Artsbeat March 2016

Celebrating the arts in Derbyshire and the Peak District

March 2016

Don’t miss this year’s festivities

FRE

E

artsbeatblog.com

ANGER: From a woman’s point of view Author is inspired by café society

Catch up with a world of cinema Music, theatre, gallery, film and workshop listings

Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 May

BOX OFFICE 01298 72190 BUXTONOPERAHOUSE.ORG.UK buxtonophouse

@buxtonophouse

Amanda Penman editor As we live in such a glorious part of the world I guess it is not at all surprising that so many artists I write about are inspired by the landscape of the Peak District.

But this month have have been truly impressed by the diversity of that inspiration and I hope you enjoy reading about them.

Woodturner Roger Waterhouse creates beautiful bowls using timber, all found near his Ashover home.

Photographer Colin Shaw has found amazing beauty in the scars left by the working quarries, which, although they provide us with jobs, are often overlooked in descriptions of the Peak District.

Artist Geoff Diego Litherland is fascinated by the way nature reclaims the disused quarries on his doorstep in Wirksworth and painter Lor Bird has been transfixed by the beauty of the dales surrounding her Matlock home.

Travel writer Helen Moat, who also lives in Matlock, has spent the last couple of years visiting every nook and cranny of the area as she wrote her Slow Guide to the Peak District.

There is a chance to win one of her books on page 44.

43

31 50 40

email: editor@arts-beat.co.uk Telephone: 07872 066719 artsbeat2 @artsbeat

website: artsbeatblog.com

Putting Derbyshire first: artsbeat is published by Penman Publishing, 19 Nottingham Road, Belper and is printed by Buxton Press

6

contents

12

9

performance

12 Derby Theatre Looks Back in Anger, from a woman’s perspective 43 Derby brass players join French circus troupe for Déda spectacular 49 Derbyshire Singers and guests to perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah

artists & exhibitions

9 Landscapes, time and space inspire artist Geoff Diego Litherland 23 COVER STORY: Step into painter Lor Bird’s colourful abstracts 50 Woodturner Roger Waterhouse opens his studio to artsbeat readers

film & photography

31 Colin Shaw’s images challenge our perceptions of the Peak District 40 A celebration of cinema for all ages showing at Buxton Fim Festival

literature

20 Garry Martin’s beautiful books are works of art in their own right 44 Take your time to visit the Peak District with author Helen Moat 56 Christine Gregory’s Water Vole is on artsbeat’s bookshelf this month

have a go

45-48 Learn a new skill through our Have a Go workshops guide

regulars

26-27 Pick of the shows in gallery 53-55 Music dates in gig guide 61-69 What’s on listings in agenda 7

Shopping, Leisure and Free Family Events at the Village!

Events

2016 First Farmers’ Market of 2016 Easter Fun Hunt Easter Dog Show Spring Fair & Market Arts in the Village Festival & Created in Derbyshire Market Gardeners Festival & Market Festival of Food Summer Dog Show Summer Fair & Market Eco Festival & Market Peak Magic Festival Harvest Festival & Market Christmas Market + Light Switch-On Christmas Night Markets

Sat 12th March (+ every 2nd Sat of month) Sun 27th March Sun April 10th Sat & Sun 16th & 17th April B/H Weekend 28th, 29th & 30th May Sat & Sun 4th & 5th June Sat & Sun 2nd & 3rd July Sun July 31st Sat & Sun 6th & 7th August Sat & Sun 3rd & 4th September Sat 17th September Sat & Sun 1st & 2nd October Fri 4th pm, Sat 5th & Sun 6th November Fridays: 2nd, 9th and 16th December

Shopping | Free Events* | Cafe+Restaurant | Free Parking 4hrs Just two miles from Chatsworth House Chatsworth Road, Rowsley, Derbyshire DE4 2JE www.peakshoppingvillage.com* Follow us on Facebook/Twitter

Artistic alchemy in fantasy world Painter’s work

melds nature, romanticism and

science fiction

A

s the son of an intrepid explorer and geologist Geoff Diego Litherland saw a lot of the world in his early life.

The Mexican-born artist was brought up in Bolivia and Ecuador and has lived in Granada and Barcelona.

He moved to England to embark on his fine art degree at Falmouth and in 2012 he completed a Masters in Fine Arts at Goldsmiths University London.

For a few years he lived in Nottingham but in 2015 he and his wife Hattie, a textile designer, upped sticks again and moved to what he describes as his ‘rural idyll’ in Wirksworth where he seems determined to plant some roots.

They have found a cottage on Greenhill to renovate and are throwing themselves into community life. Geoff has taken on a curatorial role for Wirksworth Festival and he is also one of a group of artists turning part of Haarlem Mill into an arts space.

“There is so much going on here and so many amazing designers and artists.

Collaborating with them is really interesting and I am excited about the festival and how it will develop,” said the 36-year-old.

“What I find really fascinating about Wirksworth though is

9

Geoff Diego Litherland in his studio

Franklyn J

Scott

the landscape and how it is influencing my new work. The physical scars left by the mining and the way nature is retaking the abandoned quarries are making a mark on me already.

“All the places I have lived have influenced my work which has always been about using materials to make sense of my surroundings and my relationship to nature.”

Geoff describes his creative style as post-apocalyptic romanticism and says that it is a real mixed-bag using the traditions of western abstraction, together with surrealism and figuration.

Much of his work combines his vision of an idyllic landscape with the fantasy world of science fiction and his aim is to question our perception of nature and the role that art has played in creating that perception.

The octagonal shape of several of his oil paintings also appears within others and Geoff says they were initially meant to be a window from a

Ingleb y Gal ler y 6th - 20th March

Preview Sunday 6th noon-4pm

Ingleby, Nr Melbourne, Derbyshire DE73 7HW Telephone Gill Watson 01332 865995 e-mail gillwatson@ingleby-gallery.co.uk website www.ingleby-gallery.co.uk Open Wednesday to Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday and Sunday noon - 5pm

10

Clockwise from above Soul Chart, We Are Star Dust and Space Ship Earth – Lost in Falling Light Previous page: Adjacent Machina Transcendtalis and Geoff Diego Litherland at work

spaceship looking back down on Earth.

“What I want to portray is either nature in a distance past before humans changed it, or in a post apocalyptic sci-fi world.

“I see myself as a time traveller being able to start off way back creating somewhere people can explore with me,” he said thoughtfully.

Geoff’s love of science fiction dates back to his childhood in South America where the lack of any decent television drove him to the library at the British Council in Ecuador.

“I just used to pick sci-fi novels by their covers, so at a young age I had read Issac Asimov’s Foundation series and other classic stuff. Those images stayed with me but I didn’t start using them until I was at Goldsmiths.”

Before he started the London course in 2010 Geoff was better known for his abstract painting which explored his Anglo-Mexican background.

(His father is English and mother Mexican). He had won a place in the John Moores

25 Painting Prize and won the Nottingham Castle Open.

“At that stage I didn’t know in which direction to head and my work was not going anywhere.

My critical theory tutor on the course just asked me what I was interested in. I said the sublime relationships to nature, romanticism and science fiction. He just said ‘great now go and get on with it’.

“He gave me the confidence to

11

indulge myself and make the work I wanted to and I have not looked back since.

“My work is always changing as the influences around me change and I am particularly excited about the future now I have moved to Wirksworth and this new environment,” he said.

Until Haarlem Mill is up and running the artist is working out of the Old Lock-up Studio in Cromford and he is preparing for a busy year.

As well as being involved with the festival and the mill project Geoff is at the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea from March 9-13 and he has a solo exhibition at Tarpey Gallery from March 26-May 1. n Go to geoffdiegolitherland. com to find out more and follow the haarlem art space on facebook to find out the latest news about its opening.

From a female point of view

J

inny, a new play which responds to John Osborne’s iconic Look Back in Anger from a female perspective, is being staged at Derby Theatre.

It is part of the theatre’s RETOLD series, which aims to crack open the classics from the viewpoint of female characters, as well as giving exciting female contemporary writers the opportunity to have their work performed on the main stage at Derby Theatre.

The new play, which has been written by Derby-born Jane Wainwright, is a humorous and poignant response piece to Osborne’s classic and has been built on research and development with women living in Derby today.

It is a story of a young woman trying to cope with the world in which she finds herself.

Jinny puts Derby’s women centre stage as the ‘angry young man’ becomes today’s ‘angry young women’.

Jane was a member of the

12

Joanna Simpkins plays the title role in Jinny in Derby Theatre’s RETOLD series

Royal Court’s Young Writers Programme, Invitation Group and ‘Supergroup’. She writes for TV, theatre and radio and is currently developing a radio play for BBC Radio 4.

For the RETOLD project the playwright has created Jinny and her childhood friend, Liv. They are 25 and going nowhere – unless being evicted is a destination.

Jinny is all the things she feels she should be: strong, outspoken and armed with a degree, but it turns out that isn’t enough.

In a world where your mate earns more than your dad and folk go to the supermarket with no bra on, Jinny wants more.

But when everyone is promised everything, what happens when there’s not enough to go round?

The theatre’s artistic director and chief executive Sarah Brigham, who is directing the play, said: “Jinny takes the character of Jimmy Porter

Jinny is the story

of a brassy young woman who was

promised it all and looks at a female 2016 equivalent. We researched with women across Derby to see what challenges they face today and those findings have been the basis for the script.

“Joanna Simpkins who we’ve cast is a fantastic actor who I think will bring a real truth to the role. Expect to hear the story of a brassy woman living in Derby who was promised it all and still wondering what “all” is.

“The idea behind the RETOLD series, of which Jinny is a part, was born out of me feeling there was a lack of female characters in the classic plays being staged in British Theatre and this series

13

of plays would be a perfect way to rebalance this by producing contemporary pieces exploring the classics from the perspective of the female characters.

“I am also keen and passionate about profiling the work of today’s female writers who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to have their work performed on a main stage in a professional theatre.”

Jinny will run on selected days between Monday March 7 and 23, with Look Back in Anger running from March 4-26.

Look Back in Anger smashed on to the scene and changed the face of British theatre in the mid-1950s, by placing on stage the voice of the ‘Angry Young Man’. The play has a huge resonance in Derby, as it is a strongly autobiographical piece which suggests it is based on Osborne’s unhappy marriage to actress Pamela Lane, and their life living in a cramped flat in Derby during the 50s.

Gorgeous giftware inspired by history and handmade in the heart of Derbyshire

Arum Lilie Designs Interior & giftware

Unit 204 Via Gellia Mills, Bonsall, DE4 2AJ Telephone: 07926067423

www.arumliliedesigns.co.uk

BOOK LAUNCH Beneath Napoleon’s Hat: Tales from the Parisian Cafés Volume 2: A Black Violet

by G. J. Martin A Black Violet

“I read these stories with admiration: each is full of vim and vigour and repartee... Concise, witty, alert to the ridiculous, but also to the grand.”

“I read these stories with admiration: and vigour and each is full of repartee, and vim provocative the whole is mix a short story and of cultural history, re-inhabcurious, biograph itation, alert to the ridiculou ical sketch. Concise, witty, s, but also to the grand.”

[Robert Macfarla ne, The Wild Places, author of Mountains of the Mind, The Old Ways and Landma Former Chair rks. of the Man Booker Prize]

Beneath Nap Tales from the oleon’s Hat: Parisian Café s Volume 2: A Black Violet

Colley Books Ltd £9.95

G.J. Martin

9 780993 189258

Robert Macfarlane, former Chair of the Man Booker Prize

G.J. Mar tin

Scarthin Books, The Promenade, Cromford, March 12 at 6.30pm The books, priced £9.95, are available from your local bookshop or www.colleybooks.com

14

arena

Look no further for news of murder mysteries, mincing mischief, mountain films, book festivals and art shows Second season for the cultural Grand Tour THE second season of The Grand Tour will take place from March to June with Nottingham Contemporary, Chatsworth, Derby Museums and The Harley Gallery at Welbeck joining forces to create the ultimate exhibition programme, in a cultural journey for today’s Grand Tourist.

Turner Prize-winner Simon Starling, together with Sir Peter Blake and influential performance artist Rose English have been invited to show their work alongside masterpieces and hidden gems from the venues’ own collections, offering unprecedented access to both contemporary works and old masters.

A two-part display will be on show at The Harley Gallery, featuring an exhibition of original collages from Sir Peter Blake’s celebrated World Tour series and Rose English’s collection of her horse-related works (pictured above) juxtaposed with objects and manuscripts from Welbeck’s rich equestrian history.

Nottingham Contemporary will present a major solo show

by Simon Starling, including both a comprehensive retrospective of his installation pieces to date, many unseen in the UK, and two new commissions, one referring to Nottingham lace production

in the area surrounding the gallery.

Derby Museums’ exhibition Joseph Wright and the Lure of Italy will explore the Grand Tour of the 18th and 19th centuries through the experiences of Derbyshire travellers, including Joseph Wright himself.

Treasures from some of the county’s greatest houses and families have been generously lent for this special show, including works by 18th century master Pompeo Batoni, as well as early Italian

15

Renaissance artists, to sit alongside Derby Museums’ own rich collection.

Some of these items will be on public show for the first time.

Chatsworth’s exhibition, A Grand Tour of the Devonshire Collection, celebrates the practice of the Grand Tour through the eyes of the Devonshire family’s own continental travels, displaying important works seldom on show, including two Canaletto, Domenichino’s Madonna delle Rose, pictured left, sketches by Inigo Jones, and a collection of drawings by Flemish painter Sebastian Vrancx, previously unseen at Chatsworth.

Sir Peter Bazalgette of Arts Council England, said: “This ambitious project is a great illustration of the link between culture, tourism and our regional economies.”

The exhibitions open on March 18. For more details go to thegrandtour.uk.com

arena Join Curbar show THE Curbar Art Show 2016 is being staged at the village school from April 30 May 1.

Classrooms are transformed into exhibiting spaces where artists can display their work for sale.

The last event exhibited work from 60 different artists and covered a wide range of media including oils, pastels, inks, watercolours, acrylics, sculpture and pottery and this year they hope to include photography and jewellery for the first time.

To exhibit there is an fee of £5 and a commission of 25 per cent for every piece of work sold.

All the money raised by the event will go towards school funds.

If you would like any further information please Jane Taylor on 0751 6476832, email thecurbarartshow@ yahoo.com or keep up to date with them on Facebook.

Mountain of films THE Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour will be coming to The Grand Pavilion in Matlock Bath on April 1.

The festival tour showcases a diverse collection of the newest and best films from the global mountain culture and sports community.

The two different film programmes are selected from over 350 films that were entered in to the prestigious 40th anniversary edition of the film festival held in the Canadian Rockies in November.

They include Eclipse, Operation Moffat, A Line Across The Sky and Unbranded.

For tour, ticket and full film information go to banff-uk.com

DERBY’S Hubbub Theatre Company, are taking their unique brand of high energy mayhem to five theatres in the East Midlands for their tour of Kessoku Tales of Togetherness.

Drawing on aspects of Japanese culture and traditional stories, the show illustrates the company’s ability to create highly imaginative and engaging theatre, utilising various art forms and performance techniques.

Hubbub Theatre Company are an inclusive theatre company that work with individuals with moderate learning

Women in print

16

High energy disabilities, supporting highly talented performers to create accessible and highly professional productions.

Kessoku was first performed at Déda in Derby in November 2014 to sell-out crowds and highly positive reviews.

It will be returning to Déda as part of this tour on March 12 and will be at the Burton Brewhouse in Burton-on-Trent on March 25. They are also going to Lincoln, Leicester and Nottingham.

For more details about the company and the tour go to hubbubtheatre.org AS PART of International Women’s Day 2016 on March 8 Derby Museum will be hosting Inspirations behind Women Writers.

The event will explore the challenges facing local women novelists including Tricia Durdey, left, who has published her first book The Green Table; Sophie Snell, who has written a young adult fantasy book The Raven Stones and crime novelist Roz Watkins. The event for aspiring writers students and those who love to read is at 3.30pm and is free.

arena Thrilling mystery FEATURING lavish sets, period costume and a cast including Diane Fletcher, Tom Butcher and Sarah Thomas, Middle Ground Theatre’s version of the Miss Marple mystery – A Murder is Announced, based on the novel by Agatha Christie – looks set to be its most thrilling show at Buxton Opera House to date. It stars Judy Cornwell as Miss Marple and takes place from March 1-5 at 7.30pm.

Go to buxtonoperahouse.org. uk for tickets.

