Cricklereaders November 2024 – Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
November’s Cricklereaders choice is The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden.
Join the group on the sofa at the library on Sunday 3 November, 1030 am, or read along at home.
October’s Last Friday is Jessop Duo
This month we’re delighted to be joined by Emily Suzanne Shapiro on clarinet, and Danielle Rogan on flute, collectively known as The Jessop Duo.
Northern Irish flutist Danielle Rogan is a freelance orchestral, chamber and solo musician based in London. She has worked with London Concert Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, Mozart Symphony Orchestra and Wexford Festival Opera. She has played on commercial recordings and on RTÉ Lyric FM, and performed in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Berlin Konzerthaus, Cadogan Hall, Hammersmith Apollo and the National Concert Hall Dublin. Danielle has appeared in several recital series including ‘Making an Entrance’ at Castletown House Kildare, Live@St. Mark’s Hamilton Terrace and St Saviour’s Church Pimlico. She performed at the 2022 Euro Knowledge Awards in the House of Lords, and around the world on Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. Danielle was a member of Euterpe Wind Quintet, Galway Music Residency ‘Apprentice Ensemble of the Year 2018’, and is currently a member of the World Harmony Orchestra. Danielle graduated with a Masters in Performance with distinction from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where her teachers were William Dowdall and Patricia Morris. She previously studied with Elizabeth Bennett during her Bachelor degree at Queen’s University and Richard Davis at the Royal Northern College of Music. She also had memorable masterclass experiences with James Galway, William Bennett, Michael Cox, Lorna McGhee and Paul Edmund Davies, and completed orchestral training with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. Danielle is grateful for the support of the Arts Council NI, who awarded her the ‘Musical Instruments for Individuals’ grant in 2020. In 2008 she was awarded the ‘Sam Mahood’ bursary by Banbridge District Arts Council.
Emily Suzanne Shapiro is a bass clarinetist and clarinetist dedicated to exploring and creating new music. Originally from Canada, Emily pursued her studies at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Academy of Music, Concordia University and the Domaine Forget academy. Emily has a special love for the sound and scope of bass instruments and constantly pushes the limits of what she can do on bass clarinet.
Alongside performing contemporary music on bass clarinet, Emily is involved in many other musical endeavours. Composing and improvising are central to her career, and she has been an active performer of Balinese gamelan for 10 years and has also explored jazz, klezmer, rock and electroacoustics. She is always seeking out new artistic experiences to enrich and motivate her work.
She has performed all over London, including l’iklectik, Café Oto, Hundred Years Gallery, LSO St Luke’s, the Vaults festival, the Barbican and many more.
Get your tickets here.
How Much Do you Love Our Coffee?
Imagine stepping into the cosy, aromatic haven of a community café nestled within the heart of Cricklewood. The scent of freshly ground coffee beans mingles with the sweet and spicy cakey aroomas, creating an irresistible invitation that beckons you to come closer. Now, picture yourself not just as a visitor, but as a volunteer barista, crafting these delightful experiences for your neighbours.
You might be seeking new ways to fill your days with purpose and joy. Volunteering as a barista offers the perfect blend of satisfaction and new skill development. Every cup of coffee you prepare becomes an opportunity to learn and grow, from mastering the art of creating the perfect espresso shot to frothing milk into a creamy, cloud-like consistency. The process is as rewarding as it is enjoyable, with each step providing a tangible sense of accomplishment.
But it’s not just about the coffee. It’s about the community. The café, located conveniently in the library, serves as a vibrant hub for Cricklewood’s residents. Here, you’ll meet people from all walks of life, each with their own story to share. You’ll find yourself building connections, one smile and one conversation at a time. The camaraderie among fellow volunteers and patrons alike fosters a sense of belonging and support that is truly heartwarming.
Imagine the satisfaction of seeing a regular’s face light up when you remember their favourite order, or the joy of a newcomer discovering their new go-to drink, thanks to your recommendation. These small moments of connection can brighten anyone’s day, including your own.
Full training will be given, and you can do this at your own pace. Please ask any barista for more details – they’ll be happy to advise, and to share what volunteering means to them. Alternatively, complete the volunteering form here and I’ll be in touch to discuss.
Free Forest Bathing Taster Workshop
This free taster workshop will be led by experienced Accredited Forest Bathing Guide, Elisabetta Murgia of Bluebells Forest Bathing.
Follow Elisabetta on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn.
Forest Bathing is an immersive and meditative experience in nature that improves our wellbeing. When taking groups to a forest, Elisabetta helps people to slow down, to stay silent, to connect to nature, to feel more of their sensations, more of their body and less of their racing thoughts. She uses breathing techniques and sensory exercises to slow down the nervous system and gain a sense of relaxation and peace. While connecting with nature, we can connect more with our inner self; this experience can arouse emotional and personal reflections along with creativity and heartfelt desires. Elisabetta works with nature to create a safe and supportive environment.
Meet at the library at 0900 on Saturday 23 November for introductory talk. The session will move to Gladstone Park around 1030. Please wear suitable warm clothing for the weather!
Head over to our Events page to reserve your free place.
Cricklereaders Juniors is Back!
Happy to announce we’re restarting Cricklereaders Juniors, our FREE term time book group for 7-11 year olds.
Our talented and fun volunteers choose amazing books for your kids to get to know and love, and each week brings different activities to help bring the books to life and kindle a life-long love of books and reading. What better way to start the weekend than by coming along to Cricklereaders Juniors? Every term time Friday between 4 and 5pm.
Register your interest on our super-quick form.
CrickleUkers Time Change
Due to popular demand, we’re extending the timing of the monthly Ukulele jam, CrickleUkers, by 30 minutes. From Friday 5 July, the sessions will start at 1900, rather than 1930. This will hopefully give all the beginners enough time to get a few chords under their belt before joining the main group in the front of the library.
Also, a reminder that we have about 10 spare ukes to lend out, so no need to buy one before coming along to have a go.
It’s also fine to bring snacks and drinks to share on the night.
Looking forward to seeing more of you there soon.