One of “Britain’s Best Vintage Festivals” Daily Telegraph 2014
TO Live Music!
20 & 21 Sept p 2014 10am m – 6pm
1940’ssFashion! 1940 Fashion!
Spiffingly Nostalgic! • Vintage Fairs
Vintage Vehicles Vintage Vehicles!
MUSI DANCIC & ALL DA NG Y LONG
• Air-Raid Experience • Kent Spitfire Air Display • Home Front and Military Displays
thedockyard.co.uk/salutetothe40s
Supported by
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TE (For SATNAV use ME4 4TY) Registered Charity No. 292101. Fully Accredited Museum. This is a fundraising event in aid of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.
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CONTENTS 4 WELCOME 5 5 REALLY GOOD THINGS 6 NEWS 8 RECREATE 10 BEN CAMERON 12 FILM 13 NICK WALKER 14 TAYLOR WESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE 2013
16 1914 20 ROCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL 22 MUSIC 1 24 MUSIC 2 26 THEATRE & COMEDY 27 MUSIC REVIEW: PERSUADED 28 VISUAL ART 30 THE ARTIST'S SPACE
OPEN GARDEN
1914
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 PRINTING: Complete Print Group (CPG) 9-10 Orchard Business Centre Sanderson Way Tonbridge Kent TN9 1QG 01732 366666 cpg-net.co.uk PUBLISHER: Emma Dewhurst WEBSITE: wowkent.co.uk Current print circulation: 7000 copies Distribution: Medway Towns, Maidstone & Gravesend Copy/listings deadline for October issue: Thursday 18 September 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.
Your guide to the best of What’s On Where Medway, Maidstone and the accessible beyond I’d like to wish the Rochester Literature Festival team great good luck with their terrific second festival programme, which starts at the end of this month (see p 14). After last year’s festival, I took a back seat from RLF to concentrate on growing WOW and it’s fantastic to see it back again, bigger and better. Please support the team by attending one of the many delights on offer! There is much to give us cause for thought and wonder this month, with major exhibitions commemorating WW1 taking us through the autumn (see our four page centre pages feature) and, further afield, a stunning photographic exhibition at The Beaney in Canterbury, reviewed on page 12. Film also takes centre stage, with independent film festival Medway Visions and a truly impressive programme of independent screenings by Rochester Film Society and Rochester Kino, and 51 Zero waiting in the wings for October. Fill your nights and days – and enjoy! Emma Dewhurst editor@wowkent.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS
Cover image for our WW1 feature by Dianne Reeves. diannereeves.webeden.co.uk PHOTOGRAPH OF THE EDITOR BY RIKARD ÖSTERLUND
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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. Robert Flood is a life-long Medway resident. He runs a Rochester based events company called Feet on the Ground which provides technical support for live events. He is a passionate music fan with a love of the Medway scene and a local history buff who is a member of the City of Rochester Society. Anna Morell is a mother, writer and tentative film-maker. Her WWI short, Every One of Them, won the For The Fallen Challenge's Best Screenplay Award. See forthefallen.eu/app 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
1
Nothingness
4 Litfest 2: canterbury
Deaf artist and sculptor Christopher Sacre opens what promises to be a very special solo show at Nucleus Arts Chatham Gallery. Developing the ideas first explored in his installation ‘See What This Man Gave Birth to After Using 2000 Condoms in 22 Days’ (2010), Sacre has created a new sculptural 'lifeform' for ‘Nothingness’ as focal point for wider discussion about the relationship of the Deaf community to mainstream society. See Visual Art for details. christophersacre.com.
2
All aboard
Another fine reason to visit Medway’s very own lightship LV21 moored at Gillingham Pier. Sheffield based songwriter Neil McSweeney makes his second visit to LV21 on Saturday 13 September, supported by The Parade – Lupen and Jemma doing an acoustic set – and the ever popular Andy White. This promises to be a fantastic gig in a unique setting and is sure to sell out. Tickets are £10 and available from wegottickets.com/ event/286595. Have a listen at neilmcsweeney.com.
3 Litfest 1:
This magazine isn’t called WOW for nothing. ‘Wow, look at what’s in reach of where you live’ was the intention – and Canterbury’s Wise Words festival fits the bill. Taking place across the city centre between 12 and 21 September, Carol Ann Duffy tops the bill. Make a day out of it and visit the great exhibition at The Beaney, too (see p14).
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Scratch’n’sniff!
Rochester Film Society’s next Cine Lounge cult film screening at Sun Pier House, Chatham is a corker: John Waters' 1981 camp classic 'Polyester' screens on Sunday 7 September. Filmed in what was hilariously called Odorama, cinema-goers were handed a scratch'n'sniff card with their ticket and instructed to use at key moments. RFS has a batch of replica cards, so attendees at this event will be able to experience this added dimension! RPP have secured another coup on Tue 16 September, with writer Travis Elborough coming down for a post-film Q & A, following Paul Kelly’s documentary ‘How We Used to Live’, a gorgeous, lyrical love-letter to post-war London with music by Saint Etienne.
Rochester
Having been a founding member who handed over the baton at the end of the first festival to others far more able than myself, I can’t help but be delighted that the second annual Rochester Literature Festival goes ahead at the end of the month (27 Sept – 5 Oct). Find the full programme across pages 20 & 21. There really is something for everyone and the team have spread the joy by finding venues across the Towns this time round. Lend your support! 5
TRADITIONAL SIGNWRITING CONVENTION UK LETTERHEADS MEET 2014 Open to the public between 10am and 4pm Saturday 6 September and Sunday 7 September
Watch master signwriters at work Learn how to become a signwriter Bid in the Charity Auction (Sun 12 noon) Visit the ‘Signs of Our Times’ exhibition in the Princes Hall Workshops, exhibitions and talks Signwriting has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years as brands and retailers seek the authenticity of hand-crafted lettering in an overwhelmingly digital world. ‘What the Dickens’ is brought together by local signwriters Mick Pollard and Kate Belmonte. Traditional signwriters and other lettering artists from across the globe will be showcasing their work over the course of the weekend. Corn Exchange, Rochester ME1 1LX. ENTRANCE FEE £3 (10% to Arthritis Research UK). Under 16s free (minimum age 10 years). ukletterheads2014.co.uk
MAMMOTH Market
SAT 13 SEPT Car park, Corporation Street, Rochester ME1 1NH. Cars £10 Vans, Trailers £15. From 7am. All profits go to Rotary Club Charities. Contact: 01634 408607
MAIDSTONE
MUSEUM
BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS Sun 14 Sep 12.30-1.30pm, 2.30-3.30pm FREE BUT BOOKING ESSENTIAL
SUPPORT THE GUILDHALL! Join the Friends of the Guildhall Museum Official Launch: Saturday 6 September 10am-12 noon at the Musuem The Friends support the work of both the Guildhall Museum in Rochester and the Old Brook Pumping Station in Chatham. A full programme of events for Friends is planned, including behind-the-scenes tours, handling sessions, film screenings, private views of collections and special lectures. friendsoftheguildhall.com.
OPEN GARDEN As part of the National Gardens Scheme, raising money for caring charities, the lovely garden at Bishopscourt, 24 St Margarets St, ME1 1TS will be open on Sat 6 and Sun 7 Sept between 1pm and 5pm. Plant stall, teas and homemade cakes. Admission £3.00, children free. ngs.org.uk
MEDWAY FUN PALACE OCTOBER 4 & 5 2014
Medway Fun Palace at Nucleus Arts is part of Fun Palaces 2014, a free, nationwide celebration of arts, culture and sciences.
Marking the 100th birthday of Joan Littlewood, one of the Twentieth Century’s most significant cultural innovators, Fun Palaces 2014 brings to life the vision she created with Cedric Price for spaces linking arts and sciences, entertainment and education. Nucleus Arts are planning to create their own Fun Palaces across their sites in Chatham, Rochester and Maidstone. ‘Like’ the ‘Medway Fun Palace’ Facebook page for updates. funpalaces.co.uk
A Celebration of Jewish Arts & Culture in memory of Hilary Halpern A FREE event for adults and children presented by Chatham Memorial Synagogue, 366 High Street Rochester ME1 1DJ Sunday 21 September 10am-6pm
FISHing competition
LOCAL FISH DISHES
27 SEPTEMBER
FANCY EATING SOME OF THE LOCAL CATCH?
Win up to £100 of vouchers for Fisherman’s Corner, Ramsgate!
Head to one of Ramsgate’s fantastic local restaurants from 22-28 September and you’ll be spoilt for choice with fresh local fish dishes.
SKY RIDE (CYCLING)
Ramsgate Market
Cookery DEMONSTRATIONS
Heritage Open Days: 10am - 4pm
Register at 8am at the Custom House PRIZES Juniors (up to 16 yrs): 1st - £20 Runners up prizes: £10 each Adults: 1st - £100 2nd - £50, 3rd - £25.00
All week, restaurants throughout Ramsgate will be celebrating the town’s fishing heritage, so pull up a chair and sample some of the latest catch.
28 SEPTEMBER
27 SEPTEMBER
27 SEPTEMBER
10 am from Government Acre, Ramsgate
Harbour Parade, Ramsgate 10am – 2pm
Harbour Parade, Ramsgate 10am – 2pm
Get out on your bike and enjoy the FREE 12 mile traffic-free guided ride along sections of the beautiful Viking Coastal Trail.
Celebrate the coast in style and pick up plenty of gifts, foodie treats and souvenirs of the sea.
Learn from the best and pick up some cookery tips. Buy some of the local catch from the market and learn how to cook it to perfection.
This leisurely ride will sail through Ramsgate on a cliff-topping tour of Thanet’s chalky coastline.
Whether you fancy sampling some fresh local produce and fine food, or browsing through jewellery, ceramics and art made by the talented people of Kent’s creative coast, you’ll find it at Ramsgate’s quirky Fisherman’s Market.
Whether you’re a pro in the kitchen and need some fresh ideas or a novice when it comes to cooking fish, you’re bound to pick up plenty of tips.
11 to 14 Sept
Vouchers presented by TV personality Kaddy Lee-Preston
FANCY SIGNING UP? REGISTER AT WWW.GOSKYRIDE.COM
This year is the 20th anniversary of the first Heritage Open Days event. HOD’s give you the opportunity to discover and explore all the fantastic architectural and cultural treasures on your doorstep including places that are normally closed to the public. RAMSGATE TOWN COUNCIL
THANET FARMERS MARKET
Yet again Medway and Maidstone have surpassed themselves with a wide range of fascinating properties opening their doors. A full list with opening hours can be found at heritageopendays.org.uk.
PRODUCE
Sale & Crafts SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2PM TO 4PM St Margaret's Church, Lower Halstow, Rainham ME8 8AN Home-grown and home-made produce; crafts including jewellery, pens, wood work, needle work, cards and honey. Refreshments available and ‘a warm welcome guaranteed’ at this prettiest of locations. thesix.org.uk
This celebration of Jewish culture is inspired by the late Hilary Halpern, architect, sculptor and patron of the arts. The 19th century synagogue is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the UK and houses the stained glass holocaust memorial window which Hilary Halpern designed. The synagogue is open to the public as part of English Heritage day, with guided tours taking place. The programme includes an art exhibition, dance workshop, piano recital and more. Sunday is also UN World Peace Day and part of the afternoon programme will reflect this. For the full programme visit chathamshul.org.co.uk
Beverley Jane Stewart
www.ramsgatetown.org
BE AT THE START OF SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR SHEPPEY
SHEERNESS DOCKYARD CHURCH RESTORATION PROJECT COMMUNITY LAUNCH EVENT Wednesday 17 September 3.30pm - 6pm Garrison Road, Blue Town, Sheerness ME12 1RR The Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust has recently been awarded a Start-Up grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to begin the transformation of the currently derelict Sheerness Dockyard Church into an exciting community space. At this (outdoor) community launch you can: • see inside the Grade II listed interior built in 1828 before works commence • get hands-on with historical objects and photographs • find out more about the history of the building & future plans • learn about the unique 1820’s dockyard model • share ideas for the space sheernessdockyardpt.org.uk
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recreate NEWS and Events Visit us!
51 Zero film festival
Our website is updated daily with new events, training and exhibition opportunities in Southeast England and Northern France. www.recreateproject.eu
51 Zero is a cross-border festival showcasing film, video and digital arts, linking the unique places and communities of Medway and Kent with Northern France.
Kent2020 Vision Start-up Live On Wednesday 22 October, we will be at Kent 2020 Start-up Live, displaying artists’ and designers’ work from across the Recreate partnership. Creative businesses from Northern France and Southeast England will be able to attend free workshops on startup support. If you would like to showcase your work at this event, please contact us at recreate@medway.gov.uk
This year's festival takes place between 10-12 October 2014 across indoor and outdoor venues in Rochester and Chatham, presenting an exciting programme of screenings and performance events, exhibitions, residencies and talks. New for 2014, the programme includes a series of new commissions by emerging and established artists, filmmakers and musicians. All Events are free and open to all. For programme details visit www.51zero.org.
FRENCH LANGUAGE COURSE
Not for Geeks With Recreate’s Geek in Residence, Barry Bridges.
Tuesday 23 September:
How to find and connect with key creative industry influencers online Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know: this month's Not For Geeks session will be demonstrating ways you can find, connect with and then leverage key creative industry influencers online.
September at POP Creative Space
THE BEAUTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY This month POP offers a science lab experience for children, interactive digital audio and visual installations, and a show of technology & scienceinspired fine art. POP is also hosting Medway Visions Film Festival and the Digibury satellite event.
Programme: MEDWAY VISIONS FILM FESTIVAL: 6 & 7 September 6pm – 8pm
Main event 6.30pm-9pm (free of charge, no booking required).
Exhibition: 6 September – 26 September, Thu - Sat 11am-4pm
1-2-1 advice 5.30-6.30pm. Sun Pier House, Chatham.
Exhibition Preview: 12 September 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Please contact Barry at barry@typicality.co.uk if you would like a 1-2-1 appointment.
SCIENCE WORKSHOPS FOR FAMILIES: 13 - 14 September 11am - 3pm DIGIBURY SATELLITE EVENT: 26 September 4pm – 8pm (tbc) SCREENING OF A NEW DOCUMENTARY ‘MICROBIRTH’: 26 September 8pm – 10pm
Recreate is selected under the European Cross-border Cooperation Programme INTERREG IV A France (Channel) – England, co-funded by the ERDF
popcreativespace@gmail.com POP, 64-66 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4DS
This page is sponsored by Project Recreate
Two French language courses start on 22 September and 23 September. 14 free sessions of 90 minutes for creatives in Medway. To book your space please email recreate@medway.gov.uk.
NNIN I W D AWAR
G
design repro litho digital storage fulfilment distribution
TIMELESS 9-10 Orchard Business Centre Sanderson Way Tonbridge Kent TN9 1QG e: enquiries@cpg-net.co.uk t: 01732 366666 www.cpg-net.co.uk
DESIGN l POS l LITHO l DIGITAL STORAGE l FULFILMENT l DISTRIBUTION
& RETRO FAIR 4 Oct 2014 10.30am - 3.00pm
Rainham School for Girls Derwent Way, Rainham, Kent, ME8 0BX Entrance 50p Free Parking
Book a stall, call Amanda 07771 356732
TONBRIDGE KENT e: enquiries@cpg-net.co.uk t: 01732 366666
Supporting
www.cpg-net.co.uk
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11
FILM MEDWAY VISIONS INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 5 – 13 SEPTEMBER 2014 Medway Visions Film Festival (Year Two) features award winning films from China, France, Italy, Japan, Finland and the Canadian Arctic. SUN PIER HOUSE MEDWAY STREET, CHATHAM ME4 4HF LICENSED BAR; NO WHEELCHAIR ACCESS SAT 5 SEPT 7.30Pm THIRTY-TWO (Documentary, Dir. Guo Ke, China, 44 mins) + LE BONHEUR… TERRE PROMISE (Award-winning French feature documentary, dir Laurent Hasse, 94 mins). Free entry Sat 13 Sept 7.30pm FUKOSHIMA NO DAIMYO (Documentary, Dir. Alessandro Tesai, Italy, 20 mins) + EAST 3 – EXPLORING A FROZEN FRONTIER (Feature documentary, Dir. Mr Young, UK, 90 mins). Followed by Q & A with the director and Medway Visions founder. Free entry POP GALLERY 64-66 HIGH STREET, CHATHAM ME4 4DS Sun 6 Sept 7.30pm SHORT FILMS VOL 1 Sun 7 Sept SHORT FILMS VOL 2 at 3pm SHORT FILMS VOL 3 at 7.30pm Selection of national and international films. Free entry NUCLEUS ARTS 272 HIGH STREET, CHATHAM ME4 4BP Fri 12 Sept 7.30pm FOR THE FALLEN Award-winning films about WW1 Entry £2 AFTERNOON FILM TREAT Central Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338 £4.50 inc drink and teacake £5 on door
NEBRASKA (15) 2013 Tue 16 Sep 2.30pm Dir: Alexander Payne Cast: Bruce Dern An aging booze-addled father makes a road trip to Nebraska with his estranged son. medwayticketslive.co.uk MEDWAY FILM SOCIETY Non-members are welcome to attend single shows for £6.50 Brook Theatre, Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE GINGER & FRED (1986) ITALY, 125 mins Fri 26 Sept 7.45pm Dir: Frederico Fellini Cast: Marcello Mastroianni, Giulietta Masina With LITTLE TITCH & HIS BIG BOOTS Dir: Alice Guy Blaché, 1 min medwayfilm.org.uk ROCHESTER KINO 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. 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) THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY (12A) 2014 Thu 4 Sept 7.45pm Director: Hossein Amini Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen, Oscar Isaac Thriller based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith. 96 mins JIMMY’S HALL (12A) 2014 Thu 11 Sept 7.45pm Dir: Ken Loach Cast: Barry Ward, Simone Kirby, Andrew Scott Political activist Jimmy Gralton is
deported from Ireland during the country's 'Red Scare' of the 1930s. See Nick Walker. 109 mins FADING GIGOLO (15) 2013 Thu 18 Sept 7.45pm Dir: John Turturro Cast: Sofía Vergara, Sharon Stone, Woody Allen, John Turturro See Nick Walker opposite. 90 mins THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS T.S. SPIVET (12A) 2013 Thu 25 Sept 7.45pm Dir: Jean Pierre Jeunet Cast: Kyle Catlett, Helena Bonham Carter. See Nick Walker opposite. 105 mins OPEN AIR ROCHESTER KINO Nucleus Arts Rochester 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX FAUST (1926) Sat 20 Sept 8pm Dir: FW Murnau Cast: Email Jannings The demon Mephisto makes a wager with God. 85 mins. FREE Rochester Kino also offers ‘AN INTRODUCTION TO FILM CULTURE’, every Saturday morning at Sun Pier House, Chatham, 10am-1pm. Email: nickwalker62@ yahoo.co.uk. rochesterkino.co.uk. ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY Screening contemporary world cinema and classics at venues round Medway. RFS @ ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE Every Tuesday at 7.30pm, includes a short film Princes Hall, Corn Exchange Rochester ME1 1LS £5, Student £3. For September screenings see page 11 RFS @ THE CINE LOUNGE Sun Pier House, Medway Street Chatham ME4 4HF No disabled access 01634 812805 CULT FILM NIGHT First Sunday of the month. Doors open 6pm. Tickets £3, no need to book. For next screening see page 11. rochesterfilmsociety.co.uk
@ Chatham Odeon
Nick Walker previews
September offerings
Jimmy's Hall
Fading Gigolo
Thursday 11 September, 7.45pm
Thursday 18 September, 7.45pm
Ken Loach's recent work: ‘The Angel's Share’, ‘Route Irish’ and ‘The Spirit of '45’ have all been very political affairs with a warm humanist feel to them. ‘Jimmy's Hall’ is a complex film which is about socialism, an enclosed secular community and the power of solidarity.
Actor turned actor writer/ director John Turturro wrote the screenplay especially for Woody Allen, who takes a welcome yet rare turn acting in a film he doesn't direct. It's a midlife crisis experience film, about an ageing man fantasising about whether he can still attract the opposite sex. It has Woody in the unlikely role of a pimp, while the usually awkward character actor Turturro is in the unlikely role of a stud who gets a thousand dollars for his Don Juan services.
Loach and writer Paul Laverty have created a hero from the true story of a simple man who operated outside of a political framework and paid the price. A vehicle of liberation, the music and literacy that Jimmy Gralton brings to his followers predominantly plays like a form of activism. There are beautiful moments and a back story of romance with his one-time sweetheart, all in a wonderfully picturesque landscape. This film is proof (if proof were needed!) that Loach is superb at tackling serious issues with historical weight, as well as crafting humanist entertainment, without sacrificing his credibility and intelligence.
The opening credit sequence featuring warm, grainy 8mm footage of old buildings in New York City harkens back to the ’70s director’s era; this film somehow harks back to Allen's work of the period. The well-written, interesting characters revolve around the Turturro/Allen combo. It’s an earnest, tender take on the world’s oldest profession, steering clear of many tropes of the sub genre and focusing more on the healing properties of human touch. The plot is of course ridiculous, but the absurdity of it all is easily forgiven thanks to Turturro’s disciplined filmmaking skills.
The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet Thursday 25 September, 7.45pm Jeunet (‘Amélie’, ‘Delicatessen’, ‘A Very Long Engagement’), once again, brings us a picture that features his usual off-kilter view of humanity. So... upon receiving the news that he has won an award from the Smithsonian Institute, ten-year-old T.S. Spivet leaves his family home on an adventure to collect his prize. Narrated by T.S., we are drawn effortlessly into his ordinary world: a distant father, a pre-occupied mother and the one remaining spouse, a teenage sister that hates her life in the middle of nowhere almost as much as T.S. despairs of his own. The film deals with adult themes of loss and guilt through the bright eyes of our young protagonist. A beautiful, elegant and delightful piece of filmmaking that will have you enraptured by the simple story, with a signature feel of Jeunet that proves, yet again, what an imaginative luminary he is. This is a poignant, charming and curious adventure that’s exquisitely filmed with innovative actors fuelled with energy, hope and reality.
Rochester Kino @ Chatham Odeon, Chatham Maritime ME4 4LL Tickets: £9.80, conc £7.20 + 2 for 1 Student offer rochesterkino.co.uk 13
Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2013 THE BEANEY HOUSE OF ART AND KNOWLEDGE EMMA DEWHURST recommends an exhibition of photographic class The photographic portrait is a relatively young phenomenon. It overtook the painted portrait as a way to record life’s important people, places and loved ones only gently, gaining ground over the course of the Nineteenth Century and into the Twentieth. Nowadays, and particularly with the onset of digital, we are stuffed full with photographic images: they drive our online lives; fill our heads and ‘phones with half-told stories and are more discardable than ever. And now, with the birth of the ‘selfie’, we don’t even need another to be photographer to our recorded lives. Or do we? The National Portrait Gallery’s Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2013 is a democratic competition open to all and judged anonymously and is widely recognised as one of the most prestigious photographic competitions in the world. This is reflected in the numbers: for the 2013 competition, 2,543 photographers from 59 countries entered 5,410 photos, each of which were seen by all six judges, provoking fierce debate in what was described as an ‘intense’ two-day process to whittle the numbers down. The result is a stunning exhibition of 60 or so entries which made the final cut, including the work of the four prizewinners. The Prize encourages new talent and indeed the varying breadth of the entrants’ experience is impressive, with portraits by emerging young photographers from around the world alongside those of established professionals, photography students and gifted amateurs. There is also a great diversity of style in the selected entries, to be expected from such an international mix. But what makes the exhibition so riveting is the depth of narrative achieved in each and every image. The methods by which those photographed are portrayed elucidate story after intriguing story: the photographers’ skill in placing or finding their subjects in precisely the right setting, light and location, means that the narratives told will have you going round the exhibition once and then going round again (and perhaps again). Several recurring themes emerge. Relationship, of course, looms large, both familial and contextual. Remarkably and coincidentally there are several portraits of twins of all ages, with one of these, of elderly sisters by Dorothee
Deiss, taking fourth prize. The personal within the context of the political also occurs: Rosie Hallam’s joyous image of the Choir Master, Peter, for instance, who teaches children freed from forced labour for a charity in Ghana, or Jillian Edelstein’s portrait of Horst von Wächter, whose father was tried for Nazi War Crimes, snapped sitting in his coat indoors with his uncompromising stare. There are too some satisfying ‘celebrity’ portraits with the celebrity bit all but taken out of them, revealing instead moments of vulnerability: Christopher Lane’s portrait of Vanessa Redgrave falls into this category, as does Carl Court’s snap of ‘The Queen – Grey’ and, a personal favourite, Anoush Abrar’s third prizewinning black and white portrait of Former Secretary General to the UN, Kofi Annan, for which the brief was to take a photograph of the subject with his eyes closed. Abrar had just three minutes to capture the shot. First prize goes to Spencer Murphy, who grew up in Kent and studied at the Kent Institute of Art and Design, for his portrait of female jockey Katie Walsh taken on large format film just after a race at Kempton Park. Walsh’s mud spattered face and impenetrable stare against a translucent background of infinite space both informs and begs imaginative enquiry and is arguably one of the most enigmatic portraits in the room. The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge is the only gallery in the South East to receive the exhibition. This is photographic portraiture elevated to art form: take time here, and learn more of our world.
THE EXHIBITION RUNS TO SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER IN THE SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS ROOM AT THE BEANEY HOUSE OF ART AND KNOWLEDGE, 18 HIGH ST CANTERBURY CT1 2RA. TEL: 01227 862162. THIS IS A PAY WHAT YOU CAN EXHIBITION, WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO FUTURE PROGRAMMING AT THE BEANEY. thebeaney.co.uk
Fabio by Andy Massaccesi, 2012 Kofie Annan by Anoush Abrar, 2013 Choir Master by Rosie Hallam, 2012 Katie Walsh by Spencer Murphy, 2013
15
1914 LOCAL CULTURAL EVENTS MARKING THE CENTENARY OF THE OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR ONE
ART
LIVE BAIT. The 7th Cruiser Squadron, Chatham 1914 by Kevin Clarkson To commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War, Rochester’s Guildhall Museum has commissioned a new painting by artist Kevin Clarkson depicting three Royal Navy cruisers which were sunk by a German U-boat on the same day in September 1914 with the loss of 1,459 lives, many of them reservists from the Medway Towns. The painting, entitled ‘Livebait. The 7th Cruiser Squadron, Chatham 1914’, will form a thought-provoking permanent exhibit at the museum. Kevin Clarkson is currently Vice Chairman of the National Maritime Museum Art Club. He specialises in
subjects with historical aviation or maritime themes. The painting depicts the three cruisers at anchor at Chatham Dockyard with two Shorts aircraft Type 827 flying overhead and Rochester Castle and Cathedral in the distance. The cruisers’ task was to protect ships carrying supplies between Britain and France in the North Sea. However, the ships were considered outdated and were crewed largely by reservists. Because of this the squadron was considered to be at high risk and, with typical naval gallows humour, had earned the nickname the "Live Bait Squadron". On 22nd September 1914 they were spotted by a German U-boat, U-9. The three Royal Navy ships were destroyed in one action by the enemy submarine, shocking the nation and severely denting the Royal Navy’s reputation.
The painting will hang on the main staircase in Guildhall Museum, where it will be on permanent display. It is unveiled by the Mayor of Medway, Cllr Barry Kemp, on 6 September. Entrance to the museum is free.
FILM
TIME BLEEDS at the Royal Engineers Museum & Library This exhibition, currently showing at the Royal Engineers Museum until 12 September, is a unique collaboration between Violafilms, University for the Creative Arts and artists Matt Rowe and Simon Pruciak. ‘Time Bleeds’ is a highly acclaimed experimental documentary made by Violafilms and commissioned by the Prosper Programme via Arts Council England, to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, which took for its premise the key question ‘what happens if we forget?’. Screenings of the documentary are accompanied by a photographic exhibition of a range of WW1 posters recreated for the 21st century by Matt Rowe and Simon Pruciak (the posters are actually used throughout the film, especially in the final scene).
September, after which it moves to the Sassoon Gallery at Folkestone Library CT20 1HD between 29 September and 8 November 2014. Normal RE admission charges apply. Parental guidance: The film may not be suitable for children under the age of twelve. FOR THE FALLEN You can also find out more about this project at forthefallen.eu To download the app and watch all the winning films: forthefallen.eu/app
THEATRE
Book Ahead! Two new amateur productions are take the Great War for subject matter: THE ACCRINGTON PALS by Peter Whelan
SPECIAL CENTENARY EVENT AT CHATHAM’S HISTORIC DOCKYARD MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER Commemorative Drumhead Service An event to remember the three Royal Navy Cruisers depicted in Kevin Clarkson’s painting commissioned by Guildhall Museum. The event will include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, and the fall of 1,459 poppy petals (one for every life lost). Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and must be applied for by emailing threecruisers1914@ chdt.org.uk with “First World War Commemorative Event - 22.9.14” in the subject line. (Priority given to descendants and families of those who had a direct involvement with the action of 22 September 1914).
Thu 9 - Sat 18 October 2014 The RSC had a great success with this play in the early 80s. Based on the Accrington Pals unit in the First World War, it contrasts their life at the front with the lives of the women left behind in Accrington. Medway Little Theatre, 256 High Street, Rochester ME1 1HY. Box office: 01634 400322. Tickets £10 (Mondays £6). LOVE AND COURAGE A new play by Maria Clarke Wed 12 – Sat 15 November, 7.30pm A new play set in a music hall which highlights the role women played in WW1.
‘Time Bleeds’ is now also available to watch online on YouTube and was the inspiration for Violafilms’ subsequent project, For the Fallen, which itself inspired scores of local filmmakers to make their own interpretations of WW1 for the ‘For The Fallen Film Challenge’. The ‘Time Bleeds’ exhibition runs at the Royal Engineers Museum, Gillingham ME4 4UG until 12
Avenue Theatre, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent. ME10 4DN. Box office: 01795 471140 Tickets: £7.00 adults, £6.50 Senior Citizens. Most debit/credit cards accepted avenuetheatre.co.uk
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Outbreak! 1914 at the Royal Engineers Museum, Gillingham Valour, Loss and Sacrifice at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard ANNA MORELL visits two thoughtprovoking exhibitions commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War Here in Medway, our connections to a heritage spent in the thick of resourcing battle are strong. Few natives will lack family connections to the industries which made the area so important for national defence. And two local exhibitions provide the opportunity to connect, or re-connect, deeply, with the lives of those who fought in the Great War. Today, Brompton is the blink-and-miss edge of Gillingham. But it's also home to one of our most fascinating heritage centres – The Royal Engineers Museum. The quiet, well-curated collections of our local regiment's history give as much flavour and up-close detail as the Imperial War Museum does on a grander, more people-busy scale. The local angle seems to give it an edge of depth, and the incomparable footfall gives more space to stop and think on the displays. Which is just as well when it comes to its newest exhibition, Outbreak! 1914. Text and pictures provide big, bold, broadbrush sketches of the time, and there is a dressing up box of uniforms, but the room is really built around the immersive experience of listening to letters home from those tentatively embarking on their first steps into war, sure, of course, that they would be back in time for Christmas...
Be still. Listen. There is a lightness, almost, a boredom, in describing detail so humdrum at the time. Letters so reassuring. So impatient. Familiar places are mentioned, but with a sense that these are becoming unfamiliar times. How normal it must have all felt. Until it wasn't. Silent ellipses seem to end each letter, for we know what may have been written of next, should those souls have survived long enough to write. Already, in one letter, a scarlet fever outbreak portends the mass horrors to come. There is a beauty to it all – like a militaristic Under Milk Wood in waiting. Do wait. Linger in this room, and remember. Meanwhile, over at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard, the focus shifts from land to sea. An oft-overlooked side of the war, the mighty scale of the role of this incredibly important site is writ large, on dazzle-painted walls, angled like ship prows, cowed by deep, dark blues and greys. A wave soundtrack washes the room into a false sense of calm, as the pictures, facts and figures tell a story of a horror which could surpass even trench warfare. Six panel ends list Chatham Division Ranks and Ratings with no other grave than the sea. I counted 270 names per row. Five rows per panel. The writing so small. The panels, like death itself, towering over.
Two thousand workers from the Dockyard signed up for war. Women filled the gaps in labour, and a wall shows how great their input and expertise became. Other walls mark the rise of the airships â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in which Kingsnorth played a massive part; and the jaw-dropping scale of destroyer-building during the war. On land, there was a relatively good chance of survival, even with severe injury. At sea, the death toll was higher than the 90th percentile. If injured, you would likely drown.
Outbreak! 1914 is showing until Monday 22 De-
cember at Royal Engineers Museum, Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME4 4UG. Tel: 01634 822839. Open Tue-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays 11.30am-5pm. re-museum.co.uk
There are some beautiful ship paintings in the exhibition. On 22 September, a special event at the Dockyard will mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of three such ships: HMS Hogue, HMS Cressy and HMS Aboukir. 1,459 men died. Of those, 1,264 were from the Chatham Port Division. Bright orange expertly rendered on blue. But under those colours, only on the canvas of the mind, comes the slow-dawning realisation: they mask the reds and blacks of charring, skinless flesh, burnt bone. For us to be at war on land, in Europe, first, we had to cross the sea. Nothing got to France without a ship's involvement. One can only imagine the hands raised in farewell to those sailors as they left their families behind. Those legion men of vigilance and valour, lost beneath those violence-crested waves. We will remember them.
Valour, Loss and Sacrifice Chatham,
The Royal Navy and the War at Sea is showing until Sunday 30 November in No.1 Smithery: The Gallery at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham ME4 4TY (Sat Nav). Admission is included in normal annual admission ticket. Open 10am-6pm until 26 October; thereafter 10am-4pm until 30 November. thedockyard.co.uk 19
ROCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL
w o n k k o t The second Rochester Literature Festival has a big theme and offers a terrific programme of events in venues across the Medway Towns. Tickets are available at rochesterlitfest.com. There is also a Festival Pass (£30) which will get you in to everything! For alternative payment methods email rochesterlitfest@gmail.com or call 07904 643770.
WEEKEND ONE AN EVENING WITH SUNNY ORMONDE
THE QUEEN VERSUS TRENTON OLDFIELD: A PRISON DIARY
An hilarious and heart warming one woman show with Sunny - outrageous Lilian Bellamy from BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, the longest running soap in the world.
An evening with notorious Australian, Trenton Oldfield, who served six months at her Majesty’s Pleasure for disrupting the 2012 Boat Race in a protest against elitism.
THURS 25 SEPT 7PM - 10PM
SAT 27 SEPT, 7PM – 10PM
Lords Wood Sports and Social Club £10 plus booking fee
Sun Pier House, Chatham £6 plus booking fee
CAFÉ CRAWL
MARCUS ALEXANDER: WHO IS CHARLIE’S KEEPER?
Featuring music, poetry and more from, amongst others, former Canterbury Laureate Dan Simpson.
Get your read on with the exciting and exuberant Keeper of the Realms author.
SAT 27 SEPT, 1PM - 5PM
SUN 28 SEPT, 2PM – 3.30PM
Rochester High Street. FREE
Woodlands Academy, Gillingham £3 includes fee
BOOKMARK’D Buy books, swap books or just listen to books, read aloud by their authors. SUN 28 SEPT 12NOON - 4PM Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Free
MIDWEEK
WEEKEND TWO
THE REAL SHERLOCK HOLMES: ANGELA BUCKLEY Meet true Detective Jerome Caminada, whose methodologies mimicked Conan Doyle’s genius. MON 29 SEPT, 6.30PM – 9PM Cafe 172 (Dot Cafe), Rochester £4.00 plus booking fee
WHILE NO ONE WAS WATCHING: DEBZ HOBBS-WYATT The impact of reality on fiction, set against the backdrop of the Kennedy assassination and the abduction of a young girl from the grassy knoll on that fateful day. WED 1 OCT, 6.30PM – 9PM Café Nucleus, Chatham £4 plus booking fee
AN ASSEMBLANCE OF JUDICIOUS HERETICS LIVE Writers channelled Byron to produce work inspiring madness, badness and dangerousness in the hearts of artists, and bring the visual carnage to life. THUR 2 OCT, 7.30PM Rochester Library, Free Exhibition: Friday 26/9 to Saturday 25/10 Free, normal opening hours.
PHIL KAY: WHOLLY VIABLE The as-seen-on-tv-offhis-trolley comic genius, master of freeform performance and storytelling. Plus support. FRI 3 OCT, 8PM START The Billabong Club, Rochester £7 plus booking fee
MURDER IN THE CRYPT Our interactive story game, featuring some of your favourite detectives. SAT 4 OCT, 10AM – 4PM Bishopscourt, Rochester £3 on the door
A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE: THE SPIRIT OF MY DREAM Presented by the award winning 17%, and inspired by Byron’s poem The Dream, it features new plays with a somewhat fantastical theme. SAT 4 OCT, 7PM – 10PM Chatham Grammar School for Boys £5 plus booking fee
ASSASSIN Joe Craig reading excerpts from his Jimmy Coates series – part boy, part weapon, totally deadly - which will be interpreted with music by Alice composer, Jacob Bride, and exciting young street dance group CYC. SUN 5 OCT, 2PM -5PM Lords Wood Sports and Social Club Tickets from £3. Family tickets available.
BYRON’S TEAPOT A mad mix of the unusual and quirky, featuring The James Worse Public Address Method, JP Lovecraft, Dylan Oscar Rowe and Brides of Rain, plus an Open Mic session. SUN 5 OCT, 7.30PM – 11PM Lords Wood Sports and Social Club £5 plus booking fee
ROCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL PASS ONLY £30 21
MUSIC 1 WILL ADAMS FESTIVAL
Saturday 13 September Gillingham Park, 11.30am-4.30pm This late Summer Festival is a fun, free family-friendly event which celebrates the life and times of Gillingham-born Adams, the first Englishman to travel to Japan and to become a Samurai. Taiko drums Martial arts Origami Live music Tudor cookery and more!
THE BARGE 63 Layfield Road, Gillingham ME7 2QY 01634 850485 Music starts 9pm, free entry Sat 6 Sept: THE DREDGERMEN EP launch + STUART TURNER & THE FLAT EARTH SOCIETY + THE ONLY SON Fri 12 Sept: DAVEY MALONE & THE LONGTAILS Sat 13 Sept: SPADE & ARCHER Fri 19 Sept: UNKNOWN REPORT + LIAM LYNOTT + LUNA LACUNA + VIEW FROM THE SKYLINE 8.30pm Sat 27 Sept: FATE THE JUGGLER thebargepub.co.uk BEACON COURT TAVERN 128 Canterbury Street, Gillingham ME7 4RY 01634 853186 Doors 7pm Fri 5 Sept: BEYOND THE SKYLIGHT + NARRATONES + THE FURRY LOVE LICKERS + SPINNER - £5 Fri 19 Sept: TYRANNOSAURUS ALAN + RECKLESS
AMBITION + AMBER DEE & LLOYD EDWARDS £5 Fri 26 Sept: Switchback Music Events present MAKER & BLACK LION COURTIERS + support. Doors 8pm. £5 / £3 NUS card. facebook.com/ switchbackmusicevents Sat 27 Sept: OASISH + STEREOTONICS - £8/£7 adv beaconcourttavern.co.uk BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338 Thu 01634 338338 25 Sept 8pm: FOLK AT THE BROOK: KEN NICOL & BECKY MILLS Classic folk from former Steeleye Span/ Albion Band member Nicol and ‘Waking the Witch’ Mills. £12 medwayticketslive.co.uk CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338338 Thu 18 Sept 7.30pm: UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN £20, £18 Sat 27 Sept 7.30pm: BAND OF HM ROYAL MARINES COLLINGWOOD £18, child concs available Sun 28 Sept 7.30pm: MARTHA REEVES AND THE VANDELLAS Ultimate Motown soul diva. £22 medwayticketslive.co.uk
ESCAPES ME Sun 21 Sept: JOHNNY JUKE BOX Sun 28 Sept: ANDY WHITE DUO thecoopersarms.co.uk EAGLE TAVERN Street Rochester ME1 1JT 01634 409040 Doors 7pm. Free entry. Thu 4 Sept: PARA D Thu 11 Sept: JUICY LUCY Thu 18 Sept: THE PRIFF STICKS Thu 25 Sept: THE KIX theeagletavern.org.uk EARLS 30 Earl Street Maidstone ME14 1PS 01622 751286 Doors 9pm unless stated. Free entry. Thu 4 Sept: MAKE SOME NOISE Fri 5 Sept: BARBED Sat 6 Sept: PROJECT 5 Sun 7 Sept: THE ROB KING BAND Thu 11 Sept: Tbc Fri 12 Sept: REYES Sat 13 Sept: LIVE 'N' KICKIN' Sun 14 Sept: THE QUAYS Thu 18 Sept: MAKE SOME NOISE Fri 19 Sept: HORNS HIGH Sat 20 Sept: THE MOFOS Sun 21 Sept: TWANG RUMBLE BANG Thu 25 Sept: Tbc Fri 26 Sept: PRIMITIVE INSTINCT Sat 27 Sept: ALL DAY FALLING Sun 28 Sept: Goodbye Eric earlsmaidstone.co.uk
THE BOWERHOUSE 20 Warwick Place, Maidstone ME16 8SG 01622 763448 Doors 7pm, 7.30pm show Sat 6 Sept: FURROW COLLECTIVE £10 thebowerhouse.info COOPERS ARMS 10 St Margaret’s Street, Rochester ME1 1TL 01634 404298 Doors 7pm Sun 7 Sept: LEGACY Sun 14 Sept: THE NAME
44TWO SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB Featherby Road, Gillingham ME8 6AN Jazz line: 01634 405037 DONN BARCOTT BAND 2nd Thursday of the month. Next gig: Thu 11 Sept 8.30-11pm with songs from the Great American Song Book from special guest singer Elaine Dyan. Licensed bar, quality raffle and magician at your table. See also Upchurch Golf Club, below. Admission £6 44two.net
Film, Video & Digital Arts Festival 10 –12 October 2014 www.51zero.org info@51zero.org
Bookkeeping & Accounts Payroll Services VAT · CIS · Training
Just Bookkeeping
For sole traders, partnerships, limited companies and start-ups
01634 574400 Free consultations
info@just-bookkeeping.co.uk 19 Watling Street, Chatham, Kent ME5 7EP
www.just-bookkeeping.co.uk
renew and restore Stained glass design and restoration Based in Rochester: design - creation - repair restoration - installation steve harries - 0779 608 0338 steve.harries@blueyonder.co.uk
At Whitstable harbour village every weekend
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
"...the antidote to pub games.." SEPTEMBER 2014 Tues 2nd Wed 3rd Thurs 4th
Ukulele Jam Night Folk Night with Skinners Rats Singer songwriter Glenn Barnes & Question 17 Wed 10th Anglo/ Swedish Duo We Ghosts Thurs 11th American Blues with Kent Duchaine Tues 16th Quiz Night with Mickey D Wed 17th Folk Night TBA Thurs 18th World Music with Pass the Cat Wed 24th Singer songwriter Ron Truman Border with The Strangers Thurs 25th Punk/Skiffle of Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs EVERY SUNDAY JAM NIGHT ANDROID
APPLE
Scan the code to download FREE Kent Live Music app
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MUSIC 2 THE HASTINGS ARMS FUNCTION ROOM Lower Rainham Road (leading to Danes Hill) Gillingham ME7 2YD Free parking, 8.30pm start Thu 25 Sept: ROCHESTER SWING PRESERVATION SOCIETY with special guest, Cruise cabaret star Steve Galler (Guitar/Banjo/Vocals). Admission £7.00 Raffle plus free nibbles.
ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL The Precinct, Rochester ME1 1SX 01634 810074 / 843366 Fri 26 Sept 7.30pm THE KING’S SINGERS A ‘choral spectacular’. Tickets £20, £15 & £5 from Garth House (address as above). rochestercathedral.org
RECOLLECT MUSIC FAIR Rainham Mark Social Club A2, Rainham ME8 6YX Sun 21 Sept 9.30am-3.30pm Records, CDs, DVDs, memorabilia Refreshments, free parking Admission £1.00
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 Sat 13 Sept: NEIL McSWEENEY with support from THE PARADE + ANDY WHITE. Doors 7pm. £10 from wegottickets.com/event/286595 lv21.co.uk PIZZA EXPRESS MUSIC ROOM 32-34 Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PF 01622 683548 Doors 7pm, show 8pm unless stated. Fri 5 Sept: THE CHILLBILLIES £14 Sat 6 Sept: CHRIS INGHAM QUARTET £16 Fri 12 Sept: JAMIE JOHNSON £18 Fri 19 Sept: JASON ALLEN & MIRANDA RICHARDS £13 Sat 27 Sept: DEREK NASH £15 pizzaexpresslive.co.uk RAFTERS 62 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1SR 07841 455957 Fri 5 Sept: Gaza Fundraiser featuring INEVITABLE DAYDREAM + DOUBT + FUOCO + HIGH + HANGING MARY ANN + TEMPESTS + THAT MASSIVE BEREAVEMENT £5 doors 5pm Sat 20 Sept: GET INUIT + FEVER + HERCITY doors 8pm theraftersmaidstone.co.uk
SUN PIER HOUSE Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF 01634 812805 Fri 12 Sept: THE PAPER MOON Live Jazz & Soul Lounge with The Notable Exceptions + Special Guests + Local Support. Doors 7.30pm. Tickets £10 or £5 after 10.30pm Fri 26 Sept: THE PAPER MOON Live Jazz & Soul Lounge presents The Notable Exceptions + Special Guests + Local Support - doors 7.30pm. Tickets £10 or £5 after 10.30pm sunpierhouse.co.uk UPCHURCH RIVER VALLEY GOLF CLUB Oak Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7AY 01634 360626 Sat 27 Sept 8pm: THE DONN BARCOTT BIG BAND in concert. For more details phone the Golf Club.
MEDIEVAL MERRIMENT Sat and Sun 6 & 7 September Rochester Castle Gardens 10.30am-5pm Re-enactors, cookery displays, medieval fashion show!
THe
Capstone Festival Sunday 21 September Capstone Farm Country Park 11am – 4pm
This one day family event champions outdoor pursuits and countryside experiences. Includes kite and bike displays, woodcarving, thatching, dog agility, sheepdog and geese herding, laser clay pigeon shooting, music and food. FREE
Thursday 4 ESTUARY ECCENTRICITY featuring Tim Holehouse and Richard Lomax. Delightfully dirty blues grind and maniacal melodies not to be missed! Local acts include Wolfgang Riot and Joju Kongo Friday 5 DARKSIDE WARRIORS ARISE Hip-Hop & Reggae. Geronimo / Syndrome / Lex B2B Mojo / Sure Grooves. There will be a film crew present for a hip-hop documentary so Dress to Impress! Saturday 6 KILL RPNZL, DEAD BEARS, BEXX + more TBC A night of raw garage rock! Friday 12 SPINNER/ THE MUSWELLS / ROKOKO Dress Code: Mods, Rockers, Beats and Hippies Saturday 13 Sep: NOKTURNAL Room 1 - Hard House / Hard Trance / NRG Room 2 - Jackin House and Tech House special guests DISCAM, Andrikooo + Nokturnal residents Friday 19 Sep: REGGAE AND 60'S DJ Saturday 20 Sep: TBC Friday 26 Sep: FRANK STATESBORO Acoustic blues, rock & roll, soul funky boogie & more Saturday 27 Sep: LIQUID SOUL Funk groove soul DJs + Bands TBC Friday 3 Oct: HARVEY HOOPER WALKER & CRISPE 5 piece acoustic
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
One of Kent’s best underground music venues
SEPTEMBER GIGS
C. Garth
LIVE!
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
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 25
THEATRE BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338 Fri 26 Sept 8pm: Dizzy O’ Dare presents CABARET OF CURIOSITIES This is a great night out, with different acts each time. Indoor circus, dancing and cheeky burlesque. Over 16s only. £11 Sun 28 Sept 3pm: Dizzy O’ Dare presents: KIDS CABARET OF CURIOSITIES Fantastic selection of cabaret and circus acts suitable for all. Adults £6, child £5, four for £20 Thu 2 Oct 7.45pm: INTO THE BREACH One man show set during WW2 with actor Mark Carey illustrating village life by playing all 17 characters. Suitable for age 10 upwards. £9, concs available medwayticketslive.co.uk HAZLITT THEATRE’s EXCHANGE STUDIO Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 758611 Fri 12 Sept 7.30pm: AUSTEN’S WOMEN with Rebecca Vaughan £12.50 Sat 4 Oct 7.30pm: THE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE European Arts Company’s highly acclaimed production, soon to move to London’s Trafalgar Studios, plays for one night only. Based on the original court transcripts. £13, £11, concs avaiable parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787 Mon 8-Sat 13 Sept: Noël Coward’s HAY FEVER starring Felicity Kendall and directed by Lindsay Posner 7.30pm, Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm. £22£33.50, concs available
Tue 16-Sat 20 Sept: LORD OF THE RINGS 7.30pm, Wed & Thu mat 1.30pm, Sat mat 2.30pm. Direct from the West End. Adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer prizewinning novel. £19-£34.50, concs available Wed 24 – Sat 27 Sept: LORD OF THE FLIES 7.30pm, Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm. Thrilling new dance version from Matthew Bourne (of male ‘Swan Lake’ fame). £15-£35 Mon 29 Sept- Sat 4 Oct: ONE MAN, TWO GUV’NORS 7.30pm, Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm. Acclaimed National Theatre production. Songs, satire and skiffle. £16-£37.50 MARLOWE STUDIO: Fri 12 Sept 8pm: WRONG ‘UN Red Ladder Theatre present this one-woman show about a Lancashire mill girl who becomes involved with the Suffragette movement. £12, conc £11 Wed 24 Sept 8pm: SHADOW BOXING One man show about a boxer fighting his own demons. Adult themes. 14+ £12, conc £11 marlowetheatre.com (booking charges applies via internet) ORCHARD THEATRE Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000 Sun 21 Sept 7.30pm: CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC Sleights of hand and illusion from an award-winning team. £21, concs available Mon 22-Sat 27 Sept: FAME The Musical Mon-Thu at 7.30pm, Fri 5pm & 8pm, Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm. £18£32. For ages 12+ Sun 28 Sept 7.30pm: MADAMA BUTTERFLY Sung in Italian with English subtitles. £20-£33, Premium seats and concs available Mon 29 Sept 7.30pm: BLOFELD & BAXTER Memories of a Test Match Special. Tales from the commentary box. £19.50 orchardtheatre.co.uk (booking fee applies)
COMEDY BILLABONG CLUB Victoria Street, Rochester ME1 1XJ Top Uk comedians, last Thursday of every month. Doors 7.30pm, show 8pm. Next gig: Thu 25 Sept with JOHN RYAN, DAVE WARD & PETE MCMULLAN. £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. Fri 26 Sept: Billabong at DICKENS WORLD Kiwi star JARRED CHRISTMAS with support from radio star STEVE N.ALLEN. Brian Higgins will be compering. Tickets from Dickens World on 0844 8858 6656 or online thebritanniakent. com. Price tbc. 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. Next gigs: Thu 4 and 18 Sept, 8-10pm. Line-up tbc. £2 admission. Find Joking with Intent on Facebook MARLOWE THEATRE The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787
Sat 27 Sept 8pm: THE MARLOWE COMEDY CLUB. Comedy and variety night with adult themes. £13 Tue 30 Sept 8pm: BRIDGET CHRISTIE: A BIC FOR HER Winner of the 2013 Edinburgh Comedy Award for best show. £14, concs £12 marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply)
The MUSIC Review
PERSUADED ROB FLOOD DELIGHTS IN THE RETURN OF UNC & CHUNK (WITH ADDED MISS MODUS)
It’s hard to believe that nearly 3½ years have passed since WOW last sat down with Medway’s favourite tunesmith Glenn Prangnell aka Groovy Uncle. And a lot has happened in that time. Three albums and three singles in the bag with a fourth album ‘Persuaded’ scheduled for release late September/early October.
On the new album, Glenn and the fabulous Suzi Chunk are also joined by Scottish vocalist Miss Modus. Glenn told me “I played Suzi a few of the songs I’d written for the new album. She loved them but they didn’t really suit her style. I had a single by a Scottish band called Modus and really liked the vocals. Then coincidently we ended up doing a gig with them so I asked Sarah (Miss Modus) if she’d like to record with us. I sent her the demos and she really wanted to do them. Her voice sits perfectly with the John Barry style arrangements.
‘Persuaded’ by Groovy Uncle will be released on the band’s own ‘Trouserphonic’ label by late September/early October. It's will be available on vinyl, CD and as a download. There will be 100 "limited edition" copies of the vinyl album, a standard version and all vinyl will contain a free download code. See http://craftweb.org/web/glenn/index.html for details.
Trouserphonic Records • ZIP 2-UP
One of the tracks on ‘Persuaded’ is just a string quartet and vocals. Glenn explained: “I’ve always wanted to record a track with a string quartet. I wrote a song called ‘No Idea’ and was talking to Roan Kearsey-Lawson (the vibes player on third Unc album ‘One Vowel Away from the Truth’) about it. Then almost out of the blue, I got a text from him saying he’d
All of ‘Persuaded’ was recorded at Ranscombe with Jim producing and mastering (except two songs left over from the recording of ‘Play Something We Know’) and Jim plays harmonica on a couple of tracks too. “I’m really pleased with the new album. The single is already getting loads of airplay and downloads so I’m confident ‘Persuaded’ will be well received.”
Persuaded — Groovy Uncle
“The new album has a really ‘cinematic’ feel to it. I know that’s a bit poncey but everyone that’s heard the single thinks it sounds like something from a Tarrantino soundtrack, especially with Bruce (Brand) playing ‘surf guitar’. A lot of people just think of Bruce as a great drummer but he’s one of the most inventive guitar players I know.”
written a string arrangement and got a quartet together. Roan came into Ranscombe Studio and conducted. Me and Jim (Riley) were both blown away by the results.”
Featuring Suzi Chunk & Miss modus
Photos: Phil Dillon
New single ‘Barefoot In The Car Park’ came out on Folkestone’s State Records at the end July and has already been chosen as the week’s ‘Coolest Song In The World’ by Little Steven's Underground Garage (the go-to US nationally syndicated rock radio show hosted and produced by one of America’s foremost musicians and actors, Little Steven Van Zandt) - the third time a Groovy Uncle tune has made the grade.
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VISUAL ART MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERY St Faith's St, Maidstone ME14 1LH 01622 602838 Opens Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun & Bank Holidays 12-4pm
Open 9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat PHOTOGRAPHIC NUDE STUDIES by Alexander Wilson (see The Artist’s Space p30) 1-30 September. Private view Thu 11 Sept 6-8pm. Free entry. gilbertandclark.com
TEDDY BEAR STORY To 1 Nov. Delightful touring exhibition from the V & A Museum of Childhood. ‘Pay what you can’.
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
MUSEUM TALK AND WORKSHOP: Sat 6 Sept: 2-6pm Artist’s Talk: POLLY MORGAN Discover the inspiration behind the artist’s work and the processes she uses to create her unique sculptures. £10, £7 Concs, £5 Museum Friends & Making Art Work members. Advance booking essential Wed 24 Sept 11am-12 noon BEHIND THE SCENES: FASHION See what happens behind the scenes and find out about collections not on display. £7, £5 Concs & Museum Friends museum.maidstone.gov.uk
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 Runs to 2 Nov. Pay What You Can. See pp 14 & 15.thebeaney.co.uk BELOW 65 GALLERY Gilbert & Clark Frame and Print 65 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1SR 01622 685146 Free entry
FRANCIS ILES GALLERIES 103 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 843081 Opens Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm ROWLAND HILDER ANNUAL TRIBUTE 2014 To 13 Sep. Followed by AUTUMN EXHIBITION 2014 from 19 September, featuring Brian Denington and Graham Pook. 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 NUCLEUS ARTS 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108 Gallery: Mon- 10am-5pm (café to 5.30pm) Closed Sun. Free entry To 1pm on Thu 11 Sept: PILGRIM ART by – Natural landscapes and life through the seasons by John Burgess. Fri 12 Sept – 1pm on 18 Sept: THE FALL OF ICARUS and other paintings by Daniel McDonagh. Sat 27 Sept – 1pm on Thu 9 Oct: NOTHINGNESS by Christopher Sacre. Preview 6-9pm, all
welcome. #nothingnessexhibition. christophersacre.com (See 5 Really Good Things page 5). 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 11 October: BEYOND BOUNDARIES Showcasing works by printmakers Xtina Lamb, Adam Piper and Liz Miller, of INTRA’s Medway Fine Printmakers. For workshop information see medwayfineprintmakers.co.uk SUN PIER HOUSE Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF 01634 401549 Open Tue-Sun 10am - 4pm (closed Mon) Tue 2 – Mon 29 Sept: KAB PORTRAIT EXHIBITION. 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 Sat 13 and Sun 14 Sept: THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY ARTRACK GROUP SHOW, showing work of 16 artists. Open 11-5pm both days.
PAY
ONCE
VISIT AGAIN & AGAIN A
TICKET VALID
FOR A YEAR
FIRST WORLD WAR CENTENARY EXHIBITION...
VALOUR, LOSS
& S ACRIFICE
CHATHAM, THE ROYAL NAVY
AND T HE WAR AT S E A
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‘Valour, Loss and Sacrifice’ is one of three special exhibitions included in the price of an annual ticket to The Historic Dockyard Chatham
THE ARTIST’S SPACE
LOST AND FOUND BY ALEXANDER WILSON
For my first collection I focused on the nude female form. I tried to avoid glamorous or erotic imagery; instead looking for a raw and natural feel, with no lighting and minimal (if any) make-up or styling. I have also tried to create images with a narrative and often with a sinister or vulnerable twist. I primarily shoot with a prime lens in colour converting to high contrast black and white later, sometimes retaining some isolated colour. ‘Lost and Found’ was taken on a very basic DSLR camera (Canon 400D) which I first picked up in May last year when I began as a photographer. No aspiring photographer should think they need expensive kit to get started! ‘Photographic Nude Studies’, an exhibition of photographs by Alexander Wilson, runs 1-30 September at Below 65 Gallery, 65 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1SR
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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
Sponsored by
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