Storytelling and musical events in the Earthouse

An evening at the Ancient Technology Centre will take you back to a time when people gathered in round wooden buildings, around a fire. There are no signs of modern technology as only firelight and oil lamps light the Earthouse. Along with a wonderful performance, all you will see are wooden walls and rafters, a chalk floor, firelight and the stars through the skylight.

Our next storytelling event

Saturday 4 May, 7.30pm - The Old Woman, the Buffalo and the Lion of Manding with Jan Blake, Kouame Sereba and Raymond Sereba.  Suitable for people aged 14+.

A great leader, born from extraordinary circumstances. Can the words of a passing hunter foretell the future of the Kingdom of Mali? Should the king go against reason and hold true to prophecy? A conflicted king, a jealous first wife, a disfigured buffalo woman and a child with a destiny. Their lives intertwine to bring us a story of courage and shame, faith and kindness, unexpected generosity and, above all, strength.

'The Birth of Sundiata Keita', a visionary of the great Malian Empire, is told across West Africa as a tale of kingship and battle. Discover the rarely heard story of his mother, her grandmother and the extraordinary circumstances of this legendary leader's birth. One of Mali's most enduring epics, this inspiring tale reaches across the centuries, from its origins in thirteenth-century Africa to the recent conflicts of our own time when its telling was forbidden.

Jan Blake: Jan is one of Britain's outstanding female storytellers, performing in theatres and festivals the length and breadth of Europe. She was born in Manchester to Jamaican parents. Inspired by recordings of 'Miss Lou' (Louise Bennett) she came to telling stories in 1986. She rapidly gained an international reputation for witty and exhilarating performances. She has a powerful singing voice and can seize any stage. Specialising in folktales from West Africa, North Africa, the Arab world and the Caribbean, her repertoire is full of tales of powerful women and her versions of Ananse's exploits are definitive.

Kouame Sereba: Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Kouame Sereba was born in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. He was sent by his parents to their native village Tiegba at the age of 10. Living there he learned about traditional life, music and dance. By the age of 20, he travelled across the African continent where he visited and lived in Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Cameron, Central African Republic, Sudan and Egypt. In addition to playing guitar, percussion and djembe, Kouame is a master of the Dodo, a mouth harp known for its overtone-rich, almost electronic sound.

Raymond Sereba: Like his brother Kouame, Raymond was born in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, but moved to Norway in 1983, where he is an actor, dancer and musician. Raymond has toured concerts with a variety of productions both as a solo artist and with various groups and performers. His richly varied work has included being involved in the worldwide conference ISME in South Africa, undertaking commissions for OSLO WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL, and holding workshops for children and young people in Palestine. Raymond and Kouame represent the band Zikalo.

Tickets

Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for 14-16 year olds.

Payment methods
For ticket availability and to make a booking, please contact East Dorset Heritage Trust on: 01202 888992.  You can pay over the phone by credit card and your tickets will be emailed to you (a small surcharge per transaction will apply). Alternatively, once you have booked your tickets over the phone, make cheques payable to 'ATC Friends Account' and send with a stamped addressed envelope to EDHT, Allendale House, Hanham Road, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 1AS.


Please contact the Admin, finance and marketing Officer if you would like to be added to our mailing list.

Dates for your diary

25 May - Music and Storytelling: 'JAMINAROUND' organised by Oliver Keen

13 July  - Storytelling: with Jo Blake Cave, Dominic Kelly, Emily Parrish, Ben Haggarty, Cat Gerrard and Laura Burns

17 August - Storytelling and Sting in the Tale Festival Launch: with Daniel Morden

21 August - Storytelling and craft day: with the New Forest Storytellers

27 August - Storytelling and performance art:with Michael O'Leary and Nadia Calipa

19 October - Storytelling: with Nick Hennessey, Vicky Swan and Jonny Dyer

9 November - Music concert:with Nigel Shaw and Carolyn Hillyer

23 November  - Storytelling: with Clare Muireann Murphy

20 - 22 December - 'Bear Feast' A Pagan celebration of Midwinter with Kate Fletcher & Corwen Broch.

Some comments about events at the Earthouse:

"It wasn't a story it was pure magic."

"The setting was magnificent."

"It was spellbinding - an evening I shall remember with huge pleasure. I didn't want it to end. I arrived rather sceptical, departed converted."

"A marvellous experience in an amazing building!"

"I love this place! What a wonderful combination - an excellent storytelling in a building which inspires, refreshes and transports me into a timeless space."

• Admin, finance and marketing Officer
  Name: Mrs Marnie Shaw
  Email: m.shaw@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224517
  Full details for Mrs Marnie Shaw