It was a warm autumn evening when we started to drum near the far end of Hastings seafront. Thick crowds had gathered along the pavements on both sides of the road, and the town was out in force. Children played with glowsticks, adults ate take aways, and all around us performers in various costumes lined up as the procession was forming.
Suddenly a load of runners came pounding down the road, all proudly carrying flaming torches above their heads. They shot past the crowds, and all heads turned to watch as they ran up the cliffs to set the beacon at the top of it alight. All we could see from below were tiny dark figures, and a rapidly growing fire waving it's flames into the night.
The procession began after the runners returned, and it took a long time for all the groups to get onto the road. There were many bonfire societies, all bearing flaming torches which looked good up close, but spectacular when seen en mass from a distance. There were also a fire eater, a couple of other bands, some dancers, and other acts we couldn't see on account of being in it ourselves.
The first road we went up was the one that leads to Ore, and once again the pavements were overflowing with happy onlookers, cheering and waving glowsticks. We stopped for a minute at the top, while the traffic was held up for us, then crossed and came down the high street. One of the groups in front of us had lit a red flare which turned the air and marchers all around it red too, and as we marched down the hill towards it, it looked like the route into hell.
After taking in the rest of the seafront and the town, we wound up on the beach near the bonfire. It was huge, and giving out masses of heat. All the performers were allowed inside the fire area, but the public were only allowed to the edge of the beach. The firework display was fantastic. Things banged and fizzed, spun and whizzed, or shot across the sky and exploded in gigantic patters, and all the time a steady fallout of cardboard pieces was landing on our drums.
There was a lull for a while after the last one exploded, but then the effigy of Guy Fawkes head released more fireworks, for another stunning display, before the head itself exploded. After that the evening was over, but we are looking forward to coming back next year.
Friday, 19 October 2007
Friday, 5 October 2007
Out of the Ordinary Festival
We gathered outside the entrance to the festival just before 10, when we were due to perform. A van blocked the road, and there was a queue for the ticket office, then we had to drive round the back of the field before gaining access to the car park. By the time we were all parked it was 10.30.
As we had been told to play anywhere on the site, at any time we liked, we gathered in the centre of the field and began to drum. As soon as the first tune ended a lady came over and asked to go away and be quiet, as a grief session was about to start. So we shut up and went away.
Ten minutes later when nobody had arrived for the session, we started again. As the atmosphere in the field was a bit odd, we only played for 20 minutes. However we got lots of applause, and decided to come back in a couple of hours for our next performance.
After wandering around the site, meeting lots of nice people and having a free lunch, (which was a pleasant surprise) we started again. We decided to go in the large tent this time, but were told to go away as a man was telling a story.
We moved to the other side of the field so as not to upset the story teller, and formed a circle. But just as soon as we picked up our sticks some bloke came over and asked us to stop. After some discussion with Greg, it was agreed that he would speak to the organiser and see if we were allowed to perform, though he was convinced we weren't.
We began again, and waited to see what would happen when he came back. Luckily he didn't so we carried on. Afterwards, several people came over to say how much they enjoyed our music and one man asked me when we going to really let rip, and turn the volume up. I told him we would love to, but as we'd had complaints we were finished for the day.
Most of the festival goers were lovely, and happy to hear us play, but as for the others.............
If they didn't want us to drum why did they book us????????????????
As we had been told to play anywhere on the site, at any time we liked, we gathered in the centre of the field and began to drum. As soon as the first tune ended a lady came over and asked to go away and be quiet, as a grief session was about to start. So we shut up and went away.
Ten minutes later when nobody had arrived for the session, we started again. As the atmosphere in the field was a bit odd, we only played for 20 minutes. However we got lots of applause, and decided to come back in a couple of hours for our next performance.
After wandering around the site, meeting lots of nice people and having a free lunch, (which was a pleasant surprise) we started again. We decided to go in the large tent this time, but were told to go away as a man was telling a story.
We moved to the other side of the field so as not to upset the story teller, and formed a circle. But just as soon as we picked up our sticks some bloke came over and asked us to stop. After some discussion with Greg, it was agreed that he would speak to the organiser and see if we were allowed to perform, though he was convinced we weren't.
We began again, and waited to see what would happen when he came back. Luckily he didn't so we carried on. Afterwards, several people came over to say how much they enjoyed our music and one man asked me when we going to really let rip, and turn the volume up. I told him we would love to, but as we'd had complaints we were finished for the day.
Most of the festival goers were lovely, and happy to hear us play, but as for the others.............
If they didn't want us to drum why did they book us????????????????
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