AN INDEPENDENT, FREE MONTHLY GUIDE TO MUSIC, ART, THEATRE, COMEDY, LITERATURE & FILM IN STROUD. ISSUE 34 | JAN 2018 | WWW.GOODONPAPER.INFO
ISSUE #34 INSIDE: NELSON ST. STROUD ADAM GOP PARTY WASSAIL HOROVITZ
+ Cheltenham Illustration Awards | Bellow | Rebecca MacMillan | Katie Jane Watson Cover image by Adam Hinks Adam image by Cover
#34 | JAN 2018
EDITOR Advertising/Editorial/Listings: EDITOR’S Alex Hobbis [email protected] DESIGNER Artwork and Design NOTE Adam Hinks [email protected] ONLINE FACEBOOK TWITTER WELCOME TO THE THIRTY FOURTH ISSUE OF GOOD ON PAPER – goodonpaper.info /GoodOnPaperStroud @GoodOnPaper_ YOUR FREE MONTHLY GUIDE TO MUSIC CONCERTS, ART PRINTED BY: EXHIBITIONS, THEATRE PRODUCTIONS, COMEDY SHOWS, FILM Tewkesbury Printing Company SCREENINGS AND LITERATURE EVENTS IN STROUD...
A New Year begins and brings with it our annual Good On Paper Party!
This time we will be taking over the Marshall Rooms and Black Book Cafe on SPONSORED BY: Nelson Street with ticket holders getting a wrist band enabling you to move freely between the two venues to see the likes of Mesadorm, Near Future, Impromptu Shakespeare, Little Metropolis, Jonny Fluffypunk and much much more…Tickets cost just £13 and are available now from goodonpaper.info/ events CO-WORKING STUDIO As for the rest of the year we hope to introduce new sections to the magazine, announce more Good On Paper events and continue to provide stroudbrewery.co.uk stroudcluster.com you with a definitive monthly guide to events and festivals in Stroud – the place which just keeps giving…
Happy New Year to ye all! Chartered Tax Advisers www.chrismattostax.co.uk Alex and Adam elcombestoves.co.uk chrismattostax.co.uk
Fieldfare Café at Thistledown Farm
We’re now open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday! Our café is set in 75 acres of beautiful wintery walk and enjoy a hot drink with meadow and woodland overlooking Woodchester stunning views beside our woodburner! Park. We serve lunch from our wood-fired clay oven & charcoal BBQ Weds to Sun and Join our mailing list for details of events brunch Sat & Sun. We use local, free such as vegan tapas nights, storytelling range and Organic produce. Fine teas, sessions and foraging mornings. We coffees & delicious homemade cakes served stock delicious sourdough bread, our 9am to 4:30pm. Why not come up for a own preserves, Organic milk and more. thistledown.org.uk 01453 860420 thistledown, tinkley lane, nympsfield, GL10 3UH 4 GOOD ON PAPER PARTY 2018 #34 | JAN 2018 Nelson St. PARTY GOP
Our annual Good On Paper party returns for a mini- festival of live music, DJ’s, spoken word, comedy, poetry, theatre, a film screening, food stalls and pop-up record shops celebrating the magazine, the Stroud arts scene and an attempt to stave off them January blues! This time we will be taking over the Marshall Rooms and Black Book Cafe on Nelson Street, with ticket holders getting a wrist band enabling you to move between the two venues... #34 | JAN 2018 GOOD ON PAPER PARTY 2018 5
Grasscourt Junkroom Records a regular at Glastonbury Festival working on the Glastonbury Free The Debut show of a brand new Stroud Artist, musician and GOP scribe Press. (7-7:30PM) based band formed by well-known Sean Roe covering everything Marshall local author and illustrator Tom from seventies rock, afro beat, jazz, Percival and Matthew Lacey from experimental, electronica and much defunct off kilter indie Bristolians OLO more…(11:30PM-12:10AM) facebook. Paper Jungle Presents: Rooms Worms. (7-7:30PM) facebook.com/ com/junkroomrecords The Skeleton Woman grasscourtband | soundcloud.com/ grasscourt An ancient Inuit story about transformation, brought to life through beautiful puppetry, shadows and Mesadorm Black live storytelling by Isabel Lyster ft. a A collaborative project between Good On Paper @ live soundtrack by Low Chimes’ Rob Blythe Pepino (Vaults), Aaron Zahl, Stroud Fringe Book Café Pemberton… (6-6:30PM) Daisy Palmer (Rae Morris, Goldfrapp, 2017 Film screening of performances Lillian Boute), Jo Silverston and interviews with artists from POP-UP RECORD SHOPS: (The Unthanks, Emily Barker and the the Good On Paper stage at the Red Clay Halo, Frank Turner) and last Stroud Fringe ft. Manu Delago, David Johnston (ZunZun Egui, Impromptu Douglas Dare, Adam Betts, Modulus Phil King, Chairfight!) bringing III and the Stroud Fringe Choir. (5:30- Shakespeare Junkroom Records together a stunning array of 6:30PM) Bursting with love, poetry, comedy, New, second-hand and hard to musical concepts and timbres sitting tragedy, soliloquies, power find vinyl covering everything from somewhere between the domestic struggles, mistaken identity and the seventies rock, afro beat, jazz, observation of Suzanne Vega and the DJ SETS: supernatural, Impromptu Shakespeare experimental, electronica and obscure powerful, elemental other-worldliness (Ft. Stroud based actor, comedian and Italian soundtracks. (from 5pm) of Bjork… (10-11:15PM) facebook. singer Rebecca MacMillan) buckle on facebook.com/junkroomrecords com/mesadorm | soundcloud.com/ the Bard’s britches to bring you an mesadorm Pavinyl entirely new and unique ‘Shakespeare’ Purveyor of fine vinyl with a hearse play, based on audience suggestions... full of 45’s from jump blues to (10-11PM) impromptushakespeare.com Monobrow’s Vinyltopia northern soul with lots of oddball | facebook.com/impromptushakes Tom from Stroud Calling and Stroud Near Future rock n roll in between.(1:30-2:10AM) Block Party sourcing the best quality A new project featuring Neil Arthur, facebook.com/pavinyl vinyl - the records you’d want to the Stroud dwelling front man of the find in great condition! (From 5pm) legendary synthpop band Blancmange Jonny Fluffypunk facebook.com/Monobrowvinyltopia and Brighton based musician, sculptor, Dubbu A seasoned performance poet who film-maker and co-founder of the offers a unique blend of poems, Stroud Block Party and Stroud and FOOD: Anti Ghost Moon Ray art collective songlets, surreal banter, off-kilter Gloucester Vinyl Connection’s Neil that also spawned Gazelle Twin - observation, bitter autobiography and Wilson dropping the heaviest funk, Jez Bernholz…(9-9:30PM) facebook. a simply most wonderful moustache… soul, hip-hop and reggae… (12:50- com/futureisnear | nearfuture. (9-9:30PM) jonnyfluffypunk.co.uk bandcamp.com 1:30AM) facebook.com/DubbuNeil Salt Bakehouse Winner of numerous awards SALT Bakehouse is an artisan bakery Stroud Fringe Choir Stroud Calling Little Metropolis providing quality baked stuff, Evocative poetry set to original locally sourced /foraged for local Neighbourhood DJ’s Will Mendoza A choir with a band philosophy put music, exploring the peculiarities people. Tonight they’ll be serving an and Tom Monobrow; self-confessed together by award winning composer of growing up in a small town by abundance of delicious pizzas so no music obsessives with a passion for Emily Hall. All the music is created poet Adam Horovitz and musician need to cook dinner before you come by members of the choir - which sharing music from the past, present Josef Reeve. (8-8:30PM) facebook. out...(from 5pm) saltbakehouse.co.uk currently features 18 members and future finding a common thread com/littlemetropolisalbum | including the likes of Emily Barker, through Soul, Reggae, Hip Hop, Funk, littlemetropolis.bandcamp.com Blythe Pepino, Stephano Marlot, Latin, Afro, Disco, Electronica and Misha Law and Melanie Golding - more…(12:10-12:50AM) facebook.com/ Mr Bobbington’s Pop & who all come from Stroud’s rich StroudCalling2010 Shake musical community. (8-8:30PM) Dennis Gould Fresh organic popcorn with organic facebook.com/StroudFringeChoir Legendary poet, activist, letterpress flavours to add and shake...(from 5pm) printer and one of Stroud’s most facebook.com/MrBobbingtonPop cherished characters who is also
Saturday Tickets cost just £13 and are available from our website 6th Jan 18 goodonpaper.info/events
The event also acts as a fundraiser with all Doors open at 5pm proceeds going back into the magazine and its ongoing future! Wristbands will be available to for food and drinks! pick up at the Marshall Rooms on the night... 6 ART - CHELTENHAM ILLUSTRATION AWARDS #34 | JAN 2018
At The Musem In The Park By Sarah Edmonds
The power of ‘the image’ in our every day society and the digital age is unavoidable. Every cultural reference is now being documented on our i-Phones, Instagram or through other screens and devices. We are becoming an image obsessed society, able to decipher sophisticated visual messages with ease. Illustration has a major part to play in this cultural shift and is one of the fastest growing and most creative disciplines to be a part of today.
