Tongue Tribe choir wants to spread a little sunshine (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Tongue Tribe choir wants to spread a little sunshine

1:50pm Friday 8th January 2010 in

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TONGUE Tribe was set-up for the Staveley Carnival in 2008.

An a cappela choir led by Ali Rigg, they staged eight weeks of workshops before putting on three fantastic performances.

So successful was the venture that Ali and kindred spirit Jodi Watson, who helps run the 20-plus group of singers, decided to keep the music flowing.

“May people said thanks - can you keep it going,” informed Ali.

“So we did.

“One woman approached us with a real grief about the choir finishing. She said ‘I’m mourning the loss of this already.’”

In its first year TT performed in Ings Parish Church, Staveley Village Community Hall, a field in Staveley, a home for the elderly, Barrow’s Forum 28 arts venue and a cave at Little Langdale.

And Ali told me that this year’s TT summer performances promise to be just as exiting and varied.

The choir sings world, folk, reggae and pop music as well as original compositions and arrangements.

So, with a £4,000 grant from the BBC Choral Fund in the bag - as well as matching funding - Ali and Jodi, who are both natural voice practitioners, are gearing up to augment the choir this month and are really keen to expand on the places TT performs.

One such notion is to perform Bring me Sunshine in front of the Eric Morecambe statue at Morecambe.

Ali explained that they’re looking to attract more singers who want to strengthen their abilities, learn diverse new material and engage in what she calls some “serious fun.”

There are no auditions and Jodi pointed out that Tongue Tribe isn’t a traditional choir as such: “We’ve a slightly alternative view."

Ali is keen to develop backing music, with vocal and body percussion, such as slaps and claps on knees and chests, which provide rhythm.

Based in Barrow, she has been inspiring the Cumbrian community in chorus for almost ten years.

With her wealth of experience, her unique ear for song and beautiful velvet voice she enthuses and radiates a great passion for singing.

Ali has performed in many shows and productions, from large scale theatre extravaganzas with the formerly known Welfare State International (these days Lanternhouse International) at Ulverston to festivals with Sonic Tradition and Tongue Tide.

Tongue Tribe rehearse at Ings on Thursdays, from 7pm-9pm Those interested in joining should telephone Ali on 07812-155104 or email Jodi at info@tonguetide.biz.