The Clapham Festival of Music and the Arts
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The Clapham Festival of Music & the Arts (Cla'am Fest) was created to organise annually in Clapham, a festival for music and the arts, promoting education and fostering community spirit and service in Lambeth.
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"Art should make us feel more clearly and more intelligently;
It should give us coherent sensations that we otherwise would never have . . .
that is what market culture is killing . . .
Art stripped of everything but its market value.
If art can't tell us about the world we live in, then I don't believe there's much point in having it. That is something we're going to have to face more and more as the years go on; that nasty question which never used to be asked because the assumption was always that it was answered long ago: what good is art? What use is art?
What does it do? Is what it does actually worth doing?
And
An art which is completely monetarized in the way that it is getting these days
is going to have to answer these questions or
it is going to die."

- Robert Hughes, "The Mona Lisa Curse"

"Engaging with music and the arts is one of the most important things we have in life. Performing a piece of music and listening to it with an open mind can tell us many things about the world and ourselves. If people can reach mutual understanding and even harmony ove a work of art in this world of conflict and despair, this gives me hope and encouragement that we reach with the arts where we can't get with words and politics alone."
- Daniel Barenboim

michael Pardoe, Andrew Headford and Graham Lawder-stone add merriment to a delightful evening of Gilbert & Sullivan. Click to enlarge photoOn Tues. June 29 - Cla'am Fest Presented Live At The Festival - "Gilbert and Sullivan Remembered" - Carole Watson, Sarah Tyler, Michael Pardoe, Andrew Headford, Graham Lawder-Stone, Phillip Tyler presented solos, duets and ensembles from the well loved operettas by the famous Victorian collaborators. Fully costumed and choreographed, this event was a lively and romantic evening to remember. St. Paul's Church saw a very special highly polished production that gave everyone pleasure, including the cast, who were obviously enjoying the evening as much as the happy audience. If you weren't there you missed a gem right here in Clapham!

 


Click image to enlarge photo

More pictures from the festival................................................................

Stage performance action. stage performance with audience photographer stage with dancers
dancing on stage dancing girl on stage
dancing on stage to the music dancing and singing on stage stage happening

Click images to enlarge photo

The Clapham Grand is a grand venue. We will see more events here in future.

The Grand venue the Grand sign on outside of building. box seating at the Grand
the Grand looking up at a box seat a box seat gargoyle a box gargoyle front on
a Grand box chandelier the stage comedy nite
the audience the audience stalls  from above
audience Stalls from above
The audiences were delighted.

Rob Dearing at Comedy Nite charity for VSO Rob Dearing as the Queen Mum Rob Dearing with guitar
Rob Dearing was a high point of the comedy evening. Well done, Rob! Thanks for being a great sport!
click images to enlarge pictures

 

Stephen Bennett in rehearsal for Mozart's opera, Clemenza di Tito, with Basset hornThe Basset horn, a member of the clarinet family, which in the present case also utilises the soprano clarinet mouthpiece best, was in fact, W. A. Mozart’s favorite instrument(s), along with the normal clarinets. The most poignant, telling passages and voice of Mozart himself in the ”Requiem” were intentionally given to and written for the Basset horns. In his last opera, ”La Clamenza di Tito”, arguably the best music of the whole work are the two arias with Basset horn and Basset clarinet obbligato. They were written for and played by Mozart’s best friend, Anton Stadler, (a master of Basset horn as well as clarinet and bass clarinet) who accompanied Mozart on his last journey to Prague for the world prémière in 1791. Stadler designed (with help from Theodor Lotz, 1748-92) a lower joint for the clarinet to extend the range down 4 notes (D#-Eb, D, E#-Db and C). At the same time, Mozart was beginning his last great work, the Clarinet Concerto in A Major, while inspiring, teaching and advising his pupils, F. X. Sussmeyer, Joseph Eybler and Anton Eberl, to write concertos for the Clarinet as well.

Stephen Bennett , March 2000 rehearsal, playing the wonderful instrument with the magical, beaufiful sound designed and made by the great American/ English inventor, mathematicion, musician and engineer. Edward "Ted" Planas.

