i've just returned from the marvellous, inspirational place that is the Glastonbury Festival. So many artists, all doing what they're best at, in a temporary city which magically arrives just before the summer solstice on farmland in the West Country and just as mysteriously disappears a few days later - fantastic. Highlights for me were:
... Down at the front for Amy Winehouse on the Jazz/World stage - what fabulous musicians she has assembled - it was truly a joy.
... Stumbling across The Black Eagles in the Circus tent - a group of acrobats from Tanzania - slick, strong and very entertaining
... Missing Lily Allen because we were on the top of a ferris wheel - sorry to miss Lily but what a fantastic view of the festival!
... Discovering that ventriloquism can be really funny (that was a surprise) when I saw Nina Conti and her monkey in the Cabaret tent
... Watching everyone contributing to an enormous mural by Hugh Jart (geddit?!)
And of course the mud. lots and lots of mud.
All of which sets me thinking about the Malawi Arts Festival ... the organising group met last time I was in Malawi and I think there is the potential for it to be a vibrant and exciting event which will make everyone sit up, get out and participate. Funding is slowly coming in and the ideas are flowing thick and fast. Watch this space for developments...
