Tuesday, 30 June 2009

The Path to Paradise

North Country Theatre Workshop tonight presented 'The Path to Paradise' in St. Mary's Church. The Path was a Labyrinth, laid out on the floor of the church. Based on the Medieval design set into the floor of Chartes cathedral and with poetry and music provided by a Monk and a Musician, we set along the Path deep in thought. Song lines, poetry and music, as well as a strong smell of incense, created a wonderful atmosphere and quite an unusual experience. 


The Monk. He would walk you in to the Labyrinth and explain how to proceed.

Walking through the Labyrinth. You might find yourself meeting someone on your path. A metaphor for life, so I was told.

The Monk playing his Oboe; beautiful music in a beautiful setting I thought.

Candles at the entrance to the Labyrinth. Also at the entrance were pieces of paper with song lines and poetry written on them. You were to choose a piece of paper and take it to the centre.

From above. The Labyrinth took over nearly the whole of the Church.

Once in the centre you would place your paper in the centre, read other papers, talk, contemplate. I found it very relaxing and did not want to make the journey back out.

Part of some text that was read aloud as you made your way through the Labyrinth.

Candles, notes and objects were places along the path for you to read and contemplate.

The other Monk, during a reading.

A planet. In Medieval times, it was thought that the Earth was the centre of the universe. These planets, as part of the Labyrinth, are a representation of that Ideology.

www.northcountrytheatre.com

Monday, 29 June 2009

Folk Music Evening at The Queens

The second day of this year's Barton Arts Week saw a fabulous evening of entertainment courtesy of Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy and Chris Parkinson, supported by The Workshy Profits.  

Carol Dawson of The Workshy Profits on the Violin

Guitarist Steve Le Voguer



Chris Parkinson - his Tango styled solo was a personal highlight


Chris Parkinson and Norma Waterson

Martin Carthy performs a humorous solo




Norma Waterson

Sunday, 28 June 2009

Victorian Day - Sunday 28th June

Today in Barton we were lucky enough to be treated to a fun-packed Victorian Day, that took place on Queen Street and in and around the newly-refurbished Wilderspin School. Organised by the Barton Civic Society the area was adorned with fabulous performers, themed stalls, teas, exhibitions, games, music and lots of characters in costume. What a wonderful day!

A break in their routine for a bit of posing



Telling stories and singing folk tunes

Selling plants





Magnificent horses taking people on rides



The 'vicious beast'


This picture could have been taken 100 years ago!


Operating the Mangle

Barton Arts Week 2009 - Dinner Dance - Saturday 27th June


Barton Arts Week 2009 kicked off nicely with a fun-packed Dinner Dance at The Queen's pub. We were treated to a delicious Carvery and fabulous music. I would have taken pictures of everyone there, but half the crowd were too busy on the dancefloor to pose!

The delicious Carvery. 

Attempting the quiz. I thought i knew one answer, but Monty informed me that in fact Duke Ellington did not play the Trumpet.

The Band, Jester. They were fantastic!

What an incredibly enthusiastic Pianist!


We didn't win anything, what an outrage!!