New Opening Hours Mon–Fri 08.30 - 16.30 Sat–Sun 09.00 - 16.00 beantowncoffee
@beantowncoffee1
126a Maidstone Road, Rochester, ME1 3DT
CONTENTS 4 WELCOME 6 NEWS 9 5 REALLY GOOD THINGS 2015 10 RECREATE AND POP 13 PHIL DILLON: STFES NEW EP 14 LEARN! CLASSES & WORKSHOPS 16 RALPH STEADMAN
18 FILM 19 NICK WALKER 20 MUSIC 1 22 MUSIC 2 24 THEATRE 26 VISUAL ART 1 28 VISUAL ART 2 30 THE ARTIST’S SPACE
EDITORIAL: editor@wowkent.co.uk 0845 388 2243 (local rate from BT landlines) 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 FREE LISTINGS: listings@wowkent.co.uk
WELCOME TO WOW!
DESIGN: A Stones Throw astonesthrowdesign.co.uk PRINTING: Complete Print Group (CPG) 9-10 Orchard Business Centre Sanderson Way Tonbridge Kent TN9 1QG 01732 366666 cpg-net.co.uk PUBLISHER: Emma Dewhurst WEBSITE: wowkent.co.uk CURRENT PRINT CIRCULATION: 7000 copies DISTRIBUTION: Medway Towns, Maidstone & Gravesend
Your guide to the best of What’s On Where Medway, Maidstone and the accessible beyond It has been a hugely busy and exciting year, packed with the very best of arts projects, performances and events in our corner of Kent, and it has been a privilege to include it all in the magazine. I would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who has helped and supported WOW in 2014, and Paul Baker – WOW’s wonderful designer – and I would like to wish you a very happy Christmas and an arts-filled new year. Emma Dewhurst editor@wowkent.co.uk
COPY/LISTINGS DEADLINE FOR FEB 2015 ISSUE: Monday 19 January 2015 ©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. WOW wall photograph: Bill Gooch @ Man In The Attic Photography. Info and contact details at Facebook/AtticImages. Email: man_in_the_attic@yahoo.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS
Cover photograph: Self Poortrait by Ralph Steadman. See main feature. PHOTOGRAPH OF THE EDITOR BY RIKARD ÖSTERLUND
BE A WOW AMBASSADOR! If you use any of our advertisers’ services, or attend an event because you saw it in WOW, please mention it – it really helps. Thank you. Find us on Facebook facebook.com/WOWMedway @EmmaDewhurst7
Ben Cameron is an artist living and working on Rochester High St. His work ranges from doodles to large scale, highly detailed illustrations. Often cited as creating the ‘world’s saddest doodle’, Google it to see! Website: strangepaul.com < Paul?... don’t ask. Phil Dillon is a former Medway musician turned photographer who is best known for his work with bands such as Groovy Uncle, Theatre Royal, Wheels, The Lovedays and Stuart Turner and the Flat Earth Society. He also helped to establish Homespun, Medway’s independent music festival. Nick Walker is the director of Rochester Kino, screening contemporary world cinema and classic films at various venues around Medway. Nick previously wrote for The Guardian, was director of National Schools Film Week and is a freelance writer, teacher and film cinema/festival programmer. For more information on Rochester Kino visit: rochesterkino.co.uk
IDEAS TEST
IDEAS TEST 5
NEWS BENTLIF
OPEN Art Prize 2o15
CHRISTMAS 2014! CABARET CHRISTMAS PARTIES
RUBY’S CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Thu 4 and Fri 5 Dec Sun Pier House, Chatham ME4 4HF A different cheeky line-up each night. Hell, just go twice. thecabaretclubchristmas2014. eventbrite.co.uk
Sat 13 Dec, 10.30am-4pm Sun Pier House, Chatham ME4 4HF Fundraiser for a little girl with a rare form of cancer. Handmade gifts, Christmas grotto, face painting, arts and crafts.
KING’S ROCHESTER CHRISTMAS FAIR Fri 5 Dec 2-8pm School Hall, Rochester ME1 Run by the Senior School as a charity fundraiser. Facepainting, mulled wine, jewellery, crafts and more. CHRISTMAS CHEESECAKE WEEKEND You haven’t LIVED if you haven’t tasted Bruno’s Cheesecake! 13 & 14 Dec Bruno’s French Bakes & Coffee 10 High Street, Rochester (Bridge end) ME1 1PT
RECORD & CD FAIR Sat 20 & Sun 21 Dec, 10am till 4pm Princes Hall, Corn Exchange (entrance under the clock) High St, Rochester ME1 Great for last minute Christmas gifts of music on vinyl & CD etc. Free entry. Information and booking call 07715 635152 / 01227 506368
Entries are now open for this Prize, which showcases work from emerging artists in the South East, providing a platform to exhibit and sell original artwork. Entries must be received by 6th February 2015. Go to museum.maidstone.gov.uk/ exhibitions/235/ for more on how to enter and an entry form.
ROCHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKET Weekends of 5-7 and 12-14 Dec Rochester Castle Gardens, ME1 Craft fair, hog roast, Bavarian village! ROCHESTER DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS Sat 6 and Sun 7 Dec, 10am-5pm A weekend of traditional Victorian Christmas festivities, including street entertainment, song, classic readings and a lot of people in costumes. You can also book your Christmas Lunch at the Corn Exchange… Tel: 01634 338112
Recollect RECORDS
Held in 2006, 2008 and 2012, the Bentlif Open Art Prize returns with in 2015, culminating in an exhibition at Maidstone Museum from Saturday 14 March to Sun 3 May.
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL AND IN RAINHAM! Sun 14 Dec and 18 Jan, 9.30am till 3pm. Admission £1 Rainham Mark Social Club, London Road ME8 6YX
MAKE DO AND MEND on the christmas front ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME4 4UG. Sat 13 & Sun 14 December 10.30am-5pm. In-house vintage craft market, 1940s NAAFI wagon serving mulled wine and mince pies, wardens, craft activities (small charge), Christmas choir. re-museum.co.uk
spinach Creative conversation over good coffee. All welcome. CHATHAM: Tue 9 Dec Sun Pier House, ME4 4HF (no disabled access) FAVERSHAM: Wed 17 Dec Creek Creative, ME13 7BE 10am-12 noon For Jan dates keep an eye on Ideas Test updates at facebook.com/ creativepeopleplace
KENT DANCE NETWORK IN RESIDENCE
AT THE BEANEY FREE ADMISSION, VARIOUS GALLERIES
Throughout December, Kent Dance Network (KDN) will be hosting a variety of dance happenings in and around the Beaney in Canterbury. KDN hopes to unite dancers from around the county, offering a dedicated space to explore, create and interplay with the Beaney collections. There will be opportunities for the public to observe, engage and gain insight into the creative world of the dancer. There will be open and closed rehearsals, participatory workshops and informal sharings. Acknowledging the approach to the Christmas holidays, the theme of ‘Giving and Receiving’ will be the heart of the residency:
GIVE: Kent Dance Network invite the public to donate something they find inspirational to act as a starting point for creative exploration - e.g. a quote, a poem, a piece of music, a photo...
RECEIVE:
FOR UPDATES:
Dance artists will select an inspirational gift as a catalyst for their creative process. After each dancer’s visit to the Beaney, mementoes will be given in return - notes taken, photographs, footage etc. The gifts, given and received, will be offered to the Beaney to exhibit.
Twitter: @dance_kent Facebook: ‘Kent Dance Network’ The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, 18 High Street, Canterbury CT1 2RA
In January, as the residency comes to a close, the Beaney will invite dancers, practitioners
MEDWAY DANCE NETWORK (MDN) A NEW monthly coffee and networking social for dance practitioners and dance related businesses. TUES 27 JAN, 9:30AM – 11AM
and enthusiasts to ‘MOVING FORWARD’ - a Salon Evening to kick-start the New Year with all things dance. Join KDN to meet like minded people, network and discuss the future of dance in Kent.
MDN aims to become an established opportunity for dance professionals to share their news, upcoming events, collaborate and encourage the Medway dance scene. No need to book – just turn up! Anyone who attends is invited to work from Sun Pier House for the rest of the day, using either the café WIFI or a hot desk in the Creative Office. (With apologies from SPH that there is currently no disabled access). Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF. 7
NNIN I W D AWAR
design repro litho digital storage fulfilment distribution
9-10 Orchard Business Centre Sanderson Way Tonbridge Kent TN9 1QG e: enquiries@cpg-net.co.uk t: 01732 366666 www.cpg-net.co.uk
DESIGN l POS l LITHO l DIGITAL STORAGE l FULFILMENT l DISTRIBUTION
TONBRIDGE KENT e: enquiries@cpg-net.co.uk t: 01732 366666 www.cpg-net.co.uk
G
really good things TO DO in 2015
THEATRE The best piece of theatre I’ve seen since arriving in Medway nigh on ten years ago is an award-winning one man show, Play on Words’ ‘Tom Crean: Antartic Explorer’, which I saw in the fitting surroundings of lightship LV21. Aidan Dooley’s performance as the eponymous, unsung Irishman who served with both Scott and Shackleton and survived three famous expeditions, is a marvellous, moving tour de force. The show comes to The Brook Theatre on 13 and 14 February. Go.
