WOW June 2015 by Wow magazine

Specialist Sixth Form Enrolling now for September 2015

• 42% A*/A at A level (National Average 26%) • Good Schools Guide Award Winner for A level Results in Chemistry, Statistics, English Literature and Film Studies • Average Class Size 8 • Regular Exam Practice • Quality University Application Advice • Flexible GCSE Entry Grade Requirements • No Option Block Restrictions • No Compulsory Extra Curricular Activities • No Uniform, Assemblies or Registrations • One-to-One Progress Meetings with Personal Tutors

Day and boarding | Year 7 to 6th form rochester-college.org | 01634 828115

GATEWAYS TO CIVILIAN SERVICE A study day at Chatham Historic Dockyard Friday 26 June 2015, 9.30am - 4pm

FREE EVENT

www.gatewaysfww.org.uk/events/gateways-civilian-service gateways@kent.ac.uk

@GatewaysFWW Find us on

A study day investigating alternative forms of service during the First World War, with focus on the activities of the Society of Friends, YMCA, the Women’s Land Army, nurses and chaplains. Talk with our historians and learn more about these lesser-known contributions to the war effort. Meet staff from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historypin and get ideas for developing your own centenary projects.

CONTENTS 4 WELCOME 5 5 REALLY GOOD THINGS 6 NEWS 8 CHILD Z 11 FUSE 13 WOWKENT.CO.UK 14 INTERVIEW: JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET 16 MAIN FEATURE: SOUTH EAST OPEN STUDIOS 18 FILM 19 NICK WALKER: INDEPENDENT FILM

20 MUSIC 1 21 BETTY BLUE EYES 22 MUSIC 2 24 MEDWAY MICROPUBS 26 THEATRE/COMEDY 28 VISUAL ART 30 THE ARTIST’S SPACE

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 to all. All ads also appear in the online edition at wowkent.co.uk FREE LISTINGS: listings@wowkent.co.uk DESIGN: A Stones Throw astonesthrowdesign.co.uk

WELCOME TO WOW!

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: 10,000 copies Distribution: Medway Towns, Maidstone & Gravesend Copy/listings deadline for July 2015: Wednesday 17 June 2015 ©WOW Kent magazine

Your guide to the best of What’s On Where Medway, Maidstone and the accessible beyond We’re lucky: summer’s coming, with more festivals than you can shake a stick at – I’m hugely looking forward to July’s offerings (Homespun, Medway Open Studios, the Cherry Festival and Gravesend’s riverside Fayre on the Square, to name a few); but before that - hoorah! - we have Fuse. Considering this year’s Fuse Medway Festival has been put together with less than half the budget of previous years, the programme is looking happily strong. Take a look at a few of the highlights on page 11 and find further details at wowkent.co.uk as the weekend approaches. Please do show your support for this peculiarly special melting pot of local and international outdoor arts.

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.

Emma Dewhurst editor@wowkent.co.uk

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

CONTRIBUTORS Tracy Affleck has lived in Rochester for the last 15 years (bar a year in sunny Scotland). She studied and worked for many years at the University for the Creative Arts in Rochester both as a teacher within FE and as facilitator on the Widening Participation programme. A photographer and professional dabbler, Tracy also started therochesterflea.com (now run by awesome friends).

Cover: Dragonfly by Gloria Holden. 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

Ian Fleckney is a lifelong resident of the Medway Towns and active member of the local jazz community. He is publicity officer for Coljazz Promotions and writes regular reviews of their gigs for the local newspaper. He is also a member of Rochester Choral Society and has an interest in most genres of music. Sarah Hehir is a playwright, poet and teacher. She won the BBC Writer’s Prize for her radio drama ‘Bang Up’ and is currently writer in residence at Little Pieces of Gold. She has just finished a pilot episode of ‘Seafort’ – an atmospheric thriller set on the Medway Estuary. 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. For more of Rochester Kino visit: rochesterkino.co.uk

Really Good

Katayoun Dowlatshahi, whose work is showing at Rochester Art Gallery over the course of the project (with Flower, Pitt and Heffernan). There are launch events over the weekend of 20-21 June. Keep an eye on wowkent.co.uk, because full listings for all IN-SITE happenings will be listed there.

TIT FOR TAT It’s not often that the pre-publicity for anything makes me laugh, but even the title of Tit for Tat’s comedy show at this year’s Fuse festival did just that. Oddballs Rick and Kevin will be presenting ‘The Most Dangerous Cup of Tea in the World’ with death-defying stunts involving, among other things, the Whirling Hatstand of Death. Gets my vote before they’ve even started. Rochester Castle Gardens, Sunday 14 June at 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

of NO COMMERCIAL VALUE Visual art is storming it this month. Longstanding artgroup MVAN (Maidstone Visual Artists Network) are filling the Below 65 Gallery (downstairs at Gilbert & Clark Frame and Print on the High Street) with a new exhibition entitled ‘Of No Commercial Value’ showcasing works in a great range of media. MVAN’s work is always worth a look and if you’ve never visited Below 65, now is the time: it’s a hugely valuable space for the blossoming Maidstone art scene.

IN-SITE EMMA BAKER Readers will remember Emma Baker’s lovely drawing of a cocker spaniel which was chosen for the Bentlif Open exhibition at Maidstone Museum and graced April WOW’s cover. Now you can see much more of her delightful art because it will be adorning the walls of the Sun Pier House Tearoom from 3 to 28 June.

This is an intriguing, temporary Public Art Project along Rochester Riverside launching this month, with related events during June, July and August. Six artists have been paired to work collaboratively on the project: Jane Pitt and Caitlin Heffernan; Christopher Sacre and Stuart Bowditch; Nicola Flower and Daisy Farris, responding to the riverside in their own disciplines and working with lead artist

CHEESE, BEER AND CIDER Maidstone Museum is continuing its terrific season of ‘Museum Lates’ on the last Thursday of every month with a Cheese, Beer and Cider evening on Thursday 25 June. Samples of the aforesaid from local independent producers will be on offer, and a chance to hear from the museum’s curators about the local industries that have shaped the area over the last 250 years. Honestly, they had me at ‘cheese’.

Self Portrait

Handoartists

A Combined Art and Drama Therapy Workshop Sat 27 June 2015, 10am-3pm

108 artists from around the world have designed an original playing card for this new arts project

Participation was a on a firstcome, first-served basis, with artists randomly assigned one card each to design

Artist and art psychotherapist Katie Dunne has teamed up with actor and drama therapist Roanna Bond to devise this fascinating workshop suitable for anyone interested in exploring the theme of self portraiture.

100% of monies raised from the sale of the original packs thus created will go to three inclusive arts-based charities: Art Inclusive, Headway and Artrack

The first exhibition of the cards will be held at Nucleus Arts, 272 High Street Chatham ME4 4BP from 4-8 July. Admission is free, with opportunities for visitors to design their own cards. Opening night: Fri 3 July 6-8pm, all welcome.

Aiming to explore both conscious and unconscious processes, the workshop will encourage play and experimentation using drama based activities such as story telling, object work and embodiment as well as visual art processes such as collage, assemblage, 3D construction, printmaking and straightforward painting and drawing.

Want to help? Please buy a pack of cards, attend an exhibition or donate at hand-of-artists.com

Venue: Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF

Hand of Artists is the brainchild of Gravesend artist and road worker, Duncan Grant, ably aided by Kent artist Victoria Hayman

TWEET TWEET! @Wowkent_arts WOW’S all new arts website has a Twitter account. Please ‘Follow’ us!

magnacarta800medway.org

ARTISTS WANTED for CROQUIS JULY SPECIAL

Wednesdays 15, 22 & 29 July 7-8.30pm

15-19 June Medway Campus, University of Greenwich

For more information or to book a place email or telephone: katiedunne19@gmail.com / 07837 736 123 or roannabond@gmail.com / 07790 696 611

Sun Pier House Gallery, Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF (no disabled access)

MAGNA CARTA 800 MEDWAY Conference | Exhibition | Research | Workshops

Cost: £55 (some reduced cost places available for students/ low income)

3 special Croquis sessions and an exhibition of the resulting artworks at Café Moroc.

THE DUTCH ARE COMING! UPNOR CASTLE

6 & 7 JUNE -10am-4pm Living history activities all weekend Drill display, bullet making Weaving and cooking Children’s drill fun

Cost: £43 (using some of your own materials); £53 (using their materials). Prices include frame and exhibition.

Next Croquis Event: Wed 10 June, 7pm – 8:30pm. See therightstepdc.co.uk for more details.

Cyclists WA N T E D ! The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury, is calling for cyclists to sign up to their London to Canterbury Cycle Challenge on Sun 13 Sept.

ARETHUSA SAILING & PADDLING CLUB

NOW OPEN

The fundraising event offers a challenging and scenic 65 or 80 mile route along the beautiful Pilgrim’s Way. For full details and sign up at: thechildrenstrust.org.uk

FOR CHILDREN AGED 7-15 YEARS Every Thursday evening to the end of October SAILING: 5.30-7.30pm. £15 per session PADDLING: 5.30-7pm £12 per session Book 5 sessions in advance and get the 6th session free! Arethusa Watersports Centre, based at Chatham Maritime Docks To book a place call 01634 719933

WE'RE FINALISTS! 3 JULY

KENT PRESS AND BROADCAST AWARDS Magazine Design of the Year Kent Magazine of the Year Awards ceremony: 3 July. #KPBA

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS Maidstone-based arts co-operative Making Art Work has extended the deadline for artists to make a submission to take part in its first indoor ART MARKET, which takes place on Saturday 19 September 2015. The ART MARKET is open to artists, collectives, galleries and art organisations. The aim is to provide a platform for all art disciplines to sell their work and services to the public, building relationships with buyers, galleries and curators. An eclectic programme of events will run in parallel with the market throughout the day. To make a free submission visit: artmarketme14.wordpress.com. If selected, artists are required to pay £35 for a 2m by 2m space by way of an exhibition fee. Submissions deadline: Monday 22 June 2015 (12pm BST).

FESTIVE DATES NEW! FLOW: for adults with learning disabilities 10.45am11.45am, £4 per person, carers welcome NEW! TRS TOTS: Wednesdays 9.30-10.30am, £4 per child, walking 2s – 4 years.

B COORUNO’S KING CHEESECAKE! CHEESECAKE WEEKEND 6 AND 7 JUNE

Bruno’s Bakes & Coffee, 10 High Street, Rochester ME1 1PT

ADULT BALLET: Sundays 10am – 11am, £5 per person, all levels. PILATES: Tuesdays 12:15pm – 1pm, £4 per person, all levels.

ArtsFest Nucleus Arts, Chatham Sat 20 June & 11 July

Dickens Festival Rochester 29-31 May

River Festival Chatham Waterfront Sat 4 July

Medway Open Studios & Arts Festival 18-26 July

Homespun Independent Music Festival 22-25 July

Riverside Festival Gravesend Sat 25 July

NB: Next MEDWAY DANCE NETWORK meeting: 17 June 10am-12pm with a talk by Katie Rees of Voluntary Arts. All welcome. Venue tbc (check website). 7

‘It’s good to know my difficult interview with an appallingly abused young woman has inspired such a play.’ DAME JENNI MURRAY

PLAYWRIGHT SARAH HEHIR EXPLAINS WHAT LED HER TO WRITE HER NEW PLAY, WHICH HAS ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT THE BROOK THEATRE STUDIO ON 17 JUNE I started writing ‘Child Z’ because I was so bloody angry. It was autumn 2012 and I had just listened to Jenni Murray’s interview on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Woman’s Hour’ with a young woman from Rochdale. I couldn’t believe that victims of child grooming were being let down again and again by professionals whose job it was to protect them. The more research I did, the more it seemed that those in authority weren’t ignorant of the crimes being committed on their streets: they were indifferent. But a play can’t be all fury. To get a better idea of what had gone on - what was still going on - I went on a research trip to Rochdale: back to the small town near Manchester where I used to teach almost twenty years ago. I met the families of victims, local politicians and the teenage sexual health team. Once again, it was confirmed to me that no amount of googling can ever beat talking to real people. I left Rochdale with a strong sense of three characters and the kind of play I wanted to write. For the character of Zoe, I used a hectic, lyrical kind of language that I hope balances her disturbing story with humour and a desperate sort of strength. Sonia, a teenage crisis worker, tries to help Zoe but is held back by being part of a system where bureaucracy and apathy rule.

Roy was a tough one – I was so tempted to write the chief executive of the council as a two dimensional bastard controlling the narrative like a clammy puppet master (google Rochdale and Rotherham – you will see where the temptation came from). I’m glad I resisted: I think a bit of empathy for the bad guy makes his behaviour all the more uncomfortable to stomach. The final play, despite its hard hitting subject matter, is often warm and even funny. The characters of Zoe, Sonia and Roy take you on an emotional ride through one of the most recent (and shameful) scandals of modern Britain. As so many local people have been involved in ‘Child Z’ in one way or another, from reading early drafts to supporting the Kickstarter campaign, I’m delighted that the world premiere will be at the Brook Theatre in Chatham. I hope to see you there. ‘Child Z’ is directed by Suzette Coon, with sound design by Roy Smith. The play premieres at the Brook Theatre Studio, Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE on Wednesday 17 June at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £10, Student/ Unemployed concessions available. Box office: 01634 338338. Email: boxoffice@medway.gov.uk. Online: medwayticketslive.co.uk. ‘Child Z’ also plays London’s Southwark Playhouse on Saturday 21 and 28 June.

southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

PRE-BOOK YOUR DISCOUNTED KENT COUNTY SHOW TICKETS HERE 01622 633060 www.kentshow.co.uk kentcountyshow

kentcountyshow

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

FUSE MEDWAY FESTIVAL - HIGHLIGHTS! SMALL RESOURCES, BIG HEART: THIS FREE, OUTDOOR ARTS FESTIVAL ENTERTAINS CHATHAM AND ROCHESTER OVER ONE PACKED, COLOURFUL WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 JUNE STREET ARTS DAY, CHATHAM THE HIP-HOP SHAKESPEARE COMPANY Founded by BAFTA and MOBO-award winning artist, poet, writer and educator Kingslee ‘Akala’ Daley, the Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company are in town, leading workshops exploring the links between Hip-Hop and Shakespeare, and giving a live performance later in the afternoon. HIP-HOP SHAKESPEARE LYRIC WRITING & PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS Sun Pier House, 2nd Floor Gallery, Medway St ME4 4HF 11am-12.30pm; 12.30-2pm

Wet Picnic’s THE LIFT Chatham High Street 12.15pm, 2pm and 4pm A roving theatrical experience that invites audience members to step inside The Lift and choose a moment by selecting one of nine different floor buttons, triggering a particular scene or event which is performed for both the audience member in The Lift and those on the outside looking in. It’s surreal! FUSE ARTS LAB Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF From 7pm A free festival meet up event. All are invited to join Fuse for an evening of conviviality, entertainment, refreshments, out-of-town-dancing and fine conversation. AND NOT FORGETTING: THE MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY In association with the Festival, the party runs all day at Nucleus Arts, Chatham. For details of tickets visit nucleusarts.com SUNDAY 14 JUNE

Join Akala for these dynamic workshops aimed at inspiring participants to approach literature, music and theatre in a whole new way. Build self-confidence, take creative risks, analyse rhythm and rhyme and perform as you explore Hip-Hop and Shakespeare with Akala as your expert guide.

ROCHESTER THE BIG PICNIC Rochester Castle Gardens Fuse’s popular day of outdoor acts, children’s activities and entertainment within and without the Castle’s walls. Highlights include:

HIP HOP SHAKESPEARE COMPANY LIVE Military Road, 3.20pm Live debut performance from Akala and his renowned band, joined onstage by special guests, performing a collection of original work exploring the parallels between Shakespeare and Hip Hop.

Zinderling’s VELODROOM See Saturday – also performing today.

Zinderling’s VELODROOM Chatham Waterfront 12.30pm, 1.45pm, 2.45pm and 4pm V-man and V-boy welcome you to their Velodroom arena. In this all-Belgian show, it all boils down to one question: who will win? Two Belgian cyclists give all they have. A cyclo-cinematic experience such as you’ve never experienced before.

TIT FOR TAT Rochester Castle Gardens 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 3.30pm Rick and Kevin believe tea only tastes good if you almost die making it… Comedy show featuring spectacular juggling, acrobatics, crazy contraptions, and general silliness. Download the Fuse Festival app; visit the website or contact fuse@medway.gov.uk for more information. fusefestival.org.uk WOWKENT.CO.UK more online 11

4 June:

LECTURE 'WATERLOO: THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THE STRATEGY WORK' with Professor Michael Clarke

10 June:

THE WATERLOO MAP OPENING OF OUR REDEVELOPED DISPLAY ON THE FAMOUS PROJECT

18 June 1pm:

LECTURE 'WATERLOO AND THE ROYAL ENGINEERS' with Curator James Scott

20- 21 June:

GILLINGHAM

WATERLOO WEEKEND LIVING HISTORY DISPLAYS, FAMILY ACTIVITIES, TALKS AND DEMONSTRATIONS Normal admission prices (FREE to serving personnel and their families) Ticket valid for 12 months on gift aided entrance.

WOW June 2 - 138mm w x 98mm h:Layout 1

For more information go to: www.re-museum.co.uk 17/5/15 06:17 Pageor 1call 01634 822839

Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery Saturday 13 June

Museum Late - 25 June

Family activities all day

Cheese, Beer & Cider

Dino Day!

He's big, he's fast, he's scary and here for one day only! Meet REX!

Dinosaur SFX 10:30 -12:30 for 10 -16 year olds;

13:30 - 16:30 for 16+ Learn to produce amazing TV and film SFX!

£20/£15 MMF for morning session £30/£25 MMF for afternoon session To book call the event booking line

facebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum @MaidstoneMuseum p 01622 602838

www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk

Lates activities start from 18:00 Museum open until 21:00

Grab a taste of samples from local independent producers and hear from our curators about the industries that have shaped the area over the last 250 years. Some Lates activities may incur a charge.

Museum Admission Free Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 4BH

Great People, Great Place, Great Opportunity

WOWKENT.CO.UK l THE BEST OF WHAT’S ON WHERE l KENT WE’RE LAUNCHED, IT’S LIVE, SO HOW ON EARTH DOES IT WORK? FOUNDER AND EDITOR, EMMA DEWHURST ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS Now that you have the site, are you dropping the print magazine?

What is a free listing? A free listing is available on The Arts Calendar and Classes & Workshops pages of the website. It is a short listing (no image) with the essential information of your event or class. You can submit as many as you like.

Absolutely not! The website is another branch of WOW, and has the scope to cover cultural events across the whole of Kent. The magazine is more local to Medway, Maidstone and Gravesend.

What is a Premium listing?

Do events listed in the print magazine automatically appear on the website? No! They do of course appear in the page-turning e-edition of WOW, but not automatically as listings on the website. If you would like listings of yours which go into the magazine to be on the site, you need to put them up there, as a free listing, or a Premium listing.

unlimited copy! Your page has its own URL which is shareable online – and we undertake to share as many Premium listings as we can via our social media networks. Recently our Premium listing for Sweeps was shared so many times it had 677 clicks over the course of the weekend!

A Premium listing is a listings box with your event or class information (plus image) which rotates randomly around the site, including the Home page and is pinned to The Arts Calendar (or Classes & Workshops) 7-10 days before the date of your event. It is also searchable by date prior to this, of course. Why is a Premium listing worth paying for? Premium listings are brilliant because they also have a ‘Read More’ click through to a page of

Who can submit information to the site? Anyone with an arts or leisurerelated event, or teachers/tutors of arts or leisure-related classes and workshops. Why do I need to register to do this? Wowkent.co.uk is a curated site: we edit all listings before they go live, to ensure the high standards WOW readers are used to. So we might need to contact you about your listing before publishing.

Choose one of four packages

SIMPLE LISTING

ONE-off PREMIUM

Simple text listings are FREE (no image)

One-off Premium Listing (one image) £12

Un-ltD

Leave it to us

Unlimited Premium Listings £16 per month

Invoiced packages also available if you’d like us to do all the work in getting your information up there!

PREMIUM

If you would like to develop your own creative idea, head over to Ideas Test at creativepeopleplace.info.

WOWKENT.CO.UK

James Taylor Quartet FOR OVER 25 YEARS, THE JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET HAS DELIGHTED AUDIENCES WITH LIVE PERFORMANCES IN THEIR VERY OWN JAZZ FUNK STYLE IN RECENT YEARS, JAMES TAYLOR’S INTEREST IN COMBINING JAZZ WITH CLASSICAL MUSIC HAS LED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW SOUND FOR THE QUARTET, WHICH YOU CAN HEAR IN CONCERT AT ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL ON 19 JUNE IAN FLECKNEY MET JAMES TAYLOR TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC

IF: You are well known as a Rochester resident, but have you always lived in the area? JT: Yes, in fact I was born here and was educated at the Rochester Mathematical School. I decided to study Engineering at Newcastle University although my main hobby was playing the piano and composing music. I must admit that I failed to finish my Engineering course and returned to Rochester and tried music full time. In essence what you really love always comes to the fore and that is what I have found in life. IF: Was there a music scene in Medway when you returned home and if so, what was your involvement? JT: The music scene was really healthy with a number of rock ‘n’ roll bands competing for gigs. I joined a band called ‘The Prisoners’ and although we became popular, the band wanted to get away from just playing in Medway and found a residency at the Hope

and Anchor in Islington. Gradually I started to enjoy the work of American R & B organists and so began a transition from soul into jazz. The Hammond B3 organ has always been my calling card and everything I do centres around it. IF: You formed your first quartet in the ‘80s and your recordings helped to establish the Acid Jazz Scene. What are your feelings about that period? JT: The feeling was great and I was really surprised how my music lifted off, as I always thought it fitted into a more niche market. At this time we were signed to a major label and with the added promotion, the early to mid ‘90s were a roller coaster. The concerts at Brixton Academy in front of 6000 fans were a high water mark for the band and of course it created a fantastic atmosphere. Live performance is central to what we did then and what we do now; passion in music is all embracing.

is always difficult. My answer though is an absolute YES.

JT: I was asked to compose a Kyrie for the Rochester Cathedral Choir, which was eventually followed by a Gloria and other pieces. As the result of further interest, I wrote two Masses, one classical and one jazz. However after much thought, I decided to merge them both and combine two musical genres into one. The classical writing morphs into jazz mode and was highly effective in a recent performance at the QEH. I really feel that the two musical worlds should be brought together.

The James Taylor Quartet perform at Rochester Cathedral on 19 June at 7.30pm. The evening includes The Rochester Mass with the Rochester Cathedral Choir, whose première was in London earlier this year at Queen Elizabeth Hall.

IF: What is your opinion of using Rochester Cathedral as a future venue for jazz or rock concerts? JT: I totally agree that music, art and history should come together, and the Church must fling its doors open to all genres. But of course there is always the question of funding for a festival or an event and this

Tickets: £20 (unreserved seating in the Nave); in person from Garth House, The Precinct ME1 1LX; tel: 01634 810074/843366 or by email: development@ rochestercathedral.org. rochestercathedral.org jamestaylorquartet.co.uk

Photograph of James Taylor: Margherita Gramegna

IF: How did the idea of composing a Jazz Mass come about?

South East Open Studios OPEN YOUR MIND TO ART! 300+ exhibitors in 200+ locations

5 – 21 June 2015 Now in its 19th year, SEOS is a not-for-profit, artist-led organisation that enables the public to visit artists’ studios across Kent, Sussex and Surrey. Visitors have the opportunity to view the work of the artists and to meet them in person to discuss their work and, often, see them demonstrating their skill on the day. A wide range of work is on show by the 322 artists signed up this year, from traditional oil and watercolours to ceramics, textiles and fine metalwork. The event is free to the public and a full colour guide to each artist, with contact details, travel directions and studio opening times, is available on the SEOS website, allowing you to make a personal route of artists’ studios, depending on who or what really captures your interest. Artworks are on sale but SEOS stress that there is no obligation to buy; the experience is designed to open your mind to art and leave you inspired. If you do make a purchase, you’ll have the satisfaction of buying directly from the creator. This is a once a year opportunity for all art and craft lovers: it only lasts for 17 days in June, so pack a picnic and plan your route! If you are interested in taking part in SEOS next year, email your details to database@seos-art.org to receive an application form. Follow on twitter @SEOpenStudios F: facebook.com/seopenstudios Seos-art.org

SEOS in Medway HAZELNUT PRESS 1 Ridley Road, Rochester ME1 1UL Open 11am-5pm on each of the three SEOS weekends: 5-7 June, 13-14 and 20-21 June. If you have not visited the printmaking studio of Hazelnut Press before, it is well worth the trip. Press founder, artist Heather Haythornthwaite, will take you on a tour of the presses and printmaking tools she has collected, both ancient and new, to make the etchings, linocuts and screenprints for which she is well known. Joining her for SEOS are featured artist, printmaker Gloria Holden, and 3D artist Sara Wordley (theskivingscholar. wordpress.com), who specialises in handmade silver, brass and copper jewellery and is also showing her photography alongside some figurative 3D pieces. Both these artists will be demonstrating their techniques to visitors during SEOS. Gloria Holden (gloriaholden-art.com), whose dragonfly print adorns our cover, has written the following about her work: ‘In my recent work I am concerned with the textures and patterns found in layered landscapes, fossils, shells and insect forms. I particularly like to use intaglio printmaking methods and I am currently having great fun exploring the effects of acid bites on etched copper plates.’ NOTE: Hazelnut Press is also open during Medway Open Studios Art Festival (18-26 July), weekends. Weekdays by arrangement. Short courses are available in intaglio, relief and letterpress methods to suit beginners and experienced printmakers. hazelnut-press.com

NUCLEUS ARTS CENTRE

SEOS in Maidstone

272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP Studios open at varying times during SEOS

WOOLLY FELTERS

A total of nine resident Nucleus Arts artists are taking part in SEOS this year. They are: Holly Aird, Nick Evans, Caitriona Farrell, Victoria Hayman, Sarah Langstone, Maggie Osborn, Peter Reeds, Christopher Sacre and Anne Taylor. Each artist has slightly different opening times, so do check the SEOS website before you go.

(find them as ‘Balchin And Dace Partnership’ in the SEOS brochure) Felty Towers, 2 Princes Street, Maidstone ME14 1UR

Studio open 10am-5pm, 7-12 and 14-21 June. Late opening to 7pm on 19 and 20 June. woollyfelters.com The Woolly Felters are two sisters, Judy Balchin and Roz Dace, who make quirky needle felted characters and textile art. The Woolly Felters are developing fun ideas for this year’s SEOS, including pictures, cards, brooches, pin cushions, kits and dolls.

SUE BATT The Old Coach House, Wierton Hill, Boughton Monchelsea ME17 4JS Open 11am-4pm, 5-7 June; 14-14 and 19 June Open 2-6pm Wed 10 and 17 June suebattartwork.com Working in a mixture of mediums, Sue Batt’s work is inspired by the patterns and textiles of the natural environment. Workshops offered.

BYLES & PARRISH Aylesford Pottery, The Friars, Aylesford ME20 7BX Open every day during SEOS, 10am-5pm A traditional craft pottery studio in the grounds of Aylesford Friars. The studio also runs a school of ceramics (all ability levels). aylesfordpottery.co.uk Artwork credits (L to R): Heather Haythornthwaite, Victoria Hayman, Sue Batt, Anne Taylor Nick Evans: Looking at Rothko is the main pic Gloria Holden, Dragonfly

Other artists opening studios in or near Maidstone are: Margaret Brook, Charles Goode, Charlotte Rice-Landman, Rebecca Laister, Charlotte Tabor, Sue J Williams and Carole Robson, each with their own style and studio environment. 17

FILM AFTERNOON FILM TREAT Central Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338 Tickets £4.50 in adv, £5 on door inc hot drink and teacake KES (U) 1969 Tue 16 June 2.30pm Dir: Michael Curtiz Cast: David Bradley, Brian Glover, Freddie Fletcher The story of a young working class boy who finds hope in training a kestrel. 110 mins medwayticketslive.co.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) Every Thursday at 7.45pm A MOST VIOLENT YEAR (15) 1981 Thu 4 Jun 7.45pm Dir: J C Chandor Cast: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain New York City 1981: an ambitious immigrant fights to protect his business and family during the most dangerous year in the city’s history. 125 mins X+Y (12A) 2014 Thu 11 June 7.45pm Dir: Morgan Matthews Cast: Asa Butterfield, Rafe Spall, Sally Hawkins. A socially awkward teenage math prodigy finds new confidence and new friendships when he lands a spot on the British squad at the International Mathematics Olympiad. 111 mins SELMA (12A) 2014 Thu 18 June 7.45pm DIR: Ava DuVernay CAST: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tim Roth . The story of Martin Luther King’s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. 128 mins BLADE RUNNER: FINAL CUT (15) 1982 Thu 25 June 7.45PM Dir: Ridley Scott

Cast: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young See Nick Walker opposite. 117 mins. THE TERMINATOR (15) 1984. Mon 29 June 8pm Dir: James Cameron Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn A human-looking indestructible cyborg is sent from 2029 to 1984 to assassinate a waitress… 107 mins CINE SUPPER @ LE PETIT CINEMA Food and Film in association with Rochester Kino Monthly on Tuesdays Bruno’s Bakes and Coffee, 10 High Street Rochester ME1 1PT. Film + Food £10 JEAN DE FLORETTE (PG) 1986 Tue 23 June 7pm (food); 8pm (film) Dir: Claude Berri Cast: Gerard Depardieu, Yves Montand, Daniel Auteuil PRE-BOOKING ESSENTIAL. See Nick Walker opposite. 120 mins AMERICAN CULT @ LE PETIT CINEMA Collaboration between The Stinking Pause podcast and Rochester Kino. Bruno’s Bakes and Coffee, 10 High Street, Rochester ME1 1PT Monthly on Tuesdays – Film 8pm THE CONVERSATION (15) 1974 Tue 9 June 8pm Dir: Francis Ford Coppola Cast: Gene Hackman, John Cazale See opposite. 113 mins CINEMA CLASSICS @ LE PETIT CINEMA In association with Rochester Kino. Introduction to great cinema directors/actors followed by a screening of one of their films. Bruno’s Bakes Café, 10 High Street Rochester ME1 1PT. Saturdays 10am-1pm Sat 6 June: BRIGHTON ROCK (1947) 13 June: 12 ANGRY MEN (1957) 20 June: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

(1946) See opposite 27 June: THE PALM BEACH STORY (1942) KINO @ DICKENS ON FILM Guildhall Museum, High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY Screening classic Dickens on film, in association with the Dickens Fellowship. £5 includes pre-film introduction and glass of wine. Monthly; Mondays. OLIVER TWIST (U) 1948 Mon 22 June 7.30pm (Doors 7pm) Dir: David Lean Cast: Robert Newton, Alec Guinness. David Lean’s classic interpretation of Dicken’s novel. 116 mins rochesterkino.co.uk PAUL GREENGRASS CINEMA @THE WOODVILLE Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD Gravesend Film Club present LA CONFIDENTIAL (18) 1997 Tue 9 June 8pm Dir: Curtis Hanson Cast: Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce. Set in 1950s LA. See Nick Walker opposite. Tickets: £4. 136 mins For more of the excellent programme at the Paul Greengrass Cinema visit woodville.seatlive.com ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY @ ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE Every other Tuesday at 7.30pm, Princes Hall, Corn Exchange, High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX. £5, £3 students. Bar/ refreshments available & postfilm chat. HUMAN CAPITAL (15) 111 mins (ITA) Tue 2 June 7.30pm Dir: Paolo Virzì. Cast: Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Matilde Gioli. The destinies of two families are drawn inexorably together after a cyclist is run off the road on the night before Christmas Eve in this compelling Italian drama. THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY (18) 104 mins (UK) Tue 16 June 7.30pm

Dir: Peter Strickland Cast: Sidse Babett Knudsen, Monica Swinn. A woman who studies butterflies tests the limits of her sado-masochistic relationship with her reluctant lover in this stunning British art-house film. See opposite. EX MACHINA (15) 108 mins (UK) Tue 30 June 7.30pm. Dir: Alex Garland Cast: Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson. A programmer is chosen to participate in an experiment in Artificial Intelligence by evaluating the ‘human’ qualities of a female android in this intelligent, thought-provoking sci-fi film. ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY@ 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, Bar/ refreshments available. JUNE CULT FILM: VIDEODROME 1983 (18) 83 mins. Sun 7 Jun doors/music 6.30pm, film 7.30pm. Dir: David Cronenberg Cast: James Woods, Deborah Harry. A cable TV scheduler finds the ultimate viewing experience in a TV show that seduces and controls its viewers in this prophetic offering from the brilliantly warped Canadian auteur. rochesterfilmsociety.co.uk UNDERGROUND CINEMA A new cinema initiative bringing inspiring documentary films to Medway. £2-£5. Screening at Nucleus Arts, 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP THE 11TH HOUR (2007) Documentary looking at the state of the global environment. 95 mins Fri 5 June 7pm JULY SCREENING: BE THE CHANGE at 7pm nucleusarts.com

THE CONVERSATION

Tuesday 9 June 8pm Writer/director Francis Ford Coppola’s Academy Award nominated 1974 classic stars Gene Hackman as a surveillance expert who inadvertently stumbles upon a secret murder plot. This haunting film, shot between two ‘Godfather’ movies and ‘Apocalypse Now’, stars Hackman as Harry Caul, a man suspicious of everything, who lives his life by protocol and rules – in essence a protection against the dangers of society. His brilliantly compelling loner persona is as much as anything the reason for its deserved cult status today. NEW! AMERICAN CULT @ LE PETIT CINEMA. Collaboration between ‘The Stinking Pause’ podcast (stinkingpause.libsyn. com) and Rochester Kino. Bruno’s Bakes & Coffee, 10 High Street, Rochester ME1 1PT

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH Saturday 20 June 10am Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger produced some of the finest British films of the early postwar period; perhaps this is the best loved of them all. With strong fantasy elements, including the magnificent staircase to heaven (released in America as ‘Stairway to Heaven’!), great cinematography by Jack Cardiff and a fantastic cast of Marius Goring, Roger Livesey, Kim Hunter and ‘that lovely’ David Niven, it is a cheerful, whimsical, fantastical film, full of human warmth and cheer. CINEMA CLASSICS @ LE PETIT CINEMA In Association with Rochester Kino. Bruno’s Bakes & Coffee, 10 High Street, Rochester ME1 1PT

L.A. CONFIDENTIAL

JEAN DE FLORETTE

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY

BLADE RUNNER

Tues 9 June 8pm, £4 Director Curtis Hanson’s episodic psychological thriller is an homage to film noir where the central characters (played by Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce) and a lookalike ‘call girl’ (Kim Basinger) exist in a world of pervasive corruption. Set in the early 1950s, the film charts the rise of instant celebrities, scandalous tabloid magazines, the partnership between Hollywood and law enforcement agencies and the end of the media's reticence about seamy subject matter. THE PAUL GREENGRASS CINEMA @THE WOODVILLE Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD

Tuesday 16 June 7.30pm British writer/director Peter Strickland (‘Berberian Sound Studio’) turns to the theme of sadomasochistic lesbian relationships for his latest film. Starring Sidse Babett Knudsen (‘Borgen’) this fascinating tale never actually shows nudity or sex but rather sensibly employs a more restrained and psychological approach in finding the human connection by skirting the recesses of fantasy and illicit desire. Hypnotizing and visually arresting, this experimental, erotic and esoteric film is a fascinating and rich experience. ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY @ ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE Corn Exchange, High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX. Chatham Odeon, ME4 4LL

Tuesday 23 June: Food 7pm / Film 8pm (Booking essential) Based on Marcel Pagnol’s novel, Claude Berri’s 1986 film set in beautiful Provence, about a greedy landowner and his nephew who conspire to block the only water source for an adjoining property in order to bankrupt the owner and force him to sell, has become a modern French classic. With a tremendous cast of Yves Montand, Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu the sense of drama is played out perfectly, not as melodrama but as a relentless nod to human greed. CINE SUPPER @ LE PETIT CINEMA In association with Rochester Kino. Food and film. Bruno’s Bakes & Coffee, 10 High Street, Rochester ME1 1PT

Thursday 25 June 7.45pm Director Ridley Scott (‘Alien’) has taken Philip K. Dick’s novel ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ and made a modern day film noir of extraordinary power. With special effects supervised by Douglas Trumbull (‘2001: A Space Odyssey’) and a strong sense of futuristic nightmare, as star Harrison Ford quipped, "It's a film about whether you can have a meaningful relationship with your toaster". A sci-fi classic of pure pleasure. ROCHESTER KINO @ CHATHAM ODEON Chatham Odeon, Chatham Maritime ME4 4LL 19

MUSIC 1

Wed 22 to Sat 25 June Medway’s independent music festival returns for its third year in July, mixing local talent with welcome guests, the line up includes Mark Morriss (Bluetones), Graham Day & The Forefathers, The Parade, Vodun, Cleft, Spectres, Theatre Royal, Bear vs Manero and many more, including a reformed Brigadier Ambrose. The festival starts at The Barge in Gillingham on Wednesday 22 July and builds gradually until Saturday 25th, when there will be gigs in seven venues in Rochester throughout the afternoon and evening. Some are ticketed, some are free. To find out more, head to homespunmedway.com. ALL SAINTS CHURCH Priory Road, Maidstone ME15 6NL Sat 4 July: MAIDSTONE CHORAL UNION PRESENTS… CARMINA BURANA & INDEPENDENCE DAY CONCERT. The choir will be performing selections from the works of Carmina Burana as well as celebrating American Independence Day with a selection of rousing American songs. £12 tickets/£6 students. Doors 7.30pm. Contact 01622 726193 or Freda@me169lb. fsnet.co.uk. maidstonechoralunion.org.uk ANCHORIANS RUGBY CLUB Darland Avenue, Gillingham ME7 3AN Fri 19 June: DAVE BARRY QUINTET featuring Steve Waterman on trumpet, Simon Allen on saxophone, Gareth Williams on piano, Dave Barry on drums and Mick Hutton on bass. Tickets £10. Enquiries 01634 365352 or 07544 312743

THE BARGE 63 Layfield Road, Gillingham ME7 2QY 01634 850485 Music starts 9pm, free entry Wed 3 Jun: – BARDS @ E BARGE OPEN MIC Sat 6 Jun: THE DREDGERMEN + SUPPORT Fri 12 Jun: ACME BLUES COMPANY Fri 19 Jun: ATLANTIC CURRANTS Sat 20 Jun: THE PARADE Wed 24 Jun: FLAWLESS CARBON + SUPPORT Sat 27 Jun: MEDWAY EYES PRESENTS… 1966… AND ALL THAT. thebargepub.co.uk COOPERS ARMS 10 St Margaret’s Street, Rochester ME1 1TL 01634 404298 Music starts at 7pm Sun 17 Jun: PEPPER AND GUEST Sun 14 Jun: GAFFERS Sun 21 Jun: JOHANNY JUKE BOX Sun 28 Jun: CLEA ROSE thecoopersarms.co.uk

CAFE@172 (THE DOT CAFÉ) 172 High Street, Rochester ME1 1EX Weds 24 Jun 7-10pm: SEASONALLY EFFECTED. a monthly open mic night mixing original writing, music, poetry, art, comedy, film, photography and any other form of cultural exploration. Each event is unique, showcasing a wide range of performers. The intimate cafe setting is ideal for people starting out and for more experienced performers who want to experiment and explore new work. A small (one speaker) sound system and a projector and screen if needed. Book a 10 minute spot by emailing: seasonallyeffected@gmail. com. seasonallyeffected. wordpress.com

EAGLE TAVERN 124 High Street Rochester ME1 1JT 01634 409040 Doors 7pm. Free entry. Thurs 4 Jun: SALVATION JAYNE Sun 7 May: KELVIN CHRISTIANE QUARTET Thurs 11 Jun: J.E.M Sun 14 Jun MATT WATES QUARTET Thurs 18 Jun: THE SHARPEE’S Sun 21 Jun: MICHAEL COATES QUARTET Thurs 25 Jun: THE THROWBACKS Sun 28 Jun: DAVE QUINCY QUARTET theeagletavern.org.uk EARLS 30 Earl Street Maidstone ME14 1PS 01622 751286 Doors 9pm unless stated. Free entry. Thurs 9 Jun: MAKE SOME NOISE @ EARLS: RHONDA & THE GREAT UNKONWN, VAUGHAN BATCHELOR. Thurs 18 Jun: MAKE SOME NOISE @ EARLS: BANDS TBC earlsmaidstone.co.uk THE FLOWERPOT 96 Sandling Road, Maidstone ME14 2RJ 01622 757705 Free entry. Sat 13 Jun: MAKE SOME NOISE ACOUSTIC GIG. 9pm doors. Every Tuesday at The Flowerpot: ELECTRO ACOUSTIC JAM NIGHT. Free Entry. 8.30pm flowerpotpub.moonfruit.com HASTINGS ARMS FUNCTION ROOM Lower Rainham Road (leading to Danes Hill) Gillingham ME7 2YD Free parking Thu 25 Jun: ROCHESTER SWING PRESERVATION SOCIETY with LYDIA ROBINSON. 8.30pm doors. £7 entry. Raffle and nibbles. For more details or to reserve a table tel: 01634 712217 or check website. sukotto5.wix.com/rsps

THE LADY LUCK 18 St Peters Street, Canterbury CT1 2BQ DOORS 8PM. free entry unless otherwise stated. Thu 4 Jun: THE WARRIORS, SWAMPSTOMPER, DEGENERATION, TERMINAL HEADS Fri 12 Jun: ABDOUJAPAROV, 7 DAY CONSIRACY, SECOND IN LINE MAN OF KENT ALEHOUSE 6-8 John Street, Rochester ME1 07772 214315 Tue 2 Jun: UKULELE JAM NIGHT Wed 3 Jun: SALLY IRONMONGER Thu 4 Jun: JEM TURPIN AND NIGHTSHIFT Wed 10 Jun: RELIG ORGAN Thu 11 Jun: HOWLIN’ MAT Wed 17 Jun: RADIGUN Thu 18 Jun: GAZ BROOKFIELD Wed 24 Jun: ARCELIA Thu 25 Jun: THE DREDGERMEN For full gig listings see opposite. MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787 Wed 19 Jun 7.30pm : JASPER CARROTT’S STAND UP AND ROCK. £25 Sun 14 Jun 7.30pm: THE PROCLAIMERS. £28.50 MARLOWE STUDIO: Sat 13 Jun 8pm: THE GUTTER BROTHERS. £12 marlowetheatre.com. Booking fees apply. THE MICK JAGGER CENTRE Shepherds Lane, Dartford DA1 2JZ 01322 291100 Sat 13 Jun 7.30pm: DARTFORD CHORAL SOCIETY. English choral music for Her Majesty’s official birthday including pieces from Parry and R Vaughan Williams. Tickets from dartfordchoral.org.uk

f 6-8 JOHN ST, ROCHESTER TEL: 07772 214315

ALE HOUSE

GARDEN NOW OPEN*

Tues 2nd

UKULELE JAM NIGHT

Thurs 18th

GAZ BROOKFIELD

Wed 3rd

SALLY IRONMONGER

Wed 24th

ARCELIA

Thurs 4th

JEM TURPIN AND NIGHTSHIFT

Thurs 25th

THE DREDGERMEN

Wed 10th

RELIG ORGAN

Thurs 11th

HOWLIN' MAT

Tues 16th

QUIZ NIGHT

Wed 17th

RADIGUN

WORLD-FOLK-ROOTS AND BLUES

*WEATHER PERMITTING

JUNE 2015

Valley Park School is no ordinary secondary school, however. And the show’s director, who secured the rights, is no ordinary teacher. Giles Gleadall (or ‘Mr G’ as he is affectionately known by pupils) heads up the school’s specialist Art College, is a deputy headteacher and has directed countless productions for the school, with musical theatre his speciality. Once a year he stages a large-scale production at the Hazlitt Theatre, to give students as professional an experience as possible. The standard is, indeed, exemplary and many under his charge have gone on to work in the industry.

Hazlitt Theatre, 13-16 July THE FEEL-GOOD MUSICAL COMEDY COMES TO TOWN

A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MAIDSTONE HAS PULLED OFF AN EXTRAORDINARY COUP IN SECURING EXCLUSIVE PERMISSION FROM SIR CAMERON MACKINTOSH TO PERFORM ‘BETTY BLUE EYES’, THE STAGE MUSICAL BY STILES AND DREW OF ALAN BENNETT’S BITTERSWEET SCREENPLAY ‘A PRIVATE FUNCTION’.

Writing duo Anthony Drewe (lyrics) and George Stiles (music) are the Art College’s distinguished patrons, so it was they who paved the way to permission to stage ‘Betty Blue Eyes’, having worked with Sir Cameron on the show for London’s West End. And another first is up Mr G’s sleeve: there are (unconfirmed) reports that a live pig may be making its appearance in the show. Valley Park School has a school farm and - licensing and pig training permitting - one of its residents could be treading the boards of the Hazlitt in July… For tickets call Box Office: 01622 758611 or go to parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/hazlitttheatre

MUSIC 2 Fri 26 Jun 7.45pm: CELEBRATING SINATRA with SHANE HAMPSHEIR. £17 (conc. £16). A big band concert to commemorate the centenary of Frank Sinatra’s birth.

DREAMERS, TINY GHOST, LUNA LACUNA + TBC. Sat 6 Jun: MOTHERBOY PRESENTS: OH CAPTAIN, WIREMOTHER, KILL RPNZL, BLACK LIGHT BRIGADE, BAD TAXIDERMY

THE MIDDLE EI8HT 1-2 Town Pier Gravesend DA11 0BJ 01474 328947 Fri 5 Jun: TOM JOHNSTON Sat 6 Jun: BROKEN BANJO Fri 12 Jun: SPACE MONKEY Sat 13 Jun: WITCHING SEASON Fri 19 Jun: JUKEBOX MONKEY Sat 20 Jun: PUB BIRTHDAY PARTY! Fri 26 Jun: INTERNATIONAL RESCUE Sat 27 June: PANIC Open mic night every Wednesday from 8pm. Full backline supplied.

PRINCE OF WALES 1-3 Railway Street, Chatham ME4 4HU 01634 829190 Tue 6 Jun: KOMBATFEST 2015. Mortal Kombat tournament with live bands. £1 entry.

THE PENNY THEATRE 30-31 Northgate, Canterbury CT1 1BL Fri 5 Jun: ANTI-SUMMERBALL PARTY: SLAM CARTEL, ALL THE ABOVE, OVERNIGHT ANGELS and STRUCK/ DOWN. 7pm doors. £1 entry. PIZZA EXPRESS MUSIC ROOM 32-34 Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PF 01622 683548 Doors 7pm, show 8pm unless stated. Fri 5 Jun: JUDIE TZUKE – SONGS AND STORIES. £22.50. Sat 6 Jun: FATE THE JUGGLER. £10. Fri 12 Jun: TJ JOHNSON. £16. Sat 13 Jun: MOTOWN LIVE REVUE: SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED. £18. Thurs 18 Jun: PAUL DUNTON PRESENTS some of the county’s liveliest unsigned artists. £7. Fri 19 Jun: THE CARTER BURTON TRIO. £5. Fri 26 Jun: SNAKE DAVIS. £15. Sat 27 Jun: FUNK ATTACK. £15. pizzaexpresslive.co.uk POCO LOCO 58 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS Fri 5 Jun: IMAGINARY

THE ROFFEN 41 New Road, Rochester ME1 1DX 01634 365453 Wed 10 Jun: JAZZ AT THE 144 CLUB with FRANK GRIFFITH. Tickets start at £13 (without a meal) in advance from 144club.co.uk or on the door. Doors 7.15pm, jazz 8.15pm. Thu 11 Jun 8.30pm: INSPIRATIONAL NIGHT An evening designed to inspire people through poetry and music. Audience members are welcome to join in! Contact: Lisa Vigour:

07473 677667 inspirationaluworkshops@ gmail.com ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL The Precinct, Rochester ME1 1SX 01634 338141 or 810062. Fri 19 Jun: JAZZ NIGHT: JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET. James Taylor and his Quartet return to Rochester Cathedral, joined by the Rochester Cathedral Choir. Full interview and more

information on page 14. Fundraiser for the Rochester Choir, a local community choir for all ages. Tickets £20 (unreserved seating in the Nave). Email: development@ rochestercathedral.org rochestercathedral.org

BLUE. 9pm doors. Jam night every Sunday from 8.30pm.

ST MARGARET'S CHURCH Rainham ME8 8AN Tue 30 Jun 7.45pm: FREE INTERNATIONAL CHORAL CONCERT Tiels Mannenkoor, a male voice choir from Tiel, in the Netherlands, will sing with local choirs in this free evening concert. rainhamchurch. wordpress.com

THE WOODVILLE Woodville Place Gravesend DA12 1DD Box Office: 08422 439480 boxoffice@gravesham.gov.uk Sun 21 Jun 6.30pm: THE CITY OF ROCHESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. £16/17 tickets. woodville.co.uk

SUN PIER HOUSE Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF 01634 812805 Thu 4 June: SUN PIER HOUSE OPEN MIC & SHOWCASE. 7.30pm doors. £2 entry/free for performers. Tue 9 Jun 8pm: AN EVENING WITH RICHARD ‘KID’ STRANGE, THE GODFATHER OF PUNK: ‘An Accent Waiting to Happen’ is presented by Peter Cook. A unique evening of music, stories and films, spanning more than 38 years of performing and writing, from The Doctors of Madness to the present day. Among his many experiences, Strange has worked with Jack Nicholson, The Sex Pistols and Grace Jones and appeared in Harry Potter (as a death eater); Mona Lisa and Gangs of New York. Tickets are £10, available from richardstrange.com sunpierhouse.co.uk THE WHITE HORSE 46 London Road, Maidstone ME16 8QL Sat 6 Jun: FAMILY AFFAIR. 9pm doors. Fri 12 Jun: FUNKY SOUL REGGAE BAND. 9pm doors. Sat 13 Jun: BLOODSTONE

RECOLLECT MUSIC FAIRS RAINHAM MARK SOCIAL CLUB (Opp Tesco superstore) ME8 6YX Free parking. Admission: £1 9.30am-3.30pm. Refreshments. NEXT FAIRS: Sun 21 June Sun 19 July Sun 23 Aug ROCHESTER (Mini Fair) Princes Hall, Corn Exchange High Street, Rochester ME1 10am-4pm. Free admission NEXT FAIRS: Sun 28 Jun Sun 30 Aug Sun 27 Sep Information: 07715 635152 or 01227 506368

IF YOU HAVE MUSIC LISTINGS Our Music listings are compiled by Luke Crook of banjaxxed.co.uk. Please send your listings to Luke with venue, date, time, ticket price if any and contact information at musiclistings@ wowkent.co.uk

PET PORTRAITS

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

www.emmabaker.me.uk

Clas ses AvaiNow labl e

SkyeRose .co.uk

T: 07599 214314

BABY & CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUE AT THE REAR OF 111 HIGH ST STROOD See me at Sun Pier in June

Work and s shops cou hort avail rses able Free Same Day Delivery Order online or tel: 01634 843 024 www.rochesterflorists.co.uk

Ridley Road Rochester T: 07702 269972 E:Heatherhtt@mac.com hazelnut-press.com

Paint Your Own Pottery & Craft Studio Termtime opening: 10am-5pm Thu-Sat or by appt. Nucleus Arts, Chatham ME4 4BP Tel: 07910 529271 E: info@potterycrafts4u.com W: potterycrafts4u.com

Bodhicharya Kent Presents Public Talks by VEN. RINGU TULKU RINPOCHE (Translator of H.H. 14th Dalai Lama and H.H. 17th Karmapa) Monday 6th July: 6.45 pm - 10.00 pm

‘What Meditation Is’ with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and Introduction to Bodhicharya Kent Introducing and explaining what the practice of meditation is from the Buddhist point of view and how its many benefits can be integrated into our everyday life. Tuesday 7th July: 6.45 pm - 10.00 pm

‘Dealing with Emotions’ with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche A public talk on how to deal with our emotions from a Buddhist point of view. Exploring our negative emotions, how more positive counterpoints may be brought out to reveal our innate wisdom. Where: Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham Kent, ME4 4HF Price per night: £10.50 (Full) or £5.50 (Concession) For more information and to buy tickets visit:

www.bodhicharya-kent.org.uk

TWOTINY FREEHOUSES Micropub: ‘a small freehouse which listens to its customers, mainly serves cask ales, promotes conversation, shuns all forms of electronic entertainment and dabbles in traditional pub snacks…’ TRACY AFFLECK TAPS INTO MEDWAY’S MICROPUBS As a woman who a) likes to drink and b) likes to go to places on my own, there is often the impending sense of anxiety before entering some pub environments that I might get a reaction not too dissimilar to that scene in ‘An American Werewolf in London’ where the American tourists enter the local pub, The Slaughtered Lamb.

There is always the deep seated fear that the general existing merriment, guffawing laughter and pub banter turns into a noticeable and deafening silence as soon as you walk in. You laugh nervously, before making a quick escape out the toilet window. However, there was much relief when no emergency exit was necessary when I visited two of Medway’s recently opened micropubs The 10:50 from Victoria in Strood and Past & Present in Gillingham.

THE 10:50 FROM VICTORIA, STROOD

10:50 FROM VICTORIA

SHOPS

OFFICE

POST

SHOP

SHOPS

STROOD HIGH ST SHOP

ALLEY

STROOD HIGH ST

CAR LOT

A CAR

BIG SHOP PARK

SHOPS

BIG

FRIARY PL

SHOPS

A CAR

PARK

NORTH ST

RAILWAY ARCHES

SHOPS

The 10:50 is a joint venture opened in March this year by Bob Jackson, Gary O’Hara and Werner Neumann. Longtime friends, they all had a long-held interest in real ale, and after visiting other similar places they decided to start their own micropub. The concept grew from initial rough ideas. Ex-joiner and serial entrepreneur Bob said, “When we started we weren’t even sure what it was going to be; we thought about a members’ club and other alternatives but then decided to set up our own thing along the lines of the original model started by Martyn Hillier.”

The 10:50 from Victoria, rear of 37 North Street, Strood ME2 4SJ. facebook.com/1050fromVictoriaPub

SHOP

Large wooden tables, a mish mash of plants, barrels as tables, second-hand metal wall plaques, dressers full of bric-a-brac and china pieces collected over the years make up the exterior. The small interior boasts high seating and tables, simple wooden cladding, wood burning stove (great for winter) and more vintage objects. A handwritten chalk board lists the tempting array of constantly changing real ales, ciders and bar snacks available, of which I ordered a pint of Biddenden cider (pronounced embarrassingly on the day by me as ‘Biddenddenden’ - and that’s before I even started drinking).

The template and first ever micropub, started by Hillier, was The Butcher’s Arms in Herne, Kent. Opened in 2005 and still going strong, Hillier changed from running an off licence to opening a tiny one room pub and after giving a presentation to the AGM of Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), encouraged others to follow suit. It proved so successful that the ‘KIS KIS’ concept (Keep It Small Keep It Simple) took off.

