Cellist, singer and environmental activist, Sarah Smout, is closing her UK tour with a performance of Eyjar in the Percival Lecture Theatre on the University of Cumbria’s Ambleside campus next month.
The evening, on December 2 from 7pm, will be a combination of mesmerising music, inspired by Sarah’s travels and connections to place, with conversation about the role of music and art in encouraging positive environmental change.
Sarah’s solo show is entitled Eyjar after the Old Norse for islands and it has been inspired by her month-long journey to Iceland by boat, via Orkney, Shetland and the Faroes.
She said: “My recent work interweaves poetry and looped soundscapes, creating a unique sound. I made my journey to Iceland to listen and to collect, travelling slowly.
“When we slow down, we can uncover stories that are important and urgent and, even more profoundly, find our own place in nature. By travelling in these remote islands, I got to experience something that was very special, and it made me even more determined to do what I can to protect nature and the future of all life upon this earth.
“I think music helps to both unify and challenge people, and also to inspire change.”
Following the hour-long performance, Sarah will take part in a Q&A, hosted by Royal Geographical Society Fellow, Harriet Fraser. Harriet is Cumbria-based and is herself a poet, environmental artist and vice-chair of the North West regional committee of RGS (with IBG).
“I’ve worked with Sarah on projects in the past,” said Harriet, “and I can’t wait to hear this performance of her new work. She has a unique way of weaving haunting melodies with deeply felt lyrics and amazing cello playing. After her sell-out performance at Kendal Mountain Festival, this event will be a rare treat. Unmissable.”
Eyjar: Music and environmental activism has been organised by the North West committee of the RGS with the University of Cumbria and the PLACE Collective.
Tickets can be booked online through the Royal Geographical Society’s website at https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/music-and-environmental-activism. They are £10 for the general public, £7 for Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) members or are free to University of Cumbria students (using the code Cumbria Students at check out).
