Here is the third in Becki Cole's series of blogs about the time she spent in Malawi at vinspired Lake of Stars back in October ...
I was made up to find out that Cantmixwontmixshldntmixdontmix, a group of 5 DJs that work extensively in the Liverpool area, are also charitably minded: Bobby spent 8 months volunteering here in Malawi, teaching in Nkata Bay, and Jazzbo was keen to re-visit and help in any way he could after playing Lake of Stars in 2007. As a group they’ve done plenty of charity work before, supporting C.A.L.M. and Oxjam.
They brought two suitcases full of pens to Malawi, and another one is on it’s way with a friend who’s coming to volunteer in January - they were excited about donating them to a nearby school project they regularly support. The lads are clued up about responsible donating, as Jay Jay said: “It’s so important for people to support sustainable projects, not to just give meaningless handouts.” Chris had seen where aid is vitally needed first hand - he’d been in Mangochi hospital as a patient himself! “It’s been a rollercoaster: absolutely amazing one minute, in hospital seeing the horrors the next. It’s a big eye-opener!”
Mr Paul, who played the Beach Bar on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights, clearly loved the country and the festival and everything it stands for, choosing to come out here for 4 weeks to really get a feel for the place. He enthused: “I love the great music, the good people.”
Geoff from SixAM raved about Lucius Banda, Black Missionaries and Body, Mind and Soul, calling the festival “awe-inspiring. There’s so much talent here, on and off stage. You only need to look around for 10 seconds and you see something that challenges or excites you.” I can’t think of a better way to describe Malawi as a whole to be honest! He also played Lake of Stars last year and is so smitten with the country that he talked of moving here one day: he dreams of setting up a dance, drama and music school: “there’s too much talent going to waste and not enough opportunities to improve here – I’d love to give people that opportunity.”
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities on vinspired.com
Words by Becki Cole
Showing posts with label Festival 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Festival 2009. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2009
Letters from the Lakeside, Part 3 ...
Here is the third in Becki Cole's series of blogs about the time she spent in Malawi at vinspired Lake of Stars back in October ...
I was made up to find out that Cantmixwontmixshldntmixdontmix, a group of 5 DJs that work extensively in the Liverpool area, are also charitably minded: Bobby spent 8 months volunteering here in Malawi, teaching in Nkata Bay, and Jazzbo was keen to re-visit and help in any way he could after playing Lake of Stars in 2007. As a group they’ve done plenty of charity work before, supporting C.A.L.M. and Oxjam.
They brought two suitcases full of pens to Malawi, and another one is on it’s way with a friend who’s coming to volunteer in January - they were excited about donating them to a nearby school project they regularly support. The lads are clued up about responsible donating, as Jay Jay said: “It’s so important for people to support sustainable projects, not to just give meaningless handouts.” Chris had seen where aid is vitally needed first hand - he’d been in Mangochi hospital as a patient himself! “It’s been a rollercoaster: absolutely amazing one minute, in hospital seeing the horrors the next. It’s a big eye-opener!”
Mr Paul, who played the Beach Bar on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights, clearly loved the country and the festival and everything it stands for, choosing to come out here for 4 weeks to really get a feel for the place. He enthused: “I love the great music, the good people.”
Geoff from SixAM raved about Lucius Banda, Black Missionaries and Body, Mind and Soul, calling the festival “awe-inspiring. There’s so much talent here, on and off stage. You only need to look around for 10 seconds and you see something that challenges or excites you.” I can’t think of a better way to describe Malawi as a whole to be honest! He also played Lake of Stars last year and is so smitten with the country that he talked of moving here one day: he dreams of setting up a dance, drama and music school: “there’s too much talent going to waste and not enough opportunities to improve here – I’d love to give people that opportunity.”
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities on vinspired.com
Words by Becki Cole
I was made up to find out that Cantmixwontmixshldntmixdontmix, a group of 5 DJs that work extensively in the Liverpool area, are also charitably minded: Bobby spent 8 months volunteering here in Malawi, teaching in Nkata Bay, and Jazzbo was keen to re-visit and help in any way he could after playing Lake of Stars in 2007. As a group they’ve done plenty of charity work before, supporting C.A.L.M. and Oxjam.
They brought two suitcases full of pens to Malawi, and another one is on it’s way with a friend who’s coming to volunteer in January - they were excited about donating them to a nearby school project they regularly support. The lads are clued up about responsible donating, as Jay Jay said: “It’s so important for people to support sustainable projects, not to just give meaningless handouts.” Chris had seen where aid is vitally needed first hand - he’d been in Mangochi hospital as a patient himself! “It’s been a rollercoaster: absolutely amazing one minute, in hospital seeing the horrors the next. It’s a big eye-opener!”
Mr Paul, who played the Beach Bar on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights, clearly loved the country and the festival and everything it stands for, choosing to come out here for 4 weeks to really get a feel for the place. He enthused: “I love the great music, the good people.”
Geoff from SixAM raved about Lucius Banda, Black Missionaries and Body, Mind and Soul, calling the festival “awe-inspiring. There’s so much talent here, on and off stage. You only need to look around for 10 seconds and you see something that challenges or excites you.” I can’t think of a better way to describe Malawi as a whole to be honest! He also played Lake of Stars last year and is so smitten with the country that he talked of moving here one day: he dreams of setting up a dance, drama and music school: “there’s too much talent going to waste and not enough opportunities to improve here – I’d love to give people that opportunity.”
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities on vinspired.com
Words by Becki Cole
Monday, December 7, 2009
Volunteer profile - Globe Jam, London
Why did you get involved in vinspired Lake of Stars?
We wanted to visit a new country and do singing while we were there and heard about vLOS through a friend who said it was a brilliant event. So we thought volunteering at the festival would be a great opportunity to try and put a performance together with audience members who were there to have a good time anyway!
What did you do?
We rounded up as many willing people as possible to be involved in our singing workshops with the aim of performing on the main stage at vLOS by the last day. Watch our video below to see what happened!
In the UK we: Prepared our vocal workshops and did our own vocal arrangements of a few songs that we planned to teach for the performance. We also spent some time promoting what we would be doing and tried to get some early recruiting in for willing participants.
In Malawi we: Spent the evenings and mornings approaching people to let them know what we were up to and then ran our vocal workshops in the afternoon. Often people were too hung over to even consider getting involved but we managed to get a good group together eventually and made a lovely sound singing 'Feeling Good' by Nina Simone.
What next?
Now we are back in London, we hope to set up a choir who will perform at events we are going to run to raise money for all the youth groups and organisations we visited in Malawi following the festival, including; Bola Moyo, FOMO, Story Workshop and Open Arms. If you would like to volunteer your time and join the choir, contact us at globejam@myspace.com.
Would you recommend volunteering to other young people?
Definitely. There is so much to learn in any field you are interested in and it is a great way to meet the right people who can give you advice and point you in the right direction of what to do next.
