In 2007 Leonie teamed up with talented singer/songwriter
Julie Roberts; their first joint performance in
February of that year, commissioned by Crawley
Arts Council, was at the Ifield Barn Theatre.
AIRS AND DISGRACES
In 2008 the duo became a trio, with the addition
of well-known bassist Gary Holder under the
name of Airs and Disgraces: their gigs in that
year included cabaret at the Floating Fish,
Worthing, as a warm-up to their show at the
Brighton Festival Fringe in May, Horsham Music
Week, the Arundel Arts Festival, the Windsor
Festival Fringe, and another performance in
Brighton at the Sanctuary Cafe.
A
dramatic moment!
Airs and Disgraces is a feisty
programme of poetry and song. Julie’s wonderful
interpretations of folk and contemporary and
Leonie’s poignant and wicked poetry explore
themes of time, life, love and who changes the
loo roll.
Wednesday
10th September
The trio were interviewed on BBC Southern Counties
Radio Kent (+ BBC Southern Counties Radio, BBC
Radio Solent, BBC Radio Oxford, BBC Radio Berkshire)
Roger Day Across the South. Leonie recited her
popular “Talent” poem and Julie sang Fifteen
Summers by Gallagher & Lyle (Gary Holder
on double bass).
Thursday
11th September,
BBC Southern Counties Radio shortly after 4
pm. Drivetime with Sarah Gorrell who interviewed
Julie and Leonie. They played the Tracy Chapman
song “Baby can I hold You” from Julie and Gary’s
CD. Following a discussion about ageism (triggered
by Michael Winner’s abusive remarks about older
women) Leonie recited her hilarious poem OAP,
which looks at ageing from an unusual angle.
Michael Winner's tirade gave rise to the following
riposte from Leonie:
They arrested Grandma just after dinner
for throwing bricks at Michael Winner.
When asked in Court to explain her action
she expressed her deep dissatisfaction
with the verbal abuse, never forgotten,
from the man with a face like a hippo's bottom.
Oh, Lord, look kindly on her, a sinner -
- and drop a piano on Michael Winner!
2009 PERFORMANCES
2009 kicked off with a terrific gig for Airs
and Disgraces on 5th April at the Horsham Folk
Club.
This was followed by a duo with Julie Roberts
in June at Gary Holder’s new Music Club in Coolham,
as a "taster" for the full Airs and Disgraces
show at the Club on 5th November. The trio also
took part in the Barns Green Festival on the
5th July. A short version formed part
of the Worthing Arts Festival, on 23rd July.
On 1st August, Airs and Disgraces - the full
show - was performed at a private party at the
Ditchling Retirement Village, and very enthusiastically
received.
9th October
Leonie took part in an Open Mic evening at Gary's
Live Music Club in Coolham.
5th November
An hour-long performance of Airs and Disgraces
closed the evening at Gary's Live Music Club.
This very successful gig was the last of
2009. Check this website regularly for news
of forthcoming events in 2010.
2010
Gigs
Leonie has now branched out into songwriting!
Her anthem "For the Common Good" has been
beautifully set to music by Julie Roberts who
performed it for the first time at Gary's Live
Music Club on 6th March. This was very
well received, and further joint productions
are planned. On Saturday April 24th, Leonie
performed some of her poems at the Open Mic
evening at Gary's Live Music Club., Coolham.
On Friday 16th July, Leonie was one of the
poets performing in the Oscar Oscars, as part
of the Sunny Worthing Arts Festival; venue
the St. Paul's Centre, Worthing.
On July 17th Leonie,Julie and Gary Holder
presented a 45 minute version of Airs and Disgraces
at Gary's Live Music Club . This performance
included the new anthem, and was a great success.
A CD is planned in the New Year.
2011
Gigs
Leonie
and Julie appeared in the Floating Fish Cabaret
on Friday January 28th at the John Selden Hotel,
Worthing. Then an Airs and Disgraces gig
on 25th March at Gary Holder's Acoustic
Club, Honeywood Lane, in front of a full house,
was very successful.
During the summer months, Leonie took part in
several poetry gigs around Sussex;
Saturday 1 October - Airs and Disgraces performed
during the Shoreham Wordfest festival in St
Mary de Haura church, Shoreham by Sea. Part
of a concert with Shoreham Singers by Sea. A
great show with huge applause.
Participation in a poetry and prose slam at
the Shoreham Ropetackle the following evening
led to an invitation to perform at an evening
of humorous poems at the Hare and Hounds on
October 13th in Worthing as part of Worthing
Comedy Week - this was great fun.
Airs
and Disgraces had gigs in Horsham (The Tanners'
Arms) on 30th November, followed by two performances
in Decenber: at Barns Green on the 7th and at
Gary's Acoustic Club in Coolham on the 16th.
So the year's end turned out quite hectic!
2012
April 1st saw the launch of a book of writings
by members of the JWF (Jewish Women Friends
in Sussex), to which Leonie was one of the contributors.
The book was enthusiastically received and is
selling rapidly..
Airs and Disgraces had three very successful
gigs this autumn: on September 28th we topped
the bill at Gary's Club in Honeywood Lane. Then
on 6th October we performed in St. Mary de Haura
Church Shoreham, as part of the Shoreham Wordfest,
We took part in this arts festival last year
and were invited to return this year, As last
year, we had a very appreciative audience. It's
always very flattering to be asked to do a return
gig!
The Big Gig happened on 15th October, Gary Holder
organised an Acoustic Showcase in the Capitol
Theatre ,Horsham in front of an audience of
more than 300. This evening was a stunning success
- so much so in fact that a second Showcase
is being planned for 2013,
2013
A prolonged bout of ill-health earlier in the
year meant that Leonie was unable to accept
any gigs, but she and Julie Roberts, with Gary
Holder, will be presenting Airs and Disgraces
on July 18th at St. Nicholas' Church, Itchingfield.
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