Teach Music Week is celebrated annually during the 3rd week of March to coincide with national "Music in Our Schools Month" (MiOSM). Anyone interested in learning to play an instrument is encouraged to seek out a participating location or musician friend to help get them started. Teach Music Week also invites public, private and charter schools to schedule activities that will encourage more students to sign up for music, band and chorus classes.
Music Together in Geneva Center (MTGC) teamed up with Teach Music Week and will open 4 of its classes to new students during the 3rd week of March* so that they can experience the benefits of music and learn more about their musical curriculum.
This is an amazing opportunity for families who have been considering music for their children.
Vincent James, co-founder of Keep Music Alive in the US comments, “We all know that the biggest hurdle to doing something is often just getting started. With Teach Music Week, we are hoping to inspire a multitude of new musicians who will continue reaping the educational, therapeutic and social benefits of playing music.”
ESCA Paddle for CancerSupport, first launched in 2007, is an annual cancer awareness and fundraising event and brings together both the local and international communities to work together to help cancer patients and their loved ones directly. Cancer awareness is vital and can bring hope to what seems like an insurmountable challenge. The more that people are aware of cancer risks, the more likely they are to seek early screening, such as colonoscopies and mammograms. Early detection of cancer can dramatically increase survival rates. Awareness can also encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles, reducing their chances of getting cancer.
Ramona Azarnia got involved in early 2018, "I decided to do volunteer work in the Geneva area and chose ESCA CancerSupport as I am acutely aware of the impact of cancer since witnessing a dear friend battle it. As I was searching for charitable causes, I came across ESCA CancerSupport. I admire and respect the people who have created this organization and are passionate to provide support to those who need and want it."
Benefits of getting involved
The main fundraising event for this assocation is the Paddle for CancerSupport Dragon Boat Festival. The money donated by each team goes directly towards supporting ESCA CS’s mission:
- support clients who are undergoing the rigors of cancer treatment by professional counselling and trained peer support volunteers
- offer help to patients’ loved ones
- assist those in bereavement
- provide information and resources
- increase awareness by staffing stalls, giving talks, and representing ESCA CS at various community events
Recently launched novel, Death in Grondère has been getting a good reception in Verbier, the ski resort on which it is largely (but very loosely) based. The author, Kathryn Adams, like many of the characters in her book, came to Switzerland to ski and decided to stay. Originally from the north of England, she studied French in London and took a detour through the City before losing her heart to the mountains. Death in Grondère is her first work of fiction; with a sequel already in the pipeline.
Kathryn tells knowitall.ch how it the story came about, "I have wanted to write this book for a long time. Like many writers, I’m a terrible eavesdropper and so, since I came to Switzerland almost 20 years ago, I have been observing life and the people here. I have wanted to tackle the novel format for a long time and it seemed right for my first full-length work to showcase my adoptive country. One of my main objectives was to show a different side to life in a ski resort. It has such a snobby image, but the Verbier I know is a melting pot of down-to-earth, dynamic personalities of all nationalities, ages and backgrounds connected by a love of winter sports, nature, and these very special hills that they have chosen to call ‘home’.
"This book is a light, gentle holiday read, with a decent plot and entertaining characters but it was also important to me to include a lot of description about the mountains and Swiss culture: the most difficult part of the whole writing process was striking a balance between the two. My reviewers, quite rightly, thought I had overdone the scene-setting and I went through two tough re-writes. In the end, however, I felt if I cut any more it was no longer my book. Eventually, and on advice from other writers, I took the plunge and stayed true to my original concept despite being aware that some sections may slow down the ‘action’. Some readers have clearly felt that but, overall, most seem to have understood what I was trying to achieve and I have been really thrilled by their reactions.
© The Art of the Brick
This autumn, Palexpo will host one of its most colourful exhibitions to date: The Art of the Brick! Read down to the bottom to enter our competition to win a package of 4 tickets, a Fr. 72.- value!
From 4 October 2018 to 6 January 2019, the American artist, Nathan Sawaya, will present some of the most amazing examples of his creative sculptures, made out of millions of colored LEGO© bricks.
Having toured the world with his masterful creations, Sawaya has earned a reputation for presenting poetic installations which pay tribute to the collections of our great museums. He is well known for providing his own unique and often humorous interpretation of classical works such as the Mona Lisa, Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earring, or Venus de Milo.
Nathan Sawaya sits next to one of his sculptures © Marte Berenguer
Photomontage « Fleurs de feu », jardin potager, © www.muma-art.com
On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 September, join the Château de Prangins to celebrate 20 years as home to the Swiss National Museum in French-speaking Switzerland.
To celebrate its 20th birthday, Château de Prangins is opening its doors to all for two days of festivities. The centerpiece will be performance art entitled: Flowers of Fire by the artist-sculptor Muma, while the 10th Lunch on the Grass will take visitors on an amazing journey through time from 1701 to 1920.
Flowers of Fire will take place from 18h30, Saturday 29 September.
Lunch on the Grass 10h-18h on Sunday, 30 September.
Flowers of Fire highlights this anniversary with 50,000 candles! Inspired by the flowers depicted in chintzes, the artist Muma is laying on a spectacular light performance in the château gardens. More than 600 registered volunteers will be working with him to realize this social sculpture. The Swiss National Museum will remain open from 18h-22h specially for the occasion, giving visitors an opportunity to view the temporary exhibit (see photo at bottom): Chintz, how a fabric changed the world! and enjoy a unique view looking down on Flowers of Fire from the windows of the castle. The commune of Prangins is joining in the celebrations by staging its village fête from midday to midnight. The program includes events for children (until 18h), musical entertainment, bars and food trucks.
Lunch on the Grass will take place on Sunday from 10h-18h and is open to all. This edition takes visitors on an amazing journey through the time period 1701 to 1920. A series of activities for all ages taking place throughout the day will bring history to life. Don’t miss the original creations inspired by chintzes made by students from the Geneva School of Art and Design HEAD and the historical costume parade (sign up at the event until 13h). A gourmet food market will be selling all the ingredients for a perfect picnic on the grounds.
