Artsbeat September 2017 by amanda penman

Celebrating the arts in Derbyshire and the Peak District

September 2017

FRE

artsbeatblog.com

Autumn festivals round-up - Chatsworth - Derby - Duffield - Elvaston - Melbourne - New Mills - Wirksworth

Drawn to the landscape

Music, theatre, gallery, film and workshop listings

RODUCED -P

BY LIV

COMING SOON... FRI 6 SAT 7 SUN 8 OCTOBER 2017

MARKET PLACE s GUILDHALL THEATRE s THE OLD BELL HOTEL s DERBY CATHEDRAL WITHIN THE CATHEDRAL QUARTER, DERBY

OYSTERBAND s SHOW OF HANDS s FALSE LIGHTS Plus many more artists, dance displays, ceilidhs, sessions and a great atmosphere! £24 - £88

JOSH OKEEFE Sun 3 Sep

Wed 13 Sep

Fri 22 Sep

Mon 25 & Tue 26 Sep

Thu 28 Sep - Sun 1 Oct

Fri 29 Sep

Darley Park | £5, £2.50 in advance

Guildhall Theatre | £15.25

Guildhall Theatre | £13.25

Guildhall Theatre | £15

Guildhall Theatre | £17

Bass Rec | £7

0  0 8 5 5 2 | 01332 k u . o live.c derby

THE WEST END & BROADWAY HIT MUSICAL

THE PERFECT HALF-TERM TREAT

HHHHH ‘

AS LIGHT AND BOUNCY AS A BUBBLE OF GUM! ’ The Observer

MON 23 SAT 28 OCT 01298 72190 | buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

FREE

SATURDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 11AM-4PM

THE MIGHTY MOUSTACHE AS SEEN ON BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT

MAGIC AMIT MAGICIAN & HYPNOTIST

FREE JUGGLING, BALLOON MAKING & CRAFT WORKSHOPS

TRISTAN THE TWISTER BALLOON MODELLER EXTRAORDINAIRE

SYLVIA SCEPTRE MAGICAL MYSTERY

THE MARVELLOUS MOUSE CIRCUS HIGH WIRE JINKS

AND MUCH MORE... PLUS: GALA SHOW 4PM ADULTS: £6 CHILDREN: £4 FAMILY TICKETS (2 CHILDREN + 2 ADULTS): £16 BOOKING: WWW.PEAKSHOPPINGVILLAGE.COM PEAKSHOPPINGVILLAGE/EVENTS CHATSWORTH RD, ROWSLEY, DERBYSHIRE DE4 2JE

Amanda Penman editor Grayson Perry is one of the sharpest commentators on contemporary art we have at the moment, so it is interesting to read that one of his main concerns is how such artists can engage a diverse cross section of society. He specifically wants to know what kind of art people like. What subjects they enjoy and why they like going to galleries these days. He will be in Derbyshire as a guest speaker at Chatsworth’s Art Out Loud literary festival at the end of the month and he will no doubt touch on the subject while discussing his latest show The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! and his book of the same title. He promises to “go off on one” about bursting out of his elite metropolitan bubble and states that his ongoing ambition is to widen the audience for art without dumbing it down. It certainly sounds as if it is one talk we shouldn’t miss but I hope that while he is in the county he takes a look at the incredible amount of creative work here from a very diverse cross section of our community.

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

website: artsbeatblog.com

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

contents

performance

24 Exciting, talented and diverse acts line up for Derby Folk Festival 22 Great Expectations for Dickens’ classic on stage at Derby Theatre 38 High-energy hit Hairspray dances its way to Opera House

artists & exhibitions

9 Ex-art teacher Jeremy Bournon’s latest work is in a class of its own 36 COVER STORY: Clare Allan has a genuine love for the landscape 42 Pat Shenstone’s vivid paintings hint at a hidden, darker truth

film & photography

50 Publisher picks photographer for new collection of county scenes

literature

20 Chatsworth’s Art Out Loud event is sure to get you talking 54 Van Gogh, Grayson Perry and forgery are all on our bookshelf

have a go

45-48 Why not join artists for The Big Draw event at Creswell Crags

gallery

26-27 Check out the pick of the latest visual art exhibitions

regulars

15-19 The latest news in arena 55-58 All the best sounds in music 59-62 Arts reviews in attitude 63-68 What’s on listings in agenda

9 7

Got a picture you love in a frame you loath? FROM THIS

TO THIS Opening hours: Mon to Sat 10am-5pm, closed Wednesday Professional framer for 21 years 22 Market Place, Wirksworth, DE4 4ET

wirksworthframing.co.uk | T 01629 824994

HADDON HALL Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1LA

Halloween Half-Term Family Activities 21st - 30th October

Christmas at Haddon Hall A Chorus of Carols 1st - 20th December

For more information please visit www.haddonhall.co.uk or call 01629 812855

Join the journey

s Head of Art at Repton School Jeremy Bournon had very little time for his own work, so when he retired a couple of years ago he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to jump straight in and take on a year-long role as painter in residence at his former workplace. He was soon able to exhibit both at the school and in France, and is now about to stage an exhibition at Ingleby Gallery, near Melbourne,

Clockwise from top left: Estate road at Tissington; Footpath at Foremarke; Cloud formation: View from Alport and Estate road at Tissington Previous page: Estate road at Tissington and the artist working at Alport

of new work featuring the Derbyshire landscape and in particular Alport Heights. As we chat in his studio in the garden of his home in Willington it is obvious the former teacher still has a deep connection with Repton. He talks about the school with a passion and has to correct himself when he says ‘we’ instead of ‘they’, remembering that he is no longer involved. “I had an amazing job and was one of the most fortunate of all people to enjoy my work so much,” explained Jeremy. “When you have dedicated so much of your time to one place there is a notion of ownership in your heart but I don’t like to look back and always like to move on. “Now I am embarking on a new stage of my life. This is it. Who knows what ‘it’ is and where it’s going to take

The natural

geometry leads your eye into

the distance me but I am going to enjoy the journey,” he said with a flourish. Journeys are a common thread in the artist’s work and his landscapes often feature the road ahead, a path, stream or hedgerow. “What I love about the south Derbyshire landscape is the wonderful interlocking shapes and the natural geometry which leads your eye into the distance. “I really love the road from Kedleston to Wirksworth and it has featured in a series of my paintings. I was hunting for my

motif for the Ingleby exhibition when I was introduced by a friend to Alport and I knew straight away the view from the top was perfect. The landscape had everything I look for in composition. “The intention I have is for people looking at my paintings to feel as though they are on a journey or a walk.” Having been immersed in the world of art and helping others to appreciate it for most of his life he likes to get involved with projects outside the studio. He was recently part of the selection panel choosing artists for the Wirksworth Festival Art Trail and he is also part of a band called Boss & Co that will be performing at the festival. “To be invited to be on the Wirksworth selection panel was a great privilege and it was a very interesting exercise

to see what was going on and discover the work of some fresh new artists, as well as those more established in Derbyshire,” he said. The band, consisting of Jeremy on bass guitar, singers Anthony Hall and Alex White, drummer Richard Fairbrother and pianist William Markham, play mainly covers, and the artist says their intention is to just have fun. “There is precious little better than making music people want to dance to, and we intend to do that at the festival,” he said with a huge grin. At Ingleby Gallery, Jeremy’s Derbyshire Landscapes will be joined by work from painter and illustrator Christian Birmingham and photographer William Bye. The exhibition runs from September 3-17. n For more information go to ingleby-gallery.co.uk

Jeremy Bournon

Derbyshire Landscapes Ingleby Gallery 3rd - 17th September Preview Sunday 3rd September noon - 4pm

Ingleby, Nr Melbourne, Derbyshire DE73 7HW Open Wednesday to Friday Telephone Gill Watson 01332 865995 10am - 4pm e-mail gillwatson@ingleby-gallery.co.uk Saturday and Sunday Artsbeat Advert 2015_Artsbeat Turners Advert 13/01/2015 11:47 Page 1 noon - 5pm website Turners www.ingleby-gallery.co.uk

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

www.turnersart.co.uk

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

Fest iv Spec als ial

Basket maker Owen Jones demonstrates his craft, left, and wooden ‘flowers’, right

Back to basics

ith green and clean living becoming ever more popular many of us are turning to nature and traditional crafts for inspiration.

Here in Derbyshire we have been extolling such values for years and the well-established Woodland Festival staged by the county council is a wonderful example of all that is great about the rural way of life. The two-day event at Elvaston Castle Country Park celebrates traditional and contemporary woodland crafts with demonstrations and plenty of opportunities for people to have a go themselves. You will be able to see

experienced crafters in action, weaving willow, making clogs, barrels, chairs and furniture, paddles and coracles, hurdles and fences and even didgeridoos. There will be artists carving with a chainsaw, blacksmiths working with iron, wheelwrights and woodworkers with pole lathes. You will also be able to learn about forestry, orchards and grafting as well as tree climbing, bushcraft, survival skills and lighting fires. Among the crafters demonstrating at the festival are Owen Jones, a swill basket maker, Malcolm Ward, a besom maker, Peter Wood of Greenwood Days, Graham Warren of Moosehead Canoes, chairmaker Peter Tree and chainsaw carver Andrew Frost. The youngsters haven’t been

forgotten and there will be special Green Man songs and stories and lots of activities to keep them amused. There will also be a wide variety of stalls, not only selling great food and refreshments, but also bespoke gifts, beautiful craft items and plants. Others will offer information about wildlife and heritage organisations. The festival is on from 10am5pm on September 23 and 24. Special event parking charges apply all weekend so it will cost you £8 to take your car. If you scan the QR code below (or go to derbyshire.gov.uk/ woodlandfestival) you will be able to print off a voucher giving you £1 off the daily parking charge.

British Contemporary Craftsmanship

Cromford Studio and Gallery Featured artist in September

Sandra Orme Sweeping autumnal landscapes by one of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading pastel artists

The featured maker this month is glass jewellery designer Michelle Gillam-Hull

Three floors of unique gift ideas

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

In The Flow

n stationery n arts n crafts n creativity centre

Ferrers Gallery, Staunton Harold, Ashby de la Zouch. LE65 1RW Open Tuesday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sunday 11-4pm

like us on facebook

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

www.ferrersgallery.co.uk

arena

Look no further for news of prize-winning creatives, a new gallery, drama, comedy, magic, singing and dancing India Festival

celebrates joint Year of Culture CONTINUING its celebration of UK-India Year of Culture, Déda in Derby is staging a two-day India Festival featuring amazing dance from Asia and Europe. On September 27, 2Faced Dance Company is presenting Outlands. The show is a vivacious and gripping triple bill of contemporary dance that showcases and celebrates up and coming female choreographers. This unique programme of work features Hemabharathy Palani, Ronita Mookerji from India and Emma-Jayne Park from Britain. These extraordinary women present an intimate evening of work to mark the deep cultural ties between India and the UK.

Kicking off the evening is Yashti by Bangalore-based Hemabharathy Palani (above). At the heart of new work is the ‘woman’ and it is inspired by the story of the Tulasi plant and tales of conflict, confrontation, jealousy, and growth. In Ronita Mookerji’s work WHO, the choreographer asks: Who am I? What defines me? Where do I belong?

Using movement and text in It’s Not Over Yet, Emma Jayne Park presents a show inspired by her own cancer diagnosis, treatment and remission. It’s Not Over Yet is a journey of remembering, evaluating life choices and exploring why they even matter. On September 28 Déda will present a triple-bill evening of South Asian Dance featuring artists from across the Midlands including a stunningly intricate Kathak piece, Salaam, from Sonia Sabri Company and Contemplative Three from collaborators Subhash Viman, TJ Lowe, Andy Hamer, Jean Abreu and MORPH Dance Company. Completing the line-up is Vidya Patel (left), a BBC Young Dancer 2015 finalist. She will be presenting brand new work The Beginning exploring the roots of the Kathak form. For tickets and more details go to deda.uk.com

arena Heritage days BUXTON’S resurgence as England’s leading spa town will be at the heart of its contribution to this year’s Heritage Open Days, from September 7-10. Major additions to last year’s programme include the Pump Room and St Mary’s Church, which was opened 100 years ago as a ground-breaking part of the Arts and Crafts architectural movement. Vera Brittain will be celebrated in her home town with an actor playing her at the University of Derby’s Devonshire Dome – where she trained as a nurse during the First World War. The historic Old Hall Hotel, is taking part with an actor’s recreation of its most famous guest, Mary Queen of Scots and Buxton International Festival will demonstrate how it renews the town’s cultural history each year with its Made in Buxton opera productions.

Pompeii backdrop

FORTY-FIVE years after Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour filmed Live At Pompeii in the legendary Roman Amphitheatre, he returned for two spectacular shows. The performances were the first-ever rock concerts for an audience in the stone Roman amphitheatre, and, for two nights, the 2,600 strong crowd stood exactly where gladiators would have fought. The show includes songs from throughout David’s career, as well as many Pink Floyd classics, including One Of These Days the only song that was also performed at the band’s 1971 show. The film can be seen at QUAD in Derby on September 13, at 8pm. Go to derbyquad.co.uk for details.

MORE than 90 of the most renowned makers and exhibitors from Britain and further afield will showcase their work at the sixth Wardlow Mires Pottery and Food Festival this month. The popular festival - A Celebration of the Table takes place on September 9 and 10 at Wardlow, from 10am-5pm and 4pm on the Sunday. The unique festival offers visitors the chance to meet and talk to established and up and coming national and international pottery makers and quality food purveyors. Organiser and Derbyshire potter Pat Fuller said: “As well as our regulars it is always our

Drawing prize

Table celebration pleasure to introduce more recent makers to our craft.” There will be a special garden section with planters, and other exhibitors include Jack Blackburn’s Pots from France, Rob Law’s Brampton Saltglaze and Top Pot Supplies. Also at the event will be pewter designer and silversmith Keith Tyssen, Clair Lake’s glassware and Neil Trinder’s woodwork. You can pre-order tickets online at potsandfood.co.uk where you can also find a full list of exhibitors. WIRKSWORTH-based artist David Ainley has been selected for this year’s Jerwood Drawing Prize, the largest and longest running open exhibition for drawing the UK. David’s drawing (left) Limestone Landscape, Quarries and Spire, has been selected from 2,811 submissions and will be part of the UK-wide touring exhibition which begins at Jerwood Space, London, from September 13 -October 22 and will travel to Norwich, Bath, Newcastle and Canterbury.

arena Orphans’ role PUPILS from a Derbyshire school are to feature in a film being used as part of a production of Awful Auntie, a play adapted for the stage from David Walliams’ popular book. It was the fact that Foremarke Hall, Repton’s preparatory school, pictured right, closely matched the fictional Saxby Hall that attracted Birmingham Stage Company’s production team. The school and 20 of its pupils, playing orphans will appear in two film sections in the play.

