Artsbeat March 2018 by amanda penman

FRE

artsbeatblog.com

March 2018

A new dawn

Interviews with

Shappi Khorsandi & Kim Wilde + Paintings to put a smile on your face

Celebrating the arts in Derbyshire and the Peak District

COMING SOON... YOU’VE GOT DRAGONS Wed 28 Mar Guildhall Theatre | £7.50

THIS HALF TERM

JOHN BISHOP Winging It

Sat 17 - Sun 18 Mar Derby Arena £37

Fri 20 Apr, 8pm Derby Arena £26

RUSSELL BRAND Re:birth

Thu 28 Jun, 8pm Derby Arena £27

Wed 9 May, 8pm Derby Arena £29.50

Fri 29 Jun, 8pm Derby Arena £29

derbylive.co.uk

contents

38 52

in conversation

gallery

9 Veteran potter John Hermansen simply enjoys being creative 38 Charlie Collins aims to produce work that’ll put a smile on your face 50 Painter Pam Smart captures the colourful pageantry of the garden

25-29 Check out our new five-page guide to the best of the exhibitions

stage 45-49 Including Déda’s whirlwind of women, wheels and and acrobatics artsbeat March 2018

editor’s letter

9 music 52-58 Kim Wilde Q&A plus artsbeats’ guide to the best live performances

cover story Morning by Helen Hallows, entrant in Sky TV’s landscape artist of the year artsbeat March 2018

What better time than spring to rejuvenate and have a fresh look at your work ready for the year ahead. The evenings are already lengthening, the mornings are a bit brighter and there are primroses and snowdrops popping up everywhere. What more do you need to inspire you to make some positive changes – I am sure someone once said that without change there would be no butterflies. So this month you will find that artsbeat now has five distinct sections, Gallery, Stage, Music, Amanda Penman Cinema and Have a Go, which have replaced the listings at the back. The design has been tweaked a little as well and I hope you like the new look to the front page and the headlines. Of course all your favourites are still included,and as always there will be special features about artists and performers who have talked to me about their work and lives. email: advertising: advertising@arts-beat.co.uk editorial: editor@arts-beat.co.uk telephone: 07872 066719 post: 19 Nottingham Road, Belper DE56 1JG website: artsbeatblog.com While every effort is made to ensure 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 artsbeat2

@artsbeat

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

Exhibition 1st to 31st July Please visit BuxtonSpaPrize.co.uk

1st Prize £5,000 Open for entries from 1st April Exhibition 1st to 31st July Prize Sponsors Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust

The Riley Educational Foundation

Please visit BuxtonSpaPrize.co.uk The Bingham Trust

Bill & Sheila Barratt

Still

The

Manger Gallery

Contemplative paintings by Michael Cook Thoughtful book sculptures by Maggie Cullen Meditative ceramics by Ann Bates Inspiring lettering by Elizabeth Forrest

Art of imagination, mystery & vision

The Manger Gallery Kings Newton, Derbyshire To view the work telephone Michael Cook on 01332 862365 or go to www.mangergallery.co.uk

Showing throughout March 2018

Melbourne Festival Art & Architecture Trail

Call for entries

art

To apply...

Closing date: 7 April 2018

15 & 16 September 2018

All artists will be contacted by 31 May 2018 A fee of £80 is due by 30 June 2018 Art Trail: 15 & 16 September 2018

email 6-8 images of current work (jpeg max 250kb each) with CV, Artist Statement and FULL contact details to artists-melbournefestival@outlook.com For full details please visit… www.melbournefestival.co.uk artists-melbournefestival@outlook.com or call 07765 819428

MELBOURNE SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DE73 8EJ

in beautiful spaces

2018 artsbeat March 2018

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Potter John Hermansen’s jars were household favourites in the 80s

ficionados of the ceramic world will know that potter John Hermansen was the man behind a brand of stoneware storage jars that graced the worktops of many a kitchen in the 70s and 80s. The two-tone oatmeal coloured range with its distinctive artsbeat March 2018

black italic wording was sold worldwide and in all the top department stores in the UK – from a pottery in Brailsford.

In its heyday the Derbyshirebased hive of industry employed 17 staff trying to keep up with the demand but since John sold it on some years ago it has since closed.

Although you might imagine John would have retired by now the 78-year-old is in fact still producing ceramics from a studio at Cromford Mill – albeit much more at his own pace. “I have pretty much come a full circle really and am back to studio pottery again now. I might be past the age when

ST JOHN STREET GALLERY Contemporary Fine Art

Maggie Robinson

A touch of REalism March 23rd to April 14th Preview March 23rd, 5pm-8pm

Paintings from the artist’s ongoing series of works seeking out the Musical qualities of the landscape y paintings y prints y glass y sculpture y ceramics

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

Sponsors of the Ashbourne Festival Art Prizes

Above: a striking Norse helmet. Right: architectural jars and stylish vases Bottom right: this rhinocerous is not as big as he looks

people are expected to retire but what else would I be doing? I enjoy being in the studio and being creative. “I can choose when I come here these days, but I am here most of them and enjoy meeting and talking to people and holding pottery classes,” he said. John began his working life as a photographer travelling the world to places such as Russia, Afghanistan, the Far East and Australia. It was while he was in New Zealand that he met Harry Davis, a well-known English potter who produced domestic ware from his own pottery in Cornwall during the 1940s before deciding to emigrate. “It was a chance meeting but I found him interesting and he introduced me to pottery I was looking for something else to do and so when I returned home to England I decided to learn more about it myself.” John moved to Derbyshire and studied at Derby College artsbeat March 2018

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What I enjoy most at the moment is working on my sculptures before setting up his studio at Ashleyhay and subsequently at Brailsford where his business idea took off. “It was an incredible time. We were producing something very different and we found a gap in the market. We built the business up over several years and had a lot of fun, although of course it was hard work.” While running a successful manufacturing business may be the dream of many people today, John admits that he actually prefers working to his own timetable in a smaller studio. “What I enjoy most at the moment is working on my sculptures I find that very relaxing and rewarding,” he artsbeat March 2018

said, pointing to a plant holder in the shape of a head that he was working on. However it seems he doesn’t have much time to rest on his laurels because the John Hermansen brand is now best known for a series of quirky sauce pots which come with the head of a pig, sheep, cow or chicken. They were the idea of his wife Susan and he says they are flying off the shelves in the studio and at fairs he attends.

“They are only available from us here, so they are exclusive and unique and people love the humour in them,” he said. John’s work can seen at his studio at the heart of the Cromford Mills site, you just need to check his website johnhermansenpottery.com for opening times. He will also be taking part in the fifth Belper Arts Festival Arts Trail which is on over the first May bank holiday May 6 and 7.

Professional framer for 21 years offering expert advice. Artists’ range of moulding available.

n Fine art prints & cards n Fine art photography n National Railway Museum posters Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm, closed Wednesday 22 Market Place, Wirksworth, DE4 4ET

Tel: 01629 824994

wirksworthframing.co.uk

HADDON HALL Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1LA.

STEPPING

itting with her legs curled up under her on her office chair as only those with the flexibility of a dancer can, Alice Marshall (nee Vale) confessed that she has the most perfect job in the world as far as she is concerned. And it’s true to say that it is almost as if the job description for her post at the University of Derby – Programme Leader for the BA in Dance based at Déda – could have been written with her in mind. When the job was created four years ago, Alice was already the resident artiste at the Derby centre for dance from where she produced work for her own professional company Adaire to Dance and she was tutoring students at a variety of community groups and workshops as well as lecturing at Lincoln University. “When I heard that the university in Derby wanted to launch a dance degree course I knew it was the job. What

Opening on March 24th for the 2018 season

Guided Tours of the Hall and Gardens Estate Walks • Live Music Seasonal Menus • Gifts Galore Visit www.haddonhall.co.uk for more details info@haddonhall.co.uk | 01629812855

artsbeat March 2018

UP TO CHALLENGE ‘

The feedback is fantastic. I am hoping the course will continue to grow and develop could be better than working with students here in Derby at this fantastic professional dance house and also being able to continue with my own practise. I just love this job,” she said enthusiastically. The 30-year-old dancer, who was brought up in Matlock, started dancing at an early age at the Elizabeth Chamberlain School of Dance. When she realised her dreams of being a ballerina would be thwarted by her lack of inches height-wise she decided to devote her already-honed talents to contemporary dance and after completing a foundation course at Chesterfield College she obtained a 1st class degree from Winchester University. After working with other dance companies she eventually formed her own company. Her choreography often mixes humour with pure movement and she regularly works with film and lighting artists Illuminos, who also happen to be her brothers Matt and Rob. They were the inspiration behind the amazing illuminations projected on to Chatsworth House a few years ago and are now in hot demand for events around the world. That doesn’t mean they don’t have time for smaller projects artsbeat March 2018

and, of course, their sister. Last summer the Adaire To Dance show Icarus, inspired by the Greek myth of the boy who flew too close to the sun, used digital animations to interact with the choreography truly bringing the performance to life. You can see part of it by scanning the QR code at the foot of the page. Alice says that she and her siblings are currently working on an idea for a much larger scale piece that they want to perform in site-specific spaces such as cathedrals. “We enjoy working together and I am really excited about this project and how it will evolve,” she said. Her choreography all adds to the experience that Alice brings to the university course that she heads up, which is exactly what her bosses wanted, as one of the important aspects of the course is its links to the professional dance industry. Alice is delighted that since it was launched in 2014 the numbers of students enrolling on her course has steadily increased and proudly points out that last year they had their first batch of graduates. “What is so fantastic about this three-year degree course is that it is based at Déda and the students get to experience working alongside professional companies. The feedback we are getting is excellent and I am hoping that the course will continue to grow and develop.” n If you are interested in the course go to derby.ac.uk. For details about Alice’s company go to adairetodance.com

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

Ormscliffe Gallery and Studio

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

www.connollyart.com

On The Wall

www.gallerytop.co.uk Gallerytop Chatsworth Road Rowsley Derbyshire DE4 2EH 01629735580 info@gallerytop.co.uk

artsbeat March 2018

arena

All the latest news from the Derbyshire arts community New Grand Tour takes in four art institutions

he Grand Tour – a cultural journey across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire – will be taking place from March 24 at four of the UK’s most distinguished arts institutions – Nottingham Contemporary, Chatsworth, The Harley Gallery, Welbeck, and Derby Museums. It includes major shows by photomontage artist, Linder Sterling, at Nottingham Contemporary and Chatsworth; a delicate range of lithophanes by Clare Twomey at The Harley Gallery and a compelling show celebrating The Art of Industry at Derby Museums. Linder – best known for her photomontages and influential role in punk/post-punk aesthetics – has become the first-ever artist resident at Chatsworth. She has used Chatsworth as a kind of ‘sensorium’ immersing herself in the life of the stately home and its history. She has created incense from the aromatic plants on the estate, recorded oral stories, and used the everyday sounds of the house for new musical compositions alongside new photomontages. A series of interventions created from her residency will be displayed at Chatsworth. The House of Fame at artsbeat March 2018

Linder, Untitled, 2017, courtesy of the artist and Stuart Shave Modern Art Devonshire Collection, Chatsworth

Nottingham Contemporary has been convened by Linder, informed by her time at Chatsworth. At the heart of the presentation will be a retrospective of her work. It is accompanied by a constellation of Linder’s artistic influences. Stretching from the early 17th century to today, The House of Fame will host some 150 works by dozens of artists selected by Linder. In Harley Gallery’s exhibition, Half in Shadow: Half in Light, British artist Clare Twomey explores life on the historic Welbeck Estate through a series of lithophanes. She reinvents the traditional technique of the lithophane

through a series of portraits of people who live and work on the Welbeck Estate. Derby Museum and Art Gallery’s exhibition, The Art of Industry: From Joseph Wright to the 21st Century, will look back at the region’s industrial history and manufacturing landscape. The display will be organised in three different sections: Industrial Landscapes will include some of Lowry’s most prominent paintings; People at Work – the Factory Floor will feature loans from the Tate and Workshop will display objects from Derbyshire’s industrial past.

n arena Call-up for artists MELBOURNE Festival has now opened the Call for Artists for the 2018 Art & Architecture Trail. The event sees 130-150 Artists exhibiting in more than 70 venues from tiny cottages to Melbourne Hall and welcomes up to 6,000 visitors during the weekend. This year it is taking place on September 15 and 16. The call for entries is open until April 7 and spaces will be confirmed in May. If you would like to apply for selection please see the advert in this month’s magazine or visit melbournefestival.co.uk for full details. n SWADLINCOTE is staging its first Art and Architecture Trail this year on July 21 and 22. If you want to take part email swadlincotearts@gmail.com

Library exchange SPECIALIST hubs are to be created, as part of expansion plans at three libraries in Derby. Libraries in Alvaston, Mickleover and Pear Tree will be undertaking improvement projects during the spring to make more room for books from the Central Library when it closes. The work will mean that each of them will be closed for a few weeks. Alvaston is closing from March 2-27; Mickleover from March 16-April 17 and Pear Tree from April 12-May 30. During the temporary closures of these three libraries, eBooks will continue to be available 24/7 and other city libraries will remain open. Library users are advised to check the inderby.org.uk/ libraries website for opening times.

TO celebrate the publication of Three Things About Elsie, the second book by Derbyshire author Joanna Cannon, pictured above, the Derby Book Festival has invited her to talk about it with Marsha O’Sullivan from BBC local radio at a special prefestival evening at QUAD in Derby on March 12. The organisers have also added more exciting names to the list of people taking part in the annual festival. They include Lionel Shriver;

Author’s tips

Book your tickets Sathnam Sanghera; Margaret Drabble; Alison Weir and Great British Bake Off finalist Ruby Tandoh. Tickets for events taking place at the Guildhall Theatre and Derby Theatre for the festival in June are now on sale – including evenings with Andy Kershaw, Germaine Greer and MP Ken Clarke. For more details and tickets go to derbybookfestival.co.uk WIRKSWORTH author Roz Watkins, whose debut novel The Devil’s Dice is out this month, reveals some of the secrets of writing great crime fiction in a workshop at QUAD in Derby on March 15. The evening will take in crafting a plot, developing interesting characters and tips on getting a crime novel published. Writing Crime Fiction with Roz Watkins takes place from 7pm-9pm and costs £8. For more information please call QUAD Box Office on 01332 290606 or go to derbyquad.co.uk

artsbeat March 2018

n arena Scarthins signing NOTTINGHAM-BASED author Jon McGregor will be reading from and signing his latest novel Reservoir 13 at Scarthin Books in Cromford on April 21. The book won the Novel Prize in the Costa Book Awards 2017. McGregor wrote his first novel, If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things, while living on a narrowboat.

