DrystoneArts

08/11/2021

Dear Friends
I am sorry to have to tell you that Barry Coope passed away on Saturday 6th November after a short illness. He was at home where he wanted to be and was able to spend time with his family and friends and listen to the music he loved. Those friends who knew of his illness sent messages of love and support and, whilst he always knew he was loved by his family, he learned just how widely loved and respected he was.
I know this news will hit many of you hard and may be a shock for those we were not able to get the news to. Now is the time to be close to your friends and family as they are the people who will get you through.
Love Fi

22/10/2021

This we'd like to give a shout out to those bringing communities together through creative endeavour. Following them (and us!) will definitely* make your life better:
Oddsocks Productions Kirstie Adamson Magazine Collage Art Museum of Making The Lost Boys Celestine and the Hare
*probably

19/10/2021

Derbyshire-based Oddsocks Productions, worthy winners of the Mick Peat Drystone Bursary, have made a touching tribute to Mick using the trophy awarded to them at Derby Folk Festival.

The award was given to help them renovate Lea chapel, for use as as their base and a rehearsal and performance space for theatre, music, the visual arts and heritage events, sharing it with the community and other arts organisations.

Creative Producer Elli Mackenzie told us:
"‘Mick was a builder by trade and the visual representation of the award is a trowel on a plaque made from local willow. We felt it appropriate to use the trowel to mend the last ridge tile on the chapel roof which we have been repairing, so that’s what we did. We have also carved Mick’s name into the cement too as a mark of respect. We think he would have approved. After all the motto on the award says 'Building His Legacy.' We shall use the financial donation £2,500 wisely but most importantly, work with Drystone Arts to help bring communities together through the arts. We are honoured to have received this support".

17/10/2021

If you’re thinking that Drystone is only about folk music, song and dance then we’re happy to tell you that our focus is far more wide-reaching than that!

We’re keen to support all types of creativity and one of our favourites has just been launched by Holly Hutchinson - Ringmaster and Director of Circus Strong CIC.

'The Whiskey Locker' is a brand-new rock themed circus show for 2022. Holly is organising a series of workshops to get input on the representation of the main character and the wider LGBTQ+ themes in the show. The aim of these workshops is to meet other other trans and q***r creatives, ensure the main character is representative of a modern transgender woman and discuss the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ creative sector to ensure care & community is at the heart of making this show.

If you’re interested in attending there's a workshop on Wednesday night; book your place through the link at the bottom of the page https://thewhiskeylocker.co.uk

Holly has also done a Q&A for us which will be published on our website soon.

This fast-paced show follows transgender aerialist Holly as she prepares to compete against her ex-girlfriend in the Toronto World Aerial Tournament. They haven’t seen each other for 5 years & the last time they did Holly’s ex dumped her when she found out about her plans to transition from Stev...

16/10/2021

The inaugural Mick Peat Drystone Bursary awards have been made at the Derby Folk Festival.

The worthy recipients were Oddsocks Productions theatre company who received £2,500 towards the restoration of Lea Chapel in Derbyshire which they bought recently as a rehearsal and performance/exhibition space.

We have also made a small award to Matt Blick who is currently researching the songwriting of Lennon and McCartney.

We’d like to thank all the applicants for sharing their fantastic projects with us. Even where they haven’t had a financial award from us, we’re pleased to have been able to connect them with each other, and we wish them all the best with their endeavours.

If you'd like to help us enable more community creators in future, you can donate to the Mick Peat Drystone Bursary at https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mickpeat

30/09/2021

The annual Big Sing organised by Mick and Celia Peat was always a joyous occasion and always packed to the rafters with keen participants and audience. And now it’s back!
This year, Drystone will be hosting the Big Sing on Sunday 2nd January 2022 - so save the date in your diary. There’ll be more detail and info in coming weeks in our newsletters, on our social media sites, and on our website.
If you’ve not been to the Big Sing before then you’ve missed a treat - make sure you’re there this year!

📸Todd Trapani/unsplash.com

28/09/2021

We were delighted to receive a kind donation from Chesterfield Folk Club as they brought things to a close at the end of 2020. Discover what drew them to grant Drystone this incredibly generous donation

Building community and the arts throughout Derbyshire. A not-for-profit initiative to celebrate the County through creativity, heritage and sharing.

26/09/2021

We can’t wait to present the Mick Peat Drystone Bursary to the lucky recipient at Derby Folk Festival. We wish Mick was still here to see how Drystone is making a difference and building community - we know he’d be very proud of our achievements. Watch ‘10 more minutes with Mick’ and see what you think.

Drystone present:Ten More Minutes With MickMick Peat: A Life in Folk MusicSharing a table withBarry Coope and Bob Rushtonrecorded for Derby Folk Festival At ...

25/09/2021

Our next newsletter comes out at the beginning of October. Supporters get all the latest news and sneak previews before anyone else. Sign up now to make sure you're on the list!

mailchi.mp/ddf2f03b81f1/drystone-signup

23/09/2021

Don’t miss seeing all these great artists at Derby Folk Festival on the Mick Peat stage, Saturday 2nd October in Derby market place. We’ll be there too, come and say hello!

Home Service http://www.homeserviceband.co.uk/
O'Hooley & Tidow
Melrose Quartet
Kitty Macfarlane
India Electric Co https://indiaelectricco.com/
Ninebarrow
Jim Moray
Winter Wilson
Narthen
Flats & Sharps
Intarsia
Doug Eunson and Sarah Matthews Duo
Old Sea Legs
Ranagri
Rare Occasion https://www.bobonarts.co.uk/rare-occasion/
Road Not Taken
Ellie Gowers
Steve & Julie Wigley
The Last Inklings

20/09/2021

High praise indeed!
“Just rendezvoused with “Fishees” and loved it and the whole idea of the series and the childhood theme.”
Professor Matthew Scott, Former Head of Music, National Theatre

‘Fishees’ by John Tams, is a beautiful lullaby with accompanying images and animation by renowned Derbyshire artist Kirstie Adamson Magazine Collage Art. A treat for both the ears and the eyes!

Arranged, recorded and produced by Barry Coope and featuring Narthen - Barry Coope, Fi Fraser, Jo Freya, and Jim Causley, with Pete Bullock accompanying on Baritone Saxophone.

Catch Fishees here

Fishees is the first in a new Drystone series called 'Little Stones', a collection of songs and dances celebrating childhood. The featured artwork and video ...