Coming soon - TRADITIONAL SONG WORKSHOP



image source: Langmore 1998

Traditional Yiddish, Polish and Scottish song workshop at Rozelle

 

Sunday 3rd August, 3 pm

Rozelle House

The Maclaurin Galleries

Rozelle Park

Ayr, KA7 4NQ.

 

Join our workshop and learn traditional Polish, Scottish and Yiddish songs.

All welcome! We will sing songs that are easy to pick up. You don't need to be able to read music.

If you think you can't sing - come anyway and enjoy the atmosphere and get inspired by the artworks in the Gallery!

The workshop is free. Reserve a place by emailing maclaurinfestival@gmail.com 

or just join the event on Facebook HERE.

Simultaneously, we will hold a tree drawing workshop for children and there will be a prize for the best coloured chalk drawing on the courtyard flagstones.

Grand opening

Thank you to all who joined us on Sunday for the opening of 'Cultural Connections'. The event was a great success and we were delighted to welcome such a great group of people.

We started with a talk by Judah Passow who told us about his journey to portraying British Jewish identity.
photo by Claire Maxwell

photo by Claire Maxwell

David Glasser officially opened the exhibition.
photo by Claire Maxwell

The audience.
by Iain Forrest Photography

Amiel Schotz spoke about his father, Benno Schotz.
photo by Claire Maxwell

Lauren created Hannah Frank's timeline
(photo by Claire Maxwell)

Angela and Maria - two interns who've helped to curate the exhibition
(photo by Claire Maxwell)

Fiona Frank - Hannah Frank's niece and champion
(photo by Claire Maxwell)

Dianne Gardner - curator of 'Cultural Connections' chatting with Amiel Schotz and Cherna Crome,
son and daughter of Benno Schotz.
photograph by Iain Forrest Photography 

There was plenty of delicious refreshments.
photo by Claire Maxwell

And some delightful Klezmer tunes played by Celter Schmelter.
photo by Claire Maxwell



And there was plenty of time to contemplate the artworks...
photo by Claire Maxwell

A visitor admiring art of Josef Herman.
photo by Iain Forrest Photography

Contemplating works of Benno Schotz.
photo by Iain Forrest Photography

Once again, thank you to everyone who participated in the opening of 'Cultural Connections'.
We hope that this perfect beginning heralds the success of future events during the festival.

Cultural Connecitons opening and private view

The opening reception for the exhibition is in just a few days, on Sunday 27 July.
It begins at 2pm with a talk by photographer Judah Passow,
and there’ll be Klezmer music by the wonderful Celter Schmelter.
If you would like to come email us at maclaurinfestival@gmail.com
and we will send you back an invitation by return.
We look forward to seeing you there!

The exhibition runs from Sunday 27 July to Sunday 21 September 2014.

 

Celter Shmelter
photo by Ben Watson

 

Celter Schmelter Klezmer Trio have been forging a path since 2004 in the recently evolving Scottish klezmer scene, bringing alive Yiddish dance music at festivals, weddings, barmitzvahs and gigs around the country. 

Celter Schmelter Klezmer Trio are Gica Loening Fiddle, Fin Loening Guitar, Jen Hill Double bass. Their exquisite and heartfelt renditions of Eastern European Jewish wedding music famously evoke that unique sense of ‘laughter through tears’ – happy sad music reminiscent of the traditional village wedding band. 

Judah Passow exhibition

OPENING TODAY!

Judah Passow
Photographic Exhibition
13th July - 7th September

Local primary school pupils visiting Dundee Synagogue, from Judah Passow's
Identity and Belonging: a photography exhibition on Scottish Jewish Life      

Acclaimed documentary photographer Judah Passow has spent the last year photographing inside Scotland’s Jewish community, travelling across the country - from the Shetlands to the Borders - producing a portrait that captures the complexity and diversity of the Scottish narrative of Jewish life at the beginning of the 21^st century.

Cultural Connections

The life behind 'Cultural Connections'

March 27^th 2014 was the day when we all met for the first time.

We went to Ayr by train and on the way everyone was introducing themselves
and we all were immensely excited.

Marzanna, Fiona, Angela and Maria on the way to Ayr.

Claire documenting the whole process of making the festival happen.

 

And when we entered the Rozelle Estate’s gate the park looked just beautiful.
The Gallery’s white walls were basking in the shy early spring sun, grass and trees
shimmered with shades of green, the air was cool and fresh… It felt the right place to be.

Dianne and everyone whom we came across made us feel welcomed and valued.
We were shown round the Galleries, the House and went for a walk in the magnificent park.
It was a pleasant and highly productive time.

Our first visit to the galleries.

A stroll in the park.

 

On the way back to Glasgow we were even more excited than in the morning.
We were all thrilled and eager to immerse ourselves in the festival work!

We started reading more in depth about the artists whose works will form our exhibition.
Angela and Maria began their thorough archiving work in search of precious undiscovered materials; Lauren devoted herself to creating images for the new Hannah Frank website; Marzanna felt in her element cooperating closely with Dianne and Fiona to plan the events calendar, and Claire was always around with her camera documenting this making of an exhibition.

It all made perfect sense. That’s probably why Fiona Frank wrote later, inspired by another meeting:

“Very happy about the five amazing women working with me to bring the name of Hannah Frank even more to the fore - they all say they're doing their 'dream jobs'!!! - curators Maria Simou and Angela Short (Maria is also doing social media, carrying on after the great work of Elly Griffith-Ward, and Angela is also doing archiving), events organiser Marzanna Antoniak, photographer Claire Maxwell and illustrator Lauren Stephanie Pass spent the day with four of them on Monday at the Maclaurin Gallery - watch out for a fabulous exhibition starting July 2014.”

Angela at work.

Planning in progress. After countless draft versions we now have
the final festival programme with a variety of events for you to choose from!

 

This is where we are so far. It still makes perfect sense, especially as the close proximity of the Festival makes it feel very real now. 

Festival Programme

OPENING WEEK

 
 

 Sun 27th July                 Opening and Private View

Maclaurin Gallery, 2pm – 5pm

 

Mon 28th July                         
A talk and tour of the Josef Herman Exhibition by Sarah MacDougall, Research and Curatorial Fellow
at the Ben Uri Gallery in London. 2 pm, Gallery 3

 

Weds 30th July              
A celebration of the work of Hannah Frank, including a talk and personalized tour of the exhibition
with her niece and champion Fiona Frank, and showing of the film “Hannah Frank, The Spark Divine”.
7 pm, Gallery 2

 

Thurs 31st July             
Weekly guided tour of the exhibitions. 11 am, meet in Gallery 2.

 

Sun 3rd August              Enjoy an Afternoon at Rozelle
Close observation: a ranger led walk in the park.
1.30 pm, meet in the Courtyard.

 

Tree drawing workshop for children: prize for the best coloured chalk drawing on the courtyard flagstones, 3 pm.

 

Singing workshop – a chance to learn traditional Yiddish, Polish and Scottish songs. 3 pm, Rozelle House.
*Booking required. 

FAMILY WEEK

 

Tues 5th August             

Story telling session: myths and legends about trees for the whole family.

Led by Alasdair Taylor. 11am, meet in the Courtyard. *Booking required.

 

Thurs 7th August                   

Weekly guided tour of the Exhibitions. 11am, Gallery 2

Sun 10th August             Enjoy an Afternoon in the Park      

Family picnic in the park. Bubble machines and kites welcome!
Bring a picnic or buy refreshments in our tea shop.
Games and competitions with prizes.
Test your knowledge of family trees – join our quiz. 12 pm onwards

 All welcome to join our traditional Klezmer, Polish and Scottish dance workshop at 3pm. 

 

WRITING WEEK 

 

Mon 11th & Tues 12th August            

Creative Writing Workshop. Join this inspiring two day workshop led by Donna Moore
of the Glasgow Women’s Library. The workshop will be based around the theme of trees.
10.30 am - 4 pm. Meet at the reception desk in the House.
*Booking required. 

 

Thu 14th August                              
Weekly guided tour of the exhibitions. 11am, Gallery 2

 

Sun 17th August             An Afternoon and Evening in the Park
Poetry writing workshop. Explore a variety of poetic forms and techniques
and bring your family history alive in verse.
1 – 4 pm, meet in the Courtyard.
*Booking required. 

 

Tree dressing – we invite children and adults to help us dress
one of the Rozelle’s magnificent trees in your colours and dreams.
4 pm, meet in the Courtyard.

Multilingual poetry reading - a unique poetic happening at Rozelle.

