WOW Dec 2011

WOW MEDWAY 1

TRANSMANCHE ENTERPRISE NETWORK (TEN) IS DELIGHTED TO BE WORKING WITH WOW TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES TEN encourages young entrepreneurs to explore new business opportunities and to develop their business into Europe. The project provides language training, tri-lingual website development and workshops on core business skills. It also offers exhibition space at trade fairs and access to business events in Kent, Nord-Pas de Calais and Western Flanders.

Contact: estelle.timothy@medway.gov.uk

KATIE BLENCH PHOTOGRAPHY Katie enjoys taking photographs of people: high fashion, wedding photographs,or even people passing by. She also photographs jewellery and food katieblenchphotography.co.uk katieblenchphoto@gmail.com

Making YOUR words work** Editing / Writing / Print management / Proofreading / Literary event organisation / Teaching creative writing / Script reading / & more!

WORDSMITHERY / samhallwriter.wordpress.com makeswordswork@gmail.com

Contributors Rob Flood is a life long Medway resident.

He runs a Rochester-based events company called Feet on the Ground that 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.

Sam Froudist is a writer, blogger, and Bunting Enthusiast. Hailing from the Colonies (Australia), she’s a fresh Medway resident and has recently co-launched bunted!, a small bespoke bunting business in Rochester. Sam loves watching great theatre, getting overly passionate about things, and feeling so bourgeois that she has to throw red wine all over herself. Contact Sam at goodbyesamantha@gmail.com

Cover by Mark Fuller Photograph of the Editor by Peter Still

Nick Walker is an events director, film critic and filmmaker. His flagship Medway project, The Other Cinema, is a weekly event held every Thursday at the Chatham Odeon. Nick also set up the Screen Classics programme at the Central Theatre, Chatham. He writes, directs and produces short films and is the editor of Film Essay, for cinéastes wanting to write about film culture. Nick has worked for The Guardian and the London Film Festival. Currently he is Events Director at Film Education and Director of National Schools Film Week.

Please mention WOW if you use our advertisers’ services or attend an event found in our listings

Glencoe Road in the Snow by Bill Lewis In the House of Ladders, a new book of poetry by Bill Lewis is to be published in the new year

WELCOME TO WOW, NORTH KENT’S ONLY MONTHLY ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE … and we really do feature the best of What’s On Where! Writing the listings this month it was an impossible task trying to decide what to keep in and what to leave out. To that end, in order to be able to guarantee exposure for your listings in the future, I am starting a new ‘Featured Listing’ spot on each of the listings pages in Film, Music, Theatre and Visual Art. The spot will be a great, cost-effective way to ensure your event appears.

I am reflecting as the year draws to a close what a packed year it has been for the arts here in Medway and Maidstone and beyond. 2012 will be even more extraordinary. The arts really are helping to keep this corner of Kent alive and more than kicking and WOW magazine will go on doing everything it can to support their continued flourishing.

Emma Dewhurst, Editor

Find us on Facebook facebook.com/WOWMedway

www.wowmedway.co.uk

@EmmaDewhurst7

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   DICKENS CHRISTMAS MARKET at Rochester Castle runs 30 Nov-18 Dec, closed Mon & Tue. Roasted chestnuts, glühwein, hand-crafted gifts and, new for 2011, visits to Santa (and the Snowdonia Cheese Company is a must for lovers of cheese) dickenschristmasmarket.com

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DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS 3 and 4 December, Rochester ME1 1LX A packed programme of live entertainment, street stalls, readings, song and dance. Highlights include Del, a real live Pearly King minstrel and Catrin Osborne as the eerie Miss Havisham on stilts

HOO VILLAGE CHRISTMAS FAIR Village Square Saturday 10 December 12-4pm Festive stalls, local produce, games, live music, Santa’s Grotto and more!

Dates for your diary March 24th & June 30th 2012

www.monicasvintagefair.com 07805477973

NEW YEAR, NEW SKILL Creative digital photography // Art appreciation // Drawing and painting in various media // Sketchbook studies // Oil painting // Flower painting // Exploring contemporary art // Life and figure drawing and painting // Sculpture // Pottery and clay sculpture // Stained glass // Mosaic // Glass art // Jewellery design and making // Hand knitting // Sewing // Dressmaking // Hats with attitude Just some of the great courses offered by Medway Adult and Community Learning Service to adults wishing to hone their artistic interests and skills.

Beginners and those with experience equally welcome. For more information please call in to a centre, call Gary Bassett on 01634 338406 or email gary.bassett@medway.gov.uk

MAKING art WORK – MAIDSTONE ARTIST CATHY ROGERS TELLS WOW ABOUT AN EXCITING NEW INITIATIVE This is the name of a meeting group that came about as a call to arms: an open meeting to gather support from all artists, makers and designers who were interested in creating a selling, working, making, networking, sharing skills space in Maidstone.

