WOW Feb 2013 by Wow magazine

WOW 1

The Creative heart of Medway for over 10 years. Shops • Studios • Workshops Conference Room • Cafe Nucleus 272 High St Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108

nucleusarts.com

75 High St Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 780932

Gabriels Hill Maidstone ME15 6JR 01622 690337

original@nucleusarts.co.uk

WELCOME TO WOW Your guide to the best of What’s On Where Happy New Year to one and all. Last year ended on a fantastic note for WOW, with the magazine winning the Media category of the Medway Culture and Design Awards 2012. The Awards ceremony was a great night, celebrating much of what is terrific about our corner of the world with many of the friends I have made in this growing community of arts people since starting the magazine. I would like to extend special congratulations to all the winners, and also to all the nominees, whose work does so much to enrich our lives.

JEW(ish) is the latest touring show from Eye Spy Arts, a unique fusion of puppetry, object theatre and story-telling. 31 January at 1pm and 7pm at the Brook Theatre. See Theatre listings for more details.

CONTRIBUTORS

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE EDITOR BY RIKARD ÖSTERLUND

Looking ahead, 2013 promises to pick-up where 2012 left off, with both Medway and Maidstone brimming with new arts projects, festivals and events. WOW promises to continue to bring you the best of What’s On Where from this ever-growing scene.

Katie Charlton Katie Charlton is a participatory arts practitioner specialising in theatre. She is currently studying for an MA in Theatre as Development, and is the Outreach and Education Officer at Icon Theatre. Having worked both in England and internationally, Katie is committed to using the arts as a tool for social change.

The very first ‘WOW News’ is about to reach email subscribers, too – if you’d like to sign up for WOW’s free newsletter, please go to www.wowkent.co.uk and click on the envelope icon on the home page.

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

Emma Dewhurst editor@wowkent.co.uk MENTION US! Although WOW is a much-loved magazine, it is like so many other businesses struggling to survive in these testing times. Please mention us whenever you use its advertised services or go to a listed event: the magazine depends entirely on its supportive advertisers.

COVER PHOTOGRAPH OF LEON POULTON AND MATTHEW REES BY HUGO GLENDINNING

Find us on Facebook facebook.com/WOWMedway

@EmmaDewhurst7

Sam Froudist is a writer and bunting enthusiast. She co-runs bunted!, a bespoke bunting business, and is a card carrying member of the Rochester Vintage Society. You can find her blogging over at hellosamgoodbyesamantha.com. Jaye Nolan is a prolific writer and blogger who has been championing the rich, diverse culture of Medway for the last three years. Passionate about music and dance, she shouts regularly at the television during reality shows. Find her and her blogs at www.jayenolan.com. Nick Walker (Film) is a film festivals programmer and film writer. Nick is the director of the Rochester Film Society, which currently includes screening and discussion events at the Odeon Chatham and at Central Theatre, Chatham. Nick has worked for The Guardian and the London Film Festival and currently he is Festivals Director at Film Education and Director of National Schools Film Week. For more information on the Rochester Film Society please visit www.facebook.com/ rochesterfilmsociety.

WELCOME THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE This year’s Chinese New Year parade starts from Military Square, Chatham High Street at 12 noon on Sunday 17 February. As part of the Arts Inclusive project, James Armstrong of Nucleus Arts has been working with pupils of Trinity School to make a huge snake for the parade, which will be carried by the students themselves.

CALLING ALL GAMERS AND GEEKS! FOR GEEK 2013 SATELLITE EVENTS IN MEDWAY Geek 2013 is a huge games expo for all ages, taking place in the Winter Gardens, Margate from 21-24 February. The event presents a huge collection of computer game related events and is mapped out into sections of various gaming genres and follows the motto “meet, make and play”. In support of this, coFWD in Rochester have organised independent satellite events for Medway, including a retro gaming night (1 Feb), Speedgaming Day (2 Feb), All-day Lego day, #LegoFWD (3 Feb) and a free film screening of ‘Indie Game : The Movie’(10 Feb). On 23 Feb there is a group day trip to Margate to Geek 2013 itself.

For more information and to book, visit creatabot.co.uk/geeksatevents

WEDDING FAIR WITH A

DIFFERENCE

When: Sunday 10 March, 10am-3.30pm Where: The Commissioner’s House, Historic Dockyard, Chatham Why is it so different? Wedding planner Sarah Ayonmike has planned a day-long fake wedding, complete with bride and groom: couples-to-be are invited to experience the ceremony and enjoy cocktail, buffet and entertainment from countless local businesses out to show off their wares. Free entry.

The parade is followed by ‘The Wonderful China Show’, including a gold-medal winning Lion Dancing team and Cantonese opera singers from China. Central Theatre, 2.30pm. Tickets £7.50, concs £6.50. medwayticketslive.co.uk

MUSICAL MONDAY MORNINGS A new, weekly playgroup with a difference, for mums and toddlers to get together and get musical is starting at Stepping Stone Studios in Maidstone on Monday 28 January, 10am-12 noon. £5 per parent and child, plus 20% off lunch deal for all attendees (and free juice for the kids). steppingstonestudios.co.uk

CULTURED LLAMA PRESENTS… PHILIP KANE’S NEW BOOK LAUNCH Medway writer Philip Kane, featured in last month’s WOW, will be reading from his new book ‘Unauthorised Person’, poems and images exploring the psychogeography of the people and urban landscapes of the Medway Towns, on Thursday 21 February, 7.30pm at The Good Intent, John Street, Rochester. Poet Maggie Harris will be reading from her ‘Canterbury Tales on a Cockcrow Morning’ alongside Philip, with music from Rachel Morris and Bob Carling. Free entry and open mic for poets. culturedllama.co.uk

MELTDOWN: MAGICAL PUPPETS AND STORYTELLING WORKSHOP (8-16yrs) Monday 18 February, 10am-3.30pm at the Brook Theatre, Old Town Hall, Chatham A fantastic opportunity to work with one of the Brook Theatre’s professional resident theatre companies, Sparkle and Dark Travelling Players. Using simple materials and origami methods, participants will make their own shadow puppets which will be brought to life through storytelling, lighting and theatrical techniques. Cost: £14. To book tel: 01634 338338 sparkleanddark.com Sailing Charter - Static Venue - Winter Tea Room

Valentine’s SB‘Edith ‘EdithMay’ May’ Valentine’sNight Night aboard aboard SB 

 



• An An exclusive dining aboard exclusiveevening’s evenings dining aboard an an historic sailing ship historic sailing ship. • Serenaded Serenaded bybyharp and acoustic guitar harp and acoustic guitar. • Candlelit Candlelit 33course prepared coursedinner, dinner, prepared by a by a former Westminster chef chef. former Westminster • Thursday Thursday 14th and 16th, 1930hrs andSaturday Saturday 16th, 1930hrs  £90 per couple. • £90 per couple

Please forfull fulldetails. details Pleasevisit visit the the website website for www.edithmay.com Tel: 01634 365343

COMMUNITY ARTS - COMMUNITY ARTS - COMMUNITY ARTS ICON THEATRE PRIDES ITSELF ON SUPPORTING THE YOUNG PEOPLE IT WORKS WITH TO REACH THEIR CREATIVE POTENTIAL THROUGH THEATRE AND THE ARTS KATIE CHARLTON DESCRIBES THEIR WORK As a recent newcomer to the Medway towns, I’d have been forgiven if, at first glance, I couldn’t quite glimpse its vibrant and ever-growing cultural scene. The bleak empty shop fronts and the faces of down-trodden credit-crunchers tend to distract the eye when you are searching for cultural gems in the Medway landscape. Having scratched a little below the surface though, I have been thrilled to find a plethora of wonderful creative people and organisations with passion and love for their area and high aspirations for bringing the arts and community together, no matter what. In taking on the role of Outreach & Education Officer at Icon Theatre, a professional touring theatre company and one of the resident companies at The Brook Theatre in Chatham, I have been thrown into the thick of it. Our work is two-fold: to put on stunning visual and physical performances, created by our innovative Artistic Director Nancy Hirst, and to run community outreach projects in Medway that use theatre and the arts to engage, inspire and increase aspirations in the local area. Doing my bit, then, has seen me take over the Youth Theatre, one of Icon Theatre’s outreach projects. Every Wednesday at Luton’s All Saints Community Centre I am met by the eager faces of local young people ready to put on costumes and accents, improvise and devise, write scripts and show the world just what they think and why. We have been having huge fun experimenting with drama, creating new characters and scenes, making our voices heard, and playing some silly games in-between. Before Christmas all our creative energies were focussed into a play devised by the young people which they performed to family and friends - a great way to wrap up the year!

So a new year brings a new trajectory for the Youth Theatre - to reach more young people in Medway! For the last few weeks I have been racing around local schools and youth clubs giving taster workshops and meeting more of Medway’s aspiring young creatives. This year, with visiting practitioners and special one-off workshops and events, the Youth Theatre groups will be learning new acting skills and techniques and, most importantly, creating new performances, including a show to be staged at the Brook Theatre in the summer. We are always looking for new faces to join our Youth Theatre groups, from young actors and performers, to budding costume designers and the tech-savvy. There are no auditions, and each session costs only £1 thanks to sponsorship from Children in Need. My work with Icon Theatre has given me a privileged insight into Medway’s lifeblood of talented and community-minded people, and the aspiring youngsters that make the area an exciting and culturally-varied place to live and work. I am looking forward to exploring, participating and engaging further with ‘everything Medway’ for many years to come and continuing to make the Youth Theatre an integral part of the cultural landscape of the area. Icon’s Youth Theatre sessions run every Wednesday at All Saints Community Centre, Magpie Hall Road, Chatham, ME4 5NE 7-9 yrs 4-5pm 10-12 yrs 5.15-6.15pm 13-19 yrs 6.30-7.30pm Contact Katie on 01634 813 179 or katie@icontheatre.org.uk icontheatre.org.uk/youtharts.html

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

sara norling .com {PHOTOGRAPHER - MAKER - CREATIVE}

PORTRAITS, LIFESTYLE, WEDDINGS, WORKSHOPS DANCE & THEATRE CLASSES FOR 2 YRS+

Annual Shows Regular Examinations Drop in classes from ÂŁ3.50 Laura Dudman Tel: 07939 241105 www.CaterpillarDanceSchool.co.uk www.LatinEssence.co.uk

Gorgeous Hand tied Bouquets in water for collection or delivery Want to WOW your Valentine with something real, lush and sexy? We can help you with your gift and give you 20% discount too! Just bring along a copy of WOW

118 Maidstone Road, Rochester 01634 843024

www.sweetpeaandolive.co.uk

FILM MAIDSTONE FILM SOCIETY

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

A diverse range of world cinema. Licensed bar. Fixed rate parking in Fremlin Walk after 7pm. Yearly subscription rates: Adult £24; Couples £42; Senior/Student £19; Guest per film £3.50. THE TREE OF LIFE (12A) 2011 Mon 4 Feb, 8pm Dir: Terrence Malick Cast: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain Thrice Oscar-nominated ‘poetic essay on the nature of existence’ (The Guardian). 139 mins LA SOURCE DES FEMMES (15 ) 2011 Mon 18 Feb, 8pm Dir: Radu Mihaileanu Cast: Leïla Bekhti, Hafsia Herzi Comedy drama set in a village in North Africa. 135 mins maidstone-film-society.org.uk THE OTHER CINEMA

Chatham Odeon Cinema, Maritime ME4 4LL 0871 2244 007

A weekly showcase of quality films from around the world. There is always an introduction to the screening followed by a post-film discussion over a glass of wine led by programmer Nick Walker. £8.60/£6.50. More information at facebook.com/rochesterfilmsociety

RUST AND BONE (15) 2012 Thu 7 Feb 7.45pm Dir: Jacques Audiard Cast: Marion Cotillard, Matthias Schoenaerts, Armand Verdure, Celine Sallette Cotillard was much-praised for her performance in this French-Belgium romantic drama. 120 mins

THE MASTER (15) 2012 Thu 14 Feb 7.45pm Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoeniz, Amy Adams A WWII veteran (Phoenix) struggles to adjust to post-war society until he meets the leader of The Cause (Hoffman). 144 mins ARGO (15) 2012 Thu 21 Feb 7.45pm Dir: Ben Affleck Cast: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin Dramatization of the 1980 joint CIACanadian secret operation to extract six fugitive American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran. 120 mins LES MISERABLES (12A) 2012 Thu 28 Feb 7.45pm Dir: Tom Hooper Cast: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway Huge movie adaptation of the stage musical. Remarkably, all the singing was shot live on set. 157 mins

TUESDAY CINEMA CLUB Every Tuesday from 7pm. See Facebook page for programme. Free SELECTED JAN/FEB RELEASES: LINCOLN (12A) Spielberg directs Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role. A must-see. Rel 25 Jan

SONG FOR MARION (PG) Brit comedy drama. Gemma Arterton stars with veterans Terence Stamp and Vanessa Redgrave. Rel 8 Feb HITCHCOCK (12A) Helen Mirren plays wife to Anthony Hopkins’ Hitch. Rel 8 Feb TO THE WONDER (12A) Terrence Malick directs a beautifully shot, compelling narrative about love. Rel 22 Feb

SCREEN CLASSICS

Central Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338301

A monthly, big-screen celebration of cinema classics. Introduction and post-film discussion over a complimentary drink hosted by programmer Nick Walker. £7, concs £5, includes free drink. SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (U) 1952 Mon 19 Feb, special afternoon screening 2.30pm, £4 (includes hot drink and toasted teacake in the Sandwich Cellar). Screen Classics screening with Nick Walker, 7.30pm. Dir: Stanley Donen Cast: Gene Kelly, O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor See Nick Walker’s article. 102 mins medwayticketslive.co.uk STEPPING STONE STUDIOS 2 Museum Avenue, Maidstone ME14 1QX

Showing at the following: ODEON CHATHAM 0871 224 4007. odeon.co.uk ODEON MAIDSTONE 0871 22 44 007. odeon.co.uk ROCHESTER CINEWORLD 0871 200 2000. cineworld.co.uk THE ROYAL CINEMA Box Office: 01795 591211 royalcinema.co.uk SHOWCASE BLUEWATER 0871 220 1000 showcasecinemas.co.uk/bluewater

singin’in the rain

NICK WALKER PREVIEWS ONE OF THE BEST-LOVED FILM MUSICALS OF ALL TIME

This amazing musical comedy offers a warm and comic depiction of Hollywood, and its transition from silent films to “talkies.” When sound films arrived, many silent screen actors lost their careers because their voices didn’t match their screen personas. The film’s screenwriters did a lot of research and spoke to a lot of the people at MGM who were there for the transition of sound and incorporated those stories into the script, giving it an authentic feel.

(who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress) and the amazing Louise Brooks look-a-like Cyd Charisse, who partners Kelly in the “Broadway Melody” ballet sequence. Charisse’s dance number had to be stopped for several hours after it was discovered that her pubic hair was visible through her costume!

The memorable songs are some of the best loved in musical history: All I Do is Dream of You, Make ‘Em Laugh, Good Morning and Singin’ in the Rain are all Co-director Stanley Donen’s impressive body of work classics but were all songs from previous films from (‘Funny Face’, ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’, ‘Damn the golden age of Hollywood, such as ‘The Broadway Yankees’) shows a keen eye for comedy and great Melody’ (1929), ‘Hollywood Revue’ (1929) and ‘Babes examples of the musical genre, although he was never In Arms’ (1939). The script was written after the nominated for an Academy Award, a glaring oversight. songs, and so the writers had to generate a plot into Donen’s co-director and star of the film, Gene Kelly also which the songs would fit. The iconic scene of Kelly provided the choreography, however his two principal singing the theme song, dressed in a yellow slicker, co-stars Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds were hanging from a lamp-post and swinging his umbrella less than enamoured with Kelly’s strict training and was somewhat ad-libbed, with Kelly suffering with a rehearsal methods, with O’Connor admitting that he 103-degree fever at the time. He managed to do the did not enjoy working with the star, since Kelly was scene in one take covered in watery milk, as milk was somewhat of a tyrant. added to the rain to make it show up more on camera, facts his surviving wife denies. Fred Astaire mentored Reynolds during filming – helping her with dance routines. She was quoted as The film received a luke-warm reception on its release saying that making this film and surviving childbirth but is now rightfully frequently described as one of the were the two most difficult experiences of her life! best musicals ever made. Despite his harsh treatment of his fellow actors, Kelly’s athleticism gave his moves a distinctive broad, Screening at Central Theatre, Chatham on Tuesday muscular quality and his dancing has wonderfully free 18 Feb at 2.30pm (£4 including hot drink and and improvisational feeling. He is certainly credited as teacake) and at 7.30pm (£7). Nick Walker leads a the person who made the ballet form commercially post-film discussion after the evening screening. acceptable to film audiences. www.facebook.com/ rochesterfilmsociety Two actors worth more than a mention are Jean Hagen as the gloriously ditzy and spiteful Lina Lamont

Dancing is a vertical expression

A WOW DANCE SPECIAL

of a horizontal desire robert frost

DANCE AWAY THE BLUES Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in dance of every description. In this special collection of articles Sam Froudist tells us why she’s setting up Rochester’s first Burlesque class; Jaye Nolan has found a dance performance/teacher training course at a fraction of London prices; you can marvel at just how talented ‘BalletBoyz - the Talent 2013’ team really are; and keep your new year’s resolution to go dancing with our selection of the best classes in Medway and Maidstone around

SCHOOL OF

burlesque SAM FROUDIST is launching a new venture onto the Medway scene I have never been quite as shy as I should be about taking my clothes off in public, so when a friend suggested there is a way to do so that involves sequins and glitter which makes people scream with delight as opposed to horror, naturally I was delighted to know about it. And so my love affair with burlesque began. Born out of the “gentlemen’s entertainment” of the late vaudeville days, which no woman of class would ever dream of attending, nowadays there is definitely a female-friendly atmosphere to the scene, and you will struggle to find a show with an audience that is less than 80% female. I can also vouch that they are 80% classy broads, myself included, of course. Stop sniggering. Recent years have seen the vintage revival sustain itself beyond what anyone could have imagined, and the representation of women in media grow in diversity. Burlesque’s popularity both supports and is supported by these factors, and there’s no sign yet of its newfound popularity waning. Britain has particularly taken to burlesque, sustaining more professional performers than anywhere else in the world. For me, one of the best things about living in Medway is being part of a reviving arts scene that is still open to collaboration. The focus here is on complementing, rather than competing with, existing ventures. It was with this feeling in mind that I decided to foster a burlesque scene here, building on the response to some of the wonderful acts I’d seen at Dizzy O’Dare’s ‘Cabaret of Curiosities’ shows at the Brook Theatre in Chatham.

MISS MAYBE

dietrich baby!

So, I’m launching the Dietrich Baby! School of Burlesque, for which the delightful and prolific Miss Maybe will be teaching a six week introductory course. Miss Maybe has made a name for herself by combining the best of observational comedy and vaudeville with witty monologues and of course, a spot of striptease. Her one woman show ‘A Glimpse of Stocking’ has toured the UK. “She sings, she dances, she makes granny pants look hot!” says Medway’s resident performer Queenie Valentine of Miss Maybe. Personally, I’m only too happy to place my trust in someone who recognises the value of a sizeable knicker. I’ve seen some dancers with legs that, somewhat intimidatingly, go all the way up to their necks, and the sparkliest costumes anyone could ever wish for. But it’s not just about glitter and high heels, it’s about having a laugh as well. Traditional burlesque always included a send-up, or a parody of a famous style, and the modern version is just as fun. It’s about women (and some men, but somehow I think Medway’s not quite ready for Boylesque) with imperfect bodies getting up on stage and celebrating themselves. There are few things that make me happier than prancing about to music, and the fact that I’m expected to get my kit off is only a very slight deterrent. I suspect I’m not the only one. The first Dietrich Baby! School of Burlesque course runs weekly from Thursday 31 January, 7:30-8:30pm, at 161 High St, Rochester. £60 six weeks, payable in two instalments. To enrol contact Sam Froudist at sam@hellosamgoodbyesamantha.com or 07401 36262. www.missmaybe.com

‘THE TALENT 2013’ IS THE LATEST STAGE INCARNATION OF BALLETBOYZ, DANCE COMPANY EXTRAORDINAIRE

balletboyz.com

ball BALL

A WOW DANCE SPECIAL

e tb oyz LETBOYZ Emma Dewhurst spoke to MICHAEL NUNN, one of the company’s two founding stars

It was the early noughties; I was having a lively year retraining in community dance at London’s Laban Centre; the contemporary dance scene was vibrant, and the city was particularly buzzing about two young male ballet dancers at the top of their game who had broken out of the classical mould. Michael Nunn and William Trevitt had left their jobs as principal dancers with the Royal Ballet to reinvent themselves as contemporary dance company George Piper Dances. Even at the time this moniker refused to stick, press and public alike favouring instead the dancers’ nickname, the Ballet Boyz. The pair combined their impeccable classical training with pedigree choreography by the likes of Russell Maliphant and William Forsythe, converting their considerable talents into something new, the like of which had not been seen before. The Ballet Boyz were palpably athletic, masculine and contemporary in more ways than one: their dances were bookended with rough and ready video footage of the pair in rehearsals, in training and, memorably, in the dressing room after the show, commenting on the audience who had just watched their work. It was an inventive, winning formula which won them a whole new audience, many of whom had never attended a dance performance, let alone contemporary ballet, in all their lives. In 2010, following a decade of acclaim for their work both as dancers and dance documentary makers, the BalletBoyz inaugurated a new project, handpicking a company of young male dancers from a variety of backgrounds via a series of nationwide auditions, and then mentoring and coaching their prodigies to become virtuosic performers in a show known as ‘the Talent’, which intercuts film footage of the dancers in audition and rehearsals between displays of, well, talent. I spoke to Michael Nunn and asked him to what extent he and Trevitt are involved with the production itself. It transpires that they direct the show, and have a hand in every aspect of its production. “We choose the choreographers, work with them to help them choose the music and more often than not we are in rehearsals with the dancers every day,” Nunn says. “Oh yeah, we’re all over it!”

This level of investment by their mentors is clearly of exceptional benefit to the young dancers engaged by the company. That, and working with some of the world’s foremost dancemakers. For ‘the Talent 2013’, Nunn and Trevitt asked internationally renowned choreographer Russell Maliphant, who created a magnetic duet and trio for Nunn and Trevitt in their early years as the BalletBoyz, to create a work specially for the company. “It’s wonderful for them that he is creating on them,” says Nunn. “There is nothing quite like that for a dancer. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, really, to work with the real thing. Lots of dancers don’t get to create work anymore.” Maliphant’s work ‘Fallen’ features a score by French cinema composer Armand Amar. The tour also showcases ‘Serpent’, a first commission for the BalletBoyz by Liam Scarlett, recently described as ‘dance’s hottest property’ by The Independent. Aged 26, he has retired as a performer from the Royal Ballet to concentrate on choreography, becoming its first artistin-residence – a post created just for him. What is his work like? I ask Nunn. “Really brave,” he says at once. “Really lyrical. He’s good at working with large numbers of people. He’s the best choreographer of his ilk out there, I would say.” The young dancers themselves bring their own appeal to the mix. They’re a headturning bunch at the height of their physical and technical powers, which has done much to attract a new, younger audience to the shows, just as the duo’s punchy, athletic style did in the early days. When I ask Nunn if the company will always be an allmale ensemble, I am surprised and delighted by an emphatic “No!” “In fact we want to launch Ballet Girls [Girlz?] fairly soon,” he says. “We’re going to hold auditions up and down the country to find our company, just as we did with the boys.” If it’s anything like their last set of auditions, they will be inundated. And if you have never been to a dance performance before, this is the place to start. ‘the Talent 2013’ tour comes to the Orchard Theatre, Dartford on Thursday 28 February, 7.30pm. Tickets £10.50-£28.50. orchardtheatre.co.uk

a quest for the stars “EXCEPTIONAL DANCERS IN MY EXPERIENCE ARE ALSO EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE. PEOPLE WITH AN ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE, A KIND OF QUEST AND AN ETERNAL QUALITY. THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE AND THEY SHOW THIS TO YOU WILLINGLY.” MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV Starquest’s Craig Bartley is a born and bred Rochesterian who has performed in musical theatre, film and television the world over. With his new Performers College he aims to bring the same quality of performance teaching available in London to Medway. JAYE NOLAN went along to meet him. Charlie Chaplin. Harry Houdini. Before fame took hold, both performed at Barnard’s Palace of Varieties in Chatham, on the site of which Starquest Performing Arts School now stands. The original building burned down in 1934, and, along with The Empire and The Theatre Royal, completed the trio of Barnard-owned playhouses in Chatham which sadly exist no more.

that he wanted to re-create a site for the performing arts. He completely re-designed the space to accommodate studios and a performance area. As regeneration of the Rochester-Chatham High Street edges closer, Starquest looks set to form part of a solid foundation for Chatham’s reimagined riverside, as well as for students stepping out into the showbiz world. “Some people seem to think that good dancers are born. But all the good dancers I know have been taught or trained.” Fred Astaire As Craig told me about the new Performers Art College, it was clear that here lies a passion and enthusiasm eager to be shared.

It was Sam Barnard at The Palace who introduced matinée performances to the world, giving Chatham’s dockyard shift workers, and soldiers required back in barracks by 8pm, an opportunity to experience performing arts. It’s a site of theatrical heritage that can only inspire the next generation of performers.

“A Starquest Performers College pilot scheme began last September - a classical and musical theatre course for performance and/ or teacher training. It covers all the core subjects and has been devised because it’s so expensive for students to train and live in London – you’re looking at £1300 to £2500 per term – we’re looking to charge that for a whole year,” he says.

When it became available, Craig Bartley knew instantly

He intends it to be a “no frills” college, comprising vocational

further education from industry experts, plus business studies including CV writing and portfolio photography. Courses are taught by professionals who have lived the experience, rather than text-book teachers. “You can’t teach creativity,” says Craig, “you can teach how to dance but you can’t teach how to perform - it has to come from the inner self.” The College supports the students all the way too, with inbuilt pastoral care: Bartley acknowledges that the course can be “quite intense” and even though students are older, they still need that support. The course also includes an all-important teacher training qualification, as a professional back-up to performing. “You can jump from one to the other constantly; it’s such an exciting career with many diverse avenues in the industry,” affirms Craig. “And if you have a passion for it, something will come your way.” Full details of the 2013 Performing Arts College and other classes available at Starquest can be found at starquestpa.co.uk

go dancing!

A WOW DANCE SPECIAL

Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are great because of their passion.” Martha Graham

Ever wanted to try a dance style yourself? There are a host of venues

CEROC

ROCK’N’ROLL Rock It, Maidstone’s only 1950s Rock’n’Roll, Rockabilly and Rhythm’n’Blues Club Date/Time: Free Opening Night Thursday 31 January, 7.30-Midnight and then the last Thursday of every month. 7.30-8pm: Easy beginners jive class with Andrew Hall. Where: The Ink Bar, 15-17 King Street, Maidstone ME14 1BA Info: With Stuart Goddard and Guest DJs SIimboy and Reverend Boogie playing the best in 1950’s rockin’ music. The venue is a large, 50s themed space with a licensed bar, diner food and hardwood dance floor. It is close to Maidstone East mainline train station. Further details: StuGoddard@ btinternet.com or call 07528 132373

A fusion of jive and Salsa, easy to learn and can be danced to any type of music. Date/Time: Classes every Thursday 8pm Beginners 8.50pm Intermediate class 9.30- 11pm freestyle class Where: Hazlitt Arts Centre, Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL (bar at venue) Cost: £8 for the whole evening, includes two classes. One-off lifetime membership fee of £2 also payable. No need to bring a partner. Contact: 020 8466 5030 Website: cerockent.com Dance Junction also hosts regular Ceroc classes (along with an enormous number of other styles – see dance-junction.com). 681 Maidstone Road, Rochester ME1 3QJ. Mondays, beginners 8pm followed by more classes and freestyle. DANCE FOR LIFE Community Dance Classes Reasonably-priced classes in Adult Ballet, Adult Tap and 50+ classes across the Medway Towns. Find details at whatsonmedway.co.uk IRISH DANCING Date: Weekly, Mondays. Children 6.30-8pm, Adults 8-9.30pm Venue: McManigan Academy of Dance, Main Hall, St Mary’s Social Club, Belmont Road, Gillingham ME7 5JB Info: If new, please make contact to confirm class via mcmaniganacademy.com, especially during holiday periods. Further details at www.stmaryssocialclub. com or tel: 01634 573032

in Medway and Maidstone offering an enormous range of classes. Here are just a few of them.

SALSA Enduringly popular dance style. Where: Rochester Dance Junction, see Ceroc for details. Date/Time: Sundays. Doors open 7:30pm, classes start 8:00pm followed by Freestyle until 11:00pm. Cost: £6 members, £8 non members, £3 after 9.30pm. Beginners are welcome. No partner needed. Website: latinessence.co.uk

10am to 3.30pm Where: The Brook Theatre, Old Town Hall, Chatham Fee: £14 Led by professional dancer Jay, participants will create a routine to favourite One Direction hits and perform a showcase for family and friends at the end of the day. Meltdown: DANCE DIVA! a one day dance workshop (8-16yrs) Date: Thursday 21 February 10am to 3.30pm Where:The Brook Theatre, Old Town Hall, Chatham Fee: £14 One for young pop dance enthusiasts! An energetic dance workshop with professional dancer Jay. Also ends with a performance to family and friends at the end of the day. Double Dance Deal – Save £4 and pay £24 when you book for both dance workshops at the same time. Tel: 01634 338319. For booking forms tel: 01634 338338

TEA DANCE Where: Exchange Studio, Hazlitt Theatre, Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 Date/Time: Next dances Feb 7 & 28, Mar 14 & 28, Apr 11 & 25, 2pm - 4.30pm Cost: £2.75

21ST CENTURY LEGENDS AND ICONS with Laura Dudman Dance Junction, see Ceroc. Dance workshop for kids focusing on learning routines to music such as Usher, One Direction and Jesse J. Tuesday 19 February 12-4pm (7-12 yrs) £10 10-11.30am (3-6 years) £5

HALF TERM YOUTH DANCE WORKSHOPS Meltdown: ONE DIRECTION STYLE a one day dance workshop (8-16yrs) Date/Time: Wednesday 20 February

New MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP for 11-15 years, starting Spring 2013. To register your interest or book a class please ‘phone Laura Dudman on 07939 241105 or email lauradudman@yahoo.co.uk

MUSIC CENTRAL THEATRE

170 High Street Chatham, ME4 4AS 01634 338338

CITY OF ROCHESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Sat 2 Mar 7.30pm. Programme includes Beethoven’s 5th Symphony; Mendelssohn’s violin concerto & Wagner. £9, £12, £15, concs available. Under 18s just £1 DRAKES

9 Fairmeadow, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1JP 01622 600056

Sponsored listing JAZZ: 144 CLUB Nominated in 3 categories; awarded Highly Commended for Music in the Medway Culture & Design Awards 2012

THE ROFFEN 41 New Road, Rochester, ME1 1DX

Wed 13 Feb KELVIN CHRISTIANE on sax, flute and clarinet. Christiane has recorded 18 albums and has performed all over the world. Doors 7.15pm for 8.15pm start. £13

ELECTRO ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC Every Wednesday. Free drink for every performer. 9pm - midnight EARLS

30 Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PS 01622 751286

DAVID MIGDEN & THE DIRTY WORDS + THE JACS Thu 7 Feb LUCIDIOUS + HELLFIRE ORCHESTRA +YOUR ARMY Thu 21 Feb Both gigs 8.30pm - late. Free entry EDITH MAY THAMES BARGE

Lower Halstow Dock 01634 365343

WE GHOSTS Anglo-Swedish acoustic trio. Fri 22 Feb, hatches open 6.45pm, music 7.30pm. £7.50 edithmay.com

SUNDAY LUNCH at LARKFIELD PRIORY RESTAURANT 802 London Road ME20 6HJ (on A20 next to B&Q)

Sun 17 Feb ROAN KEARSEYLAWSON & GUESTS Kearsey-Lawson has been called ‘Master Vibesman’ (Albert Hall). A rare chance to hear him perform many of his own compositions. Table seating, roast lunch, waitress service, bar and smokers garden. £26 includes music and lunch. Tickets from 144club.co.uk or 01634 365453

THE FLOWERPOT

96 Sandling Road, Maidstone ME14 2RJ 01622 757705

MAKE SOME NOISE PIP BOWERS TRIO + support Sat 16 Feb 8.30pm till late. Free entry. Real ale specialist 44TWO SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB Featherby Road, Gillingham ME8 6AN 01634 405037

DONN BARCOTT BAND with guest vocals. Every second Thursday of the month. Next gig 14 Feb, Valentine’s Night with the 18 piece big band. 8.30pm til late. Raffle & bar. £6 (no membership required)

THE HASTINGS ARMS FUNCTION ROOM Lower Rainham Road, Gillingham

ROCHESTER SWING PRESERVATION SOCIETY with top New York cabaret vocalist Lesley Alexander. Thu 28 Feb, 8.30pm. £5. Free nibbles & parking. To reserve a table tel: 01634 712217 MAN OF KENT ALE HOUSE

6-8 John Street, Rochester ME1 1YN 07772 214315

ELECTRIC LANDLADIES Fri 7 Dec World, folk, roots and blues live music throughout the month. See inside back cover for details.

