9 minute read
Arts & Entertainments
Fantastic Day singer at the Exchange
Nicky Heyward from 1980s chart-toppers Haircut 100 is appearing at Sturminster Newton’s Exchange with his new acoustic trio.
The concert celebrates his chart-topping back catalogue and previews soon-to-be released new material, written and recorded during Covid lockdown.
The Fantastic Day singer scored four top ten singles and a debut album which went platinum, and after his band parted, Heyward carried on making music.
Continuing to record through the 1980s, he found his stride again with From Monday to Sunday in 1993. Lead single Kite took off in the burgeoning alternative scene in the US and had Heyward touring the country with the likes of The Lemonheads and Tony Bennett.
The follow-up, Tangled, was more pure power pop and led to Heyward signing to Creating Records for his final album of the 1990s, The Apple Bed.
Critics’ favourite Woodland Echoes (2017), Heyward’s most
recent release, saw him return to touring with shows in the UK, USA and Japan. Nicky Heyward is at the Exchange on Saturday September 10 at 8pm. More details and booking information is available at https://stur-exchange.co.uk/ programme/nick-heywardacoustic-show/
Young performers in the spotlight
Students from the Artori Academy performed their end of term showcase at the Corn Exchange in Blandford to a packed audience.
The show, for all the community to enjoy, featured monologues, duologues, dance performances, musical numbers, soundscapes, special effects make-up catwalks and recited comedy poems.
Soloists Rosie Cherrington and Lani Bennett Seeger took the spotlight on their own, singing musical numbers.
Daisy Lewin-Gray narrated a comedy catwalk and Olivia Baker performed a dance solo.
Having spent the last academic year honing a selection of skills ranging from prop-making to singing, the students were proud to perform a selection of their work.
Principal Kelly Hunter said: “I am so proud of our students – they worked tirelessly on this Showcase and the work they produced was fantastic.”
Industry and West End professionals have visited the students each term and over the year the youngsters have learnt a range of techniques including gold leafing and prop ageing, stage combat and how to create special effects burns and injuries, alongside all the
expected singing, acting and dancing. Classes run every Saturday in the Corn Exchange. For more information visit www. theartoriacademy.com Important date in poetry calendar
A feast of contemporary poetry is promised at the Tears in the Fence Poetry Festival at Stourpaine village hall over the next three days.
The festival, an important fixture in the British poetry calendar, is organised by Durweston poet David Caddy and members of his poetry workshop, which meets at the White Horse in Stourpaine.
There will be readings, talks, discussions, book signings, music, a bookstall and refreshments –including on Saturday a visit by the pizza man and a ploughman’s supper.
More than 35 poets from Britain and abroad will be reading their work, with this year’s festival theme being ‘Bewilderment/Bewildered/Be wild’.
Workshop poet Morag Kiziewicz, who is delivering the festival address, said: “Poets, sensitive people, all are bewildered, finding words to mine, express and share the effect of the startling and disconcerting times we are in, fumbling in our bemused ways into the light.
“Climate change, with the long predicted global conflicts, resource issues and movement of people and boundaries, is requiring inner change, ancestral knowing. Many are finding ways of expressing this through poetry.”
Among this year’s poets are Emily Critchley, Frances Presley, Ian Seed and Harriet Tarlo.
The festival runs on Friday, 2 September (evening), Saturday, September 3 (all day and evening) and Sunday, September 4 (morning).
For more information about the festival and how to book, visit the website, tearsinthefence.com/festival/
Christmas is coming early for Quire
It may seem early to be thinking about Christmas but members of the Stanchester Quire will resume meeting at the David Hall in South Petherton next week to learn carols and songs.
The festive songs have either been collected from, or written about, the South-West of England, with several originating within a 20-mile radius of South Petherton. They will be performed at a series of Christmas concerts.
The choir welcomes new members and it is not necessary to pass an audition or read music, as everything is learnt by ear.
The Stanchester Quire is led by musical director Eddie Upton, holder of the English Folk Dance and Song Society gold badge for services to folk music.
Members of Stanchester Quire at Yetminster Fair this summer.
The choir is meeting at the David Hall in Roundwell Street, South Petherton (TA13 5AA) on Monday 5 September at 7.30pm. The first two weeks are free to new members.
For more details either email stanchesterquire1@gmail.com or phone Bonnie on 01935 822287.
QDG Afghanistan by Alix Baker.
NICK HAYWARD
SAT 10th SEPT 8PM Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, Nick Hayward returns after his sell out show in 2018. The front man of Haircut 100 with hits including 'Love Plus One' and many solo hits such as 'Blue Hat For a Blue Day. '
THEATRE DANCE MUSIC COMEDY
ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW & THE LOW RIDERS FRI 16th SEPT 7.30PM Andy Fairweather Low's pedigree is the stuff rock dreams are made of. If you just remember Andy's early work and major hits such as 'Wide Eyed and Legless' you're in for a treat!
MARTY WILDE & THE WILDCATS SAT 24th SEPT 7.30PM
A chance to see live on stage of the only performing original Rock'n'Roll Pioneers in the World today. With his many hits including 'Teenager In Love' and a host of wonderful songs from the era - Marty Wilde and his fabulous band take you back through some of the most exciting musical times this country has ever experienced.
CINEMA GALLERY CAFE VENUE HIRE
Four into one does go at art show
The Wessex Painters, a group of four professional artists who have travelled the world with their military husbands from posting to posting, are staging an exhibition in Shaftesbury at the Art Centre Gallery.
The exhibition, featuring a wide variety of work, runs from Sunday to Saturday September 7-13. The artists are: n Sue Fawthrop – Sue’s work is about mood and atmosphere, inspired by the landscape and coastal areas of Dorset and further afield. Her interest is in creating an exciting image with a sense of mystery, leaving some questions unanswered for the viewer to explore. n Tana Knyvett – Tana is a figurative and impressionist painter working in oil, pastel and charcoal. She is particularly drawn to subjects with a human interest and to scenes from her travels abroad. n Gabrielle Bill – Gabrielle, who studied under the tutelage of Paul Butler at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, enjoys working closely with the human figure. Figures hide in the shadows giving depth and a further dimension – a story to be unravelled. She also paints landscapes. n Alix Baker – Alix spent most of her art career as an internationally renowned military artist and writer. She now paints many subjects in several media and styles. She has chaired a national art society and been on the committee of others.
Palaeontologist’s talk
Self-taught Dorset palaeontologist Dr Steve Etches MBE will give a talk at the Exchange, Sturminster Newton, on Wednesday September 7 at 7.30pm. His talk is on Species Diversity in Kimmeridge Clay. tickets priced £10 are available at the Exchange.
Singer-songwriter Anna Howie is set to perform at All Saints Church in Castle Cary. Anna says her songs are a positive take on life, love, loss, friendship and family. She is playing on Sunday September 11 at 4pm. Tickets priced £10 are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk and Bailey Hill bookshop.
Most famous tank in the world will be in action
The world’s only running Tiger I tank will be in action on its last outing of 2022 at Tiger Day at the Tank Museum at Bovington Camp.
Tiger 131 runs only twice a year, on Tiger Day in April and September, and attracts huge crowds when it does. Visitors will have the chance to see it in action in a 45-minute Second World War tank display, including its Fury movie co-star, the Sherman tank ‘Fury’.
As well as an action-packed arena display, including the Panzer III, Comet, Chaffee and more, visitors can get up close to vehicles in the Tank Park and explore military history traders set among the museum collection.
Museum curator David Willey said: “Tiger 131 is the most famous tank in the world and a lot of tank fans will jump at the chance for a ride in this Second World War icon.
“A significant amount of work goes into keeping the Tiger running and it is extremely fragile and liable to faults. During the war it took ten hours of maintenance for every hour the Tiger ran – now it takes the museum staff and engineers an astonishing 200 hours.”
The Tiger tank was a formidable weapon introduced by the Nazis and the capture of 131 allowed the Allies to understand exactly what had been unleashed.
Tickets for Tiger Day on Saturday, 17 September, must be purchased in advance at https://tankmuseum.org/ whats-on/events/tiger-day
Tiger 131 runs only twice a year at the Tank Museum at Bovington
Although it is not currently a legal requirement, please consider wearing a face covering to protect yourself and others when visiting the Tivoli.
THE GEORGE HARRISON PROJECT
Busy term for singers
The Athenaeum Singers of Warminster resume rehearsals at Christ Church in the town on Tuesday (6 September) under new director of music Nigel Edwards.
Nigel comes from Salisbury and started his musical career as a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral.
He will be preparing the singers for their first concert at Minster Church of St Denys on Saturday, 26 November,.
The singers have a busy run to prepare for the concert, and then rehearse for the Carol concert in December.
New singers are welcome to attend three rehearsals without charge before committing to membership.
The choir’s website, www. athenaeumsingers.com, gives more information on activities.
PLEASE KEEP CHECKING OUR WEBSITE
Friday 2nd Sept 7.30pm Tickets £20
(Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) THE RAILWAY CHILDREN RETURN (PG)
3rd, 5th, 6th & 7th Sept 7.30pm, Mat 8th Sept 1pm Tickets Adult £8 eve, mat £7, U16s £6
(Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) CALLING PLANET EARTH
Thursday 8th September 7.30pm Tickets £24.50 AYNSLEY LISTER Superb blues-based rock!
Friday 9th September 7.30pm Tickets £20
(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee) (Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee) FRANKIE’S GUYS:
A Celebration Of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Saturday 10th Sept, 7.30pm Tickets £ 24.50/ £22.50 concs
(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)
WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING (15)
