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| LOCWS INTERNATIONAL: PRESS RELEASE 06.10.08 Canine Choir Concert draws an enthusiastic crowd Over 250 people turned up to Swansea yesterday to experience a live concert from the world’s first-ever canine Choir. The dogs were performing to a packed crowd in a marquee outside The National Waterfront Museum. To kick-off proceedings the artist behind the project Richard Higlett introduced the audience to the furry crooners before launching straight into ‘A Song for Jack’, a melody written by the artist in dedication to Swansea Jack, a black retriever who saved 27 people from drowning in Swansea docks in the 1930’s. The seven-piece outfit howled and whined their way through the five-minute tune, with accompaniment from two violinists, a cellist and a pianist from West Glamorgan Music Service. Edward the basset hound provided a wonderful bass baritone to the choir, whilst shih-tzus Benji and Buster and Bishon Frise Hollywood supplied the higher soprano tones. Eva the German Shepherd’s howls offered an excellent alto-tone to the choir. With his tuxedo, complete with a red bow tie, Bruno the cross-terrier certainly looked the part and joined in the cacophony of sounds. Angus, the Jack Russell despite initially getting distracted and escaping into the crowd soon settled into the swing of things and joined in with the music. The song was received to wild applause and whistles. Next Richard introduced a somewhat shy Border collie called Zac who joined the canine choristers. This weekend marked his birthday and he showed off his dulcet tones when the audience sang Happy Birthday to him. The concert was wrapped up with a sing-a-long version of ‘All you Need’s a Dog’ to the tune of the Beatles’ ‘All you Need is Love’. Artist Richard Higlett said “The concert went well and brought out some interesting sounds and frequencies. Thanks must go to the dogs and their owners for being such stars.” Robert Brown, a member of the audience commented, “It was a fantastic event. It brought together lots of elements that speak of Swansea – singing, music and dog lovers, as well as slightly quirky mayhem! It was a great way to get people involved in a creative process.” There is an exhibition documenting the whole process from the auditions, to the recording studio sessions and a film of the concert available to see in the National Waterfront Museum until the 18th October. The project was commissioned and organized by Locws International as part of Locws Projects ’08. It is run to coincide with Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. A special ‘Art and Pasta’ tour of all exhibitions within the Festival will take place on Tuesday 14 October at 6pm. For more details please see the Swansea Festival website www.swanseafestival.org Further information can be found on www.artacrossthecity.com Locws International is a visual arts charity that works with artists to create temporary arts projects for public and accessible spaces across the city of Swansea. Each project is designed as a response to the character, culture, stories, heritage and people of the city. For further information visit www.artacrossthecity.com. With support from the Arts Council of Wales and The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. /Ends Notes to Editors: For further information contact Grace Davies, Project Manager on 01792 468979 or grace@locwsinternational.com for images or further information
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| locws 3 catalogue ISBN 0-9545291-1-1 |
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| locws 1 & 2 catalogue ISBN 0-9545291-0-3 |
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