Tommy & Sarah attend the vinspired Lake of Stars Festival where they round up audience members to be involved in their vocal workshops. Watch & see if they manage to get everyone together for the final performance on the main stage.
Tommy & Sarah visit the Bola Moyo Youth Centre in Balaka where they meet a lovely bunch of cockroaches! Watch to see the girls teach this talented group of children three Globe Jam vocal arrangements.
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words, photos and videos by Tommy Ludgate and Sarah Grace
Volunteer profile - Globe Jam, London
Why did you get involved in vinspired Lake of Stars?
We wanted to visit a new country and do singing while we were there and heard about vLOS through a friend who said it was a brilliant event. So we thought volunteering at the festival would be a great opportunity to try and put a performance together with audience members who were there to have a good time anyway!
What did you do?
We rounded up as many willing people as possible to be involved in our singing workshops with the aim of performing on the main stage at vLOS by the last day. Watch our video below to see what happened!
In the UK we: Prepared our vocal workshops and did our own vocal arrangements of a few songs that we planned to teach for the performance. We also spent some time promoting what we would be doing and tried to get some early recruiting in for willing participants.
In Malawi we: Spent the evenings and mornings approaching people to let them know what we were up to and then ran our vocal workshops in the afternoon. Often people were too hung over to even consider getting involved but we managed to get a good group together eventually and made a lovely sound singing 'Feeling Good' by Nina Simone.
What next?
Now we are back in London, we hope to set up a choir who will perform at events we are going to run to raise money for all the youth groups and organisations we visited in Malawi following the festival, including; Bola Moyo, FOMO, Story Workshop and Open Arms. If you would like to volunteer your time and join the choir, contact us at globejam@myspace.com.
Would you recommend volunteering to other young people?
Definitely. There is so much to learn in any field you are interested in and it is a great way to meet the right people who can give you advice and point you in the right direction of what to do next.
Tommy & Sarah attend the vinspired Lake of Stars Festival where they round up audience members to be involved in their vocal workshops. Watch & see if they manage to get everyone together for the final performance on the main stage.
Tommy & Sarah visit the Bola Moyo Youth Centre in Balaka where they meet a lovely bunch of cockroaches! Watch to see the girls teach this talented group of children three Globe Jam vocal arrangements.
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words, photos and videos by Tommy Ludgate and Sarah Grace
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Letters from the Lakeside, Part 2
This is the second in the series of Becki Cole's review of the vinspired Lake of Stars experience in Malawi last month ....
Clearly passionate about the charitable ethos of the festival, The Maccabees made the most of their short stay by visiting the Microloan Foundation to see how the proceeds of vLOS benefit Malawi. They also showed a keen interest in the work I’m doing for Malawi Volunteer Organisation - although I think I scared them with some of my stories: even in just my first few days at the hospital I saw so many people sufferung from malaria, some of whom will sadly never recover.
I’m working with a number of really worthwhile projects in the Monkey Bay area. The malaria project literally saves lives by distributing mosquito nets and spraying the interior walls of houses with anti-mosquito chemicals. Working at the overstretched and underfunded Monkey Bay hospital is incredibly challenging but so rewarding, it’s so encouraging to know that the work we do there is simple but highly effective. Our HIV/AIDS groups are a vital source of support and education for those suffering with the condition, and we do whatever we can to overcome the stigma that still surrounds the illness. The Home Based Care program is also an essential service with which we teach local volunteers basic healthcare. This allows them to work like local doctors, reducing the amount of villagers making unnecessary, costly and scary trips to the hospital. There is widespread yet unsupported mistrust of hospitals here as so many believe the people who are admitted will not make it home again. I love the work I’m doing here, I feel really privileged to be able to do it, and I LOVE Malawi but it was nice to have a little taste of home with a British-run festival and some western music. However, I’ve got to admit it was a little surreal to see so many ‘mazungus’ (‘white people’ in Chichewa) all in one place!
Clearly passionate about the charitable ethos of the festival, The Maccabees made the most of their short stay by visiting the Microloan Foundation to see how the proceeds of vLOS benefit Malawi. They also showed a keen interest in the work I’m doing for Malawi Volunteer Organisation - although I think I scared them with some of my stories: even in just my first few days at the hospital I saw so many people sufferung from malaria, some of whom will sadly never recover.
I’m working with a number of really worthwhile projects in the Monkey Bay area. The malaria project literally saves lives by distributing mosquito nets and spraying the interior walls of houses with anti-mosquito chemicals. Working at the overstretched and underfunded Monkey Bay hospital is incredibly challenging but so rewarding, it’s so encouraging to know that the work we do there is simple but highly effective. Our HIV/AIDS groups are a vital source of support and education for those suffering with the condition, and we do whatever we can to overcome the stigma that still surrounds the illness. The Home Based Care program is also an essential service with which we teach local volunteers basic healthcare. This allows them to work like local doctors, reducing the amount of villagers making unnecessary, costly and scary trips to the hospital. There is widespread yet unsupported mistrust of hospitals here as so many believe the people who are admitted will not make it home again. I love the work I’m doing here, I feel really privileged to be able to do it, and I LOVE Malawi but it was nice to have a little taste of home with a British-run festival and some western music. However, I’ve got to admit it was a little surreal to see so many ‘mazungus’ (‘white people’ in Chichewa) all in one place!
It was pretty overwhelming and really encouraging to be around so many people passionate about doing their bit to try and improve the lives of those less fortunate. The brilliant vinspired and LOS staff, the acts and artists on the lineup, and a decent percentage of the punters attending the festival were all in the country to donate their time and energy in order to raise funds for the excellent work of the Microloan Foundation.
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words by Becki Cole, photos by Elliott Andrews
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words by Becki Cole, photos by Elliott Andrews
Letters from the Lakeside, Part 2
This is the second in the series of Becki Cole's review of the vinspired Lake of Stars experience in Malawi last month ....
Clearly passionate about the charitable ethos of the festival, The Maccabees made the most of their short stay by visiting the Microloan Foundation to see how the proceeds of vLOS benefit Malawi. They also showed a keen interest in the work I’m doing for Malawi Volunteer Organisation - although I think I scared them with some of my stories: even in just my first few days at the hospital I saw so many people sufferung from malaria, some of whom will sadly never recover.
I’m working with a number of really worthwhile projects in the Monkey Bay area. The malaria project literally saves lives by distributing mosquito nets and spraying the interior walls of houses with anti-mosquito chemicals. Working at the overstretched and underfunded Monkey Bay hospital is incredibly challenging but so rewarding, it’s so encouraging to know that the work we do there is simple but highly effective. Our HIV/AIDS groups are a vital source of support and education for those suffering with the condition, and we do whatever we can to overcome the stigma that still surrounds the illness. The Home Based Care program is also an essential service with which we teach local volunteers basic healthcare. This allows them to work like local doctors, reducing the amount of villagers making unnecessary, costly and scary trips to the hospital. There is widespread yet unsupported mistrust of hospitals here as so many believe the people who are admitted will not make it home again. I love the work I’m doing here, I feel really privileged to be able to do it, and I LOVE Malawi but it was nice to have a little taste of home with a British-run festival and some western music. However, I’ve got to admit it was a little surreal to see so many ‘mazungus’ (‘white people’ in Chichewa) all in one place!
