We Visit Artists' Studios in Hebden and Kathy Buys a Don Myer's - Then There's Indian Dancing

This morning we all went into Hebden Bridge because it's arts festival time. Our guests wished to visit several of the artists' ateliers. And that was very nice, but the Indian dancing was like rather more colourful and with music though no jugglers.

First, we went to Don Myer's studio in Hangingroyd, a few doors up from where Chris used to live decades ago. Kathy made a purchase of a painting she had fallen for years previously. Don found it in a cupboard and a price was negotiated. We know Don and his family. I'm impressed with the diversity and intensity of his work.

Note: Only 'The Guardian' can be used as window blinds in Hebden Bridge.

 We made our way through the meaner quarter of the town passing the old Hole i'th Wall pub, fire-bombed after a showing of How Happy Was My Valley, and into the Hebden Royd town hall new extension. There were B&W photos of Hebden in the olden days, like the 1960s, and what a run-down hatchet-faced dump it looked too.

 "Shop assistants at Waite's preparing for their shift".

"Skilled property repair was always at a premium in the Calder Valley".
More like these if you have the patience.

Then outside in the rain for the Indian Dancing. It was the most delightful entertaining half hour or so.

What a paradigm shift this was from the above!

 I've done my best to crop out the stage crew: essential guys, but you know not actually show dancers.

 Yes, it really was drizzling, dull over-cast and not very warm. Typical mid summer in the upper Calder Valley, without the flooding.

 The significance and style of the dances were explained to us.

 Now this one celebrates our abiding love of the bicycle - note: Le Grand Départ from somewhere nearby next weekend.
The dancers are on a taut sheet under which is red powder.

 To reveal that they have danced an image of a bicycle. Not juggling I grant you, but this was seriously skilful and beautiful to watch - in a south Indian style we were told.

 We trudged a weary way over the sets of another version of Hangingroyd (very unimaginative naming of street round here) to more artworkshops and me,

I fell in love with the work of Richard Wincer. I can't be exactly be sure this is the one I really liked. It's in a series and they're similar.