speech music festival

Lethbridge and District Music and Speech Arts Festival

 mark your calendars for our 2024 festival.

*For a detailed schedule that includes competitor names/repertoire/performance times, please purchase a Festival Program Booklet from CASA. Our Program Booklets cost $20.00 and grant the owner access to ALL Festival sessions and concerts*

MONDAY MARCH 11, 2024

School Band - Southminster United Church - 9:30am-12pm & 1pm-3pm

Pipe Organ - Southminster United Church - 4pm

Musical Theatre - CASA Community Room - 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm & 6pm-9pm

Accordion Ensemble - St. Augustine’s Church Sanctuary - 6:45pm

TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2024

Musical Theatre - CASA Community Room - 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm

Strings - St. Augustine’s Church Sanctuary - 1pm-4pm & 6pm-9pm

Contemporary Voice (with live band) - Owl Acoustic Lounge - 4pm-8pm

Senior Piano - CASA Community Room - 6pm-9pm

Community Band - CASA Stephure Hall - 7:30pm

Wednesday March 13, 2024

Contemporary Voice - Sterndale Bennett Theatre - 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm

Strings - St. Augustine’s Church Sanctuary - 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm

Senior Piano - CASA Community Room - 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm, 6pm-9pm

Festival Kickoff Concert - Southminster United Church - 7:00PM

Thursday March 14, 2024

Senior Piano - CASA Community Room - 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm

Instrumental Solo - CASA Community Room - 6pm-9pm

Friday March 15, 2024

School Band - Southminster United Church - 9:30am-12pm

Monday March 18, 2024

Speech - St. Augustine’s Church Hall - 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm

Tuesday March 19, 2024

School Choral - Southminster United Church - 9:30am-12:pm & 1pm-3pm

Classical Voice - St. Augustine’s Church Sanctuary - 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm & 6pm-9pm

Junior Piano - CASA Community Room - 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm

Junior Piano - Sterndale Bennett Theatre - 6pm-9pm

Wednesday March 20, 2024

School Choral - Southminster United Church - 9am-12pm & 1pm-3pm

Community Choral - Southminster United Church - 6pm-9pm

Classical Voice - St. Augustine’s Church Sanctuary - 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm

Guitar - CASA Community Room - 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm

Guitar Ensemble - CASA Community Room - 6pm-9pm

Junior Piano - CASA Stephure Hall - 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm

Thursday March 21, 2024

School Handbells - St. Augustine’s Church Hall - 9am-12pm & 1pm-3pm

Junior Piano & Composition - CASA Community Room - 9am-12pm

Friday March 22, 2024

School Choral - Southminster United Church - 9am-12pm

School Handbells - St. Augustine’s Church Hall - 9am-12pm

2023 Alberta Provincial Music Festival Results

Congratulations to all of our Lethbridge Representatives who performed at the 2023 Alberta Provincial Music Festival. For a full list of Festival results, click here !

2022 Annual General Meeting

The Lethbridge and District Music and Speech Arts AGM will take place

in the CASA Meeting Room on October 26, 2022 at 7:00.

This meeting is open to the public.

Access our AGM Agenda Package Here!

General Manager Announcement

Welcome to our new General Manager, Jaimee!

[email protected]

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Past Issues

Check out previous editions of our newsletter!

Wadebridge Festival of Music and Speech

2024 Festival Monday 26 February - Saturday 2 March

Our 2024 Festival has been a major success and I’d like to thank all who’ve made this possible, especially our entrants, young and old, their teachers, families and friends and all who’ve come to support our entertaining speech and music sessions.

Grateful thanks are also due to our Adjudicators  Rebecca Thompson (Speech) and Jeffrey Williams (Music) wise and constructive comments were well received by all.

It takes a huge amount of work over many months to hold our week long Festival and I’d also like to thank our wonderful Committee and Volunteers for all their efforts which have proved so successful.                                                               Chair Phil Blake

Gala Concert Friday 21 June 2024

Edmonton Music & Speech Arts Festival

116 years of Music & Speech Arts in the Edmonton Region

2024 Festival to be Held April 15 – May 1

The 116 th Annual  Edmonton Music & Speech Arts Festival   (formerly known as the Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival)  creates over 2,500 opportunities for over 20,000 music students, actors, musicians, and music lovers to perform in front of an audience and receive professional adjudication. Performances are FREE to attend. Choirs will run April 15-19; Bands will run April 22-26; the regular Solo Festival will run April 20 – May 1. Come out and see the stars of tomorrow, and help us celebrate over 100 years of Festival!

FESTIVAL DATES: April 15 – May 1, 2024

Festival-at-a-Glance

Festival Programme: Coming by April 7, 2024

PAYMENT DEADLINE: March 22, 2024

FEE SCHEDULE

Please note: CHOIR WEEK is April 15-19, 2024 and BAND WEEK is April 22-26, 2024

Did you know? Registration Fees only cover about 25% of expenses.

Feel free to support the Festival through our 48 in ’24 Fundraiser .

Schedules for Duets, Trios, Choirs, Bands, Chamber Music, and other groups only get sent to the teacher. Students should contact their teachers to see when they perform if they are in a group.

Performances (FREE Admission)

Performances will be held at MacEwan University – Alberta College Campus (10050 MacDonald Drive NW) , McDougall United Church (10025 101 Street NW) , the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre (8426 Gateway Boulevard NW) , and Archbishop MacDonald Catholic High School (14219 109 Avenue NW) .