This exhibition (which re-opens today’s global illustration scene. at the Museum in the Park from “We have had a great response the 1st-28th January) showcases this year and the quality of the the winning entrants of the entries keeps going up. I am really annual Cheltenham Illustration pleased that we have found such Awards, devised ten years ago by a welcome at the Museum – the Kieren Phelps, with a generous exhibition is in a professionally donation of £10,000 from local run gallery, in a great location, businessman David Elyan. Phelps, attracting many visitors.” a practicing illustrator since The exhibition is also 1982, set up the BA Illustration accompanied by an extensive course at the University of supporting programme of events Gloucestershire in 2005 and was exploring themes of migration looking to create a showcase for and displacement and promoting the students work. It has since illustration as a means of grown to become a global event, communicating beyond words. with over one thousand entrants “Drawing stories and using a from more than twenty countries visual narrative to communicate” worldwide, students, emerging is the précis of illustration on artists and established illustrators. the university website, and each The international selection of piece in this exhibition certainly commended artists reflects does just that. Highly regarded, the diversity and excellence of professional and established
Images by Katie Jane Watson #34 | JAN 2018 ART - CHELTENHAM ILLUSTRATION AWARDS 7
illustrators are also invited to ‘Some people see a windowsill, submit entries in the spirit of I see a garden sill,’ with one support and collaboration. This colourful windowsill spilling with year work by Eleni Kalorkoti, plants, that stands out in an Karrie Fransman, Kristyna otherwise dreary tower block. Baczynski and Sarah McIntyre Composition, colour, simplicity are have been selected and published. a successful combination here. A Each year a theme is set, this more classical book illustration year the poignant ‘Tales through comes from Bojana Dimitrovski others’ eyes’ is a call to empathy with ‘The Boy Who Sold Wisdom’ in our divided world. It invites an illustration from a Gujurati the artist and the viewer to story from the book of Indian Folk imagine the world through the Tales, published by Sodobnost eyes of another – an immigrant, International Publishing House a refugee, a poor black teenager in Slovenia. It’s a story about a from Cleveland, a frail and elderly young orphan who propels his woman, to consider the realities of family out of poverty to greener visual impairment, our relationship pastures. It’s a wonderful, with technology, isolation... colourful masterpiece! and beyond. Andrew Morrison, I come away inspired, University of Gloucestershire appreciating not only the subject Illustration Senior lecturer wrote matter, but also the technical the initial brief (here is a synopsis) skills involved ‘how did they do “A single experience can lead to that?’ and pleased to review such many different responses – no an international group of artists two people see the world alike. To from Australia, Iran, Finland, China, see the world through the eyes Russia and the Philippine Islands.... of others requires that we set out proud that Gloucestershire hosts on a journey of imagination and such a truly global event. Three empathy; to see clearly we might cheers to that. have to forget our own prejudices and preconceptions.” The full colour, hardback annual This year, sixty highly catalogue is available to buy in the commended works have been shop for £10 where you can also selected for inclusion in the pick up a copy of The Boat Story, coveted, hardback exhibition an Arts Council England funded catalogue published by the project designed to challenge Pittville Press, the BA Illustration our perceptions on immigration imprint. Copies are sent to every via an illustrated children’s story winner and it’s available to buy book, illustrated by Stephanie as the exhibition tours other Morris. Running alongside the venues in the UK including the Cheltenham Illustration Award London Book Fair, Olympia in exhibition in the Museums second April. It offers a deeper look at gallery space is My Name Is each work and the often moving Aurelia - a visual response to a story behind it. It’s a visual feast of memoir left to Dolores Phelps by colour and craft. her late mother, who was one of For me, stand out submissions 4,000 children evacuated from include, ‘The Wedding Bilbao by the ship Habana to Anniversary’ by Hazel Patricia Southampton in 1937. Dolores’ Mason from the University of images are an interpretation of Cumbria, a monochrome print her mother’s memories of living depicting a frail and desperate old in Bilbao during the Spanish Civil woman, agonising at the memory War – air raids, starvation and the of youth. The composition is terrible voyage to the UK. stunning, the subject matter achingly sad. ‘Crushing’ by Sophie cheltenham-illustration-awards. Burrows from the Cambridge com | museuminthepark.org School of Art is a sequential, cartoon style story of two Sarah Edmonds is an Italian graduate strangers brought together on a from University College London, where busy tube journey (hence the title she also studied History of Art and a Crushing), again it’s monochrome short course at Slade School of Fine Art. with the female protagonist drawn She’s been a tour guide in Tuscany and in red ink – it has a particular style now works in marketing for Pegasus Art reminiscent of a vintage comic in Thrupp - supplier of fine art materials strip. It’s moving and tender. @SarahWordBird There’s detail to enjoy, expressions to read! Others illustrate simple, innocent messages like ‘South Facing’ by Ryan Mason Bevan, who won the Emerging and Established Artist Award, reads, 8 ART - EXHIBITION SPACE #34 | JAN 2018
Katie Jane Watson is a Stroud based photographer specialising Exhibition Space: in portraits, children’s photography and interior design often “I ENJOY MEETING collaborating with other artists and designers to create unique works INTERESTING for different subject matters. She comes up with quirky concepts and collaborates with PEOPLE AND AM stylists and designers who help create the ‘playground’ for kids’ photoshoots. She also works with writer and stylist Lisa Moses LUCKY TO LIVE IN Katie to produce complete interior features ready for print “I am rather A TOWN FILLED obsessed with colour and design so always curious to see people’s houses and how they choose to live.” WITH CREATIVE Jane A few years ago Katie launched the Stroud Silhouette Company with papercut artist Yasemin Wigglesworth creating unique TALENT. I LOVE silhouette portraits using a life-size screen with papercut border. The borders are cut by hand, using a scalpel, from black paper, TO PHOTOGRAPH Watson participants then stand behind the screen whilst Katie captures the PEOPLE ‘WHERE THEY image from the other side. The screens were made specifically for special events and will be used again in the future… BELONG’ INCLUDING Katie also shot and edited the GOP TV series of interview shorts with Stroud based artists and works as a creative picture editor and ARTISTS AND shoot producer and recently worked on Joe Magee’s soon to be MAKERS IN THEIR released short film No Sherbert which features Keith Allen and Sean Gleeson. STUDIOS.”