APRIL 4&5
RI
VE R
T RIPS
E
T
NDIG SHI ●
MUSIC
●
FOO
D
●
MA
RK
SHINDIG! Hoorah, the Rats Bay Shindig is back! Last April I spent a delightful and somewhat windy weekend on the WOW stall at this charming event held in and around Chatham’s Sun Pier House. The 2015 Shindig has been set for Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 April and promises plenty more activities, river trips, music, games, events and stalls. To be considered for a stall or if you have a unique idea for the weekend, the organisers ask you to get in touch at hello@ratsbayshindig.co.uk.
STEADMAN I often tell people that apart from the obvious acronym (What’s On Where), the reason I gave WOW its name was to say ‘Wow, look at where you live! Look at all the amazing things you can experience right here on your doorstep or just a short journey away!’ The Ralph Steadman retrospective at Maidstone Museum is a perfect example of how lucky we are. It runs until the end of February and I make no excuse for giving this one-off, maverick genius of an artist both the front and back covers of this month’s magazine. Hats off, Ralph.
PAOLOZZI Recently, out of the blue, I received one of those emails that make running WOW so endlessly interesting. It appears that a member of staff at Rochester’s Guildhall Museum has nurtured a lifelong passion for the work of British artist Eduardo Paolozzi (1924-2005) and has for many years been making his very own personal collection. Entitled ‘Musee Paolozzi’, the collection will be on display at Maidstone’s Below 65 Gallery during the month of July 2015. Pictured are Paolozzi’s mosaics at Tottenham Court Road Tube Station. Brilliant.
MUSIC OK, so this last one happens at the end of 2014… The debut, and possibly only, album from Broderick & Barnes, ‘House of Broken Birds’, is released on 8 December 2014. Ex-Singing Loins frontman Chris Broderick says the pair recorded the album over a year ago as a fun writing project with no plans to promote it, but Vacilando ‘68 kindly offered to release it. Yay. 9
RECREATE: DECEMBER/ JANUARY Start-up programme for the creative sector Following a successful course in August, we will be running another start-up programme from Saturday 10 January. The course will run from 10am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1pm every other week until 21 March. Register at recreate@medway.gov.uk.
Professional development workshops Our Ourseries series of workshops workshopsfor formid-career mid-career artists fromfrom thethe creative creasector tive sector continues continues intointo December December and and January, January,starting startingat 10am. at 10am. Visit Visit our our website websitefor fordetailed detailed information information on onprices prices and andto to reserve reserve your yourplace. place. 5 DEC: Harnessing social media for promoting and funding your practice (1/2 day) 9 JAN: How to develop audiences through crowd funding 16 JAN: Negotiating public art and commissioning projects 26 JAN: Collaborate creatively (1/2 day)
Recreate supports university graduates As part of Recreate, two graduates from the School of Music and Fine Art at the University of Kent will receive a bursary to finance a brand new commission. Their work will be displayed in Rochester Art Gallery from January to March. Read more on Visual Art 2, page 28.
www.recreateproject.eu Facebook.com/pop-creative-space Twitter: @recreateeu Email: popcreativespace@gmail.com POP, 64-66 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS
Fan photo caption: Jamie Jenkinson's video installation for The Other Side of Here exhibition curated by Cathy Rogers for the 51zero Film Festival, Oct 2014 Recreate is selected under the European Cross-border Cooperation Programme INTERREG IV A France (Channel) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; England, co-funded by the ERDF
POP CREATIVE SPACE
Networking events Please join us for some keynote speakers, 5-7pm. Open to all. 11 DEC: The Future of Work - self employment, agile working, organising without organisations 15 JAN: The Return of Manufacture & Making - small-scale manufacture, technology like 3D printers 12 FEB: Collaboration - people working together for bigger impact, collaborative pitches 12 MAR: High Street - empty shops, pop up shops, hybrid retail
MEDWAY PHOTO FESTIVAL 14 – 18 Jan 2015
Five photography exhibitions across Rochester and Chatham The Medway Photo Festival returns in the New Year and will be sited in gallery spaces in around Rochester and Chatham. Once again the festival is part of the Recreate project for Medway, with two of the shows formed of 2nd Year undergraduates at POP and Sun Pier House. 15 JAN: Public Open Day, 12pm – 6pm 16 JAN: Exhibition Private View, 5pm – 8pm 17-18 JAN: Public Open Day, 12pm – 6pm For more details about the Medway Photography Festival please see www.medwayphoto.co.uk.
Medway Miniatures Kent University’s MA Collaborative Practice students take over POP in December to curate talks and host an exhibition. ‘Medway Miniatures’ is their collaborative project that selects unsung heroes of the Chatham community and invites them to sit for the public on 4-6 December. The resulting drawings will be shown in an exhibition at POP. 12 – 13 DEC: Exhibition open, 12pm – 6pm 11 DEC: Exhibition Private View, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Handcrafted responsive websites and graphic design Extensive experience working for cultural, creative, educational & charity projects
We’d love to chat to you about your next project...
01303 210600 nebulodesign.com hello@nebulodesign.com 11
www.emmabaker.me.uk
PET PORTRAITS
Eddy Goldin Image Consultancy
FASHION COACH
SkyeRose .co.uk
T: 07599 214314
Stephen Harries Stained Glass design and restoration E: stephenharries.glass@gmail.com T: 0770 608 0338 Facebook: Stephen Harries Stained Glass Rochester and at Whitstable Harbour Village
AT THE REAR OF 111 HIGH ST STROOD
Workshops and short courses available
PERSONAL STYLING
www.eddygoldin.com 07725 796002
BABY & CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUE
Flower studio
Ridley Road Rochester T: 07702 269972 E:Heatherhtt@mac.com hazelnut-press.com
Same Day Delivery. Order online and by phone 01634 843024 sweetpeaandoliveflowers.co.uk
THE SKIVING SCHOLAR
Silver Clay Workshops Create your own pendants & charms Give loved ones custom 99.9% Silver jewellery gifts that will really impress
Portrait Photography on location or in your own home nikkipricephotography.wordpress.com
• You will be guided through every step by an experienced metal clay tutor • Learn simple clay techniques & firing procedures • Use of all equipment & silver clay • Everything you make on the day finished, beautifully • From £49.00pp, gift vouchers available
CLOTHING ALTERATIONS
Courses throughout the year Book now: theskivingscholar.wordpress. com/events-courses Email: theskivingscholar@yahoo.co.uk
Professional clothing alterations and repairs
LEARN · CREATE · MAKE
FROM JUST
£30
Contact: EMMA BAKER adminwowkent@icloud.com
TEL: 01634 716776
INTRODUCTION TO FILM CULTURE: THE HISTORY OF CINEMA
Film Studies workshops presented by Rochester Kino Saturday 6 Dec: JEAN LUC GODARD Sat 13 Dec: HOWARD HAWKS 10am-1pm. Cost per session: £6, £5 conc (lower income) Nucleus Arts Creative Riverside Hub, 13 Military Road, Chatham ME4 4JG
rochesterkino.co.uk
MUSIC REVIEW:
THE GENTLEMEN’S CLUB Phil Dillon listens to the latest EP from Stuart Turner and the Flat Earth Society
Pressed onto delicious 10” vinyl by the good people at Vacilando ’68 Recordings, the EP is also available as a digital download. The music itself is what we’ve come to expect from Turner & Co over the past five years or so, but there’s always a refreshing twist with each release, and this time is no different. The opening track ‘Midlife Catharsis’ swaggers straight in with an instantly memorable blues/rock riff that belies the sensitivity of the lyrics. The song, co-written by Turner and Shepherd, takes a journey as its backdrop and deals with getting older and the realisation that comes with loss and responsibility. That it does this in the manner of The Rolling Stones circa ‘Exile On Main Street’ seems incongruous, but it works well. ‘Odyssey’, the second track, is a bouncing folk tune that visits the traditional theme of a man who likes to ramble but feels the call of home, for a while,
before the road calls him again, and so it goes. A great treatment of a familiar subject that is neither used up nor worn out. Writing and lead vocal duties are handled by Rob Shepherd on ‘Pier Road’, an infectious tune that seems to be about the writer’s youth and sounds (and this is a very good thing) a little bit like REM might have sounded with Joe Strummer at the front. Tasteful lead guitar and moments of bold harmony round the arrangement off perfectly. The EP closes with ‘Migrator’, a song of two parts, with an odd but effective structure. At the beginning it just floats. There’s a lush, quiet sound, as sustained bass and vibrato guitar act as a raft for plucked, carefully placed notes from the other strings. Then, suddenly, there’s a huge chorus that rises and subsides to the refrain “I’ll go where I’m wanted”. The song deals with economic and political migration, not as something to be irrationally feared, or misused to bolster a selfserving career, but as a human and emotional thing. This is an excellent EP from a line-up that has gelled beautifully, and I look forward to the next longplayer. Download The Gentlemen’s Club at stfes.org. Buy the 10” vinyl at vacilando68.org
Photographs by Phil Dillon
This month sees the release of ‘The Gentlemen’s Club’ by Stuart Turner and The Flat Earth Society. Their second EP, which also follows three full length albums, is brought to us by the recently stabilised line-up of Stuart (himself ) on vocals and guitar, Nick Rice (Groovy Uncle) on bass, Bob Collins (The Dentists) on guitar and vocals, Rob Shepherd (Singing Loins/The Longtails) on vocals and all the string instruments you can think of, and Steve Moore on Drums (Steve also designed the EP’s sleeve).