The Edmonton Music & Speech Arts Festival acknowledges that we are on Treaty 6 territory, and that we are beneficiaries of this Treaty of peace and friendship signed in 1876.

In that spirit, we extend our hands and hearts to the Indigenous nations of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, as well as the Métis who have made Edmonton their home long before the building of our city — and to all Indigenous people who continue to make this city their home. We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples whose footsteps have marked these lands for generations, including the many places that you are joining from. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today and those who have gone before us. They have been great stewards of the land and incredible creators of art, music, life, and love. Our recognition of this land is an act of reconciliation and an expression of our gratitude to those whose territory we reside on, or are visiting.

Welcome to the website of the

Bromley (Kent) Festival of Music and Speech

The 2024 Festival Syllabus is now available

IMPORTANT NOTICE

VENUE CHANGES

Please note the revised venue changes as follows:

 SINGING                 9 & 16 March              Farringtons School

  CHOIRS                   8 & 15 March             Bromley High School

  PIANO                     23, 24 & 25 February  Bromley Parish Church

                                  1, 2 & 3 March  

  STRINGS                  2 & 3 March               Bromley High School

  WOODWIND/BRASS                                 St George’s Church

  & ENSEMBLES        25 February                Bickley Park Rd  BR1 2BE

  GUITAR                     3 March                     Bromley Parish Church

  HARP                         25 February     Bullers Wood School for Girls

  SPEECH & DRAMA  9 & 16 March           Farringtons School

  STAR AWARDS        24 March TBC

Please note the syllabus has not been updated at this time

Artists and speakers protest SXSW festival over defence sponsors, Gaza war

At least 80 acts and speakers have dropped out of the Texas event as part of a boycott against US weapons companies.

Dozens of acts scheduled to appear at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in the United States have withdrawn in an act of protest against sponsors with ties to Israel’s war in Gaza.

As of Wednesday, at least 80 artists and panellists have pulled out of the nine-day festival, citing the involvement of several weapons companies and agencies tied to the US Department of Defense, according to the Austin for Palestine Coalition, which helped organise the protest .

Keep reading

‘state of the union is genocide’: gaza protesters challenge biden speech, canada lifting freeze on unrwa funding after weeks of protests, criticism, thousands rally across iran to protest gaza deaths, slam israel and us.

The event, billed as a “convergence of tech, film, music education and culture”, is among the most prominent entertainment festivals in the southern US.

Taking place each year in Austin, Texas, the festival has been a launchpad for up-and-coming indie acts and filmmakers since its opening in 1987. This year’s festival will conclude on March 16.

But several artists slated to appear this year have withdrawn, in an effort to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.

“I have decided to pull out of my official SXSW showcases in protest of SXSW’s ties to the defense industry and in support of the Palestinian people,” musician Ella Williams, who is known as Squirrel Flower, posted on Instagram on March 4.

We are boycotting @sxsw pic.twitter.com/mGN7XeXlwr — Lambrini Girls (@Lambrini_Girls) March 9, 2024

The Austin for Palestine Coalition identified Williams as one of the first nine acts to withdraw as part of the protest.

Ibrahim Batshon, the founder of the BeatStars digital production company, posted a day later on social media that artists associated with his organisation would also boycott the festival, which attracted over 345,000 people last year.

He cited the involvement of Raytheon and BAE Systems, two of the companies involved in this year’s SXSW festival.

“Both of these companies manufacture and provide weapons to the terrorist state of Israel, whom is currently conducting an internationally condemned genocide against an occupied and besieged population of Palestinians,” Batshon posted.

The boycott, however, has since ballooned to include featured speakers like labour union organiser Chris Smalls and musicians like Buffalo Nichols.

The advocacy organisation United Musicians and Allied Workers has also thrown its support behind the protest, echoing its rallying cry on social media: “Warmongers have no place at SXSW!”

We will not be appearing at @sxsw festival. 👇 pic.twitter.com/nt5hEMH2GM — KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) March 10, 2024

In announcing its withdrawal this week, Northern Ireland hip-hop trio Kneecap highlighted the costs small acts would incur by missing the high-profile event.

“This decision will have a significant financial impact on Kneecap, both on lost income and on logistical costs already incurred,” the trio said in a statement. “But it isn’t an iota of hardship when compared to with the [unimaginable] suffering being inflicted every minute of every day on the people of Gaza.”

As of Wednesday, at least 31,272 Palestinians had been killed in Israel’s operations in Gaza, the vast majority of them women and children, according to local authorities. The fighting has left the enclave on the brink of famine , with human rights groups accusing Israel of slowing the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The administration of US President Joe Biden has continued to pledge political and material support to Israel, despite issuing stronger criticism of its military campaign in recent weeks.

“There are a lot of innocent people who are in trouble and dying,” Biden said last month. “And it’s got to stop.”

Governor responds: ‘Don’t come here’

The growing SXSW boycott effort, however, prompted a rebuke on Tuesday from Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

“We are proud of the US military in Texas,” he wrote on social media. “If you don’t like it, don’t come here.”

In late February, the Austin Chronicle also reported that SXSW organisers sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Austin for Palestine Coalition as they sought to rally support for the boycott.

The letter said the group had used trademarked SXSW art in their social media posts and threatened legal action, according to the news site.

Bands pull out of SXSW over U.S. Army sponsorship. Bye. Don’t come back. Austin remains the HQ for the Army Futures Command. San Antonio is Military City USA. We are proud of the U.S. military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here. https://t.co/t3RyQgLRKN — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 12, 2024

Still, the festival defended the artists who chose not to participate in this year’s festival, responding directly to Governor Abbott’s comments.

