GreenRoom Festival
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
MEET THE DIRECTOR :
ALEXANDRA CALLANAN ,
GreenRoom Festival
THE BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE OF LENHAM FINDS ITSELF HOME TO A WEEKEND OF WORLD-CLASS MUSIC THIS SEPTEMBER , WHEN THE GREENROOM FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE IN THE STUNNING SPACE OF TITHE BARN . insideKENT TALKS TO FESTIVAL DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA CALLANAN ABOUT DECIDING TO HOLD CONCERTS IN A BARN , HER CHOICE OF ARTISTS FOR THE PROGRAMME AND HER LOVE OF GOOD WINE ...
This is the first GreenRoom @ Lenham , what gave you the idea to start a festival series in the first place ?
Well , this is a first for Lenham and a first for me too . I have been a professional orchestral musician for the last 20 years but have always had a hand in producing concerts , especially the Bach To Baby series here in Kent . The idea for GreenRoom really came about during COVID when I would spend evenings talking and reminiscing with friends and colleagues about the great gigs we had been to or played in . A common thread seemed to be that the smaller , more intimate concerts were the ones that stood out in our minds . It also became clear very quickly how the pandemic was going to change the landscape of live music on all sorts of levels ... And gradually the idea began to sprout about GreenRoom .
The objective is to bring musicians usually found performing on the big stages around the world into a more intimate setting , giving the artist and the audience a different , more unique and personal experience – rather like mixing with the artist in the green room backstage .
ALEXANDRA CALLANAN AT THE TITHE BARN , LENHAM
So , who are the artists you have chosen for your first weekend and why did you pick them ?
We have four fantastic concerts over the weekend . To kick the festival off we have the world-famous Pasadena Roof Orchestra playing an evening of hot jazz and swing from the 1920s and 30s . You cannot help but smile when you hear and see this band play , their on-stage enthusiasm is infectious not to mention their sheer talent .
On Saturday morning we can ’ t forget the little people , so we are having a special Bach To Baby concert for anyone from 0-100 years old ! It will feature flautist Mary Thorneloe and pianist Dan Watts playing the stunning grand piano in a programme ranging from the BBC Proms favourite , The Sailors Hornpipe to Bach ’ s Badinerie .
On Saturday evening we have the incomparable oboe player and international soloist , Nicholas Daniel OBE joined by two special guests , the violinist Fenella Humphreys , winner of the 2018 BBC Music Magazine Instrumental Award and young up-and-coming superstar Jack Gonzales-Harding who will be playing harpsichord . If that wasn ’ t enough , they will be accompanied by members of the extraordinary London Mozart Players .
To end our inaugural festival on Sunday , we have jazz vocal superstar Clare Teal . Clare has released 15 albums on Sony Jazz , Candid and , more recently , on her own label . She has performed all over the world , collaborated with artists including Van Morrison and Gregory Porter , opened for Liza Minnelli and produced , presented and performed in numerous BBC Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall .
So , tell us about this intimate setting . Why did you choose a barn to host your first ever festival weekend ?
It ’ s not just any old barn ! The Tithe Barn at Lenham is the largest of its kind in the country . It dates back to the 14th century and is Grade I listed . No , it ’ s not your usual concert venue but that ’ s really the point . The GreenRoom mantra is ; big names , beautiful spaces – and this barn is certainly a beautiful space , which will be specially lit , allow us to do performances in the round , and by offering limited tickets we will offer both performers and audiences a really different but incredibly rewarding experience .
Apart from world-class music up-close-andpersonal what can the audience expect when they come to GreenRoom @ Lenham ?
We couldn ’ t have all this amazing music without some outstanding refreshments to go with it – and before it and after it ! I think listening to this music , live , with a glass of local wine in your hand has got to be one of life ’ s unrivalled pleasures . So there will be a bar supplied by one of Kent ’ s leading wine distributors featuring some amazing local wines , beers and soft drinks and a deli counter offering meat and cheese platters and picnic boxes . Ticket holders are also welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful grounds up to two hours before the concert too .
GreenRoom , big names , beautiful spaces , will be an experience not just a concert !
greenroomconcerts . com
32