Sunday, 13 July 2025

Refuges on youtube

 Thanks to George for his technical help, the film camera is back up and running and took a record of the performance for us

You tube is the easiest place to share our work with each other

Friday, 11 July 2025

More background musings Refuges

 Refuges?

Where do we find refuge? 

Solace, support, companionship?

 Al Munden asks lots of questions and gives viewpoints from his personnal perspective on Journeys in our latest podcast.


 


 Last night fifteen of Shallal Dance Theatre improvised to 'Refuges' an album by Rene Aubry

https://reneaubry.fr/about/?lang=en


good feedback

""Incredibly sensitive moving  performance

wonderful use of space

- THANK. YOU SO MUCH"


Thank you to all the performers and toThe Centre, Newlyn: to Tremayne, Jerry and John for being such a supportive community venue.

Background musings before Refuges

 What is a blog post?

who is it for?

why do it?

when i started a blog it was to let people know what we were doing, as suggested by The Works, who i'd asked for funding help and advice from... that was added onto our first website

this blog is our second, and has gone on a long time, and needs more voices, i'm told,

which would be good, but who pays you to blog?

in a small wonderful community group which restarted, and then became a charity, in 2005, and ... and has at various times: flourished, lurched, survived, swum - to avoid drowning, "not waving but drowning or in the reverse or..." 


Here we are, and the reason for, this after the pre amble, is another show !

Pushing our boundaries exploring our limits and Yay 

and 

we have had no funding for indoor 'shows' as the pandemic came along but even before that performing moved outdoors, popped up, began being anywhere that would open their doors, or gates, to us, we haven't done a 'full on' indoor performance with lighting, costume  and all for years! We dream maybe in 2027 when we are grown up aged 40 years!

Our old historic Penzance support/partner The Acorn, despite having put in good access many years ago, a few years ago put in a fixed raised stage!! so we can run workshops there but not perform ....you can't take your finger off the pulse or push for equity and inclusion as inertia means moving backwards!

So today, a performance on a summer evening: a light, large hall, seats only two deep - for sight lines, performers bring their own costume choices on a limited palette then everything at least should fit well, we usually have a few lend and swops!

I do all the limited tech (untrained unskilled) with film help from George and away we... go low budget, for the love of it, art!

What could we do in a proper 'frame'?! the Tate event looked good!

Thank you to our funders this event is Awards for All

Thank you to all our audience supporters, dancers, artists, trustees and sheer good friends to all we do

Heres to More!




Tuesday, 24 June 2025

Open Theatre chat - Process conversation, & first BSL newsletter!

 1.

Chat today with Richard and Melissa of Open Theatre

 https://www.opentheatre.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-team-21/

I read about Richard's process, Non Verbal Physical Theatre (with music ) and it sounded like a similar well spring of inspiration to our Open Improv style, and we have each worked about forty years so I contacted them, and todays chat was the result..we hope and plan to do more... first off a zoom podcast about 'Process'.

2. Might wait until the autumn as have just lined up two 'Journey' podcasts and our timetable is full!

3.Second excitement is our first BSL newsletter, see it online here:


More interesting conversations this time with Charlotte from Newquay Orchard, looking  forward ti growing opportunities and event/s with them.

Tuesday, 3 June 2025

Members Meeting oneliners

Some memorable one liners from Members Meeting:

 

"Constant Source of Inspiration

Always Interesting"


"No Competition

No Experience Needed

Person Centred

Very Friendly

Dream for Us (I struggle mixing)

Community Sense and Belonging"


"Rye Sense of who we are and where we are going"


"Not Just Doing, (it's) About Sharing"

Monday, 2 June 2025

Journeys at Launceston Poetry Festival

 Journeys

We had the joy of three families of young children and mums dancing with us in our workshop.

And the joy of Victoria's extended family, a poet and volunteer and Kyle (our new marketing consultant - much needed!!) in our small, select audience!

 Lovely feedback: 

" Thank you for filling up my cup! 🙂"
"Lovely music, lovely dance, and fantastic dancers. I enjoyed every moment of it. Thanks!"






photos by Kyle Reed

of Shallal Dance Theatre performers in the workshop




Sunday, 1 June 2025

KAREN MITCHELL...Studio artist

KAREN MITCHELL...

paintings on one wall

working on new art

Comments Book:

"I really enjoyed meeting Karen. Her work is so inspiring - powerful, beautiful,  moving.

Thank you 💗"


"I really enjoyed working alongside Karen and listening to her talk about the benefits of being partof Shallal Studio

Thank you 😊"


"Amazing and colourful. Puts a smile on my face."