CHURCH

The 10:50 is a wonderful, original and quirky place with a brilliant atmosphere. Naturally welcoming, with a fantastic garden (which is also an amazing sun trap), the pub has been built into one of the railway arches next to the Strood Vintage & Antique Emporium behind 37 North Street.

LOTS OF SHOPS LOTS OF SHOPS

STROOD

Photographs: Tracy Affleck

PAST AND PRESENT, GILLINGHAM

Past and Present, 2 Skinner Street, Gillingham ME7 1HD with rear garden. Dog friendly. Please check for opening times. facebook.com/past-and-present-micro-pub

BIG

SHOP

GILLINGHAM

A CAR

PARK

JEFFREY ST

PAST AND PRESENT

A CAR

PARK

SKINNER ST

LOTS OF SHOPS LOTS OF SHOPS

HIGH ST LOTS OF SHOPS

LOTS OF SHOPS

Although both pubs have a similar ethos they are uniquely different and surprisingly uncompetitive with each other and in fact all the other micropubs. Making a huge amount of money doesn’t seem to be top of the agenda. Dave said, “I have been asked to open other micropubs but it’s not really about the money, and at the moment I’m just happy just running this one.” Bob from the 10:50 explained a similar approach: “Although starting anything new is always risky we are not reliant on 10:50 making us a fortune. We each have a pension.”

What they do seem to have in common, however, is really happy customers. Robbie Munn, a fan of the 10:50 told me: “As a Stroodite, it’s wonderful to have a local ale house, one that is friendly, relaxing and very reasonable. It’s also really nice, for someone that doesn’t get to go out often or for very long, to see so many familiar faces.”

CHURCH

Micropub Manager Dave Hallowell did exactly that last year when he opened Past & Present in an empty retail space in Gillingham. Again following a similar template to Hillier’s, I was greeted by the same warm welcome by Dave and his wife Lorraine. Drink wise, no Biddenden was ordered this time (in case of mispronunciation issues); instead I went for a 4.0% Lemon and Lime cider, which was excellent - in fact the Past and Present took a joint award as Medway’s Best Cider Pub 2015. An engineer by trade, Dave had been thinking of the idea for a long time, opening up in an empty shop. The increasing trend to use empty retail space has been helped along by the passing of the Licensing Act which came into effect in 2005, making it easier to set up a small independent public house.

There are also micropubs in Gravesend, Sittingbourne, Whitstable, Tankerton, Herne Bay and Margate. To view the full UK list, or if you are interested in starting up your own micropub, visit micropubassociation.co.uk 25

THEATRE BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338. E: boxoffice@medway.gov.uk Sun 7 June 11.30am and 2.30pm: MY PET MONSTER AND ME A big-hearted fairytale for children aged 3-7. Told with enchanting music and exquisite puppetry. £7.00, concs available for Under 16s. Family of four ticket (any combination of adults/ children): £22.00. BROOK THEATRE STUDIO: Wed 17 Jun 7.45pm: CHILD Z by award-winning playwright Sarah Hehir. See Hehir’s article about writing the play on page 8. £10, concs available for students and unwaged. medwayticketslive.co.uk CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338 E: boxoffice@medway.gov.uk Wed 10 Jun 7.30pm: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY Fresh from their triumph with ‘The Trials of Oscar Wilde’, which received a West End airing, European Arts Company present their adaptation of Wilde’s only novel. £15, £13, student concs available. tickets.medway.gov.uk MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787 See main feature p16. Tue 2 Jun-Sat 6 Jun 7.30pm, Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm: MATTHEW BOURNE’S THE CAR MAN Internationally acclaimed dance thriller based on Bizet’s ‘Carmen’. £17-£38. Show talk 4 June 6pm, free to all (booking required). BARNUM starring Brian Conley Tue 23 Jun-Sat 4 Jul 7.30pm, Wed (24 Jun), Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm. £27-£51.50. marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply) MEDWAY LITTLE THEATRE 256 High Street, Rochester ME1 1HY

Box Office: 01634 400322 Thu 18-Sat 27 Jun 7.30pm: THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, adapted by Wendy Kesselman and directed by Barry Kearns. £10, Mondays: all seats £6. Concs for parties of 10 or more. Concs £6 for Under 16s and full-time students. mlt.org.uk ORCHARD THEATRE Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000 Mon 1-Sat 6 June 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm: PETER PAN GOES WRONG Joyful comedy disasters suitable for all ages. £18-£28, concs available Tue 9 – Sat 13 Jun 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm: OKLAHOMA! By Rodgers & Hammerstein. Starring Belinda Lang and Gary Wilmot. £26-£39, mat £20-£32, concs available. Signed perf: Thu 11 June.

COMEDY BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338 E: boxoffice@medway.gov.uk Thu 11 Jun 7.45pm: LAUGHING BOY COMEDY CLUB: MC KEVIN MCCARTHY, ELLIOT STEEL, TINA TURNER TEA LADY, PETE JOHANSSON Another fantastic lineup with veteran comedians & promising newcomers. Strictly over 18s. £11 (meal £3.50 extra) tickets.medway.gov.uk CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338 E: boxoffice@medway.gov.uk Sun 7 Jun 8pm: REGINALD D HUNTER: THE MAN WHO ATTEMPTED TO DO AS MUCH AS SUCH As seen on 8 Out Of 10 Cats & Would I Lie To You. Recommended for over 18s. £22-£24 tickets.medway.gov.uk

Tue 23-Sat 27 Jun, Tue-Thu at 7.30pm, Fri & Sat 5pm and 8.30pm: AVENUE Q Multi award-winning, outrageous musical with puppets. Definitely not suitable for children. £15-£30, concs available. Signed performance Thu 25 Jun 7.30pm. orchardtheatre.co.uk (booking fee applies)

HAZLITT THEATRE Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 758611 E: hazlitt.boxoffice@ parkwoodtheatres.co.uk EXCHANGE STUDIO: Fri 5 Jun 8pm: LEWIS SCHAFFER: FREE UNTIL FAMOUS Awardwinning New York comic takes on England. Free parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

THE WOODVILLE Woodville Place Gravesend DA12 1DD Box Office: 08422 439480

MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canter CT1 2AS Sun 7 Jun 8pm: ALEX HORNE: MONSIEUR BUTTERFLY Nominated for Best Show at 2014 Edinburgh Comedy Awards. £15. Tue 9 Jun 7.30pm: STEWART LEE: A ROOM WITH A STEW Fresh from his BBC2 BAFTA award-winning show Comedy Vehicle. Suitable for 14yrs+ if accompanied by adult. Adult themes. £21. Thu 11 Jun 7.30pm: MILTON JONES & THE TEMPLE OF DAFT. Absurdist comedy from the star of Mock The Week & more. £24.

Mon 1 – Sat 6 Jun 7.45pm, Thu & Sat mat 2pm: Agatha Christie’s AND THEN THERE WERE NONE with Paul Nicholas, Susan Penhaligon and Frazer Hines STUDIO: Wed 24 Jun 7.30pm: I, ELIZABETH written and performed by Rebecca Vaughan (Austen’s Women) and directed by Olivier Awardwinning Guy Masterson. boxoffice@gravesham.gov.uk woodville.co.uk

MARLOWE STUDIO: Sat 27 Jun 8pm: THE MARLOWE COMEDY CABARET: RORY O’HANLON, STEVE BUGEJA, MARK SMITH & MC PHIL ELLIS Adult themes. Line-ups subject to change. £13 (booking fees apply) marlowetheatre.com OAKWOOD HOUSE HOTEL Oakwood Road, Maidstone ME16 8AE 01622 620720 E: info@oakwoodhousehotel.co.uk Fri 5 Jun 7pm: THE LAUGHING POD: BEN NORRIS, RIA LINA, STEPHEN BAILEY, JOJO GEORGIOU, JOLLYBOAT. Great comedians as seen on Comedy Central, Mock the Week & Never Mind the Buzzcocks. £11 including booking fee oakwoodhousehotel.co.uk THE WHEATSHEAF 306 London Road, West Malling ME19 5AT 01732 842391 info@thewheatsheafkent.co.uk Fri 26 Jun 7pm: OUT OF BOUNDS COMEDY: JASON PATTERSON, BENJI WATERSTONES, JONNY AWSUM, GERRY K, DEREK RYAN. See the best acts from London’s comedy circuit. £13.20 including booking fee. Line ups subject to change outofboundscomedy.co.uk WOODVILLE STUDIO THEATRE Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD 08442 439 480 E: boxoffice@gravesham.gov.uk Thu 25 Jun 8pm: LAUGHING BOY COMEDY CLUB: JOSH WIDDICOMBE WORK IN PROGRESS As seen on The Last Leg & Live At The Apollo. Supported by Suzi Raffell. £10 (meal £4.50 extra) woodville.seatlive.com

IAN HARRISON GUITAR LESSONS

design repro litho digital storage fulfilment 0784 7023 330 ianharrisonguitar@gmail.com www.ianharrisonguitar.com distribution

• 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

VALLEY PARK SCHOOL Presents by exclusive permission of sir Cameron Mackintosh

BETTY BLUE EYES The Hazlitt Theatre

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

Monday 13 July Thursday 16 July 2015 at 7.30pm Box Office: 01622 758611

TONBRIDGE KENT e: enquiries@cpg-net.co.uk t: 01732 366666 www.cpg-net.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

Book by RON COWEN & DANIEL LIPMAN Music by

Lyrics by

GEORGE STILES

ANTHONY DREWE

Based on the HANDMADE film ‘A PRIVATE FUNCTION’ and the original story by Alan Bennett and Malcolm Mowbray Adapted from the Screenplay by ALAN BENNETT Originally produced in London by CAMERON MACKINTOSH This amateur production is licensed by Josef Weinberger Ltd on behalf of Music Theatre International and Cameron Mackintosh Ltd

VISUAL ART MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS Sat 18 – Sun 26 July 2015 23 venues from Allhallows to Gillingham are confirmed to welcome visitors for this summer’s Medway art trail. Free! ARTIZEN @ Equal Earth 15 High Street, Gravesend DA11 OBQ 01474 247973 Exhibitions run for two weeks From 5 June (opening night): SHANNON ROSSITER. Drawings, linoprints, pen & ink. From 19 June (opening night): ALISON CABLE Photographic exhibition. facebook.com/ artiZenn 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 23 Aug: Special Exhibitions Room: HOME & AWAY: EDUARDO PAOLOZZI’S GENERAL DYNAMIC F.U.N. & PHOTOGRAPHS OF S.E.ENGLAND BY TONY RAY JONES. Pay What You Can. Sat 6 Jun-Sun 30 Sept: CANTERBURY IN THE AGE OF THE MAGNA CARTA Free entry. thebeaney.co.uk BELOW 65 GALLERY Gilbert & Clark Frame and Print 65 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1SR 01622 685146 Free entry. Open 9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat Mon 1 Jun-Tue 30 Jun: MAIDSTONE VISUAL ARTISTS NETWORK Annual group exhibition. ‘Of No Commercial Value’. See page 5. gilbertandclark.com FRANCIS ILES GALLERIES 103 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 843081 Opens Mon-Sat 9.30am5.30pm. Free entry To 20 June: SPRING EXHIBITION: Living Landscapes & Equine Sculpture featuring Brian Bennett,

Jeremy Sanders, Jack Frame and Belinda Sillars. ARTISTS OF RUSSIA opens 26 June. See website for full details. francis-iles.com GUILDHALL MUSEUM High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY 01634 332680 Open Tue-Sun 10am5pm. Free entry To 21 June: SPENCELAYH Last chance to see! To 11 Sept: GREAT EXPECTATIONS: The Seaton Tool Chest and film by Adam Chodzko. guildhallmuseumrochester. co.uk HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM Chatham Maritime ME4 4TY (sat nav) 01634 823800 Open 10am-4pm; and to 6pm from 28 Mar. Entry included in normal admission price. Open now: KEEPING BRITAIN AFLOAT A new permanent exhibition providing a snapshot of over 50 veterans’ memories of WWII Sat 27 Jun-20 Sept: WAR GAMES Acclaimed exhibition from V & A Museum of Childhood. thedockyard.co.uk HUGUENOT MUSEUM 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 789347 Opens Wed-Sat 10am-5pm + Bank Hol Mon. Artworks and treasures. £4, concs £3, family £10, under 5s free. huguenotmuseum.org MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERY St Faith’s St, Maidstone ME14 1LH 01622 602838 Opens Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sun & Bank Holidays Sat 16 May-Thu 21 June: PUMP LANE – OUT OF THE BLUE Rainham’s Pump Lane Group of artists. Free 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. Sat 30 May-1pm 4 Jun: ENCOUNTERING OTHERNESS: WEST KENT COLLEGE Various artists. Preview: Fri 29 May 6-8pm, all welcome. Sat 6 – 1pm Thu 11 Jun: HIVE by Kate Linforth. Beautiful experiments in beeswax. Sat 13 Jun-1pm Thu 18 Jun: END OF YEAR SHOW: MID KENT COLLEGE Preview: Fri 12 Jun 6-8pm, all welcome Sat 20 -1pm 25 Jun: BRADFIELDS ACADEMY. Open Day on 20 June (during ArtsFest). Sat 27-1pm 2 Jul: CRACKED: Fake Artists. Preview: Fri 26 Jun 6-8pm, all welcome. Opening Night party: Sat 27 June 6-11pm HAND OF ARTISTS LAUNCH: Fri 3 July 6-8pm, all welcome. (See News pages) nucleusarts.com NUCLEUS ARTS ROCHESTER 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX Open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11-4pm 01634 812108 Shop gallery, café and 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. ROCHESTER ART GALLERY & CRAFT CASE Medway Visitor Information Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 338319 Open daily 10am-5pm. Free entry. Sat 13 Jun – Sun 16 Aug: APERTURES OF LIGHT by KATAYOUN DOWLATSHAHI, who works in print, drawing, photography, time-based media and architectural glass. Lead artist mentoring the six artists involved in IN-SITE (see p5), three of whom are showing in the CRAFT CASE: Nicola Flower, Caitlin Heffernan and Jane Pitt. IN-SITE PROJECT LAUNCH: Weekend of Sat 20 and Sun 21 June. Events are happening over both afternoons along Rochester Riverside. For

full details look up The Arts Calendar at wowkent.co.uk ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME7 1UR Tel: 01634 822839 Open Tue-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat, Sun & Bank Hol: 11.30am-5pm Normal admission charges apply. Sat 20 & Sun 21 Jun: BATTLE OF WATERLOO Living History displays bringing Napoleon’s last battle to life. To 13 July: THROUGH OUR EYES KAB Medway Art Group with Wendy Daws. To 15 Nov: FRONT 1914-18: The Great War in 3D. Extraordinary 3D photographs. re-museum.co.uk SUN PIER HOUSE Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF 01634 401549 Open Tue-Sun 10am - 4pm Closed Mon. Currently no disabled access. Wed 3- Thu 4 Jun: THE ROWANS SCHOOL, GCSE ART & DESIGN Fri 6 – Sat 21 Jun: ROCHESTER & WEST KENT ART SOCIETY Tue 23 June – Sat 11 Jul: HECKEL’S HORSE: THE BILLY CHILDISH STUDIO, GROUP EXHIBITION See The Artist’s Space p30 During Fuse: ARTS LAB exhibition by MidKent College students TEAROOM GALLERY: Wed 3 – 28 Jun: THE ART OF EMMA BAKER See page 5. sunpierhouse.co.uk ST ANDREWS ARTS CENTRE Royal Pier Rd Gravesend DA12 2BD. Free entry Sat 6 & Sun7 June 11am - 5pm: GRAVESEND ART CONSORTIUM Sat 20 & Sun 21 June (Times tbc): DR JUDE COWEN MONTAGUE STEPHEN OLIVER STUDIO & GALLERY Orchards Shopping Centre, High Street Dartford DA1 1DN 01322 278674 Open Thu-Sun 10am-4pm; Sat to 5pm Exhibition celebrating 150 years of Alice in Wonderland. stephen-oliver-art.co.uk

SAT 18- July SUN 26 2015

SITTINGBOURNE CONTEMPORARY ART STUDIO AFFORDABLE, TUTORED ART CLASSES IN SWALE Mon (weekly) 7-9pm: Tues (weekly) 7-9pm: Wed (fortnightly) 9-11am: Thurs (weekly) 7-9pm: Sat (fortnightly) 10am-12 noon:

Watercolour Class £5 Life Drawing Class £10 Drawing for Beginners £10 Watercolour Class £5 Open Lesson £5

Contact: paula@tillys-art.co.uk Mob: 07722 892638 Unit 7, Drywall, Castle Road, Sittingbourne ME10 3RX tillys-art.co.uk

Apertures of Light

13 June - 16 Aug 2015

Works by Katayoun Dowlatshahi and IN-SITE artists Nicola Flower, Caitlin Heffernan & Jane Pitt Rochester Art Gallery and Craft Case, Medway Visitor Information Centre, Ground Floor, 95 High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1LX Open Mon to Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun 10.30am – 5pm

Opening times may vary during bank holidays, please check in advance. Free admission www.enjoymedway.co.uk Phone 01634 338319 or email arts@medway.gov.uk

THE ARTIST’S SPACE

jockey and bird flying Childish / Edgeworth

2015 - oil on linen - 183 x 152.5 cm

HECKEL’S HORSE: The Billy Childish Studio, Group Exhibition 23 June – 11 July 2015 Billy Childish and a group of younger artists he mentors at his studio in Chatham Dockyard are to exhibit as a group show in support of the Medway Open Studios & Arts Festival(18- 26 July 2015). The exhibition includes paintings, drawings and monoprints by Billy Childish, Edgeworth Johnstone, Gretchen Andrew, Huddie Hamper

and Stephen ‘Jason’ Morallee, all of whom visit the Childish studio regularly to make their own work, in what is, in this day and age, a unique approach to studio practice. The group exhibition has been organised to raise awareness of the Medway Open Studios Festival and the opportunities available for emerging artists in Medway. It concludes with an evening talk by Billy Childish, where he will lead a conversation about the work in the show, discussing his role as artist and mentor.

Heckel’s Horse: The Billy Childish Studio Exhibition runs from Tuesday 23 June to Saturday 11 July (open Tue-Sun 10am4pm) at Sun Pier House Gallery, 2nd Floor, Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF. The Gallery currently has no disabled access: please contact the venue for more information. Tel: 01634 812 805 or email: info@sunpierhouse.co.uk. The free Artist’s Talk by Billy Childish takes place on Saturday 11 July at 7pm.