Ocelot106 april 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: 106

APRIL2015

FREE

“I’m a Comedic Warrior!”

Tom Stade comes to Swindon p19

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Follow Ocelot Mag on Facebook and Twitter @ocelotmag

What’s in your Ocelot?

We talk to Dreadzone p27

to actually use their votes and have their say. Say no to apathy rather than just shrugging your shoulders. People died for you to have the right to vote so you might as well make the effort. It’s polite.

For Starters p4

Jamie Hill

Food and Drink

awesome. And then we interviewed Dreadzone who have been a festival mainstay for a good few years now with their fusion of dance music and dub.

We’re also aware that you people out there are going to be constantly bombarded with politics over the next few weeks in the runup to the May 7 General Election.

Just to bombard you a tiny bit more we’ve got a few words to say about it on page 6 and rather than do our usual shenanigans of taking the mickey out of every political party (unless you’re UKIP as that means you’re fair game you bunch of humourless so and sos), we’ve taken the space to make it a call to arms for people

For Starters

Wow. Can’t believe it’s April already. 2015 is flying by.

We’ve got some big announcements next month and I’m doing all I can to not blurt them to every person I meet so I’ve had to put myself in isolation until the day when we can shout what we’re up to for the world to hear.

So apart from the editor being a big blabbermouth what else is going on in the world of Ocelot this month?

We’ve got a couple of interviews this month. One with comedian Tom Stade. Who is one of the most affable fellas I’ve ever had the pleasure of having a chat with. His show at The Swindon Arts Centre on Friday April 17 will be

Elections!; The Goat; Luke Coleman Brewery Bird; Pan of Mystery; Reading Beer Fest

Arts and Culture p19 Tom Stade; Back to the Future

The Music section p27

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink p11

Groovers on Manouevres, Gig Monkey

The List p32

The most comprehensive listings in the region.

Telephone: Website:

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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

The List

Editor: Jamie Hill jamie@theocelot.co.uk Contributors: Brewery Bird, Ed Dyer, Dave Franklin, Agony Girl, Sid Siddle, Mark Muggeridge, Dave Stewart, Anita Jaynes, Michael Bosley Printers: Advent Colour

What is an Ocelot? An Ocelot is a big

Music

Publisher:

The Goat

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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?

Middle lane hoggers Okay. This is a bit of an obvious rant.

I’m talking about those people, those really, really selfish, people, who drive down the middle of the motorway and never leave the centre lane making everybody else go around them.

They are normally referred to as middle lane hoggers but I’ve been known to refer to them with a lot more colourful language that might or might not rhyme with duckers or stunts.

These people have obviously not ever passed a driving test or if they have, they’ve managed to conveniently forget that on a dual carriageway you only leave the left-hand lane when you’re overtaking and that the same applies to motorways where there’s three lanes.

THE MIDDLE LANE IS AN OVERTAKING LANE. What is so difficult to understand about that. Therefore if you’re not overtaking anybody you shouldn’t be in it!

But for some reason, their lack of brain cells can’t seem to grasp this simple concept. It’s even illegal now.

But people still do it.

Here’s what I’m going to do. The next time I see one of these middle lane hoggers I’m going to follow them home. Then I’m going to wait.

And wait.

And wait.

Until they leave their house and walk somewhere.

And from that point on and for the rest of their life. I’m going to walk in the middle of the pavement in front of them, leaving no room for them to overtake. And I’m going to walk slowly. Very slowly.

In fact I’m going to make this person’s life a misery. They will never be able to walk down a shopping aisle with freedom again as there I will be in the centre of an aisle, just standing there, making sure with my trolley that there is no way that this person can get past.

If they ever go swimming I will be blocking their lane. In fact whenever they get on a path, aisle or lane of anything they will find their way blocked by me.

It might be a complete waste of my life but it will be extremely satisfying.

Or is that taking it too far?

To Erbil with a bullet Off The Grid with Luke Coleman (Our Man in Iraq)

reticent to pull the trigger for no good reason. For a start, it makes others jumpy, “Is it Da'esh?” Also, ammo is expensive, and more precious. More precious, that is, unless you're a shit juggling thundertwat like yours truly. On a recent trip, I packed my suitcase after a few beers, and made sure to include all the attendant liquids, batteries and spares that go with a vapouriser.

What I'd forgotten was that I had put an AK round in with the stuff when moving house.....so imagine my surprise when I was called into a side room after checking my luggage at Erbil airport. “Open your case, please.” OK, what have I done? I opened it, and the shiny copper live round dropped onto the floor.

Oopsie. The kind guard took it, I asked him to give it to a Peshmerga, and we laughed. He didn't even check my luggage further. Can't imagine that scenario playing out quite so well at Heathrow! And who knows, maybe that will be the bullet that takes out the other thundertwat around here, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the murderous bog stain.

The List

Music

www.lukecoleman.co.uk

I live in a country where guns are all around, on display, carried by guards to schools, burger joints, malls and just about every public space. AK-47s, pistols and shiny new machine guns have made their way to the streets of Erbil from the front lines. They are ubiquitous, and one becomes inured to them.

When I first arrived four years ago, one would hear them fairly regularly – celebratory shots to the heavens on weddings, Newroz, and alarmingly, postelection. In Sulaymaniyah after the Kurdistan Region elections, it sounded like a full battle for 45 minutes.

Of course, what goes up must come down, and several people were hurt by falling bullets. Bonkers.

But recently, people are understandably more

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The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

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It’s election madness!

with people that they would normally never be in the same room with. All of this in a quest to hold power.

And that is why it is important that every single one of us goes to the polls this election day to have our say. We can really a make a difference. Just ignore Russell ‘don’t vote’ Brand. He might be loquacious but his plans for an anarchic revolution have about as much founding in reality as that double-decker bus that was once discovered on the moon.

Anyway back to the candidate wearing a large hat in Oxford East. This is Alistair de Voil otherwise known as the Mad Hatter and he is the Monster Raving Loony (tea) party candidate. When he is not giving tours of Oxford dressed in his full regalia, this candidate believes that if you’re going to have a protest vote against the three main parties then voting Mad Hatter would be the best bet.

In a surprisingly rational, rather than mad, statement he said: “I believe that the mainstream parties permit a social economic model that is deeply inegalitarian and also creates a highly unsustainable economy, while letting Britain's corporate robbers place shareholder short term values over developing a real economy that produces long term value for all.”

Whether you agree with him or not, you should definitely have your say. Don’t be a Brand and stay on the sofa. Go out there and make a real difference.

Otherwise it’ll be your fault when Farage has his hands on the nuclear codes!

You’re going to get several knocks on the door in the next few weeks from men in suits.

They’ll all be banging on about the economy.

Some will say how immigration and Europe are a bad thing.

Others will say how immigration and Europe are a good thing.

Some will talk about the NHS. Others will talk about benefits.

But if you’re in Oxford East you might open the door and be greeted by a man in Victorian garb wearing a rather large hat. He will be talking nonsense and will probably make more sense than the rest of them put together. That’s right. We’re talking about the election which takes place in every corner of the country on Thursday May 7.

At the moment there are predictions flying in every direction about the outcome from a UKIP landslide (which would make Nigel Farage the first PM with an IQ lower than my, admittedly very clever, pet goldfish) to a coalition of Labour, Greens, Tories, Lib Dems and a bunch of bananas.

It could go in any direction and on Friday May 8, we really don’t know if we will wake up to Cameron and Clegg, Miliband and Clegg or Clegg and Clegg and Clegg and Clegg. It is highly likely that we’ll wake up to a pack of rabid dogs fighting over the bones of Government, wilfully chucking away policies and ideals as if they were smarties and making strange alliances

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Book now for our Carvery for Easter Sunday.

Crazy Golf Course reopens at Easter

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How Low Can You Go?

The region’s favourite beer writer

The List

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Music

Hook Norton Managing Director and Head Brewer James Clarke is running in the next London Marathon on 26 April all for charity.

He will be running in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and is hoping to beat the four hour mark.

To donate money you can visit his justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/James-Clarke26

Arts & Culture

Hook Norton head brewer to run London Marathon

Food and Drink

According to experts, over the past two years, beer drinkers have been turning their backs on strong lager, with 2 billion fewer units of alcohol being consumed. The reason for this, say experts is a result of the emergence of a greater choice of lower-strength drinks being made widely available, boosted by clever marketing campaigns and perhaps more importantly, a growing awareness amongst drinkers of alcohol and health-related issues.

The cask ale industry hasn’t been caught napping either with more and more brewers deciding to produce lower-strength ales, whilst not compromising on flavour. Historically, there have been few beers available under 3%ABV, due mainly to the technical difficulty in doing so – think of a pint as a pyramid. Malt is the underlying foundation, the alcohol produced by sugars in the malt the structure giving body and depth which can then be enhanced by hops for added flavour and character. Stopping fermentation early to reduce the alcohol content can result in an overly sweet beer, which then needs to be balanced with clever hopping. So why the decision to brew lower strength ales, and why now?

The Lord giveth…..

In 2011, the Government decided to offer tax relief for beers brewed at 2.8% and under – a

For Starters

win-win situation for brewing you might think, but at the same time, a tax hike on beers above 7.5% meant small brewers’ creativity potential in terms of strength and flavour was penalised.

To add insult to injury, the tax-relief only helped the big breweries ineligible for the progressive beer duty scheme introduced in 2002.

Perhaps it comes down to a new generation of young brewers, seeking to challenge tradition and re-invent the weaker beers of our past with a modern twist. Or perhaps as consumers we are less opposed to educating our minds and palates.

We’re prepared to try low strength beers provided the quality is good and the flavours we’ve come to expect are present. Progression in new brewing methods means no more dilution or alcohol extraction: the beers are brewed like any others, but with less malt, leading to less sugar and subsequently, less alcohol.

And not forgetting the health angle – less alcohol means fewer calories and a more sensible approach to drinking, which for many can only be a good thing!

Low Strength Beers To Try Thornbridge Wild Swan 3.5% (Cask, keg & bottle) Kernel Table Beer 3% (Bottle – ABV does differ, but under 3.6%) Hardknott Juxta Beer 1.9% (Bottle from specialist beers shops) Magic Rock Simpleton Session IPA 2.6% (Available later this year in cans from all good beer specialists) Adnams Sole Star 2.7% (Bottle from specialist beers shops)

with Brewery Bird

The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

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Reading Beer Festival This year Reading Beer and Cider Festival is celebrating its 21st birthday - meaning it’s now of drinking age in the USA. Which is nice.

This year’s boozextravaganza takes place from Thursday April 30 to Sunday May 3 at King’s Meadow in the centre of Reading.

The CAMRA organised festival is one of the largest outdoor beer festivals in the UK - the fifth largest nationally with 13 to 14,000 attendees expected this year.

This year the festival will have more than 550 real ales, more than 150 real ciders, foreign craft beers and wines from around the UK. Each ticket will get you a souvenir festival glass and programme (whilst stocks last) but if you book in advance you get tokens for two pints of beer, cider or perry.

The following local Breweries are usually in attendance each year, in addition to the range of beers from around the UK: Ascot Ales, Bingham’s, Butts, Hog’s Back, Loddon, Rebellion, Sherfield Village, Siren Craft, Triple fff, Two Cocks, West Berkshire and Windsor & Eton.

The festival aims to have a wide variety of musical acts performing at the festival on Friday and Saturday and there will be the festival games area with a range of different traditional pub games such as Table football, Shuffleboard and Long alley skittles to name a few.

A range of children’s entertainment will be provided on the Sunday, which is regarded as the family day, including entertainers and activities for children to engage in.

The festival has been running in Reading for over twenty years and has grown from an indoor event in 1994. It is also the second largest fixed site event in Reading after the music based Reading Festival.

For more festival information please visit: www.readingbeerfestival.org.uk

Times and prices for 2015:

Thursday 30th April 4.30pm – 11pm £7.50 on the door and £14.30 in advance Friday 1st May 11am – 11pm £10 on the door and £17.30 in advance Saturday 2nd May 11am – 4.30pm £10 on the door and £17.30 in advance Saturday 2nd May 6pm – 11pm £10 on the door and £17.30 in advance Sunday 3rd May 12pm – 8pm £7 on the door and £13.80 in advance 12

Dave for all Seasons

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with Dave Stewart

Everyone tends to thinks of lamb at Easter but we have loads of great pork also coming into season too, so get your pig on and support our local farmers!

For Starters

minutes. Be careful not to overcook. It should be bright green. Drain. Peel and mash the garlic up on the chopping board with salt, and then whisk into a dressing with 2-3 tbsp olive oil and 1-2 tbsp lemon juice. Dress the greens and serve.

Dressed spring greens

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The List

Also in season: Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chives, Cucumber, Kale, Leeks, Mint, Rabbit, Radish, Rhubarb, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Sorrel, Swede, Watercress

Music

A brilliant, underused vegetable that’s dirt cheap and pairs great with almost anything. Take 1-2 heads of spring greens, remove the very base and wash all the leaves thoroughly. Chop and blanch with a clove or two of unpeeled garlic in salted, boiling water for 2-3

Arts & Culture

tbsp tomato puree, 3-4 whole chopped tomatoes, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp wine vinegar, 3-4 tbsp water, bring to the boil, reduce the heat to medium and cook with the lid on for about 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are completely broken down and all the flavours have incorporated. Now add the pork and all the marinade, 500ml water, a good pinch of salt, and 300-400g whole new potatoes. Bring to the boil, reduce heat, cover and cook for 20-30 minutes until meat and potatoes are completely tender and delicious.

At this point, drain off most of the excess liquid into a small saucepan, and boil the hell out of it, reducing it to a thick sauce. This concentrates the flavour and really brings the flavours to life. Add 1-2 tsp garam masala, and toss back with the meat and potatoes. Add a small handful chopped coriander before serving with basmati rice. If you like, you can remove the whole spices before serving but – with the exception of the cinnamon stick- they’re all perfectly fine to eat, (though admittedly rather fragrant to bite into for the uninitiated!).

Food and Drink

Fully-flavoured Pork and New Potato Vindaloo

Vindaloo gets a bad rap – the real thing’s a wonderful, fragrantly spiced dish that’s nothing like the ‘macho’ nonsense you get in the more Balti-bynumbers curry houses.

Using whole spices and taking your time with the onions is the key to this. Grind 1 tsp cumin seeds, 2 dried red chillies and 12 black peppercorns, and mix with 4 crushed garlic cloves, 3-4 cm crushed ginger and 3tbsp red wine vinegar. Cover and marinade roughly 600g diced pork leg in this mixture for about 2 hours (non metallic bowl required). In a large, lidded pan heat 3 tbsp oil and add 1 tsp whole cumin seeds. As soon as they splutter (almost immediately) add 4 whole cardamom pods, 4 whole cloves and one large stick of cinnamon (or two small ones). Fry for about 10 seconds, and then add 2 finely chopped onions, 3 tbsp butter, a pinch of salt and reduce the heat to its lowest possible setting. Let the onions cook on low, uncovered and only stirring once or twice at most, until they are golden brown and caramelised (about 20 minutes). Then add 3 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1

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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.

Corbières Castelmaure

This mellow, raisinflavoured Corbieres red is softer than a feather duvet. Packed with rich prune-type flavours with a hint of black olives this is a fabulous mid-week wine which pairs wonderfully with a hearty steak or duck breast. You could even leave it under the stairs for a few years so it develops a flavour that will match up to meat stews and potent cheeses. It comes from the laconic town of Corbieres in Southern France which has the perfect temperate climate for this kind of grape making this red wine a very rich taste. You can pick it up for £5.99 from Morrisons.

NATIONAL WEEKS OF WHATEVER

Kimchee

The Germans have their Sauerkraut, the Chinese their pickled mustard greens. But by far and away the king of spicy pick accompaniments has to be kimchi. Crunchy, juicy, and with a real punch of chilli and garlic, this sour, delicious napa cabbage pickle is a mainstay of Korean cuisine and served in some form at practically every meal. With such a deep depth of flavour, it can also be used to flavour soups, such as the wonderful tofu, pork and chilli broth Kimchi Jiggae. It also makes an excellent burger relish, steak sauce when mixed with a little cream, and

Vinho di Montho

International Carrot Day

chopped up finely gives hot dogs an extra kick. But to enjoy it in its purest form, serve it alongside a simple Korean BBQ dish. Take 500g rib eye or rump steaks, or 500g pork belly, and slice into strips as thinly as possible, so it’ll cook quickly. Marinade the strips in 4 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 3 cloves crushed garlic, 1 tsp white pepper, 2 tsp sesame oil for at least an hour (ideally overnight) then griddle the strips on a blistering hit griddle pan, serve with grilled onions, sticky rice and plenty of tonguetingling kimchee on the side.

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April 4

According to myth passed down from parent to parent carrots can help you see in the dark. We thought we’d test this out for ourselves and can conclusively say that they don’t work. In fact we couldn’t see anytning when they were strapped over our eyes and ended up in a road traffic accident. But, this staple, of the British diet definitely deserves its own day if only for the deliciousness of carrot cake. It’s also an excuse to walk around for the day chewing on a carrot and saying ‘What’s up Doc!’.

this red wine a very rich pick it up for £5.99 from

From 11.30am to 3.30pm this Saturday on Saturday April 4, Bitten Street - Oxford’s first and only street food crew - will be taking Oxford Castle Quarter by storm, for the second in a series of monthly popup street food markets.

Running on the first Saturday of every month until October, Bitten Street will include a rotating selection of hand picked local

street food and drink traders, headlined by our very own Bitten Street Food Crew, plus a few very exciting ones from further afield.

All held in the stunning location of Oxford Castle Quarter.

Jacqui Thorndyke, of Bitten, said: “Having held a few popup events at various locations last year, including North Parade Night Market, Oxford Castle Quarter and Oxford Brookes University,

we’re now ready to go monthly.

“We love all the exciting, eclectic, vibrant, innovative, amazing food that comes from street food and can’t wait to for everyone to try the lineup. Each event will be slightly different, with a different selection of traders and different entertainment. There may even be a few interesting tie ins with other events.”

Come hungry!

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The List

We should definitely have more articles on crisps in The Ocelot. We’ve found a niche. The possibilities are endless. Here’s some ideas....

- “Quavers vs Wotsits – a cheesy fight to the death” - “Pickled onion or Flamin Hot? which is the true Monster Munch?”

- “A Ridge Too Far? Why flat crisps are the original and best” - “Pringles are not crisps, and the EU says so” - “Pubs and crisps – the fries and coke of England” - “Getting the flavour in crisps – how do they do it?

We meet professional Crispologist Dr. Crispin Chipp” Urm... so pick up a packet of Hobgoblin.

Music

That pesky Hobgoblin at Witney’s Wychwood Brewery is at it again.

Not content with getting photographed with politicians when campaigning against beer tax or being the face of one of the UK’s most popular beers, the mischievous miscreant is making even more forays into invading your local.

That’s right. The Hobgoblin has now launched its own crisp brand. The flavour he’s gone for is Spit Roast Steak and the quality of these handcooked crisps sings out in every bite.

It’s basically a mouthwatering concoction of smoky barbecue, roasted steak and Hobgoblin beer.

Arts & Culture

Gobbling up the Hobgoblin crisps

Food and Drink

e which has the perfect

Street food with bite...

For Starters

ent cheeses. It comes from

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Monday April 6 Fancy a laugh?

Four Comedians and a compere all for free!

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The List

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Music

Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow as it’s meant I can now tour and draw enough people to come and see me just for me. For me as a small boy from British Columbia appearing at The Apollo has to be one of the best moments in my career so far.

He added: “I’m looking forward to coming to Swindon. It’s one of those places that is on the circuit that always has a good audience that appreciates comedy.

“I love the UK as a whole. People are the same the world over. I could easily be talking to a reporter in China right now whose life would be totally similar to yourself. In fact I bet there’s a reporter in China right now who an hour ago was trying to do an interview in a park with his children just running wild around him.

No, what I love about the UK is the cultural difference.

You’ve got a very good going out society here. You actually enjoy going out and seeing stand-up live.

That’s why comedy is doing so well over here. It’s vibrant.

“In Canada, people don’t go out. They stay in and watch TV. It’s understandable though as it is usually minus 40 degrees outside.”

Tom’s latest tour is called Decisions Decisions but he wouldn’t reveal what it’s all about.

“I can’t really tell you what is in my stand-up set as no comedian likes to reveal too much but when I come to Swindon, I’m going to give it the best I’ve got man!

I’m a comedic warrior. I’m a 100% at the top of my game.”

For tickets visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk

Arts & Culture

When Tom first rang me, after a bit of a PR mix up meant it was an hour later than the agreed time and on a Saturday, I was in the park with my young children. Upon hearing this Tom immediately launched into a comedy tirade about me interviewing him whilst one of my children was drowning in the nearby river. It might not sound funny on paper. But it was. Especially as his impression of one of my children being attacked by a duck whilst drowning was pretty impressive.

Tom Stade is a naturally funny man who sees the humour in everything. And it’s very infectious. He’s also pretty damn nice as he let me ring back an hour later once i had returned home with my children safely locked in a cupboard out of harm’s way.

He said: “I never wanted to be a comedian when I was growing up in the Seventies. Alright my dad had all the records like Richard Pryor and would play them non-stop but I wanted to be an actor. It just hadn’t crossed my mind.

“It happened a bit by chance. I came to Vancouver to do an audition when I was 17 which didn’t go so well and I met a guy called Craig Campbell, who you might have heard of, and he pointed me in the direction of this local comedy amateur night. And 28 years later I’ve never looked back.”

In the last few years Tom’s comedy has been gaining and gaining in popularity.

“I must admit, there were times in my thirites where I had my doubts as comedy didn’t seem to be taking me anywhere but I’m having a renaissance right now especially thanks to shows like Live at The Apollo and

Food and Drink

Canadian Tom Stade is one of the funniest stand-ups on the circuit today and he’s bringing his latest tour to Swindon Arts Centre on Friday April 17. Jamie Hill has a chat.

For Starters

The Canadian comedy stylings of Tom Stade

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The List

And then on May 22 there’s the Purple Cactus Comedy Club and Disco which is bound to be a laugh.

On top of all this there’s a plethora of films for adults and children. To find out mroe visit the website at beaconwantage.co.uk

Music

There’s loads going on at The Beacon in Wantage over the spring.

The theatre in Portway has got loads going on from kids theatre to film to live music.

On April 4 there’s Wind in the Willows from 4pm where you’ll be able to take your kids for an Easter treat with Toadie, Moley and Ratty.

Then there’s The Zoots with their brilliant sixties show on April 10. On April 25 there’s the Mayor’s Charity Flamenco Show which is bound to get people in the dancing mood.

Some treats in store at The Beacon

Arts & Culture

see the trilogy. Call 01793 524481 or visit www.newcollege.ac.uk/filmclub You can join Marty McFly and Doc Brown at the screening taking place below...

Back To The Future - Tuesday 19 May - 19:00 Back To The Future II - Tuesday 9 June - 19:00 Back To The Future III - Tuesday 30 June - 19:00

Food and Drink

The year is 2015. You might have woken up this morning wondering why you haven’t got self-tying shoes on or even a hoverboard.

We all were at The Ocelot. It was promised to us, you see. By Robert Zemeckis and Michael j Fox. They showed us a future where you wear one sleeve longer than the other and go around in garbage powered flying cars. Obviously that was in the film Back to the Future Part II. We much prefer their version of the future. They didn’t have Facebook for one thing.

But, New College in Swindon in Swindon is offering you the next best thing as they will be celebrating the 30th anniversary with screenings of the entire Back to the Future trilogy in May and June.

The screenings will take place at The Phoenix Theatre and tickets cost just £4 per film or £10 to

For Starters

Back to the Future Swindon-style

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Fri 3rd - Cider-Fest w/The Bamboo Vipers + LUMP

Sun 5th - Cider-Fest All Dayer feat. Las Pistolas, The Viscounts, Mighty Magic Animal, The Splash, Slowtalk + More (3pm) Fri 10th - The Passenger Club + Helen Nicholson Fri 17th - Fish Hook + Support

Weds 22nd - Salisbury Open Mic

Fri 24th - Arch Rivals + Boots n All + Skoisters

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APRIL LISTINGS

Weds 1st

Wacky Wednesday April Fools Special 8pm free

Thurs 2nd

Songs of Praise presents Vic-Fest special with She Makes War + Forgery Lit + Coasters 8pm £5adv £6dr

Thurs 2nd to Sun 5th Fri 3rd Sat 4th Sun 5th Mon 6th

Thurs 9th Fri 10th

Sat 11th

Mon 13th Thurs 16th Fri 17th

Sat 18th Mon 20th Thurs 23rd Fri 24th Sat 25th Mon 27th

Vic-Fest - four days of the best of quality music in one venue

Vic-Fest and Fairview Promotions special with Backbeat Soundsystem + Dub the Earth + King Solomon Band + The Nomarks 8pm £6adv £7dr

Vic-Fest Day Three with The Manic Shine + All Ears Avow + Vault of Eagles + The Graphic + Ghost of Machines + The Starkers 7pm £6adv £7dr

Vic-Fest and Dredded Vyrus presents Skreamer + Antoinette + Belial + Ursus 8pm £5adv £6dr The Ocelot Comedy Night 8pm free

Madam Renards Mini Fringe presents Robin Hood Shaw + Shaun Buswell’s Choose Your Own Adventure 8pm £12 Syntronix 8pm £5adv £6dr

Sabotage - Black Sabbath Tribute 8pm £6

Madam Renards Mini Fringe presents Indecorum + Jokeback Mountain 8pm £12

Songs of Praise presents Theo Altieri + Vienna Ditto + The Primaveras 8pm £3 Toxic 8pm free

The Big Four Tribute 8pm free Swindon Film-Makers Networking Event 8pm free Max Raptor + Brawlers + Water Rats 8pm £7adv £10dr The Courtesans 8pm £4adv £5dr Intensified + Erin Bardwell Collective + DJ Toast (Ska Shack Radio) 8pm 35 Decade + Scouts + All Ears Avow 8pm £7adv £10dr

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people expect us to get them dancing. if they are not familiar we soon get them bouncing, outdoors or in.

You were a favourite of John Peel with Second Light why do you think that particular album struck such a chord with everybody?

It is one of our best albums which has an appeal that goes beyond explanation.

Do you still get that same thrill as starting out when you go out on to that stage?

Yes indeed , we love what we do and the reaction we get gives us the reason to keep going.

What would you say are the major influences for the band?

Love and marijuna primarily, other than that classical music, Jamaican music and English dance music. Being veterans we have many years of experience to draw on.

What advice would you give upcoming bands on how they can break into the scene?

Be original . and be great, obviously . that way the 'scene' will be about you.

So what’s next for you? Are you guys getting back in the studio anytime soon?

This year will see us continuing to write and record in between a busy touring schedule so we can look forward to releasing the next episode of our escapades.

For tickets visit www.wychwoodfestival.com.

They’re also available from Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre Box Office.

Arts & Culture

Hi guys, for the uninitiated how would you describe Dreadzone?

A group with a mixed musical heritage combining dance technology and dub rhythms to provide an uplifting experience.

You’ve been a major force on the scene now for two decades. How have you guys changed musically during that time?

We started out more instrumental and linear and developed more song based arrangements with lyrics and vocals . the purist dub scene is not something we are part of really.

How have you seen the scene change in the past two decades?

If we are affiliated with any scene it would be with dance music and that changes all the time around us. We come from a band background which is our strength and individuality. We originated from Big Audio Dynamite so that rock and roll mash up is in our DNA. You’ve also become a festival mainstay and are playing Wychwood Festival in May. What kind of show can we expect from you?

The usual high energy performance with some of our most favoured tunes new and old , this year we are featuring more songs from our album Sound which is re released this year in a remastered version .

How do festival crowds differ from normal gigs?

Is there a different atmosphere?

Most times the reaction is the same , a lot of

Food and Drink

Wychwood Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse takes place this year from Friday May 29 to Sunday May 31 and includes UB40, The Proclaimers, Craig Charles and loads more. We’re especially looking forward to festival stalwarts Dreadzone.

Jamie Hill caught up with Greg from the band for a quick chinwag.

For Starters

Dreadzone hits Wychwood Festival

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with Mark Muggeridge

This is RIVRS

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Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

This is New Music

There’s not a lot I can tell you about young electronic pop trio RIVRS. It’s super early days for the London / Leamington Spa trio of Charlotte, Fin and Fred however there is a swirl of interest around this young electronic pop act at present.

Their track, Last Love features on the recently released Kitsuné New Faces compilation and early support for RIVERS has come from Alice Levine and Nick Grimshaw. An as yet unnamed EP is currently being recorded with Mark Ralph whose recent producing work includes Years & Years, Clean Bandit and Foxes.

RIVRS have three tracks in the bag ready for release, add the tracks currently being recorded and we guess that you’ll be hearing a lot from this trio throughout 2015. Playlist Track: Last Love, Close To You (soundcloud.com/rivrsmusic)

This is Sam Lee

From North London, English Folk singer Sam Lee is a very modern man who purveys a very historic style of music. Lee describes his music as ‘steeped in the reek and smoke of folk ‘history’ its tales of love, parting, exile and murder bound by a sympathetic magic still resonant today. He collects new versions of old songs on his iPhone and laptop and turns them into wondrous things as on his new album titled, The Fade In Time. Impassioned and hugely ambitious in scope, The Fade In Time is a major statement from an artist and group extending the borders of their music beyond its national boundaries to encompass Bollywood beats, Polynesian textures and contemporary classical music. Lee and co are at present on the road playing to his considerable fan base. It’s an excursion that I recommend you join in with regardless of if you are a seasoned folk music fan or a folk newbie. (In which case Sam Lee is an excellent intro to the style.) Playlist Tracks : Blackbird, Airdog. (samleesong.co.uk)

This is FONO

FONO might just be the first big British breakthrough dance act of 2015. His track Real Joy is a clanking, pumping debut which is set to propel the young Brighton based producer into the mainstream. It was recently on the top of the Radio 1 dance chart for two weeks and his fan base is growing like wild fire. Although Fono might be a newcomer to audiences around the country he’s well known down on the south coast where he’s been filling club floors for around six years now via his long term residency at Brighton club Audio. Fono’s 2015 got off to a great start when his remix of the Joey Bada$$ (feat Kiesza) track Teach Me was well received and Relentless Records who released that track are also releasing Real Joy. Indications are that a busy summer is coming up for Fono with Mula Festival Madrid, 4 dates at Ibiza Rocks, and Outbreak Festival Donington all announced and more announcements to come in the next few weeks. Playlist Tracks: Real Joy and Teach Me (soundcloud.com/lukefono) 28

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Groovers on Manouevres

something fresh and different with catchy songs. That people to my ears is POP music in 2015.

Welcome him with open arms Calum Foad plays the Queens Arms 24 Great Knollys Street Reading RG1 7HL on Friday April 10 www.calumfoad.com

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me afterwards: "That kid has songs that my kids would buy."

Chart Pop music is really healthy at the minute. Oh yes it is. Guitar music is a tad predictable, a tad ‘have you heard the new Peace album?’.

What does he sound like? He has songs that get stuck in your head. He is not trying to be cool.

He probably wants to go drinking with Bruno Mars. Is he a modern day Buddy Holly? Elvis Costello? Neil Tennant? OMD? Bryan Adams?

Mr Foad is sassy, doing

Arts & Culture

Callum Foad

By Sid Siddle of Club Velocity It's pop music, but not as we know it Jim...ladies, gents and pop kids of the universe....welcome Calum Foad.

A 19 year old chap from Reading. He seems to have come from nowhere. Like all the truly great pop acts.

At the time of writing this - he has only played four shows. The gig I witnessed was a wonderful whirlwind of a gig. A huge breath of fresh air. He is not some dull Alex Turner wannabe.

Seasoned mature gig goers, told

Wednesdays acoustic night also promises some great out-of-area acts. Not only the dulcet, folky tones of Lucy Kitchen and the mercurial pop of George Wilding are on the cards, but also the inimitable Grant Sharkey is in the diary for 29th April. His act is a mix of humorous songs, surreal interludes that Milton Jones would be proud of, upright bass experimentation and leftfield social commentary.

Imagine Jim Tavare (remember him?) if he had lost the dinner jacket, taken a few ‘shrooms and become an anarchist.

So all in all, the Swindon scene seems to be heading somewhere exciting, why not tag along and see where it takes you.

Food and Drink

By Dave Franklin Last month I waxed lyrical about the up-swell of new bands that seem to be fashioning, not only a small but well proportioned new movement, but a post-punk, shoegaze referencing one to boot (shoe...boot?… worth a go!).

But a healthy music scene needs the right mix of home cooked creations and also visits from bigger bands to sustain its momentum, so this time I want to cast my focus a bit wider and look at some more established names coming your way.

Right off the bat, Laura Kidd aka She Makes War returns to The Victoria on April 2, this time with a full band set up and Forgery Lit as tour support. Stalwart of supports with The Levellers and New Model Army, hers is a pacifistic yet provocative mission, her weapons, breathtakingly honest music and a unique brand of doomy, melancholic, garage pop.

Later that month (April 23, The Vic) Brawlers rock into town (surely I’m too old to use a phrase like that…) a wonderful blend of pop-aware lo-fi punk that heavily references the 90’s heyday of college rock. The guy in the corner of the pub with the GBH tshirt will still moan that this isn’t real punk and that he once lit Joe Strummer’s cigarette but this represents punks logical evolution and it rocks like a…well, you know.

In the same part of town, The Roaring Donkey’s

For Starters

Some things wicked this way come….

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The Gig Mon key

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

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Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

Pictures by Paj

Gig Monkey addresses the nation Whilst planning what I was going to be reviewing for this column this month I saw a few online threads about certain aspects of the local (and national) live music scenes that really struck a nerve. So I thought I would say my piece.

The last five or six years have been tough for the local music industry, as Joe Public’s disposable income has shrunk, and bland, generic music has taken over the airwaves. Audiences for live music, especially for new, emerging original talent have dried up.

But this is the breeding ground for the music we should be listening to on the radio and TV in the future. Strangle the development of this fledgling talent and you damage the future of music.

Imagine if, twenty years from now Oasis, Coldplay and Foo Fighters are still the most popular bands on the planet, dominating radio airplay and festival line-ups (providing a certain Mancunian brotherhood get it together again) and nobody else has done an ‘Arctic Monkeys’ and come in to upset this nepotistic plutocracy?

To battle the socio-economic reasons for dwindling interest, those involved in live music need to make things more interesting, something I will come back to.

Firstly though, it needs to get its house in order.

Everyone involved has a responsibility for getting an audience to a show, as everyone has a vested

interest in as many people as possible coming – at a basic level the venue for bar sales, the promoter for ticket money and the band so they have a crowd to play to and convert into fans.

Unfortunately, too many bands seem to feel that all they have to do is rock up and play a few songs, have a few drinks and go home again having basked in the adulation of a full house and with a few quid burning a hole in their pockets.

Equally, too many promoters seem to think booking a couple of bands for a show and putting a Facebook event up will be enough effort to fill a room, and too many venues think everyone else will do their jobs well enough all they have to do is open the bar and rake it in. All of which is wrong; everyone needs to work as a collective to ensure gigs are full and people once again get the habit of coming to see new and emerging bands play live.

The bands, promoters and venue should all be working hard to raise awareness of what is going on. Yes, social media is a valuable tool for doing this, learn to use it properly and do it regularly, but it is still highly effective to go old school and poster and flyer everywhere, to badger the local press into running a piece on the show or the band, getting bloggers and music sites on board to raise awareness and build profile. And, as illustrated to me recently, go and push tickets. This is especially 30

Mon key Bit Ocelot106 23/03/2015 14:39 Page 31

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 For Starters Food and Drink The List

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are up to and gain inspiration. They can also make contacts for out of town gigs of their own. I know this is a risk for promoters, but only in the short term. Once audiences get used to it again, never will they be able to claim nothing exciting ever happens, and they will lap up your taste-making abilities to find the next big thing.

And finally, if you are just a music fan, you can still help. Be more open minded about your music, take a chance on a gig. Yeah it may not be to your normal taste, but equally you could discover your next favourite new band.

And this works. I had the pleasure recently of attending a few shows put on by Sheer Music featuring the likes of Gnarwolves, Moose Blood, Creeper and Boxkite, all buzz bands on the national circuit, along with some local supports.

These shows were full, people came from far and wide for them, the music was incredible and the local bands played to busy rooms, made a hatful of contacts and gained valuable experience.

Everyone made money, had a good time and went away talking. Job done.

Get in touch at ed@theocelot.co.uk or just send me your demos to review!

Arts & Culture

true for the band. You are the ones with the link in to your fan base. In the early days this may mainly be your family, friends, colleagues, but they are people you know. Go and push tickets to them. No one will give a shit about your band if you don’t!

Additionally venues need to make themselves attractive to gig-goers. Gone are the days the metaphorical toilet-circuit could be akin to actual toilets. Get the place looking good, keep your facilities clean and fresh, ensure your drinks are good, your sound system is fit for purpose and make sure you are advertising all your up and coming shows – manage your external promoters to ensure they provide all the material you need for their show to go alongside any of your own.

Promoters also have to really think about how they put a bill together. I see too many panic lineups of completely unsuited acts. If you make a bill complementary, even if laterally, your artists stand the best chance of increasing their fan base, and you improve the possibility of the crowd hanging round to the end. Take a chance, bring in talent from outside of your town, mix up the musical gene pool a little, it only makes things stronger in the long run. Local artists can see what other people

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Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

Ocelot106 23/03/2015 14:40 Page 32

Reading is where it’s at!!

If you’re a fan of enjoying life (and most of us are) you’re going to love being in Reading over the next few months.

Reading Arts has just released its programme that outlines all of the stuff going on from April to August. And it’s chocful of brilliance.

If you’re a comedy fan you can catch the wonderful Count Arthur Strong (April 15 pictured), Lee Nelson (April 17) and Rich Hall (April 30). And then in May there’s Tim Vine (May 2), Robert Newman (May 16), Reginald D Hunter (May 20), Stewart Francis (May 22), Alan Carr (May 28), Jimmy Carr (May 26), Paul Merton (May 29). And then in June there’s Milton Jones (June 12 and 13).

Reading Arts, in the main, covers the venues of South Street Arts Centre, The Concert Hall and The Hexagon.

For families there’s The Dinosaur Zoo (April 10 to 12), Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom (April 22 to 23), Tree Fu Tom (June 7) and Stick Man (July 8).

If it’s musicals that you’re into then you can catch Godspell on April 23 and if it’s classical music there’s London Philharmonic Orchestra (April 19), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (May 23) and even Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra (June 19) and there’s Ballet Boyz on June 5.

South Street has plenty of thought provoking dramas that you can get your teeth into including STAND (April 15), A Strange Wild Song (May 5) and We Can Be Heroes (June 4).

For music fans there’s The Magic of Motown (April 9), Simple Minds (April 30), Mary Black (May 1), Sharleen Spitiri (May 6), and The Overtones (June 23).

Visit readingarts.com for details.

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ART EXHIBTIONS

CABARET

COMEDY

DANCE

NEWBURY Saturday April 18 Arlington Arts Centre FEEL THE BEAT: VENTURE check times Sunday April 19 Arlington Arts Centre BALLET THEATRE UK: ALADDIN check times

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NEWBURY Friday March 6 to Thursday April 9 Corn Exchange THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (PG) times vary £6- £8 Friday March 27 to Thursday April 2 Corn Exchange SUITE FRANCAISE (15) times vary £6-

The List

READING Every Thursday Oakford Social Club REMIX CLUB NIGHT 8pm to 1am 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

Music

DJ NIGHTS

Arts & Culture

NEWBURY Friday April 10 New Greenham Arts RICHARD HERRING - LORD OF THE DANCE SETTEE 8pm Wednesday April 15 Corn Exchange KEVIN BRIDGES - WORK IN PROGRESS 8pm SOLD OUT Friday April 24 Corn Exchange JONGLEURS COMEDY CLUB 8pm READING Saturday April 4 Jongleurs Comedy Club JOHN NEWTON + MATTHEW OSBORN +JARLATH REGAN 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class comedians in an approx 2 hour show. prices from £17 Saturday April 4 Jongleurs Comedy Club JOHN NEWTON + MATTHEW OSBORN +JARLATH REGAN 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class comedians in an approx 2 hour show. prices from £17 Saturday April 11 Jongleurs Comedy Club JOHN RYAN + JAMES ALDERSON + TOPPING AND BUTCH 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class

FAMILY EVENTS

NEWBURY Wednesday April 15 Arlington Arts Centre THE MAGIC PORRIDGE POT & OTHER TALES check times Thursday April 16 Arlington Arts Centre CAPTAIN FLINN & THE PIRATE DINOSAURS check times Thursday April 16 to Sunday April 19 Corn Exchange ROOM ON THE BROOM check times and prices READING Saturday April 4 The Hexagon THE BOY WHO BIT PICASSO presented

by Untied Artists & Oxford Playhouse 11.30am and 2pm Friday April 10 to Sunday April 12 The Hexagon DINOSAUR ZOO Fri 1.30pm & 4.30pm, Sat & Sun 11am & 2pm Wednesday April 22 to Thursday April 23 The Hexagon BEN AND HOLLY'S LITTLE KINGDOM Weds 1pm & 4pm, Thurs 10am & 1pm

Food and Drink

NEWBURY Wednesday April 1 Arlington Arts MAT RICARDO: SHOWMAN 8pm READING Saturday April 25 The Hexagon CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC 7.30pm

Friday April 10 Sub89 SUBKULTURE W/ LENZMAN, ENEI, TOTAL SCIENCE, BLADERUNNER + MORE! 10.30pm £6 Friday April 24 Sub89 HOSPITALITY & REVOLUTION DNB W/ HIGH CONTRAST, ETHERWOOD, LOGISTICS, NU:TONE, KRAKOTA, MC WREC, + ROOM 2! 10.30pm £10 Saturday April 25 South Street Arts Centre DARKLANDS INDUSTRIAL CLUB NIGHT 8pm

For Starters

NEWBURY Wednesday January 29 to Thursday April 9 Corn Exchange HD DVD, a solo show from artist Jethro German, is the culmination of a 21month graduate residency programme at New Greenham Arts - during opening times

comedians in an approx 2 hour show. prices from £17 Wednesday April 15 The Hexagon COUNT ARTHUR STRONG: SOMEBODY UP THERE LICKS ME 8pm Friday April 17 Jongleurs Comedy Club TIM CLARK + SUSAN MURRAY + MITCH BENN + DAVE JOHNS 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class comedians in an approx 2 hour show. prices from £17 South Street Arts Centre SCOUNDRELS COMEDY CLUB with NICK HELM 8pm The Hexagon LEE NELSON: SUITED AND BOOTED 7.30pm Shenai, Olympia COMEDY AND CURRY 7pm Saturday April 25 Jongleurs Comedy Club CAIMH MCDONNELL + JOE BOR + TUCKER 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class comedians in an approx 2 hour show. prices from £17 Thursday April 30 Concert Hall RICH HALL - 3:10 TO HUMOUR 8pm

Food and Drink

For Starters

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£8 Friday March 27 to Thursday April 2 Corn Exchange X + Y times vary £6- £8 Saturday April 4 to Thursday April 9 Corn Exchange WILD TALES (15) times vary £6- £8 Corn Exchange SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE (U) times vary £6- £8 Friday April 10 to Thursday April 16 Corn Exchange HOME (CERT TBC) times vary £6- £8 Corn Exchange TESTAMENT OF YOUTH (12A) times vary £6- £8 Corn Exchange WHILE WE’RE YOUNG (15) times vary £6- £8 Friday April 17 to Thursday April 23 Corn Exchange A LITTLE CHAOS (CERT TBC) times vary £6- £8

The List

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Arts & Culture

GIGS AND CONCERTS

NEWBURY Saturday April 4 Corn Exchange MUSIC SHOWCASE An incredible evening of local talent 7.30pm Friday April 10 Arlington Arts Centre DAVINA & THE VAGABONDS 8pm Saturday April 11 Arlington Arts Centre THE ROVING CROWS 8pm Thursday April 23 New Greenham Arts BELLA HARDY - THE DAWN TOUR 2015 8pm Arlington Arts Centre JONNY & THE BAPTISTS: ROCK THE VOTE 8pm Friday April 24 Arlington Arts Centre THE MANDOLINQUENTS & FRIENDS 8pm Saturday April 25 Douai Abbey EAST MEETS WEST - with The Goring Chamber Choir 7.45pm St John’s Church BACH & VIVALDI 7.45pm Arlington Arts Centre FEROCIOUS DOG 8pm

