Bring some joy and relaxation to your day with this fun and friendly music and movement session, followed by time to chat over a brew!

Explore a range of live music and movement styles, from the uplifting rhythms of traditional African Zulu music and dance to the relaxing notes of the piano as we stretch. The perfect ‘pick-me-up’ for your body and mind!

Thanda Gumede

Thanda is the founding and managing member of the touring freelance cast known as Zulu Tradition all the way from Durban South Africa. He has been touring the UK for several years to perform in festivals, theatres and high profile events including the first ever Nelson Mandela Day at the British Museum in London (sanctioned by the U.N.); the Theatre Royale in West End for Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra and an exclusive performance for all the 44 members of the British Royal Family in Buckingham palace, to name a few. Thanda is also part of Ubunye-Unity band currently touring the UK as part of the 2017-2018 Northern Line Jazz Rota and headline act of the 2017 Manchester Jazz Festival. Additional projects include Opera North Lead Artist 2019, The People’s Lullaby Project.

Rosie Doonan

Rosie Doonan hails from Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Born into a large family of traditional folk musicians, it was inevitable that she would join the family heritage. Raised on the traditional folk music that her grandfather, father and uncles played in The Doonan Family Band, and more recently The Mighty Doonans, she then sang and played saxophone in the family soul band, The Solicitors from an early age. She then went on to forge a musical career in her own right, as a solo artist – releasing many critically acclaimed folk albums and as one half of the Rosie Doonan and Ben Murray duo, who were nominated for a BBC folk award. Her most recent project “The Lullaby Sessions” is album of atmospheric, relaxing original lullabies for adults and children, released in May 2020. 

Abi Austin

Abi Austin is a local Community Music Group leader. She runs the Hipperholme Community Choir and the Ripponden, Stainland and Greetland Community Choir, as well as the Brighouse Beginner Ukulele Group and also music classes for babies and toddlers. It is her baby and toddler classes where her name, ‘Abi Ukulele’, came from! She has also been leading the Orange Box Choir. Originally from Carlisle, she studied music at Huddersfield University and stayed mostly around the area, aside from a year spent teaching Kindergarten in Thailand. Abi loves to be involved in Community Music, making music fun and accessible for everyone!

Kieran West

Kieran originally is from Bracknell in Berkshire but moved north to study at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds, and graduated in July 2021. He is now a freelance dancer and musician looking to find pathways into each of these art forms, blending them together. For Rhythm & Brews, Kieran will be providing opportunities to explore creating sound with guitars and pedals, plus we’ll be moving to the sounds we create too!

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