Live at The Hive: Sharing music and joy with adults with learning disabilities

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Wednesday 7 Jun 2023

There’s nothing quite like having a good boogie to some live music.

As part of our ongoing Mail a Musician programme, we brought the music to The Hive in Kingswood – a social drop-in centre for adults with a learning disability and/or autism.

One of our ongoing community music projects, Mail a Musician takes live music across Bristol to connect and uplift our communities. This time we sent local musicians, Tara and Jim along with their guitar and keyboard to join The Hive Music Club session as their special guests for the day – for an afternoon of singing, playing, dancing and enthusiastic audience participation!

Members of the volunteer-run weekly music club dived straight in, some enjoying the limelight moving on the dancefloor, others grabbing shakers, tambourines and even a djembe drum to accompany the music.

The Hive was the perfect space for a good sing song, a few incredible dance moves and an afternoon full of musical joy in East Bristol.

A person plays a djembe drum next to a person playing keyboard — Credit: Ben Pryor Photography

People dance and use percussion in time with the music of a pianist — Credit: Ben Pryor Photography

A person with a beard sitting in a wheelchair laughs — Credit: Ben Pryor Photography

The singer knew just what music to play for us. I just loved singing and dancing along to the music! “

The Hive service user

A person with long curly hair sings into a microphone — Credit: Ben Pryor Photography

A person with a checked shirt dances with a person wearing ear defenders — Credit: Ben Pryor Photography

A person with their hands in the air smiles and dances with a friend — Photo Ben Pryor

A group of people dance together and use shakers — Credit: Ben Pryor Photography

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Mail a Musician

A performer sings into a microphone while holding a saxophone

Mail a Musician

Mail A Musician was created to bring the joy of live music direct to the hearts and homes of Bristol communities.

The initiative, which we started during Lockdown in 2020, has delivered personalised pop-up gigs on doorsteps, concerts in school playgrounds and surprise performances in medical centres and hospitals. Through Mail A Musician, we ensure that the power of music, connects, uplifts and shines out across the city.

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Music for Everyone

a group of people sitting on the floor in a room.

Music for Everyone

We invite all members of Bristol’s communities to share, celebrate and participate in creative projects, performances, workshops, networks and social meet-ups.

Our comprehensive programmes collaborate with Bristol’s diverse communities to make sure music is at the heart of our city. Through the power of creating joyful music together, we hope to enrich lives, empower people with creative potential, and build healthy and happy communities.

Find out more