walks in the continuous field with Dylan Bolles

This online program offers guided sound and movement scores for harmonizing self and other in collaboration with the more-than-human world.

Join any time until 28th January 2023. You will gain access to online resources and support through Basecamp.
Session Dates (optional attendance by Zoom):
Saturday 19th November 2022
Saturday 10th December 2022
Saturday 28th January 2023

Overview
walks in the continuous field is an environmental sound, breath and listening practice designed to help humans cultivate a social relationship with the more-than-human world. It combines written prompts, explanatory and inspirational writing, media, and collective workshop experiences to create a community of learners and makers committed to greater harmony with our lived environment.

walks in the continuous field is also an ongoing collaborative research project that asks questions about our collective role in the wider life of the planet. What makes us human? What is the relationship between systems that oppress animals and plants and similar oppressive structures that constrain and damage humans? Can the rift that separates our social lives from the social life of nature be repaired and by what processes? walks in the continuous field will be a living document, library and resource for all of its participants as we navigate these and other questions together.

Philosophy of Action
The reflective process of art-making brings us into conversation with our materials and methods, and ultimately with our own core values and beliefs. By centering the more-than-human world within an artistic process, we effectively turn the lens both outward to the larger environment, and inward to confront the nature of our own participation and being-in-common with the larger reality of our lived environment. The outcomes which arise from these processes can be both powerful and unpredictable. In Dylan’s life, it has set him down a path that he now feels compelled to follow, even though he sometimes finds himself reluctant to walk it as he clings to old ways and comforts.

Structure
walks in the continuous field runs as a rolling series of three month blocks. The subscription includes access to all project materials, including chat and message support in the Basecamp environment, and admission to a monthly workshop. Workshops will initially be held on Zoom with the possibility of in-person or hybrid events to follow. Course materials will be adapted and expanded as the research develops and there will be opportunities for motivated students to form research groups of their own to explore particular topics. Dylan is eager, for instance, to launch a focus on bird sounds and behaviour when the opportunity arises. Where are your interests? This is a great place to come and find out

Take-Away Benefits:
Dylan’s intention in developing this course is to provide tools towards the cultivation of deeper human relationships with the more-than-human world. In addition, this course is an opportunity to assemble a committed group of humans to share experiences, challenges, revelations and hopes as they arise in this process, and to provide important feedback on how to best communicate these new/old ideas. Lastly, this course is designed to open out the many aspects of sound energy at work in our daily interactions and to strengthen our uses of this energy in our music, speech, listening and other day to day activities.

Music Hotline- phone calls for over 50s who are housebound & digitally excluded

What is it?

The Music Hotline is a free music phone call service for over 50s living in Trafford and Wythenshawe, who are not able to access social or creative activities in person.

The service aims to support connections, self-expression and creativity. Through regular music phone calls with a professional musician, residents can explore their favourite music, sing and write lyrics or poems based on their interests.

The music phone calls are particularly designed for people who are socially isolated, have low mental wellbeing, are housebound or don’t access the internet.

This is not a befriending service, it is an opportunity for individuals who struggle to engage in other services or activities to build confidence, self-expression and explore their creativity.

How does it works?

Once a referral is made through this form, a member of the String of Hearts team will then make contact with the person accessing the service to get to know them, explain how it works, and confirm the date/ time that a musician will phone them.

A String of Hearts musician will then phone the individual at the agreed time. Their phone call will last approximately 30 minutes, taking the form of getting to know each other, chatting about music they like, and singing favourite songs together with the musician playing their instrument.

The individual can join in by listening, singing, or using items around their house to make sounds such as tapping a table! They can also write lyrics based on thoughts and topics that interest them, and the musician can help them make a personal playlist to listen to at home.

At the end of the phone call, the musician will ask brief questions about the individual’s experience, to inform our evaluation. The musician will also ask if they’d like to book a further phone call in. We expect each individual to have up to six phone calls, but this will be subject to availability of the service and level of need.

Music-making sessions for older adults

String of Hearts invites over 50s to get involved with free music-making sessions in Trafford and south Manchester. The sessions involve exploring your favourite music, singing, playing simple instruments and writing songs based on topics that interest the group. Members enjoy having a relaxed, creative time together which focuses on building connections between neighbours and expressing thoughts and ideas. The sessions are led by String of Hearts friendly, professional musicians, and no prior musical experience is required to participate.

The Art of Listening – December’s Half Day Retreat with Will Crawford

A half day mindfulness through music retreat to attune, listen and care for your wellbeing.

Join me for a half day on Sunday, 18th December 2022 [10 – 3] for a mindfulness through music retreat where we shall develop our listening skills through the practice of guided musical meditations to focus and centre our mind. Through an exploration of traditional mindfulness exercises we will spend time refining techniques to help with stress, anxiety and relaxation. We will explore expressive musical exercises exploring the voice, breath and body. We shall spend time exploring and discussing musical ideas, styles and theories continuing to deepen and influencing our approach to music. With our caring and supportive community, we shall continue to discuss and share ideas to help build a world-wide network of artful listeners.

Fed up with zoom and online courses? Don’t want to spend your Sunday all day on zoom? I get it, that’s why this course is designed to support an amount of time where you are not looking at the screen. Mindfulness meditations can be done with the eyes relaxed away from the screen or closed; we will be listening to music with the invitation to close the eyes or look away from the screen, I will also be inviting you to take a ‘mindful walk’ half way through the day to ensure we’re not sitting down all day.

A simple guide to the day:

10am – 11am: Introduction to mindfulness through music
11am – 11.10am: Tea break
11.10am – 12pm: Further practise
12pm – 12.45pm: Lunch [with a mindful and musical twist]
12.45pm – 1pm: Re-group
1pm – 1.30pm: A mindful walk
1.30pm – 3pm: Further practise and closing

This course requires no experience in meditation or musical understanding, simply an open-mind and open-heart. We shall create a safe space to share, discuss and communicate through the ancient language of music. I look forward to exploring the infinite world of music with you.

Take-Away Benefits:
* A deeper understanding of mindfulness through music
* Relaxation techniques
* Better control over stress and anxiety
* Heightened focus, awareness and energy
* Connection to a welcome and open network

Event Image by Ray Hennesy
Practitioner Image by Joe Marsh

Songs and Scones

Live Music Now’s Songs & Scones concerts are a great opportunity for older people to come together and share an enjoyable afternoon in the company of Live Music Now musicians. Expect songs from West End shows, well known folk tunes, popular songs and light classical music. Each informal concert will be followed by a cup of tea, scone and a chance to chat and make new friends.

Events take place second Friday every month

To reserve a free place, telephone Medway Libraries: 01634 337799 or visit a library in Medway and ask staff to book a place for you.