The wider issues were to start the debate about how we can sustain a creative practice in the current economic climate and if and why in Maidstone. That call was in September and we have since met three times and have 40 people on our database.

Our members and partners include FrancisKnight, Friday People, MVAN, UCA Maidstone and Rochester BA and MA graduates together with independent artists, makers and designers.

We’re going to make this happen so if anyone reading this wants to get involved contact Cathy Rogers on cathysr@btinternet.com or join our Facebook page ‘MAKING art WORK’. We’re going to be ‘popping-up’ all over Maidstone Town Centre in the New Year!

CRAFTY BUNCH LOOKING

FOR ARTY & CRAFTY PEOPLE TO TAKE PART IN A MONTHLY CRAFT FAIR IN ROCHESTER, PLEASE CONTACT CRAFTYBUNCH@LIVE.CO.UK

DECEMBER 10th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd 7-11pm Masquerade Ball Tickets Wed/Thurs £30.00 Fri/Sat £40.00 per person (min Tables of 10) Includes 3 Course Meal and Disco 31ST DECEMBER 7-1am New Years Eve Masquerade Party Tickets £45.00 per person Includes; Buffet, Free Arrival Drink, Disco Tickets available from Old Town Hall 01474 550023 The Old Town hall is available for hire for all your special occasions.

Our mission is to treat your guests as if they are our own. Our goal is superior quality from planning invitations, menus and entertainment to designing floral and other table décor to fit your taste and requirements that will meet your vision and budget. www.gravesendoldtownhall.co.uk

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EATING OUT

A RESTAURANT SERVING LEBANESE CUISINE IN THE HEART OF ROCHESTER MAKES A STYLISH DEBUT. SAM FROUDIST TAKES A LOOK AT MANDALOUN The first thing I would say about Mandaloun is that it’s very glamorous. There is nothing quite like it on the High Street, and I wonder if it’s a sign of things to come. The next thing I would say is that it’s not cheap: you’re looking at about £20 a head minimum, and that’s if you’re not fond of drinking.

But the food there is tasty. I’m going to come right out and say it - I completely stuffed myself. There is a hot and cold mezze menu as well as the standard course menu, and while it was a little hard to get my head around how much to order, I finally settled on the crowd-pleasing lamb couscous. The lamb was mouth-wateringly tender, but the couscous was a little on the dry side. I think that may be because it was served separately, and I was expecting something that had a little more of the street-vendor about it.

The BF, being the more adventurous of the two of us, ordered the Kafta Khosh-Khash,

which was spiced lamb mince with flatbread and oriental rice. For once, I triumphed over food envy and liked my meal better than his! I found his a little bit too salty for me, especially having come from the couscous, which had a nutty sweetness to it. He completely disagreed with me and ploughed through his meal, particularly embracing the minty lamb interspersed with mouthfuls of rice.

Service was attentive if verging slightly on erratic – I wasn’t quite sure where my loyalties lay in terms of the waitresses, I had so many! The presentation is lovely, but the food is not anything out of the ordinary when it comes to Middle Eastern cuisine. That’s not a criticism though; it’s actually part of what makes me think Mandaloun will be hugely popular – somewhere beautiful, and a bit upmarket to go to for recognisably Middle Eastern food.

Mandaloun, 186 High Street, Rochester ME1 1EY. Closed Mondays. Tel: 01634 813888 Open 12 noon to 11pm Tues-Sun. Closed Mondays.

Artists & Makers

Sailing Charter· Static Venue· Winter Tea Room 

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‘The Edith May Tea Room’  

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CLUB

Sewing courses and workshops for beginners and improvers. Equipment and refreshment provided, friendly and fun. suepritchard@tesco.net; 01622 677151; cantsewclub.co.uk

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Private Hire - 

 Music Nights  Special Events 

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www.edithmay.com Tel: 01634 365343

BILL LEWIS Drawings and prints available from £25 Email: medwaydeltapress @yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07941 568069 billlewis-art.co.uk

HAND-MADE FOR CHRISTMAS Hand crafted fabric items for home decoration by Alison Blackburn: Christmas decorations and stockings featuring hand-stitching and reclaimed materials.

Tel: 07813 084051 etsy.com/people/ alisonblackburn

BUNTED! Rochester-based bespoke bunting by the metre.

Your fabric or ours Email Sam or Sarah: buntedlifestyle@yahoo.com Tel: 07401 362621 bunted.wordpress.com

FILM MAIDSTONE FILM SOCIETY Hazlitt Theatre, Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 753922

A diverse range of world cinema from classics to contemporary greats. Licensed bar. Special fixed rate parking in Fremlin Walk Shopping Centre after 7pm.

Subscription rates for year: Adult £24; Couples Membership £42; Senior/Student £19; Guest per film £3.50. Concs available maidstone-film-society.org.uk

CHICO AND RITA (15) 2010 Mon 12 Dec, 8pm Dir: Tono Errando, Javier Mariscal, Fernando Trueba Cast: Mario Guerra, Limara Meneses, Eman Xor Ona Spanish, animated full-length feature. Critically acclaimed story of music and romance set against the backdrops of Havana, New York, Las Vegas Hollywood and Paris in the 1940s and 50s.

Fifth in BBC’s Mark Kermode’s top 5 films of 2010. 94 mins THE OTHER CINEMA Chatham Odeon Cinema, Maritime ME4 4LL 0871 22 44 007

A weekly showcase of quality films from around the world, with a post-show discussion led by Nick Walker over a free glass of wine. £8.25/£6.25. theothercinema.info

DRIVE (18) 2011 Thu 1 Dec 7.45pm Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan Ryan Gosling as charismatic Hollywood stunt performer who discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong. Ultra-violent LA noir. 100 mins THE DEBT (15) 2011 Thu 8 Dec 7.45pm Dir: John Madden Cast: Tom Wilkinson, Helen Mirren, Ciarán Hinds Powerful espionage thriller about a former Mossad agent who attempts to capture a Nazi war criminal known as the Surgeon of Birkenau. 113 mins

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG) 2011 Thu 15 Dec 7.45pm Dir: Woody Allen Cast: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen, Cathy Bates Romantic comedy fantasy film widely heralded as director Woody Allen’s return to form. A party of Americans visiting Paris find themselves confronting the illusion that a life different from their own is better. See Nick Walker’s article. 94 mins BEST OF GENERAL RELEASES HUGO 3D (Cert tbc) Martin Scorsese directs this family adventure. Rel 2 Dec THE THING (15) Sci-fi horror as Antartic research project becomes mission for survival. Rel 2 Dec HAPPY FEET 2 3D (U) Sequel to the animated feel-good smash-hit. Rel 2 Dec NEW YEAR’S EVE (Cert tbc) All star cast in rom-com set over the course of the eponymous night in New York City. Rel 8 Dec

PUSS IN BOOTS 3D (U) Antonio Banderas voices the puss in lively animated adventure. Rel 9 Dec ANOTHER EARTH (12A) Haunting sci-fi drama. Rel 9 Dec

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED 3D (Cert tbc) The third Chipmunks yarn.

Rel 16 Dec SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS (Cert tbc) Robert Downey Jnr and Jude Law star. Spot the scenes shot at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard.

Rel 16 Dec THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (18) Film version of Stieg Larsson’s best-selling novel. Daniel Craig stars. Rel 26 Dec Showing at the following: ODEON CHATHAM, Dickens World, Leviathan Way, Chatham Maritime, Chatham ME4 4LL. 0871 22 44 007. odeon.co.uk ODEON MAIDSTONE, Lockmeadow, Barker Road, Maidstone, ME16 8RG. 0871 22 44 007. odeon.co.uk ROCHESTER CINEWORLD MULTIPLEX Medway Valley Leisure Park, Chariot Way, Strood,ME2 2SS. 0871 200 2000. cineworld.co.uk THE ROYAL CINEMA, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7AG. 24hr info line: 01795 591211, Box Office: 01795 591211. From £4.50-£5. royalcinema.co.uk SHOWCASE BLUEWATER, Water Circus, Bluewater, Greenhithe, Kent, DA9 9SG. 0871 220 1000. showcasecinemas.co.uk/ bluewater

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Nick Walker on Woody Allen’s return to form

From his earliest scripts for The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show and specials for Sid Caesar post-Caesar’s Hour, Woody Allen brought innovation to the comedy monologue genre, which was heavily influenced by the zany, pun-ridden humour of S.J. Perelman, noted for co-writing scripts for the Marx Brothers. This developed into playwriting, most notably ‘Play It Again, Sam’, in which he also starred alongside Diane Keaton, who would later reprise the role on film.

His early films ‘What’s Up, Tiger Lily?’ and ‘Take the Money and Run’ showed a unique talent for comedy. These were followed by ‘Bananas’, ‘Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex’, ‘Sleeper’, and ‘Love and Death’, all indicating that Allen’s penchant for connecting tragedy and comedy was a potent mixture for audiences and critics alike.