Thursday April 30 Arlington Arts Centre MUD MORGANFIELD 8pm READING Wednesday April 1 Sub89 LORDI 7.30pm £17 Friday April 3 Sub89 LEE SCRATCH PERRY - WITH FULL LIVE BAND! 7pm £17.50 Jazz Cafe REGGAE MEMORIES! SPECIAL GUEST DJ TONY WILLIAMS! (REGGAE ROCKERS)! 10pm to 3am £10 (entry only) - Dinner including entry £34.50 Saturday April 4 Jazz Cafe FUNKLAB AND DJ 10pm to 3am £8 (entry only) - Dinner including entry £34.50 Sunday April 5 Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC) READIFOLK PRESENTS ‘SPRINGTIME’ THEME NIGHT 8pm £2 Jazz Cafe I FOUND LOVING – THE SOUL REUNION PARTY 10pm to 3am £10 (entry only) - Dinner including entry £34.50 Tuesday April 7 The Bowery District WOLF ALICE 7pm £12 Wednesday April 8 The Bowery District BEN OTTEWELL (GOMEZ) SEATED SHOW 7.30pm £12 Thursday April 9 The Hexagon MAGIC OF MOTOWN 7.30pm Friday April 10 Queens Arms Club Velocity presents DAVE MCPHERSON +TERRICS + CALLUM FOAD + WE ARE ALL FOSSILS (JAKOB DEIST) 8pm £6adv £8dr The Bowery District YOUNG KATO + PEASANT'S KING + ONLY SHADOWS 6.30pm £8 South Street Arts Centre TUFF LOVE + SUPPORT 8pm Saturday April 11 Rising Sun Arts Centre Bandoramma/Club Velocity presents IF THE KIDS WERE UNITED.........NIGHT +

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EXCEPT ON TUESDAYS + THE MAKAROV SCHEME 8pm £4adv £5dr Sub89 ADAM ANT - PLAYING 'DIRK WEARS WHITE SOCKS' IN FULL 7pm £24.50 South Street Arts Centre READIPOP PRESENT FESTIVAL OF 1000 UKES WITH VIX & HER MSCHIEFS, BEN ROUSE + MANY MORE! 5.30pm Sunday April 12 Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC) READIFOLK PRESENTS BARBER, TAYLOR, REED 8pm £6 Tuesday April 14 Sub89 THERAPY? + THIRTY SIX STRATEGIES 7.30pm £15 Thursday April 16 Sub89 BURY TOMORROW + POLAR + MORE! 7pm £12 Saturday April 18 Sub89 ARE YOU LISTENING? FESTIVAL (2 FLOORS, MULTI-VENUE FESTIVAL!) midday £10 South Street Arts Centre Black & White Music and Reading Mencap present ARE YOU LISTENING? FESTIVAL READING various start times Jazz Cafe SIR DUKE WITH DJ 10pm to 3am £8 (entry only) - Dinner including entry £34.50 Sunday April 19 Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC) READIFOLK SINGERS NIGHT 8pm £2 The Bowery District TOSELAND 7pm £7.50 The Hexagon Classical Music Alive presents LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 7.30pm Wednesday April 22 Sub89 STORNOWAY + THE LOST BROTHERS 7.30pm £14 Thursday April 23 South Street Arts Centre Readipop present AN EVENING WITH DICK MILLS AND GAGARIN 7pm Friday April 24 Rising Sun Arts Centre Club Velocity presents TOM WILLIAMS

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THEATRE

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NEWBURY Tuesday March 30 to Saturday April 11 The Watermill Theatre TUXEDO JUNCTION 7.30pm with matinees Thurs and Sat 2.30pm Tuesday April 7 to Saturday April 11 Corn Exchange OLIVER! Presented by Newbury Musical Theatre Society 7.30pm Tuesday April 14 Corn Exchange STAND Six actors tell of moments of bravery from everyday life 7.30pm Thursday April 16 to Saturday May 23 The Watermill Theatre THOMAS HARDY'S FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD 7.30pm with matinees Thurs and Sat 2.30pm

NEWBURY Thursday April 16 Corn Exchange NT LIVE: THE HARD PROBLEM 7pm £14/£12 Sunday April 19 Corn Exchange BOLSHOI LIVE: IVAN THE TERRIBLE 7pm £14/£12

Arts & Culture

READING Friday April 17 South Street Arts Centre POETS' CAFE - DZIFA BENSON Monthly poetry night hosted by A F Harrold 8pm

THEATRICAL SCREENINGS

Food and Drink

TALKS AND POETRY

Friday April 17 to Saturday April 18 Shaw House 451 - Reading is forbidden, all literature is outlawed...

Saturday April 18 New Greenham Arts DICK TRACY 8pm Tuesday April 28 Corn Exchange NORSESOME 8pm READING Wednesday April 1 South Street Arts Centre TOM ADAMS PRESENTS HOWL AT THE MOON 8pm Thursday April 2 South Street Arts Centre STANDBY FOR TAPE BACK-UP by Ross Sutherland 8pm Tuesday April 7 to Thursday April 9 South Street Arts Centre Berkshire Theatre Company in association with Reading Between the Lines present LET IT GO - EASTER MUSICAL THEATRE 10am to 1pm Tuesday April 7 to Saturday April 18 Reading College Performing Arts Centre Reading Rep present RACE 7.30pm Wednesday April 15 South Street Arts Centre STAND presented by Chris Goode & Company (Monkey Bars, Longwave) & Oxford Playhouse 8pm Tuesday April 21 and Wednesday April 22 South Street Arts Centre AN INCIDENT AT THE BORDER by Kieran Lynn Presented by Colour of Fruit Productions 7.45pm Friday April 24 The Hexagon GODSPELL IN CONCERT - The Broadway revival 7.30pm Saturday April 25 South Street Arts Centre Warwick Arts Centre and China Plate present CONFIRMATION BY CHRIS THORPE 8pm Tuesday April 28 and Wednesday April 29 South Street Arts Centre AN INCIDENT AT THE BORDER by Kieran Lynn Presented by Colour of Fruit Productions 7.45pm

For Starters

+ MATT MALTESE + DICKY 8pm £7 Saturday April 25 Queens Arms Club Velocity presents MARK MORRISS +JAMES AND SAM (BLANK BIBLES) + LUKE PAULO + RAJI K 8pm £8adv £10dr The Bowery District DUKE SPECIAL 6.30pm £14 Sunday April 26 Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC) READIFOLK PRESENTS GRANNY’S ATTIC 8pm £6 Wednesday April 29 The Bowery District PALMA VIOLETS 7.30pm £12 The Concert Hall Classical Music Alive presents NAREK HAKHNAZARYAN, CELLO 7.30pm Thursday April 30 The Bowery District PALMA VIOLETS 7.30pm £12 The Hexagon SIMPLE MINDS 7pm

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For Starters

Ocelot106 23/03/2015 14:40 Page 36

Brett Dennen in Oxford

2014 was a great year for singer-songwriter Brett Dennen from Northern California. Not only did he release his fifth album Smoke & Mirrors in December, he embarked on a support slot throughout the UK with songstress, Paloma Faith.

He is now doing a solo tour and comes to Oxford’s O2 Academy on April 11..

Smoke and Mirrors is a return to form for

Dennen, taking him back to his roots both sonically and aesthetically yet with more confidence and maturity than ever before. He retreated to his mountain house in Northern California and began writing finding inspiration in his surroundings and the simplicity of nature. The resulting 10-song set features Dennen’s strongest and most cohesive collection to date.

Oxford Folk Weekend - an absolute corker Oxford Folk Weekend have got an absolute corker of a line up for you this year, headlined by Chris Wood, Lady Maisery, and our new patron John Spiers.

They're also delighted to welcome The Hut People, Boldwood, Patsy Reid, Moore Moss Rutter, The Askew Sisters, Threepenny Bit, Ninebarrow, and The Rheingans Sisters. We've got

our usual mix of fantastic local artists with a sprinkling of awardwinning names - it's going to be great.

The centre point of the festival is the Old Fire Station on George Street, with other venues joining in.

It takes place from Friday April 17 to Sunday April 19. www.folkweekendoxford.co.uk 36

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ART EXHIBITIONS Tuesday March 10 to Sunday April 26 Cornerstone Arts MAKING A SUN ON EARTH PRESENTED by Culham Centre for Fusion Energy Bringing an array of material to give you an insight into the technology, the people and the science behind this inspiring goal, including work by three different artists.

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

Saturday April 25 Cornerstone Arts ANDREW LAWRENCE: REASONS TO KILL YOURSELF 8pm £15/£13.50 OXFORD

Saturday April 4 Glee Club Best in Live Comedy presents JOE LYCETT + IAIN STIRLING + JOHN HASTINGS + TIM CLARK 7.15pm £14.50/£5NUS Thursday April 9 New Theatre ALAN CARR: YAP, YAP, YAP! 7.30pm

DANCE

FAMILY EVENTS

DIDCOT

Wednesday April 8 Cornerstone Arts DUCK IN THE TRUCK 11am and 2pm Sunday April 26 Cornerstone Arts ANNABELLE'S SKIRTING BOARD ADVENTURE 2pm OXFORD

OXFORD

Saturday April 11 Pegasus Theatre SPARKING ZONE: WE DANCE YOU DISCUSS Watch Joe Lott Dance and and give the company your ideas and responses after the performance - check time Friday April 17 Pegasus Theatre LAST MAN STANDING High energy mesmerising contemporary/ rock dance 7.30pm Saturday April 25 New Theatre STRICTLY OXFORD 2015 7.30pm DJ NIGHTS/DISCO OXFORD

Every Saturday The Cellar, Frewin Court EXTRA CURRICULAR weekly electronic and bass-heavy music night FREE B4 11pm £5after Thursday April 2 The Cellar FLUID’S BANK HOLIDAY SPECIAL WITH FLAVA D + LAZCRU + MASP +FLUID RESIDENTS 10.30pm £5 adv £7 otd Saturday April 4 The Bullingdon DESTA*NATION 11pm to 3am

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Tuesday March 31 to Wednesday April 1 Pegasus Theatre SAMMY AND THE SNOW LEAPORD times vary Wednesday April 1 to Saturday April 4 Oxford Playhouse I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS check times Saturday April 4 Burton Taylor Studio SHH...BANG! check times

Sunday April 12 Pegasus Theatre FUNDAY SUNDAYS: PUPPETS GO WILD 10am

Saturday April 11 Pegasus Theatre SPARKING ZONE: INTREPID EXPLORERS Help Lunabug Theatre create imaginary worlds for their new show about Captain Cook - check time Burton Taylor Studio CIRCLES IN THE SAND check times

Saturday April 18 Pegasus Theatre 2,4,6,8 fun with numbers for the under eights- check time Burton Taylor Studio CHICKEN LICKEN AND THE LITTLE RED HEN check times Saturday April 25 North Wall Arts Centre Little Angel Theatre presents THE JOURNEY HOME 11am and 2pm

The List

Saturday April 11 New Theatre JIMMY CARR: FUNNY BUSINESS 7.30pm Burton Taylor Studio THE RACKETEERS - The Awkward Silence returns with another hilarious glimpse into strange places, full of even stranger people 8pm Glee Club Best in Live Comedy presents JAREDD CHRISTMAS + ANDY ASKINS + JARLETH REGAN + ANDREW MCBURNEY 7.15pm

Saturday April 25 Glee Club Best in Live Comedy presents ALEX BOARDMAN +JIM SMALLMAN + ADAM BLOOM + JOHN LYNN 7.15pm £14.50/£5NUS

Thursday April 30 The Bullingdon SIMPLE: PEARSON SOUND 11pm to 2am

Music

Friday April 10 Cornerstone Arts TIMANDRA HARKNESS: BRAINSEX 8:00pm

Friday April 24 Glee Club Comedy tour show SEANN WALSH 7pm £14/£12

Saturday April 18 The Bullingdon BEDROCK (ROCK CLUB) 11pm to 3am

Arts & Culture

Thursday April 9 Cornerstone Arts CORNERSTONE COMEDY CLUB 8pm £12/£10.50 Enjoy a Comedy Curry from 6.30pm onwards. £7 for curry, rice and poppadoms

Tuesday April 21 New Theatre JETHRO 7.30pm

Friday April 17 O2 Academy CALLIGRAPHY FT. WILEY + MURLO + DJ BARELY LEGAL 10pm £16

Food and Drink

OXFORD

Saturday April 18 Glee Club Best in Live Comedy presents DANE BAPTISTE + IAN MOORE + RORY O’HANLON + COMIC TBC 7.15pm £14.50/£5NUS

For Starters

DIDCOT

£14.50/£5NUS

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For Starters

Burton Taylor Studio RED RIDING HOOD check times

Sunday April 26 Jacqueline de Pre Music Building FAMILY CUSHION CONCERTS check time FILM

Friday April 24 Pegasus Theatre BLACK SCREEN: SELMA 7.30pm GIGS AND CONCERTS

Food and Drink

ABINGDON

Mondays Old Anchor Inn MONDAY NIGHT MUSIC GROUP (folk singing, poetry reading etc). 8:30pm and all welcome Tuesdays Old Anchor Inn OPEN MIC NIGHT 8:30pm all welcome Saturdays Old Anchor Inn LIVE BANDS 9pm free

Arts & Culture

DIDCOT

Thursday April 2 Cornerstone Arts THE FURROW COLLECTIVE 8pm

Tuesday April 14 Cornerstone Arts CORNERSTONE OPEN MIC NIGHT 8pm Thursday April 16 Cornerstone Arts ROBERT HABERMANN: SINATRA - THE MOVIE YEARS 2pm

The List

Music

Friday April 24 Cornerstone Arts KATHRYN ROBERTS AND SEAN LAKEMAN 8pm 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 Wednesday April 1

The Bullngdon THE HELEN HIGHWATER STRINGBAND 7pm £13adv £15dr

Thursday April 2 The Bullngdon BUNTY + OKINA 8pm £8 Old Fire Station JONNY & THE BAPTISTS ROCK THE VOTE 7.30PM Friday April 3 The Bullngdon TREMORHEART + THE FUTURE RAYS 8pm £6 The Cellar Bar SKYLARKIN OXFORD GOOD FRIDAY SPECIAL WITH THE NINE TON PEANUT SMUGGLERS 10pm £5adv £6dr

Saturday April 4 The Bullngdon HOMEPLANETEARTH + ECHOIC + ESTHER JOY LANE 8pm £4 O2 Academy 2 WOLF ALICE 6.30pm £12 The Jericho Tavern HEADCOUNT + PUNCH DRUNK MONKEY CLUB + CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE 7.30pm £5 Monday April 6 The Jericho Tavern Famous Monday Blues presents SHARPEES 9pm £10 Tuesday April 7 Old Fire Station MY CROOKED TEETH + GUESTS 8pm £7 St John The Evangelist Church JAZZ SEBASTIAN BACH – GWILYM SIMCOCK JAZZ QUARTET 7.30pm £30/£25/£15 The Bullngdon BULLINGDON HOT CLUB 8.30pm New Theatre BLUE 7pm

Wednesday April 8 St John The Evangelist Church A TALE OF TWO COUNTRIES – LANDESJUGENDBLASORCHESTER NIEDERSACHSEN 7.30pm £8/£5 New Theatre MICHAEL BALL 7pm O2 Academy 2 STEREO KICKS 6.30pm £12.50 The Bullngdon TURBOWOLF 7pm

Thursday April 9 The Cellar Bar BRIGHT WORKS + ROBOT SWANS + SUPER SQUARECLOUD 8pm £6

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O2 Academy 2 BIPOLAR SUNSHINE 6pm £10 St John The Evangelist Church NATIONAL YOUTH GUITAR ENSEMBLE DIRECTED BY GERALD GARCIA 7.30pm £8/£5

Friday April 10 The Bullngdon LARKIN POE + JESS MORGAN 7pm £13adv £15dr O2 Academy LOWER THAN ATLANTIS + WE ARE THE OCEAN + PVRIS 6pm £12 Quaker Meeting House, St Giles FIREFLY BURNING 7pm £14/£10 Modern Art Oxford ‘THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED’ WITH LIVE SCORE BY FLIGHTS OF HELIOS 7.30pm £8adv The Wheatsheaf CROWS’ REIGN + ICONS + COLOURED

BY NUMBERS + LAST RITES 7.30pm £4adv £5 (from bands) £6dr Saturday April 11 Art Jericho TOM BROSSEAU + DOUG TIELLI 8pm £10 The Bullngdon BLOODSTOCK: METAL TO THE MASSES HEAT 5 - 6.30pm O2 Academy 2 BRETT DENNEN 6.30pm £13.50 O2 Academy LEE ‘SCRATCH’ PERRY + DUBWISER + ZAIA 8pm £20 The Cellar Bar CELLAR MUSIC PRESENTS STEVE GIFFORD BAND + SCREAMING HOUSE MADRIGALS + LOCAL SUPPORT TBC 7:30PM-10:30PM / £5ADV / £6 OTD Monday April 13 The Bullngdon FEDERAL CHARM 8pm £8adv £10dr The Jericho Tavern Famous Monday Blues presents BABAJACK 9pm £10

Tuesday April 14 The Bullngdon MARTIN PICKETT ORGANISATION 8.30pm O2 Academy 2 THE LEISURE SOCIETY 7pm £15 Wednesday April 15 St John The Evangelist Church ADDERBURY ENSEMBLE, DIRECTED BY DAVID LE PAGE 7.30pm £15/£5 O2 Academy THE WOMBATS 7pm £17 The Wheatsheaf

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HIGH FIGHTER + SUNNATA 7.30pm £5

Saturday April 18 Truck Store STORNOWAY 5pm free O2 Academy 2 THE SHIRES + JOHN AND JACOB 6.30pm £12 The Cellar Bar ZOUNDS + YORKSHIRE RATS + SPINNER FALL 8pm £6.50adv £8.50dr New Theatre BELLOWHEAD 7pm £22.40–£28.40

Monday April 20 The Bullngdon EARL THOMAS 8pm £10adv £12dr The Jericho Tavern Famous Monday Blues presents BIG BOY BLOATER 9pm £12 Tuesday April 21 The Bullngdon STUART HENDERSON QUARTET 8.30pm

Thursday April 23

Monday April 27 The Bullngdon GIRLS WITH GUITARS + BLUES CARAVAN 8pm £10adv £12dr Tuesday April 28 The Bullngdon ALVIN ROY’S REEDS UNLIMITED 8.30pm Wednesday April 29 St John The Evangelist Church I’M WITH HER TOUR: SARA WATKINS + SARAH JAROSZ + AOIFE O’DONOVAN 7.30pm £20adv £22dr North Wall Arts Centre DUOTONE 8pm £12/£10 The Jericho Tavern ONLY REAL 8pm WITNEY

Friday April 3 Fat Lil's

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Saturday April 11 Fat Lil's FREEFALL 9pm £3

Friday April 17 Fat Lil's GREENISH DAY 9pm £7adv £8dr Saturday April 18 Fat Lil's THE STANDARD 9pm £5

Thursday April 23 Fat Lil's CALE TYSON + AGS CONNOLLY 7.30pm £10adv £12dr Friday April 24 Fat Lil's DURAN DURAN EXPERIENCE 9pm £7adv £8dr Saturday April 25 Fat Lil's MAETLOAF 9pm £8adv £9dr

Sunday April 26 Fat Lil's MONTHLY BLUES JAM 3pm free LADIES NIGHT

OXFORD

Friday April 10 New Theatre THE DREAMBOYS 8pm TALKS AND POETRY

DIDCOT

Tuesday April 21 Cornerstone Arts FUSION POWER: WITHIN OUR GRASP? 7.30pm - Culham Centre for Fusion Energy’s director Professor Steve Cowley, gives a talk about the research underway at CCFE into a new source of energy.

OXFORD

Thursday April 9 to Friday April 10 Burton Taylor Studio STANDBY FOR TAPE BACK-UP 7.30pm the true story of one man’s journey into synchronicity and madness

The List

Wednesday April 22 O2 Academy 2 THE INTERRUPTERS 7pm £14

Sunday April 26 O2 Academy 2 AMBER RUN 7pm £8 New Theatre SIMPLE MINDS 7pm £8 The Bullngdon UGLY DUCKLING 7pm £12

Friday April 10 Fat Lil's MANIC STREET CREATURES 9pm £7

Music

Sunday April 19 O2 Academy JAMES BAY + PORT ISLA 7pm £13.50

Saturday April 25 O2 Academy 2 CLOUDBUSTING (KATE BUSH TRIBUTE) 6.30pm £12 St John The Evangelist Church J S BACH: MASS IN B MINOR 7.30pm £20/£14/£5 The Wheatsheaf Gappy tooth Presents ORANGE VISION + P/R/P/E + REUBEN’S ROCKET 8pm £3.50adv £4.50dr O2 Academy 2 SUN CITY EASTER AFTERMATH 9pm £15

Saturday April 4 Fat Lil's DIRTY EARTH BAND 9pm £5

Arts & Culture

Friday April 17 The Wheatsheaf SWINDLESTOCK + LITTLE BROTHER ELI + BILLY T'RIVERS & THE WILD WEST RETIREMENT HOME 8pm £5 The Bullngdon MAIIANS + KAYLA PAINTER 7.30pm £7adv £8dr St John The Evangelist Church THE FUREYS AND DAVEY ARTHUR 7.30pm £18adv £20dr The Jericho Tavern DEMOB HAPPY 8pm

Friday April 24 O2 Academy 2 FRNKIERO ANDTHE CELLABRATION 6pm £12 The Norrington Rooms, Blackwells LAURA MOODY + ALABASTER DE PLUME 8.30pm £8adv £10dr The Cellar Bar THE STRING PROJECT + EKO COLLECTIVE + JULIA TURNER + ISOLDE 7:30pm10:30pm / £4 adv / £5 O2 Academy OUTLOOK FESTIVAL 2015 LAUNCH PARTY 10pm to 3am £9

HI-ON MAIDEN 8.30pm £8adv £10dr

Food and Drink

Friday April 17 to Sunday April 19 Various venues FOLK WEEKEND OXFORD WITH FABIAN HOLLAND + KISMET + JOHN SPIERS + LADY MAISERY + CHRIS WOOD + MOORE MOSS RUTTER AND MORE times vary £57 (weekend ticket) / £20 (Friday) / £30 (Saturday) / £25 (Sunday)

Modern Art Oxford ‘C90 DREAMS’ SCREENING + WINTER VILLAINS + FREADA 7pm £6adv

For Starters

Thursday April 16 O2 Academy GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC + COUNT SKYLARKIN + STEAMING JOHN ‘D-FUNK’ DASH 7pm £25

Food and Drink

For Starters

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Saturday April 11 Pegasus Theatre SPARKING ZONE: THE BOOK OF REUBEN A chance to listen to the work of a talented new scriptwriter as he reads from his latest creation - check time Monday April 13 to Friday April 17 Old Fire Station MARMALADE 7.30pm - What is Marmalade? Remember OxfordJam? It’s now Marmalade.

Tuesday April 14 Old Fire Station HAMMER AND TONGUE POETRY NIGHT 7.30PM Wednesday April 22 Burton Taylor Studio STAY-AT-HOME-DANDY 7.30pm Wright tells captivating stories in visceral verse from neglected corners of Britain

Friday April 24 Burton Taylor Studio WONDERSTUFF 7.30pm Join scientist and broadcaster Mark Miodownik and guests as they explore the scientific wonders of the everyday ‘stuff’ we take for granted

Arts & Culture

THEATRE

DIDCOT

Friday April 17 Cornerstone Arts 300-1 MONKEY POET 8pm

Saturday April 18 Cornerstone Arts A STRANGE WILD SONG 7.30pm OXFORD

Music

Monday March 30 to Saturday April 4 New Theatres RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET 7.30pm

Tuesday April 7 to Wednesday April 8 Burton Taylor Studio WAITING FOR STANLEY 7.30pm touching physical comedy drama

Wednesday April 8 to Saturday April 11 Oxford Playhouse THE ABSENCE OF WAR 7.30pm a timely new production of David Hare’s funny, stinging political drama

The List

Friday April 10 to Saturday April 11 Old Fire Station STAND 7.30PM

Friday April 10 Pegasus Theatre LORRAINE AND ALAN An anti-folk tragi-

comedy with lots of plastic bottles 7.30pm

Saturday April 11 Pegasus Theatre SPARKING ZONE: TEN WAYS TO BE HAPPIER THAN YOUR FRIENDS The chance to see the first ever play from Eat This Theatre as they show their work-inprogress - check time Monday April 13 to Saturday April 18 Oxford Playhouse ARCADIA 7.30pm Tom Stoppard’s a modern masterpiece, exploring the delicate relationship between past and present.

Tuesday April 14 to Saturday April 18 North Wall Arts Centre Awake projects presents SONG OF RIOTS 8pm Wednesday April 15 to Thursday April 16 Burton Taylor Studio A WORLD BEYOND MAN 7.30pm - The tale of Valerian Albanov and his desperate journey to escape a doomed polar voyage

Tuesday April 21 Burton Taylor Studio BECKETT'S LAST ACT 7.30pm - This stage version ofMora Grey’s novel (based on her experience working alongside him in the 1970s) gives us a fascinating glimpse of the man behind the writing.

Tuesday April 21 to Saturday April 25 Old Fire Station BROOKES UNION PRESENTS 7.30pm Various, including ‘Dracula’ and ‘Footloose’

Wednesday April 22 to Saturday April 25 Oxford Playhouse CRAZY FOR YOU 7.30pm - Set to stunning music by George and Ira Gershwin, Crazy for You is a high-energy musical comedy filled with plot twists, mistaken identity and fabulous choreography. Presented by Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre.

Wednesday April 22 to Sunday April 26 Templar Shopping Centre READY STEADY COLOUR - OXFORD Designed by A Line Art and set in a popup restaurant, simply turn up, order your black and white ‘plate of food’ and then get colouring!

Thursday April 23 North Wall Arts Centre Show and Tell present a show by On The Run SO IT GOES 8pm

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Thursday April 23 to Friday April 24 Burton Taylor Studio PENELOPE RETOLD 7.30pm An irreverent collision of classic myth The Odyssey and contemporary rage.

Tuesday April 28 Old Fire Station GODS ARE FALLEN AND ALL SAFETY GONE 7.30pm North Wall Arts Centre Idle Motion presents SHOOTING WITH LIGHT 8pm

Tuesday April 28 to Saturday May 2 Oxford Playhouse MEASURE FOR MEASURE 7.30pm Cheek

By Jowl returns with another thrilling reinvention of a classic.

Shakespeare’sMeasure for Measure is reimagined in a razor-sharp modern production by a critically acclaimed company of Russian artists, performing in their native tongue.

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The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

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It’s Chippenham Folk Festival!

Morris men. Lots of them. A whole town invaded by them.

No, it’s not a surreal dream.

It’s the 44th Chippenham Folk Festival which takes place from Friday May 22 to Monday May 25.

The festival really does take over the town with more than 200 events across the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

Chippenham Folk Festival features the very best in English traditional music and dance with an emphasis on participation and education. Run entirely by volunteers, it has minimal and very local sponsorship; it is fiercely independent and entirely in control of its artistic programme. Ticket prices are kept as low as possible and it is designed to be non-profit.

Chippenham Folk Festival

offers a balanced programme of music and dance. With the large number of events and venues the festival is kept at the human scale so everyone feels involved.

The Ceilidhs and social dance

are the real 'engine room' of the festival - they are non-stop from the Friday night until the Monday night.

For tickets and the line-up visit the website at www.chippfolk.co.uk

DEVIZES FESTIVAL LINE UP TAKES SHAPE Devizes Festival has announced its new chair as Margaret Bryant and its lead sponsor as Wiltshire Waste Recycling Ltd. Big names are already being lined up for this year’s festival with Brian Blessed, Terry Waite and Arthur Smith confirmed for the summer event.

Every June the town comes alive with a line-up of professional performance that spans the arts, including music of every type, drama, poetry, comedy, film and talks – not to mention a free Fringe.

Music events range from Amy Harman, the Principal Bassoon of the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Navarra Quartet, which since its formation in 2002 has built an international reputation as one of today’s most dynamic and poetic string quartets,

Arthur Smith

to traditional Mexican music from Mariachi el Mexicano with a Mexican theme supper and Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. Events take place at different venues around the town and you can visit www.devizesfestival.co.uk for details.

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CABARET Friday April 10 Wyvern Theatre IMAGICIAN – THE EVOLOTION OF MAGIC 7.30pm COMEDY

CHIPPENHAM

First Sunday of every month Old Road Tavern COMEDY CLUB 8pm Thursday April 2 The Bear, Market Place MOONRAKERS COMEDY CLUB - MIKE GUNN & TONY COWARDS in the Cellar Bar 8pm £10 Saturday April 25

The Bear, Market Place BLACK ADDER COMEDY NIGHT – THE BALLROOM – arrive 7pm, event starts 7.30pm, Dinner 8.00pm – Tickets £39.50 SWINDON

Wednesday April 8 Swindon Arts Centre FOOTBALL MANAGER RUINED MY LIFETONY JAMESON 8pm Saturday April 11 Wyvern Theatre TIM VINE 8pm

Wednesday April 15 Swindon Arts Centre GARY DELANEY-PURIST 8pm

Wyvern Theatre STEWART FRANCIS 8pm Saturday April 18 Wyvern Theatre LEE NELSON 7.30pm

Wednesday April 29 Wyvern Theatre RICH HALL 8pm DANCE

Wednesday April 1

Saturday April 25 Salisbury Playhouse THE TAP DANCING MERMAID 2.30pm SWINDON

Thursday April 2

Swindon Arts Centre PINOCCHIO 11am + 2.30pm Friday April 3 Wvyern Theatre in The Place THE GREAT JAYDINI 11am

Tuesday April 7 Wyvern Theatre THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE 2pm + 4.30pm Wednesday April 8 Wyvern Theatre THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE 11am + 2pm Saturday April 11 Wyvern Theatre THE CHUCKLE BROTHERS 2pm Sunday April 12 Wyvern Theatre TREE FU TOM 1pm & 3.30pm FILM

MARLBOROUGH

Thursday April 2 Marlborough Town Hall Marlborough Live Movies presents MR TURNER 7.30pm £5adv £6dr SWINDON

Wednesday April 1

Swindon Arts Centre SWINDON FILM SOCIETY- JIMMY’S HALL 7.45pm Wednesday April 8 Wyvern Restaurant FILM: UP 11am

Thursday April 30 Wyvern Theatre BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL 7.30pm

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Thursday April 2 Royal Oak Acoustic Oak presents SINGERS NIGHT 8pm £2 Thursday April 9

Royal Oak Acoustic Oak presents SINGERS NIGHT 8pm £2 Thursday April 16 Royal Oak Acoustic Oak presents SINGERS NIGHT 8pm £2 Thursday April 23 Royal Oak Acoustic Oak presents SPOTLIGHT NIGHT 8pm £2 Thursday April 30

Royal Oak Acoustic Oak presents SINGERS NIGHT 8pm £2 DEVIZES

Friday April 3

Bear Hotel, Market Place INNES SIBUN BLUES BAND Cellar Bar 9pm £5 Saturday April 4

Bear Hotel, Market Place INDECISION – Cellar Bar 9pm - SOLD OUT

Sunday April 5 Bear Hotel, Market Place SUNDAY JAZZ LUNCH – BEAR GRILLS BISTRO & THOMAS LAWRENCE BAR – midday to 2pm Friday April 10 Bear Hotel, Market Place JON AMOR & FRIENDS – Cellar Bar 9pm £5 - Line up - Jon Amor - guitar and vocals, Marcus Bonfanti - guitar and vocals, Pete Gage - piano and vocals, Dave Doherty – bass, Mark Barrett – drums Friday April 17

Bear Hotel, Market Place BLUES REVIEWED – Cellar Bar 9pm - £5 Friday April 24 Bear Hotel, Market Place NIKKI & GRIFF – Cellar Bar 9pm - £5 Sunday April 26 Devizes Wharf

The List

SWINDON

Thursday April 9 to Saturday April 11 Salisbury Playhouse GOLDILOCKS AND THE 3 BEARS 2.15pm

CORSHAM

Music

Friday April 17 Swindon Arts Centre TOM STADE 8pm

Saturday April 4 Salisbury Arts Centre MY FRIEND MOLE 11am

Tuesday April 28 Calne Jazz Club Marden House EMILY WRIGHT AND THE ROYALS 7pm £8

Arts & Culture

Monday April 6 The Vic OCELOT COMEDY CLUB 8pm Free

SALISBURY

Food and Drink

DEVIZES

FAMILY EVENTS

GIGS AND CONCERTS CALNE

For Starters

SWINDON

Wyvern Theatre BALLET THEATRE UK-ALADDIN 2.30pm + 7.30pm

For Starters

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THE CLEVERLY BROTHERS – Music Cruise aboard Kenavon Venture, Devizes Wharf @ 7pm prompt. £14 inc fish & chip supper.

Advance tickets only from The Vaults, Devizes

Thursday April 30 Bear Hotel, Market Place OPEN MIC NIGHT – Cellar Bar 7.30pm free MARLBOROUGH Saturday April 4

Green Dragon BI POLAR BEARS 8.30pm free

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

Saturday April 11 Green Dragon KILLERTONES 8.30pm free

Saturday April 18 Green Dragon THE COVER UP 8.30pm free Saturday April 25

Green Dragon BEAT HOLES 8.30pm free SALISBURY

Friday April 3 Winchester Gate CIDER-FEST W/THE BAMBOO VIPERS + LUMP 8.30pm free Saturday April 4

Salisbury City Hall FROM THE JAM 8pm £22 (adv) £25 (door)

Sunday April 5 Winchester Gate CIDER-FEST ALL DAYER FEAT. LAS PISTOLAS, THE VISCOUNTS, MIGHTY MAGIC ANIMAL, THE SPLASH, SLOWTALK + MORE 3pm free Thursday April 9

Music

Salisbury City Hall STACEY KENT 7.30pm £21

Friday April 10 Salisbury City Hall KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND 7.30pm £27 Winchester Gate THE PASSENGER CLUB + HELEN NICHOLSON 8.30pm free Saturday April 11 Salisbury City Hall THE ELVIS YEARS 7.30pm £21

Wednesday April 15 Salisbury City Hall RUSSELL WATSON 7.30pm From £32.50

The List

Thursday April 16

Salisbury City Hall ROBIN TROWER 7.30pm £24.50 Friday April 17

Winchester Gate FISH HOOK + SUPPORT 8.30pm free

Saturday April 18 Salisbury Arts Centre ALTER CLUB with THE INTERCEPTEURS + THE NEIGHBOURHOOD STRANGE JOINT EP LAUNCH NIGHT. Support from SIGNALS + OR SO SHE SAID + DJ BRAVE 8pm £5adv £6dr Sunday April 19

Salisbury City Hall KATHRYN ROBERTS + SEAN LAKEMAN 8pm £13.50 (adv) £15 (door)

Monday April 20 Salisbury City Hall AN EVENING WITH JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER 7.30pm £27 Wednesday April 22

Winchester Gate SALISBURY OPEN MIC 8.30pm free Thursday April 23 Salisbury Arts Centre HIJACK OPEN MIC 7pm Free

Friday April 24 Winchester Gate ARCH RIVALS + BOOTS N ALL + SKOISTERS 8.30pm free

Saturday April 25 Salisbury Arts Centre PORT ISAAC’S FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS 7.30pm £23.50 Wednesday April 29 to Friday May 1

Salisbury Playhouse JONNY + THE BAPTISTS: ROCK THE VOTE 7.45pm

SEEND

Wednesday April 1 Seend Acoustic Club, Rustly Lane GEORGIA LEWIS & FRIENDS – exciting young talent. Support from PHIL DEVERALL. £4.

Floor singers welcome. 8pm.

Wednesday April 15 Seend Acoustic Club, Rustly Lane ROB LEAR BAND – great singer/ songwriter from over the Welsh border. Support from TBA. £4. Floor singers welcome. 8pm SWINDON

Wednesdays The Vic WACKY WEDNESDAY 8.30pm free Riffs Bar, Greatfield BLUEGRASS JAM Free entry. starts at 7:30pm.

Thursdays Riffs Bar, Greatfield CROONER NIGHT WITH STEVEN COLEMAN bringing the Rat Pack to Riffs! 8pm

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Fridays Riffs Bar, Greatfield THE ACOUSTIC SESSIONS with featured artists and Open Mic, starts at 19:30. Free Thursday April 2

The Vic VIC-FEST +SONGS OF PRAISE NIGHT 8pm £5 (adv) £6 (door)

Friday April 3 The Vic VIC-FEST + FAIRVIEW PROMOTIONS NIGHT 8pm £6 (adv) £7 (door) The Rolleston BAD OBSESSION - rock covers 9pm free Saturday April 4 The Vic VIC-FEST + DAY 3 8pm £6 (adv) £7 (door) The Woodlands Edge THE TINSHACK BAND 9.30pm free Level 3 BEAT & BARS hip hop showcase 9pm The Rolleston THE BLOX - Tribute to Ian Dury and The Blockheads 9pm free

Sunday April 5 The Vic VIC-FEST + DREDDED VYRUS PRESENTS.. 8pm £5 (adv) £6 (door) The Rolleston BUILT FOR COMFORT - rhythm and blues 9pm free

Friday April 10 The Vic The COURTESANS + TBC 8pm £4 (adv) £5 (door) The Rolleston THE GREAT NOTHING - rock covers 9pm free Saturday April 11 Riffs Bar THE SECRET POLICE 8pm £5

The Woodlands Edge FELIX AND THE FUNK 9.30pm free The Vic SABBOTAGE- BLACK SABBATH TRIBUTE 8pm £6 The Rolleston THE BEAT HOLES - Beatles punk style 9pm free Wednesday April 15 Wyvern Theatre SWINDON RECITAL SERIES 1.05pm

Thursday April 16 The Vic THEO ALTIERI + VIENNA DITTO + THE PRIMAVERAS 8pm £3 Wyvern Theatre

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THE ELO EXPERIENCE 7.30pm

The Rolleston SHEPHERDS PIE - classic rock covers 9pm free Sunday April 19 Wyvern Theatre NATHAN JONES ALLSTARS + THE SWING BIRDS 7.30pm The Castle EMIGLIOS 6pm free

Friday April 24

The Vic SYNTRONIX 8pm £5 (adv) £6 (door) The Rolleston THE KILLERTONES - ska punk mod tunes 9pm free Saturday April 25 The Vic INTENSIFIED + ERIN BARDWELL COLLECTIVE + DJ TOAST (SKA SHACK RADIO) 8pm £5

Sunday April 26 Wyvern Theatre THE FUREYS 7.30pm SINGLES NIGHT

DEVIZES

Thursday 23 April to 16 May Salisbury Playhouse LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS 7.30pm + 2.30pm Matinees on Thursday & Saturday Wednesday April 29 Salisbury Arts Centre DICK TRACY 8pm

Tuesday April 14 Wyvern Theatre in The Place MINI FRINGE FESTIVAL- A MYSTERY + TO SLEEP 7pm Swindon Arts Centre HOUSE OF GHOSTS 7.30pm Thursday April 16 Swindon Arts Centre I NEED A DOCTOR 7.30pm

Wednesday 22 to Sat 25 April

SWINDON

Thursday April 2 Wyvern Theatre LETS HANG ON 7.30pm

Saturday April 4 Wyvern Theatre Main Auditorium OLIVER! 2pm + 7pm

Tuesday April 7 Phoenix Theatre, New College ANTIGONE ON ANTIGONE & THE VIRTUOUS BURGLAR 7pm £12

Thursday April 9 to Sat April 11 Swindon Arts Centre HAROLD JOLLIFFE ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL 7.15pm Thursday April 9 Wyvern Theatre ESSENCE OF IRELAND 7.30pm The Vic SWINDON MINI FRINGE 7pm £12

Friday April 10 Wyvern Theatre in The Place MINI FRINGE FESTIVAL-STRIP + THE DEADLY SINS 7pm Saturday April 11 Wyvern Theatre in The Place MINI FRINGE FESTIVAL- QUILLS AND CROSSES + NURSERY RHYMES 2pm Town Hall MINI FRINGE FESTIVAL- TWO + BRIDAL BALLAD 7PM

Sunday April 12 Town Hall MINI FRINGE FESTIVAL- ONCE YOU FULFILL YOUR DREAMS + BRIDAL BALLAD 2pm Town Hall MINI FRINGE FESTIVAL-ONE ACT PLAY + THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE 7pm Monday April 13 The Vic

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Swindon Arts Centre THE PHOENIX PLAYERS- ENCHANTED APRIL 7.30pm Monday 20-Sat 25 April Wyvern Theatre DEAD SIMPLE 2.30pm + 7.30pm (different times on different days)

Thursday April 23 Wyvern Theatre POST SHOW Q AND A WITH PETER JAMES 4.30pm Tuesday April 28 to Sat May 2

Swindon Arts Centre SWINDON GILBERT & SULLIVAN SOCIETYTHE MIKADO 2.30pm + 7.30pm (different times on different days) THEATRICAL SCREENINGS

MARLBOROUGH

Wednesday April 1

Marlborough Town Hall Marlborough Live Screen presents BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS 7pm £15adv £17.50dr

Thursday April 9 Marlborough Town Hall Marlborough Live Screen presents VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE 7pm £15adv £17.50dr Tuesday April 14 Marlborough Town Hall Marlborough Live Screen presents VAN GOGH - A NEW WAY OF SEEING 7pm £13adv £15dr

Thursday April 16 Marlborough Town Hall Marlborough Live Screen presents THE HARD PROBLEM Live from the National Theatre 7pm £15adv £17.50dr

The List

Monday April 27 Bear Hotel, Market Place WILTSHIRE SINGLES AT THE BEAR – Cellar

Saturday April 4 Salisbury Playhouse POSH 2.15pm + 7.30pm

Monday 13 to Tuesday 14 April Wyvern Theatre SEX IN SURBURBIA 7.30pm

Music

The Woodlands Edge BRIGHT EYES 9.30pm free Brookhouse Farm BROKEN IMAGE 9pm free Level 3 OAS-IS & COCO ESQ - tributel night 8.30pm The Rolleston INNES SIBUN - blues rock 9pm free

SALISBURY

SWINDON MINI FRINGE 7pm £12

Arts & Culture

Thursday April 22 The Vic MAX RAPTOR + BRAWLERS + WATER RATS 8pm £7 (adv) £10 (door)

THEATRE

Food and Drink

Saturday April 18 The Vic THE BIG FOUR TRIBUTE 8pm Free Wyvern Theatre SWINDON RECITAL SERIES 7.30pm The Woodlands Edge SYSTEM-D 9.30pm free

Bar- Doors 8pm - £5 or free to members.

For Starters

Friday April 17 The Vic TOXIC 8pm Free The Rolleston SOUL STRUTTERS - soul funk band 9pm free Level 3 ESSENONE presents KREMATE plus guestsmetal night 7pm

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Agony Girl

Everybody’s favourite advice columnist!

Seven-year-old Agony Girl is going to eat a million Easter eggs this holiday but she still has time to help with your problems. We read her the questions and these are her answers. Honest!

DEAR ANNABEL I’m at my wit’s end. I just can’t sleep. Everyday I seem tireder than the one before and each night I just seem to stare up at the ceiling worrying about things. If this carries on I’m going to lose my mind. Please give me advice on how to go to sleep and get a good night’s rest!

Stella, Carterton You should have a break from work because it’s tiring you out and that might be why you can’t get to sleep. To sleep, get in a relaxing position. Move your duvet and your pillow so you’re comfortable and shut your eyes and relax. If you wake up you could always go in mummy and daddy’s bed. That’s what I do.

DEAR ANNABEL I’m a big Hollywood producer but can’t seem to think of a film that will do well at the box office. I know it might sound desperate by writing into a magazine but have you got any good film ideas?

Ivan, Hollywood It could be about an owl that goes on an adventure and when it gets to a place that it wants, it gets lost and can’t it’s way back. I’d call it ‘The Owl that goes on a journey’.

It also finds a bit of cake and shares it with its friends when it gets home. Yummy. Why does everybody ask me these questions, daddy?

DEAR ANNABEL Help. I’ve fallen down the stairs and broken my leg!

Roger, Chippenham Urm. Urm. Urm. Call an ambulance or shout for help and make sure one of your family calls an ambulance and so you get taken to hospital. My finger’s stuck.

DEAR ANNABEL If you had all the money in the world what would you buy?

Dean, Salisbury A pool. A paddling pool. A trampoline. A bouncy castle. And a nice little mother’s day present.

A box of chocolates and some big big big ‘as big as me’ flowers for my mummy. I’d buy my daddy a big big chocalate cake as he likes chocolate and that’s why he’s fat.

Write into Agony Girl at stuff@theocelot.co.uk

Twisted Peel (twistedpeel.thecomicstrip.org)

Next month’s issue..

by Peter Roy

ay 1st

is out on M

Ocelot106 23/03/2015 14:41 Page 47

Ocelot106 23/03/2015 14:41 Page 48