"Brilliant work. Lovely to meet Karen 💗"


"IMPRESSIVE + REASSURING"


"Beautiful and so colourful. Keep on doing what you are doing x"


"Thank you we had a lovely time and Karen was so welcoming that warmed our day. Thank you both for your kindness and congratulations to Karen for her vast body of work! 😊"




Friday, 30 May 2025

BSL Conference

BSL Conference


as someone who supports signing being taught in school,  when we learn to read and before  

and feels we all would benefit from BSL as language,

for many reasons: 

so we can communicate with those for whom it is their first language

because we may need it if/when we loose our hearing

because it is beautiful 


Yesterday we worked with Susie Brooke BSL interpreter for our workshop and show, we had the joy of 3 young families joining us in our workshop - all the children had done some signing


in my inbox this morning was this conference

https://bslconference.org.uk/programme/?mc_cid=9883e3d2c8&mc_eid=350d365500

workshops that resonate:

Building our cultures into society.  Helene Jarmer

Why schools should sign: Academic, emotional and linguistic benefits of sign bilingualism
Dr Hannah Anglin-Jaffe
What works in Early Years? – The Evidence
Dr Katie Rogers

Thursday, 29 May 2025

Programme for 'Journeys' by Shallal Dance Theatre in Charles Causley Poetry Festival - Friday 30 May


Programme Playlist


"JOURNEYS"

4pm Friday 30 March 

@CharlesCausleyFestival

https://causleytrust.org/the-launceston-poetry-festival/


Shallal Dance Theatre


Soil ( feat Nature ) .......Cosmo Sheldrake

Sleep on the wing ......... Bibio

Migration ........Katrin Finch

Roadworks by Jo Lumber inspired by 

Redruth Roadworks - Artwork by Sam While, printing supported by Tony Minnion

The Race .....Yello

Clarity.....Helen Chadwick

Railroad  ( Travel Song )....Meredith Monk, Brubaker

Over the sea.... Amanda Pascali

Run to You....vision string quartet

Winter Wash 24 ....Mon Rolva

The Armed Man  - A Mass for Peace:Xll Benedictus........Karl Jenkins, London Philharmonic Orchestra, National Youth Choir of Great Britain, Mike Brewer, Guy Johnston


BSL translation by Susie Brooke

help with everything! - Colin Curbishley

creative director - Jo Willis

admin - Hennie Boex


Dancers/spontaneous choreographers

Dylan Bradley Peer

Toby Bridge

Tina Butler

Colin Curbishley

Jilly Hellerman

Victoria Lawrence

Jo Lumber

Karen Moss

Star


Our love to performers who can't be with us today

Especially:

Kerry J for a good and speedy recovery from her shoulder op

and All The Wheeler's - see you soon!



Monday, 26 May 2025

Wonderful Comments! Cornwall Open Studios first weekend

 Wonderful Comments!

Shallal is the sum of it's parts and this first weekend of Cornwall Open Studios exemplifies that:

Artists volunteered to paint our ( paint laden ) walls and man the exhibition, introduce and talk about Shallal's work 

 in detail and broad outreach, exemplifying how it is "home" and those involved ( participants, artists performers etc )  often  have a better more nuanced understanding of all it's aspects. 

As usual I'm about to start with so much going on  ....but I'm going back to write ... Wonderful Comments!

so here goes:


Favourite Pictures
Monkeys & Puffin
Spot the dog & Cat with bird on head

Comments
Thank you for exhibiting all these works.
We especially enjoyed The Isabella Mouse book & illustrations
Well done Shallal.

A Great eclectic mix of art and I enjoy the bright, cheerful colours.

Fabulous Collection of interesting and involving creative work. Best wishes & good luck 

Lovely to catch up with Shallal our dear friend Lydia....used to love the dancing!

TOTALLY DELIGHTFUL! Terrific ethos and enthusiasm. Loved it. Thank you.

Hallo Shallal so lovely to meet you both. Thank you for sharing with me.

Wonderful inspiring work by lovely people. Thank you for the chat.

Thank you for a lovely introduction to your charity, much love

A very enjoyable exhibition and such a worthwhile cause

Loved the art work especially admired  Joseph's cows and Lily's animals x

Lovely we will treasure 'Bob the dog' -sold to them

Beautiful work and wonderful things happening here!

Really good work

A rather splendid exhibition - which tells me that art is so diverse. And everyone can do it.

Thank you for all you do. It's a fantastic project.

