweaving vocal harmonies inside a dynamic world of song writing.
With a diverse range of sounds and textures, and rhythms that flow from the fast and furious to gentle ballads, their live performances are spirited and enthralling. Conjuring stories in song, they tell tales of Suffolk folklore, courageous people they admire and their passion for nature, enchanting audiences up and down the country.
Honey and The Bear have been a tour de force on the UK festival circuit in recent years.
The multi-instrumentalist pair, comprised of songwriters Jon Hart (guitar, bass, bouzouki) and Lucy Hart (guitar, ukulele, bass, banjo, mandolin and percussion), are joined on-stage by band guests Evan Carson (percussion) Archie Churchill-Moss (Melodeon) and Toby Shaer (Fiddle/Flutes/Whistles) who also feature on both Honey and The Bear studio albums. Together they have played at many revered venues and festivals across the UK as well as travelled across the channel for European shows. They played Sold out back to back shows at the world famous Snape Maltings Concert Hall to launch their 2nd album in 2021. Third album Away Beyond The Fret was released 3rd November 2023 with a UK tour and another sold show at Snape Maltings.
Studio
£16 I £14 Supporters (applied to basked once logged in)
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Imar
Presented by RM Promotions.
The Irish / Manx / Scottish quintet are BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners. They are amongst Glasgow’s hottest folk property.
They have a wide reaching fanbase throughout the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. The quintet have fast become one of the trad scene's most talked about group. It's thanks in no small part to their debut video L’Air Mignonne becoming a viral smash in 2016. It catapulted the group to the attention of audiences and media worldwide.
Their two albums Afterlight and Avalanche, have since amassed a devoted listenership. Live audiences are transfixed by their collective and individual technical prowess.
The line up includes Adam Brown (bodhrán), Adam Rhodes (bouzouki), Mohsen Amini (concertina), Ryan Murphy (uilleann pipes) and Tomás Callister (fiddle). They all share a strong background in Irish music. It is a grounding that underpins many of Ímar’s distinctive qualities, in both instrumentation and material.
The shared cultural heritages between Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man are well documented: all three once shared the same Gaelic language, and a similar, clearly potent, kinship endures between their musical traditions.
'Striking musicianship, artful arrangements and sheer absolute delight' Songlines
'Genuinely jaw-dropping collective virtuosity supplied frills to burn' ★★★★★ The Scotsman
'The energy that’s seemingly bursting to let loose is tempered by a variety of instrumental formations and an attention to pacing that showcases the tunes’ melodic strength, and even when the floodgates open the effect is all the more exhilarating for the underlying control and musicality' The Herald
Courtyard Theatre
£20
Align and Flow Yoga
Led by Deborah Le Vene-Page
Align and Flow Yoga is influenced by the biomechanics and heart orientated philosophy of the Anusara Hatha style of yoga. With a specific alignment focus within the flow of postures the practice will tone and strengthen the body, improve posture and create more freedom in the body and mind resulting in a calm and relaxed state of being.
Each week there will be a different theme weaving its’ way through the session, but a typical class starts with breathing techniques to centre and ground, poses to warm up and then progresses to a fun and challenging mix of vinyasa and alignment yoga.
This class is designed to cultivate focus, stamina, strength, and flexibility. Leaving time at the end for a well-deserved relaxation.
Come prepared for an energising class that will also leave you feeling relaxed.
Age guidance: 18+ years
Spring
Sat 11 Jan - 22 Feb (7 weeks)
Sat 8 Mar - 26 Apr (8 weeks)
£12.50 per session | £73.50 per 7 week course | £84 per 8 week course
Suitable for all levels of experience. Please bring a yoga mat with you.
National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest
Event cinema screening.
The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde directed by Max Webster.
Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy.
While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.
Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.
Run time 170 mins.
Courtyard Theatre Cinema
£16 | £13 Neon Members (free membership for ages 16 - 25)
Find out more about Neon Membership here.
Cabaret Night with Kim Criswell
James Church hosts an evening with Broadway star Kim Criswell.
Kim will share songs and stories from her 50 year career. Specialising in the classic American songbook, Kim has sung and recorded with many of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras, including four appearances at the BBC Proms with Sir Simon Rattle and John Wilson.
Her theatre career has take her from Broadway (3 Penny Opera opposite Sting) and LA (Grizabella in Cats) to the West End (Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun) and Paris (Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music).
Studio
£19
Crafternoons - Tuesdays
Led by Creative Eye
Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.
Get crafty with a range of activities, or bring along your own projects to work on with support from tutor Kayleigh Robinson.
You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. Come either Tuesday or Wednesday and join in that week's craft. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.
Spring Season
Tues 14 Jan - Charcoal Drawing
Tues 21 Jan - Embroidered Photos
Tues 28 Jan - Decoupage Log Slices
Tues 4 Feb - No Session
Tues 11 Feb - Polymer Clay Octopus
Tues 18 Feb - Pin Board
Tues 25 Feb - Willow Suncatcher
Tues 4 Mar - Wire Flowers
Tues 11 Mar - Felt Keyring / Brooch
Tues 18 Mar - Woven Basket
Tues 25 Mar - Wool Hoop Art
Tues 1 Apr - Book Folded Sheep
Tues 8 Apr - Fabric Flower
Tues 15 Apr - Cube Bunny
Tues 22 Apr - Embossed Foil Decorations
Tues 29 Apr - Iris Paper Folding
Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.
Local transport can be provided as part of the ticket price for those attending on a Wednesday.
If you need transport to Norden Farm for the Wednesday sessions please contact Jess Thompson at jess.thompson@nordenfarm.org / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.
Suitable for ages 60+ years.
2pm - 3pm
£6.50 per session, including a cup of tea
Bollybhangra Dance Fit
Led by Nanda Sharma
Welcome to Bollybhangra Dance Fitness Party sessions! Nanda teaches her original choreographies to top hits from Bollywood, Bhangra, Belly dance and also other international music and dance rhythms.
The joyful music and movements encourage us to open our hearts and minds to possibilities, improve wellbeing and body-confidence and encourage us to embrace our individuality.
Enjoy the benefits of dance on flexibility and balance, health and fitness, and mood, memory, in a fun and friendly environment, at your own pace - no pressure. Beginners welcome.
Every class feels like a party and your place awaits! Dress up or dress down, some colour, sequins and a jingly bellydance scarf will add to your experience!
Bring water, a towel, wear dance sneakers or trainers.
Spring
Tues 14 Jan - Tues 29 Apr
3pm - 4pm
£10 per session
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