City January 2017

CITYMAG January 2017

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6 Work is well underway to clear the site occupied by the Grosvenor Hotel to make way for the first phase of the retail quarter Image courtesy Oliver Young

Welcome to CityMag...

HAPPY new year! It’s great to be back and already there seems to be plenty of positivity about the prospects in store for 2017.

At the heart of a lot of what is happening in the city is Deputy Leader of Sheffield City Council Leigh Bramall. He was full of enthusiasm for the year ahead and spoke to us about the major developments that should be gathering pace; from the retail quarter to The Outdoor City, there’s plenty going on.

So what is on the cards for 2017? We take a closer look and pick out the arts and culture, films, music and sporting events you should be looking out for – check out our month-by-month guide on page 24.

On the foodie front, January may not seem like the best time to go out, particularly after the excesses of Christmas, but there are some fantastic deals to be had in our bars and restaurants.

We pick out some of the best on page 8.

We’ve taken a slightly different route with this month’s cover, a wonderful abstract by the artist Ladoza. I’ll leave Mel to tell you much more about him and you can read more on page 48.

See you next month.

TAKE a breath, the carnage is over and 2017 has some great things in store.

Krynkl – now open – down in Kelham Island is looking amazing, definitely worth a visit, and houses a not-so-secret bar on the top floor (INC) – a must visit! We can’t wait for the summer months to take full advantage.

Also, BLK on Devonshire Street has to be the best designer clothes shop to open in Sheffield for guys for a very long time – a great addition to the independent store scene. You can read about them in this issue – see page 46 for more.

We also hear Kuckoo is opening in Leopold Square – take a look on their website – it’s pretty cool!

I’d also like to say a big thank you to our cover star Ladoza.

After falling in love with photography, he turned his hand to art – and we’re loving the results. His abstract oil works, inspired by his explorations into the Peak District, are a sight to behold. We’ll let you interpret the cover in your own way. Everyone seems to see something different – but isn’t that the whole point?!

Enjoy.

Melanie Jackson Publishing Manager

Richard Abbey Editor

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

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8 BOOZE&GRUB Find inspiration for food and drink from Sheffield’s finest independents, including some fantastic offers for January

14 NEWS What’s happening around the city?

24 THE YEAR AHEAD Plan your 2017 with our month-by-month guide

28 INTERVIEW The time for talk is nearly over... 2017 should see Sheffield start to take some positive steps forward says Coun. Leigh Bramall

30 MUSIC

Phoebe Seymour caught up with quite possibly the happiest man in music, Jodie Abacus

34 WEDDINGS There’s a venue to suit every occasion...

40 WHAT’S GOING ON

Arts, culture, film... the things to look out for in Sheffield this month

48 COVER STAR Whether he’s painting or taking pictures, this month’s Cover Star takes a huge amount of inspiration from the Peak District FRONT COVER An abstract of the Peak District. By Ladoza A SPECIAL THANKS TO THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS Paul Widdowson, Sean Clarke, Russell Cutts, Becca Linnard, Oliver Young

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To advertise in the next issue of CityMag, contact Publishing Manager Melanie Jackson Tel: 0114 250 6300 / 07990 863661 Email: melanie.jackson@rmcmedia.co.uk

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EDITOR Richard Abbey SUB EDITOR Richard Smith CONTRIBUTORS Phoebe Seymour, Rachel Martin DIGITAL EDITOR Molly McGreevy STUDIO MANAGER Chris Brierley DESIGN Dan Wray, Steve Levers, Charles Bradshaw OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Jillion Wood PUBLISHING MANAGER Melanie Jackson SALES EXECUTIVE Jessica Slaughter DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Chris Clayton ACCOUNTS Paul Barrett, Kelly Mann Published by: RMC Media 6 Broadfield Court, Broadfield Business Park, Sheffield, S8 0XF. Tel: 0114 250 6300 www.rmcmedia.co.uk Not connected with any other company or group.

All material is the copyright of the RMC Media and is not to be reproduced without permission. The placing of an order for the insertion of an advertisement in this publication shall amount to an acceptance of our terms and conditions, copies of which are available on request.

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

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DELICIOUSLY AFFORDABLE DEALS Who says you have to be healthy – or miserable – in January?

With these great offers, you’ll have reason to smile – and indulge.

IT’S cold, it’s dark and you’re a stone heavier than this time last month – January hasn’t got the best reputation, but in true Sheffield spirit the bars and restaurants won’t let the fun stop during the winter months. From money off your bill to cheap drinks deals,Vibe has rounded the best January offers the city has to offer so you can beat the post-Christmas blues.

True North It might be best to delay the diet until February because True North are offering 50 per cent off all food at all their venues.

There is a catch though – the deal is only available for loyalty card holders – sign up for a card and check out the full list of True North venues online at www.truenorthbrew.co.

On top of their food offers, some True North venues have got extra deals on booze. Both The Old House and The Riverside are running with Ginuary (seriously, there must be more January/booze puns?!). The Old House is offering 20 per cent off all gins all month and continuing its gin school into 2017. On the other side of town, The Riverside are offering double Sheffield dry gin and Franklins tonic for just a fiver – a steal for a fancy G&T.

Pointing Dog

The Botanist

You’ll have to be quick for this one, from 3-17 January Pointing Dog on Ecclesall Road is offering 40 per cent off all food from 5pm on weeknights. You do need to jump through a few hoops to get this deal though – firstly sign up to a treats and tipples card online, then call to book and quote the secret password ‘sale away’ (you’re welcome) and you’re in.

Leopold Square’s botanical themed bar is offering 50 per cent off your food bill for the whole of January – or Ginuary as they’ve dubbed it. As well as knocking money off your dinner, The Botanist are also offering 2 for 1 on selected gins. If you haven’t tried the food yet, check out our review in November’s CityMag.

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

9 Sentinel Brewing Co If you’ve not been to this brewery-cum-tap room yet, where HAVE you been? It’s a fabulous location and they have some great deals, again, you’ll need to be a loyalty card holder to take advantage but Sentinel Brewing Co are offering 25 per cent off Sentinel cask, keg, bottles and growlers for January AND February – that’s two whole months of cheaper beer.

Sign up for a loyalty card at Sentinel’s Brewhouse on Shoreham Street and you’re good to go.

Twisted Burger Company Get yourself to The Harley on Glossop Road for half price burgers courtesy of Twisted Burger Company throughout January. They’re also bringing back some old menu favourites for a limited time only – anyone for a Holy Cluck?

They are also running offers down at their Street Food stall in the Moor Market, such as exclusive burgers, cakes and meal deals.

Cubana It’s impossible to be down in Cubana in Leopold Square– what with the dancing and the amazing food. Take advantage of 40 per cent off tapas from Sunday to Thursday every week in January and transport yourself away from wintery Sheff to sunnier climes.

try a taste of

tradition Farmers Ales from Bradfield Brewery

On-Site Brewery Shop open Monday – Saturday 10am until 4pm.

Visit our page on Facebook or follow us

info@bradfieldbrewery.com • 0114 2851118 • www.bradfieldbrewery.com Bradfield Brewery Limited.Watt House Farm, High Bradfield, Sheffield, S6 6LG

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

10 candied peel and warming chillies. Yep, read that again, does sound good doesn’t it? Go get one quick.

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Beer Central’s Sean Clarke has some unique beers perfect for the new year.

HAPPY new year to all our readers! Well, 2016 will apparently go down as a bit of a black year, but on the beer front it was a beauty.

For 2017 our monthly column will continue to look at some of the very best beers available, and importantly, beers that are easy enough to grab from your nearest bottle shop, bar or pub. Let’s kick off with these three… one from Sheffield, one from West London and, for the first time on these pages, one from Australia!

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LOST INDUSTRY – Heart of Darkness 330ml bottle vegan beer

The Seaton family have been going just over a year now and they’ve quickly established themselves as the most exciting brewery in Wadsley Bridge, perhaps even Sheffield! With a very varied range of styles produced during their first 12 months, from sours to pales and oatmeal stouts, they’ve developed a loyal following far and wide. This month’s beer from them is a real treat and perfect for the cold nights of January and February. Heart of Darkness is a 9.5% Belgian-style dark ale with raisins, sultanas,

WEIRD BEARD – Pig Smasher 330ml bottle

Yes, their brewery is full of beards, some of them weird, some of them superbly crafted into things of great wonder, but these are beards that can brew. Despite East London becoming the cultural capital of the UK craft beer scene, Weird Beard have forged a fine reputation whilst basing themselves west of the capital city. They’ve created a strong identity and a reputation for consistently pushing the boundaries without becoming too gimmicky or pretentious.

They’re also very innovative when naming and labelling their beers and Pig Smasher is no exception. What we have here is a 6.8% American Red Ale (pretty much a Red IPA) and this one gets an added touch of sweetness from the use of honey.

PIRATE LIFE - IPA 330ml can vegan beer

A good number of our customers are very well travelled and those lucky enough to visit Australia recently have all come home muttering one particular brewery’s name – Pirate Life. The guys started brewing back in 2014 and base themselves in Adelaide, South Australia. It’s not taken long for them to develop a fine reputation for modern, tasty beers and thankfully they hit the UK during December 2016. Make sure you get to try their IPA – chock full of Centennial, Riwaka and Simcoe hops, it’s bright, fruity and full of liquid fun.

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IF there’s one thing Indians have always been experts in – it is the art of making love. Most people are familiar with the Kama Sutra.

It was written over 2,000 years ago, circa the third century by an Indian scholar called Vatsyayana. Kama is the Hindu god of love and desire. Sutra means guide.

Last February we produced our own Ashoka mini Kama Sutra guide, which we gave away to guests who dined with us. We’ll be updating the guide soon and have copies to give away to customers throughout February and March this year.

As we’re approaching the month of love I thought we’d talk about some Indian aphrodisiacs one could incorporate into daily life to rouse the loins of Sheffield.

A long time ago, the people of ancient India believed that imbibing snake blood or eating flesh of the Nilgiri Langur could increase sexual libido. Men also believed that consuming goat’s testicles boiled in milk increased sexual vigour.

I doubt that even the most adventurous of readers interested in food would try the above – I know I wouldn’t. Below I’ve listed some more palatable modern day stimulants that have been used for thousands of years. They must work – India’s population is 1.3 billion and counting.

Ashoka will be giving lovers a helping hand this Valentine’s by cooking up some delicious treats – and much more.

• Honey, ginger and black pepper hot water – the best things come in threes. This trilogy supposedly makes a great stimulant for both sexes.

• Ice-cold milk, crushed black pepper and powdered almonds – traditionally given to brides on their wedding night. Believed to aid fertility – if you’re trying for kids this is a no brainer.

• Banana and cardamom seed paste – traditionally used to treat low sexual response and impotence. High in cineole, it increases blood flow on application. Forget that trip to the GP and little blue pills. Get to the shops and try this.

• Celery stalks – chewing on celery releases androstenone odour molecules. First in the mouth, then the nose and throat. The pheromones emit scent and signals that are attractive to your partner. Way cheaper than Chanel No.5 or Lynx Africa.

• The Karamelised Kashmiri™ from Ashoka – our signature dish is guaranteed to aid you both on your way.

Ashoka 307 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8NX Tel: 0114 268 3029 // www.ashoka1967.com

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

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14 Rum Festival

NEW FOR 2017 Throughout January and February, Sentinel Brewery are offering 25 per cent of Sentinel-brewed beers with a loyalty card, plus ten per cent off all food and merchandise. Also introduced for the new year are Sunday lunches and weekday lunches, they latter served in their own homemade beer bread.

Sounds delicious.

Yankee doodle dandy Anyone walking up and down Ecclesall Road recently will have noticed that Yankees has closed its doors. Before you well up, don’t worry, the American diner, which originally opened in 1979, is only closed for refurbishment.

We, for one, are very excited and can’t wait to see what they do with the place. We’d like to see a lot of their old barbecue dishes return too.

Sheffield set to go cuckoo for KUCKOO A new indie rock and roll bar – complete with outrageous cocktails – is set to open in Leopold Square in March. Called Kuckoo, it will be serving up the likes of Renegade Marmelade (Beefeater gin, lemon, limoncello, marmalade, sugar, egg whites), Wham Bar Sling (Stoli raspberry vodka, Framboise, Passoa, fresh lemon juice & topped with lemonade) and a Suicide Blonde (Beefeater Gin, grapes, lemon, sauvignon blanc, honey, egg whites, soda).

Beer Festival raises £2,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Visitors to the recent Sheffield Beer Festival proved just as generous as they were thirsty, as a combination of cash collections, donations of unused beer tickets, and a contribution from Sheffield branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), saw this year’s charity total reach £2,000.

Community Fundraiser for The Children’s Hospital Charity, Cheryl Davidson said, “We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated at Sheffield Beer Festival. To raise so much at the event really will make a difference to all of our patients and their families at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.”

PICTURED: Sheffield CAMRA’s Paul Crofts presenting a cheque to Cheryl Davidson of the Children’s Hospital Charity

Moor Theatre Deli is welcoming Sheffield’s makers this January It’s no secret that January is a month for penny-pinching but Sheffield’s creatives can rejoice, because Theatre Delicatessen on The Moor are offering ten per cent off hot drinks for anyone working on a crafty project in their café throughout January and February.

Running from 11am–4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, the offer is ideal for anyone looking to hole up somewhere cosy and create this January. With the Birdhouse Tea Company and Smith Street Coffee Roasters on board providing the brews, you’re guaranteed a lovely Sheffield cuppa in a chilled, city centre location.

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

We’ve seen the huge success of Sheffield’s Gin Festival over the years, but there’s a new spirit in town, and it’s set to take over the Trafalgar Warehouse on Traflagar Street from the 31 March – 1 April.

Sheffield’s Rum Festival is the first of its kind in the city, with more than 100 different rums available to try, plus live music to keep the crowds entertained and street food to line stomachs.

Early bird tickets are available for just a tenner until the end of January, with all guests receiving a Rum Festival glass to take home as a keepsake plus a brochure full of info about the rums on offer.

Once you’re in, all drinks are a fiver, with friendly ‘Rumuns’ as they’ve been dubbed, on hand for recommendations.

For those who like their rum a bit fancy, the Rum Festival cocktail team will be mixing up special concoctions throughout the event.

KRYNKL IS OPEN After much promise – and plenty of delays – Kelham Island’s first shipping container complex Krynkl is now open – and boy is it impressive.

Within the 24 shipping containers you’ll find TRIB3 gym, Joro Restaurant, INC rooftop bar, Shanghai Shipping Exchange, Freshly Squeeze, The Viewing Room, Knots and Niggles, Redbrik estate agents, The Bunker Hair Shelter and fashion brand Alexander Joshua.

15 Sheffield Says Head down to The Moor Market and you’ll notice a giant ‘S’ dominating the floor.

‘What is it?’ you may ask. Well, it’s Sheffield Says, a new interactive printing installation designed by Sheffield Hallam students.

The Catalyst: Festival of Creativity project asks Sheffield’s creative community to say something through words and images, freely printing works of art. To find out more, email info@sheffieldsays.co.uk.

Elsewhere there are a number of events taking place throughout January, including a presentation on mindfulness

by Elaine Weatherley-Jones on Saturday 21 January and a presentation by colour and style expert Jane Chapman from True Colours Image Consultancy on Saturday 28 January.

All aboard

NEW LEASE OF LIFE It’s home to one of the Antiques Quarter’s most popular drinking dens The Picture House Social, and now the Abbeydale Picture House on Abbeydale Road has an even brighter future.

The owner of the Picture House has signed a 25-year lease with Creative Arts Development Space (CADS) Trust, giving the go-ahead for the ex-cinema to be fully restored and brought into full use as a community arts venue.

At the moment, the Picture House is only allowed to host 15 events a year but now the lease has been secured and initial improvements can be made, the team at CADS can work on securing a full premises licence – meaning there would be no limit on the events held at the venue. So there’s much more fun to be had at Abbeydale Picture House in the future – yay!

Of course, all this requires lots of cash, and to fully restore the almost 100-year-old cinema will require a lot of hard work, funding and time but the Abbeydale Picture House is definitely on its way back to its former glory – celebratory pizza at Picture House Social anyone?

They’re already in charge of some of Sheffield’s most loved pubs and bars – think The Broadfield, Forum and The Riverside – and now True North Brew Co are branching out to Millhouses.

The brewery has taken over the Waggon and Horses on Abbeydale Road South, taking their total number of venues in the city to ten.

At the moment, the pub is part of the Flaming Grill chain, but we are sure the place will undergo a full transformation into a cosy, good food, great beer kind of spot under True North’s management. If you’ve not been into a True North venue yet, January is the perfect time, they’ve got some great January deals running – check them out here.

Keep an eye out for updates, and in the meantime, if you’re looking for work True North are looking for both front and back of house teams.

Keep up to date... Follow CityMag on Twitter: @CityMagazineRMC JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

COMPETITION WINNER December’s cover star was Steve Goodison who kindly donated a framed print as a competition prize. After wading our way through the many entries, we have selected Sarah Wood of S12 as our winner.

Congratulations Sarah and thank you Steve!

BEST CONNECTED? Sheffield could become one of the ‘best connected cities in the country’ as the city is set to launch a fast and free city centre Wi-Fi service by the end of the year.

Sheffield City Council is currently looking for a provider to offer a public access Wi-Fi service. The implementation of free, publicaccess Wi-Fi is central to plans for attracting more visitors, residents and employees to spend more time in Sheffield city centre.

Food discount Revolucion de Cuba on Mappin Street are another one of the many bars and restaurants offering discounts in January. At present you can get 40 per cent off your food and drink bill (except after 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays). See www.revoluciondecuba.com for more.

16 WASH AND GO (IF YOU’VE GOT A TICKET) A hundred tickets for Jarvis Cocker’s DJ set at The Washington on Fitzwilliam Street sold out in minutes, despite going on sale at the ungodly hour of 6am.

The event is part of The Washington’s rebirth weekend on 3–5 February, which as well as Jarvis’ set will see sets from Baba Naga, Dan Dylan Wray, Snakeman, Blancmange Lounge and Kai. The weekend of events is being held to celebrate the relaunch of The Washington, which will close on 22 January for refurbishment and reopen on 3 February with new décor, dancefloor, an extended product range and new outside seating area.

In an attempt to “sort the men from the boys” tickets for the Pulp legend’s set were available to buy before the sun came up, but that didn’t stop them from being snapped up in minutes – leading to uproar from the unlucky.

Despite the angry, online mob throwing around accusations of broken websites, The Washington assured punters that there was no technical fault, and the event – which was limited to four tickets per person – did just sell out incredibly quickly.

In an online statement The Washington said: “Guys. Chill.

We are sorry to those of you who were unable to get tickets for the Jarvis event but sometimes that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

“We have spoken to Seetickets, the tickets went on sale as advertised at 6am, the website did not crash/glitch/ malfunction in any way, it just sold out immediately.”

Fear not though, there will be some tickets available on the door for Jarvis Cocker’s DJ set, and the rest of the weekend’s event are non-ticketed.

Is the St Petersburg Classic Ballet the real deal?

We sent Rachel Martin to find out.

HAVING lived in Sheffield for nearly five years, I feel as though I haven’t quite taken advantage of some of the city’s most classic forms of entertainment, and, with St Petersburg Classic Ballet being dubbed ‘the real Russian deal’, it almost seemed a missed opportunity to not see them return with a magical production of Swan Lake.

The original story is Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, a tragic tale of love and betrayal accompanied by a glorious and instantly recognisable score – brought to life by the thrill of a live orchestra.

This is the epic story of Prince Siegfried and his love for Odette who, tricked by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart would rather die together then live apart.

There is no definitive version of this classic and the story has various finales (none of them good) - I won’t spoil the ending for you, but it doesn’t stray too far from the original - and choreographers the world over endeavour to continue the history of one of Russia’s best-loved ballets in their own unique way. But even if you’ve never seen it, you probably know it’s something to do with a heart wrenching love story involving a swan.

In their second UK tour, St Petersburg’s prima ballerina Natalya Romanova shines as virtuous Odette and even more so as the dark Odille, alongside the Jester, performed by Mikhail Bogomazov, who brings a touch of comicality to the performance. And then there's the famously lovely ‘Dance of the Little Swans’, where four cygnets dance in unison with cross hands - which was responded to accordingly by an appreciative audience.

The plot is relatively simple and easy to follow, albeit I did lose it slightly - unable to decide which dancer to focus on and becoming ridiculously distracted by the unavoidable presence of ‘the bulge’. And the traditional choreography, on the whole, made it far more accessible to people like me, who don’t have a great understanding of the ballet (having refused to go back after my one class aged five).

The costumes are very pretty and the set is fairly sparse - at times filled with smoke-effects to give the illusion of mist on the lake - and the corps de ballet of swans seemed to rather overfill the stage - but the glorious music and dance set the scene with no need for elaborate arrangements.

My bourgeois suspicions confirmed, this ballet, for me, consisted mostly of glorified stereotypes; men in tights and wafer-thin women swathed in tiaras, feathers and tutus, but on the whole - and met with rapturous applause at the Lyceum Theatre - it was an enchanting performance.

For those seeking a traditionally presented ballet, St Petersburg's version of Swan Lake is a safe bet, and though it is not a big hitter like the Bolshoi or Kirov, it is without a doubt a feather in the cap for Sheffield’s arts scene.

St Petersburg Classic Ballet’s Swan Lake is at the Lyceum Theatre until 14 January.

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

17 FESTIVAL SEASON – ALREADY?

Welcome Jess!

CityMag has a new addition – Jessica Slaughter has joined the team as a sales executive. If you see her out and about in the town centre, be sure to give her a warm welcome.

For advertising enquiries, you can contact her at jessica.slaughter@ rmcmedia.co.uk.

NEW LOOK We’re all eager to see what’s happening behind the closed doors of The Forum. If you didn’t know already, the popular Devonshire Street bar, which is part of True North, is closed until February for a refurbishment.

How much will it change? You’ll have to wait and see to find out.

Festival season might seem a long way off but three Sheffield Hallam students are bringing the summer forward with FARfest, a one-day event on 4 February.

Some of the city’s best artists have been signed up to play – we’re talking K.O.G, Humbar, Joey Macphail, Swole and Maddie Abbots – plus stalls, workshops and other performances. And to top it off, proceeds from the event will be donated to the Cathedral Archer Project, a charity, which supports the city’s homeless.

The brains behind the event are Rob Saubole, Abby Hayes and Faye Lewis, who have put the event together in less than four months.

The festival, which will take place at The Hubs on Paternoster Row, will be decked out in bunting, tents and face paints will be on hand for those who really want to embrace the summer vibes. Tickets are £10.

Music tribute We’ve lost many a musical legend in 2016...

Now you listen to them all on our carefully-curated Spotify playlist. You can access it via www.rmcmedia.co.uk/vibe 2016 started with a very unpleasant surprise... the death of David Bowie. Cancer claimed the great innovator on 10 January and over the forthcoming 12 months the grim reaper seemed to have a field day with fresh announcements every few weeks of the latest musical icon to shuffle across.

Good times After the huge success of their Halloween and Christmas themed night markets last year, Street City returns at the end of the month (27-28 January) for more street food, live music and good times. Visit www.streetcityevents.co.uk for more.

Have you seen our website? Check out www.rmcmedia.co.uk

Celebrating Sheffield’s trees “More trees per person than any other city in Europe,” chirp Sheffielders – down the pub, at a party, in the street. We’re a city that is proud of our parks, countryside and trees, but with fellers turning up with a police escort at dawn and protestors imprisoned in their PJs, the saga of Sheffield’s beloved trees has hit the news around the UK. But rather than spend all their time protesting and petitioning, Nether Edge Tree Group, in conjunction with the Woodland Trust, has organised In Celebration of Trees - an exhibition to celebrate Sheffield’s trees – at Bank Street Arts.

Anne Barr, who is project managing the exhibition, says the campaign to save the trees isn’t all about being aggressive, and the exhibition is to showcase the city’s beautiful trees.

She said: “We wanted to do something creative within the campaign, and came up with the idea of the exhibition. In the summer we asked people to send in pictures of their favourite trees in the city. All the pictures sent in will be show in the exhibition in one way or another – some on a slideshow and others blown up as prints.”

The exhibition is part of a wider campaign to convince the council to adopt a responsible, sustainable approach to management of the city’s 35,000 street trees – rather than the mass felling we have seen in the past few months.

But the pictures in the exhibition show trees from all over Sheffield – not just those under threat.

Anne said: “We want to celebrate all trees, not all the trees featured are under threat. And we didn’t want the felling to be the main focus of the exhibition, we wanted to show off how wonderful trees are.

“The exhibition does help to tell the story of the campaign, so we have something to give to the city, when the exhibition is finished it will hopefully go to a school or library.”

According to exhibition organisers, Sheffield City Council has said that they are considering felling about half of the street trees, even though the vast majority are healthy mature trees, causing only minor damage to roads or pavements.

Whilst in 2007, an independent survey suggested that just 1,000 of the city’s street trees needed replacing, 4,000 have since been felled.

Photos from the exhibition can also be found in a special calendar produced by the campaign – you’ll be lucky to get your hands on one though, most sold out before Christmas!

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

18 The Vasa Pathway Fat Bike Friday Race Credit: Nordicskiracer.com

GURU

It’s comfort all the way in 2017, writes Brag Vintage’s Becca Linnard.

Becca Linnard

MOM jeans have been the holy grail to vintage hunters for a long time and are one of the most recent trends to explode on the high street.

Brag Vintage By trumping skinny jeans in the 33 High Street comfort stakes they offer a Sheffield, S1 2GA refreshing looseness around the leg Tel: 0114 275 9974 Instagram: but an all-important close fit at the @bragvintage waistband. You can either go straight leg or tapered, with the option to roll at the bottom for either fashion priorities or fitting priorities (meaning you can get away with buying mom jeans a few inches too long for you, which is helpful).

As with most things, nothing beats the original. That’s Levi’s, Wrangler and Lee mom jeans made from thick, heavy denim which has been worn in to take the edge off and allow maximum flexibility in the fibres. They tend to sit either just below, level with or slightly above your belly button depending on the rise you go for. In my opinion the higher the rise the better.

You can check out our full guide to mom jeans on our blog at www.bragvintage.co.uk/blog or pick them up in store and on our website.

There’s no reason to shut the door on cycling until summer, says Russell Cutts from Russells Bike Shed.

CYCLING is one of those activities that seems to have endless variations. From road racing to downhill it can encompass any terrain, any surface and most importantly any adrenalin fix.

As we enter the deep mid-winter many people turn their focus away from cycling but there is a small yet growing group who actively embrace it. Whether it’s knee deep in mud on the cyclo-cross trail or compacting the snow on your fat bike, this time of year can bring out some strange types of bike. A road bike for off-road riding perhaps or a mountain bike sporting wheels no less out of place on a motorcycle.

Winter isn’t a time to shut the shed door until the sun comes out again, it’s a time to discover a new way to enjoy a bicycle and there are lots of places you can get involved. Why not take in the grounds of Wentworth Castle on 22 January for the Yorkshire Points Round? It’s a lovely ride along to the venue too.

Or take a look at the Fat Bike World Championships in Colorado on 26 January; where riders have to run to their bikes and then race for miles across snow-covered trails.

Now I know Sheffield doesn’t exactly have pleasant weather in winter but is that really a reason to shut the door on cycling until summer? There is still plenty of fun to be had and we can help you take advantage, whatever the weather.

Russell’s Bike Shed Sheffield Railway Station, Cross Turner Street, Sheffield, S1 2BP Tel: 0114 273 0539

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A bicycle for any type of ride.

Official Dealer:

Find us at Sheffield Railway Station 92 Burton Road, Neepsend, Sheffield S3 8BX Web: russellsbicycleshed.co.uk Tel: 0114 2730539 Email: sheffield@russellsbicycleshed.co.uk Tweet: @russ_cycle_shed Facebook: @russellbicycleshed

21 Orbit Media’s drones are taking to the skies and capturing unbelievable high-definition images.

Introduce your business…

Orbit Media has been operating since June 2015, working to capture moments from a completely unique perspective – above.

We use the very latest in drone technology to get the shots you didn’t think were possible, all in crystal clear ultra high definition.

Why are drones becoming so popular?

For years, helicopters have been used to get aerial shots but at a huge cost. These days the same images are caught using drones; not only that, but drones can do better by getting lower and closer and we have the ability to adjust them to much tighter angles for those magical shots.

Relatively speaking, drones are still the “new kid on the block” and individuals and industries are excited about how they can be used going forward.

footage for insurance claims, right down to beautiful, panoramic shots for music videos.

Can anyone use a drone?

Yes and no; from a hobbyist point of view anyone can purchase a drone and use and enjoy it, however, as soon as they’re used commercially, certification from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is required. This is obtained by attending a ground school course culminating in both written and practical examinations and you are required to renew this accreditation annually.

Your view on the future of drone usage…

Drones are only just taking off…the sky is the limit (both puns intended).

What’s your best piece of work so far?

What type of work do you cover?

To be honest, someone comes up with a new idea for using a drone almost every week, such as deliveries or even crop-dusting!

We at Orbit Media stick to filming and photography (for the moment at least!). We can cover anything from promotional videos for industry; stills and videos for the real estate market;

We’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with some great projects over the past 18 months but we were really thrilled to be invited back by Dan Walker to lend our skills in support of “The Walker Cup (not that one)”, a charitable celebrity golf day, raising money for The Sheffield Children’s Hospital. You can view it online at www.orbitmedia.co.uk/portfolio/the-walker-cup-2016

GURU

Alex Dunigan Image courtesy Tom Kahler www.tomkahlerphoto.com

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Shak Jackson, specialist in sports massage, answers a recurring question.

I OFTEN get asked what a ‘knot’ is...

People are constantly saying things like, “I have a huge knot in my back” or “I’m all knotted up!” So what does this actually mean? Can a muscle actually get tied in a knot?

First of all, let me explain a little bit about muscle tissue. Muscle fibres run in all different directions throughout our body and the muscles are layered on top of each other. This is a good thing and the reason why we can bend, twist, stretch and play sports.

Our muscles are meant to be pliable, strong, and challenged in every day life.

However, when we sit still for long periods, for example sat at a computer all day or if we are chronically dehydrated, we can lose our mobility and flexibility in the muscles. The various muscle fibres start to stick to each other and become adhered.

This new hard and lumpy feeling is a muscle ‘knot’.

Muscle ‘knots’ are incredibly common but common doesn’t mean they are harmless – they should always be treated. Chronic stress on our muscles creates micro-tearing of muscle tissue, which creates scar tissue, which in turn can be extremely painful. Unfortunately, if left untreated, the muscle tissue will continue to lose elasticity and cause postural stress that is hard to reverse.

MOBILE MASSAGE SPORTS • DEEP TISSUE • CUPPING

sports massage tailored to suit your individual needs to enhance performance and aid recovery TEL: 07752 413376 Studio based at Broom Lane www.shakjacksonmassage.com

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2017: PLAN JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

MUSIC The XX: I See You Out on 13 January, this is the long-awaited follow-up to 2013’s Co-exist. First single ‘On Hold’ samples Hall & Oates’ I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do) and should set the tone for what’s to come. The album was recorded between March 2014 and August 2016 in New York, Marfa, Reykjavik, Los Angeles and London and is said to feature “a more outward-looking, open and expansive approach.” thexx.info

MUSIC Dua Lipa The singer/songwriter/ model releases her selftitled debut album on 10 February. Her dreamy, ‘dark pop’ is the perfect start to the year. dualipa.com

ARTS + CULTURE Protest Lab This exhibition runs at the Millennium Gallery from 18 March and is an experimental, vocal, social space where views can be shared and ideas challenged.

Part of the forthcoming Sheffield Protest and Activism programme. www.museums-sheffield.org.uk

MUSIC Tinie Tempah: Youth Released on the 27th, the third album from the south London rapper features guest appearances from the likes of Zara Larsson, Wizkid, Jess Glynne and Katy B, plenty of which you’ll have heard already. www.tinietempah.com SPORT The FA Cup Third/Fourth Round The third round sees the ‘big guns’ join the competition. Sheffield Wednesday went to Middlesbrough – and lost 3-0. The Blades, meanwhile, lost in the second round to Bolton, leaving them to concentrate on the league. So no local representation in the latter rounds then. Disappointing.

FILM T2: Trainspotting Can you believe it’s been 20 years since the original film? This sequel (out 27th) sees all the old team return, including director Danny Boyle and actors, Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller, Ewen Bremner and Kelly Macdonald. It’s loosely based on Irvine Welsh’s Porno novel.

ARTS + CULTURE Tim Etchells and Vlatka Horvat: What Can Be Seen This brand new exhibition at the Millennium Gallery starts on 8 February and explores how we attempt to understand the world through history, science, art, narrative and the act of collecting itself. www.museums-sheffield.org.uk

ARTS + CULTURE Stories from the East Weston Park Museum will house some of the finest examples of Chinese craftsmanship from 11 March, focusing on the Grice Ivories collection which came to the city in the 1930s. www.museums-sheffield.org.uk EVENT Beer X The Festival of Beer returns from 17-19 March at iceSheffield. There’ll be award-winning craft beer, live music and street food, which is all right by us. www.beerx.org

ARTS + CULTURE Everybody’s Talking About Jamie Written by The Feeling’s Dan Gillespie Sells, this coming of age play with a twist runs at The Crucible from 9-25 February.

We’ll be having a closer look at this muchhyped musical in next month’s CityMag. www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk FILM The Lego Batman Movie One of the stand-out characters from the original Lego Movie gets his own film (out 10 February) and must not only deal with the criminals of Gotham City, but also the responsibility of raising a boy he adopted.

Awesome.

EVENT Outdoor City Weekender The Weekender, which incorporates Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (17-19 March) is Sheffield’s celebration of the people and places that gives us our unique identity as The Outdoor City.

Whether you walk, run, climb, ride, love Image courtesy family time in the Duncan Philpott great outdoors or are a self-confessed spectator rather than participator of outdoor activities, there will be something for everyone. www.theoutdoorcity.co.uk

MUSIC Outlines After last year’s debut festival success, Outlines returns with another stellar line-up including Jagwar Ma, Jodie Abacus, Slow Club (above) and The Selecter. It’s on 3-4 March. www.outlinesfestival.com

EVENT Niche to reopen The old late night nineties haunt reopens on 28 January in the Wicker arches. Don’t forget your glowsticks.

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YOUR YEAR! APRIL

MAY

SPORT Tour de Yorkshire The 194.5km third and final leg of the now annual cycling event cuts through Penistone, Bolsterstone and Deepcar before finishing at the new Fox Valley retail park in Stocksbridge on Sunday 30 April. letour.yorkshire.com SPORT Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon Entries for the 13-mile run on 9 April are now being taken.

With a city centre start and finish, the event boasts a super scenic route – with stunning views of the Peak District for those who conquer the climb to Ringinglow. www.theyorkshiremarathon.com SPORT Betfred World Snooker

MUSIC Music in the Gardens The Botanical Gardens’ annual get together – complete with picnic blankets and Pimms – will be back from 29 June to 2 July. Acts have yet to be confirmed but if last year’s are anything to go by, it should be a corker. www.musicinthegardens.co.uk

MUSIC Bruno Mars Grammy Award winner and worldrenowned, multi-platinum selling entertainer, Bruno Mars will be at Sheffield Arena on 6 May. Expect plenty of his 24K Magic. Baby whoa. www.sheffieldarena.co.uk FILM Alien: Covenant The sequel to Prometheus hits screens on 19 May with Ridley Scott once again directing. This time around, the crew of the colony ship Covenant discover what they think is an uncharted paradise, but it is actually a dark, dangerous world, whose sole inhabitant is the synthetic David (Michael Fassbender).

EVENT Pint of Science The annual festival, which runs from 15-17 May, aims to deliver interesting and relevant talks on the latest science research in an accessible format to the public – all in the pub! https://pintofscience.co.uk

ARTS + CULTURE The Full Monty

A previous run at the Lyceum was such a success that everyone’s favourite strippers are back for 2017 (3-15 April).

Gary Lucy, Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick, Chris Fountain, Anthony Lewis and Kai Owen all star in this stage adaptation. You can leave your hat on… www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk FILM Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Out on 28 April, Marvel’s rag-tag bunch of heroes – including Baby Groot – return for their second screen outing and set out to unravel the mystery of Peter Quill/StarLord’s parentage. No doubt the accompanying mixtape will be just as awesome.

EVENT Sheffield Food Festival Outdoor specialists Events Collective have taken the reins of the SFF, which runs from 2729 May in the city centre. If previous years are anything to go by, this should be a cracker. www.eventscollective.com OTHER The Light Cinema

If everything continues to go to plan – and there’s now reason why it shouldn’t – the new nine-screen cinema that forms part of the new Light complex on the Moor is set to open its doors.

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MUSIC Kraftwerk: 3D When tickets for this 15 June City Hall show went on sale, they were hotter than a hot cross bun on a hot day in a hot country.

It’s hardly surprising they sold out in minutes but if you’re one of the lucky ones, you should be in for a treat. www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk ARTS + CULTURE John Ruskin Prize 2017 From 21 June, the Millennium Gallery will host a new collection of works shortlisted for The John Ruskin Prize 2017. Now in its fourth year, the award is open to all amateur and professional artists aged 18 years and over. www.museums-sheffield.co.uk FILM Despicable Me 3 The third instalment in the Despicable Me series should be full of plenty of laughs – and Minions. Gru (Steve Carell) is now married and faces off against Balthazar Bratt (South Park’s Trey Parker), a former child star who grows up to become obsessed with the character he played in the 80s.

ctrphotos / 123RF Stock Photo

Championships Sheffield goes snooker loopy for 17 days as the sport’s most important event at The Crucible returns from 15 April to 1 May. 2016 winner Mark Selby will be looking to retain his title. www.worldsnooker.com www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

JUNE

EVENT Doc/Fest 2017

The popular documentary film festival has made this summer slot its own and returns 9-14 June. The line-up is nowhere near to being announced but keep an eye on their website for what’s coming up. sheffdocfest.com EVENT RHS Chatsworth Flower Show If you really want to indulge your cultural side get yourself down to Chatsworth for the Royal Horticultural Society flower show. There’ll be gardens galore as well as fascinating talks (if you’re into that kind of thing). rhs.org.uk/chatsworth >

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J U LY Image courtesy Rich Linley

MUSIC Tramlines Tramlines has cemented itself as one the country’s best – if not THE best – inner city music festivals. It gets bigger and better each year and this year’s event, held over the weekend of 21-23 July, should be no exception. The move to Ponderosa has divided opinion but there’s no doubting the quality of acts on offer. www.tramlines.org.uk ARTS + CULTURE The Wedding Singer It’s 1985. Hair is huge, greed is good and rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart is dumped by his fiancée and left considering a career on Wall Street. Can he get back in the groove and follow his dreams? If you’ve seen the Adam Sandler film you’ll know how this ends but just enjoy the ride. Runs 18-22 July. www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk FILM Spider-Man: Homecoming Tom Holland stole the show with his cameo as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War so it will be interesting to see how he fairs in his first full length feature, out on 7 July. As a young Peter Parker he must learn to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging superhero.

EVENT Sheffield Pride 2017 The annual LGBT festival kicks off on 29 July in Endcliffe Park. New for 2017 will be a life tent featuring exhibitors, groups and services that provide a health and social care aspect to our lives, from fostering services to wedding planning and much, much, more. www.pridesheffield.org

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

SPORT Special Olympics The Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organisation for people with intellectual disabilities, with more than 4.7million athletes in 169 countries. This year’s showcase event will be held in Sheffield between 7-12 August, the second time the event has been held in the city.

SPORT Run For All 10K It’s back… following its debut in 2016, the much talked-about Asda Foundation Sheffield 10K returns on Sunday 24 September. www.runforall.com/10k/sheffield

SPORT New football season kicks off What division will our local teams be in come the 2017/2018 season?

At the time of writing, Sheffield United are flying high at the top of League One while Wednesday are hanging on to the coat tails of the play-off positions in the Championship. Could promotion be on the cards for both teams or will the Steel City derbies return?

EVENT Sheffield Film & Comic Con 2017 Back at Sheffield Arena 12-13 August, this well-loved event features Cosplay, a comic zone, modern and retro video game zone as well as hundreds of stalls selling movie merchandise, costumes and toys.

Already confirmed to appear are Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who), Mark Rolston (Aliens), Jenette Goldstein (Aliens and Terminator 2) and Paul Darrow (Blakes 7 and James Bond). www.sheffieldarena.co.uk ARTS + CULTURE Small Stories: At Home in a Doll’s House This very special exhibition, held at Weston Park from 5 August, is on tour from the V&A Museum of Childhood.

Here they present 12 of their most treasured dolls’ houses. www.museums-sheffield.org.uk FILM Valerian & The City of a Thousand Planets French writer and director Luc Besson treads familiar territory with this adaptation of the French science fiction comics series, Valérian and Laureline. Like The Fifth Element, there’s a strong cast (Ethan Hawke, Clive Owen, John Goodman et al) as well as another model in one of the lead roles. Cara Delevingne has the honours this time around.

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FILM It Do we really need a remake of Stephen King’s scarefest? Only time will tell, especially with a largely unknown cast shouldered with the responsibility. If you don’t know the story, It follows a group children known as The Losers Club who come face to face with life problems, bullies and a monster that takes the shape of a clown. Tim Curry, who starred as Pennywise the clown in the 1990 original TV mini-series has left large shoes to fill.

OTHER New Era Development Phase One You’ll have seen the cranes and the building work going on at New Era Square, which has already been nicknamed Sheffield’s ‘Chinatown’ – although the developers are keen to steer away from this moniker. September should see the opening of the first phase with completion slated for 2018.

EVENT Jimmy Carr Jimmy’s ‘The Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits Tour’ returns to the City Hall on 15 September (after previously appearing in June) and he’s got his very best jokes along with brand new material.

Jimmy Carr has been on the stand-up scene for a decade and a half. In that time he’s performed nine sell-out tours, playing nearly 2,000 shows to over two million people across four continents. He’s won the British Comedy Award for ‘Best Live Stand-Up Tour’ and been nominated for the Perrier Award. www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

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OCTOBER

NOVEMBER MUSIC Sheffield’s Big Soul Night Three rooms of classic Motown and northern soul, modern soul and all-nighter in-demanders will take centre stage at the City Hall on 25 November. DJs include Richard Searling, Kev Roberts, Steve White and Snowy, Don’t forget your talc. www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

MUSIC Little Mix

Since 2011, Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall have established themselves as one of British pop’s brightest acts. The ‘Glory Days’ album that they’re touring will be old hat by the time these Sheffield Arena concerts (17, 27-28 October) comes around but shouldn’t dampen the spirits of what is sure to be a youthful crowd. www.sheffieldarena.co.uk

FILM Blade Runner 2049 Executive produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Denis Villeneuve, this longawaited sequel (out 6 October) is set 30 years after the original and sees new blade runner K (Ryan Gosling) unearth a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos.

EVENT Steel City Beer & Cider Festival The 43rd ale festival, organised by Sheffield CAMRA, will return to Kelham Island once again. www.sheffieldcamra.org.uk EVENT Last Laugh Comedy Festival The month-long festival sees a host of acts – big and small – descend on the city.

You’ll find everything from huge arena gigs to one man and his dog in the backroom of a pub. lastlaughcomedy.co.uk

2015’s The Force Awakens broke box office records

ARTS + CULTURE Crazy For You High energy, high kicking and gloriously glamorous, the acclaimed Watermill Theatre production of Crazy for You is the ultimate feel-good musical starring Tom Chambers (Top Hat and winner of Strictly Come Dancing) featuring a fabulous score from the Gershwin brothers’ songbook. It’s at the Lyceum from 7-11 November. www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk FILM Star Wars: Episode VIII There’s not much to tell you about this next step in the final trilogy other than that it is rumoured to pick up where The Force Awakens finished. At the time of writing we’d not even had a teaser trailer to give us a glimpse of what direction this Rian Johnson-helmed film will take. 15 December will be a date marked in many a calendar. May the Force be with you.

SPORT Sheffield Ten Ten Ten A thoroughly enjoyable 10k and 2.5k fun run, attracting over 1,000 runners each year. It’s not your regular road race, it is run on grass, road, paved paths and woodland trails. www.sheffield10k.com ARTS + CULTURE Off The Shelf 2017 Off the Shelf has grown into one of the largest literary festivals in the UK, attracting some of the best known names in literature and media to Sheffield each year. Dates for 2017 have still to be confirmed. offtheshelf.org.uk

DECEMBER

FILM Justice League Having seen what Marvel have done with the likes of The Avengers, DC Comics are hoping to get in on the action with their own band of heroes – Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and Aquaman.

Can it topple Marvel for the comic book crown?

EVENT Christmas Markets Yes it’s that time of year when all things festive come to the fore. Will we get Thor’s Tipi in the Peace Gardens again? Who knows. Dates are still to be confirmed but expect more market fun at Kelham Island, Sharrowvale, Nether Edge and, of course, the city centre. Don’t forget to pop into the Moor Market too.

EVENT John Bishop

Comedy superstar John Bishop is set to return to Sheffield Arena on 4 and 5 November with a brand new live show, Winging It. “I’m very much looking forward to getting back on the road – there really is nothing like performing stand-up in front of a live audience. The new show is called Winging It, and in some respects having come to comedy relatively late, it sometimes feels like that’s what I’m doing in life! But I’m enjoying every minute of it,” said John. www.sheffieldarena.co.uk

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EVENT Milton Jones Milton Jones is Out There. No, really out there and this time he hasn’t just forgotten his keys. He’s holding up the mirror of truth to society, and he can see right through it, which means it’s probably just a window. In his brand new show he’ll be putting his foot down and lifting the lid on the pedal bin of lies of the media. He’s at the City Hall on 3 December. www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

28 Words: Richard Abbey

THERE’S a very good reason why Leigh Bramall is a very happy man at the moment – and it has nothing to do with Sheffield United flying high at the top of League One at the moment. The Deputy Leader of Sheffield City Council is particularly looking forward to 2017 and seeing a lot of hard work come to fruition.

“There’s some big things happening but some big things still to come,” he says enthusiastically. “2016 was a big year but 2017 will see a lot of the hard work pay off, hopefully.”

While his ardour is obvious he does say this with a little trepidation; many of the ‘big things’ he speaks about are still in the planning/application stage and as we all know, nothing is a foregone conclusion in our fair city.

Things are looking up, though. Of all the things moving forward in Sheffield this year and beyond, at the heart of it all is to make the city a much more vibrant and attractive place to live, work and enjoy. It’s one of the greenest cities in the world but while its green spaces and proximity to the Peak District might be a huge draw to some, it has perhaps

The time for talk is nearly over... 2017 should see Sheffield start to take some positive steps forward. We spoke to Coun. Leigh Bramall to find out what’s we could expect to see in the year ahead.

Walls come tumbling down... the Grosvenor Hotel (above) is being demolished to make way the new HSBC offices and piazza (top) Image courtesy Oliver Young

underachieved in other areas.

“Sheffield has always been a relatively small-scale city centre, underdeveloped compared to other big cities, which means we’ve struggled to attract big employers to the city,” explains Leigh. “The vibrancy is not always there, it’s a bit quiet, so the strategy is to increasingly encourage people to live and work in the city centre. That’s where the retail quarter fits in, to help create that environment.”

The stop-start development of the said retail quarter is perhaps the area where most Sheffielders want to see the biggest

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

improvement. Thankfully, things are finally starting to move in the right direction. The first phase of the project will see the demolition of the Grosvenor Hotel in Charter Square and the construction of new HSBC offices as well as shops, restaurants and cafes. Work is already well underway to bring the hotel down piece by piece and construction on the new building is set to start in April.

Dovetailing nicely with this will be the redevelopment of Charter Square as well as the next phase of The Moor which will see the buildings opposite Debenhams transformed,

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Climbing at Burbage... part of Sheffield’s appeal as The Outdoor City Image courtesy Duncan Philpott

complete with a huge video screen.

“Charter Square roundabout will be filled in with the rubble from the [Grosvenor] hotel. It will be a new public piazza; the idea is that it will have cafes on it so people can sit outside, it will really enhance the area,” adds Leigh. “Whereas this was once the back part of the city centre, it will probably become one of, if not the, main focal points.”

The next step then will be to firm up the proposals for the second phase of the retail quarter, something that is ongoing at present. Initial approval for an outline planning application was already granted but it is now being refined and improved. A final decision could be made as early as summer.

While the retail quarter might bring more people into the city centre, getting them there is another matter. A lot has been made of HS2 (and HS3) and whether it’s worth the money but Leigh is adamant that it is – as long as the proposed Midland Station stop is part of it. “We think it’s important because it’ll create a lot more jobs, jobs in sectors where Sheffield has not traditionally had as many as other big cities – areas such as legal, finance etc. It would be a massive boost for the city and centre.”

One area of industry that Sheffield does excel at is in the

field of advanced manufacturing and this is expected to increase further in 2017. The Advancement Factory Innovation District – the area between Sheffield and Rotherham that houses the likes of Boeing, Rolls-Royce and the University of Sheffield’s AMRC (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre) is set to be developed further with more housing, improved public transport and cycle routes.

“We’re looking to change it from a traditional business park,” explains Leigh. “We want to create spaces where you can socialise and meet, encouraging a business culture that allows some of the research and development the big companies do to filter into new businesses.

The aim is to make us the world’s leading location for high-tech manufacturing.”

In a similar vein, plans to create a digital tech hub – “It’s a specific facility that’s being built to encourage tech entrepreneurs to set up and grow their businesses,” explains Leigh – are already well underway. Two locations have been mooted – Castlegate or the Devonshire Quarter – and a winner is expected to be announced imminently.

Another way in which Sheffield is aiming to become more vibrant is through its branding as ‘The Outdoor City’.

As part of this a bigger and better ‘Weekender’ is planned

for 17-19 March, which will incorporate lots of different events as well as the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival.

“The Outdoor City is great for people who live here but is also a great attraction to promote Sheffield and to encourage people to come here and live here permanently,” adds Leigh.

On a similar festival vibe, we also have the Tour de Yorkshire landing in Stocksbridge in April, Cliffhanger and not forgetting the Outlines and Tramlines music festivals, which take place in March and July respectively.

In addition to this, the council are already putting plans in place to develop the Parkwood Springs site. At present they are inviting people to put forward their applications to develop a new outdoor recreation facility that’s of national significance. It could be a new ski facility, it could be downhill mountain biking, climbing or a combination of everything. It would become the urban arm of The Outdoor City if you will.

Elsewhere, 2017 should also see developments arising from the Chinese investment deal, which will see the Sichuan Guodong

The New Era Development at the bottom of Bramall Lane

Construction Group invest around £1billion in the city over the next 60 years. An initial £220million has been earmarked for ‘four or five city centre projects’, one of which could see the Central Library on Surrey Street turned into a five-star hotel.

The Chinese group currently have exclusivity on this proposal that would also see the Graves Gallery moved to the ground floor of the building and a new central library built elsewhere in the city centre. In addition to this, the Chinese-funded New Era Development at the bottom of Bramall Lane is already taking shape.

“The Chinese investment deal will pull the money in to help build some of the developments we need,” concludes Leigh. “There’s a ‘Chinatown’, HS2/HS3 potentially coming into the city centre, we’re encouraging the universities to expand and improve… all that is part of the strategy to build up the city centre. If we get all things off the ground then that’s great news for the city.”

From retail quarters to outdoor cities and digital hubs to high-speed transport, you get the sense that things in Sheffield are slowly starting to move in the right direction, much like Leigh’s beloved Blades. Let’s hope there’s much more to come too.

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He’s one of the main attractions at the upcoming Outlines Festival and a thoroughly nice guy to boot. Phoebe Seymour caught up with quite possibly the happiest man in music, Jodie Abacus.

BASED on his irresistibly sunny lyrics and upbeat sound, Jodie Abacus has to be the happiest man in music. After all, go on his Spotify profile and he’s made a playlist called Happy Mondays, chock-full of cheerful pop, soul and funk (it’s actually awesome and we recommend you listen to it right now), as well as a couple of his own brilliant tracks.

So having also been crowned a “future soul pioneer” and recently playing gigs with the likes of Laura Mvula and Corinne Bailey Rae, it’s going to be an honour to see Jodie at Outlines Festival (the sister festival of Tramlines) this March.

He’s made a huge splash with singles, She’s In Love with the Weekend and I’ll Be That Friend on BBC Radio 2, and new single, Keep Your Head Down (due for release on 10 February) is bound to do the same.

Talking feel-good lyrics, treating his music as if it were food, and how sometimes he just needs a big hug, please form an orderly queue for Jodie Abacus.

What can we expect from your performance at Outlines Festival?

Nakedness… Nah! Generally, the response that I’m used to getting – that I don’t take for granted – is that people feel happy and are surprised if they haven’t seen me before. There’s a lot of energy between me and my band and it’s just really enjoyable because it’s great to see people responding and clapping and dancing to the music.

I’ll Be That Friend is a real feel-good song. What was the inspiration for that?

I caught pneumonia about three years ago and I was inspired to write it because I’d been through so much. I wanted to write a song where I could give myself a big hug. The sentiment being, if anyone was feeling down like I was, it would make them feel warmer. You know when you just need a hug? That’s exactly how I felt at that time. I didn’t care who gave me the hug. It could have been a dog or a cat putting its paws around my neck.

There is a positive aspect about the music, but there is a dark side to it as well. At times, you will be able to hear it. Because all I really want to do is tell the truth with my music. When you hear the songs and you hear the chords, you’re hearing my character.

You want to pick up someone’s spirit from their song.

Singles I’ll Be That Friend and She’s in Love with The Weekend did very well on Radio 2. Did this surprise you?

You know what it is? My motto is ‘expect greatness’. I didn’t

know what to expect from last year. All I know to do is to try and make the best music I can in my life and to see if it’s recognised. I want it to be great music before anything, and then I want the whole world to hear it. I want them to feel the same way that I do when I write these songs.

I scrutinise my work a lot and ask “is this honest?” I go in the studio like Gordon Ramsay. If Gordon swore at me for burning a piece of salmon, I’d totally understand because food is really important – you’re giving it to the world. People have expectations and you have to be on your game and be like, “Is that a throwaway line I just wrote? Ok, come on J! Fix up! You’ve got to make this really important.” Because if you think it’s a throwaway line other people will as well Your sound is soulful and old school. Who or what has influenced you as an artist?

My sound is from an old school era. You know, we’re talking about any one from Stevie to Paul McCartney, to anything Funkadelic to crazy chord changes. Stuff that’s really instantaneous, a lot of hiphop… the genres cover a broad base. I’m influenced by a lot of artists.

Your EP, For Real Life Not Pretend, came out in 2016. What has the reaction been like?

It was great! A lot of people like it and I saw a lot of retweets.

Towards the end of 2016 people were saying it’s one of the five best EPs or albums they’d heard all year.

Do you have a new album out this year?

Yeah, at some point. The name of the album hasn’t been confirmed. It was meant to be called Take Shit and Grow Flowers.

The songs have got an oxymoron twist of happy music, but a traumatic experience. So that shit becomes this.

I think it will be called Take This and Grow Flowers. So the shit is supposed to be the fertiliser. That’s what I’m saying. What’s the angle of this shit? What you tryin’ to say? Something good has to happen! So the songs are pieces of my life.

Which do you prefer playing – gigs or festivals?

Both. But I do enjoy festivals. I enjoy travelling as well, especially with my band. All we do is insult each other all day. They don’t care who I am. They do pick on me a lot in group chats. I can see what happens! They gang up on me on purpose. They usually heckle stuff at me on stage.

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

31

music

Catch Jodie Abacus at Plug for Outlines Festival on 3 and 4 March

32

Boutique family law firm expands Prince Family Law are pleased to announce that they have opened an office in Sheffield city centre.

PRINCE Family Law opened its doors in Chesterfield in 2005 and was the first boutique family law firm in North Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.

Since then Prince Family Law has grown both in size and reputation. David Prince has put together a formidable team of experts now comprising five fee earners and support staff.

David Prince,who is regarded as one of the foremost family law solicitors, says: “We are fortunate to have secured offices in the heart of the professional quarter in Sheffield City Centre. We already have many clients from South Yorkshire and there is a high level of demand for our

bespoke service, which we tailor to each of our client’s individual needs. Our Sheffield office furthers our continued growth.”

Prince Family Law are recognised as one of the leading family law practices in the area specialising in high net worth and complex divorce cases. Having located offices in a prime city centre location in Sheffield the new office opened on 1 September 2016. The office is within a short walk of all major transport hubs, the law courts and within easy reach of the M1.

Prince Family Law offer a free 30 minute consultation for anyone wishing to seek their services both in Sheffield and Chesterfield.

Northchurch Business Centre Northchurch House, 84 Queen Street, Sheffield, S1 2DW Tel: 0114 321 6308 Email: zoe@princefamilylaw.co.uk

The Prince Family Law team

3 Royal Court Basil Close, Holywell, Chesterfield, S41 7SL Tel: 01246 224867 www.princefamilylaw.co.uk

We deliver Magazines, Leaflets, Brochures, Menus, Directories and Booklets. This service is achieved by door to door, licensed street flyer distribution, Multi-drops for magazines and newspapers. We even offer a Courier and Storage Service.

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34

Make it an evening to remember There’s a venue to suit every occasion...

PICKING a venue is the first step to creating a truly unique occasion. Whether it’s a lavish birthday party, a traditional country do or – gulp – an elegant fairytale wedding, if you get it right, your event is likely to be a big success.

Fortunately, Sheffield and the surrounding area is bursting with venues that can make any occasion one to remember.

Picturesque rural landscapes in Yorkshire and Derbyshire provide the most breathtaking backdrops, with an abundance of country houses adding an elegant touch to proceedings.

And city slickers are well matched by the chic glamour of luxury urban dwellings that can provide stylish surroundings for the most discerning guests.

Diligence is at the heart of any celebration, and there are experts on hand throughout the entire planning process to ensure each and every detail is

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

delivered with flair and finesse.

Whether you’ve never hosted a party before, are looking for every last bit of inspiration, or you’re a seasoned planner simply in need of some assistance with the finishing touches, the venue’s event organisers are ready and waiting to help.

From spacious venues for formal affairs, to intimate settings for low-key, casual parties, the size of the venue is a key consideration. Organisers can choose from both large and small venues with capacities to suit all guestlists – from an intimate few to a grand-scale event – tailoring the venue’s facilities to meet the needs of each client.

If you are looking for your perfect venue, something unusual, or even just for inspiration, simply leaf through the following pages and see what our recommended businesses have to offer. >

DIRECT

Congratulations you are getting Married!

Bring a little Mediterranean sunshine to your Big Day‌ Now it’s time to plan your big day, would you like something a little different? he Greedy Greek Deli can provide a Mediterranean style wedding reception with delicious home made Greek food.

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Did you know as well as the great fresh food available at the deli on Sharrow Vale Road, The Greedy GReek also has an outside catering and events business too?

Based at our 5* rated production kitchen close to the M1.

We can cater for any size wedding party at your chosen venu , hot or cold food with full waitress service if required.

We now have our 5* rated Mobile Vans ideal for an evening party.

The Greedy Greek Deli, great for any occasion. Just call / text Helen on 07927 673990 email greekdelidirect@gmail.com or visit our website www.greekdelidirect.co.uk to discuss your requirements and get a quote.

The Greedy Greek Deli, 418-420 Sharrowvale Road, Sheffield S11 8ZP

TELEPHONE: 0114 2667719

Tailor-made for you...

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Exclusive use and stunning surroundings. What’s not to love about weddings at Losehill House Hotel and Spa? LOSEHILL House Hotel and Spa believe everyone is unique and aim to tailor your wedding package to suit your requirements and help to make your day as special as possible.

If you like what you see – and why wouldn’t you given that it’s housed in the most stunning Hope Valley scenery – you can sit down with their wedding co-ordinator and create a plan, which will form the basis of your wedding celebration at Losehill House.

As part of your wedding package, the hotel will be closed for 24 hours for your exclusive use. You can host your celebration in the amazing Orangery, have a champagne reception on the lawns (weather permitting of course), followed by a wedding breakfast for around 80, again in the Orangery, where the food is super special.

In the evening, welcome friends for a fantastic house party across the lounge bar and Orangery with up to 120 dancing to your own private band with over 50 of your guests staying the night.

And for the ultimate indulgence, why not take a swim and a dip in the hot-tub the following morning before you all enjoy a freshly prepared Derbyshire breakfast?

But don’t take their word for it – head along the leafy lane and see for yourselves!

AVAILABILITY: Losehill House Hotel and Spa is getting busier by the day and is now the wedding venue of choice in the High Peak. Dates are in great demand. They currently have dates available in 2017 and 2018. For deals, including special winter rates, give Jules a call on 01433 621219.

Ex Exclusive clusive use Stunning tunning views across the P Peak eak District S Award ward winning food A Midweek discounts Luxury L uxury bridal suite Marquee area Lose Hill Hill Lane, Lane, Hope, Hope, Derbyshire, Derbyshire, S33 6AF 6AF www w.loseh . www.losehillhouse.co.uk illhouse.co.uk 01433 621 219 Follow us on T Twitter w witter @losehillhouse Lik Like e us on Facebook/L Facebook/LosehillHouseHotel osehillHouseHotel

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

37 The Greedy Greek Deli & The Greek Deli Direct The Greedy Greek Deli has been part of the Sheffield landscape for almost 14 years and has continued to grow and evolve into more than just a deli.

The deli is buzzing, keeping the small family business on their toes with yummy wraps and delicious Greek meals – a chance to dine Mediterranean style.

As well as the deli on Sharrowvale Road, the Greedy Greek Deli, which set up after the Mouzakis family relocated from the Greek island of Zakynthos, also has a small production kitchen near Chesterfield as well as a new online catering business – The Greedy Greek Deli Direct.

Working with Just-Eat, Hungry House and their own app, they provide an extensive delivery service and can also cater for parties, business lunches, meetings and now outside events thanks to the addition of the first Deli Direct Van. The van is ideal for weddings and functions and gives you and your guests the opportunity to have something different with fresh homemade, authentic Greek food, including their famous gyros wraps.

The Greedy Greek Deli & The Greek Deli Direct 418-420 Sharrow Vale Road, Sheffield, S11 8ZP Tel: 0114 266 7719 Mobile: 07927 673990 Email: thegreedygreekdeli60@gmail.com / thegreekdelidirect@gmail.com www.thegreedygreekdeli.co.uk / www.thegreekdelidirect.co.uk

The Old Hall Hotel Celebrate your special day at the Old Hall Hotel in the heart of the beautiful Peak District. The hotel is an award-winning wedding venue that’s rich in history and elegance. Whether you are looking for a civil ceremony, all day reception or an evening celebration, the Old Hall Hotel offers bespoke weddings to suit any budget.

The hotel is delighted to be able to offer civil ceremonies services in a choice of our function rooms. Whether you require a small intimate wedding or a larger celebration the Old Hall can cater for your requirements. Each wedding is unique for you.

Ask the wedding planner for more information on their packages. The Big Day Package is based on 50 day guests and 80 evening guests and is £2,750. If it’s an intimate wedding day you’ve been dreaming of, the venue offers the perfect setting for this with an elegant function room that looks out across the leafy square and the picturesque Pavilion gardens. They offer an intimate wedding package for £1,000, which includes 20 day guests and 40 evening guests.

Both packages are available Sunday to Thursday, excluding bank holidays and special events, subject to availability.

The Old Hall Hotel have a range of beautiful bedrooms available for guests that wish to stay overnight, including four poster rooms and the Queen Mary’s Bower, believed to be part of

Mary Queen of Scots’ original apartments and is their grandest room.

The Old Hall Hotel is holding a Wedding Open Day on Sunday 26 February between 12pm and 4pm. This will give couples an opportunity to come and have a look at the hotel and its function rooms and ask any questions they may have. The wedding planners will be available to show you around the hotel and put together a bespoke package for your special day.

Please contact the team at the hotel on 01298 22841 for further details.

The Old Hall Hotel The Square, Buxton, SK17 6BD Tel: 01298 22841 www.oldhallhotelbuxton.co.uk

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

39 Brides of Bakewell Head out into the heart of the Peak District and experience the Stella York Designer Weekend at Brides of Bakewell 17-19 March.

The bridal boutique will have between 50 and 60 Stella York styles with ten per cent off any orders taken over the weekend. If you’re in the market for your wedding gown, put the date in your diary and make sure you book an appointment in advance.

Previous customers to Brides of Bakewell have been quick to heap praise onto to them, like this happy bride-to-be: “I visited Brides of Bakewell and they were fantastic, really helpful and friendly, a beautiful shop full of gorgeous dresses!

Thank you again for helping me to choose the perfect dress.”

Brides of Bakewell’s aim is to make choosing your bridal gown a truly enjoyable experience. They allow two hours for a first appoinment to ensure that you have all the time and attention you deserve. Call or message them on 07943 984198.

Stella York • Mori Lee • Dessy • Charlotte Mills • Richard Designs

Peppercorn House • South Church Street Bakewell • Derbyshire • DE45 1FD Telephone: 01629 812838 or 07493 984198 ali@bridesofbakewell.com www.bridesofbakewell.com

Brides of Bakewell, Peppercorn House, King Street, Bakewell, DE45 1FD www.bridesofbakewell.com

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...at England’s oldest hotel Historic, elegant and set in beautiful surroundings, the Old Hall Hotel is the perfect venue for a wedding. We offer bespoke weddings to make your day everything you had imagined it to be.

Wedding Open Day 12pm - 4pm Sunday 26th Feb 2017

For more information, please call our wedding planner on 01298 22841 or visit www.oldhallhotelbuxton.co.uk JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

The Square, Buxton. SK17 6BD

40 As well as judging, Craig Revel Horwood will be directing the Strictly live show

EVENTS… MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE

STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE TOUR

19-22 January Sheffield Arena www.sheffieldarena.co.uk

25-26 January Sheffield Arena www.sheffieldarena.co.uk

Marvel families unite! For the first time ever, iconic Marvel Super Heroes and villains will be brought to life in a spectacular live action family arena show. Everyone will be able to cheer for their favourite Marvel Super Heroes, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow and more, as they battle Loki and Marvel’s most sinister villains.

Strictly Come Dancing 2016 winner, Ore Oduba and his partner Joanne Clifton, will take centre stage on this year’s live tour along with the likes of Louise Redknapp, Danny Mac, Ed Balls, Daisy Lowe and Lesley Joseph.

The celebrities and professional dancers will be joining tour judges Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood (who also directs the show) and Karen Hardy, along with 2017 tour host, Anita Rani.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: VAREKAI 2-5 February Sheffield Arena www.sheffieldarena.co.uk Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary world – a world where something else is possible. A world called Varekai…

Directed by Dominic Champagne, this production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to those who quest with infinite passion along the path that leads to Varekai.

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

41

ON SCREEN… MANCHESTER

BY THE SEA 13 January The turn of the year tends to be the time when Oscarpotential films tend to hit the theatres, and Manchester by the Sea is no exception. Casey Affleck plays the uncle forced to take care of his teenage nephew after the boy’s father dies, whilst Michelle Williams (her of Dawson’s Creek fame), adds sterling support. It’s already being tipped for big things.

EXHIBITION… ARRIVALS: MAKING SHEFFIELD HOME

XXX 3: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE 19 January

Ends 12 February Weston Park Museum www.museums-sheffield.org.uk If you’ve not seen it already, this is your last chance to catch this Weston Park exhibition.

Arrivals celebrates the remarkable stories of Sheffield residents who have travelled from across the globe to make a home in the city. This striking series of portraits by Sheffieldbased photographer Jeremy Abrahams is a unique tribute to Sheffield’s richly diverse population.

The exhibition features over 70 images of people who arrived in the city between 1945 and 2016. Find out more about the project at jeremyabrahams.co.uk/arrivals PICTURED: Tanya Schmoller at home in Nether Edge.

Image © Jeremy Abrahams

Definitely not an Oscar contender but one for those who like their films big, brash and full of explosions. Vin Diesel reprises his role as Xander Cage, the extreme sports enthusiast turned secret agent, for more japes and a mission to recover a powerful weapon called ‘Pandora’s Box’. Rogue One’s Donnie Yen also stars.

HACKSAW RIDGE 27 January Mel Gibson is back behind the camera for this war film based on the true exploits of army medic Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), who refused to carry or use a firearm or weapons of any kind.

Doss became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor, for service above and beyond the call of duty.

ON STAGE… BLOOD BROTHERS 23 January – 4 February Lyceum www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi-award winning Blood Brothers. Bill Kenwright’s production surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone.

The cast includes Dean Chisnall as the narrator, Sean Jones as Mickey and Mark Hutchinson as Eddie.

If you haven’t seen it before, you should.

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

42

La La Land

Natalie Portman in Jackie

January sees a celebration of all things Hollywood at The Showroom – and much more.

JANUARY’S here, and with it the usual wind, rain, and general gloom. But the start of the year also promises something else – the golden, shimmering world of awards season, when Hollywood presents the brightest and best it has to offer. At the Showroom we’ve gone all out in our worship of Tinsel Town, whether that’s through our calendar of award-winning films, our glittering film studies programme, or our starstudded Q&A events.

Fresh from its recordbreaking sweep of Golden Globes, we have La La Land.

Starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as the central lovers, the film is a rich, dazzling paean to the Hollywood of old; the perfect antidote to heavy Sheffield skies. Equally as glamorous is Jackie, Pablo Larraín’s complex

T2: Trainspotting

Moonlight

Alice Lowe’s Prevenge

and striking portrait of Jackie Kennedy in the aftermath of her husband’s death.

We’re also screening the Oscar-nominated Moonlight, the beautiful, tender new feature from Barry Jenkins. A deep, romantic, swoon of a film, Moonlight focuses on the three stages in one man’s life – child, teen, and adult – as he navigates

race, sexuality and heartbreak.

At its heart, it’s a bold yet impressionistic love story, told with a mesmerising, dreamlike fluidity and astonishing central performances.

Still not enough glitz and glamour? We’ve got just the solution: our new film studies season, Hollywood Be Thy Name! Delving deep into the industry’s favourite subject – itself – the programme looks at the decadence and debauchery of the filmmaking world. Using Barton Fink, The Day of the Locust, Sullivan’s Travels and Mommie Dearest as our guides, we examine the highs and lows of the city of dreams.

And it’s not only MGM that can boast more stars than there are in heaven; we’re holding Q&As with Alice Lowe, for her film Prevenge, and Free Fire’s Ben Wheatley.You can also dine like an A-lister at our Abbeydale

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

Brewery beer and food night, as well as at our vegetarian Valentine’s Day gourmet meal.

If you’re after something slightly more unconventional, try Toni Erdmann, the European Film Awards winner for Best Picture and Best Director. A tender, poignant comedy that filled critics’ end of year lists, the GermanAustrian feature centres around a father who decides to prank his adult daughter after he feels she has become too serious.

Similarly offbeat is T2: Trainspotting, the follow up to Danny Boyle’s iconic 1996 smash-hit. Set 20 years after its predecessor, T2 directs its ire towards a new generation of mainstream consumerism.

Whether you’re after Hollywood star power or a sparky independent film, we’ve got something to light up your new year.

To find out more, visit www.showroomworkstation.org.uk/ guide

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46

BLK by Gallery is bringing luxury menswear to Sheffield.

The Devonshire Quarter is known for being one of Sheffield’s coolest hangouts, and with the arrival of contemporary menswear store BLK by Gallery back in October, the area now has a touch more of a luxurious feel to it. CityMag popped in to find out more about Devonshire Street’s latest arrival.

INSIDE, the store is minimal, clean and crisp – the white walls are lined with luxury, high-fashion pieces and footwear is displayed on shiny black shelving units.

It’s all part of the sleek, contemporary feel that owner Yasin Mir – who really knows what he’s talking about, he’s got 25 years’ experience in the fashion industry – wanted BLK to have when he opened up shop three months ago. Helping him run the place is manager Bal and assistant manager Shaz.

“Everything here is luxury and contemporary,” said Yasin. “That’s what we wanted to bring to Sheffield.”

And with designers such as Rick Owen, Buscemi,

– it’s about creating a look and a lifestyle for people.”

Yasin said: “The look of the store is very contemporary, but it’s about the clothing too.

We’ve got catwalk pieces in Philipp Plein and Boris Bidjan, none of which can be found in any other shops in Sheffield, the shop has already found regular custom in some of the city’s most fashionable chaps. But it’s not just about selling guys t-shirts, explained Bal. “It’s not just about selling products, we’re really passionate about what we do

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

here and some really cool stuff that you’re not going to see everywhere. Same with the brands, people are already surprised at what we’ve got.”

47

And the guys really do know their stuff, with regular buying trips to London, Paris and Milan, every item in BLK has been hand-picked with their customers in mind. And to ensure nobody suffers that awkward same outfit moment, only a couple of each size are available.

“It gives the buyer the individuality,” said Bal. “Most of the brands we sell are only stocked here in Sheffield, the closest other places you can get similar would be Birmingham or Manchester.”

For those who can’t get to the store, stock is available online, but the real

party happens on the shop floor, literally. After a successful opening party where family and friends were joined by intrigued passers-by off the street, Yasin plans to throw more parties in the store, but is keeping the details close to his chest.

“We don’t want to give away too much right now,” said Yasin. “All I can say is watch this space.

“We want Sheffield to know we’re here, and we’ve got something exciting going on, come and visit and experience it. It’s not just a store there’s much more to it – the look, the feel of the place – we’re not done yet, this is just the start.”

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

* Keep up with BLK at www.galleryfashion.co.uk/blkby-gallery.

BLK 96 Devonshire Street, Sheffield, S3 7SF Tel: 0114 272 7199

48

LADOZA Whether he’s painting or taking pictures, this month’s takes a huge amount of inspiration from the Peak District.

JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

49 Ladoza fell in love with photography...

Tell us about your cover.

The cover painting is one of an ongoing series of abstract oil works inspired by my various explorations of the Peak District area.

What is your background?

My first outing creatively was actually in music, writing and playing lead/rhythm guitar in various Sheffield bands until 2007. I then had a chance to study Fine Art BA at Sheffield Hallam, which turned into a Masters. Photography is something I had done on and off since 1996 and in the past ten years I have become somewhat addicted. It is pretty easy to fall in love with photography.

...before turning his hand to art

Have you done any commissions?

I have done some artworks for local bands Fletcher Dervish and Hot Diamond Aces.

I occasionally like to ask other local artists if I can photograph their work in places around the Peak District. It’s fun to do and gets me to interact with familiar landscape in different ways. I have done this recently for Scavenger (reclaimed climbing equipment to make clothing, accessories and inventions), Chris Boland (jewellery) and Samantha Bryan (fairies) all of which you should check out as they are very unique and amazing talents.

Which other artists do you admire?

I admire so many people for all sorts of reasons; from old I would predictably say Mark Rothko and Kazimir Malevich. From new, I love the work of New York based artist Jose Parla and London based Clare Woods. They have very different styles and approaches but I find their work equally fascinating and beautiful.

A music artist that I hugely admire would be Omar Rodriguez Lopez.

How would you describe your style?

It’s very open and often evolves, I like to explore and merge newly learnt techniques. If I have an idea I don’t like to be tied to a specific style to create it. It is important for me to do this as it feels like my practice grows with me and keeps me engaged and enthusiastic.

What would be your dream project?

Well if taking photos for NASA is a bit unrealistic, I would love to do a long-term residency somewhere to see how a different location or culture would affect my work, styles and outcome.

Does music/popular culture have an influence on your work?

Music yes, it’s part of my everyday life in various ways and is very important to me. I often think in sound (this isn’t as hippy as it sounds) as my vocabulary often falls very short of what I am really interested in.

Music, like art, communicates and talks to us differently compared to words. I guess I just connect more with visuals and sound rather than a written language. I also very rarely work in silence.

What does the future hold?

Lots of artwork, exploration and collaborations. I would like chances to exhibit my work more. I am looking at getting more established in film stills photography and maybe even some music recording. Lots to look forward to in 2017 already so I am hoping for a good year.

Any new years resolutions?

Where do you find your inspiration?

Climb more.

This is such a huge question but at the moment I’d have to say the Peak District. I try and get out there as much as possible whether I’m climbing, walking, sketching or taking photographs.

These all add to my studio practice in various ways.

To find out more: Website Ladoza.co.uk Instagram ladoza.uk JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 37

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