WOW Kent May 2016

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CONTENTS

4 WELCOME 5 5 REALLY GOOD THINGS 6 NEWS 8 MAY CLASSES & WORKSHOPS 10 PREVIEW: SOUTH EAST OPEN STUDIOS 2016 13 PRE-HISTORY EXHIBITION: GUILDHALL MUSEUM 14 RIKARD ŐSTERLUND 16 REVELATION ST MARY’S

18 FILM 19 NICK WALKER: INDEPENDENT FILM X3 20 MUSIC 1 22 MUSIC 2 24 THEATRE/COMEDY 27 HEATHER & THE DUDE: MAN OF KENT ALE-HOUSE 28 VISUAL ART 30 THE ARTIST'S SPACE: TRIBUTE TO LOUISE

EDITORIAL: editor@wowkent.co.uk 0845 388 2243 (Calls cost 5p per minute plus your network’s access charge) ADVERTISING: advertising@wowkent.co.uk New advertiser & excellent series booking discounts available. All ads also appear in the online edition at wowkent.co.uk FREE LISTINGS (magazine) listings@wowkent.co.uk FREE/PREMIUM LISTINGS (website) Submit your content at wowkent.co.uk DESIGN: A Stones Throw 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 Print circulation: 10,000 copies Distribution: Medway Towns, Maidstone, Gravesend & Canterbury COPY DEADLINE for June issue: Wednesday 18 May 2016 ©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.

WELCOME TO WOW! Your guide to the best of What’s On Where Medway, Maidstone and the accessible beyond It’s all go in May! Here at WOW HQ, the small but mighty team (and how wonderful that it’s not just me anymore) has been run off its feet collating and writing up the countless arts events happening in our corner of the world this month.

As part of our occasional series, The Accessible Beyond, this month’s main feature by Debra McGee introduces readers to Ashford’s music venue with a difference, Revelation St Mary’s.

Photographer Rikard Ősterlund is having a solo show at Sun Pier House Gallery; the Guildhall Museum opens its summer exhibition and we have a round-up of just some of the great classes available to kids over the May Bank Holiday Half Term.

On a quieter note, the Medway arts community is mourning one of its own this month, with the deeply sad loss of Louise Micklewright.

As a tribute to Louise, we have devoted The Artist’s Space page to her in this issue. Our sincerest sympathies go to her family and many friends.

Emma Dewhurst editor@wowkent.co.uk

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

CONTRIBUTORS Ben Cameron is an artist living and working on Rochester High Street.

Often cited as creating the 'world's saddest doodle' (Google it!). strangepaul.com.

COVER: Slow Club – 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.

Emma Dewhurst is the founder and editor of WOW. She is also an actress, with a long and varied career in theatre, television and film.

Debra McGee is co-founder of Kent based film company, Viola Films, making award winning films including Magwitch and Time Bleeds. She is also a freelance arts project manager who has worked extensively throughout Kent, a sessional lecture at UCA and is currently Manager of Revelation St Mary’s, Ashford.

Anna Morell is writer, house gig host and film maker.

Find us on Facebook facebook.com/WOWMedway @EmmaDewhurst7

Nick Walker is the director of Rochester Kino, screening contemporary world cinema and classic films at various venues around Medway and in London. Nick previously wrote for The Guardian, was director of National Schools Film Week and is a freelance writer, teacher and film cinema/ festival programmer. He currently works for London’s famous Phoenix Cinema. rochesterkino.co.uk

ON

M

GS HIN

GS TO DO THIS M

TO DO THIS

HIN

REALLY GOOD H T T ON

EALLY GOOD TH R T

spent the next two years touring the North of England. A support slot with US band Tilly and the Wall brought them to the attention of Moshi Moshi Records who released their debut album in 2009. Now with the addition of a bass player and drummer, and with support from Irish singer-songwriter Seamus Fogarty, this will be a gig well worth the journey.

MEDWAY BARGE MATCH What better way to spend May Bank Holiday Saturday (28th) than watching the hotly contended annual Medway Barge Match as scores of Thames barges grace the River Medway. Starting at 7.30am from Gillingham Pier/The Strand, barges will race towards the Isle of Sheppey before returning between 12.30-2.30pm. The barges moor off Sun Pier for the evening and the Prize Giving will be held in Sun Pier Tearooms at 6.30pm where the bar, naturally, will be open. To find out how you can experience the match on an actual partaking barge, email info@medwaybargematch.co.uk.

SLOW CLUB On Wednesday 1 June ‘anti folk’ duo Slow Club (see cover) play Ashford’s Revelation St Mary’s (see Main Feature). The band formed in 2005 when they were still teenagers and

UCA GRADUATION SHOWS There’s something about the work of bright young talent, before the world of work has been able to influence it. The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) holds its popular annual degree show this month, at its Canterbury Campus from 30 May to 3 June, and at its Rochester Campus from 27 May to 4 June. Students from Fine Art, Animation and Fashion are due to exhibit, amongst others. Spot a rising star: Tracey Emin, Karen Millen and Zandra Rhodes were all past alumni.

WOODLANDS FESTIVAL This fundraising arts festival on behalf of the Challenging Behaviour Foundation promises something for everyone over the weekend of 20 – 22 May. Kicking off with live music on the Friday night, there will be an art market and a varied programme of visual and performing arts workshops and demonstrations held across the weekend. Saturday evening sees an eclectic programme of comedy from some of the hottest stand-ups from London and Kent and, wait for it, a School Disco! Find them on Facebook and buy tickets for the Saturday night show from Eventbrite.

SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND FINE ART DEGREE SHOWS Well it wouldn’t be fair to mention one without the other, would it?

Over at The Historic Dockyard Chatham the University of Kent School of Music and Fine Art also showcases its students in May. Of particular note prior to the MA and BA Fine Art Degree Shows, the final independent projects of students on the Event and Experience course are on show on and off campus. See Visual Art for details.

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SPRING PARTY

HAR MON JAM Y

FIND THE

GOLDEN TICKET!

Medway Adult Education are launching a great range of new creative courses this summer within their new course directory.

A Golden Ticket has been hidden inside one copy of the directory allowing the lucky finder to win a course of their choice, with over 600 courses to choose from.

You can find the directory in various locations across Medway including libraries, Community Hubs and the Rochester centre.

In celebration of the launch a series taster sessions will be available including Photography and Fashion Illustration, all completely free.

Enrolment starts from Monday 23 May. Visit medway.gov.uk/ adultlearning for more details.

Are you a budding musician searching for like-minded people?

If you are aged 16+ Harmony Jam may be the group for you.

Harmony Jam aims to bring people together over a shared loved of music from playing to writing. Improve your skills, meet new people and collaborate in an industry standard studio.

People of all musical abilities are welcome.

SATURDAY 7 MAY Court Farm Rochester ME2 1HR Join Court Farm for a full day of activities and entertainment including: • • • • •

10am: ramblers walk Free local bands Afternoon BBQ Barn dancing 6pm: Hog roast

You can also purchase tickets to see Hot Rats and the Hartley Morris Men in the evening.

Visit courtfarm.org for more details.

BOARD BEING THE OPERATIVE WORD… Wednesday 25 May, 7pm – 9pm Join Sun Pier House for a relaxing night of board games. Play some of your favourite pastime games, make new friends and partake in a bit of competitive fun.

Also at Sun Pier House:

Medway Book Club, New members welcome!

Next meeting: Monday 30 May, 7pm – 9pm.

Harmony Jam runs every Tuesday from 10am – 4pm and is free to join.

Venue: Sunlight Centre, Richmond Road, Gillingham ME7 1LX. Tel: 01634 338600

ART OF THE DOCKYARD 2016

‘OF THE SEA’

VISI

T

‘Of the Sea’ exhibition represents the culmination of The Historic Dockyard’s biennial open art competition (Art in the Dockyard) which this year received a record number of submissions from across Europe interpreting the competition theme, ‘freedom of the seas’.

All works in the gallery show are competition finalists eligible for two prizes; The Dockyard Prize, judged on its contextual relevance to the Dockyard’s historical legacy; and The Curators’ Choice, which is awarded to a work which expresses global, social and political significance. ‘Of the Sea’ runs at No. 1 Smithery, Historic Dockyard Chatham, ME4 4TE from 6 May.

Ben’s doodle this month is dedicated to the memory of Louise Micklewright.

strangepaul.com

BE THE FUTURE OF FILM A new project by ETA (Employment Through Arts) gives young adults aged 17 to 24 who are not currently in employment or education the opportunity to attend workshops on film making and theatre, aiming to develop employability skills and teamwork. Participants will build their CV and gain valuable experience in the creative fields.

SKILLS COVERED INCLUDE: • Writing • Theatre • Film/Television • Photoshop • Acting • Sound • Camera work • Photography The course runs every Tuesday and Thursday at Jamie Johnson's Riverside One Studios with pre course interviews beginning the week of Monday 6 June for a course start date of Tuesday 14 June.

For more details call Lance on 0844 660 2787 or email eta@physicalfolk.org.uk

SOUTH CHATHAM PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES A talk by Professor Robin Gill continues this excellent public lecture series on the second Sunday of each month: 8 MAY: HEALTH AND CHRISTIAN ETHICS St William’s Church, Walderslade Village Centre ME5 9LR. Free to all, doors open 6 for 6.30pm. southchatham.org

Y THIS LITTLE PIGG !

GOES TO MARKET Stallholders are being sought for Gravesend’s historic Borough Market in St George’s Square. Show off your arts and crafts skills or share your love of baking with your own food stall. Anything and everything is welcome!

The market offers a permanent six day week space or an occasional pop up space. Contact gravesend.market@gravesham.gov.uk

BIG FUN RUN 2016 MOTE PARK MAIDSTONE Saturday 27 August

This year’s 5km Maidstone Big Fun Run is open for entries!

The Big Fun Run is open to runners of all abilities and is a family friendly event. Run at your own pace through the scenic location of Mote Park.

Adult entry costs £12.49, Concessions £10.49 and under fives enter for free. Last year the country wide event raised over £200,000 for a variety of charities, proving to be the perfect fundraising activity.

Find out more at bigfunrun.com or contact pamela@gsi-events.com

COMING SOON!

MEDWAY PRINT FESTIVAL 11 – 26 JUNE 2016 A new annual event has been added to Medway’s calendar, celebrating the local tradition of printmaking. The two week festival will be spread across multiple locations and display the best printmaking being created today including techniques such as lino cutting and monoprinting.

Over 30 events will be available from exhibitions to talks, workshops to demonstrations, many of them free. It is a brilliant chance to learn more about printmaking and local history.

Visit medwayprintfestival.com for more.

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MAY

S E S S A L C M R E T F L IDS HA FOR K

ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME7 1UR Tel: 01634 822839

Fri 3 June – SECRET CODES During the Zulu War the Royal Engineers would use Morse code to send secret messages to one another. Send your own secret message and try to crack our codes.

GUILDHALL MUSEUM High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY Tel: 01634 332900

BECOME A ZULU WARRIOR! 31 May – 1 June Sessions run: 10am – 1pm & 1.30pm- 3:30pm Zulu warriors were traditionally formed into regiments by age. Visit Royal Engineers Museum during Spring half term and transform yourself into a Zulu warrior in their free (with normal admission) familyfriendly drop in events inspired by the Museum’s fascinating collections.

Tues 31 May – ZULU SHIELDS Design your own personalised shield to identify your Zulu regiment.

Wed 1 June – ZULU JEWELLERY Jewellery was worn by everybody and was often symbolic of special events. Create your own traditional jewellery to represent some special memories.

Thurs 2 June – CREATE A RACKET! People throughout history loved to dance to music and entertain people with it. Make a Zulu drum and learn some traditional Zulu beats.

Mon 30 May, Tues 31 May & Thu 2 Jun 10.30am - 3.30pm:

DESIGN A DINOSAUR – Family craft activities Free hands-on family craft activities, based around the Museum’s new Prehistory Medway exhibition.

Free drop in sessions and free access to the museum.

Wed 1 Jun 10.30am-3.30pm PREHISTORY INSPIRED CRAFTS – Artist-led session Artist Wendy Daws leads a handson family craft activity session based around the Museum’s new Prehistory exhibition. £3 per child, free entry to the museum.

No need to book.

TOWER II, ROCHESTER CASTLE Tues 31 May & Thu 2 June 10.30am-3.30pm MAKE YOUR OWN CROWN – Family craft activities Hands-on craft activities, based around the Norman Conquest of 1066. 80p per child, free access to Tower II.

UPNOR CASTLE Mon 30 May - Fri 3 June 10.30am-3.30pm MAKE YOUR OWN WARSHIP – Family craft activities Hands-on craft activities, based around the Dutch Raid of 1667.

80p per child plus admission to the castle.

THE BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE

Wed 1 June 10am - 4pm (8 – 14 yrs) SAMBA DRUMMING With Tutor: Under1Sun Get into the carnival spirit and learn Brazilian rhythms at this drumming workshop. Play drums, bells and other unusual instruments. A routine will be created and participants will be invited back to perform at Chatham’s River Festival and Big Dance 2016. (To participate fully, young people must also be available on Sat 9 July in Chatham to rehearse and perform).

Fee: £15. For information phone 01634 338319 or email arts@medway.gov.uk.

@ The Academy

For a booking/enrolment form phone the box office 01634 338338 or email boxoffice@medway.gov.uk. You can also download the form from enjoymedway.co.uk.

AND SOMETHING FOR THE GROWN-UPS… 'SHABBY CHIC PLANT POT' WORKSHOP with Mandy Bryon Sat 21 May 2 – 4pm Create a beautiful, unique, handmade shabby chic plant pot to decorate your own home or garden, or to give as a gift.

Tutor Mandy Bryon will walk you through the whole process and help you every step of the way.

There will be a large variety of fabrics to choose from, including some Cath Kidston designs.

l

of Woodlands, Gil

lingham

LIVE MUSIC (We Ghosts, Clea Llewellyn) tickets available l l WORKSHOPS l ART MARKET FILM SCREENING COMEDY

Contact: laura.brown@thecbf.org.uk

http://bit.ly/1SPXIvf

Professional tuition in maths & English Qualified teachers Individual tutoring programmes Medway 11+ preparation

172b High Street Rochester ME1 1EX 01634 400240

rochester@kip-mcgrath.com

All materials will be provided. (You can decorate more than one pot on the day for a small additional fee) Course venue: Nucleus Arts, High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP. Full disabled access.

Cost: £20. To book, go to nucleusarts.com or if you would prefer to book over the phone, call 01634 812 108. Payment required in advance to secure a place.

MAKE A PAIR OF HANGING OWLS A two part workshop with Pottery Crafts 4U Wed 4 May and 11 May (both sessions), 10am – 12 noon OR Thu 5 May & 12 May (both sessions), 6.30-8.30pm If you love owls and have a hankering to model in clay, this is the (two-part) workshop for you.

You’ll make a pair of owls, with the option to use supplied templates.

Booking essential, by telephone (01634 812108 or see mobile below) or in person. Limited spaces. £30 each.

Cancellation policy 14 days.

Pottery Crafts 4U, Studio 15B, Nucleus Arts, 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP. PC4U Mobile: 07910 529271.

9

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

DARTFORD CREATIVE PRESENTS A series of free sessions designed to provide creatives with the knowledge and power they need to succeed within the creative industries WED 8 JUNE CREATIVE CRIMES Essential IP, legal matters & tax demystified.

‘KNO CREA W YOUR BUSI TIVE NESS ’

WED 29 JUNE WHAT TO CHARGE? Understanding the value of time, costing and pricing vs market rates to run a viable creative business.

Both sessions 6pm, The Mick Jagger Centre, Shepherds Lane, Dartford, DA1 2JZ Email: michelle@icontheatre.org.uk

CHATHAM MARITIME

FESTIVAL OF FOOD & DRINK

28 - 30 MAY 2016

Dragon Racing Special Rochester Flea Market Entertainment Stalls

SEOS is 20!

guidebook will be widely available from early May at local libraries, shops, galleries and tourist information sites. The SEOS website also includes a downloadable PDF of the guide.

3 – 19 June 2016 South East Open Studios (SEOS) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year as artists across the region open their studios to the public. As one of the largest areas in the Open Studios initiative, SEOS covers Kent, East Sussex and part of Surrey and comprises over 300 local artists working in a wide range of media.

Not all artists exhibit every day of the week but most will be open at weekends between 3 and 19 June. A free

The Open Studios initiative is really about allowing members of the public to take a step behind the scenes and discover the techniques, talents and inspirations of the artists involved. There is never any pressure to purchase the work on display, although there will of course be opportunities to buy, or even commission an original piece of art. seos-art.org

Bodhicharya Kent Presents Public Talks

by VEN. RINGU TULKU RINPOCHE (Translator of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and H.H. the 17th Karmapa) Monday 13th June: 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm

‘Meditation In Everyday Life’ This public talk presents a rare occasion to explore meditation with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and learn how to integrate meditative awareness into your everyday life, for your benefit and the benefit of others.

Tuesday 14th June: 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm

‘Transforming Your World Through Compassion’ This public talk presents a precious opportunity to explore the meaning of compassion in your life with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche. Offering thoughts and methods that, if taken to heart, have the potential to transform your life and have a positive impact on your world.

Tuesday 14th June: 9.00 pm - 9.30 pm

Refuge Ceremony

If you would like to take refuge, please contact us on: bk.meditate@gmail.com / 07766720702

Where: The Corn Exchange, Northgate, Rochester ME1 1LS Price: £10 per night or £15 for both nights (including refreshments) For more information and to buy tickets visit: www.bodhicharya-kent.org.uk

An Exhibition by Making Art Work

CAFÉ GALLERY

TIME

‘Kathy Keefe Originals’ 29 April - 22 May

Kathy Keefe, winner of the ‘People’s Choice’ from the 2015 Bentlif Art Prize exhibition, displays her love of vintage style and textiles.

“Time and memory are true artists; they remould reality nearer to the heart’s desire.” (John Dewey)

MUSEUM LATE

14 May - 25 June 2016

Romance

A diverse range of artists invite you on a journey that explores the past, present and future of our history, memory and reality.

26 May 18:00 – 21:00

Curators tour at 18:30 (repeated at 19:30 if full) Join our curators for a tour of the objects in our collections that were inspired by love or lust. Speed dating in the café/bar at 19:30 for 25-35 year-olds - for speed dating book in advance, see website.

Admission to Museum FREE Please check the website for opening times Some events may incur an extra charge

Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1LH

facebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum p 01622 602838 @MaidstoneMuseum

www.maidstonemuseum.org

PROMS IN THE PARK 2016 WHATMAN MILLENNIUM PARK RIVERSTAGE

SATURDAY 28 MAY

#Proms2016

PIcNIcS fROM 2PM with entertainment to follow fREE admission Join Maidstone Wind Symphony and celebrate the 90th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

Box Office: 01622 758611 www.hazlitttheatre.com www.visitmaidstone.com

Visit Maidstone Kent’s Historic County Town

RIC TOw ISd EHe PRM ay In the latest exhibition from Rochester’s Guildhall Museum, displays of ancient objects and clever reconstructions show how people lived and how human life developed, thousands and thousands of years ago. ANNA MORELL previews Whenever I am about to move town, the first thing I look up is what lies beneath my feet and whispers in the walls around me. There is a rooting and connecting in investigating the history of your corner of the world, and how your actions might add to its depths, layers and wonders.

In Medway, we are very familiar with Dickens and naval history. But the continuum on which we all sit starts way before recorded history.

The earliest evidence we have of local human habitation is from a mind-boggling quarter of a million years ago.

Rochester's Guildhall Museum has a remarkably strong collection of prehistoric artefacts, dating from the Stone Age right up to the Romans and many of these form a core part of its latest exhibition, ‘Prehistoric Medway’.

Looking at artefacts from this massive time period is detective work without the deerstalker (we

were taking on the mammoths instead – and you can get up close to a tusk, legbone and teeth). There is so much we cannot know from this vast chunk of time, but we can track our evolution through the development of tools. We can see the shifts from nomadic life to settled farming, from hand-held flint, through crudely carved rock, to molten metal and handled tools.

From Stone to Bronze to Iron.

The industrialisation of the Medway area in the 19th Century saw profligate finds coming to light, as vast quantities of aggregates were extracted from the surrounding villages. There were so many that their provenance often went unrecorded. Lucky us, because those kinds of finds will be available to handle. It's humbling and astonishing to think how many generations of life have passed since those tools were first used.

Those finds found and recorded with a little more care and attention

include finely detailed gold hoards, which come late enough to tie in with the written-down thoughts of visiting Romans (not yet invading) about our local Celts.

The Medway Valley is home to a unique concentration of megaliths.

And one of the most exciting aspects of the exhibition will be a replica Neolithic tomb, made by students at UCA. Visitors will be able to huddle under a trilithon, which, contrary to popular thought, wasn't always a standalone structure, but a tomb lintel, similar to the one found at the nearby Kit's Coty dolmen.

Let the exhibition inspire you, head up the road and catch the 155 bus to Eccles where you can hop off and walk to four collapsed Neolithic megaliths within about an hour, including Kit's Coty and the Countless Stones (a family bus ticket for four is £10), or take a drive to the intact Coldrum Long Barrow in Trottiscliffe.

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SELF PORTRAITS & OTHER SCENES Selected Photographs by Rikard Österlund Curated by Billy Childish “… I make these images as life moves through and around me, to grab hold of moments that demand to be photographed - to be noticed. Through the making of the wet plates, for example, the many variables within this process offer up more than was evident at the time of exposure and the photos come to life. So unfolds images of my family, stray animals, my home, a sidewalk in a foreign country, a portrait of a stranger, and then an image of me ...”

The exhibition presents a selection of photographs made by Rikard Österlund over the last couple of years. It shows an aspect of the photographer’s practice that has never before been exhibited, bringing together images made with a range of different techniques; from collodion wet plates (one of the first photographic processes popular in the 1850’s) to iPhone photographs. Rather than focusing on one subject or theme, the works here have a loose, associative relationship with no set chronological or thematic order.

As a commercial photographer Österlund makes images for clients with defined commercial briefs, so in contrast these pictures present a bid for freedom and propose a deliberate departure from the descriptive or prescriptive.

The photographs reflect an instinctive approach to their creation, whether at the moment of capture or through the developing and selection process – these works are ones that Österlund identifies with, the ones that hit a nerve with him both in content and form.

6 May - 4 June 2016 Sun Pier House Gallery, Chatham ME4 4HF Preview Friday 6 May 6 – 9pm

15

Another in our occasional series, The Accessible Beyond:

REVELATION ST MARY’S Following major investment and support from both Ashford Borough Council and Arts Council England, Revelation St Mary’s opened its doors in 2011, with an exceptional acoustic, high quality sound and projection systems and an ambition to transform the arts scene in Ashford. Five years later it’s well on its way, welcoming international artists such as Courtney Pine and Martha Wainwright, performers of the calibre of Gaz Coombes, Toploader and The Unthanks to name but a few, along with rising stars Ezra Furman, Coco and the Butterfields and Johnny Flynn, quickly gaining a reputation on the circuit as a truly unique venue.

Nestled just off Ashford High Street is the 14th Century St Mary the Virgin Church, warm, intimate, quaint, the very picture of what a country church should be, slightly at odds with being just a stone’s throw from a bustling high street.

But it’s a church with a difference, because only five years ago it opened its doors as Revelation St Mary’s, a unique music venue at the heart of Ashford Arts Scene.

What makes this place so special is the passion of all those involved to make it happen. With just one full time member of staff (me) and two part-timers, RSM relies on its

fantastic team of volunteers and its board of trustees, who help run the box office and bar, steward events and help with anything else we need.

This revolutionary approach to arts programming (the church is still a working church) is nothing new for Ashford, which was also one of the first places to embrace the concept of shared space with great success.

Amazingly for a town that is central to international travel and business, Ashford has no major arts venue, but it is home to a number of great arts organisations, including Rose Bruford College and Jasmin Vardimon’s dance company - and Ashford realised they needed a venue of their own.

But it doesn’t stop there… We have just launched the Curiosity Club, a series of entertaining talks and lectures with the fantastic Dave Bramwell, Sony award winning presenter on BBC Radio 3 and 4 and a great new series of concerts for kids entitled ‘Wheels on Debussy’ aimed at pre-schoolers and parents.

It’s a truly relaxed affair combining craft, coffee and cakes and top quality music where children dance around and just have fun!

Being at the heart of the county, for culture lovers everywhere Ashford really is part of the ‘accessible beyond’. Take a trip to Revelation St Mary’s - you never know what you might find.

Images: Lewis Brockway

Manager DEBRA MCGEE describes the music venue with a difference in the heart of Ashford

Creative Directors Anna Moulson of Melting Vinyl and Matthew Sharp make sure RSM has an eclectic mix of contemporary and classical: we have classical chart toppers Voces 8 playing on 14 May and the amazing Slow Club (who grace this month’s cover) on 1 June.

Where are we?

St Mary the Virgin, The Churchyard, Ashford TN23 1QG Situated just off the M20 Junction 9, we are: • 40 mins from Medway • 30 mins from Folkestone and Canterbury • 10 mins walk from Ashford International Station • Free parking in Tufton Street after 6pm - just 5 mins walk from the venue.

Opportunity!

Opportunity!

Made in Kent

Bandstand gigs

Made in Kent is an ACE funded initiative to help develop and promote new talent.

We’re looking for home grown artists in all genres, including spoken word, who might need or want some professional development.

We offer a diagnostic service and then a tailor made programme to help you and your work, leading to the chance to support at one of our gigs, including the Create Festival and taking part in a Made in Kent showcase.

Want to find out more? Email: debra@revelationstmarys.co.uk

We’re always looking for acts to perform as part of our Bandstand programme. This is a paid opportunity, so if you are interested please contact kate@revelationstmarys.co.uk.

Opportunity!

Want to get Involved?

We always need volunteers to help us in a range of opportunities from marketing to stewarding, technical to admin. If you want to know more just email kate@revelationstmarys. co.uk. for more information.

UPCOMING GIGS at RSM: Voces 8 – Sing Joyfully SAT 14 MAY, 7.45PM Chart-topping acapella vocal group sing classical masterpieces to modern hits.

S’Wonderful: Gershwin & Friends

Curiosity Club with Dave Bramwell

ZRI- SChubert Through The Looking Glass

WED 8 JUNE, 8PM Colourful characters share their passions and stories, hosted by BBC’s Dr David Bramwell.

THU 9 JUNE, 7.45PM Schubert's genius re-imagined through gypsy and folk influences.

Low

WED 25 MAY, 7.45PM Mercury-nominated Kit Downes and vocalist Alice Zawadzki's take on Gershwin's timeless songs.

MON 1 AUG 7.45PM Minnesota Indie-rock band

Images: Lewis Brockway

Slow Club (see cover) WED 1 JUNE, 8PM ‘Deep listening psychedelic folk, a peaty brew.’ The Quietus Magazine. See 5 Really Good Things.

For full programme details visit the website or call 01233 633201.

Hot News!

SAT 10 DEC, 7.45PM Seth Lakeman + Support revelationstmarys.co.uk 17

FILM EXHIBITION SCREENING NUCLEUS ARTS CENTRE 272 High St, Chatham, ME4 4BP RENOIR – REVERED AND REVILED Tue 10 May 7pm – 10pm Dir: Phil Grabsky This film offers a rare chance to visit the largest Renoir collection in the world, held at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. See opposite.

Tickets: £7. nucleusarts.com AFTERNOON FILM TREAT Central Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338 Tickets £4.50 in adv, £5 on door inc hot drink and teacake. £12 when you book three Afternoon Treats.

SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS (U) 1960 Tue 17 May 2.30pm Dir: Robert Hamer Cast: Ian Carmichael, Terry Thomas, Alastair Sim

Comedy. This tale of social climbing sees the seemingly second best Henry Palfrey discover the Lifeman Collage.

Promising to disclose the secrets of success Henry joins, but will he be able to put lessons learnt into effect?

94 mins medwayticketslive.co.uk

THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (X) 1976 Wed 11 May 7.30pm Dir: Nicolas Roeg Cast: David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark Bowie stars as Thomas Jerome Newton, an alien visiting Earth to find water for his own dying planet. See opposite. 139 mins LE MEPRIS (15) 1963 Wed 25 May 7.30pm Dir: Jean Luc Godard Cast: Brigitte Bardot, Jack Palance, Michel Piccoli

French classic. Writer Paul Javal is hired to produce a film script for a movie production of Ulysses, while his wife Camille begins to spend more and more time with the film’s producer… 103 mins

and living there for 15 years.

104 mins SPECIAL MUSEUMS AT NIGHT SCREENING: SUITE FRANCAISE (15) 2014 (FRA) Sat 14 May 5 - 8pm Dir: Saul Dibb Cast: Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott Thomas An opportunity to discover the delights of the Huguenot Museum and enjoy this handsome adaptation of Irene Nemirovsky's epic novel depicting rural French life under the Nazi occu-pation and which explores the meaning of love, loyalty and collaboration. 107 mins THEEB (15) 2014 (JOR) Tue 17 May 7.30pm Dir: Naji Abu Nowar Cast: Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat, Hussein Salameh AlSweilhiyeen

ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE @ THE HUGUENOT MUSEUM Every other Tuesday at 7.30pm The Huguenot Museum (above Medway Visitors Centre) 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX £6, £3.50 students.

ROCHESTER KINO @ BROOK THEATRE 170 High St, Chatham ME4 4AS

THE LADY IN THE VAN (12) 2015 (UK) Tue 3 May 7.30pm Dir: Nicholas Hytner Cast: Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Jim Broadbent

Fortnightly on Wednesday Evenings at 7.30pm. Screening the best of cinema classics and Contemporary World Cinema. £7, £3 students.

Twitter: @RochesterKino

This poignantly moving story from Alan Bennett is based on real events, with a cantankerous homeless woman parking her campervan in his driveway

A Bedouin orphan helps guide an English soldier to safety through the desert in the Ottoman province of Hijaz during the First World War in this coming-of-age tale. 100 mins ROOM (15) 2015 (USA) Tue 31 May 7.30pm Dir: Lenny Abrahamson Cast: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay Acclaimed drama. A kidnapped mother and son make a daring escape, and experience a dramatic homecoming, provoking a look into the power of imagination and the unstoppable force of a mother's love. 118 mins

CHILDREN’S FILM CLUB @ THE HUGUENOT MUSEUM A CAT IN PARIS (U) 2010 (FRA) Saturday 28 May, 10am; £3 per person Dir: Jean-Loup Felicioli, Alain Gagnol Cast: Dominique Blanc, Bernadette Lafont Whimsical fable about a Parisian cat, Dino, who becomes embroiled in criminal capers and must rescue Zoe, the little girl he lives with, when she is held captive by gangsters. 70 mins PAUL GREENGRASS CINEMA @THE WOODVILLE Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR (12A) 2016 Sat 7 May 11am Dir: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain As war sparks between Queen sisters Freya and Ravenna, Huntsmen Eric and Sara must fight Ravenna’s evil intensions, all the while hiding their forbidden love from Ice Queen Freya. Tickets £4 for all. See website for more May films. woodville.co.uk SPECIAL EVENT: HORSEBRIDGE CENTRE 11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable, CT5 1AF TALK: MAKING WAR HORSE THE MOVIE Fri 27 May 7.30pm Delve behind the scenes of the award winning film War Horse with military historian Andy Robertshaw who was on set every day consulting for director Steven Spielberg. Q and A session to follow. Tickets £10 for adult and £6 for children (under 15). Family tickets £25.

Tel: 01227 281174. horsebridge-centre.org.uk

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INDEPENDENT FILM

NUCLEUS ARTS CENTRE 272 High Street, Chatham

RENOIR – REVERED AND REVILED (EXHIBITION ON SCREEN)

NICK WALKER PREVIEWS MAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

ROCHESTER KINO @THE BROOK THEATRE

ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY @ ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE

THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH

(15) 2014

TUESDAY 10 MAY 7 - 10PM

(X) 1976

This wonderful film allows a global audience to visit the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, home to the largest Renoir collection in the world. The film offers unrestricted access to the unique collection amassed by Renoir collector Dr Albert C Barnes. This unrivalled collection of 181 Renoir works, largely paintings from his ‘late period’ which have never travelled to the UK and are never loaned, enable a fresh look at one of the 20th century’s greatest artists, and help to explore why Pierre Auguste Renoir has polarised opinion for over 100 years. Beloved Impressionist, influential master or self-indulgent fantasist? You decide.

Nicolas Roeg was called ‘an alchemist’ by David Bowie after making the film; a description, which seems apt given the nature of his magical creation; one of the most intellectually provocative genre films of the 1970s. Roeg cast the orange-haired and alabaster Bowie as an extra-terrestrial assuming the identity of an inventor to aid his return to his dying planet and family. Roeg focuses on character and implied ideas, not on plot and special effects; typical of the 1970s, when idiosyncratic directors deliberately tried to make great films. This is challenging, abstract and brilliant.

WEDNESDAY 11 MAY 7.30PM

SUITE FRANCAISE

SATURDAY 15 MAY 5.00PM

Director Saul Dibb (‘The Duchess’) has created a fascinating film, adapted from the recently discovered international bestselling novel by Ukrainian Jewish writer Irène Némirovsky (2004), whose manuscript lay hidden in a suitcase for more than 50 years. Set during the early years of Germany’s occupation of France, the context here is familial problems and love across the divide. A strong set of performances by Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott Thomas and Matthias Schoenaerts together with the clever script cleverly raise moral questions of nationality, identity, family with secrets and deception everywhere. This controversial and poignant tale, full of complex characterisation and fine detail, is a great true story well told.

See Film (opposite) for full listings.

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MUSIC 1 MAIDSTONE FRINGE FESTIVAL 28 Apr – 2 May maidstonefringe.com ROCHESTER SWEEPS FESTIVAL 2016 Annual Morris dance and music fest. Keep an eye on wowkent.co.uk for full gig listings.

ANCHORIANS JAZZ CLUB Darland Avenue, Gillingham ME7 3AS Fri 20 May 8.30pm: THE ALAN BARNES/HODGES ELLINGTON EVENING. Enquiries: 01634 365353 or 07544 312743.

ARTS CAFÉ AT ST WILLIAMS CHURCH Walderslade Village Centre, ME5 9LR Sun 1 May, doors open 6pm for 6.30pm show: PHILIPPA HANNA Rising Gospel star.

The café operates a ‘Pay What You Want’ scheme, to make it accessible to all. For more information email arts@ southchatham.org.

THE BARGE is now at THE SHIP! The Ship, Court Lodge Road Gillingham ME7 2QU 01634 850485 Music starts 9pm, free entry Wed 4 May: BARDS @ THE SHIP OPEN MIC Fri 6 May: THE GAFFERS Sat 7 May: CHARITY EVENT See website.

Sun 8 May: QUIZ NIGHT Fri 13 May: MATT APPLEBY Sat 21 May: MAKER Sun 22 May: QUIZ NIGHT Fri 27 May: THE NEIL SUTCLIFFE EXPERIENCE Sat 28 May: BOOGALOO JONES Sun 29 May: QUIZ NIGHT shipgillingham.com BILLABONG CLUB Victoria Street, Rochester ME1 1XJ Sat 21 May from 7.30pm: Elron Presents: ALL WORK AND NO PLAY. ‘The Shining’ hotel-

horror themed gig featuring live music from DRAWSTRING, EXOSKELETONS, BURNING HOUSE & UPCDOWNC. £5 entry. Shining-esque' dress up optional.

CAFE @ 172 (DOT CAFE) 172 High Street, Rochester Wed 25 May 7.30pm: SEASONALLY EFFECTED: Special Open Mic night with collaborative headline spot from writer Philip Kane and musican Gavin Alexander (of Arcelia).

CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS Box Office 01634 338338 Sat 28 May 7.30pm: CITY OF ROCHESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA play RimskyKorsakov: Overture on Russian Themes; Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2; Tchaikovsky: 6th Symphony. Concs available for under 16s, seniors and students. medwayticketslive.co.uk COOPERS ARMS 10 St Margaret’s Street, Rochester ME1 1TL 01634 404298 Music starts at 7pm. Free entry 30 Apr – 2 May: Various for SWEEPS FESTIVAL Sun 8 May: ACE FACES Sun 15 May: FAB TWO Sun 22 May: GEMMA GRANT Sun 29 May: M2 thecoopersarms.co.uk

ED JONES/DAMON BROWN heeagletavern.org.uk EARLS 30 Earl Street Maidstone ME14 1PS 01622 751286 Doors 9pm unless stated. Free entry.

Sun 1 May: MAIDSTONE FRINGE FESTIVAL Fri 6 May: RELICS Sat 7 May: SPITROAST Thu 12 May: MAKE SOME NOISE Fri 13 May: HEADLONG Sat 14 May: MASTERCLASS Fri 20 May: ROCK PAPER SCISSORS Sat 21 May: BAD PENNIES Thu 26 – Sun 29 May: ONE LIVE WEEKEND earlsmaidstone.co.uk NEW VENUE! THE FLIPPIN‘ FROG 318 High Street, Rochester ME1 3ET Regular intimate unplugged gigs for local solo acoustic artists at this excellent independent micro pub. From 8.30pm. Free entry.

2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

Find Unplugged Tuesdays at the Frog on Facebook.

EAGLE TAVERN 124 High Street Rochester ME1 1JT 01634 409040 Sundays 12 noon. Thursdays 7pm. Free entry.

THE FLOWERPOT 96 Sandling Road, Maidstone ME14 2RJ 01622 757705 Free entry.

Every Tuesday from 8.30pm: OPEN JAM NIGHT: ELECTROACOUSTIC PLUG-IN AND PLAY Full sound system available.

Weekends: Regular live music.

Doors 9pm. see website for details. flowerpotpub.com

Sun 1 May: No jazz (SWEEPS) Sun 8 May: CLARK TRACY QUINTET Thu 5 May: KEPLER-22 Sun 15 May: DAVE O’HIGGINS & THE ORGANISATION Thu 19 May: SOUND CASTERS Sun 22 May: GEOFF MASON/ SIMON SPILLET QUINTET Thu 26 May: FREEDOM CAGE Sun 29 May: KILLER SHRIMP:

THE GOOD INTENT John Street, Rochester ME1 1YL Regular live music and events.

Sun 1 May: SWEEPS FESTIVAL Folk Singarounds from 1.00pm; TANGLEFOOT APPALACHIAN CLOGGERS 6.00pm Mon 2 May 1pm: FOLK SINGAROUND Tues 3 & 17 8.30pm: FOLK SINGAROUNDS

Tues 10: FOLK CONCERT NIGHT featuring PETE MORETON Wed 4 May: QUIZ FOR FUN Thu 12 -26 May: OPEN MIC NIGHT hosted by Andy Whyte 8.30pm Fri 6 May 8.30pm: JAZZ Sat 14 9pm: KELLY STANLEY Sat 28 May: GLAMSCO 70/80S VINYL DISCO Find them at facebook.com/ good.rochester HASTINGS ARMS FUNCTION ROOM Lower Rainham Road (leading to Danes Hill) Gillingham ME7 2YD Free parking Thu 26 May: Musicians of the ROCHESTER SWING PRESERVATION SOCIETY plus vocalist Carol Fox, with the music of Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer.

Doors 8.30pm. £7 entry. Raffle and nibbles. For more details or to reserve a table tel: 01634 712217 or check website. sukotto5.wix.com/rsps

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HAZLITT THEATRE 16_REV_XXXX_6 Earl Street, Maidstone, ME14 1PL 01622 758611 25 – 28 May 7.30pm: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF by Airbrush Productions. With glorious choreography and score, musical theatre at its finest.

Wed & Thu £13, Fri and Sat £15. parkwoodtheatres.co.uk HORSEBRIDGE CENTRE 11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable CT5 1AF Sat 21 May, 7.30pm: CHRIS DIFFORD from Squeeze with a show including conversation, songs, and Q&A. Support from folk trio ARCELIA. Tickets £15.

Tel: 01227 281174 or website. horsebridge-centre.org.uk THE LADY LUCK 18 St Peters Street, Canterbury CT1 2BQ Free entry. Over 18s only.

Regular live music. See website for details. theladyluck.co.uk/live-music

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WOOD-FIRED PIZZA OVEN NOW OPEN!

(Thur-Sat, 5.30pm-10pm)

Unique Monthly Cocktail Night 6-8 John Street, Rochester ME1 1YN Tel: 07772 214315

MUSIC 2 MAN OF KENT ALEHOUSE 6 - 8 John Street, Rochester Tel: 07772 214315 Wed 27 Apr: BRUISE Thu 28 Apr: GUM BOOTS featuring PAUL MINTER of THE MERCURIALS and TENER DUENDE Fri 29 Apr: JUSTIN & THE ARGONAUTS Sat 30 Apr: 2pm SKY SMEED +8pm NOBLE JACKS. Sun 1 May: 2pm HARTLEY MORRIS SINGERS + 8pm THUMPING TOMMYS. Mon 2 May: HOG EYE MEN Tue 3 May: UKULELE JAM NIGHT Wed 4 May: IAN PETRIE & SUE HUDSON Thu 5 May: STUART TURNER Wed 11 May: SKINNERS RATS Thu 12 May: HOWLIN' MAT Tue 17 May: MICKEY D'S FUNTIME QUIZ Wed 18 May: WE GHOSTS Thu 19 May: PHIL WOOLETT Mon 23 May: COCKTAIL NIGHT Wed 25 May: CAMINE Thu 26 May: SWEETCHUNKS Find Man of Kent Ale-House on Facebook MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787 Thu 5 May: JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS RHTHYM AND BLUES ORCHESTRA Sun 15 May: BILLY OCEAN Mon 30 May: CEELO GREEN Five times Grammy winner.

For ticket prices and times see website. marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply)

THE MIDDLE EI8HT 1-2 Town Pier, Gravesend DA11 0BJ 01474 328947 Live artists/musical acts every Friday from 8 or 9pm, indie bands on Saturdays and Sunday jam sessions starting at 2.30pm.

Open mic night every Wednesday from 8pm. Full backline supplied. themiddleei8ht.co.uk NAGS HEAD 292 High Street, Rochester ME1 1HS Fri 6 May: METAL MAYHEM with DEAD RECKONIN + Steve’s legendary Rock Disco. Entry is free, there is a cash prize raffle. The event is hosted by North Kent’s Motorcycle Action Group who strive to promote bikers rights.

All proceeds from the raffle go to the group to help fight for riders rights.

ORCHARD THEATRE Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000 Sun 1 May 7.30pm: THE DUBLIN LEGENDS, formerly of The Dubliners. £22.50, concs available. orchardtheatre.co.uk (booking fees apply) PIZZA EXPRESS MUSIC ROOM 32-34 Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PF 01622 683548 Doors 7pm, show 8.30pm unless stated.

Regular shows – see website for details.

28 Apr – 2 May: MAIDSTONE FRINGE FESTIVAL with gigs by CARAVAN, JAH WOBBLE, COCO AND THE BUTTERFIELDS, FIL STRAUGHAN, DAVE MIGDEN & THE TWISTED ROOTS with CLEA LEWELLYN, & NICK HARPER. Plus regular jazz gigs throughout May. See website for details. pizzaexpresslive.co.uk

POCO LOCO 58-60 High St, Chatham ME4 4DS Fri May 27 8pm start: SHITWIFE, SWEET DEALS ON SURGERY, LAWN FLAMINGO + FRAU POUCH. Free entry.

ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL The Precinct, Rochester ME1 2PY Sat 14 May 7.30pm: LONDON MALE WELSH VOICE CHOIR CONCERT For ticket sales please call 0800 046 3396 or at the Cathedral Office at Garth House 01634 810074. Email enquiries to development@ rochestercathe Fri 27 May 7.30pm: HARRY CHRISTOPHERS THE SIXTEEN: THE CHORAL PILGRIMAGE 2016 – The Deer Cry. £10 - £26. Local Box Office: Medway Visitor Centre 01634 338141. rochestercathedral.org ST GEORGE'S CHURCH Church Street, Gravesend DA11 0DJ Venue is fully accessible.

Sat 14 May 4 6pm: REMNANTS OF A NAME The premiere performance of a new choral work by Tania Holland Williams with the Kent Association for the Blind Gravesend Art Group and RiverVoice Community Choir.

Soprano Cathy Robinson and drummer Liz Hayward and other singers from the North Kent community also join the celebration.

Refreshments will be served 4pm - 6pm.

If you are unable to attend the celebration evening, ‘Reaching Out’ the art exhibition will exhibited from 14 May until 9 June at St George's Church.

Find KAB Gravesend Art Group or Rivervoicemedia on Facebook.

SUN PIER HOUSE Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF Tue 10 May: OPEN MIC & SHOWCASE Doors at 7pm, music from 7.30pm. Sunspot: CALAMITY SCRIPT. Every second Tuesday of the month. £3 entry, free for performers.

To book a spot get in touch at: sphopenmicnight@gmail.com UNIVERSITY OF KENT GALVANISING SHOP PERFORMANCE SPACE The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, ME4 4TE Fri 20 May 12.00-1.00pm: MA MUSIC STUDNET LUNCHTIME RECITAL A chance to hear from SMFA students studying band and ensemble playing. FREE but booking via www.kent.ac.uk/ smfa/events.html THE WHITE HORSE 46 London Road, Maidstone ME16 8QL Fri 6 May: KATIE BRADLEY BLUES EXPERIENCE Sun 8 May: JAM NIGHT Sat 14 May: THE MOFOS Sat 21 May: TWANG RUMBLE BANG Sun 22 & 29 May: JAM NIGHT whitehorsemaidstone.co.uk

THE WOODVILLE Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD Box Office: 08442 439480 Thu 26 May 1pm: LUNCHTIME CLASSICAL CONCERT: JOSEPH TONG Pianist. £5 woodville.co.uk

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1st Sunday of the month

ARTS CAFE 1 MAY PHILIPPA HANNA LEADING COMEDIENNE

Stephen Harries

Stained Glass design and restoration E: stephenharries.glass@gmail.com T: 0779 608 0338 Facebook: Stephen Harries Stained Glass Rochester & Goldfinch Galleries Whitstable

5 JUNE STEVE LEGG COMEDY MAGICIAN

www.emmabaker.me.uk

Vintage Clothing & Accessories for guys & gals from 1920's to the 1990's and designer clothing

TEACHINGTeaching LANGUAGES languages TO to adults

Doors 6pm for 6.30pm start ADULTS One to one or class tuition available in French, Spanish, Russian, Free to all – Pay What You Want!

One to one or class tuition

Italian and English as a Foreign Language. available in French, St William’s Church, Walderslade Teaching languages to adults Spanish, www.medwaylanguages.org.uk Russian, Italian and English as a Village Centre ME5 9LR One to one or class tuition available in French, Spanish, Russian, Foreign Language. southchatham.org Italian and English as a Foreign Language. medwaylanguages.org.uk www.medwaylanguages.org.uk

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THEATRE/COMEDY BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE Box Office: 01634 338338 Fri 20 May 8pm CABARET OF CURIOSITIES CIRCUS SPECIAL Superhuman international circus performers. £12.50.

Sun 22 May 11.30am & 2.30pm: THE RAILWAY CHILDREN Image Musical Theatre returns with this adaptation of Edith Nesbit’s classic. An audienceparticipation event, suitable for ages 5+, consisting of a 30 minute workshop and a 60 minute show. Up to 10 participants of the workshop will have the opportunity to take part in the show. £7.00, U16: £5.50. Fami-ly 4 £22.00 medwayticketslive.co.uk CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS Wed 4 May 7.30pm: THE LADY BOYS OF BANGKOK : THEATRE TOUR 2016 £23, £25 (Concs students).

Thu 19 May 7.30pm: 40 YEARS THE JOKER Hysterical and irreverent comic storytelling. £20.00 Tue 31 May 7.30pm: MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL An all-star cast celebrate women and 'The Change’. £21.00, £19.00 medwayticketslive.co.uk GULBENKIAN THEATRE University of Kent Canterbury CT2 7NB 01227 769075 Sun 1 May 7pm: GREG FOOT: CAUTION: SAFETY GOGGLES REQUIRED! An evening of curi-ous questions and explosive answers. For ages 9+. £16, Children £13, Family Groups 4+ £10.

Sun 3 Tue 7.30pm: 2016 LINDA SMITH LECTURE Andy Hamilton £5 Wed 4 May 7.30pm: TESSA

DUNLOP AND THE BLETCHLEY GIRLS Women’s wartime stories of the impact Bletchley Park had on their lives. £12.50, Student/U16 £8.50.

Fri 6 May 7.30pm: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Oscar Wilde's comic masterpiece gets The Pantaloons treatment in this anarchic take on the classic comedy of manners. £12.50, Student/U16 £8.50.

Sun 15 May 2pm: A POCKETFUL OF GRIMMS A collection of some of the most loved and less well known stories collected by the Brothers Grimm. For ages 4+. £8, Family Groups 4+ £6.50, Baby on lap (0-18months) £1.

Fri 20 May 1.30pm, 4.30pm (relaxed perf ) and Sat 21 May 11am,2pm: THE GRUFFALO'S CHILD For ages 3+. £12, Family Groups 6+ £11, Baby on lap (0-18months) £1.

Sat 28 May 7pm & Sun 29 May 3pm: BREAKIN' CONVENTION Sadler's Wells' Festival of hip hop dance theatre. £12.50, Children & Students £8.50, Family Groups 4+ £7, Baby on lap (0-18months) £1. thegulbenkian.co.uk MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787 May 20 & May 21 THE JAMES PLAYS by Rona Munro: JAMES I @ 11am, JAMES II @ 3pm, JAMES III @ 7.30pm. A new trilogy of plays - performed over one day - that tells the story of three generations of Stewart kings who ruled Scotland between 1406-1488. £19.50-26.50, On stage seating: £20 THE MARLOWE STUDIO Mon 2 May 8pm: 1972: THE FUTURE OF SEX A brisk romp through the ins and outs of

those excellently awkward first sexual encounters. £12.50 (concs available).

Tue 3 & Wed 4 May 8pm: THE LAMELLAR PROJECT A story of eco activism, love and betray-al told using film, theatre and a live video link to Philadelphia. £12.50. marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply) MEDWAY LITTLE THEATRE 256 High Street Rochester ME1 1HY 01634 400322 Thu 12 – Sat 21 May: A DOLL’S HOUSE by Henrik Ibsen. £10, concs £6 + booking fee. mlt.ticketsource.co.uk ORCHARD THEATRE Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000 Wed 11 May 7.30pm: MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL. £22. orchardtheatre.co.uk (booking fees apply) THE WOODVILLE STUDIO Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD 08442 439480 boxoffice@gravesham.gov.uk Thu 12 May 7.30pm: DINOSAUR PARK Awardwinning comedy spin-off on Spielberg’s classic. £12, concs £10. More at dinosaurparkshow.com. woodville.co.uk

COMEDY ARTS CAFÉ AT ST WILLIAMS CHURCH Walderslade Village Centre, ME5 9LR Sun 5 Jun, doors open 6pm: STEVE LEGG. Comedy magician. The café operates a ‘Pay What You Want’ scheme, to make it accessible to all. For more information email arts@ southchatham.org.

GULBENKIAN THEATRE University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NB 01227 769075 Wed 11 May 7.30pm: SIMON

EVANS Host of BBC Radio 4’s Goes to Market and star of BBC1’s Live at the Apollo Suitable for 15+. £14, Student £12.

Fri 13 May 7.30pm: SARA PASCOE - ANIMAL Suitable for 15+, £12.

Sun 15 May 7.30pm: MARK WATSON: I'M NOT HERE. Suitable for 15+, £17. thegulbenkian.co.uk HAZLITT THEATRE Earl Street, Maidstone, ME14 1PL 01622 758611 Thu 12 May 8pm: SARAH PASCOE: Animal. Suitable for 15+. £13.50 EXCHANGE STUDIO: Fri 13 May 8pm: MARK & IVAN: The End. £13.50, concs £11.50 inc booking fee. parkwoodtheatres.co.uk (booking fees apply) SMARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787 Mon 2 & Tue 3 May 7.30pm: SEAN LOCK: KEEP IT £23 MARLOWE STUDIO: Tue 10 May 8pm: SUSAN CALMAN An hour of new material. Adult lan-guage & themes. £10. marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply) ORCHARD THEATRE Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000 Sat 14 May 8pm: THE ALLSTAR STAND-UP TOUR. £21. orchardtheatre.co.uk (booking fees apply) THE WOODVILLE STUDIO Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD 08442 439480 boxoffice@gravesham.gov.uk Thu 26 May 8pm: LAUGHING BOY COMEDY CLUB: Line-up TBC. £10, or £14.50 with curry. woodville.co.uk

FO R G ET M E N OT

VALLEY PARK SCHOOL presents

The Alzheimer's

Whodunnit Written and performed by Rob Gee Directed by Tara Gatherer

harp Razor s Hilarious ble Remarka g akin Heartbre

Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features witch burnings (cancelled due to health and safety), fish-slapping, cows, killer rabbits and French people with outrageous accents.

Come and see us at THE HAZLITT THEATRE It’s a case worthy of the greatest detective mind.

But his will have to do.

£6

21 MAY | DOORS 7PM TICKETS LV21.CO.UK

Wednesday 6 July Saturday 9 July 2016 at 7.30pm with a Saturday Matinee at 2pm

BOX OFFICE: 01622 758611 Monty Python’s Spamalot: Funnier than the black death!

25

the guildhall museum

prehistoric medway

Exhibition open: 10 May – 30 October

FR

EE

Plunge into prehistory with the Guildhall’s new exhibition and discover the very distant past High St, Rochester, Kent ME1 1PY Tel: 01634 332680

Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm

www.guildhallmuseumrochester.co.uk

THE WOODVILLE

We know how to entertain

4 June

19 June

SATURDAY 7pm THE PAUL GREENGRASS CINEMA

SUNDAY 7pm PAUL GREENGRASS CINEMA

DISCOVER ARTS TEATRO ALLA SCALA: THE TEMPLE OF WONDERS

The film leads us through the main historical, musical, social and political events in La Scala’s 238-year history. The story is beautifully brought to life on the big screen through statements and commentary from musicians, experts and aficionados, and features photographs, musical scores, paintings and videos from centuries of archive material.

In spring 2015 Milan paid tribute to Leonardo Da Vinci by holding an extraordinary exhibition event at the Palazzo Reale. Leonardo Da Vinci: The Genius In Milan explores his work as never seen before, telling the story of the artist’s world and the treasures he STANDARD £12 left us.

Tickets

Tickets STANDARD

DISCOVER ARTS LEONARDO DA VINCI

£12

www.woodville.co.uk

Box Office

08442 439 480

Woodville Place, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1DD

FREE EVENING PARKING

FROM 6pm

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HEATHER AND THE DUDE

ANNA MORELL pays a visit to Rochester’s Man of Kent Ale House and discovers a most unique public house

embraces me and the flat grey of outside becomes a warm, rosy glow.

What’s more, vegan and gluten-free options are coming soon.

The music is brilliant and the locals are chatty and friendly. A Dude greets me excitedly. He has four legs and a glossy coat. Dude – that’s his name.

I guess if you were in London, all of this would be called artisanal. But if you called it that here, Heather, the Landlady, would say it’s just about supporting quality, innovative, Kentish products and the committed people who produce them. As she explains this she hands me a Rochester Ginger Pressé – the nonalcoholic offering is also extensive, including local fruit juices.

I’ve never been to this legendary local before. It’s a huge supporter of the live music scene. The place is full on headline band nights, and performers universally love to play here.

Tonight, my luck’s in. Celtic Capers are playing some wonderfully fluent jigs and reels. A local is dancing like nobody is watching! But everyone is watching, delighted. He’s incredible, legs flying everywhere, lost in the music.

Beyond me, as I look across a school playground, I see the name of a former brewery, Style and Winch, emblazoned on the pub, the only beautiful building for several streets.

It’s a live music night – fantastic singer-songwriters often perform here – and I’m excited. Yet, strangely for a venue with great reputation for live music, there is no noise in the road outside. It is only as I push open the door that a vibrant atmosphere

There’s a substantial menu of – often vegan friendly! – local ciders and real ales, mostly from micro-breweries. I eagerly sip a half-pint of pale ale and savour the flavours unfolding on my tongue. Prices start at three pounds a pint … and that’s for proper beer!

Bubba Luigi is also there serving up crisp-based, gooey-cheesed, woodfired pizzas on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. They arrive on a wooden paddle and are laden with toppings.

It’s testament to the ease, comfort and quality of everything at the Man of Kent Ale House that punters will travel from Thanet for an evening here. I drain the remainder of my pressé and head back out into the cold, glowing inside like the Ready Brek Man. The Man of Kent Ale House, 6 – 8 John Street, Rochester ME1 1YN. Tel: 07772 214315.

For upcoming gigs see Music listings.

Wood-fired pizza oven (in the Garden) is open Thu – Sat nights, 5.30 – 10pm.

Photographs: Tracy Affleck

A cold, persistent rain is soaking me to the skin. Half a mile ahead, and a quarter of a mile behind, I can see almost-blue sky. But here, on Rochester High Street, it’s bleak and hard-boiled.

I trudge up Victoria Street, aiming for the Man of Kent Ale House.

