Ocelot103 january 2015 final artwork

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OXFORD NEWBURY

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SWINDON

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READING

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SALISBURY

l MARLBOROUGH l WITNEY l DEVIZES l WANTAGE l HUNGERFORD l BASSETT RIVERS

Food ANd driNk / theAtre / Art / comedy / live music

OCELOT THE

ISSUE NO: 103 JANUARY 2015

FREE

Bar Wars

In a galaxy not too far away in a time that is right now your traditional local is at war. Enemies are on all sides. Help us, oh person down pub, You are our only hope...

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with added cheese for no reason at all!

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What’s in your Ocelot?

For Starters p4

Jamie Hill

Michael Bosley; The Goat; Luke Coleman

Food and Drink p13

Brewery Bird, Pan of Mystery; Beermaggedon

Arts and Culture p21 Cornerstone Comedy; Breaking Bad

The Music section p29

Arts & Culture

It’s Gig Monkey’s Annual Music Awards p32

involves laughing out loud rather than loling.

We want people to support their local pub. to help, what is essentially a small business that has everything against them from the taxman to the pubcos and even social media.

Just remember in life, there’s nothing better than a good pub.

Food and Drink

that have closed. the amounts of communities left with no social hub. okay, we are looking at this issue in the same month as the dry January campaign, which is also something we support healthwise.

But pubs are so much more than just places to sell alcohol. they are places where you can enjoy a good meal or meet friends. it doesn’t all have to be about the drinking you know.

Anyway, we don’t want to see any more pub shaped holes in our communities. We want them to thrive.

We want people to get off Facebook and actually go out and have some normal human interaction again. interaction that

For Starters

so it’s 2015.

Not to be confused with a quarter past eight on the 24 hour clock.

And that ol’ cat the ocelot keeps on feeding you good people on a strict diet of comedy, music, theatre and food all year round. this month we look at that great institution - the British pub.

And what a great institution it is. the pub serves as the social centre of towns and villages across ocelotshire.

A place to go and meet people to have real conversations and to have fun. in the last few years we have lost count of the amount of pubs

Groovers on Manouevres, Gig Monkey

The List p34

The most comprehensive listings in the region.

telephone: Website:

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The Ocelot does not accept responsibility for goods or services offered by advertisers.

cat from central and south America.It is also the region’s leading arts and culture magazine letting you know what’s going on and where.

The Ocelot has more than 25,000 readers and is delivered to over 700 different venues on the 1st of every month.To be in it - get in touch!

For Sales call Dave Stewart on 07872 176999 or dave@theocelot.co.uk To get in The List for FREE email listings@theocelot.co.uk

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editor: Jamie hill jamie@theocelot.co.uk contributors: Brewery Bird, John Palmgren, ed dyer, dave Franklin, Agony Girl, sid siddle, mark muggeridge, dave stewart, Jacqui thorndyke Printers: Advent colour

What is an Ocelot? An Ocelot is a big

Music

Publisher:

The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

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Somethings never change... planted in the public eye, with her reasons for being there continuing to elude most, but the woman who spent this year trying to ‘break the internet’ with her nude photographs and attempts to pour champagne into a glass balanced on her arse continues to be a strong force that will see us into the new year. (Joy) Keep Calm merchandise: you’d have thought that three years was long enough for everyone to get their fill of this rather thin joke, but it seems not. the “keep calm and chill out” album was advertised heavily over christmas and the slogan still seems to be a staple seller in twee craft shops up and down the country.

Computer games blamed for all evil: they’re often mentioned in the same breath as violent murders and school massacres by the media simply because the killer owned a games console. A recent study reported by the mail attributed games like manhunt and even spiderman 2 as being the cause of violence and underage sex amongst teenagers. Presumably the research was linked to the number of copies of spiderman 2 that were found at crime scenes and in drug dens up and down the country?

Beards: they gained momentum this year and have become a popular accessory for the butch-chic look, along with cheque shirts and walking around with an axe over your shoulder. Be prepared to see them on pretty much everyone in the New year, from olly murs to Justin Bieber (assuming he reaches puberty by then).

The Nerd’s Last Word with Michael Bosley The New Year is supposedly a time of promise; looking forward to the unknown and reflecting on what has been. It’s difficult to know what new challenges we will face and what will change, but what is far easier to predict and what is more often overlooked, is what won’t change. So with that, I’ve compiled a list of things that will almost certainly remain the same over the next twelve months: Politicians and celebrities messing up on Twitter: Almost weekly there seems to a be a public figure who is still trying to work their smartphone and inadvertently shares a photo of their backside or retweets a pornographic photograph as in the recent scandal that befell lincoln mP karl mccartney, who then, rather dubiously blamed the whole embarrassing fiasco on a cheeky hacker.

Deal or No Deal: Now in its 100,0002 series, deal or No deal still remains unfathomably popular with a nation who, presumably have all had a go on the show by now. coupled with Noel edmund’s unwavering quiff and pencil line beard and it’s almost certain that we’ll be seeing another year of sentimentally spun money grabbing.

Kim Kardashian: she’s remained unwaveringly

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The Goat

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The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

The Goat is our resident grumpy gruff. He’s always bloody moaning. So what has got on The Goat’s ..urm. goat this month?

haters who just gotta hate ok. What is it with you haters? i mean the types who simply criticise anyone who puts their name out there. those people who take great pleasure in putting down anyone who raises their heads above the parapet. it’s like they sit at their computers all day ready to sling a deluge of insults at anyone who writes, sings, acts or simply has something to say. “oh look, it’s an unsigned artist from oxford who has just put on a soundcloud link to Facebook of his or her latest song that they’ve sweated blood, sweat and tears over. let’s just call them every insult under the bleeding sun. let’s stifle their creativity before it even starts. i mean, who wants another creative person clogging up our Facebook feeds of grumpy cats and statuses about that rude woman who pushed in front of me at tesco? us haters don’t want that. We just want to hate.

“No, of course we don’t want that. We don’t want to know that there’s someone out there willing to let their creative juices flow, whilst we’re stuck in our grey office blocks slaving over mountains of it databases having realised that we’ve completely wasted our lives and should just give it all up. our only hope and pleasure is to put other people down. We can’t have

anyone who has a smidgeon more success than us around. let’s knock them down to our size. squeeze their dreams so that they can join us in the next cubicle along so in the end they become haters like us. “our lives are so empty that we have to empty out anyone else’s lives as well just for a fleeting instant of pleasure when a particular jibe hits home. “obviously, us haters hate reviewers more than anything. We hate people who have a legitimate cause to criticise usually in a constructive manner. so let’s get even more personal with them. that’ll show them! that’ll bring meaning to my life.”

By the way, goats don’t hate. We just munch. on almost anything. We’re equal opportunity munchers with no fussiness. in fact the only people we hate are ‘haters’, oh and traffic wardens. But that goes without saying.

Off The Grid with Luke Coleman (Our Man in Iraq) www.lukecoleman.co.uk

oh, oh, oh, we're going to rojava... and now you have Black lace in your head, and you hate me.

And where the fuck is this rojava place? it's the destination for the first holiday with my new companion, and it's the kurdish area of syria. how quaint, romantic and thoughtful of me, non? rather like the time i felt my dear old ma would appreciate 10 days in iraq for her 80th birthday present. We're going to the safer area, to catch up with a few stories – i want to shine a light on the emerging political system, less sexy than marie clare spreads on the female fighters in kobani, but potentially seismic. the kurds of turkey (Bakurê) and iran (rojhilatê) have been developing egalitarian left wing ideals for decades, the basis of their sometimes bloody struggle for recognition. the iraqi kurds (Başûrê) are a

susan enjoyed her new look and didn't care what anyone said.

different political animal, suckling on mother Nature's most capitalist teat, oil. it's a dry old subject though, so i want to mix it up with an interview with omar souleyman. you have to check out his video for Warni Warni; he's a cut-glass, A1, juice vaping dude of the highest order. do it!

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The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

Do you really need to own your car??

A car is an expensive thing to own. When you add up the tax, MOT, petrol, servicing, parking costs, insurance, and car loan payments…

It’s draining on your wallet even when it’s sat on the driveway doing nothing! there is another way, especially if you are the car owner that keeps a vehicle “just in case”.

For those infrequent little journeys to visit Aunty Betty, to pop to the garden centre for paving slabs or nip to that specialist shop in the neighbouring town.

A “car club” allows you to hire a car by the hour. the cars are parked in central spaces and members of the club can book them out online, operate the car using a member swipe card, and return the car to its spot afterwards. there’s an hourly charge and a small charge to cover fuel (which is provided) – all of which works out much cheaper than paying for the lump of metal parked on your driveway. swindon has “co-wheels” cars in the town centre, and car

clubs are also available in oxford, reading and stroud.

Just think – the freedom to drive a car, without the hassle and expense of actually owning 8

it.

take the first step to using cars in a smarter way - visit the website to find out more : www.co-wheels.org.uk

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We Are The Champions….

the region’s favourite beer writer

Food and Drink Arts & Culture

When it comes to competitions, beer certainly has its fair share – over 159 CAMRA Beer Festivals (each crowning its own Beer Of The Festival), took place last year throughout Britain, not to mention the numerous pub festivals which showcase both local and national beers.

With the uk now boasting over 1150 breweries producing somewhere in the region of 8,900 beers, the process of judging these beers, certainly within cAmrA has never been more difficult, or exciting! you’d have to have been asleep under a very large rock to not be aware of the Great British Beer Festival, which takes place each year in london in August – 2015 sees the 38th event. the festival showcases over 500 ales from around 350 brewers; however, not as many people are aware of its sister competition the National Winter Ales Festival or NWAF which is held in February.

2015 sees its return to derby’s roundhouse, a stunning grade ii listed building, built in 1839, a fitting place then to celebrate the renaissance of beer styles which this festival is renowned for – Porters, stouts, old Ales, strong milds and Barley Wines. over 350 of them. Not to mention the ciders, perries, mead and continental beers which adorn the bars. these beer styles were in decline not so long

ago, but have gradually made a come-back and many breweries now list at least one of these styles as a core beer, which is fantastic news for beerdrinkers who prefer to dabble with the dark side. so what’s so important about this festival?

