AT THE SAGE

I was at The Sage, Gateshead this afternoon to see Great North Brass - a concert by three combined brass bands - the Reg Vardy Band, the NAS/UWT Riverside Band and the Easington Colliery Band. There was also a solo performance on the tuba by Joseph Cook.  As the concert was part of The Great Exhibition of The North all the pieces had a local connection.  This was something different for me as I have never been to a brass band concert before - but I really enjoyed it. There were over 75 musicians on the stage and I was sitting in the second row from the front so as you can imagine it was a very loud experience. The concert lasted around 3 hrs with a 20 min interval. I was sitting next to a young man who said he used to be in a brass band himself but when the commitment got too much for him he had to give it up.  His instrument was the horn. The only minus point of the occasion was that there weren't many in the audience.

Apart from the concert there music in the foyer of the Sage.  An event called " Well Tuned" which included performances all day by various groups and bands which comprised of people over the age of 50. In my blip shot you can see some members of a mandolin group.  I like the colourful lady on the end.

My Extra shot shows The Tyne Bridge taken using the painting function on my camera.

Once I got home I had no time to relax as I had to get on and make some food to take to Taster Night at my slimming group tomorrow.  I made my usual offering of coconut meringues and also a " Curry Loaf " concoction made with chickpeas, carrots, onions, curry powder and eggs.  First time I have made it so I'm not sure how it will be received.

Steps today - 7.989