NAGS HEAD 292 High Street, Rochester ME1 1HS

THESE GUILTY MEN + FRAU POUCH + BALANCE LOST Fri 8 Feb 8-10.30pm STUART TURNER &THE FLAT EARTH SOCIETY + guests Sat 9 Feb 8-10.30pm Free entry THE RAFTERS

62-63 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1SR

MR B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER +DJ sets from the REUNION DJ’S. Fri 8 Feb GOOSEBUMPS and MARVELOUS MR MAGRAW – Valentine’s night special with live and Electro Swing. Thu 14 Feb. £10 in advance, includes buffet! Lindyhopper dancing and 40’s swing style dress encouraged. CRYBABY SPECIAL & THE MONSTERS + THE FLOWING + more. Sat 16 Feb AUDIOWHORES + DAVID JAMES RUMSEY BAND + more. Sat 23 Feb. All gigs £4 to get in before midnight, live music till 1am, DJ’s till 4am SINGAPORA LOUNGE 51 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LN

MOTHERBOY NIGHT : UPDOWNC + AEROPLANE FLIES HIGH + THE SANS PAREIL Fri 15 Feb. Free entry STEPPING STONE STUDIOS

2 Museum Avenue, Maidstone ME14 1QX

DODGY JAMMERS JAM NIGHT Every Wednesday 8pm. Open mic. steppingstonestudios.co.uk STYLE & WINCH

72 Union Street, Maidstone ME14 1ED 01622 752 351

UPCDOWNC + BAM & THE BOOM CLAN + more TBC. Fri 8 Feb, 8pm. Free entry THE WHITE HORSE

46 London Road, Maidstone ME16 8QL 01622 752141

JAM NIGHT WITH BEN JONES Every Sunday 8.30pm

Photo of Tape Error by Phil Dillon

GO GIGGING! A P L E T H O R A O F B A N D S H AV E H I T 2 0 1 3 R U N N I N G

R O B F LO O D R O U N D S U P T H I S M O N T H ’ S M E D WAY H I G H L I G H T S Hopefully, you’ll be reading your copy of WOW in good time to pick up on our first gig highlight. Dodgy return to the Royal, Star Hill, Rochester for what is billed as a ‘Britpop Acoustic Sunday Strum’. Sunday 27 January sees Dodgy joined in a ‘90’s indie supergroup by Mark Morriss of the Bluetones and Chris Helm from the Seahorses. Kicking off at 3pm, tickets are available from wegottickets.com/ event/199098. The Tap’n’Tin hosts a charity all-dayer on 2 February called ‘Kimbofest’ with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Society. There’s a great line-up of bands and musicians including Broken Banjo, Andy White, Chris Weller, Wildfowl, the Hamelins, the Muswells and Crybaby Special & the Monsters. Only £4 for advanced tickets, check out Kimbofest on Facebook for info. Also on the Kimbofest bill is Chris Austin’s excellent new band Tape Error. Ex Hospital Bomber Chris is joined by Matt Bell (also of Pity Party) on bass and Stan Read on drums. Listen to Tape Error’s “nightmare lullabies” at tapeerror.co.uk/music/

If Blues Brothers schtick is your sort of thing, make sure you shake your tail-feather to the Brothers Grimm at the Two Brewers in Rochester High Street on 7 February. On 8 February, the Nags Head presents These Guilty Men, Simon Bunyan and Mark Aitken’s new band. Support is from the brilliantly shambolic art punk disco filth of Frau Pouch. Also at the Nags on 9 February, Stuart Turner & the Flat Earth Society make a welcome return. Support comes from Broken Banjo. UPCDOWNC, one of my favourite Medway bands, have a busy February with a Motherboy-promoted gig at the Singapora Lounge in Rochester on 15th, a ‘no distortion’ set at The Barge in Gillingham on 23rd with Pity Party and squeezed in between on 18th, a live radio session for Fizzer’s great Monday evening 8-10pm show on Radio Sunlight 106.6FM & radiosunlight.org.uk. January saw the first anniversary of Bob Collins’ excellent ‘Friday Night Alternative’ at Gillingham’s St Mary’s Social Club. On 22 February, Bob hosts the critically acclaimed

Crybaby Special & the Monsters for an acoustic set. There’s also an open mic slot. THE VENUES The Barge 63 Layfield Road Gillingham, Kent ME7 2QY 01634 850485 thebargepub.co.uk Nags Head 292 High Street, Rochester ME1 1HS 01634 843150 facebook.com/nags.headrochester Royal Function Rooms 12 Star Hill, Rochester ME1 1XB 01634 242731 royalfunctionrooms.com Singapora Lounge 51 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LN 01634 842178 singaporalounge.co.uk St Mary’s Social Club Belmont Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5JB 01634 573032 stmaryssocialclub.com Tap’n’Tin 26 Railway Street, Chatham, Medway ME4 01634 831119 tapntin.co.uk Two Brewers 113 High Street, Rochester ME1 1JS 01634 812448 twobrewersrochester.com

T H E AT R E BILLABONG CLUB (COMEDY) Royal Function Rooms, Star Hill, Rochester ME1 1XB

PATRICK MONAHAN Thu 28 Feb. Winner of ITV’s Show Me the Funny, voted Best Newcomer at Loaded’s 2012 Lafta Awards. Doors open at 7.30pm, comedy at 8pm. £12, available from the Billabong Club, the Dot Café at 172 High Street, Rochester or from wegottickets. com/f/5524. Groups of 6+ can claim one free ticket.

LARKFIELD PRIORY HOTEL

London Road, Larkfield ME20 6HJ 01732 846858

KATE SMURTHWAITE, SION JAMES & FUNMBI Thu 8 Feb, restaurant opens 6.30pm, comedy 8pm. £10 inc drink voucher (in adv) or £10 on door. £24.95 inc meal + drink. billabongcomedyclub.co.uk

2pm. Theatre of Widdershins with a new version of Grimms’ classic tale, employing puppets, music and transforming sets. £6. Age 4+ ROMEO & JULIET by awardwinning Icarus Theatre Company Tue 26 Feb 7.30pm. £11, concs available. Ages 10+ gulbenkian.co.uk HAZLITT THEATRE

Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 758611

HOUSE presents FOLDED FEATHER WITH SUITCASE CIRCUS Thu 21 Feb 2.30pm. Interactive family fun with music and a talented sock. £8, concs £6 THE SAGAS OF NOGGIN THE NOG Fri 22 Feb 2.30pm. Funny Vikings, music and puppets. £8, concs £6 EXCHANGE STUDIO: COMEDY NIGHT: CHARLIE BAKER, ADAM BLOOM & JULIAN DEAN Wed 6 Feb 8pm. £10 KATHERINE RYAN – NATURE’S CANDY Sat 23 Feb 8pm. ‘Young, pretty, smart and acridly funny’ Sunday Times £12, concs £10 hazlittartscentre.co.uk

BROOK THEATRE

Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338

JEW(ish) Thu 31 Jan, 1pm & 7pm. Eye Spy Arts fuse puppetry and storytelling in one man’s search for his cultural identity. Sounds fascinating. £6 (1pm) £10 (7pm) medwayticketslive.co.uk CABARET OF CURIOSITIES Fri 15 Feb 8pm. This ever-popular night of indoor circus, dancing, cheeky burlesque, music and more is back for 2013. £11. Adult content: 16+ only GULBENKIAN THEATRE

University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NB 01227 769075

Strangeface Theatre Company presents PINOCCHIO Tue 19 Feb 7pm. Mask and puppet theatre at its finest. £6 RUMPELSTILTSKIN AND THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE. Sat 23 Feb

STOMP Tue 19-Sat 23 Feb 7.30pm, Wed & Sat Mat 2.30pm, Fri 5pm & 8.30pm. Award-winning footstamping percussion, dance and comedy. £14-£33, concs available

Jasmine Vardimon Company presents FREEDOM Thu 28 Feb & Fri 1 Mar 7.30pm. New dance work from highly acclaimed director & choreographer Vardimon, exploring what keeps our imaginations free. £16.50-£21, concs available. For age 14+

STUDIO: THE MARLOWE SCRATCH NIGHT Wed 13 Feb 8pm. A chance to see new & developing work by some of the region’s brightest performers, including the Galloping Cuckoos’ new cabaret piece ‘Birdesque’. £5 marlowetheatre.com (booking charge applies via internet ) MEDWAY LITTLE THEATRE

St Margaret’s Banks, Rochester ME1 1HY 01634 400322

MARLOWE THEATRE

The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787

AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE Sat 9 Feb, 7.30pm. Back by popular demand. £22, £20. For 18+ MAIN HOUSE: THE RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SIBERIA: La Fille Mal Gardée (Mon 11 & Tue 12 Feb); Coppélia (Wed 13 & Thu 14 Feb) and Swan Lake (Fri 15 & Sat 16 Feb) 7.30pm, Sat Mat 2.30pm. £18£39.50, concs available

VINCENT IN BRIXTON by Nicholas Wright Thu 31 Jan- Sat 9 Feb 7.30pm. An imagining of Van Gogh’s life and loves during his stay in SW9 in the 1870s. All tickets £8, Mondays £5, concs available. mlt.org.uk ORCHARD THEATRE

Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000

BALLETBOYZ –the Talent 2013 Thu 28 Feb 7.30pm. See centre pages’ article. £10.50-£24.50 COPPELIA Wed 20 Feb 7.30pm and SWAN LAKE Thu 21 Feb 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Performed by the Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia. £25.50-£35.50 orchardtheatre.co.uk

The TALENT 2013 Thu 28 February 7.30pm Tickets £10.50* - £24.50*

*A £1.50 per ticket booking fee will be added to all orders.

An exhilarating evening of exciting and explosive dance. orchardtheatre.co.uk Ticket Oﬃce 01322 220000

Half-Term Treats For ALL The Family!

Folded Feather with Suitcase Circus

The Sagas of Noggin The Nog

A delightfully heart-warming and interactive family-friendly spectacular! HazlittTheatre - 2.30pm Tickets: £8 Concs £6

The wonderful world of Noggin - a new piece of theatre for children, families and fans! HazlittTheatre - 2.30pm Tickets: £8 Concs £6

Thursday 21 February

Box Office: 01622 758611 www.hazlittartscentre.co.uk

Friday 22 February

VISUAL ART SUN WHARF MARKET Call for Traders for Market on Sun 24 March

for the centre. Artworks will be exhibited from 1 Feb. horsebridge-centre.co.uk

entered into the Art in the Dockyard Competition 2013. thedockyard.co.uk

Sun Wharf car park, Medway Street, Chatham

MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERY

NUCLEUS ARTS

Pitches are available for a variety of makers to take part in the first Sun Wharf Market, a new quarterly outdoor market in Chatham. Market organiser and local resident Heather Burgess hopes to create a complimenting combination of stalls including art, craft, local produce, jewellery, fashion, antiques, vintage and collectibles. Limited pitches are available now for £15 each. Trading hours will be 10am – 4pm. Closing date for applications is Mon 4 March. All enquiries to heather. sunpierhouse@gmail.com. THE DEAF CAT COFFEE BAR & GALLERY 83 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX

Open all week 9.30am-5pm

St Faith’s Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH 01622 602838

10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 12-4pm Sun BENTLIF ART PRIZE 2012 Exhibition of winning artworks by local artists, many for sale. To 9 Feb. Free QUILTS, COMFORT FROM KINDNESS Sat 16 Feb – Sat 23 Mar A display of quilts donated by the Canadian Red Cross to the bombed out families of Britain in World War II. TALK by quilt specialist Ann Mansi: WWII Quilts from Canada Sat 16 Feb, Bentlif Library, booking advisable on 01622 602850. Adults £5, concs £3. PEACING TOGETHER Fri 15 Feb– Sat 23 Mar Works by Cas Holmes, on display in the costume gallery, were produced with reclaimed textiles.

High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY 01634 848717

A WORLD MADE REAL: Dickens and Victorian Life To 28 Feb 2013. Open 10am-4.30pm (not Mon) An exhibition relating objects in the Museum to social themes in Dickens’ novels. Free

Gallery opens 9-5pm, closed Sunday Free NUCLEUS ARTISTS EXHIBITION Sat 2 Feb to Thu 14 Feb (closes at 1pm on that day). Artworks by artists working at the Studios. Preview: Fri 1 Feb 6-8pm. SHAUN HUTCHINGS Sat 16 – Thu 28 Feb (closes at 1pm on that day). Preview: Fri 15 Feb 6-8pm nucleus-arts.com NUCLEUS ARTS, ROCHESTER 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 780932

NUCLEUS ARTS, MAIDSTONE 2-4 Granada House, Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone ME15 6JR 01622 690337

Gallery shops with eclectic selection of artworks, cards and jewellery by local artists.

ROLLING EXHIBITION OF MEDWAY ARTISTS New submissions policy of no hanging charge and 30% commission on a sale. Artists should submit an image of their work(s) to art@thedeafcat.com. All work must be priced and ready to hang. thedeafcat.com GUILDHALL MUSEUM

272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108

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

Cas Holmes leads an ADULT WORKSHOP based on the exhibition 9 Mar £30. Call 01622 602850 for more information and to book. museum.maidstone.gov.uk NO.1 SMITHERY: The Gallery The Historic Dockyard Chatham, ME4 4TZ 01634 823800

HORSEBRIDGE ARTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE

11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable, CT5 1AF 01227 281174

Opens daily at 10am. Adults £16.50, Children £11, concs available. Includes unlimited return to all Dockyard attractions for one year.

ART AUCTION Feb 9 Doors/ bar 7pm. Fundraising auction of donated artworks to raise money

ART IN THE DOCKYARD 16 Feb-6 May This very popular exhibition displays Dockyard-inspired artworks

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sundays til March BEING AND NOTHINGNESS: MATTHEW BRAY Impressive works from several phases of this local artist’s career. To Sat 16 Feb CRAFT CASE: SIAN BOSTWICK (Jewellery) and KATHRYN ROBERTS (Glass). FREE ARTIST TALK: Sat 9 Feb 1pm-2.30pm. Artist Matt Bray gives an informal illustrated talk about his exhibition, his approach and techniques. Advance booking for gallery activities is essential. Telephone 01634 338319 to book or email arts@medway.gov.uk.

Restoration Day at Francis Iles Saturday 2nd March 11am-3pm

Come and talk to our experts in oils, watercolours, etchings, photographic work and paper conservation for a free quotation.

Simply ART FRAMING SERVICES

Box frames Canvas stretching & canvases Medal presentation Renovation of old paintings Studio at Nucleus Arts 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX Tel: 07950 295108

THE ARTIST’S SPACE

BENBEARS BY BEN CAMERON My work is quite varied. So much so that it’s hard to pigeonhole or summarise easily. I do doodles. Some are tragic and sad (you might’ve seen one. It went viral. Google ‘saddest doodle’, that’s mine), while others are so cute and cheerful they could melt your heart. I also do incredibly intricate hatch work and isometric patterns that can take weeks to finish. If there is one thing that ties all my pieces together it’s this: I strive to get a reaction, whether that be a smile, sob or a raised eyebrow and a tut. I accept commissions of all sizes. From personalised greetings cards to children’s bedroom murals. Visit my site and I’m sure you’ll find something to talk about. strangepaul.com

EDITORIAL: editor@wowkent.co.uk 0845 388 2243 (local rate from BT landlines)

Distributed locally to Medway households and public pick-up points throughout the Medway towns and Maidstone.

FREE LISTINGS: listings@wowkent.co.uk

Current print circulation: 5000 copies.

ADVERTISING: advertising@wowkent.co.uk

Excellent discounts for series bookings available to all advertisers. All ads also appear in the e-edition of the magazine at wowkent.co.uk

DESIGN: A Stones Throw astonesthrowdesign.co.uk PRINTING: The Colour Factory Ltd, Sittingbourne, 01795 470 825, www.colour-factory.com

Copy/listings deadline for March issue:

PUBLISHER: Emma Dewhurst

Monday 18 Feb 2013

All rights reserved. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that details in this publication are accurate, we cannot accept responsibility for such. Readers are advised to check listings information to avoid disappointment. Views expressed by contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of the editor and publisher. wowkent.co.uk

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

facebook.com /WOWMedway

@EmmaDewhurst7 WOW magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper

FEBRUARY WED 6TH

Andy Smythe Trio

THURS 7TH

Louis Turpin & Roger Hubbard

WED 13TH

The Jones Boys

THURS 14TH

Desert Turkey

WED 20TH

TBA

THURS 21ST

Willie & The Bandits

WED 27TH

Pierre Vincent

THURS 28TH

The Bubble Band

Jams on Sunday

at the 6-8 John Street, ROCHESTER, ME1 1YN Tel: 07772 214315 www.themanofkent.com

MAN OF KENT ALE-HOUSE ROCHESTER

A Co-educational Day and Boarding School

Year 7 to sixth form “RIC is brilliant because all the teachers are really nice. There is no uniform and the classes are half the size of my old school. In the future I would love to do something with maths for a career. Perhaps I will work for a bank in London like my Dad.” Daniel, Year 7 student • Very small classes (maximum 12) • No school uniform • Excellent examination results • Call to arrange a visit • Minibus services from Maidstone, Kings Hill & West Kent

STAR HILL ROCHESTER 01634 828115 www.rochester-college.org

APPLY NOW - GCSE & A LEVEL EASTER REVISION COURSES 1-5/8-12 APRIL

t a g n i k o o b w No

Tue, 5 Feb, 8pm - The Brook Theatre.

Gilad Atzmon’s Orient House Ensemble The hardest working jazz outfit in the UK, Gilad’s music is an homage to his favourite cities and captures the excitement and mystery that these places evoke. Tickets: £11, jazz mailing list £10

Fri, 8 Feb, 7pm - The Central Theatre.

Guinness World Records Officially Amazing Science LIVE

From the producers of Brainiac Live and Science Museum Live on Tour, comes a new show which explores the best, the worst, the weirdest and the unbreakable world records ever attempted. Tickets: Band A: £17, Band B: £15 (concessions available)

Thu, 14 Feb, 8pm - The Brook Theatre.

Jackie Oates

Jackie Oates is a phenomenon in today’s exploding UK folk-pop scene, and winner of two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. “English folk-pop...as pretty as some spring mornings.” - The Independent Tickets: £10, folk mailing list £9

Tue, 5 Mar, 8pm - The Brook Theatre.

Jim Hart’s Cloudmakers Trio Vibraphonist Jim Hart brings his new group the Cloudmakers Trio together with his regular sparring partner Dave Smith on drums, and US born Michael Janisch on bass. “His ( Jim Hart’s) vibes playing is a revelation” - The Times Tickets: £11, jazz mailing £10

Sat, 9 Mar, 7.30pm - The Brook Theatre.

Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers present

The Way of the Drum

Experience the thundering and exhilarating rhythms of Taiko in this dynamic and powerful show. A captivating, exciting fusion of primal rhythm and choreography. Tickets: £16 (concessions available)

Sat, 16 Mar, 8pm - The Central Theatre.

The Hoosiers

Three years after they first stormed the charts with Goodbye Mr A and Worried About Ray, The Hoosiers are back. Don't miss them here in Chatham. Tickets: Band A: £15, Band B: £13.50