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Teddy Bear Story 9 August to 1 November 2014 This exhibition from the V&A Museum of Childhood, looks at the fascinating history of the world’s most popular toy.
Teddy Bears Picnic
R
Y N D AY
Pa yo y w EV O u ca hat E PE n
Friday 22 August, 10:30-15:00 FREE Dress up your favourite teddy bear and join us for our picnic in Brenchley Gardens. (Some activities incur a small charge)
Special Guest - Jane Hissey Author and Illustrator of Old Bear and Friends
Image: Teddy Bear, Steiff, 1905-1910. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Museum Open Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 17:00 Sunday & Bank Holidays 12:00 - 16:00
facebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum @MaidstoneMuseum
www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk
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CONTENTS 4 WELCOME 5 5 REALLY GOOD THINGS 6 NEWS 8 KIDS' WORKSHOPS & CLASSES 10 GUILDHALL MUSEUM 11 MEDWAY SPEAKERS CORNER 12 RECREATE & POP 14 LOVE SHEPPEY X 16 MARK BARNES' STORY OF WOW
20 FILM 21 NICK WALKER 22 MUSIC 1 24 MUSIC 2 26 THEATRE & COMEDY 27 GEEK 28 VISUAL ART 30 BEN CAMERON 31 THE ARTIST'S SPACE
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EDITORIAL: editor@wowkent.co.uk 0845 388 2243 (local rate from BT landlines) ADVERTISING: advertising@wowkent.co.uk New advertiser & excellent series booking discounts available to all. All ads also appear in the online edition at wowkent.co.uk
WELCOME TO WOW!
FREE LISTINGS: listings@wowkent.co.uk DESIGN: A Stones Throw astonesthrowdesign.co.uk
Your guide to the best of What’s On Where Medway, Maidstone and the accessible beyond
PRINTING: Complete Print Group (CPG) 9-10 Orchard Business Centre Sanderson Way Tonbridge Kent TN9 1QG 01732 366666 cpg-net.co.uk
First word has to go to comic artist Mark Barnes’ fantastic poster ‘The Story of WOW’, telling the story of the first three years of the magazine. The original is in fact a large poster, but Mark has specially adapted it for this month’s issue, where you’ll find it in all its glory over the centre pages.
PUBLISHER: Emma Dewhurst
This month’s cover art is by Victoria McBride, one of the scores of Sheppey based artists whose work you can see at Love Sheppey X on 23 August. I interviewed LSX’s founder, artist Laurie Harpum, and discovered that WOW played a small part in making the event happen. Yay.
WEBSITE: wowkent.co.uk Current print circulation: 7000 copies Distribution: Medway Towns, Maidstone & Gravesend Copy/listings deadline for September issue: Tuesday 19 August 2014 ©WOW Kent magazine All rights reserved. While every effort has been made to ensure that details in this publication are correct, we cannot accept responsibility for such. Readers are advised to check information listed, to avoid disappointment. Views expressed by contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of the editor and publisher.
I’m excited to see how many projects and new ideas are taking flight in our corner of the world (if you’ve not yet clocked the impressive programme of events being rolled out by the Recreate project, have a look at p 12). Happy reading. Emma Dewhurst editor@wowkent.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS
Cover art by Victoria McBride, who is exhibiting at Love Sheppey X. See Main Feature p14 PHOTOGRAPH OF THE EDITOR BY RIKARD ÖSTERLUND
BE A WOW AMBASSADOR! If you use any of our advertisers’ services, or attend an event because you saw it in WOW, please mention it – it really helps. Thank you.
Find us on Facebook facebook.com/WOWMedway @EmmaDewhurst7
Ben Cameron is an artist living and working on Rochester High St. His work ranges from doodles to large scale, highly detailed illustrations. Often cited as creating the 'world's saddest doodle', Google it to see! Website: strangepaul.com < Paul?... don't ask. Laurie Harpum is a Sheppey based artist specialising in ‘assemblage’ of found materials. Having trained in ceramics and glass, she spent 18 years teaching art to offenders, until she was made redundant in 2010. She launched the first Love Sheppey X event in 2013 and is preparing for an even bigger day this year. laurieharpum.com Roy Smith works with young people and writes fiction, poetry and other things. He is regularly interrupted by his dog and the desire to play old video games. Roy runs Seasonally Effected an open-mic for varied creativity seasonallyeffected.com Nick Walker is the director of Rochester Kino, screening contemporary world cinema and classic films at various venues around Medway. Nick previously wrote for The Guardian, was director of National Schools Film Week and is a freelance writer, teacher and film cinema/ festival programmer. For more information on Rochester Kino visit: rochesterkino.co.uk
REALLY GOOD THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH SOAPBOX Who would have thought it? Medway is the proud owner of its own soapbox. The mini platform tours the Towns over the coming months and all are welcome to have their say about issues close to their heart. Your next moment to rant/ shine is Saturday 23 August, when the Speaker’s Corner will be in Chatham between 12 and 1pm. See article p 11 and medwayspeakerscorner.com
SHANTY!
Detail of Choir Master by Rosie Hallam, 2012
Get down to Gillingham Pier on Saturday 16 August to enjoy some nautical singing in the fresh air! Lovely lightship LV21 and shanty group Swinging the Lead are co-hosting a shanty afternoon with a terrific line-up as part of International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend 2014. Sally Ironmonger, Fiddle Fit and Dave Buckley (ex Kimbers Men) will also be appearing. 1-5pm, Gillingham Pier, Pier Approach Road, ME7 1RX. Parking available. lv21.co.uk
PORTRAIT If you love photographic portraits, this one’s for you. The next exhibition in The Beaney’s Special Exhibitions room is The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2013, a touring show of sixty new portraits by contemporary photographers from around the world. The exhibition explores a range of themes and approaches to the photographic portrait, from formal commissioned images of famous faces to more spontaneous and intimate moments capturing friends and family. Runs 8 Aug to 2 November. canterbury.co.uk/beaney
STENCIL
BUSTER Silent clown with the stone face Buster Keaton’s 1928 classic ‘Steamboat Bill, Jr’ is being screened on board lovely Thames Barge Edith May (moored at Sun Pier) on Sunday 31 August at 6pm. There will be an introduction and a post-screening chat over refreshments. The movie remains one of the greatest comedy films of all time: wonderful sight gags and beautifully observed funny and endearing characters. See rochesterkino.co.uk
To accompany ‘Beyond Boundaries – Printmaking’, a new exhibition at Rochester Art Gallery and Craft Case opening on 22 August, there are a series of fabulous workshops for adults and children delivered at the artists’ studios at INTRA (227-341 High Street Rochester ME1 1DA). I’ve picked out the Photo Stencil Screen Printing workshop with Xtina Lamb (who was responsible for the much-admired ‘swallows’ WOW cover last year). In a two day course on Sat 30 and Sun 31 August, for just £55 you can create silkscreen stencils using your own artwork and print them onto paper or textiles. Sounds like a recipe for starting a new career, to me… Visit medwayfineprintmakers.co.uk or tel 01634 753299 to book. 5
FESTIVAL LOOK AHEAD ▼ MEDIEVAL MERRIMENT 6 & 7 Sept 10.30am-5pm Rochester Castle Gardens ▼ WILL ADAMS FESTIVAL Sat 13 Sept 11am-4.30pm Gillingham Park
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NEW Live LIT NIGHTS in Chatham
▼ WISE WORDS 12-21 September Canterbury wisewordsfestival.co.uk
Sam and Barry Fentiman-Hall of Wordsmithery (who run literature development projects, ME4Writers and 17Percent,) are hosting a new weekly Monday night of literary activities upstairs at The Alexandra pub in Chatham. These will include plays, poetry, workshops, drop-in writing sessions and the relaunch of 17Percent's playwriting showcase, She Writes.
▼ THE CAPSTONE FESTIVAL Sun 21 Sept 11am-4pm Capstone Farm Country Park
4 AUG: SHE WRITES: SCRIPT IN HAND READING OF PLAYS BY WOMEN.
▼ ROCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL 27 Sept – 5 October rochesterlitfest.com
11 AUG: MEFORUM: BRING YOUR WORK IN PROGRESS, YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK, OR A WRITING PROBLEM. 18 AUG: SPOKEN WORD.
▼ MEDWAY VISIONS 5-13 September Independent film festival facebook.com/MedwayVisions
25 AUG: GUEST PROGRAMMER SLOT – TBC. The four themes will then be repeated in this order on a monthly basis from 1 September.
▼ 51 ZERO 10-12 October Film, video and digital arts 51zero.org
You are invited to listen, give feedback, try out your work, or perform. Writers, actors, directors – if you would like to be involved, Wordsmithery would love to hear from you.
▼ CANTERBURY FESTIVAL 18 Oct-1 November Kent’s largest arts festival canterburyfestival.co.uk
The Alexandra Hotel, 43 Railway St, Chatham, Kent ME4 6RJ. Mondays, 7-10pm.
▼ ME1 10 & 11 October musiceventone.co.uk
PICNIC UNDER THE
RAINBOW!
Kent & Medway LGBT Community Action Group welcome you to come along to a family friendly event at The Vines, Rochester, 1pm-5pm on Sunday 10 August. Come and enjoy food, drink, arts, stalls and live music in a friendly, celebratory atmosphere!
facebook.com/RoundaboutNights wordsmithery.info
HOO VILLAGE FAYRE IN THE SQUARE SATURDAY 16 AUGUST
SEASONALLY EFFECTED on board the Edith May Wed 27 August 7-10pm
Like quirky? THIS WILL BE AN ENTERTAINING MIXTURE OF POETRY, MUSIC, COMEDY AND OTHER ASSORTED CREATIVITY ABOARD THAMES BARGE EDITH MAY, AT SUN PIER, CHATHAM. £3 ON THE DOOR. Visit seasonallyeffected.com for details.
Research Your Local Ancestors & Identify Your Wartime Memorabilia GUILDHALL MUSEUM, HIGH STREET ROCHESTER Wednesday 13 August Want to know how to use military records to research your local ancestors? Experts from the Orders and Medals Research Society will tell you how and will identify your wartime memorabilia. Object identification from 10am-3.30pm; family history talks at 11am and 2pm. FREE
LATER OPENING HOURS: From 1 August the Guildhall Museum will close at 5pm, a whole hour later than before, allowing more opportunities for visitors to enjoy its amazing free displays and exhibitions.
BECOME A FRIEND: If you would like to join the brand new Friends of Guildhall Museum scheme and help support this fantastic local resource, there is a formal launching of the scheme at the Museum on Saturday 6 September.
Salute to the
40s
THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM SATURDAY 20 AND SUNDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 10AM TO 6PM In 2014 the Daily Telegraph recognised Salute to the ‘40s as one of 'Britain's Best Vintage Festivals'. With two main stages, two dancehalls, dance workshops, street performers and music across the site, this year’s event is promising to be bigger than ever. Among the attractions visitors can experience are 1940s fashion shows, air raid experiences, vintage vehicles, hundreds of 1940's reenactors, military camps, vintage fair and traders, themed catering, dancing, singing, aircraft ground displays and land army animals. The Spitfire and Hurricane Stages play host to some of the finest 1940s performers, including Lola Lamour and The Polka Dot Dolls, and if you’d like to learn a little Lindy Hop, Gypsy John and the Cinque Port Lindy Hoppers will be giving lindy hop and jive performances and workshops all weekend. A spectacular air display by the ‘Spirit of Kent’ Spitfire is also on the bill. On the day admission prices for Salute to the ‘40s are: Adult £16.00; Concession £13.00; Child (5-15 years) £10.00; Family (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children) £43.00; Additional Family Child £7.00. Children under 5 years Free. Advance ticket discounts are also available, as are discounts to current 12 month ticket holders. Ticket hotline 01634 823826. Information and tickets also from thedockyard.co.uk/salutetothe40s 7
AR A wee s W many ar election of some
R E M M SU classes kids NUCLEUS ARTS Nucleus Arts have a new Education and Community Development Coordinator onboard in the person of Natasha Steer of Creatabot. Natasha is well known among the Medway arts community for her sterling work promoting all things creative and, more recently, the excellent Creatabox project which takes making crafts to people who might not otherwise be able to access them.
HERE ARE THREE OF NATASHA’S AUGUST WORKSHOPS:
BASIC BAG MAKING WORKSHOP for 9-16 year olds August 9 10am – 12 noon 272 High St, Chatham, ME4 4BP £10 each
Designer and all round creative Natasha Steer is running a workshop showing kids how to design and make basic bags. All materials are provided and parents can leave kids to enjoy the class for the time they are there.
MAKING IT!
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PROJECT AND CAREER WORKSHOP FOR 9-15 YEAR OLDS
Fri 15 August 10am – 12 noon 272 High St, Chatham, ME4 4BP £5 per person
This workshop will help young people to think about what they would like to do as a young person. Would they like to run a certain project? Maybe they would love to run their own business? Maybe they want a career in a certain field? The workshop will be a fun event that will help young people to plan practically what they can do to achieve their goals, whilst also considering how valuable they can be to their community. It will include drama, drawing and various creative projects. Led by Natasha Steer. Parents can leave their children in the workshop whilst shopping or having a coffee in the lovely Nucleus Arts café.
PRETTY PURSES
Wed 20 August 10am – 11.30am 272 High St, Chatham, ME4 4BP £5 Decorate your very own small purse keyring. All ages welcome; decorating materials available or bring your own if you wish. Kids can be left in the workshop whilst parents enjoy a coffee or go shopping. Book for the above on: eventjoy.com/o/nucleusarts For more information email Natasha at natasha.steer@nucleusarts.co.uk
SPECIAL SUMMER ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS FANTASTIC FALCONS
Fri 1 August 10.30am-4pm Get up close to the birds that inspired the costume designs for 'Talons and Tiaras', with the Hawking Centre. FREE drop-in. £1 to hold a bird.
MAIDSTONE MUSEUM St Faith’s Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH Children’s Holiday Craft activities Great craft fun for the under 12s. Activities take place every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during the school holidays. Session times: 10.30am-12.30pm, 1-3.30pm (last entry 2.30pm). £3.50 per child.
BRITAIN AT WAR
4, 6 & 7 August Look at the embroidered postcards that troops used to send home, and have a go at creating your own postcard – what will you say?
TOYS THROUGH TIME!
11, 13, & 14 August Have a go at playing with different types of toys
DISCOVERING DINOSAURS 18, 20, & 21 August Design your own dinosaur!
GETTING AROUND!
25, 27, 28 August Pimp my Carriage! Have a go at making your own wacky racer and designing your own decals. Held at the Carriage Museum on Wed & Thu, (free craft, paid admission).
BRITAIN GOES TO WAR: WW1 ACTIVITY WEEKEND
INTRA To complement the Beyond Boundaries exhibition of printmaking by Xtina Lamb, Adam Piper and Liz Miller in Rochester Art Gallery this month, a wide range of family and adult print workshops led by the exhibiting artists are taking place at INTRA, 337-341 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1DA. These sessions have been subsidised by Medway Council and are offered at a special rate.
Sat 9 and Sun 10 August 11am-4pm Take part in wartime activities to commemorate the Great War Centenary. FREE drop-in (some activities may incur a small charge).
MEMORY BEARS
Fri 15 August 10.30am – 12:30pm, 1.30 – 3.30pm Looking at the stories behind some of the bears in the Museum’s main exhibition, with a chance to create your own bear full of memories. £4 per person, £3 Concessions & MMF members. museum.maidstone.gov.uk/events
ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME4 4UG
FIRST WORLD WAR FAMILY ACTIVITIES
(Excluding Mondays/weekends) Tue 29 July – Fri 29 August 10.30am-3pm ‘Royal Engineers Go to War’. Discover different specialisms such as transportation, tunnelling, surveying, chemical warfare, camouflage and the postal service. Find out how the war affected people’s lives locally in Medway. Usual admission charges apply to both events. re-museum.co.uk
FIVE MINI SCREEN PRINTING WORKSHOPS with Xtina Lamb (ages 7+) Tuesday 26 Aug, noon - 5pm Chose from over 50 designs and print on a flag (£2.50), or bag, t-shirt or cushion cover (£4). Each workshop takes 30-45 mins, and sessions start on the hour. Book and pay for each session in advance online at medwayfineprintmakers.co.uk or by calling 01634 753 299. Email: medwayfineprintmakers@ gmail.com
GUILDHALL MUSEUM STORIES FROM THE GREAT WAR Great series of workshops for children inspired by the main exhibition’s theme (turn over for details on page 10).
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SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES JOIN US FOR A SUMMER OF GREAT WAR THEMED ACTIVITIES
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EVERY DAY IN THE DISCOVERY ZONE Dazzle us with a fantastic camouflage scheme for your ship, make a beautiful red poppy or create a fighter plane for the Red Baron’s Flying Circus. TERRIFIC TUESDAYS WITH WENDY DAWS Drop in – no need to book Age: children 5-12 and their families Times: 10.30am-12.30pm & 1.30- 3.30pm Premium workshops - suggested donation £2 per child 29 July, 12 August and 26 August MAKE A MEDAL Design a medal and press your pattern onto real copper sheet. Attach a ribbon to wear!
Combining real objects from the Museum’s collections supported by personal narratives and written accounts, the exhibition looks at the impact of the Great War on the people of the Medway towns. Tens of thousands of local men served in the Armed Forces. Reflecting the nation’s intense patriotism families and friends right across the Medway Towns joined up together. The six sons of Edward and Honor Fairbrother of Chatham all served at the same time; remarkably all six survived the War. The War created heroes of local men such as Gillingham-born James McCudden who won the Victoria Cross whist serving as a fighter pilot on the Western Front, but the vast majority of Medway’s people, like the thousands of women who served the war effort by working in local factories, farms, and on buses and trains, were unsung heroes. Heroes or unsung heroes, Stories from the Great War gives these local people a voice. The exhibition runs until January 2015 and entrance to the Museum is free.
THRILLING THURSDAYS WITH JEREMY CLARKE Drop in – no need to book Age: children 5-12 and their families Times: 10.30am-12.30pm & 1.30-3.30pm FREE 31 July and 28 August MAKE A TRENCH-CROSSING MACHINE Dive into our collection of junk and build a tank 7 August and 14 August MAKE A WORKING TRENCH PERISCOPE Spy in safety 21 August EDWARDIAN TOY DAY Thaumatropes, zoetropes and board games: make and try out. THE GUILDHALL MUSEUM, High Street Rochester, ME1 1PY Tel. 01634 332680 E: guildhall.museum@medway.gov.uk W: guildhallmuseumrochester.co.uk Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm
This page is sponsored by Guildhall Museum
STORIES FROM THE GREAT WAR IS A FASCINATING NEW EXHIBITION AT ROCHESTER’S GUILDHALL MUSEUM.
5 August and 19 August DAZZLING DESIGNS Try out some crazy geometric patterns inspired by WW1 dazzle camouflage.
Stand &speak! IN A GREAT NEW INITIATIVE, MEDWAY HAS ACQUIRED ITS VERY OWN SOAPBOX
“I don't need an organisation to let me speak on a street corner,” argued one of the first orators at Medway Speaker's Corner. He added to a lively mix of politics, poetry, music and personal expression at the launch held in Chatham on Saturday 19 July. His words illustrate the wonderful, if contrary, Medway spirit, highlighting exactly what is at risk if people feel they need permission to speak up about issues that concern them. The main purpose of developing a Medway Speaker's Corner is not to sanction free speech, rather to celebrate it and encourage people to have their say.
ROY SMITH, CHAIR OF MEDWAY SPEAKER’S CORNER, DESCRIBES ITS LAUNCH
Photos: Marilyn Simpson
FREE SPEECH IS LIKE A MUSCLE THAT WEAKENS WHEN NOT EXERCISED. Peter Bradley, Speaker’s Corner Trust
This page is sponsored by Guildhall Museum
MEDWAY SPEAKERS CORNER
With surprisingly excellent weather following a night of electrical storms, people took to the stage to say their piece on subjects ranging from globalisation to mental health; education and creativity to world peace day and cognitive decision making. But it wasn't all speeches: Medway's creative scene was very much in evidence, with poetry and prose from Dylan Oscar Rowe; Kelly Johnson; Deke Dobson; Catherine Spencer-Howard and Thomas Kelly and with music from Halcyon. “It was wonderful listening to the thoughts and ideas of local people,” said co founder Jutinder Mason from the Worker's Education Association.
The Speaker's Corner will be travelling around Medway and visiting local community events. It aims to run monthly, and will be back in Chatham on Saturday 23 August between 12 noon and 1pm. All are welcome to speak, debate, share ideas and creativity. The stage welcomes impromptu performances by poets and musicians.
In an initiative funded by the Co-op, The Speaker's Corner Trust has been working with communities across England to help establish new speaker's corners in towns and cities, including Croydon, Reading, and Brighton. Here in Medway, many supporters spoke at the launch: Karen Baker from Mid Kent College; Alex Matthews from the Medway Messenger; Jan Howard from Medway CVS; co-founder Natasha Steer of Creatabot and many more.
If you are interested in volunteering to support future events or would like Medway’s Speaker's Corner to come to an event you are running, email: medwayspeaks@gmail.com.
Peter Bradley from the Speaker’s Corner Trust remarked “It was a fantastic showcase for the talent, wit and wisdom of the people of Medway. There is extraordinary creativity in this area and it's great to provide a platform for performance.”
Find out more at: medwayspeakerscorner.com 11
recreate NEWS and Events Recreate is in full flight in Medway and has so much to offer the creative industries this month. Our contact email is: recreate@medway.gov.uk
OUR WEBSITE IS LIVE! Visit www.recreateproject.eu. Watch training videos, register for our latest events and courses and find out how you can showcase your work in Medway and across South East England and Northern France.
NOT FOR GEEKS With Recreate’s Geek in Residence, Barry Bridges Wed 27 August, Main event 6.30-9pm. 1-2-1 advice 5.30-6.30pm Sun Pier House, Chatham How to harness the relationship you have with fans and customers In this month's Not for Geeks event we'll be discussing simple ways that you can keep your friends, fans and followers connected with your work and activity, using a range of powerful tools to develop a broad audience base that you can later leverage to drive awareness and sales. Even if you're a total beginner, there's plenty to learn. Please contact Barry at barry@typicality.co.uk if you would like a 1-2-1 appointment. Tue 23 September: How should you measure how effective you are at selling yourself and your work? Thu 30 October: How to find and connect with key creative industry influencers online
FRENCH LANGUAGE COURSE From September, the Recreate project launches a programme of free French language training. The course will be delivered to Medway creative industry businesses at POP, 64-66 High Street, Chatham over 12 weeks. Participants will learn how to talk about their work, and they will be taught vocabulary to assist them during creative industry events in France. To find out more about the course and availability, please contact the Recreate team: recreate@medway.gov.uk
LIGHTS OUT Mon 4 August www.1418now.org.uk/lights-out INTRA, POP and Nucleus Arts will be hosting an evening at their premises in Chatham and Rochester on Monday 4 August, to mark the 100 year anniversary of the outbreak of WW1. The evening will start at 7pm at INTRA, (337-341 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1DA). moving to POP for 8pm and from 9-11pm at Nucleus Arts Centre for networking and music. Our ‘Lights Out Moment’ will be between 10-11pm, when one single light will be shining, for a shared moment of reflection. This is a free event. Please join us from 7pm.
KENT 2020 VISION START-UP Wed 22 October www.kent2020startup.co.uk On Wednesday 22 October, Recreate is taking a stand at Kent 2020 Start-up Live. If you would like to showcase your work at this event, please contact us at recreate@medway.gov.uk.
The first of many networking events… Thu 31 July 5-7pm You are invited to attend a Creative Networking event at Nucleus Arts Centre on Chatham High Street on Thursday 31 July, 5-7pm as part of an EU funded project INCOMPASS. Share what you are doing with other creative professionals and find out about this fascinating international research project, which explores and evaluates sustainable creative incubator hubs.
August at POP Creative Space
The Art of Living: “What do I do for a living? I live for a living” Peter Karena
PROGRAMME: Exhibition: Thu 31 July – Fri 29 August, open Thu - Sat 11am-4pm
Upcoming themes include:
Lights Out event (see opposite) 4 August 8-9pm
OCTOBER: Literature and Visual Communication
Closing event: 29 August, screening “This Way of Life” (location to be announced) This Way of Life by Thomas Burstyn is a beautifully made documentary that takes you on a spiritual and emotional journey into the depths of New Zealand while following the lives of a charismatic young Maori family. The family believes in and practises life's simple values, reminding us that a less cluttered and material life is by far the best one.
SEPTEMBER: Art and Technology
NOVEMBER: Designers, Makers and Fixers DECEMBER 2014 – MARCH 2015: ‘Takeovers’ (test a business idea) POP offers artists, makers, designers, curators, creative companies and community groups the opportunity to showcase, perform, exhibit and sell their work for free. If you are interested in taking over the space to debut a business, curate an exhibition, organise an event or turn the space into a studio, get in touch!
POP, 64-66 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4DS Email: popcreativespace@gmail.com Recreate is selected under the European Cross-border Cooperation Programme INTERREG IV A France (Channel) – England, co-funded by the ERDF These pages are sponsored by Project Recreate
Image: Lulu Frances, Oil on Canvas Photo: Marta Patlewicz
POP invites artists, architects, gardeners, foragers, chefs, and new parents to express their passion for living and share some insights into the fundamental aspects of life, focusing on food, shelter, parenthood, the environment we live in and the mind. What do we need to sustain the living?
L to R: Laurie Harpum; Marlies Haselton; Victoria McBride and Robert Canis
The making of love sheppey X Artist and founder LAURIE HARPUM tells the story of this celebratory annual event, which has its second outing on Bank Holiday Saturday 23 August at Barton’s Point Coastal Park.
A friend gave me a copy of WOW, which mentioned Ideas Test and the possibility of grants for the kind of thing I was mulling on. I looked into it and found out they were not operational until later on in the year. I decided to push on regardless of funds.
Just how do you go about making a professional showcase for more than 30 artists, cultural and heritage organisations and local people in a place that doesn’t have a previous history of doing so? Here’s how.
Having no marketing budget, I collected more than 2000 stones from the beach and wrote 'Love Sheppey X' on them. I started putting them out all over Sheppey, often in the middle of the night so that they would be found the next morning.
My initial motivation came from wanting to showcase my work in my own community instead of taking it to other seaside resorts to sell. I exhibited at an art and craft event held on Sheppey and was bitterly disappointed as there were only one or two other true crafts people there. The others were offering bought in goods. Advertising and attendance were poor.
Within two weeks someone had written to the local paper asking about the 'Love Sheppey X' stones. I approached the paper and told them about the event day I was planning and they agreed to run a treasure hunt for stones in the paper for four weeks with the reveal of what they were about on the fifth week. I also ran a stone hunt on Facebook which got over 400 likes in six weeks and a further 400 since.
I started to mull over the idea of where I could sell my work and spoke to Mandy Shade of Barton's Point Coastal Park. She told me about the successful Sheppey based homemade fudge-makers who had never sold a bar of fudge on Sheppey itself, which made me see there were other makers in my community who might be interested in a day that showcases their work in their own environment. She offered me her venue on the August Bank holiday Saturday 2013.
I started to look for marquees I could borrow from within the community. The first to offer their assistance was Chris Reed from Big Fish Arts. It made me see it could be possible. I also started looking for artists and crafts people on and around Sheppey. I didn't know any so it took some digging. One casual conversation with a friend or neighbour led me to an artist, who led me to another, and so on. I even found myself knocking on
LOVE SHEPPEY X 2014 Saturday 23 August, 11am-5pm FREE entry! LOVE SHEPPEY X OFFERS EVERYTHING YOU COULD HOPE FOR A FANTASTIC FAMILY DAY OUT.
strangers’ doors with the line ‘So and so tells me you are an artist…’! A Small Experiments Grant from Ideas Test very close to event day allowed us to pay for banners and flyers. We had 34 artists, crafts people, natural and cultural organisations in attendance and despite the atrocious weather had footfall of over 400. Love Sheppey X, personally, gave me so much. It totally changed my work. I learnt not to worry about the product but to enjoy the journey. The best pieces come out of playing and journey. Meeting other people doing this gives you confidence. My practice has become a meandering journey rather than a straight line. The Sheppey community was key to the day’s success. Everyone I spoke to loves Sheppey and was willing to give things for free to make the launch event work. It was a real team effort. We are a strong creative community, we have all these natural assets and haven’t previously had anywhere to showcase them all. But my feeling is that Sheppey is turning around…
Set among the 40 acres of Barton’s Point Coastal Park (an area of outstanding natural beauty), a large marquee funded by a Community Catalyst grant from Ideas Test will house 44 exhibitors, including multi-award winning wildlife photographer Robert Canis; internationally renowned wildlife artist Sevina Yates; Deborah Pugh and a strong contingent from Sheppey’s artistic young people, with all artworks for sale.
Organisations in attendance are Kent Wildlife Trust, Elmley Conservation Trust, The Minster Gatehouse Museum, Medway Swale Estuary Partnership and Swampy's Wildlife Rescue. OTHER ATTRACTIONS: •
Workshops in Withy Poppy Lantern making and glass slide making
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Rides on Sheppey’s Miniature Steam Railway (small charge)
•
Barton’s Point Chainsaw Sculpture Trail
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Kayaks and paddleboards for hire
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Pirate ship adventure playground
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Café and parking available
Barton’s Point Coastal Park, Marine Parade, Sheerness ME12 2BX lovesheppeyx.com 15
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FILM BRING YOUR PARENT FREE! FILM @ THE HORSEBRIDGE The Horsebridge Centre 11 Horsebridge Road Whitstable CT5 1AF FROZEN (PG) 2013 Wed 20 August 3pm Lovely idea: tickets are £5 giving one child entrance, with one free parent. horsebridge-centre.org.uk
ROCHESTER KINO A newly formed group of cineastes who organise screenings: contemporary world cinema at Chatham Odeon every Thursday plus silent Avant Garde and classic films at various ‘pop up’ locations in Medway. Rochester Kino also runs a series of courses on film culture at Sun Pier House, Chatham. See rochesterkino.co.uk for details. ROCHESTER KINO @ EDITH MAY BARGE Sun Pier, Chatham STEAMBOAT BILL, JR Sunday 31 Aug 6pm Dir: Charles Reisner Cast: Buster Keaton, Ernest Torrence Feature-length silent comedy classic starring the silent clown. There will be an introduction and a post-film discussion over a drink. See this month’s 5 Really Good Things, page 5. 71 mins
ROCHESTER KINO @ CHATHAM ODEON Chatham Maritime ME4 4LL 0871 2244 007 Every Thursday at 7.45pm £9.80, £7.20 conc, Student £3.60 (2 for 1 offer) Thu 7 August 7.45pm Title TBC CALVARY (15) 2014 Thu 14 August 7.45pm Director: John Michael McDonagh Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Chris O’Dowd, Kelly Reilly This acclaimed Irish drama won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at Berlin Film Festival. Brendan Gleeson plays a good-natured priest who must battle the dark forces closing in around him after he is threatened during a confession. See opposite. 100 mins
ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM Prince Arthur Rd, Gillingham, Kent ME4 4UG OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR ( ) 1969 Sat 23 August 6pm for 7pm screening Dir: Richard Attenborough Cast: Dirk Bogarde, John Gielgud, John Mills Special film screening as part of the RE’s Outbreak 2014 season. Mark Connelley, Professor of Modern British History at University of Kent, will introduce the film and give a short presentation of his research into some of the events portrayed. Suitable for age 16+. Booking is essential as places are limited. To reserve a place call: 01634822312 Tickets: £10 (includes refreshments) 137 mins re-museum.co.uk
TRACKS (PG) 2013 Thu 21 August 7.45pm Dir: John Curran Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver A young woman goes on a 1,700mile trek across the deserts of West Australia with her four camels and faithful dog. See Nick Walker opposite. 112 mins IN SECRET (15) 2013 Thu 28 August 7.45pm Dir: Charlie Stratton Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Felton, Jessica Lange Set in the lower echelons of 1860s Paris, Therese Raquin, a sexually repressed beautiful young woman, is trapped into a loveless marriage to her sickly cousin, Camille, by her domineering aunt, Madame Raquin. See Nick Walker opposite. 107 mins For more information visit rochesterkino.co.uk
THE WOODVILLE Paul Greengrass Cinema The Woodville, Woodville Place Gravesend DA12 1DD Box office: 08442 439 480 Blockbusters, classics and live event screenings. Adults £6.50, concs £5.50; under 12s £3.50; 11am club £4.50; live broadcasts £15. Films showing in August include TAMMY; PUDSEY THE MOVIE; THE INBETWEENERS 2; EARTH TO ECHO; THE NUT JOB; DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. For dates and times see woodville.co.uk
NICK WALKER previews cracking film screenings for August NEWLY FORMED ROCHESTER KINO SCREENS CONTEMPORARY WORLD CINEMA AND CLASSICS FOR LOCAL CINEASTES IN MEDWAY
Calvary
Tracks
In secret
When: Thu 14 August, 7.45pm Where: Chatham Odeon ME4 4LL Tickets: £9.80, conc £7.20 + 2 for 1 Student offer
When: Thu 21 August, 7.45pm Where: Chatham Odeon ME4 4LL Tickets: £9.80, conc £7.20 + 2 for 1 Student offer
When: Thu 28 August, 7.45pm Where: Chatham Odeon ME4 4LL Tickets: £9.80, conc £7.20 + 2 for 1 Student offer
Winner of the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at Berlin, the film again sees writer/director John Michael McDonagh and Brendan Gleeson (‘The Guard’), reunited. This time as the priest who is not without sin (steeped in death and darkness), presiding over a parish named after the site where Jesus was crucified but transported to rural Ireland, with dark secrets.
Nominated for Best Film at the London Film Festival and the Golden Lion at Venice for ‘Tracks’, Director John Curran (‘The Painted Veil’) has overcome one of the hardest challenges that faces films about characters travelling over extremely long distances – namely to not make them episodic or lack dramatic structure. Instead he has made a film that is entertaining, uplifting and inspiring.
Based on the controversial 1867 novel ‘Therese Racquin’ by Emile Zola, debut director Charlie Stratton plays with the corrosive quality of guilt; which is tantalizing, especially given full reign by mesmerizing acting and lush cinematography and ingenuous period set design.
Kelly Reilly, recovering from a suicide attempt, forges a really believable father/daughter dynamic with Gleeson, their relationship often fused with a dark comedic tone. McDonagh is really wresting with the application of faith, the film provokes thought and laughter while intelligently saying quite a lot about the human condition.
The film is based on the true experience of Robyn Davidson (played by Mia Wasikowska), who in 1977 trekked a total of 1,700 miles across the scorching and torturous Australian outback, seeking solitude! As the desert strips her character bare it’s impossible not to feel for her, and feel inspired by her. A spirited and captivating film…
Elizabeth Olsen stars as Thérèse who, as an illegitimate child, was left by her father to be raised by her matriarchial and controlling aunt, Madame Raquin (played by the exceptional Jessica Lange). The 150 years since its release has not dampened the taboo subject of female sexuality – with Stratton observing this in a poignant and beautiful way.
Rochester Kino is a group of cineastes organising screenings: contemporary world cinema at Chatham Odeon every Thursday plus silent Avant Garde and classic films at various ‘pop up’ locations in Medway. The events are always introduced with a brief talk followed by an optional, informal group discussion, often over a drink! Rochester Kino also offers a series of film courses on film culture at Sun Pier House, Chatham. See website for details. rochesterkino.co.uk 21
MUSIC 1 EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE! ME1 Sat 10 and Sun 11 October Music Event One is an annual music event held in venues in and around Rochester High Street, now in its third year. 2014 sees the event grow to over two days of live music. LIMITED EARLY BIRD TICKETS NOW ON SALE at £20 (standard £26) at Manny’s Music, Chatham, George Vaults and Casino Rooms, Rochester Online at: Seetickets.com facebook.com/MusicEventOne
ANCHORIANS RUGBY CLUB Darland Avenue, Gillingham JAZZ: Fri 15 Aug 8.30pm: DON WELLER QUARTET featuring Don Weller on tenor sax, Gareth Williams on piano, Dave Barry on drums and Andy Cleyndert on bass. Admission £10 Tel: 01634 365352 or 07544 312743 THE BARGE 63 Layfield Road, Gillingham ME7 2QY 01634 850485 Music starts 9pm, free entry Fri 1 Aug: GAFFER & HORSE Wed 6 Aug: BARDS @ THE BARGE Open Mic Sat 9 Aug: WILDFOWL + TBC
Sat 16 Aug: RNLI DAY from 1pm: live music all day in support of the Lifeboats Sun 23 Aug: FAMILY FUN DAY From 1pm: for Macmillan Cancer Trust Fri 29 Aug: GRIFFAMY BEACON COURT TAVERN 128 Canterbury Street, Gillingham ME7 4RY 01634 853186 Doors 7pm Switchback Music Events present Sat 30 Aug: TANK TRAP + support from WE THE DIVIDE, NOTE TO SELF Blues/Rock/Alternative. Doors: 8.15 pm. £5 entry, £3 NUS card. facebook.com/ switchbackmusicevents beaconcourttavern.co.uk EAGLE TAVERN Street Rochester ME1 1JT 01634 409040 Doors 7pm. Free entry Sun 3 Aug: NIGEL PRICE TRIO Thu 7 Aug: GLAMTABULOUS Sun 10 Aug: MATT WATES QUARTET featuring Leon Greening (piano) Thu 14 Aug: THE MODWAYS Sun 17 Aug: TRACEY MENDHAM QUARTET Thu 21 Aug: THE SCALEXTRICS Sun 24 Aug: THEO TRAVIS QUARTET Thu 28 Aug: THE GOOSEBUMPS Sun 31 Aug: TONY KOFI ORGANISATION theeagletavern.org.uk EARLS 30 Earl Street Maidstone ME14 1PS 01622 751286 Doors 9pm unless stated. Free entry Fri 1 Aug: TIMMY MOORE BAND Sat 2 Aug: MODRAPHENIA Thu 7 Aug: MAKE SOME NOISE Fri 8 Aug: WHERE’S MY THING Sat 9 Aug: BENZIE Sun 10 Aug: BLACK SHEEP Fri 15 Aug: FOX FORCE 5 Sat 16 Aug: VINCE VORTEX & THE CUCUMBERS
Sun 17 Aug: AS IS NOW Fri 22 Aug: THE FIX Sat 23 Aug: BREED Sun 24 Aug: TOP GUNS Thu 28 Aug: MAKE SOME NOISE Fri 29 Aug: WASTED Sat 30 Aug: RELICS Sun 31 Aug: BRAVADO earlsmaidstone.co.uk THE HASTINGS ARMS FUNCTION ROOM Lower Rainham Road (leading to Danes Hill) Gillingham ME7 2YD Free parking, 8.30pm start. Thu 28 August: The Musicians of the ROCHESTER SWING PRESERVATION SOCIETY plus special guest, Jazz violinist John Francis. Admission £7. Raffle plus free nibbles. For further details or to reserve a table tel: 01634 712217. Find them on facebook: ‘Rochester Swing Preservation Society’ LV21 Gillingham Pier, Pier Approach Road Gillingham ME7 1RX Local bus: 176. Local station: Gillingham Sat 16 Aug from 1-5pm: SHANTY EVENT as part of International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend 2014. Performances by SWINGING THE LEAD, SALLY IRONMONGER, FIDDLE FIT and a special appearance by Dave Buckley ex ‘Kimbers Men’. Performances on board the LV21 lightship, quayside and on the Medway Queen. Free parking
ROOMS TO HIRE Rochester Quaker Meeting House
We have daytime and evening vacancies in our pleasant rooms for long or short-term hire WHEELCHAIR ACCESS, HEARING LOOP, KITCHEN Our hirers are sympathetic to Quaker testimonies of Truth, Peace and Simplicity
Contact: Thelma West 01634 408796
Bookkeeping & Accounts Payroll Services VAT 路 CIS 路 Training
design reproJust For sole traders, Bookkeeping partnerships, litho limited companies 01634 574400 digital and start-ups Free consultations storage info@just-bookkeeping.co.uk 19 Watling Street, Chatham, Kent ME5 7EP fulfilment www.just-bookkeeping.co.uk distribution
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"...the antidote to pub games.." AUGUST 2014 Sun 3rd Tues 5th Wed 6th Thurs 7th Sun 10th Wed 13th Thurs 14th Sun 17th Tues 19th Wed 20th Thurs 21st Sun 24th Wed 27th Thurs 28th Sun 31st
Jam Night Ukulele Jam Night Blakeley and Son Danny Kyle Jam Night Arcelia Phil Woollett Jam Night Quiz Night Larkspur Funke & The Two Tone Baby Jam Night Snake Oil Tener Duende Jam Night ANDROID
APPLE
Scan the code to download FREE Kent Live Music app
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MUSIC 2
MAN OF KENT ALEHOUSE 6-8 John Street Rochester ME1 1YN 07772 214315 Sun 3 Aug: JAM NIGHT Tues 5 Aug: UKULELE JAM NIGHT Wed 6 Aug: BLAKELEY AND SON Thurs 7 Aug: DANNY KYLE Sun 10 Aug: JAM NIGHT Wed 13 Aug: ARCELIA Thurs 14 Aug: PHIL WOOLLETT Sun 17 Aug: JAM NIGHT Wed 20 Aug: LARKSPUR Thurs 21 Aug: FUNKE & THE TWO TONE BABY Sun 24 Aug: JAM NIGHT Wed 27 Aug: SNAKE OIL Thurs 28 Aug: TENER DUENDE Sun 31 Aug: JAM NIGHT Find them on Facebook THE PAPER MOON New Live Jazz & Soul Lounge Sun Pier House Tearoom Medway St, Chatham, ME4 4HF Chatham has its very own soul and blues night, and it’s excellent. Next gigs: Fri 8 August and Fri 22 August: Doors 7.30pm. Tickets £10, £7 with Student ID or £5 after 10.30pm papermoonlive.org
PIZZA EXPRESS MUSIC ROOM 32-34 Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PF 01622 683548
STEPPING STONE STUDIOS 2 Museum Avenue, Maidstone ME14 1QX 01622 675923
Doors 7pm, show 8pm unless stated. Fri 8 Aug: CHARLIE BOYLE £12 Fri 21 Aug: AN EVENING WITH PAUL DUNTON & GUESTS: Local music by candlelight. Unsigned music showcase of high standard. £7 Fri 22 Aug: SNAKE DAVIS Top British Jazz soul and funk saxophonist. £15 Fri 29 Aug: BEN MILLS & BAND £25 Sat 30 Aug: MARIA FRIEDMAN sings Bernstein & Sondheim. £25 pizzaexpresslive.co.uk
Doors 7pm, perf 8pm Every Wed at 8pm: BORN BRAVE Jam Night. Free Sat 2 Aug & Sat 6 Sept (first Saturday of the month): PLUGGED OUT £5 Sourcing fresh upcoming talent. Sat 9 Aug: LIVE BANDS Free Fri 15 Aug: AN ACTUAL INDIE NIGHT What it says on the label! steppingstonestudios.co.uk
POCO LOCO 60 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS 01634 844198 9pm start unless stated otherwise. Free entry Sat 2 Aug: Room 1: GENRE/ ROGERMEAN & MEL/ THE FLOWING + DJ's Room 2: JAM ROOM + free buffet (Jody's birthday celebration) Fri 8 Aug: ELEUSIA Sat 9 Aug: UPCDOWNC + guests Fri 15 Aug: THAT MASSIVE BEREAVEMENT Sat 16 Aug: SPIRITUAL PROTOCAL 3RD INSTALLMENT Fri 29 Aug: DANGEROUSMOUSE Presents house DJs Sat 30 Aug: UNKNOWN REPORT + guests poco-loco.co.uk THE OASTHOUSE THEATRE Stratford Lane, Rainham, ME8 8AG Sat 30 August: ACOUSTIC SESSIONS A new event featuring 4 local acoustic acts. Doors 7:30pm. £5 in advance, £6 at the door oasthousetheatre.co.uk
SUN PIER HOUSE Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF 01634 812805
PAPER MOON Live Jazz and Soul Lounge. Second and third Fridays of the month. Next gigs: Fri 8 Aug and Fri 22 Aug: Doors 7.30pm. Tickets £10, £7 with Student ID or £5 after 10.30pm sunpierhouse.co.uk
renew and restore stained glass design and restoration based in rochester: design - creation - repair restoration - installation
C. Garth
Pro Drum/Guitar lessons Pro Guitar Setups/Repair • Over 20 years’ playing experience and 10 years’ teaching experience • Fully registered by the Registry of Guitar Tutors and CRB / DBS checked • All styles catered for including Rock School grades • Repairs using the latest pro Luthier tools • Low action, high playability setups T: 07870 886204 E: chris@upcdownc.com
AUGUST Gigs
SATURDAY 2: Room 1: GENRE/ ROGERMEAN & MEL/ THE FLOWING + DJ's Room 2: JAM ROOM + free buffet (Jody's birthday celebration) 9pm start. Free entry FRIDAY 8: ELEUSIA Psychedelic rock band. 9pm start. Free entry SATURDAY 9: UPCDOWNC + guests Rock. 9pm start. Free entry FRIDAY 15: THAT MASSIVE BEREAVEMENT Garage, Grunge post-punk. 9pm start. Free entry SATURDAY 16: SPIRITUAL PROTOCAL 3RD INSTALLMENT Room 1: Underground Psychedelic Room 2: Chilled electro dub & beats. 9pm start. Free entry
Film, Video & Digital Arts Festival 10 –12 October 2014 www.51zero.org info@51zero.org
YOGA AND YOGA THERAPY Yoga Therapy 1-2-1s Develop daily practices tailored to your needs Support other treatments for health conditions Yoga Nidra/Yoga Sleep Relaxation, meditation & mindfulness Bridget Reader bridget.reader@gmail.com 07962 077597 www.VitalityTherapies.com
One of Kent’s best underground music venues
steve harries - 0779 608 0338 steve.harries@blueyonder.co.uk
LIVE!
FRIDAY 29: Dangerousmouse Presents house djs 9pm start. Free entry SATURDAY 30: UNKNOWN REPORT + guests Indie, funk, soul progressive soft rock. 9pm start. Free entry
VENUE AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE HIRE BAND REHEARSAL SPACE All parties catered for CONTACT JODY 07796 403781 for all bookings and info 58-60 HIGH ST, CHATHAM, KENT ME4 4DS
01634 844198 www.pocolive.com 25
THEATRE
w tokkno BOOK AHEAD! ROCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2014
THAMES BARGE EDITH MAY Moored at Sun Pier, Chatham SEASONALLY EFFECTED Wed 27 Aug 7-10pm. An eclectic mixture of poetry, music, comedy and other stuff by local creative. Refreshments available onboard. See seasonallyeffected.com for details. MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787
A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE: The Spirit of My Dream Saturday 4 October 7pm Following the inaugural Festival’s highly successful ‘Night at the Theatre’, RLF have included another terrific night of drama in its programme for 2014. Inspired by Byron’s poem ‘The Dream’, 17 Percent presents the work of three Medway playwrights, Sam Hall, Sarah Hehir and Maggie Drury. Expect echoes of this year’s Festival theme, ‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’. Tickets just £5 + 0.95p booking fee. Chatham Grammar School for Boys, Maidstone Road, Chatham ME4 6JB Also booking: PHIL KAY: WHOLLY VIABLE Legendary comedian and storyteller performs extracts from his autobiography Fri 3 Oct 8pm at the Billabong Club BYRON’S TEAPOT This year’s Festival finale Sun 5 Oct at Lordswood Sports and Social Club 7.30pm (not suitable for under 15s) Booking open now via rochesterlitfest.com
production: expect satire, songs, slapstick and one-liners. £15-£30, concs available. THE WIZ Summer Youth Project Thu 21 –Sat 23 Aug with eve perfs at 7.30pm, Sat mat 2.30pm. Adapted from Frank L Baum’s Wonderful Wizard of Oz. £12.50-£15.50, concs available ANGELINA BALLERINA The Mousical Sat 30 Aug at 4pm and Sun 31 Aug at 11am, 2pm and 4pm. All singing, all dancing ‘mousical’ starring the eponymous mouse. Suitable for children aged 3+, the show plays 55 mins with no interval. £13.50 orchardtheatre.co.uk (booking fee of £1.50 applies)
COMEDY WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD Sat 16 Aug at 10.30am and 1.30pm and Sun 17 Aug at 1.30pm and 4pm. Recommended for children aged 3+ and adapted from ‘Gruffalo’ author Julia Donaldson’s picture book. £12 marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply) OAST HOUSE COMMUNITY CENTRE Granary Close, Rainham, ME8 7SG THE CABARET CLUB: First Birthday Cabaret Festival! Sat 9 Aug 7-11pm. Join The Cabaret Club as it celebrates its birthday in style. Line up includes Queenie Valentine, Dave The Bear, Isabella Bliss, Luke Bailey, Fanny Dent and more. Tickets £13 in advance; £15 on the door from thecabaretclub090814. eventbrite.co.uk. facebook.com/thecabaretclubuk twitter.com/cabaretclubuk ORCHARD THEATRE Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000 ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS Mon 4 -Sat 9 Aug, eve perfs at 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm. Smash hit National Theatre
BILLABONG COMEDY CLUB Victoria Street, Rochester ME1 1XJ Top comedians, last Thursday of every month. Doors 7.30pm, show 8pm. Next gig: Thu 28 August EDINBURGH FRINGE HIGHLIGHTS SHOW featuring KATE SMURTHWAITE with her new show ‘The News at Kate: Leftie ***** Womble’. Highbrow, leftwing, feminist, atheist and awesome. Described as ‘Comedy that cuts through the crap’ by ThreeWeeks. With GARY COLMAN and RUSSELL HICKS. £12 on door, £9 in advance from wegottickets.com/billabong; in person at Cafe@172 (formerly Dot Café) or call 01634 242731 or 07717 713667. Students £5 with ID. billabongcomedyclub.co.uk JOKING WITH INTENT The Good Intent, 3 John Street, Rochester ME1 1YL OPEN MIC COMEDY CLUB First and third Thursday of the month. Line-up tbc. £2 admission. Find Joking with Intent on Facebook
GEEK:
THREE DAYS OF GAMES AND PLAY 29 - 31 AUGUST
MEET MAKE PLAY MEET Friends and family, artists, makers and inventors MAKE With paint, pixels, code and imagination PLAY Discover new games and rediscover old favourites GEEK, Margate’s annual festival of play and games, visits Swale and Medway this month for a three day weekend of creative play. Funded by Ideas Test and organised by Margate-based community interest company Marine Studios, GEEK hopes to bring together game makers and players from Swale and Medway to participate in the event’s quirky brand of fun. Kate Kneale is the festival’s organiser: “GEEK is all about bringing people together and celebrating creative passion and skill,” she says. “Each event will be different as it draws on local groups and reflects their passions and expertise. Some will be Retro focused while others will be more about Indie games or craft workshops. But they will all have a mix of activities where people can meet, make and play.” The long weekend is based at two venues: on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th August it will be hosted by the Oast House Community Centre in Rainham and on Sunday 31st August by the Guildhall Museum in Rochester.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Friday 29 August at the Oast House, Rainham: Evening launch party with The Video Game Carnival: retro Gaming meets Alice in Wonderland in this wonderful reinvented world where you can play Giant Game Boy, Fruitcade and Laser Pong. Saturday 30 August at the Oast House, Rainham: All three floors of the Oast House will be filled with games and play. The top floor is being taken over by the Robot Arena where you can find making workshops and Mega Battles. There will be a Digital and Analogue section where you can play the games you love and learn to play and make new ones. Plus, ‘Special Guests Alternative Reality’, an interactive online installation and game-show. (Visit specialguests.org.uk). Sunday 31 August at The Guildhall Museum, Rochester: Join Dr Sketchy and the GEEK team for some museum based playing before heading out to discover Tourist Trap, Lets Do Livestreaming, Special Guests and other games and workshops in and around Rochester High Street. Plus, ‘Robots Robots Robots’: draw a robot, make a robot, be a robot and do battle in the robot tournaments. And to get ready for the weekend of Robots Games you can start training by taking part in the Minecraft Creative build (details of how to enter on GEEK-play.com). GEEK will be back in Margate in February, but in the meantime details of the Swale & Medway events can be found on GEEK-play.com. For more about Ideas Test activities visit ideastest.co.uk 27
VISUAL ART THE BEANEY HOUSE OF ART AND KNOWLEDGE 18 High Street, Canterbury CT1 2RA 01227 862162 Mon to Wed 9am to 5pm, Thu 9am to 7pm, Fri and Sat 9am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 5pm Special Exhibitions Room: TAYLOR WESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE 2013 Fri 8 Aug to 2 Nov. See page 5. thebeaney.co.uk BELOW 65 GALLERY Gilbert & Clark Frame and Print 65 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1SR 01622 685146 Free entry Open 9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat ‘ABSENCE’: JENNY FAIRWEATHER AND VERONICA TONGE Fri 1 Aug to Sun 31 Aug. Two Maidstone artists showcase works exploring spaces through the use of photography and the found object. gilbertandclark.com DEAF CAT COFFEE BAR & GALLERY 83 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX Open Mon- Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm Contact: kevan@thedeafcat.com ROLLING EXHIBITION Contemporary works and major murals by local artists. See website for submission guidelines. thedeafcat.com FRANCIS ILES GALLERIES 103 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 843081 Opens Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm ROWLAND HILDER ANNUAL TRIBUTE 2014 Opens Sat 2 Aug to 13 Sep. Watercolours, oils, etchings and limited edition prints. Free entry francis-iles.com GUILDHALL MUSEUM High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY 01634 332680 Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm STORIES FROM THE GREAT WAR To 11 Jan 2015. An exhibition
detailing the impact of the war on the people of Medway. guildhallmuseumrochester.co.uk MASCALLS GALLERY Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood TN12 6LT 01892 839039 Open Tue-Thu 10am-5pm, Fri-Sat 11am-4pm. Closed Sun, Mon. Free admission DISCOVERING PALMER’S KENT Samuel Palmer, Graham Sutherland and Paul Drury. To 23 Aug. mascallsgallery.org MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERY St Faith's St, Maidstone ME14 1LH 01622 602838 Opens Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun & Bank Holidays 12-4pm Last chance to catch THE AGE OF GLAMOUR and TALONS & TIARAS: both exhibitions close Sun 3 August. TEDDY BEAR STORY Sat 9 Aug to 1 Nov. Touring exhibition from the V & A Museum of Childhood. ‘Pay what you can’. In the GALLERY CAFÉ: JANNEANE DREW: Portraits and Abstracts. To 18 Aug museum.maidstone.gov.uk NUCLEUS ARTS 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108 Gallery: Mon- 10am-5pm (café to 5.30pm) Closed Sun. Free entry 'STUCK IN A JEWEL' - Christopher Yates & Guest Artists Sat 2 Aug to 1pm Thu 14 Aug. Preview Fri 1 Aug 6-8pm. The best work of Stuckist Chris Yates, including portraits of people local to Chatham (Billy Childish etc) and a few pieces by other Stuckists. 'THE BIG SHIP': George Odlin Sat 16 Aug to 1pm Thu 28 Aug. Preview Fri 15 Aug 6-8pm. Paintings of images in and around The Humber and The Thames. PILGRIM ART -Natural Landscapes And Life Through The Seasons: John Burgess Sat 30 Aug to 1pm Thu 11 Sep. Preview Fri 29 Aug 6-8pm. All welcome. nucleusarts.com
NUCLEUS ARTS, ROCHESTER 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX Open 10am-5pm Mon-Sat; Sun 115pm 01634 812108 Gallery shop, internet café and lovely garden. NUCLEUS ARTS, MAIDSTONE Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone ME15 6JR Open 10am-5pm Mon-Fri; closed Sundays 01622 690337 Arts hub with gallery & café. ROCHESTER ART GALLERY Visitor Information Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 338319 Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10.30am-5pm Free entry To Sun 10 August: A THOUSAND WORDS Comic Art by Bryan Talbot, Mark Barnes, Joe Decie and Ian Williams with Lisa Swerling in the Craft Case. BEYOND BOUNDARIES Works by printmakers Xtina Lamb, Adam Piper and Liz Miller, of Medway Fine Printmakers. Fri 22 August to 11 October. Preview event Thu 21 August 6.30-8.30pm. SUN PIER HOUSE Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF 01634 401549 Open Tue-Sun 10am - 4pm (closed Mon) New ART GALLERY and café with stunning views. (Disabled access coming soon) sunpierhouse.co.uk ST ANDREW’S ART CENTRE Royal Pier Road, Gravesend DA12 2BD THE CAT & THE CASTLE: paintings, pastels and prints by Jennifer Rampling. Sat 9 and Sun 10 Aug 11am-5pm. ramplingpaintings.com. Free admission GRAVESEND ART GROUP Annual exhibition Sat 23 Aug to Sun 31 Aug 10am to 6pm, closing at 4pm on final day. gravesendartgroup.co.uk
THE ARTIST’S SPACE
VINTAGE DELIGHTS An exhibition of early-mid twentieth century quilts, as collected by HOMETOWN founder, Marion Haslam: "In the early twentieth century quiltmaking was an essential and utilitarian craft. Quilts were made to be used, to keep you warm at night. Whilst they could also be a showcase for one's sewing skills, many were made quickly to be used every day and in many cases with daily usage they wore thin or wore out. The majority of the quilts I collect are well worn and loved. Their fading and over patching are almost likes badges of honour. I think today's quiltmakers can learn a lot about colour, pattern and technique through appreciating old quilts, even if we know little about the stories of the people that sewed them."
WOW READER OFFER 10% DISCOUNT
‘VINTAGE DELIGHTS’ is at HOMETOWN, 62 High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1JY between 12 and 30 August. Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm, plus Sunday 17 August (Farmers' Market day, 11am-4pm). Tel: 01634 838880. Free admission.
Bring in this copy of WOW magazine to the shop during the exhibition for a 10% discount when you spend a minimum of £10. 31
Image: Detail of Katie Walsh by Spencer Murphy, 2013 Š Spencer Murphy
8 August to 2 November 2014 Special Exhibitions Room
The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge High Street, Canterbury thebeaney.co.uk
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