News

Kaleidoscope Choir's first concert is a success (19.6.2010)

Kaleidoscope Community Choir sang at our first concert to an appreciative audience on Satruday 19th June. The Derby Shape Note Singers opened the concert with a set of American shape note songs. The people singing in the choir had attende six shape note workshops to learn the songs, and this was also their first public performance. We also enjoyed a set of traditional Georgian songs from Leeds based Samzeo. Video of the concert will be posted on YouTube in a few weeks time.

Calidoscopio Sing for Richard and Anna's Wedding (26.6.2010)

Two members of Calidoscopio tied the knot on Satruday 26th June, and the band were delighted to paly a couple of tunes and also sing a wedding samba song we'd written specially for them both. We hope Anna's tears were of joy - we thought the song was pretty good! It was composed during two workshops that were held secretly, and we rehearsed it in the morning of the wedding.

Calidoscopio is 1 year old! (7.2.2010)

Calidoscopio celebrated its 1st Anniversary on 6th February 2010. We had a drumming workshop with Leon Patel which was brilliant. We learnt an afro-block inspired groove and a candomble inspired groove called congo. the surdo players particularly enjoyed lifting their surdos above their head to play. Our party at Derby West African Community Association was attended by over 100 people, including Nottingham School of Samba, Samba Cultura, Capoeira Art Brasil and Derby Cordao de Ouro capoeiristas. There were performances, and jamming sessions and plenty of dancing, including samba and maculele.

New Funding for Choirs Project (15.12.09)

Kaleidoscope Community Music has been awarded a grant from the BBC's Choral Ambition fund. The grant will enable us to offer a series of shape note singing workshops during spring 2010, leading to a concert showcasing the songs. The workshops will be led by local shape note enthusiasts Deb Allitt and Richard Talaska and will be open to anyone who would like to join in. The concert will also showcase Kaleidoscope Community Choir, our weekly singing group, which is also open to all. We are delighted to have won this grant, especially because only about a quarter or choirs that applied won an award. to find out which other choirs were awarded a Choral Ambition grant, visit The BBC's website

Calidoscopio perform with Cordao de Ouro capoeiristas (15.12.09)

Calidoscopio carnival drummers performed for the first time together with Derby's local capoeira group, on Derby Market Place on Saturday 12th December. Capoeira is a Brazilian artform which combines dance, combat, play, music and "energie". This was the first time that the Brazilian style drumming, played by Calidoscopio and capoeria had performed together in Derby.

Calidoscopio perform for Derby County Football Club (19.08.09)

Calidoscopio played while Derby County supporters walked from Derby Market Place to Pride Park for the first match of the season.

Calidoscopio to perform at Melbourne and Derby carnivals (09.07.09)

Calidoscopio are now booked to perform at two local carnivals, Melbourne and Derby.

Calidoscopio's first parade (04.07.09)

Calidoscopio played their first parade on 4th July for Derby Goes Pink. We were unexpectedly asked to perform on the stage when we arrived, because the electricity was not up and running yet, and we were the only group who could play an accoustic set. Jane Flewitt led the group for the first time, and the compere got us to play samba reggae while he sang Michael Jackson's "They Don't Really Care About Us".

Kaleidoscope Community Choir sing for Derby city Partnership event (23.06.09)

Kaleidoscope Community Choir sang for Derby City Partnership's visioning event. Delegates enjoyed hearing the choir sing as they entered the event.

Calidoscopio's first gig (19.04.09)

Calidoscopio played their first gig at Derby's 10K run on Sunday 19th April. We played Samba Reggae and Samba Funk for the runners as they passed. Loads of the runners waved, clapped and gave us the thumbs up, making us feel much appreciated. We were located opposite Quad, and runners could hear us from the bottom of Saddlergate. You can see photos of the event here

Calidoscopio starts with a bang! (07.02.09)

Calidoscopio, our new drumming group got off to a fantastic start. With 28 people attending, we had learnt to play a samba reggae with an intro by the end of the session. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. There is is still room for more people to join us, but please contact us to let us know you are coming so we can make sure there are enough drums!

Drumming Group Launches (19.01.09)

Our new carnival drumming group will start meeting on February 7th 2009. The group will meet every week on Saturday mornings from 10am to 12noon. The venue for February will be Derbyshire House, Sherwin Street, Derby. The venue for March and April will be Derby West Indian Community Association, Carrington Street. We have also booked our first whole day workshop with Holly Prest - a specialist in north Eastern Brazilian percussion. This will take place at The Waterfall, opposite Derby Train Station on 28th March from 10 til 5pm.

New Mailing List system - make sure you get the emails that you want (18.12.08)

Kaleidoscope Community Music has just signed up to a new email service so that you can get the news that you want about our workshops, groups and events. You should have received one email from this system already. Click through from that email to change your preferences and get the information that you want from us. If you are not already on our list you can sign up afresh Join Our Mailing List!

Kaleidoscope Community Choir to perform in January (18.12.08)

Kaleidoscope Community Choir will take part in Derby's Holocaust Memorial Day event on Tuesday 27th January 2009. We will sing two songs that relate to the theme for this year "Stand Up to Hatred", alongside other music, drama, dance and spoken word acts. For more information about the event visit the Holocaust Memorial Day website.

Drumming Group looking for a venue (18.12.08)

Kaleidoscope Community Music has now secured funding to buy a set of Afro-Brazilian drums, set up a regular drumming group, and run six one day workshops during 2009. We are now looking for a venue that can store our drums as well as host noisy drumming sessions without annoying neighbours. Ideally the venue will be easily accessible to people from around Derby, and have a nice accoustic for drumming. If you know anywhere suitable, please get in touch.