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CONTENTS
4 WELCOME 5 5 REALLY GOOD THINGS 6 NEWS 9 BLACK ANTLER OPERATION 11 ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM 13 FINDING THE MONEY: FUNDRAISING FOR THE ARTS 14 CHATHAM PLACEMAKING PROJECT
16 MEDWAY PRINT FESTIVAL 18 FILM 19 NICK WALKER: INDEPENDENT FILM X3 20 MUSIC 23 HOMESPUN 2016 24 THEATRE/COMEDY 28 VISUAL ART 30 THE ARTIST'S SPACE
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EDITORIAL: editor@wowkent.co.uk 0845 388 2243 (Calls cost 5p per minute plus your network’s access charge) ADVERTISING: advertising@wowkent.co.uk New advertiser & excellent series booking discounts available. All ads also appear in the online edition at wowkent.co.uk FREE LISTINGS (magazine) listings@wowkent.co.uk FREE/PREMIUM LISTINGS (website) Submit your content at wowkent.co.uk DESIGN: A Stones Throw
WELCOME TO WOW! Your guide to the best of What’s On Where Medway, Maidstone and the accessible beyond
PRINTING: Complete Print Group (CPG) 9-10 Orchard Business Centre Sanderson Way Tonbridge Kent TN9 1QG 01732 366666 cpg-net.co.uk
We are delighted to announce that WOW won its category (Publishing) at the very first Kent Creative Awards. We were presented with the trophy at a splendid awards dinner in Faversham on 18 May. All plaudits to Nathalie Banaigs in making these awards happen: as a micro business owner, I know how much being recognised encourages you to keep going! For a complete list of winners, see News.
PUBLISHER: Emma Dewhurst WEBSITE: wowkent.co.uk Print circulation: 10,000 copies Distribution: Medway Towns, Maidstone, Gravesend & Canterbury
Our main feature heralds the very first Medway Print Festival, celebrating the area’s long history with print. Also in this issue, Matt Ashdown discusses arts fundraising; Anna Morell goes undercover with Blast Theory and Phil Dillon previews Homespun 2016. Enjoy!
COPY DEADLINE for July issue: Wednesday 22 June 2016
Emma Dewhurst editor@wowkent.co.uk
©WOW Kent magazine All rights reserved. While every effort has been made to ensure that details in this publication are correct, we cannot accept responsibility for such. Readers are advised to check information listed, to avoid disappointment.
CONTRIBUTORS
Views expressed by contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of the editor and publisher.
Matt Ashdown is an arts fundraising consultant and Associate Member of the Institute of Fundraising. He was one of 15 people in the UK chosen for the first Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy Fellowship and has a PG Cert Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy with University of Leeds, trained at the National Arts Fundraising School, and has raised money for a variety of cultural organisations across the UK. He has a background in running arts programmes in Kent through Moogie Wonderland, MILK, and TEA. mattashdown.co.uk
COVER: Little Elvis by Heather Haythornthwaite of Hazelnut Press. See Main Feature.
Phil Dillon is a former Medway musician turned photographer who is best known for his work with bands such as Groovy Uncle, Theatre Royal, The Galileo 7, and Stuart Turner and the Flat Earth Society. He is also one of the team behind Homespun, Medway's independent music festival.
PHOTOGRAPH OF THE EDITOR BY RIKARD ÖSTERLUND
BE A WOW AMBASSADOR! If you use any of our advertisers’ services, or attend an event because you saw it in WOW, please mention it – it really helps. Thank you.
Find us on Facebook facebook.com/WOWMedway @EmmaDewhurst7
Anna Morell is a mother, writer, film maker and house gig hostess. When not writing for WOW or working on her own projects, she can be found working on science-tinged programmes for the BBC, for Kent Wildlife Trust or as the Arts Correspondent for the Outdoor Swimming Society. Nick Walker is the director of Rochester Kino, screening contemporary world cinema and classic films at various venues around Medway and in London. Nick previously wrote for The Guardian, was director of National Schools Film Week and is a freelance writer, teacher and film cinema/ festival programmer. He currently works for London’s famous Phoenix Cinema. rochesterkino.co.uk
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5 REALLY GOOD THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH FIVE FI
A record number of artists from all over the world submitted works answering the theme, ‘Of the Sea’ to The Historic Dockyard’s biennial open art competition, Art in the Dockyard. The net effect of the resulting exhibition is outwardfacing and powerful, reflecting an undercurrent of concern about what is happening currently around the world upon our seas, and what has happened in the past – not so very different, as the moving film ‘Boat-Person Grandmother’, about an Estonian grandmother describing her sea escape to Sweden during WW2, testifies. Well, well worth a look.
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practice and it is the way for me to be part of my family’s and country’s grief.”
MOVING WATER This is one of those intriguing oneoff events that could be very special: we won’t know until we commit to experiencing it… A video performance by Bjorn Veno is to be accompanied by live, improvised music from The Errorists. ‘Moving Water’ takes place between 11am – 4pm on 11 June at Sun Pier House, Chatham and is free.
REFUGEE WEEK Hala Georges’ short films ‘With Love to Rochester’ focus on the intimate communications between the artist and her family back in Damascus. The artist is showing the films in a special free event as part of Refugee Week at the Huguenot Museum on 25 June (see News). Georges explains: “The Syrian war started in March 2011 and since then my dream of returning home has slowly faded. The project is a piece of my heart made real by means of
are artists’ stalls, installations, free workshops, local produce and more. This year it’s scheduled for Sunday 12 June. See you there!
PARKOUR I find myself strangely attracted to the athleticism and sheer cheek of Parkour; the art of leaping, running and climbing between fixed objects that appear impossibly far apart, usually in an urban setting (like rooftops, and bins and things). Over the weekend of 11 and 12 June you can witness The Urban Playground team perform at lovely Barton’s Point, Sheppey (1pm and 3pm), and even have a go yourself after. Oh Lord, someone stop me…
ART IN THE WOODS Themed ‘Nature, Myths and Magic’, this annual event is a charming family day out in a beautiful location with something for everyone. You’ll find it at Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park, near Faversham. There 5
S W N E HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Medway branch of Soroptimist International (SI) is 70 years old! SI is about women of all ages, races and creeds, working together to educate, empower and enable women and girls locally, nationally and internationally. On Saturday 11 June from 12.30pm to 2.30pm in the Princes Hall, Corn Exchange, Rochester ME1 1LN you will be able to meet Medway's branch at their celebratory exhibition taking a nostalgic look at world events alongside some of SI Medway’s projects through the past seven decades. sigbi.org/medway-towns/ about-our-club
SITTINGBOURNE SHIMMIES Moving Memory Dance Company are holding free dance and movement workshops for over 50s at No.34 High Street, Sittingbourne ME10 4PB, every Tuesday between 10.30am to midday from 14 June to 26 July. Participants will perform three outdoor shows at No.34 on Saturday 18 June. Visit ideastest.co.uk.