13
N R A e b E L and y
p p a h
Take up something NEW in 2015!
Here’s a small sample of the many excellent arts and leisure-related classes available on our doorstep, including the terrific range offered by Medway Adult Community and Learning Services (MACLS), opposite. FASHION DESIGN
LIFE DRAWING
24 and 25 Jan Unravel and Unwind @ INTRA 337 – 341 High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1DA
Thurs evenings, 7pm – 9pm, £10 per week (discounts available). Next sessions are the 4 and 11 December. New 2015 dates to start every Thurs evening from 8 Jan. To book email heather@sunpierhouse.co.uk
Bette Love leads this workshop, which entails making your own pattern and sewing up a made to measure skirt. Participants are encouraged to bring their own sewing machine, but machines are available at the venue if you can't. Cost is £40, all materials included. Tickets from unravelandunwind.co.uk
croquis-events/ facebook.com/croquisevents Twitter: @Croquis_Events
NEW @SPH! THREE MOVEMENT CLASSES LUNCHTIME PILATES Tuesdays 12.15pm – 1pm, starting on 6 January Get away from your desk for 45mins for a new midday Pilates class. Suitable for beginners and intermediates. £4 per person.
AN INTRODUCTION TO STAINED GLASS
PRINTMAKING/SCREENPRINTING Medway Fine Printmakers run a plethora of excellent print courses throughout the year, as does The Hazelnut Press. Get a taste for it on Saturday 13 March at their Wayzgoose Print Fair (see Visual Art 1 p.26). medwayfineprintmakers.co.uk hazelnut-press.com
CLASSES at SUN PIER HOUSE CHATHAM ME4 4HF sunpierhouse.co.uk
Sun 7 Dec, 10.30am – 4.30pm. With local artist Stephen Harries. Learn how to cut glass to a pattern and then lead and solder it to make your own beautiful panel approximately 15cm by 20cm, ready to hang or frame. Cost £80, including all materials. Class limited to 5 participants. Email stephenharries.glass@ gmail.com or call 0779 60 80338.
CROQUIS Wed 7pm – 8:30pm 2015 dates: January 14, Feb 11, March 11, April 8, May 13 £15/session (£10 if using own materials) Life drawing with moving models, dancers and music. £15 per session or £10 if you bring your own materials. To book email info@therightstepdc.co.uk therightstepdc.co.uk/organisations/
ADULT BALLET Monday evening and Sunday morning sessions, starting week of 5 January. Mondays 7pm – 8pm, Sundays 10am – 11am, in the Gallery at Sun Pier House. All ability levels welcome. £5 per person.
DANCE FOR ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES A weekly class starting Thurs, from 15 January, 1.30pm – 3pm. £5 per session. For more details and to book for any of these new movement classes, email info@therightstepdc.co.uk
The new year is a great time to clear out the old and say hello to a new chapter in your life. So rather than giving something up, why not take something up? If you have been thinking about learning something new and you haven’t checked out the amazing range of courses on offer from the Medway Adult Learning and Community Service (MACLS) recently, now really is the time to take another look. There are hundreds of courses to choose from, many of them relating to creative skills, arts and crafts. The course tutors have an excellent reputation and concessions are available on course costs under certain circumstances. Here’s our handy breakdown of courses starting over the next couple of months. If you don’t see the course you’d like to take, MACLS are asking for ideas. Just pop in and post your desired course into the Suggestion Box in the Foyer.
DECEMBER classes
CREATIVE CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS and SUGARCRAFT Sign up for a one day course on Sat 6 or Sat 13 Dec. MAKE A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS DOOR WREATH Wed 10 Dec, 10am-1pm (one session)
JANUARY CLASSES – ENROL NOW!
AFTERNOON TEA DANCE Fri 9 Jan 2015, 2.00pm-4.00pm 2 hours of Ballroom and Latin tuition plus refreshments. Cost: £8.20
ARTS & CRAFTS BOOKBINDING – GETTING STARTED Course starts Mon 12 Jan, 5 sessions POTTERY, SCULPTURE AND MODELLING (beginners/improvers) Course starts Wed 14 Jan, 10 sessions
POTTERY – BASIC AND CREATIVE Course starts Fri 16 Jan, 10 sessions SELLING YOUR CRAFTS – GETTING STARTED Course starts Fri 16 Jan, 5 sessions MOSAIC DESIGN AND MAKING (mixed ability) Course starts Tue 20 Jan, 15 sessions POTTERY AND CERAMICS (beginners/improvers) Courses start Mon 26 Jan, 15 sessions or Wed 28 Jan, 15 sessions CREATIVE WRITING CREATIVE WRITING 1 (beginners) Course starts Mon 12 Jan, 10 sessions
PHOTOGRAPHY CREATIVE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY – GETTING STARTED Courses start Mon 12 Jan, 5 sessions or Wed 14 Jan, 5 sessions CREATIVE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 3 (intermediate) Course starts Tue 13 Jan, 15 sessions STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY – ART HISTORY Course starts Thu 15 Jan, 10 sessions
LANGUAGES FRENCH, LEVEL 1, MODULE 1 Course starts Wed 14 Jan, 20 sessions SPANISH LEVEL 1, MODULE 2 Course starts 28 Jan, 15 sessions
CREATIVE SKILLS SUGARCRAFT – DEVELOPING TECHNIQUES Course starts Wed 14 Jan, 10 sessions
FITNESS, HEALTH AND WELLBEING MASSAGE AND RELAXATION 2 – progressive techniques Course starts Wed 14 Jan, 10 sessions
This page is sponsored by MACLS
Medway adult and community learning service ‘…never too late to learn’ HEALTHY EATING – an introduction to eating well Course starts 14 Jan, 2 sessions NAIL TECHNICIAN – INTRODUCTION Course starts Thu 15 Jan, 10 sessions FITNESS THROUGH BELLY DANCING (mixed ability, Oriental Arts Centre) Course starts Mon 19 Jan, 15 sessions OPEN EVENING 7 JAN 2015 4pm-8pm Enrol on the spot so you’re all ready to go! Have a go activities, information sessions and enrolment facilities for 2015 classes starting in January. ACTIVE LIFE CLASSES starting in January 2015! Try your hand at the wonderfully named ARMAGEDDON (a personal training concept in a group setting) and KETTLERCISE (a kettlebell fat burning workout). MACLS CONTACT DETAILS: MACLS, Rochester Centre, Eastgate, Rochester ME1 1EW Tel: 01634 338400 Email: enquiries@medway.gov.uk Web: www.medway.gov.uk/learning Twitter: @MACLS_PDC
FLORISTRY – IMPROVING YOUR SKILLS Course starts Thu 15 Jan, 10 sessions 15
“…leaping, dancing, arcing, spattering, slashing, slicing, eviscerating, traducing, celebrating, exalting…” Will Self on Ralph Steadman’s ‘uniquely powerful line’.
Ralph STEADman:
a retrospective Maidstone Museum is storming into the new year with a major exhibition from the Cartoon Museum celebrating the iconic artist’s career It is a measure of the staggering length and breadth of Ralph Steadman’s career that the first major retrospective of his work was held in 1977, at London’s National Theatre on the South Bank, 37 years ago. This exhibition from the Cartoon Museum explores the full range of Steadman’s work, chronicling the artist’s journey from the very beginning, with his first published newspaper cartoon from 1956, when he worked under the capitalised name, STEAD.
