Best Foot Music

One of the joys of biking is the random encounters, this weekend was one of the best. Towards the end of a bike ride, noticed a new cafe, so pulled over just for a peek and overheard these 2 guys talking about getting the ferry to France with their bikes. We got chatting, they even bought us a cuppa (they offered a fry up, which was nice). Anyway, they're biking from Birmingham to Paris, sponsored, raising funds for people affected by the floods in Bangladesh. The younger guy has never done a long bike ride before. It was lovely chatting with them, and they're doing something great, please donate and/or share if you can. https://campaigns.givebrite.com/bham2paris

The language around people seeking safety has become so hostile and dehumanised, BBC News can't even bother to talk about people. 12 people drowned, including 6 children. This could have easily been avoided. The Labour Party needs to stop pandering to far right lies and create safe routes for people fleeing war and oppression, especially when those wars are directly linked to UK foreign policy. Second image from Conversations Over Borders

https://padlet.com/ArtistsofBrighton/artists-of-brighton-connect-create-collaborate-nzu5ikovs8ytz0qv
Laila is one of the organisers of Baice Conference, this year Sussex Uni is hosting. She's made this padlet with some of the activities she's running, including a music evening with Best Foot Music

padlet.com

We were planning a little camping trip this weekend, but Laila banged her head, she's ok, just resting up...So anyway, here's some great music/community events we're involved with at some of Brightons favourite spaces The Rose Hill & Brighton & Hove City Libraries. It's all about community collaborations folks..See our website for dates...more details to follow.

Winter Events 2024 - 2025 It's almost Winter....Did we ever have a Summer you ask?Either way, keep warm with these FREE community events, all with a great line up of music and sometimes food... All welcome! More details to follow. Razom ~ Together is back!A warm community space, together in collaboration with the local Ukrai...

https://youtube.com/?si=BDExPVGFmQgjBh87
Before you go to bed tonight, subscribe to this guys channel..He launches in two weeks, it'll be good.

Peoples Resurgence Producing content on social issues including politics, racism, anti-Islam, right wing extremism, white nationalism. Looking at how media & politicians fuel societal problems, for political & personal gain.

I started a Substack, it's for photography, drawings, soundscapes & general writing that's maybe or maybe not related to Best Foot Music...anyway it's got some pics and sounds from our recent Euro trip. Subscribe if you like. https://bestfootmusic.substack.com/

This is next weekend, it's free and all are welcome, organised by Stand for Ukraine - Brighton&Hove. There will be food, craft and of course music, including Ukrainian Syrian fusion group Fol'klor Musiqaa. Best Foot Music will be there with our sound system.
https://fb.me/e/733vBTqqv

Libraries are for everyone 🧡 We stand in steadfast solidarity with all those targeted in these hateful attacks - including Spellow Lane Library in Liverpool which was burnt out. Racism, Islamophobia and violence have no place in our communities.

Liverpool Libraries and Information Services Sanctuary on Sea City of Sanctuary Best Foot Music Refugee Week Sussex Interpreting Services Afrori Books Writing Our Legacy New Writing South Swansea Libraries Calderdale Libraries Cambridgeshire Libraries West Berkshire Libraries Cheshire West and Chester Libraries Essex Library Service Manchester Libraries Official Portsmouth libraries Sandwell Libraries Lancashire Libraries Newcastle Libraries Sefton Libraries East Sussex Library and Information Service Kirklees Libraries Brighton & Hove City Council

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2024/07/why-hijab-bans-in-french-sports-defy-olympic-values-and-human-rights/

“Excellence, respect, friendship”: Why hijab bans in French sports defy Olympic values and human rights Why hijab bans in French sports defy Olympic values and human rights The three values of Olympism are excellence, respect and friendship. To honour these, the host country France must lift bans on wearing hijabs in sports.

2 new blog posts with the local Ukrainian community. The first one of Kupala, a lovely community summer festival, the 2nd of the vigil held 2 days later after the Russian bombing of civilian targets, including a children's hospital in Ukraine. Stand for Ukraine - Brighton&Hove Владислава Бондар. Pics and audio recordings with both.
https://www.bestfootmusic.net/blog

On Sunday afternoon the Ukrainian community celebrated Kupala festival, an event they've created here since 2022. A celebration of Ukrainian culture, with live music food and a play, written by local members. A character in the play The Yellow King, represents the Holodomor, the Soviet caused famine in 1932/3 that killed over 3.3 million people. Last night many of the same people from Sundays celebration, stood in grief at a vigil in Churchill Square after once again Russia bombed civilian targets including a children's hospital. Siân Berry local Green Party MP sent a message of support, and the local Lib Dem party sent representation. Passing members of the public also supported, including a guy from Afghanistan, who talked about what had happened in his homeland. As so often on these occasions grief and resistance were expressed through singing. Stand for Ukraine - Brighton&Hove

On Sunday, the local Ukrainian community celebrated mid summer Kupala festival, there was a joyous atmosphere to the day. On Monday, Russian bombs targeted once again civilians in Ukraine, a children's hospital, schools and homes were destroyed. There is a vigil tonight at Churchill Square, from 18.30, please come support the local community.

A few from today's Kupala festival, organised by the local Ukrainian community. Originally it had been planned for outside, but the weather had other ideas. Great to see everyone, lots of fantastic music, dancing, an incredible play and celebrations of Ukrainian folkloric culture, old and new. Stand for Ukraine - Brighton&Hove.