Reflecting glory BELPER artist Mark Langley won the 2017 Derbyshire Trophy in this year’s Open Competition organised by the county council. His painting Pavilion Reflection of the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton won the £750 main prize. The Derbyshire County Council Young Artist Award was won by by Katherine Marrow, 17, from King

Phill’s Juplicity PHILL Jupitus, stand-up comedian, poet and TV stalwart will be at the Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton on September 16 with his show Juplicity. This experienced funny man delights and/or horrifies, with tales of chaos from his own life and the uncertain world that he lives in. The show has adult themes, delivered with child-like enthusiasm. Phill became a BBC2 staple as team captain on Never Mind the Buzzcocks in 1996,

which went on to run for 19 years. He is a regular guest on QI and recently returned to television stand-up for the first time since 2000 with an appearance on Live at the Apollo. On BBC Radio 4, Phill is a regular panellist on the award winning I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and The Unbelievable Truth and was resident curator on The Museum of Curiosity. In addition, he has presented numerous radio documentaries. For tickets go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Sterndale, Buxton, with her painting Traveller’s Rest. The Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery Trophy was won by Jenny Bowden from Litton Mill, Buxton, with her painting What We Leave Behind Us. The awards were handed out at the newly refurbished Buxton Museum and Art Gallery in a ceremony at the end of June and an exhibition of all the entries closes on September 1.

arena Songs for sight TWO Derbyshire choirs are performing at a special concert to raise funds for charity. Songs for Sight takes place at Queen’s Hall, Derby, on September 29 and features Bel Canto, a male voice chorus, and Ignite UK, a women’s four-part a capella harmony chorus (pictured right). The event is raising money for Sight Support Derbyshire. Ticket details are in the music listings on page 58.

PICTURE: Ashley Franklin

Ann earns award TANSLEY ceramicist Ann Bates has been recognised for her work in creating bespoke handmade funerary urns and has been selected from hundreds of nominees to go through to the final stages of this year’s Good Funeral Awards ceremony at the Porchester Hall in London on September 7. Fran Hall, chief executive of The Good Funeral Guide, joint

Blurring the lines AN exhibition of interactive sculptures by the highly-regarded sculptor, Nik Ramage, is on at Haddon Hall until September 30. Taking inspiration from the centuries of history ingrained in the hall, the Shadows and Whispers exhibition brings together misaligned machines which celebrate the uncertain and odd and blur the lines between past and present. For example walking machines promenade the Long Gallery and a chair cut in half but still standing, has been paired with fragments of burnt tapestry. For more details go to haddonhall.co.uk

organiser of the event, said: “The Good Funeral Awards recognise exceptional service to bereaved people from all aspects of the funeral industry and supporting services. “By progressing this far Ann Bates Ceramics has already demonstrated outstanding professionalism, empathy and a willingness to go the extra mile.” Ann is a member of the Peak District Artisans and the Northern Potters Association.

arena Postcard show THE Old Lock Up Gallery at Cromford is staging it’s first Secret Postcard Show – a fundraising show for the future development of the gallery, which is managed by artist Rachael Pinks (pictured right) and to raise money for the charity Arts Emergency. All artwork will be £15 and the opening night is September 1, 5.30pm-9.30pm The exhibition will be open until September 11. Go to theoldlockupgallery. wordpress.com for more details and opening times.

Feast of magic THE Peak Magic Festival is back at Rowsley for the fourth year, providing free entertainment and fun for all ages from 11am-4pm and then a Reality of Magic Gala Show at 4pm. The show features the trickery of Adam Evans, the brainpopping antics of The Head Hackers, the deep mystery of Sylvia Sceptre (pictured), who combines spooky stroytelling

Hysterical history WRITTEN to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, A Monk’s Tale is a fast-paced hour-long gallop through the circumstances and causes which led to one of Europe’s greatest social and political upheavals. Using sketches and songs, the talented three-person cast provide plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. This is Reformation history as you have never seen it before – suitable for all ages and for those of any faith or none at all. A Monk’s Tale can be seen at Christ Church, Litton, on September 15 at 8pm. Tickets from Litton Shop (01298 872881).

with mischievous magic and the headline act Strongman Sir Leopold Aleksander otherwise known as The Mighty Moustache. He is one of the country’s finest strongmen and has been on Britain’s Got Talent. The festival is being staged at the Peak Shopping Village on Chatsworth Road on September 16. For tickets to the show and more details about the acts go to peakshoppingvillage.com

The Marlow Gallery WWW.THEMARLOWGALLERY.CO.UK

SUMMER SELECTION

Now you’re talking! Top names announced for Art Out Loud at Chatsworth

rtists Grayson Perry, Yinka Shonibare and Phyllida Barlow among top names in the line-up for the Art Out Loud Festival at Chatsworth this month.

10th September–22nd October (Private view is on Saturday 9th September 6pm-9pm)

Other speakers include internationally-renowned fashion designers Christopher Kane and Erdem Moralioglu. Art Out Loud is a festival of talks which offer an insight into the work, inspirations and ideas of some of the biggest names in the art world and promises to be a highlight in the autumn cultural calendar. Following a sell-out appearance at the festival in 2015, Grayson Perry will be returning for a talk in which he promises “to go off on one” about art, gender and politics. Entitled Democracy has Terrible Taste, the artist will talk about “bursting out of his elite metropolitan bubble”, offending people, and his exhibition at the Serpentine,

A mixed exhibition of paintings, ceramics & sculptures. For private view invitations please join our mailing list via our website or email: studio@themarlowgallery.co.uk The gallery is open by appointment so please just contact us we’d love to show you around.

THE MARLOW GALLERY, MELBOURNE, DERBYSHIRE

Fest iv Spec als ial

Clockwise from top right: Grayson Perry, Christopher Kane, Erdem Moralioglu, Lizzie Ball, Yinka Shonibare and Lady Burlington

The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare will discuss a career in which he has focused on the perspective of ‘otherness’ and his awareness of the subtle intricacies of prejudice. Sculptor Phyllida Barlow, who is enjoying great critical success, will talk about the creative process underlying her work, which includes creating a solo show at this year’s Venice Biennale. British designer Christopher Kane will talk about the impact that his Scottish background and Central St Martin’s education have had on his work in creating his world-renowned fashion label. Erdem Moralioglu, designer of ready-to-wear label ERDEM, will reveal the inspirations

behind the collections that made him one of the industry’s most highly-regarded figures. Meanwhile, Jonquil O’Reilly, will take a fresh look at fashion excesses as depicted in the period paintings that adorn the walls of Chatsworth in her talk Dressed to Excess: Extreme Fashion and Flamboyant Style in the 16th-18th Centuries. Sheron Reynolds, Director of Art Out Loud, said: “We’re thrilled that in addition to the many fascinating talks about art, several will be about fashion, reflecting the theme of the hugely successful House Style exhibition – and that Grayson Perry, something of a walking (and talking) fashion icon will be returning. Kate Brindley, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at Chatsworth, who will explore

the garden, park and estate as seen in the recently acquired painting View of Chatsworth from the East by Flemish artist Jan Siberechts. Art Out Loud will maintain its strong educational element with pupils from local schools invited to attend on Friday when American sculptor Jedd Novatt will explore the function of art and pupils will have the chance to join him in a drawing masterclass. Derbyshire-born and internationally acclaimed violinist Lizzie Ball will perform the world premiere of a musical journey exploring the life and art of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. n The Chatsworth Festival: Art Out Loud is on from September 22-24. For ticket details go to chatsworth.org/aol

ST JOHN STREET GALLERY Contemporary Fine Art

Just a few of our. . .

favourite

artists throughout September we are showcasing work by artists including:

Catriona Hall, John Connolly, Kay Boyce, Kerri Pratt, Maggie Robinson, Mark Langley, Martin Hyde and Tricia Harrison 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

Love and Dickens’

powerful new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations is the new season opener at Derby Theatre.

Playing the iconic Miss Havisham, the reclusive spinster jilted on her wedding day, will be Polly Lister an actor who is able to bring her own experience of being rejected by the one she loved to the part. Last year she performed the solo part in a play she had penned, I Was A Wife, which tells the story of how the actor loved and lost. Polly met her future husband online and a marriage proposal followed, but just months after the wedding she was asked for a divorce without being told why. “I had never felt so special and knew I didn’t want to marry anyone else and then in a matter of weeks it changed. It was like taking a drug for 11 months and then having it taken away from you,” she said. The play she wrote about her short-lived marriage won her critical acclaim and standing ovations when she performed it in Lancaster. While once Polly may have been able to resonate with the humiliated and heartbroken

loss in drama Actor Polly Lister

returns to Derby in lead role as

Miss Havisham Miss Havisham, she certainly hasn’t let time stand still and has used her experience to help boost her career. Polly has appeared in two previous Derby Theatre productions, Lee Hall’s Cooking with Elvis directed by Mark Babych, and Solace of the Road directed by Sarah Brigham. Sarah is also directing this production of Great Expectations which has been adapted by Neil Bartlett with evocative music composed by Ivan Stott and the design by Barney George. Sarah said: “Great Expectations is a show I have wanted to direct for a long time and I am absolutely thrilled with the hugely talented cast we have assembled; an exciting mixture of familiar and new faces to Derby Theatre audiences. A company of nine performers, with an extraordinary wealth of acting credits between them. “Audiences can expect to be immersed into a delightful Dickensian world in our bold, fast-moving production of this Dickens classic, performed

by a wonderful ensemble of performers with a thrilling and evocative score.” Playing the part of the convict Magwitch is Robert Beck, who has a wealth of TV credits to his name including: Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Casualty, Hollyoaks and Judge John Deed. Geoffrey Breton, new to Derby audiences, plays Pip the young orphan boy who stumbles across the convict hiding in the village graveyard. Geoffrey’s credits include Inspector George Gently, Doctors and Blue Murder for TV.

Kate Spencer, who hails from Derbyshire, will play the beautiful adopted daughter of Miss Havisham, Estella, who steals Pip’s heart. Kate’s recent credits include Rift and A Long Morning Quiet (Sheffield Crucible). The play is on from September 29-October 21. n For ticket details go to derbytheatre. co.uk If you scan the QR code you can watch a trailer of the show.

Showcasing the best in local Art & Design

19 Borough Street Castle Donington Open: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 5:00 Derby Sat - 10:00 - 4:00 DE74 2LA Tel: 01332 987350 email: info@thetwobirdsgallery.com

All-star line up – that’s all folk!

erby’s Cathedral Quarter is all set to host the 11th Derby Folk Festival – now a highlight on the folk and acoustic music calendar.

Martin Davis Contemporary artist

This year’s line-up is already a who’s who from the broad spectrum of folk music, with many exciting artists confirmed for a variety of venues in the city from October 6-8. The multi-award-winning Friday headline act, Oysterband, will be appearing as part of their 40th Celebration Special and will perform in the City Marquee, on the Market Place at 9.30pm, following The Hut People and Martin Simpson. Show of Hands return, three years after their last amazing appearance, to headline Saturday evening. Folk rock group, False Lights will perform their vibrant headline set on Sunday evening from 6pm-8.30pm, closing the festival with folk music which

Figures

Exhibition Leabrooks Gallery September 16th-29th Leabrooks House, Leabrooks Road, Somercotes

martindavisartist.co.uk 07776095196 24

Fest iv Spec als ial

Oysterband, left, Bob Fox, top and Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman who will perform on the Sunday evening

will definitely get you up and dancing. Derbyshire’s own Barry Coope and Lester Simpson will be on stage with Jim Boyes as Coope Boyes and Simpson in the City Marquee from 2.45pm-4.15pm, on Saturday for their Last Ever Performance in a show that is sure to invoke both tears and laughter from the audience. Also appearing in the marquee on Sunday from 11.30am are multi-instrumentalists Narthen (Barry Coope, Lester Simpson, Jo Freya and Fi Fraser) who will be playing and singing in four-part harmony, a capella and accompanied. Introduced by festival patron, John Tams, popular solo folk artist Bob Fox will be performing songs from War Horse from 2pm-4.15pm. This will be followed by Leveret, featuring three of England’s finest folk musicians in an exciting new collaboration. Andy Cutting, Sam Sweeney and Rob

Harbron are each regarded as masters of their instrument and together their performances combine consummate musicianship, compelling delivery and captivating spontaneity. Derby-born folk singer and songwriter Dave Sudbury, will also be performing during this year’s festival. Dave is possibly best known for his song The King of Rome (a true story about a racing pigeon, bred in the West End of Derby) which was brought to the attention of an international audience by folk singer June Tabor and her own recording of the song. Dave will be joining the Village Folk Clubrooms lineup, which already includes award-winning folk and roots musicians, Oka Vanga, and is curated by the team who organise Village Folk concerts in the Lawns Hotel, Chellaston. Other special events include the launch of Martin Simpson’s

latest CD, the songs of the late great Jake Thackray with John Watterson. Adverse Camber from Cromford will be staging one of their storytelling productions at the Guildhall Theatre on the Friday night at 7.30pm. Dreaming the Night Field: A Legend of Wales, weaves live music with Welsh and English to create a thrilling, funny, powerful and poetic show. The festival also includes free fringe events, dance acts, workshop sessions, as well as an Arts and Craft Fair and food stalls on the Market Place. You can win a pair of tickets for Friday evening at the festival by answering the following question: Who will be singing the songs of Jake Thackray? Email your answer to editor@ arts-beat.co.uk along with your a name, address and daytime contact number before September 15. You can also post the same information to Artsbeat, 19 Nottingham Road, Belper, DE56 1JG.

gallery

artsbeat previews this month’s go-to exhibitions – turn to the agenda pages for more details and other galleries Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award, Derby Museum and Art Gallery

ear Reader is an exhibition of new paintings by artist Eleanor May Watson celebrating famous Derbyshire women. The work, produced during a nine-month residency as winner of The Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award, was inspired by Eleanor’s research into the lives of these women across history. The continuing theme of the Award is Sense of Place, inspired by the people, landscape and heritage of Derbyshire. For the seventh Award Eleanor was invited to focus on The Changing Faces of Derbyshire.