Orange appeal BUXTON artist Helen Mint has had her exciting work chosen for the cover of this year’s Buxton Fringe programme.

Helen’s unusual, threedimensional design, based on the Fringe’s own juggler logo, fulfilled the committee’s brief to have something really striking and different for 2016.

Helen’s artwork includes actual oranges and peel.

Charity concert MEMBERS of the choirs from Foremarke Hall, Repton’s Prep School, are joining celebrated a capella group The King’s Men in a concert at Derby Cathedral to raise funds for Rainbows Children’s Hospice.

The King’s Men is the close harmony group made up from the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge.

The charity has been chosen as Sophie, daughter of Foremarke school nurse Jane Rushton, received on-going

and end of life care there before she died last year.

The concert will include The King’s Men performing Let it Go from Frozen with the Girls’ Choir of Foremarke Hall, which is particularly poignant as it was Sophie’s favourite song.

They will also perform Abide with Me with the School’s Chamber Choir and I Get Around, made famous by The Beach Boys, together with the Boys’ Choir.

The concert is taking place on March 7 at 7pm. For tickets telephone 01283 707100.

17

“As an artist I like to create pieces of art work from materials which are usually destined for waste, and I thought what could be more perfect than the material I predominately use, citrus peel, to create the art for the Buxton Festival Fringe programme cover?’’

It will feature on the newlyredesigned Fringe flyer, which will be available from Easter.

Go to buxtonfringe.org.uk for news of the line-up for 2016.

arena Vickers award THE Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award, has been launched

by Foundation Derbyshire.

The biennial award brings a rising artist to Derbyshire to produce work inspired by the county’s landscape, heritage and people.

The continuing theme of the Award is Sense of Place and this year there will be focus on The Changing Faces of Derbyshire.

The award is open to emerging painters from across the UK with the successful artist receiving a nine-month residency, a bursary of £18,000, a studio, a contribution to the cost of materials and on-going support and mentoring from the University of Derby’s College of Arts. The closing date for applications is March 31. Go to vickersartaward. co.uk for more details.

Celebrating books WIRKSWORTH – already well known for its September Arts Festival – is this year planning a book festival from April 9-11.

The festival will begin with an evening to celebrate and talk about books, with local celebrities talking about, and reading from, their favourite books. Also planned are a number of author sessions, activity in the library and a Book Walk, ending with a Book Quiz on the Sunday evening.

The weekend is being run in partnership with the Derby Book Festival which has its own Derby Reads event on April 5 in QUAD and tickets for the city’s June event will be on sale from March 15.

For more information on Wirksworth, go to wirksworthfestival.org.uk, and the festival Facebook page.

BELPER Players promise an evening of merriment and mayhem in their forthcoming production of Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon.

TV adaptations of Agatha Christie novels are rarely off our screens, but this play lovingly lampoons the traditional detective novel.

The action is set in a remote country manor where Mildred, the lady of the house, her long-suffering niece Dorothy, and butler Bunting prepare to entertain a motley crew of guests for dinner.

But all is not what it seems, and the evening quickly descends into murder.

Des reveals all

18

Murder and mirth Luckily we can depend on local amateur sleuth Joan Maple to help out where the incompetent Inspector Pratt falls down.

Director Sara Noble-Nesbitt says: “It’s very, very funny, but behind all the gags is a clever little whodunnit, so there really is something for everyone.”

Murdered To Death will be performed at the The Strutt Centre, Derby Road, Belper, from March 16-19 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from 07582 416610 or online from belperplayers.com.

CELEBRATING a lifetime on stage and screen with his own show this month is veteran entertainer Des O’Connor.

Join him as he shares stories and songs from his extensive career which has seen him share the stage with many entertainment giants including Tom Jones, Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey and Luciano Pavarotti.

His backstage anecdotes are brought vividly to life with fascinating showreel clips of his iconic TV moments.

The show is at Buxton Opera House on March 24 at 7.30pm.

arena New works THE work of Pinxton musician Graham Hall will take centre stage at Sinfonia Viva’s Timeless Classics concert at Derby Cathedral on March 2.

Graham is Sinfonia Viva’s Principal Timpanist and he has created new versions of Mahler’s 1st Symphony and Ravel’s String Quartet.

They will be performed for the first time by the orchestra at the evening concert under the baton of Principal Conductor Duncan Ward.

For tickets go to derbylive. co.uk

Mincing mischief ‘NATIONAL trinket’, author and TV star Julian Clary returns to Buxton for a brand new show celebrating 30 years of camp comedy on April 28 at 7.30pm.

In The Joy of Mincing – a strictly adults only show – he will talk about his love life, the true and heart-stopping story about how he saved

Synergy show AIRE Flamenco’s Juan Casals Mendoza and Glenn David Phillips are joined by David Shepherd for Synergy.

Together, they bring scorching, rapid-fire guitar flurries, passionate vocals and exotic driving percussion to an absolutely entrancing blend of dramatic traditional flamenco pieces and irresistible South American rumbas and tangos.

Their energy is contagious and provides a great live show which you can enjoy at Crich Glebe Field Centre on March 12 at 7.30pm. For tickets telephone 01773 853260.

19

the life of Joan Collins and the perils of his DIY electrical home enema kit. He will be displaying his MBE (Mincer of the British Empire) and handing out honours to a few lucky audience members.

To read a Q&A interview between Julian and Buxton Opera House go to artsbeatblog.com. He is outrageously funny and his answers will get you giggling.

For tickets for the show go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Writer’s passion speaks volumes

Author Garry Martin tells artsbeat’s Amanda Penman how a dinner party coincidence led to a literary collaboration

T

he fickle hand of fate has a habit of striking when you least expect and so it was for author Garry Martin.

A year or so ago he and his partner, artist Sue Lewis-Blake, had just moved to Stanton-inPeak and, wanting to get to know their neighbours, invited them to dinner.

As Dr John Basford browsed through his host’s bookshelves that evening he spotted a collection of books by B S Johnson and remarked that there was one missing, but being a fan himself he had a copy he could lend to Garry.

Thrilled that his guest shared his interest Garry revealed a chapter of a book he had written which paid homage to the novelist, poet and film maker they both admired.

At that moment a new relationship was forged that by the end of the year will have resulted in the publication of four books by G J Martin.

For John, who is the owner of the publishing firm Colley Books, was looking for a new project and Garry, who had manuscripts written, needed someone to help him tackle

the time-consuming task of preparing them for a wider audience.

“John read the chapter when he got home and then came straight back to ask if I had any more. ‘Three volumes’, I told him – and I could hardly believe it when he said he wanted to publish them.”

Stylish trilogy

relates real-life writers’ imagined

conversations In the six months since then they have published the first volume. The second is being launched at Scarthin Books, at Cromford, on March 12 at 6.30pm and the third will be out in June in time for the Lowdham Literary Festival.

A novel set in the present day linked to the trilogy will be out later in the year.

Beneath Napoleon’s Hat: Tales from the Parisian Cafés is a collection of pieces set in the famous literary cafés of the French capital.

Explaining the reason for the title Garry said: “During

20

research trips to Paris I scribbled, sketched and stared as I people-watched sitting at a table in the Café Procope beneath a glass case containing Napoleon’s hat.

“The story is that the future Emperor had left the hat there as security for an unpaid bill when he was a young officer and it had never been reclaimed,” he said with a smile.

The resulting three volumes from his meticulous research – Eagles without a Cliff; A Black Violet; and Sylvia Beach and the Melancholy Jesus – are a series of imagined exchanges between the real life visitors to the cafés of the past; the famous and the would-be famous such as writer and publisher Robert McAlmon, his wife Bryher and her lesbian lover Hilda Doolittle, Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce.

The story about Johnson is in the third volume.

“I think our collaboration on this project has worked really well for both John and me,” said Garry.

“We want these books to be keepers. Beautiful objects that the reader will enjoy holding and reading.

“John was determined to

Robert Macfarlane, who has described Garry’s new work as being full of ‘vim and vigour and repartee...’ and novelist Jonathan Coe, who wrote Like a Fiery Elephant the story of B S Johnson.

However, despite his disparate life, the one thing which remained constant was his writing and, as well as these new works, he has produced several other books over the years, although it was not until he retired that he was finally able to put all his energy into the work he loved.

“I was once asked why I write and I simply replied ‘because I am a writer’. It has taken me a long time to be able to declare this is what I do but I was a writer in 1967 and I remain so today.”

“I read these stories with admiration : each is full of vim and vigour and repartee, and the whole is a curious, provocative mix of cultural history, re-inhabitation, short story and biographical sketch.

Concise, witty, alert to the ridiculous, but also to the grand.”

Beneath Napoleon’s Hat: Tales from the Parisian Cafés Volume 2: A Black Violet

[Robert Macfarlane, author of Mountains of the Mind, The Wild Places, The Old Ways and Landmarks.

Former Chair of the Man Booker Prize]

9 780993 189258

Colley Books Ltd £9.95

21

G.J. Martin

publish these stories as art objects in their own right. He is almost evangelical about it.

“They are printed on fine quality French paper specially imported from Paris, in a 20s style font with a beautifully designed cover. There are also extra surprise elements to the second and third volumes.”

After graduating from Cambridge in the 60s Garry has managed to fit in a diverse work-life including a short career as a systems analyst, broadcasting for the BBC, running a restaurant and a bookshop and teaching English at schools in Essex, Birmingham and Nottingham.

As a teacher he has nurtured several authors and journalists including the landscape writer

A Black Violet

Garry Martin at work in his Stanton-in-Peak home

G.J. Marti n

The second volume of the Beneath Napoleon’s Hat: Tales from the Parisian Cafés trilogy is launched at Scarthin Books, Cromford, on March 12 at 6.30pm

Derbyshire Landscape 20 February to 13 March 2016

An exhibition of paintings by Kristan Baggaley, John Bainbridge, Jonathan Briggs, Colin Halliday and Mark Preston

www.gallerytop.co.uk

The gallery is open six days a week.

Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 – 5.00 and Sundays 11.00 – 4.00 gallerytop, Chatsworth Road, Rowsley, Derbyshire, DE4 2EH 01629 735580

Artsbeat Turners Advert 2015_Artsbeat Turners Advert 13/01/2015 11:47 Page 1

Proud to support local and British made products including pads, paint and portfolios Stockists of Daler-Rowney | Winsor & Newton Derwent | Koh-I-Noor | Royal Langnickel Reeves | Lyra | Wabbo | Montana and many more all at internet prices!

Young to Old, Amateur to Artist For all your art needs at discounts up to 50%

www.turnersart.co.uk

22

Turners Ltd, Old Station Yard, Old Station Road, Rowsley, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 2EL Tel: 01629 735 785

New dimension

A

t the last Banks Mill Open Studios the work of one new artist on the block was attracting a lot of attention.

Visitors were not only commenting on the sheer number of paintings by Lor Bird but also the diversity of her style.

Practically every wall on four floors of exhibition at the Derby venue had one or more

of her works and until then very few people had ever seen her work.

The Matlock artist has certainly been hiding her light under a bushel for a fair few years and confesses that until recently she had not got the confidence to show it off.

That’s all changed thanks in the main to the encouragement of her husband Jamie, an art therapist who also paints. “I have always painted.

Painting is my chill time but I

23

Lor Bird

step into spring an eclectic range of work by artists including: Alison Tyldesley, Lewis Noble, anna Thomas, Ruth Gray, catriona hall, dennis westwood, colin halliday, wendy darker and Keith Kent

Clockwise from above; Calke Walk, Pendle and Matlock Previous page: Derwent White

50 St John Street, Ashbourne, DE6 1GH 01335 347425 Monday to Saturday 9.30am-5pm enquiries@stjohngalleryandcafé.co.uk www.stjohngalleryandcafé.co.uk

y paintings y prints y glass y sculpture y ceramics

Sponsors of the Ashbourne Festival Art Prizes and twice winner of the ‘Café of the Year’ Award

n To see more of Lor’s work go to lorbird.wix. com

was just doing it for myself and not for anyone else,” explained Lor, who helps disabled people get back into work by setting up their own business.

“Meeting Jamie has changed my whole world. He pushed me into looking more broadly at the work of other artists, took me to more exhibitions and gave me the confidence to believe in myself.

He is my best critic but he also told me that my work was good and I had to get it framed and show it to others,” said Lor. “The ironic thing was that at work I was advising others how to make the most of the talents by setting up their own businesses and I wasn’t following my own advice.

“One day I suddenly thought ‘I should be doing this myself’.

I realised that I wanted to become an artist and I probably always had.

“I am still working four days a week but on Fridays I devote myself to my art,” she said.

The 42-year-old painter, was brought up in Derby and studied art at A level but when she failed to get her predicted A grade in the subject she was thrown off course.

‘I am like a kid

in a sweetshop – there are so

many choices’ “I took a year out to lick my wounds and then decided to study religion and philosophy instead and went on to work with disabled people, as I was interested in becoming an art therapist.”

Lor will never know what would have happened if she had studied fine art but she says there is no point in looking back, although she reckons art school may have helped her focus more on a creative style.

“I find it hard to stick to one style I just can’t limit myself and like to just let the paintings blossom.

“How they turn out is often a surprise to me. I am a bit like a kid in a sweetshop. There are just so many choices and I want to try them all. I feel as if I might miss out on something if I don’t,” she said with smile.

The couple’s home, set above Matlock Bank overlooking the town, has rooms painted brightly to reflect her love of

colour and adorning the walls are her landscapes, abstracts and still life.

Lor has painted enough pictures in the last 20 years to more than fill the average gallery but she realises it is time to create a brand for herself – all the paintings on these pages are semi abstract landscapes and it is a style she is keen to develop.

“I had a couple of paintings exhibited at In The Flow, in Matlock, last year and was involved with a Pop-up Shop at the Wirksworth Festival as well

25

as a few other craft fairs. I also became an affiliate member at Banks Mill which led to me exhibiting quite a bit of work there which was very exciting.

“I am going to be part of the Belper Art Trail at the beginning of May and I am also going to be exhibiting in the Cube space in Deda dance centre in Derby that month.

“I don’t know what the future holds for me and my work but I am going to enjoy showing it off and I just hope that people get some enjoyment from what I have done.”

gallery

artsbeat previews go-to exhibitions coming up soon – turn to agenda for more details and other galleries North End Gallery Wirksworth

D

erby artist Rosalind Pounder will transform the whole gallery space at North End in Wirksworth with her exquisite, delicate ‘nest’ forms created from natural and man-made materials.

Her nest-like vessels are created using foraged and gathered materials such as dead foliage and discarded BT wires.

The results are stunning and involve many hours of intricate work and skilled manipulation of the materials.

Alongside these, Rosalind will exhibit her beautiful handmade books which she dyes using

natural colours from plants and berries in the exhibition entitled Gatherings.

“My work grows from an engagement with the natural world around me and is an intimate response to the ineffable via the minutiae of things cast aside.

Books, nests, vessels and gatherings, ritualistic in their construction become sanctuaries – humble epiphanies,” says Rosalind.

The exhibition at North End Gallery in, North End, Wirksworth will run from March 17-May 12.

Derwent Gallery, Grindleford Sheffield artist Alison Tyldesley is inspired by the drama of the Peak District landscape and the rapidly changing weather, light and colour.

Her paintings emerge over time as she layers paint to create texture, movement, light and tone.

She draws on memory and imagination as well as her landscape sketches to create contemporary expressionistic paintings

26

capturing the drama of landscape using textured and gestural paint.

She paints vigorously and energetically using cloths, knives and fingers as well as brushes and says she works on several paintings simultaneously.

The new opening times at the Derwent Gallery, which has an exhibition of her work, are: Thursday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Sir Richard Morris Lounge, Derby Cathedral Centre The Path to Calvary is the title of a striking and powerful series of linocuts

by London-based artist Mark Cazalet.

He interprets for today the traditional 14 Stations of the Cross with a new 15th one for the Resurrection, making them a very appropriate focus for contemplation during Lent and Easter.

The exhibition will be on view in the Sir Richard Morris Lounge at Derby Cathedral Centre from March

1-30, Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

It will coincide with a parallel exhibition at different locations throughout the Cathedral from March 12-April 1.

Here 15 local artists will each depict one of the Stations, plus the Resurrection at Easter.

Further details of this initiative will be available soon. Go to derbycathedral. org to find out more.

The Old Station Gallery, Rowsley The current show at the Old Station Gallery at the Peak Shopping Village in Rowsley – Sturcture in Vision – is an exhibition of work that brings together five fine artists working with abstraction.

