This edition includes:
Eye Matter Spotlight.
- A song for Eye Matter’s friend Davinder Marway.
- In the groove with MJ The Musical
- Eye Matter leads the way across the o2 Arena!!!!
Social media update.
Future events
- We still have tickets available for.
Future on-line events
A song for Eye Matter’s friend Davinder Marway
By Fiona Musgrove.
Eye Matter was devasted at the sudden death of their friend Davinder Marway earlier this year. Suzie, along with other members, met Davinder’s family at her funeral who acknowledged how happy she had been since joining Eye matter. It was, therefore, with humble appreciation that Eye Matter received so many kind and generous donations, from her family and friends. In tribute over 40 people attended a celebration of Davinder’s life with the Eye Matter choir, on Saturday 25th May at Somers Town Community Centre, Kings Cross.
In an emotional speech from Suzie (Eye Matter founder) she explained how some of this money would be allocated to support members through a grief workshop and establishing a hardship fund. Davinder was a bubbly, friendly member of Eye Matter, explained Suzie and like the other members of the choir decided, as a mark of respect, to wear bright colourful clothing to celebrate her life.
Rachel Bowden (Eye Matters Trustee) who had led the choir, on Zoom and arranged the orchestration content confessed she had been initially daunted at the challenge. Like the other choir performers Rachel is registered blind yet, despite this she, along with her friends, provided an eclectic range of music including songs from the Eurhythmics, the Monkeys and the Beatles.
Sarah Brooks, part of the choir, admitted how the time delays on Zoom were often frustrating especially when rehearsing as a group which made them sound unsynchronised. However, she smiled happily adding that she was pleased with their final live performance. This was echoed by the applause from the audience which consisted of friends and family of Davinder. Eye Matter was also grateful to Mark Pampel (who regularly plays on the grand piano at the Victoria and Albert Museum) for his piano contribution. As well as group singing several members of the choir, including Amrit Dhaliwal performed solo pieces accompanied our fantastic pianist, Thuy Mallalieu.
Eye Matter is equally appreciative of our amazing volunteers who were on hand to guide members to and from the station along with serving refreshments during the concert.
Click here to view the video (kindly formatted by Richard Simpson) from our Facebook page:
If you would like to be involved in future choir opportunities, please email Suzie with the subject “Choir”: suzie@eyematter.org.uk
In the groove with MJ The Musical
By Fiona Musgrove.
On Tuesday 18th May, 25 Eye Matter members joined 31 more people for a touch tour, on the stage of Prince Edward Theatre, ahead of watching NJ The Musical. One member added, “it was incredible all being on stage together.” The group was able to feel the keyboards, mirrors, light bulbs, walls, wigs, masks, leather jacket and the iconic Fedora hat.
Jessica (also from VocalEyes) said, “A fab evening at MJ the musical! A busy touch tour, lots of people and lots of amazing costumes to explore. Then a great audio described show.”
The audio description was delivered by Tony and Lonny, from VocalEyes, in such a synchronised way as not to disturb the singing but to just describe the dancing or who was speaking. They also continued to relate anything happening on stage which Eye Matter members would be unable to see in the performance. This included facial expressions, describing the Classic Michael Jackson pose “he’s put his hand on his crotch” and when he tips his hat to the audience. The audio describers also explained the dance moves including when Michael performs his iconic “Moonwalk”.
Eye Matter was all sat together (in rows C, D and E) and Suzie had ensured everyone’s headsets were operating properly before the performance began. They all enjoyed the different singers depicting Michael within his three stages of life (child, adolescent and adult) within his musical career.
Centred around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, MJ The Musical goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star to offer a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Jackson to legendary status. The show includes a wide variety of hits, including “Beat it”, “I’ll Be there”, “ABC” and much more.
Suzie said, “it was chest banging brilliant”, explaining she could feel the music in her body and enjoyed being able to dance along to the songs. Connie agreed, “It was rather good”.
If you were also there and would like to send your review, please email us or if you would like to join us on a future theatre trip please contact: suzie@eyematter.org.uk
If you would like to read more please click here to our Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0ZVoNE2ZdAXrw2pjgBj6UXk2HrLG1zFDqPEDst8MaekUtC6QWUhfciMTmqsVeDknEl&id=100064088379673
Eye Matter leads the way across the o2 Arena!!!!
Twenty-eight Eye Matter members and sighted guides will be climbing London’s iconic O2 Arena (Millennium Dome) on Thursday 11th July to raise funds for our charity.
As of 2022 it is the ninth largest building in the world by volume capacity. It has a diameter of 365meters over which our adventurers will be clambering!
The O2 Arena boasts spectacular views over 15 miles away. However, whilst many of our members will never be able to witness this, they will be able to experience its height (50 metres) and feel the exhilarating climb far above our city.
Imagine climbing the O2 Arena without sight- for many of us it is a reality and now a determination to look beyond our sight-loss to help others.
Please support Eye Matter’s quest to continue to provide more activities for blind and partially sighted people.
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/eyematterclimbstheo2
Social media update.
Eye Matters Facebook page provides information on future events, reviews and articles about our activities.
Please follow and support us.
Members and friends of Eye Matter
The Eye Matter Trustees, supported by Sarah our social media administrator has created a new private Facebook group for friends and members of Eye Matter to share reviews and articles. This is a space for you to interact with other members rather than on the public Facebook page.
If you would like to join this group, please contact either Sarah or Fiona.
X (formerly Twitter)
Our X page provides information from other similar organisations and people with sight-loss.
Please look up Eye Matter VI @Eyematter1
All our social media platforms are monitored. Eye Matter will not tolerate any bad behaviour or disrespect to other users. Please refer to our Social Media Policy if concerned or contact Suzie directly: suzie@eyematter.org.uk
Future events
All our events are accessed here
Here are a few highlights:
We still have tickets available for:
- A private audio described tour to the Henry Moore Studios and Gardens, Hertfordshire on Thursday 25th July- Meet and greet at 9:50 am at Liverpool Street Station, platform 10. Tickets are £27 which includes return train tickets from Liverpool Street (edge of zone 6) to Ware station transport between Ware station and the Gardens and entrance fee.
- “Fiddler on the Roof” on Saturday 31st August at 2:15 pm at The Open-Air Theatre, Regents Park, London. £15 per ticket.
- *Sailing Wednesday 4th September £5
- “TINA The Tina Turner Musical”, 7:30 pm, Wednesday 16th October at Aldwych Theatre, London. Tickets are£39.50 each.
For more information or to book your place contact Suzie
Suzie@eyematter.org.uk with subject [Name of event].