Clearly passionate about the charitable ethos of the festival, The Maccabees made the most of their short stay by visiting the Microloan Foundation to see how the proceeds of vLOS benefit Malawi. They also showed a keen interest in the work I’m doing for Malawi Volunteer Organisation - although I think I scared them with some of my stories: even in just my first few days at the hospital I saw so many people sufferung from malaria, some of whom will sadly never recover.
I’m working with a number of really worthwhile projects in the Monkey Bay area. The malaria project literally saves lives by distributing mosquito nets and spraying the interior walls of houses with anti-mosquito chemicals. Working at the overstretched and underfunded Monkey Bay hospital is incredibly challenging but so rewarding, it’s so encouraging to know that the work we do there is simple but highly effective. Our HIV/AIDS groups are a vital source of support and education for those suffering with the condition, and we do whatever we can to overcome the stigma that still surrounds the illness. The Home Based Care program is also an essential service with which we teach local volunteers basic healthcare. This allows them to work like local doctors, reducing the amount of villagers making unnecessary, costly and scary trips to the hospital. There is widespread yet unsupported mistrust of hospitals here as so many believe the people who are admitted will not make it home again. I love the work I’m doing here, I feel really privileged to be able to do it, and I LOVE Malawi but it was nice to have a little taste of home with a British-run festival and some western music. However, I’ve got to admit it was a little surreal to see so many ‘mazungus’ (‘white people’ in Chichewa) all in one place!
It was pretty overwhelming and really encouraging to be around so many people passionate about doing their bit to try and improve the lives of those less fortunate. The brilliant vinspired and LOS staff, the acts and artists on the lineup, and a decent percentage of the punters attending the festival were all in the country to donate their time and energy in order to raise funds for the excellent work of the Microloan Foundation.
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words by Becki Cole, photos by Elliott Andrews
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words by Becki Cole, photos by Elliott Andrews
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Letters from the Lakeside ...
An aspiring young journalist from Liverpool currently volunteering in Malawi popped along to vinspired Lake of Stars to have a look. Read the first in Becki Cole's series of reviews of the 2009 festival here ...
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The vinspired Lake of Stars experience was an absolute pleasure: a truly incredible weekend in a truly incredible setting. Nkopola Lodge has to be one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever had the joy of visiting and the festival is undoubtedly the most relaxed and positively enjoyable I’ve attended. I couldn’t believe the beauty of the place – the palm-fringed coastline, sweeping sandy beach and glistening waters were truly breathtaking. Three well-stocked bars, a cracking line-up and a pretty impressive Funktion 1 sound system further ensured the stage was set for a memorable weekend. I was pretty lucky to have accidentally timed my five month voluntary work placement in Malawi to coincide with vLOS. Whilst I was ultimately at the event to have fun and experience my first festival abroad, I’d also set myself the task of writing an article about the event for a local paper back home in Liverpool so it was a bit of a working holiday. Still fantastic though!
For me, the highlight of the weekend’s music was definitely The Maccabees. They played a blinding set and looked so happy to be there. Changing the lyrics of ‘Wall of Arms’ to “They who are my army, Lake of Stars behind me” was a touching way to say thank you. Whilst interviewing the guys the next day, guitarists Felix and Hugo White declared they’d recommend attending or playing the festival to anyone. Evidently moved by the previous night’s reception, lead singer Orlando Weeks admitted that they’d actually been pretty nervous before going on stage: “It was a huge responsibility but the crowd seemed to really enjoy it, we had a great time too.
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The vinspired Lake of Stars experience was an absolute pleasure: a truly incredible weekend in a truly incredible setting. Nkopola Lodge has to be one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever had the joy of visiting and the festival is undoubtedly the most relaxed and positively enjoyable I’ve attended. I couldn’t believe the beauty of the place – the palm-fringed coastline, sweeping sandy beach and glistening waters were truly breathtaking. Three well-stocked bars, a cracking line-up and a pretty impressive Funktion 1 sound system further ensured the stage was set for a memorable weekend. I was pretty lucky to have accidentally timed my five month voluntary work placement in Malawi to coincide with vLOS. Whilst I was ultimately at the event to have fun and experience my first festival abroad, I’d also set myself the task of writing an article about the event for a local paper back home in Liverpool so it was a bit of a working holiday. Still fantastic though!
For me, the highlight of the weekend’s music was definitely The Maccabees. They played a blinding set and looked so happy to be there. Changing the lyrics of ‘Wall of Arms’ to “They who are my army, Lake of Stars behind me” was a touching way to say thank you. Whilst interviewing the guys the next day, guitarists Felix and Hugo White declared they’d recommend attending or playing the festival to anyone. Evidently moved by the previous night’s reception, lead singer Orlando Weeks admitted that they’d actually been pretty nervous before going on stage: “It was a huge responsibility but the crowd seemed to really enjoy it, we had a great time too.
“The audience were such a long way from home that we knew we had to be at our best.” On their first trip to Africa and only able to stay for four days due to European tour commitments, they were already smitten with the place. They declared they wanted to put their names down for next year’s event the second they came off stage. Felix said: “We absolutely loved it! There’s such a diverse mix of talent we were flattered just to be part of it.”
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words by Becki Cole, photos by Steve McInerny, Peter Koudstaal and Sophie Epstone
Letters from the Lakeside ...
An aspiring young journalist from Liverpool currently volunteering in Malawi popped along to vinspired Lake of Stars to have a look. Read the first in Becki Cole's series of reviews of the 2009 festival here ...
The vinspired Lake of Stars experience was an absolute pleasure: a truly incredible weekend in a truly incredible setting. Nkopola Lodge has to be one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever had the joy of visiting and the festival is undoubtedly the most relaxed and positively enjoyable I’ve attended. I couldn’t believe the beauty of the place – the palm-fringed coastline, sweeping sandy beach and glistening waters were truly breathtaking. Three well-stocked bars, a cracking line-up and a pretty impressive Funktion 1 sound system further ensured the stage was set for a memorable weekend. I was pretty lucky to have accidentally timed my five month voluntary work placement in Malawi to coincide with vLOS. Whilst I was ultimately at the event to have fun and experience my first festival abroad, I’d also set myself the task of writing an article about the event for a local paper back home in Liverpool so it was a bit of a working holiday. Still fantastic though!
For me, the highlight of the weekend’s music was definitely The Maccabees. They played a blinding set and looked so happy to be there. Changing the lyrics of ‘Wall of Arms’ to “They who are my army, Lake of Stars behind me” was a touching way to say thank you. Whilst interviewing the guys the next day, guitarists Felix and Hugo White declared they’d recommend attending or playing the festival to anyone. Evidently moved by the previous night’s reception, lead singer Orlando Weeks admitted that they’d actually been pretty nervous before going on stage: “It was a huge responsibility but the crowd seemed to really enjoy it, we had a great time too.
The vinspired Lake of Stars experience was an absolute pleasure: a truly incredible weekend in a truly incredible setting. Nkopola Lodge has to be one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever had the joy of visiting and the festival is undoubtedly the most relaxed and positively enjoyable I’ve attended. I couldn’t believe the beauty of the place – the palm-fringed coastline, sweeping sandy beach and glistening waters were truly breathtaking. Three well-stocked bars, a cracking line-up and a pretty impressive Funktion 1 sound system further ensured the stage was set for a memorable weekend. I was pretty lucky to have accidentally timed my five month voluntary work placement in Malawi to coincide with vLOS. Whilst I was ultimately at the event to have fun and experience my first festival abroad, I’d also set myself the task of writing an article about the event for a local paper back home in Liverpool so it was a bit of a working holiday. Still fantastic though!
For me, the highlight of the weekend’s music was definitely The Maccabees. They played a blinding set and looked so happy to be there. Changing the lyrics of ‘Wall of Arms’ to “They who are my army, Lake of Stars behind me” was a touching way to say thank you. Whilst interviewing the guys the next day, guitarists Felix and Hugo White declared they’d recommend attending or playing the festival to anyone. Evidently moved by the previous night’s reception, lead singer Orlando Weeks admitted that they’d actually been pretty nervous before going on stage: “It was a huge responsibility but the crowd seemed to really enjoy it, we had a great time too.
“The audience were such a long way from home that we knew we had to be at our best.” On their first trip to Africa and only able to stay for four days due to European tour commitments, they were already smitten with the place. They declared they wanted to put their names down for next year’s event the second they came off stage. Felix said: “We absolutely loved it! There’s such a diverse mix of talent we were flattered just to be part of it.”
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words by Becki Cole, photos by Steve McInerny, Peter Koudstaal and Sophie Epstone
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Your chance to see development first hand
Experience Microloan in Malawi
Hello Everyone! My name is Rob Webber and I’ll be the onsite link at Lake of Stars 2009 to the fantastic work of the Microloan Foundation. The Lake of Stars festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience Real Africa and come face to face with the people that make it such an amazing place.
Here’s me (Yes – I do have eyes - but it’s hard to open them very wide when the African Sun is shining in them!)
The Microloan Foundation is a UK charity that works in Malawi and Zambia to reduce the depth and breadth of poverty through microfinance – a concept that won its pioneers a Nobel Prize in 2006. We focus on helping the rural poor by providing small loans that can be used to start a small but profitable business. We currently have over 15,000 clients and 99% of the money we lend out is repaid to us so that the money can then be re-lent to help more and more people escape the poverty trap.
Over the course of the festival we will be running trips to nearby villages to meet our clients, to hear their stories, the challenges they face and how they deal with them.
We want to encourage as many of you as possible to see the work of Microloan in action and it couldn’t be easier to get in on the trips. Simply contact me by email at rob.webber@microloanfoundation.org.uk and look out for the Microloan Foundation stand at the festival site. Because numbers are very limited, please get in touch as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
See you at the Lake of Stars 2009!
Rob
Hello Everyone! My name is Rob Webber and I’ll be the onsite link at Lake of Stars 2009 to the fantastic work of the Microloan Foundation. The Lake of Stars festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience Real Africa and come face to face with the people that make it such an amazing place.
Here’s me (Yes – I do have eyes - but it’s hard to open them very wide when the African Sun is shining in them!)The Microloan Foundation is a UK charity that works in Malawi and Zambia to reduce the depth and breadth of poverty through microfinance – a concept that won its pioneers a Nobel Prize in 2006. We focus on helping the rural poor by providing small loans that can be used to start a small but profitable business. We currently have over 15,000 clients and 99% of the money we lend out is repaid to us so that the money can then be re-lent to help more and more people escape the poverty trap.
Over the course of the festival we will be running trips to nearby villages to meet our clients, to hear their stories, the challenges they face and how they deal with them.
We want to encourage as many of you as possible to see the work of Microloan in action and it couldn’t be easier to get in on the trips. Simply contact me by email at rob.webber@microloanfoundation.org.uk and look out for the Microloan Foundation stand at the festival site. Because numbers are very limited, please get in touch as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
See you at the Lake of Stars 2009!
Rob
Your chance to see development first hand
Experience Microloan in Malawi
Hello Everyone! My name is Rob Webber and I’ll be the onsite link at Lake of Stars 2009 to the fantastic work of the Microloan Foundation. The Lake of Stars festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience Real Africa and come face to face with the people that make it such an amazing place.
Here’s me (Yes – I do have eyes - but it’s hard to open them very wide when the African Sun is shining in them!)
The Microloan Foundation is a UK charity that works in Malawi and Zambia to reduce the depth and breadth of poverty through microfinance – a concept that won its pioneers a Nobel Prize in 2006. We focus on helping the rural poor by providing small loans that can be used to start a small but profitable business. We currently have over 15,000 clients and 99% of the money we lend out is repaid to us so that the money can then be re-lent to help more and more people escape the poverty trap.
Over the course of the festival we will be running trips to nearby villages to meet our clients, to hear their stories, the challenges they face and how they deal with them.
We want to encourage as many of you as possible to see the work of Microloan in action and it couldn’t be easier to get in on the trips. Simply contact me by email at rob.webber@microloanfoundation.org.uk and look out for the Microloan Foundation stand at the festival site. Because numbers are very limited, please get in touch as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
See you at the Lake of Stars 2009!
Rob
Hello Everyone! My name is Rob Webber and I’ll be the onsite link at Lake of Stars 2009 to the fantastic work of the Microloan Foundation. The Lake of Stars festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience Real Africa and come face to face with the people that make it such an amazing place.
Here’s me (Yes – I do have eyes - but it’s hard to open them very wide when the African Sun is shining in them!)The Microloan Foundation is a UK charity that works in Malawi and Zambia to reduce the depth and breadth of poverty through microfinance – a concept that won its pioneers a Nobel Prize in 2006. We focus on helping the rural poor by providing small loans that can be used to start a small but profitable business. We currently have over 15,000 clients and 99% of the money we lend out is repaid to us so that the money can then be re-lent to help more and more people escape the poverty trap.
Over the course of the festival we will be running trips to nearby villages to meet our clients, to hear their stories, the challenges they face and how they deal with them.
We want to encourage as many of you as possible to see the work of Microloan in action and it couldn’t be easier to get in on the trips. Simply contact me by email at rob.webber@microloanfoundation.org.uk and look out for the Microloan Foundation stand at the festival site. Because numbers are very limited, please get in touch as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
See you at the Lake of Stars 2009!
Rob
Travel and Accomodation update
Where did that week go. Clearly I must have my bum up and head down sorting everything out for Lake of Stars.
Before I get started on the next blog, don’t forget about the forex issues we are having here in Malawi . Come prepared with cash. Don’t rely to much on ATM’s travelers cheques. You would have to go to the bar to get your mates a round of drinks without any money wouldn’t you. Just not a good look.
As of 7th October Ulendo is no longer taking any accommodation bookings via email. The only option now is, book and pay, subject to availability when you arrive in Malawi . The options left now are, Family rooms at Club Makakola that sleep 4 and 6, starting from $450 per night per room.
Andrews Hotel is now fully booked. There is quite a bit of space available at Sun n Sand. Well, this is what my spies are telling me.
Remember to register your name if you need a transfer to LOS from Lilongwe , otherwise it will be a long and hot walk to LOS or it will cost you an additional $20.00
Look forward to seeing you all at the bar with the money you brought with you of course.
See you all at the festival. Oh, yes, another tip. It will be hot, very hot. So prepare yourself.
Before I get started on the next blog, don’t forget about the forex issues we are having here in Malawi . Come prepared with cash. Don’t rely to much on ATM’s travelers cheques. You would have to go to the bar to get your mates a round of drinks without any money wouldn’t you. Just not a good look.
As of 7th October Ulendo is no longer taking any accommodation bookings via email. The only option now is, book and pay, subject to availability when you arrive in Malawi . The options left now are, Family rooms at Club Makakola that sleep 4 and 6, starting from $450 per night per room.
Andrews Hotel is now fully booked. There is quite a bit of space available at Sun n Sand. Well, this is what my spies are telling me.
Remember to register your name if you need a transfer to LOS from Lilongwe , otherwise it will be a long and hot walk to LOS or it will cost you an additional $20.00
Look forward to seeing you all at the bar with the money you brought with you of course.
See you all at the festival. Oh, yes, another tip. It will be hot, very hot. So prepare yourself.
Travel and Accomodation update
Where did that week go. Clearly I must have my bum up and head down sorting everything out for Lake of Stars.
Before I get started on the next blog, don’t forget about the forex issues we are having here in Malawi . Come prepared with cash. Don’t rely to much on ATM’s travelers cheques. You would have to go to the bar to get your mates a round of drinks without any money wouldn’t you. Just not a good look.
As of 7th October Ulendo is no longer taking any accommodation bookings via email. The only option now is, book and pay, subject to availability when you arrive in Malawi . The options left now are, Family rooms at Club Makakola that sleep 4 and 6, starting from $450 per night per room.
Andrews Hotel is now fully booked. There is quite a bit of space available at Sun n Sand. Well, this is what my spies are telling me.
Remember to register your name if you need a transfer to LOS from Lilongwe , otherwise it will be a long and hot walk to LOS or it will cost you an additional $20.00
Look forward to seeing you all at the bar with the money you brought with you of course.
See you all at the festival. Oh, yes, another tip. It will be hot, very hot. So prepare yourself.
Before I get started on the next blog, don’t forget about the forex issues we are having here in Malawi . Come prepared with cash. Don’t rely to much on ATM’s travelers cheques. You would have to go to the bar to get your mates a round of drinks without any money wouldn’t you. Just not a good look.
As of 7th October Ulendo is no longer taking any accommodation bookings via email. The only option now is, book and pay, subject to availability when you arrive in Malawi . The options left now are, Family rooms at Club Makakola that sleep 4 and 6, starting from $450 per night per room.
Andrews Hotel is now fully booked. There is quite a bit of space available at Sun n Sand. Well, this is what my spies are telling me.
Remember to register your name if you need a transfer to LOS from Lilongwe , otherwise it will be a long and hot walk to LOS or it will cost you an additional $20.00
Look forward to seeing you all at the bar with the money you brought with you of course.
See you all at the festival. Oh, yes, another tip. It will be hot, very hot. So prepare yourself.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Globe Jam launches on the lakeshore ....
vinspired Lake of Stars is really excited to be welcoming Globe Jam, a unique singing experience, to Malawi for this year's festival.
Globe Jam is the brainchild of award-winning singers Tommy Ludgate and Sarah Grace, who will be taking their unique vocal workshops to Africa to inspire local communities.
Tommy and Sarah are launching their Globe Jam project at vinspired Lake of Stars, and will be encouraging the audience to take to the stage after recruting festival-goers and locals to participate in their vocal workshops to perform in the finale on the last day, where they could find themselves singing anything from the Spice Girls to Nina Simone.
Tommy and Sarah will be making their second stop in Blantyre, working in conjunction with Story Workshop (http://www.storyworkshop.org/), an organisation bringing about social change and raising awareness around a variety of issues such as HIV/Aids and human rights via creative entertainment to improve the lives of Malawians.
From there, Globe Jam work with Bola Moyo (http://www.bola-moyo.org/), a group for women and children based in Balaka with a holistic approach to social change, Nanzikambe (http://www.nanzikambe.org/), a Blantyre-based theatre group working to promote education, development and social change in Malawi using the power of story and performance to resonate deeply with an engaged audience and FOMO (Friends of Mulanje Orphanage - http://www.fomo.co.uk/)
Tommy and Sarah will be holding a fundraising event on Saturday 3rd October, at JazzCafe POSK in Hammersmith, where they will introduce Globe Jam.
Tommy and Sarah decided to volunteer their time not only to do something they really enjoy, but to make a difference to people in an innovative way.
Sarah said: "Volunteering is a fantastic thing to do; most of us don't realise just how much spare time we have day to day, and how much we can do that makes a difference.
Globe Jam is the brainchild of award-winning singers Tommy Ludgate and Sarah Grace, who will be taking their unique vocal workshops to Africa to inspire local communities.
Tommy and Sarah are launching their Globe Jam project at vinspired Lake of Stars, and will be encouraging the audience to take to the stage after recruting festival-goers and locals to participate in their vocal workshops to perform in the finale on the last day, where they could find themselves singing anything from the Spice Girls to Nina Simone.Tommy and Sarah will be making their second stop in Blantyre, working in conjunction with Story Workshop (http://www.storyworkshop.org/), an organisation bringing about social change and raising awareness around a variety of issues such as HIV/Aids and human rights via creative entertainment to improve the lives of Malawians.
From there, Globe Jam work with Bola Moyo (http://www.bola-moyo.org/), a group for women and children based in Balaka with a holistic approach to social change, Nanzikambe (http://www.nanzikambe.org/), a Blantyre-based theatre group working to promote education, development and social change in Malawi using the power of story and performance to resonate deeply with an engaged audience and FOMO (Friends of Mulanje Orphanage - http://www.fomo.co.uk/)
Tommy and Sarah will be holding a fundraising event on Saturday 3rd October, at JazzCafe POSK in Hammersmith, where they will introduce Globe Jam.