She said: “Having undertaken wide-ranging research I decided to explore the many amazing and diverse female figures from the history of Derbyshire. “The exhibition Dear Reader, includes a collection of interiors, landscapes, still lives and film-stills which relate to the life stories of

these influential women ranging from historical figures such as Bess of Hardwick and Georgiana Cavendish to contemporary author Joanna Cannon and boxer Juliette Anne Winter.” During her residency Eleanor has produced a portfolio of new work for solo exhibitions at the Museum and Art Gallery and at Repton School. She will be exhibiting her work at Wirksworth Festival on September 9-10 and at Melbourne Festival from September 16-17. The Derby exhibition is on from September 16-November 19. She has also contributed to teaching within the University of Derby’s College of Arts and, working with Derby Museums, developed a toolkit for schools, supported by funding from Rolls-Royce plc. n Pictured above is one of the new paintings entitled Vivienne Red.

The Marlow Gallery, Church Square, Melbourne The gallery is staging an exhibition entitled Summer Selection from September 10. One of the artists exhibiting is Sarah Raphael Balme (work pictured left). She studied Illustration at Chelsea College of Art and went on to become a cartoonist, working for numerous publications. She coupled her commercial work with painting, and after being invited to submit work to a joint show in Covent Garden, Sarah decided this was where her heart truly lay. On moving to Yorkshire 14 years ago she began selling work and has recently shown in London and New York.

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery Reincarnated Rubbish – Endangered and Extinct is an exhibition by creative recycling artist Val Hunt With inspiration, ingenuity, humour and skill, the artist has created a fascinating selection of large and small sculptural pieces which will appeal to visitors of all ages. Animals, exotic birds, fish and dinosaurs, all now extinct or on the edge of extinction, have been made from a selection of throw

away material, especially Val’s favourite medium of drinks can metal. This exhibition presents a subtle message about recycling and preservation, raising awareness of why the creatures on show are endangered or extinct. You will be able to find out why species are disappearing from this planet at an alarming rate. It is on show at from September 9-November 18.

Leabrooks Arts Complex, Somercotes

Derbyshire artist Martin Davis is staging his first solo exhibition of 2017 at the gallery and it will be a rare opportunity to see a collection of his figurative work. He is better known for his landscapes and still life so this show entitled Figures, will be interesting. He says the subject is close to his heart and he adds a strong narrative to the work. It can be seen from September 16-29.

Anvil, Sadler Gate, Derby The work of Bristol artist Dan Ablitt can be seen at the gallery until September 25. Like Wordsworth’s descriptions of Tintern Abbey where “the landscape” is connected “with the quiet of the sky”, Ablitt’s work possesses a liberating spaciousness, that is nostalgic enough to still be comforting. With his elegant serene trees, or vast craggy mountains, he sweeps through compositions, with a technique that is so accomplished, it makes the beautifully intense complexity of his mark making look simple. Whether it’s floral marks – bringing to mind those “hosts of daffodils” – or embers from the campfire, the details provide a sensory pleasure that effectively brings home the wilderness.

SCRIVENER’s

LEABROOKS GALLERY

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

Arwyn Quick

Light and Space September 2nd-15th

Figures – by Martin Davis September 16th-29th Open: Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm Wednesday by appointment Sunday 11am-4.30pm Leabrooks House, Leabrooks Road, Somercotes 01773 602961

www.leabrooksartscomplex.com

Prints

Originals

One of The Guardian’s 10 Best Bookshops

Framing

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 28

Derwent de-lights

The parade of illuminated boats on the river has drawn visitors to Matlock Bath for more than a hundred years

he spectacular Matlock Bath Illuminations will mark its 120th anniversary this year. The colourful display, which was first staged in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, will this year burst into life on Saturday, September 9, running every weekend until October 28. The centrepiece of the event is the unique parade of ten decorated and illuminated boats on the River Derwent, and a fireworks finale will explode every Saturday night. To enhance the reputation of Sundays as a “family night”, the event will start and finish earlier, running from 6pm to just after 8pm to take account

Family-friendly

event moves to earlier show time

on Sundays of the fact that younger visitors have school the following morning. Derbyshire Dales District Council, which organises the event, has acted on feedback from a customer survey conducted after last year’s eight-week showcase and to improve crowd movement and enjoyment for visitors it is restricting the number of people in the Derwent Gardens to 6,000 – down from 8,000 in previous years. Other improvements for the

2017 Illuminations include better signage to the park and ride service, more stewards and more enforcement officers to police pedlars on the streets of Matlock Bath. The price of the tickets is also 50p cheaper this year. Adults pay £5.50 on Saturdays and £4.50 on Sundays if they buy online in advance at www. derbyshiredales.gov.uk/ illuminations. Accompanied under 16s continue to go free, with concessions available for students and pensioners. People who buy on the night will pay £7.50 on Saturdays and £6.50 on Sundays. Online bookers are fast-tracked into the Derwent Gardens. The online incentive prices also apply to visitors who take the train.

Church Farm Art Gallery CHURCH STREET, BASLOW, NR BAKEWELL

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

A tiny gallery packed with work featuring flora, fauna, landscapes and seascapes

Telephone 01298 83288 Mobile 07866778847

see www.peakpub.co.uk for details

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

Open seven days a week 34 Union Road, New Mills, SK22 3ES Go to thepulsecafe.co.uk for more information

www.churchfarmgallery.co.uk the

mobile framer bespoke and beautifully crafted

framed in four simple steps you call - we collect, frame and deliver excellent customer service affordable prices quality materials & finish free collection & delivery (usually Wed/Thursday)

All areas of Derbyshire covered. Will travel further to work with artists needing multiple frames in a single order. Also, would consider working with artists in easy access of the M1 between J14 and J29.

Fest iv Spec als ial

Village recalls its salad days

ettuce might not be the most obvious subject to choose as a theme for an arts festival – but if you know anything about Melbourne then you will understand why, there, it is actually an entirely apt topic to pick. At the start of the last century the village had almost 150 market gardeners who were growing and selling produce. Only three survive today so the community is striving to celebrate their heritage by researching and recording memories of the industry in its heyday before it is too late. With the help of a £10,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant, For The Love Of Lettuce will

Market garden

heritage theme for Melbourne’s

2017 arts event eventually create a large online archive and the initial findings of the research will be shown at the Festival during the art trail on September 16 and 17. The funding has meant that festival organisers have been able to commission three artists to make three new pieces inspired by the market gardening industry and there will also a specially designed garden incorporated into the art trail. You can read about one of the artists involved with that over the page.

As well as the two-day art trail, which will involve around 120 artists in 70 venues, Melbourne Festival also stages a series of concerts and performances throughout September. They kick off on September 1 with singer songwriter Matt McGuinness and the MLC; followed by Melbourne’s own mixed voice choir A Choir’d Taste on September 8 and 9, and a Funhouse Comedy Night on September 15. There is poetry from Jo Bell on September 21, opera singing with Jonathan Viera on September 23, drama courtesy of the Cast Ensemble Youth Theatre on September 28 and award winning choir Chorus Amici on September 30. n For more details of all events go to melbournefestival.co.uk

Ross is carving his own niche Amanda Penman meets a talented sculptor with a passion for stone

“I

’m not a stone buff. No, really I’m not,” emphasises sculptor Ross Danby slightly apologetically as he tells me at least the third fascinating fact about Derbyshire quarrying I would never have known if I wasn’t interviewing him. He might not think himself an expert but he is definitely an aficionado who loves nothing more than to be researching his subject – or chipping away at it. As I pulled up in the car on the road outside his studio in the centre of Hartington I could hear the distinctive chip, chip, chip of a chisel against stone and I instantly knew I was in the right place. Ross, 51, is a garden designer by trade and spares himself just one day a week at the studio he shares with a collective of other sculptors. He clearly didn’t want to waste a minute of that precious time so carried on working until I arrived. As we sit down with coffee and chocolate biscuits the

Sculptor Ross at work

self-taught artist tells me that he has only been at the studio for a little over eight months and until he discovered its existence at last year’s Melbourne Festival he had worked from his home in the South Derbyshire market town. “I have been a garden designer for 20 years and incorporated stone in many of my designs. I was drawn to the medium and just enjoy carving. So I created some pieces for clients, and as

people recognised some value in what I could do, it kind of evolved,” he explained. One of his clients who had converted a former pub in Melbourne into a home opened up their garden for the annual festival and Ross went along to demonstrate his skills. A broad smile crosses his face as he says: “I really enjoyed the whole experience. People appreciated my work and I sold some pieces. I gained

Fest iv Spec als ial

Main picture: The natural colour of the stone bird form looks perfect on a wooden plinth in the garden Left: Contemporary forms Ross has created to exhibit at this year’s festivals

confidence from knowing people valued what I did. “A last September’s art trail someone told me about the sculpture of Rosemary Barnett and when I went to see her I found about the collective in Hartington and knew at once I wanted to join them. “Meeting Rosemary has enabled me to push myself and my boundaries, and in a very subtle way she is influencing what I am doing and has become something of a mentor for me.” He said over the past year he had started to concentrate more on his work and is spending more time on research. “Here at the studio everyone bounces ideas of one another and I am learning so much more. There are so many triggers which can take you in a different direction – not least the library of books packed into the stock cupboard. “I have started doing figurative

work, which really is a test for me as I am definitely broadening my scope. I believe I am finding my inner self.” Ross says he has also taken inspiration from Bridget McCrum, an artist who took to sculpture relatively late in life, like himself, and who is also drawn to shapes of simplicity. “I love the way you can create movement and capture the essence of something. I am just a newbie at the end of the day and just finding my feet, but I am enjoying what I do and I love working with the stone and knowing where it has come from. I especially like the connection with the quarrying in this county,” he said. He shows me a beautiful grey limestone, jewelled with ivory fossils, which he says is his favourite (although he has to think about it). It is supplied by Natural Stone Sales Ltd at Rowsley and cut from the wonderfully named Once A Week Quarry

that the firm leases from the Chatsworth Estate. The name was given to the quarry between Monyash and Sheldon because the 19th century workers were paid once a week instead of fortnightly like at other quarries. The limestone polishes up so well that locally it is known as Sheldon Marble and you can see exactly why it would appeal to a sculptor. Ross lovingly strokes the piece in front of him and says: “What I do is as much about the stone as anything else. It is such a lovely medium. So tactile. I like to have the finished pieces at home and be able to cast my hand over them as I pass by.” His work can be seen at both Melbourne and Wirksworth Festival art trails this month. At Melbourne he is creating something special to fit in with the For The Love of Lettuce theme and using his garden design skills to help out with one of the main attractions.

DERWENT GALLERY Landscapes of the Peak District

Edges and Moorlands by Tim Hulley

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

Original art l prints l art materials l gifts

Hook’s Carr to Stanage Edge by Tim Hulley

From August 26th – open Thursday-Sunday 11am-4pm

www.outframed.co.uk

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

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

Scarthin Books A homely refuge and social hub

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

Vegetarian & Vegan Cafe with cosy outdoor seating area

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

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

www.scarthinbooks.com

and watch our film on

Fest iv Spec als ial

round The World is the theme of this year’s New Mills Festival and highlights include a Persian feast, the globetrotting adventures of broadcaster Andy Kershaw and a multi-cultural concert by the Resonance Band. The launch of the Art Trail on September 8 will feature a performance and film by artist Chris Dobrowolski entitled All Roads Lead to Rome bringing together car mechanics, a road trip, dictators and the fetishisation of possessions. The trail, which is an important part of the festival each year, sees the town transformed into a gallery as more than 70 businesses host artists’ work. Highlights include work by John Hyatt, artist, musician, punk professor and one third of the infamous 1980s post-punk band, The Three Johns. Hyatt will be displaying two largescale paintings, entitled War and Peace. There will be opportunities

Open studios,

music, workshops and much more

at New Mills to take part too, including a drawing installation that will be inspired by the heritage of New Mills and led by Macclesfieldbased artist Simon Woolham. The Pinhole Studio, a narrowboat equipped with all things photographic will be hosting workshops so you can have a go at creating your own photogram. And Drink and Draw will once again be inviting you to sketch the action unfolding in a new storyline created by artist Andrea Joseph. The Art Trail will conclude with a Big Weekend, timed to coincide with the spectacular Lantern Procession on September 23. As well as the art work on display in the trail, the Big Weekend will see more than 150 artists and venues across

the town open their doors to host pop-up exhibitions, open studios, workshops, demonstrations, and arts and crafts markets. New this year will be an exhibition by Bolton based artist group neo:artists. The trail’s co-ordinator, Alison Vasey, said: “We are so excited about this year’s trail, which is bigger and better than ever. Whether you want to buy a unique piece of art for your home, or be inspired to get creative yourself, there’ll certainly be something for you here.” The Andy Kershaw evening on September 16 is a festival fundraiser and tickets cost £10. As well as telling tales about his life, which includes a spell as Billy Bragg’s roadie, and being banned from Malawi, he will also be signing his book No Off Switch. The closing event, also a fundraiser, with tickets at £13 in advance, will be a footstomping performance by gypsy folk rockers Holy Moly and The Crackers. n Full details can be found at newmillsfestival.co.uk

