(Report by Lance)
Talk about a party? This was a party! OMG just so much happening! We know that when Sage Gateshead throws a party it's going to be the best thing ever outside of Buckingham Palace and the White House. In fact the only thing that shaded it for London 2012 was that Roz Rigby didn't arrive by helicopter with 007 - where was Eddie Bellis when you needed him?
Apart from that, Sage Gateshead has never had quite a night like this! Jugglers, Gymnasts, Acrobats, Unicyclist, the ISIS window cleaners (this was when we felt we felt we really needed James Bond!). The steel pans, the percussionists producing the most amazing rhythms from the staircase rails.
The poignant moment when the sombre music accompanied the spotlight on Clarence Adoo - this party wouldn't have meant anything if he hadn't been there.
Singing Happy Birthday on this the building's tenth anniversary.
And of course the hospitality in the Green Room...
Hall One: Hawthorn Primary Symphony Orchestra.
A primary school orchestra playing Vivaldi! A school in Elswick! C'mon Jesmond and Gosforth, you've got some catching up to do!
The tears were rolling down my cheeks - that's right, me, the hardboiled jazzer who goes down the mean streets of the city in search of music, sentimentalised by these kids from a deprived area playing, and obviously enjoying, music.
Back in the 60's the slogan was 'Make Love Not War', maybe we can add 'Make Music Not War''
Meanwhile, down on the Concourse, Jambone (pictured) were flying the jazz flag. Graham Hardy was fronting for Paul Edis who was pantomiming although his presence was felt in the form of his compositions.
The band were great and, with the presence of alumni Bradley Johnston on guitar to inspire them, the young soloists told the world "Move over John Coltrane, tell Miles Davis the news" - well maybe...
Back to Hall One and the Sinfonia's Work in Progress by Jonathan Dove and Phillip Shotton.
I was uneasy about this - maybe it was me but I found the audio/video presentation at least initially confusing..
The screen above the stage flashed images of Sage Gateshead being built - 3 images at a time. The orchestra were playing which, at least for me, meant I struggled to connect images and music.
However, when it all finally did come together it was magnificent!
The Sinfonia sawing away like woodchoppers, and behind them, Jambone, the voices, the folkies, the panners and the hearts of everyone listening.
As I said, this was quite a party.
Many of the gigs overlapped and some ran on after my time to leave - sadly I missed the Hilliard Quartet - but, it had been a long day.
Let's not say here's to the next ten years - let's say here's to forever!
Lance
PS: And, like all good parties, the icing on any birthday cake is meeting people and discovering those who are on the same wavelength...
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