Changing Tides - Benfleet

Changing Tides is a multi arts series presented aboard Thames Sailing Barge Raybel, celebrating the cultural diversity of the Estuary and local initiatives geared towards sustainability, heritage and public engagement. It gives a platform to dancers, film makers, researchers and musicians whose work utilises the sea to nurture critical discussions about the uneven historical legacies of maritime trade and the manifold consequences of post-industrial decline in contemporary Britain.

Included in the programme are two ‘On the Move’ events which will invite guest artists to compose their work whilst under sail on a traditional Sailing Barge between Isle of Sheppey and Canvey Island; as well as static live music events aboard Thames Sailing Barge Raybel at Queenborough Harbour and Benfleet Yacht Club.

benjin: The Last Days of Sail
Last Days of Sail will explore the multiple ways in which benjin’s instrumental compositions, song poems, and dense sound collage improvisations have been informed (and quite literally formed) through a lifetime of working on the Thames Estuary. Drawing upon pieces written for cello, classical guitar, nyckelharpa and voice the programme will highlight the importance of immersed 'authentic' perspectives within folk music traditions.

Sea Shanties, Race and Erasure in Song with Mataoi Austin Dean
Expect acapella song, discussion and poetic reflections on the politics of Folk music in contemporary culture.

Heritage Work; Class Identity and the Preservations and Performances of Thames Sailing Barges with David Nettleingham
Casting a critical eye over the politics of heritage work in North Kent. Also, how post-industrial decline has forever changed our relationship to class, traditional skills and the sense of community.

Queenborough Harbour:
Saturday 21 June, 3pm David Nettleingham Artists Talk
Saturday 21 June, 7pm benjin / Cirenne performance

Benfleet Yacht Club:
Wednesday 25 June, 7pm David Nettleingham Artists Talk
Thursday 26 June, 7pm Goblin Band
Saturday 28 June, 2.30pm Cirenne / benjin / Goblin Band
Saturday 28 June, 7pm, benjin ‘Last Days of Sail’ / Cirenne

Sailing performances:
Sunday 22 June 5.30-8.30pm SAIL: benjin with Mataoi Austin Dean + Sonny. Depart Queenborough Harbour arrive Benfleet Yacht Club
Sunday 29 June 3.30-5.30pm SAIL benjin, Mataoi Austin Dean + Sonny. Depart Benfleet Yacht Club arrive Queenborough Harbour

Project photo by Michaela Freeman.