Tommy and Sarah decided to volunteer their time not only to do something they really enjoy, but to make a difference to people in an innovative way.
Sarah said: "Volunteering is a fantastic thing to do; most of us don't realise just how much spare time we have day to day, and how much we can do that makes a difference.
"We should be doing things to help people and it can be a really fun experience and very rewarding."
Tommy said: "We are volunteering our time because we are singers, we love singing amd we wanted to get more people involved in singing.
"We thought it would be a great place to do it - why not go to Africa, to Malawi, and run some workshops and see what we can do? So we're coming to vinspired Lake of Stars festival to launch our project and see what happens."
Sarah added: "I volunteered last Christmas for a homeless centre in Manchester. It was an amazing experience, I'm really glad I did it. I met some amazing people, I was doing something different, and I was doing something to help people.
"Not everyone is as fortunate as us and I think we really seem to get into this mindset where you live for yourself, and think that doing something for other people will take time from you and you won't enjoy it - but I did. I met really different types of people and I really recommend it."
Tommy thinks that volunteering is something all young people should get involved in: "I am 23 and Sarah is 24, and the whole idea of young people volunteering is really key. We are doing something new, so we want to take Globe Jam further and we're learning as we go.
"With volunteering you can really realise your potential and what your goals are. You can find out what you want to do, meet people who can give you great advice and give you some great contacts. Ask around - there are so many ways you can volunteer."
Come along to the Globe Jam Fundraiser, find out about the project and enjoy live music from Tommy Ludgate and her band...
JazzCafe POSK, 238-246 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0RF
Doors 8pm, tickets £5
Words by: Rosie Ponting
If you are 16-25 and interested in volunteering, find opportunities at vinspired.com
If you are 16-25 and interested in volunteering, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Globe Jam launches on the lakeshore ....
vinspired Lake of Stars is really excited to be welcoming Globe Jam, a unique singing experience, to Malawi for this year's festival.
Globe Jam is the brainchild of award-winning singers Tommy Ludgate and Sarah Grace, who will be taking their unique vocal workshops to Africa to inspire local communities.
Tommy and Sarah are launching their Globe Jam project at vinspired Lake of Stars, and will be encouraging the audience to take to the stage after recruting festival-goers and locals to participate in their vocal workshops to perform in the finale on the last day, where they could find themselves singing anything from the Spice Girls to Nina Simone.
Tommy and Sarah will be making their second stop in Blantyre, working in conjunction with Story Workshop (http://www.storyworkshop.org/), an organisation bringing about social change and raising awareness around a variety of issues such as HIV/Aids and human rights via creative entertainment to improve the lives of Malawians.
From there, Globe Jam work with Bola Moyo (http://www.bola-moyo.org/), a group for women and children based in Balaka with a holistic approach to social change, Nanzikambe (http://www.nanzikambe.org/), a Blantyre-based theatre group working to promote education, development and social change in Malawi using the power of story and performance to resonate deeply with an engaged audience and FOMO (Friends of Mulanje Orphanage - http://www.fomo.co.uk/)
Tommy and Sarah will be holding a fundraising event on Saturday 3rd October, at JazzCafe POSK in Hammersmith, where they will introduce Globe Jam.
Tommy and Sarah decided to volunteer their time not only to do something they really enjoy, but to make a difference to people in an innovative way.
Sarah said: "Volunteering is a fantastic thing to do; most of us don't realise just how much spare time we have day to day, and how much we can do that makes a difference.
Globe Jam is the brainchild of award-winning singers Tommy Ludgate and Sarah Grace, who will be taking their unique vocal workshops to Africa to inspire local communities.
Tommy and Sarah are launching their Globe Jam project at vinspired Lake of Stars, and will be encouraging the audience to take to the stage after recruting festival-goers and locals to participate in their vocal workshops to perform in the finale on the last day, where they could find themselves singing anything from the Spice Girls to Nina Simone.Tommy and Sarah will be making their second stop in Blantyre, working in conjunction with Story Workshop (http://www.storyworkshop.org/), an organisation bringing about social change and raising awareness around a variety of issues such as HIV/Aids and human rights via creative entertainment to improve the lives of Malawians.
From there, Globe Jam work with Bola Moyo (http://www.bola-moyo.org/), a group for women and children based in Balaka with a holistic approach to social change, Nanzikambe (http://www.nanzikambe.org/), a Blantyre-based theatre group working to promote education, development and social change in Malawi using the power of story and performance to resonate deeply with an engaged audience and FOMO (Friends of Mulanje Orphanage - http://www.fomo.co.uk/)
Tommy and Sarah will be holding a fundraising event on Saturday 3rd October, at JazzCafe POSK in Hammersmith, where they will introduce Globe Jam.
Tommy and Sarah decided to volunteer their time not only to do something they really enjoy, but to make a difference to people in an innovative way.
Sarah said: "Volunteering is a fantastic thing to do; most of us don't realise just how much spare time we have day to day, and how much we can do that makes a difference.
"We should be doing things to help people and it can be a really fun experience and very rewarding."
Tommy said: "We are volunteering our time because we are singers, we love singing amd we wanted to get more people involved in singing.
"We thought it would be a great place to do it - why not go to Africa, to Malawi, and run some workshops and see what we can do? So we're coming to vinspired Lake of Stars festival to launch our project and see what happens."
Sarah added: "I volunteered last Christmas for a homeless centre in Manchester. It was an amazing experience, I'm really glad I did it. I met some amazing people, I was doing something different, and I was doing something to help people.
"Not everyone is as fortunate as us and I think we really seem to get into this mindset where you live for yourself, and think that doing something for other people will take time from you and you won't enjoy it - but I did. I met really different types of people and I really recommend it."
Tommy thinks that volunteering is something all young people should get involved in: "I am 23 and Sarah is 24, and the whole idea of young people volunteering is really key. We are doing something new, so we want to take Globe Jam further and we're learning as we go.
"With volunteering you can really realise your potential and what your goals are. You can find out what you want to do, meet people who can give you great advice and give you some great contacts. Ask around - there are so many ways you can volunteer."
Come along to the Globe Jam Fundraiser, find out about the project and enjoy live music from Tommy Ludgate and her band...
JazzCafe POSK, 238-246 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0RF
Doors 8pm, tickets £5
Words by: Rosie Ponting
If you are 16-25 and interested in volunteering, find opportunities at vinspired.com
If you are 16-25 and interested in volunteering, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
vinspired Lake of Stars introduces.....................
So the time has come to tempt your musical taste buds and whet your appetite to keep you going through those last few days of work before you start your journey to what the Times kindly called this week ‘the best winter sun music festival’ with ‘the most idyllic location of any festival anywhere in the world’. The line-up for this year’s vinspired Lake of Stars Festival is bursting at the seams with the cross-genre, cultural juxtaposition of acts that makes the festival what it is.
