Women's ensemble, Nanina ('family'), from the country of Georgia, are touring the UK during September 2025, teaching and performing polyphonic songs.
The centrepiece of the tour will be a weekend event called ts'utisopeli (წუთისოფელი), at which singers from across the UK will gather to learn and sing together, and to share a supra, or Georgian feast. This will be a full weekend of workshops, feasting and performance, bringing together our visiting Georgian ensembles, as well as singers from across the UK. Workshops throughout the tour will be planned to help us prepare for the supra evening, when we eat, drink and sing together at the supra table.
This year we will be welcomed and supported in the beautiful village of Silverdale on Morecambe bay by our local hosts, Lancaster Georgian choir, Chveni Khmebi.
PROGRAM
Workshops will be held in the Gaskell Hall, and in other venues across the village. The full, detailed program will be confirmed in due course, but the outline of the weekend will be as follows:
FRIDAY EVENING
The weekend will begin on the Friday evening with an introductory workshop. We'll get to know each other, warm up our voices, and share repertoire to sing together over the weekend.
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
On Saturday we will have a full day of workshops from our visiting Georgian singers. The workshops are open to all, and there is no need to read music, know the language, or have previous experience. Songs will be taught by ear. So if you are unfamiliar with this tradition, you are guaranteed a warm welcome and an enjoyable introduction to this beautiful music.
SATURDAY PERFORMANCE
On Saturday lunchtime we will have a performance featuring our visiting Georgian singers and singers attending from UK Georgian choirs.
The Saturday lunchtime concert will not be a ticketed event, but donations will be invited to cover costs, and refreshments will be available, including Georgian wine.
SATURDAY EVENING SUPRA
On the Saturday evening we will gather together for a supra, or ritual Georgian feast.
SUNDAY MORNING
On Sunday morning we will have masterclasses, focusing on Georgian singing technique, and the context and deeper significance of these songs.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON PERFORMANCE
To end the weekend, on Sunday afternoon our visiting Georgian singers will give a full concert, with interval and refreshments.
TICKETS
We work hard to keep all of our events accessible to as many people as possible, while still adequately compensating our expert music leaders. To that end we are offering a range of options for participating in this workshop weekend, including weekend passes, day passes, and single workshop passes. For each ticket there is a choice of three price bands, to suit your means.
Weekend £165/130/95
Friday evening and Saturday, with supra £120/100/80
Friday evening and Saturday day pass £90/75/60
Saturday, with supra £105/85/65
Saturday day pass £75/60/45
Sunday pass, including concert £60/50/40
Supra only (subject to availability) £40/30/20
Single workshop £17.50/15/10
Concert only £17.50/15/10
FOOD, TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION
The weekend pass includes lunch and evening meals. Day passes include lunch.
Silverdale is accessible by public transport, and a range of accommodation options are available nearby, including camping and caravan sites, bed and breakfast or hotels. (See ticket page for further details).
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