It was nominated for the 2002 Booker Prize, making him the youngest contender and only first novelist on the longlist that year. The event at Scarthins is from 2pm-4pm and will include an atmospheric musical accompaniment (bring a smart phone if you have one). This is a free event but you are advised to arrive early to secure a place for the reading. Find out more at scarthinbooks.com

Toyota donation TOYOTA has donated £1,000 to the Derby Plus One project – a city-wide ticket donation scheme where major arts and cultural organisations in Derby, including Derby Theatre, Déda, QUAD and Baby People, have joined forces in a scheme which provides children in care and care leavers with free arts experiences in the city. Sarah Brigham the chief executive of Derby Theatre (far right) was delighted to be able to accept the donation.

Renishaw women THE owner of Derbyshire’s Renishaw Hall and Gardens, Alexandra Sitwell, has decided it is time that the women in the Sitwell family history should take centre stage, as part of this year’s Mother’s Day celebrations. This season’s new ‘Mothers, Wives and Daughters’ tour of the historic house tells the stories of some of Alexandra’s most significant female ancestors over four centuries (including Lady Ida Sitwell, picured right). The tours will offer a glimpse into Renishaw’s chatelaines of artsbeat March 2018

the past, with letters, diaries, paintings, photographs, moving personal items and entertaining snippets relating to the Hall’s ‘leading ladies’, on public display for the first time to bring their stories to life. This special celebratory tour will make a unique Mother’s Day outing for all the family. Renishaw Hall’s Leading Ladies tour will take place on March 11 at 11am, 1pm and 2:30pm. You will have to prebook at the visitor centre on 01246 432310. For more information email enquiries@renishaw-hall. co.uk

n arena New Mills Fringe A LACK of finance and volunteers has meant that this year’s New Mills Festival will be a bit smaller than in the past. There will be no arts trail, lantern procession or street party and the organisers plan to run it with a theme of Small is Beautiful and bill it as New MIlls Festival Fringe. The organisers hope to return with the full programme in 2019. “Our Festival Fringe year will still be packed full of community events, screenings, gigs, talks and art, for a non-stop two weeks of activity,” said programme co-ordinator Helen Darby. “We are looking forward to another highly successful Festival programme that highlights the extraordinary community spirit of New Mills.” If you are thinking of hosting an event you can contact the organisers by emailing programme@newmillsfestival. co.uk with your idea. If you are interested in volunteering go to newmillsfestival.co.uk

Baby People grant DERBY-BASED Baby People has been given a grant of £71,680 by Arts Council England to deliver Urban Gongs, a schoolsbased tour in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire areas bringing artists working in the Malaysian Gamelan tradition together with urban musicians and breakdancers. Baby People is a music and arts development organisation – a dedicated Hip Hop school which uses art and culture to engage and support the needs of the most deprived in our communities.

TIMBER is a new festival where music, art, philosophy and sustainability will weave together into an exhilarating weekend in the heart of the National Forest. It has been created by the National Forest Company and Wild Rumpus (award-winning producers of the Just So Festival). Festival-goers from July 6-8 will be able to experience the transformative impact of forests with artists, musicians, scientists and thinkers. They will be able to explore what woodlands can mean to

Winging It again

Timber festival us and how we can re-imagine our relationship with our environment, and play and create in an arboreal wonderland, where the tonic of wildness rules supreme. Stuart Maconie, broadcaster, writer and president of the Ramblers, will be delivering the inaugural keynote session and Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon will be premiered at the event (pictured above) For more details go to timberfestival.org.uk WINGING IT sees John Bishop back on stage for his fifth UK tour – including a date at Derby Arena this month. The show promises to be his biggest, best and funniest yet. John has had an incredible career. Within three years of his first-ever comedy gig, he was playing to sold-out arena audiences across the country and released the fastest selling stand-up DVD in UK history. He will be at Derby Arena on March 17 and 18. For tickets go to derbyarena. co.uk. The tickets are £37 and the show is suitable for over 16s only. artsbeat March 2018

n arena Classical Bake-off SINFONIA Viva is teaming up with Andrew Smyth, finalist of the 2016 Great British Bake Off, for an evening of musical treats and fabulous eats. Guests will be treated to a live baking demonstration by Andrew Smyth – an engineer by day – who will also talk about his experiences reaching the final. A Sinfonia Viva string quartet will then provide the musical entertainment as guests have the chance to sample some tasters of the baked goodies. Tickets for the event are available atvivaorch.co.uk

Tom’s debut tour

COMEDIAN Tom Allen is bringing his debut touring show, Absolutely, to the Pavilion Arts Centre in Buxton on March 13. Soaked in Tom’s signature waspish snobbery and selfaggrandising wit, Absolutely addresses the elephant in the room that Tom is still living at home with his parents – because he can’t afford not to – in Kent, home of leave voters and Theresa May’s Brexit Britain. For tickets go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

New appointment MICHAEL Williams, who is currently managing director of Cape Town Opera, has been appointed as the new chief executive of Buxton International Festival and will take up the post in April. Williams, right, is a writer and librettist and has written four operas for young people, as well as a number of young adult and crime novels. He said: “I am very much artsbeat March 2018

looking forward to working with artistic director Stephen Barlow on a festival well known for its commitment to producing rarely performed operatic gems and showcasing the best of young British talent. “I am particularly eager to create new projects throughout the year, expand the cultural learning programme and develop both new audiences and young talent.”

WAR HERO RECALLED

Centenerary commemoration of Great Warâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charles Stone VC

S Duffield

Bluebell Wood by James Preston

Art Gallery

Work by artists including James Preston, Lynn Smith, Colin Halliday and Paul Raymond Gregory Open: Thursday to Saturday 10.30am-5pm Sunday 11am-3pm 3-5 Town Street, Duffield, Derbyshire mobile 07432 524 083 email jill.underwood59@gmail.com

Telephone 01332 840 845 20

ome ordinary people become involved in extraordinary situations. The way they react can become the stuff of legends. They become heroes. One such man was Charles Edwin Stone who is being celebrated and commemorated by the people of Belper on the centennial anniversary of him being awarded the Victoria Cross. On March 21 1918 at Caponne Farm, France, after working at his gun for six hours under heavy gas and shell fire, Gunner Stone was sent back to the rear with an order. He delivered it and then, under a heavy barrage, returned with a rifle to assist in holding up the enemy on a sunken road. First lying in the open under very heavy machine-gun fire and then on the right flank of the two rear guns he held the enemy at bay. Later he was one of the party which captured a machine-gun and four prisoners. The hero, who survived the war, returned to Derbyshire to live and died in 1952. On March 21 2018 the people of Belper will join members of the Stone family at events to artsbeat March 2018

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Armed with a rifle he held the enemy at bay commemorate the centenary of his actions. A new memorial will be unveiled in the Memorial Gardens and this will be followed by Remembering Charlie – an evening of music, drama and poetry depicting a life less ordinary. New writing and specially written music will highlight the story. The event at St Peter’s Church, in Belper, at 7.30pm is free and will feature Belper Musical Theatre, musicians James Oldrini and Mat Williams, singer-songwriter Sue MacFarlane, Rough Truffles community choir and many more. n The previous weekend, at All Saint’s Church, Youlgreave, Derbyshire is hosting the artwork Assembly: Memorial Chairs, which is nearing the end of a 10,000 mile, five-year journey around 16 significant community sites in Britan. On display on March 17 and 18, from 9am-5pm, this installation from the In Flanders Field Museum, Ypres, artsbeat March 2018

The striking memorial window in All Saints Church, Youlgreave

has at its centre the book – Assembly. The memorial book contains over 174,000 names of those from the United Kingdom and Ireland who lost their lives in The Great War. Assembly also includes five empty chairs from St Audomarus Church, Passchendaele. Each represents a year of the Great War. The work is the concept of Derbyshire artist Val Carman, who was the first artist- in-residence at the In Flanders Fields Museum in 1999, and also worked in a commemorative residency in Passchendaele. Youlgreave has been chosen as one of the venues because it

has a unique link with Ypres in the church’s memorial stained glass window that contain glass collected during the bombardments of 1914 and 1915 Captain Charles Waterhouse 1st Life Guards, a local officer. These fragments were brought back to England – with permission of the authorities – and used in the creation of the memorial window to his brother Captain Rennie Waterhouse who was killed in action in 1915. The window was the inspiration for a special centenary memorial art piece which is now being created by Youlgreave and will be featured in a future edition of artsbeat.

A Celebration of Spring Vivienne Cawson | Kay Elliott Karen Fawcett | Steve McLoughlin Helen Parsley | Joanne Rost Steven Tandy |

Ingleby Gallery 4th - 18th March

Preview Sunday 4th 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

BRILLIANT BOOKS

Derby-born Dan Walker shares his passion at city’s book festival

hen it comes to blue sky thinking triumphs, author Dan Walker must be unrivalled. It was while gazing upwards and watching fluffy white aeroplane trails spreading heavenwards that he had the inspiration for his debut children’s book Sky Thieves. Now the swashbuckling, fantasy adventure set in the clouds has been shortlisted for the Brilliant Book Award 2018 and Dan, 34, is in hot demand to talk at schools and bookshops all over the country. As he is Derby born and bred, and lives at Trowell, it was a must that the organisers of the Derby Book Festival signed him up for a talk at this summer’s event in June and he is looking forward to the honour. “I love writing and I love to meet people who are passionate about books. Most of all I love meeting enthusiastic young readers and talking to them about how I became and author; my childhood growing up in Derby and my passion for computer games, films and books,” he explained. As a child Dan used to devour the Hardy Boys series of books and was a regular at Allestree Library. artsbeat March 2018

“From then on I was always reading whatever I could get my hands on. I have stories from books, movies, Japanese computer games and comics all swirling about in my head.” The author was a student at Woodlands in Allestree and studied English at the University of Derby. Since then he has worked in various bookshops, libraries and schools and currently helps out at a specialist autism centre in Long Eaton. It was while working at Waterstone’s when he was 22 that he decided he fancied the idea of writing himself and ever since he has been setting time aside every week to write – while holding down a day job to pay the bills. He says he is lucky to have the full support of his very patient wife Dominika who handles all the administrative work and marketing for him. In fact he considers her such a part of the team that he refers to everything he does by saying ‘we’. As with most authors he didn’t get published straight away – you only have to do the maths on his age to work that one out – but he says he came frustratingly close at one point. “We sent it backwards and forwards, backwards and artsbeat March 2018

forwards to one guy in London but just as we came to making a decision...well you know what happens next,” he said with a sigh. Sky Thieves was originally put out online with a different title and after taking on board the feedback he rewrote some of it. “I tweaked it and made some changes such as shortening the start and then thought I would have one last go at throwing it out there trying to find an agent who would push it for me.” It seems the rewrite made all

the difference because Dan suddenly had three agents to choose from and eventually a book deal with Oxford University Press for another couple of books. One of those was already close on finishing anyway so last August, just four months after Sky Thieves hit the shelves, the sequel Desert Thieves was out. “It really has been a fantastic 12 months for me and I am looking forward to what 2018 has to offer – especially the Derby Book Festival.” n For details of Dan’s books go to danwalkerauthor.com To find out more about the Derby Book Festival go to derbybookfestival.co.uk

SCRIVENER’s SECONDHAND & ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS & BOOKBINDING 42 HIGH ST, BUXTON, SK17 6HB Tel: 01298 73100 Monday–Saturday 9.30am to 5pm Sundays 12pm to 4pm scrivbooks@hotmail.co.uk www.scrivenersbooks.co.uk

leabrooks

artists’ forum Are you bursting with ideas you want to share or looking for inspiration and guidance? Join our free forum for artists where we share information, ideas and enterprise First Saturday of the month from 10.30am-1pm Leabrooks Arts Complex, Somercotes, DE55 4HB

www.leabrooksartscomplex.com

One of The Guardian’s 10 Best Bookshops

artsbeat March 2018

gallery

artsbeat previews this month’s stand-out exhibitions St John Street Gallery, Ashbourne

he gallery is hosting a solo exhibition – A Touch of Realism – by renowned and respected Sheffield artist Maggie Robinson. For several years Maggie, a member of the Peak District Aritisans, has been creating a series of works under the title The Music of The Landscape in which she seeks out the beautiful English countryside, the musical qualities of melody, harmony and rhythm, translating these into paintings which capture the spirit of her understanding. Although her work moves towards the abstract with vibrant colour and often bold expressive marks, she always wants to retain a moment of reality in each painting that keeps a strong link with the

Exhibitions and galleries

The Anvil Gallery, Sadler Gate, Derby Work by artists including April Young, Kerri Pratt, Colin Halliday, Andrew Macara, Daniel Ablitt, Mark Gordon, and Heather Duncan. Go to aprilyoung.co.uk for details. Art Café and Gallery in the Gardens, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton The downstairs gallery showcases the work of more than 40 artists and artsbeat March 2018

true location, hence her title A Touch of Realism. Recent work of Maggie’s was accepted for the Royal Society of British Artists. Her Ashbourne exhibition will

be on from March 23-April 14 with the preview on March 23 from 5-8pm. Maggie will also present four workshops at the gallery this year.

craftspeople from the High Peak Artists group. In the café there are selected works by gallery artists: Jill Kerr, Kathy MacMillan, Susan Johnson, Kate Pheasey, Pentimento Ceramics, Sarah Myatt and more. Opening hours: as Pavilion Gardens. Please telephone to check before your visit 01298 23114. Go to galleryinthegardens.co.uk for details.

Art at Blackacres, Blackacres House, Nab Hill, Leek A co-operative of artists celebrating international woman’s day with a four-day exhibition celebrating female artists from Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, March 8-11. Art at Blackacres is led by Paula Sigley fine artist and sculptor, Carolyn Trafford, textile and photographic artist and Deb Liversage, mixed media artist. There will be workshops and talks over the four days and full details can be found on the event’s Facebook page facebook.com/artatblackacres/.

