- D
- B
As many of you know I've been running AMA-UK since 2014 and doing conference with songwriting workshop days since 2016. For the past two years I've been trying to organise a song writing workshop that works with the Hackney community we parachute into. And I'm excited to say that for 2020 we have a wonderful couple of days planned with 6 Hackney OAPs, from a group called The Hackney Elders and 6 AMA-UK members who are going to pair up to write songs about the Elders lives growing up in London. We have some awesome people involved and the wonderful Cecil Sharpe House have partnered up with us so we are doing it there.
I want to add that the idea came about because I realised that most creative projects are aimed at young people and elderly are often forgotten in our society, but they too are creative and want to be involved in these types of projects - they do not all want to just sing along to "we'll meet again" and other cliches.
The original plan was to make a documentary film of the workshop to share at our annual conference and for the Elders to have a keep-sake, for themselves and their families. We applied for funding for this, but sadly yesterday I found out that the application was unsuccessful.
The workshop takes place next week (14th & 15th) so time is not on our side: the film crew are all booked and ready to go, so I need to raise this money urgently.
I really hate to do this but I now turn to you, my friends and the Americana community, to see if you could chip in any amount to try and see if we can go ahead with this project that is so dear to my heart.
I would hate to see the songwriting project happen and not be recorded on film.
AmericanaFest UK really is fuelled by love and commitment from so many people. In return for any contribution you can afford you will be named on the film credits: 'This film was made possible by the generous help of...'
I think most of you know I the work we do for the Americana Music scene is all done on a shoestring. These creative inclusive projects are the reason I keep going and stay motivated. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me keep the faith.
(Read more about the Songwriting with Elders project .)
I want to add that the idea came about because I realised that most creative projects are aimed at young people and elderly are often forgotten in our society, but they too are creative and want to be involved in these types of projects - they do not all want to just sing along to "we'll meet again" and other cliches.
The original plan was to make a documentary film of the workshop to share at our annual conference and for the Elders to have a keep-sake, for themselves and their families. We applied for funding for this, but sadly yesterday I found out that the application was unsuccessful.
The workshop takes place next week (14th & 15th) so time is not on our side: the film crew are all booked and ready to go, so I need to raise this money urgently.
I really hate to do this but I now turn to you, my friends and the Americana community, to see if you could chip in any amount to try and see if we can go ahead with this project that is so dear to my heart.
I would hate to see the songwriting project happen and not be recorded on film.
AmericanaFest UK really is fuelled by love and commitment from so many people. In return for any contribution you can afford you will be named on the film credits: 'This film was made possible by the generous help of...'
I think most of you know I the work we do for the Americana Music scene is all done on a shoestring. These creative inclusive projects are the reason I keep going and stay motivated. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me keep the faith.
(Read more about the Songwriting with Elders project .)
Organizer
Stevie Smith
Organizer