wow july 2016

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wowkent.co.uK

Tweet us at@TheWoodville

24 August

Free drop in workshop at the Woodville – interactive creative workshop with the Woodville Youth and Education team.

SUMMER CRAFT WORKSHOP11am to 1pm FREE

SUMMER WORKSHOPS AT THE WOODVILLE

Theatre for

25-29 July

presented by Woodville Theatre for Youth

Five days of creative fun exploring a variety of skills for all budding performers! Learn about CharacterDevelopment, Improvisation, Physical Theatre and even Stage Combat!For ages 7 – 18 years25–29 July 9am – 3pmwith a showcase

performance on the

last day to show off

your new skills!

£60 per child (£10 saving if two siblings book).

SUMMER SCHOOL 2016

23 August

Want to be on the radio with WordPlay?You will get the chance to write scripts (often inspired by the location) and then broadcast them ‘on-air’ using our pop-up radio studio.

RADIO WORKSHOP11am to 1pm – 8–11 years, 2pm to 4pm – 12–16 years - £5

30 July

A Taster on Indian drumming, learning some of the rhythm cycles and interesting Indian folk and classical drum patterns.

INDIAN DRUMMING WORKSHOP11am to 1pm £5

15 & 16 August

Participants can be involved in all aspects of the film making process including :• storyboarding• Modelmaking• set building• animating• sound recording• editing

ANIMATION WORKSHOP

– 2 day workshop - 11am to 1.30pm 7–11 years, 2.30pm to 5pm 12–16 years – £15 for both days and £10 for any siblings thereafter

www.woodville.co.ukBox Office 08442 439 480

Woodville Place, Gravesend, Kent,

DA12 1DDlike us onFacebook/WoodvilleGravesend

Tweet us at@TheWoodville

* Non-selective - no entrance exams* High performing at GCSE & A level * Good Schools Guide award winners in Maths, English, Chemistry & Film * No school uniform * Average class size 8 * Minibuses on selected routes in KentWe 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, Maths, English, Languages & Art.

Call us now for more information or to arrange an informal visit

Year 7 to Sixth FormEnrolling now for September 2016

Day and boarding | ISC accreditedrochester-college.org | 01634 828115

CONTENTS

4 WELCOME5 5 REALLY GOOD THINGS6 NEWS9 FLIPPIN’ FROG MICROPUB11 POP UP CINEMA13 SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES 14 ONLY IN ENGLAND 16 SUMMER FESTIVALS18 FILM19 NICK WALKER: INDEPENDENT FILM X3

20 MUSIC 22 THEATRE/COMEDY26 MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS28 VISUAL ART 30 THE ARTIST'S SPACE

Emma Dewhurst (Founder and editor) is a mother and actress with a long and varied career in theatre, TV and film, in which she can still occasionally be seen. You can spot her in the recent release of ‘Our Kind of Traitor’, adapted for the screen by Hossein Amini from a novel by John le Carré.

Ben Cameron (WOW’s resident doodler) is an artist living and working on Rochester High Street. His work ranges from doodles to large scale, highly detailed illustrations. Often cited as creating ‘the world’s saddest doodle’ - Google it to see - Ben’s book of ‘Tragidoodles’ is published this autumn by Unbound. Website: strangepaul.com. (Paul? Don’t ask).

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. rochesterkino.co.uk

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

A quick glance at this month’s issue will show you just how much fun and summery stuff there is to do in our corner of the world in July. It’s mad! The weeks are jam-packed with festivals, pop up cinema, outdoor theatre, new exhibitions, open houses and shows. Grab a pen and start circling dates right now!

Our main feature focuses on some of the best festivals the county has to offer, and elsewhere in the magazine we urge you to take a trip to Canterbury’s The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge to see ‘Only in England’, a major photographic exhibition opening this month. Take a look at the pictures and you’ll see why its name so beautifully fits.

Finally, WOW is delighted to see that two Medway favourites, Homespun independent music festival and Medway Open Studios, are happening again this year. Long may these grassroots initiatives thrive.

Happy July reading!

Emma Dewhurst [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORS

Find us on Facebookfacebook.com/WOWMedway

@EmmaDewhurst7

EDITORIAL:[email protected] 388 2243 (Calls cost 5p per minute plus your network’s access charge)

ADVERTISING:[email protected] advertiser & excellent series booking discounts available. All ads also appear in the online edition at wowkent.co.uk

FREE LISTINGS (magazine)[email protected]

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

DESIGN: A Stones Throw

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

PUBLISHER: Emma DewhurstWEBSITE: wowkent.co.ukPrint circulation: 10,000 copiesDistribution: Medway Towns, Maidstone, Gravesend & Canterbury

COPY DEADLINE for August issue:Wednesday 20 July 2016

©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.

JULY 2016

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PHOTOGRAPH OF THE EDITOR BY RIKARD ÖSTERLUND

Festivals Cover by A Stones Throw. 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

OPERA ON THE BEACHOpera lovers and the just plain curious are in for a treat on 23 July, when Garsington Opera brings its free production of Tchaikovsky’s most famous and exquisite opera, ‘Eugene Onegin’, to Ramsgate’s main sands. Based on Alexander Pushkin’s verse novel of the same name, he show is directed by former RSC Director, Michael Boyd, with design by Tom Piper (co-creator of the poppy installation at the Tower of London). Ramsgate is among only a small group of coastal towns to enjoy Garsington Opera’s free outdoor relay – take advantage!

TRACK DOGSA Madrid-based four piece composed of two Irishmen, an Englishman and an American, Track Dogs were one of the headline bands at this year’s Rochester Sweeps Festival, taking the stage by storm. If you missed them, happily the band are returning to Kent this

month, with an acoustic and electric gig at the Man of Kent Alehouse (20 and 21 July respectively) and appearances at Faversham Nautical Festival over the subsequent weekend (see Summer Festivals main feature). Joyous harmonies, get-up-and-dance rhythms and a lively banter with the crowd: a cut above.

SPAMALOTLong-time readers will know that I have oft championed the annual summer show at the Hazlitt Theatre by students of Valley Park School, Maidstone. This is because I once worked as Community Arts Practitioner for the school, in the distant pre-WOW years, and had the pleasure to observe Artistic Director Giles Gleadall (also Deputy Head) at work, directing his students. This year’s production is Monty Python’s ‘Spamalot’. For an uplifting evening

confirming all things good about our young people, go. Feel-good factor guaranteed.

SUMMER FAIRI love a summer fair, and there are few prettier locations than St Margaret’s Church in Lower Halstow for such a good old English tradition. Held this year on Saturday 23 July (2 – 4pm), a variety of homemade goods will be on offer, including jewellery, woodwork, cards and honey. Refreshments also available. To find the location, visit thesix.org.uk.

LUNCHTIME CONCERTIt’s a little known fact that The Woodville in Gravesend plays host to some fantastic classical musicians in their monthly Thursday Lunchtime Concerts. This month, Philippa Bryan gives a lunchtime recital at 1pm on 21 July. An exceptional classical singer, Bryan has played venues as prestigious as the Royal Albert Hall, the Purcell Room and King’s Place. And it’s just £5 a ticket!

C Y C L I S T S

A S S E M B L E !

CHERRY PICNICSAT 16 JULYThe Vines Rochester ME1 1RF

• Delicious Kentish cherries• Family activities• Craft Stalls• Tombola (proceeds to Macmillan

Cancer Support)• Face painting• The famous Cherry Dessert

Competition (visit friendsofthevines.co.uk)

• Bring your own picnic and enjoy a family friendly summer’s day out in Rochester.

DANCE 2016

SIGN UP TO CHALK IT UPRegistration is now open for Sittingbourne’s annual celebration of street art, Chalk It Up, which takes place over the weekend of 10 – 11 September.

Chalk, charcoal and pastels make a public gallery of the streets as local artists, both amateur and professional, transform the pavements and walls of Sittingbourne into a mass of bold, bright colours, showing off the varying styles of the participants. The event is free. For more information or to book visit: kentcreativelive.org/event/chalk-it-up

Now in its tenth and final year, this biennial national celebration of all things dance has inspired thousands of people to get dancing in London, the UK and internationally.

This year, Medway’s Big Dance event takes place alongside the popular River Festival on Saturday 9 July (see our Festivals feature):

• For all ages and abilities• Dance workshops• Dance performances from community dance groups,

private dance schools and professional companies.• ‘Red, White and Blue’ theme• All free event

Big Dance is supported by Medway Council’s Arts Development Team and delivered in partnership with The Right Step Dance Company and Medway Dance Network. Twitter: @BigDanceMedway Facebook.com/BigDanceMedway16

big FROM 12 NOON, SATURDAY 9 July, Sun Pier, Chatham waterfront

What’s On at SPH!Join Sun Pier House for a fun, fact filled competitive evening to raise money for their lift fund.

- Friday 1 July, doors open 7pm, quiz starts at 8pm.

- Maximum of 8 people per team- £15 per team or £30 per team with a large sharing platter.

Pre-book your table by calling 01634 812 805 or email [email protected].

BEANSTALKSUPPORT CHILDREN IN MEDWAY WITH READING: MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Following on from a successful ‘Get Medway Learning’ campaign with Medway Council, national children’s literacy charity, Beanstalk, are calling for more members of the community to volunteer as reading helpers. The charity has supported over 250 children in Medway over the last year and is hoping that they can increase that number as they move into the next school term.

Beanstalk volunteers support children that are struggling with literacy by giving 1 to 1 support through reading, conversation and playing games. Their reading helpers are fully supported by the charity through ongoing training, dedicated volun-teer coordinators and varied resources to engage the children.

Reading is such a vital skill that enables children to reach their full potential so if you think you can give just 3 hours a week to help children in Medway who are struggling, call Beanstalk’s office on 01622 662026 or email them at [email protected]

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The Children’s Trust are looking for cyclists to sign up for their annual event, the LONDON TO CANTERBURY CYCLE CHALLENGE. Taking place on Sunday 11 September the event is open to cyclists of all abilities and will raise money to support children with brain injuries. The entry fee is from £35 (team discounts available) with minimum sponsorship from £65. Routes are 65 or 80 miles, with a London start and taking in the glorious Pilgrim’s Way. Sign up now at thechildrenstrust.org.uk

C Y C L I S T S

A S S E M B L E !

SAVE THE DATESalute to the 40s SAT 17 SEP – SUN 18 SEP

The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Journey back to the 1940s at this splendid annual event embody-ing the wartime spirit. Live vintage music and dancing; living history; vehicles and displays of the era. Get it into your diary now!

Fast Track entry tickets and more at thedockyard.co.uk.

SUN 10 JULYFINDING FAITH IN ENGLISH LAND-

SCAPE PAINTING: JOHN CONSTABLE AND PETER LANYON. A public lecture

by Rev Dr Stephen Laird

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

Free to all, doors open at 6 for 6.30pm.

southchatham.org

Women artists are being invited to take part in an exhibition from Wed 24 Aug - Tue 30 Aug 2016 at The Horsebridge Art Centre, Whitstable with the theme of ‘Skin’. Each entrant may submit up to three pieces of work, with the submission deadline being Mon 1 Aug 2016. To enter, visit: kentcreativelive.org/event/pandoras-other-box-skin

OVERALLS WANTED!DO YOU HAVE ANY OLD OVERALLS LYING AROUND GATHERING DUST?

Local artist Steve Mace would like to borrow your overalls or boiler suits for an exhibition he is currently working towards, exploring heavy industry as an occupation in Kent. Overalls of all shapes, sizes and condition are welcome, both male and female.

Mace’s exhibition will open on Friday 26 August at Rochester Art Gallery. All overalls will be returned upon the closing of the show.

To loan your overalls contact [email protected]

#NationalPecanPieDayVisit the Sun Pier House tearoom on Tuesday 12 July to enjoy some delicious pecan pie!

BOOK CLUBMonday 25 July, 7pm – 9pm.

New members are always welcome.

Please note the Sunday opening hours at SPH have changed to 12pm – 4pm.

Other opening times are Tues-day - Saturday 10am – 4pm.

Closed Mondays.

sunpierhouse.co.uk

YUM!

WANTED

FREE PUBLIC

LECTURE

strangepaul.com

PRINT WORKSHOP WITH ARTIST XTINA LAMBSHARE YOUR STORIES INSPIRED BY THE STREETS OF

CHATHAM WITH WRITER ROB YOUNG

Find us at Chatham Waterfront as part of the Medway River Festival - Saturday 9th July

11am – 5.30pm

More information: chathamplacemaking/

These are our StreetsCHATHAM

projectPlacemaking

designreprolithodigitalstoragefulfilmentdistribution

9-10 Orchard Business CentreSanderson WayTonbridgeKent TN9 1QG

e: [email protected]: 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: [email protected] t: 01732 366666

www.cpg-net.co.uk

16 July 10am - 4pm

Create your own stitched and printed postcards with textile artist Cas Holmes

Cost: £45

95 High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1LXT: 01634 789 347

See our website for more information about our Craft Bench workshops and talks.

huguenotmuseum.org

Stitching: Postcards From…

INTRODUCING…THE FLIPPIN’ FROG, ROCHESTER’S FIRST MICROPUB

Since opening their doors on 19 December 2015 in the former Pizza Romana premises on a high pavement at the eastern end of the High Street on St Margaret’s Banks, Mel & Cyril at The Flippin’ Frog, Rochester’s First Micropub, have received nothing but rave reviews from press and customers alike, despite running out of beer on their opening day.

Their ‘Local’ ethos is going from strength to strength, with the pair quickly building relationships with neighbouring businesses such as local pubs, cafes and art galleries to encourage more customers to venture to their end of the High Street and promote the whole high street as a collective.

Micro-chef Mel has got into the swing of things quickly, delighting customers with an ever changing locally sourced daily menu of delights to complement the selection of well-kept local ales and ciders (a minimum of three real ales served straight from the cask and five to eight ciders are always on offer).

The welcoming space boasts an open view kitchen to the left and a small bar counter in front of you as you come in, with jacket cooled, gravity dispensed cask ales on a two tier stillage behind the bar and a cask on the counter. Several boxes of cider sit on a back shelf and in the fridge. To the right is a wooden slatted walled seating area and there are high tables and seats at the front window.

The definition of a Micropub is difficult, but Mel offers the following list as a general guideline:

• Small (compared to a ‘normal’ pub), and single-roomed

• Sells exclusively cask-conditioned beers• Is best described as an old-fashioned 'Ale House'.• Shuns products from national and multi-national

breweries• No TV, juke box, gaming machines or pool tables • Conversation is valued as being important

Her personal description of the Flippin’ Frog is “a simple pub with cask beer and conversation for entertainment.”.

The Flippin Frog Micropub is at 318 High Street, Rochester ME1 3ET. Tel: 07889 214000. Open Tue, Wed & Thu 12 noon to 3pm and 5-9pm. Fri & Sat 12.30pm to 11pm; Sun 12.30pm to 7pm. Find them on Facebook.

Intimate, unplugged acoustic gigs by local solo acoustic artists on 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month (see Music listings).

Chess and Cheeses Night on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, with a regular Board Games night soon.

“a simple pub with cask beer and conversation for

entertainment.”

Medway Adult Education have recently launched their brand new course Directory for 2016-17. With over 600 courses to choose from, there really is something for everyone. Courses include evening and weekend sessions, which is perfect if you work full-time or have a family.

WHAT’S ON OFFER

This year there are plenty of new, fun and quirky courses that will help get your creative juices flowing.

Have you been inspired by the Great British Sewing Bee? Sign up to make your very own Walkaway dress.

Learn to play your favourite songs on the ukulele with beginner classes.

Melt away your work life stresses and learn the art of meditation.

Focus on getting the best out of your camera with the digital SLR crash course.

Wow your friends and family with a bespoke hat made in the Millinery introduction to hat making course.

With such a wide range of courses on offer there is sure to be something to spark your imagination.

Find out more information about the courses on offer at www.medway.gov.uk/adultlearning

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SCREEN ON THE SLOPESWatch two classic films on Tankerton Slopes as part of Whitstable Oyster Festival (see p16).HOOK (PG) Tue 26 July from 4pmSteven Spielberg classic. Enjoy an afternoon on the slopes travelling round Neverland with Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys while Peter remembers how to fly and save his children.THE BIG LEBOWSKI (18) Tue 26 July, time tbc

Get together with your bowling buddies; grab a couple of White Russians and come and enjoy a cult classic by The Coen Brothers, with a soundtrack to match.whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk

MOONLIGHT CINEMA DRIVE-IN at the Hop Farm TN12 6PYWARCRAFT (12A) Fri 1 – Thu 7 Jul, 9.45pmCENTRAL INTELLIGENCE (12A) Fri 8 – Thu 14 Jul, 9.45pmTHE LEGEND OF TARZAN (12A) Fri 22 – Thu 28 Jul, 9.30pmJASON BOURNE (12A) Fri 19 – Thu 25 Aug, 8.45pm

Park up, order a pizza, burger or ‘Moonlight Nachos’ and tune-in to the film’s soundtrack via your FM Radio. Sit back and enjoy the nostalgia. £25 per vehicle.To pre-book film and food go to moonlightcinema.com

THE OPEN AIR CINEMA Harbour Arm, Folkestone CT20JAWS (12A) Fri 8 Jul, Doors 7.30pm, Film 8pmNo under 12s allowedAdvance tickets: £9.99 for two. On the night tickets: £12.50 each. Billetto.co.uk/jaws-the-harbour-arm

FREE OPERA SCREENING ON RAMSGATE BEACHPart of Ramsgate Festival (23 – 31 July)Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky, Sat 23 July: short screening in the afternoon, full opera in the evening. See website for times.Ramsgate is among a small group of coastal towns to enjoy Garsington Opera’s free outdoor relay, directed by former RSC director, Michael Boyd. Douglas Boyd conducts. ramsgatefestival.org

LUNA CINEMA at LEEDS CASTLEBRIDESMAIDS (15) Thu 28 JulySTAR WARS – THE FORCE AWAKENS (12A) Fri 29 JulyTOP GUN (15) Sat 30 JulyIn all cases, doors open 7.30pm, film screens at 9pm. Tickets: from £15

Luna Cinema comes to Rochester Castle in September. See website for details: lunacinema.com

POP UP CINEMAFilm screenings in the open air are all the rage this summer. Here’s WOW’s selection of what’s on offer in Kent

Whitstable l Hop Farm l Folkestone l LEEDS CASTLE l Ramsgate

Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1LH

facebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum@MaidstoneMuseum

www.maidstonemuseum.orgp 01622 602838

Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 17:00, Sunday 12:00 - 16:00, Monday Closed

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Summer Holiday Art S& Crafts!

GUILDHALL MUSEUM | ROCHESTER CASTLE | UPNOR CASTLE | GUILDHALL

GUILDHALL MUSEUM

Make Your Own Prehistoric Animal Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays throughout the summer holidays10.30AM – 3.30PM

Make your own prehistoric animal – there are three to collect! Please note, each animal will run for a week at a time and will be repeated twice throughout the holidays.

Family Art workshops Wednesdays: 27 July, 3, 10, 17 & 24 August 10.30AM – 3.30PM

Join artists Wendy Daws and Christopher Sacre to create your own art work inspired by the museum's Pre-History exhibition. Christopher will deliver the workshops in British Sign Language. Supported by Arts Council England.

Medway’s Mammoth Moments – TrailSaturday 23 July – Sunday 4 September10am – 5pm

Take part in our heritage trail around the museum for your chance to win a small prize. 80p per trail

Please note: The Guildhall Museum will be closed on Mondays throughout the holiday period.

ROCHESTER CASTLE

Medieval Mayhem – Family Craft ActivitiesTuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer holidays 10.30am – 3.30pm 80p per child (free admission to Tower II)

• Make your own Medieval Castle.• Make your own Medieval Sword.• Make your own Medieval Goblet.

Please note, the choice of activity will run for a week at a time and each will be repeated twice throughout the holidays.

Medieval Mayhem – TrailSaturday 23 July – Sunday 4 September10am – 6pmTake part in our heritage trail around the castle for your chance to win a small prize.80p per trail plus admission

UPNOR CASTLE

Make Your Own Insect – Family Craft ActivitiesMonday – Friday throughout the summer holidays 10.30am – 3.30pm 80p per child plus admissionThere are six insects to collect! Please note: The insect available to make will change every week.

Nature TrailSaturday 23 July – Sunday 4 September10am – 6pm

Take part in our nature trail around the castle for your chance to win a small prize.80p per trail plus admission

Activities are aimed at children aged 5-12 years and their families.

FREE

FREE

PLEASE NOTE: CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT AT ALL TIMES. THIS PAGE IS SPONSORED BY THE GUILDHALL MUSEUM

Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1LH

facebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum@MaidstoneMuseum

www.maidstonemuseum.orgp 01622 602838

Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 17:00, Sunday 12:00 - 16:00, Monday Closed

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A major exhibition exploring the relationship between two seminal British photographers and their fascination with the English goes on display in Canterbury this month

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge maintains its reputation for top-notch photographic exhibitions with its latest show, the aptly titled ‘Only in England’, which opens in the Special Exhibitions Room on Saturday 9 July.

The exhibition features nearly 100 works by British Photographer Tony Ray-Jones (1941-1972), alongside 30 rarely seen early black and white photographs, ‘The Non-Conformists’, by Martin Parr. It’s a complementary pairing which demonstrates the great influence Ray-Jones’ short but prolific career had on the development of British photography, from the 1970s onwards.

Tony Ray-Jones grew up in Kent, Essex and London and studied at the London School of Printing before gaining a scholarship to Yale University School of Art. He worked in and around New York before returning to the UK in late 1965.

Between 1966 and 1969 Ray-Jones created a body of photographic work documenting English customs and identity, from which the prints on display here are drawn. Humorous,

immediate and quirky, with a sitcom-esque sense of the tragi-comic essence of all things English, the photographs were a departure from anything else being produced at the time. The work quickly attracted the attention of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London where they were exhibited in 1969.

Tragically, Ray-Jones died from Leukaemia in 1972, aged just 30. Two years previously, Martin Parr, a photography student at Manchester Polytechnic, had been introduced to Ray-Jones. Inspired by him, Parr produced ‘The Non-Conformists’, a sequence of photographs shot in black and white in Hebden Bridge and the surrounding Calder Valley.

‘Tony Ray-Jones’ pictures were about England. They had that contrast, that seedy eccentricity, but they showed it in a very subtle way. They have an ambiguity, a visual anarchy.

They showed me what was possible.’ Martin Parr

Parr is now an internationally renowned photographer, filmmaker, collector and curator, best-known for his highly saturated colour photographs critiquing modern life.

Ray-Jones' archive has been housed at the National Media Museum in Bradford since 1993. This special exhibition draws from it, with around 50 vintage prints on display alongside an equal number of photographs which have never previously been printed.

Only in England: Photographs by Tony Ray-Jones and Martin Parr is on display in the Special Exhibitions Room at The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, 18 High Street, Canterbury CT1 2RA from 9 July to 25 September 2016. Admission: Pay What You Can.

thebeaney.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHS BY TONY RAY-JONES AND MARTIN PARR

Only in England

Photo credits: Man in glasses, Blackpool 1967 by Tony Ray-Jones. Birds image by Martin Parr

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Only in England

SUMMER FESTIVALS

MEDWAY RIVER FESTIVALSaturday 9 July 11am – 5.30pm

A day-long celebration of Medway's Maritime connections on Chatham Waterfront.

• Floating river processions, yacht displays and races

• Search and rescue river and air displays

• Children’s entertainment• Live music and food stalls• Arts and crafts in an underwater-

themed marquee• Traditional sail-past with yachts

and sailing vessels of every kind• Outdoor market at Sun Pier

House (and fantastic views over the river from the Tearoom)

• Independent boat tours and river trips

As an extension of the festival, Arethusa Watersports Centre, which is located at basin two on St Mary’s Island, will be open to the pubic between the hours of 2pm and 6pm providing taster sessions in the following activities for free:

• Wind surfing, Sailing, Stand-up paddle boarding, Canoeing, Kayaking and Raft Races.

visitmedway.co.uk

SHEPPEY PROMENADE 2016

Sat 16 – Sun 24 JulyNow in its 6th year, Sheppey Promenade is an island-wide summer festival of arts, culture and heritage. This year’s theme is ‘Flight’, reflecting Sheppey’s historic connections with the early aviators and celebrating the amazing birdlife on the Island. Spread across 17 different venues, there’s something to suit every age, taste and pocket.

• Barton’s Point Model Aircraft Flying Spectacular, 9-10 July

• Minster Village Fayre 10am – 3pm, 16 July

• UK Paper Silver Band Concert, Beachfields, Sheerness at 2.30pm on 16 July

• Sheppey’s rich Aviation history will be on display at the Aviation Annexe room at Eastchurch

• Photographic exhibition at Healthy Living Centre, Sheerness celebrating one of Britain’s greatest aviation engineers Sir Stanley Hooker, who was born in Sheerness

• Art exhibitions at Rose St Cottage of Curiosities in Sheerness and ROOM at the Dockyard Church in Bluetown

• Sheppey Writer’s Group readings alongside pop-up art events at three church locations: Harty, Eastchurch and Iwade

• ‘Flight on Sheppey’ exhibition at Castle Connections, Queenborough

• Local artists’ Open Studios• Costumed parade through

Sheerness High Street

Many events are free and some ask for donations or charge admission. For full details see sheppeypromenade.co.uk

FAVERSHAM NAUTICAL FESTIVALSat 23 and Sun 24 JulyIf you like sailing boats, this is the festival for you. Thames Sailing Barges, Dutch Barges, tugs, smacks and many smaller vessels are invited to moor over the weekend in the upper regions of the Creek. The boats are often ‘dressed’, making for a colourful display.

Kent loves a festival! Here’s WOW’s round-up of July’s finest

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SUMMER FESTIVALS

• On the Town Quay: stalls, exhibitions, beer tent and BBQ

• Live musicians playing shanties and other traditional music throughout both days

• On the Front Brents (on the opposite side of the Creek): stalls, local arts and craft.

• Bouncy castle and entertainment • Specialist food stalls

facebook.com/favershamnauticalfest

WHITSTABLE OYSTER FESTIVAL Fri 22 – Sun 31 July An authentically British but cosmopolitan affair, Whitstable Oyster Festival has grown from a community celebration to a massive event, which sees thousands of people descend upon the seaside town for 10 days of quality food and live performances.

Oysters have been farmed around Whitstable for centuries and rituals observed during WOF, such as the Landing of the Oysters and the Blessing of the Waters, are based on longstanding traditions observed by local fisherman dating back to Norman times.

• Landing of the Oysters at Long Beach, 4.45pm on 23 July followed by the Seafood Parade

• Child friendly festival venue ‘The Shuck’, hosts two weekends of headline live music performances and stand-up comedy evenings

• Headlining DJ Set at The Shuck from ska-punk pioneer Terry Hall of The Specials on Saturday 30 July

• Harbour Food Fair (weekends of 23 & 24 and 30 & 31 July) with traders from around the world

• Made in Whitstable Arts and Crafts Vintage Trail 23-24 July

• Invicta Jazz Orchestra at St Alphege’s Church, 3pm on 24 July

• Crabbing on Horsebridge Beach, 3pm on 25 July

• Busking area at Deadman’s Corner over both weekends

• Mud tug-of-war, 3pm at Long Beach on 30 July

• Fireworks finale, Whitstable Harbour, 9pm on 31 July

A day by day breakdown and booking for ticketed events can be found at: whitstableoyster festival.co.uk

And last but by no means least…

HOMESPUNan independent music festival for Medway, takes place between 23 – 30 July. See Music listings, p20 for details. homespunmedway.com

17

FILM

SEE PAGE 11 FOR OUR OUTDOOR CINEMA FEATURE.

AFTERNOON FILM TREATCENTRAL THEATRE170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS01634 338338Tickets £4.50 in adv, £5 on door inc. hot drink and teacake. £12 when you book three Afternoon Treats.

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (PG) 1946Tue 19 Jul 2.30pmDir: Tay GarnettCast: Lana Turner, John GarfieldA married woman and a drifter fall in love and plot to murder her husband. See opposite. 113 mins. medwayticketslive.co.uk

CANTERBURY CURZON (EVENTS)Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury CT1 2BTTelephone: 0330 500 1331. See website for regular film listings and ticket prices.

SUMMERTIME (15) 2016 Sun 3 Jul 11amDir: Catherine CorsiniCast: Cecile de France, Izia Higelin, Kevin AzaisSet in 1971, this is about an illicit love affair that was shocking for the time and utterly intoxicating. 105 mins

DISCOVER ARTS: ST PETERS AND THE PAPAL BASILICAS OF ROMA (Encore). Mon 4 Jul 6.45pm. A journey into the city that was the cradle of the Italian Renaissance. 90 mins.

BRANAGH THEATRE LIVE: ROMEO AND JULIETThu 7 Jul 6.45pmDir: Kenneth Branagh & Rob Ashford. Cast: Derek Jacobi, Lily James, Richard MaddenLive streaming from The Garrick Theatre. 230 mins

MET OPERA LIVE:DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG (2014) Tue 12 Jul 5.45pmRichard Wagner's lengthy

three-act opera about the 16th century guild of Master Singers, performed live in New York City. (330 mins)

RUSSIAN ARK PLUS LIVE PANEL DISCUSSION (U)Fri 15 Jul 2pmAlexander Sokurov’s amazing journey through 300 years of Russian art and history. The first ever feature to be shot in a single, unedited take (97 mins).Panel discussion takes place in the Westgate Hall.

ALMEIDA LIVE: RICHARD III (15)Thu 21 Jul 6.45pmDir: Rupert GooldCast: Ralph Fiennes, Vanessa Redgrave (210 mins)Much-praised new production by Rupert Goold, streamed live from London’s Almeida.curzoncinemas.com/Canterbury/info

NUCLEUS ARTS CREATIVE RIVERSIDE HUB UNDERGROUND CINEMA13 Military Road, ChathamME4 4JG FREE! Suggested donation £3

Sat 23 Jul 10.30am – 12pmPUSS IN BOOTS (U) 2011 Dir: Chris MillerCast: Antonio Banderas, Selma Hayek. Animated tale based on the most beloved characters of the Shrek Universe. Please note there is no disabled access.nucleusarts.com

ROCHESTER KINO @ THE BROOK THEATRE170 High St, Chatham ME4 4AS. Fortnightly on Wednesday Evenings at 7.30pm. Screening the best of classic and cult films. £7, £3 students. Twitter: @RochesterKino

TAXI DRIVER (18) 1976*Wed 13 Jul 7.30pmDir: Martin ScorseseCast: Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Jodie Foster See Nick Walker opposite. (£1 off ticket price for anyone dressed as Travis Bickle!). 113mins rochesterkino.co.uk

ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE @ THE HUGUENOT MUSEUMThe Huguenot Museum (above Medway Visitors Centre). 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX £6, £3.50 studentsEvery other Tuesday at 7.30pm

SON OF SAUL (15) 2015 (Hungary)Tue 12 Jul 7.30pmDir: Laszlo NemesCast: Geza Rohrig, Levente Molnar, Urs RechinStunning Holocaust drama set in the horror of 1944 Auschwitz. See opposite. 107 mins

ANOMALISA (15) 2015 (USA)Tue 26 Jul 7.30pmDir: Charlie Kaufman, Duke JohnsonCast: David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh. The human condition is uniquely dissected in this razor-sharp and hilarious puppet animation.