Artists included in the show, which is on until March 23, are Rachel Carter, (work pictured) Heather Duncan, Steve Gresham, Rachael Pinks and Kerri Pratt.

A second area at the gallery has now opened and will show a selection of work by represented artists, sculptors and ceramicists including two new potters Kerry Hastings and Karen Banks.

Studio 61, Karina Goodman Gallery, Leashaw, Holloway

The March fundraising exhibition at the gallery is entitled Reach for the Skies and is aid of Derbyshire and Rutland Air Ambulance The exhibiting artists are Karina Goodman, John Connolly, Valerie Dalling, Mary Smith, Martin Sloman, Alexandra Koufali, Anne Menary, Helen Absalom, Mark Beresford, Jo Stevens, John Shiels and Connected 2015 photographers Greg Whitton, Neil Hulme and Shaun Walby, whose work is pictured. left.

27

Melbourne Festival Art & Architecture Trail

To apply... email 6-8 images of current work (jpeg max 250kb each) with CV, Artist Statement and FULL contact details to artists-melbournefestival@outlook.com

Call for entries 17 & 18 September 2016

For full details visit… www.melbournefestival.co.uk or call 07765 819428 SOUTH DERBYSHIRE - DE73 8EJ

Closing date: 31 March 2016

All artists will be contacted by 31 May 2016. A fee of £80 is due by 30 June 2016.

SCRIVENER’s

Gallery in the Gardens

SECONDHAND & ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS & BOOKBINDING 42 HIGH ST, BUXTON, SK17 6HB Tel: 01298 73100

Featuring original work by 40 High Peak artists & makers

Monday–Saturday 9.30am to 5pm Sundays 12pm to 4pm scrivbooks@hotmail.co.uk www.scrivenersbooks.co.uk

Paintings, textiles, contemporary jewellery, ceramics, photography, etchings, linocuts, glass, wood & more Open daily 9.30am – 5.00pm Tel: 07849 673058 Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, High Peak, Derbyshire SK17 6BE

High Peak Artists One of The Guardian’s 10 Best Bookshops

w w w. g a l l e r y i n t h e g a r d e n s . c o. u k

28

It’s child’s play

F

or the second year running Buxton Opera House’s Young Company has won a place to compete in the National Theatre’s Connections Festival.

This year the company will perform a play that includes a giant 3D baby and has been described as ‘epic and bonkers’ by the show’s director Craig Sanders.

Gargantua by Carl Grose was chosen by the team from 12 new works put forward by top writers for the festival.

It tells the story of Mr and Mrs Mungus, whose new-born baby isn’t the bouncing blue-eyed boy they were hoping for.

After a two and a half year pregnancy, Mini Mungus gives birth to a monster baby with accelerated growth and an insatiable appetite.

When scientists become intent on cloning the giant, he escapes and the world watches on in horror as he wreaks havoc. Who will stop this freak of nature? Who will decide his tragic fate? And who, more importantly, will change his nappy?

Craig, the learning and participation officer for Buxton Opera House said: “Gargantua is an epic and bonkers play which has allowed the Young Company to develop their performance skills in acting, singing, movement and puppetry.

“It’s a play filled with theatrical illusion and effects and is

going to be something rather quite special.

We have a giant 3D baby which moves and stands at around 20 feet tall – everything about this show is big.

“We’ve had a fantastic student designer from Nottingham Trent University, Taylor Skinner, work with us to design the unique stage set and have also enlisted the professional expertise of composer and musical director James Atherton and West End, TV actress and Italia Conti Academy teacher Adrienne Davis.

NT Connections Festival provides theatre students with experience of professional theatre-making, mirroring that of a professional company.

29

Part of the ingenuity of the Festival is that it also engages top writers to produce fresh and in some cases groundbreaking works that could go on to become modern classics.

Buxton Opera House’s Young Company which launched in 2014 is a membership scheme which enables young people to gain experience of all theatre from back stage to performance.

Their entry to the festival last year was The Accordion Shop

by Cush Jumbo and it won high praise from the judges.

Gargantua is being staged at the Pavilion Arts Centre in Buxton from March 3-5, with evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. It will then transfer to Derby Theatre for the festival on May 4. n For tickets go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Scarthin Books

Martin Davis

A homely refuge and social hub

Contemporary artist

New, secondhand and antiquarian bookshop with almost 100,000 titles We buy books and music by appointment

Vegetarian & Vegan Cafe with cosy outdoor seating area

Bookshop 9-6pm Monday-Saturday, 10-6pm Sunday Cafe 10-5.15pm Monday - Saturday, 10-6pm Sunday

Listed by the Guardian online as one of the ten ‘best bookshops in the world’ The Promenade, Scarthin, Cromford, DE4 3QF Tel: 01629 823272 email: nickscarthin@gmail.com

www.scarthinbooks.com

Follow us on

Original artwork & portrait commissions 07776095196 www.martindavisartist.co.uk

and watch our film on

COMING SOON

10th Anniversary Showcase Spring Bank Holiday weekend May 28th, 29th & 30th

288 artists exhibiting across Derbyshire Brochures available soon – watch this space derbyshireopenarts.co.uk 30

Scarred beauty Photographer Colin Shaw confronts our perception of the Peak District with his dramatic images of industry

C

hallenging the romantic view of the landscape and those who work within it is the raison d’etre of photographer Colin Shaw.

He is a strong-minded man who doesn’t have much time for those who want to prettify the countryside and make it something it never was.

That’s not to say he advocates the wholesale destruction of the land, quite the opposite. He has spent most of his 65 years

living in small rural villages and appreciates everything that is beautiful about nature.

“I would argue that we need a view of landscape that is not based on an idealised image of what it should be.

“When I moved to Eyam in 2003 I wanted to photograph my new surroundings, but for several years did not have a clear idea of what I wanted to say, but I did know that the Peak District landscape was more than just a pretty view,” said Colin, pictured right.

Three years ago he was finally

31

THE olD STATion GALLERY

THE OLD STATION GALLERY

kerri pratt

STRUCTURE IN VISION / 20TH FEB-23RD MARCH SHow opEnS: 20TH FEB 3pM-5.30pM ARTiSTS: RACHEl CARTER, HEATHER DunCAn, STEvE GRESHAM, RACHAEl pinkS AnD kERRi pRATT old Station Gallery, peak Shopping village, Chatsworth Rd, Rowsley, Derbys DE4 2JE E: theoldstationgallery@gmail.com www.theoldstationgallery.wordpress.com

07974 138 347

32

We leave marks

on the landscape, often subtle, sometimes brutal inspired by the view from a local track. On one side there were amazing views over the hills and the other way there were deep quarries and large cement and lime works.

“In one place it was possible to see both sides of the Peak District and my new project was born. It aims to produce another view – images of sites normally thought to despoil the landscape.

“That is what influences my photography – a relationship with the land that includes all aspects of life and not just the view.

“The activities of people leave marks on the landscape, often subtle sometimes brutal. The common factors being that people have always interacted with their surroundings and that landscape is constantly changing.

“Industry on this scale has a huge visual impact which many do not like when they expect to see perfect landscape.

“It is a strange irony that quarrying in the Peak District is inevitable as the rock that formed the hills is used to build the infrastructure of modern life. For every new house, road, railway or shopping centre there is a corresponding hole in the ground.”

The stunning photographs, being exhibited at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery until April 10, were originally taken for Colin’s MA in photography (for which he studied at Nottingham Trent University – and received a distinction)

but he wanted them to have a wider audience.

“I made an early decision to make the images accessible to a wide audience and decided on large, unframed prints mounted on Dibond which is an aluminium substrate.

“The idea being to remove as many barriers as possible between the print and the audience which I hope will lead to greater engagement with the images.

“By producing large colour photographs (they are 120cm x 80cm) I want to engage people and suggest links between the source of raw materials used in the construction industry and the landscape that provides them.”

The irony is that in actual fact the quarried landscape is in itself quite beautiful.

“When working on the project I definitely discovered a stark beauty in the colours and the forms of the quarries. It was not something I was expecting and many people who have seen the photographs have commented on it.”

Colin grew up in a small Warwickshire village in the 1950s and 60s and spent his summers roaming the countryside only returning

33

home when hungry. His father was a farm worker and passed on his knowledge of the rural dos and don’ts.

When Colin started out as a photographer he turned to the land as his inspiration and he completed a large scale documentation of agricultural work, showing the hidden face of agriculture, which produced two touring exhibitions and a book.

Following that came a project about the building of the M40 through the land he loved.

M40 Warwickshire was shown at the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham and was intended to be a realistic look at the rural life being destroyed by so-called progress.

Both of these projects are now housed at the Museum of English Rural Life which is part of the University of Reading. n To find out more about Colin and his work go to colinshaw. co.uk

Colin’s striking images do not have captions because he does not want the location to distract the viewer from the visual impact of the picture

Cromford Studio and Gallery Featured artist in March

Maggie Robinson landscape paintings

Featured maker in March

Chantal Kelly – stained glass

Open: 10am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday Market Place, Cromford, DE4 3QE 01629 826434

BAKEWELL BOOK FAIR

Derwent Gallery

Saturday April 16th 10am-4pm, entry £1

Fine Art and Picture Framing

25-plus professional book dealers offering a wide range of collectable books, maps and ephemera Agricultural Business Centre, Haddon Road, Bakewell, DE45 1AH

Alison Tyldesley – Milldale: Blue Skies After Rain

Original landscape paintings of the Peak District Main Road, Grindleford, S32 2JN www.derwentgallery.com

Fair manager Peter Allen 07526 606908

no set up fees no minimum run artist led use Hahnemuhle only

Quality framing service including sports memorabilia, medals, posters, prints and photographs Needlework and canvas stretching

visit us or can email/post out open Thurs-Sat 10 - 5 at Studio 61 Gallery Holloway Nr Matlock DE4 5AT t: 01629 534532

Original art l prints l art materials l gifts

e: karinagoodman@btinternet.com

www.outframed.co.uk

www.studio61printing.co.uk

n Tel: 01773 747251 n Market Place, Ripley, DE5 3FJ

02 March The Art of Writing a Press Release by Artsbeat Editor 15 March Free Networking Event at Focus Gallery, Nottingham

Award-winning traditional Peak District pub serving breakfast, lunch and dinner

22 March Social Media for Creatives Seminar by Social Myna Ltd 16 April Get Print Ready - An introduction to Giclee printing

see the full 2016 Programme on our website book online or by emailing purpleandgreyinfo@gmail.com

be seen get noticed let us show you how

Telephone 01298 83288 Mobile 07866778847

see www.peakpub.co.uk for details

34

Let’s celebrate!

Festival season is nearly upon us and 2016 sees groups across the county line up a fantastic array of art activities

W

hen it comes to the creative and performing arts Derbyshire is overflowing with festivals throughout the year.

created to enable them to work together and details of several of them are on the next two pages.

There are so many that a Festivity forum has been

This is the month when the organisers of the September

35

festivals put a call out for artists to take part in their trails.

Melbourne, New Mills and Wirksworth all have deadlines looming and so if you are an artist or maker then now is the time to get your applications together.

More details of who to contact are on page 69.

36

Other spring festivals April St George’s Day Celebration April 23 Derby derbylive.co.uk

Wirksworth Reads Book Festival April 8-10 wirksworthfestival.co.uk

May

Belper Arts Trail May 1-2 belperarts.org

Belper Arts Festival

May 1-30 belperartsfestival.org

Derby Film Festival, QUAD, April 29-May 8 derbyquad.co.uk

Chesterfield Walking Festival

May 7-15 chesterfieldwalkingfestival.co.uk

Bearded Theory

May 26-29 beardedtheory.co.uk/index.php

Winsterfest 5

May 20-22 winsterfest.webs.com

Ashby Arts Festival

May 27-30 ashbyartsfestival.co.uk

June

Belper Goes Green

June 4-5 transitionbelper.org

Celebrating Cromford

June 17-19 celebratingcromford.org

Furthest from the Sea

June 18 furthestfromthesea.co.uk

South Derbyshire Festival of Leisure June 25-26 south-derbys.gov.uk/

Duffield Carnival and Music Festival

June 19-26 duffieldcarnival.co.uk Later festivals will be listed in future editions of artsbeat

37

Martin Davis

Contemporary artist

John Connolly Art Commissions, workshops and one-to-one tuition

London Gallery Debut Looking to the Stars The Brick Lane Gallery

Ormscliffe Gallery and Studio

open by appointment 16 Langwith Road, Bolsover S44 6HQ 07967-316622 email: john@connollyart.com

93-95 Sclater Street, London E1 6HR April 6th-10th 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, 12noon-6pm Sunday

www.connollyart.com

www.martindavisartist.co.uk

38

Re-imagination

S

hakespeare’s bitter-sweet comedy Twelfth Night is about to be given an interesting reworking by Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company.

The group has taken the classic forward 300-odd years and set their production in 1916 to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

Even though war was raging it was also an age of escapism with music halls thriving and ragtime in full swing. It was a time when emotions were heightened and young people were hurling themselves into danger regardless of the consequences.

The central themes of Shakespeare’s play, hope, love, illusion and delusion make it perfect material for adaptation to this period and it will be interesting to see how the Derby team develop it on stage.

The play is being directed

by Charlotte Matthews and Chris Scott. Chris has great experience as a director, while Charlotte, the third generation of her family to take an active part in the company, is a relative newcomer to the role.

They have assembled a strong cast – a mixture of regulars and others new to the company.

Niki Caister and Richard Whitehorn, who are both experienced regulars on the Shakespeare stage, play Olivia and Orsino.

Laura Smith, who has been playing major roles since she

E Montgomery Ashford plays Malvolio

Twelfth Night is cast in 1916 amid the horrors of

the Great War was a young teenager, is Viola. and Stuart Mourton who is playing his first part with the company is her twin Sebastian.

Another newcomer to the company is E Montgomery Ashford, pictured above, who plays Malvolio – a gift of a part for anyone with a talent for comedy, which he has in abundance.

Alex Vilkaitis plays Feste the entertainer. He sings music from the war period and accompanies himself on the piano.

The story revolves around the heroine Viola who survives a shipwreck in which she loses

39

her twin brother Sebastian.

Disguising herself as a boy, she takes a job with Duke Orsino – and quickly falls for the him.

But the Duke sends ‘Cesario’ to woo Olivia, a bereaved beauty, who has no time for him. Despite having many admirers – including her own steward Malvolio, Olivia isn’t in the mood for love – until she meets ‘Cesario’.

Confusion abounds and she ends up unknowingly marrying Sebastian – Viola’s twin brother – who had also survived the shipwreck.

When the brother and sister are finally re-united Viola reveals her love for the Duke – and everyone lives happily ever after. Except maybe Malvolio. n Twelfth Night can be seen at the Guildhall Theatre, Derby, from March 8-12 at 7.30pm with a matinee on the Saturday at 2.30pm. For ticket details go to derbylive.co.uk

Clockwise from top left, this page: Brooklyn, The Gleaners and I, La Famille Belier and Mia Madre.

World of cinema

I

f you are a film fan then you need to make sure you head over to Buxton for the Easter break as an eight-day Festival of World Cinema is being launched on Good Friday.

It is the fourth year the festival has been staged in the town and it is fast becoming one of the most successful in the region with 22 films from 12 different countries being screened. There will also be free discussions and workshops most afternoons.

Big hits such as Lady in the Van, Brooklyn and Inside Out are part of the programme

which includes plenty of family-friendly titles for the holiday week.

The festival kicks off in rumbustious fashion on March 25 with the British cartoon The Big Knights which features the well-meaning, but rather hopeless, Sir Morris and his brother Sir Boris as two medieval knights who try to do good but encounter a series of mishaps. From the makers of Peppa Pig, and including the unmistakeable voice of Brian Blessed, The Big Knights is an exciting start to the festival.

After the screening there will be a free workshop in which children will have the chance

40

the remember and re-tell the stories of Sir Boris and Sir Morris.

Among the other animations are the Japanese fairytale Ponyo (March 27) and the huge Pixar success Inside Out (March 28).

The family-friendly programme also includes the exciting Spanish adventure of Zip and Zap and the Marble Gang (29 March). Zip and Zap are troublesome twins and are sent to a school where they will be brought into line – but things don’t work out that way.

The recent version of Macbeth – paired with the landmark Japanese telling of the story,

Throne of Blood is showing on March 27, full details of screenings in the Pavilion Arts Centre below

in 2016 festival Throne of Blood (March 27) – probes the question of what drives a man to commit acts of immoral violence?