Well aside from the fact that is promotes beer styles which are a part of our heritage, it is also a chance for brewers today to showcase their beermaking skills and imaginations in producing some extremely complex beers. What’s more, the beers in the final, which are blind-judged entirely on their condition, taste and appearance on the day will have been put forward by cAmrA branch and regional committees the previous year as the cream of the crop in that particular category. there are winners in each style i.e. porters, stouts, barley wines etc. and then the winners of each go into the overall champion final. Judges are picked for their beer expertise – brewers, beer writers, industry chiefs and trained tasters make up the panel.

But what does it mean for the winning brewer? to have your product judged by your peers and be deemed the best beer in Britain, in its particular style is certainly an achievement. to be named overall champion is, in the words of last year’s winner John costello, owner of dunham massey Brewery, “the highest accolade a dark beer can earn”.

CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival will be held in Derby from the 11th – 14 February 2015.

Tickets are on entry only. See www.nwaf.org.uk for more details.

For Starters

with Brewery Bird

giraffe brings fun-filled family dining to Swindon Designer Outlet!

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adventurers of all ages. little ones have their very own menu of mini-mains, desserts, drinks and placemats packed with puzzles and games to keep them entertained. www.giraffe.net

The List

coffee on the move, meeting friends for cocktails and a catchup, or treating the whole family to a special dinner, giraffe is the ideal destination. open all day, the menu features only the most seasonal, freshest ingredients, served in cozy, comfortable surroundings. dishes range from comforting classics, to more globallyinfluenced creations, made with a giraffe twist to excite culinary

Music

Following a successful opening at tesco extra swindon, giraffe has swung open its doors at a brand new site in the mccarthur Glen designer outlet in the town.

Boasting a vibrant, global feel, this all-day restaurant will offer up an extensive menu of dishes from around the world.

Whether getting the day off to the perfect start to your shopping spree with a nutritious breakfast, grabbing a gourmet

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jazz at its best

Sun 4th Jan and Sun Feb 1

Live Music every Friday Night Moonrakers Comedy (1st Thurs of the month) will resume on Thursday 5th February. £10 Wiltshire Singles at The Bear - last Monday of the month – 8.00pm - £5.00 Open Mic Night - last Thursday of the month – 7.30pm Free entry Cellar Bar is a great place for a party. Available for private hire.

Book Now for our delicious Sunday Roasts Family’s welcome

Dave for all Seasons

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with Dave Stewart

Farro, chickpea and beetroot salad with spiced grilled mackerel and herby yogurt dressing.

For Starters Food and Drink

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The List

cinnamon, ¾ tbsp cumin, 6 cloves, 1 pod green cardamom, ½ tsp nutmeg, ½ tbsp smoked paprika). rub this spice paste all over 3-4 mackerel fillets, season, drizzle with a little oil, and set aside for grilling at the last minute. thirdly, cook 125g dried faro in veg stock (about 450ml), along with a couple of bay leaves and a tbsp olive oil. once cooked, drain off any remaining liquid and toss in a large salad bowl with 1 tin cooked chickpeas, 130g or so baby spinach, 1 raw peeled and grated beetroot, 1 grated carrot, a handful of fresh finely chopped parsley, a handful fresh roughly chopped mint, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tsp of the Baharat spice mix. in a little butter, fry 100g whole almonds and 100g dried apricots (roughly chopped) until the nuts are toasted and the fruit has plumped up a little. toss this into the salad mix.

Finally, grill the mackerel under a hot grill on both sides for a couple of minutes until cooked to your liking. serve on top of the salad, with the yogurt-herb dressing drizzled over the top to taste.

Music

Farro is a great grain for mixing into salads and making a more substantial meal out of something. it’s got a nutty, chewy taste a little like brown rice, and tastes great when paired with strong flavours such as herbs, nuts, fruits and spices, and (in this case) some fresh grilled mackerel. it’s a powerpacked, nutritious feast perfect for beating the January blues.

First of all, make your herb dressing- whisk 100ml natural yogurt with the juice of 1 lemon, 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 3-4 tbsp of chopped mint and parsley. season well with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar. Add a tbsp of water to thin it out a bit, as you need to be able to ‘pour’ the dressing over the dish at the end. secondly, prepare a spice paste for the mackerel by mixing 1 crushed clove garlic, 2 tsp grated ginger, a pinch cayenne pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice and 2 tbsp ‘Baharat’ spice blend (you can buy this or make your own by grinding together with ½ tbsp black pepper, 1/2 tbsp coriander seeds, 1 tbsp

Arts & Culture

"you-a mackerel, me-a farro"

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International Pan of Mystery

The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

Turning up the heat on some familiar and not so familiar ingredients from around the world.

Vinho di Montho

Finca Flichman Reserve Malbec

right, i’m not just trying this wine because i’ve met a girl who is obsessed with good malbec. honest. this particular malbec hails all the way from Argentina and is a perfect accompaniment to a nice steak. the malbec grape, though originally mainly used in blending seems to have found its home in south America, and now rarely disappoints. this one, whilst not the most expensive, certainly holds its own. it is A concentrated, deepviolet, cherry-flavoured oak aged malbec. it has remarkable complexity and length, due to the careful selection of grapes. £7.99 from Waitrose.

NATIONAL WEEKS OF WHATEVER

Preserved Lemons

it’s an odd thing, getting used to eating a whole lemon- peel, pith and all. yet the flavour-packed punch you get from these Arabic beauties will lift your tagines, rice and grain and even salad dishes to whole new levels.

When you think about it, we are already regularly using lemon zest, juice and (at certain times of year) candied peel in our dishes, so this is just the next logical step –combining all those flavours into one magic ingredient.

Now readily available in larger supermarkets and of

course, middle eastern grocers (should you be lucky enough to have any near you, or online if you don’t), preserved lemons are usually sold in jars, floating in their pickling brine. As you’d expect, the pickling process has changed their texture completely – although they are still whole they are very soft, waiting to be sliced for use in one of the many fantastic moroccan salads and spiced pilafs, or finely diced with some crushed garlic and parsley and added to the top of a rich lamb or chicken tagine for a final flurry of flavour.

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National Spaghetti Day

January 4

the word, spaghetti is the plural form of an italian word spaghetto, meaning “thin string” or “twine.” When you think of spaghetti it is hard not to imagine that scene from lady and the tramp. it’s a romantic food but we would advise not to eat it on a first date as it’s bound to get a bit messy! Anyway it’s only proper that it gets its own day. did you know pasta existed for thousands of years before anyone ever thought to put tomato sauce on it? that’s bonkers!

appoints. this one, whilst xpensive, certainly holds

e to the careful selection

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The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

It’s time we all stepped over the last few years we’ve seen pubs closing all over the place. Nationwide they’re closing at a rate of 31 a week, which is a huge amount if you think about it.

According to cAmrA (the campaign for real Ale), 84% of people believe that a pub is as to essential to community life as a shop or post office. so how can we stop the rot?

some beers, yesterday, waiting patiently for their owners.

there’s nothing like a good pub. they are the backbone of every community. Where would our soaps be without the Queen vic, the rovers return and the Woolpack? it would just be people milling around the street never talking to each other. that’s where. Good tv it wouldn’t make. And in real life the death of a pub can rip the heart out of a community.

Well-run pubs play an invaluable role at the heart of their local communities, providing a safe, regulated and sociable environment in which people can enjoy a drink responsibly and interact with people from different backgrounds. despite their popularity, pubs are currently under threat as never before. A combination of factors has led to more and more pub owners shutting down

pubs and seeking to convert the buildings to other uses. the last four years saw beer duty increase by a punishing 42% and has fuelled a shift in beer consumption away from pubs. your local community pub relies on beer sales to sustain their business but half of all beer is now sold in off licences and supermarket chains as consumers seek to avoid tax rises.

Tax uk beer drinkers pay the second highest amount of beer duty per pint in the eu. on average a third of the cost of your pint down the pub is tax.

Beer supports nearing 1 million jobs and generates over £22 billion in taxes. in the last couple of years the Government has scrapped the beer duty escalator which was crippling pubs and the last 18

two budgets have frozen beer duty. this is good news but there’s still a long way to go to make sure that tax doesn’t continue to harm a pub’s health. campaigning for a decrease and keeping the pressure on the Government to protect pubs is the only way forward.

Planning Weak planning laws in england are failing to protect pubs. this weak planning system means that two pubs are converted to supermarkets alone every single week.

Pubs currently fall within the A4 planning use class. this means they can be converted to any of use classes including shops and businesses, or even demolished, without planning permission or any community consultation. the current situation is ludicrous and is encouraging the

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l stepped up for pubs!

For Starters Music The List

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Arts & Culture

reforms as soon as possible.

A Cultural Shift in the last few years, there has been a very visible cultural shift away from pubs. Pubs are generally not as busy as they used to be. there are a number of factors for this including a harsh economic climate and the rise and rise of social media.

According to a lot of analysts the uk economy is now heading in the right direction meaning that people will have more disposable income to be able to go to the pub and socialise a lot more.

But the key danger is amongst the young. the pub used to be the place to go. For socialising, carousing and generally having fun but now a lot of the young do a lot of their socialising virtually through social media and are having less and less real social interaction with their peers. it’s causing a lot of damage to the pub industry. the answer to this is for each and every one of us to start socialising in real life rather than looking at pictures of cats. social media can be a very positive thing. it can bring people together but nothing beats actually being together with other people in real life. We all need to start going to the pub more. you might even have some fun that’s a lot more beneficial than staring at a computer screen or a smartphone. to help support pubs visit cAmrA’s website at www.camra.org.uk

Food and Drink

loss of pubs. A campaign called Pubs matter, headed by cAmrA, is now calling for a simple change to the law so a planning application is required before a pub is demolished or converted into another use.