There are satirical drawings for ‘Private Eye’, ‘Punch’ and ‘Rolling Stone’, displaying Steadman’s immense, worked-at skill as a draughtsman in addition to his searing point of view; and his glorious illustrations for children’s books including ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking Glass’, as perfectly matched to Carroll’s narrative as John Tenniel’s originals. Steadman’s humanitarian pictures and several savage political cartoons are here, too, and his compelling wine drawings produced for Oddbins catalogues. Shot through the whole is the man’s shining regard for what is good about humanity, a willingness to grapple with its darker side and an utterly singular take on the world. In the excellent catalogue for the original exhibition at the Cartoon Museum, STEADman @ 77, actor Johnny Depp ends his short introduction thus: “Watch him soar above us all. I’ve had the pleasure. Now it’s your turn.” Emma Dewhurst
The exhibition runs from Sat 6 Dec to Sat 28 Feb at Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH. Tel: 01622 602838. Admission: Adult £3, concs and MMF members £2. See museum.maidstone.gov.uk. Museum Late, a special Steadman evening, is on Thursday 29 January. Admission free.
e
FOR NO GOOD REASON, a documentary about Ralph Steadman by filmmaker Charlie Paul, who followed the artist for more than ten years, filming his work and interviewing him with friends including Johnnie Depp and others, is available on DVD. fornogoodreasonmovie.com ralphsteadman.com
Pallas’s Cormorant, 2011, from ‘Extinct Boids’. Hunter S Thompson 1937-2005 for ‘Rolling Stone’ 2005 Self-Poortrait, ‘Don’t draw, Ralph! It’s a filthy habit…’ 2006
17
FILM ‘EPIC’ FILM NIGHT! THE SMARDEN CHARTER HALL Smarden TN27 8NF THE EPIC OF EVEREST (1924) Thu 15 Jan 8pm Smarden History and Heritage are showing the BFI classic THE EPIC OF EVEREST, which charts the story of Mallory and Irvine’s doomed expedition in 1924. The film was recently remastered by the BFI from the original hand cranked version by Captain John Noel, who lived in Smarden and is considered to be one of the archive’s most important treasures. The film captures images of considerable historic significance as well as many of great beauty and will be introduced by Sandra Noel, Captain John’s daughter. Tickets £7, available in advance from Smarden Post Office or on the night at The Smarden Charter Hall.
MEDWAY FILM SOCIETY Brook Theatre, Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE Traditionally projected 16mm prints sourced from the BFI. Guests and non-members are welcome to pay on the door: £6.50 (concessions £5.50). Enquiries: 020 7638 0012 HAIRSPRAY 1988 Fri 12 Dec 7.45pm Dir: John Waters, USA Cast: Ricki Lake, Divine, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono. Water’s fabulously cast original became a cult classic long before the stage musical and its remake movie spin-off. Lake’s Tracy (backed all the way by drag star mother Divine) aims for TV dance show fame, rallies against racial segregation and battles the spectacular bitchiness of her queen-of-the-hop rival. 92 mins
+ WERNER HERZOG EATS HIS SHOE Dir: Les Blank, USA An irresistible glimpse into German filmmaker Herzog’s idiosyncrasy as he lives up to a promise that he would eat his shoe if director Errol Morris ever completed the film ‘Gates of Heaven’! 21 mins medwayfilm.org.uk MAIDSTONE FILM SOCIETY Hazlitt Theatre, Earl Street Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 753922 Cheap parking in Fremlin Walk after 7pm. Membership: Adult £24, Couples £42, Senior/Student £19, Guest £4 (subscription rates for all 12 films). Enquiries email info@ maidstone-film-society.org.uk. THE LUNCHBOX (PG) 2013 Mon 8 December 8pm Dir: Ritesh Batra Cast: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur Gentle drama. A romance is sparked by a mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system. 104 mins NEBRASKA (15) 2013 Mon 12 Jan 8pm Dir: Alexander Payne Cast: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb. Tour de force by Bruce Dern. See Nick Walker opposite. 115 mins A HIJACKING (Kapringen) (15) 2012 Mon 26 Jan 8pm Dir: Tobias Lindholm Cast: Pilou Asbæk, Søren Malim, Dar Salim. Highly thought of Danish drama. The crew of a Danish cargo ship is hijacked by Somali pirates. 103 mins maidstone-film-society.org.uk ROCHESTER KINO @ CHATHAM ODEON Chatham Maritime ME4 4LL 0871 2244 007 Every Thursday at 7.45pm £9.80, £7.20 conc, Student £3.60 (2 for 1 offer) MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT (12A) 2014 Thu 4 Dec 7.45pm Dir: Woody Allen
Cast: Emma Stone, Colin Firth, Marcia Gay Harden A romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue. 97 mins
A MOST WANTED MAN (15) 2014 Thu 8 Jan 7.45pm Director: Anton Corbijn Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright, Daniel Brühl, Willem Dafoe. Adaptation of the novel by John le Carré. A Chechen Muslim illegally immigrates to Hamburg, where he gets caught in the international war on terror. See Nick Walker opposite. 122 mins SERENA (15) 2014 Thu 15 Jan 7.45pm Dir: Susanne Bier Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Rhys Ifans, Toby Jones. American-French drama. In Depression-era North Carolina, the future of George Pemberton’s timber empire becomes complicated when it is learned that his wife, Serena, cannot bear children. 109 mins ’71 (15) 2014 Thu 22 Jan 7.45pm Dir: Yann Demange Cast: Jack O’Connell, Sam Reid, Sean Harris, Kilian Scott, Martin McCann. A young and disoriented British soldier is accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the deadly streets of Belfast in 1971. 99 mins MR TURNER (12A) 2014 Dir: Mike Leigh Cast: Timothy Spall, Ruth Sheen, Paul Jesson Mike Leigh’s latest explores the last quarter century of the great if eccentric British painter J.M.W. Turner. The film won the Palme D’or award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, with
Timothy Spall picking up Best Actor. 150 mins rochesterkino.co.uk. ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY @ ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE Every Tuesday at 7.30pm, includes a short film Princes Hall, Corn Exchange High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX £5.00, £3.00 students Bar/refreshments available OMAR (15) 2013 Tue 2 Dec 7.30pm Dir: Hany Abu-Assad Cast: Adam Bakri, Leem Lubany A young Palestinian freedom fighter agrees to be an informant after being implicated in the death of an Israeli soldier. Nominated for Best Foreign Language film in this year’s Oscars. 96 mins SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SCREENING: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (U) 1946 Wed 17 Dec 7.30pm Dir: Frank Capra Cast: James Stewart, Donna Reed. An angel helps a despairing bank owner by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. See Nick Walker, opposite. (NB: Note Wednesday, not Tuesday, screening). 130 mins RFS @ THE CINE LOUNGE Sun Pier House, Medway Street Chatham ME4 4HF (No disabled access) 01634 812805. Cult Film night, first Sunday of the month. Doors and themed music 6.30pm, film 7.30pm. £3.00. Bar/refreshments available PERFORMANCE (18) 1970 Sun 7 Dec doors 6.30pm, film 7.30pm. Dir: Donald Cammell, Nicolas Roeg Cast: James Fox, Mick Jagger, Anita Pallenberg After a mistaken hit, a violent, psychotic East London gangster lies low in the guest house of a mysterious former rockstar. 105 mins. For January screenings please see website. rochesterfilmsociety.co.uk
INDEPENDENT FILM in MEDWAY & MAIDSTONE: NICK WALKER previews
ROCHESTER KINO @ Chatham Odeon
MAIDSTONE FILM SOCIETY Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone
ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY Picture Palace, Rochester
A MOST WANTED MAN
NEBRASKA
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
THURSDAY 8 JANUARY 7.45PM
Director Anton Corbijn (‘Control’) has adapted brilliantly John Le Carré’s post 9/11 political passion play about good, evil and the sins committed in the name of national security into an espionage film about an immigrant who gets caught up in the international war on terror. The cast, including the sadly missed Philip Seymour Hoffman as a German intelligence officer, a man of sorrows driven by his uncompromising belief in himself, is stellar; with Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright, Daniel Brühl and Willem Dafoe all providing rich performances. The story tells of a group who perform tasks the German law does not allow – it seems both topical and redolent of an earlier espionage age. It is certainly a good marriage – le Carré’s intricate web-weaving and Corbijn’s complementary excellent visual style. John le Carré (‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’) does not glamorise the world of intelligence the way that the Bourne or James Bond franchises have and Corbijn ensures the moral ambiguities and questionable psychological alliances are kept to that brief.
MONDAY 12 JANUARY 8PM
The comedic yet dramatic tale of an ageing man (Bruce Dern) making a road trip to Nebraska with his family is directed by Alexander Payne (‘Descendants’, ‘Sideways’), who knows how to make films with a wonderful ‘home is where the heart is’ mentality, especially Nebraska – Payne’s hometown, where ‘Election’, and ‘About Schmidt’ were also set. The film, beautifully shot in widescreen black and white, is of course a road movie; a commentary on human nature and the Midwest a bold frontier of dreams and emotions, which at turns provides discomfort and comedic relief. Full of hope, promise and disappointment with family dynamics and done at a leisurely pace, ‘Nebraska’ unfolds naturally and with ease, so the audience can relax and savour every delightful scene: this engaging, bittersweet drama is an absolute gem of a film.
Wednesday 17 December 7.30pm This Academy Award nominated film, the classic perennial Christmas weepie by humanist and sentimental director Frank Capra, is a wonderful reminder of family values, community and of course the festive season. Capra is known for feel-good stories about the decency in ordinary people, people working hard and working together, and this may well be the best example of this; curiously, however, the film was initially a box office flop on release. It is true to say that its well-deserved reputation has grown significantly over the years to feature regularly on top ten films of all time. This tale of the small entrepreneur at the heart of the community against the powerful and heartless banker strikes a universal and timeless chord. Starring Donna Reed in her screen debut alongside the ever-popular and iconic James Stewart as George Bailey in their beloved small town American paradise of Bedford Falls, this big-hearted and richly enjoyable film is perfect for a pre-Christmas viewing.
For full listings see opposite. Nick Walker is a founder member of Rochester Kino (rochesterkino.co.uk) 19
MUSIC 1 DEBUT SINGLE! UNKNOWN REPORT ‘OUTSIDER’ Five piece Medway based alternative funk band, ‘UNKNOWN REPORT’ have announced the online launch of their debut single ‘OUTSIDER’ on 14 December. To celebrate the release of the single, the band is hosting a launch night at Chatham’s Poco Loco on 12 December, with some great support, including The Boxing Octopus. facebook.com/ UnknownReport Twitter: @UnknownReport THE ALEXANDRA 43 Railway St, Chatham ME4 6RJ 01634 830545 Free entry. Doors 9pm unless indicated Fri 5 Dec: MARTIN MORRIS Sat 6 Dec: THE BLOX Fri 12 Dec: LOST PROPERTY Sat 13 Dec: JUICY LUCY Tue 23 Dec: CHAPTER ONE BAND facebook.com/ thealexchatham ALL SAINTS CHURCH Mill Street, Maidstone ME15 6YE 01732 366500 Sat 20 Dec 4.30pm: NINE LESSONS & CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT sung by All Saints Church Choir with Astley Brass. Seasonal refreshments available after the service. Wed 24 Dec 4pm: CHRISTINGLE – CAROLS FOR FAMILIES. maidstoneallsaints.co.uk THE BARGE 63 Layfield Road, Gillingham ME7 2QY 01634 850485 Music starts 9pm unless otherwise stated. Free entry Wed 3 Dec 8.30pm: BARDS@ THE BARGE OPEN MIC Fri 5 Dec: DAN CLEWS Sat 6 Dec: TBC Fri 12 Dec 8pm: ANTFESTIVE Sat 13 Dec: BEXX + TBC Fri 19 Dec: DAVEY MALONE & THE LONGTAILS Sat 20 Dec: GREEN DIESEL Sat 27 Dec: TBC
Wed 7 Jan: BARDS@THE BARGE OPEN MIC For more January gigs see website. thebargepub.co.uk BEACON COURT TAVERN 128 Canterbury Street, Gillingham ME7 4RY 01634 853186 Doors 7pm Fri 5 Dec: GUNS VS ROSES £7/£6 advSat 6 Dec: ED TUDOR POLE and THE SEX PISTOLS EXPERIENCE £10/£8 adv Sat 13 Dec: OASISH & STEREOTONICS £8/£7 adv Fri 19 Dec: TOOT N SKAMEN £6 Sat 20 Dec: BAD PENNIES Free Sat 27 Dec: DOOKIE: A Tribute to Green Day with CHAPTER ONE + ROKOKO £5 Wed 31 Dec: NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY with THE IDEA £5 For January gigs see website. beaconcourttavern.co.uk THE BOWERHOUSE 20 Warwick Place, Maidstone ME16 8SG 01622 763448 Doors 7pm, 7.30pm show Fri 6 Dec 7.30pm: SPIRO (“Cinematic, breathtaking and beautiful” Songlines). £10 thebowerhouse.info
BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, The Brook, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338 Thu 15 Jan 8pm: FOLK AT THE BROOK: BULLY WEE BAND Acoustic folk rock band. £12.50 medwayticketslive.co.uk BRITANNIA THEATRE Dickens World Leviathan Way, Chatham Maritime ME4 4LL 0844 858 6656 Sat 20 Dec Doors 7pm: ELKIE BROOKS Greatest hits tour. £25 + booking fee. thebritanniakent.com COMMUNITY SQUARE Civic Centre, Gravesend DA12 1AU Sunday 7 Dec 3pm: Mayor of Gravesham’s CAROL
CONCERT. Open air. Free EAGLE TAVERN 124 High Street Rochester ME1 1JT 01634 409040 Doors 7pm. Free entry. Thu 4 Dec: VELVET GLOVE Thu 11 Dec: KIT CURTIS AND THE B3s Thu 18 Dec: THE THROWBACKS For January gigs see website. theeagletavern.org.uk EARLS 30 Earl Street Maidstone ME14 1PS 01622 751286 Doors 9pm unless stated. Free entry. Live music most nights of the week and every weekend. For gigs list see website. earlsmaidstone.co.uk 44TWO SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB Featherby Road, Gillingham ME8 6AN Thu 11 Dec 8.30-11pm: DONN BARCOTT BAND with ELAINE DYAN singing songs from the Great American Songbook. Plus a magician at your table, quality raffle and licensed bar. £6. For more information phone the Jazz Line: 01634 405037 HASTINGS ARMS FUNCTION ROOM Lower Rainham Road (leading to Danes Hill), Gillingham ME7 2YD Free parking. No gig in December. Thu 29 Jan 8.30pm: ROCHESTER SWING PRESERVATION SOCIETY: GLENN MILLER NIGHT with Milleresque Sax section. Admission £7. Raffle plus free nibbles. For further details or to reserve a table tel: 01634 712217. Details of special guests on Facebook ‘Rochester Swing Preservation Society’. sukotto5.wix.com HAZLITT THEATRE Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 758611 Sat 31 Jan 7.30pm: MAGICAL MOZART BY CANDLELIGHT with the European Baroque Ensemble and singers. An evening of Mozart
masterpieces, fully costumed and with candles! £19.50, conc £18.50 parkwoodtheatres.co.uk MAN OF KENT ALEHOUSE 6-8 John Street, Rochester ME1 07772 214315 Tues 2 Dec: UKULELE JAM NIGHT Wed 3 Dec: WILL ALLEN and friends Thurs 4 Dec: HOBO JONES & THE JUNKYARD DOGS Sun 7 Dec: FUNKE & THE TWO TONE BABY: Live at The Man of Kent Rochester Album Launch Wed 10 Dec: THE FLOWING Thurs 11 Dec: KINGSIZE SLIM Tues 16 Dec: CHRISTMAS QUIZ Wed 17 Dec: TWO MAN TING Thurs 18 Dec: PASS THE CAT Sun 21 Dec: CHRISTMAS JAM Mon 22 Dec: CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE + BRASS QUARTET Tues 23 Dec: UKULELE CHRISTMAS JAM Tues 6 Jan: UKULELE JAM Wed 7 Jan: SALLY IRONMONGER Thurs 8 Jan: GLENN BARNES & QUESTION 17 Wed 14 Jan: WE GHOSTS Thurs 15 Jan: WALKER & TURPIN Wed 21 Jan: ARCELIA Thurs 22 Jan: THE OAKLAND BROTHERS Wed 28 Jan: LARKSPUR Thurs 29 Jan: JEREMIAH LONGSHANKS MAIDSTONE LEISURE CENTRE Maidstone ME15 7RN Sat 13 Dec 7.30pm: MAIDSTONE CHORAL UNION: CHRISTMAS CONCERT with Kent Festival Brass. Well-loved carols and seasonal songs, some of which the audience is invited to join in with. £7-£16. Tel: 01622 726193, email freda@ me169lb.fsnet.co.uk or buy in person from the Leisure Centre (0845 155 2277) or Maidstone Museum Visitors Centre (01622 602169).