Artcore, Charnwood Street, Derby Stand Up! An exhibition celebrating International Women’s Day, March 10-20. Opening night March 9, 6-8pm. Go to artcoregallery.org.uk

n gallery Banks Mill Studios, Derby Behind the Smile, until March 23. For more details go to banksmill.co.uk 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. Church Farm Art Gallery, Church Street, Baslow The gallery is a showcase for both professional and talented amateur artists. Owner Norman Tomlinson, exhibits his own work, and others such as Caroline Appleyard, David Alderman, Mike Connley and Richard Towers. Open ThursdaySaturday 10.30am-5pm. Go to churchfarmgallery.co.uk for details. Cromford Gallery and Studio, Market Place, Cromford The featured artist in March is Helen Hallows, our cover artist. Go to page 27 for more details. The gallery is open WednesdaySunday 10am-5pm. Go to cromfordstudioandgallery.weebly. com for details. The Derwent Gallery, Grindleford See details above. The gallery

Landscapes for Adventure THIS exhibition at Workstation Sheffield, from March 7-14, is by Tessa Lyons, Joe Mallia and Katherine Rhodes. It is a visual exploration of rock and the landscape, from the massive rock of mountains, to crags, small outcrops, and edges. The artists approach their subjects very differently with paintings, printmaking

Derwent gallery Grindleford LANDSCAPES in the wild is the title of the March exhibition at this gallery. It will be featuring paintings of the Peak District edges and moorlands by Richard Barrett, Gareth Buxton and Pauline Rignall. All paintings can be previewed at derwentgallery. com features paintings by various artists including Gareth Buxton, Kristan Baggaley and Pauline Rignall. Open 11am to 4pm Thursday to Saturday and 1pm-4pm on Sundays, telephone 01433 630458. Déda, Chapel Street, Derby Anon by photographers Maria Falconer and Paul Hill, March 1-April 28. More details on page 29. More details at deda.uk.com Derby Museum and Art Gallery n Marion Adnams: A Singular Woman, until March 4. n Drawn From the Land by Richard Long, until March 4. For more details go to derbymuseums.org

Burbage and Beyond by Richard Barrett

Duffield Gallery, Town Street, Duffield Work by artists including James Preston, Lynn Smith, Colin Halliday and Paul Raymond Gregory. Open Thursday-Saturday, 10.30am-5pm and Sundays, 11am-3pm. Telephone 01332 840845 for more details. Ferrers Gallery, Staunton Harold Estate, Ashby de la Zouch Medley – until March 25. A wide selection of British designer-makers working in varied mediums. Go to ferrersgallery.co.uk for more details. Gallerytop, Chatsworth Road, Rowsley The gallery is open Tuesday to

and drawings but always from the point of view of outdoor enthusiasts. They vary in experience and relationship with the landscape, but they are united by a love of the outdoors and having a personal interaction with these landscapes through climbing, mountaineering or walking. The Workstation is next to the Showroom Cinema, and the exhibition is being held in conjunction with Sheffield Adventure Film Festival On The Edge by Katherine (ShAFF), Sheffield’s annual Rhodes, one of three artists celebrating the landscape adventure film festival. artsbeat March 2018

n gallery Cromford Studio and Gallery THE featured artist for March is Helen Hallows, who creates original mixed media artwork inspired by nature and whose work is on this month’s cover. “The landscapes I create resonate with people. They are naive and colourful. They tell stories of journeys we have made and those we are yet to embark on. They are about peace and joy, about kinship and soulful meditation; images to uplift and inspire,” said Snowdonia Cottage by Helen Hallows Helen. Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm.More details at gallerytop. co.uk 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. The Green Man Gallery, Buxton The Spring Gathering – an opportunity for artists to showcase some of their work at The Green Man Gallery from March 31-April 25. Contact Caroline Small, for submission guidelines on hello@

Manger Gallery Kings Newton

STILL – showing throughout March is a new exhibition of work by six artists whose work all shares a strong narrative or literary dimension, and visionary, spiritual or religious themes. Still includes contemplative artsbeat March 2018

thegreenmangallery.com For more details go to the gallery’s facebook page or thegreenmangallery.com Hall of Frames, King Street, Belper Original and limited edition artwork from a variety of artists. More details at hallofframes.co.uk The Harley Gallery, Welbeck A new exhibition by acclaimed photographer Peter Lavery captures what goes on behind the scenes at the Big Top, until April 15. Read about the Grand Tour which takes in Harley on page 15. More details at harleygallery.co.uk Ingleby Gallery, Ingleby A Celebration of Spring, March 4-18. paintings by Michael Cook, the gallery owner; thoughtful book sculptures by Maggie Cullen; meditative ceramics by Ann Bates, inspiring lettering by Elizabeth Forrest; sculpture by Peter Eugene Ball and stained glass by Juliet Forrest. Go to mangergallery.co.uk for details of how to find the gallery, housed in a 19th century stable at Kings Newton near Melbourne.

See more on page 29. The gallery is open from March on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am-5pm and weekends from noon-5pm. Go to ingleby-gallery.co.uk for details. Isla Fine Art Cards and Gifts, 4b The Colonnade, Buxton As well as fine art cards and gifts there is a gallery space at the shop in the heart of Buxton and there will be regular exhibitions during the year. Go to Isla–Fine Art on facebook for more details. Jarva Gallery, Market Street, Whaley Bridge The gallery exhibits about 90 per cent British designers’ and artists’

Lawrence by Maggie Cullen

n gallery work – jewellery, ceramics, original art, bronze sculpture and glassware, Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9.30am-5pm, Wednesdays 9,30am3pm, and Saturdays, 9.30am-4pm. More details at jarvagallery.com. John Connolly’s Ormscliffe Gallery, Bolsover Inspired by the sea, moors and woods, John’s work is full of drama and emotion, the observer can experience a feeling of remoteness and a sense of place. More than 300 original paintings are on show at his personal gallery in Bolsover. Go to connollyart.com for more details. Kunst Gallery, The Old Nail Shed, Campbell Street, Belper Young photographers Luther Bottrill and Sam Horton take over the gallery until March 17. Go to weare kunst on facebook for details of exhibitions and events at this alternative arts venue. Leabrooks Gallery, Somercotes Landscape – stunning new landscapes painted by a number of artists in a variety of styles, until March 2. The gallery is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm and 11am-3.30pm on Sundays.

Wednesdays by appointment only. Details at leabrooksartscomplex.com Little London Gallery, Church Street, Holloway Featuring the work of resident artist Chris Tkacz. There are also prints by David Harban and Paul Hipkiss, paintings by Carol Hill and John Scott-Martin, textiles by Jacqui Wakeley and ceramics by Andrew Metheson. The gallery is open from 9am-5pm Wednesday to Saturday. For details go to littlelondongallery. co.uk The Makers, 47 Church Street, Ashbourne Art and gifts made by UK artists, designers and makers. Check out what’s new on their facebook page. Currently exhibiting work by Long Eaton artist Joy Pitts who turns clothing labels into works of art. The Manger Gallery, Kings Newton, Melbourne A small atmospheric gallery housed in a 19th century stable which is part of the family home of artist Michael Cook where he exhibits his own work, The exhibition during March is entitled Still. See more details on previous page. Go to mangergallery.

co.uk for up-to-date details. The Marlow Gallery, The Close, Church Square, Melbourne Contemporary paintings, ceramics, sculpture and glass. Email Emily Daley at studio@themarlowgallery. co.uk or phone her on 07980550812 to book an appointment to view. More details at themarlowgallery. co.uk Matlock Artists Society, All Saints Church, Smedley Street, Matlock Matlock Artists Society will be hosting two watercolour demonstrations this spring, by artist Peter Woolley, whose watercolours include scenes from the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District who will be there on Saturday March 17, 10am-noon, and Paul TalbotGreaves, whose work aims to reflect the rugged scenery of the landscape who will be their guest on April 21, 10am-noon. All are welcome, £5 entry includes refreshments. Melbourne Senior Citizen Centre, Church Street, Melbourne, For the Love of Lettuce Exhibition For the past year the Melbourne Festival team has been working on

Photographers exhibit images of the displaced DERBYSHIRE photographers Paul Hill and Maria Falconer worked as volunteers in the refugee camps on the Greek island of Lesvos and on the border of Greece and Macedonia during 2016. An exhibition of their work entitled Anon is being launched at Déda, Chapel Street, Derby on March 1. Through their photographs, they aim to reflect

the anonymity and depersonalisation that is the fate of the individuals and families who have had to flee their countries. Déda’s Youth Performance

Company ‘InCompany’ will also be performing a new piece of work inspired by the poetry of Trevor Wright at the free launch event which will be from 6.7.30pm. artsbeat March 2018

n gallery compositions including hats by Melbourne milliner Joanne Rost. The painters taking part are floral artists Kay Elliott, and Vivienne Cawson; landscape INGLEBY Gallery, near painter Steve McLoughlin; Melbourne, is hosting a Helen Parsley, who paints special spring exhibition of buildings and gardens and work by seven talented artists Steven Tandy, who specialises at the beginning of March. in still life. There will also be For the gallery’s first exhibition animal sculptures by Karen of the year owner Gill Watson Fawcett. The exhibition runs has chosen artists with from March 4-18 with a first-day differing styles, medium and preview from noon to 4pm. Work by Vivienne Cawson

Ingleby’s first show of the year

a project For the Love of Lettuce celebrating Melbourne’s market gardening heritage. Thanks to a Heritage Lottery Sharing Heritage Grant the team have worked with local market gardeners and artists to gather photographs, memories and mementoes which will be exhibited from March 16-18, 2-4pm. For more details go to melbournefestival.co.uk The Old Lock Up Gallery, Swift’s Hollow, Cromford Homage: Paintings by Stephen Snoddy and sculptural work by Richard Perry, throughout March and until April 21. The gallery is open 11am-5pm Friday and Saturday and 11am-4.30pm on Sundays. Go to The Old Lock Up Gallery on Facebook for details. Paper Gallery, Manchester n Hannah Wooll – Interior World. Hannah explores the domestic space and the value associated with related objects and artworks. She relies on junk-shop found media; starkly-lit, contrived photographs from the pages of outmoded craft manuals set against ink painted figures. n New York-based Hong Kong artist Ange Ong – Hong Kong Cafe: Off-kilter pastel dreamscape café scenes. Both exhibitions are on until March 31. Private View: Friday 23 February, 6-9pm. Open 11am–5pm every Saturday. Go to paper-gallery. co.uk for more details. artsbeat March 2018

QUAD Derby Middle Bound: Exploring the social fabric at the Heart of England until March 11. Go to derbyquad.co.uk for more details. The Richard Whittlestone Wildlife Gallery, Pilsley, near Chatsworth The gallery is open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday. More details at richardwhittlestone.co.uk Rob Wilson Art, Lockside Mill, St. Martins Road, Marple Open to visitors every Friday, 10am4pm. Go to robwilsonart.co.uk for more details. Smallprint Company, Friary Street, Derby New prints by RE McGaul, until March 24. Ralph’s approach to making art is intuitive and visceral with the goal of producing something that is immediate and visually engaging, without the need for wordy explanations. More details at smallprintcompany.com St John Street Gallery, St John Street, Ashbourne Maggie Robinson, see details on page 25. The gallery is open 9.30am-5pm, MondaySaturday. For more details go to stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk Tarpey Gallery, High Street, Castle Donington The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday 10am-5pm. More details at tarpeygallery.com

Two Birds Gallery, Borough Street, Castle Donington Art, photography, jewellery and design from a wide range of local and UK based artists. They also offer a selection of craft workshops for all ability levels. Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am-5pm and 9.30am4pm on Saturday. U Choose Smoothie Art Gallery, Ilkeston Work by more than 20 local artists can always be seen at the gallery. For more details go to uchoosesmoothie.co.uk West Studios, Chesterfield Amanda McConnell: Happy World Photography exhibition, March 13-April 11. Go to chesterfield.ac.uk or email hello@weststudios.co.uk for more details. Whynot Gallery, Lichfield Street, Burton upon Trent Check out all the latest events, workshops and exhibitions on the whynotgalleryuk facebook page Wirksworth Framing Company, 22 Market Place, Wirksworth A family-run framing business that exhibits work by a mixture of local artists and prints by nationally renowned artists. Work by Iain Mackay, Richard Pett, Ian Daisley, Sam Toft, Alex Clarke and Thomas Joseph. Go to wirksworthframing. co.uk for more details.

May 26th - June 3rd

Artists are gearing up for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are you?

Plan your trail for 2018

www.derbyshireopenarts.co.uk Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram 30

artsbeat March 2018

LET’S CELEBRATE

Get set for a long summer of artistic activities at Derbyshire festivals

hen it comes to the creative and performing arts there is no better place to go than Derbyshire – Britain’s Festival County. On your doorstep this year you will find everything from paintings to poetry and performances to pottery, with much more besides. The county’s festival community has grown over the past few years and there are now 100 Festivals to choose from who are members of Festivity, a forum for

artsbeat March 2018

Derbyshire’s festivals, who work together to bring a vibrant and varied menu of artistic events to the festival season each year. The county’s festivals always have a great atmosphere, but this year Stainsby Festival will have a real party atmosphere for its 50th anniversary and Buxton International celebrates its 40th year.

We also have debuts for two new additions to the burgeoning festival scene in South Derbyshire – the first Timber Festival south of Melbourne and first Swadlincote Art and Architecture Trail in July. The festivals featured on the following two pages are just a selection of wide variety of festivals you can visit in 2018. For more information please visit individual festivals websites or artsderbyshire.org. uk/festivals or contact editor@ artsderbyshire.co.uk

Derbyshire’s Festival Calendar

CHESTERFIELD CANAL FESTIVAL

BELPER ARTS FESTIVAL

STAVELEY TOWN BASIN S43 3XZ www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk festival@chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk 01246 477569

IN THE TOWN OF BELPER www.belperartsfestival.org nonnel@sky.com 07847 478251

Sat 30 June & Sun 1 July

10 am - 5 pm. Boat trips, Entertainment marquee, Craft stalls, Canal societies, Canoeing, Canal Ware, Children’s rides, Birds of Prey, Charity stalls, Wildlife Groups plus Food Stalls and a Real Ale Bar. Entrance £5, free for Under 12s. Free parking. Swing Commanders concert, Friday 29th, 7.30 pm - £10 Some Antics and Judy Dunlop & Jon Scaife concert, Saturday 30th, 7.30 pm - £10

Sun 6 May to Sun 3 June

Featuring Arts Trail, Beth's Poetry Trail, Music Festival at St. Peter's Church, Nell Gwyn, Shine! Children's Showcase, Woollen Woods, Belper Open Houses and more.

DERBYSHIRE OPEN ARTS ALL AROUND DERBYSHIRE www.derbyshireopenarts.co.uk info@derbyshireopenarts.co.uk

When it comes to the creative and performing arts there is no better place to go than Derbyshire – Britain’s Festival County! On your doorstep you will find everything from paintings to poetry and performances to pottery with much more besides.

Friday 25 to Monday 28 May Your opportunity to visit artists and artisans throughout our beautiful County. This is our twelfth year and one in which we are building on our previous success. Like last year, selected venues will be open around the county for a further 6 days from Friday 25 to Sunday 3 June.

DERBY BOOK FESTIVAL VENUES ACROSS DERBY CIT Y www.derbybookfestival.co.uk hello@derbybookfestival.co.uk

ASHBOURNE FESTIVAL VARIOUS VENUES WITHIN ASHBOURNE

www.ashbournefestival.org info@ashbournefestival.org Festival Office 01335 348707 Box Office 01335 343666

Friday 22 June to Sunday 8 July

A Great Derbyshire Dales Festival offering an exciting mix of entertainment in a rural setting. The festival aims to bring the best in performance art to Ashbourne and its surrounding area.

TIMBER - THE INTERNATIONAL FOREST FESTIVAL FEANEDOCK, THE NATIONAL FOREST, MOIRA DE12 6DQ www.timberfestival.org.uk hello@timberfestival.org.uk 01283 551211

Friday 6 to Sunday 8 July

Friday 1 to Saturday 9 June

Derby Book Festival hosts a packed programme of international authors, exciting arts events and engaging speakers: "bringing books to life" for audiences of all ages and interests.

An extraordinary new camping festival exploring the transformative impact of forests. Celebrating woodland culture in all its forms, join us for an intoxicating experience where music, art, philosophy and sustainability weave together into an unforgettable, exhilarating weekend.

DOVEDALE ARTS FESTIVAL BUXTON FESTIVAL FRINGE THE IZAAK WALTON HOTEL, NEAR ILAM, ASHBOURNE DE6 2AY www.dovedalearts.co.uk info@dovedalearts.co.uk 01335 310438

Friday 8 to Sunday 10 June Featuring talks, walks, the Allegri String Quartet, world premiere Passepartout musical and exhibition of paintings and ceramics.

BUXTON SK17 6XN www.buxtonfringe.org.uk info@buxtonfringe.org.uk 01298 70705

Wednesday 4 to Sunday 22 July

Buxton Fringe, a registered charity, is one of the largest Fringes in England. It is an open-access festival taking place in venues throughout the town and beyond, offering a spectacular programme of theatre, comedy, music, film, exhibitions, poetry, children's events and more with many events free!

Welcome to a year of Festivals throughout Derbyshire...

BUXTON INTERNATIONAL MELBOURNE FESTIVAL MELBOURNE, SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DE73 8E J FESTIVAL BUXTON SK17 6A Z www.melbournefestival.co.uk info@melbournefestival.co.uk 07765 819428 www.buxtonfestival.co.uk info@buxtonfestival.co.uk Box Office: 01298 72190 Festival Office: 01298 70395

Friday 6 to Sunday 22 July

An internationally renowned and award-winning opera, music and book festival established in 1979. The uniquely staged operas are performed in the stunning Buxton Opera House and a series of concerts, recitals and literary talks take place in venues around the town.

Sat 15 & Sun 16 September

ART & ARCHITECTURE TRAIL – Art to enjoy, intrigue or take home. 150 Artists in 70 venues throughout the historic heart of Melbourne. Live music, great food and family activities. A great day for all the family!

Friday 7 September to Sunday 7 October LIVE PERFORMANCES - Music, theatre, comedy.

THE 50TH STAINSBY FESTIVAL BRUNT’S FIELD, STAINSBY,

DERBYSHIRE WOODLAND FESTIVAL ELVASTON CASTLE COUNTRY PARK DE72 3EP

Friday 20 to Sunday 22 July

A celebration of contemporary and traditional woodland crafts, watch experts or have a go yourself. Set within the historic grounds of Elvaston Castle enjoy a wonderful day out with lots of activities for children, bespoke gifts, furniture, woodcarving, plants, delicious food and many interesting stalls. Discover the secrets of fire lighting, chairmaking, the Green Man and so much more. Special event parking charges apply.

www.derbyshire.gov.uk/woodlandfestival countrysideservice@derbyshire.gov.uk 01629 533870

CHESTERFIELD S44 5RN www.stainsbyfestival.org.uk info@stainsbyfestival.org.uk 01246 851337 Stainsby is a well-established, intimate, family friendly music festival, now in its 50th year. Chill out by day with superb views across to Hardwick Hall. Live it up by night at the late, late sessions. What more could you want?

SWADLINCOTE ART & ARCHITECTURE TRAIL HIGH STREET, SWADLINCOTE, DE11 8HS www.facebook.com/swadlincotearts swadlincotearts@gmail.com 07734 847225

Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 July 10am - 4pm

A new and exciting Art & Architecture Trail hosting a variety of artists within businesses and historic buildings.

Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 September 10am - 5pm

DERBY FESTE

LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT CIT Y CENTRE www.derbyfeste.com 01332 643411

Thursday 27, Friday 28 & Saturday 29 September

Derby Feste returns, bigger, bolder and brighter than ever before. With events for all the family to enjoy, make sure you put it in your diary 27, 28 & 29 September 2018. See website for updates.

NEW MILLS FESTIVAL FRINGE DERBY FOLK FESTIVAL NEW MILLS, HIGH PEAK DERBYSHIRE SK22 4AA LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT CIT Y CENTRE www.derbyfolkfestival.co.uk admin@derbyfolkfestival.co.uk Box Office: 01332 255800 www.derbylive.co.uk

www.newmillsfestival.co.uk info@newmillsfestival.co.uk 07753 842861

Thurs 4 to Sun 7 October

Friday 14 to Sunday 30 September

Two magical weeks of talks, walks, music, exhibitions, trails, quizzes, performances and much, much more...

Derby’s sell-out Folk Festival is set to take over the city again in 2018 with a fantastic line-up of performers. Events will take place in the City Marquee on the Market Place, in the Guildhall Theatre, The Old Bell Hotel and Derby Cathedral throughout the weekend.

WIRKSWORTH FESTIVAL WIRKSWORTH, DERBYSHIRE DALES DE4 4DP

DISCOVERY DAYS

www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk admin@wirksworthfestival.co.uk 01629 824003

Fri 7 to Sun 23 September In the heart of the Derbyshire Dales, this well-established rural arts festival showcases quality contemporary art alongside an inspiring programme of performance events. The Festival opens with a hugely popular Art & Architecture Trail weekend.

DERWENT VALLEY MILLS WORLD HERITAGE SITE www.derwentvalleymills.org/discovery-days info@derwentvalleymills.org 01629 536831

Saturday 27 October to Sunday 4 November

See the valley and its story brought to life with nearly 200 events across nine days – including walks, talks, workshops, open buildings and exhibitions.

www.artsderbyshire.org.uk/festivals

Cromford Studio and Gallery

Featured artist in March

Helen Hallows

Landscapes in paint, collage and stitch inspired by nature and memories Open: 10am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday Market Place, Cromford, DE4 3QE 01629 826434

DERWENT GALLERY Chasing the Clouds by Richard Barrett

Landscapes in the wild

Edges and moorlands by Richard Barrett, Gavin Buxton and Pauline Rignall Open Thursday-Saturday 11am-4pm and Sunday 1pm-4pm

Main Road, Grindleford, S32 2JN Tel 01433 630458 www.derwentgallery.com

Church Farm Art Gallery CHURCH STREET, BASLOW, NR BAKEWELL

A tiny gallery packed with work featuring flora, fauna, landscapes and seascapes We also offer a framing service with a wide choice of mounts and mouldings OPEN THURSDAY-SATURDAY 10.30AM-5PM WHEN CLOSED RING THE BELL TEL: 01246 582334

www.churchfarmgallery.co.uk 34

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Why not join our growing band of subscribers and have the magazine delivered to your door? To subscribe for all ten issues simply send your name and the address where you would like artsbeat delivered (Mainland UK only) to: The Editor, artsbeat, 19 Nottingham Road, Belper, Derbyshire. DE56 1JG enclosing a cheque for £14.00 payable to A Penman.

The little magazine with a big audience

artsbeat March 2018

cinema

Find out where movies are being screened near you An underwater Beauty and the Beast fable

he Shape of Water (15) – a fantasy drama directed by Guillermo del Toro – is set in Baltimore in 1962 and tells the story of the relationship between a mute worker at a high-security government laboratory and the captured humanoid-amphibian creature she befriends. Many critics have declared it del Toro’s best film since Pan’s Labyrinth.The film stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer.

Cinema

Bakewell and Ashfield Film Society Medway Centre, Bakewell, 7.30pm on the second Sunday of the month. More details at bashfilms.org.uk Assembly Rooms Theatre, Bakewell Town Hall, Film Friday every fortnight. Go to bakewelltownhall.co.uk for details. Belper Ritz, King Street, Belper Full monthly programme. Top films, silver screen, Ritz Recommends and dementia-friendly screenings. Go to ritz-belper.co.uk. Buxton Cinema, Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton All the latest blockbusters and live screenings. For tickets go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk artsbeat March 2018

Elisa Esposito (Hawkins), who communicates through sign language, works as a janitor at a secret government laboratory during the Cold War. The facility receives a creature in a tank, which has been captured from a South American river. Elisa discovers that the creature is a humanoid

amphibian ( Jones) and begins visiting the creature in secret, forming a close bond. The film can be seen at Buxton Cinema from March 9-15. Scan the QR code for a trailer.

Buxton Film, Pavilion Arts Centre Studio, Buxton Monday evening art house films. Details at buxtonfilm.org.uk Calver Film, The Village Hall, Calver Films every second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. Membership needed, details from 01433 630760. QUAD, Derby Go to derbyquad.co.uk for details The Northern Light Cinema, North End, Wirksworth Go to thenorthernlightcinema.co.uk Parwich Film, Memorial Hall Usually, but not always, on the second Friday of the month. Go to parwich.org for more details. Peak Film Society, Partington Players Theatre, Glossop Films on a Saturday evening usually

twice a month. More details about membership at peakfilmsociety.org Tansley Film Community Cinema, Tansley Village Hall First Tuesday of the month, Seat reservations essential at book@ tansleyfilm.org.uk. More information at tansleyfilm.co.uk Tideswell Cinema, George Inn,Tideswell All films at the George Inn at 7.30pm. Go to tideswellcinema.com for membership details. New Mills Cinema@ SpringBankArts Every second and fourth Thursday at 7.30pm. Go to springbankarts.org.uk Youlgrave Cinema, Youlgrave Village Hall, Holywell Lane Monthly September-May, usually on a Friday at 7.30pm. Go to youlgrave. org.uk for details.

n bookshelf

n The Museum of Lost Art (Phaidon £19.95, out in May)

From the bestselling author of The Art of Forgery (2015), Noah Charney, comes The Museum of Lost Art – a dynamic narrative that tells the fascinating stories of lost (and sometimes found) artworks, spanning centuries and continents. Lost art is a subject of widespread fascination. From the fabled library of Alexandria to the thousands of treasures seized by the Nazis and the ancient structures smashed by ISIS, The Museum of Lost Art, Phaidon’s new publication, provides a stark reminder of the fragility of the world’s treasures.

March 8. It was Shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Assocation’s Debut Dagger Award. Detective Inspector Meg Dalton has recently returned to her Peak District roots to pick up the pieces after a breakdown, when a man’s body is discovered in a cave. The man’s initials and a figure of the Grim Reaper are carved into the cave wall behind his corpse, but bizarrely, the carvings have existed for over one hundred years. The locals talk about a mysterious family curse that started in the times of the witch trials, and Meg finds it increasingly hard to know who to trust. Even her own mother may be implicated. Meg finds her own life at risk as she fights to stop the murderer from killing again.

n The Disappearance of Emile Zola: Love, Literature and the Dreyfus Case By Michael Rosen (Faber & Faber £9.99) n The Devil’s Dice By Roz Watkins (HarperCollins’ HQ £12.99 hardback) Wirksworth author Roz Watkins debut novel is out on

Pronounced guilty of libel and sentenced to a year in prison, novelist Emile Zola went on the run. Zola’s crime had been to defend a wrongly convicted man, in what became known as the Dreyfus Affair. Fleeing the French state with

just hours to spare he ended up living in the suburbs of south London unable to speak a word of English. Michael Rosen brings to life the sleepy world of late Victorian suburbia, Zola’s turbulent politics and his tangled private life. Desperate to write a novel, he was also trying to balance the extremely delicate matter of the two women in his life – one the mother of his children, the other his wife. The Disappearance of Emile Zola is the incredible true story of a writer’s personal bravery in the face of the greatest political scandal of the age.

n The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah By Benjamin Zephaniah (Simon & Schuster, signed edition £20 from Waterstone’s, out in May )

Benjamin Zephaniah, who has travelled the world for his art and his humanitarianism, now tells the one story that encompasses it all: the story of his life. This is a truly extraordinary life story which celebrates the power of poetry and the importance of pushing boundaries with the arts.

Bookshelf is sponsored by Scarthin Books, of Cromford 36

artsbeat March 2018

LAUGHING LADY

Stand-up show explores the life of Admiral Nelson’s mistress Emma

happi Khorsandi’s brilliant new show, Mistress and Misfit, focuses on Emma, Lady Hamilton, who lit up the life of Lord Nelson and added to the gaiety during the Georgian era. The comedian says she has had a ball writing the show: “This show has been the most fun to write. It’s about passion and tragedy. What better things are there to write comedy about?” One of the many reasons Shappi is such a popular comedian is that so much of her material relates to herself, and audiences can instantly identify with that. “I relate Emma’s life to modern women and, like all stand ups, I draw people into the world as I see it, so it’s still a very personal show. “When you’re a stand-up, people have come to see you and share the experience with you. They can read a book about Emma, Lady Hamilton, but the way I tell her story draws people in to my standup, which I hope is why they bought a ticket in the first place!” In Mistress and Misfit, Shappi recounts the largely untold story of England’s unsung heroine. “I was fascinated by Emma. She was really clever and compassionate, and very hard done by. She was also a master of re-invention and a fantastically creative person.” Shappi, goes on to outline artsbeat March 2018

Shappi Khorsandi

some of the similarities between Emma and herself. She says: “We were both artist’s models. She modelled for great artists, I modelled for GCSE students in Tower Hamlets. I have never worked in a brothel, but I have had moments that I would only tell you about on stage or when very drunk. I will be sharing some of those stories in Mistress and Misfit.” The show is full to the brim with wonderfully offbeat facts about Emma, which make for hilarious routines. “I did a lot of research to find quirky things that would work

in stand-up. For instance, I discovered that there was something called the Harris List, which reviewed all the prostitutes in London. It was like a Trip Advisor of its time – for prostitutes. “One in six women in Covent Garden worked as a prostitute. So if you were visiting Covent Garden, you would take along your Harris List to see who tickled your fancy. Crazy.” n You can see Shappi at Buxton Opera House on March 22 at 8pm and on May 4 at the Guildhall Theatre,Derby, at 8pm.