When ‘Annie Hall’ won four Academy Awards in 1977, including Best Picture and Best Actress in a Leading Role for Diane Keaton, it set the standard for modern romantic comedy and established Allen as a true auteur. ‘Manhattan’, released in 1979, was a black-and-white homage to New York City. As in many other Allen films, the protagonists are upper-middle class academics with whom Allen seems to have a love-hate relationship… a dark and sensual blend that enables audiences to feel the pain of the central character as well as the characters surrounding him, a motif heavily influenced by the style of the late-great Swedish director Ingmar Bergman.

From this period through the 1980’s this influence mutated into far more personal films, particularly ’Radio Days’, clearly influenced by the great Italian director Federico Fellini’s film ‘Amarcord’.

Allen stated that he didn’t want to make funny films anymore and gradually he got his wish! The comfort zone of New York, Jazz, therapy and unrequited love were abandoned it seemed…

Allen combined tragic and comic elements in such films as ‘Hannah and Her Sisters’ and ‘Crimes and Misdemeanors’, and commented on show business itself in ‘Broadway Danny Rose,’’ The Purple Rose of Cairo’ and ’Radio Days’. However the originality and drive of his early films was waning and Allen’s off-screen personal tragedies seemed to focus his creative efforts into increasingly dark corners, while critics expressed concern that Allen’s best years were behind him.

The London-based films from ‘Match Point’ to ‘Cassandra’s Dream’ barely warrant mention but recently Film Festivals have heralded a return to form for Allen with every new release. No self-respecting Film Festival brochure would be complete without the phrase it seems. ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ and ‘Whatever Works’ have seen Allen return to familiar themes of nostalgia, modernism and existentialism - a winning formula.

‘Midnight in Paris’ is sweetly sentimental, funny and a love letter to Paris; a great slice of whimsical storytelling and pure fantasy. This beautifully observed work is surely comparable to Allen’s best… definitely a return to form!

Midnight in Paris is being screened by The Other Cinema on Thursday 15 December at 7.45pm.

Nick Walker leads a discussion after the film over a free glass of wine.

WOW MEDWAY 9

THE ART OF CHRISTMAS HANDPICKED AND BEAUTIFUL Created by two

recent graduates of UCA Rochester, Forages.co.uk is a delightful new online store that sells an eclectic mix of handpicked home accessories and gifts by UK designers and other leading brands.

DEMELZA BOUTIQUE is a

new concept specialist charity shop opening at 72 High Street, Rochester ME1 1JY on 2 December.

A far cry from your usual charity store, the Boutique’s stylish décor is a hint of things to come. The work of local artists and designer goods sit alongside bargain vintage finds.

Volunteers are still required to help half a day a week: pop in or call 01795 845200 and ask for Voluntary Services. Demelza charity provides care and support for children with life threatening illnesses. www.demelza.org.uk

SUPPORT A DESIGNER: BUY LOCAL Shortlisted in the 2010 Medway Culture & Design Awards, Sian Bostwick is a young, up-and-coming jewellery designer who brings a touch of whimsy to her pieces.

Influenced by her love of fairy stories and the Kentish countryside, her most recent collection has a vintage tea party theme. www.sianbostwick.co.uk

Left: Spring Butterfly Vine Ring.

Right: Spring Butterfly Drop Earrings, Spring Butterfly Pendant, Spring Butterfly Vine Ring.

CHRISTMAS 11 MAIDSTONE CONTEMPORARY ART, Craft and Design Exhibition boasts the best Christmas pressies in town!

Held in the Graham Clarke Gallery, Hazlitt Arts Centre, Earl St, Maidstone ME14 1PL, this event is exhibiting and selling quality handmade work - fine art, jewellery, ceramics, silver, glass, metal, textiles and crafts - at reasonable prices. From 3–31 December, opens Mon to Sat 10am-5.30pm.

Preview night is on Friday 2 December from 5-7pm (RSVP Vronni Ward vronniward@ btinternet.com)

A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR UNDER 5S is being given by

NCT Medway on Saturday 17 December at The Moat House, Crow Lane, Rochester ME1 1RF, 2.30pm-4pm. There will be a host of Christmassy crafts, games and festive refreshments and, of course, a visit from you know who. To book events@nctmedway.org.uk £4 per child.

The new

NUCLEUS ARTS MAIDSTONE GALLERY

opens on Saturday 10 December, just in time for Christmas. The Gallery offers artists three times the amount of exhibiting space available at the Rochester shop and the same eclectic choice of affordable, original creations for the customer.

2-4 Granada House, Gabriels Hill, Maidstone ME15 6JR. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sundays 11am-5pm

Visits to FATHER CHRISTMAS

AT THE LOVELY BEDGEBURY PINETUM and Forest are

ME3 – SEND A LITTLE MEDWAY MUSIC LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS ME3 is Medway Eyes’ third compilation album of Medway artists to raise money for Oxjam, Oxfam’s annual month-long music festival to raise money for its outstandingly good causes. It features an impressive list of studio recordings, radio sessions and demos, with some of the tracks exclusive to the album. Medway Eyes say “There’s something here for everyone, whether you know Medway inside out or are a newcomer to it.” Download available at www.medwayeyes.co.uk, where 100% of the monies you donate will be passed on to Oxjam.

available for the first time this year. You can make your visit extra special by booking a two course dinner in the Candlelit Pineatery Café (from 4.30pm) which includes cracker-making for children and a Father Christmas visit with gift and professional photograph. With meal, cost is £12.50 per child, £15 per adult. Visit to Father Christmas alone costs £7.50. Meals must be booked in advance, visits can be booked on arrival. For times visit www.pineatery.com Admission to Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest is £8.50 per car, free to season ticket holders

MUSIC ROB FLOOD PREVIEWS THE FIRST MUST-SEE MEDWAY GIG OF 2012 DARREN HAYMAN is probably best known as the frontman of indie band and John Peel favourite Hefner. His latest solo release ‘The Ship’s Piano’ is a collection of delicate ballads performed on a ship’s piano, the colloquial term for a type of small fold-up piano that was traditionally found onboard boats.

Hayman’s choice of instrument is a direct result of an assault he suffered in November 2009.

A fractured skull and constant dizziness caused him to avoid loud noises but with songwriting as a recovery aid, Hayman bought a 1933 French ship’s piano from eBay and has crafted one of the best works of his career.

Described by the Guardian as “the match for Ray Davies, or any of the quintessentially English masters”, few songwriters depict love and relationships with the same degree of subtlety and honesty.

ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL

EDITH MAY THAMES BARGE

ME1 1SX

Lower Halstow Dock 01634 365343

LUNCHTIME CAROLS with the Girl Choristers Sat 17 Dec 12.30pm

TRADITIONAL CAROLS on board this lovely barge. Wed 14 Dec, hatches open 7pm.

Tickets £7.50, includes glass of mulled wine and mince pies. Booking essential via telephone, in person or email info@edithmaybargecharter.co.uk www.edithmay.com

ORGAN CONCERT Sun 18 Dec 4.30pm La Nativité de Seigneur: Olivier Messiaen Free www.rochestercathedral.org THE BARGE 63 Layfield Road, Gillingham, ME7 2QY 01634 850485

MEDWAY EYES DOES RUBBER SOUL Sat 3 Dec 9pm Great selection of Medway artists including Didi Bergman, Phil Dillon and Bob Collins perform every track on The Beatles’ Rubber Soul album plus other Beatle classics.

BARDS @THE OPEN MIC Wed 7 Dec 9pm. Acoustic open-mic – just turn up and put your name down. Selection of instruments available.

GLENN BARNES Sat 10 Dec 9pm Medway-born singer-songwriter You’d be hard pushed to find a more appropriate venue for Hayman to perform ‘The Ship’s Piano’ than LV21, the former Trinity House lightship moored at Gillingham Pier where it’s being converted into a unique floating cultural facility. LV21’s intimate performance space ensures this is a gig not to be missed.

ROBERT BROWN Wed 14 Dec 9pm Guitarist/ songwriter

TEA presents Darren Hayman performing ‘The Ship’s Piano’ onboard LV21, Pier Approach Road, Gillingham ME7 1RX on Sat 28 January 2012 7.30pm.

Support from Pity Party plus one other (tbc) Tickets £12 www.lv21.co.uk www.teaconcerts.co.uk

LIVE MUSIC Thursdays From rock ‘n’ roll to indie, soul and more CLUB NIGHT Fri and Saturdays to 12am LIVE JAZZ Sunday lunchtime from 12 noon SKA, REGGAE & NORTHERN SOUL DJS last Sunday of every month 7-10pm No entry fee www.theeagletavern.org.uk

CLEA ROSE TRIO Sat 17 Dec 9pm Soulful blues and reggae influenced tunes THE EAGLE 124 High Street Rochester, ME1 1JT 01634 409040

MOTE HALL Mote Park, Willow Way, Maidstone ME15 7RN

MAIDSTONE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Sat 3 Dec 7.30pm Brahms, Mozart (Clarinet Concerto: soloist David Campbell) and Dvorak’s Symphony No 5. Tickets on door from £10, students £5, children under 18 free with paying adult. www.mso.org.uk MAIDSTONE CHORAL UNION CHRISTMAS CONCERT Sat Dec 10 7.30.p.m Rutter’s “Magnificat” , carols for choir and audience, Brunswick House School Choir and the Mandy Ellen School of Dance. £7-£16, children and students half price. To purchase call The Ticket Secretary on 01622 726193 or visit the shop at Maidstone Museum, Faith Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH THE TWO BREWERS 113 High Street, Rochester ME1 1JS 01634 812448

