Monday 25 November 2013

Live Friday at The Ashmolean Museum


Songwriters Circle
The lovely Ashmolean audience
Friday night was Live Friday at the Ashmolean and I had been asked to play the Songwriter’s Circle in the hall of statues.  The place soon filled up and was one of the busiest Live Friday events I’ve attended due to the overspill from the Christmas light celebrations in St Giles.  Despite the crowds we had an attentive audience in the hall and it was such a pleasure to sing in a room with some great natural acoustics.  My fellow performers and I took it in turns to talk about and then play a song, which is the format of the songwriters circle usually hosted in the Port Mahon.  I had the opportunity of taking part in one earlier this year and wrote about it here.  One of my very favourite bands, The Black Feathers, were playing and as we went round in turn it became a running joke that the songs were growing sadder as the night progressed.  By round two the challenge was to play something cheerful and we all rose to this challenge until Steve Adams exclaimed, “Right, I’m going to bring it back down again” (video below).  Despite the dropping temperature in the room and the relentless lament of each performer, the atmosphere was charged, and the audience stuck with us until the bitter end.  Probably my favourite gig of the year so far.  Thanks to the Ashmolean, the Songwriters Circle and all who watched and enjoyed.
 

Steve Adams at the Ashmolean Museum from Tamara Parsons-Baker on Vimeo.

Friday 8 November 2013

Noel Tamara's Parties #12

All Tamara's Parties #12 is set to be a unique night of music and poetry in the beautiful surroundings of Somerville College Chapel featuring:

Candy Says
Count Drachma
Ben Walker
Tamara
Caroline Bird
George Chopping

Somerville College have very kindly invited me to host an ATP Christmas gig in their stunning Chapel. This event is open to all and a great opportunity to see one of the most beautiful Colleges in Oxford and enjoy a great...
night of local music. The College’s Terrace bar will be open from 6.00pm for anyone who wants to arrive early for a tipple or two. Mince pies and mulled wine will be available as well as a range of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks including tea and coffee.

The audience are asked to arrive through Somerville's Porters Lodge on the Woodstock Road and meet in the Terrace Bar. At 7.30pm you will be greeted and taken over to the Chapel. Children are welcome at this event but must be accompanied by an adult. 


For more information and to purchase tickets go here.