Now over half way though my series of classes at the Geffrye . This week I introduced some voicework – using simple sounds as a way of finding the “natural” voice as well as releasing tension in the throat and upper chest.  I often find that students are uncomfortable with this to begin with, but once again the Geffrye women amazed me with their unbounded enthusiasm and complete lack of self consciousness; at one point descending into peals of laughter when it transpired that my  “trying to be sensitive to a muslim audience” alternative to the  “om” sound  meant that we ended up chanting about mangoes (which is apparently what “aam” means in Bengali…)

Then after the class, a bite to eat at the superb Que Viet  – where a fresh  and zingy bowl of seafood soup with noodles knocks spots off anything to be found at Wagamama and co – before heading over to Spitalfields and contemporary art gallery Raven Row.  The gallery occupies a beautifully restored pair of Huguenot town houses and is currently hosting “the stuff that matters” – an exquisite collection of textiles assembled by art critic and personal collector Seth Siegelaub.  From mesmerising fragments of ancient silk to a striking display of african head-dresses – the calm contemplative interior with its spellbinding contents seemed another world away from the bustle of Bishopsgate – just visible from the upper floor windows. 

En route back up Brick Lane to pick up the Regent’s Canal cycle path, I came across an altogether more whacky show – a series of crocheted rooms at Tony’s gallery, Sclater Street.  No time to stop this week but it will be on my “must do” list next week…