Documentaries such as The Gleaners & I (March 25) and A Syrian Love Story (April 1) focus directly on two issues: how food is over-produced and wasted and the harrowing experiences of refugees. Both films will be preceded by discussions in the afternoon about how we might respond to these issues.

Recent European successes La Famille Belier and Mia Madre tell very different, but moving, stories about how families cope with the tensions and

excitement of life together.

The Festival ends on a high note with the Argentinian black comedy Wild Tales, which was one of the most successful foreign language films of 2015.

It has been screened in Buxton already, but such was its success that it is back.

The Festival is produced by Buxton Film in association with Buxton Opera House and all screenings will take place in the Pavilion Arts Centre.

The Festival is sponsored by the University of Derby and full programme details can be found at buxtonfilm.org.uk.

Tickets are on sale from the Opera House box office.

41

March 25: 11am, The Big Knights; 5pm, The Gleaners & I; 7.30pm, Brooklyn.

March 26: 11am,The Cave of the Yellow Dog; 5pm, La Famille Belier; 7.30pm, Crimson Peak.

March 27 : 11am, Ponyo; 5pm, Throne of Blood; 7.30pm, Macbeth.

March 28: 11am, Inside Out; 5pm, Taxi Tehran; 7.30pm,The Lady in the Van. March 29: 11am, Zip & Zap and the Marble Gang; 5pm, Touch of Evil; 7.30pm, A Girl at My Door.

March 30: 5pm, Mia Madre; 7.30pm, The Second Mother.

March 31: 5pm, 99 Homes; 7.30pm, Still Life.

April 1: 11am, Song of the Sea; 5pm, A Syrian Love Story; 7.30pm Wild Tales.

HADDON HALL BAKEWELL, DERBYSHIRE Fortified Medieval Manor House & Gardens Easter - 25th March - 4th April April & October - Saturday, Sunday & Monday May to September - Daily October half term - 22nd - 30th October Open from 10.30am - 5.00pm www.haddonhall.co.uk +44 (0) 1629 812 855

wirksworthA5:Layout 1 16/02/2015 13:29 Page 2

BERN IE RU

PAUL SMITH SCULPTURES

JANE BEVAN

TTER

ART AND ARCHITECTURE TRAIL WEEKEND TAKES PLACE EVERY SEPTEMBER ● Over 100 artists exhibiting in more than 60 venues throughout this beautiful market town. ● Ten days packed with contemporary visual art, exceptional events, music, dance, theatre and more.

We want you to apply to exhibit at one of the leading rural festivals in the UK. Wirksworth is a great place to explore with a buzzing arts community and festival venues right across the town.

For more details seeMarch overleaf visit: Applications open on 16th or and the deadline for entries is April 29th. For more details visit:

www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk

THOMAS PETIT

42

Rol

! up

R ! oll p u l

F

rench circus company Circa Tsuica is coming to Déda in Derby with its hit show Opus 7.

Joining them will be county youth brass band Saxophonix for a feel-good blend of daredevil acrobatics and foottapping brass rhythms.

The band began working with Circa Tsuica’s music director Camille Secheppet in December to learn the show’s repertoire of Balkan brass and American jazz – and add their own Derby sounds into the mix.

They also learned Circa Tsuica’s technique of sound painting so they can move as they play – though the serious acrobatics will be left to the professionals.

The resulting show is an hour of non-stop brass beats, risktaking circus tricks and quirky humour where the performers never drop a note and the audience gets to join in the party.

Saxophonix’s nine musicians are Sam Runcarn, 17, alto

Saxophonix join

the circus for high-flying show at Déda in Derby saxophone; Laura Allen, 15, tenor saxophone; Joe Hey, 17, tenor saxophone; Josh Short, 15, trumpet; Sadie Taylor, 14, baritone saxophone; Emma Allen, 13, soprano saxophone; Bekki Lycett, 18 soprano saxophone; Isabel Fitzgerald, 15, baritone saxophone and Josh Bishop, 18, cajon.

The band is led by Jon Eno who said: “We are always looking for new challenges and with Circa Tsuica we have certainly found something cutting edge. The vibrancy and energy of this eclectic project is something really special.”

Circa Tsuica is part of the

43

Cheptel Aleïkoum collective, around 20 circus artists who live, work and train together in the remote French village of St-Agil and tour the world.

Most of the collective met as students at the Centre National des Arts du Cirque, and on graduation moved to an old farmhouse where they set up a circus tent in a field.

Ten years later, they have spread out around the village, where a fifth of the 250 inhabitants now have some circus connection.

Déda Director Stephen Munn said: “We have first class facilities and expertise in the growing popularity of contemporary circus and acrobatic styles within performance.

“We hold a series of popular classes for young people and adults alike in these forms and have hosted some fantastic touring companies who are breaking the mould in the fusion between dance and contemporary circus.” n Opus 7 can be seen at Déda on March 4 at 7.30pm and March 5 at 2.30pm. Go to deda.uk.com for ticket details.

authors

Win a copy of guide to slow travel

T

ravelling and writing are the twin passions of Matlock’s Helen Moat so it was inevitable that one day she would write a travel book.

The teacher began travel writing as a hobby by entering competitions and on winning a few such as The Telegraph newspaper’s Just Back feature she realised she not only really enjoyed it but was also actually quite good at it.

She plucked up the courage to pitch a book idea at the publishers of Bradt Travel Guides and they signed her up.

The result is Slow Travel: The Peak District Guide which has just been published.

Helen moved to the Peak District from the flatlands of East Anglia at the end of the 90s and since then the landscape has shaped the life of her family.

“It’s allowed us to spend much of our free time in the outdoors: to cycle, walk and scramble on the edges; to be within touching distance of

Helen Moat wildlife. There’s nothing to beat that. I thought I knew the Peak District fairly well when I started this book. As a family of music lovers we’d hunted out village festivals and tucked-away pubs with great music sessions.

“We’d spent many days poring over maps, translating contours, blue lines and blobs into fine waterside, dale and ridge walks.

“After 15 years of uncovering hidden vales and ravines I’ve realised you could live a lifetime in the Peak District and still not cover every bridleway, packhorse route or public footpath.

44

“Writing the book has allowed me to engage with the slow philosophy as never before; to look up, look down and catch the detail; to stand and stare and ponder; to wander down hidden dells or jitties. I’ve learned to stop and chat with strangers. It has been a lifeenriching experience.”

Helen will be talking about her book at Ashbourne Library on March 8. n We have three copies of the book to be won by readers who can answer this question: Which Derbyshire village claims The Cathedral In The Peak?

Email your answer with your name, address and contact telephone number to editor@ arts-beat.co.uk or post it to 19 Nottingham Road, Belper, DE56 1JG by March 31.

The guide is available in local bookshops or can be ordered with a special 20 per cent discount on the Bradt Travel Guides website.

Visit bradtguides.com and enter the code ARTSBEAT to claim your discount.

have a go

Why not learn a new artistic skill or technique by trying your hand at something completely different this spring?

Anne Alldread Textiles n Regular felt making workshops in Belper covering a variety of felting techniques, from the basics to creating a beautiful scarf, cushion or wall hanging.

Or you can join in at the weekly Wednesday Textile group to try tapestry, weaving, collage, mixed media, printing, design and much more. A small friendly group with an emphasis on enjoyment while creating. For further information contact: Anne Alldread on 07817745705, or email annealldread@yahoo.co.uk. For more details go to annealldread.com Arum-Lilie Designs, Via Gellia Mill, Bonsall n Embroidery workshop where you’ll be able to have a go at making one of Lizzie Adcock’s delightful kits. Materials are provided in the workshop price. Workshop runs from 10am to 2pm with light refreshments provided. n Block printing workshop where you’ll be able to print on fabric using her collection of wooden blocks.

All materials will be provided in the price,10am-2pm with light refreshments.

Go to arumliliedesigns.co.uk for more details.

Betty’s Sewing Box, Cokayne Avenue, Ashbourne n Crochet Clinic first Wednesday of the month 6-9pm.

More details of lots more courses from bettys-sewing-box.co.uk Bakewell Piano Studio n Tuition (first lesson free),rehearsal, accompaniment, recording, hourly practice room hire. 5 Kings Court,Bakewell,

Back to nature on art retreat

If you fancy a truly back-to-nature art experience then join artist Helen Hallows for three days’ holiday at Beechenhill Farm in Ilam.

On this art retreat you will draw from nature and collect the gifts of colour and texture. Then take telephone 07811410406 email lessonsbakewellpianostudio.co.uk Cromford Studio and Gallery, Market Place, Cromford n Watercolour tuition is available for small groups or on a one-to-one basis, all abilities welcome. Contact the gallery on 10629 826434 for more details.

Cromford Mill, Cromford n Arkwright Spinsters demonstrating spinning and other crafts, March 20 , 11-4pm.

45

your inspiration back to the farm where in the hayloft barn you will start to create mixed media artwork with nature as its source.

Helen provides the materials for you to experiment with the paint, print and collage techniques that she uses in her work.

Art tuition is on July 9, 10 and 11 from 10am - 4pm. Go to helenhallows.com for more details and prices. n Knit and Natter, March 9, 10amnoon. Arkwright's Cafe.

More details at cromfordmills.org.uk Crafts Cornucopia, King Street, Belper and St John’s Street, Wirksworth n Various courses including sewing with a machine, crochet, patchwork, and following knitting patterns. Go to craftscornucopia.co.uk.

David Griffin, Stained Glass Artist n Dave Griffin runs two courses a year in April and September and there are five places on each.

Anne Alldread

textile artist and felt maker

In The Flow

n Felt making workshops n Weekly textile group n Handmade accessories

n stationery n arts n crafts n creativity centre

n Textile artwork

5 Crown Square, Matlock, DE4 3AT Telephone: 01629 55095

n To book contact annealldread@yahoo.co.uk n For more information go to www.annealldread.com

Derbyshire Craft Courses

Introduc tor y courses

professional tuition  beautiful location  quality materials  good food

15 -17 A p r i l 2 3 -2 5 S e p te m b e r 2 016

0 7 74 2 4 819 3 0

w w w. d a v e - g r i f f i n .c o .u k

www.zantium.co.uk 01629 824377

Ewan Mathers - Photographer Services for 2D and 3D Artists Giclee Prints, Profile Portraits, Workspace Photography, Copying

www.ewanmathersphotographer.com 0794 154 8214 ewanmathers@me.com Shed 2 Studios, Ilkeston, DE7 8DX

High quality courses & workshops for all ages and abilities in the heart of Chesterfield, Derbyshire...

Sewing* Knitting* Crochet* Pottery Felting*Dressmaking* Weaving Creative Writing *Beading *Spinning

advertise here for just £40

info@straightcurves.co.uk 01246 807575

www.straightcurves.co.uk

celebrating the arts in Derbyshire

104 Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1NE

Tel: 07872 066719 email: editor@arts-beat.co.uk

46

have a go It is a three-day introductory course focusing on the practical aspects of design, glass cutting and soldering.

The long weekend is designed for people with little or no previous experience of the craft. The dates for this year are April 15– 17 and September 23 – 25.

The workshops are held at the Friends Meeting House, in Bakewell.

For more details please contact Dave on 07742 481930 or visit www. dave-griffin.co.uk Derbyshire County Council’s Adult Community Education Service n Various courses including painting and drawing; sugarcraft; pottery; flower arranging and making clothes. Go to derbyshire.gov.uk/ adulteducation for more details Esther Tyson, Screen Print workshops at Via Gellia Mill, Bonsall n Regular screenprint workshops using hand-cut stencils, water-based inks, producing a limited edition print.

Small groups in a working studio environment.

Contact Esther at esther.tyson@ network.rca.ac.uk for more details.

Etienne Gallery art classes, In The Flow, Matlock n Etienne Gallery offers year-round studio art classes and workshops taught by experienced artist and teacher, Jason Etienne. Go to jasonetienne.com for details Glass @ The Barn, Carr Hall Farm Business Centre, Hulland Ward n Taster Workshops: £25 – ideal for anyone who would like to have a go at working with “warm glass”. They last for two and a half hours. n Day Workshops: £75 – ideal for an individual who would like to experiment a bit more with glass, creating larger items, or experimenting with different procedures. Use of equipment such as grinders, drills and rings saw available after brief demonstration.

Go to glass-at-the-barn.co.uk for more details.

Green Man Gallery, Hardwick Hall, Buxton n Every day 6x4: Inspired by Landscape. Drop-in at any time and join this record-breaking attempt and fundraiser. Entries can also be sent by post. Email hello@ thegreenmangallery.com for details and rules. Cost: £1 per entry. n Life Drawing, Tuesdays, a weekly session for artists at any stage who want to develop their drawing practise with a professional life model. Session 7pm to 9pm. Cost £8 per session. Booking essential as space is limited. Contact Curtis Bollington 07880 535615. Over 16s only. n Saturdays: Mess Allowed! – Art and craft club for children aged 6+, 11am to 12.30pm. Cost £5.

Accompanying adults must remain on the premises. n Bookbinding Workshops with Holly Serjeant. Learn a traditional craft with Holly from Scrivener’s Books. Make your own hardback notebook using traditional bookbinding methods and materials and if time at the end of the day, you will also make a small concertina book. Two separate courses, March 12 and 30, 10.30pm to 4.30pm with a break for lunch. Cost: £65. Contact Holly directly to book a place either by phone 01298 73100 (Scrivener’s) or by email: wrappedupinbooks@ outlook.com For further information and booking for other courses contact hello@ thegreenmangallery.com or 01298 937375 unless otherwise stated.

Love Hector’s Emporium, Market Place, Crich n. Check out the website for full details and booking information lovehector.co.uk Marc Blake: Writing a sitcom, weekend masterclass n Hosted by Marc Blake, a writer and Sitcom Consultant with 20 years’ experience in the industry, this course will look at current industry trends/requirements and take you

47

through the practical steps to create, write and pitch your sitcom or comedy drama idea.

More info and to book at indiestudios.co.uk/events/ Matlock Artists Society - All Saints Church Hall, Smedley Street n The club’s Portrait Group meets the first Wednesday of every month from 9.30am-12noon and all are welcome, £5 with refreshments.

Please contact Doreen Andrews 01629 824640 or Colin Daffern 01629 733261.

Made @ No 18, Church Street, Alfreton n Book Club, first Monday of the month, 5pm-6pm. n Writing workshops, Mondays 6.30-8pm – develop you writing skills in poetry, short stories, plays and film scripts n Tuesdays, 5pm-7pm Studio 18.

Sessions for all ages exploring acting, dance, drama and music. n Alternate Wednesdays, Knit and Stitch, 7-9pm. n Wednesdays Theatre Workshop, 5.30-7.30pm. n Wednesdays Film and Photography, 7-9pm. n Thursdays, 7-9pm Life Drawing.

Peer-mentoring sessions starting 7pm. Bring your own materials.

All welcome from beginners to experienced artists. n Fridays, 6.30pm onwards Music Group. A place to meet other musicians, play and write music and develop regular music nights. n Sundays, Arts Talks 3-4pm. Email madeatno18@gmail.com for more details or call 01773 279112.

Pauline Townsend Silk Painter n Workshops for beginners and improvers in Buxton. Full 2016 schedule now available on the website: www.silkpainter.co.uk Purple and Grey – courses for emerging artists n The Art of Writing A Press Release with Amanda Penman of artsbeat, March 2, 10.30am-

have a go 12.30pm. Studio 61 Gallery, Holloway. n Free Networking Event, with talk

by Notts Open Studios, March 15, 10.30am-11.30pm, Focus Gallery, Nottingham. n Social Media For Creatives, with Social Myna, March 22, 10.30am12noon, Leabrooks Gallery, Somercotes. n Get Print Ready, an introduction to Giclee printing, April 16, 10.30-12noon, Leabrooks Gallery, Somercotes. For more details go to purpleandgrey.co.uk QUAD, Derby n Talk Cinema, March 1 – May 10.

Five films plus five discussions led by course tutor Alan Seaman. One week you watch a film then the next week you discuss it in a tutor-led session. Discussion sessions 7pm – 9pm: March 1, (Introduction session), 15, 29, April 12, & 26 and May 10. Film screenings 6pm -6:30pm, March 8 & 22, April 5 & 19 and May 3. n Would That It Were So Simple – Coen Brothers Day Course, March 5, 10:30am – 4:30pm.

To mark the release of Hail Caesar! this course spends a day poring over the best of their three-decade output to see, like the Dude’s rug, what ties them together.With tutor Alan Seaman. Details at derbyquad.co.uk StraightCurves, 104 Saltergate, Chesterfield n High quality courses and workshops in all things arty and crafty for children and adults.