 

 

 

 

Photo of Stephen Bennett shaking hands with David Hoyland at the successful completion of the first performance of Hoyland's Rhapsody for Clarinet and orchestra Stephen and David post concert another pic of Stephen and David post concert
The successful prémière performance of Hoyland's Rhapsody for Clarinet and orchestra. David Hoyland conducted his work with Stephen Bennett as soloist and dedicatee. Cla'am Fest will be a lively platform for new music, theatre, art and community spirit.

 
A selection of paintings for sale by Stephen Bennett:
For further information contact us. - click image to enlarge -

Stephen Bennett's painting of Kendo with Clarinet
Stephen Bennett likens the battle to exist as a clarinettist and musician in a profession where success depends exclusively on people pulling strings - to the honour and discipline of the heroic Samurai who struggle heroically against all the odds. Title: "Kendo With Clarinet". Ink and alalyine dyes drawing by Stephen Bennett.

Watercolour painting of Holy Trinity Church on Clapham Common painted  by our Artistic Director, Stephen Bennett
Holy Trinity church on Clapham Common is one of the festival venues that is away from traffic which makes it ideal for family activities.
Watercolour by Stephen Bennett.

Portrait painted by Stephen Bennett  in the style of an 18th century Western Saloon Bar nude of Patricia Woody, one of the last surviving descendants of America's "Robin Hood", namely Jesse James Patricia Ann Woody is one of the last living descendents of the famous Oaklahoma train robber, Jesse James, who was the peoples' champion, fighting against the rape of the land by the United States railroad companies and banks. The last remaining "loot" of the "James Gang" put Ms. Woody through college. This 6' oil was created by Stephen Bennett.

Photo at dusk of Mount St. Michel off the coast of Normandy, France, taken by Stephen Bennett "Mount St. Michel at Dusk, as seen from the sea" in Normandy, France, was built by the Benedictine Order, the same people who designed and constructed St. Michael's Mount just across the channel at Marazion, Cornwall. Photo by Stephen Bennett.

Watercolour  of the Band Stand on Clapham Common, painted by Stephen Bennett
The bandstand on Clapham Common is in desparate need of restoration and renovation in order to prevent it from immenent collapse. Only £15,000 is needed to save this historic monument. That's the average cost of a domestic kitchen, but it has been sitting derelect for over 3 years and the community is being prevented from using this valuable Community Service tool!
Watercolour by Stephen Bennett

Royalty Free selection of photos: A selection of photographs of Historic Clapham by Stephen Bennett.

 
A series of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest. 2nd of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest. 3rd of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest.
4th of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest. 5th of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest. 6th of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest. This one shows the colourful graffitti of the derelect structure
7th of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest. This shows the wire fence surrounding the structure 8th of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest.This one and end shot 9th of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest. Another end shot.
10th of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest. A raking shot from the end, showing the ugly barrier fences.

11th of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest. This a close up of the very large and  bright orange padlock at the front of the barrier fence, keeping everyone out

These series of photographs of the Clapham Orangery - the last remaining structure of the Henry Thornton estate (Clapham Common South Side) - are by Stephen Bennett, our Artistic Director. The padlocked fence symbolises the very real wall that still exists today between culture and the community. In fact, this "brick wall" has grown much bigger, thicker, and impregnable, due to the lack of community spirit and service exemplified by the "haves" and "have nots". This wall is much more dangerous than any "Berlin Wall" or "Isralie Wall" could ever be. The Orangery will be restored and used as an important venue for a number of Cla'am Fest events and be returned to proper community use and pleasure.

12th of 12 photographs taken by Stephen Bennett of the Orangery at the Notre Dame Estate. The Orangery is the last vestige of the Stately Home of Sir Henry Thornton and may become one of the most popular venues for Cla'am Fest. Another close-up of the very large and  bright orange padlock at the front of the barrier fence, keeping everyone out...except the graffitti artists of course!
 
 


Scene from the new Don Giovanni production.

