GROVE is an idea I've been developing for over a year: a new daytime event series built on the values of nurturing community, inclusivity and diversity. It brings together eclectic musical groups for life-enhancing gatherings of joyful music, seed planting and connection.
The first event which sold out had musical offerings from the diverse communities I work with: inclusive community choir, OAK; the Dovetail Refugee Orchestra; mothers in music improv group, MMILK; parent and baby choir, BYOB Choir; and cross-generational local group inclusive of adults with learning difficulties, The Beehive Singing Circle. Full of magical moments, unfolding collaborations and audience participation. We were sowing seeds together to be planted at the next event in nearby local green spaces, creating a sense of belonging and growing friendships and community.
Through ticket sales GROVE events struggle to simply break even, let alone make profit to grow and remain so inclusive. My aim through this crowd funder is to fund sound recording and photography workshops that create inclusion for young refugees and local teenagers to be part of GROVE. The project aims to integrate young refugees with local school children, building new friendships and teaching new skills - skills which could be implemented to create an archive of GROVE if the participants were keen. I am raising money to fund sound recording and photography workshops. The money will go towards paying facilitators, buying equipment and paying for bus fares.
Why am I doing this? Since branching out into community music facilitation after my 20 year career as a singer-songwriter, I have experienced enhanced wellbeing from a sense of community and belonging. It is especially life-enhancing to be making friends with people who are from different cultures and backgrounds. I now have friends from 15 different countries through joining Dovetail Refugee Orchestra and it is a joy to sing with adults with learning disabilities alongside parents and babies and older people.
As my cup fills, I want to be able to spread the joy to others, especially young people who are so often marginalised, and foster integration between the groups by creating accessibility, inclusivity and a sense of purpose and belonging.