AUGUST Newsletter

Dear Friends,

The past couple of months have been filled by extremely hard work this side, all for a good cause and result.
It brought huge gratification organising what I believe was our best to date Outsiders Poetry event for the Shuffle Festival, last Sunday the 3rd.

Give it to the weather, which lately has been pretty much amazing, although unfortunately it was the reason to keep some away.
Give it to the location, the brand new and sophisticated Southern Grove Community Centre and the nearby oxygen-filled greenery available in the majestic decked-out Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park.
Give it to the fact that for the first time we were able to welcome the diversity of the hearing and deaf audience, and made comfortable under the same roof, thanks to the presence of Gary Morgan and Nicola Williams (British Sign Language interpreters) and Norma White and Louise Pepper (alias the palantypist ladies = amazing highly skilled individuals able to type at the fast pace of 250 words p/m); inclusiveness could not be ignored or go unnoticed.

Then the other day I was asked if all the struggles of the past couple of months were worth the efforts.
F.E.E.L. has now been having events for over six years and for every and single one I dreamt to be able to offer full communication support. A dream coming true...was it worth the effort?

What I am most thankful for is the trust and help received from Team Shuffle in giving us freedom to organise Deaf Vision, which stretched further the usual poetry event. And of course Arts Council England for offering the means for the day to unfold.

We had a wonderful gong bath with Otto Haddad, taster therapies from Jessica, Louise, Monica and Eve (from Pathway Trust) and Claire Hancock.
A wonderful performance from Sign Song Diva Caroline Parker MBE (here her grand finale) and an interesting discussion led by deaf film-maker Ted Evans to follow the 1956 film 'Together'.

We wish to thank the very special artists of the Outsiders Poetry starting from the amazing Jazzman John Clarke, the compère for the day, Graham Jones, Clive Murphy, Stephen Micalef, Stephen Watts, Cristina Viti, David Kessel, Stefano Barone (sound engineer for the day, plus accompanied Jazzman on electric guitar, until the ultra sensitive sound system shut down); the gender-themed dance piece by Shakti Zapata, Frank Bangay accompanied on guitar by Natasha, David Amery, Anne Pigalle, John Stiles. Mike Parsons & Roberto Simonato closed the event reminding us that Eastbeat is back and running from Tuesday the 2nd of September at the Kingsley Hall. Apologies flooded from Eamer O'kleeffe, Peter Campbell, Max Love, Unique Technique.

Sharing here an outstanding performance by Frank Bangay, particularly enjoyable with BSL interpretation. Well done Frank! 'Comfort Eating Blues'

A huge thank you goes for the support offered by East End Homes, which allowed us accessing their modern Southern Grove Community Centre in Mile End London E3. For further info about accessing the space do get in contact with Paul Wilson paul.wilson@eastendhomes.net and see their website www.eastendhomes.net
Paul and Victoria active support throughout  the whole day was pretty amazing and deeply appreciated.

Last but not least must thank for the amazing team of volunteers that stayed with us both on Saturday and Sunday: Neil, Audrey, PJ, Joe, Claudio, Stefano and of course the ever-present Myra and Nick helping around tea break. Thank you to all!

Your feedback on the day is pretty much welcome and must mention John Stiles' comment "It was very well-organized, cool to see the words on the screen and I won't forget the movie about Sign Language and finding out about "different sign languages" and hearing, seeing, and reading Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush ever again in the same way. I just grew up into a full adult in about fifteen minutes."

FEEL monthly meeting is now on in ten days time, on Monday the 18th; it looks like we have a few fresh things to talk about and also an invite to hold a stall for Kingsley Hall Open House, next month. All welcome although no communication support available unfortunately.
Meet as usual at LARC, 62 Fieldgate St, Whitechapel 6.30-8-30pm

Make the most of the Summer!