Black and white with local colour

here is grittiness mixed with tenderness in the charcoal drawings of New Mills artist Clare Allan. They capture the essence of her home town so perfectly that looking at them you instantly feel as if you are there. In this job I hear the words ‘sense of place’ quite a lot and, although they don’t pass Clare’s lips, I realise that in her case they are definitely appropriate. Her pictures portray the High Peak industrial town in a positive way with the warmth of someone who loves the place she has lived in since she was four (apart from the time she was at art college in Hull she points out). There is a simplicity about the pictures which belies the expertise she has in drawing with charcoal. And that’s exactly what she wants. “I like the fact that I don’t work with any complicated equipment just some paper and charcoal. I like the directness - the connection of hand, eye and paper,” explains the 49-year-old. “I draw from life wherever possible. Sometimes I can be out in the car, or simply sitting at the window at home. What is important to me is that the

drawings reflect how I feel to be in that place. It is difficult to explain, but it is the emotion that I am feeling that I want to express. “My drawings are not simply random landscapes. They are all meaningful places to me. What I am doing is recording stories and histories that are part of my everyday life – whether it is a shop window filled with cakes or an industrial factory. “I don’t want these places to disappear and then be forgotten I want them to be recorded in my drawings.” Clare studied Fine Art at Hull and trained in printmaking and she explains that she now applies a method similar to etching to her drawings. Her work as an artist has had to fit around bringing up a family but, as her children have reached teenage, she is focusing more on raising her profile as a fine artist. “I have built up a certain amount of confidence in what I do now. I sell my work through my website and am featured in several galleries in Derbyshire and Cheshire. I also enjoy attending festivals like the one in my home town, meeting people who are interested in what I do and talking about the work.” During the New Mills Festival Big Weekend Clare will be

exhibiting with a friend and fellow New Mills artist John E Walter whose contemporary geometrical paintings on transparent acrylic sheet are quite different to her own. The show, entitled Same But Different, is at the studios in Union Road from 11am-4pm on September 23 and 24. n For more information about Clare’s enchanting work go to clareallanart.com

OPEN STUDIO

PICTURE: Ellie Kurtz

ROB WILSON

Is she? –

EVERY FRIDAY 10am-4pm at Lockside Mill, St Martin’s Road, Marple, SK6 7BZ

he much-loved musical comedy Hairspray comes to Buxton as part of a new national tour by the show’s director Paul Kerryson – who also happens to be the executive director of the town’s Opera House.

‘Rob’s mixed media paintings incorporate paint, print, texture & lines of stitching, offering atmospheric interpretations in his unique contemporary style.’

Your chance to meet the artist in his working studio. Next Exhibition of new work

The show was booked by the Opera House before he took up the post last December and he is thrilled that Buxton is one of the 30 venues on the tour which began in Wales last month and will finish in Cheltenham next June. The star cast includes Norman Pace (one half of Hale and Pace) as Wilbur Turnblad; Matt Rixon as Edna; Layton

Sat 4th / Sun 5th Nov Lockside Mill, Marple

For more information or to subscribe to Rob’s newsletter visit:

www.robwilsonart.co.uk 38

Rebecca Mendoza, above centre, makes her professional debut alongside Norman Pace and Matt Rixon, left

– Or isn’t she...? Plus-sized Tracy

has a burning ambition – is she going to make it? Williams playing the role of Seaweed and musical theatre star Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle. Newcomer Rebecca Mendoza will make her professional debut as Tracy Turnblad. Choreography for the tour is by Drew McOnie. Producer Mark Goucher said: “I am incredibly proud of this production of Hairspray and thrilled that it will be travelling the country again.

The universal appeal of this heart-warming show has continued to delight us all, with families and musical theatre lovers alike packing out theatres night after night.” The drama takes place in Baltimore 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way. Hairspray is a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake by cult filmmaker

John Waters. With music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman Hairspray originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. Following the show’s phenomenal success on stage, a film of the musical was released in 2007 which starred John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and James Marsden. n Hairspray is on stage in Buxton from October 23-28. To buy tickets call the box office on 01298 72190 or visit buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Fest iv Spec als ial

A Wirk in progress

very September Wirksworth comes alive with contemporary visual arts and crafts, street theatre, music and film for a festival which is now in its 22nd year. The highlight of the event, from September 8-24, is the Art and Architecture Trail held over the launch weekend which this year will showcase the work of more than 150 artists in private homes from lead miners’ cottages to fine Georgian town houses, together with historic buildings, gardens, courtyards, shop windows and churches. Visitors will also be able to see work by artists which has been brought together for The Curated Exhibition, and a hand-picked selection of work by some of the region’s finest graduates. The Curated Exhibition of well-known and up-andcoming artists forms the centrepiece of the Trail in the Parish Room and St Mary’s

Wirksworth event

kicks off with popular art and architecture trail Church. This year it has been put together by Louisa Chambers and Dr Emily Strange, artists and researchers from Nottingham Trent University. Together they have created Veneer, an exhibition that brings together a group of diverse artists from around the country whose practice plays with themes of domesticity, display and concealment, and architectural space. Alongside Louisa and Emily will be artists Craig Fisher, Conor Hurford, Demi Levi, Tessa Lynch, Laura McCafferty, Zoe Mendelson, David Penny, Gabriel Tejada and Ian Whitfield. This year the performance programme kicks off with music from a pair of sparky

young singer songwriters Hannah James and Grace Petrie on September 12, and sees the return of Manchester-based band Kabantu on September 14. Celebrated reggae artist Macka B, following on from Wirksworth’s own ska/twotone band Skarambe, will be performing at the end of the festival on September 23. Derbyshire-based storytelling company Adverse Camber return to the festival with a Celtic legend – Dreaming the Night Field – which features one of Wales’ most engaging storytellers alongside exquisitely haunting live music. English and Welsh are artfully woven together to make these ancient voices and living landscapes come alive in an exhilarating performance. The festival will also see the launch of the Wirksworth Youth Theatre at a workshop to which all young people are welcome. n For full details, including dates and ticket prices, go to wirksworthfestival.co.uk

Patâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work is passion- art!

here is an exuberance about Pat Shenstone that is truly infectious and if you spend just five minutes in her company you will find your zest for life increases tenfold. It is impossible to listen to her chatter about her inspiration and ideas for future projects without being motivated to get going yourself. The 81-year-old artist only moved to Wirksworth a few years ago, but it seems as if she has always been a part of the town as she has been a regular exhibitor at the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festival for many years. Her colourful burlesque-style

Pat Shenstone in her studio

paintings present a humorous exterior while hinting at quite another darker truth behind their facade. They are certainly a talking point. During the festival art trail weekend Patâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home, tucked down a narrow street in the

centre of the town, can be packed with visitors enthusing about her work. It was a friend from the town, whom Pat met while working as an academic at Coventry University, who introduced her to Wirksworth by inviting her to stay and the same friend who suggested Pat joined the art trail. Twenty years ago Pat retired from her job as a principal lecturer and course leader for Crafts and began to concentrate on painting full time. When, a few years ago, she and her now husband Andy, who at the time lived in Halifax, made the decision they wanted to be together they realised Wirksworth would be the perfect place.

I love plants and plant forms, food and cooking – I love making cakes “There is a lot of symbolism in my work which is both narrative and autobiographical. I am inclined to take a theme and work on a linked series of ideas and quite often – well mostly to be honest – my paintings feature women,” explained the artist. One of her best-known series of paintings is based around the theme of Lady Godiva, who was said to have ridden naked through the streets of Coventry to force her husband to halt

his oppressive taxation of the people. “In the series I created her as a 21st Century woman making a statement. It is known as GO-Diva because I accidently added a hypen and then thought that it was actually rather an apt title,” said Pat with a flourish. “You don’t know what your work is about just because you have done it – sometimes you have to tease it out of yourself.” She is a bit of a magpie with her ideas and collects stills from the TV, cuttings from newspapers, pictures in magazines and lots of art books. “I do not always realise where

I get ideas from and I have no problem with that. I have always liked the quote ‘Good poets steal bad poets copy’, which I think was by T S Eliot,” she says irreverently. “I am also influenced by the other things in my life that I love – plants and plant forms, food and cooking. I love making cakes. “A visit to my studio will explain it better,” declares Pat getting up from the sofa, and after a short walk from her home we are climbing a set of stone steps to a bright space filled with her books, flowers, (including gorgeous sunflowers which she reveals she is about to paint) seed pods, cakes and several of her big paintings. “I usually have more than one

2017

Concerts

1st September – 15th October

Pat Shenstone working on one of her enthralling painings Previous pages, clockwise from left: Go-Diva Cuts Her Hair, Do You Hear the Dance?, Standing on The Outside, We Shall Follow and While The Music Lasts

Call: 07765 819428

melbournefestival.co.uk

melbourne - south derbyshire - DE73 8EJ

n Go to patshenstone. co.uk for more details about her work.

Pat’s latest work

is based around Carnival and

Masquerade painting on the go at a time because I like to work fast and oil takes a while to dry so I switch from one painting to another,” she says by way of explanation. “I am always thinking about the next theme,” she states, showing me pictures of bold portraits by the American figurative artist Alex Katz as she bounced from book to book. “I just love this,” she adds turning the pages. “And I saw this and thought what a great idea,” she continued, her enthusiasm bubbling over. Pat’s latest work is based around a theme of Carnival and Masquerade and before we leave she shows me the cuttings and pictures which have formed her ideas. These paintings will be the ones visitors to this year’s Wirksworth Arts Trail will be able to see.

have a go The children are back at school and you need something to occupy your time? Book yourself on to a new course 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. Every over 18 year old 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 creating a beautiful scarf, cushion or wall hanging. Or you can join in at the weekly textile groups now on Monday, 2-4pm and Wednesday 10am-12.30pm, to try tapestry, weaving, collage, mixed media, printing, design and much more. A small friendly group with an emphasis on enjoyment while creating. For information contact: Anne Alldread on 07817745705, email annealldread@yahoo.co.uk or visit annealldread.com Anna Massey – Painting and Drawing Classes n A 12-week courses for beginners and improvers. New Mills September 20, 9.30am-11.30am; Hazel Grove September 20, 1pm-3.30pm; Sheffield September 18, 2.30pm4.30pm and September 21, 7pm9pm. To find out more and to book go to annamasseyartist.com, email annamassey38@googlemail.com or call 07947 380078. Art Afloat, Birdswood narrowboat, Cromford Canal n Expert-led, small group practical skills art workshops on board narrowboat Birdswood on the Cromford Canal.

Join artists for

The Big Draw at Creswell Crags If you want to take part in the 2017 Big Draw event on October 11 you could join Purple and Grey for a morning at Creswell Crags – home of the UK’s first rock art. Take your sketchbooks and drawing materials, and spend time exploring the area discovering a diverse range of cultural and n On The Cut – September 11, Linocut printmaking workshop with renowned canal artist and printmaker Eric Gaskell. n Inside Out – September 26, Liz Wellby leads a workshop exploring digital art with iPad and iPhone using the Brushes XP app. n Autumn Colours – October 3, acrylic painting class with Ruth Gray inspired by the changing colours of Derwent valley woodlands. To book email sales@birdswood.org or telephone 07552 055455

geological features and attractions. Creswell Crags is a limestone gorge honeycombed with caves and smaller fissures. Meet Purple and Grey outside at the visitor centre entrance at 10.30am and spend a few hours in the grounds drawing the sights in your chosen medium. Return around 12.30pm to the cafe area for a cuppa and to share your drawings with the other artists. For details about this and other events on the day go to bigdraw.org Artcore, Charnwood Street, Derby n Art For Life, every Wednesday, 1-3pm. n Our Stories which aims to bring together people from migrant communities in a series of ongoing art-based workshops, every Tuesday from 10am-12pm. For further information please email info@ artcoreuk.com or call 01332 384561. Bakewell Community Arts Workshops, Medway Centre n Crafternoons – Third Friday of the month during term time 1pm–3pm.

art and textiles Wirksworth

Anne Alldread

textile artist and felt maker

pitchblue

www.pitchbluecreative.com

n Felt making workshops n Weekly textile group n Fashion accessories n Textile art works n Interior accessories n Commissions

courses workshops holidays education parties community projects

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

BOBBIN LACE MAKING

Printers of Artisan Stationery

Workshops, Events & Gallery

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

www.smallprintcompany.com The Smallprint Company, 2-3 Friary Street, Derby DE1 1JF hello@smallprintcompany.co.uk

www.louisewestlacedesign.co.uk

ARTafloat

afloat

Expert-led, small group practical skills art workshops on board narrowboat Birdswood on the Cromford Canal ON THE CUT - Monday 11 September. Linocut

printmaking workshop with renowned canal artist and printmaker Eric Gaskell GoWA RBSA.

INSIDE OUT - Tuesday 26 September. Liz Wellby

leads a workshop exploring digital art with iPad and iPhone using the Brushes XP app.

AUTUMN COLOURS - Tuesday 3 October. Acrylic

ART painting class with Ruth Gray inspired by the changing colours of Derwent valley woodlands.

Workshops are 10am-4pm approx. Max 10 participants. Fee ÂŁ65/person includes a canal cruise, materials, drinks, light refreshments.

