Latest news with #LondonVegetableOrchestra
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The King playing a carrot is inspiration for a new pastime
Little gets me excited as I have reached 'an' age where nothing seems new. That perception was shattered recently however by, of all people, our sausage-fingered monarch in chief. As another week of cutting ribbons and feigning interest at the latest royal appointment drew to a close, he looked genuinely excited at meeting the London Vegetable Orchestra. Beaming with joy, he picked up a carrot recorder and played, badly, a tune, as those around him fawned as if it were the second coming of Elvis. I was enthralled as to how, as a fan of the eccentric, this genius idea for a 'pastime' had passed me by and I am now planning a visit to my local Sainsbury's produce aisle to get in on the act. The orchestra proudly, and quite rightly, describes itself as the UK's 'only' ensemble dedicated to 'homegrown' entertainment. Sadly, as one with no musical talent whatsoever, membership is not open to the general public with all members being past or present professional musicians with links to the Royal Academy of Music. A decade on from their inception, they number courgettes, peppers, butternut squashes and potatoes among their alma mater and they have appeared regularly on the box on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Room 101, and 'Let's do Lunch' with Gino and Mel, before Gino was put on toast. I can't wait to see them live and I am rooting (sorry) for them as they continue to be fully booked as punters enjoy Elvis Parsley's 'Blue Swede Shoes' and 'Billie Aubergine'. The orchestra numbers a 'chef' among their ensemble as they continue to take bookings for festivals, concerts and private parties. Lord knows they can even afford a Who-style instrument trash at the end of each gig, before hollowing out another root vegetable in lieu of a bongo drum. Now excuse me if, by this point, I am raving a little too much about what is, in effect, a cultural throwaway, but to me, it is a new version of the cheese rolling in Gloucestershire or La Tomatina in Spain, and adds yet another eccentric string to our bow. I am left hoping that, if aliens ever do land on planet earth, they happen upon a vegetable orchestra gig and turn straight back to whence they came. Sadly, my research however has led to me being a tad let down as the original vegetable orchestra was formed in that hotbed of musical excellence, Austria, some years ago. The songs they play may well have some Austrian-based punnery but it's hard to tell as I don't speak any other tongue besides English and I still haven't mastered that if truth beknown. But as we bid farewell for another seven days my dear readership, I am left in the kitchen formulating a band courtesy of a potato peeler, a sharp paring knife and an apple corer, as I aim to go big and send a demo in to Simon 'Trowel' who may be able to water my musical seed. My plan is to introduce a marrow trumpet, a pumpkin snare drum and put a complex series of holes into a yam to construct a yamonica (sorry) in which to while away the hours until the next eccentric madness darkens my door… Brett Ellis is a teacher
RTÉ News
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Vegetable orchestra prepares for first gig in Ireland
Oasis, Dua Lipa and Charli XCX are among the big names heading to Ireland for concerts this summer. But Ballyroan Library in Dublin can arguably lay claim to hosting the most 'mouth-watering' gig of them all. The London Vegetable Orchestra come to town on Saturday 7 June, and there won't be a traditional instrument in sight. That's because the ensemble of musicians turn carrots, courgettes and peppers into working instruments to perform famous tunes. Tim Cranmore, a recorder maker by trade, started the unusual orchestra after discovering the story of a Japanese man who crafted the instrument out of carrots. "Well, if you think of a tree which is cylindrical, it grows in the ground, it's got roots, it's got leaves, and the carrot is the same; cylindrical, grows in the ground, strong roots, it's got leaves. So, there's no reason why a carrot should not make a recorder every bit as good as a tree, and in fact they do. In some aspects they're better," he explained. The LVO have performed their renditions of classical music, pop hits and Disney sing-a-longs across the UK and around the world. They have even had an audience with an amused King Charles, who gave the carrot recorder a try himself. They will give two workshops at 'Loud at the Library' for Cruinniú na nÓg, Ireland's national day of free creativity for children and young people. "We'll be performing for the young people, teaching them to make vegetable instruments, and how to play them. It'll be our first trip to Ireland, but hopefully not the last," said orchestra member Patrick Johns.
First Post
01-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
J&K CM Omar Abdullah Cycles in Pahalgam in Push for Tourism Revival Vantage With Palki Sharma
J&K CM Omar Abdullah Cycles in Pahalgam in Push for Tourism Revival |Vantage With Palki Sharma |N18G J&K CM Omar Abdullah Cycles in Pahalgam in Push for Tourism Revival |Vantage With Palki Sharma |N18G Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cycled through the streets of Pahalgam in a symbolic move to revive tourism after the deadly terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in April. The Chief Minister, accompanied by cabinet members, was seen pedalling through the streets. Calling tourism a 'conflict-neutral' activity, he said it remains a vital source of livelihood for thousands of families across the region. Also on Vantage Shots: - Ukrainian drone strike sets Russian war train ablaze - London Vegetable Orchestra plays classics on carrots and zucchini - This Day in History: In 1703, Peter the Great founded the city of St. Petersburg, which was established as a bridge between Russia and Europe. See More
South China Morning Post
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Write a funny caption for Britain's King Charles III at the London Vegetable Orchestra
Britain's King Charles III recently visited the London Vegetable Orchestra. Each performance at this unique orchestra features a variety of carved vegetables, such as carrots and cucumbers, transformed into intriguing sound-producing instruments. Their innovative approach not only entertains but also promotes creativity and sustainability in music. Ruchi Shah Which vegetable would you like to make music with? Send us a funny caption by filling out this form . The deadline is at 12pm on April 23. We'll publish the best ones next week. Last week's top caption A visitor poses for a photo on horseback at Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival. Photo: Reuters Lin Yuk-Kwan (aged 11), Ma Tau Chung Government Primary School: My best 'I'm not afraid of a little horse poop' outfit is this one!
BBC News
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Seeing the King play a carrot recorder was surreal'
A community music leader said it was "surreal" to witness the King playing a carrot recorder at Windsor Revis, director of Sheffield Music School, was invited to a reception for hundreds of people who contribute to music in their local areas."I really want the people of Sheffield to know about the music here, and this raises our profile - I was so grateful to be invited," she said."There was a bit of a surreal moment… I was standing with champagne in my hand, turned around, and there was the King playing a carrot. You don't see that every day." The London Vegetable Orchestra brought instruments, including the carrot recorder, to the 350 guests included leaders of community music groups and music-related projects, many of whom are side effects from cancer treatment led the King to cancel a string of engagements last week, but he was described by guests as "in great spirits". As well as the school, Ms Revis directs Tracks, a project offering workshops and performance project had been struggling to fund all the services it wanted to offer, until Ms Revis made a successful bid to the Ed Sheeran Foundation earlier this grant will be used to set up a new youth club and take on more alternative provision visited the music school last May and took an interest in the Tracks project, which Ms Revis said was "incredible"."I'm a big Ed Sheeran fan - not just because he gave us money," she joked. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
