WOW Dec/Jan 2014

A Co-educational Day and Boarding School

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PART-TIME TUITION AND EASTER REVISION We have 30 years’ experience teaching GCSE & A level intensive revision courses in very small classes during the Easter holidays. Our fresh approach helps to boost confidence and grade prospects. Most subjects are offered and all examination boards taught.

7-11 April and 14-18 April 2014

After-school tuition takes place at RIC on weekdays from 4.30-6pm.

A very wide range of subjects are taught by our own, highly qualified members of staff. It is an effective way of supplementing school study and preparing for examinations.

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CONTENTS 4 WELCOME 5 NEWS 8 SAM FROUDIST: CABARET! 11 NICK WALKER: FILM 12 FILM 13 ROCK CHOIR 14 EDNA’S JOURNEY 16 WOW IS 3!

18 GET INVOLVED WITH WOW

20 MUSIC (1) 22 LIVE MUSIC: MAIDSTONE & MEDWAY 25 MUSIC (2) 26 THEATRE/COMEDY 27 THEATRE/COMEDY 28 VISUAL ART 30 THE ARTIST’S SPACE

EDITORIAL: editor@wowkent.co.uk 0845 388 2243 (local rate from BT landlines) FREE LISTINGS: listings@wowkent.co.uk ADVERTISING: advertising@wowkent.co.uk New advertiser & excellent series booking discounts available to all. All ads also appear in the online edition at wowkent.co.uk DESIGN: A Stones Throw astonesthrowdesign.co.uk PRINTING: The Colour Factory Ltd, Sittingbourne, 01795 470 825, www.colour-factory.com PUBLISHER: Emma Dewhurst Current print circulation: 7000 copies Distribution: Medway Towns, Maidstone & Gravesend Copy/listings deadline for February issue: Tuesday 21 January 2014 ©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.

Views expressed by contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of the editor and publisher. wowkent.co.uk

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO WOW! Your guide to the best of What’s On Where Medway, Maidstone and the accessible beyond To celebrate our third birthday this joint issue covering December and January is a bumper 32 pages. Read about my journey with WOW in an interview with myself on p16! I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all WOW’s fantastically supportive advertisers and readers and to the band of volunteers who help me each month: you’re all gems. And guess what? WOW’s print circulation has hit 7000!

Lastly, please take a look at p18. WOW is running a charity appeal for the first time. Your support for ShelterBox couldn’t be more timely.

Happy Christmas, Happy New Year and happy reading!

CONTRIBUTORS Clive Austen is a live and recording engineer, musician and gig promoter. He has been heavily involved in the promotion of original and new music in the Maidstone and Medway areas for over ten years under the Make Some Noise banner.

COVER ILLUSTRATION: PAUL BAKER

Robert Flood (Music & Features) is a life-long Medway resident. He runs a Rochester based events company called Feet on the Ground which provides technical support for live events. He is a passionate music fan with a love of the Medway scene and a local history buff who is a member of the City of Rochester Society.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE EDITOR BY RIKARD ÖSTERLUND

AMBASSADORS PLEASE! If you love the magazine please become a WOW ambassador and mention it, especially if you use any of its advertised services, or attend an event because you saw it in the magazine. Thank you.

Find us on Facebook facebook.com/WOWMedway @EmmaDewhurst7 WOW magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper

Sam Froudist (Features) is a writer and bunting enthusiast. She co-runs bunted!, a bespoke bunting business, and is a card carrying member of the Rochester Vintage Society. You can find her blogging over at hellosamgoodbyesamantha.com.

Jaye Nolan is a prolific writer who champions Medway’s rich, diverse culture. Festival Director for the Rochester Literature Festival, and passionate about music, theatre and dance, she shouts regularly at the television during reality shows. Find her at jayenolan.com.

Nick Walker (Film) is the director of the Rochester Film Society, screening contemporary world cinema and classics at various venues around Medway. Nick previously wrote for the Guardian, was director of National Schools Film Week and is currently a freelance writer, teacher and film cinema/festival programmer. For more information on the Rochester Film Society visit rochesterfilmsociety.co.uk

THE OPEN HOUSE PROJECT WORKING WITH LOCAL PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS OR ALONE THIS CHRISTMAS The Open House Project, based at the Quaker Meeting House in Northgate, is appealing for support for its work with homeless people over the Christmas period. Registered as a small charity and needing £80+ per week to continue, the Project is funded by donations and staffed entirely by volunteers from all sectors of the local community.

Open House will be opening for four days over the Christmas holiday and expects to welcome 50 – 60 guests each day.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: DONATE MONEY OR GOODS – items such as warm clothes, tea, coffee, sugar, tinned food, soup etc all gratefully received. It is also hoped to give every guest something they might like to take away with them: soap, shampoo, jeans, socks, tights. Donations can be brought to the Meeting House any Saturday between 1-4pm or on Monday 23 December 10am1pm. For Christmas items such as mince pies, turkey, cream or ham please email or text beforehand.

MEDWAY FESTIVAL of

MUSIC, SPEECH AND DRAMA

12 & 13 APRIL 2014

CALLOUT FOR PARTICIPANTS This annual performance festival for amateurs of all ages is seeking to widen participation, particularly among juniors. The festival features more than 100 classes and the opportunity for expert adjudication and feedback.

A syllabus brochure is available at medwayfestival.co.uk or contact the Medway Festival Secretary on 01634 844122. Closing date for applications is 1 Feb 2014.

VOLUNTEER – Your time would also be gratefully received. The Project will operate at the following times over Christmas: Boxing Day 11am-4pm; Fri 27 Dec 11am-4pm; Sat 28 Dec 2pm-4pm and Wed 1 Jan 11am-4pm. Please contact John Spencer, details below.

Project Co-ordinator: John Spencer Email: ohprochester@gmail.com Mobile: 07733 589200 (text preferred) The Quaker Meeting House is on Northgate, Rochester ME1 1LS

PHOTOGRAPHER OF NOTE Apologies for omitting a photo credit for budding (and very good) photographer, Maddie Beech who took this image, which accompanied Helen Thompson’s ‘Print v Kindle’ article in last month’s issue of WOW.

THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER MON 2 DEC AT 8PM NUCLEUS GALLERY 75 HIGH STREET, ROCHESTER ME1 1LX A nineteenth-century New Hampshire farmer makes a pact with the devil in this 1941 re-telling of the classic German ‘Faust’ tale. Bring your own refreshments for the post-film discussion and salon.

See

rochesterfilmsociety.co.uk

5

ITALIAN with a qualified teacher All levels l Conversation l Italian Culture

Monica Maesani Hills (BA Hons) T: 01634 927699 E: deperabo3@gmail.com

SKY AND THE BELL GUARDIANS is a charming new children’s book written by Maidstone-based Ian Snowball and his eight year old daughter Josie, illustrated by Richard Schaller.

BOOK LAUNCH + FREE STORY READING AND ART WORKSHOP Sat 7 Dec, 2pm and 3.30pm. For children aged 4-11 years. £1 from each book sold will go to children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

Kent History and Library Centre, James Whatman Way, Maidstone ME14 1LQ For more information contact: 03000 413131, email historyandlibrarycentre@kent.gov.uk or go to kent.gov.uk/libs

LOOKING FORWARD TO

KENT BIG WEEKEND WOW readers will once again be able to apply for thousands of free tickets to visit top Kent-wide attractions and all sorts of lesser-known experiences in the Kent Big Weekend, which opens at the beginning of February. The introduction of a new ballot system means that everyone who submits an application – when the website opens or just before it closes – has an equal chance of being allocated free tickets.

Details of all the opportunities – from exploring historic houses, gardens and vineyards to surfing and art/craft classes – will be available from February 3 at kentbigweekend.co.uk and through local visitor information centres. Castles (including our very own Rochester Castle), cathedrals, steam trains and river tours are among the attractions which have already signed up, with more to come.

Kent Big Weekend, March 29 and 30 Tickets available from 3 February until midnight on 24 February: put it in your diary now! kentbigweekend.co.uk

FOR S.O.P.H.I.E GOTH ON MY KEYBOARD by artist Richard Jeferies is a downloadable e-book of his Facebook cartoons featuring his popular ‘Goth’ character, published in aid of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. Sophie Lancaster was kicked to death in a park in Lancashire on August 24 2007, for looking different.

The book can be downloaded from the Marketplace at lulu.com for £2.39 inc VAT. sophielancasterfoundation.com

KNITYOURWAYTHROUGH 2014 WITH THE AYLESFORD KNITTING GROUP!

DATE: Tuesdays from 7 January TIME: 7pm to 8.30pm FEE: £3 per session (Tea, coffee and cake included) VENUE: Soo’s kitchen in the heart of Aylesford village Contact: enquiries@handmadebysoo.co.uk or tel: 01622 792710 for more details

Knit

SPOTLITES YOUTH THEATRE MAIDSTONE G N I K LOO OR F ERS B MEM

Spotlites Youth Theatre have opened a new Junior Youth Theatre session for 11-13 year olds and are looking for new members to come along. The sessions are held at Brunswick House School, Leafy Lane ME16 0QQ every Tuesday from 7.30-9pm.

To enrol, call Spotlites on 01634 829468 or book online at spotlites.co.uk to go along to one of their sessions.

TALKS & TOURS AT MAIDSTONE MUSEUM

MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS & ARTS FESTIVAL

SCULPTURE IN BEIRUT

REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE JULY 2014 FESTIVAL!

Artists Talk – Saturday 7 December 2-4pm Four International artists, Ben Kidger, Phil Evans, Marion Fullerton and Paula Trower spent one week in Beirut working with refugee children building sculptures from found materials within a public park.

Cost: £10.00, £7.00 concessions, £5.00 Making Art Work members & MMF members. Booking advised. Email museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk or tel: 01622 602838

Early bird discount available! Sign up before 31st December to receive 20% off your registration fee.

Download the registration forms from medwayopenstudios.co.uk, or email Heather to request a copy at medwayopenstudios@hotmail.co.uk

BEHIND THE SCENES: OILS, WATERCOLOURS & PRINTS Wednesday 18 December With the announcement of the Turner prize winner due this month, this behind the scenes tour celebrates Maidstone Museum’s fascinating Fine Art collections, including those by Albert Goodwin, who was heavily influenced by the works of Turner himself.

Tours start at 11am, last 1 hour and cost £4.

Places are strictly limited to 15 and must be booked in advance on 01622 602838

BEHIND THE SCENES: HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHY AND CAMERAS Wednesday 29 January Another behind the scenes tour looking at Maidstone Museum’s impressive collection of glass plate negatives, photographs and cameras.

Tours start at 11am, last 1 hour and cost £4.

Places are strictly limited to 15 and must be booked in advance on 01622 602838 7

SAM FROUDIST INVITES YOU TO

COME TO THE

During the three years that I’ve been a committed Medway-ite, the visual arts and music scenes have swelled into a glorious crescendo of local happenings, right before my very eyes. My personal passion, however, has always been performance, in particular live theatre, which it could be said hasn’t quite matched that growth, and is yet to develop that core, engaged local audience that exists for the art, craft and music scenes.

A lucky introduction brought me together with Lisa Carpendale and Michelle Woodland, two producers who wanted to inject a little bit of magic into the area in which they live. Utilising our joint theatre and live events backgrounds, we hatched a plan, strategic glass of red wine in hand, and The Cabaret Club was born.

We present intimate, theatre style cabaret events, hosted at The Oast House Community Centre in Rainham. A mix of burlesque, music, comedy, and performance art with the odd sprinkling of divas, we’re using cabaret as a platform for local performers to hone their skills and for professionals from further afield to showcase their talents. We want to prove people wrong when they say there is nothing to do here on a Saturday night, and provide a stage for the wealth of talent in this genre that’s right on their doorstep.

What I love about cabaret is that it’s almost democratic in its appeal. You don’t like this act? No worries, give it ten minutes and you’ll see something totally different.

It can be subversive, poignant or experimental in a way that doesn’t alienate people, because a show’s content is so varied. Helen Ainsworth, who recently performed an excerpt from her show Occasionally Ovid, gave us some of the most experimental and, frankly, terrifying puppetry I have ever seen. Rather than be put off, the audience were on the edge of their seats, transfixed with morbid fascination.

Following three sold-out shows, including a delicious Cabaret de los Muertos for Halloween, December brings forth the festive Christmas Cracker Cabaret Special. In January we launch a range of performance workshops at The Oast House. Supported by Ideas Test funding, and with a new and improved team including Thomas Kelly and Sharon Manship, we’ll be offering circus, burlesque, puppetry and technical production skills workshops.

These are designed to open up both The Cabaret Club and The Oast House to an even wider demographic and give us the opportunity to offer content beyond our signature cabaret evenings.

There seems to be an assumption that the quality of local performance drops proportionately to its distance from a major city, as if community arts are always well meaning, but a little amateur. I don’t think that has to be the case. We’re committed to supporting local performers to improve their skills, as well as offering them a dedicated space to perform. There is no reason that theatre can’t be of impeccable quality in Medway, and we have seen that a natural audience already exists, waiting for a new scene to call their own.

14 DECEMBER, DOORS 7PM, SHOW 7.30PM The Oast House, Granary Close, Rainham (behind Rainham Rail Station) ME8 7SG. Tickets £10 plus booking fee from tinyurl.com/plgml8j

licensed bar Booking essential - get in quick!

THE CABARET CLUB WORKSHOPS AT THE OAST HOUSE, RAINHAM SAT 11, 18, 25 JAN AND 1 FEB 2014 Featuring Helen Ainsworth, Missy Maybe, Dizzy O’Dare and The Cabaret Club Crew. Details to be announced.

For more information email thecabaretclubuk@gmail.com facebook.com/thecabaretclubuk @cabaretclubuk

Photos: Lesley Henkel, Artur Gajewski

THE CABARET CLUB CHRISTMAS CRACKER SPECIAL

Thurs: Friends Meeting House (opp. Corn Exchange, Rochester) 6.30-7.45pm Sat: YOGA FLOW at Dance Junction 9.30-10.30am ALL LEVELS WELCOME Mats & Blocks provided ÂŁ6 per class Contact Veena: 07939 573169 / 724222

Venus yoga

BODY, BREATH & MOVEMENT

Rochester’s friendly Designer Florist Same Day Delivery Funerals & Weddings Unique plants and gifts Online shop at sweetpeaandolive.co.uk Tel: 01634 843024

dianne reeves handmade prints

www.diannereeves.webeden.co.uk

0798 1812627

renew and restore stained glass design and restoration based in rochester: design - creation - repair restoration - installation steve harries - 0779 608 0338 steve.harries@blueyonder.co.uk

NICK WALKER PREVIEWS TWO JANUARY OFFERINGS FROM THE ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY O N LY G O D F O R G I V E S Danish Director Nicolas Winding Refn comes fresh from his crossover hit ‘Drive’ with a dark philosophical thriller set in Bangkok. The visual style is soaked in David Lynch style gorgeous blood red shades; add the detached madness of Stanley Kubrick or Park Chan-wook and you sort of have it. That it is dedicated to ‘El Topo’ creator Alejandro Jodorowsky tells more than I can possibly say here.

The film stars Ryan Gosling again, oozing charisma as he searches for his brother’s killer, with Kristin Scott Thomas adding weight as Gosling’s theatrical and loquacious mother in a role which allows for her detached love to shine. However the undoubted star of the show is Vithaya Pansringarm as a lethally righteous policeman, dubbed as the Angel of Vengeance, who plays it all with a hypnotic performance style.

Gosling’s almost silent journey into a moral maelstrom is compounded by the director’s carefully sustained atmosphere in this wonderfully fragmented story. He plays it all with the eyes to convey guilt and anguish at the sins of his brother and the rage of his mother.

Refn’s films are often quite abstract with moments of commercial appeal, with his avantgarde storytelling style and gift for a dark atmosphere for this material.

‘Only God Forgives’ is screened on Tuesday 7 January at 7.30pm at the Rochester Picture Palace, Corn Exchange (Princes Hall), Rochester ME1 1LX.

FRANCES HA Director Noah Baumbach excels at independent dramas with wit and craft such as ‘The Squid and the Whale’ and ‘Greenberg’, the latter starring the wonderful actress Greta Gerwig as the amazing Frances Halladay (hence the Ha). If you haven’t seen her yet go to see this film and you will fall in love with her – she’s sometimes referred to as a female young Woody Allen due to her awkward funny manner – as she is adorable.

This unassuming and offbeat comedy utilizes Gerwig’s comedic skills to full effect alongside her best friend and comedic sidekick Mickey Sumner (Sting’s daughter), who plays the straight woman to Gerwig’s more outlandish humour.

Frances is a woman who apprentices for a dance company and certainly throws herself headlong into her ambitions which aren’t going to be easy to achieve, given she has little talent and even less social grace.

The film is shot in black and white and plays with Woody Allen’s ‘Manhattan’ and throws around French New wave references throughout. Gerwig could easily be Cleo in Varda’s ‘Cleo From 5 to 7’ but she’s too clumsy for that – she’s a constant on screen and you will be glad of that, as she’s an incredibly intoxicating and absorbing presence.