Details/bookings: call 07552 055 455 or email sales@birdswood.org

have a go n Crafty Kids Club –Tuesdays during term time 10am-noon. For further details call the Medway Centre on 01629 813638. Cromford Studio and Gallery, Market Place, Cromford n Watercolour tuition is available for small groups or on a one-to-one basis, all abilities welcome. Contact the gallery on 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 Etienne Gallery art classes, In The Flow, Matlock n Etienne Gallery offers year-round studio art classes and workshops taught by experienced artist and teacher, Jason Etienne. Go to jasonetienne.com for details. Glossop Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild, Glossop Cricket Club, SK13 7AS n Inspirations, a talk by Eva Thomas, September 27, 1pm-3pm. n Informal Stitch and Chat session, October 25. 10.30am-12.30pm followed by Stitching Matters with guest speakers from the Altrincham Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild, from 1pm-3pm. Bring your own packed lunch, drinks provided. Members £2, visitors £3. Further details from Ann on 0161 3433819, or email adcornes@yahoo.co.uk Green Man Gallery, Hardwick Hall, Buxton n The REC Youth Theatre Senior Company (aged 15 to 19+) meets every Monday during term time from 6.30pm-8.30pm. Come to a session or contact Kitty Randle on recyouththeatre@gmail.com n Buxton Youth Theatre – for people aged 13-18. Professional training from ex-Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts coach Ada and graduate Karina Tomlinson – leading

to public performances. Beginners welcome. Meets Tuesdays during term time from 6.30pm-9pm. Call Ada on 07958 597842 for details. 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 18s only. n Dance Classes: For information and to book places, call Catherine Farrimond, on 01298 70984. 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 Linocut, September 16, 11am4pm. n Reduction Linocut, September 30, 11am-5.30pm. n Cyanotype, October 7, 11am5pm. n Drypoint on Copper, October 21, 11am-4pm. n Woodcut, November 4, 11am4.30pm. n Screenprinted Christmas Cards, December 2 and 9, 11am-3pm. For more details and to book online, visit: greendoor-printmaking.co.uk or call 07919 823 097. Greenwood Days, National Forest, near Melbourne n Square Basket making September 30-October 1, £190 per person. n Ash Splint Basket-making October 21-22, £190 per person. Go to greenwooddays.co.uk Helen Jagger, sustainable textile design n Drop-in sessions at St Ann’s Catholic Rooms, Buxton, Fridays, 9.15am-1.15am. n Buxton Campus, Buxton, Tuesday evenings in term time, 7pm-9pm. Contact the college directly on 08000 740099 to book. Guidance with a range of sewing projects such as household, soft furnishing, dress, and the recycling of fabrics. Go to helenjagger.co.uk for more details.

Helen Moyes, Textile and Mixed Media Artist, Sheffield n Sip and Sew or Knit and Natter, first Monday of the month, 6-7.30pm, in Eccleshall, Sheffield. For more information, or to book a place, please contact Helen 0796 711 9591 or moyeshelen@gmail. com. Jane Bevan creating artworks from Found Natural Materials n Full day workshop, 10am-4pm. Join Jane for a day of walking, collecting and making around the Calke National Trust estate in Ticknall, October 21. email janebevan@btconnect.com Jenny Oldknow Art, The Oldknow Studio, Pinewood Road, Belper n Weekly Watercolour Painting Club, Term-time Monday mornings 10am-12noon. The first half term runs from September 11, through to October 16. Advance booking for each half term block is essential, as space is limited. Email jenny. oldknow@btinternet.com to book. Karina Goodman Studio 61 n Workshops and Tuition. Derbyshire RSC for The SAA. New for 2017 – Regional Purple and Grey Art Group. Visit karinagoodmanstudio61.co.uk for more information 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 September 2, 12 and 30. 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.

have a go Lucy Gell, printmaking The Studios, New Mills n Intro to drypoint etching with monoprinting, September 9. n Intro Collograph Printmaking, October 8. n Intro Linocut Printmaking, November 12. n Linocut Christmas Greeting Cards, December 3. More details at lucygell.com/ workshops. 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 is welcome, £5 to include light refreshments. For more information contact Doreen Andrews 01629 824640. Pitchblue Creative, Newbridge Works, Coldwell Street, Wirksworth n Paper Play Days, September 15 and 16, 10am-3.30pm. n Screen Printing with Little Canyon Print Company, September 23, 10am-3.30pm. n Ceramics with Virginnia Litchfield, October 7 and 8, 10am-3.30pm. Full day workshops from 10am3.30pm with lunch and a half day is until 1pm. You can choose one day or two. Go to pitchbluecreative.com for more details. Pauline Townsend Silk Painter n Workshops for beginners and improvers in Buxton. Workshop schedule available on the website: silkpainter.co.uk Parkwood Pottery Alfreton n Eight-week evening throwing courses on Thursdays, two-day weekend courses and three-hour taster sessions. Telephone 07919 838108 for more details. Purple and Grey – courses for emerging artists n Join Purple and Grey for a Big Draw event at the historic scenic Creswell Crags home of the UK’s first rock art at 10.30am on October

11. This is a free event. More details at thebigdraw.org n From January 2018 Purple and Grey Derbyshire Art Group will meet every first and third Wednesday of each month 10.30am-12.30pm, at Tansley Village Hall, new members always welcome £4.95. See purpleandgrey.couk for workshops and artist networking events. Scandi Workshops by Needle in the Mill, Banks Mill, Bridge Street, Derby n Hygge Lanterns and Cards, Wednesdays, 6.30pm-9pm. n Scandi Embroidery, Fridays 12.30-3pm. For further details, or to book please contact, needleinthemill@gmail.com Instagram:@needleinthemill Small Print Company, 2-3 Friary Street, Derby n Introduction to Letterpress, September 16 and October 21, 12 noon and October 12, 6pm. n Beginners Bookbinding, September 9, 2pm and October 14, 1pm. n Create at Letterpress Print, September 7 and October 7, 12 noon, September 21 and October 26, 6pm,. Details of various courses at smallprintcompany.co.uk The Studios, Union Road, New Mills n Peak Scribbling Writers’ Group every other Tuesday of the month, 7-8.30pm. For prices, more details and how to book email emmamakarove@ googlemail.com 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 www.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 9.45am-11.15am, and every Monday 9.45am-1.15am. 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. St John Street, Gallery, Ashbourne n Lewis Noble – Sketching and painting the Derbyshire landscape, a three- day workshop, September 11-13. n Louise Jannetta – Woods in Autumn, September 27. To book, phone 01335 347425 or email enquiries@ stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk. More details at stjohngalleryandcafe. co.uk Threads, The Haybarn, Beechenhill Farm, Ilam n Crewelwork Embroidery Weekend Workshop, September 22-24 – a relaxing weekend stitching the Derbyshire Gritstone Sheep from an original painting by artist, Sue Prince and adapted for needlework by Cathy Reavy. An opportunity to learn a range of crewelwork stitches, all materials, refreshments & equipment provided. More information and booking atthreadsworkshops. co.uk/gritstone-sheep-crewelworkweekend.html or telephoning 01335 310125 West Studios, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield n West Studio Makes – A perfect Saturday morning workshop for children from four-years-old. Running the 1st and 4th Saturday of the month, April Spence is running a calendar choc full of crafts and activities your children will love. You can email hello@weststudios. co.uk or call 01246 500799 to reserve your place on any of the courses.

Fest iv Spec als ial

All things bright and beautiful...

veryone is being encouraged to dress up in their brightest clothes to join the fun at the second Duffield Festival, which has the Beauty of Colour as its theme.

to repeat success with a colourful arts extravaganza

Jonathan Leach, a lover of the arts who came up with the concept and – along with a hard-working team – launched the Duffield Arts Festival in September 2016 said: “Last year, we set out to create something new and unique to Duffield, something that would bring our special community together and celebrate that community. “I believe we have achieved that.” The 2017 festival includes competitions for photography and short stories, a scarecrow festival, a dedicated children’s venue, music, dance,

storytelling and an array of visual arts. This year more than 35 artists will display their work. Some will also be holding workshops and four will open their studios to visitors. There will such a broad range of over 70 activities, from choir workshops with Derby Acapella, to the motivational psychologist and author Andy Cope. There is also a children’s choir especially formed for the festival by singer and composer Neil White and a Music-a-thon with pianist Beate Toyka. The headlining act on the Saturday evening at

Duffield looks

Ecclesbourne School will be Leicester’s Americana band Chris Moody and the Underground Kings. The children’s venue at Duffield Meadows School, will offer a wide range of activities from the Tribal Vibes drumming workshop to drama with the Babbling Vagabonds Storytelling Theatre. The week of events begins on September 18 with activities every day leading up to the awards evening on September 22 followed by two actionpacked days over the weekend of September 23 and 24. Wristbands, tickets and details of the ticketed events are available online or from Duffield News or Duffield Library. n For more details call 07952675862, email info@ duffieldartsfestival.com or visit the website at duffieldartsfestival.com

Hues Richard Beresford

Clockwise from above:

Castleton in the Mist, inversion from Mam Tor; Grindsbrook Falls;

Carl Walk, Looking Towards Higger Tor;

Burbage Brook through Padley Gorge

of Peak Seasons

hen publishers Amberley asked Peak District photographer Richard Beresford if he could contribute some landscape pictures for a new book about Derbyshire he readily agreed. He thought he would be one of several contributors and considered himself honoured to be included. What he didn’t realise was that having seen his work on Flickr the publishing team wanted to create an entire book from his photographs. “I thought they would want three or four maybe and of course I said I was interested and asked exactly what they wanted. When they said 125 I couldn’t believe it,” said Richard who is a member of the Chesterfield Photographic Society “It was too good an

opportunity to turn down, so I jumped at the chance and I am really delighted with the resulting book. “To be honest, how the book has been received by my family and friends has been rather overwhelming. I am flattered at the response from people who have seen it.” Richard, 42, has always lived in Brimington on the edge of the Peak District and as a child his father took him and his siblings out walking always carrying a camera and binoculars. “I owe my interest in photography to my dad and we still go out regularly together. When I am not with him I love to go with my family and show them all the wonderful places my dad showed me.” Richard works shifts as a team leader for a new biomass power plant, which has been built on the edge of Sheffield. The technical engineer enjoys his work but says his job can be quite stressful and intense

so when he has finished a 12 hour shift he loves to be able to pick up his camera and head for the hills. “The shift working means I can get out when the Peak District is not quite so busy, which is great for capturing the peace and tranquility that the surroundings provide. “I tend to be drawn to the Dark Peak. I think it is something about the wild, rugged moors, the tors and edges. A lot of the pictures in the book are from there.” n Derbyshire In Photographs, has 128 pages and costs £15.99 and is available from Waterstones, Amazon and amberley-books.com

Special offer for amateur drama and community theatre groups Celebrating the arts in Derbyshire and the Peak District

September 2017

FRE

artsbeatblog.com

Autumn festivals round-up - Chatsworth - Derby - Duffield - Elvaston - Melbourne - New Mills - Wirksworth

Colourful

Drawn to the landscape

Music, theatre, gallery, film and

workshop listings

Promote your event with a quarter-page advert in for just £60

Your independent magazine dedicated to supporting the arts and artists in Derbyshire Tel: 07872 066719 email: editor@arts-beat.co.uk

erby Festé boasts a celebration of different cultures in a two-day outdoor entertainment spectacular. This year’s festival will fuse Western and Eastern cultures in the an eye-catching fashion as it coincides with the climax of the Navratri Festival. The nine-day Hindu festival, which is celebrated across the world, is even more significant this year as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of India’s independence. Circus World will open the festivities on Friday, September 29, at Bass’ Recreation Ground with a wide range of contemporary circus acts from across Europe, building

Fest iv Spec als ial

cultural carnival

up to the climax – an aerial performance of The Altitude Show by Gorilla Circus. Saturday will see a programme of free street entertainment across the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter with dance, street theatre, comedy and contemporary circus acts performing throughout the day. The focus in the afternoon will be on South Asian style cultural celebrations and the Colour of Time procession. Choreographed by French company Artonik and involving students from the University of Derby and Derby College, Colour of Time will be a rainbow eruption of coloured powder and dance. The parade brings a stunning reinvention of the traditional Holi festival celebrated in India.People throw gulal

powder in the air, showing joy and mirth, celebrating unity and an acceptance of diversity. Dancers and musicians will move through the city centre in a choreographed parade towards Cathedral Green with the audience invited to join the finale – painting the sky with an explosion of Gulal powder. Later, in the Market Place, dancers will lead the traditional Garba dance which is performed as part of the Navratri Festival and originates from the Indian state of Gujarat. Garba is traditionally performed around a centrally lit lamp or image of the Goddess Shakti and Festé’s interpretation of this will be ornate decoration and lighting suspended high over the Market Place.

A team of dance artists will be visiting schools and different community groups in the run up to Derby Festé to teach them the simple dance steps and they will then be encouraging the audience on the night to join in. The Night Market, organised by Sheena Holland will again feature a wide range of arts, crafts and vintage goods as well as food and drink stalls. Derby Festé Artistic Lead Stephen Munn said: “Every year we look to bring a new aspect into the Derby Festé programme and our aim this September is to showcase two different aspects of festival cultures in Europe and in South Asia.” n For more information about the Derby Festé programme, go to derbyfeste.com

bookshelf

n Van Gogh’s Ear: The True Story by Bernadette Murphy (Vintage Publishing £8.99) In December 1888, Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear. It is the most famous story about any artist in history. But what really happened on that dark winter night? In Van Gogh’s Ear, Bernadette Murphy reveals the truth. She takes us on an extraordinary journey from major museums to forgotten archives, vividly reconstructing Van Gogh’s world. Murphy answers many important questions with her groundbreaking discoveries, offering a stunning portrait of an artist edging towards madness in his pursuit of excellence.

n Slogans, Soundbites and Poetry by Dwayne Reads (Self published) This book is a celebration of the market gardeners from Melbourne – guided by the

theme of this year’s festival For the Love of Lettuce. Dwayne spent some time with a couple of market gardeners looking around their working environment, gathering notes and asking questions, so this book looks at how we plant, grow, buy and eat our food. The atmosphere of the book comes together with the insertion of different types of poems, short rhythmic ones like Lost For Time and Rat Ter Tat Tat, interspersed with longer more thoughtful ones like Flavours and Wholesale Market Fiasco. Dwane will perform all of these new poems and others at this year’s Melbourne Festival. They will also form a lamppost poetry trail.

n A Forger’s Tale by Shaun Greenhalgh (Allen and Unwin £16.99)

In 2007, Bolton Crown Court sentenced Shaun Greenhalgh to prison for the crime of producing artistic forgeries. Working out of a shed in his parents’ garden, Greenhalgh had successfully fooled some of the world’s greatest museums. During the court case, the breadth of his forgeries shocked the art world and tantalised the media. What no one realised was how much more of the story there

was to tell. Written in prison, A Forger’s Tale details Shaun’s notorious career and the extraordinary circumstances that led to it. Told with great wit and charm, this is the definitive account of Britain’s most successful and infamous forger, a man whose love for art saturates every page of this extraordinary memoir.

n The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! by Grayson Perry (Penguin Books Ltd £16.99)

There are some artists for whom ‘popular’ is a bit of a dirty word. Grayson Perry is not one of them. He thinks art shouldn’t be an exclusive club for people who ‘get’ it, but for everyone – that’s why his new show is called The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! This accompanying book contains all his latest works, in full colour along with an introduction by Grayson, his sketches and his commentary on each piece, explaining the thinking behind them. The images and words here explore populism, celebrity, masculinity, identity, Britain today and Grayson himself.

Bookshelf is sponsored by Scarthin Books, of Cromford 54

music

artsbeat’s essential guide to Derbyshire’s best live music from classical and choirs to indie, rock’n’roll and folk Festival date for

exciting young folk singers GRACE Petrie and Hannah James – vibrant, innovative and sparky young singer songwriters, who have exploded onto the contemporary folk scene – will be performing at the Wirksworth Festival this year. Grace, an activist from Leicester, delivers with warmth and wit her Billy Bragg style take on life, love and politics while Hannah, a singer, one-woman band and innovative clog dancer, mixes

Rock and Pop

Buxton Opera House, Buxton n The Quo Experience, September 14, 7.30pm. n The Kast Off Kinks, September 16, 7.30pm. n 10cc’s Graham Gouldman, Heart Full of Songs, September 22, 7.30pm. n Buddy Holly and the Cricketers, September 27, 7.30pm. n Jackson Live, September 28, 7.30pm. n Shane Filan, Love Always Tour, September 29, 7.30pm. n That’ll Be The Day, October 1, 7.30pm. Details at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Old Poets’ Corner, Ashover Tuesdays is open acoustic night For more details go to the pub website, oldpoets.co.uk

vocals and accordion with elaborate foot percussion. She is perhaps best known as a member of Lady Maisery and for her earlier work with Kerfuffle. The performers will

be supporting human rights activist groups Amnesty International and Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity. The gig is at Wirksworth Town Hall, at 7.30pm on September 12.

Queen’s Head, Chesterfield Road Belper n September 22, Matt McGuinness and the MLC. Support from Jack’s Got a Plan. n September 30, Anthony John Clarke. For more details go to queensheadbelper.weebly.com New Mills Art Theatre, Jodrell Street Marple art pop band Dutch Uncles with The Camens, September 9, 7pm as a kick-off to the New Mills Festival. Tickets from ticketsource. co.uk/date/373502

n A charity concert in aid of the Lisieux Trust. £12 tickets including nibbles. Performances by three well-regarded folk musicians Martyn Wyndham-Read, Tom McConville and Pete Shirley. Tickets on 01335 310322 or via WeGotTickets.com. Other events at the village hall can be found online at alstonefield.org/ community/alstonefield-events. 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 n Cara Dillon, September 9, 7.30pm. n Cronology, Jazz at the Arts Centre, September 17, 1pm. n The BIG Chris Barber Band, Centenary of Jazz, September 17, 7.30pm.

Folk and Jazz

Alstonefield Memorial Hall n The Folk Gathering, September 15-17. This event sold out in March but you can go to a standby list at thefolkgathering.org.

music

Singers launch

concert season VOCAL ensemble VOCES8 is to open the widely acclaimed Repton Concerts Society programme for 2017/18, with a performance to include Britten’s Choral Dances, arrangements of folk songs including O Waly Waly and contemporary arrangements by Justin Bieber and Duke Ellington.

The concert, which will feature Repton School’s Chamber Choir, opens the series of nine performances, which brings internationallyrenowned musicians of all styles and backgrounds into the intimate venue of Repton’s Music School. It takes place on Wednesday, September 20, starting at 7.45pm. Put together by Artistic Director Oliver Walker, the 2017/18 Concert Series has something to suit all musical

Scarthin Books

A homely refuge and social hub n The Simon and Garfunkel Story,

September 21, 7.30pm. New, secondhand and antiquarian bookshop with n The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, September 23, 7.30pm. almost 100,000 titles buy books and music by appointment n LosWe Pacaminos, featuring among others, Paul Young, September 23, & Vegan Cafe 7.30pmVegetarian (PAC). cosywith outdoor n Barbarawith Dickson Nick seating area Holland, September 25, 7.30pm Bookshop 9-6pm Monday-Saturday, 10-6pm Sunday (PAC). Cafe 10-5.15pm Monday - Saturday, 10-6pm Sunday For details go to buxtonfestival.co.uk or buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Listed by the Guardian online as one of Chesterfield Jazz Club, Chester in the world’ the ten ‘best bookshops Street, Chesterfield The Promenade, Scarthin, Cromford, DE4 3QF Jay Quartet, September Tel:Riley 01629 823272 email: nickscarthin@gmail.com Josh Okeefe who is performing at 21, 8.30pm. More details at the Guildhall Theatre, Derby, on www.scarthinbooks.com chesterfieldjazz.wordpress.com September 13 Derby Theatre Follow us on and watchGreen our film Manon Gallery, Buxton The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars: Ronnie n The Sunday BuskStop, Scott’s Soho Songbook, September September 10. Free lunchtime gig 1. Go to derbytheatre.co.uk for details. by local musicians with soup, bread

tastes; from jazz to classical, flamenco festivities to a brass quartet. Often the visiting musicians will work with Repton School pupils during the afternoon in an informal masterclass setting, before performing themselves in the evening. This year also sees Repton School pupils feature in three of the concerts. Copies of the full programme are on the music pages at repton.org.uk and cake for lunch and excellent company. noon-2pm. Donations to performers invited. Drop in for a short time or stay for the full two hours. n BluesFest at The Green Man, September 16.Charity gig featuring an exciting line-up of local musicians who play and sing the blues. 7pm (Doors 6.30pm). n The I AM Spoken Word Night. A night of original writing by young people including poetry open mic, plus music from some of Buxton’s rising stars. Fundraiser for the forthcoming young artists’ exhibition, ‘I AM/WE ARE’ in October. Starts at 7.30pm (Doors 6.30pm) on September 23. Email hello@ thegreenmangallery.com to take part. n 50 Years Ago Today – Come and Sing Workshop and Scratch

music High energy

folk rock fusion FOOT stomping folk rockers Holy Moly and The Crackers will be closing New Mills Festival at New Mills School on September 24. They are a seven-piece Gypsy Folk Rock band from the UK playing an exciting and visceral blend of rock, pop, folk, blues, balkan, klezmer, ska and reggae and led by founders Conrad Bird, Ruth Patterson and Squeezebox Rosie. For tickets go to newmillsfestival.com Concert led by Tim and Eleanor Mottershead, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Beatlesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sgt Pepper album. Workshop 10.30am to 5pm. Concert 7pm to 8pm, September 30. Further details from hello@thegreenmangallery.com Contact hello@thegreenmangallery. com or 01298 937375 for tickets and more information. The Globe, Glossop London based folk/blues musician Sean Taylor is a seasoned performer and recording artist of ten years standing, he has achieved a special maturity with his latest album Flood & Burn, released in February. In the past Sean has achieved airplay on BBC Radio 2 from three programmes; Bob Harris Sunday, The Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe and Paul Jones Blues Show. September 7, 8pm. For tickets telephone 07512 214668 or go to theglobeconcerts.co.uk or wegottickets.com/event/410520 Guildhall Theatre, Derby Josh Okeefe carries southern Appalachian traditional sounds to new urban contemporary stylistic interpretations that leave modern audiences hungry for more.

September 13, 8pm. Go to derbylive. co.uk for details. Melbourne Assembly Rooms, Melbourne Pianist and singer Will Pearson who this year has won the Dalesmen Music Student of the Year Award. Think Jamie Cullum, Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble rolled into one, September 22, 7.30pm. Part of Melbourne Festival, go to melbournefestival.co.uk for tickets and details of other festival events. New Mills School, Church Lane, New Mills Holy Moly and the Crackers (see above), September 24. New Mills Festival fundraiser and finale. Go to newmillsfestival.com for ticket details and for more information about other festival music. The Old Hall Hotel, Hope n Singers and musicians in the bar, 8pm, every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. n Wilson-McGladdery Duo, September 13. n Aiden Smith September 27. Go to folkandblues.club for more details or call 07913331078. Wirksworth Town Hall, Wirksworth Kabantu, September 14, 9.30pm,

as part of the Wirksworth Festival. Kabantu throw away the rulebook to bridge countries and cultures, creating an exuberant and joyful sound. Vocal harmonies of South Africa coalesce with everything from Celtic reels and Brazilian samba to Balkan folk music and beyond. Go to wirksworthfestival.co.uk for ticket details and details of other music events at the festival.

Classical Music

Abbotsholme Arts Society, Abbotsholme School Chapel Steven Isserlis, cello, September 22, 8pm. Acclaimed worldwide for his profound musicianship and technical mastery, British cellist Steven Isserlis enjoys a distinguished career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, author and broadcaster. For more details of all events go to abbotsholmeartssociety.co.uk Buxton Opera House, Buxton n Sarah Miller (flute and David Gibson (piano), Coffee Concert, Pavilion Arts Centre, September 8, 1pm. n Russian State Opera, Tosca, September 25, 7.30pm and Madama Butterfly, September 26, 7.30pm.For

music Storytelling with

poetry and song COLUM Sands, a universal storyteller, who draws on a long Irish tradition of poetic musicality to weave songs for the world is making a guest appearance in the county this month. He has been booked by Youlgrave Village Hall for a concert on September 30. He has performed in 30 countries all over the world, singing songs and telling stories in which he observes the minute and often humorous details of life. His work in radio and studio more details go to buxtonfestival. co.uk or buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Chapel-en-le-Frith Ladies’ Choir The choir are guests of New Mills Band at their charity concert (part of the New Mills Festival) at New Mills Town Hall, September 22. For further details call 01298 815965, or visit chapel-en-lefrithladieschoir.co.uk. Chesterfield Gilbert and Sullivan Society Chesterfield Gilbert and Sullivan Society has decided to ring the changes this year by staging Merrie England, composed by Edward German, at 7.30pm in Ashover Village Hall on October 6, Bakewell Medway Centre on October 7 and Hasland Village Hall on October 13 and 14. Go to chesterfieldgands.co.uk for more details. Derby LIVE, Darley Park Concert The Hannells Darley Park Concert, in partnership with Classic FM. An evening of Classic music and fireworks with pieces voted for by the public. September 3, gates open 2pm, concert starts 6pm. Don’t

production earned him the Living Tradition Award for services to Folk and Traditional Music. Colum has also produced countless albums for traditional singers and songwriters, forget your picnic – you can even pre-order one from derbylive.co.uk Derby Cathedral, Derby n London Concertante, Vivaldi Concertos by Candlelight, September 8, 7.30 pm. London Concertante makes its debut at Derby Cathedral with a wonderful programme celebrating the magnificent Concertos of Vivaldi, including Summer from his masterpiece, the Four Seasons. Rising star and fiddle sensation, Ben Norris, will be at the helm. n The Twilights season of concerts presented by Sinfonia Viva returns with Tedesca Quartet, September 22, 6pm. Details from derbycathedral.org. Music at Duffield, Ecclesbourne School, Duffield Travelling by Tuba, September 23, doors open at 7pm. A fascinating voyage through the weird and wonderful world of the tuba. For more details go to musicatduffield.com Queen’s Hall Derby Two Derbyshire choirs are performing at a concert to raise

The Youlgrave concert starts at 7.30pm. Doors open 6.45pm. Tickets: £15 available on 01629 636 477, email glenysannmoore@ googlemail.com or from Youlgrave Village Shop and The Bakewell Bookshop. funds for a county charity which helps adults and children cope with sight loss. Songs for Sight takes place on September 29 at 7.30pm, and features Bel Canto, a male voice chorus, and Ignite UK, a women’s four-part a capella harmony chorus. The event is raising money for Sight Support Derbyshire. For tickets go to sightsupportderbyshire.org. uk or contact Sight Support Derbyshire on 01332 292262 between 10am and 2pm, Monday to Thursday. Email fundraising@ sightsupportderbyshire.org.uk. Sitwell Singers, St John The Evangelist Church, Derby Durufle Requiem and Quatre Motets with Tom Corfield, organ, Saturday October 7, 7:30pm. A concert of French music featuring Durufle’s 20th century masterpiece as well as music by Faure, Franck (including Choral No.3 in A minor for organ) and Saint-Saens For tickets go to Foulds Music Shop in Derby, sitwellsingers.org.uk, or telephone 01332 662519. They are also available on the door.

attitude

Comment and opinion from reviewers and readers on the topics being talked about in Derbyshire’s arts community Dinara is one of a new generation

of pianists

uxton has been blessed this summer with a series of piano recitals by established, world-class musicians. A performance by Dinara Klinton gave us the opportunity to hear one of the new generation of pianists. Ukrainian-born, Dinara’s second CD of music by Franz Liszt got a five-star review in BBC Music Magazine and it was the work recorded there that was at the heart of this recital. She began, however, with Beethoven’ Sonata No 28 in A major, op 101 which comes from the beginning of his ‘late’ period and includes some of the tenderest music that he wrote. The range of sounds and emotions in the Sonata is demanding of the pianist – requiring not only technique but sensitivity. Fast fingers, but also a nimble mind. Dinara passed the test with flying colours and it was, incidentally, an opportunity to hear the excellent new Opera House grand piano fully extended. Dinara played six of the

