By Anya Lee
ACT Cultures Crossing #8
photos by Inna Schutts
On the 24th April 2019 I attended another fantastic Cultures Crossing event held at the Bennetts hotel in Long Eaton.
The layout of this month’s event was the same as last month’s with a musical instrument to open the evening and dancing for the guests to enjoy which brought the evening to a close. There was a range of other talented artistes performing in between and plenty of time for networking.
I was taken away with how beautiful Ursula Al-Mishari played the Violin, the Bollywood
style is very tuneful and I felt mesmerized
listening to it. She said that she performs her
music for weddings, I would highly
recommend her for anyone getting married.
Next in line was Stephen Jon the Mask Maker wearing his wonderful master creations to display each of the characters emotions, he has also learnt various techniques to perform with each one and he had the audience laughing. Since some of his masks rely solely on body language they are a great form of communication for people that cannot hear. He also explained the process in which he uses to carefully craft the masks to a high standard. Although being a lengthy process he can even make them out of leather.
During the networking break I had a interesting chat with Pam Miller, an Artist who will be performing at next month’s event. She explained the technique she uses to create Artwork on canvases by using the pulp from Christmas cards and acrylic paints. I am looking forward to watching the demonstration.
Florette Fetgo and Victoria Mponda from Global Sistaz United were the first up on stage after the break. Florette played the drum and the flute; she did a mixture of this whilst at the same time clapping and bowing as she handed out little woven baskets to some of the guests.
It made her performance have a real African feel with a special touch and I was one of those lucky guests who gratefully received one. Victoria also read a poem that she had written. It is wonderful to see refugees using their skills in such a positive way to help each other whilst awaiting their right to reside status from the Home Office.
After a brilliant story from Tim Ralphs about a Cow – I particularly liked the unexpected twist of how the farmer got his Cows back, what a crafty wife the farmer has! Idalberto Alcada-Rodriguez who is an Afro Cuban Salsa dancer displayed his brilliant moves on the dance floor. Not only using his feet but he balanced a machete on his head and was throwing it around in the air. He was very talented with his coordination and timing of dancing and catching the sword. I had nothing to worry about even though I was sat on the front row.
The evening ended with Idalberto getting everyone moving on the dance floor and when I say everyone even the receptionist at the hotel couldn't resist dancing to the sounds of Cuban music.
Anya Lee Blog
ACT Cultures Crossing #8
photos by Inna Schutts
On the evening of the 24th April, I attended my first ACT Cultures Crossing event hosted by Marysia Zipser at the Bennetts Bar Hotel and Restaurant in Long Eaton.
Being located at such a large venue, I was amazed at how beautifully set out it was - in such a way that made this grand hotel seem like a small, personal setting.
With a selection of food and drink for both guests and performers, the evening shortly began. With the first performance at 7pm being a Bollywood violinist, Ursula Al-Mishari began.
As she began to play, we were all whisked away to the Middle East through her beautiful violin tune. Soon we were transported to Scotland and Ireland as her tune began to have a rather Celtic feel to it. I was so enchanted by her playing I’d forgotten that I was only watching a performance in Long Eaton!
As her performance came to an end, it was soon followed by a new performer with another talent.
The evening had such a fruitful variety of acts, no two acts were the same or even similar. With each new act, we were transported to another country, fascinated by their performance. The evening closed with Cuban dancer, Idalberto Alcada-Rodriguez, who started his performance with a chant and soon began to dance the Salsa. At the end of his performance he told us what Salsa means to him and that it is danced from the heart. Then he got everyone up to dance and gave us a taster of his Salsa classes, which he teaches to people of all ages. Whether it was to experience different cultures or simply enjoy a bit of music and other live performance, the whole evening was amazing.