‘Frances Ha’ is screened by the Rochester Film Society on Tuesday 21 January at 7.30pm at the Rochester Picture Palace, Corn Exchange (Princes Hall), Rochester ME1 1LX. rochesterfilmsociety.co.uk 11

FILM LIVE FEEDS AT CINEWORLD Medway Valley Leisure Park, Chariot Way, Strood ME2 2SS. 0871 200 2000

Regular screenings of live opera and theatre performances from around the world arrive at the cinema via a live feed. They include interviews with the principals, behind the scenes shots and explanations.

For prices please contact Cineworld.

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN (PG) 2012 Mon 27 Jan 8pm Dir: Malik Bendjelloul Documentary: two Cape Town fans go in search of their ‘70s musical hero. 86 mins maidstone-film-society.org.uk MEDWAY FILM SOCIETY The Brook, Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE

ROYAL BALLET LIVE: THE NUTCRACKER Thu 12 Dec 7.15pm Tchaikovsky’s magical festive ballet.

130 mins GISELLE Mon 27 Jan 7.15pm Sir Peter Wright’s much-loved production. 150 mins NT LIVE: CORIOLANUS Thu 30 Jan 7pm. Tom Hiddleston and Mark Gatiss star in Josie Rourke’s production of Shakespeare’s tragedy.

BOLSHOI BALLET LIVE: JEWELS (12A) Sun 19 Jan 3pm. George Balanchine’s triptych to the music of Fauré, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky. cineworld.co.uk

MFS project 16mm prints: main feature with an intriguing short.

Non-members welcome: £6.50 per screening (concs £5.50).

Tel 020 7638 0012 or email medwayfilm@tiscali.co.uk

MAIDSTONE FILM SOCIETY

ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY Rochester Film Society screens contemporary world cinema and classics at a number of venues in Medway. The films are introduced and are followed by a post-film discussion over a glass of wine.

Hazlitt Theatre, Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 753922

A diverse range of world cinema.

Fixed rate parking in Fremlin Walk after 7pm. Yearly subscription rates: Adult £24; Couples £42; Senior/ Student £19; Guest per film £3.50.

THE ANGELS’ SHARE (15) 2012 Mon 9 Dec 8pm Dir: Ken Loach. Cast: Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Roger Allam.

Bittersweet comedy with screenplay

by Paul Laverty. 101 mins AMOUR (12A) 2012 Mon 6 Jan 8pm Dir: Michael Haneke Cast: Jean-Louis Trintigant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert Oscar-winning drama (French).

127 mins

A museum guard and a visitor find refuge in art and each other.

107 mins

DAUGHTER OF THE NILE (1987) [Nilouhe Nuer] Fri 13 Dec 7.45pm Dir: Hou Xiaoxian Cast: Lin Hsiao-yang. Taiwanese drama about adolescence on the mean streets of Taipei. 91 mins with PUSS IN BOOTS (1954) [Der Graf von Carabas] Dir: Lotte Reiniger, 11mins, b/w Beautiful silhouette animation.

B/W. 11 mins. medwayfilm.org.uk

CHATHAM ODEON CINEMA Maritime ME4 4LL 0871 2244 007

£9.25 Conc £7.00, student £3.50.

OUR CHILDREN (15) 2012 [A Perdre la Raison] Thu 5 Dec 7.45pm Dir: Joachim Lafosse Cast: Niels Arestrup, Tahar Rahim, Émilie Dequenne Award-winning psychological drama based on a true story. 111 mins MUSEUM HOURS (NR )2012 Thu 12 Dec 7.45pm Dir: Jem Cohen. Cast: Mary Margaret O’Hara, Bobby Sommer, Ela Piplits.

BLUE JASMINE (PG) 2013 Thu 19 Dec 7.45pm Dir: Woody Allen Cast: Cate Blanchett, Sally Hawkins, Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard Woody Allen’s much-lauded latest.

98 mins DON JON 2013 (18) 2013 Thu 9 Jan 7.45pm Dir: Joseph-Gordon Levitt Cast: Joseph-Gordon Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza. Fun, spirited directorial debut from lead actor Levitt. 110 mins SUNSHINE ON LEITH (PG) 2013 Thu 16 Jan 7.45pm Director: Dexter Fletcher Cast: Peter Mullan, Jane Horrocks Two men return to Edinburgh from Afghanistan. Music by Scottish popfolk legends The Proclaimers.

100 mins THE FIFTH ESTATE (15) 2013 Thu 23 Jan 7.45pm Director: Bill Conlon Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Bruhl, Stanley Tucci, Peter Capaldi, Laura Linney. Julian Assange and WikiLeaks are the subjects of this dramatic thriller. 128 mins LE WEEK-END (15) 2013 Thu 30 Jan 7.45pm Director: Roger Michell Cast: Jim Broadbent, Lindsay Duncan, Jeff Goldman, Olly Alexander Thoughtful comedy set in Paris.

93 mins ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE Princes Hall, Corn Exchange, Rochester ME1 1LS

£7.50, £5.50 conc, students £4 (£5 with your RFS ticket from that week’s Odeon Cinema screening)

BLANCANIEVES (PG) 2012 Tue 3 Dec 7.30pm Dir: Pablo Berger Cast: Maribel Verdu, Daniel Gimenez, Angela Molina. Silent movie twist on the Snow White fairy tale set in 1920s Seville. 104 mins

ROCK CHOIR

THE CHOIR THAT’S ROCKING KENT

WADJDA (PG) 2012 Tue 10 Dec 7.30pm Dir: Haifaa Al-Mansour Cast: Waad Mohammed, Reem Abdullah. A young Saudi girl enters her school’s Koran recitation competition.

98 mins FOXFIRE (15) 2012 Tue 17 Dec 7.30pm Dir: Laurent Cantet . Cast: Raven Adamson, Katie Coseni, Madeleine Bisson. Coming-of-age drama set in upstate 1950s New York. 143 mins

ONLY GOD FORGIVES (15) 2013 Tue 7 Jan 7.30pm Director: Nicholas Winding Refn Cast: Ryan Gosling, Kristen Scott Thomas. See Nick Walker’s article.

90 mins THE ACT OF KILLING (NR) 2012 + Q&A with producer Joram Ten Brink Tue 14 Jan 7.30pm. Dir: Christine Cynn & Joshua Oppenheimer. Cast: Haji Anif, Syamsul Arifin, Sakhyan Asmara . Documentary. Former Indonesian death squad leaders reenact their real-life mass-killings in a cinematic genre of their choosing. Not for the squeamish. 115 mins FRANCES HA (15) 2012 Tue 21 Jan 7.30pm Director: Noah Baumbach Cast: Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner See Nick Walker’s article. 86 mins LOOKING FOR HORTENSE (12A) 2013 Tue 28 Jan 7.30pm. Dir: Pascal Bonitzer.

Cast: Kristin Scott Thomas. Droll French comedy drama. 100 mins

There seems to have been a great resurgence of interest in singing for a hobby in recent times, perhaps inspired by the proliferation of television shows following various public choirs, such as those led by Gareth Malone, and by the broadcasting of choir competitions.

Itself the subject of a 3 part documentary for ITV1, ‘The Choir That Rocks’, Rock Choir is a nationwide organisation which prides itself on bringing people together in their local communities and giving them the chance to sing in a supportive, friendly environment. There are no entry auditions and no requirements to read music or have any previous singing experience. Choir members attend fun, weekly rehearsals where they learn specially arranged and choreographed pop, rock and Motown songs, leading up to performances at local and national events, many of which support charity.

“Rock Choir is for people who love to sing, including those who normally only sing in the shower or when they think no one is listening,” local Rock Choir leader Katie Hockley tells me. “We firmly believe that everyone can sing, and the rich sounds the choir makes after only a few rehearsals is truly inspiring.”

Members from local choirs in Rochester, Rainham, Maidstone, King’s Hill and Gravesend have sung far and wide in 2013, in venues as varied as the 02 Arena, the Ideal Home Exhibition and Terminal 5 Heathrow. They have also entertained at a host of local events, including a Christmas Sing in Chatham High Street, and a special performance at Gravesend BHS, in aid of the charity Missing People.

“What makes Rock Choir extra special is the way it enables people to experience the thrill of singing together, and the fun, friendship and community spirit it encourages” says Katie.

“Time and time again I see how singing, particularly in a relaxed environment such as ours, helps improve people’s self-confidence and gives them a wonderful sense of fulfilment and wellbeing. It’s incredibly uplifting.”

New members are always welcome and anyone interested in joining Rock Choir can try a free taster session. To book tel: 01252 714 276.

13

edna

ENERGISE DANCE NOURISH ART An exhibition celebrating the work created by edna’s journey, a programme of dance, movement and arts activities, opens soon in Medway and Gravesham JAYE NOLAN spoke to the team behind the project which honours the links between creative activity, health and well-being The importance of children playing together and socialising with their peers is driven home constantly to all those involved in rearing children. Largely forgotten is that older people have similar needs, particularly to reduce the effects of ageing on mental and physical health.

Research and development work around dance and dementia in May 2012 led Project Manager Luci Napleton to source funding for what is now the edna project, a participatory journey exploring memories, communication, light, colour and texture. “edna was designed to explore innovative, inclusive, stimulating and appropriate dance and arts activities with, and for, older people,” says Luci. 26 participants in all signed up for the 12 week journey, drawn from Medway and from Gravesham via a number of agencies working with older people in the community, such as Medway Older People’s Partnership, the 50+ Forum and Age UK.

every day new activity; every day needs art Brian, participant, with his own take on the edna acronym

The participants had the chance to draw, paint, dance or to make their own sculptures. The programme was delivered by two of Medway’s foremost creative practitioners, who were integral to the project’s success. Wendy Daws is an artist, educator and facilitator with an inexhaustible interest in people, places and their stories. Rebecca Ashton is a dance teacher and founder of The Right Step Dance Company. She developed Active Armchairs in 2010, a programme of seated dance for older people.

Rebecca tells me: “I love introducing people to dance, and edna has been a journey of colourful, creative discovery. Friendships and confidences have built throughout the project; it’s been a safe place for sharing and experimenting, and opportunities like this should be cherished. It’s wonderful to see people who hadn’t met before now coming together to meet for lunch and further activities.”

Wendy continues: “edna is an incredibly inspiring project I’m immensely proud to be involved in. I’ve enjoyed the ongoing conversations about ‘how to lift a breath off the page?’ and ‘how are we going to make a drawn movement stand up?’

The “Chinese whisper drawing”, which for me links directly to drawing a breath, came from the way Rebecca got everyone moving and thinking about their bodies and movement. We just joined up the dots really. None of us want it to end.”

explore dignity nurture achieve Whether turning 2D pictures into 3D with the use of pipe cleaners to translate movement onto paper, or using symbols instead of words or pictures as a way of recording dance, the participants made stimulating forays into hitherto unexplored areas. Wendy and Rebecca stretched imaginations in more ways than one, with participants’ feedback a testament to their hard work and dedication: “My movement is a lot easier than it was before edna” “In my element, love textures, materials and colours” “Enjoying it so much, don’t want it to end.” “Freedom of movement and spatial affirmation” “I do have breathing problems but I feel uplifted.” “Edna has enabled us to tap into our creative and playful side once again” “I’m not ready for just tea and bingo, as an older person I want to keep on learning!” “I’m amused in the nicest possible way””I feel energised and can’t imagine what’s going to happen next”

enthuse delight narrative adapt With barriers to participation in the arts finally being removed, older people are being given the opportunity to enjoy a greater range of activities than ever before.

It is anticipated that research during the project by Trinity Laban and the Sidney De Haan Research Centre will identify many health and wellbeing benefits of the dance, movement and art activities enjoyed by participants. A full report of this research will be available on the edna website in 2014.

To showcase all that has been achieved during edna’s journey, an exhibition of artworks opens in December and continues into the new year.

MEDWAY Private View: St.Paul’s Church Hall, Long Catlis Road, Parkwood ME8 9PN Thursday 12 December 2pm-4pm Exhibition: Rainham Library, Birling Avenue ME8 7LR, Sat 14 December to Sat 11 January 2014 GRAVESHAM Exhibition: Blake Gallery, Woodville Halls, Gravesend DA12 1DDTue 21- Sun 26 January

At the start of each session participants were asked various questions and some of the responses included ‘tired’, ‘cold’, ‘achy,’ even ‘depressed’. By the end, the responses had transformed into ‘lifted spirits’, with participants describing themselves as ‘more energized’, ‘happier’, ‘calm’ and ‘relaxed’. One participant, Jackie, said: “When I draw, I forget about the pain in my hands”.

Edna was produced and funded by NKLAAP (North Kent Local Authorities Arts Partnership) and Kent County Council. A partnership was formed with Medway Older People’s Partnership to ensure communication with older adults in Medway was met and supported. ednasjourney.co.uk 15

WO W IS 3!

T AN HRE L D E M AUN ED YEA H AG C I T R RE ERS AZ HE OR S A AD EL IN D T EM GO E R F V E. I H E M W S, I A N A F I A D O W SH Q N RS E ’ E R UE IN T I WH S F E V STI TER SSU U OU IE ON V E RST ND W S IE O ER ST P W FT HE OS WI HE JO ED TH UR BY NE Y

What inspired you to start WOW? I was a little bit mad when I started the magazine. I was in a state of prolonged grief after the breakdown of my marriage and desperate to go back to London.

I couldn’t go for family reasons, so I needed something to embed me here and cause me to call Medway my home. I was very lonely, couldn’t find the arts community, and was constantly hearing of events I’d like to go to after they were over. I looked for the Medway equivalent of London’s Time Out, a magazine I’d grown up with, and found nothing. I had quit a good job, acting was erratic, and I thought, ‘I need to run my own business: perhaps I could make that magazine…’

How did you get the ball rolling?

I bought two books about publishing magazines (really!), attended every free business class going, applied for a Medway Council Start-up Grant and took out a loan to live on for the first three months. How optimistic I was.

Is this your first publication?

Yes! I’d never published anything in my life. I didn’t know a thing about it.

Luckiest WOW moment?

Finding Paul Baker, WOW’s designer. He has played a massive part in giving the magazine its distinctive identity. He has also kept me sane.

Did you ever consider dropping the print magazine and making WOW online?

No. I love print. High quality print will always exist.

People love the whole sensory experience of print: you’d be amazed how many people wax lyrical about WOW’s smell and feel.

Favourite issue?

Joint July/August issue 2013. The one with Xtina Lamb’s wonderful swallows on the cover. It was content heavy and Paul did the most beautiful job.

If you knew at the start what you know now, what would you have done differently?

I would have found out more about running a business!

Why is Medway so special to you?

Living here and making WOW has changed my life.

I’ve never known a place which impacts so strongly on its people, it is endlessly fascinating and inventive in its created versions of itself. That’s why the magazine was originally called ‘WOW Medway’: as well as the acronym I wanted to say ‘Wow, look at where you live, it’s amazing’. Now of course I cover a wider area but the principle is the same. Creatively speaking, this county is amazing.

Is there anything you would change about WOW? I’d love to add more content. The scope is endless and I have creative ideas a-plenty, it’s just being able to afford the paper to print it on!

Why are you WOW-ing?

Because I’ve cracked the code: doing something for my community does something for me.

What keeps you keep motivated?

Wanting to be a role model for my daughter; constantly wanting to produce a better magazine; wanting to make WOW a financial, as well as critical, success; the lovely messages of encouragement I receive and sheer, bloody determination!

What has been your most surprising/affecting WOW experience so far?

Winning the Medway & Culture Design Award, turning to face the room from the stage and finding that my community of colleagues and friends were giving me a standing ovation.

What plans do you have for WOW in 2014?

The covers! Rob Flood’s great interview with John Lydon, AKA Johnny Rotten. Meeting Ralph Steadman and his original ‘Thought Sheet’ cover. The friends I’ve made via WOW.

I am going to hold some focus groups to get readers’ feedback about what they’d like to see in WOW (see over); I hope to develop the website and possibly incorporate a wider area into the magazine. The volume of Kent’s cultural output is extraordinary and it’s all on our doorstep, so I’d like to find ways to encourage people to travel to this excellence by putting more information at their fingertips. In the short-term, I’d just like to throw one hell of a party to say thank you to all the amazing people in Medway and Maidstone who have been such an integral part of WOW along the way!

Most surreal WOW moment?

PS: Can we have a crossword?

Ralph Steadman sending me a YouTube video of a meerkat shouting ‘Alan!’ while we were talking on the ‘phone.

Maybe, Andrew, maybe… anyone else?

Lowest WOW moment?

That moment in the month when I realise that I don’t have enough advertising revenue to pay myself again.

I paid myself for the first time in April this year, but this still happens. It’s not a nice feeling.

WOW highlights?

17

WOW IS 3!

BEING A ONE-WOMAN TEAM, WOW’S EDITOR EMMA DEWHURST IS ASKING FOR YOUR HELP TO SHAPE HER IDEAS AND GROW THE MAGAZINE HERE ARE 5 WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED 1 COME TO A READER FOCUS GROUP WOW’s editor, Emma Dewhurst, would like to meet you! She will be holding a couple of small, friendly group discussions with readers of the magazine.

Make your suggestions, have your say and shape the future of WOW. Please email her if you would like to attend: editor@wowkent.co.uk 2 TAKE THE SURVEY Please take the new online survey about WOW – you’ll find it on the Home page of the website at wowkent.co.uk. Your answers are really invaluable!

3 TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION If it is difficult for you to find a print copy of the magazine each month, or if you would simply like to help to secure WOW’s future, please take out a subscription. For £25 a year, each copy of WOW will be sent to you hot off the press by first class post. You will also receive an I LOVE WOW card, which entitles you to exclusive offers from local shops, pubs and businesses. There is a simple ‘Subscribe’ button on the Home page: wowkent.co.uk 4 JOIN THE MAILING LIST You will receive a colourful e-newsletter with a link to the latest issue of the magazine each month, along with all the other arts news.

Sign up at wowkent.co.uk

DISASTER RELIEF For the first time, WOW is running a charity appeal.

ShelterBox is an amazing, relatively small charity which provides rapid delivery of emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies to families around the world who have been made homeless by disasters, aiming to restore to shelter, warmth and dignity.

In the 12 years since ShelterBox was founded, it has responded to over 200 natural or manmade disasters in almost 90 different countries and provided lifesaving aid for well over one million people. ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members accompany the boxes to ensure they reach those most in need.

What’s in a ShelterBox? The box contains the essentials a family needs to survive in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, typically containing a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, groundsheets, water storage and filtration equipment, cooking utensils, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.

ShelterBox’s current deployments are in Syria (conflict), the Philippines (typhoon/earthquake) Iraqi Kurdistan (conflict), Sudan (flooding) and Pakistan (earthquake).

It costs £590 to send one ShelterBox. WOW magazine would like to raise at least that amount.

In the first instance, please send a cheque made out to ‘ShelterBox’ to WOW magazine, 5 Wickham Street, Rochester ME1 2HH. We will be tracking our donation and making it easy to donate online, too, so please keep your eye on the website.

Thank you!

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Mondays Tuesdays

Pregnancy Group 7- 8:15pm. Limited to 6 persons. £10 7- 8pm & 8:15 - 9:15pm Vinyasa Flow Gordon House Hotel, High Street, Rochester Thursdays 7- 8pm Vinyasa Flow, Meopham Village Hall Fridays 1- 2pm Vinyasa Flow 2:15 - 3:15pm Restorative Yoga 4 - 4:30pm Children’s Yoga £3. Starting 10th Jan 2014 St Peter’s Church Hall, Delce Road, Rochester Open level practices. Beginners always welcome. Equipment provided. £7 or 6 practices for £35 Private classes for 1-1 or groups available.

Rooted in Yoga 07757549863 or kateashley5@gmail.com

MUSIC ME5 Don’t forget to download the latest and final album of the finest Medway music from medwayeyes. wordpress.com and make a donation to the children’s mental health charity, Young Minds. Read all about it on page 23.

CAROLS FOR CHRISTMAS Dickensian Christmas Festival Weekend 7-8 December Featuring all sorts of Victorian festivities and carols in the afternoon on both days ay 5pm outside Rochester Cathedral, with a guaranteed snowfall!

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MUSIC TO WINE AND DINE TO: AWARD-WINNING 144 CLUB THE ROFFEN 41 New Road, Rochester, ME1 1DX

Wed 4 Dec CHRIS BISCOE AND BAND. Doors 7.15pm for 8.15pm start. Waitress service, meals available and bar. Tickets from £11 available from 01634 365 453 or from 144club.co.uk SUNDAY LUNCH at LARKFIELD PRIORY RESTAURANT 802 London Road ME20 6HJ (on A20 next to B&Q – formerly Hamlets)

Sun 1 Dec: DUNCAN LAMONT & band. Duncan was in the Dame Shirley Bassey Orchestra and writes music for Strictly Come Dancing. Doors 12.45pm for 1.15pm service. Full roast menu, tickets include music and food, available via 01634 365453 or via 144club.co.uk Sun 22 Dec: ROAST CHRISTMAS LUNCH WITH FULL BAND Doors open 12.45pm for 1.15pm on stage. Tickets and menu via 144club.co.uk or 01634 365453

FINCHCOCKS MUSICAL MUSEUM

EDITH MAY THAMES BARGE

Goudhurst, TN17 1HH

Lower Halstow Dock 01634 365343

Fri 6 Dec: Evening meal and concert with ROAN KEARSEY-LAWSON. Doors 7pm,7.30pm (meal), jazz at 8.45pm. Tickets £10, £15 with supper.

Information and bookings: finchcocks.co.uk or 01580 211702

Sat 14 & 21 Dec : SWINGING THE LEAD: CHRISTMAS SHANTY CAROLS, tickets £8 Fri 24 Jan: LOUISE JORDAN. Hatches 6.45pm, music from 7.30pm and tickets £8 from edithmay.com

THE BARGE

THE GOOD INTENT

63 Layfield Road, Gillingham ME7 2QY 01634 850485

John Street, Rochester ME1 1YL 01634 843118

Music starts 9pm, free entry Fri 1 Nov: BEN JONES Wed 4 Dec : BARDS @ THE BARGE OPEN MIC Fri 6 Dec: BEN JONES & THE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS Sat 7 Dec: TANK TRAP Sat 14 Dec: ANTFESTIVE Sat 21 Dec: FATE THE JUGGLER Fri 27 Dec: CLEA ROSE TRIO Wed 1 Jan: BARDS @ THE OPEN MIC Sat 25 Jan: IRONMONGERY thebargepub.co.uk

Christmas Day - 12.00 noon until 2.30pm Boxing Day - 12.00 noon until 6.00pm New Years Eve - Glad Rags on to see in the New Year - Doors Close 9.00pm New Years Day Closed Tues 3 & 17 Dec: FOLK SINGAROUNDS Hosted by Simon Barlow Fri 6 Dec: JAZZ with Dave Reay, Richard Rozze, Tony Baker and Tony Totts Tues 10 Dec: FOLK CONCERT NIGHT featuring Capellla and Larkspur Thurs 12 Dec: OPEN MIC NIGHT hosted by Andy Whyte Sat 21 & Sun 22 Dec: WASSAIL WEEKEND: Folk Singarounds from 1.00pm both days Sun 22 Dec: IRONMONGERY 6.30pm Tues 7 & 21 Jan: FOLK SINGAROUNDS Thu 9 & 23 Jan: OPEN MIC NIGHT hosted by Andy Whyte

THE BOWER HOUSE 20 Warwick Place, Maidstone

Fri 31 Jan: NEIL MCSWEENEY Doors 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from thebowerhouse@gmail.com BROOK THEATRE

Old Town Hall, The Brook, Chatham 01634 338338

FOLK AT THE BROOK: BULLY WEE Thu 16 Jan 8pm. Acoustic folk rock. £12.50 medwayticketslive.co.uk EARLS

30 Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PS 01622 751286

Thu 5 Dec: THE JACS, NOUGHTS & CROSSES Fri 20 Dec: THE LEN PRICE 3, STACEY & THE FREELOADERS, PIP BOWERS & THE FAMILY BONES, OSKAR VILCROW Thu 30 Jan: ONE DAY ELLIOTT, MIZARU Gigs from 8.30pm, free entry

THE FLOWERPOT

96 Sandling Rd, Maidstone, ME14 2RJ 01622 757705

Sat 7 Dec : KING BEES (blues) Sat 14 Dec: MIDNIGHT FLYERS (blues/rock ‘n’ roll) Sat 28 Dec: PRIMITIVE INSTINCT (prog rock) Sat 18 Jan: IRONMONGERY, PIP BOWERS BAND Tuesdays: OPEN MIC NIGHT. From 8.30pm, free entry LADY LUCK

18 St Peter’s Street, Canterbury CT1 2BQ

THAT MASSIVE BEREAVEMENT Tue 10 Dec, doors 7pm. Free entry

KENT

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WOW_NOV_ol.indd 1

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Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist Suite 9, Cheldgate House 45 High Street Rochester ME1 1LP

...puting the pieces together with knowledge, compassion and understanding

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Tel: 01634 828 528 Mobile: 07788 412 701 Email: dhh@btconnect.com www.kentpsychotherapist.com

If you like to sing you’ll LOVE Rock Choir!

Pop, rock and Motown singing for adults with no auditions, and no need to read music.

Rochester, Kings Hill, Maidstone, Gravesend, Rainham/Gillingham

DECEMBER Sun 1st Wed 4th Thurs 5th Sat 7th Sun 8th Wed 11th Thurs 12th Sun 15th Wed 18th Thurs 19th Sun 22nd

Jam Night Skinners Rats Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs Sur Les Docks Jam Night Two Man Ting Kingsize Slim Jam Night Hot Rats Duo Pass The Cat Trio Brass Quintet & Christmas Carols

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tel: 07772 214315 21

LiveMusic!

MAIDSTONE AND MEDWAY

There’s a plethora of live gigs over December and January to see out the old year and bring in the new. Music promoter CLIVE AUSTEN reports from the frontline of the Maidstone gig scene while ROB FLOOD has found a host of Medway goodies

In the build-up to Christmas, Maidstone’s numerous pubs and small venues see a flurry of musical activity with the welcome return of a number of wellknown names to the County Town, alongside home grown talent from Maidstone and Medway. Kicking off this month are upcoming funk and soul influenced indie act The Jacs, appearing at Earls on Thursday 5 December with support from young, newly formed, but exceptionally tight original rockers the Noughts & Crosses.

The Music Room at Pizza Express in Maidstone has a huge programme of shows over the festive season, with a gig almost every night of the week during December. There’s a large helping of funk on the menu, including exceptional sax player Euge Groove from the US on Saturday 7 December; Maidstone’s keyboard wizard Paul Jobson on Sunday 8th, and Cut The Funk and The James Taylor Quartet appearing on Wednesday 18 December. Tunbridge Wells promoter Paul Dunton has a strong line-up of Kent based talent at The Music Room on Thursday 12 December with The Charlie Rivers Band, The Standard Lamps, and Intraverse playing a full band acoustic set.

Maidstone promoters Make Some Noise have two Christmas specials – one at the Style & Winch on Friday 13 December with a headline acoustic set from original

punk rocker TV Smith, playing a selection of songs from his extensive repertoire including classics such as Gary Gilmore’s Eyes, No Time To Be 21 and Bored Teenagers. Entry is free and support comes from Funke & The Two Tone Baby and Maidstone’s Thomas D Palmar. On ‘Black Friday’ as it is apparently known in the licensing trade, which this year falls on 20 December, MSN welcome back garage rockers The Len Price 3 to Earls, alongside alternative rock act Oskar Vilcrow and foot-stomping acoustic trio Pip Bowers & The Family Bones – a last chance to let your hair down before Christmas arrives…

Rafters have two big shows in December – a live hip-hop extravaganza on the 20th with Verb T and Fliptrix among others, and 60s influenced indie band The Soundcasters appear at the venue on New Years Eve which has a UV décor theme. Tickets for both gigs are £6.

Real ale and acoustic/blues rock venue The Flowerpot in Sandling Road will be hosting its regular Tuesday Open Mic night throughout December and January: a great place to catch local artists trying out new material. Saturdays at The Flowerpot feature blues from The King Bees (7 December), blues/rock ‘n’ roll with Midnight Flyers (14 December) and long-running original prog rock band Primitive Instinct playing an acoustic set on Saturday 28 December.

Moving forward into January, The Style & Winch host its regular monthly music night on Friday 10th with sets from pop-punkers Optional Rubber Duck, psychedelia from Stacey & The Freeloaders and lo-fi/indie from Rich Clark and guests. Medway folk act Sally

ME5 It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since the last Medway Eyes compilation. Here’s Phil Dillon from Medway Eyes to explain ME5.

Ironmonger bring their quirky songs and stories back to The Flowerpot on Saturday 18 January supported by Pip Bowers band, and established Maidstone rock band One Day Elliott appear at Earls with material from their new album on Thursday 30 January, supported by new alternative act Mizaru.

Clive Austen

WHILE OVER IN MEDWAY….

If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to get stuck in a conversation with me about local music, I’ve probably banged on a lot about a band called UpCDownC. On balance, they’re one of my favourite bands full-stop, made all the better by the fact that they live just around the corner and can often be seen treading the boards of a local drinking establishment.

However, as great as this is for me, I do find it bemusing that they aren’t headlining Europe-wide tours at 2,000+ capacity venues. They released their 5th album ‘Black Sea’ in October this year and a rather lovely vinyl version is released on 2 December. ‘Black Sea’ is an impeccably crafted post-rock epic that impresses with its scale. Chiming guitar arpeggios and atmospheric melody, thundering bass lines and massive guitar riffs, ‘Black Sea’ is endlessly explorable and I can’t recommend it enough. Buy it for your nearest and dearest here http:// fieldrecords.bandcamp.com/album/black-sea.

“Medway Eyes has been in the fabric of things around here for five years now, and is celebrating by releasing its fifth and final download album of Medway music, this time in aid of the charity Young Minds. The idea is simply to collate a whole bunch of songs by local artists to point out the indisputable fact that Medway has one of the most vibrant and diverse music scenes anywhere in the UK – something that radio stations all over the US and Europe recognise, even if paradoxically, the mainstream local press and radio remain wilfully oblivious to it.

The download album is ostensibly free. If you enjoy it, you can go back and donate to Young Minds at your leisure. There are 58 tracks, something for all tastes, and a strong indicator of the support that artists have given to this project over the years. Just be sure to subscribe to (or keep an eye on) medwayeyes. wordpress.com. Or follow @medwayeyes on Twitter or find them on Facebook so that you don’t miss the jewels on your doorstep.

On behalf of Medway Eyes, thank you for your support over the years.”

So that’s all your Christmas present needs sorted – 58 tracks of amazing Medway music and the benefit of donating to a great charity.

At time of writing UpCDownC are playing the Tap’n’Tin on 4 January and at the Water Rats in Kings Cross on 18 January 2014.

A quick mention for Ben Jones, who is headlining at the St. Mary’s Friday Night Alternative in Gillingham on 27 December – a great way to wind down after the madness of Christmas. Only £1 to get in and cheap drinks. Doors at 7.30pm.

And finally, the brilliant Neil McSweeney returns to Kent on Friday 31 January with a gig at the Bower House in Maidstone.

Doors at 7.30pm and tickets are £10 from thebowerhouse@gmail.com.

Rob Flood 23

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MEDWAY’S NEW VENUE

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SHARED OPEN-PLAN STUDIO SPACES ARE AVAILABLE! FOR ONLY £1 PER SQUARE FOOT/ PER MONTH Join our growing creative community at Sun Pier House in Chatham To arrange a viewing please email Heather

heather@sunpierhouse.co.uk sunpierhouse.co.uk

STUDENT ESSAY COMPETITION ‘What makes a good writer?’ (500 words) A BRAND NEW POLAROID TABLET FOR EACH CATEGORY WINNER!

PROUD PRINTERS OF WOW MAGAZINE

Posters // Leaflets // Brochures // Folders Business Cards // Magazines // Books 01795 470825 colour-factory.com

Sittingbourne Kent

CATEGORIES: STUDYING FOR GCSE (OR EQUIVALENT) STUDYING FOR A LEVEL (OR EQUIVALENT) STUDYING FOR AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PLEASE VISIT ACADEMICHONOURS.COM FOR FULL DETAILS

MUSIC MOTE HALL

Maidstone Leisure Centre, ME15 9JR

MAIDSTONE CHORAL UNION: CHRISTMAS CONCERT Sat 14 Dec 7.30pm. With Kent Festival Brass & Mandy Ellen Performing Arts and conductor Martin Hindmarsh.

Tickets £7- 16 from Maidstone Museum or Leisure Centre or tel: 01622 726193 PIZZA EXPRESS MUSIC ROOM

32-34 Earl St Maidstone, Kent ME14 1PF 01622 683548

Sat 7 Dec: EUGE GROOVE (US) Smooth jazz Sun 8 Dec: PAUL JOBSON Maidstone keyboard wizard Thu 12 Dec: PAUL DUNTON AND GUESTS Kent-based talent Wed 18 Dec: THE JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET For more details and to book go to pizzaexpresslive.co.uk THE RAFTERS

62-63 High Street, Maidstone (above Turning Tables) ME14 1SR

Fri 6 Dec: MASTERPLAN DnB event £5 on the door Sat 7 Dec: 1 year anniversary of The Rafters £4 on the door (acts tba) Fri 13 Dec: EASTERN EUROPEAN PARTY with euro beers and music Sat 14 Dec: Live reggae and Afro beat with BEN RUSSELL & THE CHARMERS and the Slim Cut DJ’s £4 on the door Fri 20 Dec: 40OZ OF HIP HOP with Fliptrix & Verb T with DJ M9 £8 otd £6 advance Sat 21 Dec: RAISE THE ROOF SEXY SANTA CHRISTMAS PARTY Fancy Dress encouraged £4 otd Fri 27 Dec: BREAK BEAT PARTY till 3am, £5 otd Tue 31 Dec: UV NEW YEARS PARTY with live music from the SOUNDCASTERS Tickets £6 44TWO SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB Featherby Road, Gillingham ME8 6AN 01634 405037

Thu 12 Dec 8.30pm: DONN BARCOTT BAND + Elaine Diane on vocals. Songs from the Great American Songbook and a magician at your table! Raffle & bar. All welcome, £6

FILM STEPPING STONE STUDIOS

SCREEN CLASSICS

2 Museum Avenue, Maidstone ME14 1QX 01622 675923

Central Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338

Wed-Sat 12pm til late (licensed til 3am) JAM NIGHT: Wednesdays 8pm-1am, free. LIVE ON THE COUCH: Early evening live lounge with drinks and a meal From 4pm8pm, free entry. THE FRIDAY FUNK: Authentic Funk/Dub/Breaks/Jazz/ Soul From 8pm, £6 entry + free drink. THE SATURDAY WARM-UPS A monthly series of underground from top UK jazz and indi musicians, comedians and spoken-word artists (1st Sat: PLUGGED OUT; 2nd: BLUE MOON JAZZ CLUB; 4th THE DEF POETS SOCIETY) £5 + drinks deal.

Food served to 10pm steppingstonestudios.co.uk

A monthly celebration of classic cinema on the big screen in association with Rochester Film Society. Introduction to the film and post-film discussion over a free glass of wine hosted by programmer Nick Walker. £7, concs £5, includes free drink.

ST GEORGE’S CENTRE

Pembroke Road, Chatham ME4 4UH

THE BIG SING CONCERT Sat 8 Dec 7pm. Tickets from thebig-sing.com or tel 01376 512292 ST MARY’S SOCIAL CLUB

THE GHOST TRAIN (U) 1941 Mon 20 Jan 7.30pm Dir: Walter Forde Cast: Arthur Askey, Richard Murdoch, Kathleen Harrison A black and white English mystery thriller based on the 1923 play of the same name written by Arnold Ridley. 85 mins CENTRAL THEATRE ‘AFTERNOON TREAT’ Screening of THE GHOST TRAIN Tue 21 Jan 2.30pm Tickets £4 (includes hot drink and teacake) medwayticketslive.co.uk

Belmont Road Gillingham ME7 5JB 01634 573032

27 Dec: ALTERNATIVE MUSIC NIGHT: BEN JONES is due to play at this Acoustic Open Mic hosted

by Bob Collins on the last Friday of the month. Doors 7.30pm. stmaryssocialclub.com Every Monday: TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION NIGHT 8.30pm12. Non-members entry: £1

PLEASE SUPPORT WOW’S FIRST CHARITY APPEAL SEE PAGE 18

THE STYLE & WINCH

72 Union Street, Maidstone ME14 1ED 01622 752351

Fri 13 Dec: TV SMITH, FUNKE & THE 2 TONE BABY, THOMAS D PALMAR, CHARLIES DUO: Christmas Special . Fri 10 Jan: OPTIONAL RUBBER DUCKS, STACEY & THE FREELOADERS + RICH CLARK. 8.30pm til late.

Free Entry.

THE TAP ‘N’ TIN

24 Railway Street Chatham ME4 4JT

4 Jan: UPCDOWNC see review of their latest album in our Live Music article p22\ 25

THEATRE BROOK THEATRE

Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338

REGINALD RABBIT RESCUES CHRISTMAS Wed 11-Tue 31 Dec. The Brook specialises in making excellent theatre for very small children (3-6 year olds) and this promises to be no exception. Children move around the theatre as the drama unfolds.

Tickets £6.95, group concs available.

Various show times, see website. medwayticketslive.co.uk

CENTRAL THEATRE

170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS with Sam Attwater, Steve Hewlett and his puppets. Thu 12 DecSun 5 Jan 2014. Various times, see website for details. chathampanto.com HAZLITT THEATRE

Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 758611

DICK WHITTINGTON Fri 6 Dec – Sun 5 Jan 2014. With CBeebies presenter Ceri Burnell. Various times and prices, see website.

EXCHANGE STUDIO: HAZLITT YOUTH THEATRE presents THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE Sat 21 Dec-Tue 24 Dec, various times and prices, see website.

C S Lewis classic. hazlittartscentre.co.uk MARLOWE THEATRE

The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Fri 29 Nov – Sun 12 Jan with Samantha

Womack and Phil ‘Mister Maker’ Gallagher. Various times and prices.

See website.marlowetheatre.com (booking charges applies via internet)

ORCHARD THEATRE

Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Mon 2 – Tue 3 Dec, 7.30pm. Tue Mat 1.30pm.

Musical version of the classic tale.

From £15 CINDERELLA Sat 14 Dec – Sat 4 Jan. With Bradley Walsh. Various times and prices, see website.

PETER JAMES: THE PERFECT MURDER Wed 8 – Sat 11 Jan. Adapted from the bestselling novel.

Eves 7.30pm, Thu & Sat Mat 2.30pm. £10-£25. Plus £1.50 booking fee.

Show and two course meal £35 MOSCOW CITY BALLET: ROMEO & JULIET Wed 15 Jan, 2.30pm & 7.30pm; DON QUIXOTE Thu 16 Jan 7.30pm; THE NUTCRACKER Fri 17 & Sat 18 Jan Eves 7.30pm, Sat mat 2.30pm. Tickets £15-35, concs and family tickets available. + £1.50 booking fee on all transactions orchardtheatre.co.uk THE WOODVILLE

Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD 01474 337774

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Sat 14 Dec – Sat 4 Jan, various times and prices, see website.

SANTA CLAUS AND THE XMAS ADVENTURE Sat 1 Dec – Tue 24 Dec. Songs, stories and a free gift from Santa. Various times & prices. woodville.co.uk

COMEDY BILLABONG CLUB Victoria Street, Rochester ME1 1XJ

No club night in December. See website/Facebook page for details of the January 2014 show, which happens on the last Thursday of the month.

BILLABONG CLUB AT LARKFIELD PRIORY HOTEL London Road, Maidstone ME20 6HJ 01732 846858

STEPHEN CARLIN, CHRISTIAN STEEL & SOFIE HAGEN Fri 13 Dec. Doors 7.30pm, comedy at 8pm. £10 pre-booked, includes drinks voucher or buy ticket on door (no voucher). Meal deal £24.95 from 6.30pm, pre-booking essential. billabongcomedyclub.co.uk COMEDY AT THE HAZLITT Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 758611

COMEDY NIGHT (EXCHANGE STUDIO) DAMO CLARK & MICHAEL FABBRI Wed 4 Dec 8pm. £10, free drink if booked in advance hazlittartscentre.co.uk THE GOOD INTENT John Street, Rochester ME1 1YL

Thurs 5 Dec: COMEDY NIGHT Festive Christmas Special Admission £2 Thurs 16 Jan: COMEDY NIGHT Admission £2.

JOKING WITH INTENT

The Good Intent, 3 John Street, Rochester ME1 1YL

OPEN MIC COMEDY CLUB First Thursday of the month.

Thu 5 Dec, 8-10pm. Line-up tbc. £2 admission.

Find Joking with Intent on Facebook MARLOWE THEATRE STUDIO The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787

MARLOWE COMEDY CLUB: IAIN STIRLING headlines. Sat 7 Dec 8.15pm (includes adult themes & language) £13 marlowetheatre.com (booking charges applies via internet)

museums& WORKSHOPS

MAKE DO AND MEND CHRISTMAS ON THE HOME FRONT 14-15 December, 10am - 4pm The Royal Engineers Museum has come up with a novel programme of events this Christmas. Visit their ‘Make Do and Mend Christmas’ and find out how Christmas time was celebrated during the Second World War. • Listen to the Royal Christmas Message radio broadcast by King George from 1939 • Watch the ‘Medway Lindy Hoppers’, with the opportunity to join in the fun • Observe demonstrations of cooking with rationed food • Visit ‘Sapper Christmas’ and receive a traditional toy (additional cost £2.50) • Make vintage home-made decorations • Listen to a choir singing classic Christmas carols • Have your hair turned into a 1940s up-do hair style • Listen to fashion historian Lee Ault, talk about ‘Rationed fashion: Clothes of the 1940s’ • Browse an in-house vintage craft market • Sip mulled wine and eat mince pies served from a 1940’s NAAFI wagon Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive, Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME4 4UG Normal admission prices apply. Ticket valid for 12 months on gift aided entrance. Tel: 01634 822839 re-musuem.co.uk

MAIDSTONE MUSEUM CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CRAFT WORKSHOPS The Museum has a terrific programme this Christmas. Workshops start at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30 and 14:30. Bookable in person on the day, maximum 15 children per session. Suitable for age 4+. £3.50 per child unless stated. Tel: 01622 602838. museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk Dreamscapes – Saturday 28 December Create your own 3D dreamscape using collage and paper sculpture techniques.