Dinara Klinton

Liszt Etudes d’execution transcendante - and this is fearsomely difficult music to play. There is sometimes a sense with Liszt that he never quite knew when or where to stop – the notes and chords pile up relentlessly. Playing this music seems impossible enough but to play it with such clarity and conviction is remarkable. No 4 in the set – Mazeppa – for example requires a lot of cross handed playing to create what has been described as a “galloping” effect. This was “big” music – in terms of scale, dynamic and emotional range. At times it

seems to be very masculine music – the elements of bravura writing and demands made of the musician seem to me unimaginable from a woman composer. Whatever your judgement Dinara was in control, she was interpreting the music, she was not being dictated to. This recital was presented by the Fringe in association with the Buxton International Festival as a showcase for emerging performers. Dinara seized the opportunity with both hands and I hope that she is able to return to Buxton. By Keith Savage

attitude Classical music reviews by

Mike Wheeler Lunchtime concerts, Derby Cathedral This year’s Derby Cathedral lunchtime recital series began with Rachel Holt, flute and Anna Christensen, harp, from Sinfonia Viva, in a programme with a strong dance element. The following week, violinand-organ duo Lucy Philips and Mark Swinton were a bit too laid-back in JS Bach, and gave a nicely shaped but somewhat detached view of Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending. The University of Nottingham String Quartet made its public debut on May 26th in Borodin’s 2nd Quartet, with a lovely gentle opening that augured well for the rest. Another Nottingham student, soprano Rebecca Sarginson, with Hugh Morris, piano, gave the first song recital of the series, including some aptly characterised Mozart, Purcell and Vaughan Williams. Hugh Morris also played, the following week, for two students at Derby’s VoiceBox: Harriet Russ, soprano, and George Gatford, baritone. At this very early stage in their careers they are both already accomplished singers. On June 16 Beate Toyka played Schubert’s epic last piano sonata, in B flat, D960, reflecting the ambivalence of his emotional world without making unduly heavy weather

Beate Toyka performed at a Lunchtime Concert at the Cathedral in June

of the darker moments. Amid a host of excellent performers in the Derby Arts Festival Winners concert on the 23rd, Phoebe Boateng’s direct, powerful account of the Irish folk song She Moved Through the Fair stood out. The following week saw Head of Guitar at Birmingham Conservatoire, Mark Ashford, producing a bold range of colours from his instrument, taking us from Albeniz and Scarlatti’s Spanishness to Parisian cabaret courtesy of Charles Trenet and Alain Goraguer. On July 7 a former VoiceBox student, soprano Amanda Bonsall, returned to the Cathedral, with pianist Philip Bullock, in songs by Wolf, Schubert, Duparc, Strauss and Bridge with, in addition, Philip Bullock playing Mendelssohn’s Variations Sérieuses. The series ended on July 14 with Hugh Morris, piano, in robust JS Bach, vividly characterised Couperin, and haunting Debussy and Ravel. Sinfonia Viva and The Lost Boys, Derby Cathedral To tie in with Derby hosting the Weeping Window segment of the ceramic poppies sculpture, theatre company

The Lost Boys and Sinfonia Viva put together a double-bill which they plan to tour around the East Midlands next year. Peter Roberts’ one-act play Strange Meeting is based on Wilfred Owen’s poem in which a British soldier dreams he meets the German he killed the day before, and they make a tentative reconciliation. Directed by Pete Meakin, it moved to a heart-rending conclusion. The poem also forms the climax of Britten’s War Requiem, and in the second half Sinfonia Viva unveiled a newly-devised sequence of excerpts, comprising the Wilfred Owen settings Britten interleaved with the text of the requiem mass, together with some of the choral music to provide context. Derby Cathedral’s boy and girl choristers, directed by Hugh Morris, were on outstanding form, tenor Philip Brown and baritone Grant Doyle inhabited their roles with total conviction, and Sinfonia Viva’s players, conducted by David Lawrence, made vivid individual and collective contributions. Next year’s tour should be a powerful experience.

attitude The Day of the Quartets delights

Buxton crowd Day eight of the Buxton International Festival was billed as “the day of the quartets” and it fell to the Fitzwilliam Quartet to begin proceedings. Described as ‘one of the longest established string quartets in the world’ founded in 1968 only one of the original members survives – the other three regular members were not even born then. Leading cellist, Sally Pendlebury – who grew up in Manchester – took the place of Heather Tuach. Heather is currently “lost to motherhood” according to the programme notes – an odd expression. Anyway, to the music. The FSQ played Beethoven’s Quartet No 13 in B flat (Op 130) complete with the massive Grosse Fuge (Op 133) as a finale. This is late Beethoven and he did not get to see a performance of the whole piece. Composers like Beethoven were under great pressure to produce and deliver to their sponsors. It would be understandable, then, if occasionally they produced a ‘potboiler’ but – maybe because he knew he had little time left – Beethoven was working flat out to produce something that would befit his musical legacy. There are few tunes that you can whistle here – this is more like “art house” Chamber music, frequently intense and dramatic with a wide dynamic range. This is demanding of performers and

The Fitzwilliam Quartet

listeners. Not that it is without more accessible moments; the Cavatina (adagio motto espressivo) is as beautiful and moving a piece as you will hear. It is the Grosse Fuge that caused Beethoven the most difficulty; it took him months to complete and even then neither he nor his audiences were totally persuaded that it made sense as a piece of music or as a conclusion to the quartet. Arguably it is on too great a scale and unbalances the other movements. That said it is a landmark in European music and to hear so persuasive an account was a privilege which the capacity audience obviously recognised. n If the Fitzwilliam Quartet represents the old guard of British Chamber music then the Consone Quartet is very much one of the “new kids” coming to wider attention only in 2015. This afternoon recital included three pieces composed over a period of 40 years. Schubert’s Overture in C minor is dated 1811, when Franz was just 14, and was composed for his family. You would

Picture by Peter Searle

not expect this to be the most sophisticated piece of writing but there some unexpected, daring moments. What it must have been to grow up in such a household! Haydn’s six Prussian quartets, Op 50, were published in 1787. We heard Quartet No 40 - the fifth in the set – which has earned the nickname A Dream, on account of the second movement which may have been ‘dreamy’ but was also thoroughly engaging. Mendelssohn’s Quartet No 1 in E flat major, Op 12 is another early work completed in 1827 when he was 18. It was dedicated to a close friend, Betty Pistor, for whom the young Felix evidently felt great affection and this may account for the romantic qualities of much of the music. Drenched in youthful declaration, if this was a love letter sadly it was unread. The Consone plays with measured assurance. I look forward to hearing the Quartet play in Buxton again with a more challenging programme. By Keith Savage

attitude

Nottingham was worse than most cities because it had not been able to expand and so had filled up areas such as the Broad Marsh – which was, literally, a marsh. The ‘50s seemed as bad as the Depression for those at the bottom. Wages were low, work was often heavy or repetitive,

smoke and fumes everywhere. Pauline, Betty and Doreen, Albert, Derek and Bob, found that education was regarded with contempt, though father drinking never helped, and every one of them had to leave at the earliest opportunity to help the family finances. Yet families were never constant: fathers died at work, stepfathers brought a little relief and died, babies might pass away, or a relative would be taken ill and a promising student would be removed from school and sent to nurse their aunt or grandmother. In spite of everything some of the girls and boys who put ‘money on’t table’ made something of themselves, but not one of them pretends it was easy. This book is a tribute to the human spirit. Money On’t Table: Grit, Work and Family Pride, by Corinne Sweet September Publishing, £8.99

Christian has a very economic and ‘correct’ style and posture at the piano – no extravagant flourishes and gestures, he is very much a servant of the music and for this recital he presented three extremely well-known and admired Sonatas. Mozart’s Sonata in A minor, K310 and Sonata in B flat major, K333 and after the interval Schubert’s Sonata in C minor, D958 – one of his three late and great pieces for piano. A pianist friend – familiar with this music for half a century – offered the view

that in his playing Christian Blackshaw’s style was more romantic, less strictly classical, and that this suited better his playing of Schubert. If my friend had any questions about the playing of the Mozart he had no reservations when it came to the Schubert. Christian Blackshaw’s totally compelling account was warmly applauded and that sense of enthusiasm was carried over into discussions outside the hall. By Keith Savage This is an abridged version of a review first published on artsbeatblog.com in July

Tribute to heartland of

manufacturing A few years ago I was on a long distance coach from Heathrow. We stopped in Leicester to unload and the coach continued. The young woman next to me put down her Australian Woman’s Weekly and gazed out of the window at the Melton Road. Finally she said, “I didn’t realise everything would be so small.” It was a euphemism: she meant miserable. And that was in the city that had the highest percapita income of anywhere in Europe in the 1950s. Corrine Sweet has looked a little further north, to Nottingham, for biographies of six working men and women, born between the 1920s and the 1950s.

Christian is very much a servant

to the music Christian Blackshaw grew up in nearby Macclesfield so his appearance in this year’s Buxton International Festival was almost a homecoming – and hugely welcome he was. Christian completed a series of live recordings of all Mozart’s piano sonatas at the Wigmore Hall in 2013. In a crowded field these were immediately recognised as an outstanding addition.

Review by Les Hurst of Scarthin Books, Cromford

agenda

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

Anvil Gallery, Sadler Gate, Derby The work of Bristol artist Dan Ablitt can be seen at the gallery until September 25. More details on page 27. Work by Kerri Pratt, April Young, Andrew Macara, Jackie Berridge, John Paul Cooke and Mark Gordon can also be found at the gallery. Art Café, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton H2O – an exhibition entered in the Buxton Festival Fringe and extended to September 12. Open daily from 11am-4pm. Banks Mill Studios, Bridge Street, Derby Let's Pretend – a solo exhibition by Kirstie Adamson Magazine Collage Artist. This show is a continuation from last year's Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends. Her new work will relate to role play, nursery rhymes, film and fantasy. Weekdays 10am3pm, from September 4-29. Please ring 01332 597866 before your visit. You can meet Kirstie at her launch event on September 2, from 5.30pm8.30pm. 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. Buxton Museum and Art Gallery Reincarnated Rubbish – Endangered and Extinct is an exhibition by creative recycling artist Val Hunt which can be seen from September 9-November 18. More details on page 27.

Work by Derbyshire abstract artist Harry Ousey can be seen at the Nicholson Gallery, Leek until October 7

Church Farm Art Gallery, Church Street, Baslow The gallery is a showcase for both professional and talented amateur artists. Owner Norman Tomlinson, who paints mainly in watercolour, exhibits his own work, and others such as Caroline Appleyard, David Alderman, Mike Connley and Richard Towers. Open ThursdaySaturday 10.30am-5pm. On other days ring the bell or telephone 01246 582334. Go to churchfarmgallery. co.uk for more details. Cromford Mill Gallery, Cromford Landscape paintings by Chas Wilby, September 2-7. Details from cromfordmills.org.uk Cromford Gallery and Studio, Market Place, Cromford Award-winning Derbyshire pastel artist Sandra Orme is the featured artist for September and complementing Sandra’s work is the colourful jewellery of Michelle

Gillam-Hull. The gallery is open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm. Go to cromfordstudioandgallery.weebly. com for details. The Derwent Gallery, Main Road, Grindleford Edges and Moorlands by Tim Hulley and Philip Dyke from August 26. Tim Hulley paints local landscapes inspired by his own personal experience of walking and climbing on the rocky edges of the peak. Tim’s paintings have a physical feel having been constructed out of tissue paper, sand, PVA and finally painted with acrylics which are then varnished. Paintings can be previewed at www.derwentgallery. com. Open 11am to 4pm Thursday to Sunday, telephone 01433 630458. Déda, Chapel Street, Derby n Ashbourne artist Geoff Machin's beautifully crafted, inventive and intriguing abstract compositions always attract much interest, and this

agenda

Work by Tim Hulley forms the Edges and Moorland exhibition at the Derwent Gallery, Grindleford

second show at Déda will contain new work not previously exhibited. The exhibition will be launched on September 7, from 6.30pm-8pm. and runs until October 28. n Working in partnership with Artcore, Déda is presenting Bridge the Gap: an exhibition by two local artists, responding to the theme Celebrating India’s 70 years of Independence. It runs from September 7-October 28. There will be an exhibition celebration night on September 27 from 6pm–7.30pm as part of Déda’s Two-day India Festival. More details at deda. uk.com Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby Dear Reader is an exhibition of new paintings by artist Eleanor May Watson celebrating famous Derbyshire women. The work, produced during a nine-month residency as winner of The Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award, was inspired by Eleanor’s research into the lives of the women across history, September 16-November 19. More details on page 26. Disley Arts Society, Disley Methodist Church, Disley Annual exhibition, September 9 from 3pm-8pm and September 30 from

10am-5pm. Framed and unframed originals and cards. Raffle, cakes and refreshments. On site parking. Go to disleyartssociety.weebly.com for more details. Etienne Gallery at In The Flow, Crown Square, Matlock For the latest exhibitions go to jasonetienne.com Ferrers Gallery, Staunton Harold Estate, Ashby de la Zouch Home Comforts is a mixed media exhibition celebrating all the beautiful objects which make a house a home. The gallery has three floors with paintings on the top, British contemporary craft and applied arts on the middle floor and a selection of gifts, jewellery and cards on the ground floor. The Home Comforts exhibition runs until October 29. For details go to ferrersgallery.co.uk Gallery in the Gardens, Buxton The gallery showcases the work of more than 40 artists and craftspeople from the High Peak Artists group. Open daily. Details at galleryinthegardens.co.uk Gallerytop, Chatsworth Road, Rowsley Paintings, limited edition prints, sculpture, ceramics, glass and jewellery The gallery is open

Tuesday to 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 n Location – Contemporary Mix – Anne T Mann, Joanne Reay, Mary Worwood, Sue Gledhill and Suzanne Pearson return to The Green Man with their unique mixture of work in mixed media, photography, acrylics, ceramics and embroidery from September 1-27, with a launch event on September 1, 6pm to 8pm. n Passengers and Other Works – An evocative new exhibition by photographer Pete Simpson from September 29-October 26 with a launch event on September 29 from 7pm-9pm. For more details go to the gallery’s facebook page or greenmangallery.com. Haddon Hall, Haddon near Bakewell An exhibition of interactive sculptures by the highly-regarded sculptor, Nik Ramage, is on at Haddon Hall until September 30. See page 18 for more details or go to haddonhall.co.uk 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 Internationally renowned textile artist Michael Brennand-Wood will be offering a new perspective on his work with Between Thought and Expression from September 2. Flowers, skulls, stones and space invaders are just some of the emblems that he draws on to make his colourful and richly layered textiles. In this exhibition, he will be showing work from a residency in

agenda Australia, alongside pieces made in the UK since the 1980s. More details harleygallery.co.uk Ingleby Gallery, Ingleby John Bournon, Derbyshire Landscapes, September 3-17. You can read more about John's work on page 9. The gallery is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am-5pm and weekends from noon-5pm. Go to ingleby-gallery. co.uk for details. Jarva Gallery, Market Street, Whaley Bridge The gallery exhibits about 90 per cent British designers’ and artists’ work. They are passionate about craftsmanship and exhibit jewellery, ceramics, original art, bronze sculpture and glassware, Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9.30am5pm, Wednesdays 9,30am-3pm, and Saturdays, 9.30am-4pm. More details at jarvagallery.com. John Connolly's Ormscliffe Gallery, Bolsover More than 300 original paintings on show. Go to connollyart.com for more details. Kunst Gallery, The Old Nail Shed, Campbell Street, Belper Go to weare kunst on facebook for details of exhibitions and events. Leabrooks Gallery, Somercotes n Arwyn Quick – Light and Space, September, 2-15. This exhibition reveals the artist’s skill in representing the most uplifting characteristics of the countryside and seaside: his bright, clear images have the capacity to evoke shared memories which give them universal appeal. n Martin Davis – Figures, from September 16-29. This features images which have equally longstanding appeal. The figures in question have a fluid, sensuous quality associated with Art Deco paintings. More details on page 27. The gallery is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm and 11am4.30pm on Sundays. Wednesdays

Under The Oak by Kay Boyce which can be seen at the Favourites exhibition at St John Street Gallery in Ashbourne

by appointment only. Details at leabrooksartscomplex.com Little London Gallery, Church Street, Holloway Prints by David Harban and Paul Hipkiss, paintings by Chris Tkacz, 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 Marlow Gallery, The Close, Church Square, Melbourne Contemporary paintings, ceramics, sculpture and glass. The gallery is staging an exhibition entitled Summer Selection from September 10. More details on page 26. 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 The Nicholson Gallery, Nicholson Institute, Leek Sense of Place – landscape paintings by Harry Ousey, September 2-October 7. Harry Ousey, born in 1915 in Manchester, is considered an important representative in the British 20th century art scene. Harry, an abstract artist, was inspired by

the dry stone walls and quarry faces of Derbyshire and seascapes of Cornwall before moving to France in 1976. His work was included in an exhibition at Salford in 1948, with the pieces chosen by L S Lowry and numerous solo exhibitions followed in London in the 1960s. In 2015 Salford Art Gallery marked the centenary of the painter's birth exhibiting many of his ‘lost works’ which will be on display in the Nicholson Gallery. Gallery open 10am-4pm. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays. The Old Lock Up Gallery, Swift's Hollow, Cromford Secret Postcard Show, September 1-10. More details on page 17 or go to oldlockupgallery.wordpress.com Opus Gallery, St John Street, Ashbourne There is an exhibition of works by several artists during September and October. More details at opusgalleryashbourne.com. Patchings Arts Centre, Calverton Barn Gallery, September 2-October 8, Peter Burgess, Paintings 19972017 Exploring the Visible. For details about other exhibitions and events go to patchingsartcentre. co.uk QUAD Derby Our Friends Electric, Adventures in Robotics, AI and Other Stories, until September 10. Go to derbyquad. co.uk for details. River´s Edge Gallery, Hope Valley Garden Centre, Bamford Work by various artists including Kirstie-Leigh Riley, Pauline Rignall, Kristan Baggaley, Duncan Friend and Colin Smith. WednesdaySaturday, 10.30am-4.30pm and Sundays 11am-4pm. Go to riversedgegallery.co.uk for details. The Richard Whittlestone Wildlife Gallery, Pilsley, near Chatsworth Richard Whittlestone Wildlife Gallery is home to the artist’s stunningly detailed paintings of popular native

agenda wildlife and exotic big game. 10am5pm Tuesday to Saturday. More details at richardwhittlestone.co.uk The Adam and Eve Project A touring exhibition by 13 artists who have all created a personal response to the time honoured narrative of Adam and Eve: Melbourne Festival, Melbourne Village, September 16 and 17; St Chads Church, Stafford September 25-October 8. You can check out more details about the project in a previous artsbeat feature on artsbeatblog.com U Choose Smoothie Art Gallery, Ilkeston The Tony Hamson group of amateur artist from Long Eaton are exhibiting work until September 10. Work by more than 20 local artists can always be seen at the gallery. For more details go to uchoosesmoothie.co.uk St John Street Gallery, St John Street, Ashbourne In September the gallery is showcasing a collection of the best work by a group of their favourite local artists, including Catriona Hall, John Connolly, Kay Boyce, Kerri Pratt, Maggie Robinson, Mark Langley, Martin Hyde and Tricia Harrison. Their work covers a wide range of media and subjects.The gallery is open 9.30am-5pm, MondaySaturday. For more details go to stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk Tarpey Gallery, High Street, Castle Donington Midland Open Exhibition until September 24. An exhibition of the winning artwork and some of the 300 peices of work submitted for the competition.The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday 10am-5pm. Details at tarpeygallery.com Art Through Textiles, Dronfield Hall Barn, High Street, Dronfield Sheffield-based group Art Through Textiles will be exhibiting their work at Dronfield Hall Barn from September 11-24 10am-5pm. The exhibition, entitled Follow the

Let’s Pretend – a solo exhibition by magazine collage artist Kirstie Adamson can be seen at Banks Mill in Bridge Street, Derby

Thread, will be a dynamic exhibition featuring an eclectic mix of style, technique and approach with the emphasis on textiles. The work the group produces makes use of many techniques and approaches. The group exhibits regularly, locally and nationally. More details at artthroughtextiles.org.uk 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. West Studios, Chesterfield n Open Exhibition, featuring original work by more than 20 Derbyshire artists, September 1-23. The Private View will be held on August 31, 6-8pm. n Chesterfield College Art and Design Staff Exhibition, showcasing the talented artists and makers teaching the town’s students. September 29-October 27. Private View on September 28. Go to chesterfield.ac.uk/artsfestival-competition 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.

Comedy

Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton n Buxton Comedy Festival from August 31-September 3. n Phill Jupitus, September 16. n Jeremy Hardy, September 29, 8pm. n Katherine Ryan, Glitter Room, September 30, 8pm. n Gary Delaney, October 3, 7.30pm. More information at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Derby Theatre, Derby Kathy Lette, September 17. More details at derbytheatre.co.uk

agenda Funhouse Comedy Club n The Blessington Carriage, Chapel Street, Derby, September 11 – Chris Stokes, Matt Bragg, Julian Lee, Mark Kennedy, Kelsey de Almeida, Matthew Giffen and Faye Treacy. Compere Spiky Mike September 18 – Gary Delaney’s Mock The Week Warm-up Night, featuring Lynn Ruth Miller, Sam Russell,and Ash Frith. Compere Spiky Mike n Derby Old Bell, Sadler Gate, September 29 – Nick Doody, David Tsonos and Lenny Sherman. Compere Barry Dodds n Appleby Magna’s Sir John Moore Foundation, September 15, topping the bill is winner of Best Act in the Midlands Comedy Awards 2016 the energetic Duncan Oakley n The Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale on Friday September 15, headlining is Canadian comedian, the zany Wes Zaharuk. More information and ticket details at funhousecomedy.co.uk

Theatre

Buxton Opera House Buxton Paper Moon Theatre Company presents The Magnificent Music Hall, September 7, 2.30pm. Go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk for details. Belper Community Theatre, Belper School, Belper Belper Musical Theatre – Rhythm Is Gonna Get'cha... a concert of songs, September 15, 7.30pm and September 16, 2.30pm and 7.30pm. More information at belpermusicaltheatre.co.uk Chellaston Players, St Peters Church Hall, Chellaston The Vicar of Dibley has been adapted for stage for Tiger Aspect Productions by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer. It is directed for Chellaston Players by Mick Gaunt, October 4-7, at 7:30pm. For tickets tel 07399203215 or email chellastonbooking@hotmail.co.uk

Dreaming the Night Field by Adverse Camber can be seen and heard at Wirksworth Town Hall on September 14

Derby Theatre, Derby n West Side Story by the Derby Youth Musical Theatre, September 6-9. n Reasons To Be Cheerful, the ultimate Ian Dury and the Blockheads musical, September 12-16. n The Suitcase, September 20-23. It’s 1950s South Africa. A young newly married couple leave their rural village and disapproving family, for the city of Durban. But, alienated in the city, unemployed and poor, Timi starts to lose his moral compass. Desperate to provide for his pregnant wife he steals a suitcase left on a bus; an act which brings frightening consequences, dramatic twists and unexpected turns. n Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, a Derby Theatre production, September 29-October 21. Read more about it on page 22. Go to derbytheatre.co.uk for tickets. Derby Theatre Studio n Hymns, September 8 and 9. n Left of Me, September 16. n A Living, September 22. n Drag Me to Love by Bonnie and The Bonnettes, September 23. More details at derbytheatre.co.uk Guildhall Theatre, Derby n The Red Room, a spine-chilling new play based on the classic ghost story by H G Wells, September 25-26.

n Bess, The Life and Times of Bess of Hardwick, a new play by Kevin Fegan, September 28-October 1. For details go to derbylive.co.uk Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton n Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, September 4-9. n Hush, a modern horror ballet, September 12-13. n Derby Gilbert and Sullivan Company, The Sorcerer, September 21-22 and Music Music Music, September 23. n Erewash Musical Society, Crazy For You, October 3-7. Tickets available at duchess-theatre. com

Spoken word

Adverse Camber, Wirksworth Town Hall, Wirksworth Dreaming the Night Field features one of Wales’ most engaging storytellers alongside exquisitely haunting live music. English and Welsh are artfully woven together to make these ancient voices and living landscapes come alive in an exhilarating performance. September 14, 7pm as part of the Wirksworth Festival. Matlock Storytelling Cafe, Imperial Rooms Matlock Matlock Storytelling Cafe returns for a new season on September 1 with A Bundle of Stories – accomplished Storyteller Helen Appleton will take

agenda you on a magical journey from the depths of our imagination to the fringes of outer space, meeting large monsters, small heroes and the moon. Debs Page and Phil Coogan will also be throwing a few tales into the mix. Doors open at 6.30pm with stories at 7.30pm. More details at matlockstorytellingcafe.co.uk Derby Poetry Society 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. Renishaw Hall and Gardens, Renishaw A tour focusing on its literary links as the home of the famous literary Trio, Edith, Osbert and Sacheverell

Sitwell, September 3, 2pm. For more details go to renishaw-hall.co.uk Scrivener’s Bookshop, Buxton Storytelling Sundays: the free meetings will be held on the second Sunday of the month 2pm to 3.30pm, at Scrivener’s Books, 42 High Street, Buxton.Telephone 0129871622.

Dance

Buxton Opera House, Buxton Rip It Up, Dancing Through the 50s, Two ‘Strictly’ champions and a professional live on stage, September 9, 7.30pm. Details at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Déda, Chapel Street, Derby India Festival, 2Faced Dance Company: Outlands, September 27. Triple Bill with Sonia Sabri Company,

If you would like your event to be included on our agenda pages simply email details to: events@arts-beat.co.uk by the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. The listings only cover the month(s) on the dateline. The July/ August and December/January Celebrating the arts in Derbyshir editions are combined. e and the Peak District FRE E If you would like to be certain of getting a copy of artsbeat magazine September 2017 each month you can subscribe and we will send it to you for just the cost of post and packaging. Autumn To subscribe for ten issues send festivals your name and the address where you want artsbeat delivered, to: The round-up - Chatsworth Editor, artsbeat, - Derby 19 Nottingham Road, Belper, - Duffield Derbyshire, DE56 1JG, with a - Elvaston - Melbourne cheque for £14 made payable to - New Mills A Penman. - Wirksworth Drawn to the Do you want to get your landscape message about your business to Music, theatre, gallery, film and worksh op listings our 21,000-plus readers? Email advertising@arts-beat.co.uk for details of our advertising rates or phone 07872 066719 to discuss your ideas. More details about the publication can be found at artsbeatblog.com artsbeatblog.com

MORPHDance Company and Vidya Patel, September 28. More details on page 15 and at deda.uk.com

Cinema

Belper Ritz, Belper Go to ritz-belper.co.uk. Buxton Film, Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton n Casablanca, September 4, 1.30pm. n Hidden Figures, September 4, 7.30pm. n Get Out, September 11, 7.30pm. n The Bride Wore Black, September 18, 7.30pm. n Aquarius, September 28, 7.30pm. More details at buxtonfilm.org.uk Calver Film, Village Hall, Calver Calver Film is starting its new programme on September 14 with Lion (PG). New members welcome. For further details please call Denise Hall 01433 630760 Tideswell Cinema, George Inn n Double Bill and meal, Midnight Cowboy and Tootsie, September 9, 4pm-9pm. n La La Land, September 28. Go to tideswellcinema.com for details.

Miscellaneous

Melbourne, New Mills and Wirksworth Festivals Various events and exhibitions are taking place for these festivals and you can find details on pages 31, 35 and 41 respectively. Peak Shopping Village, Rowsley The Peak Magic Festival is providing free entertainment for all ages from 11am-4pm and a Reality of Magic Gala Show at 4pm on September 14. More details on page 19 and at peakshoppingvillage.com

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

contemporary fine art and creative hub Original paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, photographs, textiles, mixed-media, jewellery and other locally made unique gifts for sale. A varied programme of exhibitions, workshops, art events and live music. Large workshop space for hire. Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri & Sat 10.30am to 4.30pm Sunday 11.30am to 4.30pm Closed on Thursdays

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

2017 8-24 September Art & Architecture Trail 9 -10 September www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk

Great Art in Surprising Places

Louisa Chambers Detail from Ziggurat

A Derby Theatre Production

By Charles Dickens

Adapted by Neil Bartlett

THIS AUTUMN Box Office 01332 593939 Book Online derbytheatre.co.uk

Derby Theatre is part of