We won’t tell you about everyone who’s playing, as we want to surprise you when you’re dancing with us under the sun, or the stars, but here’s a brief introduction to an incredibly diverse pick of a couple of our favourites from our headliners and less known acts.
The Maccabees.....well, enough said really. A huge band who is at the top of the indie scene with a fantastic second album released earlier this year and an excellent video of a strangely endearing man who chases cheese down a hill as a competitive sport. We love them, and we know you will too...... check the aforementioned video here - www.themaccabees.co.uk
SWAY – A man who won a MOBO before he was signed, beating competition like 50 Cent, is one to be reckoned with. Having worked with Dizzee Rascal, The Streets, Chamilionaire, Lupe Fiasco and more recently with US heavyweight Akon, the Lake of Stars is proud to present one of the rising stars of the hip-hop scene. Check out material from his album which was awarded as named as a Mercury Music Prize’s ‘Album of the Year’ here - www.sway.uk.com
The Very Best – We’ve had them play before, and are so excited to present Radioclit’s blossoming project – The Very Best. A fusion of electronic and African music which is the perfect representation of vinspired Lake of Stars – the best of both worlds to make you smile, dance and celebrate being together. Fronted by Malawian vocalist Esau Mwamwaya, we’ve nabbed these guys before they go to spread their incredible sound across the U.S – listen here - www.myspace.com/theverybestmyspace
Joyful Souls - Joyful Souls was started in 1995, by Rodgers Mpinganjira alongside two fellow church-goers. Over the last 14 years they have developed into a skilled accapella group fusing 6 part harmonies and vocal percussion reminiscent of Take 6 and their performance will be a truly uplifting experience against the backdrop of Lake Malawi. Listen here – I love ‘Wakugomenzga’..... http://www.myspace.com/joyfulsouls
CantMixWontMixShdntMixDontMix – If it’s sheer, unadulterated fun-mongering you’re after, then don’t miss this collective’s set at our beautiful Beach Bar. Expect a world where Enya and Prodigy collide, where hip-hop hits disco divas, where your classics are smashed into mash-ups of the finest pedigree - in fact, expect nothing but the unexpected. Festival dons and all round musical maestros to be found at www.mixnot.net
The Black Missionaries – Stalwarts of the festival from the beginning, always bringing the finest reggae to skank in the sand to. Malawian musical royalty, and essential listening for the first-time visitor to the country. Get your toes twitching with downloads from here - www.malawianmp3.com
Young Chilanga and The Black Survivors – (Pictured above) This act are a 13 member band demonstrating traditional Malawian music at its most refined. Key in the festival’s programming with our aims to present a spectrum of new, old, traditional and up-and-coming artists, they will remind you of where you are, and what music has echoed around the lake for centuries. I can’t provide you with a link sadly, like many of our less-known artists, the music-sharing resource of the internet isn’t a core part of their world just yet but this is my recommendation to watch them and celebrate Malawian music’s history.
SOMETHING TO SHAKE YOUR BOOTY TO!
We love to dance and hosting the best international DJing talent has been the foundations of the Lake of Stars since the beginning. We have so many phenomenal DJs coming, that I want to talk about them all, but shouldn’t really (we could be here a while!). However, to point you in the direction of certain acts for all you fanatical glitch heads, breaks boys and techno-lovers here is a tiny cross-section of what we have to offer:
Joe Goddard – The brains behind Hot Chip with awesome new material coming out soon, he’s flying all the way over to play for us for one night only...... myspace.com/hotchip
Nihal – Representing Radio 1 and bringing the sound of the Bombay Bronx to our Main Stage - myspace.com/bombaybronx
Six AM – Scratching, dub step, glitch filth. Dirty but really quite smashing. www.myspace.com/sixamofficial
Ross Allen – A&R for Domino Records with a show on Ministry of Sound Radio – he has a vinyl collection you will appreciate over and over again - http://www.ministryofsound.com/radio/artist/RossAllen
Daladala Soundz – Go to his myspace, download his mix and get ready for the best of African dance.... www.myspace.com/daladalasoundz
Tayo – Flying over from playing MTV Africa comes the lover of tracksuits, afro-infused breakbeat, dub and fun - myspace.com/djtayo3000
Jazzbo – Eclectic selections from an incredible talent. Beware of the bass...... www.myspace.com/jazzbo32
Audiofarm DJs – Bringing the beats to the beach, expect minimal, techno, and the best of the rest www.audiofarm.co.uk
DJ Drew – Local Power 101 FM DJ and Malawian DJ rising star.......... http://www.malawianmp3.com/dj-drew/cat_30.html
Ooooooh. So much more fantastic music awaits you......14 days at time of writing and counting......
See you on the Lakeshore!
X
Eddie FitzPatrick (vinspired volunteer, Senior Project Co-ordinator and Assnt Production Manager)
vinspired Lake of Stars introduces.....................
So the time has come to tempt your musical taste buds and whet your appetite to keep you going through those last few days of work before you start your journey to what the Times kindly called this week ‘the best winter sun music festival’ with ‘the most idyllic location of any festival anywhere in the world’. The line-up for this year’s vinspired Lake of Stars Festival is bursting at the seams with the cross-genre, cultural juxtaposition of acts that makes the festival what it is.
We won’t tell you about everyone who’s playing, as we want to surprise you when you’re dancing with us under the sun, or the stars, but here’s a brief introduction to an incredibly diverse pick of a couple of our favourites from our headliners and less known acts.
The Maccabees.....well, enough said really. A huge band who is at the top of the indie scene with a fantastic second album released earlier this year and an excellent video of a strangely endearing man who chases cheese down a hill as a competitive sport. We love them, and we know you will too...... check the aforementioned video here - www.themaccabees.co.uk
SWAY – A man who won a MOBO before he was signed, beating competition like 50 Cent, is one to be reckoned with. Having worked with Dizzee Rascal, The Streets, Chamilionaire, Lupe Fiasco and more recently with US heavyweight Akon, the Lake of Stars is proud to present one of the rising stars of the hip-hop scene. Check out material from his album which was awarded as named as a Mercury Music Prize’s ‘Album of the Year’ here - www.sway.uk.com
The Very Best – We’ve had them play before, and are so excited to present Radioclit’s blossoming project – The Very Best. A fusion of electronic and African music which is the perfect representation of vinspired Lake of Stars – the best of both worlds to make you smile, dance and celebrate being together. Fronted by Malawian vocalist Esau Mwamwaya, we’ve nabbed these guys before they go to spread their incredible sound across the U.S – listen here - www.myspace.com/theverybestmyspace
Joyful Souls - Joyful Souls was started in 1995, by Rodgers Mpinganjira alongside two fellow church-goers. Over the last 14 years they have developed into a skilled accapella group fusing 6 part harmonies and vocal percussion reminiscent of Take 6 and their performance will be a truly uplifting experience against the backdrop of Lake Malawi. Listen here – I love ‘Wakugomenzga’..... http://www.myspace.com/joyfulsouls
CantMixWontMixShdntMixDontMix – If it’s sheer, unadulterated fun-mongering you’re after, then don’t miss this collective’s set at our beautiful Beach Bar. Expect a world where Enya and Prodigy collide, where hip-hop hits disco divas, where your classics are smashed into mash-ups of the finest pedigree - in fact, expect nothing but the unexpected. Festival dons and all round musical maestros to be found at www.mixnot.net
The Black Missionaries – Stalwarts of the festival from the beginning, always bringing the finest reggae to skank in the sand to. Malawian musical royalty, and essential listening for the first-time visitor to the country. Get your toes twitching with downloads from here - www.malawianmp3.com
Young Chilanga and The Black Survivors – (Pictured above) This act are a 13 member band demonstrating traditional Malawian music at its most refined. Key in the festival’s programming with our aims to present a spectrum of new, old, traditional and up-and-coming artists, they will remind you of where you are, and what music has echoed around the lake for centuries. I can’t provide you with a link sadly, like many of our less-known artists, the music-sharing resource of the internet isn’t a core part of their world just yet but this is my recommendation to watch them and celebrate Malawian music’s history.
SOMETHING TO SHAKE YOUR BOOTY TO!
We love to dance and hosting the best international DJing talent has been the foundations of the Lake of Stars since the beginning. We have so many phenomenal DJs coming, that I want to talk about them all, but shouldn’t really (we could be here a while!). However, to point you in the direction of certain acts for all you fanatical glitch heads, breaks boys and techno-lovers here is a tiny cross-section of what we have to offer:
Joe Goddard – The brains behind Hot Chip with awesome new material coming out soon, he’s flying all the way over to play for us for one night only...... myspace.com/hotchip
Nihal – Representing Radio 1 and bringing the sound of the Bombay Bronx to our Main Stage - myspace.com/bombaybronx
Six AM – Scratching, dub step, glitch filth. Dirty but really quite smashing. www.myspace.com/sixamofficial
Ross Allen – A&R for Domino Records with a show on Ministry of Sound Radio – he has a vinyl collection you will appreciate over and over again - http://www.ministryofsound.com/radio/artist/RossAllen
Daladala Soundz – Go to his myspace, download his mix and get ready for the best of African dance.... www.myspace.com/daladalasoundz
Tayo – Flying over from playing MTV Africa comes the lover of tracksuits, afro-infused breakbeat, dub and fun - myspace.com/djtayo3000
Jazzbo – Eclectic selections from an incredible talent. Beware of the bass...... www.myspace.com/jazzbo32
Audiofarm DJs – Bringing the beats to the beach, expect minimal, techno, and the best of the rest www.audiofarm.co.uk
DJ Drew – Local Power 101 FM DJ and Malawian DJ rising star.......... http://www.malawianmp3.com/dj-drew/cat_30.html
Ooooooh. So much more fantastic music awaits you......14 days at time of writing and counting......
See you on the Lakeshore!
X
Eddie FitzPatrick (vinspired volunteer, Senior Project Co-ordinator and Assnt Production Manager)
vinspired Lake of Stars arrives in Malawi
Takulandirani (Welcome)
After surviving getting stopped at Heathrow security for carrying a toothpick, a herd of goats and all out war with mosquitoes, I was the first of the UK team to arrive in Malawi. It’s looking good. The weather’s been hot, the food filling and the people welcoming.
My first assignment was check out some Malawians volunteering in their areas. This took me to Seka Primary School in Chinteche, a small village by the lake in the north, very near where the Lake of Stars Festival first took place. It was vinspiring…
After surviving getting stopped at Heathrow security for carrying a toothpick, a herd of goats and all out war with mosquitoes, I was the first of the UK team to arrive in Malawi. It’s looking good. The weather’s been hot, the food filling and the people welcoming.
My first assignment was check out some Malawians volunteering in their areas. This took me to Seka Primary School in Chinteche, a small village by the lake in the north, very near where the Lake of Stars Festival first took place. It was vinspiring…
The school is run completely by 3 volunteer teachers who sometimes have to teach 2 classes at once. Lydia, one of the teachers said she volunteered because she thought it was important to have a school near the village. This meant more families would send their children to school.
I tried out my crowd control skills by teaching times tables. Turns out festival crowds are easier to handle than 8 year-olds. We’d brought the school some pens, pencils, books and other teaching materials and got a live chicken in return. Now that’s what I call a rider.
I’ll be blogging from Malawi about the music scene, volunteers, preparations for the festival and anything else I can find.
Tiwonana (See ya later…)
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words and photos by: Zen Jelenje, volunteer
vinspired Lake of Stars arrives in Malawi
Takulandirani (Welcome)
After surviving getting stopped at Heathrow security for carrying a toothpick, a herd of goats and all out war with mosquitoes, I was the first of the UK team to arrive in Malawi. It’s looking good. The weather’s been hot, the food filling and the people welcoming.
My first assignment was check out some Malawians volunteering in their areas. This took me to Seka Primary School in Chinteche, a small village by the lake in the north, very near where the Lake of Stars Festival first took place. It was vinspiring…
After surviving getting stopped at Heathrow security for carrying a toothpick, a herd of goats and all out war with mosquitoes, I was the first of the UK team to arrive in Malawi. It’s looking good. The weather’s been hot, the food filling and the people welcoming.
My first assignment was check out some Malawians volunteering in their areas. This took me to Seka Primary School in Chinteche, a small village by the lake in the north, very near where the Lake of Stars Festival first took place. It was vinspiring…
The school is run completely by 3 volunteer teachers who sometimes have to teach 2 classes at once. Lydia, one of the teachers said she volunteered because she thought it was important to have a school near the village. This meant more families would send their children to school.
I tried out my crowd control skills by teaching times tables. Turns out festival crowds are easier to handle than 8 year-olds. We’d brought the school some pens, pencils, books and other teaching materials and got a live chicken in return. Now that’s what I call a rider.
I’ll be blogging from Malawi about the music scene, volunteers, preparations for the festival and anything else I can find.
Tiwonana (See ya later…)
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words and photos by: Zen Jelenje, volunteer
Monday, September 28, 2009
vinspired Lake of Stars number 1 for winter sun
It's official: http://bit.ly/wintersun
"This has to be one of the most idyllic locations of any festival anywhere in the world".
"This has to be one of the most idyllic locations of any festival anywhere in the world".
vinspired Lake of Stars number 1 for winter sun
It's official: http://bit.ly/wintersun
"This has to be one of the most idyllic locations of any festival anywhere in the world".
"This has to be one of the most idyllic locations of any festival anywhere in the world".
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