Egyptian Headdresses – Monday 30 December Learn about life was as an Egyptian, and create your own headdress.

Designer Dinosaurs – Thursday 2 January (£4.00) Create your own dinosaur by painting a money box.

Perfect Portraits – Friday 3 January Create your own portrait, complete with frame.

Make your own Decorative Door Hanger – Saturday 4 January FREE FAMILY DAY: ANIMAL FUN DAY – Saturday 18 January, 10.30am-4pm, free Take part in an animal trail and create your own animal costume.

Activities will be based around the Museum, and families will be encouraged to visit the illustrations and paintings on display in the Ladybird exhibition. Drop-in.

CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Kent Creative Live, a support network for artists, art organisations, creative individuals and businesses to help them make a success of their creative practices, is running a new programme of practical and participatory workshops and meetups in Chatham, Faversham, Rochester and Sittingbourne. The programme is funded by Ideas Test (Creative People and Places Swale & Medway).

Between January and August 2014 there will be eight monthly meetups to network, share information and support, and nine practical workshops covering such topics as Marketing and Promotion, Business Planning, Project Evaluation and Money Management.

All meetups and workshops taken together cost £112, saving 20% overall, or you can attend individual sessions at a cost of £25.

There are payment options available. Go to kentcreativelive.org for more details.

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VISUAL ART BELOW 65 GALLERY

Gilbert & Clark Frame & Print 65 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1SR 01622 685146 Free entry

Open 9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat. Late openings throughout December: please check website CREATIVITY UNFRAMED: A WINTER ART FAIR Mon To Sat 21 Dec Affordable, varied selection of local artists’ work for sale: paintings, prints, textiles and cards. Below 65 Gallery will be closed in January to prepare the walls for the busy year ahead! gilbertandclark.com CAFE MOROC

367 Rochester High Street ME1 6DA

Open 10 am-4 pm Mon-Sat; 6-9 pm Thu-Sat HOT OFF THE HAZELNUT PRESS Sat 7 Dec- Fri 10 Jan New work ten printmakers based at Heather Haythornthwaite’s studio in Ridley Road, including relief and intaglio prints and cards. Free to browse COBBLER ELF GALLERY

16 Station Road, Rainham ME8 7PH 01634 386381

CHRISTMAS FAIR Sat 14 Dec 9am6pm. Here’s a novel idea, browse this new gallery of work by local artists and have your shoes mended at the same time… Mince pies and mulled wine.

DEAF CAT COFFEE BAR & GALLERY 83 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX

Open all week 9.30am-5pm ROLLING EXHIBITION Contemporary works by local artists, well worth a look. Submission guidelines on the website. thedeafcat.com FRANCIS ILES GALLERIES

103 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 843081

Opens Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm Contemporary paintings, ceramics, glass and jewellery.

DESIGNER JEWELLERY WEEKEND 14 & 15 Dec THE CHRISTMAS ROOM is open! francis-iles.com

MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERY St Faith’s St, Maidstone ME14 1LH 01622 602838

Opens Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sun Nov-Mar, 23-27 Dec and 1 Jan MIKE CHAPLIN RETROSPECTIVE & His Museum Inspiration To Fri 3 Jan. Showcasing a lifetime’s work of etchings, watercolours and oil paintings. Free entry A LADYBIRD CHILDHOOD Sat 11 Jan to Sun 11 May. Exhibition celebrating the iconic, mini hardbacks. Admission charges apply maidstone.museum. maidstone.gov.uk

ROCHESTER ART GALLERY Visitor Information Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX

01634 338319 Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10.30am-5pm Free entry ADRIFT ON LIFE’S TIDES: Jessie Brennan To 4 Jan. Exploring the stories of the River Medway.

WOLF HOWARD & MICKY HAMPSHIRE: The Skull Grins Relentless Thu 16 Jan – 15 Mar 2014.

Private view Thu 16 Jan, all welcome from 6.30pm.

ROEBUCK HOUSE 47 St Margaret’s Street ME1 1UF 01634 817874

NUCLEUS ARTS

272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108

Gallery opens Mon-Sat 9.30am5.00pm, Sun 11-4pm. Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Free entry AFFORDABLE ART EXHIBITION To 30 Dec Diverse showcase of original artworks by 28 Nucleus artists: sculpture, lighting, photography, furniture and paintings. No piece priced more than £300, with many works at just £10.

FIVE YEARS ON: Andrew Huston Fri 3 - Thu 9 Jan UCA STUDENTS SHOWCASE Fri 10-Thu 16 Jan UCA STUDENTS PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASE Fri 17-Thu 30 Jan nucleusarts.com NUCLEUS ARTS, ROCHESTER 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX

Open 10am-5pm Mon-Sat; Sun 115pm 01634 812108 Support Kent-based artists and buy local this Christmas!

NUCLEUS ARTS, MAIDSTONE 2-4 Granada House, Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone ME15 6JR

Open 10am-5pm Mon-Sat; closed Sundays 01634 812108 Contemporary gallery space and shop.

Open every day 12-6pm THE WINE GLASS An exhibition of paintings and drawings by Wynford V Thomas. Fri 13 Dec – Thu 19 Dec ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM, LIBRARY & ARCHIVE Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME4 4UG Tel: 01634 822839

Open Tue-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun & Bank Holidays: 11.30am-5pm.

Closed Mondays. Pay once for unlimited access for 12 months: Adult £8, Conc £5.50, Family £21.50.

Students, children and serving Royal Engineers: free.

ENCOUNTERS: Photograph Albums & Their Stories To 30 May 2014 Fascinating exhibition exploring the narratives behind photographs from some 600 albums and scrapbooks. re-museum.co.uk UPDOWN GALLERY Satis House, 11 Elms Avenue, Ramsgate CT11 9BW 01843 588181

Opens Tue-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 11am6pm. Mon by appointment only Closed 23 Dec-20 Jan. WE ARE ONE 7 Dec-1 Feb 2014.

Sheer class: mixed show featuring work by Sir Peter Blake, Bridget Riley, Patrick Caulfield, Piers Secunda and more. updowngallery.co.uk

ORIGINAL QUINK AND BLEACH ARTWORKS

By NICK STEWART

quinkandbleach.wordpress.com

07956 365155 viewings by appointment

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the artist’s space

THE TREES’ KNEES

MY CURRENT WORK IS ABOUT EXPLORING THE FEELING OF BEING ‘NEITHER HERE NOR THERE’ A recent relocation from rural Norfolk has allowed me to explore my new place and new self through the eyes of the migrant, trying to make sense of the routines, custom and practice of this unfamiliar landscape.

Seeking the equivalent of marginal and bleak spaces of East Anglia, I have discovered a corresponding visual language within the reedy estuary fringe that dissolves the interface of urban and rural. My prints are not landscapes per se; rather they seek to evoke an emotional response and a sense of place.

by Sue Maddocks

I have been printing with Hazelnut Press for the past year, and am particularly excited by the possibilities presented by collagraph, with its physicality and the unpredictable quality of mark making that results when printing from collages of recycled materials - flotsam and jetsam.

Sue Maddocks’ work is part of the ‘Hot Off The Hazelnut Press’ exhibition at Café Moroc, 367 High Street, Rochester ME1 6DA. Runs Saturday 7 December to Friday 10 January 2014, Mon- Sat, 10am-4pm and Thu-Sat 6-9pm.

Affordable spaces for clubs, workshops, group meetings and community activity

• Space Hire from £10 per hour • Rochester High Street Location • Time Flexible (Inc. Eves & Weekends) • Chairs, Tables & Sofas Available • Facilities and Basic Kitchen • Fast Ethernet & WiFi Internet • Close to Car Parks & Train Station Based in an old bank building, we have a number of flexible spaces available for short-term use. Take a video tour and say hello at:

www.coFWD.org

RICHARD WATTS CHARITIES

art competition RICHARD WATTS CHARITIES

i Theme: Chatham Intra* and Lesser Known Chatham *the area between the east end of St. Margaret’s Bank, roughly where the railway bridge crosses Rochester High Street, and the Chapel of St. Bartholomew

Entries will be accepted in any 2D medium, including photography

PRIZES: 1ST - £1000 2ND - £500 3RD - £250

All entries will be considered for purchase

by Richard Watts Charities.

In addition to the cash prizes RWC will be holding an exhibition of short-listed work at Nucleus Gallery in Chatham for 2 weeks from 4 - 17 April 2014.

There is a £10 fee per entry, with a maximum of three entries per person.

For further details and application form please visit www.richardwatts.org.uk.

Email fleur.boyce@richardwatts.org.uk or telephone 01634 842194 for more information.

Closing date: Friday 28 February 2014.