2022 Garden Gig is a big hit!
It was a wonderful evening of live music, starring acclaimed singer-songwriter Jennifer Owens and other talented local musicians and singers including renowned cellist Tony Wollard, whose 'Mozart Requiem for cello 'won the 2020 Classical Music Digital Awards (Lockdown Project), Ukranian singer Daniella Tushevska and Graveney Music. Composer and producer Andrew Holdsworth, accompanied the acts on piano - he also organised and produced all the music for the night.
The event was held in a beautiful garden on Chillerton Road, tickets were completely sold out! On arrival the audience enjoyed a glass of sparkling 'Chateau' Tooting - a very special tipple, produced from grapes grown in gardens across South London by Urban Wine Co. They also had a great choice of food, with Alan cooking beer-basted chicken and Stuart a delicious vegan curry (with vegetables and salad picked from his garden that morning) with a wide selection of desserts.
There was also a raffle. The Rose & Crown pub gave a £40 voucher, local photographer Amy Adams gave a signed copy of her fascinating new book 'Wild about Tooting & Furzedown' (which is for sale in Sprout, Morleys and other venues) and there was a special prize of a grape vine from The Urban Wine Company - to help grow your own Tooting vintage!
The Acts:
The evening started with Nyla Thomas, from Graveney school, who is just 16, she has an amazing soulful voice and we're sure to be hearing more from her. She was followed by 8 year-old Arianna Holdsworth (Andrew's talented daughter) who brought tears to many eyes! After dinner Archie Chettleburgh (aged 16) also from Graveney Music played the Trumpet Concertino.
Jennifer Owens sung several of her own heartfelt songs and her fiancé Guy Gyngell accompanied her on his guitar. She also did fabulous covers of songs - Diamonds was a memorable piece, which was accompanied by cellist Tony Woollard. In the second half Tony Woollard performed two solo pieces on the cello.
Before the break and at the very end of the show, Daniella Tushevska (@DiEvska) performed. She is a young Ukrainian refugee who had to flee her home and is currently staying with a host family in Furzedown. She wowed everyone at the Midsummer's Night Community Concert on 23 June and her final act was an emotional Ukrainian ballad View Di Evska's beautiful performance HERE. some of the money raised at the gig will go towards the piano lessons she wants, to help progress her career as she and her family make a new life in our community.
All profits will go to supporting local charities including South London MNDA and Little Village. As well as helping fund music lessons for our talented young singer Daniella.
Comments