Feast of the Dead

Join Feast of the Dead choir

Hastings-based arts company, Dens & Signals, are offering two free Voice and Song Workshops, which offer people a fun opportunity to explore their unique voices and make some noise. Participants will build confidence and learn new skills – and be the first to sing a newly composed choral work. Those who take part will have the opportunity to perform as part of a temporary choir in Feast of the Dead, at the Stade Hall in September. 

Led by regular Dens & Signals collaborating composer, Lewis Gibson, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Preece, these fun workshops are intended for anyone with an interest in singing and expressive vocal sound.

Gibson says, “We welcome beginners, as well as more experienced singers, and we’re really excited to see who turns up. It’s all about a variety of voices. The workshops, and the new choral piece, have been designed to work with a real range of skill and voice”.

The first workshop takes place on Monday 15 August, 18.30-21.30, at All Saints Church Hall, and the second one at West Hill Community Centre on Sunday 11 September, 14-18.

Participation is free and everyone is welcome to attend either one or both workshops. Please let Dens & Signals know if you’re planning to attend (or if you have any questions) by emailing choir@densandsignals.co.uk.

Feast of the Dead

What’s a temporary choir? Ben Pacey who, with Jane Packman, co-directs the company, Dens and Signals, says: “The workshops are part of an exciting programme of community engagement which is focused around a new performance event we’re presenting in September.

“Feast of the Dead – which combines a delicious thee course meal and an extraordinary performance – invites audiences to attend dressed as ghosts from the 1066 battlefield, an idea which I know will appeal to many Hastings residents.”

Pacey adds, “Performing as part of the Feast of the Dead choir will be a pretty special, one-off opportunity, which should be a lot of fun.”

For more information: Feast of the Dead with Dens and Signals.

Dens and Signals make seductive performance events about substantial things. Artistic directors Jane Packman and Ben Pacey established Dens and Signals in 2015 and have been making theatre and participatory events together since 2008. Their aim is to reach people—including people not usually engaged with the arts—with high-quality, memorable performances. Their work is made collaboratively: between themselves, other artists and the audiences. Much of their previous work was produced by Jane Packman Company.

Feast of the Dead is part of the ROOT1066, an international festival of contemporary arts inspired by the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and funded by Hastings Borough Council and Arts Council England. Dens & Signals’ choir workshops and community engagement programme are funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

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