For further examples of Katie’s work visit katiejanewatson.com
10 ART - LISTINGS #34 | JAN 2018
Colin Heavingham exhibits ‘A Stranger and passion for his art. (sitselect.org) In A Cold Town’, also including the Sun-Mon 10am-4pm/Tues-Thurs 10am- painting ‘The Sorceress In The Mirror 5pm/Fri-Sat 10am-5pm ART (Ipswich Harbour)’. The gallery also houses handmade Christmas cards, stroudmalthouse.com gifts & jewellery by Tristana. LISTINGS MUSEUM IN THE PARK facebook.com/Elversstudio MON 1ST – SUN 28TH GALLERY PANGOLIN Cheltenham Illustration Awards 2017: Tales Through Others’ Eyes MON 15TH JAN – FRI 2ND MAR The Cheltenham Illustration Awards Fast Forward competition has been running for AMBERLEY INN BISLEY HOUSE A glimpse of what’s coming up in 10 years and attracts entries from across the world. Organised by the JAN – FEB WEDS 1ST NOV – WEDS 31ST JAN 2018, featuring works by Jon Buck, Marino Marini, Anita Mandl, Peter University of Gloucestershire, the Photographic Exhibition by Donnelly Sisters: Artist in Awards exhibition travels to venues Deborah Roberts Residence Randall-Page and Terence Coventry amongst others. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm/ such as London Book Fair and other Images from the Stroud Valleys by This interchanging exhibition at Bisley Sat 10am-1pm (closed Sundays and galleries and universities, and is local photographer Deborah Roberts. House by Stroud based arts agency Bak Holidays) accompanied by a full colour hardback the Donnelly Sisters currently features Annual. The theme this year is ‘Tales theamberleyinn.co.uk the work of Dan Hillier, Ashley Amery, gallery-pangolin.com through Others’ Eyes’, inviting us to Anna Marrow, Lorraine Robbins, imagine the world from a different Robert Bloomfield, Debbie Smith, ART OF CLAY MALTHOUSE BAR AND KITCHEN perspective and reminding us that Dan Sparkes, Soozy Roberts, Jess there are millions of lives beyond our Orr, Andrew Wood, James Green, CLAY SINCLAIR TUES 9TH JAN – SUN 25TH FEB own. Come and immerse yourself in Provocative post-pop paintings on Abigail Fallis and James Kriszyk. this new collection of visual stories! SITSelect Presents: New Paintings Perspex by local/international artist Tues-Sat 12pm-11pm/Sun 12pm-6pm on Canvas by Pete Hoida Mon-Fri 10am-5pm/Sat-Sun (and Bank Clay Sinclair situated at 48 High Street. (donnellysisters.co.uk) Holidays) 11am-5pm Plus prints for those on a budget and Pete Hoida (petehoida.co.uk) People’s Republic of Stroud tat for bisleyhousecafe.co.uk completed his studies at Goldsmiths, MON 1ST – SUN 28TH those joining the revolution. Open Mon moving to Stroud in 1974 where he Dolores Phelps: La Nina Aurelia – Fri 11am-5pm/Sat 10am-5pm ELVERS STUDIO paints full-time. Exhibited widely in the UK; his paintings are in private This MPhil/PhD illustration research project is a visual response to a claysinclair.com MON 4TH DEC – MON 29TH JAN and corporate collections in the UK and abroad. These large abstract memoir left to Dolores Phelps by Colin Heavingham paintings convey Pete Hoida’s energy her late mother, who was one of the
★★★★ ’thought-provoking’ ★★★★ ’fascinating’ ★★★★ ‘amazing’ ★★★★★ ’a must-see’ Ideas about truth and reality A NEW YEAR MULTI-MEDIA EXHIBITION
Sat 20th - Sun 28th January 2018 Private View Friday 19th January 6.30-8.30pm
More than a dozen creative minds share their response to a call for work exploring ideas around truth and reality... guiding, painting, poetry, performance, sound, projection, installation, printwork, drawing and photography.
What do Truth and Reality mean to you? Come and wonder!
Featuring works by Ruth Bowers, Marcus Blackett, Bill Jones, Tonia Maddison, Dennis Gould, Fergus Ryan, Stuart Butler, Emily Seffar, Will Sheer, Robert Daglish, Rachel McDonnell, Janine Davies, Deborah Roberts, Jay Ramsay, Jehanne Mehta, Jeff Cloves and Dave Crane.
Live performances of ‘7Up...Down...Whatever!’ by Marcus Blackett will take place on Sat 20th and Fri 26th at 6pm. Free but please pre-book your place. Experiential truth on a beanbag guided by Janine Davies, by arrangement only.
Exhibition opens Fri-Sun 11am-8pm/Mon-Thurs 12:30-6:30pm or by arrangement
★★★★★ ‘Just some of the enthusiastic comments not yet made by the critics.’
Venue: 18A Kendrick Street GL5 1AA – (the loft above Made in Stroud - access via two flights of stairs)
Contact Melissa Foks further info and performance bookings: [email protected] / 07767787641 #34 | JAN 2018 ART - LISTINGS 11
4,000 children evacuated from Bilbao Photography Exhibition by a collective 80’s and subsequently designed for 11am-8pm/Mon-Thurs 12:30-6:30pm by the ship Habana to Southampton of six photographers a number of companies such as John or by arrangement: [email protected] in May 1937. Dolores’ images are Lewis, Waitrose, The National Trust 07767787641 (venue is above Made an interpretation of her mother’s subscriptionrooms.org.uk and Tesco. In 2008 she moved to the in Stroud) memories of living in Bilbao during the Cotswolds with her family and has Spanish Civil War - air raids, starvation, focused on her painting inspired by SVA THE OLD PASSAGE ARLINGHAM then the terrible voyage and starting her garden, the beautiful countryside life in the UK. Her work is also shaped Meanwhile Space: UP This Way surrounding us and the character of TUES 28TH NOV – APRIL by extensive research into the Stroud. Alison is particularly interested UP This Way is an outlet within Found collective experiences and memoirs in colour and how it is affected by Merrywalks highlighting the work of of other Basque refugee children who light, working instinctively she aims A new exhibition curated by Kel furniture and accessory makers within had to flee their homes and families. to capture the character and essence Portman showing a variety of the broader Stroud area. Open Fri-Sat Opening times vary, please call ahead of her subject. She works in a wide approaches, media and techniques; 9am-6pm or by appointment 01453 to check before making a special visit. range of media including acrylic inks, painting, photography, collage, 297260 Tel: 01453 763394 watercolour, collage and mixed media. jewellery and printmaking. The work Mon-Sat 9am-4pm/Sun 10am-3pm creatively explores the theme through museuminthepark.org.uk Meanwhile Space: Fungusloci objects and places, as well as real Artist and permaculture practitioner upperlockcafe.co.uk and imagined events. Ft works by STEVE RUSSELL STUDIOS Dominic Thomas has designed and Alice Adams, Anne Bate Williams, built a sustainable urban micro-farm 18A KENDRICK STREET Chris Bingle, Carolyn Black, Alexander NOV 20TH – DATE TBC in which oyster mushrooms are Caminada, Valerie Coffin Price, cultivated on spent coffee grounds Alexandra Collins, Debbie Cox, Sabine Steve Russell: Two In the Bush SAT 20TH - SUN 28TH from local cafes. Fungusloci is a Crittall, Lucy Guenot, Sylvain Guenot, Ideas About Truth and Reality A new show collects a varied and project of Sustainable Creativity Patricia Homewood, Valerie Jordan, colourful assortment of African birds. CIC with the help of Stroud District A mixed media show of the work of Susan Kester, Sara Kirby, Penel Kirk, Steve’s images, captured over the Food Grants taking place at Unit 23, more than a dozen creative minds Tonia Maddison, Barbara Manzi-fe, course of many trips to Eastern Africa, Merrywalks. Open by appointment exploring what Truth & Reality means Rachel McDonnell, Linn O’Carroll, John celebrate the beauty and nature of [email protected] to them ft. works by Ruth Bowers, Playfoot, Teresa Poole. Kel Portman, birds with great wit and precision. All Marcus Blackett, Bill Jones, Tonia Vicki Portman, Christine Smith, prints are mounted on aluminium and sva.org.uk Maddison, Dennis Gould, Fergus Ryan, Angie Spencer,Nik Taylor and Melyvn are available in an edition of 5. Stuart Butler, Emily Seffar, Will Sheer, Warren-Smith. Robert Daglish, Rachel McDonnell, UPPER LOCK CAFÉ steverussellstudios.com Janine Davies, Deborah Roberts, Jay theoldpassage.com Ramsay, Jehanne Mehta, Jeff Cloves, FRI 1ST DEC – WEDS 31ST JAN SUBSCRIPTION ROOMS Dave Crane and more…What does it Alison Vickery CORINIUM MUSEUM mean to you? Come and wonder, sit CIRENCESTER TUES 30TH JAN – FRI 9TH FEB Alison Vickery studied graphic design on a beanbag, chat, drink tea/coffee… and illustration in London in the early Remembrance of Things Passed Private view Fri 19th 6:30-8:30/Fri-Sun THURS 30TH NOV – SUN 7TH JAN Anita Saunders: Animal Magnetism Anita Saunders is a figurative artist, printmaker and illustrator taking FOR ARTS AND CRAFTS inspiration from the stunning rural setting of the Cotswolds in the UK. Growing up surrounded by the natural WORKSHOPS AND beauty of the Cotswolds; the people, animals and plants of her childhood COURSES VISIT: delighted and fascinated her. This exhibition shares Anita’s love and admiration for the natural world, expressed through a variety of media: ATELIER THE SCULPTURE STUDIO paintings, textiles and print making. ATELIERSTROUD.CO.UK THESCULPTURESTUDIO.CO.UK Beautiful artworks and furnishings for the country home. CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND ART SIT SELECT coriniummuseum.org ROOMHIRESTROUD.CO.UK SITSELECT.ORG
CREATIVE NETWORK SOUTH WEST ART WORKSHOPS NEW BREWERY ARTS CENTRE CREATIVENETWORK.ORG.UK SWARTWORKSHOPS.CO.UK SAT 6TH JAN – SUN 11TH MAR GLOUCESTERSHIRE PRINTMAKING COOPERATIVE STROUD COLLEGE Methods of Making GPCHQ.CO.UK SGSCOL.AC.UK Methods of Making brings together designers working in Britain and HAWKWOOD COLLEGE STROUD VALLEY ARTSPACE explores different materials, concepts HAWKWOODCOLLEGE.CO.UK SVA.ORG.UK and making processes used in contemporary furniture. Artists KENDRICK STREET GALLERY SUBSCRIPTION ROOMS Edward Teasdale, Jim Partridge & KENDRICKSTGALLERY.CO.UK SUBSCRIPTIONROOMS.ORG.UK Liz Walmsley, Gareth Neal, Sebastian Cox, David Gates, Jay Watson, Ben LET’S TRY ARTS VICTORIA WORKS STUDIO Huggins, Nicola Henshaw. Mon-Sat LETSTRYARTS.COM VICTORIAWORKSSTUDIOS.CO.UK 9am-5pm/Sun 10am-4pm
PEGASUS ART NEW BREWERY ARTS newbreweryarts.org.uk PEGASUSART.CO.UK NEWBREWERYARTS.ORG.UK
RUSKIN MILL PREMA ARTS CENTRE RMT.ORG PREMA.ORG.UK 12 MUSIC - BELLOW #34 | JAN 2018
Bellow James Styler Images by By Rebecca Mills
Wood, two incredible musicians a custom-made lighting show by in their own right with a wealth local lighting designer Craig Lewis. From gigs at the Prince Albert, Goods of knowledge of the industry, The night allowed us to explore Shed and the SVA to the Stroud Fringe alongside us on the Bellow team. production techniques that we It’s all helped us understand as a hope in future will elevate Bellow Festival and Jazz Stroud, our town has long company what putting on a great gigs above the norm.” fostered a vibrant music scene renowned gig entails.” Rob says. Throughout November, for attracting a national network of artists Bellow aim to bring a new act to performances from 70s-inspired Stroud roughly once a month, but Syd Arthur at Stroud’s brand new and performers. Recently, local musicians the small team are still taking it gig venue the Marshall Rooms and Rob Pemberton and Jack Page have added by gig, exploring the market and singer songwriter Jono McCleery to the scene through Bellow, a promotions remaining curious about the future. from Ninja Tunes were also a “We’ve seen through events like resounding success, allowing company whose high calibre, monthly gigs the Fringe how many people are Bellow to enter the New Year will further establish Stroud as a destination willing to come out and experience excited about what’s to come. for world class music. live music,” muses Jack. “It’s now Several gigs are already lined up a learning curve for us to work out for 2018, with This Is The Kit playing how to get crowds to come down the Goods Shed on Saturday 13th While Bellow is a new venture, instrumental in forming our musical regularly; that’s the main challenge. January in celebration of their new its formation has been an organic network, and through those gigs, Though Stroud is well known, there album ‘Moonshine Freeze’ and process, evolving first and foremost we got to see why people loved are still niches of the industry that the great American songwriter through Rob and Jack’s extensive playing the venue so much - we aren’t aware of it as a fantastic Willy Mason playing on Friday experience of the music industry saw that people were treated like location for gigging musicians, and 9th February. “Both these acts as touring musicians. “One of the family and really looked after. It set we’d love to change that.” are left of the mainstream in a main things we want to do through the standard of hospitality that we So far Bellow have already most inspiring way - with major Bellow is provide bands and aspire to continue.” hosted a series of exceptional followings and huge backing, but musicians with what we consider In recent years Rob and evenings, beginning with the launch with a truly authentic style, and to be an ideal gig, having too often probably many amazing stories been in situations that are poorly to tell! These musicians have paid, promoted or catered for.” “THOUGH STROUD IS WELL KNOWN, THERE performed in so many places Rob explains. “Years of touring around the world - they shouldn’t nationally has also introduced us ARE STILL NICHES OF THE INDUSTRY THAT be underestimated and we regard to an amazing network of artists, it as a real honour that they’re promoters, gig-goers, labels and AREN’T AWARE OF IT AS A FANTASTIC coming to play here.” venues. Through Bellow we hope to strengthen and utilise these bonds LOCATION FOR GIGGING MUSICIANS, AND Tickets for This Is the Kit and Willy whilst further cementing Stroud WE’D LOVE TO CHANGE THAT.” Mason are available now from as a desirable location to see and bellowpresents.com. Follow Bellow perform world class music.” at facebook.com/bellowpresents Their close connection to Stroud Jack have been extending their of Low Chimes’ album ‘Illumine’ for news and updates. and its venues, particularly Lottie understanding of other areas (released on Bellow Records) at and the Prince Albert, has also been of the music industry, getting the Goods Shed back in October. Rebecca Mills was born in Stroud and influential to Bellow’s beginnings. involved at events like the Stroud “We tried to do our own thing with has lived in the nearby valleys all her “To us, the high standard of gigs Fringe Festival and Jazz Stroud; the Goods Shed, bringing in new life. Following a BA Hons in English held at the Albert are the main learning the ropes of booking audio technology, ‘Soundscape’, Literature, she worked locally as an reason that Stroud is on the musical and promoting gigs, and for Jack, from D&B Audiotechnik, which editor and English tutor. She now spends map. In the early days of the band enhancing his skills as a sound gave the mix engineer scope her time travelling, reading, freelance (both musicians are part of local engineer. “We’re lucky enough to for multi-dimensional source writing and instagramming her miniature band Low Chimes) that was really have locals Pete Roe and Emily placement capabilities. We also had dachshund: mini_moose_esq #34 | JAN 2018 MUSIC - LISTINGS 13