6 – 8pm, meet in the Courtyard.

ADULT ART WEEK
 

Mon 18th August                    

Painting in the Park. 10.30 – 4pm, meet in the Courtyard.

Tues 19th & Weds 20th August

Two day stained glass workshop with Leona Stewart inspired by the art of Hannah Frank.
E-mail Leona at ianandleona@hotmail.com for full details.
12 noon – 4 pm, meet at the reception desk in the House.
*Booking required.

Thurs 21st August            

Weekly guided tour of the exhibitions. 11 am, meet in Gallery 2.

Silk screen printing workshop with David Farrar based on the work of Hannah Frank.
1 – 4 pm, meet at the reception desk in the House.
*Booking required.

iPad art workshop with Jonathan Adamson.
Come along and learn how to create artwork
in the style of Hannah Frank on your iPad.
Beginners welcome! 1 – 4 pm, meet in the Courtyard.
*Booking required.

Sat 23rd & Sun 24th August       Ayr Flower Show at Rozelle Park

 

MUSIC WEEK 

 

Weds 27th August                   

All welcome to join our traditional Klezmer, Polish and Scottish dance workshop!
Two sessions at 4 pm and 7 pm. Wellington School Hall, Craigweil Road, Ayr

 

Thurs 28th August                        
Weekly guided tour of the exhibitions. 11 am, meet in Gallery 2.

Singing workshop – a chance to learn traditional Yiddish, Polish and Scottish songs.
7 – 9 pm, Rozelle House. *Booking required.

Sun 31st August             Enjoy an Afternoon in the Park      

Dancing in the Park: Klezmer, Polish and Scottish dance workshop open to everyone.
The workshop starts at 2 pm and will be followed by a music and song session
for local musicians and singers and all who want to join in.

1st – 19th September – SCHOOL WEEKS AT THE MACLAURIN
Schools and youth groups please contact us at maclaurinfestival@gmail.com
or call 01292 443708 for full details.
 

Sun 7th September    ‘The Making of an Exhibition’

Photography by award-winning photographer Claire Maxwell,
documenting the process of work on Cultural Connections and activities
during the festival. Opening reception, 2 – 4 pm, Gallery 1. All welcome.       
 

The Scottish Jewish Archives Centre (SJAC) and SCoJeC, the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, present a conference: 

JEWISH LIFE AND JEWISH ARTS IN SCOTLAND, 1914-2014.

Sunday 14^th September, 12 noon to 4.00 p.m

(includes gallery tour): Jewish Life in Scotland

Monday 15^th September: 10.30 am – 5.00 pm

(includes gallery tour): 19^th and 20^th century Jewish artists – and Jewish music.

Sessions include:

SUNDAY:  

"The history of the Jewish Community in Ayr", a presentation by Harvey Kaplan,

Director of the SJAC; 

Being Jewish in Scotland": a presentation on the Scottish Government funded inquiry

carried out by SCoJeC.

MONDAY: 

The story of refugee artists Hilda Goldwag and Marianne Grant; 

Film showing: "Hannah Frank, The Spark Divine" (2008)

and a talk by Sarah Thomas, director of the film; 

 Conversations with contemporary Jewish artists who have made Scotland their home. 

*Free, booking required. E-mail: maclaurinfestival@gmail.com, tel: 01292 443708.

Ask for a full programme at the Gallery or see www.scojec.org

 

Sun 21st September                       Closing Event

Kosher lunch in Gallery 1 at 12.30 pm followed by “Klezmer, Baroque and Tartan: A Jewish Musical Odyssey”
- a concert of baroque gypsy music, classical Hebrew songs alongside traditional Scottish folk tunes
with a hefty amount of foot-stomping Klezmer with the Adrianne Greenbaum Quartet.
Tickets £20, available from the Gallery or by phone: 01292 443708.

Last chance to participate in a guided tour: 3pm – 5pm. Free – just turn up!



* to book a place at events marked by an asterisk contact us at maclaurinfestival@gmail.com or call 01292 443708. 
** for updates on all events go to our festival blog: www.maclaurinfestival.blogspot.co.uk, email: maclaurinfestival@gmail.com    
or join our Facebook group: 'Cultural Connections': Celebrate Art in Ayr in summer 2014
*** all events are FREE except the buffet and concert on 21^st September