Every Tuesday in term-time, Southbank Centre offers free sessions for Lambeth primary schools to discover both the Gamelan (Javanese percussion instrument) and National Poetry Library.
In this two-hour session, half the group begins with an introductory Gamelan session in which pupils work with one of our expert tutors to sample group music-making.
The other half explores National Poetry Library with the guidance of library staff, exploring different kinds of poetry (visual poetry, spoken poetry recordings and poetry about animals), learning how to use an index in a book and how to find items in a library. The groups then swap for the second hour.
In 1987, Southbank Centre was privileged to receive a beautiful Javanese percussion orchestra called gamelan. This was a remarkable gift from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to the people of the UK as a gesture of friendship.
As is the case with many important gamelan ensembles, ours was named: ‘Kyai Lebdha Jiwa‘ or ‘The Venerable Spirit of Perfection’.
More Lambeth Listings MORE
Suzie Larke: Unseen
Logic-defying work by photographer Suzie Larke, who returns to our site with new images raising awareness and sparking…
Coriolanus
Unrivalled in the art of war, undefeated on the field of battle, Coriolanus is Rome’s greatest soldier. …
Diane Abbott: A Woman Like Me
Diane Abbott, who made history as Britain’s first Black woman MP, talks to Afua Hirsch about her new…
Qudus Onikeku’s Re:INCARNATION
Nigeria’s celebrated QDance Company explodes onto the stage with this exuberant performance, paying homage to the wealth and…
Premier Gospel Awards 2024
Experience the joy gospel brings at an unforgettable evening of celebration featuring the biggest names from the UK,…
Island Movements Ballet Performance
Island Movements is a short ballet that tells the epic story of Windrush and explores the impact of…
Black Business In Brixton: The History and the Future
Join a panel of Black business owners and managers to discuss the past, present and future of Brixton’s…
Brixton Poets Celebrate Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Zephaniah started writing poetry at a young age, adding many more skills to his sharp wit and…