Mozart's "Don Giovanni", a new production by Cla'am Fest and Porcupine Studios. June 2003.

For further information contact us. - click image to enlarge -

 
 

Clapham Common clock tower and underground station. The dome at Clapham Common Underground station a closer look at the clock tower.
Clapham Common's historic Underground station (Northern Line) and clock tower

fishing at Eagle Pond on Clapham Common A poster for the August Bank Holiday Fun Fair on Clapham Common A fisherman on Clapham Common, hard at work!
Clapham Common is full of fun for everyone!

A fisherman's tent at Eagle Pond.
the barrier fence around the Band Stand in the middle of the Common. Another view of the Band Stand barrier fence, now since removed. a photo of the Bandstand in situ with TarMac asphalt surround.
A prettier shot of the Bandstand. another photo of the Bandstand Yet another leafy photo of the lovely, historic Bandstand.
The questionable Cafe Bar structure next to the Bandstand. Another photo of the questionable Cafe Bar structure next to the Bandstand. This one with motorcar parked beside the cafe-bar. The questionable Cafe Bar structure next to the Bandstand. Front view.


or is it???

Another view of the Cafe-Bar. Another view of the Cafe-Bar. Yet another view of the Cafe-Bar.
And another from a distance of 30-40 yards. Another distant view of the Cafe-Bar. The Bandstand in February 2004 at 6pm just after it snowed.
snow at the Bandstand-Feb 2004

Another view of the Bandstand in February 2004 at 6pm just after it snowed. Photographs by Stephen Bennett
This is the site (adjoining the historic Band Stand) that Cla'am Fest proposes to be used for the happy design & construction of the Clapham Arts Centre (see sponsorship and fundraising page document for more information, or download the document here). Not one inch of the common will be encroached upon. The same boundary ground plan of the existing (ugly) structure would be used. None of the trees would be felled either! The view across and through the common will not be disturbed. Encorporating a theatre - library - concert hall - restaurant, and retaining the Clapham Chess Club would be one of the main venues for the Clapham Festival of Music & the Arts. No roads or commercial vehicle access would be allowed to be built which would disturb the important peaceful tranquility of Clapham Common. Having great vision, this important project is a major opportunity that any sponsor would be proud to be part of. An architectural design competition might be set up in an effort to create monumentally lasting and beautifully aethestic architecture.

 

1 of 4 photographs taken of the sadly short-lived Clapham Market. 2 of 4 photographs taken of the sadly short-lived Clapham Market. 3 of 4 photographs taken of the sadly short-lived Clapham Market.
4 of 4 photographs taken of the sadly short-lived Clapham Market. Clapham High Street continues to grow and develop, showing that there is considerable interest in commerce in the area. The Clapham Market (Aug 2003) was only a few weeks old when lack of community spirit guaranteed it's demise.

Photo of Eagle Pond in late summer. Fisherman at work on Eagle Pond in late summer Eagle Pond viewed from the South West.

Eagle Pond is home to several species of birds and fish as well as grasses. Herons visit regularly, as do fishermen! It's a sanctuary !

Close up of a fisherman at Eagle Pond. The wild wet grasses at eagle pond with a fisherman in the background in front of his tent. Another close up of a fisherman at Eagle Pond.

Plaque on building at Clapham Common honouring Zachary and Thomas Macaulay.
Was Macaulay (1768-1838) the last philanthropist to ever exist and live in SW4 London?

The Clapham Public Hall on Clapham High Street. Close-up of The Clapham Public Hall on Clapham High Street.
RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) seem to have exclusive private rehearsal studios on Clapham High Street.
Many do not realise that this building belongs to the people. This was once Clapham Public Hall! (It still says so in very large letters [removed but still readable] on the building!) Should we, the people re-claim this public building which, in all truth, still belongs to us? Or, should we continue to ignore and waste it?

Cla'am Fest Logotype and Trade Mark symbol. A greek colum with Doric capital. The words "CLA'AM FEST" stacked on top of the column as if on a plinth.

For further information contact us. - click images to enlarge

 
     
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