‘Listen to the World’ open mic nights are a place of live music where the traditions and talents of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers find a home among local artists. Come and join us, as either a listener or performer, everyone is welcome; British locals, as well as those who have settled here more recently.
‘Listen to the World’ Open Mic night is a live hybrid show where anyone in the audience, professional or first-timer can come and sing or play an instrument, online or in person (see more below).
‘What a wonderful evening. My heart opened… ‘
‘So moving to be connected to people from all over the world through music, particularly because we’ve all been feeling so isolated.’
‘What an absolutely beautiful evening. I was so tired I nearly didn’t come but I am so pleased I did. I had a number of wonderful conversations. Precious times. I really loved it all, and such a quality of work.’
What to expect – watch the video: May ‘Listen to the World Open Mic’
SOUNDS OF ASIA
Mandu A K, Stewart Fenwick, and special guest Cheong Li will be performing traditional Hindustani music performed with bansuri, tabla and erhu. Mandu A K started learning the bansuri with Clive Bell at The Bhavan, London, in 2011. He previously performed at St Ethelburga’s in 2013 with Nihavend ensemble. Stewart Fenwick began learning tabla at Dartington College with Pandit Sharda Sahai and since 2000 has studied with Ustad Faiyaz Khan of the Delhi Gharana. Tonight this very special ensemble will be playing a programme consisting of two Hindustani ragas. First rag Jog and then rag Bhairavi. Some of the base compositions are Mandu’s own and some are traditional. Hindustani music is an improvisational music form so these only provide the structure.
Lumanzin is a Brazilian musician and visual artist. Her work is marked by a strong presence of vocal arrangements and loads of Brazilian percussion and harmony. With an established international career, since 2016 she has performed in more than 5 countries and numerous festivals. She is now is touring with her second album “mansinha”, which is an invitation to her audience to experience a specific Brazilian feeling of meekness, serenity, and contemplation.
Lumanzin will perform three songs from her new album “mansinha”. The first song “quando eu nasci” (when I was born) speaks about her origins in Brazil, as she says in the lyrics, “When I was born, the pain my mom felt, the sun that brushed my skin, the ocean my dad saw and the door that opened, was Brazil”. All the songs Lumanzin will perform tonight will explore the same theme; missing home – even though she decided to leave because of lack of faith or perspective due to the government. You can listen to Lumanzin on Youtube, Spotify and at Deezer.
Alongside featured artists, members of the audience can sign up to perform too. You can respond to the theme of displacement, home or belonging or with whatever is on your heart. This is a fun, relaxing evening where anyone; professional or first-timer, can perform to an appreciative audience. Or you can simply come and listen. You sign up for an Open Mic slot when you book (online or in-person). There are 4-5 slots and each slot is for 3-5mins.
You can attend Listen to the World open mic online, or in person at St Ethelburga’s. Both featured artists will be performing from St Ethelburga’s, broadcasting live to guests online as well as to an in-person audience.
Attending on zoom, you will need:
Co-ordinator: For all questions about the Open Mic event or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Jo Winsloe Slater at jo.winsloe@stethelburgas.org.#
This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Arts Council:
