watch

As part of SPAN’s contribution to the response to Covid Crisis and Pembrokeshire’s Campaign for Kindness, SPAN delivered a wide range of online artist-led workshop activities in Autumn 2020 in order to improve social connectedness and wellbeing and reduce loneliness and social isolation for all ages. The project was adapted early in the lockdown in response to the crisis and aimed to connect isolated and elderly people and children through online creative technology sessions, as a recognition that there were many more isolated and elderly people who were housebound, lonely and anxious at this difficult time. The project aimed to introduce older people to new technologies in an atmosphere of playfulness and experimentation.  

In October 2019 SPAN Digidol's Clwb Digi travelled to Broad Haven Primary School to work with pupils from years 5 and 6 on a short animation for screening at Haverfordwest Lantern Parade: Over the Moon. The theme of the event was space, the night sky and the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. The animation was shown on a pedal powered cinema screen provided by Electric Pedals who combine ideas of sustainability, energy awareness and health & exercise with community events. Thanks to Sarah Hope and Gemma Green-Hope for help with the animation.

Memortal/Cofio was a SPAN led collaborative research and development project and part of SPAN Digidol - a series of pilot projects to test how digital technology could be used creatively to increase connectivity and reduce loneliness and isolation. Memortal involved working with people who were dying, those who want to prepare for their death, older people who are isolated, those at risk of dying alone, and relatives of people who have died. The aim of the project was to design a digital tool/app for helping people create their own memorials, celebrating their life or that of a loved-one. Working with animation artist Gemma Green Hope and app developer Owen Davis, and through consultation with communities, participants and stakeholders, the project aimed to generate content and ideas for the structure of an accessible and easy-to-use app. Individual participants were Louis Embra, Suzanne Radley-Smith, Neil Jordan, Rozanne Hawksley, Charleen Agostini and Hunter Graham. SPAN also worked with Solva Care and Brynberian Compassionate Cafe. The project was funded by PAVS Caring Communities Grant and through Span Digidol, funded by Arts Council Wales and LEADER programme administered by Planed.

A virtual choir featuring a few of the members and of Côr Pawb, who took part during Autumn 2020. We hope that one day, this choir of over a hundred people aged 0-100 will be able to sing together again as they have previously in events that brought voices of all ages together.

Watch our festive retrospective where we took a look back and celebrate all of SPAN’s activities during 2020.  Hosted by Anna Sharatt and a few of our fantastic volunteers  there was a mix of music, films, online theatre, quizzes and an online raffle. Viewers wore their sparkliest outfit to see out the year with us in style! 

As part of our online at home series of live music Natalie Holmes supports Lowri Evans and Lee Mason in an evening of beautiful acoustic music.   

Streamed live on 30th October 2020. Formed in 1987 by its Music Director Carol Pemberton MBE, Black Voices has gained a reputation as Europe’s finest female a cappella quintet. For over 25 years the ensemble has captivated global audiences with their singing and performances in the black oral tradition – an early music form that is based on the ancient folklores and story telling of Africa and the Diaspora and which has impacted on the development of classical and more recent music genres such as blues and jazz. Drawing inspiration from that rich tradition, Black Voices has developed a unique repertoire and arrangement of spirituals, traditional African, Caribbean and English folk songs, jazz, gospel, pop and reggae as well as a fusion of contemporary and classical styles that has earned them world wide recognition as a performance and teaching company. Black Voices is honoured to have been invited to perform before members of the British Royal Family both in the UK and overseas. In 1998, the ensemble performed at an open air concert for Pope John Paul 11 in Loreto, Italy and in 1996 they appeared before former President Nelson Mandela at the Two Nations Concert, Royal Albert Hall. Traveling

Beatbox, innovative Live Looping, Electric Kalimba, Folk Violin, Jazz Organ, Blues Guitar and Spoken Word. Bilingual beatboxer Mr Phormula with poet and lyricist Martin Dawes pioneer a new fusion of music that explores traditional and modern processes. On Saturday 12th September Bardd performed an exclusive live stream gig, bringing a night from the bardic roots of Wales to a freedom funk disco! Supporting the band was 22 year old singer songwriter Eädyth. The singer and instrumentalist, from Merthyr Tydfil, has been releasing records in both languages over the past four years. It was a night of Beatbox, innovative Live Looping, Electric Kalimba, Folk Violin, Jazz Organ, Blues Guitar and Spoken Word Poetry, alongside danceable beats. Bardd are Award Winning Spoken Word Artist Martin Daws (Young People’s Laureate Wales 2013-16), legendary Emcee, Beatbox and Live Looper Mr Phormula (Double Wales Beatbox Champion) and outstanding multi-instrumentalist Henry Horrell (Guitars/Keys/Violin). Bardd state their aim as “bringing all that we are together into one beautiful groove”

  On the 13th June SPAN joined forces with The Baghdaddies for an exclusive pre-recorded gig.  Along with the specially recorded tracks for SPAN, the band joined us on the chat to keep the spirits high and have a natter with the audience.  SPAN knew that everyone was missing the dance floor, so they decided to bring it to the people of Pembrokeshire and beyond with this exuberant and rampant band! The exhilarating cocktail of Balkan melodies, ska and latin grooves and sizzling brass played with furious energy and theatrical humour definitely got peoples toes tapping!  One of SPAN’s top priorities has been to support artists and musicians, especially during lockdown, whilst continuing to bring music of the highest caliber. In order to continue to stick to their aims,  the gig was fundraiser for the organisation so they could continue to do what they do! If you like what you see and want to help support the arts in Pembrokeshire SPAN would be hugely grateful for any contributions that you can afford.  Donate here