WOW 1
FINE ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, CERAMICS, 3D, TEXTILES, GRAPHIC DESIGN, FILM AND MEDIA, THEATRE STUDIES
visual and performing arts
STUDY AT GCSE, AS & A LEVEL | New arts building opening 2014 www.rochester-college.org STAR HILL ROCHESTER ME1 1XF 01634 828115
YEAR 7 TO SIXTH FORM ISC ACCREDITED
®
Free event at Nucleus Arts & Chatham Saturday 6th July 2013
Funded by the Chatham Centre Forum & in association with Medway Councils River Festival
Nucleus Arts Centre • High Street • Chatham • Kent • ME4 4BP 01634 812108 • original@nucleusarts.co.uk • www.nucleusarts.com
CONTENTS 4 WELCOME 5 NEWS 9 DECLAN HENRY ON BI POLAR 10 SAM FROUDIST ON CHANGELING THEATRE’S RICHARD III
13 ME1: SECOND YEAR FOR MUSIC EVENT ONE 14 FILM 15 NICK WALKER: TWO SILENT ERA CLASSICS
16 MAIN FEATURE ‘THE BIG WEEKEND’
MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS; HOMESPUN; ROCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL & THE VINES CHERRY PICNIC
21 COMEDY/THEATRE 22 MUSIC (1) 25 MUSIC (2) 26 VISUAL ART 29 THE ACCESSIBLE BEYOND:
UPDOWN GALLERY
30 EXPLORING ANTARTICA & THE ARTIST’S SPACE
EDITORIAL: editor@wowkent.co.uk 0845 388 2243 (local rate from BT landlines) FREE LISTINGS: listings@wowkent.co.uk ADVERTISING: advertising@wowkent.co.uk DESIGN: A Stones Throw astonesthrowdesign.co.uk PRINTING: The Colour Factory Ltd, Sittingbourne, 01795 470 825, www.colour-factory.com PUBLISHER: Emma Dewhurst Distributed locally to Medway households and public pick-up points throughout the Medway towns and Maidstone. Current print circulation: 6000 copies. Excellent discounts for series bookings available to all advertisers. All ads also appear in the e-edition of the magazine at wowkent.co.uk Copy/listings deadline for September issue: Thurs 22 August ©WOW Kent magazine.
WELCOME TO WOW Your guide to the best of What’s On Where Medway, Maidstone and the accessible beyond For the first time ever, I am proud to give you a 32 page magazine! This bumper issue is bursting with the talent with which we are surrounded – turn to the centre pages for a look at three very special, home-grown new festivals which are staging events over one action-packed weekend. These are exactly the kind of local, quality happenings which inspired me to start the magazine in the first place, and WOW wishes great success to everyone involved. Happy reading! Emma Dewhurst editor@wowkent.co.uk
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
COVER ILLUSTRATION BY CHRISTINA LAMB OF PRINTED WONDERS, A MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS ARTIST PHOTOGRAPH OF THE EDITOR BY RIKARD ÖSTERLUND
PLEASE MENTION WOW! WOW needs your help to survive: it depends entirely on its supportive advertisers, so if you love the magazine please become a WOW ambassador and mention it, especially if you use any of its advertised services.
Find us on Facebook facebook.com/WOWMedway @EmmaDewhurst7 WOW magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper
CONTRIBUTORS Emma Dewhurst (Founder and editor) is an actress, community arts practitioner, writer and mother. She has had a long and varied theatrical career, playing throughout the UK and Ireland, at the National Theatre and in London’s West End. She is the proud recipient of two awards for WOW: Best Creative Business Award in the Kent Independent Traders Awards 2012 and Winner, Media Category, Medway Culture & Design Awards 2012. Sam Froudist (Features) 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. Declan Henry is a social worker, originally from County Sligo but now lives in Medway. Educated at Goldsmiths’ College and King’s College, London, he has written three books – Why Bipolar? (2013) about bipolar disorder, Buried Deep in my Heart (2010) about growing up in Ireland and Glimpses (2007) about disaffected teenagers. declanhenry.org.uk 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. He 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 facebook.com/ rochesterfilmsociety.
Sponsored listing
Salutetothe‘40s The Historic Dockyard Chatham 21 & 22 September 2013
1940s enthusiasts will make their way to The Historic Dockyard Chatham in September for Britain’s most entertaining 1940’s Home Front event. Superb 1940s-style entertainment, period scenes and military encampments re-create ‘Life on the Home Front’ at this wonderful nostalgic event with a truly vintage atmosphere.
Medway Council’s Arts Team provide a jam-packed programme of free or affordable creative school holiday workshops and term time courses for 8-16 year olds. The summer holiday Heatwave programme offers a great range of workshops, from dance and drama, to
The ‘Spirit of Kent’ Spitfire from Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar will perform a 20 minute display each day with full commentary accompanied by classic theme tunes. Tickets on sale now with savings for advanced purchases and two day tickets. Go to t hedockyard.co.uk/salutetothe40s
Nicholas Blake
Salute to the ‘40s is supported by Best of British Magazine and the Kent Messenger Group.
For full details, booking instructions or to be added to the Arts Team’s database, telephone 01634 338319 or email arts@medway.gov. uk. Alternatively, visit their websites medway.gov.uk/ arts or enjoymedway.co.uk
FREE TO CHATHAM ON SATURDAY 6 JULY!
Britain’s top three ‘40s female artistes will perform live for the first time at the same event. Fiona Harrison, Madeline Brown and Lola Lamour will be topping the bill of some of the best 1940s-style entertainers in the business. Visitors to the event will be tapping their feet along to classic wartime favourites all day. Around every corner visitors will encounter period vehicles and fashion, with many dressed in 1940’s attire, together with Home Front and Military displays bringing the site alive. The thousands of children evacuated during the Blitz will be remembered through the ‘Escape to the Country’ theme.
music and art and are run by excellent, often local, professional performers and artists. The Arts Team also run special drop-in workshops for families and younger children at libraries, castles, parks and festivals. For more details see p??
RIVER FESTIVAL
A free family fun day, with countless activities on and off the water along Chatham Waterfront between 10am and 4.30pm.
ON SHORE: Nucleus Arts’ ARTSFEST Free events all day, including live music, theatre, dance and visual arts. nucleusarts.com
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE 2014
Help to make it happen! Do you want to be part of the team organising the first St Patrick’s Day Parade in Medway? All are welcome to the meeting on Saturday 6 July at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Social Club, Balmoral Road, Gillingham ME7 5JB. To get to the club, you will need to walk up into the alley. For more information call 01634 573032 or email medwaystpatrickparade@gmail.com 5
BrINief RECOLLECT MUSIC FAIRS Sun 21 July & 18 Aug: Rainham Mark Social Club, 9.30am-3.30pm. Free parking, entry £1. Sun 28 July & 25 Aug: Princes Hall, Corn Exchange, Rochester High Street, 10am-4pm. Free entry
LIGHT VESSEL 21 International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend 2013 Sat 17 - Sun 18 August FREE Open Days 11am-4pm Join the crew on board historic lightship LV21 to explore the vessel and the fascinating history of lightships.
On Saturday, you will be immersed in the sounds of dots and dashes of Morse Code as LV21’s resident radio expert Colin Turner communicates with other lighthouses and lightships around the world. LV21, Gillingham Pier, Pier Approach Road ME7 1RX. Full details at lv21.co.uk.
GRAVESEND CENTRAL
MODEL RAILWAY SHOW Sat 20 July, 10am-5pm and Sun 21 July, 10am-4pm
Old Town Hall, High Street, Gravesend DA11 0AZ A lovely old-fashioned event in this beautiful building. Many working models, including a children’s layout to play with and much to fascinate – including a working fun fair. Adults: £2.50, Child (5-15) £1, Under 5s go free. Family ticket (2 + 2): £5. Disabled access. gres.org.uk
SEASONALLY EFFECTED A CULTURAL OPEN MIC Wed 31 July and 28 August, 6.30-9pm. Dot Café, 172 High Street, Rochester ME1 1EX To book a slot or for more information: seasonallyeffected.wordpress.com
ELM COURT FARMERS MARKET This award-winning market is held in the car park of Elm Court (formerly Wyedale) Garden Centre, Capstone Road, Gillingham ME7 37Q. Next markets: 7 July, 4 August and 1 September. 9.30am-1.30pm. Great range of Kentish produce.
Help to create THE CHATHAM MURAL 1-12 July
Would you like to be part of an exciting community art project to paint a big mural showing scenes from Chatham’s past, present and future? Artist Richard Jeferies will develop designs based on participants’ ideas and work with you to paint a mural on the boards next to Homestyle, 206/206A Chatham High Street. All are welcome to come along and join in with the painting on site, young or old, any ability. You can stay for 5 minutes or all day. Musicians! Entertain the painters! If you are a local band, musician, entertainer, choir or performer and would like the opportunity to come along and entertain the painters, then you are welcome to go along on any of the painting days. For more information email natasha@creatabot.co.uk. creatabot.co.uk/mural
COFFEE MORNINGS AT BELOW 65 Artists living within a 10 mile radius of Maidstone are invited to join members of Maidstone Visual Artists Network (MVAN) in their new coffee mornings at the Below 65 Gallery (downstairs at Gilbert & Clark Frame and Print). Share your current work and ideas, get to know like-minded others and join a lively network with benefits. Feel free to turn up, you don’t have to be a member to come along and share your ideas or simply have a coffee and a chat. Coffee mornings run from 10.15am. Future dates: Monday 15 July; Saturday 17 August and Tuesday 17 September. mvan.info
Maidstone ArtFs REE! l a v i t s Fe SATURDAYS IN JUBILEE SQUARE (in front of the Town Hall)
Do you work from home?
tired of only talking to the cat? Would you like to bounce your ideas off others and see them flourish?
H ello ! coFWD is a unique coworking space in Rochester, made up of a mix of people doing excellent things. To find out more, get in touch at cofwd.org or email us cofwd161@gmail.com
DANCING IN THE STREET, Saturday 6 July Performers of all ages from Mandy Ellen School of Dance will be giving dance demonstrations. There will also be an opportunity for some audience participation in line dancing! 1-3pm. OUR BIG GIG, Saturday 13 July The national music event Our Big Gig comes to Maidstone. A terrific, eclectic line-up includes Canterbury’s Coco And The Butterfields and Maidstone’s very own Junior Moore and The Inevitable Fear. 2-4pm. STREET THEATRE, Saturday 20 July Theatre performers take to the streets as their stage. Performances from street theatre groups and acrobats throughout the day.
WINNE WOW IS A DOUBLE AWARD R
-WINNING MAGAZINE!
WINNER Media Category, Medway Culture & Design Awards 2012
BEST CREATIVE BUSINESS, Kent Independent Traders Awards 2012
CASUAL PARTICIPANT 1 day/8 hrs per week £30 per month
PART TIME 2 days per week £60
per month
FULL TIME
£125
per month
PAY-ASYOU-GO Occasional use only £6 per day
We also have rooms for hire which are perfect for meetings, community groups, workshops or even photography sessions. Prices start from £10 per hour
Do you want to be part of something positive? 7
UNIQUE CHILDREN’S GIFTS, CLOTHING AND TOYS FIND US WITHIN COPENHAGEN BLUE
f
t
78 High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1JD M: 07815 206218 Website coming soon: www.mini-mi.co.uk
CATERPILLAR SUMMER SCHOOL 2013 Enjoy a week of fun dance and theatre classes leading to a performance of
MAMMA MIA!
3-5 years £25 per child 6-12 years £60 per child For further info & times please contact Laura on 07939 241 105 email: laura @CaterpillarDanceSchool.co.uk To book a place contact Rochester Dance Junction on 01634 404 454 681 Maidstone Road, Rochester ME1 3QJ
Rochester’s friendly Designer Florist Same Day Delivery Funerals & Weddings Unique plants and gifts Online shop at sweetpeaandolive.co.uk
5th – 9th AUGUST
DECLAN HENRY is an Irish-born author living in Medway. Drawing on his experiences as a social worker, his latest book, ‘Why Bipolar?’ looks at why people develop this most difficult condition Bipolar Affective Disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is featured regularly in the media. Celebrities like Stephen Fry, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Britney Spears, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Sinead O’Connor have increased its profile tenfold. But bipolar, which consists of alternating periods of mania followed by depression, has long since been associated with the creative minds of writers, poets, actors, artists and musicians. Some who spring to mind include Vincent van Gogh, Sylvia Plath, Spike Milligan, Vivien Leigh and Virginia Woolf. Miscomprehension surrounds bipolar disorder, with many people wrongly thinking that it is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The truth is there is no medical research that has proven this is true. Neither is there any scientific proof that bipolar is genetically linked. Bipolar is saturated with myths, with some people believing only artists, writers and musicians suffer from it. In fact, millions of people from all walks of life experience these abnormal shifts in mood, from deep depression to elation, from thoughts of grandeur to thoughts of hopelessness, from an abundance of energy to lethargy. There is no doubt that bipolar is a serious emotional disturbance, most probably caused by a traumatic life event; something my new book, Why Bipolar?, explores in great detail. I also look at how bipolar disorder is diagnosed and ‘treated’. The central core of the book features the life stories of 26 men and women living with bipolar whom I interviewed in Britain and Ireland.
At Eternity’s Gate by Vincent van Gogh, May 1890
WHY BIPOLAR?
We live in a ‘chemical age’ where psychiatrists dole out psychotropic drugs as if they were sweets. Bipolar is treated with a plethora of medications ranging from antidepressants, antipsychotics to Lithium and other mood stabilisers and Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Everything you should know about the harmful and debilitating side-effects including the serious damage it causes to the central nervous system is featured in the book. The link between suicidal ideation and certain antidepressants is also mentioned. I am of the opinion that the psychiatric industry is linked with large pharmaceutical companies who are driven by profit and controlled by greed and deception. Furthermore, the masking of the symptoms of bipolar disorder with medication without finding out the underlying cause only exacerbates the problem. There is hope offered for those with a bipolar diagnosis, however. I believe that by becoming fully informed of all the facts, both about the condition itself through to medication and alternative treatments, and by practising selfmanagement along with the avoidance of alcohol and illicit substances, the chances of having a better quality of life are greatly increased. Why Bipolar? by Declan Henry is published by Squirrel Publishing. ISBN 978-0-95768930-5 declanhenry.org.uk 9
HELEN MORLEY PORTRAITS BESPOKE OIL PAINTINGS
helenmorleyportraits.blogspot.co.uk 07849 926239
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
‘BLOODY THOU ART…’
SAM FROUDIST speaks to director Rob Forknall to discuss the company’s bloodiest offering yet In contrast to the politics of their latest play, Changeling Theatre is a firm believer in the powers of modern democracy. Every year the audience is furnished with a questionnaire asking them which Shakespeare production they would next like to see. Each year, for eleven years, Rob Forknall has been personally disappointed in the results of this democratic regime, as time and time again the people had spoken, and no one was in the least bit fussed about his favourite play, Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’. Finally he has been given the chance to bring out his inner tyrant, and when I ask what has changed for the audience Forknall tells me that his hunch (if you’ll excuse the pun) is that after a difficult 2012 people were more comfortable with the idea of a political drama, particularly one with a protagonist they could come together and communally despise. “We’re fed up with all these comedies”, quotes Forknall, “we want some blood and guts!” The phrase ‘ask and ye shall receive’ comes to mind, as Forknall tells me that lead actor Alex Mugnaioni’s Richard III is the “most brilliant villain”, and is set to deliver a version of the king we’ve not seen before. “We’ve based his physicality exactly on what has been found in Leicester,” says Forknall, referencing the discovery of the final Plantagenet King’s remains last year. “Whilst he did have a hump, [it] wasn’t [his disability that] made him evil, which is something I really wanted to get across”. It’s a refreshing take, and I’m told that Mugnaioni’s interpretation will show the brave, charming and somewhat shockingly, the desirable aspects of the king we love to hate. In a similarly refreshing approach, earlier in the year Forknall delivered a series of theatre workshops to young people all over Kent, culminating in the casting of the two ill-fated princes from each of the workshops. These roles will be played by a grand total of 22 young actors, each getting the
opportunity to work with a professional theatre company of exceptional calibre in their own town. I find myself rather envious indeed. Outdoor, site-specific theatre means that the actors can’t help but let the surroundings inform their performance, and it’s this flexibility that sets Changeling Theatre shows apart from other contemporary Shakespeare. Opening on 4 July with Dover Castle as its impressive backdrop, the production then tours to over twenty varied venues, from castles to beaches to football grounds. For my money, there’s little better than the thrill of live theatre in the great British outdoors, with its contingent challenges and joys: the people of Kent are in for a treat this summer. RICHARD III MEDWAY: Rochester Castle on 10 July, 7.30pm Upnor Castle on 31 July & 1 August, 7.30pm Book via Brook & Central Theatres, in person or tel. 01634 338338 or visit medwayticketslive.co.uk RICHARD III MAIDSTONE: Mote Park, Maidstone on 9 July, 7.30pm. Bookings: 01622 758611 Gallagher Stadium, Maidstone on 17 July, 7.30pm Also selected dates at Boughton Monchelsea Place Book at Hazlitt Arts Centre Box Office on 01622 758611 For a full list of dates and venues visit changeling-theatre.com
Photo: Nicholas Dawkes Photography
IN AN INTRIGUING DEPARTURE FROM THE POPULAR COMEDIES FOR WHICH THEY’VE BECOME KNOWN, CHANGELING THEATRE ARE BRINGING RICHARD III TO THE STAGE FOR THEIR 2013 SUMMER TOUR
Music festival-WOW ad_Layout 1 21/06/2013 10:52 Page 1
A celebration of Medway’s vibrant and growing music scene, with numerous events and activities in July and August.
For the full listing and more information
www.enjoymedway.co.uk
Buzzcocks photo: Ian Cook
ME1
SATURDAY 3 AUGUST All information and listings for Music Event One can be found at musiceventone.co.uk
MAKING A SPLASH IN 2012 WITH HEADLINERS PIL, MUSIC EVENT ONE RETURNS IN 2013 WITH ANOTHER STRONG LINE-UP
MATT PEACOCK spells out the highlights ‘It’s the Buzz, cocks!’ The headline of a review that provided this ubiquitous punk-new wave band name is about as apt as you can get for Music Event One. Excitement and energy surrounds the UKs world-famous alternative music scene, and the indie approach – as opposed to the mostly sterile mainstream – was started by ‘Buzzcocks’ Spiral Scratch’ EP release through their own New Hormones record label in 1977. After the sensation of last year’s PiL-led show, the return of Music Event One brings another helping of quality indie music to Rochester on Saturday 3 August 2013, with pioneers of punk Buzzcocks headlining a line-up of over 20 bands that merges renowned talent with new, likely successors from Medway and beyond. Second on the main stage bill is the debut of Graham Day and the Forefathers, the latest, and – perhaps – last incarnation of Graham Day-fronted bands.
These local legends have influenced bands far and wide and were acknowledged predecessors of Madchester. After a handful of European dates as the Prime Movers, the now rechristened Graham Day and the Forefathers will unashamedly pump out the best material from all previous line-ups, including the Prisoners, with an uncompromising verve and energy, undiminished from their earliest days. Completing the line up on the main stage at Rochester’s biggest venue, the Casino Rooms, are Dexters, and Chris Pope’s Chords UK. Dexters cite Buzzcocks as a major influence and have been widely tipped (from the NME to The Sun). Their new single ‘Start to Run’ is on the XFM playlist. Using reputation to shine a light on the undiscovered, Music Event One again offers access to seven stages around Rochester High Street with one wristband. The free stages will include The Eagle, The Nags Head, Ye Arrow and the Man of Kent, and will begin at lunchtime with confirmed acts including Stuart Turner and the Flat Earth Society, UpCDownC, Mr Bridger, Ben Jones and the Rifle Volunteers, One Day Elliot, RoKoKo, Broken Banjo, Native People, Black Lion Courtiers, Callum Rafferty, Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs and Crybaby Special and the Monsters. The Function Room stage has legendary DJs Dean Rudland (Blue Note, Acid Jazz) and Paul Wellers’ bassist Andy Lewis (Blow Up, Acid Jazz) continuing on the mod-element of the main stage bill, with live performance from The Get Up who have featured heavily on Craig Charles’ BBC6Music Funk and Soul show. Finally, the Tap’n’Tin stage will finish things off with a psyche-themed line-up which includes NME-darlings Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs. Also on the current XFM playlist and receiving heavy coverage on the likes of BBC6Music, their debut album ‘Clarietta’ was released in March to critical acclaim: receiving 8/10 from the likes of Q and Mojo it was compared to Television and The Velvet Underground. Support will include paragons of indie and psyche ethos Black Market Karma, and DJ will be the High Priest of UK-psyche, Richard Norris. 13
FILM CENTRAL THEATRE ‘AFTERNOON TREAT’
170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338
WEST SIDE STORY (PG) 1961 Tue 16 Jul 2.30pm Dir: Jerome Robbins Cast: Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn Matinee screening of this multi-Oscar-winning musical based on the Romeo and Juliet story. £4 (includes hot drink and teacake). A treat indeed! 151 mins medwayticketslive.co.uk RECOMMENDED: LIVE FEEDS AT CINEWORLD
Medway Valley Leisure Park, Chariot Way, Strood ME2 2SS. 0871 200 2000
Regular screenings of live opera and theatre performances from around the world arrive at the cinema via a live feed. They include interviews with the principals, behind the scenes shots and explanations. For prices please contact Cineworld. ANDRE RIEU MAASTRICHT 2013 CONCERT Sat 13 Jul, 7pm. Famous violinist broadcast live in concert from the Netherlands. 180 mins. NT LIVE from Manchester International Festival: MACBETH (12A) Sat 20 Jul 8.30pm. With Kenneth Branagh and Alex Kingston. Branagh also co-directed this with Rob Ashford. 120 mins GLOBE ON SCREEN: THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (PG) Mon 29 Jul 1pm and 7pm Shakespeare’s comedy, the fabulously feisty pair here played by Simon Paisley Day and Samantha Spiro, live from London’s Globe Theatre. 195 mins CARMEN ON SYDNEY HARBOUR Thu 1 Aug 7.30pm Spectacular production of Bizet’s love story performed on a stage suspended above Sydney Harbour! 150 mins cineworld.co.uk MEDWAY FILM SOCIETY – NEW SEASON of 16mm prints The Brook, Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE
Members can join for the whole year or for shorter seasons to see films at reduced rates. Non-members are welcome to attend single shows for £6.50 (concessions £5.50). For full details see medwayfilm.org.uk or contact MFS Secretary on 020 7638 0012 or email medwayfilm@tiscali.co.uk JESUS OF MONTREAL (1989) Fri 5 July 7.45pm Dir: Denys Arcand Cast: Lothaire Bluteau, Catherine Wilkening, Rémy Girard Deft, Cannes prize-winning satire. 119 mins with KING COAL Dir: Julius Pinschewer (1948) Witty cartoon. 3 mins medwayfilmsociety.org.uk PAUL GREENGRASS CINEMA
The Woodville, Gravesend DA12 1DD 01474 33774
Popular pop-up cinema in the main auditorium, showing a wide variety of films from all over the world, from great British classics to recent favourites. Thursday 11am Club, £3 (incl pre-movie drink and biscuit). Family Film club £2 (accompanying adult free). Wheelchair users – carers go free. All other movies £4.50. woodville.co.uk
SCREEN CLASSICS
Central Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338
A monthly celebration of classic cinema on the big screen, in association with the Rochester Film Society. (facebook.com/ rochesterfilmsociety) Introduction and post-film discussion over a complimentary drink hosted by programmer Nick Walker. £7, concs £5, includes free drink. WEST SIDE STORY (PG) 1961 Mon 15 Jul, 7.30pm Dir: Jerome Robbins Cast: Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn Musical classic with music by Leonard Bernstein and choreography by Jerome Robbins. 151 mins medwayticketslive.co.uk STEPPING STONE STUDIOS 2 Museum Avenue, Maidstone ME14 1QX
TUESDAY CINEMA CLUB Every Tuesday from 7pm. FREE SELECTED JUL/AUG RELEASES: MONSTERS UNIVERSITY 3D (U) Much-loved Monsters Inc. duo return. Rel 12 Jul SPRINGSTEEN AND I (12A) Documentary about The Boss by his fans. Rel 22 Jul
ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY
Chatham Odeon Cinema, Maritime ME4 4LL 0871 2244 007
The Rochester Film Society’s screenings occur every Thursday at 7.45pm. There is always an introduction to the screening followed by a post film discussion over a glass of wine. £8.60/£6.50. PLACE BEYOND THE PINES (15) Thu 4 Jul, 7.45pm Dir: Derek Cianfrance Cast: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta Highly rated American crime drama. 140 mins For further Jul/Aug programme please visit facebook. com/rochesterfilmsociety
ROMEO & JULIET (Cert tbc) New version from the creators of ‘Downton Abbey’. Rel 26 Jul 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
NICK WALKER PAYS HOMAGE TO TWO EXTRAORDINARY SILENT ERA CLASSICS
SUNRISE Director F W Murnau’s ‘Sunrise’ blends a story of fable-like simplicity with unparalleled visual imagination and technical ingenuity. Murnau’s tale of the idyllic marriage of a peasant couple (George O’Brien and Janet Gaynor) threatened by a Machiavellian seductress from the city (Margaret Livingston) created a milestone of film expressionism. Made in the twilight of the silent era, it became both a swan song for a vanishing medium and one of the few films instantly to achieve legendary status. Winner of three Academy Awards for Best Actress (Gaynor), Cinematography, and a never-repeated award for “Unique and Artistic Picture”, its influence and stature has only grown with each passing year. To see it today is to be astonished by the boldness of its visual experimentation. Emotional turmoil is reflected in contrasts of light and darkness, shadows, exaggerated physical stature, and translucent, superimposed images. Murnau was one of the greatest of the German expressionists (‘Nosferatu’, ‘Faust’, ‘Tartuffe’); he raised in the dark shadows of expressionism, pushed his images as far as he could, forced them upon us, haunted us with them. Sunrise is ultimately a motion picture that belongs in the personal library of every self-respecting cinephile, so be kind to yourself and go see, this will literally change how you view cinema forever. ‘Sunrise’ is screened by the Rochester Film Society is held at the Nucleus Gallery, Rochester on Sunday 21 July at 8pm as part of Medway Open Studios Festival.
DIARY OF A LOST GIRL This masterpiece of silent German cinema traces the journey of a young woman from the pit of despair to the moment of personal awakening. Directed by the great G. W. Pabst, ‘Diary of a Lost Girl’ represents the final pairing of the filmmaker with screen icon Louise Brooks, only months after their first collaboration in the now-legendary ‘Pandora’s Box’. Pabst’s final silent feature wagged a big finger at the decadence of the Weimar Republic, turning the story of a badly used young girl into an arch condemnation of moral corruption at the heart of the German soul. The stunning Brooks plays an unprepossessing young woman seduced by an unscrupulous and mercenary character employed at her father’s pharmacy. After she gives birth to his child and rejects her family’s expectations for marriage, the baby is stripped from her care, and she enters a purgatorial reform school that seems less an institute of higher learning than a conduit for fulfilling the headmistress’s sadistic sexual fantasies. Lesbian eroticism is another obvious subtext here, especially in the reformatory, where most of the girls have clipped, close-cropped boyish haircuts – the film is steeped in this kind of sexual suggestiveness. The film is never less than beautiful, its style fluid and expressionist while also remaining grounded in social realism. And Brooks is just magnificent, with a beautiful and vibrant face that was perfectly suited to the silent cinema. ‘Diary of a Lost Girl’ is screened by the Rochester Film Society at the Nucleus Gallery, Rochester on Tuesday 27 August at 8pm. For more information on both screenings, please visit: facebook.com/rochesterfilmsociety
Both screenings are free but anyone wanting to attend should email nickwalker62@yahoo.co.uk to reserve seats as places are limited – please bring refreshments...
ROCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL
the weekend 12-14 JULY 2013 ROCHESTER & CHATHAM & BEYOND
Hold the holiday plans! There is one weekend in July not to be missed A veritable feast of home-grown arts and entertainment, made by local people for local people is planned for the second weekend in July: most of it is free and all of it is downright exciting MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS & ARTS FESTIVAL 2013 launches this weekend, running from Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 July
“A great way to meet fascinating people with oodles of talent behind ordinary looking front doors.” Following its first, highly successful summer and winter editions last year, the Medway Open Studios & Arts Festival has grown dramatically, with 32 venues and over 200 local artists taking part this time round. The majority of the venues are all within easy walking distance of each other across Rochester and Chatham, offering a unique and delightful week of discovery and insight into Medway’s creative culture. Founder and Director, Heather Burgess, is particularly pleased with the growth of the festival outside the common creative clusters of Chatham and Rochester. Medway-based artists are opening their doors in Lower Higham and Gillingham, as well as two festival
exhibitions throughout July in Lordswood Library and Walderslade Village Library. Heather is really trying to push the festival out and engage more unsuspecting locals. “People are often put off by the words ‘art’ or ‘culture’, which is sad,” she says. “Most of what we all enjoy in our spare time is a form of art. That’s why I’m so happy to have more examples of diversity and creativity involved in this year’s festival, with participants ranging from GCSE students to established artists.” In addition to the open studios themselves, there are open mic opportunities, film screenings, poetry readings, a guided sound walk, and plenty of ‘ come and try’ experiences. This is a hands-on festival where all are welcome, with no prior art knowledge being expected or necessary.
Three Festival Exhibitions are taking place throughout July to offer a teaser of what to expect from the open studios. You’ll find these at: The Deaf Cat Café and Gallery 83 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX, 1-28 July Walderslade Library Walderslade Rd, Chatham ME5 9LR, 2-30 July Lordswood Library Kestrel Rd, Chatham, ME5 8TH, 1-28 July
Clockwise: Swallow: Printed Wonders; Donna Chapman, Nucleus; Ben Cameron; Ridley Rd Group; Sir Joseph Williamson’s Maths School; Like a Magpie; Jon Gubbay; Richard Reader; Hazelnut Press; West End Studios; Nikki Price
You’ll find a full list of the open studio venues and opening hours in the Festival guide, free with this month’s WOW. Registration for the winter festival is already open, with Heather keen to add more venues and artists to the festival line up. The winter edition will be on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December; visit medwayopenstudios.co.uk for details.
Artist and creative practitioner WENDY DAWS is opening the doors of her studio for the first time this year, to give visitors an insight into how she made an extraordinary piece of work which is about to be unveiled in Rochester Cathedral.
to see and I will be opening my studio to show and share the creative process. My clay master is being cast in bronze by Meltdowns Foundry in Ramsgate.
This is the first time that Rochester Cathedral has joined the Medway Open Studios and me, it’s my first time too! We’re joining because our collaborative journey, also with the Kent Association for the Blind, is about to take a new turn. I’ve been creating a tactile version of the Cathedral’s Fresco painted by Sergei Fyodorov (depicting the baptism of Jesus by John The Baptist), which you can find in the North Transept. The finished bronze will be on show at the Cathedral for all
See guide for opening times Rochester Cathedral is open daily from 7.30am-6pm (5pm on Saturdays)
Wendy Daws studio is at The Tack Room, Hulkes Lane, Rochester ME1 1EE.
wendydaws.co.uk
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“The idea is simple: to bring you a packed weekend of the best music we can find in our favourite places…” HOMESPUN FRIDAY 12 JULY & SATURDAY 13 JULY with a terrific little warm-up on Wednesday 10 July thrown in for good measure
This may be its first year, but the signs are that the collaboration between the handful of Medway promoters which has made this festival happen is working out a treat, with some of the best bands around booked to play. Much of the music is free, with the ticketed events fairly priced and more than worth it. Here’s just a taste of what’s on offer, with new additions confirmed almost daily, so check that Facebook page!
Photos: Phil Dillon
FRIDAY 12 JULY NAG’S HEAD (7pm: free) LEN PRICE 3 with THE A-LINES and BROKEN BANJO and JOE MAGEE
THE GRANVILLE ARMS (afternoon: free) BEN JONES – NATALIE EVANS – STANLEY KNIFE – DANIEL GREENWOOD + more tbc
THE CROWN (7.30: £5 adv) MAKER with THE PARADE and DEAD BEARS + support
YE ARROW (afternoon: free) ANDY WHITE – GLENN BARNES – ROGER MEAN – + more tbc
SATURDAY 13 JULY
SINGAPORA LOUNGE (2pm into evening: free ) ‘…the best line-up we’ve ever been on’ – Pity Party. HONEY RIDE ME A GOAT – ICE, SEA, DEAD PEOPLE – PITY PARTY – FRAU POUCH –PHILTRUM – USA NAILS – ZOMBIE MET GIRL – SEAN BEAN DEATH SCENE – THE SANS PAREIL – PUNCHING SWANS – THAT MASSIVE BEREAVEMENT – WHITEDEVILWHITEDEVIL– KLL RPNZL – THE REACTOR CORE IS SPLENDID
BILLABONG CLUB (8pm-midnight, £7.50 adv) GRAVENHURST with LUPEN CROOK and THESE GUILTY MEN. Beautiful and ethereal, Gravenshurst has been described as “Possibly Britain’s most underrated singer/ songwriter” by The Telegraph GORDON HOUSE HOTEL (7pm start: £5 adv) THE CLAIM with THEATRE ROYAL and THE LOVE FAMILY plus Vic Templar (DJ) EAGLE TAVERN (afternoon: free) BLACK LION COURTIERS – TAPE ERROR – DREDGERMEN THE FLYING ISAACS – + more tbc
NAGS HEAD (afternoon and evening: free) CRYBABY SPECIAL – BALANCE LOST – DIDI BERGMAN – CHRIS ALLEN – REAVSEY- more tbc THE BARGE (evening: tbc)
FREE WARM-UP GIG: The Barge, WED 10 JULY: Dave Read (The Claim), Stuart Turner, Didi Bergman and John Forrester THE VENUES: THE BARGE, 63 Layfield Road, Gillingham, ME7 2QY NAGS HEAD, 292 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1HS BILLABONG CLUB, Victoria Street, Rochester, ME1 1XJ EAGLE TAVERN, 124 High Street Rochester, ME1 1JT
GORDON HOUSE HOTEL,
91 High St Rochester, ME1 1LX YE ARROW, Boley Hill, Rochester, ME1 1TE
THE GRANVILLE ARMS,
83 Maidstone Rd, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1RL
SINGAPORA LOUNGE,
51 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1LN THE CROWN, 2 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1PT
Free entry to most gigs: The Crown, The Gordon Hotel and the Billabong have an entrance charge to cover costs. See Facebook event page for ticket details
t @homespunmedway f facebook.com/homespunmedway homespunmedway.com
ROCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL FRIENDS OF THE VINES CHERRY PICNIC SATURDAY 13 JULY, 1-4PM The Vines, Crow Lane, Rochester ME1 1RF This is a delightful annual event which is organised by the Friends of the Vines with support from Medway Council, which makes for a lovely afternoon outing. Now in its fifth year, there’s lots to do and see: • • • • •
Wonderful Kentish cherries and fruit trees for sale Family activities Tombola in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support Light refreshments Restoration House in Crow Lane is opening specially for the occasion
MAKE A CHERRY DESSERT! The ever popular Cherry Dessert competition will be taking place again this year. Entrants are asked to make a dessert using English (preferably Kentish!) cherries, with the First Prize being a meal at Topes Restaurant in Rochester. Email cherrydessert2013@ gmail.com for more information and an entry form
ROCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL GARDEN PARTY SUNDAY 14 JULY, 12 NOON TO 4PM The Good Intent Garden and Top bar, John Street, Rochester ME1 1YL Last year’s inaugural Garden Party was an enormous success, with non-stop poetry, eclectic stalls and refreshments throughout. This year, the Garden Party moves to the more intimate setting of the garden and top bar of The Good Intent (enter the garden via door in the fence) and is part of Medway Open Studios’ launch weekend, enabling you to drop in for a spot of culture and a little light refreshment on your way to visit the host of artists’ open studios in and around Rochester. The RLF team are expanding the brief this year to include storytelling, prose, open mic opportunities and a special edition of the very successful ‘Seasonally Effected’, a cultural open mic with a difference. For more details visit rochesterlitfest.com
JOIN IN!
TWO CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
The special edition of Seasonally Effected at the RLF Garden Party is also seeking submissions, and would particularly welcome short films which will be shown throughout the afternoon. Contact via seasonallyeffected.wordpress.com OTHER WORLDS, OTHER VOICES EXHIBITION CALLOUT To coincide with the first Rochester Literature Festival proper (3-13 October 2013) there will be an exhibition of mixed media in Rochester library. All are welcome to submit work inspired by the Festival theme, ‘Other Worlds, Other Voices’. Artworks/text can take any form and be interpreted in any way you see fit. Please send to Rochester Literature Festival, c/o coFWD, 161 High Street, Rochester ME1 1EH.
the
LEN PRICE 3: Phil Dillon
weekend
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Both Exhibitions Both Exhibitions
reasures T reasures ild from ild Tfrom irado H irado H free admission
free admission
Saturday 20 July to Saturday 2 November 2013 Saturday 20 July to Saturday 2 November 2013
This exhibition features artefacts never features before This exhibition seen outside artefacts neverJapan. before seen outside Japan. It focuses on William Adams, a focuses native ofon Gillingham in Kent, It William Adams, a native Gillingham in Kent, who wasofthe first Englishman who was Japan. the first Englishman to reach to reach Japan.
Japanese Japanese Culture Day Culture Day
26 August 2013 26 August Explore Japan2013 with trails,
Explore Japan with trails, crafts and demonstrations crafts and demonstrations (See our website for details) (See our website for details)
Photography: www.kate-plumtree.com Photography: www.kate-plumtree.com
A vibrant exhibition of fashion through A vibrant exhibition fashion through the ages, inspired byofthe wildlife of Britain. the ages, inspired by the wildlife of Britain. Designed and created by costume maker Designed by costume maker and textile and artistcreated Kate Plumtree and textile artist Kate Plumtree £3 per person, children under 16 FREE, Admission Charges Admission Charges
SPECIAL OFFER admitunder 2 for £5 £3 per person, children 16 FREE, SPECIAL OFFER admit 2 for £5
Teddy Bear Factory 16 August 2013 Teddy Bear Factory August 10.30 & 14.00 Suitable for children16 under 10 yrs 2013 10.30 children under 10 yrs Cost £8& 14.00 Suitable for ‘Worn to be Wild’ sponsored by: Cost £8 ‘Worn to be Wild’ sponsored by:
Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LH. Tel: 01622 602838 Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LH. Tel: 01622 602838
OPEN Monday to Saturday 10.00 - 17.00, Sunday & Bank Holidays 12.00 - 16.00 OPEN Monday to Saturday 10.00 - 17.00, Sunday & Bank Holidays 12.00 - 16.00 facebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum facebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum @MaidstoneMuseum @MaidstoneMuseum
www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk
Great People, Great Place, Great Opportunity Great People, Great Place, Great Opportunity
COMEDY BILLABONG CLUB
Royal Function Rooms, Star Hill, Rochester ME1 1XB
Edinburgh Fringe Preview shows: NIK COPPIN and IMAAN Fri Thu 25 Jul KATE SMURTHWAITE, SUZY BENNETT + JENNY COLLIER Thu 29 Aug . Doors open 7.30pm, comedy 8pm. £9 in advance from the Billabong Club; Dot Café at 172 High Street Rochester or from wegottickets.com. £12 with flyer on door. Groups of 6+ can claim one free ticket. billabongcomedyclub.co.uk COMEDY ZOO
Nucleus Arts, 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108
With licensed café Fri 26 Jul, from 7.30pm. Line- up tbc. Fri 30 Aug, from 7.30pm. Line-up tbc Tickets £10 on the door or from comedyzoo.co.uk JOKING WITH INTENT
The Good Intent, 3 John Street, Rochester ME1 1YL
OPEN MIC COMEDY CLUB First Thursday of the month. Thu 4 Jul, 8-10pm. All female night Thu 1 Aug , 8-10pm. Line-up tbc. £2 admission. Find Joking with Intent on Facebook
LARKFIELD PRIORY HOTEL
London Road, Larkfield ME20 6HJ 01732 846858
Edinburgh Fringe preview: VIKKI STONE: and PAT CAHILL: Fri 12 Jul PAUL T EYRES + DAVE WARD +
SUNNA JARMAN Fri 9 Aug Restaurant opens 6.30pm (£24.95 inc meal and drink, advance booking only) comedy 8pm. £10 inc drink voucher (in adv) or £10 on the door. larkfieldprioryhotel.com MARLOWE THEATRE STUDIO The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787
THE MARLOWE COMEDY CABARET Sat 27 Jul 8.15pm. Comedy and quirky cabaret (includes adult themes & language) £13 marlowetheatre.com (booking charges applies via internet) STEPPING STONE STUDIOS 2 Museum Avenue, Maidstone ME14 1QX
THE COMEDY CLUB Fri 19 Jul and Fri 16 Aug. Special menu for friends eating together! steppingstonestudios.co.uk THE WOODVILLE
Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD 01474 337774
LAUGHING BOY COMEDY CLUB presents: MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE Thu 4 Jul 8pm. JOSH WIDDECOMBE Thu 25 Jul 8pm. Tickets £12 woodville.co.uk
THEATRE CHANGELING THEATRE SUMMER TOUR 2013 RICHARD III See Sam Froudist’s article p10 Multiple Kent tour dates include 2 Medway venues: ROCHESTER CASTLE Wed 10 Jul, 7.30pm UPNOR CASTLE 31 Jul & 1 Aug, 7.30pm For tickets call 01634 338338, visit the Brook/Central Theatre Box Office or visit medwayticketslive.co.uk Maidstone venues include: MOTE PARK on 9 Jul, 7.30pm GALLAGHER STADIUM (Maidstone Football Ground) on 17 Jul, 7.30pm Also selected dates at BOUGHTON MONCHELSEA PLACE For tickets visit Hazlitt Arts Centre
Box Office, call 01622 758611 or visit hazlittartscentre.co.uk MARLOWE THEATRE
The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787
ENGLISH YOUTH BALLET’S SWAN LAKE Fri 23 & Sat 24 Aug 7.30pm, Sat mat 2.30pm. From £16 MIDNIGHT TANGO Mon 15 –Sat 20 Jul 7.30pm, Thu & Sat Mat 2.30pm. Tickets from £18 THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD Wed 7-Sun 11 Aug, 10.30am (not Wed) & 1.30pm. Sun: 1.30pm & 4pm. Tickets £12.50 Children seeing this show eat free in the Riverside Restaurant (one course for each equivalent adult course). Running time: 55 mins (no interval). Suitable for 3+ MARLOWE STUDIO: SCRATCH NIGHT Wed 10 Jul, 8pm. Curated in association with Accidental Collective, this is a chance to see some of the newest performance work in the county. marlowetheatre.com (booking charges applies via internet) ORCHARD THEATRE
Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000
GRANDPA IN MY POCKET From Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Co. Wed 31 Jul – Sun 4 Aug. A show for young children based on the CBeebies programme. Various day times and prices. ROOM ON THE BROOM (3+) Wed 28 Aug at 1.30pm & 4pm. & Thu 29 Aug at 10.30am & 1.30pm. Tickets £12. Children’s menu for £5.95 available to book for both these shows. orchardtheatre.co.uk
FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE! MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS INTRA SOUND WALK Sat & Sun 20 &21 July with artist Jane Pitt. Meet at 2pm at the Tack Room, Hulkes Lane, Rochester, ME1 1EE for a short sonic stroll. medwayopenstudios.co.uk 21
MUSIC Sponsored Listing
STEPPING STONE STUDIOS 2 Museum Avenue, Maidstone ME14 1QX
THE BLUE MOON JAZZ CLUB Every 2nd Friday FRIDAY JULY 12th
SIRENS & SHELTER + ONE DAY ELLIOTT + CHARLOTTE ROSE ELLIS Wed 24 Jul 8.30pm SALLY IRONMONGER Sat 27 Jul 9pm GREEN DIESEL Sat 3 Aug 9pm BARDS @ THE BARGE OPEN MIC Wed 7 Aug 8.30pm KRIS DOLLIMORE Sat 10 Aug 9pm ASH MANDRAKE Sat 17 Aug 9pm ANDY WHITE Sat 31 Aug 9pm thebargepub.co.uk BEACON COURT TAVERN
HOT GUITARS Featuring Dave Reay, Jamie Moore and Tony Baker. Foottapping Classics of Django Reinhardt’s Gypsy Jazz and Brazilian sizzlers from Rio. A night of fiery guitar music, drawing on the European gypsy tradition, flamenco and South American bossanova, suffused with the piquant flavours of jazz, mixing well-known standards with original compositions. Tickets £8 on the door or book a dinner table for £20 per head. Includes 2 courses and wine! Contact bookings@ steppingstonestudios.co.uk steppingstonestudios.co.uk
128 Canterbury Street, Gillingham ME7 5PT 01634 853186
SWITCHBACK MUSIC EVENTS present their best line-up yet! WILDFOWL + support from CRYBABY SPECIAL AND THE MONSTERS, THE JACS, THE FURRY LOVE LICKERS Fri 12 Jul, music starts 8.15pm. £5 entry /£3 with NUS card. facebook.com/ switchbackmusicevents BROOK THEATRE
Old Town Hall, The Brook, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338
FOLK AT THE BROOK: FAKE THACKRAY Thu 11 Jul 8pm John Watterson performs the satirical songs of Jake Thackray. medwayticketslive.co.uk CAFÉ MOROC
ANCHORIANS RUGBY CLUB, Darland Avenue, Gillingham ME7 3AN
JAZZ: JULIAN MARC STRINGLE (clarinet and saxophone) and the award-winning DOMINIC ASHWORTH BAND Fri 19 Jul 8.30pm. Tickets £10. Tel: 01634 365352 or 07544 312743 THE BARGE 63 Layfield Road, Gillingham ME7 2QY
Free entry BARDS @ THE BARGE Open Mic Wed 3 Jul THE TIMMY MOORE TRIO Sat 6 Jul HOMESPUN: DIDI BERGMAN + STUART TURNER + JOHN FORRESTER Wed 10 Jul HOMESPUN: Sat 13 July 9pm ARCELIA: Wed 17 Jul 9pm
High Street, 365 Rochester High Street ME1 1DA 01634 405682
LA BELLE INDIFFÉRENCE Sun 14 Jul 3-5.30pm. Mezzo soprano Tania Holland Williams and her alter ego the Fat Lady of Opera with her unique French cabaret and opera mashup. cafemoroc.co.uk CASINO ROOMS Blue Boar Lane, Rochester ME1 1PD
ME1: BUZZCOCKS, with GRAHAM DAY AND THE FOREFATHERS; DEXTERS, CHRIS POPE’S CHORDS UK Sat 13 Jul, 4.30pm. Tickets £22.50 adv in person from Rochester Visitors Centre, Brook & Central Theatres Box Office or from medwayticketslive. co.uk. One ticket for all venues. musiceventone.co.uk
HOMESPUN An independent Medway music festival Warm-up gig: 10 July at The Barge Festival proper: Fri 12 and Sat 13 July See The Big Weekend Main Feature homespunmedway.com ME1 Music Event One is in its second year, with stages across Rochester on Sat 3 August. See back cover for details. musiceventone.co.uk CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS
MEDWAY FESTIVAL OF MUSIC: THE PROCLAIMERS + support. Sat 3 Aug 7.30pm The inimitable twins come to Medway. £24.50, £22.50 medwayticketslive.co.uk CHATHAM MARITIME
St George’s Centre ME4 4UH
MEDWAY FESTIVAL OF MUSIC: ROCHESTER CHORAL SOCIETY Verdi Requiem (with organ) Sat 6 Jul at 7pm Tickets £12, NUS £5: rochesterchoral.co.uk 44TWO SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB Featherby Road, Gillingham ME8 6AN 01634 405037
DONN BARCOTT BAND Thu 11 Jul & 8 Aug 8.30pm. Big band with guest vocals. Raffle & bar. £6 (no membership required) ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL Rochester, ME1 1SX
INFORMAL LUNCHTIME PIANO RECITAL by pianist and composer Charles Timberlake. Be calmed, moved and inspired. Sat 10 Aug 12.05pm. Free entry rochestercathedral.org ROCHESTER CASTLE CONCERTS Rochester Castle, ME1 1SW
STATUS QUO Wed 17 Jul, THE WANTED Thu 18 Jul, 80s NIGHT Fri 19 Jul & CASTLE PROMS Sat 20 Jul. castleconcerts.co.uk
E
FRE
Sunday 28 July 2013, 1.00pm – 4.00pm Bees, Bugs and Butterflies with Päivi Seppälä aka Poppana Come and explore what wildlife the variety of blooming poppies, bellflowers and other plantlife attract to Ranscombe Farm. Then help us turn your findings into a biodegradable art installation and enter our competition by making a unique 3-dimensional postcard adorned with your favourite wildplant and wildlife discoveries. This FREE workshop is part of Plantlife’s postcard design competition, What Does Ranscombe Farm Reserve Mean to You? Find us near Knights Place Rec car park (ME2 2XR) between 1pm - 4pm. For more information, call us on 01634 292062, e-mail ranscombe@plantlife.org.uk or go to: www.facebook.com/RanscombeFarm
KENT
Ale
JULY Tues 2nd - Ukulele Jam Night Wed 3rd - Landermason Thurs 4th - The Brainflowers Sun 7th - Jam Night Wed 10th - Redeye Thurs 11th - Pass the Cat Sun 14th - Jam Night Tues 16th - Quiz Night Wed 17th - The Amazing Mr.Smith Thurs 18th - The Mercurials Sun 21st - Jam Night Wed 24th - Green Diesel Thurs 25th - Tbc Sun 28th - Brian McNeill of Feast of Fiddles Wed 31st - Shadrack Tye AUGUST Thurs 1st - Funke & the Two-Tone Baby Sat 3rd - ME1: Hobo Jones & the Junkyard Dogs Sun 4th - Jam Night Tues 6th - Ukulele Jam Night Wed 7th - Sally Ironmonger Duo Thurs 8th - Kris Dollimore Sun 11th - Jam Night Wed 14th - Summerhead Thurs 15th - Louis Turpin & Roger Hubbard Sun 18th - Jam Night Tues 20th - Quiz Night Wed 21st - Mellow Peaches Thurs 22nd - Gentleman Tim Sun 25th - Jam Night Wed 28th - Adam Beattie & The Consultants Thurs 29th - Tener Duende Scan the code to download FREE Kent Live Music app ANDROID
APPLE
6-8 JOHN ST, ROCHESTER TEL: 07772 214315 WWW.THEMANOFKENT.COM 23
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Dance★Drama★Circus★Art and Craft
Heatwave 2013 Creative fun for 8 to 16-year-olds at The Brook Theatre and Medway’s libraries From Medway Council Arts Team
Hand printed paper goods & Textiles, made in Rochester Prices suited to
every pocket
Circus
Dance
A week of adventurous fun with spinning plates, juggling, tightwire and aerial hoop.
A professional dancer will teach you Salsa Style or a routine to music by The Saturdays.
Drama
Art and craft
A fab version of Charlie and the Free craft at libraries – Chocolate Factory or try Acting make pop-up mysterious Up, a workshop for older teens. books as part of the Summer Reading Challenge. Running throughout the summer holidays - for more details, visit www.enjoymedway.co.uk phone 01634 338319 or email arts@medway.gov.uk
Booking essential – phone 01634 338338 or email boxoffice@medway.gov.uk
Custom printed bunting, cards, stationery, wall & window vinyls,bags, cushions and decorations, made to order. Printing parties for all ages in our studio or your venue. printedwonders.co.uk
Artist-run print facilities, courses, studios & exhibitions
★ Dedicated Screen Printing Studio ★ Etching & Albion Presses ★ Print Gocco ★ Heat Press See our short courses programme at medwayfineprintmakers.co.uk Coal Shed Press & Printed Wonders at Boundary Wharf, Rochester, ME1 1DA
MUSIC Sponsored Listing
ROCHESTER CASTLE GARDENS Rochester Castle, ME1 1SW
UNDER SIEGE Sun 21 Jul 1-3.30pm Free concert showcasing Medway’s best young musical talent. facebook. com/undersiegeconcert ROCHESTER SWING PRESERVATION SOCIETY THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE HASTINGS ARMS
Rochester Swing Preservation Society are a group of Medway musicians playing music from the Swing era and more from the 1940s and 50s. They perform regularly in Kent and feature guest artists. They are directed by saxophonist Dave Bowdler who has worked with many top British bands including The Joe Loss Ambassadores, the Ray McVay association and the Nat Temple Orchestra. Dave was also resident at the Ritz Hotel with the Ray Fernandes Sound. Thu 25 July: Special guest vocalist Vic Hope, with the songs of Matt Monro. Thu 29 Aug: Sinatra-style vocalist Paul Wood, an international performer, top session singer and renowned vocalist with the Glenn Miller Memorial Orchestra, singing favourites from the ‘Great American Songbook’, including songs by George Gershwin and Cole Porter. HASTINGS ARMS FUNCTION ROOM
18 Lower Rainham Road (leading to Danes Hill), Gillingham ME7 2YD.
Admission £5. Free parking. Reservations: 01634 712217 Find us on Facebook: ‘Rochester Swing Preservation Society’
SINGAPORA LOUNGE 51 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LN
Sponsored Listing
Music To Wine & Dine To: Award-winning 144 Club ROAST LUNCH AND LIVE MUSIC LARKFIELD PRIORY HOTEL 802 London Road ME20 6HJ (A20 next to B&Q)
MOTHERBOY PRESENTS 3 GIGS: THAT MASSIVE BEREAVEMENT, UPCDOWNC, FRAU POUCH AND SOUR CROUCH AND THE XENOPHOBE Sat 5 July 8pm. Free entry HOMESPUN: HONEY RIDE ME A GOAT, ICE SEA DEAD PEOPLE, WHITEDEVILWHITEDEVIL, PITY PARTY, USA NAILS, THAT MASSIVE BEREAVEMENT, FRAU POUCH, PUNCHING SWANS, PHILTRUM, THE SANS PAREIL, ZOMBIE MET GIRL, SEAN BEAN DEATH SCENE and THE REACTOR CORE IS SPLENDID Sat 13 Jul, 1pm start. Free entry EAGLEBURNER, BROKEN BANJO Fri Aug 16, 8pm. Free entry
Sun 7 July: BBC Presenter ROB SMITH & Frank Sinatra’s saxophonist JIM HASTINGS. Sun 4 Aug: Singer VERONA CHARD + band. For both gigs: 2 courses & music £26, 3 courses & music £30. Doors 12.45pm for 1.15pm start.
TAP ‘N’ TIN
ROFFEN CLUB, ROCHESTER
26 Railway St Chatham, Medway ME4 4JT
BEARD AND THE GIRL Fri 2 Aug, 10pm-2am. Free launch DJ party to celebrate TEA Concerts’ new monthly residency. Free entry teaconcerts.co.uk
41 New Road Rochester ME1 1DX
Wed 10 July: American saxophonist FRANK GRIFFITH + band. Entrance £13 or £23 with 2 course meal; £28 with 3 course meal. Doors 7.15pm for 8.15pm start
THE GOOD INTENT
John Street, Rochester ME1 1YL
FOLK SINGAROUNDS Tue 2 & 16 Jul and Tue 6 & 20 Aug; hosted by Simon Barlow or Ruff’n’Ready JAZZ NIGHT Fri 5 Jul and Fri 2 Aug FOLK CONCERT NIGHT Tue 9 Jul with Phil Burkin. Tue 13 Aug with Les Elvin OPEN MIC NIGHT Thu 11 & 25 Jul, and Thu 8 & 22 Aug. Hosted by Andy Whyte (PA provided) ROCHESTER ACOUSTIC MUSIC DAY Sat 13 Jul, hosted by Derek Moore. From 12 noon PIERRE VINCENT Singer/songwriter. Sun 18 Aug, 6pm start. Top bar Free entry. 8.30pm all events, unless otherwise stated
Sun 28 July: Roast Lunch and Live Music with singer LEE GIBSON + band 2 courses & music £26, 3 courses & music £30. Doors 12.45pm for 1.15pm start. Wed 14 August: JON GEE + band. Entrance £13 or £23 with 2 course meal; £28 with 3 course meal. Doors 7.15pm for 8.15pm start. Tickets and Menu info: 144club.co.uk or 01634 365453 25
VISUAL ART BELOW 65 GALLERY
Gilbert & Clark Frame & Print 65 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1SR
01622 685146 Free entry Open 9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat SEA & LAND: CHRIS F CLARK 1-30 July. A selection of photographs from an ongoing project exploring the relationship between sea and land, and how we are inspired in different ways by both. BARBARA DOWN & JANET MCCONNELL 1 – 30 Aug. A wonderful selection of paintings & mixed media from two prolific local artists. gilbertandclark.com FRANCIS ILES GALLERY
103 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 843081
Opens Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm SUMMER EXHIBITION featuring THE ARTISTS OF RUSSIA To 3 August. Followed by ROWLAND HILDER TRIBUTE from Mon 10 Aug. Free entry francis-iles.com MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS & ARTS FESTIVAL Sat 13-Sun 21 July Now in its second year, the Festival goes from strength to strength, with a fantastic range of studios opening their doors. This year there are also more associated events from arts community groups. See main feature. medwayopenstudios.co.uk NUCLEUS ARTS
272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108
Gallery opens Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11-4pm. Free entry ARTSFEST Sat 6 Jul 11am - 6:30pm. A terrific free event with live music, theatre, dance and visual arts. MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS NUCLEUS ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS EXHIBITION 6-25 July (launch party Sat 13 Jul 5-8pm) Also, resident Nucleus artists open their studios for the weekends of 13 &14 and 20 & 21 July, 10am to 6pm. An enormous variety of work on show and for sale. Exhibition closes 1pm on 25 Jul.
INSPIRATION OF ART - Various Artists 3- 15 August (closes 1pm on 15th) 6 artists & photographers based in Gravesham. Preview: Fri 2 Aug 6-8pm, all welcome NEVER MIND THE GAP -This Is Fingle Bridge: David Faltrego 17 – 22 Aug (closes 1pm on 22 Aug). See this month’s The Artist’s Space p30. Preview: Friday 16 Aug 6-8pm, all welcome. nucleus-arts.com
NUCLEUS ARTS, ROCHESTER 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX
Open 10am-5pm Mon-Sat; Sun 11-5pm 01634 780932 NUCLEUS ARTS, MAIDSTONE
2-4 Granada House, Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone ME15 6JR 01622 690337
Not-for-profit gallery shops with eclectic selection of artworks for sale. NO.1 SMITHERY: The Gallery, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, ME4 4TZ 01634 823800
INTRODUCING THE RALPH STEADMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Open 10am-6pm. Adults £17.50, Children £11, concs available. Includes unlimited return to all Dockyard attractions for one year. EXPLORING ANTARTICA: The Final Expeditions of Scott and Shackleton To 30 August. See review p30. thedockyard.co.uk ROCHESTER ART GALLERY
Head Judge: Internationally renowned cartoonist, illustrator & artist Ralph Steadman
Competition Theme: NOW Artists from 8 to 108 are invited to enter a new art competition launched last month by a happy partnership of WOW magazine, Rochester Independent College and University of Kent School of Arts. Amazing prizes, including an original, framed ‘Thought Sheet’ by Ralph Steadman for the adult winner, arts materials vouchers and in addition to the category prizes one exceptional aspiring artist has the opportunity to be awarded the Ralph Steadman Art & Design Scholarship, giving them 2 year full scholarship for A Levels to Rochester Independent College OR a bursary of £2000 per year for three years towards to help fund their visual arts degree. To download an application form, go to wowkent.co.uk or rochester-college.org
Medway Visitor Information Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX
01634 338319 Mon-Sun 10am-5pm KALEIDOSCOPE – Printed Textiles by NEIL BOTTLE and ZARA CARPENTER’s exquisite hats in the Craft Case. To Sat 13 Jul. Free entry ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL Rochester ME1 1SX
Open 9am-5.30pm. Free entry MOMENT TO MOMENT: A Tale in 100 Sculptures by Randy Klein. A narrative journey in 100 sculpted figures. rochestercathedral.org SINGAPORA LOUNGE (downstairs) 51 High Street, ROCHESTER, ME1 1LN
FRASER PEEK Weekend of 13 & 14 Jul Solo show as part of Medway Open Studios. For more information call 07580 345587. four-seven.com/art UPDOWN GALLERY
Satis House, 11 Elms Ave, Ramsgate. CT11 9BW 01843 588181
Tue - Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 11-6pm. Mon by appointment PIERS SECUNDA – A RETROSPECTIVE To Sat 27 Jul. See article p31. Free entry updowngallery.co.uk
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24 MAY - 30 AUG 2013 24 MAY - 30 AUG 2013
The Final Expeditions of Scott & Shackleton (with IBG)
The Final Expeditions of Scott & Shackleton (with IBG)
NO.1 SMITHERY: THE GALLERY thedockyard.co.uk CL NO.1 SMITHERY: THE GALLERY EXHIBITION ENTRY INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF AN ANNUAL TICKET thedockyard.co.uk CL EXHIBITION ENTRY INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF AN ANNUAL TICKET
UPDOWN GALLERY AS PART OF WOW’S OCCASIONAL SERIES THE ACCESSIBLE BEYOND, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE UPDOWN GALLERY IN RAMSGATE, WHICH HAS BEEN QUIETLY EXHIBITING A SUBLIME SELECTION OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART FROM THE UK, EUROPE AND AMERICA SINCE IT OPENED LAST YEAR, INCLUDING WORKS BY HOWARD HODGKIN, BRIDGET RILEY AND PETER BLAKE.
UPDOWN GALLERY’S CURRENT EXHIBITION SHOWCASES A RETROSPECTIVE OF OVER A DECADE’S WORK BY PIERS SECUNDA
“Making a record of the time in which you are alive is, I believe, the most important thing an artist can do.” Piers Secunda is a compulsive risk taker whose stunning practice has evolved from simple forms to produce works of political texture and allegory which record some of the most important social and political conversations of our time. Sam Holmans Thompson met the artist to discuss his current solo exhibition: Why did you decide to move paint away from canvas to stand alone as a sculptural medium? I find that the flat surface of the canvas limits what a painting can be, and after 40,000 years of evolution I wanted to take the paint away from the restraint of the canvas and use it on its own. It seemed like a logical move to me. How has your practice changed over time? I’ve gone from moulding simple forms in acrylic in the 1990s, to making highly complex and sophisticated works with multiple moving parts and elaborate assemblages, which are held together with industrial fixtures and fittings made of paint. Then I introduced political texture with bullet holes made by drug kingpins and the Taliban, and most recently I‘ve started to tell the story of petro-chemical age by printing pictures with crude oil. Whilst visually aesthetic, your work also carries a strong political commentary… The works makes a very strong record, sometimes quite forensically, but the work doesn’t make a political commentary or take a political position. It just records. I
don’t feel that I’m sufficiently equipped to make a judgment call about the politics of the Taliban, or Jamaican narco traffickers, so I make records. Who or what has been your biggest influence? People are. That’s why I try and record what we get up to… What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken to achieve a finished work? Going to Afghanistan on a tourist visa. There was a rocket attack on Kabul the night I arrived. There were air raid sirens going off, and when I woke up one of the people in the house I was told to “go back to bed”. It seemed an illogical move, but when in Rome… By what terms do you measure your success as an artist? I showed alongside Anthony Caro and Barbara Hepworth a few years ago - that was a good one! Having a retrospective is also a big step. It means the opportunity to view works from a wide time frame together in the same exhibition space. When I made my very first playful experiments with paint on its own, aged 18, I could never have imagined I would be able to take it so far… PIERS SECUNDA ‘A RETROSPECTIVE’ RUNS FROM 22 JUNE TO 27 JULY UPDOWN GALLERY, SATIS HOUSE, 11 ELMS AVENUE, RAMSGATE CT11 9BW. TEL: 01843 588181 UPDOWNGALLERY.CO.UK
THE ARTIST’S SPACE
EXPLORING ANTARTICA:
THE FINAL EXPEDITIONS OF SCOTT AND SHACKLETON
EMMA DEWHURST REVIEWS THE LATEST EXHIBITION AT NO.1 SMITHERY: THE GALLERY AT THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD, CHATHAM This is an exhibition with a moving narrative. It is laid out in the intimate Gallery of No.1Smithery in an intelligent, thoughtful way, taking the visitor on a chronological and, as it turns out, psychological journey. ‘Exploring Antartica’ tells the story of two expeditions: the first Terra Nova, Captain R F Scott’s final, fatal attempt to reach the South Pole; and the second aptly named Endurance expedition led by Sir Ernest Shackleton to cross Antartica.
CATTLE TALES FROM AN UDDERWORLD B Y D AV I D FA LT R E G O
David Faltrego is a surrealist painter based in Medway. He creates carefully contrived imaginary dreamscapes infused with random childhood memories, emotions, observations and sometimes humour. Having grown up during the 60s-70s, he is influenced more by the work of Monty Python than the true origins of surrealism. David takes an irreverent view of life using juxtaposition, paradox and metaphor, attempting to engage the viewer, provoking thought and reaction. ‘NEVER MIND THE GAP - this is Fingle Bridge’ runs from 17-22 August at Nucleus Arts Gallery, 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 5BP. The exhibition addresses the abhorrent elitism the artist sees within the art world. Evening Preview Friday 16 August 6 - 8pm. Open Sat -Wed 10am -5pm, Thu 10am-1pm. Also open Sunday 18 August, 11am – 4pm. Free entry
Accompanying each expedition was a photographer: Herbert Ponting was a photo-journalist, known for his ability to capture a photographic narrative, and Frank Hurley for his willingness to brave physical risks to capture the shot. Ponting’s images make for a fascinating record of the lives of the Terra Nova crew. Together with the few artefacts brought back by the rescue mission which found Scott, they are poignant in the extreme. The heartbreak is in the details: the cramped, cosy ‘dens’ where the men slept; the routine of the dogs; a lucky horsehoe; the last remaining fortified biscuit found in the tent in which Scott died. In contrast but no less affecting, the most enduring images from Hurley’s collection are an extraordinary series of shots of the artic icescape, and the expedition’s ship, stuck in the pack ice for months, from all angles and in all lights. “Each man in his way is a treasure,” wrote Captain Scott in his diary. This is an exhibition which tells us why. Exploring Antartica runs until 30 August.
‘SOUTH’ This documentary tells the amazing story
of the 1914-1916 Antarctic exploration mission of Sir Ernest Shackleton. The event by the Rochester Film Society is held at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham on Wednesday 14 August combining a film screening, a tour of the exhibition and a glass of wine. 6.45pm: Doors open 7pm: Private viewing of exhibition ‘Exploring Antarctica’ 7.30pm: Film Introduction by Nick Walker 7.45pm: Screening of ‘South’ Ticket price - £10.00 (includes free glass of wine) For more information please visit: facebook.com/ rochesterfilmsociety
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GUEST DJ TBA