I AM CHARLIE Young artist and curator is mindful of the need to stretch herself

harlie Collins’ ambition is to put a smile on peoples’ faces and make a difference to their day with her artwork. The young artist, who left school in Buxton just last summer, discovered she had a talent for drawing five years ago and hasn’t really put down her pencils and paintbrushes since. So far she has featured on television’s Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year contest and won the Derbyshire County Council Young Artist Award in the 2016 Derbyshire Open competition. She is the founder and curator of the now annual I Am Collective exhibition at the Green Man Gallery in her home town and is currently one of its artists in residence. For 2018 Charlie has also devised her own drawing challenge and every week she will be posting on Facebook a drawing on a Mindfulness theme; by now she will have completed Thought, Senses, Emotions and Well-being among others and we have Habit, Happiness and Harmony to look forward to. “After taking part in the Inkober contest online last year I realised what a great idea drawing challenges were for helping you to be consistent with your work. “I want to make sure I keep drawing and don’t procrastinate too much so it seemed like a good idea.

‘

I discovered challenges are a great idea for being consistent with your work “I also want to encourage other people to join in – my goal is to get other people drawing. If I can do that and put a smile on the faces of people who see my work it will be worthwhile. I want my work to make a difference to people in some way.” Charlie is also determined to give young artists like herself a platform to showcase their work which is why she founded the I Am Collective.

“There wasn’t really anywhere for young people to exhibit their work so I asked the Green Man Gallery if I could give it a go, and it has been a great success. “We staged our third exhibition in November and I was so proud of the comments from visitors. After so much hard work had been put into it by the artists it was great to get the feedback.” On top of the community work Charlie is also trying to forge herself a career as a professional artist and sells her work on an etsy page as well as in the Green Man Gallery and at Cabbage Rose arts and crafts shop in Leek. She is also staging The Little Buxton Art artsbeat March 2018

Birds and animals are a favourite subject for Charlie. Above: Curious and, right, Swift

Above: Award-winning River Garden Girl and, right, Double Bass

Fair at the Green Man Gallery in August. “I decided not to go to university straight after finishing my A Levels as I wanted to see if I could establish myself as an artist first. I decided that as I was already managing to sell work then it was worth trying before heading off to study more,” explained Charlie. artsbeat March 2018

“I have now found a part time job at the new Isla Fine Art Cards and Gifts shop in town and I am just going to enjoy seeing how everything develops this year. The one thing I am going to be is positive,” she said similing in reference to her drawing project. To see more of her work go to charlieannart on etsy.com or to charlieannart@wixsite.com

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have a go

Brush up on your skills - or try something entirely new Lace designer to revolutionise heritage craft

ontemporary lace designer Louise West is about to revolutionise the heritage craft and make it accessible to future generations with the help of digital technology. This month she is launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise the cash to pay for a laser cutter, printer and software to enable her to create ready to work lace designs that do away with the need to prick out the patterns. Louise, who is based at Friar Gate Studios in Derby, first had the idea when working with a laser cutter during her BA course at university 12 years ago but it is only now she has gained the knowledge

Workshops and Courses

Alfreton Life Drawing Classes, Firs House, Firs Gardens, Alfreton n There is no teacher, so you are free to express yourself artistically. Please bring your own materials and equipment. Everyone over 18 is welcome, £7 per session, Thursdays, 7pm-9pm. For further information contact Julie on 07881383282 . Anne Alldread Textiles n Regular felt making workshops in Belper covering a variety of felting techniques, from the basics, to artsbeat March 2018

and experience to realise how it could benefit people worldwide. “Many people struggle with the preparation required to make bobbin lace, either through difficulty with sight or with their hands, or sometimes through lack of time, this project aims to remove this barrier to being able to make lace, by producing the lace patterns ready to work – with creating a beautiful scarf, cushion or wall hanging. Or you can join in at the weekly textile groups on Monday, 2-4pm and Wednesday 10am12.30pm, to try tapestry, weaving, collage, mixed media, printing, design and much more. A small friendly group with an emphasis on enjoyment while creating. For details call 07817745705, email annealldread@yahoo.co.uk or visit annealldread.com Artcore, Charnwood Street, Derby n Art For Life, Wednesdays, 1-3pm. n Our Stories, which aims to bring together people from migrant communities in a series of art-based

markings on card and holes ready pricked,” she said. “The attention to detail on the preparation is crucial for good lace, and this takes the effort out of that process. I have seen the problems that students face in struggling with the preparation, when all they want to do is get on and make lace.” She explained that the ready to go prickings would initially be from her own published designs, but ultimately she would offer the service to other designers, and lacemakers’ own patterns. “Lacemaking is a heritage craft and by using technology I hope to engage more younger people into the craft, prolong the participation of existing lacemakers, and help to ensure the craft survives for future generations.” To back Louise’s project go to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ digital-lace-patterns workshops, every Tuesday from 10am-12pm. For details email info@ artcoreuk.com or call 01332 384561. Bakewell Life Drawing Classes Friends Meeting House, Church Lane, Bakewell n Classes every week to term end on April 4, 2018, Wednesdays 1.30pm-4.30pm. All ability levels. Angus Stokes tutors with help and advice if requested. Drop in £15 for three-hour session or discount for prepaid term payment. Male and female models. Short and long poses. Occasional character clothed model. Cartridge paper and drawing materials available. Easels welcome.

BOBBIN LACE MAKING

one-day workshops and weekly evening classes 6 Friar Gate Studios, Ford Street, Derby Telephone 01332 742533 or visit the website for more details

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Anne Alldread

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n have a go Email: angus@angusstokes. com Facebook : facebook.com/ angusstokesartist Bakewell Community Arts Workshops, Medway Centre n Crafternoons – Third Friday of the month, during term time, 1pm–3pm. For further details call the Medway Centre on 01629 813638. Creartii Art Studio, 17 Green Lane, Belper n Various workshops, after school clubs and courses available throughout the week. n Mother’s Day Card and Gift, family art morning with Duncan Pass and Rachael Wayne, March 3, 10am-noon. n Helen Hallows Spring Sketchbook Workshop, March 7, 10am-3pm. Go to creartii.co.uk for detail. . 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. Call 01629 826434 for more details. Cromford Mill, Cromford n Arkwright Spinsters demonstrating spinning and other crafts, third Sunday of every month, 11-4pm. n Knit and Natter, second Wednesday of every month, 10amnoon. Details at cromfordmills.org.uk Derbyshire Adult Education, derbyshire.gov.uk/coursesearch n Various courses available at different venues including the Derbyshire Eco Centre, near Wirksworth and Sharp’s Pottery at Swadlincote as well as libraries and other centres. To book a place call 01629 533290, email swadlincote.ace@derbyshire. gov.uk or go to the website link, keyword ‘masterclass’. Glossop Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild, Glossop Cricket Club, SK13 7AS n Meetings are last Wednesday of the month, 1pm to 3pm. March 28, A Coastal Perspective – artsbeat March 2018

the speaker is Alice Fox. Go to glossopstitchedup.blogspot. co.uk for details. Green Man Gallery, Hardwick Hall, Buxton n Life drawing, a weekly session for artists at any stage with a professional life model, Tuesdays, 7pm-9pm. Contact Curtis Bollington 07880 535615. Over 16s only. n Adult Dance Classes: For information or to book, call Catherine Farrimond, on 01298 70984. n Every day: 6x4: Inspired by Landscape. Drop-in and join this fundraising attempt. The aim is to exhibit 5,000 original postcard-sized art works (6” by 4”) Entries can also be sent by post. Cost: £1 per entry. n Every Tuesday in term time – Changing Faces with Funny Wonders. A weekly creative session for young people (11 to 18) with community arts company, Funny Wonders. More information at www. funnywonders.org.uk or email hello@funnywonders.org.uk. For further information and booking for other courses contact hello@ thegreenmangallery.com or 01298 937375 unless otherwise stated. Green Door Printmaking Studio, Banks Mill, Derby n Screen printing with Monotype, April 14, 11am-4pm.. n Woodcut, April 14, 11am-4pm. For more details and to book online, visit: greendoor-printmaking.co.uk or call 07919 823 097. Helen Jagger, sustainable textile design n Drop-in sessions at St Ann’s Catholic Rooms, Buxton, Fridays, 9.15am-11.45pm. n Buxton Campus, Buxton, Tuesday evenings in term time, 7pm-9pm. Contact the college on 08000 740099 to book. Guidance with a range of sewing projects. Go to helenjagger.co.uk for more details. Karina Goodman, Hippity Hop Holiday Art Club

n An art club for children and families during the school holidays at Tansley Village Hall. Places will be limited so email karinagoodman@ icloud.com to book. Go to hippityhopillustration.co.uk for more details. Leabrooks Artists Forum, Leabrooks Arts Complex, Somercotes DE55 4HB n Artists sharing information, ideas and enterprise. The meetings take place on the first Saturday of every month from 10.30am-1pm. Beverages and cake cost £3.50, if required; everything else is free. Painters, sculptors and potters who have experience of exhibiting are invited to join the group. Go to leabrooksartscomplex.com for more details. Louise West Lace Design 6 Friar Gate Studios, Ford Street, Derby n Evening classes in bobbin lace making, Tuesdays 6-8pm. n One-day workshops for a maximum of ten students, £30. The next courses are on March 3 and 21; April 11 and May 5. There is also a two-day weekend course for Bedfordshire lace on March 31 and April 1. Go to louisewestlacedesign. co.uk for booking details. Little London Gallery, Holloway n Develop your studio practice and techniques with Chris Tkacz, at his Little London Gallery studio in Holloway near Matlock. Contact Chris Tkacz by email at info@littlelondongallery.co.uk or telephone 01629 534825 for more details. 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-noon. Everyone welcome, £5 to include light refreshments. For details contact Doreen Andrews 01629 824640. n At the same venue, on the second Thursday of every month, the society invites all keen to paint/

n have a go draw in a happy, relaxed group to go along. This is a self-help group with no tutor, 9.30am-noon. For details 01629 584708. The Old House Studio, Woodhead Road, Torside, Glossop n Art courses in the Peak District. Top UK Artists including Carol Hill, and Tim Fisher, and a variety of media. Workshops, which are enjoyable and interactive, for all abilities. Small classes maximum ten students. Two-course lunch provided. B&B accommodation available. In March Amy Jones will be tutoring in watercolour landscape and pastel animals. For more details visit pennine-art.uk Tel: 01457 857527, email: info@pennine-art.uk Pam Smart, Art Workshops in the Studio with a View, Buxton n A full day workshop from 10am-4pm with materials and refreshments. n Giant Fruit – large scale drawing with oil pastels, March 15. n Seam Gems – collages with acrylics, brusho, stencilling and more, April 19. For more details go to pamsmart. co.uk Pitchblue Creative, Coldwell Street, Wirksworth n Paper Making weekend, March 2 and 3, 10am-3.30pm. n Still Life Collage, Drawing with Scissors, March 16 and 17, 10am3.30pm. n Finish Off Friday March 30, 10am-3.30pm.Full day workshops from 10am-3.30pm with lunch and a half day is until 1pm. You can choose one day or two. Go to pitchbluecreative.com for details. Pauline Townsend Silk Painter n Workshops for beginners and improvers in Buxton. Workshop schedule available on the website: silkpainter.co.uk Purple and Grey – courses for emerging artists n Purple and Grey Derbyshire

Art Group meet on selected Wednesdays of each month 10.30am-12.30pm, at Tansley Village Hall, new members always welcome. Next up are March 7 and 21 and April 18. The next networking event is March 14, 10.30am-12.30pm at Deda, Chapel Street, Derby. The next workshop at Tansley is Drama in Watercolour Landscapes with Bill Lupton on April 11. Go to purpleandgrey.co.uk for details. Small Print Company, 2-3 Friary Street, Derby n Print a Poster Mini Sessions, March 3, 12-4pm. Details of various courses at smallprintcompany.co.uk StraightCurves, 104 Saltergate, Chesterfield n A range of arts and crafts workshops and courses for all ages and abilities from accessible studios in Chesterfield. There are also regular events see details below. Book online at straightcurves.co.uk 01246 807575 info@straightcurves.co.uk n Woolly Wednesdays – every Wednesday, 10am-12.30pm and 6.30pm-9pm. All arts and crafts are welcome at this session. n Little Creatives – every Friday and Monday 9.45-11am. Little Creatives is a workshop designed especially for pre-school children and their parents. n Book Club – 7-8pm on the third Thursday of the month, refreshments included. The Studios, New Mills n Intro to Linocut Printmaking. Create a two colour lino print with Lucy Gell. April 22, 10am-4pm. Go to thestudios.co for more details. St John Street, Gallery, Ashbourne n March 5-7, Lewis Noble Sketching and Painting workshop. n March 8, Wendy Darker ‘Boxing Hares’ workshop. n March 12, Ruth Gray ‘Street Scenes Simplified’ workshop. n March 19, Sue Prince Egg

Tempera Folk Art workshop. n March 26, Liz Wellby Monoprinting workshop. n March 28, Maggie Robinson ‘Experiment with Landscape Colour’ workshop. Read more about Maggie’s work on page 25. To book, phone 01335 347425 or email enquiries@ stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk. More details can be found on the gallery website: stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk Parkwood Throwing Courses, Parkwood Centre, Alfreton Park, Alfreton n Eight week throwing courses Thursday evenings from 7-9pm; three hour taster sessions from 6-9om and weekend throwing courses, Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm. Go to parkwoodthrowingcourses.co.uk for details. Allison Turner Designs, 26 Derby Road, Long Eaton n Make a Powertex Angel, March 10, 10am-4pm. n Glass Coaster Workshop, March 17, 10am-1pm. For more details go to allisonturnerdesigns.co.uk West Studios, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield n Tutored Life Drawing Class by Wallspace Visual Arts, held the first Tuesday of the month. Contact John King on john@wallspacevisualarts. co.uk or phone 07795 804793. n Ceramics Workshop:Intro: working with clay, six-week course. Start Thursday, April 12, 1pm-4pm n Advanced Ceramic Techniques. six-week course. Starts Monday April 9, 6pm-9pm. n Printmaking Skills: Intro to Print: Collagraph and Lino, five-week course. Starts Thursday, April 12, 6pm-9pm. n Intermediate Lino, Collagraph and Mono. five-week course.Starts Thursday, February 22, 6pm-9pm. Go to weststudios.co.uk for details. artsbeat March 2018

stage

Catch the best performances across the area this month New adaptation of classic tale of love and loss

reative Cow, the team who delighted audiences with Travels with my Aunt and Our Man in Havana, are back at Buxton Opera House with a powerful new stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic Great Expectations. Peopled by some of Dickens’ most colourful and memorable characters and painted in rich, vivid colours across a vast landscape of people and locations, this stunning new version promises a powerful and theatrical telling of Dickens’ universally loved masterpiece.

Theatre

Buxton Opera House, Buxton and Pavilion Arts Centre n Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, February 27-March 3, 7.30pm with matinees at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday. n The Little Matchgirl and other Happier Tales, March 6-10. n Julius Caesar, National Theatre Live, March 23, 87pm. n Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs 2: The Magic Cutlass, March 27-29. n Great Expectations, April 3-7. For more details go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Derby Theatre, Derby n Two by Jim Cartwright, March artsbeat March 2018

Great Expectations by Creative Cow is at Buxton Opera House in April

Olivier Award-winning actress, Nichola McAuliffe, leads the cast as the iconic Miss Havisham. Nichola is best known for her role in the long running TV series, Surgical Spirit, the films Tomorrow Never Dies and Chéri and

her many stage appearances including Kiss Me Kate for the RSC, The Night of the Iguana in the West End and Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van. The play can be seen from April 3-7. For tickets go to buxtonoperhouse.org.uk

2-24. See more on page 55. n Little Mermaid, The Circus Sensation, March 29-31. n An Audience with Martin Kemp talking about his life and career, March 11, 7.30pm. n Historian Dr Lucy Worsley: Jane Austen at Home, March 18, 7.30pm. Go to derbytheatre.co.uk for tickets.

For tickets go to belperarts.org or the Oxfam Books and Music shop, King Street, Belper.

Belper Arts Festival, Nell Gwynn, Strutts Centre, Belper Tickets are now on sale for the showcase theatre event of the Belper Arts Festival this May. Belper Captive Audience Theatre Company is presenting the unmissable musical adaptation of Jessica Swale’s award-winning, hilarious, West End musical hit, Nell Gwynn May 17-19.

Derby Theatre Studio n Scratch That Itch, hosted by Derby Theatre and In Good Company, March 3, 7pm. A scratch night for artists to try out new ideas in front of an audience. n Up ‘n’ Under, by John Godber, presented by Fingersmiths in co-production with The New Wolsey Theatre, March 9 and 10. n Open Mic, brand new studio open mic nights are for all performers and all styles – music, poetry or comedy, March 14, 7pm. n Post – a new show by Xavier de Sousa which challenges our idea of a national identity, March 16, 8pm.

n stage A comedy with teeth by Palin MICHAEL Palin’s first stage play The Weekend, described as a comedy with teeth, will be the next production by The Marlowe Players who are celebrating their 70th year. Martin Illston plays the lead character Stephen Febble, a role taken by Richard Wilson in the West End in 1994 and Palin himself last year when the play was turned into a BBC Radio 4 drama. But Martin will not be playing the part like Victor Meldrew. “It’s a mixture of Meldrew-type delivery, Basil Fawlty humour and Reggie Perrin soliloquies when

The cast of Marlowe Players’ The Weekend

Stephen is fed up with life,” he said. The production calls for a dog which will be played by the director Janet Townes’ 18-month-old rescue dog

Tinker. The Weekend is at Darley Abbey Village Hall from March 20-24. For tickets go to Marloweplayers.co.uk or call 07961 607372.

artsbeat March 2018

n stage n Finding Nana,an autobiographical play by award-winning Jane Upton, March 24, 8pm. More details at derbytheatre.co.uk Guildhall Theatre, Derby n The Tempest, Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company, March 6-10. More details on page 58. n The Who’s Tommy, by the Gatepost Theatre Company, March 14-17. n Princess Ida, by the Rose Hill Musical Society, March 20-24. n You’ve Got Dragons, by the Talking Flight Theatre Company. Based on the book by Kathryn Cave. A family show, March 28. For details go to derbylive.co.uk Live and Local, various locations n Anonymous Is A Woman, by Think of England, Great Longstone Village Hall, March 1, 7.30pm. For tickets telephone 01629 6409434. n Pentabus Theatre, Here I Belong, For more details please see right. n The Window by Albany Theatre, a compelling and beautifully constructed First World War drama, March 29, 7.30pm, Heanor Baptist Church, for tickets telephone 01773 718676. Locko Amateur Dramatic Society, Spondon Village Hall, Sitwell Street, Spondon Straight and Narrow, a comedy straight from the heart by Jimmie Chin, April 25-28, 7.30pm. For tickets email tickets@

Six score years of village life FOCUSING on the life of one woman, Here I Belong explores the changing nature of English village life over a 60 year period. Elsie has lived in the village most of her life; it’s where her daughters grew up, her theladsdrama.co.uk or telephone 07746968582

Spoken word

Buxton Opera House, Buxton n Robert Jebb and Jon Morgan, a fell runner and climber talking about

bar, serving a limited edition specially brewed beer – Dramatic Duck. Some audience members can also book exclusive on-stage DERBY Theatre and awardExperience Seats so they can winning Derby brewery be immersed in the production Dancing Duck have joined and get up close and personal forces to transform the stage with the actors. and auditorium into a pub for The show, which has just the theatre’s production of Jim two actors playing 14 parts, Cartwright’s comedy Two. is being staged from March During the interval the stage 2-24. For tickets go to set will transform into a public derbytheatre.co.uk

husband died, and it’s where she’s going to stay, come what may. Staged cabaret style, the action happens all around the audience. Here I Belong, by Pentabus Theatre Company, is a Live and Local show at Crich Glebe Field Centre on March 17 at 7.30pm. For tickets telephone 01773 853260. their adventures, March 7, 7.30pm. n An Evening with survival expert and TV presenter Ant Middleton, March 12, 7.30pm.For tickets go to buxtonfestival.co.uk Derby Poetry Society Jo Abbot reads from her new, prize-winning collection Infinite Knot,

Enjoy a dramatic pint on stage

artsbeat March 2018

Sean McKenzie one of the actors in Two at Derby Theatre

n stage Local children join society for spring show LONG Eaton Operatic Society is bringing the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Whistle down the Wind, to the town in April. Three children have lost their mother and they and their father are struggling with grief and poverty. One day, the children find a stranger hiding in their barn. One of them 15-yearold Swallow seizes on the idea that he is Jesus and the rumour quickly spreads among the town’s children. Meanwhile, the adults are on the lookout for a convict on the run – could he be the man in the barn? Andrew Lloyd Webber’s March 9. Monthly meetings on the second Friday of the month. Room 3, Friends’ Meeting House, Derby, 7.30pm. Contact Gina Clarke on 01773 825215 for details. Green Man Gallery, Buxton Beowulf’s Boxer Shorts – Poetry presentation, March 24, 1,000 years of English poetry stripped to its rhythmic essentials, presented by Michael Gibson. Tickets £7.50 (includes a glass of wine, soft or hot drink). Book in person at the gallery or phone 01298 937375. Guildhall Theatre, Derby An evening with Leigh Timmis, the around the world cyclist and adventurer, March 1, 7.30pm. For tickets go to derbylive.co.uk Matlock Storytelling Cafe, Imperial Rooms Matlock A Spell in Time telling The Bear’s Son, March 2 at 7.30pm.Beyond nine

emotive score combines hauntingly beautiful love songs and explosive rock music with lyrics by acclaimed rock’n’roll songwriter Jim Steinman. Songs include No Matter What, famously sung by Boyzone, The Vaults of green forests, in the borderlands between the wild and the civilised, lies a world of man-bears, deerwomen and dog-headed people. It’s a magical and sometimes savage tale of transformation that comes from Bulgarian myth and folklore. Interweaving storytelling, ritual and evocative music, A Spell In Time conjures the half-remembered world of the dreamtime when humans and animals shared the same pathways but began to take a different journey home.Doors open at 6.30pm with stories at 7.30pm. More details at matlockstorytellingcafe.co.uk Scarthin Books, Cromford Jon McGregor reading and book signing, Saturday April 21, 2pm 4pm. Jon McGregor will be reading from his latest novel Reservoir 13 with an atmospheric musical accompaniment (bring a smart phone if you have one). This is a free event, it is

Heaven and the title song, Whistle down the Wind. The show, which features 13 local children, is on at Trent College, from April 10-14 at 7.30pm plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets from 01332 874352 or longeatonoperatic.com advised to arrive early to secure a place for the reading. Find out more at www.scarthinbooks.com Scrivener’s Bookshop, Buxton n Book Club, first Wednesday of every month 7-8pm. Everyone welcome. Call 01298 73100 for information. n Storytelling Sundays: the free meetings will be held on the second Sunday of the month 2pm-3.30pm, at Scrivener’s Books, 42 High Street, Buxton.Telephone 0129871622.

Dance

Buxton Opera House, Buxton n The Performance Academy from New Mills with You Should Be Dancing, March 11, 6.30pm. n Motionhouse presents Charge, a new multi-media show about energy, March 16, 7.30pm. More details at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk artsbeat March 2018

n stage Déda, Chapel Street, Derby n Interface 18, March 9, 7.30pm. Presenting exceptionally high quality youth dance and choreography from across Derby and Derbyshire, the event will see a panel of danceindustry experts put groups forward to One Dance UK, which will choose one group to progress to the U.Dance 2018 national youth dance festival, hosted in Suffolk. n Alula Cyr, Hyena, March 3, 7.30pm. See more information right. n Night at the Theatre presented by Casson and Friends, March 24, 11am, a show combining a mixture of dance theatre, audio-description and imaginative storytelling, an accessible performance for everyone. More details at deda.uk.com

Comedy

Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton n Buxton Buzz Comedy Club, March 2, 8pm PAC. n Ed Byrne, Spoiler Alert, March 4, 8pm. n Tom Allen, Absolutely, March 13, 8pm. Read more about this in Arena on page 19. n Shappi Khorsandi, Mistress and Misfit – presenting England’s unsung heroine Emma Hamilton, March 22, 8pm. n Jasper Carrott’s Stand Up and

Debut show for female Cyr troupe HYENA is the debut show of the UK’s first female Cyr troupe – Alula. The boisterous and wild show is a whirlwind of women, wheels, acrobatics and song – a synchronised display of sisterhood, strength and power. Fiona, Jess and Lil trained in gymnastics, dance and music before studying together for three years at the National Centre for Circus Arts in London and graduated in 2015 with a combined mission to bring more female-centric circus to the UK. Alula Cyr will be performing Hyena at Derby’s dance Rock, March 26, 7.30pm. More information at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Derby Theatre John Robins: The Darkness of Robins, March 26, 8pm. Go to derbytheatre.co.uk for tickets. Derby Arena, Derby Comedy superstar John Bishop is back with his new show, Winging It, March 17 and 18.Go to derbylive. co.uk for tickets.

Company to explore if there really is a brave new world on the horizon. They are bringing Shakespeare’s last play to the Guildhall Theatre, Derby, IF YOU had the chance to from March 6-10 at 7.30pm. enact revenge would you take This new interpretation, which it whatever the cost? is gripping and highly visual, The Tempest is a play of might challenge or delight illusion, loss and redemption, you, but will certainly entertain told with passion and humour, you. The play is being and is one man’s rage at the directed by Tim Heywood. wrongs of the world. Join For tickets go to derbylive. Derby Shakespeare Theatre co.uk

centre Déda on March 3 at 7.30pm. For tickets go to deda.uk.com Funhouse Comedy Club n The Old Bell, Derby, March 30, Marki Simmons, Mandy Muden and Jonny Lennard, with Barry Dodds. n Blessington Carriage, Derby, March 5, Simon Lomas, Edy Hurst, Freddie Farrell, Jamie Hutchinson and Martin Bearne. March 26, Erich McElroy, Demitris Deech, Nik Hill, Kathryn Mather, Morgan Rees and Daisy Earl. Book tickets for all shows at funhousecomedyclub.co.uk

Derby’s new take on The Tempest

artsbeat March 2018

Rehearsing The Tempest

CREATING SPACE

Painter Pam Smart invites artsbeat readers into her airy new studio

fter more than two decades devoting her creative energies to young pupils in her art classes teacher Pam Smart has finally decided to dedicate more time to develop her own art work. To do so she has quite literally taken the plunge, by digging down beneath her home on the edge of Buxton, to create a bright, spacious studio with bi-fold doors opening onto the garden and a spectacular view. It is here that she will be putting her 23 years of teaching experience to good

use with regular workshops and classes – it’s worth signing up for one just to be able to step down from the kitchen into the studio and experience the wow factor for yourself. “It really is a great place to work and I couldn’t be happier than when I am down here,” said Pam grinning from ear to ear. “I am so pleased to be able to have my own space to paint and not have to compete with the rest of the family for the kitchen table any longer, and it means I have plenty of room to fit people in on the courses.” Pam studied Graphic Design

at Manchester Metropolitan University and started working as a designer for John Lewis in London, but then decided to train as a specialist teacher of Art and Design. “I have been drawing, painting and making things since I was very young. I have been doing art all through my life, but it was always for someone else whether it was John Lewis or the students but now I am doing it for myself. I have always been drawn to the vibrant colours which can be found in things such as flowers and fruit, and butterflies and beetles. I especially love artsbeat March 2018

gardens and parks and one of my favourite places is the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton.” Last summer while she was drawing in the gardens Pam was spotted by the production manager from Buxton Opera House who liked the artist’s work so much that Pam was then commissioned to produce a series of paintings to be used for the venue’s merchandise. “It was definitely a case of being in the right place at the right time and the whole project has been a great experience, and a lovely way to launch my new life as an artist,” explained Pam. artsbeat March 2018

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I have always been drawn to the vibrant colours of flowers, fruit and butterflies Not only that but her entry for the Buxton Spa Prize in 2017 was awarded a Buxton International Festival award, was highly commended and was also voted runner-up for the People’s Choice Award. This year she already has a few exhibitions of her work lined up. The first for six

weeks starting in April is at a new fine art gift shop with a gallery space – Isla in Buxton’s Colonnade – and she is at Cromford Studio and Gallery in September. Having just been accepted as a member of the Peak District Artisans she will definitely be at the Great Dome Art Fair in July. Pam will also be opening up her studio for the Derbyshire Open Arts weekend at the end of May when she will be joined by mixed media jewellery designer Yuka Jourdain. n Go to pamsmart.co.uk for more details.