“SXSW does not agree with Governor Abbott,” SXSW wrote on social media on Tuesday. “We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech.”

In the same thread of messages, however, SXSW also attempted to justify its ties to the defence industry .

“The defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today,” the festival wrote in its statement . “These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives.”

The Austin for Palestine Coalition and the United Musicians and Allied Workers Union are set to host a protest show in Austin on Thursday.

• LISTEN AGAIN

The countdown has begun!

• The 2021 Festival takes place from 24th April to 1st May

The coundown has begun!

The Festival is almost here. Get your season tickets from the Villa Marina Box Office. Only £35 for the full eight days.

Welcome to the official home page of the Manx Music Festival (The Manx Competitive Music, Speech and Dance Festival to give it its full name) or “The Guild” as it is affectionately known on the Island.

Our next Festival will take place from 27th April to 4th May 2024 inclusive.

You can download a copy of the 2024 Syllabus from the link at the top of this page.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: 3rd February 2024 - we have no late entry option, so make sure you get your entries in on time!

Looking for copies of the poems for classes D9a or D9b? Struggling for T.E. Brown poems to choose for class D10? Then head over to the Culture Vannin website (link below). 

We are very grateful to Culture Vannin for their support for our Festival. To make things easier for you, Culture Vannin have created a dedicated Guild section within their Resources where you'll find the poem choices for this year for classes D9a and D9b, plus a selection of T.E. Brown poems so you can choose your poem for class D10. They've also added links to other websites for more T.E. Brown poems if you are looking for something Culture Vannin haven't uploaded to their site. Thank you to our wonderful Gaelg Adjudicator, Annie Kissack, for all her hard work for us, including working with Culture Vannin to create this new link.

Culture Vannin/Guild

New for 2024:

We have some new classes for 2024 including a class for Junior Performers who are in their Reception year at primary school. Little Stars is for any solo performer currently in Reception to give it their all for a two minute performance. That can be reciting a piece of prose, singing a song, dancing, playing a musical instrument, performing a short monologue. It's a non-competitive class; so all entrants will receive a certificate of achievement and a comments sheet from our adjudicator.

Details of all our classes, including new classes for 2024 can be found in our 2024 Syllabus .

We also have a new online entries system for 2024 and beyond! Run My Festival is an online system for festivals such as ours and has been developed by someone who used to organise and run a festival. So they know what's required. You can access the new system from the Enter Now link on the side of this page. 

We're always looking for people to join us as volunteers to help us with the Festival. If you would like to come and help and become part of our great team do get in touch with the Festival Secretary, Sandra Loach by emailing  [email protected] 

The Isle of Man has very strong musical traditions and since 1892, when it was formed, The Guild through its competitive nature, has provided motivation to improve, initially for choirs, followed by solo singing and later to a wide range of music, spoken word and dance. The climax of the Festival occurs with the competition for the Cleveland, Ohio (USA) Manx Society’s Gold Medal, donated annually by this organisation and competed for by the three highest marked ladies and three highest marked men from across the special solo classes held during the week.

The Festival is a member of the British and International Federation of Festivals.

The Festival is held annually in April at the Villa Marina on Douglas promenade. To see the range and size of competitions check out our results section.

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Welcome to St Austell Festival of Music & Speech

2023 festival 22nd november to 2nd december 2023, what’s on when.

We are an annual Festival to encourage the study, performance and appreciation of music and speech by affording amateur performers the opportunity of having their performances assessed by highly qualified Adjudicators, and above all, to enjoy performing.

Classes for School-Age

We aim for a fun inclusive Festival, celebrating the developing performance skills in both Music and Speech, in both classes for individuals and groups.

Classes for All Types of Instrument

We run classes for voice (spoken word and singing), strings, percussion, brass, woodwind, accordion, piano, electronic keyboards…. and if you can’t find the class you want, you can always ask for one!

Classes for Adults

We offer open classes for both individuals and groups ranging from small ensembles to choirs.

Classes for Everyone

From beginners to advanced performers, there is a class for every amateur!

Founded in 1948, we offer the chance to perform in a supportive environment .

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

Speech on Music

Speech on Music for Students in English

Music is quite vital in our daily life, it gives a background to different moods, different moments of life. Music helps the soul to rejuvenate, to find the purpose, this music somehow aligns with the soul and hence we feel so connected to the music. It brings joy and happiness to the life of a person. 

Beethoven, a dominant music figure, has rightly said music has the ability to change the world. Music helps us soothe both physically and mentally. Music is the best ailment, according to physicians.

Good Morning to one and all present here on such an auspicious occasion.

Today, June 21 we are celebrating World Music Day to upright the different forms of music and tunes which uplift our earbuds and soothe our soul. 

Just imagine, how would our life be without music? In my view, it would be a life without harmony, without a purified soul. Music is a pleasant flow of melody in the air, which changes with rhythm and with a systematic playing method. This is the skill or art which a musician qualifies in himself and this gives a soothing and cheerful musical performance for an audience.

Music is considered one of the greatest boons of God for all living creatures.  Music helps the sounds to get classified into a rhythm, which helps us to learn and practice music. Also, we can enjoy the harmony and the pleasant rhythm that is made by the musical sounds. The styles of music have changed in recent years drastically. To say there are six eras of musical history - Middle Ages, Renaissance, Classical, Baroque, Romantic music, and the current one in the twentieth century. Music is a common form of entertainment for everybody.