BLUES NIGHT WITH THE BIG BLUE Thu 1 Dec 9pm BRAVADO Sun 11 4pm RUN V.T. Sun 18 4pm www.twobrewersrochester.com

The Man of Kent Ale-House We’re back up to 11 hand-pumps of local ale Traditional & Original Music & Songs From Score & Song-writers

December 2011 Thurs 1st: Full Circle Swing Sun 4th: Tom Palmer Tues 6th: Ukulele Jam Night Wed 7th: String Whistle Thurs 8th: Phil Woollett Sun 11th: Album Launch of Pierre Vincent “Live at the Man of Kent” Wed 14th: Greg McDonald Thurs 15th: Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs Sun 18th: Christmas Jam Night Tues 20th: Brass Quartet Carol Service Wed 21st: Green Diesel Thurs 22nd: Pass the Cat Wed 28th: Keith James Thurs 29th: The Bubble Band

See our website ‘news & events’ for links, and what’s on in January 6-8 John Street, ROCHESTER, ME1 1YN Tel: 07772 214315 www.themanofkent Discover something a little bit different

THEATRE THE BROOK THEATRE

Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338

THE CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE OF SNOWY THE FOX Wed 7–Sat 24 Dec , various times.

A 50 minute show tailor made for children aged 3-6 by resident companies Play on Words Theatre Company, Icon Theatre Company and Loop Dance Company. Expect a high standard of magical storytelling.

Tickets £6.95 for children and adults. Group offers available. www.brookchristmas.co.uk

THE BRITANNIA THEATRE

Dickens World, Leviathan Way, Chatham Maritime ME4 4LL 01634 890421

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS 3-30 Dec, various times. Adults £12.50, children aged 3-15 £9.50 All tickets include hot dog and soft drink. www.dickensworld.co.uk HORSEBRIDGE ARTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE, 11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable, CT5 1AF 01227 281174

17Percent presents SHE WRITES Wed 7 Dec 7.30pm (doors 7pm) Return of popular new writing night. Nine short plays by women plus poetry open mic.

And a Christmas quiz! Tickets £5, £4 concs www.horsebridge-centre.org.uk

CABARET OF CURIOSITIES Jan 20 8pm A positive rash of extravagant acts: expect to see Frumpid Stumplestone on his giant unicycle and Danny Balloons! £10, not suitable for under 16s New bookings website: www.medwayticketslive.co.uk THE CENTRAL THEATRE

170 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4AS 01634 338338

PETER PAN 8-31 Dec, various times. With rap superstar Vanilla Ice as Captain Hook and CBeebies’ Katy Ashworth as Peter. Tickets £15-£21.50, children under 16 £4 off adult prices, Senior citizens £3 off adult prices. Special rates for groups. Preview seats Thu 8 Dec only, all seats £12 www.medwaypanto.co.uk

THE MARLOWE THEATRE

MEDWAY LITTLE THEATRE

256 High Street Rochester ME1 1HY 01634 400322

SEE HOW THEY RUN 1-10 Dec, 7.30pm Philip King’s wartime farce offers a festive alternative to panto. £8, Monday all seats £5, concs available www.mlt.org.uk THE ORCHARD

Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS Fri 9 – Sat 7 Jan, various times. Starring Craig Revel Horwood as the Wicked Queen and Ann Widdecombe as Widdy in Waiting, re-creating their ‘Strictly’ banter for stage…

From £19.50 www.orchardtheatre.co.uk SPOTLITES AT KINGS THEATRE 338 High Street, Chatham ME4 4NR 01634 829468

A selection of interactive Christmas shows for kids, including MERLIN’S DRAGON, MAGIC PORRIDGE POT and THE ENORMOUS TURNIP. Also, a wide range of holiday drama workshops for 5-12s and 1118s. See www.spotlites.co.uk or telephone as above

The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787

LAUNCH SEASON PANTO: CINDERELLA Fri 2 –Sun 22 Jan , various times. With Stephen Mulhern and Sue Devaney. We are promised stunning sets, much singing and dancing, amazing illusions and audience participation! £10-£25.50, concs available THE MARLOWE STUDIO: THE MAN WITH THE LUGGAGE Thu 8-Sat 10 Dec 8pm The wonderful Trestle Unmasked company presents this moving story about a man striving to return home in a mix of text, movement, music and projection. £12, concs £11. Recommended for age 14+ www.marlowetheatre.com

WOODVILLE HALLS THEATRE Woodville Place Gravesend DA12 1DD 01474 337774

SLEEPING BEAUTY 10 Dec- 1 Jan, various times. Billed as the best value pantomime around, with one flat price for all, from £10-£13.50. gravesham.gov.uk HAZLITT THEATRE

Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 758611

ALADDIN 3 Dec – 15 Jan, various times. Starring Holby City’s Jeremy Edwards, Gary Damer and Sapphire Elia (Emmerdale). £12.50-£14.50, concs and family tickets available www.maidstonepanto.co.uk

Hazlitt Arts Centre’s Festive Fun Comedy Night Steve Hughes Wednesday 4 January 2012 8pm at the Exchange Studio

Hazlitt Christmas Art & Design Sale & Exhibition 2011 Saturday 3rd-Saturday 31st December

Is Christmas becoming a chore? Can’t find that special gift?

Pop down to the Graham Clarke Gallery and have the chance to buy gorgeous unique jewellery, paintings, those all important handmade gifts and much, much more!

Special Preview Night Friday 2nd December 5-7pm

Steve kicks off the comedy season with his own unique take on life and the universe!

Join the plain talking, beer swilling, and chain smoking Aussie for a night of laughter!

Special Offer Pre-book your ticket and get 1 promotional drink FREE on the night!

Graham Clarke Gallery open from 10am-5.30pm (Monday- Saturday)

your community, our priority

VISUAL ART THE BLAKE GALLERY

Reza uses the fine lines of silverpoint, executed very slowly, deliberately and obsessively in his work.

Civic Centre, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1AU Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri

ESSENCE OF WINTER 12 Dec – 6 Jan Exhibition of work in all media by local artists www.gravesham.gov.uk THE DEAF CAT COFFEE BAR & GALLERY 83 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX

CHRISTOPHER SACRE Large paintings of his condom ‘babies’ To 11 Dec CHRISTMAS OPEN 19 Dec – Jan 8 Free thedeafcat.com GRAHAM CLARKE GALLERY Hazlitt Arts Centre, Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL

MONDAY 16TH JANUARY 2012 5PM - 8PM Heptagon is proud to announce their first exhibition, which takes place in Chatham’s Historic Dockyard in the small refurbished Dock house called The Joiners Shop. Photographers include: Brooke Mace, Jasmine Leigh, Ellena Hogg, Vesko Nickolov, Milla Sinervo, Gemma Bull and Joszef Michaelides For more information contact us on: brooke_m_123@ hotmail.co.uk OLD REED BED STUDIOS CHRISTMAS OPEN 2011 The Street, Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne ME9 7DY

MAIDSTONE CONTEMPORARY ART, CRAFT & DESIGN EXHIBITION 3 Dec - 31 Dec Open Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm Showcasing the very best in art, design and craft to view and buy. See centre page item hazlittartscentre.co.uk MEDWAY ARCHIVES AND LOCAL STUDIES CENTRE

Sat 3 and Sun 4 Dec 11am-5pm In this picturesque creek-side setting you will find ceramics by Jean Lowe, Ming Wai Sun, Alison Swan, Jola Spytkowska, Dan Stafford, Pam Dodds and Louise Bassant, who returns as guest artist with her ever-popular ceramic fruits. Textiles by Alison Blackburn. Jewellery by Olivia Schlevogt and Nicola Crawford.

Festive refreshments will be served. oldreedbedstudios.co.uk

Civic Centre, Strood, ME2 4AU 01634 332714

STATUES, PLAQUES AND STREET FURNITURE IN MEDWAY 21 Nov- 10 Jan 2012.

Free exhibition ROCHESTER ART GALLERY & CRAFT CASE Medway Visitor Information Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 338319

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sundays Free

CRAFT CASE: The sculptural paper and metal collections of Nan Nan Liu and Natalie Vardey’s delicate jewellery in acrylic, silver and gold. For more information email arts@medway.gov.uk ROSE YARD WINDOW GALLERY Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL

This month featuring the work of MVAN artists Charys Beswick, Laura Hollis and Nicky Castle.

NUCLEUS ARTS 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108

Gallery opening hours 9-5pm, closed Sunday Free 2 WAY VISION – MARTIN & MARILYN GARWOOD To 8 Dec Martin Garwood is a photographer of derelict buildings, landscapes and events. Marilyn Garwood draws and paints in oil and mixed media. ICONS – MARK FULLER 10-22 Dec This month’s cover artist paints large, bold paintings of stars and cars. Preview/Meet the Artist: Fri 9 Dec 6-8pm NUCLEUS ARTS CAFÉ CRAFT CASE A new initiative featuring the work of three local artists: browse over coffee! This month showcases Sian Bostwick’s jewellery, Trish Rossini’s stained glass and ceramics by Laura Hollis.

