Met Brochure January-March 2015

What’s On January » March 2015 EDDI READER IAN McCULLOCK CARA DILLON THE SELECTER Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle DREADZONE LE VENT DU NORD JOHN TAMS AND BARRY COOPE

The Met, Market St, Bury BL9 0BW | 0161 761 2216 | www.themet.biz

Welcome T

he start of the year is always a treat at The Met with heaps of brilliant international music and theatre in the heart of Bury.

Many of the shows listed in this brochure are already on sale so please don’t be disappointed.

More and more people are visiting The Met with 2014 being a record year for new audiences thanks to our work within Bury and our reputation for specialist music festivals through the year.

Speaking of festivals, the Big Whistle Weekend is one of the highlights of our year with every corner of the building bursting with gigs, concerts, sessions and workshops. Be sure to drop in and sample the energy 19-21 February.

Mesmerising and visual - Tmesis’ Amore will set the mood in mid February followed by Terry Jones’ Nicobobinus for a show which is sure to delight children and childish adults alike.

All this, plus community projects and weekly workshops for those wanting to try something different are only possible because of support from our funders and partners. Sponsorship and public funding from Bury Council and Arts Council England allows The Met to try things, take risks and keep developing. We hope you will take a few risks with us and enjoy the experience.

David Agnew, Artistic Director

We’re calling this project A Better Met, and for the past three years we’ve been working hard behind-the-scenes to make it happen. Transforming the building will cost £4.6 million, of which we’ve already raised £4.1 million.

Families are spoilt for choice in February half term and we are delighted to expand our ever popular youth theatre to a younger group with BYT Minis every Wednesday. BYT minis promises the fun, creativity and friendships that our junior and seniors youth theatre has nurtured for years.

We need your help to find the final £500,000.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Our theatre programme sees the return of some amazing companies – Paper Birds’ Broke was a 5 star highlight in Edinburgh last August while Living Spit’s Elizabeth I: Virgin on the Ridiculous looks to eclipse last year’s riotous Henry VIII.

The Met is operated by Bury Metropolitan Arts Association a registered charity (No 701879).

Address The Met, Market Street, Bury, Greater Manchester, BL9 0BW Tickets 0161 761 2216 Admin 0161 761 7107

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email post@themet.biz web http://themet.biz

The Met is a much loved venue, but our 165 year-old building is starting to show its age. We want to refurbish and improve the building, to create an exciting and vibrant space for you and for artists, while retaining The Met’s unique character.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders and sponsors:

The best way to help is by making a donation.

You can donate on our website, by text (to send £5 right now text BMAA01 £5 to 70070), at our ticket office or at an event (look out for the red buckets).

Every penny helps.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the support for the project so far and with almost 90% of our fundraising target already achieved, we hope you’ll join us in the final push to create a brilliant venue for arts and music in Bury.

Children & Families ADVENTURES WITH SAM… IN OUTER SPACE! Stories and More Saturday 14 February 11am / £6

DUCK IN THE TRUCK

PUSS IN BOOTS

Blunderbus Theatre Company

Lyngo Theatre

Wednesday 18 February 11.30am & 2.30pm / £8

Friday 20 February 1pm / £8

This is the tale of a duck in a truck – a truck that was stuck in some yucky brown muck. A sheep in a jeep and a frog in a bush saw the truck stuck and gave it a push. But the truck stayed stuck!

Join Sam as he jumps head first into a brand new story and zooms off on an intergalactic adventure! Meet Amber the Astronaut, her space puppy Sparkle and help them complete their mission around the Universe! Hold on Could a goat in a boat get them out of this mess? tight as we head for the stars.

A fun filled show with original music Join Duck and his friends in this where the children choose their own adventure with puppetry, singalong-songs and plenty of joining in. adventure. Ages 3-7.

Based on the bestselling book by Jez Alborough, this funny, silly, yucky NICOBOBINUS mucky show will have you giggling Red Ladder Theatre Company away, singing along and laughing out and DumbWise loud. Ages 3-7.

Tuesday 17 February 7.30pm £10 / £7 children & concs When Nicobobinus is magically turned to gold he and his best friend Rosie embark on a musical adventure to discover the Land of Dragons…

Would you trust a talking cat? You never know, he might turn you from a pauper to a prince. With smoke and mirrors and hidden trapdoors this sure-footed feline fools both the King and the Ogre to put his master at the top.

Patrick Lynch from CBeebies brings this classic furry tail to life with a host of puppets, a working windmill and an avalanche of fruit and nuts.

It’s the cat’s whiskers! Ages 4+.

CAKE Whalley Range All Stars Sat 28 Feb 11am & 1.30pm / £6 Cake takes to the kitchen to tell a story of valour and bravery as fresh as lemon-scented washing-up liquid.

A heroic knight sets out through a forest of forks and a mountain of washing up, to do battle with a vicious set of snapping teeth which threatens a large cake and the community that lives inside it.

Red present Red Ladder Ladder and bringDumbwise Terry Jones’ hilarious children’s tale to life with original

new family musical based on Monty Python star songs, instrumental acrobatics, Terry Jones’sets much loved children’s moving and a bucket load ofbook

Ages 4-9.

Monty Python-esque wit. Ages 6+.

Nicobobinus

Duck in the Truck

Puss in Boots

Cake

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Theatre That’s Amore

Secret Diaries

Elizabeth I: Virgin on the Ridiculous

THAT’S AMORE

Secret Diaries

Tmesis Theatre

Art With Heart

Elizabeth I: Virgin on the Ridiculous

Thursday 12 February 8pm £10 / £6 students

Wednesday 4 March 11am / £6

Living Spit

Inspired by a true story and set to a soundtrack of 80s and 90s guilty pleasures, Secret Diaries charts the big stuff in life from teenage years to adulthood.

Wed 4 March 7.30pm / £10 / £6 conc

Declaring war on the girl stealing your best friend, striking a pose to Vogue, realising you’re gay and falling in love, facing rejection. But one day you’ll be happy in your own skin and you’ll laugh about all of that stuff.

Present day. England. A country divided by those who enjoy plays featuring men in dresses and those who don’t. The hopes of the nation lie with two Bristolian actors.

That’s Amore is a hilarious, fastpaced, passionate and poignant show that looks at the flesh and philosophy behind what makes our hearts beat faster – from chance encounters to hidden desires, and emotional extremes to the science of romance.

Tmesis theatre combine physicality and an ensemble of mesmerising performers with stunning visuals and an original score.

“Rarefied, intriguing… beautiful” The Guardian

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Experience theatre at The Met with our Theatre Special Offer. 20% off tickets for any 3 marked shows.

This inclusive, honest story questions acceptance and allows you to challenge your own opinions on friendship, love, society, power, family values and discrimination.

Suitable for Key Stage 4, Secret Diaries runs for 1 hour with an after-show workshop for school groups.

“Great theatre that will fill people with hope” The Good Review

1558. England. A country divided by religion and politics, teetering on the brink of civil war. The hopes of the nation lie with one woman.

After their sell-out hit with The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Living Spit are back with another lesson in Tudor history that you’ll never forget.

Complete with dubious facts, dreadful wigs, silly songs, smutty shenanigans, perfunctory props and hilarious anachronisms Howard Coggins and Stuart McLoughlin dig a little deeper, act a little better and live a little dangerous-er as they attempt to tell the story of the greatest Monarch that ever lived – Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen.

r 0161 761 2216 q www.themet.biz

United We Stand Broke

United We Stand

BROKE

Townsend Productions

The Paper Birds Theatre Co

Thu 5 March 8pm / £10 / £8 conc

Wednesday 11 March 7.30pm £10 / £7 concession

Neil Gore plays Ricky Tomlinson in the turbulent true story of the 1972 Builders Strike.

Question: Sally is British and broke.

If Britain owes over £900 billion in The events surrounding the infamous National debt and Sally has been industrial battle still make headlines on minimum wage for most of her working life with the interest on to this day, and forty-two years on, the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign, led by her debt being equal to her monthly picket-turned-actor Ricky Tomlinson, outgoings, then who is more broke, is still seeking to overturn the unjust Britain or Sally? prosecution of 24 building workers.

A heartfelt and urgent look at the debt of a nation from displaced United We Stand tells the story families and gambling addictions to behind the dispute using folksong, political skits and cabaret routines to beans on toast. give a satirical account of the strike and the court cases that followed.

Based on interviews taken across the UK in 2014, multi award winners The Paper Birds explore, with real life stories from the front line of poverty and debt, what it means to be broke in this visually stunning new production. Suitable for ages 12+.

Townsend Productions’ entertaining theatrical style creates a production in a way that is both compelling and thought-provoking, with popular and political songs arranged by John Kirkpatrick.

“Broke is a passionate and thoughtful show …exposing painful lies about “Vivid, politically committed theatre” poverty” The Scotsman The Observer

GHOST: THE MUSICAL PADOS Youth Theatre Group Wed 25 - Fri 27 March 7.30pm Sat 28 March 2.30pm & 7.30pm £10 Wednesday / £12 Thu - Sat Adapted from the hit film by its Academy Award-winning screenwriter, Bruce Joel Rubin, Ghost the Musical follows Sam and Molly, a young couple whose connection takes a shocking turn after Sam’s untimely death.

Trapped between two worlds, Sam refuses to leave Molly when he learns she is in grave danger.

Desperate to communicate with her, he turns to a storefront psychic, Oda Mae Brown, who helps him protect Molly and avenge his death.

This amateur production is presented by Prestwich Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society’s Youth Group.

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Comedy

Music

THE ONLY WAY IS DOWNTON

FIRST THURSDAY COMEDY CLUB

Luke Kempner

Thursday 5 February 8.30pm & Thursday 5 March 8.30pm £8 advance / £10 door

Thursday 29 January 8pm / £12 As celebrities start appearing at the Abbey, cultures clash and eras hilariously collide in this brilliant new parody...

Direct from a West End season comes this first national tour of Luke Kempner’s tour-de-force impressions comedy.

“A tightly written and performed mash-up of the saga with modern TV hits. An affectionate spoof.”

Independent on Sunday

Top comedy from the UK and beyond. See our website for details.

SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET THEATRE Fri 20 March 8pm / £10 / £8 conc Earth’s funniest footwear return with a brand new show of songs, sketches, socks and violence on topics far and wide.

After seven sellout years at the Edinburgh Fringe and international tours from Aberdeen to Adelaide (Pick Of The Fringe), Manchester to Malta, Belfast to Birmingham and all points in between, the Socks are bringing their new show, and the best of their favourite stuff, to you.

“The pinnacle of comedy puppetry” Venue magazine

CHRIS FARLOWE AND THE NORMAN BEAKER BAND 20 Years Together Anniversary Tour Friday 16 January 8pm £16 / Blues Renowned blues ensemble Chris Farlowe and the Norman Beaker Band bring their unique soulful style to The Met.

MANC FLOYD Sat 17 January 8.30pm / Standing Sun 18 January 8.30pm / Seated £12 / Rock and pop Manchester based Pink Floyd tribute band Manc Floyd return to perform the incredible 1975 album Wish You Were Here in its entirety along with other classics.

Starting out as four friends in Manchester with a shared love of Pink Floyd, the band soon grew to become a talented eight piece line up delivering an unforgettable two hour show.

In true Pink Floyd style the performance will include a spectacular light show and stunning projections – not to be missed by any fan.

The Only Way is Downton

Chris Farlowe & Norman Beaker Manc Floyd

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Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre

r 0161 761 2216 q www.themet.biz MARK DOWDING

LE VENT DU NORD

Ramsbottom Folk Club

Saturday 24 January 8pm £16 / £14 conc / World roots

Wednesday 21 January 8pm at Ramsbottom Cricket Club £5 / Folk An evening of folk in Ramsbottom, this month featuring Mark Dowding, as seen in The Real Mill on Channel 4, with Tony Robinson.

THE SWING COMMANDERS

Fri 30 January 8pm / £11 / Jazz Le Vent du Nord never fail to delight The Swing Commanders jump jive crowds with their mix of fiddle, guitar, their way into the new year with accordion and hurdy-gurdy. new songs and new musicians. This Combining a great stage presence vibrant and versatile group perform a with an energetic, dynamic flair they mix of 1940s classics, boogie-woogie, perform original songs inspired by the western swing and 50s jump jazz, Québecois tradition. wonderfully arranged with exquisite harmonies and hot solos.

Mat Walklate and Paulo Fuschi

ANDY WHITE

Supported by Little Rach

FALSE LIGHTS

Friday 23 January 8pm £10 / Blues

Thursday 29 January 8pm £10 / Rock and pop

Saturday 31 January 8pm £13 seated / £10 standing / Folk

Classic 50s and 60s blues, R&B and a little ska from British Blues Harp Champion Mat Walklate on harmonica and vocals, and Paolo Fuschi on guitar.

Andy White merges pop sensibility with lyrical excellence, social commentary and acoustic guitars.

One of the great Irish singersongwriters, he tours the world with his 12 string guitar in one hand and a book of poetry in the other. He has worked with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Van Morrison, Mary Black and Tim Finn, and won Ireland’s top songwriting award.

The brainchild of fingerstyle guitar genius and singer-songwriter Sam Carter and folk revolutionary Jim Moray, False Lights debuted in summer 2014 playing the headline slot at Folk East in Suffolk.

Hot, driving harp, immaculate, searing guitar and soulful vocals recreate the best of the golden age of urban blues.

“One of the best harmonica players on the planet!” Mike Harding

A shared love of folk and heavy guitar music, and a week of intensive writing in a log cabin in Lincolnshire produced a moshpit-inducing, earringingly dynamic, blast of in-yourface indie attitude in the name of folk. Make no mistake, the False Lights sound has as much to do with Radiohead as Steeleye Span; it is an explosion of loud, electric, guitardriven folk for the 21st century.

False Lights

Le Vent du Nord Andy White

Mat Walklate and Paolo Fuschi

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Music THUGS ON WOLVES

The Blue Pig Trio

Friday 6 February 8pm / Standing £6 / Rock and pop / Folk Manchester four-piece Thugs on Wolves create heartfelt and sincere music, combining tribal beats, electronic surges, and folksy harmonies.

Beautifully constructed songs spin stories which are at times dark and haunting, and at others light and soul-warming.

The band will be launching their brand new album, recorded at Edwin Street Studio in 2014.

AMELIA CURRAN They Promised You Mercy Friday 6 February 8pm £10 / Americana Amelia’s knife-sharp lyrics and unrivaled eloquence have earned her a reputation as an heir to Leonard Cohen. She received her first Juno Award (Canada’s version of The Grammys) for Hunter Hunter in 2010, and a further nomination at the same awards for her second album, Spectators, in 2012.

Her new album They Promised You Mercy was released in November.

THE STRANGE DOORS The Ultimate Doors Tribute Show Saturday 7 February 7.30pm £12 advance / £14 door Standing / Rock & pop The Strange Doors have been thrilling audiences since 2010 with their recreations of The Doors’ music.

Ramsbottom Folk Club Wednesday 11 February 8pm at Ramsbottom Cricket Club £5 / Folk Blackpool’s Blue Pig Trio play songs influenced by British/Celtic folk rock and Americana.

LUKE JACKSON AND AMY WADGE Thursday 12 February 8pm £12 / Folk

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The Strange Doors

Two generations of captivating singer-songwriters touring together for the first time.

Amy Wadge is widely regarded as one of the country’s most successful female singer-songwriters, recently writing songs with superstar Ed Sheeran including current smash, Thinking Out Loud.

Luke Jackson is a rising young roots singer-songwriter who was nominated for both the Horizon Award for Best Emerging Talent and Radio 2 Young Folk Award in 2013.

Luke Jackson

Amy Wadge

LAURENCE JONES BAND Friday 13 February 8pm £10 / Blues A buzz has been building rapidly around Laurence Jones, having clocked up serious road miles touring the UK and Europe.

He won the award for Young Artist of the Year at the 2014 British Blues Awards

Experience ad-libbed poetry, a singer that jumps into the air and writhes on the floor, sweet organ sounds, bluesy slide guitar and powerful drums.

This two hour performance includes all the Doors’ greatest hits.

Thugs on Wolves

Amelia Curran

“Call him the ‘Future of the blues’ and the ‘next big thing’... Laurence Jones has turned his hot-tip potential into fully formed brilliance, and officially graduated from boy wonder to main man.”

Classic Rock: Blues Magazine

Laurence Jones

r 0161 761 2216 q www.themet.biz BONNIE DOBSON

MAIA

and her Boys

Saturday 28 February 8pm £10 / Acoustic

Sunday 15 February 8pm £14 / £12 concession / Folk

Karnataka

John Tams & Barry Coope

After three years on the road supporting the likes of Anais Mitchell, The Low Anthem and The Unthanks, the innovative Yorkshire quartet released their EP Finite World in April 2014.

KARNATAKA

THE SELECTER

Friday 27 February 8pm £12 adv / £14 door / Rock and pop

With special guests The Tuts

Karnataka rose to the forefront of new, celtic inspired progressive rock with a string of critically acclaimed albums. Powerful, symphonic soundscapes, ethereal vocal melodies and epic instrumentation combine to create a unique sound and mesmerising live performances.

JOHN TAMS & BARRY COOPE A Mr Kite Benefit Sat 28 February 8pm / £15 / Folk

Maia

Maia are a Huddersfield four-piece who play all sorts of disco sci-fi folk-pop on ukulele, trumpet, banjo, mandolin and whatever else they can get their hands on.

Canadian born folk star Bonnie Dobson had effectively retired from the music scene until she began recording a new album in the summer of 2013. She comes to The Met with her boys; a group of top young UK folk rock musicians – playing a mix of old and new songs, including her legendary song, Morning Dew, in a new arrangement.

A member of the Albion Band and Home Service, John Tams is also at home with long time collaborator Barry Coope of Coope, Boyes and Simpson. Elsewhere, he has featured in the TV series Sharpe alongside Sean Bean and provided much of the music for the War Horse stage show based on the book by Michael Morpurgo.

The Selecter

If that wasn’t enough, he performed at the Royal Albert Hall before the Queen and a TV audience of 57 million in the 2014 Remembrance Service.

Friday 6 March 8pm / Standing £16 advance / Rock and pop Platinum-selling 2-Tone veterans The Selecter mark their 35th anniversary with a brand new album Subculture, due for release in 2015.

The Selecter’s 1980 debut, Too Much Pressure, remains a classic for a generation of 2-tone lovers.

Mixing punk, ska and reggae it reflected the issues of the early Thatcher years with irresistible hits On My Radio, Three Minute Hero and Missing Words.

THE IDLE HANDS Sat 7 March 8pm / £10 / Blues The Idle Hands have been championed “Britain’s best unsigned blues-rockers” by Classic Rock, voted Best UK Band 2013 by Blues Matters and came runner-up for Best Song at the 2012 Blues Award.

Now in their 25th year and heavily influenced by Zeppelin, Purple and Hendrix, ‘The Idles’ professionalism, musicianship and performances are consistently exalted by the music press as “a cut above the rest”.

The band will be playing original music from their highly acclaimed seventh independent release Feeding the Machine interlaced with a few choice covers.

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Music Judith Owen

O’Hooley & Tidow

The Poozies

Lady Maisery

Yvonne Lyon

O’Hooley & Tidow, Lady Maisery and Grace Petrie

JUDITH OWEN

YVONNE LYON

Thursday 12 March 8pm £12 / £10 conc / Rock and pop

Saturday 14 March 8pm £10 advance / Folk

International Folk Women Day

Welsh singer-songwriter Judith Owen’s new album Ebb & Flow evokes the spirit of the halcyon days of the great 1970s troubadours.

Yvonne Lyon is among the UK’s brightest and best emerging singersongwriters. She returns to The Met with a collection of songs from her much anticipated new album, These Small Rebellions.

Saturday 7 March 8pm £14 / £12 concession / Folk Three of the British folk scene’s finest, most formidable and forthright female acts take to the stage to celebrate International Women’s Day. BBC 6 Music favourites O’Hooley & Tidow will be joined by BBC Radio 2 Folk Award finalists Lady Maisery and the irrepressible Leicester songwriter Grace Petrie.

A rare opportunity to experience these thought provoking, heartfelt, entertaining and enthralling women in one unrepeatable performance.

GARY AND VERA ASPEY Ramsbottom Folk Club Wednesday 11 March 8pm at Ramsbottom Cricket Club £8 / Folk Gary and Vera Aspey sing songs exploring the seriousness and the laughter of life.

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In a set of potent songs Owen fearlessly explores the human condition – and to do justice to the songs she turned to the musicians who created the 70s sound. Between them her core band of drummer Russ Kunkel, bassist Lee Sklar and guitarist Waddy Wachtel played on many of the landmark albums from the era, including Carole King’s Tapestry, James Taylor’s Sweet Baby James, Joni Mitchell’s Blue, and Jackson Browne’s Running On Empty.

THE POOZIES Friday 13 March 8pm £14 / £12 concession / Folk The Poozies are Sally Barker (recently seen wowing millions, including Sir Tom Jones, on BBC1’s The Voice), Mary Macmaster, Eilidh Shaw and Mairearad Green. Together they create a sparkling blend that comfortably bridges folk and contemporary to enchanting effect.

AN EVENING WITH IAN MCCULLOCH Sat 14 March 8pm / £18.50 adv £20 door / Rock and pop Ian McCulloch, iconic front man of Echo and The Bunnymen, gives a rare solo performance playing stripped down versions of Bunnymen classics and songs from his solo catalogue.

Formed in Liverpool in 1978, Echo and The Bunnymen became one of the UK’s most popular indie rock bands, with hits Seven Seas, Bring on the Dancing Horses, The Killing Moon and Nothing Lasts Ian Forever.

McCulloch

r 0161 761 2216 q www.themet.biz

Mr Kite Benefits at Fox Lane Sports & Social Club, Leyland

Sheelanagig

Oh Susanna Supported by Jim Bryson

Dreadzone Eddi Reader

Saturday 31 January £13 adv / £15 door

Phil Beer Emily Barker & Gill Sandell

SHEELANAGIG

DREADZONE

Supported by Tantz

Sat 21 March 8pm / Standing £15 advance / Rock and pop

Wed 18 March 8pm / Standing £12 / Folk Sheelanagig are probably the most fun you can have with a fiddle, flute, guitar, double-bass and drums.

Dreadzone’s fusion of dub, reggae, dance and rock has put them at the forefront of the British music scene for over twenty years.

As relentless on stage as their music is, they play a unique, energetic blend of folk, jazz and world music.

They will be playing tracks from their latest album Escapades and back catalogue favourites.

“Innovative and energetic. Quality musicianship, vibrancy and sheer joy.”

Folk and Roots

EDDI READER Friday 20 March 8pm £28 / Rock and pop Eddi Reader came into the limelight with Fairground Attraction and their chart-topping single Perfect.

However, it has been her subsequent solo albums which signalled her increasing ability to assimilate different musical styles and make them her own. From the traditional to the contemporary, Eddi brings to life all forms of song and what sets her apart is the depth and quality of the emotional performance.

Fundraiser: £8 from each ticket goes towards the A Better Met campaign.

Sunday 3 May £14 adv / £16 door

Tickets available from The Met on 0161 761 2216

METRO JAZZ Thu 26 March 8pm / £5 / Jazz The Met’s community jazz orchestra, led by Munch Manship.

EMILY BARKER & GILL SANDELL Friday 27 March 8pm £14 / £12 conc / Rock and pop Bafta and Ivor Novello award winning singer-songwriter Emily Barker blends classical, rock, country and folk to stunning effect.

After announcing a break from her longtime band The Red Clay Halo, she is now writing songs for her next solo album. Alongside old favourites, she will showcase her new songs here for the first time, accompanied by Gill Sandell.

1980s legends (China in Your Hand, Heart and Soul)

T’PAU Featuring Carol Decker Thursday 5 February 8pm Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Tickets £17.50 Phone 0161 912 5616 watersideartscentre.co.uk

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Big Whistle Festival

W

ith the humble tin whistle at it’s core, The Big Whistle Festival is a gathering of traditional and contemporary musicians for a weekend of groove laden gigs, intimate concerts, musical gatherings and workshops.

The Big Whistle Festival is presented by The Met and Big Whistle Music.

TALKS & Workshops Running alongside the festival’s concerts will be a programme of talks and workshops featuring many of the weekend’s artists, including: Michael McGoldrick; James Duncan MacKenzie and Calum MacCrimmon (Breabach); and Ross Ainslie (Treacherous Orchestra).

Thursday 19 February

Friday 20 February

CARA DILLON

DROP THE FLOOR

Thursday 19 February 8pm £20 / Folk

Friday 20 February 7.30pm £6 / Folk

Described by Q Magazine as “quite possibly the world’s most beautiful female voice”, Cara Dillon is one of the finest exponents of traditional Irish song anywhere in the world.

Ribble Valley based Drop The Floor make a huge impact with their high energy traditional music repertoire, all delivered with a winning Irish influence. This multi instrumental and vocal quartet have infectious enthusiasm and musicality both in session or on stage.

Joined by her partner and husband Sam Lakeman she has successfully steered an eclectic musical path gathering both critical acclaim and commercial success with her captivating and emotive performances.

Cara’s latest album A Thousand Hearts was released on 19 May, featuring a mix of traditional Irish with contemporary sounds, showcasing a more matured, stronger vocal.

Friday 20 February 8pm £20 / Folk

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Musician of the Year 2006, Michael McGoldrick is a master of flutes, whistles and Uillean pipes.

John McCusker’s unique fiddle playing has earned him a worldwide reputation as one of the most gifted and versatile musicians of any genre.

FESTIVAL TICKETS See more of the Big Whistle Festival with our special offer festival tickets: Thursday-Saturday............. £63 Friday-Saturday.................. £49

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MICHAEL MCGOLDRICK, JOHN MCCUSKER AND JOHN DOYLE Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle, three members of the BBC acclaimed Transatlantic Sessions come to Big Whistle as part of a unique European tour.

For details visit www.themet.biz/bigwhistle

Saturday only...................... £32

Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle

Cara Dillon

John Doyle’s gifts as a guitarist and songwriter have played an essential role in the renaissance of Irish music.

r 0161 761 2216 q www.themet.biz saturday 21 February

Ross Ainslie

Monkey’s Fist

BREABACH Supported by Speldosa Saturday 21 February 2pm £14 / Folk Breabach are often described as the new faces of Scottish Traditional music. Their career has already seen them voted Best Group and Live Act of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards and nominated for Best Group at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and European Folk Group of the Year at the German Folk Awards.

“Breabach once again displayed all the artfulness, ambition and imagination that set them so decisively apart from the pack.”

Scotsman

ROSS AINSLIE AND ALI HUTTON Saturday 21 February 6pm £10 / Folk Big Whistle regular Ross Ainslie is making a real name for himself on the folk scene playing with bands such as Salsa Celtica and Treacherous Orchestra. Ross plays a fine mix of original and traditional tunes and is joined at The Met by guitarist Ali Hutton.

Breabach

Treacherous Orchestra

MONKEY’S FIST Saturday 21 February 8pm £6 / Folk Monkey’s Fist is a four-piece instrumental Celtic fusion band that takes a sideways glance at traditional music and perfectly illustrates the phrase ‘something different’. Led by Sam Piper on whistle and Jody Smith on acoustic guitar, with counterpoint melody and groove provided by Chaz Collet on electric bass and Simon Ford on mixed percussion.

TREACHEROUS ORCHESTRA Saturday 21 February 9pm £14 seated / £12 standing Folk Treacherous Orchestra are a powerful force in Scottish music; a huge eleven strong, folk big band that delivers epic, incendiary live performances night after night.

On stage the players are hugely entertaining, mixing their original tunes up with theatrical anarchic rock attitude. Here is a band that is playing at the next level, technical, impressive and yet impossibly raw, whose shows are always vital and make the audience feel truly alive and in the moment.

“Membership reads like a who’s who of the latest generation of Scottish tradition based music – an exciting and invigorating breath of fresh air” Folk Radio UK

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Classes and Workshops Metro Jazz

Bury Youth Theatre

Every Monday 6.30-9.30pm from 12 Jan / £80 / £55 conc per term

Every Wednesday starting 7 January / £2.50 Juniors (9-13 years) 5.30-7pm Seniors (14+) 7-8.30pm

A community jazz workshop led by Munch Manship open to over 16s with at least intermediate skills.

Harmonica Alternate Mondays starting 12 January / £45 / £35 conc Beginners 6.45-7.45pm Advanced 8pm-9pm Led by Mat Walklate, courses in harmonica for beginner and intermediate level players.

Rock Choir Every Monday 7.30-10pm starting 12 January New members welcome. Book at www.rockchoir.com.

STREETDANCE Every Tuesday 5-5.45pm starting 6 January / £2.50 A Break-Dance crew for ages 13-19.

Learn break dance moves and stunts with the chance to perform as a crew.

Bury Youth Dance Every Tuesday 5.45-7.15pm starting 6 January / £2.50 For 13-19 year olds interested in creating innovative dance for performance.

Sing Alternate Wednesdays 7.30-9pm starting 11 February / £4 Enjoy group harmony singing. No music reading ability is necessary.

Come along and see for yourself!

Guitar Workshop Alternate Wednesdays 7.30-9pm starting 7 January / £15 All levels welcome from beginner to advanced. Call 0773 8009737 or email paul@proguitartuition.co.uk.

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Explore your creativity through devising, improvising, games, and other performance related activities.

Bury Youth Theatre MINIS Every Wednesday 4.305.30pm starting 14 Jan / £2 BYT Minis is a new drama group for 5-8 year olds.

Aiming High 9-13s / Sat 10am-11.30am / £3 14-18s / Sat 11.30am-1.30pm / £4 Starts 10 January Arts and drama for young people suffering from mental and physical disabilities. Supported by Bury Council Children’s Services, BBC Children in Need and The Met.

Bloco AshÊ Every Sat 11am-1pm from 10 Jan £5 / £3 concs / £2 under 16s A welcoming percussive group playing samba influenced grooves and beats. Call 01204 882201.

COMING SOON Fiddle & TIN WHISTLE WorkshopS Every Thursday starting 21 May £42 / £34 concession Tin Whistle 7-8pm Fiddle 8-9pm Two six-week workshops exploring play-by-ear fiddle and tin whistle playing, tutored by acclaimed folk musician Emma Sweeney.

EDWIN ST courses Introduction to Sound Recording Every Wed 7pm for 5 weeks starting 15 January / £75 This five week course covers; studio equipment, microphone technique and signal flow; drum recording techniques; instrument recording, Pro Tools and overdubbing; and hardware and software mixing techniques.

Inspire Community Voices Alternate Saturdays 2-4pm £5 / £3 unemployed / £1 under 16s An a capella, multi harmony community choir for all ages and abilities. Contact hello@inspirevoices.co.uk.

Stagecoach Every Sunday 10am-1pm starting 11 January Dance, drama and singing for 4-18 years olds. For information contact Ruth Mauriello on 0161 763 6161 or visit www.stagecoach.co.uk/bury.

Visitor Information GETTING HERE

Access

Hire The Met

The Met is located in the centre of Bury, easily accessible by road and public transport. For directions visit www.themet.biz/location

The Met is a fully accessible venue, on both its ground and first floors.

For performances, conferences, meetings and exhibitions, our spaces are as versatile as your needs. Our experienced staff and professional facilities take the hassle out of your event:

Ticket booking

• By phone from 0161 761 2216 • Online via www.themet.biz • In person Tue to Fri noon-7pm

Saturday 11am-5pm

• Concessions available for

children, people over 60, on benefit or in education.

• Refunds We are unable to offer

refunds. Ticket exchange may be possible with a £2 admin fee.

• The entrance is fully ramped

with a lift to the main theatre and an accessible toilet built to Changing Places standards.

We have staff on hand to help.

Should you require a personal escort, we can supply that person with a free ticket.

A magnetic induction loop for hearing aid users is used in the Main Theatre for the majority of our events.

Guide dogs are welcome, and water can be provided on request.

• •

•

• A transaction fee of £2.50

We want your visit to The Met to be a first class experience.

FOOD & DRINK

If you have any special requirements call us on 0161 761 2216 to let us know, and we’ll do our best to help.

is payable on phone and online bookings. There is no fee for bookings in person.

Start your evening with a meal at The Met and end it with a drink in one of our candle lit bars.

Eat in our restaurant Automatic, serving fine food all day.

Sample real ales and a selection of fine whiskeys in our foyer bar Malt.

Our first floor Theatre Bar opens before, during and after each show.

To book a table for your meal, call Automatic on 0161 763 9399.

Volunteer The Met has a dedicated group of volunteers who assist with many areas of our activities. All volunteers are interviewed at application to ensure they get the most out of the opportunities we offer.

To get involved contact Scarlet Ordish at scarlet.ordish@themet.biz or call on 0161 761 7107.

• Sound and lighting by experienced stage technicians

• Ticket sales through our friendly ticket office • Fully licensed bar • High quality catering from the expert chefs of Automatic • Marketing advice and support We welcome promotions by bands, amateur and professional groups, and independent event promoters.

Call 0161 761 7107 or email hires@themet.biz to discuss your requirements.

Edwin Street Recording Studio Edwin Street is a professional recording facility featuring state of the art equipment and superb acoustics. Perfect for all aspects of recording, mastering, mixing and learning, the studio offers affordable options for all.

Let’s be friends A Met friendship is the key to unlocking the incredible programme of music, comedy, theatre and family shows at The Met. Friends Experience More Invitations to the Artistic Director’s choice of the events of the season Exclusive offers Advance season brochure with an introduction from David Agnew

• • •

Access More

booking to our • Priority events and festivals Invitations to friend events •Save more off food in Automatic • 10% ticket booking, refund or • No exchange fees Choose from an individual friendship (£30) or (for two people at the same address) a joint friendship (£50).

Sessions start from just £30 per hour, or free for under 19s living or studying in Bury.

For more details or to book a session phone 0161 761 7107 or email info@edwinstreetstudio.com

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Timetable of events JANUARY Fri 16 8pm

Chris Farlowe and the Norman Beaker Band

Sat 17 8.30pm Manc Floyd & Sun 18 Wed 21 8pm

RFC: Mark Dowding

Fri 23 8pm

Mat Walklate & Paulo Fuschi

Sat 24 8pm

Le Vent Du Nord

Thu 29 8pm

Andy White

Thu 29 8pm

The Only Way is Downton

Fri 30 8pm

The Swing Commanders

Sat 31 8pm

False Lights

6 6 7 7 7 7 6 7 7

Sat 28 8pm

John Tams and Barry Coope

Sat 28 8pm

Maia

MARCH Wed 4 11am

Thu 5

8.30pm First Thursday Comedy Club

Fri 6

8pm

Thugs On Wolves

Fri 6

8pm

Amelia Curran

Sat 7

7.30pm The Strange Doors

Wed 11 8pm

RFC: The Blue Pig Trio

Thu 12 8pm

That’s Amore

Thu 12 8pm

Luke Jackson and Amy Wadge

Fri 13 8pm

Laurence Jones Band

Sat 14 11am

Adventures With Sam… In Outer Space!

Sun 15 8pm

Bonnie Dobson and her Boys

Tue 17 7.30pm Nicobobinus Wed 18 11.30am Duck in the Truck

& 2.30pm Thu 19 8pm

Cara Dillon

Fri 20 1pm

Puss In Boots

Fri 20 7.30pm Drop The Floor Fri 20 8pm

Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle

Sat 21 2pm

Breabach

Sat 21 6pm

Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton

Sat 21 8pm

Monkey’s Fist

Sat 21 9pm

Treacherous Orchestra

Fri 27 8pm

Karnataka

Sat 28 11am & Cake

1.30pm

6 8 8 8 8 4 8 8 3 9 3 3 !2 3 !2 !2

4 4

Secret Diaries

Wed 4 7.30pm Elizabeth I:

Virgin on the Ridiculous Thu 5

8pm

Thu 5

8.30pm First Thursday Comedy Club

United We Stand

Fri 6

8pm

Sat 7

8pm

The Idle Hands

Sat 7

8pm

International Folk Women Day

The Selecter

Wed 11 7.30pm Broke Wed 11 8pm

FEBRUARY

9 9

RFC: Gary and Vera Aspey

Thu 12 8pm

Judith Owen

Fri 13 8pm

The Poozies

Sat 14 8pm

An evening with Ian McCulloch

Sat 14 8pm

Yvonne Lyon

5 6 9 9 !0 5 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !1 !1 6

Wed 18 8pm

Sheelanagig

Fri 20 8pm

Eddi Reader

Fri 20 8pm

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre

Sat 21 8pm

Dreadzone

!1

Wed 25 - Sat 28

Ghost: The Musical

5

Thu 26 8pm

Metro Jazz

Fri 27 8pm

Emily Barker and Gill Sandell

!1 !1

coming soon Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman 2 April King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys 11 April Duke Special 16 April

!3 !3 !3 !3 9 3

Kris Drever & Boo Hewerdine 23 April Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz & Aoife O’Donovan 25 April Edwina Hayes Friday 17 July

Duke Special