A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS TO ALL... DECEMBER 2014 Tues 2nd Ukulele Jam Night
Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 Harry Christophers conductor The Sixteen choir and orchestra
Rochester Cathedral 29 January 2015, 7.30pm www.thesixteen.com
Wed 3rd Will Allen and friends Thurs 4th Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs Sun 7th Funke & The Two Tone Baby: Live at The Man of Kent Rochester Album Launch Wed 10th The Flowing Thurs 11th Kingsize Slim Tues 16th Christmas Quiz Wed 17th Two Man Ting Thurs 18th Pass the Cat Sun 21st Christmas Jam Mon 22nd Christmas Carol service + Brass Quartet Tues 23rd Ukulele Christmas Jam
… AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR JANUARY 2015 Tues 6th Ukulele Jam Wed 7th Sally Ironmonger Thurs 8th Glenn Barnes & Question 17
IAN HARRISON GUITAR LESSONS • 15 years teaching / playing experience throughout the UK, Europe and US • Emphasis on enjoyment, lessons individually tailored to help you become the guitarist you want to be! • All ages and abilities welcome • First lesson at introductory rate, discounts available for block bookings • Fully CRB/DBS checked • Member of Registry of Guitar Tutors
0784 7023 330 ianharrisonguitar@gmail.com www.ianharrisonguitar.com
Wed 14th We Ghosts Thurs 15th Walker & Turpin Wed 21st Arcelia Thurs 22nd The Oakland Brothers Band Wed 28th Larkspur Thurs 29th Jeremiah Longshanks EVERY SUNDAY IS JAM NIGHT
f 21
MUSIC 2 MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787 Wed 14 Jan 7.30pm: PETER HOWARTH Lead guitarist of The Hollies performs intimate solo unplugged set. £13 Thu 29 Jan 8pm: MARTIN CARTHY English folksinger legend. £16 marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply)
THE MICK JAGGER CENTRE Shepherds Lane, Dartford DA1 2JZ 01322 291100 Fri 19 Dec 8pm: SUPERSONIC 70s SHOW. £16 adv. £18 on the door. Sat 13 Dec 7.30pm: DARTFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: £13 (concs available). Seasonal favourites with a British flavour. Tickets available from DSO website. Fri 30 Jan 7.45pm: ALIVE & DANGEROUS A musical celebration of one of the finest live rock albums of all time, Thin Lizzy’s legendary ‘Live and Dangerous’. £15. themickjaggercentre.com or from wegottickets.com NUCLEUS ARTS CENTRE 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 5PA Mon 8 Dec 8pm: JAMIE JOHNSON Local born finalist on The Voice 2014 singing from his new EP ‘Footsteps’. Wrap up warm! Chimineas will be lit! Adult £12, child (under 14) £6. Book by ‘phone on 01634 812 108, in person at Nucleus venues or online at: eventjoy.com/e/ jamienucleus nucleusarts.com JAZZ AT THE 144 CLUB The Roffen, 41 New Road Rochester ME1 1DX Wed 3 Dec 7.15pm doors, show at 8.15pm: With vocalist ZOE GILBY joined by Roan Kearsey-Lawson and his
house musicians. £13 (nonmembers) or £23 for music and food. Book online or tel 01634 365453. 144club.co.uk PIZZA EXPRESS MUSIC ROOM 32-34 Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PF 01622 683548 Doors 7pm, show 8pm unless stated. Fri 5 Dec: EUGE GROOVE £28. Sat 6 Dec: TAMMY WEISS CELEBRATES JULIE LONDON £17 Sun 7 Dec doors 6.45pm, show 7.30pm: SONGBIRD SESSIONS PRESENTS… £12 Thu 11 Dec: GOOSEBUMPS £12. Mon 15 Dec: CAMEO OPERA: CHRISTMAS CAPERS £12.50 Tue 16 Dec: SOUL SPIRIT £15 Wed 17 Dec: DEBBBIE SCAMP AND THE LITTLE SCAMP BAND £12 Thu 18 Dec: PAUL DUNTON PRESENTS… £7 Fri 19 Dec: GENO WASHINGTON AND THE YOYOS £26 Sat 20 Dec: THE LEO GREEN EXPERIENCE £22 Sun 21 Dec doors 6.45pm, show 7.30pm: BARB JUNGR & MARI WILSON CHRISTMAS SPECIAL £20 Mon 22 Dec: THE CHICAGO BLUES BROTHERS £26 Tue 23 Dec: JTQ £30 Sun 28 Dec doors 6.45pm, show 7.30pm: THE CHILLBILLIES £14 Tue 30 Dec: HULLABALOO £14. Wed 31 Dec doors 7.30pm: SNAKE DAVIS NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY + support. £85 pizzaexpresslive.co.uk POCO LOCO 58-60 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS 01634 844 198 Sat 6 Dec: KOJI MARU presents PSY TRANCE DJs Sat 13 Dec: LIQUID SOUL – Jazz Funk Soul breaks DJ Fri 12 Dec: UNKNOWN REPORT Debut single launch + support inc The Boxing Octopus. See box on Music 1. Free entry. Many more more gigs throughout Dec and Jan:
check website for details. pocolive.com ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL The Precinct, Rochester ME1 1SX Fri 5 Dec 7pm: Eboracum Baroque presents A CEREMONY OF CAROLS composed by Benjamin Britten. £10, concs £8, students £5. Online from eboracumbaroque.co.uk, by email at eboracumbaroque@ gmail.com or tel: 07547 933704. Tue 9 Dec 7.30pm: Annual CHRISTMAS CAROLS with Rochester Cathedral Choir includes Messiah Part 1. £12, £8. Available on the door or from 01634 843366. Thu 29 Jan 7.30pm: Harry Christophers’ THE SIXTEEN: MONTEVERDI’S VESPERS OF 1610. See preview page 23. £15-£30. Tickets from thesixteen.com or tel: 01634 338141 or 810062. rochestercathedral.org ROYAL DOCKYARD CHURCH Historic Dockyard, Chatham ME4 4TE Sat 13 Dec 7.30pm: RAINHAM LADIES CHOIR: CAROL CONCERT With Simon Tatnall (MD) and the UK Paper Band. Raffle and refreshments in aid of the Milly Moo Foundation. £7 adults, £3 under 12s. Tel: 01634 370797 or email secretary@rainham ladieschoir.org.uk. rainhamladieschoir.org.uk ST GEORGE’S CENTRE Pembroke Gate, Chatham Maritime ME4 4UH Sat 13 Dec 3pm: RIVER VOICE COMMUNITY CHOIR Christmas music and raffle. Free entry, donations welcome. ST GEORGE’S CHURCH Church St, Gravesend DA11 0DJ Wed 17 & Thu 18 Dec 8pm: GRAVESHAM CHORAL SOCIETY’S CHRISTMAS CONCERTS with organist Geoffrey Lesyer. £8, students £5, under 5s free. To reserve
your ticket ring: 01474 812726. graveshamcs.uk STEPPING STONE STUDIOS 2 Museum Avenue, Maidstone ME14 1QX 01622 675923 Every Wednesday: OPEN MIC JAM NIGHT Every Thursday: THE LIGHT SHOW LIVE upcoming artists from around Kent. Fri 5 Dec: BOWL IN A BAND: THE NARRATONES + support. Watch and band and have a bowl of chilli. Sat 6 Dec: Live music from TREVORS HEAD, HOLY ROLLER + NOVACINES following film screening by 3026 Semi-Pro Skate Video Prods. Sat 13 Dec from 3pm: ADVENT ALL-DAYER featuring HERCITY, BURNING HOUSE, HIGH, INEVITABLE DAYDREAM, FUOCO & more. Fri 19 Dec from 7pm: MOOSE BLOOD supported by WEAK NERVES, LOSING SLEEP + LAND SPEED steppingstonestudios.co.uk SUN PIER HOUSE Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF01634 812805 Fri 12 Dec: THE PAPER MOON CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Live Jazz and Soul and Blues lounge with The Notable Exceptions + Special Guests + Local Support doors 7.30pm. Tickets £10 or £5 after 10.30pm Fri 9 Jan: THE PAPER MOON JAZZ & SOUL LOUNGE Doors 7.30pm. Tickets £10 or £5 after 10.30pm Fri 23 Jan: THE PAPER MOON JAZZ & SOUL LOUNGE Doors 7.30pm. Tickets £10 or £5 after 10.30pm sunpierhouse.co.uk UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Week Street, Maidstone ME14 1QU Tue 6 Jan 7.30pm: MAIDSTONE CHORAL UNION: A CELEBRATION OF TWELFTH NIGHT with carols, mulled wine and mince pies. Entrance is free with a retiring collection.
Timeless Retro
Big Band Dance 19 Dec - 7pm - 10.45 £10 or £16 for two (inc supper)
THE SIXTEEN return to Rochester Cathedral in January with their most ambitious, large-scale tour to date
Rainham School for Girls Derwent Way ME8 0BX Enquiries: 07771 356732
MONTEVERDI: VESPERS OF 1610 Quite simply one of the greatest works of sacred music ever written.