Komodo, Always High, Alex and Aless, Rooms Jimmyhighlife with Judge and friends MUSIC plus guest MC’s and more TBA…This is THURS 11TH going to be one to remember. 7:30pm Open Mic £6adv/£7otd LISTINGS First open mic night of the year! Test out your tunes, don’t be shy – play FRI 5TH sing and shout that’s what it’s all The Hucklebuck, Belle Day about…8:30pm Free The Hucklebuck are a five piece band playing straight ahead blues, with FRI 12TH original interpretations of traditional Stroud Wassail electric styles, from early jump blues The Stroud Wassaillers’ Road Show to later Texas and Chicago material, meet up at The Prince Albert...9pm all played with real authenticity and Free swing. With support from Bristol based band Belle Day fronted by SAT 13TH Belinda Lee making the very best Soul, George Montague RnB and Blues music. 8:30pm £6dv Ingenious singer songwriter multi- SAT 6TH instrumentalist George Montague is ALE HOUSE tribal foot-stomping beat combine to Good On Paper Nelson St. Party an exceptional musician with immense create a special atmosphere. Songs energy, and countless contagious The annual Good On Paper party are distinctive and original relating to original songs. He enhances his FRI 5TH returns this time across two venues ft. subjects such as slavery, losing one’s phenomenal live shows by featuring The Achievers music and more at the Marshall Rooms religion, death, woman-hood and live-looping vocal harmonies and including live sets by Mesadorm, Rhythm & Blues, Jump-Blues, Gospel raising ghosts to help write songs! beatboxing, creating remarkable Near Future, Stroud Fringe Choir & Roots. 8:30pm Free 8:30pm Free hooks to accompany his abiding and Grasscourt plus DJ sets from melodies producing dynamic Pavinyl, Dubbu, Stroud Calling and FRI 12TH SAT 13TH performances, solo or with his JunKroom Records.5pm £13adv from The Human Jukebox notsobigband. 8:30pm Free Dart Fest 2018 goodonpaper.info/events Ever popular duo return for their The 13th annual Dartfest - celebrating THURS 18TH unique request only show. 8:30pm the 40th Birthday of its founder James THURS 25TH Free Aerialists Dart! Including musical entertainment Voca Loca Doo Da Burns Night from his very own post-stoner, surf Special File under World, or file under Celtic? SAT 20TH rock power trio The Forgetting Aerialists fits best with the beautifully Keith Allen’s regular Voca Loca Doo The Usual Suspects Curve and bloody shoe-gazing, sonic contradictory term prog-trad, melding Daa night is designed to encourage twenty-something’s Only Cologne, and their ferociously creative harmonic Four piece covers band playing songs local talent and to provide a forum for Valentina - off-kilter, post-prog rock, sensibilities with a deep love for from the 60s to today. From the ideas and opinions to be expressed skidding round musical hairpins with folk traditions. The quintet draws Beatles,Kinks,Jam,U2 Simple Minds, and tonight it returns for a Burns Night sex, death, science and guitar pedals! from the wells of Nordic and Gaelic Rag and Bone man, Stereophonics and Special....Get in touch if you want to A charity fundraiser with all proceeds music, adding expansive post-rock many many more. 8:30pm Free perform - keith@themarshallrooms. and donations given to Duchenne textures and meticulously sculpted co.uk - anything goes… THURS 25TH Muscular Dystrophy. 7.30pm free arrangements to create captivating, Dave Ayre Trio plus Guests SAT 27TH genre-defying new music. 8:30pm THURS 18TH Free Local bass playing legend returns to The Stroud Sessions Open Mic the Ale house for another evening of A brand new night celebrating the FRI 26TH Hosted by Stroud’s own Americana top Jazz plus special guests…8:30pm very best local DJ talent. Hosted by troubadour the Rev. Stretch. All Brickwork Lizards Free Monobrow (Stroud Calling, Stroud welcome! 8pm Free Stopping off in Stroud as part of their Block Party), The Stroud Sessions UK album launch tour, promoting FRI 26TH provides a platform for local DJs to FRI 19TH material from their new release The Day Jobs showcase what they do and play ‘Haneen’. In Arabic, Haneen describes Hipkiss together - anyone can put a mix up Seamless two-part harmonies and a feeling of nostalgic yearning, and Featuring acclaimed saxophonist and at the facebook site and if people superb guitar accompaniment - bygone times and places haunt every vocalist Patsy Gamble and Muddy like it you could get a set! For this covering some of the best songs for song on this remarkable album. Manninen (ex Wishbone Ash) on inaugural event Monobrow is joined the last 60 years. 8:30pm Free The band’s radical re-imaginings guitar. The band perform a mixture by SPW playing a selection of of traditional material from courtly of original material and covers in a contemporary African sounds and DJ dances of the Ottoman Sultans to BLACK BOOK CAFÉ unique rock, blues, funk style with Darius of Crooked Stylus. Expect to ancient English hanging songs evoke Muddy and Patsy’s special guitar and dance...10pm £6adv centuries of history, and showcase a SAT 6TH saxophone chemistry taking centre band adept at crossing borders and Good On Paper Nelson St. Party stage. 8:30pm Free themarshallrooms.co.uk taking bold musical risks. 8:30pm Free The annual Good On Paper party FRI 26TH returns this time across two venues ft. THE PRINCE ALBERT WEDS 31ST Thee Pulsations Little Metropolis (poet Adam Horovitz Nine Below Zero Duo and musician Josef Reeve) and more Landlords Birthday Party with SAT 6TH Returning to their blues roots Nine at the Black Book Café. 5pm £13adv Pulsating Psychedelic Blues Explosion The Virtual Kelvins Below Zero are performing a series from goodonpaper.info/events Retro Rock from Thee Pulsations… A combination of chilled soul, funk and of acoustic concerts as a duo. The 8:30pm Free dance. 8:30pm Free blackbookcafe.com duo released their first album in 2015 crownandsceptrestroud.com and have been touring the UK in TUES 9TH support of it ever since, most recently THE CROWN AND SCEPTRE Dave Ayre’s 20th Baroque Night returning from a successful trip to the THE MARSHALL ROOMS Dave and his marvellous band of Scottish Highlands. They’ve played in FRI 5TH musicians from across the UK are all sorts of places ranging from the Howlin Matt THURS 4TH bringing their harpsichords, violins, intimate environs of St Pancras Old Church to the northerly splendour of Flamin hot, foot stompin’ blues guitar. Noise: lute songs and Baroque masterpieces Inverness but the shows never fail to 8:30pm Free The Noise: launch party is set to to the Prince Albert for the twentieth bring the fans closer to the band and be the biggest club night in Stroud time tonight. They will be celebrating the musical influences that formed FRI 12TH yet. Eclectic live performances will with some glorious 400-year-old them. 8:30pm £10adv from Ticketweb Luke Philbrick & Damon T. transition into the best of underground music to see in the New Year in style. electronic music courtesy of Stroud’s Come and be charmed, delighted and Original roots music drawing on theprincealbertstroud.co.uk top DJs and MCs, who will be carrying moved by the music of Handel, Purcell, traditional blues and folk influences. you, and over 300 other Stroudies Dowland, Ravenscroft and others. 8pm Startlingly powerful vocals, raw delta into the early hours. Ft. Principle £12adults/£3 twelve-eighteen adv blues styled guitar and an almost Sinner, Noremac X DJ Knight, J-Kob, from the Albert and the Subscription 14 MUSIC - LISTINGS #34 | JAN 2018
STROUD BREWERY numerous tours including a sell-out CHRIST CHURCH NAILSWORTH guitarist and singer. Blues, ragtime & Celtic Connections show. “Imagine ballads.2:30pm Free SAT 6TH John Martyn meets a young Van SUN 21ST thevaultnailsworth.co.uk Dark Island Morrison shipwrecked with a crate of Bristol Ensemble: Tea Time Chet Baker records” - Time Out. With This local duo create distinctive Concerts support from popular rising singer TETBURY GOODS SHED musical arrangements using strong songwriter and Fender Undiscovered Schubert’s celebrated masterpiece, sung harmonies, guitar, saxophone Artist of the Year 2017, Hattie Briggs. the Octet for wind and strings, enjoys SAT 27TH and whistle. Singing a wide range 8pm £14 enduring popularity for its sumptuous of material including original songs, melodies and harmonic twists and The Wood Demons, Heather traditional and contemporary folk, FRI 26TH turns. Commissioned by a famous Bristow clarinettist of the day in 1824, it is blues/jazz, and a few covers. 7:30pm Jive Dance London and Gloucestershire based Free considered to be one of the greatest band the Wood Demons are known for Great atmosphere on a great dance chamber works ever composed. 3pm their eclectic approach encompassing floor with top swing and jive music. SAT 13TH £10otd rock, progressive, and other musical 8pm £8 Bob Porter Project influences. With support from Tetbury- bristolensemble.com An Americana band from Stroud subscriptionrooms.org.uk based Heather Bristow - a respected delivering a fine blend of mellow Alt folk/country artist who currently Country and gritty Roots Rock. Often THE VAULT NAILSWORTH performs with Americana trio Iron & described as music with a ‘growl & SVA Oak. 7:30pm £15 twang’. 7:30pm Free SUN 7TH FRI 5TH/12TH/19TH/26TH shed-arts.co.uk The Reverend Stretch SAT 20TH John Street Social Club Acoustic Americana, country, folk and Steve Ferbrache A series of weekly Friday night club blues. 2:30pm Free UNDER THE EDGE ARTS Steve is a local musician who plays socials hosted by different artists WOTTON UNDER EDGE cover versions of classic songs from each week with visuals and audio SUN 14TH the 50s-00s, as well as wide variety of to share. The format: decks, laptop, The Honeymoon Trio SAT 28TH and a limited number of selected music from stomping blues to classic Spikedrivers folk/country/rock covers. 7:30pm Free YouTube clips of archive footage Songs and tunes from the golden era and informative curiosities...7pm £1 of the 1930’s, combining the great From the early blues of Robert SAT 27TH membership on the door American song book with a touch of Johnson, John Lee Hooker and Big pre-war continental Europe. 2:30pm Steve Page Bill Broonzy they have added their SAT 6TH Free own blend of north African and Native This is music with an old-time feel Uplifter plus Special guests American rhythms, gospel harmonies, that reaches back to the America of SUN 21ST sixties blues and rock guitar. They’ve Highly popular DJ and live musician Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson and Steve Ferbrache been compared to The Band, Uplifter returns to Stroud for the the Carter Family. Steve performs his Led Zeppelin, Ry Cooder, JJ Cale, official public release of his ‘Stroud’ Acoustic classics - rock, pop, folk, shows playing a combination of guitar, Fleetwood Mac and even Pink Floyd. It vinyl including a film screening of the blues and soul. Requests welcomed! slide guitar, banjo, harmonica and all adds up to simply the Spikedrivers. music video! Expect a night of ska, 2:30pm Free button accordion. 7:30pm Free 8pm £11.50/£9.50concs Dub and live percussion together SUN 28TH stroudbrewery.co.uk with special guests the Mighty John utea.org.uk Street Ska Orchestra, Solomento and Jim Reynolds Komodo. 9pm £7adv/£8otd (Goods SUBSCRIPTION ROOMS Legendary Bristol finger-style Shed)
SAT 6TH TUES 9TH/16TH/23RD/30TH Ceilidh: Hekety Introduction to Flamenco Rhythms Currently celebrating their 20th Workshop anniversary year, Hekety play music An introduction to flamenco rhythms inspired by the English tradition, some for dancers, guitarists, percussionists, ancient, some modern, all expertly or anyone interested in flamenco crafted and arranged to please music. 8pm £5 (John Street) dancer’s feet and listener’s ears alike. Rich Arrowsmith (melodeon), Jess WEDS 10TH/17TH/24TH/31ST Arrowsmith (fiddle), Jo Veal (clarinet) Funk-In Sessions and Gav Davenport (guitar & cittern) weave lilting melody, rich harmony and Live Funk Jam with Will Vick and Alf driving chords underpinned by Nigel Tramontin...FUNK Only...Nothing but Holmes, one of the best bass players the Funk!!! All are welcome to listen or in the business. Caller Baz Parkes 8pm perform! 8pm Free (John Street) £11adv/£10concs/£12otd/£11concs/£5 THURS 11TH U16s OUT NOW Stroud Jazz Sessions ft. Lee Jones SAT 13TH Lee Jones is a jazz-rock guitarist and Stroud Wassail Revels composer, combining influences from Scared of Yes, it’s the third annual Stroud modern jazz, fusion, blues, fingerstyle Wassail Revels. It’s a variety show. and rock styles. All welcome, singers, Swimming Expect drama, ceilidh dancing, music, players, listeners. Stroud Jazz Sessions storytelling and comedy. But also is a hub for all interested in jazz. 8pm By Lensmen expect the unexpected. Last time it £5otd (John Street) featured CanCan girls and a sheep SAT 13TH Scared of Swimming is the debut EP by Stroud based post-punk/ opera. Who knows what there will be this time? It’s an evening when the Bellow Presents: This Is The Kit new wave group Lensmen recorded using a heady mix of studio and world is turned upside down. It’s also This Is The Kit play the Brunel Goods mobile recording techniques. The resulting EP brings to the fore the quite possibly the most fun you can Shed ahead of their biggest headline poetic roots of Alun Hughes’ lyrics which pursue and confront some have in January. 7pm £11adv/£12.50otd show to date at the O2 Shepherds of the bitter truths that affect and infect our daily lives. Lensmen’s Bush Empire. The band will be oeuvre is not an easy ride, they want you to listen, absorb and form THURS 25TH returning to Stroud after many years an opinion. With a musical core that consists of Gavin McClafferty on Blue Rose Code, Hattie Briggs out on the road, in the studio and Bass, Jason Wilkinson on drums Richard Pead on guitar and Daniel Blue Rose Code is the highly all up in your radio-waves with their Fisher on keyboards they seek to clear out complacency maintaining acclaimed Edinburgh born Ross sensational fourth album, ‘Moonshine Wilson who has been nominated for Freeze’. This is one not to be missed! the tradition of Agit Prop… 8pm £16adv (Goods Shed) the prestigious Scottish Album Of lensmen.bandcamp.com The Year Awards and embarked on sva.org.uk ESTABLISHED 1984 STROUD BASED RECORDING STUDIO We supply composing, arranging, session musicians and engineer for bands, songwriters & voiceovers. We also have fantastic daytime rehearsal space available. www.dbstudios.co.uk
Call: 01453 752542 [email protected] 36 Folly Lane, Stroud, Glos GL5 1SD 16 STROUD WASSAIL #34 | JAN 2018
Stroud Wassail By Robin Burton
“wassail bowl” which was used to within. The Master then invites the It’s wassailing time and soon the collect money or to drink from, but wassailers inside for beer and cake. streets of Stroud will be filled with most often was decorated with Another wassail for families takes greenery for pure decoration. They place at the Museum in the Park. dancers, mummers and singers would also take around a “broad”; a The day ends with the Revels; a mock bull carried on a stick, made variety entertainment featuring wearing fabulous costumes and with cow’s horns attached to a face dancing, drama, storytelling and bringing forth fabulous beasts… made out of a board and some more. sacking to cover the bearer. The wassail wishes all of the Waes Hael! Good luck and good Enthusiasts got together in citizens of Stroud, and visitors to 2014 and secured Heritage Lottery the town, a healthy and successful health to you all! Funding for a project which year. It boosts trade, enhances collected together songs and tunes community spirit and supports local from Gloucestershire onto a web charities. Originally “Waes Hael” was Wassailers, if they did not get site. This included 17 wassail songs At its heart, it is about going simply a greeting coming from what they wanted, might not from various parts of the county out and meeting friends and two Anglo Saxon words meaning have reacted too well sometimes with one being specific to Stroud. neighbours; wishing them well. It “be whole” or “be healthy”. The refusing to leave or even commit The song collector, Gwilym Davies, is not confined to those with an response is usually to say “Drinc some act of minor vandalism. also had a recording, from 1979 of interest in history or traditional Hael” or “drink healthily” and is You can get some sense of this a man who described groups going folk customs. It is not confined to sometimes used as a toast (it may in the traditional carol “We wish around the town around 1914 with people of a specific religious or be where we get the toast “to your you a merry Christmas” when the a decorated wassail bowl. He also political belief. It is certainly not health” from). Over time, the words wassailers sing “Oh, bring us some sang a snatch of a Wassail song. confined to any particular racial have become conjoined to different figgy pudding…We won’t go till we The decision was made to background. forms such as “Wassail”, “Waysail”, get some, so bring it right here.” re-start a wassailing tradition in So please enter into the spirit of “Wassel” or “Wassle”. In the 19th century folklorists Stroud. From modest beginnings, the Wassail. Get out there. Watch In olden times, during winter, started to take an interest. Two with a dozen people meeting at the the entertainment. Sing. Dance. there was little work for the basic forms had developed. The Museum in the Park, the event has But above all else, wish each other agricultural poor to do. Money first, and best known by the general grown. In 2017 there were several success and Waes Hael! and food were in short supply and public, was the apple orchard hundred participants with multiple life could be pretty dull so people wassail. This involves going into the events in the town and beyond. Stroud Wassail is eager to talk to would go “wassailing”. This meant orchards to bless the trees; reciting The Stroud Wassail has a number anyone who would like to take part visiting wealthier neighbours and of rhymes, hanging toast onto the of elements. From early December, including dancers, singers and all wishing them “Waes Hael”. It trees, pouring cider into the roots through to the second week of types of performers. The Wassail meant offering them entertainment and blasting shotguns into the January, the Stroud Wassailers is not just for those involved in the such as a song or a play and in branches. Sometimes this custom visit pubs, hotels, private parties folk tradition. It’s for everyone. exchange they expected money, is referred to as “bud blowing”. No and other venues throughout the food or drink. This was, effectively, traditional versions of this type are area. They perform songs and a The Stroud Wassail takes place on a form of begging and to avoid known in Gloucestershire. new play which features many local Saturday 13th January with Morris, being recognised by neighbours The second type was the personalities. mummers, street performers and wassailers would often go in house to house visiting wassail; Then, on the second Saturday magical beasts all around Stroud disguise (in fact, in some parts of the type that was widespread of the year, the Wassail itself takes culminating with the revels event the country, wassailing is called in Gloucestershire. Wassailers place in Stroud. The day starts at the Subscription Rooms. Tickets “guising”). The disguise could would wish householders health with entertainment throughout for the Stroud Wassail Revels involve costumes and masks and and success for the coming year the streets from dancers, actors cost just £11adv (£12.50 on the in its most basic form wassailers and sing them a song with verses and others. A procession leads door) and starts at 7pm. Visit would turn their coats inside out chosen to suit the householder. the crowd to the front of the subscriptionrooms.org.uk for and blacken their faces with soot. So we see wishes for a “good crap Subscription Rooms. They knock on tickets and stroudwassail.com for Today you will often see wassailers (crop) of corn”, a “good flock o’ the door and demand admission. further info and the full programme. and Morris dancers with black faces ship (sheep)” or a “jolly fat peg The door is opened by the Master and outlandish costumes echoing (pig)”. of the House (the mayor) and a Robin Burton is a local singer and the this tradition. Wassailers often carried a broad enters to chase out all those Chair of Stroud Wassail. #34 | JAN 2018 STROUD WASSAIL 17
Illustration By Tom Percival tom-percival.com 18 LITERATURE - ADAM HOROVITZ #34 | JAN 2018
Adam Horovitz
By Jill MacKeith
“I wrote that one in a frenzy”, Adam Horovitz explained, talking of ‘The Abattoir’. “I had to get it all out and work through what I thought about it”. And indeed, there was a lot to get out – save one other, it is the longest poem in the whole collection of The Soil Never Sleeps, his latest book.