Important update for anyone attending Kupala tomorrow. Due to British summertime weather, it's now in the All Saints community hall from 1.00

What a fantastic we had in libraries last week! A huge thank you to everyone who helped us organise events, performed, read poetry, shared their story, attended an event or made a badge of welcome!🧡
Our hearts are warm with hope and inspiration!

📸 and an extra thank you to Best Foot Music for capturing some of the performances so wonderfully.

Sussex Interpreting Services The Network of International Women for Brighton & Hove Euro Mediterranean Resources Network The Launchpad Collective Brighton & Hove City Council Sanctuary on Sea Refugee Week

https://garthcartwright.substack.com/p/a-week-in-live-music-london-and-brighton
Prolific gig reviewer Garth Cartwright gives our Refugee Week gig a nice review on his Substack...do have a look. Brighton & Hove City Libraries

A Week In Live Music – London & Brighton So many gigs, so little time! Funk, country, swamp soul, Afghani, Ukrainian and more.

During the sporting excitement last night, I managed to find a couple of minutes to upload pics from Refugee Week to our blog pages...Thanks Manal for some of these pics and to everyone who came, supported and helped. Music and video clips to follow. Brighton & Hove City Libraries Refugee Week
https://www.bestfootmusic.net/post/refugeeweekjune2024

Thanks to everyone involved in Hastings Sanctuary Festival Hastings Supports Refugees an absolutely brilliant day out as always. We were there with Fol'klor Musiqaa, Syrian ~ Ukrainian Fusion group, who did a cracking performance!

A huge thank you to all the creative people who made today, who shared poetry & music, some incredibly moving moments. Thanks also to all who supported and helped make this happen. There will be more photo's from the official photographer, but here's a few to start. Brighton & Hove City Libraries Refugee Week

celebrations continue all week at Brighton & Hove Libraries!
Join Bertie and Bow Entertainment for a fun, creative workshop for children exploring the theme of Home.

📆Saturday 22 June
🕰10-11am
🧑‍🦱Suitable for 5-12 years
💷Free

Refugee Week Best Foot Music

First of 2 Refugee Week gigs this week, at Jubilee Library Brighton & Hove City Libraries, with Bashir Al Gamar, who was absolutely brilliant. The event also featured poems and stories of lived experience from Euro Mediterranean Resources Network and Sussex Interpreting Services

https://www.bestfootmusic.net/post/refugeeweekjune2024
First event is tonight folks at 17.30 at Jubilee Library with Brighton & Hove City Libraries then another on Saturday.. Free, all welcome...See you there.

Refugee Week June 2024 at Jubilee Library Two upcoming free events, at the Jubilee Library Brighton, for Refugee Week, thanks to National Lottery Awards for All Grant for funding.Fol'klor Musiqaa ~ Rehearsal SessionThursday 20th June, 17.30 - 18.30Sudanese poetry and music from Bashir Al Gamar, plus readings and stories of journeys of peopl...

https://bestfootmusic.bandcamp.com/album/bashir-al-gamar
https://www.facebook.com/share/FMhwncm9zswcA955/
Bashir Al Gamar and I met via a gig with Refugee Radio, we made these recordings at our old flat, about a week before we moved out. I still enjoy listening to them. Every time he plays you can see people in the audience, visibly moved by his music and warmth. Come hear him live tomorrow night at Jubilee Brighton & Hove City Libraries Jubilee Library, from 5.30, along with poetry and readings with people talking about their stories of seeking refuge in the UK.

Bashir Al Gamar, by Best Foot Music 4 track album

Programme details and community groups for Refugee Week at Jubilee Library Brighton & Hove City Libraries. Thanks Stand for Ukraine - Brighton&Hove Sanctuary on Sea and all the other community groups for their support.

https://youtu.be/SFahof5_oVI
Last Saturday, Fol'klor Musiqaa had a rehearsal at Jubilee Library, for their upcoming gig, on the 22nd June for Refugee Week at the same venue. Thanks to all the fantastic musicians and Brighton & Hove City Libraries for their support. See full line up in link below. https://www.bestfootmusic.net/post/refugeeweekjune2024

Fol'klor Musiqaa ~ Rehearsal Session Syrian ~ Ukrainian fusion group rehearsing at Jubilee Library, Brighton, 8th June 2024. Preparing for their Refugee Week event in the library on 22nd June.ht...

Just over a week to go folks...lots of lovely people, music and poetry for all. Free!
https://www.facebook.com/share/XLKUQM31fXMKeYL5/

is next week and is a worldwide celebration of the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
🧡
Brighton & Hove Libraries have been awarded Library Service of Sanctuary in 2024. We are committed to supporting and working with people seeking sanctuary in our city and to giving a platform to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

We have an exciting week of events and activities planned in libraries to celebrate, running from 17 June to 23 June. Find out more information and how to get involved here ▶️ https://bit.ly/BHRefugeeWeek2024

Refugee Week Brighton & Hove City Council Sanctuary on Sea Best Foot Music Euro Mediterranean Resources Network Sussex Interpreting Services

Fun and really interesting rehearsal session with Fol'klor Musiqaa, Syrian ~ Ukrainian fusion group. Thanks to Brighton & Hove City Libraries for their support, see you at the gig on the 22nd June folks, FREE, All Welcome. See our website for details.
https://www.bestfootmusic.net/post/refugeeweekjune2024