Duo are singing the praises of Tribal art! (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Duo are singing the praises of Tribal art!

6:47pm Thursday 21st 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.

“Many people said thanks - can you keep it going,” explained 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.

Ali said 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.

With a £4,000 grant from the BBC Choral Fund in the bag - as well as match funding - Ali and Jodi are gearing up to augment the choir this month and are really keen to expand on 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.”

She is particularly keen to develop backing music, with vocal and body percussion which provides rhythm.

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

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.