Entertainment For Lively Minds
The Unthanks - Singing Weekend
Posted by MichaelP on 25 January 2012 - 11:52am.
When:
20-22 January 2012
Where:
Seahouses, Northumberland
Comments:
40 people meet on a farm on the wild Northumberland coast, housed in a comfy bunkhouse. Few of us know what to expect, but we’re straight down to business – singing –as soon as we arrive. The weekend consists of a series of workshops led by Rachel and Becky, plus other sessions with dad George and stepdad Jim in the farmhouse that is temporary home to the Unthanks clan. These are interspersed with walks on the beach and visits to the pub, with singing taking place during both, much to the alarm and then delight of the pub’s patrons.
We are looked after throughout by the Unthanks members and their friends and family, who are all lovely people, unfailingly friendly and welcoming. We learn many chorus songs, shanties and folk songs, in unison and in harmony, and we sound pretty damned good by the end of it. As a lapsed chorister, my enthusiasm for singing is rekindled. I thoroughly enjoy every minute of this.
The Audience:
There are people in their 20s and in their 50s. A lot of people are in education or the ‘caring’ professions. Some can sing beautifully, others can’t at all, but it doesn’t matter in the least what your ability is. A lovely bunch all in all.
Food & Drink:
The food was superb - healthy and wholesome. Adrian is head chef, assisted by various clan members, and he turns out some terrific stuff from a tiny kitchen. We are very well fed. A well stocked honesty bar operates throughout (until very late).
It Made Me Think...:
This is unique. The Unthanks have a real passion for singing and for sharing this - there is no ‘them and us’. The venture creates a useful income source, but one only available to those willing to build such a relationship with their audience.
Sounds brilliant
how did you get an invite to that? I love the in-between song chat on the live Diversions album. It really does come across that they are lovely warm people. Well done you.
Mailing list
If you sign up to their mailing list on their website, they'll tip you off early about these weekends, which are open to anyone so long as you book early enough, as they do sell out quickly and they tend to offer places to previous attendees first. They are running 4 this January/February, and may well do some later in the year, and certainly another batch next January. They really are very lovely people to spend time with.