REALLY WILDE

80s pop star Kim Wilde brings her new show to Buxton in April What can people expect from your new show? There are seven of us rocking out on stage tearing through my greatest hits and introducing several of the tracks from the new Here Come The Aliens album. I also have a 12-strong entourage making sure we look as good as we sound. Here Come The Aliens is out this month. What’s the story behind that title? Eighties Pop Star has Close Encounter in Back Garden! Yes, it’s true, something very unusual happened in my garden in 2009, and has in many ways inspired the new album, not least of course with the amazing artwork by my niece Scarlet. You’ve worked with your brother Ricky again on the new album. How has that relationship changed over the years? Ricky and I share the same passion and excitement for pop music, we grew up together with the same influences, we speak the same language when it comes to all things musical. Initially Ricky started writing on his own – and then with my dad, Marty Wilde, with hits such as Kids in America, Cambodia and Chequered Love. Soon after I began song writing with Ricky, which continues to this day. Family occasions often end up with someone grabbing a guitar or playing piano; it’s hard to leave work behind when you love music so much.

The album is a celebration of pop music. How and why did you come up with that concept? And what is it about pop music that you love? I grew up in the 60s and fell in love with the amazing music that filled that decade; the Beatles of course, but also growing up listening to my dad writing songs on his guitar. Dad had an amazing vinyl collection, and Ricky and I heard everything from Tchaikovsky to Elvis, Frank Sinatra to Mike Oldfield. Pop music had always been at the heart of our family life, always playing in the house with new albums arriving weekly for Ricky and I to absorb. Our love affair with pop music continues to this day, stronger than ever in fact. This album happened subconsciously. Before we knew it all our influences came together in a perfect storm and Here Come The Aliens is the result.

Which songs on the new album are you most excited for people to hear? There are 12 songs which were chosen from many written for this album, and each have their place and reason for making it to the last 12. Of course I am excited to hear how it is to be received and hope the singles inspire people to buy the album, it was made with a lot of love and supernatural energy. How is the music industry different now compared to when you released Kids In America? The music industry is transformed from the Kids in America days of only vinyl, no mobiles, no internet, in ways I could never have imagined. Music however, still has passion at the heart of the very best examples, and that will never change. If you could go back in time what advice would you give to your younger self ? I’d say not to worry so much, I did a lot of that in my 20s. There’s a rumoured lost album from the late 1990s. Will Kim Wilde fans ever get to hear some of the music from it? Never say never! What current music are you enjoying at the moment? Frida Sundemo, Slaves, Daft Punk and Lawnmower Deth. n Kim Wilde: Here Come

the Aliens Tour will be at Buxton Opera House on April 20. For tickets go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk artsbeat March 2018

music

artsbeat’s essential guide to Derbyshire’s best live tunes DaleDiva sing for Crich charity fundraiser

erbyshire’s leading female four-part close harmony choir, DaleDiva, is performing in Crich to help raise funds for DayCare at the Glebe. With a repertoire ranging from pop to choral, folk to rock, and everything in between, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Founded and directed by Ally Law, this vibrant, entertaining and vivacious group of women hits the mark with audiences through their infectious joy of singing and sense of fun. From pop to classical, folk to rock, and anything in between, DaleDiva is renowned for sharing their love of singing anytime, anyplace, anywhere. The chorus, which is

Rock and Pop

Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton n 20th Century Boy, the musical based on the life of Marc Bolan, March 19-21, 7.30pm. n Take That Experience, March 18, 7.30pm. n Hello Again, the story of Neil Diamond, March 30, 7.30pm. n Judy and Liza, March 31, 7.30pm. Details at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Chameleon Arts Cafe, Nottingham Nottingham Hospitals Charity and Lincolnshire-based Charity Sophie’s artsbeat March 2018

Dale Diva in full voice

comprised of a mixture of ages, occupations and singing experience, rehearses every week to ensure a polished and professional performance. Sharing its common goal of singing and entertaining is something that makes DaleDiva very special. By the end of an evening with the chorus, you really get a sense of how much they enjoy

singing together, and the fun they have. Their personalities shine through, led by their highly entertaining and charismatic musical director. The Crich show is on at the Glebe Field Centre, March 3 at 7.30pm. For tickets call 01773 853260, email david@joylane. org.uk or go to ticketsource. co.uk/date/383839.

Journey are collaborating on March 25, 4pm-11pm, to stage a live music gig to raise money for the Children’s Cancer and neuroscience wards at the city’s hospital.The event is a fusion of young up-and-coming talent from the East Midlands with Gareth Icke, Jake Burns, Katie Cooper, Paris Alexander, Tori Sheard, Warren Ireland, Ben Smith, Luke Broughton, Caroline McLavy and singer songwriter Adiescar. More information at facebook. com/events/391986031218981/ Fishpond, Matlock Bath Spin The Chilli with DJ Su-ki, a benefit gig for girls and women

in West Bengal who have been trafficked, March 17, 7.30-11-30pm. There will be Bollywood dance performances and dancing until late with sounds from around the world. Tickets £7.50 from Wirksworth Framing or on the door. For further information contact Sue on 07818405766. Guildhall Theatre, Derby The Bootleg Shadows, March 29. For tickets to go derbylive.co.uk Queen’s Head, Belper Brook Williams, March 3. For more details go to queensheadbelper. weebly.com

n music The Venue, Derby The Smyths, Unite and Take Over, The best of the Smiths and Morrissey, March 9. More details from livemusicderby.co.uk The Winding Wheel, Chesterfield The Kast Off Kinks tribute band, March 2, 7.30pm. The Pomegranate Chesterfield Teddy the musical, more details on page 57.

Folk and Jazz

Alstonefield Village Hall, Alstonefield Robinson and Rohe, March 24, 8pm, see more details on the right. Tickets online at WeGotTickets, call 01335 310322 or email hopedalemusic@ btinternet.com Belper Folk Club, 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 Buxton Opera House, Buxton Levellers Acoustic, March 13, 7.30pm. For details go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Chesterfield Jazz Club, Chester Street, Chesterfield Chris Gumbley, Wendy Kirkland and Pat Sprakes, March 15. More details at chesterfieldjazz.wordpress.com Derby Jazz, various Derby venues n Dan Martin and Dan Johnson. A special concert with two of Derby’s premier jazz guitarists, March 2, 8pm. n Yazz Ahmed, Family Hafla, The Voicebox, March 17. Go to derbyjazz.co.uk for details. Green Man Gallery, Buxton n The Sunday BuskStop, March 18. Free lunchtime gig by local musicians with soup, bread and cake for lunch and excellent company. noon-2pm. Further details from hello@ thegreenmangallery.com Contact hello@thegreenmangallery.

Zielhorst’s love of creating a programme that an audience will enjoy. He likened his approach to that of a Michelin starred chef. DUTCH conductor Frank “You trust that what the chef Zielhorst will make his debut makes is going to be good, concert performance as and that he or she has put Sinfonia Viva’s new Principal a lot of thought into how Conductor at Derby Cathedral and why to combine certain on Wednesday March 14. ingredients and dishes. The concert, entitled Masters “I want the audiences to and Maestros, features a trust me as they would trust tantalizing programme based a Michelin star chef. We are on dances from the ballroom going to bring Michelin-starand theatre stage to the pub quality programmes to Derby and village hall. and East Midlands.” Mr Zielhorst said the concert He is relishing the opportunity programme was full of make his debut at Derby energy and contrast – taking Cathedral in his new role. the audience on a musical Tickets are available journey. from ticketsource.co.uk/ Masters and Maestros reflects date/390486.

Conductor to make his debut

com or 01298 937375 for tickets and more information. Sir William Hotel, Grindleford Open mic/acoustic music night, 8.30pm, normally last Friday in the month. See Sir William Open Mic Night facebook page for details about the next event. Guildhall Theatre, Derby n Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys are appearing on March 3, from 8pm. Expect to hear haunting harmonies, soaring tunes and melodies, charming anecdotes and instrumental performances

of the highest calibre, all led by Sam’s unmistakeable vocals. Go to derbylive.co.uk for details. Jake in the Box, Eyam Mechanics Institute, Church Street, Eyam An evening of Music and Mirth – Jake in the Box, The Finch Charmers with catering by Stella’s kitchen – African & Caribbean Cuisine in the Peak District, March 10, 7.30pm. Tickets from burscoughlynn@gmail. com Live & Local, various event at various locations n Minima: Silent Film and Live artsbeat March 2018

n music Double-dose of Americana THERE’S a double-dose of genuine Americana music coming up at Alstonefield Village Hall on March 24. Headlining are US duo Liam Robinson and Jean Rohe. Robinson honed his wideranging skills as an original US cast member of the award-winning play Warhorse, then as musical director of Anaïs Mitchell’s off-Broadway folk opera Hadestown. Meanwhile, Rohe was touring and recording with her band, Jean Rohe and the End of the World, perfecting her honeyed, farranging voice and collecting accolades along the way. The two have known each

other for over a decade, developing a friendship as they pursued their separate careers. Joining the duo for the show is Louisiana-born Kate Ellis, whose timeless music reflects a love of classic singer-songwriters.

Music, The Phantom of the Opera, March 2, 7.30m, Tutbury Village Hall. For tickets telephone 01283 812248. n The Cory Seznec Band, see more details on page 56. n Ninebarrow in Concert, Brailsford and Ednaston Village Institute, March 17, for tickets telephone 01334360387. n Spiltmilk Dance, The Little Love Cabaret, Spring Bank Arts Centre,

New Mills, March 17, 7.30pm, for tickets telephone 01663 308202. n Travelling By Tuba, farewell tour, Doveridge Village Hall, March 23, 7.30pm, for tickets telephone 01889567461. n James Hickman and Dan Cassidy in Concert, Belton Village Hall, March 29, 7.30pm, tickets on 01530222897; The Village Hall, Heage, March 30, telephone 01773

Eleanor returns for album launch

on the Derby music scene before moving to Suffolk a few years ago. She once played with the band Cantaloupe, and also featured on the Furthest From the Sea album – Acoustic Nights at the Bookcafe. Tickets are £6 on the door. Go to Eleanor’s facebook. com/EleanorMarshMusic or her website eleanormarsh. com for further details.

SINGER-SONGWRITER Eleanor Marsh will be playing songs from her debut album Splashes of Colour at the Voicebox in Derby on March 24, at 7.45pm. With a mixture of folk, jazz and classical influenced songs, Eleanor was a regular artsbeat March 2018

Her southern country-folk roots come from her father, who was an important early musical influence – he played guitar with the famous country singer, Hank Williams. Ticket details in the listings on the left. 853358 and Tansley Village Hall, March 31, 7.30pm, tickets 07748 545287.Go to liveandlocal.org.uk for details of times and tickets. The Old Hall Hotel, Hope n Singers and musicians in the bar, 8pm, every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Go to folkandblues.wixsite.com for more details or call 07913331078.

Eleanor Marsh

n music Vibrant mix of roots, country and jazz A SOULFUL, freewheeling set by the Franco-American Cory Seznec (formerly of the much praised worldroots outfit the Groanbox Boys) encapsulates the musician’s eclectic taste and experiences from across the globe. This music is joyous, a vibrant mix of American roots, country and jazz with a twist of African blues. New Music From the Old, is being brought to the county by Live & Local. The show is interspersed with tales and anecdotes that influenced the songs and Cory is constantly switching between the raw and stomping and the charmingly sophisticated.

Peak Concerts, Matlock n The Spikedrivers and Guy Tortora, Imperial Rooms, Matlock, March 17. n The Pitmen Poets, County Lounge, County Hall, Matlock, March 25. More details at peakconcerts. co.uk PR Romotions, various locations n Jez Lowe in Concert, Assembly Rooms Theatre, Bakewell Town Hall, March 3, 8pm. Jez is one of Britain’s finest award winning singer-songwriters and one of the folk scene’s most popular performers with his wonderful songs and amazing guitar playing. He has played most British folk festivals over the years and it’s always great to welcome him back to Derbyshire, bringing his most popular songs, wit and humour.

The Cory Seznec Band can be seen at Melbourne Assembly Rooms, on March 8 at 7.30pm. Tickets on 01332 863522; St Leonards Mission Church, Spital, Chesterfield, for Spital Arts, on March 9 at 7.30pm, with tickets on 01246 220741 and at Breadsall Memorial

Hall on March 11 at 7.30pm. For tickets telephone 01332 831577. To see a video of Cory and the band playing scan this QR code.

Tickets from the box office on 01629 810152 or Ticket Hotline 01773 853428. n John Tams and Barry Coope, Tea Time Assorted, Palace Theatre Mansfield, March 18, 6.30pm. Guaranteed a great night of songs, both traditional and contemporary, will make this a very special evening. Early booking advised. Tickets from the box office on 01623 633133 or Ticket Hotline 01773 853428. n Narthen in Concert, April 20, 8pm, Nailers Football Club, Belper. Barry Coope, Lester Simpson, Fi Fraser and Jo Freya make up this exciting new line-up. Original and traditional songs on piano, melodeon and fiddle, not forgetting their wonderful four voices in harmony.

Tickets from Ticket Hotline 01773 853428

Classical Music

Bakewell Town Hall, Bakewell Town Hall Chamber Series. Une Soirée Française. Music for flute, viola, cello and harp. Works by Ravel, Debussy, Fauré, Roussel and others Katherine Baker (flute); Marie Leenhardt (harp); Christine Andersen (viola); Simon Turner (cello), April 21, Assembly Room Theatre, 7.30pm (Doors 7pm) Tickets from ticketsource.co.uk/date/370555. More details at bakewelltownhall. co.uk Buxton Opera House, Buxton n Carnelian Saxophone Quartet, Coffee Concert, Pavilion Arts Centre, March 2, 1pm. artsbeat March 2018

n music Nostalgia time with 1950s hits THE critically acclaimed, 1950s rock ‘n’ roll musical Teddy is coming to Chesterfield’s Pomegranate Theatre from March 5-10. Set in the aftermath of the Blitz against a backdrop of austerity, it tells the story of Teddy and Josie, all dressed up and ready to hit the streets of London for an unforgettable night out, no matter how dangerous the consequences. Teddy is the ultimate story of teenage rebellion and the birth of a new musical era.

n English Touring Opera with Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro, March 23; Puccini: Il tabarro & Gianni Schicchi, March 24 and Rossini: Fireworks, March 25. More details in the Arena section. Details at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Buxton Musical Society, St John’s Church, Buxton Buxton Baroque, Sunday, March 18, 7.30pm – Music before the invention of the clarinet, piano and trombone amongst others, the Baroque period is filled with music of a gentler style but also great poignancy and at times plain rumbustiousness. Go and experience a selection of instrumental and choral music from this era by two of its most famous exponents; Bach and Handel. The concert will include Handel’s Dixit Dominus and his Coronation Anthem – My heart is inditing and also the iconic Magnificat by J S Bach. More details from buxtonmusicalsociety.org.uk Chapel-en-le-Frith Ladies Choir March 17, Concert as guests of Macclesfield Male Voice Choir artsbeat March 2018

Freya Parks who plays Jenny O’Malley

PICTURE: Ben Broomfield

Music includes electrifying original songs plus wellknown hits from the 1950s

Further details on the choir’s website chapel-en-le-frithladieschoir.co.uk Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir Handel’s Messiah on April 7 at 7.15pm. at Chesterfield Parish Church. Featuring the Derbyshire Sinfonia Orchestra and soloists Caroline Taylor, Michael Gibson, Isabella Cheevers and Patrick Relph. Tickets can be obtained from choir members and Chesterfield Visitor lnformation Centre in Rykneld Square, online at.chestphilchoir.org. uk and on the door at the evening of the concert.

James Hickman and Dan Cassidy are playing for Live & Local

performed live by the on-stage band Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts. Bursting with the energy of a live gig, this is theatre that leaves you on a high and jiving all the way home. It stars Molly Chesworth (Josie), Andrew Gallo (Sammy ‘The Sticks’ Smith), George Parker (Teddy), Freya Parks (Jenny O’Malley), Harrison White (Buster Watson) and Dylan Wood (Johnny Valentine). The show starts at 7.30pm with matinees at 2.30pm on the Wednesday and Saturday. For tickets go to chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk

Derby Chamber Music Society, Multi-Faith Centre, Derby University n A concert by the Albany Piano Trio – Judith Bingham: The Orchid and its Hunters (commission); Beethoven: Piano Trio in D, Op.70 No.1 “Ghost”; Bloch: Three Nocturnes; Ravel: Piano Trio in A minor, March 2, 7.30pm. n A concert by James Turnbull (oboe and cor anglais) and Libby Burgess (piano), March 23, 7.30pm Schumann: Three Romances, Op.94; Nielsen: Two Fantasy Pieces, Op.2; Gurney: Three Preludes (piano solo); Dodgson: Sonata for Cor Anglais and Piano; Richard Rodney Bennett: Four Country Dances; Elgar: Soliloquy; Saint-Saëns: Sonata for Oboe and Piano Op.166. More details are available on the website. Go to derbychambermusic. org Derby Concert Orchestra, Derby Cathedral Dvorak Scherzo, Capriccioso; Sibelius, Scene with Cranes;Rimsky Korsakov, Capriccio Espagnol; Tchaikovsky, Symphony No 6

n music Pathetique, March 3, 7pm. Tickets from Foulds Music, members of the orchestra, on the door and from derbyconcertorchestra.co.uk Derbyshire Singers With a French Flavour to include Vierne: Messe Solennelle; Fauré: Requiem. March 17, at 7.30pm, St Peter’s Church, Edensor, on the Chatsworth Estate. More details at derbyshiresingers.org Derby Choral Union, Derby Cathedral English Music for Passiontide, March 24, 7.30pm. More details from dcu.org.uk The Derwent Singers at the Breadsall Festival of Music Join the Derwent Singers ang guests for an evening of choral favourites and music in anticipation of spring. With Dana de Waal (baritone) and Anna de Waal (piano), March 10, 7.30pm, All Saints Church, Moor Road, Breadsall. For tickets go to derwentsingers.org.uk Music at Duffield, Ecclesbourne School, Duffield BLOCK4 Recorder Quartet, March 24, 7.30pm. For more details go to musicatduffield.com.

across a range of stringed instruments. Alongside some Show of Hands classics, Phil will deliver his signature SHOW of Hands member Phil interpretation of much-loved Beer returns to Chesterfield folk and rock songs together Folk Club as part of his String with a wealth of brandTheory tour on March 9, at new material at the gig at 7.30pm. Chesterfield Library Theatre. Phil will be delivering his All tickets £15, from unique recipe of rich vocals chesterfieldfolkclub.org or at and flawless musicianship the door.

String Theory tour at folk club

The Pleyel Ensemble, Methodist Church, Market Street, Chapel-enle-Frith n Jonathan Rimmer Flute, Sarah

The Bookshop Band will be playing at Derby Theatre on June 7 as part of a Derby Book Festival evening of music, books and talks with authors Louis de Bernières, Joanne Harris and Emma Hooper. Tickets are now on sale at derbytheatre.co.uk

Ewins violin, Heather Bills cello and Harvey Davies keyboard. Masters of the Baroque, including works by Bach, Handel and Telemann, March 4, 3pm. n Sarah Ewins violin, Heather Bills cello and Harvey Davies piano. Programme to include Shostakovich piano Trio and Ravels String Duo, April 8, 3pm. Full details available at pleyelensemble.com The Sitwell Singers The Sitwells and a Saxophone, with Alistair Parnell, saxophone. A concert of music for choir and saxophone featuring combined and solo items. The music performed will include works by Palestrina, Byrd, Morales and Stanford. March 10, St Osmund’s Church, London Road, Derby, Tickets from sitwellsingers. org.uk, 01332 662519, Foulds music shop or on the door. artsbeat March 2018

attitude

Comment and opinion from reviewers and readers Cast and crowd were on top form from the off

uxton Drama League and its predominately Burbage audiences know what to expect of each other other and for this year’s show both cast and crowd were on top form from the word go. No matter that much of the inspiration for the songs and the jokes dated from the 1970s (and earlier – Patsy Cline anyone?) Knight Fever takes as its starting point King Arthur and his punning knights – Sir Cumference (Sarah Bentley) and Sir Uptitious (Elyse Marling). Thereafter any similarity with the well-loved legend was purely accidental. The brilliantly costumed chorus got things underway with a couple of verses of Night Fever before the arrival of panto vet Peter Stubbington who had relinquished his role as Dame to be Lester the Jester, entertainer to King Arthur’s court. A joke about playing frisbee with his dog set the tone for a groanful evening – and the worse the joke the louder the delighted audience groaned. Dick Silson relished the role of Dame Doris Dumpling and was awful enough without overstepping the mark when it came to taste (this was especially evident in some capers that revolved around an

artsbeat March 2018

Matthew Bowers as Justin Thyme, Peter Stubbington as Lester The Jester and Tim Warburton as King Arthur in the Buxton Drama League’s pantomime Knight Fever

attack of noxious flatulence. Incidentally a life sized portrait of Dick is exhibited at Buxton Museum currently). Other Burbage regulars included Tim Warburton, as the not-quiteheroic King Arthur, Sally Shaw (Queen Guinevere) and Paul Harrison – hidden behind a very uncomfortable looking cloak and beard as a hapless Merlin. Every panto needs a villain or two and here we had a splendid pair in the shape of The Black Knight (Robbie Carnegie) and Chardonnay la Fay (Emma Taylor who was suitably estuarine). They arrived with a strutting version of Paint It Black and were properly booed at every appearance. If you need villainy you also need love and we had that in the self-assured and charming performances of Princess

Anna (Ellie Craufurd-Stuart) and Justin Thyme (Matthew Bowers). It is always good to see some young blood and if the older hands were paying close enough attention they would have learned something. The cast was completed by the Lady of the Lake (Maria Carnegie) suitably delicate and slightly absent - in contrast to the legendary figure. The production was tightly directed by Jayne Marling; the impressive costumes were designed by Sally Shaw; Fred Rolland led the band and Sarah Fanthorpe-Smith designed the set which added to the energy and atmosphere. The sound and lighting crews did their jobs efficiently and unobtrusively. All in all one of the best Burbage pantos of recent years. Well done everyone! Keith Savage

n attitude Classical music reviews by Mike Wheeler The Sixteen, Derby Cathedral The Sixteen and conductor Harry Christophers took JS Bach’s so-called Lutheran’Mass in G, BWV 236, on tour in February. A delightful work got a performance to match, from solidity in the Kyrie’s closely-woven polyphony, to dancing energy in the Gloria. Before it, the orchestra played the Sinfonia to Vivaldi’s opera Dorilla in Tempe, RV 709, by turns effervescent, stately and bouncy. Part 2 opened with Handel, the overture and final chorus from his oratorio Esther, both vigorously done, though the chorus does go on a bit. More Vivaldi to end with – the well-known Gloria in D, RV 589 For the final two numbers, the choir was joined by Derby Cathedral’s choristers, enhancing an already bright, ringing choral tone, and bringing the evening to an appropriately festive close. Sinfonia Viva, Derby Theatre Music and maths have been knocking around together since – oh, I don’t know when. So it was a natural progression for Sinfonia Viva’s annual schools residency to move from last year’s engineeringthemed project to this year’s Mathematical Advantage. Regular workshop leader James Redwood was joined in steering it by composer Raph Clarkson and singing leader Rachel Wilkes from Derbyshire Music Education

Sinfonia Viva’s new Principal Conductor Frank Zielhorst

PICTURE: Nigel Apperley

Hub. Fourteen players from Sinfonia Viva were on stage, with Frank Zielhorst, who takes up the post of the orchestra’s Principal Conductor in mid-March. But as always, the stars of the show were the students – from Firs and Beckett Primary Schools, Littleover Community School and Derby College. An entertaining survey of some basic mathematical principles in songs and instrumental pieces took in concepts of symmetry, multiplication and fractions, with a taste of the mysterious worlds of the Fibonacci sequence and prime numbers. It all added up (sorry) to another heart-warming showcase for what kids can do, given half a chance and the right encouragement. Derby Chamber Music: Alke String Quartet, Multi-Faith Centre, Derby University The Alke String Quartet began by capturing all the expressive range of Haydn’s Quartet in G, Op 64 No 4, from amiability in the first movement, an

earthy quality in the minuet, underlying edginess in the third movement, and springy energy and wit in the finale. There was similar attention to contrasts in Britten’s Quartet No 1, not least the first movement’s alternating poised, rarefied slow opening and its edgy quick music. There was a nicely spiky playing in the scherzo, in the third movement a sense of serious issues being worked through, and a boisterous account of the finale. In Schubert’s Quartet in G, D887, arguably his most radical piece of chamber music, the implications of its fragmentary opening were not lost on the players. Though the first violin and viola’s repeated protests against the second movement’s downward drift could been more strident, the flickering scherzo was suitably tense. The finale was full of energy, with the passing shadows making their point without undue emphasis. Occasional brief lapses in technical finesse did not detract from three deeply involving performances. artsbeat March 2018

n attitude Mary Shelley – a role model we should celebrate It will not be long before this county resounds to these words from 1818: “We left Oxford with regret and proceeded to Matlock, which was our next place of rest. The country in the neighbourhood of this village resembled, to a greater degree, the scenery of Switzerland; but everything is on a lower scale.” Who was one of the party that visited Derbyshire, who had “visited the wondrous cave” but left hurriedly when reminded of a “terrible scene”? It was, of course, Victor Frankenstein. Mary Shelley was 18 when the idea of Frankenstein or the New Prometheus (lots of mythological implications in that full title.) came to her, during a house party in Switzerland, and 20 when

Pantomime was such fun to watch Aladdin New Mills Art Theatre This year’s pantomime was one of the best I’ve seen at the Art Theatre. The show moved along at a great pace, and we were first introduced to Aladdin ( Jake Ridgway). Now, this role is normally played by a female, so I did have a slight concern, however, this only lasted a short time as he made the part believable – and by the end I thought his casting was artsbeat March 2018

Review by Les Hurst of Scarthin Books, Cromford

the novel was published. She wrote most of the book while living in rooms in Bath without her husband: without the clinging poet Shelley she took advantage of the bookshop and library below her apartment, and of the many lectures given in the town. Frankenstein is vaguer than the right move and really enjoyed his performance. Then came Wishee Washee (Connor Wyse) – so much energy and another great performance. To me one of the best performances came from the Dame, Widow Twankey (Darren Cooper) – Les Dawson would be proud of it. Great humour from the policemen, Hu Dun Pong (Graham Fletcher-Shaw) and Yu Dun Wong (Geoff Lunn) – they had the audience in stitches – a very clever duo that worked well. Fine performances from the Emperor (Barry Jarvis),

people remember about how the creature is created (the electricity and bolts come from the films much later), which is a novelist’s trick, but Mary was up-to-date in her knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics. She had had a fascinating upbringing: her mother was the radical feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, and her father the political radical William Godwin who introduced her to the advanced minds of the day in his salon and bookshop. Only 22 when widowed she lived another 30 years, publishing Shelley’s complete works (he was little known during his short lifetime), and writing another science fiction novel, The Last Man, which deserves more attention. In all, she is a wonderful role model whose life should be better known. Her equivalent today would be an A-level science student writing the Frankenstein of the twenty-first century in her spare time. Princess Mandarin (Mhairi Jennings), So-Shy (Amelia Smith) and the larger than life Genie of the Lamp (Angela Hulme) who ate the stage and had the chance to show off her wonderful voice. And of course, there was the all singing and dancing chorus who all worked so well together and made the show such fun to watch. Well done Friends of the Art Theatre for an enjoyable afternoon! Keep the Art Theatre going we all need it. Adrian Leggett A full version of this review is on artsbeatblog.com

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