Devon - Calvados Twinning Fete de l'Europe Soul Shaker - Pegasus Tour

Soul band "Soul Shaker" has just returned from their first European Tour. Following a successful gig in Ipplepen at the end of January 2004, Soul Shaker were approached by Rob Hooper from Devon County Council to see if they would represent Devon at the Fete de l'Europe. Ipplepen twinning association's Peter Beven, was at the gig and recommended the band for the fete. The schedule was non-stop for the band, their manager and the sound engineer. After taking the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Ouistreham, and taking the bags to the hostel.

The band were met by Tiphaine Morel and taken to the College de Jeanne d'Arc in Bayeux, where they set up and played to at least 500 secondary school aged children. However this was not a usual gig for the band as, between each song the French / English teacher translated some information relating to the similarities and differences between English and French schools, Education systems, holidays etc. Also a brief history of where and how Soul music evolved. The children were enthralled and sat attentively until near the end of the event they were invited to dance to the music. Then the children were invited to meet the band and play some of the instruments, the Drums, Keyboard and Bass guitar seamed to be the favourite, some tried to play the Saxophone and the trumpet. According to the head teacher, very few school children get to see a "live band" and they usually only play the recorder during their music lessons. He said that this was an amazing experience for the children not only to listen to the band but also to actually use their instruments. Needless to say there was a long wait for autographs.

Once all of the equipment was safely stowed away, the band drove to Baron sur Odon (twinned with Chittlehampton). Once set and ready for the evenings entertainment, dinner was provided by the twinning committee. After dinner the guests soon arrived, right from the start the people started swaying on their chairs. Gradually as the evening progressed they were told that they could dance if the wanted to. By the end of the evening everyone was up dancing and the band played for a further 20 minutes as an encore. The twinning committee who were surprised how professional the band played congratulated them all.

The following morning an early start as the band headed off to the main event the Fete de l'Europe at the Chateau de Benouville, situated in spacious grounds less than half a mile from the Pegasus Bridge. Pegasus bridge is famous as it was the first bridge captured by the British on D Day on the 5 / 6 June 1944. Fierce fighting took place that night, but is still remembered to this day, as the house next to the bridge, the first house liberated by the British is now a permanent museum, with many artefacts from that night displayed on the walls. It is also a small café where you can sit outside and absorbed the atmosphere of this very historic location, just yards from the end of the bridge.

At the Chateau, many groups and individuals from around Europe had been invited to play or sing, or bring some of their cuisine for everyone to sample. Three tents were placed around the Chateau, were all the performances took place. Soul Shaker had three performances to do. As soon as they started to play crowds gathered. By the time of the third performance, there was not enough room in the tent for everyone to see them. Some members from the Hip Hop dance group from Germany "X-Plosive" were inside the tent and really set the music alive with their energetic movement.

Dinner was provided at the school "Groupe scolaire Pierre Hilly" in Ranville for all the participants of the fete. It was a chance to try to communicate with our European neighbours, and with the expansion of Europe, a chance to meet people such as Monika Mamos - a Polish Rap / reggae performer, and the Latvian Kokle players to name but a few. The Mayor gave a speech, and gifts exchanged. Later some of the participants gave unaccompanied or acoustic performances for the benefit of those not able to see them during the day.

The following day Soul Shaker returned to the Chateau, for the final three performances. The crowds were bigger for each performance. There was a special treat for everyone when Clara, a German Sax player from "Six Pack" joined the band on stage for the whole of the final set, she "busked" most of the songs, but added another dimension to the brass section. "X-Plosive" also joined the band on stage and got the audience up dancing. The band played two encores, which meant that the set, which was due to last 35 minutes, lasted for well over an hour. What a fantastic way to end a fete. The organisers of the event were overwhelmed with the success, and although none of the participants were paid to attend, everyone commented on how professional Soul Shaker played.