ART//CULTURE//EDUCATION//HERITAGE//PERFORMANCE//VENUE
Published in the same year as Shakespeare’s ‘Cymbeline’, Monteverdi’s ‘Vespers of 1610’ was intended to be used as a resource by choirmasters in great churches like St Mark’s in Venice. As a result, it was the most widely known significant piece of printed music before the time of JS Bach. Harry Christophers’ The Sixteen are bringing this rhythmically thrilling work to Rochester Cathedral on 29 January, together with an orchestra, making for a much bigger concert experience than we are used to seeing from them. Cathedral choristers will have an opportunity to work with members of The Sixteen prior to participating in the performance. In collaboration with the Medway Music Hub, The Sixteen has also devised an additional choral and instrumental project to launch new youth choir and instrumental initiatives. An immersive Monteverdi day on 20 January for secondary school pupils and 1st year university students culminates in a public performance at the University of Kent. Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 comes to Rochester Cathedral, The Precinct ME1 on Thursday 29 January at 7.30pm. For tickets see website. Look out for the BBC2 documentary about Monteverdi and The Sixteen with Simon Russell Beale presenting (transmission date tbc).
21.12 : 5 YEARS AND COUNTING... LV21.CO.UK
ROOMS TO HIRE Rochester Quaker Meeting House
We have daytime and evening vacancies in our pleasant rooms for long or short-term hire WHEELCHAIR ACCESS, HEARING LOOP, KITCHEN Our hirers are sympathetic to Quaker testimonies of Truth, Peace and Simplicity
Contact: Thelma West 01634 408796
thesixteen.com
23
THEATRE BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338. E: boxoffice@medway.gov.uk
EXCHANGE STUDIO: Sun 21 Dec-Wed 24 Dec 1pm & 5pm: ALICE IN WONDERLAND. New adaptation of timeless classic. All shows £7 except 24 Dec: £8. parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Thu 15 Jan 8pm: WILDE ABOUT THE BOY with Gerard Logan. 14+. £12, conc £11 THE PIER Thu 22 & Fri 23 Jan 8pm: New drama produced in-house. £12, conc £11 marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply) MICK JAGGER CENTRE Shepherds Lane, Dartford DA1 2JZ 01322 291100 / 293435
Sat 6 Dec-Sun 28 Dec, various (day) times: POPPY THE PIRATE AND THE CHRISTMAS STAR The Brook has made a name for itself producing top-class Christmas shows for very little ones. Expect a promenade show where the kids get to be part of the action. For 3-6 year olds. Adult: £7.50, child £6.95. Group concs available.
Fri 5 7pm, Sun 7 3pm, Sat 20 3pm & 7pm, Mon 22 Dec 7pm: DICK WHITTINGTON: Various times – see website for details. £10, conc £7. themickjaggercentre.com (tickets also available from WeGotTickets) MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787 Fri 28 Nov-Sun 11 Jan, various times: ALADDIN starring Eastenders’ Scott Maslen and Mister Maker, Phil Gallagher. £11-£34, concs and group concessions available
Fri 30 Jan 8pm: CABARET OF CURIOSITIES: BURLESQUE SPECIAL Dress to impress. Adult content: over 16s only. £12.50 (or book 3 C of C 2015 shows for £33). medwayticketslive.co.uk CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338 Thu 11 Dec – Sun 4 Jan, various times, day and eve: ALADDIN. Starring Eastenders Todd Carty. From £12 (preview): see website for prices. chatham-panto.com HAZLITT THEATRE Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 758611 Wed 5 Dec – Sun 4 Jan, various times: SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS Traditional panto. From £12
Tue 13-Sat 17 Jan, 7.30pm + Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm: PETER PAN GOES WRONG Hilarious mayhem. £16.50-£32.50, concs available. Tues all seats £18 Wed 14 (1.30pm & 4pm), Thu (10.30am) Fri 10.30pm & 4pm and Sat 17 Jan (10.30am): ROOM ON THE BROOM £12, concs available MARLOWE STUDIO: Wed 10 Dec 8pm: THEATRE UNCUT 2014 Five interlinked political pieces that form a full length play, with Q & A. 14+ guideline. £10, concs £2 off Sat 27-Mon 29 Dec 11am and 3pm: SANTA IN LOVE For 2-5 years. £8.50 inc present for children.
ORCHARD THEATRE Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000
Fri 12-Sat 3 Jan, various times: PETER PAN with Craig Revel Horwood. £15-£32.50, concs and group tickets available. Musical. £15-£31, concs available Wed 14 – Sat 17 Jan 7.30pm, Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm: PETER JAMES’ DEAD SIMPLE £15-£28, concs available Sun 18 Jan 7.30pm: ALADDIN TROUBLE – THE ADULT PANTO £16 Tue 20-Sat 24 Jan 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm: MOSCOW CITY BALLET presents SWAN LAKE with full orchestra. £18-£34, concs available
THE WOODVILLE Woodville Place Gravesend DA12 1DD Box Office: 08422 439480 boxoffice@gravesham.gov.uk Sat 13 Dec- Sun 4 Jan, various times: ALADDIN with Boyzone’s Shane Lynch. £13-£18.50 STUDIO: Wed 10- Wed 24 Dec, various times: SANTA’S DIZZY DAY For 2-6 yrs. £8.75-£10.75, inc present. woodville.co.uk
COMEDY
MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787 Mon 15 Dec 7.30pm: JOHN CLEESE: SO, ANYWAY Veteran performer with tales from his new book. Adult themes and language. £29.50 includes copy of the book. STUDIO: Sat 6 Dec 8pm: MARLOWE COMEDY CABARET with DAN THOMAS, ADAM HESS, AHIR SHAH & HAYLEY ELLIS. Adult themes. £13, conc £12
Tue 9 Dec 8pm: SARA PASCOE VS HISTORY Suitable 15+. £12 marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply) THE WOODVILLE Woodville Place Gravesend DA12 1DD Box Office: 08422 439480
Tue 27-Sat 31 Jan 7.30pm, Wed, Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm: CALAMITY JANE £20-£37 orchardtheatre.co.uk (booking fee applies)
Thu 29 Jan 8pm: ROMESH RANGANATHAN + MARLON DAVIS MARLON £12 (£17.50 with curry). woodville.co.uk
VISUAL ART 1
WAYZGOOSE
PRINT fair
Presented by MEDWAY FINE PRINTMAKERS and THE HAZELNUT PRESS
DEAF CAT COFFEE BAR & GALLERY 83 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX. Open all week, 9.30am-5pm 01634 830789 ROLLING EXHIBITION Mural and contemporary works by local artists. See website for submission guidelines. thedeafcat.com
Museum Late: Thu 29 Jan, admission free. In the CAFÉ GALLERY: Thu 4 Dec – Tue 6 Jan, 10am-4pm closed Sun: WANDERINGS an exhibition of watercolour landscapes of the Medway River by WYNFORD THOMAS (themedwayartist.co.uk). museum.maidstone.gov.uk
FRANCIS ILES GALLERIES 103 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 843222 Opens Mon-Sat 9.30am5.30pm. Free entry
Sat 13 Dec 10 am-5 pm
Gorgeous, handmade prints, cards and tags for sale. INTRA 337-341 High Street Rochester ME1 1DA medwayfineprintmakers.co.uk hazlenut-press.com
NEW GALLERY FOR GRAVESEND! ARTIZEN @ Equal Earth 15 High Street, Gravesend DA11 OBQ 01474 247973 To Fri 19 Dec: PERCEPTION ART SHOW Keira CallaghanPhotography. Daisy Mai Martin-Painting and Sculpture Lulu: Paintings and Portraiture
THE BEANEY HOUSE OF ART AND KNOWLEDGE 18 High Street, Canterbury CT1 2RA 01227 862162 Mon to Wed 9am to 5pm, Thu 9am to 7pm, Fri and Sat 9am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 5pm To Sun 4 Jan: IN REMEMBRANCE Images, objects & words commemorating WW1
To 18 Jan: WINTER EXHIBITION in The Front Room: local Kent based artists. Free entry thebeaney.co.uk
Specially selected more affordable art for Christmas. Visit our CHRISTMAS ROOM upstairs in the Gallery, now open every day until 24th December, visit website for more details and opening times. francis-iles.com
BELOW 65 GALLERY Gilbert & Clark Frame and Print 65 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1SR 01622 685146 Free entry
GUILDHALL MUSEUM High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY 01634 332680 Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Free entry To 11 Jan 2015: STORIES FROM THE GREAT WAR The impact of WW1 on the people of the Medway towns.
