Sir Richard Rogers, architect of the Lloyd’s building, is famously dyslexic. So are some other artists and designers. But then so are hundreds of children who may or may not have particular artistic talent. To discover whether or not there is a link between dyslexia and “good visual-spatial faculties” is one of the aims of the Arts Dyslexia Trust. Many interested people, including the artists Humphrey Ocean and Antony Gormley, were guests of Lord Hindlip, chairman of the trust, at the Lord Chancellor’s residence in Westminster recently.
The trust aims to provide an advisory service and to offer practical help to students and adults in their training and careers. For information: 01303 813221 Jazz is beginning to appeal to another generation and, if there has not yet been a sighting of 10-year-old beats in black rollnecks, many have been observed swinging to the rhythms of Wynton Marsalis and Duke Ellington. Always on the ball, Music for Youth has devoted the final day of this year’s National Festival of Music for Youth to jazz. Tomorrow, the Queen Elizabeth Hall will reverberate to the sounds of jazz bands while, in the Purcell Room, Jazz Notes, a conference and workshop based on the new jazz syllabus and organised in association with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, will occupy teachers. The day will end with a gigantic jam session by students and teachers, Jazz Sounds, in the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Music for Youth: 0181 870 9624. Tickets: 0171 960 4242 One summer event which benefits from sunshine more than most is Southwark schools day at Shakespeare’s Globe. This year, seven Southwark schools were joined by one from Hackney to perform Romeo and Juliet in sections. Quite a bit of Shakespeare’s language remained intact, there were some spectacular fights and the final scene, in the Capulets’ tomb was rendered in the most moving mime by Tuke School. It was a fitting ending to an afternoon of celebration. GlobeEd: 0171 902 1400 Incidentally, visitors to the area during the summer will enjoy the abstract children’s art decorating the hoardings in front of the Bankside Tate scheduled to open in April 2000.
Sixth-form and FE English, drama and theatre studies teachers already planning for September might like to make a note of Masterclass 99, a series of talks, masterclasses and workshops for over 16s scheduled for September and October at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, in London. Maureen Lipman, Dillie Keane, David Hare and Frances de la Tour are among those who have already signed up. For information and booking forms: 0171 321 0525 Summer festivals are already underway. And so are plans for self-improvement in the holidays. The annual Royal Shakespeare Company Prince of Wales Shakespeare School for teachers will take place between August 21 and 29. Information: 01789 295 623. There are still some places available on Arvon Foundation courses on creative writing of all kinds tutored by well-known practitioners in Devon, Yorkshire and Scotland. Brochure: 01409 231338. The eighth international storytelling symposium for performers, teachers, consultants and therapists, Listening Heart: Global Ear will run from July 14 to 24 at Emerson College in East Sussex. Bookings: 01342 822238 The Lichfield International Arts Festival got off to a colourful start on Wednesday with 500 children from Lichfield and Cannock primary schools taking part in Britten’s Noyes Fludde in the cathedral. Ark, Rainbow, Sun, Moon and Stars, as well as animal masks, were made by the children in workshops. Sanvik,the Swedish engineering group, continues to sponsor the event along with, this time, a candle-lit performance by the Academy of Vocal Music scheduled for 10.30pm on Sunday evening at Hawksyard Priory. The new choir made up of talented 16 to 22 year-old singers, will perform music by teenage composers from Mozart to Britten. The festival continues until July 17. Tickets: 01543 257557 Enjoy the summer - this column will resume on September 10.