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VISUAL ART THE BEANEY HOUSE OF ART AND KNOWLEDGE 18 High Street, Canterbury CT1 2RA 01227 862162 Mon to Wed 9am to 5pm, Thu 9am to 7pm, Fri and Sat 9am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 5pm.

To Sun 19 Jun: BENN JUDD: STORIES IN THE DARK Contemporary Responses to the Magic Lantern. Pay What You Can. To Sun 30 May: East Kent Printmakers: A tribute to the printmaker Ben Sands.

To Sun 14 Aug: PRESCRIPTIONS Documenting Martha Hall’s experiences with breast cancer.

Free Admission, drop in. thebeaney.co.uk BELOW 65 GALLERY Gilbert & Clark Frame and Print 65 High Street Maidstone ME14 1SR 01622 685146 Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm.

Free entry From Tue 3 to Sat 28 May: BRENDAN CULLEN + Guests.

Sculptural works from Cullen with wall based drawings and photographs from his guests. brendancullen.co.uk gilbertandclark.com FRANCIS ILES GALLERIES 103 High Street Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 843081 Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm.

Free entry QUARTERLY COLLECTION TWO Opening weekend 21 & 22 May. francis-iles.com CAFE MOROC 365 High Street, Rochester ME1 1DA 01634 405682 Mon - Sat 10am - 4pm & Thu Sat 7pm - 9.30pm From Tue 3 to Sat 28 May: THE ACCIDENTAL ARTIST Linocuts by JANE PRANGNELL individually printed in Rochester using a Victorian press. Original art for sale from £25. cafemorocrochester.co.uk GUILDHALL MUSEUM High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY 01634 332680

Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm.

Free entry From Tue 10 May to Sun 30 Oct: PREHISTORIC MEDWAY See Feature.

HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM No. 1 Smithery Gallery ME4 4TE Entry included in normal admission price.

ART IN THE DOCKYARD 2016: ‘OF THE SEA’. See News p6. thedockyard.co.uk HUGUENOT MUSEUM 95 High Street (above Medway Visitors Information Centre), Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 789347 Opens Wed-Sat 10am-5pm + Bank Hol Mon 10am-4pm Artworks and treasures. £4, concs £3, family £10, under 5s free. To Sat 18 Jun: HUGUENOT SILK: CANTERBURY AND CATWALK. huguenotmuseum.org MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERY St Faith's St, Maidstone ME14 1LH 01622 602838 Open Mon - Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sun & Bank Holidays.

Free entry.

Sat 14 May - 25 June: Making Art Work present TIME. Diverse range of artists explore themes of memory, reality and time.

CAFÉ GALLERY: From Fri 29 Apr - Sun 22 May: KATHY KEEFE ORIGINALS 'People's Choice' winner in the 2015 Bentlif Open Art Prize. Meet the artist: Sat 30 Apr 10am - 4pm. museum.maidstone.gov.uk NUCLEUS ARTS 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108 Gallery: Mon- 10am-4pm (café to 5.30pm) Closed Sun. Free entry To 1pm on 4 May: CHRIS BLUNKELL. Whitstable-based painter. Thu 5 May 6pm to Wed May 18 (1pm): DAVID FALTREGO: The Eunuch & The Yorkshireman. Thu 19 May 6pm – Wed 1 Jun (1pm):

ALEXANDER HART: History in Perspective. nucleusarts.com NUCLEUS ARTS ROCHESTER 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 812108 Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11-4pm Shop gallery, café and garden.

ROCHESTER ART GALLERY & CRAFT CASE Medway Visitor Information Centre. 95 High Street Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 338319 Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10.30am – 5pm. Free entry To Sun 15 May: RUST AND BLOOM: WORKS BY HANNAH MAYBANK. From Fri 27 May to Sun 14 Aug: BILLY CHILDISH IN PRINT (A Survey).

ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME7 1UR Tel: 01634 822839 Open Tue-Fri 9am-5pm; Weekends & Bank Hol: 11.30am-5pm. Partial opening due to heating and lighting upgrade. Still plenty to see and a reduced admission price in operation. re-museum.co.uk ST ANDREWS ARTS CENTRE Royal Pier Road, Gravesend DA12 2BD Sat 30 Apr to Mon 2 May, 11am-5pm: VICTORIA PRINTMAKERS Etchings, lino prints, collagraphs & more.

Sat 7 & Sun 8 May 11am-5pm: TWO RIVERS An exhibition of 20 artists work influenced by the rivers Thames & Medway.

STEPHEN OLIVER STUDIO & GALLERY Orchards Shopping Centre High Street, Dartford DA1 1DN 01322 278674 Open Thu - Sat 10am-4pm; Sat to 5pm.

Affordable contemporary art. stephen-oliver-art.co.uk SUN PIER HOUSE Sun Pier House Gallery, Chatham ME4 4HF Fri 6 May (preview 6-9pm)

to Sat 4 Jun: RIKARD ŐSTERLUND: SELF PORTRAITS & OTHER SCENES Curated by Billy Childish. See Feature p14. sunpierhouse.co.uk TURNER CONTEMPORARY Rendezvous, Margate Kent CT9 1HG Admission is free Open Tue - Sun and public holidays 10am - 6pm Open every day over the Easter weekend To Sun 8 May: JOACHIM KOESTER: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SKY Koester’s work paired with selected watercolours by JMW Turner To Sun 30 Oct: YINKA SHONIBARE MBE: END OF EMPIRE. Sat 21 May to Sun 25 Sep: SEEING ROUND CORNERS Response to the circle, the disc and the sphere. turnercontemporary.org UNIVERSITY OF KENT SCHOOL OF MUSIC & FINE ART Historic Dockyard Chatham Free entry Mon 9 – Sat 14 May: BA EVENT & EXPERIENCE DESIGN 3RD YEAR SHOWCASE Interesting on-site showcases all over campus.

ENGINEERING WORKSHOP: Sun 22 – Tue 31 May (Closed 23/24; Private View Sat 21 May 1 – 5pm) 10am-5pm: MA AND BA FINE ART DEGREE SHOWS These final degree shows meet a high standard of practice and are well worth a visit.

Updates at kent.ac.uk/smfa XROSS-POLYNATION GALLERY 3-4 Starnes Court, Maidstone ME14 1EB 01622 299043 Throughout May: INDIAN ART EXHIBITION Baljit Chardha xrosspolynation.co.uk

Kent Association for the Blind Gravesend Art Group and the Rivervoice Community Choir present

REACHING OUT A NEW EXHIBITION OF ART AND MUSIC Saturday 14 May 4-6pm St. George's Church, Church Street, Gravesend DA11 0DJ

Rivervoice première a new choral work 'REMNANTS OF A NAME' Wheelchair accessible. Free entry. Refreshments.

Art exhibition runs 14 May - 9 June Find KAB Gravesend Art Group & Rivervoice Media on facebook. kab.org.uk

Rust and Bloom Works by Hannah Maybank 26 Feb > 15 May 2016 Free admission Rochester Art Gallery and Craft Case, Medway Visitor Information Centre, High Steet, Rochester, ME1 1LX www.enjoymedway.co.uk

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THE ARTIST’S SPACE

LOUISE MICKLEWRIGHT This month WOW pays tribute to Louise Micklewright, who died on 10 April 2016, just a few weeks before her 30th birthday.

Medway born and bred, Louise was a young woman of great intelligence and wit, with a mischievous sense of fun, a vast circle of friends and a belief in the power of community.

With the aim to bring quality, affordable music gigs to Medway, Louise joined co-founders Matt Ashdown and Ed Jennings at TEA Concerts. The trio brought artists such as Gravenhurst and Wave Pictures to local cultural spaces, culminating in a legendary tragi-comic gig by Grandmaster Flash at Rochester’s Casino Rooms, which according to Matt Ashdown, Louise held together “like a conductor glues an orchestra”…

Louise also pioneered a music project space in the early days of Sun Pier House which gave local bands a place to meet and rehearse and was a charismatic frontwoman for her own band, the hilariously named Sean Bean Death Scene.

A plethora of stories were shared online in the days following Louise’s death. All spoke of the astonishingly strong, fun, positive force she was. Our community is poorer for her loss, and far, far richer for her having been with us.

Photo credit: Simon Sayers

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An exhibition of international contemporary art exploring the complex relationships between the sea and the human Sponsored by:

thedockyard.co.uk Exhibition entry included in the cost of an annual ticket.

Supported by: