FUNK WIRE
Many people have been put off singing in choirs by experiences at school or elsewhere, or may simply lack the confidence to join with others in collective music-making. But many of us also really enjoy a good sing and would like to enjoy the many proven physical and emotional benefits of singing together …. so this is where the Funk Wire, led by our "choir master" Ron Norman, comes in.
The Funk Wire is an inclusive community participation choir which we originally set up in 2016. No previous experience, ability to read music or musical ability needed!
With a wide repertoire of pop tunes from Abba to Zappa (well … maybe one day!) and other favourites, we sing primarily for our own pleasure, with occasional events with guests (such as our annual Christmas gathering) where we try to facilitate ‘singalongs’.
We normally meet fortnightly on Thursday afternoons from 2pm – 4pm at the Conistone with Kilnsey Village Hall, and anyone is very welcome to come along for a ‘taster’.
New Funk Wire dates for September to December 2024
Please note the that we are breaking the fortnightly pattern in order to squeeze in more sessions beor the Christmas Singalong. Usual timings 2pm to 4 pm.
Thursday 19th and 26th September at Kettlewell
Thursday October 3rd, 17th and 31st Conistone
Thursday November 7th, 21st, and 28th Conistone
Thusday 5th December Conistone
Friday 6th December 7.30pm Christmas Singalong at Kettlewell
2024 SUMMER SINGALONG
Thursday July 18th Grassington Town Hall
Full fat members:
• Start 9.30 am
• Tea & coffee available but bring own lunch + water
• Work intensively on new material for pm performance.
Semi-Skimmed choir members and Guests arrive 2pm for fizz, nibbles & bites
• Start 2.30pmish: hear a performance by the Full Fat Funk Wire!
• Followed by usual singalong
Finish 4.30pm
You can watch and participate in the Funk Wire YouTube videos here
Funk Wire – Past Performances
Sadly our 2020/21 events were severely curtailed due to the Covid Pandemic
9th May 2020: A singalong celebrating the anniversary of VE-Day, outside (and socially distanced) on the village green Arncliffe
Summer 2020 Ron established the YouTube videos for the choir to keep singing whilst in Covid lockdowns.
11th November 2021: The Funk Wire sessions restarted in Arncliffe village hall
10th December 2021: Christmas singalong at Kettlewell Village Hall
2019
29th June: Funk Wire sang in Grassington Square as part of the Grassington Festival encouraging the audience to sing along
13th December: Christmas singalong to a packed audience in Village Hall, Arncliffe
22nd December: Funk Wire took part in the Christmas Carol Service at St. Oswald's church in Arncliffe
2018
19thDecember : Christmas singalong to a packed audience in the Falcon Inn Arncliffe
10thJuly : Performance and singalong with Kettlewell WI at the Village Hall, Kettlewell
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the WW1 Armistice Funk Wire held two performances of period pieces at Cracoe Village Hall as part of the 1918 exhibition
14th December: the Choir held a Christmas singalong to a full audience in the Falcon Inn Arncliffe
23rd December: Played a part in the Christmas Carol Service at St. Oswald's church in Arncliffe
2017
17th August: Inaugural "Summer Singalong" at the Falcon Inn Arncliffe
The Funk Wire annual Christmas Sing along
UWALS AGM
Wednesday 27th November 7pm at Conistone with Kilnsey Hall.
We are very pleased to have Dr. Malcolm Petyt speak to us . He will explore what is covered by the term “dialect” and how Emily Bronte displays many features of her local dialect in Wuthering Heights.
More details on the What's On page.
2024 Photography Workshop
Details of a new Christmas Photography workshop to be found on the What's On pages.
Presenting the Past
If you missed the exhibition weekends don't worry, you can enjoy much of it here: