Day & Boarding School | Year 7 to 6th FormStar Hill, Rochester | rochester-college.org

Call admissions on 01634 828115

Kent’s fresh alternative to traditional independent schools Year 7 to Sixth Form

* Non-selective * High performing at GCSE & A level * Average class size 8 * No school uniform * Co-ed* Transfer for year 11 or 13 * College Minibus servicesWe have over 30 years’ experience helping students to maximise their potential and secure places on highly competitive degree courses such as Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Law, Mathematics, English, Modern Languages and Fine Art.

Bitesize Year 7 Taster DaysNew dates for 2016!

For families with children currently in Years 5 & 6 who wouldlike to find out more about our school. See website for info

ROCHESTER INDEPENDENT COLLEGE

Painting the Town Green Creative Nature workshops across Medway, Swale and ThanetFREE!

Festive wreath making:Wed 9 December, 10am – 12pmNet Cafe, 70 Silverweed Road, Weeds Wood ME5 0RD

Christmas crafts:Tue 16 Dec, 10.30am – 3.30pmThe Pulse Cafe, 29 Park Rd, Sittingbourne ME10 1DR

Wed 17 Dec, 10.30am – 12.30pmNucleus Arts, 272 High St, Chatham ME4 4BP

Wed 18 Dec: 10.30am – 2.30pm Marine Studios, 17 Albert Terrace, Margate CT9 1UJ

Booking is essential. Email info@kentwildlife.org.uk or call Dot Hughes on 01622 622 012 to book. www.paintingthetowngreen.com

Registered Charity No. 239992. Company No. 633098

CONTENTS

4 WELCOME5 5 REALLY GOOD THINGS6 NEWS9 MONSTERS OF ROCHESTER10 A HUG FOR CHRISTMAS12 FILM13 NICK WALKER: INDEPENDENT FILM X616 2016

20 MUSIC 122 MUSIC 224 THEATRE/COMEDY26 SIMON MENDES DA COSTA: A BETTER

WOMAN28 VISUAL ART 30 THE ARTIST'S SPACE

fMONSTERSREAL MEDWAY AND SWALE

OF ROCHESTER

www.realmedwayandswale.com

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.

Steph Coole started off with a love of writing silly stories, yet rarely finished them. He decided to try to write professionally and has spent almost 20 years working on content and comms for organisations, plus a few magazines on the side (the real passion). For these people he has to finish. He still writes silly stories and songs, though, and most of them remain unfinished.

Dylan Oscar Rowe is a creative of the written word, occasionally visual. He uses his mental health to change perceptions, teach, and seeks to learn about the world, whilst growing and adapting himself.

Nick Walker is the director of Rochester Kino, screening contemporary world cinema and classic films at various venues around Medway and in London. Nick previously wrote for The Guardian, was director of National Schools Film Week and is a freelance writer, teacher and film cinema/festival programmer. He currently works for London’s famous Phoenix Cinema. For more of Rochester Kino visit: rochesterkino.co.uk

WELCOME TO WOW! Your guide to the best of What’s On WhereMedway, Maidstone and the accessible beyond

A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who came down to Sun Pier House on 8 November for WOW’s Crowdfunding Campaign launch event. There was a great atmosphere, creative juices were flowing and lots of people contributed to the campaign on the day. Thank you to all the artists and friends who gave of their time to make it happen.

I am in the strange position as I write this of not knowing whether the campaign has reached its target or not, because the campaign is still live until 7 December – we have raised over £6000 so far and that tells me there is a fantastic, generous community out there. Thank you!

Be sure to hang on to this issue for two months, it’s our double issue and we have focussed on the splendid things to come in 2016 to keep your appetites whetted for all things arty.

With love and gratitude, here’s wishing you a peace-filled, creative new year.

Emma Dewhurst editor@wowkent.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS

Find us on Facebookfacebook.com/WOWMedway

@EmmaDewhurst7

EDITORIAL:editor@wowkent.co.uk0845 388 2243 (Calls cost 5p per minute plus your network’s access charge)

ADVERTISING:advertising@wowkent.co.ukNew advertiser & excellent series booking discounts available. All ads also appear in the online edition at wowkent.co.uk

FREE LISTINGS (magazine)listings@wowkent.co.uk

FREE/PREMIUM LISTINGS (website)Submit your content at wowkent.co.uk

DESIGN: A Stones Throwastonesthrowdesign.co.uk

PRINTING: Complete Print Group (CPG)9-10 Orchard Business CentreSanderson WayTonbridgeKent TN9 1QG01732 366666cpg-net.co.uk

PUBLISHER: Emma DewhurstWEBSITE: wowkent.co.ukDistribution: Medway Towns, Maidstone & Gravesend

©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.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE EDITOR BY RIKARD ÖSTERLUND

Clanger ‘skin’ from ‘Postgate & Firmin: The Making of Smallfilms’ at The Beaney (see main feature)

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.

5

A WINTER’S TALE

The hottest tickets in town right now are for the season of plays by Kenneth Branagh’s Theatre Company at The Garrick, featuring a stellar company and a killer programme. The first show of the season, Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’, is sold-out, but you can see it at Gravesend’s Paul Greengrass Cinema via a live feed on Tuesday 15 December. Judi Dench plays Paulina opposite Branagh as Leontes in this bittersweet tale of obsession and redemption. Say no more and book. See Film.

REMNANTS OF

THE PAST

This is the title of Richard Curtis’s latest solo show, to be held at art-friendly Café Moroc, in the interesting Intra area of the High Street between Rochester and Chatham. A long-time member of the West End Studios group of artists based in Chatham, the show will feature recent work by Curtis. The show runs from 29 December for one month. Well worth making the trip to savour both the art and the culinary treats on offer.

NO TAIL

I can’t vouch for the quality of this ‘for one night only’ pantomime initiated by Ideas Test as part of the Out of the Ordinary Places programme, but I can

advise attending out of sheer curiosity. Starting in Strood Station Car Park, the audience will somehow be led to Temple Manor, the extraordinary Knights Templar manor house, where the rest of the performance will take place. It’s all happening at a moment of magical timing, on the Winter Solstice of 22 December. See News for more.

CHRISTMAS

CRAFTS

Children of six upwards are invited to join the team at the Huguenot Museum on Wednesday 23 December to revel in Christmas crafts. There’ll be a chance to make pomanders, wreaths and traditional tree decorations. Sessions are an hour long and begin

at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm at just £4 per child. You can book online via the Huguenot Museum website. Jealous, me? Never.

ANDY KIND

Author/comedian Andy Kind is funny. Even a visit to his website (andykind.co.uk) is funny. And Nathan Ward, Walderslade’s most go-get vicar, is bringing him to St Williams Church on 3 January as part of his ‘Something for Everyone’, Pay What you Can, Arts Café programme. Hoorah. See p23 for details.

Really good thingsTO DO IN DECEMBER & JANUARY

THE PLAYS ARE OUT!Every year, Kent-based Changeling Theatre asks audience members which plays they would like to see performed the following summer. The runaway winners of this year’s poll, to be performed in 2016 are:Shakespeare’s ‘ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL’ and Oliver Goldsmith’s SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER.

Tickets go on sale in February 2016: changeling-theatre.com

CHRISTMAS CHEESECAKE

WEEKEND19-20 December

BRUNO’S BAKES & COFFEE10 High St, Rochester ME1 1PT

ROCHESTER FARMERS MARKET

20 December17 January

Blue Boar Lane Car ParkEvery 3rd Sunday of

the monthmedway.gov.uk/markets

YUM!

A MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who came to

our Campaign Launch Event and to everyone who has contributed to the

campaign so far. You’re all gems!

Our crowdfunding campaign continues until 7 December

#keepwowinprint

http://bitly.com/WOW_Campaign

Christmas Dates

Rochester Dickensian Christmas Festival:Sat 5 & Sun 6 DecChristmas Market

in Rochester Castle Gardens:

Fri 4, Sat 5 & Sun 6 and Fri 11, Sat 12 & Sun 13 Dec

Open 11 – 6pm (10am-7pm on 5 & 6)

WELOVEWOW

NEW YEAR CLASSES & WORKSHOPSAT NUCLEUS ARTS, CHATHAM

Beginners Stained Glass Workshop with Stephen Harries.

Weekly Life Drawing Classes with Patrick Butler.

Over 55's Young at Art 2016 Programme (last Wednesday of every month).

Children's Half-term Workshops.

Colouring Club for Adults!

Confidence Building Workshops for People with Disabilities.

Patricia Wood's ‘Credit Card’ Painting Classes.

Drawing Classes/Taster Days with Brian Thompson.

‘Wet on Wet’ Acrylic Landscape Classes with David Bunting.

Glass Fusing with Glass Artist Beverley Bunn.

Drypoint Etching and Two Colour Reduction Linocut Workshops with Heather Haythornthwaite.

To book and for more details of all the above visit nucleusarts.com.

ARTISTS, DON’T FORGET!The closing date for Richard Watts Charities’ ‘Lesser Known Rochester’ Art competition is Friday 26 February. With a cash prizes, a gallery showing and the chance for your artwork to be bought by the charity, this is well worth entering! To enter/more details see richardwatts.org.uk.

TAKE SOMETHING UP FOR THE NEW YEAR!

Check out the new classes starting in January at Medway Adult & Community Learning Service. Among the courses on offer are:

• Acting• Singing• Photography (Create your

own home studio)• High Intensity Dance• Ballet• Get to Know Your Sewing

Machine• Dressmaking for beginners• And my own personal

favourite, Make Your Own Fairy Door…

Rochester Centre, Eastgate, High Street, Rochester ME1 1EW. Tel: 01634 338400. Website: medway.gov.uk/macls.

The Contemporary Open 2016CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!Sun Pier House is delighted to announce a call for submissions for our upcoming group show, The Contemporary Open 2016.

Artists and designers of any media are invited to enter. This opportunity provides a context for emerging artists to develop their professional practice.

There will also be the chance to win an award of a month's residency at Sun Pier throughout July 2016.

There is a submission fee of £10, with no limit to the number of works artists may submit.

If you are interested in submitting work, please send enquiries to gallery@sunpierhouse.co.uk. Deadline for submissions: 31st Jan 2016.

77

PUBLIC LAUNCH DAY, SAT 5 DECEMBER

No. 34 High Street in Sittingbourne is being transformed into a multi-use business start-up and creative venue for Sittingbourne and the surrounding area. No.34 offers opportunities for people across Swale and Medway to get involved in creativity in ways they choose: as entrepreneurs, as participants, as artists. You can check out the facilities and experience a taste of what the creative programme has to offer at No.34’s Public Launch Day on Sat 5 December – all welcome.

The building’s transformation has been made possible thanks to Swale Borough Council and The Spirit of Sittingbourne partnership and is managed by grassroots arts organisation Ideas Test, with the support of investment from KCC.

ideas-test.co.uk/no-34

T: @ideastest #No34 facebook.com/ideastest

Christmas Croquis: Wed 11 Dec 7-8.30pm in the Gallery. Quick sketch drawing. £10pp, £15 with their materials. To book call: 07850 644633.

Board Games Night: 27 January: 7 – 9.30pm. £2 on the door.

Pilates: Tuesdays 12:15 – 1pm. £4 per person, no need to book.

Yoga: Mondays, 12-1.30pm + Wednesdays 7:30 – 9pm. Contact Bridget Reader on 07962 077597

Ballet: Sundays 10am – 11am. £5 per person, no need to book.

For Open Mic and Christmas Paper Moon, see Music 2 and see Visual art for Gallery listings. Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF

NO TAIL: An Out of the Ordinary Panto22 December 7.30pm

Temple Manor, Strood (begins at Strood Station car park)

For one night only a unique pantomime created with and for Strood residents is to be performed on the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. ‘No Tail’ will take over Temple Manor, Strood's 13th century manor house, a historic gem situated in the middle of an industrial estate.

The piece draws on historic mumming plays and hidden local stories, past and present. Local people have been working with project leader, artist Ruth Ewan, and learning from a creative team of experts in theatre performance, lighting, set costume design, prop-making and puppetry to make the pantomime.

The event begins as a walking tour from Strood Railway station. Meet in the station car park at 7.30pm. You are advised to wrap up warm and wear waterproof clothing and footwear as the event involves time outdoors, periods of standing and walking.

Tickets are £4 for Strood residents; £11 (or 2 for £16). Book online at http://notail.bpt.me. Ticket price includes a hot drink and snack.

‘No Tail’ is one of four public art commissions initiated by Ideas Test under the Out Of the Ordinary Places programme. See ootoplaces.co.uk for more.

WHAT’S ON AT SPH

ENTER THE EPIC AWARDSDO YOU KNOW A LOCAL CREATIVE GROUP THAT DESERVES RECOGNITION?

Run by Voluntary Arts, The Epic Awards are an annual celebration of amateur cultural activity. The awards shine a light on the

achievements of those who get creative purely for the love of it, and on the opportunities for creative participation they bring to local communities. Artist Wendy Daws and her

Kent Association for the Blind Medway Art Group won a special Epic Award for ‘Exceptional Work with Disabled People’ at the 2015 Epic Awards in May.

Nomination forms can be found at epicawards.co.uk. Deadline: 7 December 2015.

HAVE YOU MADE A WILL?

We specialise in:

• PreparationofWills• Probateadvice• Lastingpowersofattorney• Updatingwills(codicils)• Inheritancetaxplanning• Contestedprobates• Disputedwills

www.grahamcolley-solicitor.co.ukTel: 01634 540324

OakHouse,offStMargaret’sStreet,RochesterME13GU

Legaladvicewithapersonaltouch

grahamcolley

designreprolithodigitalstoragefulfilmentdistribution

9-10 Orchard Business CentreSanderson WayTonbridgeKent TN9 1QG

e: enquiries@cpg-net.co.ukt: 01732 366666

www.cpg-net.co.uk

North West TF 2008 8/9/08 17:19 Page 36

DESIGN l POS l LITHO l DIGITAL STORAGE l FULFILMENT l DISTRIBUTION

TONBRIDGE KENT

e: enquiries@cpg-net.co.uk t: 01732 366666

www.cpg-net.co.uk

MONSTERSREAL MEDWAY AND SWALE

OF ROCHESTER

www.realmedwayandswale.com

172b High StreetRochester ME1 1EX01634 400240rochester@kip-mcgrath.com

172b High Street Rochester ME1 1EX01634 400240rochester@kip-mcgrath.com

MONSTERSREAL MEDWAY AND SWALE

OF ROCHESTER

www.realmedwayandswale.com

A radar pings and something appears in front of me. I look, only to see an empty side street, but with the click of a button, the steampunk interface on my phone opens up a whole new world. A strange Victorian man tells me his monsters have escaped and I must help him find them. Over thirty minutes, I am taken on a journey around Rochester, discovering all is not as it seems.

'Monsters of Rochester' is an augmented reality game for Android and iOS smartphones, from Real Medway and Swale, created with funding from Ideas Test using a game engine developed by Haunted Planet Studios. The app is very easy to use, I felt like a time travelling, ghost busting, monster hunter, on a plain clothes mission.

I spoke to Roy Smith, who brought together a fantastic team of writers and artists to create the story and content for the game.

How did 'Real Medway and Swale' come about?A couple of years ago I took part in an online course called 'The Future of Story Telling'. It looked at how new technologies are being used to change the way we tell stories and I became fascinated with the potential for using augmented reality to mix the real and digital world. I decided to try and do something locally.

What is augmented reality?It can be any way of adding extra sensory information to the real world. It could be sound played from speakers hidden in the woods or images projected on walls. Recently the term has been used to describe digital content added through electronic devices with cameras. Real Medway and Swale makes use of your smartphone's camera to help you find characters hidden in the local area and discover their stories.

Who is the app aimed at?I hope the games work for lots of people. Getting locals to find something different in a familiar place or tourists looking for an alternative to traditional history walks. I don't think any monsters have escaped in Rochester's history, not that I am aware of anyway...

What next?Players take photos of the characters they find. I'm looking forward to seeing what people do with this, having fun posing with the monsters and hopefully sharing their experiences on social media. I hope to work with local writers and artists to create more games, each one with a different story.

The app is due for release in early December. Grown from local creativity, it gets you exploring in a fun, new and interesting way. Share your pictures on the Facebook page or on Twitter with #rochestermonsters. I for one can't wait to see your 'selfies' and 'groupies' with the Rochester monsters.

For up to date information and to download the app, visit: www.realmedwayandswale.comTwitter: @realmedwayswaleFacebook: www.facebook.com/realmedwayandswaleEmail: realmedwayandswale@gmail.com if you are interested in helping to create future games.

HELP FIND THESE

DYLAN OSCAR

ROWE test runs the

new augmented

reality app and

interviews its creator,

ROY SMITH

Mon

ster

des

igns

by

Asy

a Ja

ckso

n, R

icha

rd Je

ferie

s and

Jen

Cro

ss

The turkeys are running scared. Sprouts have popped a button or two and Aunty is plotting a plethora of acerbic put downs... The run up to Christmas is not always a stocking-filler of fun. It doesn’t always have to be this way, though.

Take the stock off the boil and come with me to your Christmas future. It’s a Saturday in December and you are sat in a Headcorn pub. Heady with hops, your senses are being tingled to the point of explosion by 20 or more musicians. No po-faced stuffiness with this bunch; just great tunes, hearty fun and an embrace that would make the Broads blush. In a hazy rush you jump up and join them: Christmas cheer is finally here.

This is exactly what could happen to you if you pop along to the Headcorn Ukulele Group’s ‘Massive Christmas Ukulele Bash’ at The White Horse pub in Headcorn on Saturday 19 December. If you want to bring an instrument along and join in, you are welcome to. Or maybe you’d prefer to soak up the great vibe and make merry with the crowd.

The group sprung to life in May 2014. Already a professional musician, George Bartle wanted to pursue a simpler musical ambition: the accessible joys of ukulele playing. He scoured Kent and found a flourishing bunch of ukulele bands. But he needed a project nearer to home, and one with absolute freedom.

“We don’t expect commitment,” says George. “The emphasis is very much on having fun and feeling that we are developing a skill at the same time. Our sessions are very informal. They run from 7.45-9.45pm every Monday at

the White Horse and are led by everyone in the group.” By Christmas 2014 the group had grown to 12 strong and now, shy of a year later, it boasts up to 40 players: “I think lots of people got ukuleles as Christmas presents and we had a big influx,” explains George.

The group have played more than 20 gigs in 2015, including the inaugural Rye Ukulele Festival, to which they will return in 2016. The passing public, and audiences at private events have been wowed by an eclectic mix spanning George Formby (of course!), World War 2 sing-alongs, 60s pop classics and even a bit of new wave spunk in the form of Blondie.

After a hearty chat with George it is clear that the more the merrier applies. It is about getting together and taking part foremost. Suffice to say, the only way to get the best HUG this Christmas is to head to the White Horse in Headcorn on 19 December.

The Massive Christmas Ukulele Bash is at The White Horse, Headcorn, TN27 9NN on Saturday 19 December from 7pm. Group festive sing and strum-along, followed by Ukulele Open Mic. Free entry.

Get a proper HUG right away (and download your Ukulele Christmas music pdf ) at: headcornukulelegroup.com

T

Barely 18 months old, Headcorn Ukulele Group (HUG) is spreading musical joy across the land. STEPH COOLE finds out how you, too, can feel the love

this Christmas?c f

Could you do with a big

11

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A

FOR YOUR EVENT?

THEN LOOK NO FURTHER!

G O S P E LC H O I R

POWERHOUSE GOSPEL CHOIR is a Kent based gospel choir with singers forged from the best of British talent.

PGC can provide singers for your 2015 Christmas or New Year’s Party so book early to avoid disappointment.

We can also supply singers for any event including:

• Weddings • Funerals • Birthdays • Christenings • Corporate events • Restaurants • Private Party

To book the choir please contact our direct booking agent on:  0203 700 7234 or by email: info@powerhousegospelchoir.com

Please visit our website to find out more: www.powerhousegospelchoir.com

10am to 6pm

Saturday 5th December

Nat West Car Park, Epaul LaneRochester, ME1 1SN

FREE ENTRY!

VINTAGE * ART * ANTIQUES * HANDMADEVINTAGE CLOTHING * JEWELLERY * XMAS CARDS

GREAT PRESENT AND STOCKING FILLER IDEAS!

FILM

AFTERNOON FILM TREATCentral Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS01634 338338Tickets £4.50 in adv, £5 on door inc hot drink and teacakeNo Film Treat in December, January or February. Monthly screenings resume on Tue 22 March 2016 with TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD starring Gregory Peck. medwayticketslive.co.uk

MAIDSTONE FILM SOCIETYHazlitt Theatre, Earl StreetMaidstone ME14 1PL01622 753922Membership £24; Couples £42; Senior/Student £19; Guest £4Enquiries: info@maidstone-film-society.org.uk. Membership enquiries: 01622 746 078

FORCE MAJEURE (15) 2014Mon 7 Dec 8pmDir: Ruben ÖstlundCast: Johannes Kuhnke, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Clara WettergrenSwedish comedy drama that makes for ‘gleefully uncomfortable’ (Rotten Tomatoes) viewing. 120 mins

JIMMY’S HALL (12A) 2014Mon 11 Jan 8pmDir: Ken LoachCast: Barry Ward, Francis Magee, Aileen Henry See Nick Walker opposite. 109 mins

IDA (12A) 2013Mon 25 Jan 8pmDir: Pawel PawlikowskiCast: Agata Kulesza, Agata Trzebuchowska, Dawid OgrodnikA young nun is about to take her vows when she discovers a family secret dating back to the years of Nazi occupation. See opposite. 82 mins

ROCHESTER KINO @ CHATHAM ODEONChatham Maritime ME4 4LL 0871 2244 007Screening classic movies, cult

films and contemporary world cinema. £9.95 / £7.75 (2 for 1 for students with NUS card)Kino Discount Card £7.75

MACBETH (15) 2015Thu 3 Dec 7.45pmDir: Justin KurzelCast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Elizabeth Debicki . Big screen Shakespeare adaptation with storming performance by Fassbender. 113 mins

CLASSIC: PULP FICTION (18) 1994Thu 10 Dec 7.45pmDir: Quentin TarantinoCast: John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L JacksonWinner, Best Picture at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival. See Nick Walker opposite. 154 minsrochesterkino.co.uk

RFS @ MOCKBEGGAR FARM SHOP/TEA ROOMTown Road, Cliffe Woods, Rochester, ME3 8EUBREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (PG) 1951Tue 8 December Doors 7pm; film at 7.30pmDir: Blake EdwardsCast: Audrey Hepburn, George PeppardPart of Rochester Film Society’s contribution to the BFI Love Season. 115 mins

PAUL GREENGRASS CINEMA@THE WOODVILLE Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DDKENNETH BRANAGH THEATRE COMPANY LIVE:A WINTER’S TALETue 15 Dec 7pmStarring Judi Dench & Kenneth Branagh. £12woodville.seatlive.com

ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY @ ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACEEvery other Tuesday at 7.30pm, The Huguenot Museum, 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX. £6, £3.50 students.

THE WONDERS (15) 2014 (Ita)Tue 1 Dec 7.30pmDir: Alice RohrwacherCast: Alba Rohrwacher, Maria Alexandra Lungu, Sam LouwyckComing of age tale about set in rural Italy over the course of one summer. 111 mins

THE DANCE OF REALITY (18) 2013 (Fra)Tue 12 Jan 7.30pmDir: Alejandro JodorowskyCast: Brontis Jodorowsky, Pamela FloresMystical autobiography of ‘El Topo’ director’s childhood combining poetry, metaphor and magical realism. See Nick Walker opposite. 133 mins

Jan Film Screening – FILM TBCTue 26 Jan 7.30pmrochesterfilmsociety.co.uk.

RFS @ THE CINE LOUNGESun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF (No disabled access) 01634 812805Cult film night, first Sunday of the month. Doors and themed music 6.30pm, film 7.30pm. £3, Bar/refreshments available. No Cult Film screening in January – next screening Feb 2016.

BAD SANTA (15) 2003Sun 6 Dec doors 6.30pm, film 7.30pmDir: Terry Zwigoff Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Lauren GrahamTwo con-men dressed as Santa and his elf meet their match in the form of an 8-year-old boy. Riotous festive comedy, chock-full of darker than dark humour. 91 mins

CHILDREN’S FILM CLUB @ THE HUGUENOT MUSEUM95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LXMonthly Saturday morning film club for kids. BYO food and drink. Relaxed viewing setup. £3 per person.

No Film Club in January – next screening Feb 2016.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (U) 1991 (US)Saturday 19 Dec 10amDir: Gary Trousdale, Kirk WiseCast: Paige O’Hara, Robby BensonA prince turned into a beast by a magical spell must win the love of the enchanting Belle, who learns to see his true inner beauty. Enduring Disney animated classic. 92 minsBook via rochesterfilmsociety.co.uk

UNDERGROUND CINEMA @NUCLEUS ARTS272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BPInspiring documentary films initiative£5. Full disabled access.IF YOU BUILD IT (2013)Fri 4 Dec 7pmFilm about a radical new approach to education. 85 minsnucleusarts.com

THE WORLD CINEMA CLUBBrook Theatre, Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4LXIn association with Rochester Kino and The Stinking Pause Podcast. Screening the best of world cinema classics. Last Wednesday of the Month at 7.30pm.£7, NUS £3

OLDBOY (18) 2003Wed 15 Dec 7.30pmDir: Chan-wook ParkCast: Choi Min-sik, Ji-tae Yu, Hye-jeong KangRevenge drama. See Nick Walker opposite. 120 mins

BLOW UP (X) 1966Wed 27 Jan 7.30pmDir: Michelangelo AntonioniCast: David Hemmings, Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah MilesMassively influential 60s classic. See Nick Walker opposite. 111 mins

INDEPENDENT FILM NICK WALKER previews

ROCHESTER KINO @ CHATHAM ODEONChatham Odeon, Chatham Maritime ME4 4LL

PULP FICTION (1994)Thu 10 December 7.45pm

Quentin Tarantino’s Academy Award winning film (Best Screenplay) is essentially a collection of three stories about gangsters and the criminal underworld in LA, inspired by Black Mask magazine and the ‘B’ movies of the 1950s. Perhaps one of the coolest films of the 1990s, with an amazing cast and set pieces (Thurman and Travolta dancing, Willis and the Gimp!), a terrific soundtrack and incredible dialogue make this a must-see.

MAIDSTONE FILM SOCIETY @ HAZLITT THEATREEarl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL

JIMMY’S HALLMonday 11 January 8pm

Ken Loach’s informal follow-up of sorts to his 2006 Palme d'Or winner, ‘The Wind That Shakes the Barley’ is the Palm d’Or nominated ‘Jimmy’s Hall’, another story of community facing adversity against an oppressor, this time in the guise of the church. Based on the life of radical Jimmy Gralton, whose involvement with Irish Republican causes made him a target for the establishment… A really lovely film…

IDA Monday 25 January 8pm

Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski (‘My Summer of Love’ 2004), ‘Ida’ greatly enriches the canon of road movies. With its Oscar-nominated, breathtaking black and white cinematography, by Łukasz Żal and Ryszard Lenczewski, aesthetically this film is daunting: lingering long shots, with every single shot a still portrait; incredibly fine acting; and a woeful, affecting story about a young novitiate nun in 1960s Poland with a dark secret.

ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE @ THE HUGUENOT MUSEUMHuguenot Museum, High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX

THE DANCE OF REALITY Tuesday 12 January 7.30pm

Cult Chilean filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky made his name with such classics as ‘El Topo’, ‘Holy Mountain’ and ‘Sante Sangre’. His first film for 23 years is set in Tocopilla, a coastal town on the edge of the Chilean desert, the place of his unhappy and alienated childhood. Blending his personal history with metaphor, mythology and poetry, ‘The Dance of Reality’ reflects Jodorowsky's philosophy that reality is not objective but rather a dance created by our own imaginations.

THE WORLD CINEMA CLUBBrook Theatre, Chatham ME4 4SE

OLDBOY (2003) Wednesday 16 December 7.30pm

Chanwook Park’s cult classic tells of a man, kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years, then released, only to find that he must find his captor in five days. Choi Min-sik is brilliant as Dae-su Oh. He finds more reasons to express joy and happiness in the familiar revenge-bound antihero than any other in memory. It is his work that nearly elevates this film above a well-executed genre film and into greatness.

BLOW UP (1966) Wednesday 27 January 7.30pm

Michelangelo Antonioni’s seminal 1960s film, his first English language movie, about a mod London photographer (David Hemmings, modelled on David Bailey?) who seems to find something suspicious in the shots he has taken of a mysterious beauty in a desolate park. He tries to find the woman in the picture, but his obsession with solving the mystery comes at a price.

13

Look forward to the new year with WOW’s round-up of highlights!

SONGS BEFORE YOU DIEA black comedy with songs byTHE SINGING LOINSSat 27 February 2016 8pmBrook Theatre, Chatham

Written and directed by ex-Singing Loins lead singer and writer, Chris Broderick, this is the debut production from Broderick’s new venture, Sawn-Off Theatre.

‘Songs Before you Die’ is a play about blame & power, fathers & siblings, impotence, masculinity and longing. With actors Paul ‘Trotsky’ Hardy as Matt and Dan Snelgrove as Vanman, this is one of those unique one-offs you don’t want to miss.

23 SUBMARINESLed by the Brook Theatre’s award-winning resident theatre company, Icon Theatre, in partnership with Medway Council’s Arts Team and Libraries, ‘23 Submarines’ is a large-scale project with three strands: Visual Art; Poetry and Theatre. Work will be happening over the course of 2016 in Medway’s Libraries and schools and onboard arts lightship, LV21.

Inspired by the discovery in 2013 of a German WW1 U-Boat in the mudflats of Humble Bee Creek, near the Isle of Grain, the connecting theme of the project is

things lost and found in the River Medway. Apparently, there are 23 more possible wrecks waiting to be found, hence the project’s title.

The culminatory event of ‘23 Submarines’ is a one-off community performance on Chatham’s Waterfront in September 2016. Expect a 150-strong cast; music by lyricist/composer Darren Clark; a sub-mariners’ chorus and more. See you there!

MEDWAY PRINT FESTIVAL11 – 26 June 2016

Medway has a particularly strong contingent of artists working in the field of printmaking, so it is great to hear about the very first Medway Print Festival coming up next summer.

The Festival promises to be a celebration of the best printmaking in the area, featuring print shows, activities and workshops, led by a partnership of terrific venues including Rochester Art Gallery, Sun Pier House, The Huguenot Museum, INTRA, Nucleus Arts and the Brook Pumping Station.

As part of the Medway Print Festival, Rochester Art Gallery are holding a major exhibition of works by Billy Childish: BILLY CHILDISH in PRINT (A Survey) 27 May -14 Aug 2016

This is a real treat for Childish fans and will no doubt create a good many more. For the first time ever, this survey exhibition brings together an extensive archive of Childish’s prints and publications from as far back as the 1970s, including early fanzines, books, woodcuts and etchings.

BARTOSZ BEDA 4 - 27 March 2016

Over at Sun Pier House in Chatham, artist-curator Matt Bray is continuing an excellent series of exhibitions by established contemporary artists. Cited as one of the most promising emerging artists in the UK, Beda has won several prestigious art prizes and awards. Sun Pier House presents a large scale solo show of his highly expressive gestural paintings that capture and evoke the human condition.

See sunpierhouse.co.uk/the-gallery. Find more about Beda at bartoszbeda.com.Image: Flatness Emotion by Bartosz Beda, 2015 Im

age

cour

tesy

of M

edw

ay Y

acht

Clu

b

ART THEATRE

THE BIG DANCE WEEKENDSaturday 2 – Sunday 3 July 2016

The Big Dance Weekend 2016 is a celebration of people dancing. You can join in by creating your own special performance, and present it as part of the nationwide festival of events. Events can take place in unusual locations or wherever you usually dance, to an audience or behind closed doors. Make a plan and register your event on the Big Dance map from 5 January 2016.

MEDWAY DANCE NETWORK are holding a PLANNING MEETING at Sun Pier House on Tuesday 15 Dec (1-3pm) to discuss a possible Big Dance event on Chatham’s Sun Pier. All are welcome to join the conversation.

For more information contact Luci Napleton, Freelance Dance Development, Arts Team: luci.napleton@medway.gov.uk.

21 November 2015 – 28 February 2016

Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate created such iconic children’s programmes as ‘Bagpuss’ and ‘The Clangers’ from studios near Canterbury, in outbuildings which included a converted pigsty and a barn.

The duo met in the 1950s: Postgate was a TV stage-manager and Firmin was a commercial artist and lecturer at Central School of Art.

This celebration of the huge output of Smallfilms from small rural roots gives fascinating insights into early, pre-CGI animation. Their films also spawned a considerable output of books, comics and other merchandise over the years, examples of which are included in the exhibition.

The exhibition also showcases Firmin’s skills as a printmaker, with opportunities to buy his work.

Mother Clanger’s ‘skin’ and ‘skeleton’Each original 1960s Clanger had a skin knitted by Peter’s wife, Joan. Inside was a ‘skeleton’ or armature, made from wood and metal, with foam chips used as padding. The original armature features many hinges to allow the Clangers to be put into position.

And as if the Clangers weren’t enough…

THE ACCESSIBLE BEYOND IN 2016THE BEANEY HOUSE OF ART & KNOWLEDGE, CANTERBURY FIRMIN & POSTGATE: The Making of Smallfilms

Imag

e co

urte

sy o

f Med

way

Yac

ht C

lub

17

MAY THE TOYS BE WITH YOU5 Dec – 6 Mar 2016

An unmissable opportunity to view one of the finest collections of vintage Star Wars toys and original cinema posters from the years 1977-85. See thebeaney.co.uk.

Photo credit: Yoda toy by Matt Fox2016 continues overleaf...

DANCE

2016 CONTINUED…RIVERSIDE ONE STUDIOS

A new music project coming to Chatham, started by Nucleus Arts and local singer-songwriter, Jamie Johnson

The Riverside One building was the old Benefits Office on Dock Road, Chathan, next to the new bus station. Medway Council have provided Nucleus Arts with a short-term lease to the building to kick-start this impressively ambitious new project for Medway. The idea behind the new Riverside One Studios is to have a place where anyone can come together, regardless of age, background or education to develop their creativity and skills. It is hoped to tailor-make the space to the community’s needs.

One half of the building will be music studios; a collaborative space where all will be welcome to come to write, rehearse and record music. Teaching, mentoring and other sessions will also be offered to support budding musicians in Medway. There will be approximately four rehearsal/writing rooms and one main control studio room with the facilities to record a single or an album. (The drawings and plans for the inside of the building will be up soon).

The other half of the building will be Art Studios where people can lease a room or a desk space on a

short term basis, to see whether a creative working space or studio is right for them.

Here’s what Jamie Johnson says about the space: “When I was fourteen, I knew I wanted to make music my full time career, but I didn’t know how to get there or what to do next. Even though I had so much support from family, friends and the local public I didn’t know how to go about it until, a good few years later, I was thrown in at the deep end - and then had to teach myself a lot!

“It would be great if there was somewhere for people to go to have an insight into the professional side of the music business and maybe get some help learning what they need to know, from looking after equipment to how to use or stand in front of a microphone.

“Bands will be able to come and rehearse and at the same time socialise with other musicians, making contacts and setting up gigs. They can even come along for a writing or small rehearsal session in one of the smaller rehearsal booths.”

The team will also be working with people who may be at risk of social exclusion as part of Nucleus Arts' ‘Hard to Hear’ programme. The aim is to motivate and inspire. Producers, songwriters and local companies are already onboard, donating their time and expertise to get the project off the ground, but more help is needed.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to raise money towards the basics needed, including building materials, music equipment, furniture, carpets and lighting.

If you would like to donate you can find the page at: gofundme.com/riversideonestudio or you can give practical help in renovating the building; or simply share the Riverside One Studios’ story, to get the project moving.

For more information email riversideonestudios@nucleusarts.co.uk.

RICHARD WATTS CHARITIES

For further details and to enter please visit www.richardwatts.org.uk

Email �eur.boyce@richardwatts.org.uk or telephone 01634 823115 for more information.

Closing date Friday 26 February 2016.

PRIZES: 1ST - £1000 2ND - £500 3RD - £250

Every entry will be considered for purchase by Richard Watts Charities. In addition to the cash prizes Richard Watts Charities will hold an exhibition of short-listed work at Nucleus Gallery in Chatham for two weeks in April 2016.

Theme: Lesser Known Rochester Entries will be accepted in any 2D or 3D medium, including photography.

There is a £10 fee per entry, with a maximum of five entries per person.

KnownlESSER

rochesterBorstal, Rochester, Delce, Strood, Frindsbury, Wainscott, Upnor, Hoo, Stoke, Grain, Allhallows, Cooling, St Mary’s Hoo, High Halstow, Gads Hill and Higham

art competitionRICHARD WATTS CHARITIES

Borstal, Rochester, Delce, Strood, Frindsbury, Wainscott, Upnor, Hoo, Stoke, Grain, Allhallows, Cooling, St Mary’s Hoo, High Halstow, Gads Hill and Higham

Borstal, Rochester,Strood

frindsbury

upnor

Borstal

Borstal

, Rochester,

frindsbury

grainhoo

delceallhallows

cooling

stoke

grain

hoostoke

19

RICHARD WATTS CHARITIES

For further details and to enter please visit www.richardwatts.org.uk

Email �eur.boyce@richardwatts.org.uk or telephone 01634 823115 for more information.

Closing date Friday 26 February 2016.

PRIZES: 1ST - £1000 2ND - £500 3RD - £250

Every entry will be considered for purchase by Richard Watts Charities. In addition to the cash prizes Richard Watts Charities will hold an exhibition of short-listed work at Nucleus Gallery in Chatham for two weeks in April 2016.

Theme: Lesser Known Rochester Entries will be accepted in any 2D or 3D medium, including photography.

There is a £10 fee per entry, with a maximum of five entries per person.

KnownlESSER

rochesterBorstal, Rochester, Delce, Strood, Frindsbury, Wainscott, Upnor, Hoo, Stoke, Grain, Allhallows, Cooling, St Mary’s Hoo, High Halstow, Gads Hill and Higham

art competitionRICHARD WATTS CHARITIES

Borstal, Rochester, Delce, Strood, Frindsbury, Wainscott, Upnor, Hoo, Stoke, Grain, Allhallows, Cooling, St Mary’s Hoo, High Halstow, Gads Hill and Higham

Borstal, Rochester,Strood

frindsbury

upnor

Borstal

Borstal

, Rochester,

frindsbury

grainhoo

delceallhallows

cooling

stoke

grain

hoostoke

DES

IGN

: ww

w.a

ston

esth

row

desi

gn.c

o.uk

MUSIC 1

THE BARGE63 Layfield Road, Gillingham ME7 2QY 01634 850485Music starts 9pm, free entryWed 2 Dec: BARDS @ THE BARGE OPEN MICFri 4 Dec: ANDY TWYMANFri 11 Dec: BOOGALOO JONESSat 12 Dec: MEDWAY EYES PRESENTS… THE SONGS OF THE SINGING LOINSWed 16 Dec: INSPIRATIONAL! AN EVENING OF MUSIC & POETRYFri 18 Dec: LARKSPURSat 19 Dec: FATE THE JUGGLERWed 23 Dec: CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT THE BARGESat 2 Jan: BEAT ROOTWed 6 Jan: BARDS @ THE BARGE OPEN MICFri 15 Jan: TOM HINGLEY (Ex. Inspirational Carpets)Fri 29 Jan: KING SIZE SLIMthebargepub.co.uk

THE BOWERHOUSE20 Warwick Place, MaidstoneME16 8SG 01622 763448Fri 18 Dec Doors 7.30pm (please check): NEIL MCSWEENEY, M G BOULTER & LUCY FARRELL If you missed last month’s gig onboard LV21 (see wowkent.co.uk for review), here’s another chance to see Sheffield singer-songwriter McSweeney, in great company. The trio recorded an EP this summer in The Bowerhouse. £8. thebowerhouse.info

BRITANNIA THEATREDickens WorldLeviathan Way, Chatham Maritime ME4 4LLFri 11 Dec: FROM THE JAM. The Jam tribute act featuring original members.0844 858 6656thebritanniakent.com

CHATHAM UNITARIAN CHURCHHammond Hill, corner of New Road Avenue Chatham ME4 6APSat 12 Dec 7.30pm: CONCERT: A Musical Journey with international soprano

CHRISTINE HUBBARD accompanied by Ingrid van Dooren. Songs to suit all tastes, from opera to classical to the shows. Tickets £5 at the door, from 7pm. Refreshments available. Proceeds will be shared between the Church Building Fund and the Wisdom Hospice in memory of the late Dr Michael Topham. For more information email mivandooren@hotmail.com or tel: 01634 375056. COOPERS ARMS10 St Margaret’s Street, Rochester ME1 1TL01634 404298Music starts at 7pmSun 6 Dec: ACE FACESSun 13 Dec: ANDY WHITESun 29 Dec: THE 2 NERDSSun 27 Dec: NAME ESCAPES ME thecoopersarms.co.uk

EAGLE TAVERN124 High Street Rochester ME1 1JT 01634 409040Doors 7pm. Free entry.Thu 3 Dec: MAKERThu 10 Dec: SCALEXTRICSSun 13 Dec: KELVIN CHRISIANE QUARTETThu 17 Dec: E KIXSun 20 Dec: TRACEY MENDHAM QUARTETSun 27 Dec: MATT WATES QUARTET featuring LEON GREENINGtheeagletavern.org.uk

44TWO SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUBFeatherby Road, Gillingham ME8 6ANThe Jazz Line: 01634 405037Thu 10 Dec 8.30-11pm: DONN BARCOTT BAND with ELAINE DYAN singing songs from the Great American Songbook. Plus Andrew Hawkes, a magician at your table, quality raffle and licensed bar. Admission £6. Every second Thursday of the month. For more information phone the Jazz Line.

THE GOOD INTENTJohn Street, Rochester ME1 1YLTue 1 Dec: FOLK

SINGAROUNDTue 8 Dec: FOLK CONCERT NIGHT featuring SALLY IRONMONGER and NO WORRIES (IRONMONGERY)Wed 2 Dec: QUIZ FOR FUN max 6 per team £1 pp entryWed 16 Dec: CHRISTINGLE QUIZThu 10 Dec: OPEN MIC NIGHT Hosted by Andy WhyteTue 15 Dec: FOLK SINGAROUNDThu 17 Dec: THE ANDY WHYTE BANDFri 4 Jan: JAZZ featuring DAVE LEWIS (Tenor Sax) JIM TREWEEK (Piano) TONY TOTTS (Drums)Sat 5 Jan: TOM PALMER: THE WOODFri 18 Jan: WASSAIL FOLK AND ALE weekendSat 19 Jan: WASSAIL FOLK AND ALE: SINGAROUNDS from 1pm onwardsSunday 20 Jan: WASSAIL FOLK AND ALE: SINGAROUNDS from 1 - 6pm + LARKSPUR

HASTINGS ARMS FUNCTION ROOMLower Rainham Road (leading to Danes Hill), Gillingham ME7 2YD Free parking. Thu 28 Jan 8.30pm ROCHESTER SWING PRESERVATION SOCIETY with PAUL WOOD Top UK vocalist from Glenn Miller Memorial Orchestra. 8.30pm doors. £7 entry. Raffle and nibbles. For more details or to reserve a table tel: 01634 712217 or check website. (No gig in December).sukotto5.wix.com/rsps

THE LADY LUCK18 St Peters Street, Canterbury CT1 2BQThu 3 Dec: GHOULS + RISKEE & E RIDICULE + TRIPPLE SUNDAE

LV21Gillingham Pier, Pier Approach Road,Gillingham ME7 1RXFri 4 Dec: THE FLOWING ALBUM LAUNCH ‘Talk About Wonder’ is The Flowing’s first fully studio recorded album,

with cover artwork by Lupen Crook. Doors 7pm, music 8pm. Tickets at seetickets.com with special price if you order the album at the same time. lv21.co.uk

MAN OF KENT ALEHOUSE6-8 John Street, Rochester ME1 1YN07772 214315. Free entryTue 1 Dec: UKULELE JAM NIGHTWed 2 Dec: FUNKE & E TWO TONE BABY and GAZ BROOKFIELDThu 3 Dec: HOBO JONES & E JUNKYARD DOGSWed 9 Dec: HUDSON & CUTLERThu 10 Dec: HOWLIN' MATTue 15 Dec: MIKEY D'S FUNTIME QUIZ Wed 16 Dec: TWO MAN TINGThu 17 Dec: TOBY BARRELLI IS KINGSIZE SLIMMon 21 Dec: CHRISTMAS CAROLS WITH BRASS QUARTET Tue 22 Dec: UKULELE CHRISTMAS JAM Wed 23 Dec: PASS THE CAT Wed 30 Dec: LARKSPUR Tue 5 Jan: UKULELE JAMWed 6 Jan: CRISIS Wed 13 Jan: SALLY IRONMONGERTue 19 Jan: MIKEY D'S FUNTIME QUIZWed 20 Jan: OAKLAND BROTHERSWed 27 Jan: WE GHOSTSCheck facebook for Thursday night gigs.

MARLOWE STUDIOThe Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787Sat 16 Jan 8pm: CHRISTINE TOBIN. £14.Fri 22 Jan 8pm: MAZ O’CONNOR. £10.marlowetheatre.com. Booking fees apply.

DECEMBER Tues 1st UKULELE JAM NIGHTWed 2nd FUNKE & THE TWO TONE BABY and GAZ

BROOKFIELDThurs 3rd HOBO JONES & THE JUNKYARD DOGSWed 9th HUDSON & CUTLERThurs 10th HOWLIN' MATTues 15th MIKEY D'S FUNTIME QUIZ Wed 16th TWO MAN TINGThurs 17th TOBY BARRELLI IS KINGSIZE SLIMMon 21st CHRISTMAS CAROLS WITH BRASS QUARTET

Tues 22nd UKULELE CHRISTMAS JAM Wed 23rd PASS THE CAT Wed 30th LARKSPUR

JANUARYTues 5th UKULELE JAMWed 6th CRISIS Wed 13th SALLY IRONMONGERTues 19th MIKEY D'S FUNTIME QUIZWed 20th OAKLAND BROTHERSWed 27th WE GHOSTS

DESIGN: www.astonesthrowdesign.co.uk Check facebook for Thursday night gigs.

We meet, mainly in silence, every Sunday

10.30-11.30am

EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO COME AND SIT WITH US.

www.westkentquakers.org.ukE: rochesterquakers@gmail.comT: 07774 557011 (text preferred)

Quaker Meeting House, Northgate, Rochester ME1 1LS

Rochester Quakers

IAN HARRISON - GUITAR LESSONS• 15 years teaching / playing experience throughout

the UK, Europe and US• Emphasis on enjoyment, lessons individually

tailored to help you become the guitarist you want to be!

• All ages and abilities welcome• First lesson at introductory rate,

discounts available for block bookings• Fully CRB/DBS checked• Member of Registry of Guitar Tutors

0784 7023 330 ianharrisonguitar@gmail.com www.ianharrisonguitar.com

21

THE MICK JAGGER CENTREShepherds Lane, Dartford DA1 2JZ 01322 291100Fri 11 Dec 8pm: DARTFORD TOWNSHIP CHOIR sing soul with MIKE KING. £10Sat 19 Dec 7.30pm: DARTFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Music from stage and screen. £13, concs £5. Tickets from dartfordsymphonyorchestra.com

METHODIST CHURCHThird Avenue, Gillingham ME7 2LESat 12 Dec 6pm: RAINHAM LADIES CHOIR IN CONCERT. Adults £7, children Up to 16yrs £3. Raffle/programme in aid of ‘Magic’ Medway Autism Group. For tickets call 07816 159668 Or 07979 693205.

THE MIDDLE EI8HT1-2 Town Pier, GravesendDA11 0BJ 01474 328947Fri 4 Dec: BURGUNDYSat 5 Dec: RUMBLEFISHFri 11 Dec: KELLYS HEROS (TBC)Sat 12 Dec: HOG ROASTSun 13 Dec: THE CHAPSFri 18 Dec: BARBEDSat 19 Dec: JO PUBLICSun 20 Dec: CHRISTMAS ROCKThu 31 Dec: PROTOSTEREOSat 16 Dec: HONKYTONK HIGHWAYMENFri 29 Dec: CHARLES & DAVEOPEN MIC NIGHT every Wednesday from 8pm. Full backline supplied.

PIZZA EXPRESS MUSIC ROOM32-34 Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PF 01622 683548Doors 7pm, show 8.30pm unless stated.Sat 5 Dec: 5 IN THE BAR £14.Fri 11 Dec: SOUL PURPOSE: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL An evening of soul anthems. £17Sat 12 Dec: PETER GRANT & DANNY MCCORMACK: CHRISTMAS CLASSICS £16.Sun 13 Dec: GOOSEBUMPS 7.30pm. £14. Tue 15 Dec: GRAHAM MANN 4TET £10.

Wed 16 Dec: SHANE HAMPSHEIR. £14.50.Thu 17 Dec: PAUL DUNTON PRESENTS… 8pm. £7.Fri 18 Dec: JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET. £30. Sat 19 Dec: MALAYA BLUE £10. Mon 21 Dec: CAMEO OPERA: CHRISTMAS CAPERS. £12.50Tues 22 Dec: XMAS PARTY with DIGBY FAIRWEATHER & FRIENDS 8pm. £18.Mon 28 Dec: THE CHILLBILLIES £14Tue 29 & Wed 30 Dec: HULLABALOO £14Thu 31 Dec: CALIFORNIA DREAMING: NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY 9pm. £85pp.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk

POCO LOCO58-60 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS 01634 844 198LIVE MUSIC most nights. See website. pocolive.com

JAZZ AT THE 144 CLUBThe Roffen, 41 New RoadRochester ME1 1DX 01634 365453 Wed 2 Dec doors 7.15pm, music 8.15pm: FRANK HOLDER (Vocals and conga) Meal, waitress service and bar. Sun 20 Dec doors 12.30pm for 1.15pm: CHRISTMAS ROAST LUNCH with jazz. Ticket includes 3 course meal. See website for tickets and information. 144club.co.uk

ROCHESTER CATHEDRALThe Precinct, Rochester ME1 1SX 01634 843366Tue 8 Dec 7.30pm: ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT with the orchestra, Rochester Camerata. Christmas music from Handel’s Messiah and traditional carols. £15, £12 available from the Cathedral shop, call the above number, or purchase online.rochestercathedral.org

ROYAL FUNCTION ROOMSStar Hill, Rochester, ME1 1XPSat 19 Dec: SOUL NIGHT

ST GEORGE’S CENTREDock Road, Chatham Maritime ME4 4UHSat 5 Dec 7.30pm: RIVERVOICE COMMUNITY CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT Raffle and refreshments. Donations to sustain the choir. Free entry. For more info: rivervoicechoir@gmail.com. rivervoicechoir.blogspot.co.uk.

ST GEORGE’S CHURCHChurch St, Gravesend DA11 0DJSun 6 Dec 3pm: MAYOR’S CAROL SERVICE with the Gravesham Salvation Army Band. £3 on the door.Sat 12 Dec 7.30pm: THE MARLOWE SINGERS CHRISTMAS CONCERT perform as part of the Christmas Tree Festival.Sun 13 Dec 6pm: CAROLS OF PRAISE FOR CHRISTMASFri 18 Dec 11am: PORT OF LONDON AUTHORITY CHOIRSun 20 Dec 6pm: CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHTSee christmasingravesend.co.uk

SUN PIER HOUSEMedway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF 01634 812805. No disabled access.Thu 3 Dec from 7.30pm: OPEN MIC NIGHT featuring Danny Kyle and Pete Shaw in the Sun Spot. £3 entry to audience members. NOTE: There is no Open Mic in January. It will return on Tuesday 2 February and will be continuing on the 1st TUESDAY of the month throughout 2016.

Fri 4 Dec from 7.30pm: THE PAPER MOON – FUNKY SOUL CHRISTMAS! The much anticipated return of The Paper Moon! Tickets £10 available from the Tea Room. Returning regularly on the last Friday of the month from January. sunpierhouse.co.uk

UNIVERSITY OF KENTSCHOOL OF MUSIC & FINE ARTGalvanising Workshop, Chatham Historic Dockyard ME4 4TYWed 9 Dec 7.30pm: CHRISTMAS CONCERT by students of Jazz improvisation; the Chamber Choir and Multi-Keyboard Ensemble. Free, no need to book. CARGO BAR, LIBERTY QUAYSThu 17 Dec 8pm til late: POPULAR MUSIC GIG Bands from SMFA perform sets and cover material. Free entry.

THE WHITE HORSE PUBNorth Street, HeadcornAshford TN27 9NNSat 19 Dec from 7pm: MASSIVE CHRISTMAS UKULELE BASH Led by Headcorn Ukulele Group (HUG). Group festive sing and strum-along, followed by Ukulele Open Mic Night. See feature page 10.

THE WHITE HORSE46 London Road, Maidstone ME16 8QL 01622 752141JAM NIGHT every Sunday from 8.30pm.

THE WOODVILLEWoodville PlaceGravesend DA12 1DDBox Office: 08422 439480boxoffice@gravesham.gov.ukThu 28 Jan 1pm: LUNCHTIME CLASSICAL CONCERT: VOCES INTIMAE Trio with piano, violin and violoncello. £5 woodville.co.uk

RECOLLECT MUSIC FAIRSRAINHAM MARK SOCIAL CLUB (Opp Tesco superstore) ME8 6YXFree parking. Admission: £19.30am-3.30pm. Refreshments. Next fair: Sun 13 Dec

A big THANK YOU to Luke Crook (banjaxxedmusic.wordpress.com) for giving up his time to compile the Music listings this year. Luke is moving on to pastures new!

MUSIC 2

 

Teaching  languages  to  adults  

One  to  one  or  class  tuition  available  in  French,  Spanish,  Russian,    

Italian  and  English  as  a  Foreign  Language.      

www.medwaylanguages.org.uk  

 

Teaching  languages  to  adults  

One  to  one  or  class  tuition  available  in  French,  Spanish,  Russian,    

Italian  and  English  as  a  Foreign  Language.      

www.medwaylanguages.org.uk  

Free Same Day DeliveryOrder online or tel: 01634 843 024

www.rochesterflorists.co.ukSend your love with Christmas flowers!

Stephen Harries Stained Glass design and restorationE: stephenharries.glass@gmail.comT: 0779 608 0338Facebook: Stephen Harries Stained GlassRochester & Goldfinch Galleries Whitstable

Classes Now Available

Nucleus Arts, Chatham ME4 4BPTel: 07910 529271E: info@potterycrafts4u.com W: potterycrafts4u.com

Paint Your Own Pottery & Craft StudioOpens 10am-5pm Thu to Sat Sun by appointment onlyDISCOUNTS ON ALL CHRISTMAS STOCK!

PET PORTRAITSwww.emmabaker.me.uk

LOCAL PRODUCE MARKET –Teynham Village Hall, ME9First Saturday of the month, 10am-1pm STARTING 5 MARCH 2016Stalls £12 or £8 if booked by 31/12/15T: 07716 204258 E: kentmarkets@gmail.com

TEACHING LANGUAGES TO ADULTSOne to one or class tuition available in French, Spanish, Russian, Italian and English as a Foreign Language.medwaylanguages.org.uk

NEW

Workshops

and short

courses

available

Ridley Road RochesterT: 07702 269972 E:Heatherhtt@mac.com

hazelnut-press.com

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONEARTS CAFÉ1st Sunday of the month:6 Dec: Comedy magician JOHN ARCHER3 Jan: Comedian ANDY KIND

PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES2nd Sunday of the month:13 Dec: THE THEOLOGY OF CHRISTMAS FILMSDr Chris Deacy10 Jan: MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GODDr Clare AmosDoors 6pm for 6.30pm startFree to all – Pay What You Want!

St William’s Church, Walderslade Village Centre ME5 9LR southchatham.org

BROOK THEATREOld Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SEBox Office: 01634 338338Fri 4 Dec-Thu 24 Dec: THE TIMID HEDGEHOG and the Forgotten Christmas Forest. Christmas show especially for 3 – 6 year olds. See review at wowkent.co.uk (from 7 Dec). Adults £7.95, child £7.50. medwayticketslive.co.uk

CENTRAL THEATRE170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4ASBox Office: 01634 338338Thu 10 Dec – Sun 3 Jan various times: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Starring Sue Holderness (Only Fools and Horses); Stevi Ritchie (X Factor) and Katie Ray as Beauty. Family pantomime.medwayticketslive.co.uk

MARLOWE THEATREThe Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787To Sun 10 Jan, various times (see website): SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS. Various prices: cheaper ‘Saver’ and Preview tickets available. Stars Rita Simons (Eastenders), CBeebies star Phil Gallagher (Mister Maker); Ben Roddy as Dame and the hilarious Lloyd Hollett.

Tue 12 – Sun 17 Jan 7.30pm, Thu, Sat & Sun mat 2.30pm:

THE GLENN MILLER STORY with Tommy Steele. £22-£46.50, concs available.Tue 19 Jan-Sat 23 Jan 7.30pm, Wed, Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm: AN INSPECTOR CALLS by J B Priestley Acclaimed National Theatre production on tour directed by Stephen Daldrey. £18-£33.50, concs available.Wed 27-Sun 31 Jan, 7pm (Wed-Sat); Thu, Sat & Sun mat 2.30pm: CIRQUE DE GLACE: EVOLUTION Ice spectacular. £13.50-£32, concs available.

MARLOWE STUDIO: Tue 1 – Sat 19 Dec 7.30pm, Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm (not 3 Dec): A BETTER WOMAN See feature p26. New play by Simon Mendes da Costa. £14, concs £1 off. Previews (first 3 perfs) £10.

Mon 28 Dec – Sun 3 Jan, various times: THE NUTCRACKER 40 minute starter version recommended for children age 2-9 years. £8.50 marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply)

ORCHARD THEATREHome Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000 Sat 12 Dec – Sun 3 Jan, various times: DICK WHITTINGTON with Shane Ritchie. £10-£36.50, concs available.

Tue 5 – Sun 10 Jan 7.30pm. Wed, Sat & Sun mat 2.30pm: NEW JERSEY NIGHTS Direct from the USA. Celebrating the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. £18.50-£28, concs available.

Wed 13 – Sun 17 Jan 8pm, Fri 5pm, Sat 11am, Sat & Sun 3pm: CIRQUE BERSERK Jaw-dropping spectacular. Features the motorcycle ‘Globe of Death’! £10 - £28, concs available.

Tue 19-Wed 20 Jan 7.30pm, Wed mat 2.30pm: MOSCOW CITY BALLET in GISELLE £20 - £32, concs available.

Thu 21 – Sat 23 Jan 7.30pm, Sat mat 2.30pm: MOSCOW CITY BALLET in THE NUTCRACKER. £20 - £32. Book both ballets: £50

Mon 25 – Sat 30 Jan 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm: ANNIE with Lesley Joseph as Miss Hannigan. £22-£38, concs available. orchardtheatre.co.uk (booking fee applies)

STROOD PANTOMIME

TEMPLE MANOR (Meet at Strood Station Car Park at 7.30pm)

Tue 22 Dec 7.30pm: NO TAIL. A one-off public performance. The event begins as a walking tour from Strood Railway station. Meet in the station car park at 7.30pm.

You are advised to wrap up warm and wear waterproof clothing and footwear as the event involves time outdoors, periods of standing and walking. Tickets £4 for Strood residents; £11 (or 2 for £16). Book online at http://notail.bpt.me. Ticket price includes hot drink and snack. See News pages.

COMEDYARTS CAFÉ at ST WILLIAMS CHURCHWalderslade Village Centre, ME5 9LRDoors open 6pm for 6.30pm show.

Sun 6 Dec: JOHN ARCHER. Top UK comedy magician.

3 Jan: Comedian ANDY KINDThe café operates a ‘Pay What You Want’ scheme, to make

it accessible to all. For more information email arts@southchatham.org.

CENTRAL THEATRE170 High Street, ChathamME4 4AS Box Office01634 338338

Fri 29 Jan 8pm: DAVE GORMAN GETS STRAIGHT TO THE POINT* (*Powerpoint) £24 medwayticketslive.co.uk

MARLOWE STUDIOThe Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787

Sat 23 Jan 8pm: THE MARLOWE COMEDY CLUB Some of the best and upcoming names in stand-up. ED GAMBLE headlines, with LUKE BENSON, ADAM HESS and MARK SMITH (line-up subject to change. Adult content). £14, concs available.

Mon 25 Jan 8pm: ROSS NOBLE: WARM-UP. £15.marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply)

THE WOODVILLE STUDIOWoodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD 08442 439480boxoffice@gravesham.gov.uk

Thu 3 Dec 8pm: LAUGHING BOY COMEDY CLUB: Acts TBC.

Thu 28 Jan 8pm: LAUGHING BOY COMEDY CLUB: Acts tbc. £10, or £14.50 with curry.woodville.seatlive.com

THEATRE/COMEDY

Gravesend SRR A5 Leaflet_Layout 1 23/03/2015 12:36 Page 1

Gravesend SRR A5 Leaflet_Layout 1 23/03/2015 12:36 Page 1

On the eve of the opening of his latest play, ‘A Better Woman’, at the Marlowe Studio, Canterbury, EMMA DEWHURST interviews playwright SIMON MENDES DA COSTA

Last year The Marlowe Studio, Canterbury made a laudable stand for new writing when it staged the British premiere of ‘Beached’ by Melissa Bubnic, a co-production with London’s Soho Theatre.

One year on, the Marlowe is taking an even bigger leap by being sole producer of its very first full length production, ‘A Better Woman’ a new play by the Marlowe’s Literary Associate, Simon Mendes da Costa.

When I speak to Mendes da Costa during a break from a busy rehearsal schedule, I am happily aware in him that distinct feeling that perhaps only a fellow actor would detect – a growing excitement about the birth of a new theatre piece. It’s a feeling

shared by the staff of the building, he tells me:

“When it’s an in-house production, the whole place gets behind you, from the backstage staff to box office.”

The actor-turned-playwright visited a number of professions before landing upon that of theatre. An ex-civil engineer and computer programmer, he trained to be an actor at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, but soon discovered that it was writing that held him.

“Both times in my life that I’ve made significant changes have been when my personal life was not going well,” he confides. “I started going to a writers’ group in Crouch End after I split up with my girlfriend, to get me out of the house on a Sunday night.

“After a couple of weeks they asked me what I was writing. So I thought I’d better write something!” he says.

His first play, ‘Table for One’ opened at the Hen and Chickens Theatre in 2001. In 2005 his hit play ‘Losing Louis’ opened at the Hampstead Theatre with a starry cast including Alison Steadman and Lynda Bellingham. It quickly transferred to the West End and, soon after, Broadway and Mendes da Costa was nominated ‘Most Promising

Playwright’ at the 2005 Evening Standard Awards.

In his new play, ‘A Better Woman’, Mendes da Costa focuses on the dilemma of a single man in his forties, trying to find ‘the one’. It is billed as bittersweet and funny. The playwright draws much of his material from his own experiences, admitting that some of the dates had by the hapless lead character, Tom (played by Ben Porter) are, in fact, based upon dates he himself experienced.

I observe that the plays seem to use common, domestic themes to express a wider vision of the world and Mendes da Costa agrees:

“My message is understanding; communication. If I’m speaking about my own dilemmas hopefully they become universal and people can own the story for themselves.”

‘A Better Woman’ is directed by actor-director Tilly Vosburgh, and if Mendes da Costa’s upbeat tone is anything to go by, it sounds like rehearsals are going swimmingly well.

The play’s tagline is ‘It’s never too late to make the wrong choice.’ Try, if you can, to make the right choice and make the trip to Canterbury to support this venture. There are shamefully few opportunities to see brand new, quality writing these days, let alone a world premiere production in an excellent venue not far from home. Find a night in December and go.

new writing is back in town!

‘A BETTER WOMAN’ runs at The Marlowe Studio from December 1 to 19 at 7.30pm. Thu & Sat matinees at 2.30pm (not 3 Dec).

Post-show talk, Tue 8 December (free). British sign language-interpreted performance: Thur 10 December at 7.30pm. Audio-described performance: Sat 12 December at 2.30pm.

Tickets: £14, concs £13 (4 - 19 Dec). First three performances: £10. Booking fees apply.

For more details or to book visit marlowetheatre.com.

‘A BETTER WOMAN’ is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Marlowe Theatre Development Trust

27

THE BEANEY HOUSE OF ART AND KNOWLEDGE18 High Street, Canterbury CT1 2RA 01227 862162Mon to Wed 9am to 5pm, Thu 9am to 7pm, Fri and Sat 9am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 5pm. Closed 25 & 26 Dec and 1 Jan. To Sun 28 Feb: FIRMIN & POSTGATE: THE MAKING OF SMALLFILMS. Exhibition about the creators of children’s programmes such as Bagpuss and The Clangers. ‘Please Pay What You Can’. See main feature. Sat 5 Dec to Sun 6 Mar: MAY THE TOYS BE WITH YOU Vintage Star Wars Toys and original Cinema posters. ‘Please Pay What You Can’.thebeaney.co.uk

BELOW 65 GALLERYGilbert & Clark Frame and Print 65 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1SR01622 685146 Free entryOpen 9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat. Tue 15 Dec – Thu 28 Jan (Closed 23 Dec – 4 Jan): CHRIS F CLARK: ALL CUT UP. Digital & handmade collage work by the prolific Whitstable artist. See chrisfclark.com.gilbertandclark.com

CAFÉ MOROC365 High Street, Rochester ME1 1DAMon-Sat 9.30am-4pm. Free entry. Tue 29 Dec for one month: REMNANTS OF THE PAST: RICHARD CURTIS See 5 Really Good Things p5.

FRANCIS ILES GALLERIES103 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 843081Opens Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm. Free entryAUTUMN EXHIBITION: TRAVELS AND TURINO featuring MICHAEL CHAPLIN RWS, PIERA LUISOLO and LUISA ALBERT + new works from the Gallery Artists. Christmas Room now open!francis-iles.com

GUILDHALL MUSEUM High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY 01634 332900

Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Free entry. To 10 Jan 2016: SIEGE 2015 . Last chance to see! guildhallmuseumrochester.co.uk

HUGUENOT MUSEUM95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 789347Opens Wed-Sat 10am-5pm + Bank Hol Mon 10am-4pmArtworks and treasures. £4, concs £3, family £10, under 5s free. huguenotmuseum.org

LV21Gillingham Pier, Pier Approach Road, Gillingham ME7 1RXSat 5 Dec ship open 12-4pm: HEY CLAY! Free drop-in workshop 1-3pm aimed at families with children aged 7+. All ages and abilities. Create a set of Christmas Tree decorations in porcelain clay. Plus SMALL EXHIBITION of work by ceramicists Robert Cooper, Raewyn Harrison, Pam Dodds and Alison Swan, with a selection of works for sale. lv21.co.uk/events

MACLS (Craft Café)Eastgate, Rochester ME1 1EWTo 18 Dec: LEARNERS EXHIBITION Mon 11 Jan to Thu 11 Feb: WEST KENT ART SOCIETY Free entry macls.com

MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERYSt Faith's St, Maidstone ME14 1LH 01622 602838Opens Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sun & Bank HolidaysTo Sat 20 Feb: THE MAGIC OF MASKS & PUPPETS. A collection of masks and puppets from around the world. Admission free.Sat 30 Jan 10.30am-4pm: STRANGEFACE All day puppet-making workshop with award-winning company Strangeface. For ages 14+. £40pp. Tel: 01622 602862. CAFÉ GALLERY: Thu 3 Dec – Wed 30 Dec: CAS HOLMES: COMMON PLACE, COMMON LAND See The Artist’s Space

p30. Free entry.museum.maidstone.gov.uk

NUCLEUS ARTS272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108 Gallery: Mon- 10am-4pm (café to 5.30pm) Closed Sun. Free entry. All welcome to previews.To Thu 3 Dec (1pm): RONDA NOW VOYAGER INN OF THE SIXTH HAPPINESS: David Wilkes. Fri 4 Dec – Wed 13 Jan: END OF YEAR SHOW: NUCLEUS ARTISTS There are 30+ resident Nucleus artists in studios in Chatham and Rochester. Many exhibit internationally, so this is a chance to view and buy their work on home soil! Preview: Fri 4 Dec (pm) all welcome. PLEASE NOTE: Previews at Nucleus Arts will sometimes be on Thursday nights from Jan 2016. nucleusarts.com

NUCLEUS ARTS ROCHESTER 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11-4pm01634 812108. Shop gallery, café and garden.

ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL The Precinct, Rochester ME1 1SX 01634 843366Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm. To Sun 6 Dec: MAGNA CARTA REDISCOVERED Major interactive exhibition pairing Faversham Magna Carta and Textus Roffensis. Free entry.rochestercathedral.org

ROCHESTER ART GALLERY & CRAFT CASEMedway Visitor Information Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 338319 Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10.30am – 5pm (closed on Sundays Oct - Mar). Free entryTo 14 Feb: DRAWN TO OHIO: TEXTILES BY SHELLY GOLDSMITH. Leading textile artist. Recommended. Sat 6 Feb 10.20am-3.30pm: STITCHING TIME: Mixed

media creative textiles workshop with Alison Blackburn, starting with gallery talk then a walk to Guildhall Museum workshop. For adults and young people aged 11+ (basic sewing ability required). Donation of £10pp on the day. To book: 01634 338319. Email: arts@medway.gov.uk

ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUMPrince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME7 1URTel: 01634 822839Open Tue-Fri 9am-5pm; Weekends & Bank Hol: 11.30am-5pm. Normal admission charges apply. To 20 Dec: RESPONSES TO THE ARCHIVE. re-museum.co.uk

ST ANDREW'S ARTS CENTRERoyal Pier Road GravesendDA12 2BD Free entrySat 5 & Sun 6 Dec 10am-5pm: GRAVESEND ART CONSORTIUM.graveshamarts.co.uk

SUN PIER GALLERYSun Pier HouseMedway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF 01634 401549Open Tue-Sun 10am - 4pm Closed Mon. Currently no disabled access. Sat 5 Dec – Fri 8 Jan (Closed 25 Dec – 1 Jan): AFFORDABLE ARTS & ANTIQUES FAIR All items less than £100.Fri 15 Jan – Sat 7 Feb: KINESIS: Contemporary figurative artist SARAH LANGSTONE. The show focuses on how personal change has led to a different life, particularly with friends, art and music from the Medway Delta. sunpierhouse.co.uk

STEPHEN OLIVER STUDIO & GALLERYOrchards Shopping Centre, High Street Dartford DA1 1DN01322 278674Open Thu-Sun 10am-4pm; Sat to 5pm. Acclaimed exhibition celebrating 150 years of Alice in Wonderland.stephen-oliver-art.co.uk

VISUAL ART

Rochester Art Gallery and Craft Case, Medway Visitor Information Centre, Ground Floor, 95 High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1LX

27 November 2015 > 14 February 2016Opening times may vary during bank holidays, please check in advance.Free admission www.enjoymedway.co.uk Phone 01634 338319 or email arts@medway.gov.uk

Drawn to OhioTextiles by Shelly Goldsmith

Visit our Festively Fabulous

Christmas Room

MONSTERSREAL MEDWAY AND SWALE

OF ROCHESTER

www.realmedwayandswale.com

CAN YOU FIND THE MONSTERS OF ROCHESTER?

Take part in a brand new augmented reality adventure and find what’s hiding behind the history...

COMING SOON TO IPHONE AND ANDROID DEVICES

29

Textile artist Cas Holmes marks the publication of her third book, 'Stitch Stories' with ‘Common Place, Common Land’, an exhibition at Maidstone Museum Cafe Gallery in support of Plantlife. Her meticulous process of collage and stitch from salvaged remnants reflects her interest in issues of nature, sustainability and community. Holmes exhibits internationally and is represented in major collections across the world, including the Museum of Art and Design, New York and the Embroiderer's Guild, UK.

The exhibition runs from Thursday 3 December to Wednesday 30 December at the Cafe Gallery, Maidstone Museum and Bentliff Gallery, St Faith's Street, Maidstone Kent ME14 ILH. (The exhibition is supported by John Harper, Partner of St. James’s Place Wealth Management: johncharper.co.uk).

T: 01622 602838

E: museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk

museum.maidstone.gov.uk

casholmestextiles.co.uk

plantlife.org.uk

MEET THE ARTIST

Saturday 12 December 1 – 4pm

Cas Holmes will be available to talk about her work and you will be invited to contribute to 'Tea Flora Tales' an ongoing community piece to raise awareness of plants and locality. Win a piece of work by the artist with a raffle to raise funds for the work of Plantlife's local Ranscombe reserve.

THE ARTIST’S SPACE

40 Common Place Marsh Sowthistle by Cas Holmes

Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1LHfacebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum@MaidstoneMuseum

www.maidstonemuseum.orgp 01622 602838

Presenting a beautiful and quirky collection of masksand puppets from around the world.

Admission FREEPlease check the website for opening times

Strangeface All day WORKSHOPSaturday 30 January 2016, 10:30 – 16:00

ofMasks & Puppets

The Magic

This exhibition from The Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, is kindly supported by: The Hazlitt Theatre, Wickes & ‘Sew a Good Yarn

Saturday 21 November 2015 to Saturday 20 February 2016

Spend a day making a bunraku-style puppet with award-winning company, Strangeface. Suitable for ages 14+, £40 per person. For more details telephone 01622 602862

31

High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1PYPhone: 01634 332680www.guildhallmuseumrochester.co.uk

The Guildhall Museum

This exhibition has been made possible with funding from the HeritageLottery Fund and is part of the commemorative project - Siege 2015.

With special thanks to the University of the Creative Arts who have made this exhibition possible.

An exciting, new, interactiveexhibition about the events

leading up to and during the Siege of Rochester

Castle in 1215.

11 July 2015 - 10 January 2016

So much tosee and do� A huge scale model of Rochester Castle � A Blacksmith’s shed with all the tools� Medieval market stalls� Try on armour

/siegerochester

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the

#keepwowinprint campaign.

You are very special and it means a great deal to us.

If you would still like to contribute, the campaign is live online until 7 December 2015.http://bitly.com/WOW_Campaign

For more information or to contribute if you are not online, please call 0845 388 2243

(Calls cost 5p per minute plus your networks’ access charge).

THANKYOU

WELOVEWOW