THe PartnersFranceAnimatoThe association ANIMATO was founded in January 1997. Its principal aim is the artistic and musical development and the encouragement of active participation of older people living in nursing homes. ANIMATO establishes a rapport between the artist and the older people, putting them in contact and giving the opportunity to this, often socially excluded, group to experience a wide variety of live music performances, workshops and activities whih in turn give them a better understanding and appreciation of the rich diversity of music. We firmly believe that it is important to stimulate and create interest and participation in older people living in nursing homes as well as giving the opportunity to continue learning and our association actively works to provide musical entertainment and education for these often socially excluded groups. ANIMATO is involved in various music projects to bring different styles and genres of music to older people all over the French region of Midi Pyrenees. Our efforts to put on new shows and introduce new musicians has increased the multicultural nature and diversity of our association, which now includes members from six different countries. Fergus McKay who is the co-ordinator is an internationally successful singer-songwriter who has travelled extensively in Europe and collaborated on numerous international projects. |
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The MembersFergus McKay
Fergus has been involved in many aspects of the music industry over the course of a 25 year career. He started out as a studio engineer in the late 1980s, during the 90's he developed and established a world famous brand of studio microphones, since then he has worked as a producer and a touring musician, guitar teacher and singer songwriter. He works with Animato organisation in France arranging and hosting intercultural music events and projects, bringing musicians from diverse backgrounds together with the aim of learning and increasing understanding of music and other cultures.
Gaia Miato
Gaia has a masters in Oriental languages and plays mandolin. Since graduating in 2012 she has worked as a tour manager and booking agent for several bands. She has organised several international music workshops with Animato and Association Bongo in France and with Association La Sauce running a community arts centre and venue in Montbrun Bocage.
Website
Ben Edney
: Ben studied improvisation / clown / comedy / circus skills with, amongst others, Phillipe Gaulier, Gerry Flanagan, Franki Anderson, Keith Johnstone, Micheline Vandepoel and Carina Bonan.
In 1998 he created his show ” Le Funambule Striptease” . In 2002 with his partner Saskia Thijs he purchased a London Double Decker bus and converted it into a mobile theater space. He created “Versilli and the Smallest Animal Circus in the World” in 2003. With Manoe Frateur he created “Abu and Habib” in 2005. In 2006 he created “Benny Formaggio the Sicilian Magician”. His most recent show is “The Fenomenarium” with Saskia Thijs, directed by Kevin Brooking. This show premiered in the spring of 2011. In 2012 he will present his first solo walkabout number “Shady Dopperfield”. Ben Zuddhist performs in English, French, Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese. Since 1999 he has performed at more than 300 street theatre events worldwide. Website
Saskia Thjis
After studying Fine Art at the Antwerp Academy Saskia Thijs founded her own puppet theatre company Pili-Pili in 1998. As the company’s principal play-write and puppet builder, over the next 7 years she performed in schools and cultural centers all over Belgium and Holland, playing about 150 shows a year. Over the same period she followed workshops and master classes with, amongst others, Bert Plagman (Sesame Street), Onni Huisink (Speeltheater Holland), Karel Van Ransbeek (De Spiegel), Ludo Van Passel (improvisation theatre) , Franki Anderson (fools workshop), Neville Tranter (Stuffed puppet Theatre) and Gavin Glover (Faulty Optic).
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