CHILDREN’S FILM CLUB @ THE HUGUENOT MUSEUMThe Huguenot Museum, 95 High Street Rochester ME1 1LX £3 per person

ERNEST & CELESTINE 2012 (U) (FRA)Sat 30 Jul 10amDir: Stephane Aubier, Vincent Patar. Cast: Forest Whitaker, Lambert Wilson, Pauline BrunnerCharming tale about an unlikely friendship between struggling street Bear musician, Ernest and apprentice Mouse dentist, Celestine. 80 minsrochesterfilmsociety.co.uk

PAUL GREENGRASS CINEMA@THE WOODVILLE (EVENTS)Woodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DDBox Office: 08442 439480. See website for more July films and ticket prices.

BRANAGH THEATRE LIVE: ROMEO AND JULIETThu 7 Jul 7.15pm.See Curzon for details.Tickets £10, £12.

GLYNDEBOURNE LIVE: DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG (330 mins).Tue 12 Jul 5.30pm.Tickets £10, £12.

DISCOVER ARTS: ST.PETERS AND THE PAPAL BASILICAS OF ROMA (Encore). Wed 13 Jul 7pm. See Curzon for details. 90 mins Tickets £12

NT LIVE: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Encore)Tue 19 Jul 7pm.Dir: Ivo Van Hove. Cast: Mark Strong. Stunning, Olivier Award-winning 2014 production of Arthur Miller’s tragic masterpiece. Tickets £10, £12.

ALMEIDA LIVE: RICHARD IIIThu 21 Jul 7pmSee Curzon for details. 210 mins. Tickets £10, £12.woodville.co.uk

SCREEN @ THE AVENUEAvenue Theatre, Central AvenueSittingbourne, ME10 4DN.Tel: 01795 471140. Tickets £4.

EDDIE THE EAGLE (PG) 2016Fri 1 Jul 7.45pmDir: Dexter FletcherCast: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman and Tom CostelloFeel-good biographical comedy drama. 104 mins

CARRY ON MATRON (PG) 1972Wed 6 Jul 2pmDir: Gerald Thomas. Cast: Kenneth Williams, Sidney James, Charles Hawtry, Hattie Jacques. A gang of thieves plan to make their fortune by stealing a shipment of contraceptive pills from Finisham Maternity hospital. 87 mins

WOMAN IN GOLD (12A) 2015Fri 15 Jul 7.45pmDir: Simon CurtisCast: Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds. Octogenarian Jewish refugee, Maria Altmann (Mirren), takes on the Austrian government to recover artwork she believes rightfully belongs to her family. 109 mins. avenuetheatre.co.uk

1919

NICK WALKER previews

ROCHESTER FILM SOCIETY @ ROCHESTER PICTURE PALACE

SON OF SAUL (2015)TUES 12 JULY 7.30PM

Director László Nemes’ Holocaust drama is not a very graphic film yet it is very moving, as it employs a heart-shattering form of intensely intimate and personal filmic composition to put the audience front and centre amidst the horrific ideology. The concept of dealing with life or death situations and the horror of living in Auschwitz, wrapped up in a personal moral dilemma, is utterly mesmerising and was the deserved winner of this year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film.

ROCHESTER KINO @THE BROOK THEATRE

TAXI DRIVER (1976)* WED 13 JULY 7.30PM

Martin Scorsese’s classic is one of the key films of the 1970s, partly legendary for Robert De Niro's intense method performance as anti-hero Travis Bickle and Paul Schrader's hard-hitting existentialist script. Bickle is an edgy Vietnam veteran railing against a corrupt society, who attempts to escape his demons while driving his taxi and helping a young runaway prostitute, played by a 13-year-old Jodie Foster. ‘Taxi Driver’ portrays perhaps better than any other film the sleaze and hopelessness of a big city, aided considerably by Bernard Herrmann's eerie score. *(£1 off ticket for anyone dressed as Travis Bickle!)

AFTERNOON FILM TREAT @ THE CENTRAL THEATRE

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (1946)TUES 19 JULY 2.30PM

Tay Garnett’s 1946 familial noir ‘The Postman Always Rings Twice’ (the third of four adaptations of James M Cain’s 1934 novel to date) tells a steamy story centering around a plot to murder, starring ‘sweater girl’ Lana Turner and drifter John Garfield, who create amazing chemistry. The story itself is gripping and well wrought and the two main characters are archetypal in every sense of the word. It is strictly a crime-and-punishment saga with a great plot with wonderful pacing and all the right suspense.

See Film (opposite) for full listings.

3INDEPENDENT FILM SCREENINGS

MUSIC

ANCHORIANS JAZZ CLUBDarland Avenue, Gillingham ME7 3ASFri 15 Jul 8.30pm: THE THEO TRAVIS QUARTET. Enquiries: 01634 365353 or 07544 312743.

ARTS CAFÉ AT ST WILLIAMS CHURCHWalderslade Village Centre, ME5 9LRSun 3 Jul, doors open 6pm for 6.30pm show: ROAN KEARSEY-LAWSON Pay What You Want. Email [email protected]

THE SHIPCourt Lodge RoadGillingham ME7 2QU01634 850485Music starts 9pm, free entry

Fri 1 Jul: KRIS DOLLIMORESat 2 Jul: THE DREDGERMENSun 3 Jul: QUIZ NIGHTFri 15 Jul: ASH MANDRAKESat 16 Jul: THE MODWAYSSun 17 Jul: QUIZ NIGHTWed 20 Jul: HOMESPUN Fri 22 Jul: HOMESPUNSat 23 Jul: CHARITY EVENTSun 24 Jul: QUIZ NIGHTFri 29 Jul: MATTHEW BROOKS Sat 30 Jul: MIA AND THE MOON Sun 31 Jul: QUIZ NIGHT

CENTRAL THEATRE170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS Box Office Fri 22 Jul 7.30pm: THE PROCLAIMERS Concs available for under 16s, seniors and students.medwayticketslive.co.uk

COOPERS ARMS10 St Margaret’s Street, Rochester ME1 1TL01634 404298Music starts at 7pm. Free entrySun 3 Jul: LEGACYSun 10 Jul: DAVE FROM BRAVADOSun 17 Jul: ANDY BADSun 24 Jul: THE GAFFERSSun 31 Jul: TALKING BOOKthecoopersarms.co.uk

NEW VENUE!THE FLIPPIN‘ FROG318 High Street, Rochester ME1 3ETRegular intimate unplugged gigs for local solo acoustic artists at this excellent independent micro pub. From 8.30pm. Free entry.2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Tues 12 July: SALLY IRONMONGER DUO. Local Folk and Roots legends.Tues 26 July: IZZY B. Kent based Ukulele singer songwriter. Find Unplugged Tuesdays at the Frog on Facebook.

THE GOOD INTENTJohn Street, Rochester ME1 1YLRegular live music and events.Thu 7 Jul 8.30pm: SARA SPADE Find them at facebook.com/good.rochester

HASTINGS ARMS FUNCTION ROOMLower Rainham Road (leading to Danes Hill) Gillingham ME7 2YDFree parking. Thu 28 Jul 8.30pm: THE MUSICIANS OF THE ROCHESTER SWING PRESERVATION SOCIETY with clarinettist Arnie Bibby. Admission £7. For more details call 01634 712217sukotto5.wix.com/rsps

MAN OF KENT ALEHOUSE6 - 8 John Street, Rochester Tel: 07772 214315Sun 3 Jul: JAM NIGHTTue 5 Jul: UKULELE JAM NIGHTWed 6 Jul: ADAM BEATTIE & THE CONSULTANTSThu 7 Jul: THE LONGTAILSSun 10 Jul: JAM NIGHTMon 11 Jul: ICING ON THE CAKE GAMES NIGHT Wed 13 Jul: THE OAKLAND BROTHERS

Thu 14 Jul: ASH MANDRAKESun 17 Jul: JAM NIGHT Tue 19 Jul: JONAH'S QUIZWed 20 Jul: TRACK DOGS (acoustic set)Thu 21 Jul: TRACK DOGS (as you heard them at Sweeps 2016)Sun 24 Jul: JAM NIGHTMon 25 Jul: COCKTAIL NIGHTWed 27 Jul: FOLK DOUBLE BILL Thu 28 Jul: THE DREDGERMENSun 21 Jul: JAM NIGHT Find Man of Kent Ale-House on Facebook

THE MIDDLE EI8HT1-2 Town Pier, GravesendDA11 0BJ 01474 328947Live artists/musical acts every Friday. Indie bands on Sat and Sunday jam sessions from 2.30pm. OPEN MIC every Wed from 8pm. Full backline supplied. themiddleei8ht.co.uk

REVELATION ST MARY’S St Mary the VirginAshford TN23 1QGFri 22 Jul 7pm for 7.45pm: MADE IN KENT presented by Create Music Festival. A combination of Kent talent, both old and new. General admission £8.50, £12.50 on door. revelationstmarys.co.uk/

ROCHESTER CATHEDRALThe Precinct, Rochester ME1 2PYSat 23 Jul 7.30pm: LIGHT AND CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT £10. Tickets: 0800 046 3396 or 01634 810074. rochestercathedral.org

THE WHITE HORSE46 London Road, Maidstone ME16 8QLSat 2 Jul 9pm: FAMILY AFFAIR3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 Jul 8.30pm: JAM NIGHTSat 16 Jul 9pm: BLOODSTONE BLUE whitehorsemaidstone.co.uk

THE WOODVILLEWoodville Place, GravesendDA12 1DD Box Office: 08442 439480Thu 21 Jul 1pm: LUNCHTIME CLASSICAL CONCERT: PHILIPPA BRYAN Vocalist. £5woodville.co.uk

HOMESPUN 2016INDEPENDENT MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR MEDWAYWED 20 JULYTHE SHIPFrom 8:00pm: Free EntryTOM HINGLEYWHEELSTHU 21 JULYSUN PIER HOUSEFrom 7:30pm: Tickets £8THE FLOWINGXYLAROORACHEL LOWRIEMAGGIE ZENWAFRI 22 JULYSUN PIER HOUSEFrom 7:30pm: Tickets £8SENIOR SERVICELEN PRICE 3THEATRE ROYALTHE SHIPFrom 8:00pm: FREEJACK CADEPOCO LOCOFrom 8:00pm: FREEAND SO IT GOESFRAU POUCHSCREEN WIVESSKINNY MILKTEALSAT 23 JULYDOT CAFÉSeasonally Effected From 2:00pm to 6:00pm: FREETHE NAG’S HEADFrom 3:00pm to 7:00pm: FREEVLKSSTUART TURNER AND THE FLAT EARTH SOCIETYRASTKOTHE ONLY SUNBESS ATWELLTINY GHOST

THE GRANVILLE ARMSFrom 3:00pm to 7:00pm: FREELARKSPURTHE DREDGERMENTHE MUSWELLSSTAGGERED RAYTHE GOOD INTENTFrom 3:00pm to 7:00pm: FREEDAVEY MALONE & THE LONGTAILSCRYBABY SPECIALANTMONKEYBALANCE LOSTZARA & MORTESK FORTEROYAL FUNCTION ROOMSFrom 7:30pm: Tickets £10THE CLAIMPETE ASTORTHESE GUILTY MENBOB COLLINS AND THE FULL NELSONCATENARY WIRESTHE FIREWORKSSUN PIER HOUSEFrom 7:30pm: Tickets £5Motherboy nightJOEYFATUPCDOWNCEXOSKELETONSKILL RPNZLSEX CELLSPOCO LOCOFrom 8:00pm: FREEMedway Jellyfish nightBROKEN BANJODROPTHISAVAGRACEDEAD PUPPYBENZOKAYNOUTER SEASONSELEUSIAhomespunmedway.com

Live music from singer-songwriters

Sunday Jam Nights

SEE MUSIC LISTINGS FOR GIGS

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Unique Monthly Cocktail Night

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172b High StreetRochester ME1 1EX01634 [email protected]

Qualified teachersIndividual tutoring programmesMedway 11+ preparation

CHANGELING THEATREThis year the Kent-based company have two shows to enjoy over a picnic in a choice of some of the county’s most beautiful outdoor sites and gardens.

Shakespeare’s ‘All’s Well that Ends Well’ is joined by a production of Oliver Goldsmith’s comedy of manners, ‘She Stoops to Conquer’. July dates include:

BOUGHTON MONCHELSEA PLACEALL’S WELL Fri 1 Jul 7.30pm, Sun 3 Jul 3pmSHE STOOPS Sat 2 Jul 7.30pm, Sun 3 Jul 5pm

NURSTEAD COURT, MEOPHAMTue 6 Jul 7.30pm ALL’S WELLTue 9 Aug 7.30pm SHE STOOPS

BELMONT HOUSE, THROWLEYFri 8 Jul 7.30pm ALL’S WELLSun 24 Jul 2pm SHE STOOPS

UPNOR CASTLETue 19 Jul 7.30pm ALL’S WELL Wed 20 Jul 7.30pm SHE STOOPS

THE FRIARS, AYLESFORD PRIORYFri 22 Jul 7.30pm ALL’S WELLSat 23 July 7.30pm SHE STOOPS

DARTFORD CENTRAL PARKWed 27 Jul 7.30pm SHE STOOPSWed 10 Aug 7.30pm ALL’S WELL

ROCHESTER CASTLEThu 11 Aug 7.30pm ALL’S WELLTickets from £8. To book and for more venues/dates, see website.changeling-theatre.com/tickets

BROOK THEATREOld Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE Box Office: 01634 338338Thu 14 Jul 7.30pm: SQUARE PEGS DRAMA CLUB presents OUTSIDE IN. Tickets £8, concs availablemedwayticketslive.co.uk

CENTRAL THEATRE170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS Box Office: 01634 338338Fri 1 Jul-Sat 2 Jul 2pm & 7.30pm: LEGALLY BLONDE – The Musical. Presented by the Kentish players. Tickets £13.50 (Fri) £15.50Tue 5 Jul 2pm: 90 GLORIOUS YEARS Songs from The Queen’s record breaking reign. Tickets £12.00, £10.00 (concs available).

Fri 8 Jul 7.30pm: BUDDY HOLLY: A Legend Reborn. Marc Robinson revives the classic hits. Tickets £22.00, £20.00 (group offer available).Sat 16 Jul 2pm: THE GIANT’S LOO ROLL. Children’s musical. Tickets £12.00, £10.00 (Adult) £10.00, £8.00 (Child) Family Ticket (for 4) £38.00.medwayticketslive.co.uk

HAZLITT THEATREEarl Street, Maidstone, ME14 1PL 01622 758611 Wed 6 – Sat 9 Jul 7.30pm, Sat Mat 2pm: Valley Park School presents MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT Funnier than the Black Death… One of this month’s ‘5 Really Good Things’, see p5.

Wed 13 Jul and Thu 14 Jul 7pm: OUR HOUSE. Romantic comedy. Young man on his 16th birthday commits a crime to impress the girl he loves. £8/£6 (conc)parkwoodtheatres.co.uk (booking fees apply)

MARLOWE THEATREThe Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787Fri 1 Jul & Sat 2 Jul 8pm THE HOUND OF THE

BASKERVILLES. A wonderfully barking makeover of Sherlock Holmes’ most famous case. Tickets £10.75, £8.75Fri 8 & Sat 9 Jul 2.30pm & 7pm: DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID JUNIOR. Adapted from Disney’s 2008 Broadway production. Tickets £14.50, under 16yrs £12.50

Wed 13 Jul, Thu 14 Jul 7pm: STACKED! The Marlowe Theatre’s annual community production. Billed as ‘Canterbury’s tales of the unexpected’. Tickets £14.00

Tue 19 Jul - Sat 23 Jul 7.30pm with matinees Wed, Thu, Sat 2.30pm: PRESENT LAUGHTER. Noel Coward’s sparkling classic comedy. Starring Samuel West. Tickets from £18 – £36.50 depending on performance.

MARLOWE STUDIO: Thu 21 & Fri 22 Jul 8pm: FABRIC. A raw, poignant, and unflinching look at the unravelling of one woman’s life. Contains adult themes. Tickets £12.50, concs available.

MARLOWE STUDIO: Sat 23 Jul 8pm ROSEACRE. In Square Peg Theatre’s distrinctly cinematic style, this is a story of murder and betrayal, inspired by Scandinavian crime thrillers. Tickets £12.50, concs available.

THE MARLOWE FORECOURTSat 9 Jul, Sun 10 Jul, Sat 23 Jul, Sun 24 Jul, various times throughout the day. Check website for more info:MOBILE is The Paper Birds' second show in a trilogy about class in modern Britain.

Made for audiences of up to nine people at a time, this is an intimate 40 minute theatre show set in a caravan, based on interviews conducted in communities across the UK. Suitable for 12yrs+ Tickets £8.marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply)

MEDWAY LITTLE THEATRE 256 High Street Rochester ME1 1HY 01634 400322Tue 5 Jul – Sat 16 Jul DUNCAN RAND ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL. Tickets £10.00. See website for details.mlt.ticketsource.co.uk

ORCHARD THEATREHome Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000 Sun 24 (12 noon & 2.30pm), Mon 25 Jul (11am & 2pm) and Tue 26 Jul (11am & 2pm): DINOSAUR ZOO. £13.50, ‘Danger Zone’ £16, group concs available. orchardtheatre.co.uk

COMEDYGULBENKIAN THEATREUniversity of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NB01227 769075 Wed 20 Jul 7.30pm: DANNY BHOY – Globetrotting Scottish Comedian (70mins no interval. No support). Tickets £10.thegulbenkian.co.uk

HAZLITT THEATRE (Comedy Kids Club)Earl Street, Maidstone, ME14 1PL 01622 758611 Sat 9 Jul 2pm: BAD GUYS Three bumbling brothers try to stay out of jail and be real bad guys. Tickets £11 / £8 (conc)parkwoodtheatres.co.uk (booking fees apply)

MARLOWE STUDIO: Fri 8 Jul 7.30pm: Live at the Marlowe. Hosted by ANDREW MITCHELL with STEWART FRANCIS, SARA PASCOE AND PETER FIRMIN. Tickets £18.50 marlowetheatre.com (booking fees apply)

THE WOODVILLE STUDIOWoodville Place, Gravesend DA12 1DD 08442 [email protected] Thu 14 Jul 8pm: LAUGHING BOY COMEDY CLUB: PAUL MCCAFFREY and SHAPPI KHORSANDI. £10, or £14.50 with curry. woodville.co.uk

THEATRE/COMEDY

Free Same Day Delivery Order online or tel: 01634 843 024

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• Joseph’s Amazing PIG RACES – NEW FOR 2016• Bolddog Lings FMX Motorcycle Stunt Team• Displays by ‘The Spirit of Kent’ Spitfire• Peppa Pig and Tractor Ted• Over 400 exhibitor and trade stands• The Royal British Legion Band & Corps

Of Drums Romford

FRI 8, SAT 9 & SUN 10 JULY

For those who have never attended the Show before, the Kent County Show is a showcase event for farming, countryside and rural life, bringing together animals, food and fun and, above all, a sense of what ’The Garden of England’ has to offer.

The Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone, ME14 3JF. Opens 8am to 6pm each day. Tickets from £5.40 (Child) to £50 (Multiday ticket, only available in advance). kentshowground.co.uk

THE KENT COUNTY SHOW 2016Some of this year’s highlights include:

And lots, lots more!

An exhibition of international contemporary art exploring the complex relationships

between the sea and the human

thedockyard.co.ukExhibition entry included in the cost of an annual ticket.

Sponsored by: Supported by:

CHDT-WOW-Magazine-148x215-AW.indd 1 20/06/2016 16:47

Now in its fourth edition, Medway Open Studios has grown to be a much-anticipated event in the local art lover’s year

EMMA DEWHURST TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT’S NEW FOR 2016

The fact that over 100 artists, across 19 venues, are opening their studios for Medway Open Studios & Art Festival (MOS) this year gives an indication of just how many artists are living and working within close proximity of each other here in Medway – and they need all the exposure, support (and sales) that they can get!

There are few better ways to come across a new artist’s work than by creating your very own MOS trail and visiting a number of artist studios in a day. Many of the venues are within walking distance of each other and you will be assured of a warm welcome.

Often you will be visiting an artist in their own home, which they have decked out with artworks for the occasion, or, sometimes, a group of artists get together and display jointly, as in the case of The Hazelnut Press, for instance, or the resident artists of Sun Pier House, or the printmakers and crafters at Intra.

16-24 JULY 2016

WHAT’S NEW?

First-timers to MOS this year are St. Andrews School, Huguenot Museum, Laura Fisher and Ron McMinn, who does exquisite things with wood.

It’s also good to see Nucleus Arts on the bill again this year, after a couple of year’s away, with more than twenty resident artists showcasing artworks in a range of mediums, including textiles, ceramics, painting and more. And it’s worth noting that the fully licensed courtyard café will be open during MOS times, too!

Beyond the cluster of Rochester studios, husband and wife team, Linda and Peter Smith, both artists in their own right, are opening their lovely studio space in Strood for the second time round. Meanwhile, landscape painter, Simon Mills, who had such a successful solo show at Sun Pier House last year, will be throwing open his doors over in Borstal Street.

Heather Burgess, Festival Director and co-founder of Sun Pier House, tells me that selected artists from April’s ‘The Open Contemporary’ exhibition will be working ‘live’ in the SPh gallery during Medway Open Studios, too, making work and greeting visitors.

YOUR STUDIO PICS WANTED

Also part of the MOS contribution at Sun Pier House will be a specially curated show of images exploring artists’ studios and work spaces. SPh are still looking for artists to submit images of their studios to be part of this large photo exhibition.

Images should be sent to [email protected] no later than Tuesday 12 July.

It’s a great thing to get up close and personal with an artist whose work you admire; or to discover the work of an artist living and working on your doorstep whose career you can choose to support. So download the MOS brochure, or find one with this month’s issue of WOW, and start planning your very own artist trail.

Credit from l to r: Linda J Smith, Peter Smith, Simon Mills, The Hazlenut Press and Ron McMinn

PRIZE DRAW!

MOS is running a great little competition to win £100 to spend with your favourite Medway artist.

All you have to do to enter is visit six or more venues, ask a host artist to sign one of the spaces in the MOS brochure, and then return this page to Medway Open Studios, c/o Sun Pier House, Sun Pier, Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF.

Entries will be entered into a prize draw to win £100 to spend with any artist from the festival. Deadline for entries is Monday 1 August 2016. The winner will be notified by Tuesday 9 August.

OVERARTISTSACROSS

VENUES

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27

medwayopenstudios.co.uk

Please note that each venue has its own opening times and access, so do check before you venture out.

MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS& ARTS FESTIVAL16 – 24 July 2016See page 25.medwayopenstudios.co.uk

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. Sat 9 Jul to Sun 25 Sep: ONLY IN ENGLAND: PHOTOGRAPHS BY TONY RAY-JONES AND MARTIN PARR Pay what you can. See feature page 14.To Sun 10 Jul: TAKING THE LINE FOR A WALK: DISCOVERING A CREATIVE IDENTITY. An exhibition challenging stigma around mental health. Free Admission.To Sun 14 Aug: PRESCRIPTIONS Documenting Martha Hall’s experiences with breast cancer. Free Admission, drop in.thebeaney.co.uk

BELOW 65 GALLERYGilbert & Clark Frame and Print, 65 High Street Maidstone ME14 1SR01622 685146 Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm. Free entry. Fri 1 - Fri 29 Jul: CHRIS F CLARK & BARBARA ANTINORO: ‘NOW …. AGAIN’An exhibition of expressive works, using various media, loosely exploring the themes of life and death and the daily realities in between.chrisfclark.comgilbertandclark.com

COUNTY GALLERYThe County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XQMon 25 Jul to Thu 28 Jul 10am-4pm ANNUAL SUMMER EXHIBITION by Maidstone Art Society. Free entry.

FRANCIS ILES GALLERIES103 High Street Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 843081Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm. Free entry QUARTERLY COLLECTION TWO New works

from Emmy Elphick, Terry Watts and Olga Simonova. From 30 Jul: QUARTERLY COLLECTION THREE featuring Rowland Hilder, Bert Wright and Brian Bennett francis-iles.com

GUILDHALL MUSEUM High Street, RochesterME1 1PY 01634 332680Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Free entry. To Sun 30 Oct: PREHISTORIC MEDWAY. Interactive exhibition from Old Stone Age to the Roman Invasion.

HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM No. 1 Smithery ME4 4TE. Entry included in normal admission price. To 24 Jul: ART IN THE DOCKYARD 2016 : ‘OF THE SEA’. Artists contextualise the world’s oceans. OPENING: COMMAND OF THE OCEANS: Interactive galleries taking you on a voyage back to the ‘age of sail’. thedockyard.co.uk

HUGUENOT MUSEUM95 High Street (above Medway Visitors Information Centre)Rochester ME1 1LX01634 789347Opens Wed-Sat 10am-5pm + Bank Hol Mon 10am-4pmArtworks and treasures. £4, concs £3, family £10, under 5s free. To Sat 2 Jul: HUGUENOT SILK: CANTERBURY AND CATWALK. huguenotmuseum.org

MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERYSt Faith's St, Maidstone ME14 1LH. 01622 602838Open Mon - Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sun & Bank Holidays. Free entry. From 9 Jul to 10 Sept: TREASURES FROM TRASH Family summer holiday exhibition with lots of hands-on activities to take part in.From 29 Jul to 28 Aug: GARY HUGHES: THE POINT OF LANDSCAPE IN CORNWALL.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. 16 & 17 Jul, 10am – 5pm: MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS Resident Nuclues artists open their studios to the public.nucleusarts.com

NUCLEUS ARTS ROCHESTER 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11-4pm. 01634 812108. Shop gallery, café and garden.

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. Free entryTo Sun 14 Aug: BILLY CHILDISH IN PRINT (A Survey). From early fanzines to recent print editions, woodcuts, etchings, prints and posters. Find ‘Rochester Art Gallery & Craft Case’ on Facebook

ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME7 1UR01634 822839Open Tue-Fri 9am-5pm; Weekends & Bank Hol: 11.30am-5pm. In the Bridge Study Centre to Tue 20 Dec: EXHIBITION: SAPPERS AND THE SOMME. FREE entry due to current building works.re-museum.co.uk

PAUSENBROT CAFEDoust way, Rochester Riverside ME1 1FGTo end Jul: AT THE SEASIDE Paintings and drawings by Wynford Vaughan Thomas. More info: 01634 840361.

STEPHEN OLIVER STUDIO & GALLERYOrchards Shopping CentreHigh Street, Dartford DA1 1DN 01322 278674Open Thu - Sat 10am-4pm; Sat to 5pm. Affordable contemporary art.stephen-oliver-art.co.uk

ST ANDREWS ARTS CENTRERoyal Pier Road, Gravesend DA12 2BD. Sat 23 & Sun 24 Jul 10am to 4.30pm: CERAMIC EXHIBITION by potters from the Gravesend area. Free entry.graveshamarts.co.uk

SUN PIER HOUSESun Pier House Gallery, Chatham ME4 4HF

To Sun 3 Jul: MPF16: 20:20 PRINT EXCHANGE. To 9 Jul MPF 16 Survey Show: A celebration of printmaking in the area. Sat 16 & Sun 17, Sat 23 & Sun 24 Jul 11am – 5pm: MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS

Sat 16 to Sat 30 Jul: MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS EXHIBITION Featuring work by winning artists from The Contemporary Open exhibition in April. Alongside a specially curated MOSAF exhibition exploring artist studios and work spaces.sunpierhouse.co.uk

TURNER CONTEMPORARYRendezvous, MargateCT9 1HG. Free admission.Open Tue - Sun and public holidays 10am - 6pm

Sat 2 to Mon 11 Jul: REFUGEE WEEK 2016 EXHIBITION Launching with a Showcase Event on 2 Jul. Brings together work created by, with and about refugees and migrants from marginalised communities.

To Sun 25 Sep: SEEING ROUND CORNERS Response to the circle, the disc and the sphere.

To Sun 24 Jul PORTFOLIO ART COMPETITION. Staff, students and pupils aged five and above submitted original artworks on the theme of ‘Circles’ inspired by the summer exhibition.To Sun 30 Oct: YINKA SHONIBARE MBE: END OF EMPIRE. turnercontemporary.org

VISUAL ART

27 May > 14 Aug 2016 Free admissionRochester Art Gallery and Craft Case, Medway VisitorInformation Centre, High Steet, Rochester, ME1 1LXwww.enjoymedway.co.uk

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The Exhibition commemorates the contribution of the Royal Engineers in supporting the Army at the Battle of the Somme. Their actions included

tunnelling into enemy territory, surveying the area to reflect a constantly changing battlefield

and using experimental technologies like a 56 feet long, 2.5 tonne flamethrower, gasmasks and trench

armour. The Royal Engineers were key to the Army's efforts at the Somme.

The exhibition is located in our Bridge Study Centre and runs to 20 December.

Entry to the Museum and exhibition are FREE for the rest of 2016, due to the main building being

closed for building works.

Royal Engineers Museum, Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME4 4UG re-museum.co.uk

THE ARTIST’S SPACE

FISH AND CHIPS BY JANE PRANGNELL

Jane took a linocut workshop in 2012 and immediately became hooked. She has since spent many happy hours developing her technique.

Her original designs are drawn by hand, cut using traditional tools and individually printed using a Victorian press at Medway Fine Printmakers’ Open Access studio. Working mainly in black and white, there are no hidden meanings, just down to earth, bold images that aim to make you smile.

Jane has taken part in several Medway Open Studios and National 20:20 Print Exchanges.

She has exhibited around Kent including Rochester Art Gallery; The Horsebridge Centre Whitstable and St Andrew's Art Centre in Gravesend. May 2016 saw her first solo exhibition at Rochester’s Café Moroc.

Her work is currently available and on display at Intra, in Medway Fine Printmakers’ group exhibition running until 24 July as part of Medway Open Studios. An autumn exhibition is planned at The Flippin' Frog, Rochester's first micropub (date tbc).

Medway Fine Printmakers at Intra 337-341 High Street Rochester ME1 1DAmedwayfineprintmakers.co.uk 01634 753299

Saturday 9 July to Sunday 25 September 2016 The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, 18 High Street, CanterburyA special exhibition showcasing the work of two signifi cant British photographers and their obsession with the English.

thebeaney.co.uk PLEASE PAY WHAT YOU CAN

Exhibition organised and toured by:

Beauty contestants, Southport, Merseyside, 1967 by Tony Ray-Jones ©

National M

edia Museum

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Saturday 9 July to Sunday 25 September 2016 The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, 18 High Street, CanterburyA special exhibition showcasing the work of two signifi cant British photographers and their obsession with the English.

thebeaney.co.uk PLEASE PAY WHAT YOU CAN

Exhibition organised and toured by:

Beauty contestants, Southport, Merseyside, 1967 by Tony Ray-Jones ©

National M

edia Museum

wow july 2016

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