All are aimed at skill building in a relaxed environment with small class sizes. Subjects are as diverse as creative writing and crochet to felt work and first aid. Go to straightcurves.co.uk for more details.

St John Street, Gallery, Ashbourne n Lewis Noble, Three day workshop – includes drawing and sketching out in the Derbyshire landscape, followed by studio work back at the gallery, March 1-3, 9.30am-4pm.

n Ingrid Karlsson-Kemp, Monoprinting and collage, March 8, 10am-4pm. n Wendy Darker, Friesian Cow With Attitude, March 15, 10am-4pm. n Meet the artist Ruth Gray, March 26, 11am-3pm. n Louise Jannetta, painted collage, March 29, 10am-4pm.

To book, phone 01335 347425 or email enquiries@ stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk. More details at stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk Studio 61, Holloway , near Matlock n Peaceful Painting Days – bring your paints, meet other artists, have lunch and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. Non-painters welcome to make, read and relax in a working art studio on a day closed to the public (Wednesday/ Sunday). More information and dates tbc via newsletter. sign up at studio61gallery.co.uk The Studios, Union Road, New Mills n Fiction Writing with Beth Underdown, March 12 or August 13, 10am-4pm.. n Drink and Draw – Non-tutored alternative life drawing soirées with Andrea Joseph. First Friday of every month, 7pm - 9.15pm, £10 per person. All drawing materials supplied excluding paper. n Historical Fiction Writing with Beth Underdown, April 23, 10am-4pm. n Peak Scribbling Writers’ Group first and third Tuesdays of the month.

For prices, more details and how to book go to thestudios.co Viveka Bowry Land Artist n Here’s a chance to make your own ​pieces of temporary sculpture from natural objects around you (petals, leaves, branches , twigs stones, etc. Workshops begin at Derbyshire Eco Centre,or in the artist’s Matlock studio. Students then go out to areas of magical ancient woodland and streams, 10am-3.15 pm.

April 2, Eco Centre; April 10, Eco Centre; April, 16, Matlock; April 30,

48

Eco Centre; May 7 Matlock; May 27, Eco Centre; May 28, Matlock; July 10, Matlock; July 16, Matlock.

Cost: £45 (some concessionary places available) To book and get more details go to vivekabowry.co.uk/workshops.html West Studios, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, part of Chesterfield College Group n Illustration Group – This fortnightly group allows for a welcoming environment to share ideas and develop personal projects, while learning and developing new skills within this creative discipline run by established artist Edie OwczarekPalfreyman. n Drink and Draw with Andrea Joseph The first Thursday of the month, starting March 3, 6pm9:15pm. £15. BYO. All skill levels welcome. n Product photography, photograph your products for publicity material, £50, March 17 and 24. n Social Media Forum, last Friday of the month, free opportunity to keep up to speed with social media.

Contact hello@weststudios.co.uk to book your place. To keep up with topics covered within the sessions visit West Studios’ Facebook Page for updates or give them a call on 01246 500799.

Zantium Studios, Godfrey Hole House, Hopton n March 19 and 20 – Mosaic n April 14 and15 – Stained Glass Introduction n April 16 and 17 – Stained Glass Intermediate n April 21 and 22 – Willow Animal Sculpture n April 23 and 24 – Willow Garden Structures n May 7 and 8 – Precious Metal Clay Jewellery n May 12 and 13, 14 and 15 – Mosaic n May 19 and 20 – Creative Paper Cutting.

For more details on how to book go to zantium.co.uk

Andrew Mackenzie-Wicks, top left, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, top, right, Gavin Ring and Lorna Anderson join the Derbyshire Singers, main picture, for a performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah

Choral masters

E

lijah takes on the prophets of Baal in a spectacular oratorio full of stirring arias and choruses at Matlock this month.

Felix Mendelssohn’s hugely popular work Elijah, about the fickleness of public opinion and the attraction of false prophets is being performed

by The Derbyshire Singers at 7.30pm on March 12 at Highfields School.

They will be joined by the Lewisham Choral Society with Lorna Anderson (soprano), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo), Andrew MackenzieWicks (tenor) and Gavan Ring (bass).

During the oratorio Elijah’s struggles against the priests of Baal for the hearts of the Israelites, faced as they are

by a crippling drought, are followed by his soul-searching wanderings in the desert and final ascension to Heaven in a blazing chariot.

It was one of Mendelssohn’s last compositions as devastated by the death of his sister, Fanny, he died months after its first performance at the age of 38.

The music conveys tension, relief and praise in colourful, dramatic and fiery yet also lyrical passages which rapidly became public favourites. The first performance lasted hours as the audience clamoured for encores.

The Derbyshire Singers say they hope to achieve the same impact on their audience – but without that length of performance.

Catherine Wyn-Rogers sang with the Derbyshire Singers

49

prior to her stellar national and international career. She has been a regular performer at Covent Garden and she and Andrew Mackenzie-Wicks have appeared frequently in opera, which is where Gavan Ring, the talented young baritone, is also making his mark.

Lorna Anderson, too, is a renowned performer who has sung at all the major opera houses, concert halls and major festivals throughout Europe, and who, like Catherine and Andrew, is a long-time musical friend of the Derbyshire Singers.

Further details and full ticket details can be found at derbyshiresingers.org. n Tickets at £15 from: Robert Young Florists in Matlock, Natural Choice in Ashbourne (01335 346096), online via the website, or at the door.

Wet wood is stacked awaiting selection for a new project

Chisels of all sizes are close at hand Dry, green wood under cover in the workshop

A blowtorch is used to scorch the surface of the wood

50

Hobbyturnedpassion

Wood reveals its beauty in the hands of talented woodturner Roger Waterhouse

T

here are piles of wood inside and outside the Ashover workshop of Roger Waterhouse.

He has loved working with wood all his life. He made furniture and sculptures when he was younger and then discovered woodturning in his 30s.

For the former – and first – vice-chancellor of the University of Derby the craft was at first a hobby – something he could escape to in contrast to his day job.

Now retired, Roger can devote as much time as he wishes to what he says has become his passion.

The most important thing to him is to choose the wood with which he works carefully and he says that almost all of it is sourced from within a few miles of his Derbyshire farmhouse.

“I am lucky to have woodland of my own but my neighbours

and friends also bring me wood they think I will use.

“I work with green wood which warps, with fallen wood with interesting spalting (colouration by fungi) and with wood which has grown in a twisted or convoluted way.

“I am fascinated by the way the wood reveals its beauty depending on how I shape it.

“It is all about discovering the shape and uncovering the character of the wood. I know it will twist and change shape as it dries but I have no idea what it will look like in the end.”

Roger’s workshop has been purpose-built to house his tools of the trade including the vital lathe.

My

studio

His work can be seen at the Peak District Artisans’ exhibition at Chatsworth until March 13. He will be taking part in the Derbyshire Open Arts event with the PDA at the Whitworth Centre in Darley Dale from May 28-30; the Great Dome Art Fair in Buxton on July 16 and 17 and will be at Ashover Show in August.

Regimented rows of planes in Roger’s workshop PICTURES: Ewan Mathers

51

library life

Derbyshire’s libraries play a vital role – not only as a source of information – but also as cultural hubs for the community

D

erbyshire Libraries will be marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with a series of events this year.

The first activities will be in Shakespeare Week between March 14 and 20.

The week is coordinated by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and aims to introduce primary aged children to Shakespeare’s life, works and times in a fun and engaging way.

They provide the tools and support to enable libraries, schools and other groups to get involved. So if you have

Join the new online book club Derbyshire Reads A new online reader group called Derbyshire Reads (#DerbyshireReads) has been launched by the county’s libraries team.

There is a pinned thread to the Derbyshire Libraries Facebook page and each month there will be a new theme to explore and library

Picture courtesy of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

an idea for an event you could stage with the help of your library pop in and talk to the staff.

If you go to shakespeareweek. org.uk you can find out what is already planned for the East Midlands.

More than 7000 schools and organisations celebrated with them in 2015 and 2016 is expected to be even staff will recommend their two choices for the theme to get the discussion going.

At the end of the month there will be full reviews and hopefully plenty of debate.

It was launched last month with the theme of favourite books and the recommendations were Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis – books at polar opposites which they hope will be great for

52

bigger because of the special anniversary.

April 23 marks both the day of Shakespeare’s birth and death.

Nationally there are plans to make this a mass participation day encouraging people to take part in readings and to take selfies and clips to post on social media. So make sure you get involved.

Derbyshire libraries are planning to work with Sharpe’s Pottery in Swadlincote and Derbyshire Adult Community Education to hold pop-up theatre workshops, have fun with costume dressing and encourage Shakespearian creative writing. It will be a family drop-in session between 10.30am and 1pm They are also planning to hold a Family Fun morning at Clay Cross Library.

Further activities and events are planned for later in the year so watch this space. discussion. The theme for March will be your favourite book made into a film and there will once again be two recommendations from library staff.

To get involved just like the Derbyshire Libraries Facebook page, check out the recommended reads and then join the debate.

They are also encouraging people to send in their ‘shelfies’ to share with others on the page.

gig guide

artsbeat’s guide to the best live acts in rock, pop, folk and jazz performing in the region during the next month Rock and Pop

Buxton Opera House, Buxton n An Evening with Hazel O’Connor, with Clare Hirst and Sarah Fisher, March 9, 7.30pm. n Paul Carrack, March 13, 7.30pm. n An Evening with Lulu, March 14, 7.30pm. n Legend of a Band, recreating the very essence of the Moody Blues, March 23, 7.30pm.See buxtonoperahouse.org.uk The Guildhall Theatre, Derby The Bootleg Shadows, March 24, 7.30pm.

More details from derbylive.co.uk The Old Poets’ Corner, Ashover n Every Tuesday open acoustic night. n First and third Sundays Shaun Byrne and guests.

More details at oldpoets.co.uk The George and Dragon, Bridge Street, Belper Friday Night Music Nights offer some of the best festival acts from all over the UK. All the gigs are free and will run most Friday nights 9 -11pm.

Designate@TheGate, Smedley Street, Matlock Young Musicians open mic night – an opportunity for seven-17-yearolds to showcase their talent, last Friday of every month, 7-8.30pm followed by Adult Open Mic night – 9pm-late. Phone 01629 760033 for enquiries or bookings.

Bookcafe, Derby Acoustic Nights Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm.

The Flowerpot, Derby n The Lancashire Hotpots, March 5. n Russ Ballard and His Band, March 12.`

Peter Knight’s Gigspanner are performing at the Pavilion Arts Centre in Buxton on March 16

n Ian Siegal Band, March 19.

Acoustic sessions every Wednesday.

Details of gigs and acoustic nights are at rawpromo.co.uk The Old Clubhouse, Buxton Live band every Friday. Go to oldclub-house.co.uk for more details.

Victoria Inn, Derby n Kicking off their UK tour in Derby on March, 4 are the five-piece Alias Kid. n March 10, Public Conscience from Ilkeston. n March 12, Babe Punch a newly formed five-piece all girl, alt-rock/ punk band. n Less Than Three Festival March 26 and 27.

More details from the victoriainnderby.co.uk The Fishpond, Matlock Bath n Bikers Block Bands Rock, Bikers Parking Protest Day event, from 1pm. n The Balkan Bandits, March 11.

53

n Matlock Bath Soul Bash, March 19.

More details at thefishpondmatlockbath.co.uk

Folk and Jazz

Guildhall Theatre, Derby Maddy Prior with her new album 3 For Joy. More details at derbylive.co.uk PR Promotions gigs various locations Next event, Coope Boyes and Simpson, Robert Ludlam Theatre, Derby, April 9. Box Office 01332 255800, derbylive.co.uk and PR Ticket Hotline 01773 853428.

Spital Arts, St Leonard’s Mission Church, Valley Road, Spital, Chesterfield Rag Mama Rag (Ashley & Deborah Dow) are a country blues duo whose repertoire of 1920s and 30s American music is wonderfully

gig guide varied, encompassing Mississippi Blues, early White Country tunes and many other regional styles of the period. March 18, doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start.

Chesterfield Jazz Club, Club Chesterfield, Chester Street Piano Divas, March 17. More details at wendykirkland.com Chinley Community Centre, Chinley Nashville-based old-time/bluegrass trio Locust Honey String Band Saturday March 5. Part of Live and Local.

Chapel Arts, Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Hall Salute to Satchmo’ Adam Hutchins and Darren Lloyd - a trad jazz concert March 12, 7.30pm. Licensed bar and refreshments available from 7pm, tickets £9 from ticketsource. co.uk/chapelarts; or in person from Chapel Town Hall office; at the door on the night . More details at chapelarts.org.uk.

Hollingwood Hub, Chesterfield Canal, Chesterfield The Urban Folk Quartet will be in concert on March 9, 7.30pm.There is free parking. Nona’s Coffee Shop will be open from 6.30pm.

Tickets cost £9 and are available

The Urban Folk Quartet are playing at Hilton Village Hall and The Hollingwood Hub in Chesterfield in March

from the Chesterfield Canal Trust website or by ringing 01246 477569.

A Live and Local event.

The Green Man Gallery, Buxton n A Night of Music #14, a regular showcase gig for young musicians.

Acoustic sets including covers and original material by talented performers aged 14 to 21, March 19, 7.30pm. (Doors open at 7pm) Tickets £3/£2 under-16s. Booking essential. n The Sunday BuskStop, an informal lunchtime gig by local

Rag Mama Rag are playing for Spital Arts in Chesterfield and at West Hallam Village Hall

54

musicians. Drop in any time March 13, between 12pm and 2pm. Free event but please throw a few coins in the musicians’ hat. Soup, coffee and cake £3.50. No booking required.

Derby Jazz n Tom Harrison Quartet, featuring Cleveland Watkiss. Saxophonist Harrison’s Ellington Project explores the music by the jazz composer and genius Duke Ellington, The Cube, Deda, March 4, 8pm. n Arun Ghosh Sextet, South Asian Suite, March 18, 8pm at the Silk Mill Museum, Derby.

More details at derby-jazz.co.uk Queen’s Head, Chesterfield Road Belper Sunjay March 5.

Winter Wilson, March 12.

For more details go to queensheadbelper.weebly.com Belper Folk Club, The Old King’s Head, Days Lane, Belper Every Tuesday at 8.30pm. For more details check out their facebook page or go to belperfolkclub.co.uk The Old Hall Hotel, Hope n Folk Blues and Beyond events Singers and Musicians in the bar, March 9, 8pm. n Elliott Morris, March 6.

gig guide Derby Un-Scene album celebrates local musicians Derbyshire-based arts organisation Furthest From The Sea has just staged an Indiegogo campaign with the aim of raising £3,500 to produce Derby Un-Scene 2016 – an album of nine of the best Derbyshirebased acts featuring The Barnstormers, David Chabeaux, Karl & The Marx Brothers, Scribble Victory Go to folkandblues.club for more details or call 07913331078.

Buxton Opera House n Jazz at the Arts Centre, The Tame Valley Stompers, March 6,1pm. n Scots Trad Music Award-winners Breabach, a young band who regularly perform worldwide tours and high profile festivals will bring their special brew of contemporary folk to the Pavilion Arts Centre, for the first time on March 6 at 7.30pm..

Formed in 2005 the group offers a medley of pipes and whistles, fiddle, guitar, cajon, bouzouki and double bass. n The legendary fiddle player from Steeleye Span, Peter Knight is back with Gigspanner, March 16, 7.30pm. n Snake Davis, Classic Sax Solos, March 19, 7.30pm.

More details at buxtonoperahouse. org.uk Live and Local n See previous entries for Spital Arts, Chinley and Hollingwood Hub. n The Urban Folk Quartet, Hilton Village Hall, March 12, 8pm. Tickets on 01283, 730300. n A Brief History of Music, Blast From The Past, March 11, 7.30pm, St Michael’s Church, Broughton,

and The Herron Brothers.

The money raised will be used to create, produce and market an album of original recordings from Derbyshire artists and bands The fund tickets 01283585766.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Hall, April 2, 8pm, tickets 03336663366. n Mambo Jambo in Concert, Hulland Ward Millennium Village Hall, March 11, 7.30pm, tickets 01335 370 629. n Aire Flamenco, Synergy, Crich Glebe Field Centre, March 12, 7.30pm, tickets 01773 853260. See more details in arena. n Ashley Hutchings: From Psychedelia To Sonnets, Alton Village Hall, March18, 8pm, 01538 703104 and Repton Village Hall, March 19, 7.30pm, 01283 702370. n Rag Mama Rag in concert, West Hallam Village Hall, March 20, 7.30pm Tickets 01159 303340. n Mumbo-Jumbo: Troubadours and Raconteurs, Uppertown Social Centre, March 19, 8pm, 01246 590502.

Go to liveandlocal.org.uk for more information.

The ‘Defiance Sessions’ Glossop Labour Club, Chapel Street, Glossop Steve White & The Protest Family are East London’s favourite folk punk political sing-along band. Their’s is a revolution that’ll have you tapping

55

will also pay for an album launch night, taking place at The Venue, Abbey Street, Derby on April 8, featuring performances from all the bands on the album, the night will also be included as the prelude to The 2Q Festival – a true celebration of Derby’s thriving music scene.

The aim is for Derby Un-Scene to become an annual release and an annual event, and develop it further.

For more details about the project go to furthestfromthesea.co.uk your foot and smiling from ear-to-ear.

Led by Steve, a heavily tattooed Fire Brigade Union Activist, the band features Funky Lol Ross on mandolin and electric guitar, and veteran of the East London music scene, Doug E Harper on bass.

Meanwhile banjo duties fall to awardwinning player and co-ordinator of the renowned Walthamstow Folk Club, Russ Chandler. Folk who’ve heard them make comparisons with Billy Bragg, Ian Dury and even The Clash. March 26. Go to defiancesessions.co.uk for details.

The Globe, High Street West, Glossop Tickets £7 from The Globe or wegottickets.com. Support: Lesley Anne Davies Trio.

The Peak Concerts, Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale Maddy Prior, Giles Lewin and Hannah James, March 26, 8pm.

Doors open at 7.15pm.

Ticketline 01246 860022 or online at peakconcerts.co.uk The Fishpond, Matlock Bath Chris Cleverley Live, March 25.

More details at thefishpondmatlockbath.co.uk

bookshelf

n The Water Vole

By Christine Gregory (Vertebrate Publishing, £16.99)

In The Water Vole, Christine Gregory, author of Brown Hares in the Derbyshire Dales and A River in Time, tells the story of the water vole, past, present and future, principally through its history in the waterways of Derbyshire.

Having spent several years studying Derbyshire’s water vole population and habitats, and capturing their behaviour intimately through her photography, Christine has developed a relationship with many of the custodians of the county’s waterways, who are vital to the survival of the water vole.

n The Actual One

By Isy Suttie (Orion Books, £14.99)

Matlock’s Isy Suttie woke up one day in her late twenties to discover that the invisible deal she’d done with her best mates – that they’d prolong growing up for as long as possible – had

all been in her head. Everyone around her was suddenly into mortgages, farmers’ markets and nappies, rather than the idea of running naked into the sea or getting hammered in Plymouth with 80-year-old men.

When her dearest friend advises her that the next guy she meets will be The Actual One, she decides to keep delaying the onset of adulthood – until a bet with her mother results in a mad scramble to find a boyfriend.

From papier-mâché penguins to being stranded on a dual carriageway in nothing but a fur coat and trainers, The Actual One is an ode to the confusing wilderness of your late twenties, alongside a quest for a genuinely good relationship with a man who doesn’t use moisturiser.

from cosy Paisley eiderdowns to Mary Quant patent white boots and citrus mini-dresses and rummaging through antique shops and market stalls for bright crocheted patchwork blankets, groovy 1960s coffee pots and idiosyncratic Victorian spongeware.

The book includes morre than 20 of Emma’s family recipes and a complete list of every Bridgewater design.

Pattern is a visual and storyfilled celebration of Emma Bridgewater’s design archive, stretching back 30 years.

Jarva Gallery at Whaley Bridge is an Emma Bridgewater stockist.

n The Empty House

By Diane Pike (Xlibris UK, £12.99)

n Pattern and the Secrets of Lasting Design

By Emma Bridgewater (Daunt books,£19.99)

In this book Emma shares the process of design that brings pattern onto your kitchen table.

Her inspiration ranges from her children’s bookshelf filled with Maurice Sendak, Beatrix Potter and Ladybird books, to family holidays on the North Norfolk coast or in the Scottish Isles;

Time never stops, but it can cause changes to things one takes for granted. Not all changes are for the worse, though.

As the abandoned house changed through time, it becomes most favorable to others who seek shelter, as the author herself discovered.

A well-illustrated poem, The Empty House features a lone derelict countryside house. The poem, accompanied by vivid illustrations, allows the reader to explore the emotions and the thoughts the visitor has formulated in the empty house.

Bookshelf is sponsored by Scarthin Books, of Cromford 56

attitude

Comment and opinion from reviewers and readers on the topics being talked about in Derbyshire’s arts community Students stage an energetic

double bill

T

hey wanted to reveal what they were capable of on stage and the Theatre Arts students at the University of Derby proved just that with their energetic double bill in the city’s theatre.

They didn’t opt for an easy option to show off their talents and instead chose to present us with Dennis Kelly’s DNA a dark play with a harrowing twist and Peter Handke’s The Hour Before We Knew Nothing of Each Other – a play with 450 characters and no words based on selected observations of a town square.

The first half of the evening’s entertainment was The Hour… in which it was essential the students found a variety of ways to use the stage so they could maintain the rhythmic tempo of the characters walking past.

The choreography of life seen by a man sitting at a café table is created by hundreds of individual movements interwoven into a social mass by silent negotiations of pace and presence.

To recreate this on a stage must be a daunting prospect for any team – just getting the myriad

Mitchell Robbins and Emily Pell in a scene from DNA

of props in the right place had to have been a logistical challenge – but they pulled it off with aplomb.

All the characters were originally devised as nondescript and it was interesting to see how the actors had developed them and made them their own.

There was some great talent on display and all of them contributed to the collective spectacle but it has to be said that Shane Lynch stood out as someone we will probably be seeing more of in the future.

The second part of the double bill, DNA, is a social comment which deals powerfully with hard-hitting relevant issues such as peer pressure and bullying, solidarity, guilt and violence.

It is about a group of misfit teenagers who unintentionally kill one of their classmates.

They try to cover up the crime and then discover that their

57

actions reunite their fractious lives.

This cast didn’t come across quite as intimidating as you might have imagined for a gang covering up a murder, but in many ways this was apt as the characters therefore resonated more with the Derby audience.

The tone chosen by directors Ava Hunt and James Macpherson tied in with one of the core themes of the play that these teenagers were neither those bad or good people at opposite ends of society but rather just ordinary folk who make up the grey area in the middle.

Emily Pell, who played Leah, the ignored girlfriend of Phil the mastermind behind the cover-up plan, had one of the toughest parts and gave a spirited performance.

AP A full version of this review is on artsbeatblog.com

attitude

verges on the cryptic. The three players mostly judged its expressive ambiguity to perfection.

Sinfonia Viva, Derby Cathedral In the first of two concerts (the second is in March) Sinfonia Viva continued to cement its relationship with Derby Cathedral.

The orchestra matched conductor Duncan Ward’s (pictured above) drive and enthusiasm in an alert performance of Haydn’s Symphony No 59. Viva principal Adam Mackenzie

was the soloist in Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto, negotiating with agility the twists and turns Mozart scatters in his path.

After the interval it was principal oboist Emily Pailthorpe’s turn, in the Phoenix Concerto written for her in 2009 by Chesterfieldborn Paul Patterson. Both the solo part’s sinuous melodic appeal and the dancing energy of the string writing were projected with knife-edge rhythmic precision.

Mozart’s Symphony No 29 got a graceful performance, culminating in an exuberant finale.

By Mike Wheeler Correction In the review of Derby Choral Union at Derby Cathedral last month we said that the conductor pictured was Richard Dacey, but it was in fact Carsten Zündorf, conductor of Die Marienkantorei from Osnabrück, which gave a joint concert with the Choral Union in November 2014. Artsbeat apologises for the error.

often funny telling of the classic story.

The cast of four actors, already in character as a travelling troupe of players, mingled with the audience before the action began persuading two youngsters to bark and growl pantomime style every time Bill Sykes called for his dog.

And so they did with great enthusiasm – never once missing a cue. But then the same youngsters were quietly rapt the next minute, as the brutal life in Victorian London was depicted before them.

The Remarkable Tale of Oliver

Twist was a fantastic feast of Dickens’ melodrama, romance and social realism served up with a music hall theme.

As the tiny cast played more than 20 characters between them there was a need for slick timing and a clever use of props, costumes and choreography.

The theatre group more than stepped up to the mark to produce a show which sparked the imagination of adults and children alike.

Adding to the intensity and caricature of the roles was the fact that the actors were

Off-the-beaten track repertoire

from trio Chamber Music, Multi-Faith Centre, Derby University, Derby Chamber Music’s patron, Katherine Jenkinson and her regular piano partner Alison Farr were joined by clarinettist Julian Bliss for a satisfying exploration of some slightly off-the-beaten track repertoire.

In Beethoven’s Clarinet Trio the players had fun both bouncing ideas off each other and projecting the music’s singing lines. Jenkinson and Farr brought sensitive, longbreathed phrasing to Fauré’s Cello Sonata No 2, while Bliss and Farr projected a lively response to Schumann’s flights of fancy in his Fantasiestücke, Op 73.

Like late Fauré, late Brahms can be an object lesson in saying a lot with a few notes, and his Clarinet Trio at times

Show sparked the imagination

of young and old Any doubts about whether Charles Dickens is suitable for young children will be quelled by Red Earth Theatre’s ingenious re-imagining of Oliver Twist.

Those in the audience at Belper’s Community Theatre were gripped by the compelling, moving and very

58

attitude Concert full of mesmerising

rhythms Vieux Farka Toure, son of Ali, is clearly taking on his father’s mantle in developing African Saharan music; a fusion of Malian with African-American traditions; the very ‘DNA of the blues’ according to film director, Martin Scorsese.

Toure provided an exhilarating concert with driving, mesmerising rhythms and rapid-fire flurries together with passages of great lyricism when he played at the Pavilion Arts Centre in Buxton.

Most of the pieces were at a quick pace, with just a few slower, more insistent bluesy creations. I found these slower renditions really seductive – more, please Vieux!?

Toure spent the evening solely on his electric guitar backed by drums and a bass guitar. performing the story in sign language as well as English – as the core mission of Red Earth is to make theatre more inclusive for the deaf and hard of hearing.

What was most enthralling about the show was the inventiveness of the stage within a stage, the puppetry and the modern day ‘street dude’ twist to the character of The Artful Dodger, carried off splendidly by Joey Parsad.

Founded in Derby in 1999 by Wendy Rouse and Amanda Wilde, Red Earth was formerly a resident company at the

He is masterly on acoustic guitar too but there was no place for it in this concert. The other two musicians in the trio provided mostly background support (Jean-Alain Hohy – bass and Jean-Paul Melindji – drums), but they had a more prominent role in the final few pieces to good effect; providing tight rhythm and vocal support.

Toure has a modest presence and a quiet smile; but this doesn’t prevent him slowly developing rapport with the audience. He spoke a little more as the concert unfolded; offering a happy birthday riff to one lucky man and smiling gently with a few of the Guildhall Theatre. At first they launched plays at the theatre and then toured them around Derbyshire. Since then the company has grown and moved home twice – first to Cromford and now to Belper.

They have always worked very closely with community groups and this show at Belper, which was the first in a major tour, was presented in association with Live and Local.

The cast was Roseanna Connolly, Caroline Parker, Joey Parsad and Thomas Simper.

The play was adapted by

59

audience compelled to dance.

At one point he alluded to the current difficulties in Mali with Islamic fundamentalism and implied that the following piece explored that territory, but since he sang in his mother tongue and French, it was mostly impossible to understand his message. Some explanatory notes on the programme would have been helpful.

All in all, this was a really inspiring evening including the introductory session with Irish folk singer Alan Burke; singing with a very mixed programme of 19th century songs about British injustice in oppressing the poor and songs about the vagaries of young love in rural Ireland. But the clear star of the evening was Toure – palpably appealing to a very mixed age audience.

Everyone is grateful that Vieux’s father, Ali, did not prevent him becoming a musician. Let us hope he is back in Buxton soon.

By Martin Thomas Wendy and Amanda, and directed by Amanda.

The design was by Laura McEwen; AV and graphic design by Dominic Mallin; lighting by Alexandra Stafford; music and sound

by Dave Culling; movement direction by Joanne Bernard; AV programmer was Adam P McCready; stage manager Ben Drew; BSL translation was

by Caroline Parker and Karen Perry; wardrobe supervisor was Ruth Watkin; set construction was by Tim Brierly and scenic painting Houghton Wyatt.

By Amanda Penman

attitude Startling and visually arresting

artwork So-called psychedelic art first manifested in the 1960s.

This is art created under the influence of, or reflecting the experience of, psychedelic drugs. Most of the well-known representatives of this art were to be found designing posters for the emerging counterculture (Rick Griffin, Hapshash and the Coloured Coat etc) although Isaac Abrams (still working today) and Mati Klaarwein were prolific painters.

Over the last 20 years or so, with a resurgence of interest in hallucinogenic drugs and art forms reflecting their use, a number of artists have created work explicitly inspired by their own experiences. Alex Grey is probably one of the best-known and now we have a Sinfonia Viva, Derby Theatre Viva’s schools residency concert this year took the centenary of the birth of Roald Dahl as its starting point.

Players from the orchestra worked with students from Firs Estate Primary, St Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy, Becket Primary and Derby College, who came up with the words and music for the songs, fleshed out with workshop leader, guitarist Jack Ross, resulting in some impressively inventive music.

In between, members of Viva performed the three instrumental movements from Louis Andriessen’s M is for

Reviewed by Guy Cooper, new books manager, Scarthin Books, Cromford

sumptuous book of the work of Kelsey Brookes, an American artist, originally trained as biochemist. He creates visual representations of various drugs, starting with an orginal template of their molecular structure and building expansive art from this base.

It is often difficult in an art book to accurately convey

the actual size of paintings and this book is particularly helpful in showing many of the works from a variety of perspectives, including closeup details and photographs of the works hanging in galleries and even showing the artist in the process of painting. This clearly shows the enormous amount of detail and work involved. The results are startling, visually arresting, recalling elements of Bridget Riley as well as Arabesque and mandalas.

The production of the book is of a very high quality and profusely illustrated, along with fold-out sections and insightful articles and interviews with the artist. Obviously art is in the eye of the beholder and his work will not be to everyone’s taste, but those with an interest in this field of art will find the trip well worthwhile.

Psychedelic Space

by Kelsey Brookes (Gingko Press. Hb. £42)

Gideon Klein’s String Trio was the last work he completed in the Nazi prison Man, Music, Mozart. There camp at Terezín. Its lively may not have been much of character and ready appeal an obvious connection to defy the circumstances in Dahl, but their mix of Mozart which it was written, and the references and both bluesy and Elbanas were alive to its wideStravinskian overtones got a ranging character. powerfully eloquent response After a somewhat brusque from the players. opening gesture the first Derby Chamber Music, movement of the Schubert Derby University relaxed into a more easygoing frame of mind, in The Eblana String Trio was a performance in which joined by pianist Andrew Dunlop and double-bass player moments of wistfulness, even a sense of fragile melancholy, Ria Nolan for Schubert’s threw into relief Schubert’s ‘Trout’ Quintet. But first, playfulness and amiable they made a strong case for exuberance.

Vaughan Williams’ early C minor Piano Quintet.

By Mike Wheeler

Inventive music

60

agenda

Catch the best of the action across Derbyshire and the Peak District with artsbeat’s unbeatable what’s on listings Exhibitions and galleries

Gallery in the Gardens, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton The gallery showcases the work of more than 40 artists and craftspeople from the High Peak Artists group.

Open daily, 9.30am-5.pm.

Details at galleryinthegardens.co.uk Art Cafe, Pavilion Gardens March 10-May 8, Painting Towns and Country – original oil paintings, pastels and watercolours by Carl Longmate and Kathy MacMillan.

Artist in Residence: Kathy MacMillan March 19, 12-2pm Carl Longmate: April 1, 12-2pm.

The gallery is up the spiral staircase in the cafe and is open daily from 9.30am-4.30pm. Call 01298 23114 for details.

Cromford Gallery and Studio, Market Place, Cromford n Music of the Landscape – Maggie Robinson.The artist grew up in the North Yorkshire Moors in a musical family which has given her memories that combine stunning scenery with lovely sounds and it is these lasting moments that have been the reasoning behind the creation of her Music of the Landscape series of mixed media paintings, many of which are now inspired by the beautiful Peak District countryside. n The featured maker for March is Chantal Kelly a stained glass artist.

The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-5pm. Go to cromfordstudioandgallery.weebly. com for details.

Leabrooks Gallery, Somercotes Chas Wilby, March 19-April 1. Chas is a self-taught artist who has been

Maggie Robinson is the exhibiting artist at Cromford Gallery this month

painting for more than ten years, during which time he has never had an art lesson, all has come from books. He paints in watercolour, acrylic and charcoal.

The Gallery is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm and 11am4.30pm on Sundays. Wednesdays by appointment only. More details at leabrooksgallery.co.uk St John Street Gallery, St John Street, Ashbourne The gallery has an eclectic collection of work by painters, sculptures and ceramicists including Lewis Noble, Ruth Gray, Wendy Darker, David Sprakes and Ian Palmer. The gallery is open 9.30am-5pm, Monday to Saturday. For more information go to stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk Buxton Museum and Art Gallery Quarried is a thought-provoking exhibition of large scale, colour

61

photographs of the quarries and works around Buxton in the Peak District taken by photographer Colin Shaw. There will a chance to meet the artist on March 19 which is the last day of the exhibition. More details on page 31.

Tarpey Gallery, High Street, Castle Donington n A new collection of paintings

by Wirksworth artist Tim Ball, until March 20. n Opening The Gates – Geoff Diego Litherland, March 26-May 1. See a feature on Geoff and his work on page 9. The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday 10am-5pm.

More information at tarpeygallery. com Gallerytop, Chatsworth Road, Rowsley The gallery exhibits painting, limited edition prints, sculpture, ceramics,

agenda

The Beauty of Books is an exhibition celebrating the art of the book at Banks Mill Studios, Bridge Street, Derby

glass and jewellery. They also curate several exhibitions a year, presenting some of the very best artwork available in the UK. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm.

More details at gallerytop.co.uk Ferrers Gallery, Staunton Harold Estate, Ashby de la Zouch Can’t See The Wood for the Trees, until March 20, an exhibition of woodwork, furniture and treeinspired craftsmanship. Ferrers Gallery is open 11-5pm Tuesday – Sunday (Closed Mondays except bank holidays).

For more details go to ferrersgallery. co.uk Chatsworth House n Peak District Artisans’ Chatsworth Extravaganza – An exhibition of work by 35 members of the PDA in the Burlington Room at the Stables, Chatsworth, until March 13.

Go to peakdistrictartisans.co.uk for further information. n Never A Bore, a collection of rarely seen and intimate photographs of the late Dowager Duchess, Deborah Devonshire by Cecil Beaton, from March 19. n The Grand Tour exhibitions open

on March 18. See more details on page 15.

Royal Derby Hospital, Air Arts, Level 5 Acute Building Impressions, the Air Arts spring exhibition featuring work by local artists is on until the summer. It is quite simply about people and the stories they have to tell. For more details go to airarts.net Artspace, Bramwell Institute, Main Street,Taddington Fine Art meets Fine Cakes, Easter Art Exhibition 2016, March 25- 28, 11-4pm. Artspace, the Taddington art society, are collaborating with Taddington Teas Easter Café for their inaugural exhibition of paintings, prints, photographs, textiles and cards. See the work, browse the sketchbooks, talk to the artists and enjoy home cooked lunches and afternoon teas.

For more information telephone Diana on 01298 85336 The Mustard Seed Cafe, Market Street, Chapel-en-le-Frith A new gallery displaying art and craftwork from seven local professional artists.

There will be a range of original paintings and prints, hand-made

62

glassware and textiles, organic cosmetics and cards, all at affordable prices and much of it unique. Open mornings Monday to Saturday.

Little London Gallery, Church Street, Holloway Gallery open from 10am-5pm Wednesday to Saturday. For more information go to littlelondongallery. co.uk Banks Mill Studios, Bridge Street, Derby The Beauty of Books is an exhibition celebrating the art of the book that aims to demonstrate the numerous hand printed periphery which traditionally surround books.

The exhibition will showcase work from members of Green Door Printmaking Studio, the only open access, environmentally sound printmaking studio in the Midlands which has outlawed the use of acid, solvents and other chemicals which are usually found in printmaking.

The exhibition will run until March 6 and will be open to the public week days 10am-3pm. There will also be a special tenth birthday celebration on March 25 and 26 and a launch event on Friday, March 4 from 5-8pm.

To find out more about Green Door Printmaking Studio,go to.greendoorprintmaking.co.uk or to find out more about the exhibition go to banksmill.co.uk/books Jarva Gallery, Market Street, Whaley Bridge The gallery is a stockist for Emma Bridgewater ceramics. The gallery is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9.30am-5pm and on Saturdays from 9.30am-4pm. More details at jarvagallery.com.

Peak District Photographers Gallery, Bakewell Visitor Centre, Old Market Hall, Bakewell Streamscapes by Longnor landscape photographer Michela Griffith, March 22-May 3.

More details from peakgallery.co.uk

agenda North End Gallery, North End Institute Building, Wirksworth Gatherings, an exhibition of sculputral forms by Rosalind Pounder, March 17-May 12 . See more details on page 26.

Contemporary arts and crafts by new and emerging artists plus vintage treasures, posters, paintings, postcards. Email northendnostalgia@yahoo.co.uk for future events.

Déda, Chapel Street, Derby n The Print Project Group – an exhibition by a group of independent photographers dedicated to creating and printing monochrome images. n Wanda Brookes – Wanda was awarded a John Wright prize for her exhibit in the 2011 Derby City Open with her watercolour Autumn Gold.

In her work she draws on memories from her childhood, when she played and enjoyed the freedom of the wide open spaces in Derbyshire. Both exhibitions are on until April 30. For more details go to deda.uk.com Studio 61 – Karina Goodman Gallery, Leashaw, Holloway This year the gallery will stage an exhibition in aid of a charity each month. This month’s charity is the Derbyshire and Rutland Air Ambulance. More details are on page 27. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 10-5 and on Wednesdays by appointment only .

For more information about the gallery go to karinagoodman.com Etienne Gallery at In The Flow, Crown Square, Matlock For the latest exhibitions go to jasonetienne.com The Richard Whittlestone Wildlife Gallery, Pilsley, near Chatsworth Richard Whittlestone Wildlife Gallery is home to the artist’s stunningly detailed paintings of popular native wildlife and exotic big game. Open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday.

More details at richardwhittlestone. co.uk

Franklyn J Scott is exhibiting at Ingleby Gallery in March

The Gallery, High Street, New Mills The gallery is run collectively by 30 artists and showcases a variety of work including paintings, jewellery, silk scarves, ceramics and feltwork.

Open 10-4pm. Closed Wednesday and Sunday.

Two Birds Gallery, Borough Street, Castle Donington A new gallery opened by Melonie Anderson, formerly of the Buzz Gallery and HWR Designs. Open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am-5pm.

West Studios, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield Chesterfield artist Arwyn Quick – Off Peak Views, until March 11.

For more details go to the studios’ facebook page WestS41.

The Derwent Gallery, Main Road, Grindleford An exhibition of work by Alison Tyldesley. See more details on page 26. The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday, 10am-4pm, in the winter.

Go to derwentgallery.com for more details.

63

The Old Station Gallery, Peak Shopping Village, Rowsley n Structured In Vision – work by Rachel Carter, Heather Duncan, Steve Gresham, Rachael Pinks and Kerri Pratt, until March 23.

See more details on page 27. The gallery is open Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday from 11am4pm. Check for any updates at peakshoppingvillage.com Ingleby Gallery, Ingleby, Nr Melbourne Franklyn J Scott – A Diverse Selection of Rural, Urban and Night Scenes. Scott was brought up in Leicester where he gained his National Diploma of Design followed by an Art Teaching Diploma. He now lives in Market Harborough and has exhibited in galleries in Leicester, London and Newcastle as well as locally and in his home town. His diverse works include the natural environment together with urban scenes and transportation.

The gallery is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am-5pm and weekends from noon-5pm.Go to ingleby-gallery.co.uk for more information.

The Green Man Gallery, Buxton n Until March 2 – River Sett Installation by Catherine Finn. Using natural objects found on walks along the River Sett, Cath’s fascinating installation depicts the journey of the river as a metaphor for her own personal and physical journey in recent years. n The Four Seasons in Buxton – a Pieced Art Quilt by Val Muir On display for the whole of March, will be Green Man member Val Muir’s exquisite quilt which has been made with hand printed and dyed cotton pieces then free motion machine quilted. n A Spring Gathering, March 4-30.

A celebration of the variety of visual art and craft currently being created in the area and an opportunity for local artists to showcase and

agenda promote their recent work. Paintings, photography, mixed media, textiles and a range of 3D pieces.

Launch Party and Networking Event on March 4. During the month there will be other opportunities to meet the artists involved and see them demonstrating some of their techniques. n Fairtrade Poster Competition, March 25-30.An exhibition of entries by children and young people to a poster competition organised by the local Fairtrade group. Prize-giving tea party on March 25. n There is also an ever-changing exhibition of original work by gallery members and guest designer makers from across Derbyshire. For details see the gallery’s facebook page, greenmangallery.com or contact hello@thegreenmangallery. com or 07977 956707.

Smoothie Art Gallery, Ilkeston More than 20 local artists displaying a wide selection of original paintings, prints and photographs for sale at reasonable prices in an open exhibition. For more details go to uchoosesmoothie.co.uk Derby Museum and Art Gallery The Grand Tour. Simon Starling and Joseph Wright and the Lure of Italy from March 18-June 12. Family Launch March 26, 11am-3pm.

More details on page 15 and at derbymuseums.org Sir Richard Morris Lounge, Cathedral Centre, Derby The Path to Calvary a striking and powerful series of lino cuts by London-based artist Mark Cazalet.

March 1-30. Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, closed Sundays and Bank Holidays. More details on page 27.

Derby Cathedral Derby Cathedral will host an exhibition of 15 works of art by Derbyshire artists this Easter. The artists have each created one of the traditional Stations of the Cross.

The works of art in A Derbyshire

The Outline Art Group are exhibiting at Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek

Passion tell the story of the Passion – the trial and death of Jesus – with a Derbyshire eye. The works include paintings, textiles and lettering. With a variety of skills and approaches, they unite to tell the story of Easter.

A Derbyshire Passion will be open to visitors to Derby Cathedral, free of charge, from March 10-31. For details go to derbycathedral.org Hall of Frames, King Street, Belper Original and limited edition artwork from a variety of artists. More details at hallofframes.co.uk Foxlowe Arts Centre, Foxlowe, Leek A new exhibition from the Outline Art Group – a group of nine professional artists from the borders of Staffordshire and Cheshire East.

They are Penny Beautiman, Bridget Bowie, Margaret Ann Brothwell, Vicky Christmas, Jan Fox, Anne Mychalkiw, Ondre Nowakowski, Ann Roach and Estella Scholes.

The group work in different styles

64

across a wide range of disciplines including painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, stitch, original printmaking and installation.

The Outline Art Group exhibition runs until April 2. The gallery is upstairs at the Foxlowe Arts Centre. It is open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-4pm.

More details at foxloweartscentre. co.uk Whynot Gallery, Lichfield Street, Burton upon Trent Check out all the latest events, workshops and exhibitions on the gallery’s facebook page whynotgalleryuk Gallery 23, The Colonnade, Buxton The gallery features work by various artists including Steve Capper, Peter Stanaway, Clare Allan, Richard Clare, Caroline Appleyard, Peter Aitchison and Christine Ormsby.

More details at gallery23.co.uk Kunst Gallery, on the A517 at Hulland Ward

agenda Exhibiting contemporary work and 1970s screenprinted posters. The gallery is open 10am-4pm Friday to Sunday.

Cupola Contemporary Art Gallery, Hillsborough, Sheffield Mandy Payne – Betwixt and Between, March 11– April 9.

Mandy Payne lives and works in Sheffield. For the past two years she has been exploring Park Hill in Sheffield, the Grade II* listed council estate and one of Britain’s largest examples of Brutalist architecture.

For more details go to cupola gallery. com Baslow Pottery, Ivy House, Nether End, Baslow The gallery displays original work from more than 20 local artists.

Wednesday to Saturday, 10.30am5.30pm and 11am-5pm on Sundays and bank holidays. More details at baslowpottery.co.uk.

Opus Gallery, St John Street, Ashbourne There will be an exhibition of work by various artists in March. Go to opusgalleryashbourne.com for opening times.

QUAD Derby Silent Signal is an ambitious group exhibition that brings six artists working with animation together with six leading biomedical scientists, to create experimental animated artworks exploring new ways of thinking about the human body.

It is on until March 6.

Go to derbyquad.co.uk for further information.

Comedy

Buxton Opera House n The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town. Spike Milligan’s hilarious take on the Jack The Ripper murders, March 6, 7.30pm. n Mitch Benn, Don’t Believe A Word, March 20, 7.30pm.

More information from buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Mandy Payne is exhibiting at the Cupola Contemporary Art Gallery in Sheffield

Funhouse Comedy Club n The Blessington Carriage, Chapel Street, Derby, March 14, Alfie Brown, Red Richardson, Sara Mason, Rick Carranza, Jamie Hutchinson, Ben Briggs with compere Spiky Mike.

March 21, Should I Stay or Should I Go, Champions Special. The winners from the last ten heats go head to head for a £100 prize.

Compere Spiky Mike.

Both shows’ doors 7.45pm and start 8.15pm. n Tower Brewery, The Old Water Tower, Burton-upon-Trent, March 23, Christian Reilly, Alfie Moore and Jay Handley with compere Dave Bryon.

Doors 7pm, show 8pm.

More details funhousecomedy.co.uk Escape Comedy Club, Escape Yoga Studios, Olde English Road, Matlock Check out escapecomedyclub on Facebook for more details.

Guildhall Theatre, Derby Bat-Fan, James Wilson-Taylor with stand-up sketches and songs direct from Gotham City, March 22, 7.30pm.

More details from derbylive.co.uk

Theatre

Derby Theatre n Look Back in Anger by John

65

Osborne in a Derby Theatre and Octagon Theatre Bolton Production.

March 4-26, 7.45pm with matinees at 2.30pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. n Jinny, part of the RETOLD series, March 7-23, 6.30pm. Read more on page 12. n Derby Theatre Youth Theatre Perform, two brand new stories from the youth theatre groups, March 22-24, 7.30pm.

More details at derbytheatre.co.uk Derby Theatre Studio n Joan, a fearless new show about what it means to stand out, stand up and stand along. Part of the RETOLD series cleverly retelling the Joan of Arc story, March 18-20, 8pm. n Schlock! Hannah Silva – Penned in the Margins, March 4, 8pm. n Whisky Tango Foxtrot, written and performed by Rebecca Crookshank, and based on her time in the RAF, March 5, 8pm. n Call Mr Robeson, Paul Robeson, famous actor, singer and civil rights campaigner.A roller-coaster journey through his remarkable life. March 26, 2pm and 8pm. n I, Malvolio, written and performed

by Tim Crouch, a reimagining of Twelfth Night, March 11, 8pm.

More details at derbytheatre.co.uk Guildhall Theatre, Derby n Legally Blonde, The Musical from Belper Musical Theatre, March 2-5. n Twelfth Night from Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company, March 8-12. Details on page 39. n The Yeomen of the Guard from the Rose Hill Musical Society, March 15-19. n The Curious Adventures of Pinocchio from Lyngo Theatre, March 26. More information from derbylive.co.uk Live and Local – Drama at various locations across the county n The Daily Bread, Badapple Theatre Company, March 3, Heanor Baptist Church, 7.30pm tickets 01773 718676 and Bamford Institute,

agenda March 4, 7.30pm, 01433 651755. n The Canterbury Tales from Blast From the Past, six of Chaucer’s bestloved tales in a musical storytelling show, Calton St Mary’s Memorial Hall, March 18, 8pm, tickets 01538 308619. n Arabian Nights and Days, from Shifting Sands Theatre, a feast of slapstick, clowning and wonderfully inventive theatre, Great Longstone Village Hall, March 20, 7.30pm, tickets 01629 640943. n Seven Ages, Kepow Theatre Company, face-paced visual storytelling and improv comedy, Tutbury Village Hall, March 11, 7.30pm, tickets 01283 8122248 Robert Ludlam Theatre, Derby Central Operatic Society Into The Woods, by Stephen Sondheim, March 8-12, for tickets call 01332 737034 The Partington Players Theatre, Henry Street, Glossop Teechers – a classroom comedy

by John Godber. Directed by Jose Warhurst and Kerry Morris.

March 14-19, 7.30pm. More details at partingtonplayers.org.uk Buxton Opera House, Buxton n Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced, March 1-5. More details in arena. n Gargantua, from Buxton Opera House Young Company, March 3-5 Pavilion Arts Centre, more details on page 29. n Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers, March7-12, 7.30pm with a matinee at 2.30pm on the Thursday and Saturday. n The Railway Children from Talking Scarlet, March 29-31, 5.30pm and at 1pm on the Thursday.

More details at buxtonoperahouse. org.uk Strutts Community Centre, Belper Belper Players, Murdered to Death, Belper Players promise an evening of merriment and mayhem in their forthcoming production of Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon, March

16-19, 7.30pm. More on page 18.

Déda Dance Theatre, Derby Hubbub Theatre Company’s Kessoku Tales of Togetherness.

March 12. More details on page 16 and from deda.uk.com

Dance

Déda Derby n Circa Tsuica: Opus 7, March 4 at 7.30pm and March 5 at 2.30pm.

More details on page 43. n Digiotopia from the Tom Dale Company which creates extraordinary performances that bring together urban contemporary dance, electronic music and digital art. March 19, 2.30pm.

Live and Local Blast From The Past, Spiltmilk Dance, a fast-paced nostalgic laugh-out-loud dance performance/ gameshow celebrating seven decades of British pop culture, March 17, 7.30pm, Taddington Village Institute, tickets 01298 85384.

Buxton Opera House, Buxton n Russian State Ballet of Siberia with Giselle, March 17, 7.30pm, Sleeping Beauty, March 18, 7.30pm and Swan Lake, March 19, 2.30pm and 7.30pm. n Peak Dance Festival, a showcase of young dance talent from Derbyshire with a theme of celebration, March 21, 7.30pm. More details at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Bakewell Town Hall Oxfam Winter Ceilidh with Grinah, March 4, starting at 7.30pm.Tickets from Bakewell Book Shop or contact Jude Brown 01629 815469

Classical Music

Buxton Opera House, Buxton Coffee Concert, Kalliope Clarinets, March 11, 1pm, Pavilion Arts Centre.

Carmen from the Opera and Ballet International, March 20, 7.30pm.

66

Derby Chamber Music, Multi-faith Centre, University of Derby Zelkova String Quartet, March 4, 7.30pm. For more information go to derbychambermusic.org Music at Duffield, Ecclesbourne School, Duffield Martin Bickerton (guitar), March 19.

Doors to the main hall open at 7pm.

For more details go to musicatduffield.com Matlock Music Society Live Music in the Dales, Highfields School, Lumsdale Concerto Grosso, Martin Cropper will direct outstanding string pupils from the locality. March 18, 7.30pm. More details at matlockmusic.org.uk Derby Cathedral n Sinfonia Viva, Timeless Classics, March 2, 7.30pm. More details page 19. n Derby Concert Orchestra, Stravinsky - Circus Polka; Sibelius - Violin Concerto (Soloist Sophie Rosa); Shostakovich - Symphony No.5, March 5, 7pm. n The King’s Men and choirs from Foremarke Hall in aid of the Rainbows Hospice, March 7, 7pm.

More details on page 17.

Buxton Musical Society, St John’s Church, Buxton English Romanticism, Elgar, Finzi and Delius with Andrew Mackenzie Wicks (tenor), March 20, 7.30pm. More details from buxtonmusicalsociety.org.uk Marple Choral Society, Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove Haydn – Nelson Mass and Handel – Dixit Dominus, with soloists and the Stockport Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor Joathan Lo, March 19, 7.30pm.

Chesterfield Symphony Orchestra An English Spring celebrating the English composers Delius, Walton Arnold and Elgar, March 20, 7.30pm.

More details from chesterfieldsymphonyorchestra. co.uk

agenda The Derwent Singers Durufle Requiem. with Tom Corfield on the organ. St Osmund’s, London Road, Derby, March 19, 7.30pm.

More details at derwentsingers. org.uk Derby Bach Choir Spring Concert, Derby Cathedral, March 12, 7.30pm. Mozart: Vesperae Solennes de Confessore and Haydn: Nelson Mass. More details at derbybachchoir.com Abbotsholme Arts Society, Abbotsholme School Chapel March 1, 8pm, International pianist Noam Greenberg, with the Ardeo String Quartet. More details at abbotsholmeartssociety.co.uk Chesterfield Gilbert & Sullivan Society Spring Concerts with the musical theme of Dreams, Fantasy and Legend, 7.30pm on March 19, at St John’s Church, Walton, Chesterfield, 7.30pm and on April 16 at Hasland Village Hall, Chesterfield.

Tickets £7.50 available from Chesterfield Tourist Information Office or Julia Tew on 01246418887.

Derbyshire Singers Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah at Highfields School, Matlock, March 12,7.30pm. More details on page 49.

The Chapel-en-le-Frith Ladies’ Choir, Whaley Bridge Uniting Church Singers and Ringers, featuring as guests, Kinder Hand Ringers, on March 19, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at Hall’s Mica Hardware Store in Chapel or on the door. For further details, call 01298 81 5965.

High Peak Orchestra, Chapel Methodist Church, Chapel-en-leFrith Spring Concert, March 12, 7.30pm with conductor Andrew Hodkinson, Bizet: Roma; Rodrigo: guitar Concerto with soloist James Swarbrick and Brahms: Symphony No1. Supporting Blythe House Hospice.

James Brindley – the canal pioneer who was born in Derbyshire is the subject of an illustrated talk in the town to mark the 300th anniversary of his birth

Spoken word

Matlock Storytelling Cafe March 4, two shows for the price of one. First Helen Appleton with The Hare, the Witch and the Maiden, a celebration of stories about the struggle between the seasons, new love, new life and the triumph of optimism over tired indifference.

And as if that’s not enough, the bewitching Rachel Murray brings Beware the Ides of March – What have the Romans ever done for us?

Go and listen to Rachel unpick and restitch these beautiful ‘second tellings’ of the ancient tales.

Matlock Storytelling Cafe takes place on the first Friday of each month at the Imperial Rooms in Matlock.

Doors open at 6.30pm with stories at 7.30pm. Details on 01629 580023.

The Tea Chest, George Street, Buxton Spoken Words – original poetry and short stories, open mic 7.45pm10pm, first Tuesday of every month.

Contact Julian Cohen 07713246391.

Scrivener’s Secondhand Books, Buxton Storytelling Sundays: The free meetings will be held on the second Sunday of the month 2pm to 3.30pm,

67

at Scrivener’s Books, 42 High Street, Buxton. For details telephone 0129871622.

The Barley Mow, Bonsall A new evening of spoken work has been launched here this year.

Muse – an evening of lyrical delights is being hosted on the third Thursday of the month by poet and performer, Mark Gwynne Jones who says it promises to be an exciting mix of comedy, tragedy and iridescent ideas from voices past and present.

More details go to markgwynnejones.com James Brindley illustrated talk, The Winding Wheel, Chesterfield 2016 marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of James Brindley, who is known as the Father of the English Canal System. He was born in Derbyshire and the Chesterfield Canal was his last.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust is giving an illustrated talk as part of the Brindley 300 celebration. It is entitled James Brindley – his life, his last canal and its unique boats. It will be given by Christine Richardson and John Lower March 2, 7.30pm. For tickets,go to chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk Derby Poetry Society Are We There Yet? Sally Goldsmith reads her own poetry, March 11, Room 3, Friends’ Meeting House, Derby, 7.30pm. Meeting fee £2.

Members £1.

Buxton Opera House, Buxton n Mark Beaumont, Africa Solo, March 16, 7.30pm. n Andy Kirkpatrick, for Buxton Adventure Festival, March 23, 7.30pm. More details from buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Cinema

Buxton Film, Pavilion Arts Centre n March 3, Salt of the Earth. n March 10, Mr Holmes. n March 17, Suffragette.

All screenings start at 7.30pm unless

agenda stated and advanced booking is recommended. n The Buxton Festival of World Cinema is being staged from March 25-April 1.Turn to pages 40 and 41 for more details. Further information from buxtonfilm.org.uk Bakewell and Ashfield Film Society Legend, March 13. Second Sunday of the month, Medway Centre, Bakewell, 7.30pm. More details at bashfilms.org.uk Tansley Film Community Cinema, Tansley Village Hall Far From The Madding Crowd, March 1. Seat reservations essential at book@tansleyfilm.org.uk. More information at tansleyfilm.co.uk Peak Film Society, Partington Players Theatre Glossop More details peakfilmsociety.org Tideswell Cinema, The George Inn, Tideswell Selma, March 31, 7.30pm. Live theatre, opera, ballet broadcasts and films. More details tideswellcinema. com Cinema@Spring Bank Arts, New Mills In The Mood For Love, March 10. Go to springbankarts.org.uk for details.

QUAD, Derby Go to derbyquad.co.uk for more details.

Belper Ritz Cinema Go to ritz-belper.co.uk for details.

The Northern Light Cinema, Wirksworth Go to thenorthernlightcinema.co.u for details.

Miscellaneous

Derby Book Festival Railways, birding and a special Celebration in the Cathedral event will all feature in the second Derby Book Festival being held from June 3-11.

At the celebration event, Sir Peter

Bazalgette, Chair of Arts Council England will be in conversation with James Naughtie, BBC News books editor and host of the BBC Radio 4 Bookclub.

Tickets for these events will be available online at derbybookfestival. co.uk or from the festival box office at QUAD from April 5, when the festival programme will be launched at Derby Reads, which will provide a taster of some of the exciting events and authors that will be included in the festival.

The winners of the Flash Fiction Writing Competition will be announced at the same event. It is free but you need to obtain a ticket online or from QUAD they are available from March 15.

Buxton Festival 2016 Buxton Festival, featuring opera, music and books, will take place from July 8-24.

Opera performances include Beethoven’s Leonore, Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi and Handel’s Tamerlano.

The 16-day festival also features 38 concerts and recitals from worldrenowned musicians and singers including internationally celebrated pianists Stephen Kovacevic and Angela Hewitt.

This year’s book festival includes 43 talks by the UK’s best authors.

Speakers include inspirational cook Sarah Raven, alternative comedy pioneer Alexei Sayle, broadcasters Melvyn Bragg and Joan Bakewell.

With 2016 being the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, there are also events in all strands of the festival commemorating this landmark.

More details will be in future artsbeat magazines and you can go to buxtonfestival.co.uk to book tickets and see the full programme.

Lady Manners School, Bakewell The school is looking for creatives in all media to display their work at the forthcoming Art and Craft Fair to be held on May 14 and 15 at the school

68

For further information and to register your interest please email: parentsassociationlms@gmail.com Deadline for applications: April 8 and applicants will be notified by April 15.

CQ Saturdays, Derby’s Cathedral Quarter n Towers, Tunnels and Tales Tours led by historian Richard Felix, will be held on the first Saturday of every month. n From May onwards, the second Saturday will see the CQ Saturdays Street Circus and Déda Producing, perform live acts at the Waterfall stage in the Market Place. n Knickerbocker Glorious begins on the third Saturday in April with free entertainment in the Market Place produced by the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District and Furthest from the Sea. n Street Theatre, produced by Ashrow Theatre will also return every fourth Saturday from May until August.

Go to derbycathedralquarter.co.uk for more details.

Call out for artists for county’s festivals

Belper Arts Festival, Student Art Fair May 2 Are you under 19-years-old and making art to sell? If so, would you like a free stall at the Belper Festival Arts Trail on May 2?

For more details contact the festival organiser George Gunby by email nonnel@sky.com or telephone 07845 400914.

Melbourne Festival Art and Architecture Trail, September 17-18 Melbourne Festival has launched the Call for Entries for Artists wishing to be selected to exhibit on the Art and Architecture Trail. The closing date for entries will be March 31.

The Festival highlights the talents of contemporary artists and makers working in a diverse range of

agenda materials based in the Midlands.

If your work is innovative, imaginative, original and engaging you can apply by emailing artistsmelbournefestival@outlook.com.

In addition to the call for professional artists for the Art and Architecture Trail, Melbourne Festival has also launched a Call for Entries for their third Emerging Talent Award for Artists.

The Award is open to young artists from the East Midlands aged between 18 and 25 years, working, on two-dimensional work in any medium.

The winning entrant will receive a £500 bursary and mentoring by Luke Tarpey at The Tarpey Gallery in Castle Donnington. Full details are at

melbournefestival.co.uk Closing date for entries is March 14.

Last year’s winner, Derby University photography student, Bethany Upton will this year be exhibiting on the Art and Architecture Trail.

New Mills Festival and Art Trail, September 9-25 New Mills Festival invites submissions from artists to take part in a two-week long Art Trail.

Submissions open on March 20 and close on midnight May 15.

The Art Trail turns the town into a gallery, and in 2015 more than 50 local businesses took part to host artists’ work in their windows and premises.

The Trail includes a Big Weekend, timed to coincide with the hugely

contact us If you would like your event to be included on our agenda pages simply email details to: events@arts-beat.co.uk by the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. The listings only cover the month(s) on the dateline. The July/ August and December/January editions are combined.

Celebrating the arts in Derbyshir If you would like to be certain of e and the Peak District FRE E getting a copy of artsbeat magazine each month you can subscribe and March 2016 we will send it to you for just the ANGER: cost of post and packaging.

From a Don’t miss To subscribe for ten issues send woman’s this year’s point your name and the address where of view fes tivi ties you want artsbeat delivered, to: The Author is Editor, artsbeat, inspired by café society 19 Nottingham Road, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1JG, with a cheque for £14 made payable to A Penman. artsbeatblog.com

Do you want to get your Catch up with a world message about your business to of cinema our 21,000-plus readers? Email Music, theatre, gallery, film and worksh op listings advertising@arts-beat.co.uk for details of our advertising rates or phone 07872 066719 to discuss your ideas.

More details about the publication can be found at artsbeatblog.com

popular Lantern Procession finale, which attracts an audience of more than 10,000.

The Big Weekend sees artists and venues across New Mills open their doors to host pop-up exhibitions, open studios, workshops and demonstrations, and arts and crafts markets.

The Art Trail is un-themed, however the theme for the Lantern Procession this year is Inventions.

Proposals which respond to this topic will be especially welcomed.

Alongside applications from artists for the smaller shop windows the organisers are particularly interested in hearing from artists who would like to tackle one of the bigger display spaces, either for a larger installation or for a display from a group.

Full entry details can be found at: newmillsfestival.co.uk.

Follow the Art Trail’s progress on Twitter @nmfestivalarts, and Facebook www.facebook.com/ NewMillsArts.

Wirksworth Festival Art and Architecture Trail, September 10 and 11 If you would like your work to be seen by over 4,000 people, apply to exhibit at Wirksworth Festival’s Art & Architecture Trail this year Applications for artists and designer makers wanting to exhibit for 2016’s Trail will open on Wednesday March 16 and the deadline is April 29.

In previous years over a hundred artists and makers, have exhibited artworks inside historic and quirky buildings, delightful houses, gardens, shop windows and churches in the town.

For more details and application forms go to wirksworthfestival.co.uk n Turn to the centre pages to find more details about festivals taking place in the county in 2016.

While every effort is made to ensure agenda listings are accurate and up-to-date readers are advised to check with the venue before travelling, as no responsibility can be accepted for changes to programmes, errors or omissions

69

fl Open for entries from 1st April Exhibition 1st July to 14th August

The return of the art competition and exhibition celebrating the town’s culture, natural beauty and heritage.

An opportunity for all artists to work ‘en plein air’ throughout the beautiful Peak District spa town of Buxton.

1st Prize £5000 Please visit BuxtonSpaPrize.co.uk

Prize Sponsors Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust

70

contemporary fine art and creative hub

Original paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, photographs, textiles, mixed-media, jewellery and other locally made unique gifts for sale.

A varied programme of exhibitions, workshops, art events and live music.

Large workshop space for hire. open every day 10.30am - 5.30pm except Thursday

Hardwick Hall, Hardwick Square South, Buxton SK17 6PY 01298 937375 07977 956707 thegreenmangallery.com hello@thegreenmangallery.com

A Red Ladder Theatre Company & West Yorkshire Playhouse Production

The Damned United Brian Clough’s journey from his beloved Derby County to the team he hated the most.

Thursday 7 – Saturday 16 April 2016 Box Office 01332 593939 Book Online derbytheatre.co.uk

Derby Theatre is part of