NUCLEUS ARTS, ROCHESTER 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 780932

IMAGO: SILVERPOINT DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS – Reza Ben Gajra To 3 Feb 2012 Recent works concerned with the body and its spiritual and emotional connections to the heart and mind.

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm Eclectic mix of artworks, cards, jewellery and more by local artists at affordable prices.

NUCLEUS ARTS, MAIDSTONE opens 10 Dec – see centre page item nucleus-arts.com

Xmas at Sweetpea & Olive!

Gorgeous Xmas Hand tied bouquets for collection or delivery Luxury table centres, wreaths, garlands and fabulous handmade gifts Pop in to our lovely shop, give us a call or order on line Christmas workshop Thursday 15th December 118 Maidstone Road, Rochester 01634 843024 www.sweetpeaandolive.co.uk

Not all independent schools are the same.

At Rochester

we have an average class size

an inspiring team of teachers,

of 8,

no uniform, no entrance exams,

a warm & friendly environment, an outstanding

ofsted

rating, 27 years’ experience preparing students for top universities, great food,

an award winning

wildlife garden, minibus

services and we focus on academic achievement while still encouraging independent thought

and creativity.

www.rochester-college.org STAR HILL ROCHESTER ME1 1XF 01634 828115

YEAR 7 TO SIXTH FORM ISC ACCREDITED

The ARTIST’S Space

MUSICIANS

BY CHRISSIE DRIESSEN An artist/illustrator whose current work is influenced by old fairy stories and nursery rhymes, Keats’s ‘Rantipole Betty’, Virginia Woolf’s ‘The Waves’ and Katherine Moneypenny’s ‘The Kites that flew to the Moon’.

An exhibition of her work is showing at The Deaf Cat Pop-up Gallery, 10 High Street Rochester, ME1 1PT from 19-24 Dec Opening times: Mon 9am-6pm, Tues-Christmas Eve incl 9am8pm. Wine and mince pies will be served!

Email: Chrissie_driessen@ hotmail.com

Contact us EDITORIAL: editor@wowmedway.co.uk FREE LISTINGS: listings@wowmedway.co.uk ADVERTISING: sales@wowmedway.co.uk 0845 388 2243 (local rate from BT landlines) DESIGN: A Stone’s Throw www.astonesthrowdesign.co.uk WEBSITE: Sue Davis Web Design & Consultancy, www.sue-davis.net PRINTING: PB Group Sittingbourne, 01795 413880, www.pbgroup.co.uk

PUBLISHER: Emma Dewhurst

©WOW Medway magazine.

Distributed locally to Medway households and public pick-up points throughout the Medway towns and Maidstone. Current print circulation: 3000 copies.

All rights reserved. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that details in this publication are accurate, we cannot accept responsibility for such. Readers are advised to check listings information to Find us on Facebook avoid disappointment. Views facebook.com/WOWMedway expressed by contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of the editor and publisher. @EmmaDewhurst7

Great introductory ad rates available to all first time advertisers. All advertisers also featured in e-edition of the magazine and in our online directory at www.wowmedway.co.uk Copy/listings deadline for joint Jan/Feb issue out mid Jan: 11 January 2012

www.wowmedway.co.uk

Please mention WOW Medway if you use our advertisers’ services or attend an event you found in our listings

WOW Medway is printed on 100% recycled paper

THE WINTER GIVEAWAY WIN tickets to see Swan Lake!

The Orchard Theatre, Dartford has kindly donated a pair of tickets for one lucky reader to see one of the world’s greatest romantic ballets, Swan Lake. Performed by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia to Tchaikovsky’s hauntingly beautiful music, this immortal love story is filled with magic and beauty, from the opulence of the court room to the exhilarating lake scenes where swans play in famously perfect formation.

Formed in 1981, the Russian State Ballet of Siberia has quickly established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and has built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and depth.

To enter the Winter Giveaway draw simply send an email to the Editor at editor@wowmedway.co.uk with your name, contact details and date and time of your preferred performance.

COMING SOON!

A new book of poetry by Medway Poet BILL LEWIS Out March 2012

Tue 10 January at 7.30pm and Wed 11 January at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets (including £1 restoration levy) from £11-£35. To book call 01322 220000 or visit www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

DESIGN A COVER FOR WOW! For competition rules see November WOW at www.wowmedway.co.uk Judges: WOW Editor Emma Dewhurst WOW designer Paul Baker And guest judge Rikard Ősterlund, photographer Closing date: Friday 17 February 2012 WOW MEDWAY 19

YOC wow magazine ad_Layout 1 21/11/2011 15:18 Page 1

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