Pubcos Around a third of pubs in the uk are owned by Pub companies – large property companies who lease pubs out to tenants to run as their own business. these pubs are contractually obliged to buy their beer only from the Pubco; preventing pub licensees buying on the open market. this is known as the beer tie. the fundamental problem is that these large companies make huge excess profits through inflated product prices and excessive rent costs. is it right that publicans tied to big pub companies can pay above £110 for a barrel of beer, but independent publicans are able to purchase for less than £70? is it right that tied licensees are unable to make a reasonable living due to high rents on top of inflated beer prices? 57% of tied publicans earn less that £10k a year. is it right that the unbalanced relationship between pubcos and their licensees is driving up prices in pubs, restricting investment in pubs and ultimately forcing pubs to close? it is a suicidal business model from within the industry where untied pubs have a much larger commercial advantage over their tied competitors. recently the Government was defeated by 284 votes to 259 with mPs from all parties voting in favour of a new clause to the small Business Bill that will empower pubco licensees to choose between a tied agreement and a market rent only agreement; allowing them to buy beer on the open market. this will help deliver more investment in your local pubs, better choice and ultimately fewer pub closures. the new amendment follows the Government's decision to introduce a Pubs Adjudicator and statutory code to protect thousands of licensees from unfair business practices in the pubs industry earlier this year. cAmrA is now urging the Government to accept the outcome of the vote and introduce these

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“You talkin’ to me?”

A film column with Jamie Hill

For Starters The List

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keaton is superb as an actor who is best known for his role as superhero Birdman and is slowly losing his mind and blurring fact and fiction.

Best Actress Rosamund Pyke for Gone Girl - if you’ve read the book and a lot of us have you will know that rosamund Pyke’s character Amy in Gone Girl is one of the most complex characters ever put to screen. she hits every note perfectly. you love her and hate her at the same time.

Best ANimAted FeAture How to Train Your Dragon 2 With some of the best visual effects ever seen in an animated feature and a story told with real heart and humour you would be hard-pressed to beat this behemoth this year. it was better than Planes anyway! (Although i do have a soft spot for the Boxtrolls.)

Music

shoehorn in a visual effects award for the hobbit but that’s about all we’ll see in that area.

But there have also been some amazing films that will definitely catch the academy’s eye just as long as their dramas. right here’s my list of possible winners...

Best Film The Theory of Everything - you don’t get more weighty than stephen hawking and eddie redmayne is meant to be superb.

Best director Richard Linklater for Boyhood the sheer ambition of this film’s decision to film the same boy from the age of six to 18 making it a 12 year project and it resulting in a beautiful tale of growing up must make this a sure-thing for directing.

Best Actor Michael Keaton for Birdman - A slightly leftfield nod here that always goes down well. michael

Arts & Culture

oh wow! it’s that time of year again when i put on my mystic meg outfit and try and predict the winners at this year’s oscars. in a year where superheroes ruled the roost and in my view Guardians of the Galaxy should win hands down as Best Film and Best everything, you know that there Academy will ignore anything that entertains on a purely thrill-ride level.

For a film to be in the running it’s got to be cerebral. have some punch. things that Guardians has in spades.

But enough about that. i also know that anything that has the faint tinge of science fiction will also be unfairly ignored so that’s a ‘no’ for interstellar, edge of tommorrow and dawn of the Planet of the Apes. All, in my view, bloody brilliant films that make you think and gasp in equal measure. okay they might

Food and Drink

It’s Oscar time!

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david Ashley doing the dame thing in swindon’s dick Whittington

For Starters The List

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Music

A review of Cinderella at Reading’s Hexagon Theatre by Jamie Hill there was a time in my life where i would never imagine myself laughing myself silly at a panto.

But now with kids in tow, i show up with pleasure and reading’s panto this year really did have me in stitches. okay, the main celebrity guest was david myers, who is one of the hairy Bikers. he was definitely up for a laugh, although at times did look a bit lost on the stage. But that was my only complaint. the panto was silly. very silly. And all of the audience, judging by the laughter, got lost in the silliness as much as the actors on the stage. special mention should go to the fantastic panto dames who were playing the ugly sisters. they were great fun. And the costumes were out of this world.

Anna Williamson as cinderella was a delight and really went along with the fun. you might remember her from splash and citv. she was ably supported by the fantastic liza Goddard who played the Fairy Godmother. the spectacular scenery, breathtaking costumes, fabulous song and dance routines and hilarious knock-about comedy made this one of the best traditional family pantomimes around.

Arts & Culture

A review of Dick Whittington at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre by Amanda Munday there was a keith chegwin shaped hole in this year’s swindon panto as for the last three years the cheeky chappy has been the go-to celebrity.

But, the celebrity space, was brilliantly filled with the amazing Nigel havers who hammed it up something rotten.

With a brilliant performance by david Ashley as sarah the cook, this year's production of dick Whittington should be on every panto-goer's panto-seeing list and it goes on until January 4 so there’s still a chance!

With the usual oh-so-corny jokes, happy-everafter love story, silly slapstick and suaver than suave Nigel havers playing king rat, it all added up to lots of fun and laughs for children and adults alike.

Fairy Bowbells was a loveable, jolly character played superbly by suzie chard, while the sickly sweet dick and Alice were convincingly covered by kristian morse and lucy kane. of course, i have to mention the muscled torso of Barnaby hughes who played tommy (the cat) Jones - do cats really have such defined six packs? With fantastic dance routines, fabulously colourful and ever-changing scenery and a great music score, this is one panto i would definitely recommend.

Food and Drink

Panto - The Review

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Allen’s incredible impersonations break all five seasons down into one, exhilarating, and uproarious tour-de-force parody performance. miles Allen said, “this show is a love letter for all the fans who lived through the blood, meth, and tears of the greatest television show ever made. however the only tears in my show will be from laughter, and i promise no less when i bring it back to the uk!”

For tickets visit www.readingarts.com

the cornerstone in didcot is bringing comedy to the town this season with three monthly comedy nights. the cornerstone comedy club launches on thursday February 5 with subsequent ones taking place on thursday march 5 and thursday April 9. you will be able to blast away the working week blues with a healthy dose of comedy at cornerstone’s new comedy club.

Get ready for thursday giggles as the arts centre provides three of the latest hot names on the comedy circuit plus an expert compere each

month. throw in some beer, a curry and a handful of your favourite chums and you’ve got the makings of a great night out. this season’s line up includes the likes of matt richardson (pictured), charlie Baker and Felicity Ward. the nights all start at 8pm and cost £12 or £10.50 concessions.

Food and Drink

Breaking Bad was good telly.

A lot of people even say it was the best telly ever. i must admit we do miss life without Walter White et al here at the ocelot and the wait for spin-off series Better call saul seems interminable.

But never fear there’s a stage production heading to reading’s hexagon on saturday march 21. it’s called one man Breaking Bad and it looks great.

With over a million hits on youtube, and sell-out runs at comedy festivals in melbourne and edinburgh, lA actor miles Allen is bringing his solo show oNe mAN BreAkiNG BAd – the uNAuthorised PArody to cities around the uk this spring. lA actor miles Allen smacks the senses with his super-charged, hilariously accurate renditions of all the iconic characters, including Walter White, Jesse, saul, skyler, hank, Walt Junior, mike and Gus Fring.

For Starters

So you want to build a meth lab?

Music The List

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Arts & Culture

Cornerstone Comedy Club

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Fri 2nd Release the Monkey + Support Sat 3rd I'm Designer + Support Fri 9th Winter Beer Fest w/BABAR LUCK Sat 10th Winter Beer Fest w/The I's Fri 16th Bands TBA Sat 17th Eden Lake + Support Sunday 18th Faux + Nathan Detroit + Actions Weds 21st Salisbury Open Mic Fri 23rd Dead Trails + Support Sat 24th Bands TBA Fri 30th The Splash + Support Sat 31st Bands TBA

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Fri 2nd

JANUARY LISTINGS

Roughnecks 8pm free

Sat 3rd

SN Dubstation + Special Guests 8pm £3

Weds 7th

Wacky Wednesday New Years Special 8pm free

Mon 5th

Thurs 8th Fri 9th

Sat 10th

The Ocelot Comedy Night 8pm free

Songs of Praise presents... 8pm free Clay Gods 8pm free

1000 Planets - Killing joke Set 8pm free

Weds 14th

Wacky Wednesday Hawaiian Special 8pm free

Sat 17th

Operation 77 8pm free

Fri 16th

Thurs 22nd Fri 23rd Sat 24th

Tues 27th

Weds 28th

Thurs 29th Fri 30th Sat 31st

The Teddy White Band 8pm free

Songs of Praise presents Ghost of Machines + Armchair Committee + Cathodes 8pm £3 Tom Hingley + The Cornerstones + British Harlem + The Racket + Bobby The Persuader 8pm £6 Green Haze Green Day Tribute 8pm £6

Open Mic Night 8pm free

Wacky Wednesday Top Hat Special 8pm free

Delta Sleep + All Ears Avow + The Damned and The Dirty 8pm £4

Songs of Praise presents Super Squarecloud + Candy Darling + WASUREMONO 8pm £3 Still Marillion + David Waddington 8pm £8

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Groovers on Manouevres

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The List

making lots of friends with every gig. media darlings such as Nightshift, Bob Folks show and linda serck are now fans.

What i find really exciting, is their second and third albums should be even better and a huge step forward musically. there is a large audience for little red.you dear reader, jump in and get your ears filled-now rather than later.

Little Red support The August List January Friday 30th Rising Sun Arts Centre 30 Silver Street Reading RG1 2ST All Ages 8pm £5 (door) £4 (advance) www.wegottickets.com fb/littleredband

Music

By Sid Siddle of Club Velocity they number three (ian mitchell, Ben Gosling and hayley Bell) they are based in oxford and reading. in 2014 they released their ace debut album 'sticks And stones' on All Will Be Well records. it has already sold out of its first pressing. they deal in proper diy folk, with a punk attitude. ian mitchell, their songwriter, deals in dark and playful, but with a fierce passion and fierce sincerity in his songs. little red have been creating quite a buzz in the Berkshire/ oxfordshire area.

Arts & Culture

Little Red

tipping it’s hat to halcyon dance floor days. First gig it may have been but the professionalism showed through and the band provided a benchmark for live shows that few bands on the local scene would even get close to. it just goes to show that defining yourself by what you are already musically familiar with is to stop embracing the future of music. i could sit at home with old echo and the Bunnymen vinyl on constant rotation, but then i would have missed seeing not only what i think will prove to be one of the most exciting and popular bands of 2015 but would have also missed a great night out and a fantastic gig. Put them on your new years resolution list, you would be a fool not to.