Following the success of Making Art Work’s first Art Market in Maidstone last year, we are chuffed to announce that WOW is sponsoring this year’s Art Market on Saturday 17 September. artmarketme14. wordpress.com
SELL YOUR ART ONLINE
(for less than £1 per day) With Tutor Sian Murphy of Stormchasers Digital. A packed day of tuition for artists and creatives. Cost: £47. Venue: Innovation Centre, Maidstone Road, Chatham ME5 9FD. Contact: 01634 823343/07951 168863
CALL T PERFO O RM! 23 Submarines are looking for would-be actors and singers to join their Community Cast for a large-scale outdoor theatre performance, to be performed on Chatham riverside on 24 September, exploring the unique history of the River Medway’s submerged WW1 submarines. The production will feature an illuminated lantern processional, original new music, and a choir led by musical director Tania Holland Williams. ACTORS: Initial workshops on Tuesdays 31 May, 7 June and 14 June at the Brook Theatre (7-9pm). Actors/singers are also invited to the 23 Submarines launch on Saturday 9 July at Chatham Library (4 – 5pm) to share a glass of wine, meet everyone involved and see the performance site. You will then need to be available for two evening rehearsals and three weekend rehearsals during September. If you’d like to take part, contact Sarah May at sarah@icontheatre.org.uk/ 01634 813179.
FROM ROCHESTER WITH LOVE A FREE event to mark REFUGEE WEEK 25 June, 11am-2pm Join the Huguenot Museum and Rochester Literature Festival to mark Refugee Week with short films by Hala Georges from her series ‘From Rochester With Love: Conversations in the midst of the Syrian conflict’. Images from The Migration Museum Project’s 100 Images of Migration will also be on display. Entry included with normal museum admission. Huguenot Museum, 95 High Street Rochester ME1 1LX.
Dates'Brief Mon 13 Jun: MEDITATION IN EVERYDAY LIFE A public talk at The Corn Exchange, Rochester ME1 1LS Tue 14 Jun 7 – 9pm: TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD THROUGH COMPASSION A public talk at The Corn Exchange, Rochester ME1 1LS. Tickets £10 or £15 both nights from bodicharya-kent.org.uk Fri 24 Jun: NATIONAL CREAM TEA DAY! Sun Pier House, Chatham. Reserve your table on 01634 812805 Sat 25 Jun: BIG DAY OUT, MAIDSTONE Family activities all day Mon 27 Jun 7 - 9pm: MEDWAY BOOK CLUB Sun Pier House, Chatham. New members welcome Wed 29 Jun 7-9.30pm: BOARD GAMES NIGHT Sun Pier House, Chatham. £2 donation
Dartford-based artists have been working with local communities to create art that will be installed in buildings and public spaces from June to August. In addition to works on public display, there will be a range of workshops and activities for all. These are the artists involved:
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Dartford High Street is to be transformed this summer!
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RIVER FESTIVALCALLOUT
To coincide with this colourful one day Festival on Saturday 9 July, Sun Pier House is organising an outdoor Bespoke Designer & Maker Fair alongside the River and in the car park next to Sun Pier. Pitches are £25 per stall. To book contact info@sunpierhouse.co.uk
WOW’S A WINNER! CLARE MCEWAN is a textile artist and designer who has made striking artworks sited both in the town and in Holy Trinity Church. NADIA PERROTTA works with film, installation and creative writing. She has been working with young people to explore their world via the medium of video. ANTHONY ELLIOTT’s work is influenced by sound: he has been working with students from North Kent College and has also collaborated with Nadia to produce something quite unique… SIDONIE CAREY-GREEN is a dance artist inspired by film and dance for camera. Her contribution is inspired by Dartford places and spaces. ANNIE HO-COOPER is a fine artist interested in people and memories. She works with material objects such as worn textiles and linens, exploring individual and collective memory. HAYLEY BYFIELD is a drama practitioner who has facilitated a series of shadow puppetry sessions with participants at the Tree Community Centre. KASIA PARKER is a printmaker. Both Kasia and Hayley will facilitate workshops as part of the Summer of Arts event. WILL GOULD is an artist gardener inspired by nature. He has been working with volunteers from the Temple Hill Trust, exploring mark making and working with willow. For dates and venues involved in the Creative Summer of Arts: Twitter: @DartfordCreates Facebook www.facebook.com/dartfordcreative/ Dartford Creative is an arts programme that aims to explore ways in which local people can get involved in arts and cultural activity in Dartford. This item is sponsored by Dartford Creative
WOW magazine has won in the Publishing category at the Kent Creative Awards 2016. We’re thrilled! Huge congratulations to our fellow Winners: 3D art and objects:
Kate Linforth
Design:
Newton Paisley Ltd (Dr Susanna Paisley)
Visual Arts:
Julia Groves
Audio-visual:
Genetic Moo
Performing arts:
Richard Navarro
Publishing:
WOW magazine
Event of the year:
Deal Festival
Cultural venue of the year:
The Marlowe Theatre
Creative business of the year:
Folk in the Barn
Arts organisation of the year:
Dover Arts Development
Creative Champion of the year:
Leah Thorn
w WONe !
Special Mentions went to Stella Chapman & Victoria Johnstone; Jo Dyer; Joan Mac Karell and Christopher Sacre.
THE HISTORY OF SALVATION A public lecture by Revd Helen Burn Sun 12 June Free to all, doors 6 for 6.30pm St William’s Church, Walderslade Village Centre ME5 9LR southchatham.org 7
OPERATION BLACK ANTLER ANNA MORELL speaks to JEM WALL, Artistic Director of Hydrocracker about an extraordinary immersive theatre experience about to hit Medway. You are an undercover Police Officer, and your job for the next 90 minutes is to infiltrate a group of political extremists. It’s all very low key. You’ve got a back story. But now you’ve got to get their story. What will you do to get it? Where and how far will you go? This is immersive theatre, where the audience is a part of the play. Where play becomes active. You can’t sit and watch this – you are this. In the wake of media scrutiny of deep cover policing methods used over the past few decades in the UK, where people have been in long-term relationships with and even had children by people working under deep cover, Operation Black Antler premiered in Brighton last month to rave reviews from ‘The Stage’ and ‘The Guardian’. Operation Black Antler is coming to a secret location in Chatham for three nights in June (see Theatre). Funded by Ideas Test, the piece was created by interactive media specialists, Blast Theory, and the immersive theatre company, Hydrocracker.
I spoke to Jem Wall, Artistic Director of Hydrocracker, about what this groundbreaking piece of theatre hopes to achieve. “We’re asking the audience to examine their attitude toward surveillance. How far are they prepared for our state to go in order to keep us safe? Surveillance is a very polite word, but I hope this will give people an understanding of what we mean by surveillance: deceiving, lying, living under a fake ID - is it worth it to keep us safe from the threats that surround us? It raises some really interesting questions about identity. Feedback from the production in Brighton has been about how easy it is to change your identity – how powerful that is. How it can be both exciting and very disturbing.
“The play is about power in a number of ways. It’s giving the power to the audience to make moral or ethical decisions and then reflect on them.
It’s that old question: who guards the guards? We’re not telling the audience what to think, they’re experiencing it. “Lines and relationships are blurred. Some of the cast are actors, but some are not. The play is reimagined every night by the audience. Half the cast is the audience, so it’s a different script every night. We only get to meet half the cast on the night, every night.” Ultimately, the play is an innovative, clever exploration of lies, fears, politics, shape shifting, community and human connection. But, like the fictive operation’s code name, it’s potentially very dark, very barbed and maybe even deadly.
OPERATION BLACK ANTLER NEEDS YOU! As part of the blurred line between professionals and participatory audience, the producers are also recruiting a core of participants from Medway for the show who will take part in rehearsals with trained actors and be paid per diem expenses. No acting experience is necessary. Auditions are on 31 May. Email oba@ideastest.co.uk for information.
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Saturday 9 July to Saturday 10 September Upcycling and recycling from around the world, showing personal objects such as toys, ornaments and accessories, made from many different salvaged materials.
FREE Working with the Borough’s Waste & Street Scene Team find out how YOUR TRASH is turned into TREASURE...
Supported by:
Museum Late Thursday 30 June
Beer Night 18:00 - 21:00
(tour at 18:30 repeated at 19:30 if full) A dozen local brewers, distillers and cheesemakers offering you the opportunity to buy, to drink on the night or take home. Our curators talk about the historic local industries which shaped Maidstone. Some events may incur an extra charge
Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 17:00, Sunday 12:00 - 16:00, Monday Closed Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1LH
facebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum p 01622 602838 @MaidstoneMuseum
www.maidstonemuseum.org
ROYAL ENGINEERS MUESUM
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
BECOME A Zulu warriors were traditionally formed into regiments by age. Join us this holiday and transform yourself into a Zulu warrior at our FREE family-friendly drop in events inspired by our fascinating collections.
ZULU WARRIOR! Friday 3rd June –
SECRET CODES During the Zulu War the Royal Engineers would use Morse code to send secret messages to one another. Send your own secret message and try to crack our codes.
Time: 10:00am - 1pm and 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Tuesday 31st May –
ZULU SHIELDS All Zulu warriors must have a shield to defend themselves, and the patterns were used to identify which regiment you belonged to. Design your own personalised shield to identify your regiment.
Wednesday 1st June –
ZULU JEWELLERY Jewellery was worn by everybody and was often symbolic of special events. Create your own traditional jewellery to represent some special memories.
Thursday 2nd June –
CREATE A RACKET! Everybody loves music! People throughout history loved to dance to music and entertain people with it. Join us to make a Zulu drum and learn some traditional Zulu beats.
Exhibition:
SAPPERS AND THE SOMME 25TH JUNE – 20TH DECEMBER This Exhibition commemorates the contribution of the Royal Engineers in supporting the Army at the Battle of the Somme. Their actions included tunnelling into enemy territory, surveying the area to reflect a constantly changing battlefield and using experimental technologies like a 56 feet long, 2.5 tonne flamethrower (section on display), gasmasks and trench armour. The Royal Engineers were key to the Army’s efforts at the Somme. The exhibition is located in our Bridge Study Centre. The Museum and exhibition are FREE for the rest of 2016, due to the main building being closed for building works.
Located at our Bridge Study Centre on the Museum grounds. Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham, Kent ME4 4UG. Tel: 01634 822839 re-museum.co.uk
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design repro litho digital storage fulfilment distribution
9-10 Orchard Business Centre Sanderson Way Tonbridge Kent TN9 1QG e: enquiries@cpg-net.co.uk t: 01732 366666 www.cpg-net.co.uk
DESIGN l POS l LITHO l DIGITAL STORAGE l FULFILMENT l DISTRIBUTION
TONBRIDGE KENT e: enquiries@cpg-net.co.uk t: 01732 366666 www.cpg-net.co.uk
F I N D I N G T H E M O N E Y ! MATT ASHDOWN on cracking the secrets of arts fundraising Kent has a wealth of artists and organisations with fantastic ideas for arts projects. There are some projects that get funded, but there are many that don’t happen because of one thing: finance. As an arts fundraising consultant who started out as an artist, I can empathise. I spent years traversing the clouds above Medway dreaming up exciting arts projects, unable to parachute my way into pots of funding. I decided that there must surely be a secret society of those that know how to raise cash for the arts. After completing an Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy Fellowship, and immersing myself in this positive, sharing, not-so-secret-after-all society, I found you just need to learn from others and discuss ideas. Howard Lake, Director of Fundraising UK, has the same outlook. He’s been running his ‘Fundraising Camp – Arts’ across the UK, and is bringing it to Medway in July. “I set up Fundraising Camp with the idea of putting a lot of fundraisers in the same room and trying to tap into the extensive expertise and experience that they all had”, he explains. It seems crazy that fundraisers in such a competitive environment share knowledge, but it’s the nature of people working for good causes. Dr Beth Breeze, Director of the Centre of Philanthropy at University of Kent, comments, “fundraisers are usually very happy to share ideas, knowledge and experience, because they know that other fundraisers are not competitors but fellow travellers on the road to a better society.” You’ll soon hear a common bird song among fundraisers: prove the need. Clare McCullagh, Fundraising Fellow at Canterbury Festival suggests, “You should know your project and know it well. You should be able to express the need for it. Make contact with groups to gauge their interest and ideas.” People give to people, not organisations – a successful
fundraiser will research statistics, run surveys, organise focus groups, and announce the results to potential funders. Because of its community-embracing approach, crowdfunding is a format that is increasing in popularity. This magazine ran a recent crowdfunding campaign and Editor, Emma Dewhurst, says success comes from “a great project, a great community, and a bit of luck” but she advises that “you need to plan every stage carefully, and gather your supporters around you to make a buzz.” Why is it important that the arts in Kent are supported? Emma argues, “It’s a growing sector in Kent and as far as I can see can, does and will bring to the county great economic benefits, in terms of both its residents and visitors.” ‘Fundraising Camp – Arts’ takes place on 14 July at the University of Kent’s School of Music and Fine Art, located at Chatham Historic Dockyard. It is an informal and unstructured conference with no set speakers or set topics – topics will be suggested at the start of the day. Tickets are available on eventbrite.co.uk. MATT’S TOP FUNDRAISING TIPS: Don’t rely on one source of income, think about a variety of funding streams (trusts and foundations, crowdfunding, events, auctions, membership schemes, individual giving schemes, sponsorship) Explain why people need your project to happen and gather the evidence Prepare a 60 second elevator pitch – you never know when you might need it For a longer version of this article and more tips, see wowkent.co.uk 13
A M H T P L C H A p r A C o j E M e c A K t I N G It’s a bit like Marmite: love it or hate it, Chatham always inspires a reaction Now, £4 million in government funding has been awarded to Medway Council to make improvements to five connecting areas of the town centre, which should significantly improve the journey of both pedestrians and cyclists from Chatham Railway Station to the town centre and across to the Brook Theatre. The areas up for improvement are: the space directly outside the railway station itself; New Cut Junction; St John’s Square; Military Square and Military Road. As part of Chatham Placemaking Project, public art consultancy FrancisKnight have been appointed by Medway Council to help in the regeneration of Chatham and make the town a better place for residents, workers and visitors alike. FrancisKnight specialise in commissioning high quality artwork in the public realm, and for Chatham Placemaking Project they have commissioned Lead Artist Christopher Tipping to deliver public art works for Chatham Town Centre as part of the improvements. Tipping won the 2015 Civic Voice Design Award for Public Realm for his recent work on the new Margate Steps. Three further artists have been commissioned to work on a temporary public art programme via an overarching project called ‘Chatham Storyline’ in which they will collaborate with Lead Artist Tipping. They are: Writer Rob Young, Printmaker Xtina Lamb and Chatham-based Filmmaker Simon Williams.
Simon Williams has produced a series of films currently being shown on The Big Screen (Chatham Waterfront) that looks at the route from Chatham Station to the waterfront bus station and town centre. Xtina Lamb is focused on ‘Chatham Patterns’, looking at a range of graphics, stories and images which have their origins in Railway Street and Military Road. Rob Young is looking for stories about two streets in Chatham: Military Road and Railway Street. Did anything striking ever happen to you in those streets? Some random act of kindness? Did you find your cat? Have a great haircut? Or meet the love of your life? Anonymous confessions also welcome. No memory too small or too daft. Rob will distill these disparate voices to create an echo of the town. If you have a story or image to share, you can get in touch in the following ways: Email: chatham@francisknight.co.uk facebook.com/chathamplacemaking
In Chatham Every street has a story But in Rochester They don’t They have sonnets It’s why I live in Chatham
Excerpt from ‘The People of Chatham’, Rob Young’s observations from people he met in The Pentagon Centre
Photo excerpts from Chatham Colour Chart by Chris Tipping Waghorn finger: Xtina Lamb
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MEDWAY
PRINT FESTIVAL 4 - 26 June 2016
Created by a new partnership between some of the area’s finest arts organisations, Medway Print Festival is a brand new annual event that celebrates the strong local tradition of printmaking. Running for two weeks across multiple sites, the festival showcases some of the best printmaking being created today, as well as highlighting the fascinating local history of the medium.
WHAT’S HAPPENING? MPF16 features over 30 events, including: • A print fair • Exhibitions • Courses • Talks and workshops. • Demonstrations for novice print makers, families and the more experienced
PRINTING TECHNIQUES Print techniques covered include: • screen-printing • linocuts, woodcuts • gelli prints • monoprinting • collagraph • etching • textile printing Many events are FREE
THE VENUES: Some of Medway’s most prominent art organisations are hosting events: • Rochester Art Gallery • Nucleus Arts • Sun Pier House • INTRA
• • • •
Hazelnut Press LV21 Guildhall Museum The Old Brook Pumping Station • The Huguenot Museum
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: The 20:20 Print Exchange at Sun Pier House (10 Jun – 3 Jul). Run by the Hot Bed Press Printmakers, Manchester, this is an amazing international exchange of limited edition prints. Billy Childish at Rochester Art Gallery. This Survey exhibition brings together an extensive archive of Childish’s work for the first time ever. Summer Wayzgoose Print Fair at INTRA on Sat 11 June. Fair and demonstrations. Free entry, 10am – 5pm.
THE LAUNCH: Festival Launch Night is on Friday 10 June, at Sun Pier House, Chatham ME4 4HF from 6 – 9pm. Free. All welcome. To find out more pick up a free MPF16 booklet or visit the website.
The Festival is being co-ordinated by local curators Allison Young & Matt Bray, supported by Medway Council Arts Development Team. KEVIN YOUNGER puts the festival in context: Printing is one of the more technical of the visual arts and one that has found a spiritual home in the creative postindustrial landscape of the Medway Towns. Supplied with a rich tradition of commercial printing dating back at least to the early 1800s and James Sweet's press in Strood, it is unsurprising that an artistic tradition of etching and printmaking has grown up alongside it. The River Medway has long been a draw for artists, with famous Victorian maritime etcher William Lionel Wyllie and late-twentieth century Rochester painter-engraver Michael Blaker capturing the riverscape's soot and mist in their evocative etchings. And Eric Ravilious applied his sensitive, naïve style of lithogaphy to depicting the
T bleak functionalism of Chatham Dockyard during WWII, although he found little romance in those grim times on the river. The dockyard's dying days saw another young artist seeking to make a strong mark with print. The ruthlessly angular '80s woodcuts of Billy Childish were an unmistakable statement against the slick finishes and conceptual work of the time. This woodcut style was mirrored in the stark brushwork of his early oil paintings, but more recent developments have seen a more ethereal yet powerful visual language in paint and print, as evidenced by his new exhibition. Printmaking continues to flourish in the towns with a broad community of artists, from the accessible creative hubs of INTRA and Nucleus, to the thriving studios of individual art printers, to the next generation of art students. The Medway Print Festival offers a chance to see what work is being done here and perhaps inspiration to get involved yourself. medwayprintfestival.com
OUR COVER IMAGE: LITTLE ELVIS How was it done? “A lifetime Rochester resident, Little Elvis had a tin hip, a sweet nature and a gravelly voice. ‘Little Elvis’ is a reduction linocut, the process also known as Sudden Death printing. A single print block goes through progressive cutting, inking and printing and the image emerges as the block is destroyed. I made this print at the Hazelnut Press with a vinyl floor tile using Caligo ink on Hosho paper, printed on an 1863 Albion press.” Heather Haythornthwaite, Hazelnut Press
Credit L to R: Nick B, Mid Kent College; Sign of the Thames, Victoria Wainwright; Guildhall Museum print; Printing press: Hazelnut Press. Man Stood on Ice, Billy Childish. Also shown: Work at INTRA
FILM AFTERNOON FILM TREAT Central Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338 Tickets £4.50 in adv, £5 on door inc. hot drink and teacake. £12 when you book three Afternoon Treats. THE KILLING FIELDS (15) 1984 Tue 21 June 2.30pm Dir: Roland Joffé Cast: Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor and John Malkovich Drama based on the true story of a photographer stranded in Cambodia during the dictator Pol Pot’s reign, which saw the deaths of two million citizens. See opposite. 141 mins medwayticketslive.co.uk NUCLEUS ARTS CREATIVE RIVERSIDE HUB UNDERGROUND CINEMA 13 Military Road, Chatham ME4 4JG
A TURTLE’S TALE (U) 2011 (UK) Sat 25 Jun 10.30am -12pm Dir: Ben Stassen A sea turtle that was hatched in 1959 spends the next 50 years travelling the world whilst it is being changed by global warming. Animation. 88mins. Please note there is no disabled access. nucleusarts.com ROCHESTER KINO @ BROOK THEATRE 170 High St, Chatham ME4 4AS Fortnightly on Wednesday Evenings at 7.30pm. Screening the best of cinema classics and Contemporary World Cinema. £7, £3 students. Twitter: @RochesterKino ALIENS (Special Edition) (18) 1986 Wed 29 Jun 8pm
Dir: James Cameron Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn After communication is lost between Earth and planet LV – 426, a team of space marines are sent on a mission to rescue the lost inhabitants. See opposite. 137 mins rochesterkino.co.uk
Cast: Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams The true story of a team of reporters who uncovered a massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese. See opposite. 128mins. rochesterfilmsociety.co.uk
ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE @ THE HUGUENOT MUSEUM The Huguenot Museum (above Medway Visitors Centre). 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX £6, £3.50 students. Every other Tuesday at 7.30pm Tues 31 May 7.30pm
PAUL GREENGRASS CINEMA @THE WOODVILLE Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD Box Office: 08442 439480
ROOM (15) 2015 (Ire/Can) Dir: Lenny Abrahamson Cast: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay. A kidnapped mother and her son make a daring escape, and experience a dramatic homecoming, provoking a look into the power of imagination and the unstoppable force of a mother’s love. 118mins.
Tues 14 Jun 7.30pm A WAR (15) 2015 (Denmark) Dir: Tobias Lindholm Cast: Pilou Asbæk, Tuva Novotny, Dar Salaum Company commander Claus M Pederson and his men are stationed in an Afghan province. Meanwhile back in Denmark Claus’ wife is trying to cope with everyday life. 115mins Tues 28 June 7.30pm SPOTLIGHT (15) 2015 Dir: Tom McCarthy
DISCOVER ARTS: TEATRO ALLA SCALA - THE TEMPLE OF WONDERS (Encore) (12A) 2016 (Italian) Tickets £12. Sat Jun 4 7pm Dir: Silvia Corbetta and Luca Lucini The 238-year history of this arts venue is brought to life through statements and commentary from musicians, experts and aficionados, with photographs, musical scores, paintings and videos of archive material. Documentary (Italian with English subtitles) 96mins.
EYE IN THE SKY (15) 2015 Sun 5 Jun (Two showings) 4pm and 7pm. Wed 8 Jun (Two showings) 11am and 2pm Dir: Gavin Hood. Cast: Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman and Barkland Abdi. Thriller about the complexities of modern war. Colonel Katherine Powell is in charge of a secret drone mission operating over Nairobi. Her ‘Eye in The Sky’ is pilot Steve Watts, flying the drone from Nevada. (102mins) RSC LIVE: HAMLET (12A) 2016 Wed 8 June 7pm Dir: Sam Godwin Cast Paapa Essiedu, Clarence Smith, Nathalie Simpson A live screening of
Shakespeare’s great play. Tickets £10-12 FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS (PG) 2016 Mon 13 Jun 11am, Mon 20 Jun 11am, Tue 21 Jun 2pm Dir: Stephen Frears. Cast Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg. The true story of a wealthy New York heiress who loves music and wants to become an opera singer. (110mins) DISCOVER ARTS: LEONARDO DA VINCI - THE GENIUS IN MILAN (12A) Sun 19 Jun 7pm In spring 2015 Milan paid tribute to Leonardo Da Vinci by holding an extraordinary exhibition event at the Palazzo Reale. Pietro Marani, curator of the exhibition and some of the world’s leading experts reveal extraordinary things about the painter, sculptor, scientist, anatomist, botanist and architect. Tickets £12 GLYNBOURNE LIVE: IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA Tue 21 Jun 6.30pm Dir: Annabel Arden Cast: Enrique Mazzola, Danielle de Niese with the London Philharmonic and the Glynbourne Chorus. Sung in Italian with English Subtitles. Mischief and mayhem run riot in this popular comedic opera by Rossini. Tickets £10-£12 See website for more June films and ticket prices: woodville.co.uk SPECIAL EVENT: The Art Lab, Sun Pier House, Chatham ME4 4HF Sat 11 Jun 11am-4pm. Free MOVING WATER A one-off video and music performance. During this 4 ½ hour event music is improvised using a combination of synthesisers, samplers, looping machines, guitar and dulcimer. Video Bøjrn Venø and live music from The Errorists.
INDEPENDENT FILM SCREENINGS
3
NICK WALKER previews
AFTERNOON FILM TREAT @ THE CENTRAL THEATRE
ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY @ ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE
ROCHESTER KINO @ THE BROOK THEATRE
THE KILLING FIELDS (1984)
SPOTLIGHT (2015)
ALIENS (SPECIAL EDITION) (1986)
TUE 21 JUNE 2.30PM
Director Roland Joffé’s 1984 classic tale based on the true story of an American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist in Cambodia during the reign of dictator Pol Pot’s bloody ‘Year Zero’ is compelling viewing. The film certainly captures the madness, tragedy and loss of war by cleverly concentrating not on the soldiers, but mainly on the viewpoint of the local people; thereby achieving a strong emotional depth and resonance. Not an easy watch, the massacres by the Khmer Rouge being particularly challenging, but a very worthwhile cinematic experience.
TUE 28 JUNE 7.30PM
Director Tom McCarthy (‘The Station Agent’) has created a powerful drama about the Boston Globe’s ‘Spotlight’ team of reporters who exposed child molestation in the Catholic Church in Boston in 2001. A stellar cast of Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams provide strong performances, while the film has more than a touch of ‘All the President’s Men’ about it. A subtle, damning film of the church, the courts, the legal profession and other Boston institutions in the systematic, wider cultural cover-up it describes. A deserved winner of this year’s Academy Award for Best Picture.
WED 29 JUNE 7.30PM
This sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi classic ‘Alien’ directed by James Cameron is a rare instance in which a sequel matches its predecessor in both quality and entertainment value. The sets and special effects are just as effective as before, though everything feels increased in scale. This is a superb film, full of action, characters, emotional resonance and the gift of a strong female leading role in the testosterone driven 1980s. Sigourney Weaver owns her role as Ellen Ripley entirely, part action hero and part feminist icon. A must see for all sci-fi fans!
See Film (opposite) for full listings. 19
MUSIC 1 ANCHORIANS JAZZ CLUB Darland Avenue, Gillingham ME7 3AS Fri 17 Jun 8.30pm: CLARK TRACEY QUINTET Enquiries: 01634 365353 or 07544 312743. THE BARGE at THE SHIP! The Ship, Court Lodge Road Gillingham ME7 2QU 01634 850485 Music starts 9pm, free entry Wed 1 Jun: BARDS @ THE SHIP OPEN MIC Sat 4 Jun: DAVEY MALONE & THE LONGTAILS Fri 10 Jun: JACKSON HEIGHTS + FEROCIOUS LOPEZ Sat 11 Jun: THE ONLY SUN + THE PETTY THIEVES Fri 17 Jun: ROD STEWART SONGBOOK Fri 24 Jun: MARK MORRISS (of The Bluetones) Fri 1 Jul: KRIS DOLLIMORE CAFE @ 172 (DOT CAFE) 172 High Street, Rochester ME1 Wed 29 June 7.30pm: SEASONALLY EFFECTED: Headline collaboration between STUART TURNER (of stfes.com) and singersongwriter RACHEL LOWRIE. CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS Box Office 01634 338338 Sat 18 Jun 7.30pm: THE KILKENNYS Tickets £15. medwayticketslive.co.uk COOPERS ARMS 10 St Margaret’s Street, Rochester ME1 1TL 01634 404298 Music starts at 7pm. Free entry Sun 5 Jun: BRAVADO See website for more June gigs. thecoopersarms.co.uk EAGLE TAVERN 124 High Street Rochester ME1 1JT 01634 409040 Sundays 12 noon. Thursdays 7pm. Free entry. Thu 2 Jun: THE KONKS Sun 5 Jun: NO JAZZ – DICKENS FEST
Thu 9 Jun: PROTOSTEREO Sun 12 Jun: SARAH BOLTER QUARTER. Thu 16 Jun: THEE SCARECROWS Sun 19 Jun: KELVIN CHRISTIANE QUARTET Thu 23 Jun: CONTRABAND Sun 26 Jun: DAVE QUINCY/ KENNY SHAW BAND theeagletavern.org.uk EARLS 30 Earl Street Maidstone ME14 1PS 01622 751286 Doors 9pm unless stated. Free entry. Fri 3 Jun: REPTILIA Sat 4 Jun: PROJECT 5 Sun 5 Jun: IAN NIX BAND Thu 12 Jun: MAKE SOME NOISE Fri 13 Jun: TIMMY MOORE Sat 14 Jun: SPOILAGE Fri 20 Jun: ARRY & THE HAT STANDS Sat 21 Jun: VINCE VORTEX & THE CUCUMBERS Sun 22 Jun: THE ROB KING BAND Thu 26 Jun: MAKE SOME NOISE. Sun 29 Jun: ALICE BAND earlsmaidstone.co.uk NEW VENUE! THE FLIPPIN‘ FROG 318 High Street, Rochester ME1 3ET Regular intimate unplugged gigs at this excellent independent micro pub. From 8.30pm. Free entry. 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Find Unplugged Tuesdays at the Frog on Facebook. THE FLOWERPOT 96 Sandling Road, Maidstone ME14 2RJ 01622 757705 Free entry. Every Tuesday from 8.30pm: OPEN JAM NIGHT: ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC PLUGIN AND PLAY Full sound system available.Weekends: Regular live music. Doors 9pm. flowerpotpub.com THE GOOD INTENT John Street, Rochester ME1 1YL Regular live music and events. Find them at facebook.com/ good.rochester
HASTINGS ARMS FUNCTION ROOM Lower Rainham Road (leading to Danes Hill) Gillingham ME7 2YD Free parking Thu 30 Jun: Musicians of the ROCHESTER SWING PRESERVATION SOCIETY plus guest, New York vocalist Leslie Alexander. Doors 8.30pm. £7 entry. Raffle and nibbles. For more details or to reserve a table tel: 01634 712217 or check website. sukotto5.wix.com/rsps MAN OF KENT ALEHOUSE 6 - 8 John Street, Rochester Tel: 07772 214315 Wed 1 Jun: MIKE DEAVIN & BRIAN LANGSDON Thu 2 Jun: SON OF KENT Sun 5 Jun 8pm: JAM NIGHT Tue 7 8pm: UKULELE JAM Wed 8 Jun: ARCELIA Thu 9 Jun: FUNKE & THE TWO-TONE BABY Sun 12 Jun 8pm: JAM NIGHT Wed 15 Jun: PORCHSWING BLUES Thu 16 Jun: THE MERCURIALS Sun 19 Jun 8pm: JAM NIGHT Tues 21 Jun: FUN-TIME QUIZ Wed 22 Jun: THE JONES BOYS Thurs 23 Jun: BOOGA RED Sun 26 Jun 8pm: JAM NIGHT Mon 27 Jun: ANNA & CATHERINE'S COCKTAIL NIGHT Wed 29 Jun: A BLUES FIRST: KRIS DOLLIMORE & DANNY KYLE Thu 30 Jun: PASS THE CAT Find Man of Kent Ale-House on Facebook THE MIDDLE EI8HT 1-2 Town Pier, Gravesend DA11 0BJ 01474 328947 Live artists/musical acts every Friday from 8 or 9pm, indie bands on Saturdays and Sunday jam sessions from 2.30pm. Open mic night every Wednesday from 8pm. Full backline supplied. themiddleei8ht.co.uk
PIZZA EXPRESS MUSIC ROOM 32-34 Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PF 01622 683548 Doors 7pm, show 8.30pm unless stated. Regular shows – see website for details. Plus regular jazz gigs throughout the month. See website for details. pizzaexpresslive.co.uk ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL The Precinct, Rochester ME1 2PY Sat 25 Jun 7.00pm: SUMMER CONCERT BY ROCHESTER CHORAL SOCIETY Vivaldi: Gloria; Mozart: Great Mass in C Minor. With Rochester Sinfonietta. Conducted by Scott Farrell. Tickets: £15 (nave); £7 (restricted view); £5 (students). Online via website or call 01634 401049. rochesterchoral. co.uk/tickets. rochestercathedral.org SUN PIER HOUSE Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF Sat 11 Jun 11am – 4pm: THE ART LAB presents MOVING WATER Video performance presented four times during the day with Bjorn Veno and live improvised music by The Errorists. Free. Tue 14 Jun: OPEN MIC & SHOWCASE Doors at 7pm, music from 7.30pm. Sunspot: CALAMITY SCRIPT. LAST Open Mic at SPH for the foreseeable future. £3 entry, free for performers. To book a spot get in touch at: sphopenmicnight@gmail. com THE WOODVILLE Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD Box Office: 08442 439480 Tue 28 - Thu 30 Jun 7.30pm: THAMESDIE SCHOOLS MUSIC ASSOCIATION: CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016. £7.50 - £9 woodville.co.uk
ALE-HOUSE Proudly serving Kent Ales, Lager, Ciders, Wines, Gin, Vodka and locally sourced soft drinks including Rochester Fruit Pressé alongside German and Belgian Beer
IAN HARRISON GUITAR LESSONS • 15 years teaching / playing experience throughout the UK, Europe and US • Emphasis on enjoyment, lessons individually tailored to help you become the guitarist you want to be! • All ages and abilities welcome • First lesson at introductory rate, discounts available for block bookings • Fully CRB/DBS checked • Member of Registry of Guitar Tutors
0784 7023 330 ianharrisonguitar@gmail.com www.ianharrisonguitar.com
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Unique Monthly Cocktail Night 6-8 John Street, Rochester ME1 1YN Tel: 07772 214315
An exhibition of international contemporary art exploring the complex relationships between the sea and the human Sponsored by:
thedockyard.co.uk Exhibition entry included in the cost of an annual ticket.
Supported by:
WOW is a proud sponsor of this Rochester-based independent music festival, which returns for its fourth year in July. Co-founder PHIL DILLON gives us the lowdown Homespun was established as an independent music festival in 2013 by a small group of creative types who wanted to create a grass roots festival that would bring together the huge range of Medway’s home grown talent, as well as invited kindred guest performers from further afield. The aim has always been to have a lot of fun, learn as we go along, and break even, and we’re very grateful to those kind members of the public who have helped to fund us this year. Homespun operates like a fringe festival, taking place in a number of hand-picked venues, and offers the chance to see local and visiting bands and artists up close. Most of the gigs are free, but some are ticketed at modest prices. Running from Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23th July, this year’s
Homespun offers a diverse and wonderful range of experiences that includes slots from Pete Astor, Tom Hingley of Inspiral Carpets, The Flowing, Xylaroo, The Senior Service, The Len Price 3, Joeyfat, Upcdownc and The Claim, among many others. Over forty acts have been confirmed so far, plus there will be special Seasonally Effected and Minimus events on the Saturday afternoon. The former will appeal to lovers of poetry and the spoken word, whilst the latter is a musical experiment that anyone can take part in. The festival takes place in various venues throughout Medway. The evening gigs are hosted at The Ship in Gillingham (Wednesday and Friday), Sun Pier House in Chatham (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) and the Royal Function Rooms in Rochester (Saturday), and the Saturday afternoon will see events at The Nag’s Head, The Granville, The Good Intent and Dot Café (Cafe@172) in Rochester. At the time of writing, the list of performers and events continues to grow, in a beautiful, organic way.
The best way to keep up to date is to follow Homespun on Twitter and/ or Facebook. You can do that via the website (see the address below). Homespun is very much a community event. It’s not for profit and it’s put on by volunteers who love Medway, its music, its creativity and its vibrancy. Perhaps some of the musicians will be well known to you, perhaps not at all. Homespun offers everything from established bands with numerous albums and a BBC6 Music presence, through to relative newcomers trying things out for perhaps even the first time in front of an audience. The atmosphere is always friendly and inclusive, and we only use venues that we know and love ourselves and whose hospitality we can recommend. Please do come along in July. Everything you need to know is (or will be) on the website at homespunmedway.com Images by Phil Dillon: Crybaby Special, Vlks, The Len Price 3, The Claim
23
THEATRE/COMEDY PIG’S SURPRISE Peppa Pig, George and their friends in a brand new live stage show. 10am, 1pm & 4pm £14-20.
Thu 16 to Sat 25 Jun: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. £10, concs £6 + booking fee. mlt.ticketsource.co.uk
Sat 11 & 12 Jun 1pm & 3pm: STEAM:LOCAL LINE Fastpaced Parkour performance & workshop by The Urban Playground.
Mon 20 to Sat 25 Jun: THRILLER LIVE West End show celebrating the hits of Michael Jackson. Mon-Thu 7.30pm Fri & Sat 5pm & 8.30pm £20-39.50.
ORCHARD THEATRE Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000
BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE Box Office: 01634 338338 Sun 12 Jun 11.30am & 2.30pm: The Sorcerer's Apprentice. A blend of music, puppetry and storytelling for 3-7 year olds. £7.00, U16: £5.50. Family of 4: £22.0 medwayticketslive.co.uk
Tue 28 Jun - Sat 2 Jul : GUYS & DOLLS West End production of this classic musical. Wed, Thu & Sat Mat 2.30pm, Eves 7.30pm £28-47.50.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE! Barton’s Point Coastal Park Isle of Sheppey ME12 2BX
CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS Box Office: 01634 338338 Wed 8 Jun 8.00pm: Graeme of Thrones. Theatrical parody journey through the Seven Kingdoms. £18.00, £16.50 medwayticketslive.co.uk GULBENKIAN THEATRE University of Kent Canterbury CT2 7NB 01227 769075 Sun 19 Jun 3pm: INTO THE WEST. Travelling Light present this story of magic, love, loss, hope and discovery. For ages 7+ £8, Baby on lap £1. thegulbenkian.co.uk MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787 Wed 1 to Sun 5 Jun: GANGSTA GRANNY David Walliams' book brought to life on stage. WedFri (2pm & 7pm) Sat (10.30am 2.30pm) Sun (11.30 & 3pm) £22 £19.50. Mon 6 to Sat 11 Jun: LET IT BE West End show celebrating the hits of the Beatles Thu & Sat Mat 2.30pm, Eves 7.30pm £18-37. Wed 15 & Thu 16 Jun: PEPPA
THE MARLOWE STUDIO Thu 2 Jun 11am & 3pm: THREE HALF PINTS Sketch show from the stars of CBeebies' Spot Bots. Recommended 6-10yrs. Fri 3 Jun 8pm GREAT SCOTT (Gonzo Moose) The true story (not) of Captain Scott and the invaders from outer space! £12.50. Sat 4 Jun 12pm & 3pm: BIG WOW SMALL WONDER (Half Moon) A tall story about the wonders of being small. £8.50. Recommended 4-9yrs. Fri 17 Jun 8pm: ROSS & RACHEL (Motor Theatre) An unflinching look at the myths of modern love. £12.50 Sat 18 Jun 8pm: LAID BARE CABARET (Laid Bare Productions) Cabaret show encompassing variety acts from circus and magic to music and burlesque. £16. Wed 22 Jun 8pm: CAPTURED (White Slate Theatre) A preview performance of a new play telling the story of Isaac and Sophie, of perception and reality. £8. marlowetheatre.com (concs available, booking fees apply) MEDWAY LITTLE THEATRE 256 High Street Rochester ME1 1HY 01634 400322
CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS Box Office: 01634 338338 Sat 18 Jun, & Tue 12 Jul, 8.00pm: Jimmy Carr: The Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits Tour. £27.50. Suitable for 16+.
Thu 2 to Sat 6 Jun 10am, 12pm, 1pm & 3pm: THE CAT IN THE HAT. £12.
GULBENKIAN THEATRE University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NB 01227 769075
Sat 4 Jun, 8.00pm Graeme of Thrones. Theatrical parody journey through the Seven Kingdoms. £19.00.
Sat 25 Jun 7:30pm: GYLES BRANDRETH. £19. Suitable for 16+ thegulbenkian.co.uk
Mon 6 to Sat 11 June 6pm, 7:30pm, 9pm: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. £22-37. Tue 14 to Sat 18 Jun 2:30pm, 7:30pm: JACKIE The Musical. £18-35. orchardtheatre.co.uk (concs available, booking fees apply) THE WOODVILLE STUDIO Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD 08442 439480 boxoffice@gravesham.gov.uk Thu 9 Jun 7.30pm: Hay Fever Starring Judi Bowker and Harry Meacher, directed by Bryan Hands £13-£16 woodville.co.uk
COMEDY ARTS CAFÉ ST WILLIAMS CHURCH Walderslade Village Centre, ME5 9LR Sun 5 Jun, doors open 6pm: STEVE LEGG. Comedy magician. ‘Pay What You Want’, all welcome. southchatham.org BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE Box Office: 01634 338338 Sat 4 June 8.00pm: Romesh Ranganathan: Irrational + Support TBC. £14. Suitable for 14+
HAZLITT THEATRE Earl Street, Maidstone, ME14 1PL 01622 758611 EXCHANGE STUDIO: Fri 10 to Sun 12 Jun 8pm: AVALON COMEDY NIGHTS. £7.50. Sun 12 Jun 8pm: MARK WATSON - I’M NOT HERE TOUR 2016. £18.50 parkwoodtheatres.co.uk (booking fees apply) MARLOWE STUDIO: Thu 23 Jun 8pm: THE ALTERNATIVE COMEDY SHOW. From the sublime to the ridiculously surreal. £10 Sat 4 & Sat 25 Jun 8pm: THE MARLOWE COMEDY CLUB. Rising names in stand-up. £14. marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply) ORCHARD THEATRE Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000 Sun 12 Jun 7:30pm: BOBBY DAVRO. £22.50 orchardtheatre.co.uk (booking fees apply) THE WOODVILLE STUDIO Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD 08442 439480 boxoffice@gravesham.gov.uk Fri 17 Jun 8pm: LAUGHING BOY COMEDY CLUB: Line-up TBC. £10, or £14.50 with curry. woodville.co.uk
VALLEY PARK SCHOOL presents
Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features witch burnings (cancelled due to health and safety), fish-slapping, cows, killer rabbits and French people with outrageous accents.
Come and see us at THE HAZLITT THEATRE Wednesday 6 July Saturday 9 July 2016 at 7.30pm with a Saturday Matinee at 2pm
BOX OFFICE: 01622 758611 Monty Python’s Spamalot: Funnier than the black death! 25
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Stitching: Postcards From‌
16 July 10am - 4pm Create your own stitched and printed postcards with textile artist Cas Holmes Cost: ÂŁ45 95 High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1LX T: 01634 789 347 See our website for more information about our Craft Bench workshops and talks.
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VISUAL ART MEDWAY PRINT FESTIVAL 4 – 26 June 2016 See main feature. For all events go to: medwayprintfestival.com/events THE BEANEY HOUSE OF ART AND KNOWLEDGE 18 High Street, Canterbury CT1 2RA 01227 862162 Mon to Wed 9am to 5pm, Thu 9am to 7pm, Fri and Sat 9am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 5pm. To Sun 19 Jun: BENN JUDD: STORIES IN THE DARK Contemporary Responses to the Magic Lantern. Pay What You Can. Sat 25 Jun to Sun 10 Jul: Taking the line for a walk: discovering a creative identity. An exhibition challenging stigma around mental health. Free Admission. To Sun 14 Aug: PRESCRIPTIONS Documenting Martha Hall’s experiences with breast cancer. Free Admission, drop in. thebeaney.co.uk Stories in the D BELOW 65 GALLERY Gilbert & Clark Frame and Print, 65 High Street Maidstone ME14 1SR 01622 685146 Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm. Free entry. Sat 4 to Wed 29 June: MVAN (Maidstone Visual Artists Network). Annual exhibition by this longstanding group, covering a range of different media. brendancullen.co.uk gilbertandclark.com FRANCIS ILES GALLERIES 103 High Street Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 843081 Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm. Free entry. QUARTERLY COLLECTION TWO New works from Emmy Elphick, Terry Watts and Olga Simonova. francisiles.com GUILDHALL MUSEUM High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY 01634 332680 Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Free entry 11 – 26 Jun: MPF16: SWEET
AS… A PRINT SHOP To Sun 30 Oct: PREHISTORIC MEDWAY. Interactive exhibition from Old Stone Age to the Roman Invasion. HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM No. 1 Smithery Gallery ME4 4TE Entry included in normal admission price. To 24 Jul: ART IN THE DOCKYARD 2016 : ‘OF THE SEA’. Artists contextualise the world’s oceans. See p5. OPENING: Command of the Oceans: Interactive galleries taking you on a voyage back to the ‘age of sail’. thedockyard.co.uk HUGUENOT MUSEUM 95 High Street (above Medway Visitors Information Centre), Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 789347 Opens Wed-Sat 10am-5pm + Bank Hol Mon 10am-4pm Artworks and treasures. £4, concs £3, family £10, under 5s free. To Sat 18 Jun: HUGUENOT SILK: CANTERBURY AND CATWALK. For MPF16: 17, 18 & 19 Jun: HUGUENOTS IN PRINT huguenotmuseum.org LV21 Pier Approach Road, Gillingham Pier ME7 1RX MPF16: 18, 19 and 24 – 26 Jun, 11am – 4pm: NAUTICAL BUT NICE Print exhibition. MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERY St Faith's St, Maidstone ME14 1LH 01622 602838 Open Mon - Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sun & Bank Holidays. Free entry. To Sat 25 Jun: Making Art Work present TIME. Exploring themes of memory, reality and time. Thu 30 Jun 6-9pm: MUSEUM LATE: CHEESE & BEER (Tours at 6.30pm & 7.30pm) museum.maidstone.gov.uk NUCLEUS ARTS 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108 Gallery: Mon- 10am-4pm
(café to 5.30pm) Closed Sun. Free entry. Fri 3 Jun to Thu 9 Jun Duncan Grant: ‘My name is Duncan….I like painting….. don’t laugh’. 9 (Private view 6-8pm) to 15 Jun: MPF16: IEUAN EDWARDS, BEN DICKSON, KATE NEAME. 11-26 Jun: MPF16: PRINT WINDOW DISPLAY featuring VICTORIA WAINWRIGHT Fri 17 Jun 6pm to Thu 30 Jun (1pm) The Flower Show: NICK EVANS, MARISSA MARDON & ANNE TAYLOR. nucleusarts.com
ST ANDREWS ARTS CENTRE Royal Pier Road, Gravesend Sat 18 & Sun 19 Jun, 11am – 4pm: SHOWCASE KENT III Photography showcase. graveshamarts.co.uk
NUCLEUS ARTS ROCHESTER 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX . Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11-4pm. 01634 812108 Shop gallery, café and garden.
SUN PIER HOUSE Sun Pier House Gallery, Chatham ME4 4HF To Sat 4 Jun: RIKARD ŐSTERLUND: SELF PORTRAITS & OTHER SCENES Curated by Billy Childish. Sat 11 Jun – 3 Jul: MPF16: 20:20 PRINT EXCHANGE. Fri 10 Jun to 9 Jul MPF16: Survey Show: A celebration of printmaking in the area. Private View & Festival Launch 10 Jun, 6 to 9pm. See main feature. sunpierhouse.co.uk
ROCHESTER ART GALLERY & CRAFT CASE Medway Visitor Information Centre 95 High Street Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 338319 Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10.30am – 5pm. Free entry To Sun 14 Aug: MPF16: BILLY CHILDISH IN PRINT (A Survey). From early fanzines to recent print editions, a full array of books, woodcuts, etchings, moddno prints and posters will be on show. ARTIST TALK Saturday 25 June 2.30-3.30pm Free . Join Billy Childish in the gallery for an informal talk about his past and current approaches to printmaking. No need to book, all welcome. ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME7 1UR Open Tue-Fri 9am-5pm; Weekends & Bank Hol: 11.30am-5pm. Partial opening due to heating and lighting upgrade. Still plenty to see and a reduced admission price in operation. Sat 25 Jun to Tue 20 Dec: EXHIBITION: SAPPERS AND THE SOMME re-museum.co.uk
STEPHEN OLIVER STUDIO & GALLERY Orchards Shopping Centre High Street, Dartford DA1 1DN 01322 278674 Open Thu - Sat 10am-4pm; Sat to 5pm. Affordable contemporary art. stephen-oliver-art.co.uk
TURNER CONTEMPORARY Rendezvous, Margate Kent CT9 1HG Admission is free. Open Tue - Sun and public holidays 10am - 6pm. Open every day over the Easter weekend. To Sun 25 Sep: SEEING ROUND CORNERS Response to the circle, the disc and the sphere. To Sun 24 Jul PORTFOLIO ART COMPETITION. Staff, students and pupils aged five and above submitted original artworks on the theme of ‘Circles’ inspired by the summer exhibition ‘Seeing Round Corners’. To Sun 30 Oct: YINKA SHONIBARE MBE: END OF EMPIRE. turnercontemporary.org XROSS-POLYNATION GALLERY 3-4 Starnes Court, Maidstone ME14 1EB 01622 299043 Throughout Jun: Art Competition Awards xrosspolynation.co.uk
DARTFORD CREATIVE PRESENTS A series of free sessions designed to provide creatives with the knowledge and power they need to succeed within the creative industries
‘KNO CREA W YOUR BUSI TIVE NESS ’
WED 13 JULY WRITING A WINNING BID How to put together a successful funding application.
WED 27 JULY WINNING WAYS Presenting skills for business Public speaking & presentation techniques: useful tips for CROWDFUNDING PITCHES.
Sessions 6pm, The Mick Jagger Centre, Shepherds Lane, Dartford DA1 2JZ Email: michelle@icontheatre.org.uk
2016 16-24 JULY
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27 May > 14 Aug 2016 Free admission Rochester Art Gallery and Craft Case, Medway Visitor Information Centre, High Steet, Rochester, ME1 1LX www.enjoymedway.co.uk
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THE ARTIST’S SPACE
MIKHAIL KARIKIS
‘Ain’t Got No Fear’, video stillS, 2016 Mikhail Karikis worked for almost a year with teenage boys from the Isle of Grain for his new film, a cocommission between Whitstable Biennale and Ideas Test. The film centres around the boys’ performance of a collaboratively composed rap song, a rackety reclaiming of a local site where youth raves were recently shut down. Using as their beat the persistent crushing noises of the demolition of a neighbouring power plant, the boys of Grain rap about their lives, presenting glimpses of teenage diaries, memories of their younger selves and their visions of the future.
Screens 4 - 5 June, and 11 – 12 June, 12 noon to 6pm, Youth Centre, Tower Parade CT5 2BJ (approx 15 minutes long on a loop: visit at any point during opening times). Then screened daily Mon 6 – Fri 10 June at 1.30pm in the Biennale cinema at the Horsebridge Arts Centre, 11 Horsebridge Rd, Whitstable CT5 1AF. WHITSTABLE BIENNALE 2016 runs 4 – 12 June. The Biennale is a festival of contemporary performance, film and sound, with an international reputation for showcasing up-and-coming artists and filmmakers.
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Explore the Age of Sail through craft, creation, war and glory.