Really enjoyed learrning about the project. Lovely artwork! Keep up the good work!

Wonderful work and a great charity providing safe inclusive space for creativity. Thank you.... visiting from Nottingham

Absolutely Fabulous. Refreshing and Thought Provoking.

Love everything - the concept and the work - especially Isabella Mouse x

So interesting to hear about Shallal & the inspirational activities you carry out.

Beautiful organisation, love the ethos. Hopefully when my little one is older I can join in one day - a local neurodivergent creative x

How wonderful! What a brilliant thing in every way.

Wonderful and inspiring work and ethos

Rory is here + Rory likes the building filled with amazing artwork

Lovely pictures with much character to them. Interesting to hear about the charity. Sounds like great work!


Thank you Helen and Therese, and Colin and Eddie - great work explaining, greeting and hosting!

Thank you to all our visitors. We learn so much from this interactive experience together, looking at art work, following interests and ideas, conversing with visitors/audiences.
























































































































































































Tuesday, 8 April 2025

Amazing Animals Exhibition 7-24 April 2025

 

Successful Opening Tea Party yesterday.
Many thanks to everyone.
 
Xanthe for photographing Lily's work,
Oli https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/staff/oli-raymond-barker     for preparing it for printing.
Helen,Therese and Colin for support, and of course everyone at Falmouth Art Gallery and our community outreach funders The Henry Smith Charity, 
and most of all the amazing artists who created "Amazing Animals!"
I could write a lot about it, but I always feel we need to make the connections ourselves and let the art speak.

Already while hanging it i heard lovely comments:
"I love tigers" 
( favourite comment young boy walking up the stairs - i had placed that picture where it could be passed and easily appreciated)
"Oh look at this and it's made from Pukka tea packaging"
"Please tell me about it..."
"So bright and colourful"
"I look forward to working around it"
"Such a high standard"

As usual 

we try to put the info on here:





 

All works are sold unframed and are on paper or card

contact us for more information if needed.


Miles,   giclee print of painting            by Lily Harvey      £42

Endangered: Bengal tiger,   collage    by Helen     POA

Endangered: Golden lion tamarins, acrylic paint 

                                                                      by Helen         £105

Cottage Garden acrylic                           by Heather Clark   POA

Critically Endangered: Sunda pangolin, collage and acrylic 

                                                                      by Helen    £105

Garden birds, crayon                               by Rita Baker  POA

*Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, mixed media              

                                                                     by Colin Curbishley   £105

**Butterflies, mixed media                  by Katie Wheeler NFS

Smiley Cat, giclee print of painting   by Lily Harvey  £42

Goldfish,  collage and paint                 by Helen           Â£91

Seahorses and Seagrass,  mixed media 

                                                                     by Therese  £77.

Pinky, giclee print of painting             by Lily  £42

***Seagull pencil and paint                  by Rebecca  Smith POA

Wolfy, giclee print of painting              by Lily Harvey £42

Untitled,  giclee print of painting        by Lily Harvey £42   

Cows, metallic pen                                  by Joseph Wheeler £44

Polar Bear,  giclee print of painting    by Lily Harvey £42

Blue Butterfly,  oil pastel                       by Katie Wheeler £35

Hummingbird, pencil and felt tips     by Julia Wonnacott  POA

Critically Endangered: Amur leopard, acrylic  

                                                                      by Helen   £105

Disco Gecko 1,  mixed media                by Helen  £91

Disco Gecko 2, mixed media                by Helen  £91

The Big Pink Piggy, giclee print of painting

                                                                      by Lily Harvey £42

All works on paper and unframed.


Extra facts:


*Secretive tree-top dweller. The lesser spotted is our smallest, and rarest, woodpecker. These woodland specialists are one of the UK’s fastest-declining bird species.

Woodland Trust


** Scientists estimate that insects make up to 90% of all species of animals on the planet and more than half of all living things.

Royal Entomological Society


***Did you know there’s no such thing as a seagull? In fact there are a variety of species of gull that live in the UK and not all of them live by the sea,

Although gulls are a common sight in many areas……some species such as herring. Gulls and Kittiwakes are actually on the UK Red List. 

RSPCA


Shallal Arts Connection

Amazing Animals Exhibition


Shallal Arts Connection meet on zoom once a week.

We started in the pandemic and haven’t wanted to stop.

It provides creative community and connection and is open to all. 

We enjoy putting on exhibitions of some of our work.

We are aligned with Culture Declares Emergency and want our work to be relevant to our times, as well as joyful and celebratory.

