Musicians: Arthur Lea (piano, vocals) Izo Fitzroy (vocals) Marcus Bonfanti (guitar, vocals)
After two hospital sessions with her long-time collaborator Marcus Bonfanti, Izo Fitzroy finally made her Bridgeside Lodge debut on Wednesday. It was a properly hot, sunny summery day on the canal. Boaters danced and sang along as they sailed past on their way to the City Road Lock on their way west towards Kings Cross and Camden.
It was all hands on deck on land as well, as carers made every effort to bring residents out in to the garden for the start of the music. Izo, Arthur and Marcus started with The Band’s classic The Weight. We don’t often have three vocalists on our sessions but as the three-part harmony on the final line of the chorus hit us, we were very glad with our choice.
We had a request for a tricky Elton John track, which as Marcus put it “you can’t blag” so instead they launched into Elton’s Tiny Dancer. Big sing-a-long.
Resident JR, songwriter and vocalist added another string to his bow this week, 4-strings in fact, in the form of a ukelele donated by a friend of The Spitz. JR had his hands full today, switching between microphone and ukelele (and later an ice cream too!)
We’re in the awe of the level of respect and kindness shown to the residents, regardless of their condition or prognosis. Carers had brought a long-term resident who is receiving palliative end-of-life care out to enjoy the music, in a favourite outfit, hair done and with a touch of rouge on her cheeks. This speaks to staff’s desire that residents should live to the full as long as possible.
Several residents had family members visiting. DB’s wife and son, four generations of AS’s family, Ms GH’s son, all of whom enjoyed the music while also bringing comfort to their loved-ones.
In the morning, activities coordinator Yvette had been busy baking cakes with residents and we were teated to a slice during a break in the set. Yvette and resident TC had also harvested the fresh produce grown on the balconies at Bridgeside Lodge – tomatos, peppers, potatoes. Delicious!
