Audiences can enjoy two Halloween-themed events in Morecambe Winter Gardens over Halloween weekend, presented by More Music.
Cellist Maja Bugge will perform a live soundtrack for Häxan, a Swedish/Danish 1922 horror depicting the history of witchcraft written and directed by Benjamin Christensen on Saturday November 1, at 7pm.
The Lancaster-based musician says, “I am very excited about exploring a new form of improvisation, making a live soundtrack for Häxan with my longstanding collaborator and drummer, More Music’s Ben McCabe. Me and Ben formed a duo in 2023 called ‘Moot’: an Old Norse work for meeting.
The soundtrack will incorporate improvisation and composition exploring live riffs, grooves and melodies as well as pre-recorded soundscapes. As a local artist based in Lancaster, I have always been fascinated by the Winter Gardens. Doing a live soundtrack in a venue where the present embodies the past offers a new layer to explore.”
This film event follows on from previous partnership presentations of live scores for silent film with The Winter Gardens, Northern Silents and More Music.
Ben McCabe, More Music Creative Producer said: “In recent years we’ve worked together with Northern Silents director Jonny Best in engaging an amazing array of musicians and taking them through myriad methods for bringing silent film alive with improvised music.
‘’It made sense to reach out to Lancaster cellist, composer, improviser Maja Bugge for this show as she’s recently been developing electronic elements which further widen the sonic palette underscoring the gore as well as the stories and histories in the film.”
On Sunday November 2, young Musicians who formed bands at More Music’s Stages sessions present a Monster themed gig working alongside Digital Media Students from Lancaster and Morecambe College.
Above: More Music Golden Geese Stages Band
Stages is a programme of weekly sessions where young people can explore music in a safe space, developing bands and musicianship with the support of More Music’s Music Leaders.
Ashley Murphy said: “We’re so excited to be working with the Winter Gardens and having the opportunity to put on this young bands night at such an iconic venue.
‘’After reading some of the legendary bands that have played there in the past, it’s great for our local young people to be continuing the tradition and playing great music in their community.”
More Music Creative Producer Ben McCabe added: “We’re incredibly excited to be working together with this amazing venue on three events this season: Spooky Season Cinema feat Häxan, Monster Music Show featuring young bands from the Stages project and finally for 2025 the uplifting festive bonanza that is Sufjan Stevens’ Songs for Christmas!”
These events are in partnership with Morecambe Winter Gardens; full Halloween Weekend details can be found via the Winter Gardens’ website.
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