Singing a New Song: Swinging into Summer Fundraiser for Phil
Well how is everyone? Thanks to Covid, the throwaway "how are you?" question has now become the first stumbling block to any conversation, right! ..LOL!
Like many of you, I'm sure, I'm finding myself in a phase shifting sands and continuous recallibration as the pandemic continues. A little like losing our North Star but then, in my case, wondering if that is my star to follow?
I think perhaps losing my hearing for a second time last year just as the pandemic really intensified prompted me into having to confront in a more truthful way to myself, the impact and limitations of albinism and my visual impairment. I really couldn't leave the house (without extreme stress) as I discovered my sight to be insufficient to navigate safely in this screened and barriered Covid world. (Well I couldn't see barriers, and if they were pointed out, I couldn't hear!) I realised how indispensable my hearing (and very sensitive hearing to boot) is to my independence, never mind for singing.
It all prompted me to think much more about disability rights, access, inclusion, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Sensitive to the marginalisation of disabled people, I had already begun doing what I could to integrate inclusion in my work.. audio description for the RHA, the collaborative arts project with Create, the song with children for Cruinniu na nOg last ... and was delighted to be nominated as one of the PUSH+ artists with the Ark for the Creative Europe's Different Bodies Lab..
But over the last few months, the need to speak up, speak out and to challenge intensified ... which is what I've been doing. Speaking out attracted a group of artists and academics to me .. and I'm very excited to say, I'm one of the founding artists of DADA Campaign for Human and Cultural Rights.I believe Art and Academia can be powerful agents of change.
DADA = Disabled Artists and Disabled Academics but of course harks to the most positive aspect of the subversive DADA movement after WW1 pretty much a centenary ago.!)
You only have to think, how many disabled people do you know? How many in full employment? How many do you know who are thriving? Maybe I'm the only disabled person that you know! And if that's true, that's not your fault at all, rather it speaks to the many complex barriers, systemic and physical, to full participation and contribution to society by disabled people.
The other issue of course is disclosure... sure I'm only speaking out now! People are very afraid to disclose their disability and its implications for fear of being treated differently.
Well, I'm finding my voice within all this... as an artist within disability rights activism. It's a new song for me .. and I don't know when I get it right or when I get it wrong.... Please be patient!
On the subject of the power of art ......
from 3pm TODAY!!!!!
Swing Into Summer Virtual Jazz Concert
in Aid of the Fund for Phil
I'm sure many of you now will be aware of the sudden serious illness suffered by Phil Ware last year. It has been a deep shock to the jazz community. Phil Ware the Piano Powerhouse who Presides over the Keys, teacher, mentor, bandleader and pivotal artist of the jazz scene needs all the help he can get to support his recovery. As musicians we're doing what we can, by doing what we do.
It's going to be rainy all day, so close the curtains!! get yourself a nice bottle of red wine, a candle or two, sit back and enjoy a great jazz concert from some of the best there is, with a special appearance of Mary Coughlan and support
Swing into Summer Virtual Concert.
Tickets and info: https://www.thefundforphil.com/events/swing-into-summer.html
Warm wishes to you all,
Emilie x