SERENATA: "Why should the Grown-Ups have all the good music?" asks Nickie Fidgin, of Dorset-based Playsongs Plus

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SERENATA, Britain’s first outdoor classical music festival, is offering a jam-packed programme of children’s activities (26-28 August). Dorset-based Playsongs Plus is thrilled to be performing alongside the CBeebies presenters and the Royal Academy of Music among many others, in the dedicated Pleasance Kidzone at the Festival: “... come for a ride in Rosie the Little Red Car, chug along on the tractor, dance with the five little owls and find the squeaky button in your tummy”.

Parents, babies and toddlers are invited by Dorset-based community musicians Nickie Fidgin and Gill Bough to “come for a ride in Rosie the Little Red Car, chug along on the tractor, dance with the five little owls and find the squeaky button in your tummy” ... and join them for their fun, live-music Playsongs sessions at the much-heralded SERENATA Classical Music Festival (this bank holiday, starting on Thursday 26 August).

With songs, rhymes and instruments for the under-fives, Playsongs Plus forms part of the Pleasance Kidzone at the Festival. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, Serenata will be Britain’s first outdoor classical music festival, bringing together the talents of leading classical artists such as Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson and Blake, and also offering opportunities for festival-goers to take part themselves in a whole range of activities including the scratch choir and orchestra.

“But why should the Grown-Ups have all the good music?” asks Nickie Fidgin “... families are very much at the heart of the whole Serenata Festival experience and both Gill and I are passionate about involving even the youngest of children in live music that is inspiring, stimulating and above all fun!”

Parents and the under-fives at Serenata can join this impressive duo for Playsongs in the dedicated Pleasance Kidzone on Thursday 26 August at 13:15 in the Performance Tent, and on Friday 27 August at 11:00 and 12:15 in the Arts and Crafts Tent.

Gill is a multi-talented and intuitive pianist and guitarist who seems uncannily adept at playing while several toddlers are attempting to ‘help’ her to play, whereas Nickie is more like the Pied Piper, as the children flock to her and follow her every move through each of the songs ... with actions, puppets, props, wacky sound effects and some great instruments which all the children get a chance to play.

Two beautiful CDs, illustrated by local artist Louise Lobban, are available for purchase by those who would like to continue to enjoy Nickie’s and Gill’s music after the Festival. Hush-a-Bye, their haunting lullaby CD can often be heard floating from bedroom windows at dusk, while their most recent album, Rosie the Little Red Car, has become a real must for car journeys!

About Playsongs Plus:

Nickie and Gill have been singing with parents and the under fives for nearly 15 years now and their weekly music groups across the region have become the highlight of many a family’s week.

During school holidays, this impressive duo works closely with the Dorset Children’s Centres, singing with Young Parents groups and performing at Family Fun Days.

They have a special association with Artsreach, Dorset’s rural arts development agency, with whom they set up a highly successful music training programme for pre-school play leaders.

In 2007, they became ‘Early Years Artists in Residence’ for the Bournemouth and Poole Cultural Hub, working with and inspiring pre-school and nursery staff and more recently, their outstanding work in the community was recognised with an O2 It’s Your Community Award.

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www.playsongsplus.com