Food and Drink

By Dave Franklin many people would probably identify me with a certain type of music, going on (lack of) dress sense and the type of bands i champion in local print. Postrock indie kid at heart who masquerades as an aging rocker?…maybe. (BtW apologies any metallers out there but the leather strides are homage to early Primal scream not Judas Priest… sorry.) that said, i find that it always pays to have an enquiring mind for new music and so i found myself at the sort of trend setting club that i was surprised to even be let into for the debut show of the tribe. the band is made up of a whole host of familiar faces from the more urban side of the musical tracks and if the term supergroup is a bit to cliché, you can certainly describe them as a collective of the top players in their field. And judging by the ever-swelling audience this first outing was obviously the hottest ticket in town that night.

What followed was a master class in accessible, enthralling music and stagecraft. musically they overlay a solid reggae and funk core with hip-hop and dance grooves, sweet and soulful pop vocals provide the perfect counterpoint to staccato rap deliveries and you can even catch the odd disco beat

For Starters

The Tribe

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The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

This is New Music with Mark Muggeridge

This is Plastic Mermaids

keeping with the island theme, isle of Wight five piece Plastic mermaids have been getting a huge amount of mainland love from the likes of Nme and clash magazine. their sound is an odd blend of whimsy, string arrangements, and wave like crescendos blended with angelic indie pop vocals. they’ve been drawing huge and highly appreciative crowds over on the ioW but it seems the distraction of surfing and the laid back island lifestyle have kept Pm from making the jump to the big smoke. Well that time has come and in 2015 expect the rippling energy of this very diy outfit to make waves online, at festivals, and on stations like 6music and Xfm. their live show has a brilliant reputation with brothers doug and Jamie richards, chris Newnham, tom Farren and chris Jones regularly inviting friends to join them onstage. Guest strings, vocals and on one occasion a choir have been added to the mix. key Tracks are Polaroids and Saturn. (fb/plasticmermaid)

This is The Coronas

they’ve got three doubleplatinum albums to their name in ireland and they’ve supported superstars like sir Paul mccartney, Justin timberlake, and the script over on the emerald isle. combine these facts and take a listen to their current single, Just like that and you’ll understand why the coronas are the first of my Guaranteed to Break through in 2015’ recommendations. the coronas deliver sold indie pop that can either rock a stadium or be the perfect background soundtrack to your life as you wander around town with your headsets on. charismatic frontman danny o’reilly has become something of a tabloid celebrity since the band relocated from dublin to london and his character shines out at even the largest gig making everyone feel as if they are crowded around the bar with him and the band, up for the craick in a dublin pub.

Go see the coronas on their uk headline tour later this year and see what the fuss is about. Key Tracks are Just Like That and All The Others (thecoronas.net)

This is Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

to finish off this month, something completely different courtesy of a North london sibling trio. lewis durham and his sisters kitty and daisy are awkward, and they make joyful tunes influenced by several decades of music. impossible to pigeonhole, their music has made them cult heroes on the london underground scene and fueled with the confidence this has given them they recently build their own recording studio in a disused indian restaurant. the new album, the third comes out on January 15 on sunday Best recordings and lead single, Baby Bye Bye has been getting mainstream support from the likes of huw stephens. the trio start a three month european tour in 2015, which includes a date at london’s electric Ballroom on February 18. have a look at the video too, directed by 2014 Aim video Award winner tom coles, who’s put a deliciously dark and twisted spin on it all too. musically, this is all fabulously refreshing on a cold december day. Key Tracks are Baby Bye Bye and Tomorrow (kittydaisyandlewis.com) 30

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Monday January 5 Fancy a laugh?

Four Comedians and a compere all for free!

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The Gig Mon key

Gig Monkeys Big Fat review of 2014

My column last January was the first time I had written an awards piece, and I enjoyed writing it rather a lot. So here is one for 2014’s musical happenings in Ocelotshire. Back to normal next month as I have some great new records all ready to review!

Record of the year - The August List

there has been some sublime music coming out of the area in the last 12 months. Just looking through the records of the month shows that Black hats, vienna ditto, Buswell, Port erin, smilex and Nudybronque were all in with a serious shot at the gong this.

But it was the August list from oxfordshire who win with their brilliant o’hinterland album. A fabulously and unashamedly lo-fi, rough around the edges, rustic recording, full of catchy, foot-stomping backwoods folk tunes, infectious and drenched with atmosphere. Brilliant!

Venue of the Year - Rising Sun Arts Centre

The List

musicians, i am awarding this gong to the rising sun Arts centre in reading. this fabulous place started out life as a squat, with the commendable aim of developing groundlevel arts including music. i have not heard of a poor word for the place from any of the musicians who play there or promoters who put shows on at this charming and friendly, frayed round the edges old place.

With a rich and diverse musical programme, coupled with the rest of the artistic endeavours that they support the rising sun Arts centre proves that it is entirely possible to make grassroots arts work and be appealing to a huge range of people, and do it on a voluntary basis! i will be back in 2015.

Performance of The Year - Gaz Brookfield

i see a lot of bands perform live throughout the year, and through 2014 there have been some incredible performances. however, performance of the year is one i haven’t written about here, as the award goes to Gaz Brookfield with his backing band the company of thieves for their homecoming show at the victoria in swindon back in september.

Notable for the rabid fervour of a full-house crowd that was surpassed by the energy, sweat and passion coming at them from the stage it was a night of electric atmosphere, well crafted, sing-along songs, dancing and enough beer and cider to knock a football crowd out. the sort of night that people talk about for a long time.

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

Gig monkey, AkA ed dyer, is a primate on a mission to discover as muc be out and about as well as reviewing as much stuff as you can send h

i have been very guilty of not going to enough venues this year, but, after some comprehensive interviewing of some of the region’s premier

32

Mon key Bit Ocelot103 19/12/2014 10:46 Page 33

ate on a mission to discover as much quality original music playing as possible. he will ng as much stuff as you can send him to ed@theocelot.co.uk coasters

For Starters

Hero of the Year Mark ‘Osprey’ O’Brien

Music The List

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Arts & Culture

this award is the greatest pleasure to award, recognising those who perhaps are the more unsung heroes of the music scene. let’s face it; it is the musicians, bands and artists who command the column inches. But without the

inspiring, hardworking army of venue owners, promoters, engineers, super-fans, photographers, writers, producers, studios etc then any band’s effort is in vain. so this year, it gives me great pleasure to recognise the input of one of the hardest working promoters out there, a man with fingers in more pies than a polydactyl on the Great British Bake off. step forward mark “osprey” o’Brien, once of “oop North” and now oxfords busiest man. on any given week mark will be managing gigs at various points at all the main venues in the town, including at the o2 Academy, and is responsible for hundreds of local bands gets getting decent shows, as well as a host of out of town acts being brought to the town. Add to this the oxford city music Festival and a plethora of other events and it is obvious that were osprey to pack it all in, there would be an enormous pair of shoes left to fill, and very little music going on. All of us here at the ocelot salute you sir and we urge you all to buy that man a pint next time you see him!

Food and Drink

Breakthrough of the Year Coasters Perhaps this is the most eagerly anticipated award personally, for i have a real “thing” for new music, and i love to discover brand new acts that i can excitedly tell everyone else about. And this year i reckon we have struck gold. swindon four piece coasters may be made up of scene veterans, but they are a very new project, with one eP and just a handle of gigs under their belts. Built initially as a solo vehicle for songwriter si hall to get some tunes recorded, the studio vibe quickly translated into a desire to expand the project into a proper gigging band. taking cues from a lot of American bands (Gaslight Anthems, hot Water music, the menzingers and Bruce springsteen) they band is focused around powerful razor-blade vocals, emotive and intelligent lyrics and some pounding music that still maintains a curious delicacy to it. it grabbed my attention immediately the first time i saw them, and that excitement has not gone away since.

The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

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Banff Mountain Film Festival the international Banff mountain Film Festival World tour is returning to the uk and ireland from Jan 24 to June 6.

For the first time ever, the Festival will bring inspiration and big screen adventure to reading, with the Festival being held at the hexagon theatre on march 11. the Banff mountain Film Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world. the "mothership" festival has been held at the start of November each year since 1975 in Banff, canada. the festival draws some of the world's best film makers and accomplished outdoor heroes to celebrate adventure, the environment, mountain culture and the outdoors through film. hot on the heels of the festival each year, the best films head off on the Banff mountain Festival World tour with stops in around 285 communities and 30 countries across the globe. the Banff films toured across the uk for the first time in 2010 and returned in 2011 visiting even more cities across england, scotland and

Wales. through the big screen you see highlights of incredible adventure sports, visit remote cultures and some of the world's last great wild places. We would love to see you at your local festival screening.

An exhilarating evening with great (and free!) prize giveaways, this is a must-see for mountain enthusiasts and those with a spirit of adventure! visit www.banff-uk.com for more details.

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COMEDY Thursday January 29 corn exchange mArk WAtsoN - FlAWs 7.30pm in the corn exchange Auditorium - multi-award winning comedian is back with a brand new tour, fresh from a sell out run at the edinburgh comedy Festival READING

Friday January 16 south street Arts centre scouNdrels comedy cluB FeAturiNG tom deAcoN + mAFF BroWN + mAtt rees & tom Price (mc) 8pm

Tuesday January 20

south street Arts centre mArk thomAs: BrAvo FiGAro Fringe First & herald Award Winning theatre show. Part of A tAle told - A short Festival of storytelling theatre. 8pm Saturday January 24 Jongleurs comedy club rich WilsoN + BeN Norris + dANe BAPtiste + AdAm Bloom 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class comedians in an approximately 2 hour show. prices from £17 8:30 pm

Saturday January 31 Jongleurs comedy club simoN BliGh + Joe roWNtree + otiZ cANNelloNi + roBert White 8:30 pm prices from £17 DANCE

NEWBURY

corn exchange Bolshoi live: sWAN lAke 7.30pm A Bolshoi

Every Saturday

the Abbot cook dJ NiGht 8pm

Every Sunday oakford social club recovery cluB 1pm - 6pm | entry Piece it all back together with music for the day-after at recovery club.

Friday January 2 oakford social club FAB Fish Fry 8pm - 2 am | entry dJ Jack hollywoodthe Fab Fish Fry is a national touring outfit of dJs including...

Saturday January 3

oakford social club music is my BoyFrieNd 8pm - 2 am | entry dJ Zoe-AnneAll that's good from a lifetime's worth of taped-from the-radio...

Friday January 9 oakford social club AtlANtic WAves 8pm - 2 am

Saturday January 10 oakford social club BAre Groove PreseNts Whole lottA soul 8pm - 2 am | entry Bare Groove dJsA night of 60's Northern soul and motown for nice people Friday January 16

oakford social club hello you 8pm - 2 am hello you dJs will take you on a journey through time and bass Saturday January 17

oakford social club crAFty GlANces 8pm - 2 am eclectic party tunes from hugh darby and guests.

Friday January 23 oakford social club the BeAt Goes oN 8pm - 2 am dJs olly rzysko and George GwinnellA psychedelic journey through 60's rNB sub89 AlterNAte W/ shy FX & stAmiNA mc, diemANtle (dJ die B2B dismANtle) + more

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FAMILY EVENTS

NEWBURY

Thurs November 20 to Sun January 4 the Watermill theatre Peter PAN the Watermill’s annual christmas show. check with venue for times and prices.

READING

Saturday December 6 to Sunday January 4 the hexagon ciNderellA - this year's spectacular family panto!

GIGS AND CONCERTS

NEWBURY

Friday January 30 corn exchange the couNterFeit stoNes - GrAss me uP 7.30pm in the corn exchange Auditorium - sir mick Jagger actually referred to them as "the most famous stones band in england".

New Greenham Arts mAZ o’coNNor 8pm Arlington Arts centre BoNNie doBsoN 8pm the hauntingly melancholy, immortal voice Saturday January 31

Arlington Arts centre mArcus BoNFANti 8pm incredible blues voice and guitarist READING

Wednesdays

Pavlov’s dog oPeN mic 8pm free the Junction uP the JuNctioN Acoustic night with 4 artists every week, free entry, 8pm start.

Thursdays the Walkabout oPeN mic 8pm free - all styles welcome

Wednesday January 7 oakford social club BBc iNtroduciNG live 8pm - late | entry BBc introducing supports unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar music

The List

Sunday January 25

Every Friday Face Bar reloAded cluB NiGht 9pm

Friday January 30 oakford social club disco NouveAu 8pm - 2 am dJ solid Gold death star

Music

Thursday January 29 south street Arts centre lloyd lANGFord: old FAshioNed Winner of a 2014 radio Academy Award, Q.i & the rhod Gilbert show regular. 8pm

Every Thursday oakford social club remiX cluB NiGht 8pm to 1am sub89 ProPAGANdA cluB NiGht 10.30pm

oakford social club uNder the covers 8pm - 2 am the razzles, dream themes + Bleep test dJs

Arts & Culture

Saturday January 17 Jongleurs comedy club keviN deWsBury + lArry deAN + suNil PAtel + rudi lickWood 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class comedians in an approximately 2 hour show. prices from £17

READING

Saturday January 24

Food and Drink

Saturday January 10 Jongleurs comedy club Phil diNsdAle + Pete JohANssoN + GAry delANey + seAN meo 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class comedians in an approximately 2 hour show. prices from £17

DJ NIGHTS

tBA! 10:30pm £10

For Starters

NEWBURY

production of swan lake with tchaikovsky’s famous, lyrical score.

For Starters

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Saturday January 10 Queens Arms club velocity/malfunction presents rAAys + BridGes + PAlm hoNey+ diNosAur crush 8pm 18plus £5 (doors) £4 (advance) www.wegottickets.com Jazz café sir duke With dJ - dinner including entry : £34.50 Sunday January 11 oakford social club sPeAk eAsy 7pm - 10pm a one of a kind open mic night for poets, rappers etc.

The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

Wednesday January 14

oakford social club BBc introducing live 8pm - 2 am BBc introducing supports unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar music.

Thursday January 15 sub89 hAyseed diXie 7pm £15 the hexagon the elvis yeArs - Are you ready to rock n roll? 7.30pm south street Arts centre thirdsdAy Blues - michAel messer & ed GeNis monthly Blues Night 8pm Friday January 16 sub89 the smyths - PerFormiNG 'meAt is murder' in it's entirety! 7pm £10

Saturday January 17 south street Arts centre JuliA titus: AlBum lAuNch BAcked By the oriGiNAl rABBit Foot sPAsm BANd doors 7pm concert hall AldWorth PhilhArmoNic orchestrA 7.30pm rising sun Arts centre club velocity/Bandoramma presents A very special charity Gig-to celebrate the birth(day) of luisA GArciA with mAke shAPes Not WAr + the sANdcreek mAssAcre + sullivAN + lAWreNce Piddock 8pm All Ages £5 (door) £4adv Jazz café the Groove thiNG + dJ dinner including entry : £34.50 entry only tickets : £8.00 Wednesday January 21 concert hall luNchtime orGAN recitAl With BeN Bloor, WestmiNster cAthedrAl 1pm oakford social club BBc introducing live 8pm - late BBc introducing supports unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar music.

Sunday January 25 concert hall eliZABeth WAtts, soPrANo & roGer viGNoles, PiANo 7.30pm Tuesday January 27 south street Arts centre sAmBA 101 8pm

Wednesday January 28 the hexagon the JohNNy cAsh roAdshoW - the man in Black is back... 7.30pm oakford social club BBc introducing live 8pm - late BBc introducing supports unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar music.

Thursday January 29

the hexagon mAGicAl moZArt By cANdleliGht 8pm

Friday January 30 rising sun Arts centre club velocity presents the AuGust list + JAck cAde +little red 8pm All Ages £5 (door) £4 (advance) www.wegottickets.co.uk south street Arts centre simoN & GArFuNkel - throuGh the yeArs Performed by Bookends 8pm oakford social club Black & White music 8pm - 2 am with these Ghosts + suPPort Saturday January 31 the hexagon the elo eXPerieNce mr Blue sky tour 'Back into the Blue' 7.30pm

south street Arts centre southerN teNANt Folk uNioN - six piece all acoustic bluegrass band with banjo, mandolin, fiddle, double bass and harmony vocals. 8pm Jazz café mAdisoN heiGhts dinner including entry : £34.50 entry only tickets : £8.00 UPPER WOOLHAMPTON Thursday January 1

douai Abbey NeW yeAr’s dAy coNcert - rodolFus choir Welcome in the New year with the rodolfus choir at douai Abbey!ng entry : £35.00 entry only tickets : £25.00 QUIZ NIGHT

SPORTING EVENTS READING

Sunday January 25 the hexagon AmericAN suPerslAm WrestliNG 6pm TALKS AND POETRY

READING

Friday January 16 south street Arts centre Poets' cAFe - AdriAN BlAmires & terry cree - monthly poetry night hosted by A F harrold doors 8pm THEATRE

NEWBURY

Weds January 14 to Fri January 16 Arlington Arts centre FAme 7.30pm Saturday January 17 corn exchange dANciNG QueeN 7.30pm Saturday January 31

corn exchange siNG-A-loNG-A souNd oF music 7.30pm READING

Weds January 21 to Sat January 24

south street Arts centre south street presents kAsPAr Part of A tAle told - A short Festival of storytelling theatre. 9pm (saturday matinee, 5.30pm) Thursday January 22 south street Arts centre All roAds leAd to rome by chris dobrowolski Part of A tAle told - A short Festival of storytelling theatre 7.30pm

Friday January 23 south street Arts centre We doN't live here ANymore by catherine dyson - Part of A tAle told - A short Festival of storytelling theatre 7.30pm Saturday January 24 south street Arts centre the WAtery JourNey oF Nereus Pike By lAurA muGridGe - part of A tAle told A Festival of storytelling theatre. 7.30pm VINTAGE FAIRS AND CRAFT MARKETS

READING Mondays

oakford social club the oAkFord sociAl PuB QuiZ 8pm - late | entry £1 per person to playA quiz designed to flex your brain and give one lucky...

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READING

Saturday January 10 oakford social club hello mArGAret's PoP uP emPorium 12pm- 5pm

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Fair enough. It’s art!

The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

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the city of dreaming spires, famous for its academic excellence, architecture, and historic artworks - is preparing to welcome talented artists from around the world for its second edition of the oxford international Art Fair.

Building on the success of last year's event, the three day art fair - which takes place from Friday February 6 to saturday February 8 - is a showcase of modern and contemporary art in the beautiful setting of the city’s historic oxford town hall. the event invites the outstanding artists and distinguished galleries to join the oxford international Art Fair; attracting thousands of visitors.

After the success of last year, the art fair will be bigger with a further two halls, showing more fabulous artworks by a selection of international exhibitors. it gives Art collectors and Art enthusiasts a

great opportunity to buy directly from the artist that has travelled all the way to oxford. organisers Global Art Agency was established in 2010, and have since grown hugely on an international level collaborating with some of the most recognised names in the art industry, luxury brands, five-star accommodations, art society's and award-winning organisations. organising big art events such as the Amsterdam showcase at de oude kerk, Barcelona showcase at Gaudi's casa Batllo, vienna showcase at the Palace of schonborn, and now also the oxford international Art Fair. the fair itself is free entry except for Friday evening which is a viP showing from 6pm tp 9pm costing ÂŁ10 per ticket. the fair takes place from 11am to 5pm on both the saturday and sunday.

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CABARET Every Thursday east oxford community centre, cowley rd cAtWeAZle cluB 8pm to 11pm the city’s longest running and best cabaret show COMEDY

DIDCOT

Thursday January 29 cornerstone Arts roBiN iNce: BloomiNG BuZZiNG coNFusioN 8:00pm

Friday January 30 cornerstone Arts miltoN JoNes ANd the temPle oF dA...

Work iN ProGress 8:00pm OXFORD

Saturday January 10 Glee club the Best in live stand-up comedy with keith FArNAN + Pete FirmAN + JohN Gordillo + ANdy roBiNsoN 8pm Thursday January 15 Burton taylor studio miNdsPiders with Andrew o’Neill 8pm

Tuesday January 20 old Fire station Audreys - the oxford revue’s Audreys are regular nights showcasing the best of stand-up, sketch and musical Thursday January 22 oxford Playhouse mArk WAtsoN: FlAWs 8pm

DJ NIGHTS/DISCO

OXFORD

Every Wednesday o2 Academy, cowley road 0844 4772000 Brookes BiG NiGht out w/ dub Focus - students only 10.30pm to 2am o2 Academy 2, cowley road 190 cluB NiGht 10pm to 2am over 18s Every Friday o2 Academy, cowley road 0844 4772000 sWitch dJ NiGht 11pm

Every Saturday o2 Academy, cowley road tel - 0844 4772000 ProPAGANdA + trAshy + room 101 + JAck Fm oxford’s biggest indie night. 18+ 10:30pm £5-£6 the cellar, Frewin court eXtrA curriculAr weekly electronic and bass-heavy music night Free B4 11pm £5after Friday January 3 cellar Bar, Frewin court the ouse PArty 10pm-3am / £5 Adv / £6 house&Garage/dnB&Jungle/Funk&soul FAMILY EVENTS

OXFORD

Friday December 5 to Sunday January 4 Pegasus theatre the sNoW QueeN by mike kenny £ 6 -

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Thursday January 8 to Sunday January 11 New theatre sNoW White oN ice check times

Saturday January 10 Pegasus theatre oNce iN A Blue mooN £5 adult, £3 children 11am and 2pm FILM

DIDCOT

Wednesday January 7 cornerstone Arts the huNdred yeAr old mAN Who climBed out oF the WiNdoW ANd disAPPeAred 8pm Wednesday January 28 cornerstone Arts cycliNG With molière 8:00pm FARINGDON

Wednesday January 7 corn exchange at Faringdon Belle (12A) - matinee club @ the regent cinema, the corn exchange, Faringdon. doors open 12 noon, film starts 12.30. £4 Friday January 23 corn exchange at Faringdon Pride (15) - Blockbuster Night @ the regent cinema, the corn exchange, Faringdon. doors open 7pm, film starts 7.30pm. £4 Adult. £3 under 18s.

GIGS AND CONCERTS

ABINGDON

Mondays old Anchor inn moNdAy NiGht music GrouP (folk singing, poetry reading etc). 8:30pm and all welcome

The List

Friday January 23 oxford Playhouse the house oF FuN 7.30pma variety night of sparkling music, saucy stand-up wtih

Friday January 23 Pegasus theatre First stAGe: dANce scrAtch 7.30pm Free Presented by Pegasus and oxford dance Forum - New pieces in preparation for dancin’ oxford 2015

Thurs December 11 to Sun January 4 Burton taylor studio hurry uP, FAther christmAs! -Father christmas has lost his keys and now the magic dust has run out – oh no! hurry up, Father christmas! there’s lots to do and it’s time to go!

Music

Saturday January 17 Glee club the Best in live stand-up comedy featuring JoNNy PelhAm + comic to Be coNFirmed + Peter White + comic to Be coNFirmed 8pm

DANCE

OXFORD

Fri December 5 to Sat January 10 North Wall Arts centre the WiNd iN the WilloWs with creAtioN theAtre various times

Arts & Culture

Thursday January 8 old Fire station oXFord imProvisers NeW yeAr sociAl 8pm Free, but edible contributions welcome!

Saturday January 31 Glee club the Best in live stand-up comedy featuring roBiN morGAN + AdAm Bloom + PAul thorNe + PAul toNkiNsoN 8pm

Fri December 5 to Sun January 18 oxford Playhouse BeAuty & the BeAst various times

Food and Drink

Saturday January 24 cornerstone Arts virGiNiA iroNside: GroWiNG old disGrAceFully 8:00pm

Saturday January 24 Glee club the Best in live stand-up comedy featuring roGer moNkhouse + dAvid WhitNey + GeorGe eGG + BeN Norris 8pm

£18

For Starters

OXFORD

Arthur smith and with guest star hal cruttenden

The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

Ocelot103 19/12/2014 10:46 Page 40

Tuesdays old Anchor inn oPeN mic NiGht 8:30pm all welcome

the Art Bar (formerly the Bullingdon) the mArtiN Pickett orGANisAtioN 8:30pm - 11pm Free

DIDCOT

Thursday January 15 New theatre rock 'N' roll PArAdise 7.30pm

Saturdays old Anchor inn live BANds 9pm free

Tuesday January 13 cornerstone Arts cornerstone's oPeN mic NiGht 7.30pm Saturday January 17 cornerstone Arts rAy GelAto ANd the GiANts 8:00pm the chairman's charity Gig OXFORD

Third Wednesday of the month Wig and Pen JAZZ JAm on the 2nd floor 8-10pm

Every Sunday the crown, cornmarket street JAZZ At the croWN with oXFord JAZZ kitcheN 4pm to 6pm free the harcourt Arms, Jericho hoAm oPeN mic 8pm Free the old Bookbinders Arms, victor street Bookie’s oPeN mic hosted by chris Padmore 8pm Free Sunday January 4 Jacqueline de Pre music Building contemporary music for All – miXed striNGs 8pm - 10:30 pm £10 (stalls) / £5 (student)

Monday January 5 Jacqueline de Pre music Building contemporary music for All – Fidelio trio 8pm - 10:30 pm £10 (stalls) / £5 (student) Tuesday January 6 the Art Bar (formerly the Bullingdon) the rory mciNroy QuArtet 8:30pm Free

Thursday January 8 o2 Academy oxford royAl Blood + turBoWolF 7pm - 11 pm £12 Burton taylor studio the hoNolulu coWBoys 8pm

Saturday January 10 Burton taylor studio oXJAms 8pm Bobby Wellins, a tenor saxophonist and one of Britain’s most unique voices in jazz, opens the 2015 oxford Jazz masters serieswith a stunning new show.

Tuesday January 13

Wednesday January 14 New theatre the JohNNy cAsh roAdshoW 7.30pm

Friday January 16 o2 Academy 2 lAst rites + the deviAted + eNdless mile + mAN mAke Fire + the mArk + suGAr dArliNG 6pm - 10pm £8 Jericho tavern FrActure + the shAPes + silversPArk 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm £5

Saturday January 17 o2 Academy oxford skeletor Ft. iGNite the sky + sANity loss + BeiNG euGeNe + immiNeNt ANNihilAtioN 6.30pm Jacqueline de Pre music Building JoNAthAN PoWell (PiANo) – rAchmANiNoFF, choPiN, FAure, reGer 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm £20 (gallery) / £15 (stalls) / £5 (student)

Tuesday January 20 old Fire station the listeNiNG room 8pm the listening room returns for another season of fantastic local music. the Art Bar (formerly the Bullingdon) AlviN roy’s reeds uNlimited 8:30 pm 11pm Free

Wednesday January 21 o2 Academy oxford hoZier 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm £14

Thursday January 22 Jacqueline de Pre music Building JdP ANNiversAry luNchtime recitAl – JoNAthAN PoWell (PiANo) 1:15 pm 2:15pm £5

Friday January 23 o2 Academy 2 AmoN AmArth + huNtress + sAvAGe messiAh 6:30 pm - 10pm £15 Jacqueline de Pre music Building JdP Anniversary event – mAsh marathon 7pm - 10:30 pm £5 Wheatsheaf, high street BAstioNs + hieroPhANt + Five miles North oF NoWhere + hAtemAil 7:30 pm - 11pm £5 (advance) / £7 (door) the Art Bar (formerly the Bullingdon) BAllooN AsceNts (eP lAuNch) + duotoNe 8pm - 11pm £7 (advance) /

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£10 (advance including copy of the eP to pick up at the gig)

Saturday January 24 Jacqueline de Pre music Building JdP Anniversary event – commuNity coNcert 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm £3 North Wall Arts centre like rABBits present lost doG & lucy kirkWood 7.30pm oxford Playhouse JAcQui dANkWorth 7.30pm one of the country’s leading jazz vocalists, Jacqui dankworthcomes to oxford with her stellar group of musicians. daughter of Britain’s foremost jazz family, Jacqui’s concerts showcase her vocal versatility drawing on jazz, folk, soul and blues.

Jacqueline de Pre music Building Nick vAN Bloss (PiANo) – diABelli vAriAtioNs 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm £25 (gallery) / £20 (stalls) / £15 (student)

Sunday January 25 Jacqueline de Pre music Building JdP Anniversary lunchtime recital – carson Becke (Piano) 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm £3 Jacqueline de Pre music Building BelceA QuArtet – WeBerN, schuBert, BrAhms 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm £35 (gallery) / £30 (stalls) / £20 (student) Monday January 26 the Art Bar (formerly the Bullingdon) haven club presents stArk + iNvisiBle veGAs 8.30pm £5adv £7dr

Tuesday January 27 the Art Bar (formerly the Bullingdon) GuitAr summit 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm Free Thursday January 29 cellar Bar, Frewin court BAdlANds + orANGe visioN 7.3010:30pm / £4 Badlands present material from their new eP 'Fortune Gone' with special guests orange vision.

Friday January 30 o2 Academy 2 AlvvAys 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm £8 Jacqueline de Pre music Building Brodsky QuArtet: trees, WAlls, cities With loré liXeNBerG 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm £25 (gallery) / £20 (stalls) / £5 (student)

Saturday January 31 Wheatsheaf, high street Gappy tooth industries presents eloise rees + the PiNk diAmoNd revue + roBot sWANs + lAke oF kiNGs + mAN mAke Fire 20.20 – 23.00 £4.50 on the door, cheaper at www.wegottickets.com/event/296961

Ocelot103 19/12/2014 10:46 Page 41

WITNEY

TALKS AND POETRY

OXFORD

Sunday January 18 New theatre tedx conference

Tuesday January 27 old Fire station Poetry By heArt - a national poetry recitation competition for students in schools and colleges.

THEATRE

DIDCOT

Tuesday January 13 to Weds January 14 Burton taylor studio the Pier 8pm - set against the backdrop of a declining British seaside town, the Pier dips into the lives of those who are both brought together and divided by the vast body of water which stretches out before them. the play gently weaves their narratives together.

Friday January 16 to Saturday January

17 Burton taylor studio too much, too youNG 8pm - isn’t it daft that we ask teenagers to make really big decisions about their lives? Jack Bennett had to and it’s done him no good whatsoever. so he’s decided to ask some pretty big questions; what’s learning for? Why all the rush? And if all of the politicians and education experts are so smart, how come they never agree on the best way to do things?

Saturday January 17 old Fire station collider - a drama about biggest experiment the world has ever seen - the hadron collider and everyone is nervous as it is about to be switched on for the very first time. Will the universe end? 7.30pm

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Weds January 28 to Sat February 7 New theatre toP hAt 7.30pm - the classic musical comes to oxford.

Weds January 28 to Thurs January 29 North Wall Arts centre liGht presented by theAtre Ad iNFiNitum

The List

23 cornerstone Arts reduced shAkesPeAre comPANy: the comPlete history oF comedy (ABridGed) 7.30pm - they’ve skewered history, the Bible and the Bard, and now the reduced shakespeare company tackles the subject they were born to reduce. From the high-brow to the low, the complete history of comedy (abridged) covers comedy through the ages. From Aristophanes to charlie chaplin and Nick clegg, the bad boys of abridgment leave no joke untold as they deconstruct the entire history of comedy in 90 rollicking minutes.

Saturday January 10 old Fire station collider - a drama about biggest experiment the world has ever seen - the hadron collider and everyone is nervous as it is about to be switched on for the very first time. Will the universe end? 7.30pm

31 oxford Playhouse the WomAN iN BlAck - unanimously acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, the Woman in Black delivers a chilling theatrical experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A lawyer obsessed with a curse he believes has been cast over him engages a sceptical young actor to exorcise the fear that grips his soul. it all begins innocently enough, but soon the borders between make believe and reality begin to blur...

Music

Thursday January 22 to Friday January

Tues December 9 to Sat January 3 New theatre dirty dANciNG (7.30pm tuesday – thursday & saturday / 5pm & 8.30pm Fridays / 2.30pm on christmas eve / 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Boxing day / 2.30pm & 7.30pm on January 2)

Monday January 26 to Saturday January

Arts & Culture

Friday January 9 Burton taylor studio the shiPWrecked house 8pm in a sparkling one-woman performance that blends poetry with theatre, Anglo-Breton poet claire trévien navigates a shifting maritime landscape, inspired by a childhood spent on the coast of Brittany.

OXFORD

Saturday January 24 old Fire station collider - a drama about biggest experiment the world has ever seen - the hadron collider and everyone is nervous as it is about to be switched on for the very first time. Will the universe end? 7.30pm

Food and Drink

Thursday January 29 Fat lil's soN oF dAve 7.30pm Adv: £10 / door: £12 the ex-crash test dummy and modern funky one-man blues beat-box harmonica eruption comes to Witney as part of his Filthy 45s tour. his live shows are extraordinary.

Saturday January 31 cornerstone Arts Julius cAesAr 6:00pm cornerstone favourites Bristol old vic theatre school are back with shakespeare's masterpiece of roman history - a rollercoaster tale of murder, politics and betrayal. A perfect introduction for young audiences, this exciting new version re-imagines the play in a modern world of media manipulation, digital information and 24 hour news, whilst retaining the power and beauty of shakespeare's original verse.

For Starters

Friday January 23 Fat lil's GuNs N roses eXPerieNce 8pm Adv: £7 / door: £9 Brand new to FAt lil's the Guns N roses experience bring all the drama, excitement and energy of a full blown Guns N roses arena gig to the small stage... the club will be rocking to countless Guns N roses classics..!! Get your tickets early..! it's gonna be a hot one.

The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

Ocelot103 19/12/2014 10:46 Page 42

Reginald D Hunter comes to Salisbury reginald d hunter returns to the uk this year with a brand new 45 date tour following a hugely successful year filming and performing around the world. And he’s coming to salisbury city hall on Friday may 29. having appeared at the melbourne comedy Festival and sydney opera house Gala in Australia early in 2014, reginald then made his debut in New Zealand at their comedy Festival opening Gala before going on to appear in Auckland and Wellington. he then moved closer to home with his first tour of mainland europe before travelling back to his birthplace in America to film reginald d hunter’s songs of the south, which is due for transmission in early 2015.it is a three-part BBc2 series documenting reginald’s epic road trip from North carolina to New orleans through 150 years of American popular song. reginald has been in the uk for just under two

decades and in that time he has become one of the uk comedy industry’s best-known performers for his distinctive take on subjects including race and sexuality. his work can be brutally honest and is often considered to be controversial but it is always meticulously thought out and he has never been afraid to face challenging issues head on, even when the focus is on his own principles or beliefs. he’s a regular panellist on have i Got News For you and is deliciously funny.

Georgia-born hunter first made his mark on the uk circuit in 1998, when he was a finalist in so you think you're Funny. he has been appearing in his own acclaimed one-man shows at the edinburgh Fringe since 2002, when i said What i said was nominated for the best newcomer Perrier. he was nominated for the main prize in 2003 for White Woman and 2005 for A mystery Wrapped in A Nigga. he was also nominated for best headliner in the chortle Awards in 2004 and 2007.

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Ocelot103 19/12/2014 10:46 Page 43

ART EXHIBITIONS & CRAFTS Wednesdays riffs Bar, Greatfield Art clAsses With mike york 6.30pm

Fridays riffs Bar, Greatfield cAFe @ riFFs 10am - 2pm - crafty coffee morning CABARET

SALISBURY

salisbury Arts centre dr sketchy's sAlisBury 7.30pm Featuring exciting drawing rounds, fabulous burlesque and cabaret models, risque performance, great music, prizes and a well-stocked bar, this is life drawing like nothing else SWINDON

Sunday January 18 to Tuesday January 20 Wyvern theatre cirQue Berserk 7.30pm COMEDY

AZuZA, hughendon yard tel - 01672 513380 toP dJs 11pm to 2.30am only £2 all night. drink promos...

Saturdays

AZuZA, hughendon yard tel - 01672 513380 toP dJs 11pm to 3am £3 before midnight £4 after SWINDON

Saturday January 10 level 3 reBoot PArty NiGht 10.30Pm-3Am Saturday January 17

level 3 reBoot cluB NiGht 10.30pm Saturday January 31

level 3 veNdettAuk PreseNts | uPrise sWiNdoN | drum & BAss 9pm FAMILY EVENTS

First Sunday of every month

SALISBURY

SALISBURY

salisbury Playhouse mother Goose - check times with venue

old road tavern comedy cluB 8pm Friday January 30

salisbury Arts centre BArNstormers comedy 8pm -end the month with a healthy dose of laughter SWINDON

Tuesday January 20 swindon Arts centre roBiN iNce 8pm Friday January 30

Wyvern theatre stePheN k Amos 7.30pm DANCE

SWINDON

salisbury Playhouse mice oN skAtes! in the salberg check times with venue SWINDON

Sat December 6 to Sun January 4 Wyvern theatre dick WhittiNGtoN check times FILM

SALISBURY

Thursday January 15 salisbury Arts centre the 100 yeAr old mAN Who climBed out the WiNdoW ANd disAPPeAred (15) 7.30pm An endlessly entertaining adaptation of Jonas Jonasson's best seller.

Saturday January 17

43

GIGS AND CONCERTS

ASHTON KEYNES

First Sunday of the month

White hart oPeN mic NiGht 8pm free BRADFORD ON AVON Tuesday January 6

the swan Bradford on Avon Folk club presents siNGArouNd – Floor spots. Free 8pm.

Friday January 9 three horseshoes the BluNders 8.30pm free

Saturday January 10 three horseshoes hell deAth Fury 8.30pm free Sunday January 11 three horseshoes rivAl AttrActioN 6pm free

Tuesday January 13 the swan Bradford on Avon Folk club presents ANdreW BAZeley - keeping the old blues alive. Floor spots. Free entry. 8pm.

Friday January 16 three horseshoes FAt stANley 8.30pm free

Saturday January 17 three horseshoes Ghost oF the AvAlANche 8.30pm free Sunday January 18 three horseshoes BoB BoWles 6pm free Tuesday January 20

the swan Bradford on Avon Folk club presents siNGArouNd – Floor spots. Free entry.

8pm.

Friday January 23 three horseshoes

The List

Saturday January 17 Wyvern theatre Wilkes AcAdemy 7.30pm

Saturday January 31 salisbury Arts centre oNce uPoN A sNoWFlAke - check times A colourful whirlwind of stories and adventure led by a tiny sprite with a fascination for snowflakes

Wednesday January 21 swindon Arts centre sWiNdoN Film society-suZANNe 7:45 Pm

Music

Monday January 5 the vic ocelot comedy cluB with steve hAll + isZi lAWreNce + comPere stePheN cArliN + smurF (mArk) docker + AleX hoyle 8pm free

Weds December 3 to Sat January 10 2015

Friday January 16 Wyvern theatre thelmA ANd louise 7.30pm in the Wyvern restaurant

Arts & Culture

CHIPPENHAM

SWINDON

MARLBOROUGH Fridays

Food and Drink

Wednesday January 21

DJ NIGHTS

salisbury Arts centre GiovANNi's islANd (PG) check time with venue - A Japanese animated tale of family, unlikely friendship and growing up after WWii.

For Starters

SWINDON

Saturday January 31 Wyvern theatre BoBBi's AcAdemy oF dANce 7.30pm

Ocelot103 19/12/2014 10:47 Page 44

For Starters

Port eriN 8.30pm free

Saturday January 24 three horseshoes BlAck elePhANt 8.30pm free Sunday January 25 three horseshoes the Worried meN 6pm free Tuesday January 27

the swan Bradford on Avon Folk club presents the orieNt eXPress - traditional & contemporary turkish roots music. Floor spots. Free entry.

8pm.

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

Friday January 30

three horseshoes the Boot hill All-stArs 8.30pm free Saturday January 31

three horseshoes the edsel Furys 8.30pm free CHIPPENHAM

Second Sunday of the month

old road tavern FreNch oPeN Folk sessioN 8pm free Third Sunday of the month old road tavern oPeN Folk sessioN 8pm free Fourth Sunday of the month old road tavern oPeN mic NiGht 8pm free CORSHAM

Thursday January 8 royal oak of corsham Acoustic oAk siNGers NiGht Floor spots. £2 entry. 8pm Thursday January 15

royal oak of corsham Acoustic oAk siNGers NiGht Floor spots. £2 entry. 8pm

Music

Thursday January 22

royal oak of corsham Acoustic oAk sPotliGht NiGht Floor spots. £2 entry. 8pm

Thursday January 29 royal oak of corsham Acoustic oAk siNGers NiGht Floor spots. £2 entry. 8pm

The List

DEVIZES

Monday January 5 the lamb inn, devizes devizes Folk club – All Welcome NiGht. lots of floor spots. raffle. £4. 8pm.

Friday January 9 Bear hotel, market Place

shAdes oF Blue – cellar Bar – doors 8pm – music 9pm - £5 Friday January 16 Bear hotel, market Place Nikki mAscAll & GriFF dANiels - cellar Bar – doors 8pm – music 9pm -£5

Friday January 23 Bear hotel, market Place Ak Poets - cellar Bar – doors 8pm – music 9pm - £5 Thursday January 29 Bear hotel, market Place oPeN mic NiGht – cellar Bar – doors 7.30pm – Free entry Friday January 30

Bear hotel, market Place NAsty hABits - cellar Bar – doors 8pm – music 9pm - £5

SALISBURY

Friday January 2

Winchester Gate releAse the moNkey + support 8.30pm free Saturday January 3 Winchester Gate i'm desiGNer + suPPort 8.30pm free

Friday January 9 Winchester Gate Winter Beer Fest w/BABAr luck 8.30pm free Saturday January 10 Winchester Gate Winter Beer Fest w/the i's 8.30pm free Tuesday January 13

salisbury Arts centre rhythm ANd roots choir 7.30pm Friday January 16 Winchester Gate BANds tBA 8.30pm free

Saturday January 17 salisbury Arts centre live lunch: declAN millAr midday free Winchester Gate edeN lAke + support 8.30pm free

Sunday January 18 salisbury Arts centre Big Band Brunch middaywith the Girls oNly JAZZ orchestrA Winchester Gate FAuX + NAthAN detroit + ActioNs 8.30pm free Wednesday January 21 Winchester Gate sAlisBury oPeN mic 8.30pm free Thursday January 22

44

salisbury Arts centre hiJAck oPeN mic 7.30pm

Friday January 23 salisbury city hall tommy emmANuel 7.30pm £22.50

salisbury Arts centre the iNNer visioN orchestrA 8pm Winchester Gate deAd trAils + support 8.30pm free Saturday January 24 salisbury Arts centre live lunch: uNtil the Bird 1pm free

salisbury Arts centre the roAd to sAusAGe 15 AltAr cluB sPeciAl Festival showcase w/the tAlks + lyricAl moNsooN + BAmBoo viPers + AQuA vistA + the NeiGhBourhood strANGe ANd sAusAGe dJ's 7.30pm, £5adv £6dr salisbury city hall JohN coGhlAN’s Quo 8pm Winchester Gate BANds tBA 8.30pm free Sunday January 25 salisbury Arts centre live lunch: the PAPer trAiNs 1pm free Wednesday January 28 salisbury city hall levellers 7:00 pm Friday January 30

Winchester Gate the sPlAsh + support 8.30pm free

Saturday January 31 salisbury cathedral eterNAl voices: music to hoNour courAGe 7.30pm Winchester Gate BANds tBA 8.30pm, Free entry SEEND

Sunday January 4 seend Acoustic club fantastic local singer/ songwriter JAmes holliNGsWorth £4. 8pm

Wednesday January 7 seend Acoustic club local acoustic group the yirdBArds support from sid Bloomfield. £4. 8pm Sunday January 18 seend Acoustic club rosie hodGsoN –beautiful voice & great songs, support from tBA. £4. 8pm Wednesday January 21 seend Acoustic club roots acoustic group liGhtGArdeN support from tBA. £4. 8pm.

Ocelot103 19/12/2014 10:47 Page 45

SWINDON

Thursdays

riffs Bar, Greatfield crooNer NiGht With steveN colemAN bringing the rat Pack to riffs! 8pm

Friday January 2

the vic rouGhNecks 8pm free rolleston soul strutters 9pm free

Saturday January 3 the vic sN duBstAtioN + special Guests deBut eP lAuNch shoW 8pm £3 rolleston the GreAt NothiNG 9pm free

Thursday January 8 the vic songs of Praise presents.... Acts tBc 8pm free Friday January 9 the vic clAy Gods 8pm free

rolleston rivAl AttrActioN 9pm free

Wednesday January 14 Wyvern theatre sWiNdoN recitAl series 1:05 Pm the vic WAcky WedNesdAy hAWAiiAN sPeciAl 8pm free

Saturday January 17

Friday January 23 the vic tom hiNGley + the corNerstoNes + British hArlem + the rAcket + BoBBy the PersuAder 8pm £6 rolleston BAckWAter rNB BANd 9pm free

TALKS AND POETRY

SALISBURY

Saturday January 17 salisbury Playhouse NicholAs PArsoNs 7.30pm Friday January 23

salisbury Playhouse PAddy AshdoWN 7.30pm THEATRE

Saturday January 24 the vic GreeN hAZe - Green day tribute 8pm £6

SALISBURY

Tuesday January 27

Saturday January 17

rolleston BrokeN imAGe 9pm free

the vic oPeN mic NiGht 8pm free

Wednesday January 28 the vic WAcky WedNesdAy toP hAt sPeciAl top Prizes for the best hat! 8pm free Thursday January 29 the vic deltA sleeP + All eArs AvoW + the dAmNed ANd the dirty 8pm £4

Friday January 30 the vic suPer sQuArecloud + cANdy dArliNG + WAsuremoNo 8pm £3 rolleston vice versA 9pm free level 3 BAckdroP PreseNts: iNdie NiGht live BANds including sahara heights + Josh Wolfsohn + the Primaveras + yves + coco esq £5 adv, £6 door. 9pm Saturday January 31 the vic still mArillioN + dAvid WAddiNGtoN 8pm £8 rolleston iNNes siBuN 9pm free+ TROWBRIDGE

Friday January 2 village Pump Folk club @ the lamb mick ryAN ANd PAul doWNes £8

45

Friday January 16

salisbury Playhouse lisZt ANd his WomeN 7.30pm salisbury Arts centre léhAr's the merry WidoW 7.30pm

Sunday January 18 salisbury Playhouse is there A doctor iN the house? 7.30pm

Sat January 24 & Tues Jan 27 to Sat Jan 31 salisbury Playhouse three meN iN A BoAt in the mAiN house Saturday January 31 salisbury Arts centre oFFeNBAch's les coNtes d'hoFFmANN SWINDON

Friday January 9

Wyvern theatre AlAddiN trouBle- the Adult PANto 7.30pm

Friday January 23 to Saturday January 24 Wyvern theatre thAmes WAter PreseNt-the emPeror's NeW clothes 7.30pm Saturday January 24 swindon Arts centre teechers 7.30pm

Wednesday January 28 to Sat January 31 swindon Arts centre the PhoeNiX PlAyers - eNtertAiNiNG ANGels 7.30pm Thursday January 29 Wyvern theatre the simoN & GArFuNkel story 7.30pm

The List

Friday January 16 the vic the teddy White BANd 8pm free rolleston the corduroy kiNGs 9pm free

Thursday January 22 the vic Ghost oF mAchiNes + ArmchAir committee + cAthodes 8pm £3

Monday January 26 Bear hotel, market Place Wiltshire siNGles At the BeAr – cellar Bar- doors 8pm - £5 or free to members.

Music

Saturday January 10 the vic 1000 PlANets - killiNG Joke set 8pm free rolleston the tiNshAck BANd 9pm free

Baker street emily WriGht ANd the royAls 8pm

DEVIZES

Arts & Culture

Wednesday January 7 the vic WAcky WedNesdAy NeW yeArs sPeciAl 8pm free top prizes for best tash!

Tuesday January 20

SINGLES NIGHT

Food and Drink

Fridays riffs Bar, Greatfield the Acoustic sessioNs with featured artists and open mic, starts at 19:30. Free

the vic oPerAtioN 77 8pm free rolleston Alter eGo 9pm free

For Starters

Wednesdays the vic WAcky WedNesdAy 8.30pm free riffs Bar, Greatfield BlueGrAss JAm Free entry. starts at 7:30pm.

Ocelot103 19/12/2014 10:47 Page 46

Agony Girl

everybody’s favourite advice columnist!

Seven-year-old Agony Girl has had a really good Christmas but she still has time to help with your problems. We read her the questions and these are her answers. Honest!

deAr ANNABel i have been wronged. i have been looked over for a management position at work. despite being the better candidate and having more experience. But i was dismissed out of hand all because i’m not friends with the boss. i am so mad. how shall i get even? mission of vengeance Bruce lee style or just work harder?

John, Abingdon he should work hard and say to the boss that he’s worked really hard and that he’s done teamwork and he helped other people. if he still doesn’t get the job he should become Green lantern. deAr ANNABel it’s so unfair. everybody seems to be against me. they’re all out to

get me. the rest of europe seem to hate me and all my so-called chums seem to be sharpening their knives against me, there’s this guy called ed who, despite having a nasally voice, people still seem to be supporting and then there’s this bloke down the pub called Nigel who is also getting me down. the problem is i’ve got an election to win in may but i’m finding it so hard. What should i do?

Dave, Witney you should move to a different country with your family then you go down to the shops, buy some stuff and then he could go for a walk in the village and he knows where most stuff is. deAr ANNABel my husband has left me. All i did

was kiss his best friend in front of him and he’s really gone off the deep end. it’s so unfair. how shall i get him to come back to me?

Craig, Swindon yuck! kissy’s are disgusting. deAr ANNABel is poo a rude word?

Lilith, Reading yes. other rude words are doo doo, wee wee, bum bum and fart. doo doo is the rudest because it means poo poo. my dad sometimes calls me a poo poo face which is really bad. But he mostly calls me plonk but i don’t know if that’s a rude word as i’ve never heard anyone else using it.

Send your questions to stuff@theocelot.co.uk

twisted Peel (twistedpeel.thecomicstrip.org)

Next month’s issue..

by Peter roy

bruary 1st

is out on Fe

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