Open 9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat Mon 1 Dec – Sat 31 Jan: CREATIVITY TWO: A WINTER ART SHOW A wide selection of artwork for sale by Kent based artists. gilbertandclark.com
From 31 Jan: SPENCELAYH Paintings, engravings and sketches by this important local artist. guildhallmuseum rochester.co.uk
CAFÉ MOROC 365 Rochester High Street, ME1 1DA 01634 405682 Open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Thu- Sat also 7-11pm Free entry Dec 1 - Jan 11: HOT OFF THE HAZELNUT PRESS Heather Haythornthwaite and printing friends showing affordable prints for Christmas. cafemoroc.co.uk hazelenut-press.com
MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERY St Faith’s St, Maidstone ME14 1LH 01622 602838 Opens Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sun & Bank Holidays, 24-28 Dec and 31 Dec & 1 Jan 2015. Sat 6 Dec – 28 Feb: RALPH STEADMAN: A RETROSPECTIVE See main feature. Admission: £3, concs £2 and MMF members.
MEDWAY ARCHIVES AND LOCAL STUDIES CENTRE Clock Tower, Civic Centre Rochester ME2 4AU 01634 332714. Free entry Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm. Closed Wed & Sun T0 13 Jan: A LITTLE OF WHAT YOU FANCY 100 Years of Entertainment in Medway. With accompanying Talk: YOUR OWN, YOUR VERY OWN Guildhall Museum, 17 December 2:30pm, given by local historian Brian Joyce, an expert on the Medway Towns. NUCLEUS ARTS 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108 Gallery: Mon- 10am-4pm (café to 5.30pm) Closed Sun. Free entry To 1pm, Thu 4 Dec: MAKING THE VISIBLE INVISIBLE by Resolute Art. Sat 6 Dec to 1pm on Wed 7 Jan: AFFORDABLE ART EXHIBITION: Various artists. Original artworks at accessible prices including paintings, prints, sculpture and jewellery. Preview: Fri 5 Dec 6-8pm, all welcome (with mince pies!). Nucleus Arts Chatham is also one of the sites for MEDWAY PHOTO FESTIVAL 14-18 Jan (see box Visual Art 2).
Legal advice with a personal touch
grahamcolley HAVE YOU MADE A WILL? We specialise in: • • • • • • •
Preparation of Wills Probate advice Lasting powers of attorney Updating wills (codicils) Inheritance tax planning Contested probates Disputed wills
www.grahamcolley-solicitor.co.uk Tel: 01634 540324 Oak House, off St Margaret’s Street, Rochester ME1 3GU 27
VISUAL ART 2
14 – 18 Jan 2015
Five photography exhibitions across Rochester and Chatham Pop Creative Space, Sun Pier House, Nucleus Arts Centre Featuring exciting new work from students in their 2nd year BA (Hons) and MA Photography at UCA Rochester. Once again the festival is part of the Recreate project for Medway, which supports the development of the creative industries in specific regions of the UK and France. For more about photography courses at UCA Rochester visit ucaphoto.com For more details about the Festival see medwayphoto.co.uk. recreateproject.eu
NUCLEUS ARTS ROCHESTER 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX Open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11-4pm 01634 812108 Local artworks for sale, internet café and lovely garden. NUCLEUS ARTS MAIDSTONE Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone ME15 6JR Open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri; Sat 9am-5pm. Closed Sunday. 01622 690337. Popular café, arts hub and gallery. nucleusarts.com POP CREATIVE SPACE 64-66 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS E: popcreativespace@ gmail.com Thu 4 Dec-Sat 13 Dec, open Thu to Sat, 12-6pm:
COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE EXHIBITION University of Kent’s MA students take over the gallery to curate talks and host an exhibition around collaborative practice. Private View, Fri 12 Dec, 6-8pm, all welcome. Thu 15 -18 Sun Jan: MEDWAY PHOTO FESTIVAL Work by 2nd year UCA undergraduates. 15 Jan: Public Open Day, 12pm – 6pm, Fri 16 Jan: Private view 5-8pm, Sat & Sun 17-18 Jan: Public Open Days, 12 noon to 6pm. medwayphoto.co.uk ROCHESTER ART GALLERY Visitor Information Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 338319 Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am5.00pm Free entry To 3 Jan 2015: DISQUIET BEAUTY Kate MccGwire, Zara
ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL The Precinct, Rochester ME1 1SX 01634 810074 To Tue 9 Dec 10am-4pm: LEST WE FORGET: Medway’s First World War installation and exhibition. rochestercathedral.org SUN PIER HOUSE Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF 01634 401549 Open Tue-Sun 10am - 4pm Closed Mon. The Gallery & Tearoom will be closed from Mon 22 Dec, re-opening Mon 3 Jan. Currently no disabled access. To Sun 14 Dec: FLAT BROKE AND BERSERK: Wendy
Smith, Louise Nevett and Richard Curtis. Mon 3 – 10 Jan: WINTER a collaborative project between SPH and Look Kloser. See The Artist’s Space. Private view with special dance performance Thu 8 Jan 1.30-3pm. Thu 15-Sat 17 Jan: MEDWAY PHOTO FESTIVAL: UCA Photography Exhibition. Also see POP Creative Space. sunpierhouse.co.uk
STEPHEN OLIVER STUDIO & GALLERY Orchards Shopping Centre, High Street Dartford DA1 1DN 01322 278674 Affordable artwork in changing exhibitions. stephen-oliver-art.co.uk ST ANDREWS ARTS CENTRE Royal Pier Rd Gravesend DA12 2BD. Free entry Weekends of 6 & 7 Dec + 10 & 11 Jan 10am-5pm: VISIT ART Artists of Gravesend Art Consortium, working and selling artworks.
Bill Gooch @ Man In The Attic Photography
MEDWAY PHOTO FESTIVAL
Carpenter, Tessa Farmer and Kerry Howley. Excellent, classy exhibition shows off the versatility of this space. Fri 23 Jan – Sat 21 Mar: THE INFLATABLE ARCHIVE: Claire Orme (Fine Art) and Drew York (Music) Graduates of University of Kent’s School of Music and Fine Art and recipients of the first Recreate Bursary in celebration of the University of Kent’s 50th Anniversary., will transform the gallery into an archival grotto. The artists intend to fill the space with curious artefacts that they have excavated from the ether.
The Guildhall Museum
SPENCELAYH Visit our special exhibition showcasing the paintings, engravings and sketches of local artist Charles Spencelayh.
His distinctive style, wry humour and his discriminating eye for social observation, are all underpinned by his extraordinary skill.
31 January - 21 June 2015. Free entry Check our website for more details. High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1PY Phone: 01634 332680
www.guildhallmuseumrochester.co.uk
THE ARTIST’S SPACE
MASKS BY …
Part of WINTER : EXHIBITION
‘For some, winter can be a sad, lonely, almost lifeless time of year. But for others it is romantic, vibrant and full of comforts. ..’ Delivered by Look Kloser:Creative and Performing Arts, in partnership with Sun Pier House, Chatham, ‘Winter: Exhibition’ is a twelve week exploration into the coldest time of the year through movement and art. Delving into nature and how the environment changes; the feelings that people experience and the comforts
they seek; ‘Winter:Exhibition’ brings local outsider and professional artists alongside each other with artworks representative of the Medway community during the winter. The exhibition is at Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF between Sat 3 and Sun 11 January, with a live performance on Thursday 8 January at 2pm. For more information, or to submit artwork to the exhibition email Laura King at laurajaking@icloud.com or call 07809 641214.
IDEAS TEST
IDE TE
FROMpp £
65
Paint it, Cover it, Love it! Learn how to turn a tired old chair into an exquisite work of art! Join one of our workshops and learn...
Distressing z Two Toned Aged Look z Guilding Craquelure z Stencilling z Basic upholstery Courses are run by Annie Sloan trained experts and include ALL materials. Full and half day workshops. See website for full details. Gifts vouchers available for the perfect Christmas present.
CALL 01622 844 590 TO BOOK YOUR PLACE
£10 OFF OFFER*
*Valid until 31 January 2015. Quote WOW when booking.
Lilypie Café, Georgian House, Warmlake Road, Chart Sutton, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3RP
lilypiecafe.com
LilypieCafe
@lilypiecafe
RS WOW Ad Dec-Jan 148mm(w) x 215mm (h):Layout 1
13/11/14
15:50
Page 1
Ralph Steadman: A Retrospective An exciting exhibition from the Cartoon Museum celebrating the career of Ralph Steadman.
Saturday 6 December 2014 to Saturday 28 February 2015 £3/£2 Concessions and MMF Members
Museum Late Special Steadman Evening ursday 29 January 2015 Admission FREE
Images © Cartoon Museum Collection
Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LH MUSEUM OPEN: Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 17:00, MUSEUM CLOSED Sundays & Bank Holidays, 24 - 28 Dec & 31 Dec 2014 - 1 Jan 2015
facebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum
p 01622 602838 www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk @MaidstoneMuseum