Made With Music - Accessible Mini-Gigs
A series of music mini-gigs designed to be accessible to all families, including those with a family member who is disabled or who has additional needs.
Made with Music produced 3 sold-out Mini-Gigs for families at the Brudenell Social Club, working with Ed Heaton (Music Producer) and family support groups in Leeds (SNAPS, Little Hiccups, Sunshine and Smiles) who support families who have a disabled child or child with additional needs. The events promoted respect and inclusion between disabled and non-disabled communities through a shared love of music. By the second mini-gig 5 families who booked had a disabled child and by the third gig, 40% of families who booked had a disabled parent or child, some of whom we had never met before.
Each gig had 3 acts and used local musicians which gave the audience the opportunity to continue following/supporting them around Leeds after the gig. Performers included Beth Mackay (opera singer) / Backyard Burners / Bruno Merz, Gillene Butterfield and Laura Kelly-McInroy (opera duo), Täpp / Happy Daggers / Park Fires, Beth Mackay / Laminate Pet Animal / Redwood River Band
The events were made to be as accessible as possible and suitable for all families to attend with their friends. Tickets were held back for families with a disabled family member so they could decide on the day if they were able to come or not. A video walk through of the venue on the day of each gig and a picture guide in advance helped those who needed extra information. Volunteers at the events, accessible signage and the presence of a Changing Places Mobile Unit all added to make the events suitable for a wide range of attenddees.
Meraki Creative Hub (local craft providers and face painters) provided family activity between the acts and young adults from Sunshine and Smiles, the Leeds Down’s Syndrome network ran a pop-up cake stall where people could buy sweet treats.
The Made with Music Mini-Gigs went on to win an Outstanding Attitude Award for from the charity Attitude is Everything who celebrate excellence and innovation in live music accessibility.Made With Music are exploring the idea of a tour which would show their example of good practice and help others to develop theirs.
“Before the Made with Music gig I was a little bit anxious about how Emily would react if the music was too loud and I was expecting to have to leave early if she became unsettled. In the event we stayed for the whole of the concert and enjoyed all 3 acts plus the entertainment in between. There were lots of excited kids but enough room for everyone to feel at ease. Emily stayed in her wheelchair but we could have laid Emily on a mat if needed.
Our biggest worry on a day out with Emily is where we'll change her - too often it's on the floor of a 'disabled' toilet. - The Made with Music team really have thought of everything and we made use of a mobile Changing Places toilet with a hoist and height adjustable table.”
