Royston Arts Festival Programme 2016

RoystonArtsFestival.org

PREMIER PARTNER

23-25 SEPTEMBER 2016

COMMUNITY CARNIVAL ROYSTON MUSICFEST ’16 30+ EVENTS, EXHIBITIONS & WORKSHOPS

Welcome to this year’s Royston Arts Festival programme, brought to you by Creative Royston!

I’m so pleased that this year the town will be getting into the Carnival spirit, so that the festival, albeit shorter than the previous few years, will be a really vibrant and creative few days.

As you’ll see over the next few pages, we have carnival themed exhibitions from the local schools at Royston & District Museum, and from the artists and photographers across Royston and beyond, at the Town Hall and Methodist Church.

Other festival highlights include Royston Choral Society’s Messiah Workshop and Performance (page 10), the CADS production of Abigail’s Party (page 8) and GStars Carnival Dance Workshop (page 11).

For our part, the Creative Royston committee, have been hard at work planning three key events to liven up the town centre over the weekend. On Saturday 24 September, Priory Memorial Gardens will host a fun family carnival themed event and procession from 1pm to 4pm, see page 9 for more details. Then on Sunday the town will buzz to the sound of a fantastic array of bands and musicians across nine different venues throughout the afternoon; find details of venues and musicians for MusicFest ‘16 on pages 13 and 14. Then to draw the festival to a close, we’ll have the ever popular Festival Finale Concert at the Parish Church, where the rafters will be raised by local schools and music groups celebrating the talent we have in the town.

I do hope you’ll make a weekend of it and join in with a range of events and whilst you’re enjoying them do share your thoughts and photos via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, details below.

le il v r e m o S e r i a l C

Chairperson, Creative Royston

f /roystonartsfestival t@RoyArtsFest #RAF2016

h creativeroyston.org Cover painting by Carl Filby Carnival Queen by Stacey Leigh Ross

FESTIVAL DIARY Fri 16 Sat 17

Now You See Me 2 (12A)

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Kiddies Carnival Craft: Masks & Splatter Art The Elephant Man (12A) Harmony in Harlem

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Thu 22

CADS: Abigail’s Party

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Main Festival Events: Fri 23

Royston Arts Society Autumn Exhibition CADS: Abigail’s Party Middle Schools “Carnival” Art Exhibition launch Talk: The Gardens of Wimpole Hall

Sat 24

Royston Arts Society Autumn Exhibition Royston Fringe Art Exhibition Royston Photographic Society Exhibition: A Carnival of Colour Royston Fringe Art Competition Dancing Hands – It’s Carnival! Let’s Dance!

Kiddies Carnival Craft: Capes Carnival Event & Procession Come and Sing favourite Messiah Choruses Messiah Choruses in St. John’s Parish Church Carnival! – Family Storytelling Event Carnival Fun – with Flowers Royston Cave Culture Carnival Workshop CADS: Abigail’s Party

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Sun 25

Royston Arts Society Autumn Exhibition Royston Fringe Art Exhibition Royston Photographic Society Exhibition: A Carnival of Colour Royston Cave Royston Town Trail Carnival clay bunting workshop Afternoon Tea with Pam Rhodes Royston MusicFest ‘16 Royston Fringe Art Competition Prize Giving Festival Finale Concert

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FESTIVAL VENUES (See page 14 for MusicFest ’16 venues map)

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Parish Church - SG8 9LG Priory Memorial Gardens - SG8 9LG Royston Library - SG8 9JN The Old Bull Inn - SG8 9AW Market Hill Rooms - SG8 9JR Methodist Church - SG8 7AU Meridian School - SG8 7JH Museum and Art Gallery - SG8 5AL Glazed Creations - SG8 5AY Royston Cave - SG8 7BZ Town Hall/Picture Palace - SG8 7DA

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Royston Arts Society Autumn Exhibition FREE Possibly the biggest, most diverse art exhibition in Royston’s creative calendar is back again. Come and see 400+ pieces by Royston Arts Society’s amateur and professional artists. Add to your collection of local artists’ works at very affordable prices. Play art critic and vote for your favourite painting in our section devoted to the ‘Carnival’ theme. Then help your favourite artist and favourite painting in the exhibition win our People’s Choice prizes!. www.roystonartsoc.org.uk Where: Venue 11 - Town Hall (SG8 7DA) When: Friday 23 - 8-10pm, Sat 24, Sun 25 - 10am-5pm

Middle Schools “Carnival” Art Exhibition FREE This exhibition is the culmination of the Young Curator’s project and carnival art work produced by Royston’s Middle Schools (Roysia and Greneway), curated by this year’s Young Curators’ group (a small group of Year 8 pupils from both schools).

The exhibition continues into October. www.roystonmuseum.org.uk Where: Venue 8 - Royston and District Museum (SG8 6AL) When: Sat 24 until October - 10am-5pm

The Royston Fringe Art Exhibition FREE Our Art Exhibition is open to all artists, amateur or professional, and is free to enter.

Admission is free and 70 - 80 paintings and other works of art will be on show.

Catalogue 50p. www.royston-methodist.org.uk Where: Venue 6 - Methodist Church (SG8 7AU) When: Sat 24 - 10am-5pm, Sun 25 - 12pm-5pm

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Royston Photographic Society Carnival of Colour FREE This exhibition illustrates how photographers utilise colour in various ways when taking images. A Carnival of Colour is open to individual interpretation by the members of Royston Photographic Society which you can guarantee will be vibrant, creative and most definitely diverse. Expect amazing landscapes and architecture, magnificent wildlife and bustling street scenes.

This exhibition is a must visit for the whole family and suitable for all ages – there is something for everyone to enjoy and relate to. During the exhibition members of Royston Photographic Society will be happy to discuss the range of images on display. www.roystonphotographicsociety.co.uk Where: Venue 11 - Town Hall (upstairs) (SG8 7DA) When: Sat 24 - 10.30am-5.30pm, Sun 25 - 10:30am-4:30pm

Royston Fringe Art Competition FREE An art competition on the theme of “The Carnival of The Animals”. All entries will be displayed and prizes will be awarded by Pam Rhodes on Sunday 25 at 4:45pm.

Age groups: under 8, 8-11, 12-17 Paintings should be delivered to Royston Methodist Church in Queens Road on Friday 23 between 8am and 10am, and collected on Sunday 25 at 5:00pm following the prize giving ceremony.

Entry forms: www.royston-methodist.org.uk Enquiries: fringe@royston-methodist.org.uk

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Music

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T Talks/tours/ history

Friday 16 September Film: Now You See Me 2 (12A) See Picture Palace showings, p16

Saturday 17 September Kiddies Carnival Craft: Masks & Splatter Art Royston and District Museum and Art Gallery Trinidad & Tobago Carnival (Kiddies Carnival) is coming to Royston! Design and make your own Carnival mask and/or create your own Splatter Art (weather dependent) with talented Royston-based Trinidadian artist, Stacey Leigh Ross.

Come dressed for mess! www.roystonmuseum.org.uk Where: Venue 8 - Royston & District Museum & Art Gallery (SG8 5AL) When: 10:30am-12noon

£2 per child. Ages 4-10. No need to book in advance.

Film: The Elephant Man (12A) See Picture Palace showings, p16

Harmony in Harlem The Royston Fringe Michael Kilpatrick and ‘Harmony in Harlem’ present a programme of music by Duke Ellington. An evening of authentic foot tapping swing and sumptuous jazz from the 1930’s to the 1950’s and featuring vocals by Jane Mayo. 50% of proceeds go to the Garden House Hospice. Includes light refreshments. www.royston-methodist.org.uk Where: Venue 6 - Methodist Church (SG8 7AU) When: 7:30pm

Tickets £12 from Ray 01763 241217 or Brian 01763 241066.

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Thursday 22 September CADS: Abigail’s Party Corvus Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) CADS presents “Abigail’s Party” by Mike Leigh. This iconic 1970s situation comedy follows Beverley and Laurence as they invite their neighbours in for drinks. Come and join them as they share an evening of G&Ts, cheese & pineapple sticks and middle class aspirations. www.cadsroyston.org.uk Where: Venue 9 - Meridian School (SG8 7JH) When: 7.30pm-10pm

Tickets £10, £5 students/children from website or 07925 674967.

Friday 23 September - FESTIVAL Middle Schools “Carnival” Art Exhibition launch FREE Royston and District Museum and Art Gallery This is the culmination of the Young Curator’s project and the launch of the carnival art work exhibition by Royston’s Middle Schools (Roysia and Greneway), curated by this year’s Young Curators group (a small group of Year 8 pupils from both schools).

The exhibition itself will continue into October. www.roystonmuseum.org.uk Where: Venue 8 - Royston & District Museum & Art Gallery (SG8 5AL) When: 7:30pm-9pm

CADS: Abigail’s Party See information above

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Friday 23 (cont.)

The Gardens of Wimpole Hall The Royston Fringe Philip Whaites is the head gardener at Wimpole Hall, who with a dedicated staff and a team of volunteers, is currently in charge of the complete re-construction of the gardens. Tonight he will give an illustrated talk on his work concerning drainage issues, the re-planting of hundreds of trees and re-instating the Parterre, Dutch Garden and the Walled Gardens. Light refreshments. www.royston-methodist.org.uk Where: Venue 6 - Methodist Church (SG8 7AU) When: 7:30pm-9pm

Tickets £5 from Sue 01763 243815 or walter962@btinternet.com.

Saturday 24 September - FESTIVAL It’s Carnival! Let’s Dance (Preschoolers) FREE Dance Matters So many children’s songs are filled with partying and fun times. Free dance sessions for pre-schoolers and their families. We will sing, sign and dance our way through nursery rhymes and silly songs, after-all dance and carnival go hand in hand. www.dance-matters.co.uk Where: Venue 6 - Methodist Church (SG8 7AU) When: Sessions at 9.30am and 10am

Kiddies Carnival Craft: Capes Royston and District Museum and Art Gallery See page 7. Join the Carnival Procession in Priory Gardens with your creations.

Meeting at 12.30pm, 1pm start.

Community Arts Event & Procession FREE ENTRY Creative Royston Join us for a fun family event and procession in Priory Memorial Gardens. With live music from Royston Town Band, No.3 Craft Fair, painting with Glazed Creations, free face painting, Standon Morris dancers and samba drumming from Garden City Samba. There’ll be something for everyone to get into the carnival mood!

Where: Venue 2 - Priory Memorial Gardens (SG8 9LG) When: Meet from 12.30pm for procession start at 1pm. Event runs 1pm to 4pm.

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Come and Sing Favourite Messiah Choruses Royston Choral Society Carnival is about celebration and Handel’s Messiah is about the celebration of life in a joyful communal voice. Experience for yourself why singing in choirs is so popular.

No audition, no need to read music though it helps. Children under 12 welcome if used to singing in school or church choirs.

Conductor: Andrew O’Brien, Accompanist: Michael Smith.

Where: Venue 4 - The Old Bull Inn, Ballroom (SG8 9AW) When: 12:30pm-5pm (including ‘sing through’ - see below)

Tickets £12 from Caroline 01920 822723 or caroline.franks@rf152.co.uk.

Messiah Choruses FREE Royston Choral Society & Guests Come and watch an informal ‘sing through’ performance of favourite choruses from Handel’s Messiah following the open workshop earlier in the day. Open to family, friends and the public. www.roystonchoralsoc.org.uk Where: Venue 1 - St. John’s Parish Church (SG8 9LG) When: 4:30pm

Carnival! – Family Storytelling Event (Under 8s) Hertfordshire Libraries Aimed at families, professional storyteller Rachel Chalkley will captivate her audience with stories and an interactive workshop with a carnival theme. Look out for Rachel’s carnival costume. You may wish to join her by coming along in your own carnival outfit! www.hertsdirect.org/libraryeventtickets Where: Venue 3 - Royston Library (SG8 9JN) When: 2.30pm-3:30pm

Tickets £5 a family from library, website or box office 0300 123 4049.

Carnival Fun – with Flowers The Royston Fringe The Revd. Alan Ashton is a retired Methodist minister and currently Secretary of the Burwell & District Flower Club. He brings this event to Royston with a concern that all who attend will have Carnival Fun with him through the experience of flowers, plant material and creative designs. www.royston-methodist.org.uk Where: Venue 6 - Methodist Church (SG8 7AU) When: 2:30pm-4:30pm

Tickets £5 from Sue 01763 243815 or walter962@btinternet.com.

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Saturday 24 (cont.)

Royston Cave Royston and District Local History Society Royston Cave is beehive shaped and cut into the chalk that underlies the town.

Much of its surface is adorned with medieval style carvings depicting saints and other religious scenes. The Cave lay concealed until 1742 when it was rediscovered by accident and since then people have been trying to solve the mystery of the Cave’s origin and purpose. www.roystoncave.co.uk Where: Venue 10 - Royston Cave (SG8 7BZ) When: Tours at 2.30pm; 3.10pm; 3.50pm and 4.30pm

Tickets £5, £4 Seniors, £1 Children 5-15 at door on day only. Under 5s free.

Culture Carnival Workshop (7+) GSTARS Academy The GSTARS Academy presents a Culture Carnival Workshop full of singing, dancing and creating! Our Chinese Dragon, ‘Dragimir’ will be making an appearance once again to entertain! This workshop is open to everyone aged 7 years and above and is promised to be a fun filled afternoon with a chance to learn new styles of dance and meet new friends. Please book in advance. www.gstars.co.uk Where: Venue 5 - Market Hill Rooms (SG8 9JR) When: 3pm-5pm

Tickets £8 from Georgina on 07720713532 or at g-stars@hotmail.co.uk

CADS: Abigail’s Party See page 8

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Pam Rhodes

Sunday 25 September - FESTIVAL Royston Cave See page 11

Afternoon Tea with Pam Rhodes The Royston Fringe Come and meet Pam Rhodes, the familiar face of BBC television’s Songs of Praise, speaking about the inspiration behind some of our best known hymns, as well as her life and TV work. Tea and cake will be served. CDs and books by Pam will be available for purchase. www.royston-methodist.org.uk Where: Venue 6 - Methodist Church (SG8 7AU) When: 3pm-4.45pm

Tickets £5 from Sue 01763 243815 or walter962@btinternet.com.

Royston Town Trail F John Smith Royston’s history is brought to life in this one and a half mile, 90-minute walk around the town centre with local historian F. John Smith. All proceeds donated to Parish Church cHALLenge Fund.

Where: starts at Venue 1 - St. John’s Parish Church (SG8 9LG) When: 2pm start

Tickets £5 available from the Stationery Cupboard

Carnival Clay Bunting Workshop (6+) Glazed Creations Join us to make clay bunting, we will roll slabs of clay, cut bunting shapes and then use stamps to mark the bunting with carnival font letters to spell out names or words. The bunting will be glazed and fired for you and can be strung together as a wall decoration. The pieces will need to dry before firing so will be ready to collect approximately 4 weeks later. www.glazed-creations.co.uk Where: Venue 9 - Glazed Creations (SG8 5AY) When: 2pm-3:30pm

Tickets £5 from 01763 249800 or shop. Under 14s must be accompanied by adult.

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Sunday 25 (cont.)

Royston MusicFest ‘16 FREE ENTRY Creative Royston, Supported by Curwens and Royston First A day of free music from 9 venues across the town. Each venue will host four sessions throughout the afternoon, with a mix of musical styles including folk, rock and blues, originals and covers. Just follow your ears – either go to your favourite pub and see who turns up, follow your favourite act around the town, or just chill out with your favourite style of music!

Artists confirmed for MusicFest at time of going to print: Black Scarr, CarnaC, Melody Causton, Molly Chenoa, Pat Crilly, Joe Hillman, Louise Hobbs Trio, Martin Kaszak, Kelly & Woolley, Kolibri, John Meed, Nestlerode, Colvin & Ralls, Schrodingers Strings, Sky West, Andy Smythe, Ed Tattersall, Thursdays Band, Steve Winch and The Inception.

Please check website for up to the minute details of acts for details of acts and a full schedule. RoystonArtsFestival.org Where: Ad Hoc Bar and Kitchen, The Boars Head, The Chequers, The Green Man, The Heath Sports Centre, Jolly Postie, The Old Bull Inn, Royston Town Football Club, Club SG8.

When: 12pm-6pm

Art Competition prize giving ceremony The Royston Fringe See the winners and runners-up of the Royston Fringe Art Competition. Prizes will be presented by Pam Rhodes at 4.45pm. www.royston-methodist.org.uk Where: Venue 6 - Methodist Church (SG8 7AU) When: 4.45pm

Festival Finale Concert Creative Royston, Supported by Margaret House Come along to the Finale concert, introduced by trumpeter and Creative Royston President, Alison Balsom OBE, and see the talented youngsters of Royston and the surrounding areas shining brightly! The first half will present music by Meridian School, Greneway and Roysia Middle Schools. The second half will showcase performances by Royston Town Band’s Development Band, Royston Youth Choir and The Royston Choral Society. Come and join in the singing at the end!

RoystonArtsFestival.org Where: Venue 1 - St. John’s Parish Church (SG8 9LG) When: 7pm, doors open at 6.45pm

Tickets £8 (£6 before 1 September) from website or Stationery Cupboard.

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MUSICFEST VENUES (See page 4 for general Festival venues map)

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1 Ad Hoc Bar and Kitchen - SG8 9XT 2 The Boars Head - SG8 9JU 3 The Chequers - SG8 7SR 4 The Green Man - SG8 9JU 5 The Heath Sports Centre - SG8 5BG 6 Jolly Postie - SG8 5AY 7 The Old Bull Inn - SG8 9AW 8 Royston Town Football Club - SG8 7HP 9 Club SG8 - SG8 9JH

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INFORMATION Tickets and booking Some events and workshops require you to book in advance. Please see the individual listing for details of where to book tickets or a workshop place. There is no booking fee for Creative Royston managed events.

Ever wanted to learn an instrument for free?

Creative Royston is delighted to support this ‘First Access’ project. If you are in Year 4 come along to group wind, brass or percussion lessons for two terms at Royston Music School – instruments provided. Weekly sessions from Saturday 24 September 2016 at Meridian School. Details at hertsmusicservice.org.uk/Royston Parents of Year 4 pupils who might be interested should register in advance.

Call 01438 844518 or email stevenagemusicenquiries@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Disclaimer Details and times are correct at the time of going to print, but are subject to change.

Check RoystonArtsFestival.org for updates.

The Creative Royston Management Committee accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury sustained by any member of the public visiting any venue participating in the festival events listed in this programme. It is the artists’ own responsibility to have public liability cover.

We may take photographs and/or video for publicity purposes. All persons attending the festival events will be deemed to have consented to being recorded in this way and for their images to be used in this way. If you do not want your image used in this way please inform the event staff.

Visiting adults are responsible for the supervision of any children in their care.

We have a no refunds policy.

Full terms and conditions can be viewed on RoystonArtsFestival.org

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PICTURE PALACE The following films will be shown during the festival period at Venue 11 Royston Picture Palace (SG8 7DA). Both films can be booked online at www.roystonpicturepalace.org.uk/diary or at the Cinema Box Office.

Now You See Me 2 (12A) Dir: Jon M. Chu | 2016 | Daniel Radcliffe, Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, The Four Horsemen resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate. The man behind their vanishing act is none other than Walter Mabry, a tech prodigy who threatens the Horsemen into pulling off their most impossible heist yet. Their only hope is to perform one last unprecedented stunt to clear their names and reveal the mastermind behind it all.

When: Friday 16, 7.30pm (129 mins)

The Elephant Man (12A) Dir: David Lynch | 1980 | Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of intelligence and sensitivity.

When: Saturday 17, 7.30pm (124 mins)

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CREATIVE ROYSTON Community Arts Event & Carnival Procession Saturday 24 September, 1pm - 4pm Priory Memorial Gardens, Royston • Procession led by Garden City Samba around the park at 1pm • No. 3 Craft Fair and activities • Painting with Glazed Creations • FREE face painting by Glitterbox • Live music from Royston Town Band (1.30pm) • Standon Morris performances • Refreshments, bouncy castle and more...

Everyone is welcome to join the procession and you can make your costume items at Royston Museum during their workshops on the mornings of 17 & 24 Sept, or just come in your own bright clothes.

People wanting to take part in the procession, should meet beside the church from 12:30pm, to be ready to start the procession at 1pm.

Timings are approximate. Children should be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

Alcohol cannot be bought or consumed at the event.

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VOLUNTEERS Enjoy the festival?

Can you help us make this great community event happen next year?

Creative Royston is a voluntary arts organisation set up to promote and support community arts in the town.

Each year we manage Royston Arts Festival and also other occasional events such as the Heroes & Villains day at Royston Museum, folk music nights and family theatre/dance performances.

We need more enthusiastic and hands-on volunteers to join our committee or to help out at the events we run. No previous experience required.

To find out more go to CreativeRoyston.org or email volunteers@creativeroyston.org

We’d love to hear from you!

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Thank you to our partners and sponsors:

Brian Leslie Racher Trust

Special Thanks The Royston Arts Festival would not have been possible without the hard work of many local people and organisations. We would particularly like to thank: Terry and Sue Hartga for photographing the festival events. Royston’s First, Middle and Upper Schools. Matt Bowmer and The Listing Team for their work on this programme.

Royston Town Council for their helpful advice and providing us with a meeting room.

Francis Sedgemore for securing the Morris Dancers and press support. Last, but not least all the volunteers who give their time to help us run the events during and in the lead-up to the festival.

Creative Royston voluntary committee: Sarah Dingley, Carl Filby, Tina Filby, Kirsten Grimmer, Neil Johnston, Thomas Lingard, Susan Maylor, Pamela Morton, Claire Somerville (Chairman) The Creative Royston Management Committee would like to take this opportunity to remember fellow member Les Baker who passed away earlier this year.

We’d love to hear what you think about the festival!

We’d love to hear what you think about the festival! Visit RoystonArtsFestival.org and complete a quick feedback survey, your comments will help us improve the event for next year.

f /roystonartsfestival t@RoyArtsFest e secretary@creativeroyston.org p 07907 880 355