We all need to care, for each other, we are interdependent parts of creation.


Join us on a Tuesday term time 11.30am-12.30pm free/donation

Contact Colin colin@shallal.org

www.shallal.org  



Saturday, 22 March 2025

Audience Comments after watching Journeys Shallal 2

Audience Comments after watching Journeys Shallal 2

 "Nourishing for the soul"

As always Shallal delivers inspired work - beautiful, tender, thought provoking and times challenging one to deepen ones observations and perceptions!"

"Nice one, both of them were good" 

"A beautiful moving performance! Loved watching all the dancers loose themselves in the music which was fantastic. Look forward to the next show"

" Thank you wonderful

Full of love "

"A moving performance 

- brilliant x"


Shallal 2 is a smaller group, it was a daytime performance with refreshments after.

Eddie came and took photos and it was a joy to have Tracy's help

Friday, 21 March 2025

Audience written comments after watching Journeys by Shallal Dance Theatre

 Comments 

from Journeys by Shallal Dance Theatre,

approx half the company, 14 performing 

(and George filming BSL and Hannah supporting - many thanks to all)

which suited the space and audience of 26 which also suited the space -

so pretty providentially perfect.


Audience written comments

"Well done to everyone involved.

Amazing dances that moved us so very much!"


"It was truly a Journey. I am so moved. I have never felt so much joy and depth of connection, love in such a short time as an hour!

Thank you so much."


"Absolutely Fabulous!

As above comment, very emotional experience for me--joy and tearful at the same time. Many Thanks!"


"I was completely entranced in the amazing dynamic stories that ebbed and flowed with music and movement. Thank you"



Thursday, 20 March 2025

Credits for Journeys and On Board



Programme Playlists


"JOURNEYS"

7pm Friday 21 March 

Shallal Dance Theatre


poem by Kerry Day

Soil ( feat Nature ) .......Cosmo Sheldrake

Sleep on the wing ......... Bibio

Migration ........Katrin Finch

Roadworks by Jo Lumber inspired by 

Redruth Roadworks - Artwork by Sam While, printing supported by Tony Minnion

The Race .....Yello

Clarity.....Helen Chadwick

Railroad  ( Travel Song )....Meredith Monk, Brubaker

Over the sea.... Amanda Pascali

Run to You....vision string quartet

Winter Wash 24 ....Mon Rolva

The Armed Man  - A Mass for Peace:Xll Benedictus........Karl Jenkins, London Philharmonic Orchestra, National Youth Choir of Great Britain, Mike Brewer, Guy Johnston


BSL translation by Jan Tillyard

help with everything! - Colin Curbishley

background support - Hannah Jacobs

creative director - Jo Willis


Dancers/spontaneous choreographers

Dylan Bradley Peer

Toby Bridge

Tina Butler

Colin Curbishley

Kerry Day

Mads DeLyon

Linda Fearon

Katherine Giddings

Kerry Jackson

Victoria Lawrence

Jo Lumber

Karen Moss

Debbie Udy O'Nyons

Sam While




"JOURNEYS"

3pm Saturday 22 March 

Shallal 2

Soil ( feat Nature ) .......Cosmo Sheldrake

Sleep on the wing ......... Bibio

Migration ........Katrin Finch

Roadworks by Jo Lumber inspired by 

Redruth Roadworks - Artwork by Sam While, printing supported by Tony Minnion

The Race .....Yello

Rue de trois freres ...Fabrizio Paterlini

Railroad  ( Travel Song )....Meredith Monk, Brubaker

Run to You....vision string quartet

Winter Wash 24 ....Mon Rolva

Postcards from the Road - Single edit....Tom Adams

 

Shallal 2 Dancers/spontaneous choreography

Maddy Daniel

Hannah Jacobs

Jo Lumber

Becky Smith

Miles Stead

Star  


associate artists -Jo Lumber, Hannah Jacobs and Ishita Raina

creative director - Jo Willis

front of house -thank you to Tracy

photography - Eddie Callis

film - Bobby J



ONBOARD art

Redruth Roadworks     by Sam While   print support Tony Minnion 

Boat - mixed media on board    by Sam While

mountains to climb - mixed media on cardboard    by Helen  

Untitled - acrylic on cardboard   by Tina Butler 

My Life Journey - acrylic on cardboard  by Kerry Jackson  

The Tangly Road mixed media on board  by Eddie Callis    


Thank you to The Ladder and Grace & all our trustees especially Hennie  Boex and all our families, friends and supporters.