The dictionary meaning of music is a form of art of sound, that explains the ideas and emotions via the elements of rhythm, harmony, and melody. Music soothes our brain and nerves, it helps us to feel relaxed and also refreshed, this soothes our bodies and mind. It removes the anxiety and the stress level from our everyday life. Also, great physicians prescribe music dosage for our ears to heal better from the pain, music is excellent medicine. It is proven that women who are carrying children in their womb are given music therapy from the everyday rush and pain, this soothes their minds.  Music takes us into the world of melody which helps us in forgetting disturbing memories or thoughts.

Music revives the old memories. Music therapy is often considered a great way to solve bigger problems, stress-related issues, our emotions in our daily life. Music also helps the brain to function quickly and effectively and this allows calmness in our daily life schedule. Music helps doctors and psychologists treat their patients well. It helps to calm the patient’s state of brain and their behavior, it soothes the nerves and stabilizes the heartbeat of the patient. Music also helps those patients to recover from brain injuries. Music is a great way to activate our brain cells in different ways. This helps in healing the damaged areas which allows the people to regain their speech and their physical movement. Thus, music can take out people from stressful situations.

I want to end this speech by thanking God for such a gift, music. While if you have the skill to create music you surely have a gift to cherish forever. Also, I would love to thank those talented musicians, who with their beautiful melodies, supported my low times also helped me to celebrate in my good times.

2 Min Speech on Music

Once the famous Shakespeare said, “If music is the food of love, play on, give me excess of it; that surfeiting, the appetite may sicken, and so die.”

Good Morning Everyone present.

Today on this great occasion of World Music Day, I would love to enumerate the importance of music. Music is a quite pleasurable sound that is combined with melodies, and this helps to soothe the ear. A musician is such a person who knows music.

Music is of various styles. This is said that all sounds got the music. Starting from the sound of the waterfall, the sound of the ocean waves, or the simply flowing of the river have got harmony in themselves.

Music can heal a person emotionally and also mentally. Music serves as a form of meditation to quieten the mind. Music cures emotional disorders like anxiety, depression, and also lack of sleep called insomnia.

Music conveys many such emotions to the people. The power of music is inevitable. Without music, life would be very dull and boring, but with the music, even your bad times will sound perfect, as now you can align your emotions well, this, in turn, will help us to deal with bad times. 

For me, music uplifts the soul, energizes me. While I derail from the purpose music pulls me back on track. The word ‘music’ is as lovely as it serves. In the concluding part I would like to say, let the world heal with the melodies of music and let your life flow with the rhythmic cords of music.

10 Lines on Music

For any culture, music captures an essential part. 

Our country is known for its rich musical culture and diversity. 

India has different types of music, and here people have different music tastes.  

The northern part of India is famous for Hindustani music, while the southern part of India is famous for  Carnatic music.

Music can be of 2 types- Vocal music and instrumental music.

Gives us peace of mind. 

Music is played on every occasion. 

Music helps in the treatment of the patients.

To connect with the supreme being, the best way is through the help of music.

Without music, life would be lifeless.

FAQs on Speech on Music

1. How is World Music Day Celebrated?

World Music Day takes place on the 21st of June to honor all the musicians. Around 120 countries celebrate World Music Day by organizing free public concerts in various other public places. In 1982, there was a  music festival that took place in France called Fête de la Musique which later on was called World Music Day. This day honors budding and seasoned artists and allows them to showcase their accomplishments through their music. It also celebrates equality of opportunities in the world of music.

2. When was Renaissance Music Got Alive?

During the Renaissance time, Renaissance Music was written in European Countries. It saw the growth of new instruments, classical music as well as a burst of new ideas related to harmony, rhythm and music notation. During the 15th and 16th centuries, there was a rise in instrumental dances and the introduction of a wide range of classical music and different genres which also comprised masses, motets, madrigals, chansons, etc. By the 20th century, early musical ensembles came into form as Renaissance Music.

3. What are the Various Styles of Music in India?

Classical, Folk, Baul, Bhajan, Rabindra Sangeet are the different music styles in India. In India, there are two different forms of music. One is Carnatic Music which is associated with South India and the other is Hindustani Music which is played in North India. Carnatic Music is called Karnāṭaka saṃgīta and the lyrics of such songs are mainly devotional and dedicated to Hindu deities. The main features include raga and taal which are mandatory to be understood. Hindustani Music has four forms: Dhrupad, Khyal (or Khayal), Tarana, and the semi-classical Thumri.

4. What is the difference between Medieval and Renaissance music?

Unlike medieval music which comprised only vocals, Renaissance music included both instruments and vocals. The main instruments would be harps, flute, violin, etc. Medieval music was monophonic which in the later ages transformed into polyphonic. Renaissance music largely contained buoyant melodies. The Medieval period saw the beginning of music and by the time it reached the Renaissance era, the musical era was already developed to an extent with many music composers in existence like William Byrd and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.

5. Is Indian classical music difficult to learn?

Indian classical music sounds too complicated for easy listening. Although it is not difficult to learn, mastering the music forms, both Carnatic and Hindustani, is an uphill task. Unlike Western music which has fixed notes, a note played by two classical music instruments may not sound the same. There are no set compositions or fixed scales. Instead, there are ragas that form the musical framework. Rather than learning the melodies, Indian classical music focuses more on improvisation and there are multiple techniques involved for emoting certain emotions.

Artists' boycott of SXSW over Army sponsorship draws disapproval from Gov. Abbott

M ore than 80 performers and speakers have pulled out the South by Southwest festival due to its U.S. Army sponsorship — a decision event officials say they respect as free speech despite Governor Greg Abbott’s disapproval of the boycotts.

Festival coordinators took to social media on Tuesday to let followers know its stance after Abbott tweeted his displeasure with bands pulling out of the annual event hosted in Austin.

“Bye,” said Abbott on X, formerly Twitter. “Don’t come back. Austin remains the (headquarters) for the Army Futures Command. San Antonio is Military City USA. We are proud of the U.S. military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here.”

Abbott’s tweet prompted SXSW officials to share a thread of tweets standing by the Army’s sponsorship while supporting artists’ free speech.

FILM DEBUT:   'The Fall Guy,' a love letter to stunt performers, premieres at SXSW

“We are an organization that welcomes diverse viewpoints,” said SXSW officials on X. “Music is the soul of SXSW and it has long been our legacy. We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech.”

Ireland-based rap group Kneecap, originally slated to perform at the festival celebrating the “convergence of tech, film, music, education and culture,” made the decision to pull out in protest of the U.S. Military’s support of Israel in the ongoing war between Hamas.

HOT TOPICS: Duchess of Sussex, others on SXSW panel discuss issues affecting women and mothers

“It is done in solidarity with people of Palestine and to highlight the unacceptable deep links the festival has to weapon companies and the U.S. military who at this very moment are enabling a genocide and famine against a trapped population,” Kneecap said on X. “We cannot in good conscience attend an arts festival that has the U.S. Army as a super sponsor and is platforming RTX (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace and BAE Systems, the very companies that murdered 31,000 Palestinians over 21,000 of them women and children.”

The Austin for Palestine Coalition has a running list of those standing in solidarity with Palestinians by opting to not show up to the festival taking place now through March 16. The organization posts updates to its Instagram page. 

In a statement on X, SXSW said the “Army’s sponsorship is part of our commitment to bring forward ideas that shape our world” adding Collins Aerospace participated as a sponsor of two SXSW Pitch categories, providing entrepreneurs a chance for “visibility and funding for potentially game-changing work.”

SXSW officials on X expressed support for human rights, adding that the situation in the Middle East underscored the “importance of standing together against injustice.”

“Across the globe, we are witnessing unspeakable tragedies, the rise of repressive regimes and the increasing spread of violent conflict,” SXSW said on X. “It’s more crucial than ever that we come together to solve these greater humanitarian issues.”

• Manage Account

Mary J. Blige Brings Her Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit to New York City for 2024

50 Cent, Jill Scott, Muni Long and Lola Brooke are among the performers at the Mother's Day weekend event, May 10-12

By Gail Mitchell

Gail Mitchell

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Mary J. Blige

Cage the elephant back atop adult alternative airplay chart with 'neon pill', trending on billboard.

Founder Blige launched the Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit in 2022. In a release announcing its 2024 rollout, Blige stated, “I’m so excited to bring our Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit to my hometown, New York City, a place that has always been a huge source of inspiration for me. Having the opportunity to continue to uplift, inspire and build within my community is the reason I created this festival. I’m so grateful for all the support from our performers, attendees and, of course, our partners Live Nation Urban and Pepsi. Nobody does it like New York, so get ready.”

As before, Pepsi — the festival’s inaugural partner — will also bring back its popular Pepsi Dig In platform, featuring an array of food from local Black female restaurateurs.

In celebration of Women’s History Month (March), presale tickets will go live Wednesday and Thursday (March 6-7) with the code STRENGTH. General ticket sales will begin Friday, March 8, at 10 a.m. ET. For tickets and schedule, visit the event’s website .

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Blackburn Festival

Speech, music and dance.

On this page you will find our Mission Statement about our goals for the Festival; our Privacy Policy ; and our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy .

Mission Statement

We are Blackburn Festival of Speech, Music and Dance, founded in 1945, with the first festival being held in 1946. We  celebrated our 75th anniversary in 2020 and look forward to another 75 years. With this in mind, we have refreshed our mission statement.

Blackburn Festival is affiliated to BIFF

(British and International Federation of Festivals)

“To enable participation in the Performing Arts”

Blackburn Festival gives the opportunity for amateurs to form an appreciation of artistic standards; to perform in a state of the art venue, before a different type of audience; to participate in workshops and master classes; to be assessed, encouraged and inspired by active professional adjudicators they would not meet in any other way.

Every skill gained in preparing for and giving a performance is a valuable skill which will be used at job interviews, in the workplace, in leisure activities and interpersonal relationships throughout life.

Our Festival is entirely organised and run by volunteers, not just the Fest ival Committee, but also those who give up their weekends throughout the Festival days to ensure our performers have a good experience. Few realise the enormous amount of detailed planning which lies behind the Festival itself. Anyone who can take responsibility for organising a particular element of Blackburn Festival is most welcome.

Adjudicators educate and inspire greater appreciation of the work being performed both for the performer and the audience alike. We employ only BIFF affiliated adjudicators to ensure high standards are maintained just as the founders of Blackburn Festival intended over 75 years ago.

The Aims of Blackburn Festival

To celebrate and enjoy the performance of Speech, Music and Dance shown by all who take part in our festival;

To encourage and nurture all participants regardless of ability or background to ensure that they enjoy a warm and welcoming experience to help them grow in self confidence;

To highlight excellence and celebrate achievement by organising a public Festival to which professional adjudicators bring expertise, guidance and an educational aspect to the performers and audience;

To develop long lasting relationships with our greatly appreciated Patrons, Sponsors, Teachers, Schools, the Local Community and Friends of the Festival;

To continue in the footsteps of committees since 1945 to ensure that Blackburn Festival endures for many more years.

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Blackburn Festival Privacy Policy

We are Blackburn Festival of Speech, Music and Dance, Registered Charity No 222789, and affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals.

We may collect personal data such as, your name, address, date of birth, telephone number and email address when you contact us to be put on our mailing/emailing list, submit an entry or are a volunteer, friend or sponsor of our Festival.

We collect information in order to process and manage your entry, keep you updated about our events, send you syllabuses and timetables, process applications to join us as a volunteer, friend or sponsor, process donations, and respond to general enquires or complaints.

We will use your data only to manage your festival involvement with us. We will not share information with anyone else, except for HMRC for the purpose of reclaiming any Gift Aid donations. We do not use cookies on our website and will not use your information for any marketing purposes.

We will retain your information, securely, for two years after the last contact with you or until you ask us to remove it. You have the right to have your data deleted at any time.

You have the right to request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time. If you do so, or have any other queries about your privacy, please contact the General Secretary: [email protected]

Blackburn Festival of Speech, Music and Dance: Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

IMPLEMENTED FROM 24 APRIL 2004 - REVISED 2023

Full name of Organisation: Blackburn Festival of Speech, Music and Dance

Chair: Deborah Northin

Vice Chair: Neill Oldham

Treasurer: Neill Oldham

General Secretary: Anne Collingridge

Westholme Croston Theatre, Blackburn.

The safety of children and members of other vulnerable groups is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously, responded to swiftly and appropriately and all the trustees/organisers/staff volunteers of the Festival have a responsibility to report concerns.

Purpose and Function of the Organisation:

The festival provides a platform for amateur performers combined with an educational element from professional musicians/dancers/speakers.

The Festival Environment:

The Blackburn Festival is held in the Westholme Croston Theatre and the School and is run by volunteers. There are stewards on all doors to provide a safe environment for children attending the Festival and they are available to help when required. There is always more than one Steward in a room at any one time. The Festival is also a registered Charity.

It is the policy of our festival to inform and involve parents/guardians/carers and teachers in partnership in order to ensure, as far as it is reasonably practicable, a safe environment at our festival.

To Whom does this Policy Apply:

This policy relates to children under the age of 18 years and members of vulnerable groups of any age whose needs are identified to the festival organisers by parents, guardians, carers and teachers prior to their arrival at the festival. This should be done by contacting the address or telephone number at the foot of this document. Our festival actively seeks, wherever possible, to meet these needs, but must know beforehand in order to prepare support, or let you know we are unable to help.

Festival Personnel:

All personnel connected with the Blackburn Festival are volunteers, whose details are held by the committee.

This policy will be sent to all Festival volunteers before the start of the Festival to make them aware of the need to safeguard the children who are performing. Every helper is identified by a badge stating their position, and any queries can be answered by them or by a member of the committee. All jobs are reviewed to see if an enhanced disclosure from the DBS is required.

There is a private area where any concern may be expressed and every problem will be taken seriously, documented and dated.

Preparation for Attendance at the Festival:

All parents/guardians/and teachers should be aware of their responsibilities at the Festival.

This policy will be placed on the website, and a printed copy will be displayed on the Festival noticeboard. The supporting documents from BIFF used to formulate this policy will be available to download from the Festival website, and printed copies will be available on site on request.

All participants will be encouraged by the section secretaries to familiarise themselves with the policy before attending the Festival.

Where parents/guardians/carers are not personally attending with their children, this policy requires them to be satisfied that their children will be accompanied to the festival and adequately supervised by responsible adults acting on their behalf.

Performance and Changing Areas:

Children at the Dance Festival will have appropriate female, male and family changing facilities and the performers will be directed accordingly. The Festival volunteers are not responsible for these or any other public areas.

Photographs, Videotapes and Press Photography:

No photography of any kind is allowed at the Festival during performances in the Theatres. Still personal photographs are allowed in the public areas. Press photography may be permitted of trophy winners, at the discretion of the Festival committee and parents. This is stipulated in the syllabus and on notices around the halls.

The Legislation and Guidance that Supports This Policy: The Children Act 1989; The Police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1998; The Human Rights Act 1998; The Protection of Children Act 1999; The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000; The Children Act 2004; The Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Policy Review

The organisers will constantly review their policy, improving and enhancing it as necessary. In doing this they will contact the British Federation of Festivals who will look to other agencies for good practice, most notably the NSPCC and Arts Council of England for guidance.

All queries to the General Secretary, [email protected] ( 01772 321415 )

The following downloadable documents from BIFF have been used in the formulation of this policy.

Welcome to the Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama

Entries for the 2024 festival are now closed - thank you to all who have entered, and we look forwards to seeing you in march, syllabus – the syllabus for our 2024 festival is now available to view and download here., notes and lines, celebrating a century of the bedfordshire festival..

To mark this special centenary year of the Bedfordshire Festival, a commemorative book has been commissioned, giving a unique insight into the events and performances that have shaped the Festival’s 100-year history.

Buy now: Notes and Lines 100 Years of the Bedfordshire Festival of Music Speech and Drama | PayPal

The Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama

The Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama was founded in 1921 and provides a showcase for the wealth of talent in the amateur performing arts in Bedfordshire and the surrounding area. The Festival offers a wide range of classes for all ages covering most musical genres including Classical, Musical Theatre, Jazz and Asian music, as well as many varied Speech and Drama classes including Verse Speaking, Acting, Mime and Improvisation. It features categories for school groups, Special School groups, orchestras, wind bands, junior and senior choirs and group creative performance.

Run by a Committee of volunteers and a part-time Secretary, the Festival is a charity. The organisers are extremely grateful to the Festival's supporters, its Individual and Corporate Friends, for their financial support, without which the Festival would not take place.

The Festival takes place at the Bedford Corn Exchange during the first week of March each year.

The next Festival will take place in March 2024.

The Queens Award for Voluntary Service

On September 4th 2019, The Festival was awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service 2019, the highest accolade given to volunteer groups in the UK.

See articles from Bedford Today or Bedford Independent for more information

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Middle East latest: Explosion in Red Sea near Yemen; Biden backs US leader who said Netanyahu must go

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations has said a vessel has reported an explosion 65 nautical miles west of Yemen's Hodeidah. Meanwhile, Joe Biden has backed the US Senate leader who said the Israeli PM was an obstacle to peace and must go.

Saturday 16 March 2024 00:15, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• 'He made a good speech': Biden backs US leader who said Netanyahu must go
• Explosion in Red Sea near Yemen - report
• Israel warned by Germany over offensive in Rafah
• IDF claims armed 'terrorists' killed civilians 'looting trucks' - and criticises Hamas 'smear campaign'
• Group claims it was Israeli soldiers who killed at least 29 waiting for aid
• Alistair Bunkall:  Differences remain on ceasefire deal - but gap is narrowing
• Explained: What did Chuck Schumer say about Netanyahu?

We'll be back soon with all the latest updates on the Israel-Hamas war.

The families of hostages in Gaza have been marching in Tel Aviv today to call on the Israeli government to agree to a ceasefire deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been criticised by the families for prolonging the war instead of negotiating a deal.

Further to reports we brought you earlier of an incident 65 nautical miles west of Yemen's Hodeidah (see post at 8.48pm) we are now receiving more information.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has said the master of a merchant vessel reported an explosion a distance off the vessel's starboard beam.

"There is no damage to the vessel and the crew are reported safe. The vessel is continuing to its next port of call," UKMTO added in an advisory note.

Months of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to re-route to longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa, and stoked fears that the Israel-Hamas war could spread to destabilise the wider Middle East.

The US and Britain have carried out strikes against Houthi targets in response to the attacks on shipping.

Back to the offloading of aid in Gaza now and the World Central Kitchen has shared a video of cargo being offloaded.

The US-based aid organisation said almost 200 tonnes of rice, flour, proteins and more "arrived by sea earlier today".

It has said a second vessel is preparing to set sail from Cyprus with "hundreds more tonnes of food".

The UK Maritime Trade Operations has said it has received a report of an incident 65 nautical miles west of Yemen's Hodeidah.

Authorities are investigating the incident, the UKMTO said.

Today we have been reporting on Israel's approval of a potential ground operation on the Gaza city of Rafah.

But global allies and critics alike have urged Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off attacking Rafah, for fear of mass civilian casualties.

Looking at the move, our  military analyst Sean Bell  has said the region is "packed" and "dense".

"How an earth you can do a military operation and differentiate between where Hamas are, where the civilians are and even where the hostages are? It would be a nightmare," he said.

"And if they were to do airstrikes, which has been part of what the IDF have been using, it would have devastating consequences for the people on the ground."

You can watch Bell's full analysis here...

The White House has expressed cautious optimism about a proposal from Hamas on a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal.

The proposal has been presented to mediators and the US and includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving live sentences.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the proposal was "certainly within the bounds in broad brush strokes... of the deal we've been working on now for several months".

"We're cautiously optimistic that things are moving in the right direction but that doesn't mean that it's done," Mr Kirby said.

After Israel approved plans for a Rafah military operation, our  Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall  has said it is unlikely that a operation will happen imminently.

He said the Israelis have "always been clear" about their military operation in Rafah and argued they need to do that in order to dismantle Hamas's infrastructure and gain a victory. 

"They have never wavered from that," he said.

"The Israeli military have been drawing up plans about how that would work and how they would evacuate the people who are now in Rafah."

But Bunkall noted this is "not going to be a simple task".

He added: "It may be a credible plan in America's eyes but it will be difficult to implement.

"I think it will take time so I don't think we are looking at an imminent ground invasion of Rafah."

He went on to say the announcement of a ground operation in Rafah was Israel's way of showing "they are going to keep military pressure up".

As detailed here earlier, reports in Israel suggest Benjamin Netanyahu has approved plans for military operation in Rafah, where more than one million people in Gaza have fled after being previously ordered to do so by Israeli authorities.

The plan would reportedly include people being evacuated from Rafah itself, despite large swathes of the enclave having been devastated by Israeli bombardments.

While Germany has been largely supportive of Israel throughout its military operations since 7 October, it's foreign minister issued a warning following the latest reported development.  

"A large-scale offensive in Rafah cannot be justified," Annalena Baerbock said.

"Over a million people have sought refuge there and have nowhere to go.

"We need a humanitarian ceasefire now, so that the dying ends and the hostages are finally released."

It comes after US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Washington had not yet seen a clear and implementable plan for how civilians would be protected in the event of an Israeli offensive in Rafah.

The IDF has issued an update on the aid ship from Cyprus, which in the last few hours arrived in Gaza.

They said the ship contained 130 pallets of humanitarian equipment and 115 tonnes of food and water, which were transferred to 12 World Central Kitchen trucks and accompanied by IDF naval and ground forces.

"The vessels and goods underwent comprehensive security inspection," the IDF added.

They also emphasised that "the delivery of humanitarian aid does not affect the maritime blockade". 

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Justin Chadwick to Chair Jury for Sony Future Filmmaker Awards – Film News in Brief

Creo has announced the jury for the 2024 Sony Future Filmmaker Awards.

Director Justin Chadwick serves as chair for the second year in a row. He is joined on the jury by Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, co-founders and co-presidents of Sony Pictures Classics; cinematographer Rob Hardy ASC, BSC; cinematographer Kate Reid BSC; cinematographer Robert Primes ASC; and Australian filmmaker Unjoo Moon. 

In the first step of the adjudication, Primes and Moon will choose 30 films to make up the shortlist. Barker, Bernard, Hardy and Reid will subsequently decide on the category winners for the year, honoring creative excellence and original approaches to narrative. Chadwick will chair both stages; the 30 filmmakers on the shortlist will be revealed on April 23. A four-day workshop will take place for shortlisted competitors in late May, and winners are announced on May 30.

For more details on the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, visit here .

Criterion Collection Announces June Releases, ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ Leads the Pact

The Criterion Collection has announced its slew of June releases, comprised of digitally enhanced classic films upscaled to 4K ultra-high definition.

“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” Terry Gilliam’s feverish psychedelic odyssey starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, leads the pact in a collection that will also include “Bound,” Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s hyper stylish, sapphic heist thriller; “Querelle,” a depiction of gay desire from Rainer Werner Fassbinder; “Victims of Sin,” a vibrant Mexican musical-melodrama-noir from Emilio Fernández; “The Underground Railroad,” Barry Jenkins’s monumental reimagining of American history through the eyes of an enslaved woman and “Blue Velvet,” David Lynch’s vision of innocence lost.

Physical copies of Criterion Collection’s films can be found at most major retailers.

Location Managers Guild Sets Award Timeline

The Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) has announced their awards timeline.

The LMGI Awards, set for Aug. 24 will spotlight and honor filming locations in setting tone, revealing character and enhancing the storytelling narrative. Additionally, the LMGI Awards honor film commissions who have gone above and beyond during the scouting, pre-production and production of specific projects.

Productions that were first released between June 2, 2023, and June 1, 2024, with at least 60% of the production shot on location are eligible. Nominations will be announced on Monday, July 1st, and winners are announced at the LMGI Awards on Saturday, August 24th. Submissions are open to LMGI members and non-members alike.

Key entry and voting dates for the 11TH Annual LMGI Awards are: March 13 Entry Submission Period Opens May 6 Entry Submission Period Closes June 2 Online Voting for Nominees Opens June 11 Nominee Voting Closes July 1 Nominations Announced July 14 Final Voting Opens July 23 Final Voting Closes

Outstanding Location Awards will be presented in the following categories: Contemporary Film, Period Film, Contemporary TV, Period TV, TV Serial Program/Anthology/Limited Series, Commercials and Film Commissions. Honorary Awards include the Humanitarian, Lifetime Achievement, Trailblazer and Eva Monley Award.

SignLight Film Festival to Showcase Global Community of Deaf Filmmakers

The first SignLight International Film Festival will take place in Hollywood from April 16-20, featuring Deaf filmmakers and creatives from around the world. Actor-director-producer CJ Jones is behind the event, which has also drawn support from Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, Shoshanna Stern, Craig Mazin, Rosie O’Donnell and Andreas Deja.

Screenings will include “Silent Rhythm,” “Not Another Deaf Story,” “Speak in a Whisper” and “Being Michelle.”

“Too often, hearing people misappropriate the stories and roles of people who are Deaf, only to seek out their assistance to help them create a facsimile of their lives. Authentic representation requires authentic participation behind as well as in front of the camera. Our festival offers the industry a ‘how-to manual’ that illustrates models of successful Deaf/hearing creative collaborations, best practices, innovative Deaf/hearing communications solutions and a contact roster of the best Deaf talent in the world,” said Jones.

Also supporting the festival are Deanne Bray, Millicent Simmonds, Nyle DiMarco, Shaylee Mansfield and Keivonn Woodard. The event will also feature a performance by American Sign Language (ASL) hip hop star Matt Maxey aka Deafinitely Dope.

For more information, go to the festival’s website .

‘Wild Rescue’ Documentary Planned From Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network

The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network and filmmaker Ian Shive have announced the upcoming documentary “Wild Rescue: A Second Chance at a Wild Life,” which will be presented in IMAX.

Per the film’s description, “’Wild Rescue’ offers audiences a vivid exploration of SBWCN’s pioneering work in wildlife rehabilitation, featuring the newly built, state-of-the-art wildlife hospital that stands as a beacon of hope for over 3,500 animals annually. Through breathtaking visuals, the film captures the essence of the Santa Barbara region, including Channel Islands National Park and its vibrant marine life, while spotlighting the dedication of veterinarians, volunteers, and community members who work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured or abandoned wildlife back into their natural habitats.”

The full-length documentary is expected to release in spring 2025, with Ian Shive directing and executive producing. Shive said, “The place we all understand and interact with the most is the one we call  home . By actively participating in efforts to improve our individual communities we have a fighting chance to greatly improve our entire planet, one neighborhood at a time.”

Discover more about the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network here .

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