As a vegetarian poet, Adam does Lees”, explained Adam, “and I learning process. In the introduction . . . go into the towns and cities laden not often find himself in abattoirs. was keen to work with her again. to The Soil Never Sleeps, Adam In fact, becoming poet in residence She’s managed to really capture admits, “Growing up I had a mythic with produce and stories, of the Pasture-Fed Livestock the essence of the farms I stayed sense of the landscape instilled your tongues ripe with carefully Association (PFLA) for 2017 was at and has woven parts of the in me; most of my understanding disguised science, the bare not something he could have poems into the artwork”. It’s a of its minutiae, of what made it predicted, despite his connection beautiful representation. The work and what work it made, came bone facts dressed in the muscle to the pastureland surrounding the poems in the collection follow the from reading.” I asked him if he felt of myth and memory. beautiful Slad Valley where he was order in which Adam visited the more connected with the land now. Too much fact runs off busy people brought up. farms: Spring, Autumn and Winter He answered that the experience As a writer, Horovitz told me, 2016, followed by Summer 2017. of this residency and resulting like water from compacted soil. he’s always been interested in the The EU Referendum took place collection has provided him with “a Learn how to open them relationship between mankind and in the middle of the residency, stronger sympathy for the pasture to the seeds of ideas. the landscape, eager to “tease out the outcome of which provided farmers and a better understanding the more metaphysical connections much food for thought for the of what drives them. They’re Water them with stories. between man, land and animals”. final section of essentially Watch them grow. Indeed, that was a large aspect the book, which taking an of his previous book, A Thousand investigates the “GROWING UP I HAD A MYTHIC old style of I asked Adam how he would Laurie Lees: The Centenary ethics, politics farming and promote the book if money and time Celebration of a Man and a Valley, and future of SENSE OF THE LANDSCAPE adapting it for were no object. He said he’d “love which focuses on the land and farming. the future, to to tour with it around the country, landscape of the Slad Valley. While Two poems INSTILLED IN ME; MOST OF allow everyone through the landscape like the Adam was in the midst of writing from the a future”. minstrels or bards of old, stopping about this landscape of the past (in collection, MY UNDERSTANDING OF ITS Horovitz at ale houses along the way, giving 2013), John Meadley (Chair of the ‘The Soil Never added that, readings and spreading the word – PFLA) approached him and asked Sleeps’ and MINUTIAE, OF WHAT MADE IT with regard to to go out there, tell people, change him to consider a residency, looking ‘Three Options WORK AND WHAT WORK IT mainstream their minds.” Me? I am already at a landscape into the future. The for Farmers’, farming, converted. challenge was too enticing to let were written MADE, CAME FROM READING.” “something pass, and so, over four seasons at the Oxford has to change, The Soil Never and travelling to four farms across Real Farming even Michael Sleeps will be England and Wales, from the Conference, January 2017, well in Gove has been quoted in the released on Yorkshire Dales to Cornwall, Kent the wake of Brexit. Adam explained Guardian as saying that the UK 6th January via to the Black Mountains, Adam how he conceived them. “They is 30 to 40 years away from ‘the Palewell Press immersed himself in the life and were essentially cuttings from fundamental eradication of soil (palewellpress. landscape of the PFLA farming words and phrases that I had fertility’”. co.uk), and will community. heard the farmers use during the With the uncertainty about the be launched Armed with “a moleskin notepad conference which I grafted together future of British agriculture hanging at the Oxford and a pen that could withstand and presented back to them”. in the balance since the referendum Real Farming Conference 2018, a driving rain”, Adam shadowed the Some of the farmers were rather result and the realisation of the gathering of the UK’s sustainable farmers and explored the land, bemused by his residency: “They state of our soil fertility, one could and organic food and farming taking photographs that not only asked John Meadley, ‘What are you be forgiven for bracing oneself movements. Visit adamhorovitz. acted as an aide-memoire for doing getting a poet?!’. So they for expecting a melancholic read. co.uk for news and updates and writing, but also proved invaluable were then rather surprised to hear Horovitz, however, refrains from goodonpaper.info/literature to read to artist Jo Sanders who provided their own voices presented back to woe and urges us to be guided an exclusive extract from the book. the striking ink illustrations them in that way, rather than just as by balance and hope. Indeed, accompanying Horovitz’s words a curious set of facts”. the closing poem, ‘Three Options Jill MacKeith is a Stroud based freelance on the page. “Jo illustrated my He acknowledges that the for Farmers’, is encouragingly researcher, project manager, budding previous book, A Thousand Laurie experience was an extraordinary optimistic, imploring the reader to: writer, curator and mother of two. #34 | JAN 2018 LITERATURE - ADAM HOROVITZ 19
Illustrations from The Soil Never Sleeps by Jo Sanders 20 LITERATURE - LISTINGS #34 | JAN 2018
SPACEHOPPERS everyone, from the super-small to the silver-haired! 2pm £3 LITERATURE TUES 9TH subscriptionrooms.org.uk The Gloucester Poetry Society: LISTINGS Villanelles Poetry Evening An evening of eclectic open mic 18A KENDRICK STREET poetry co-hosted between Jason Conway of The Gloucester Poetry SAT 20TH - SUN 28TH Society and SpaceHoppers Co- Ideas About Truth and Reality Working Ltd. All are welcome, from More than a dozen creative minds first time performers or writers of share their response to a call for work poetry to traditional, spoken word exploring ideas around truth and and slam poets and poetry lovers to reality including poetry ft. Bill Jones, come along and be inspired by an Dennis Gould, Jay Ramsay, Jeff Cloves evening of eclectic poetry and share and more..Private view Fri 19th 6:30- a favourite poem if they like. Names 8:30/Fri-Sun 11am-8pm/Mon-Thurs will be taken on the night, for people 12:30-6:30pm or by arrangement: wishing to perform, so please arrive in [email protected] 07767787641 good time to avoid disappointment! (venue is above Made in Stroud) 6:30pm Free
spacehoppers.work NEW BREWERY ARTS CENTRE
ALE HOUSE 7-9:15pm £75 (for 10 sessions) SUBSCRIPTION ROOMS WEDS 24TH Mixed Media Journals with Becky WEDS 3RD/10TH/17TH/24TH/31ST FRI 19TH SUN 28TH Kimberley Rick Vick: Writing Group Mac Macartney: The Privilege of Brave Bold Drama: Storytelling Explore colour, pattern, print stitch Being Alive Workshop and composition with this exciting A weekly writing group run by Stroud introduction to the world of art Festival’s Rick Vick. Discover your Inspirational talk by international Create Your Own Adventure: just journals. You will be encouraged to hidden voice, all welcome! 7-9pm £5 speaker, writer and founder of add imagination! 60 minutes of combine materials, play with different for further information contact Rick Embercombe - Mac Macartney. quick thinking, sparks of inspiration colour-ways & textures, explore on 07973 225 694 Your gifts must be deployed, swiftly, and a lot of delight as we whisk powerfully, imaginatively, joyfully, and ourselves off to far-flung locations making your own sketchbooks and peacefully. Now. 8pm £12/£9concs as yet unknown! A drama workshop covers in this fun and accessible ATELIER for all the family to enjoy together, creative course. 10am-4pm £80 THURS 25TH led by Brave Bold Drama, makers of newbreweryarts.org.uk TUES 30TH Chris Paradox: Confessions of An award-winning family theatre and the Atelier’s Radio Cinema: Cold Egomaniac company that brought you George and the Flight of the Imaginees. Bring Water Swimming Confessions of an Egomaniac - the Atelier’s Radio Cinema evenings tragicomic true story of one man’s returns! Come and discover the art of 12 selves and their epic quest for listening to amazing podcasts, and happiness. A one man show and sound pieces. Atelier will host Radio book signing with Chris Paradox - an Cinema every last Tuesday in the inspirational author, performance Month. 7:30pm £3 poet, teacher and coach. 9:30pm £12/£9concs atelierstroud.co.uk hawkwoodcollege.co.uk
BLACK BOOK CAFÉ THE LITTLE GEORGE SAT 6TH WEDS 24TH Good On Paper Nelson St. Party Stroud Radical Reading Group: The annual Good On Paper party Kristin Ross – Communal Luxury returns this time across two venues with poetry, spoken word at the Black The Stroud Radical Reading Group Book Café ft. stand up poet Jonny meet every month at the Little George Fluffypunk, Little Metropolis (ft. and aim to read a variety of articles Adam Horovitz), legendary poet and and books on radical issues, feminism, letterpress printer Dennis Gould and environmentalism, trade unionism, much much more…5pm £13adv from politics, and current affairs. Having goodonpaper.info/events considered The English Revolution via Christopher Hill’s book, and the blackbookcafe.com recent session on Chartism, the SRRG explore the political imaginary of the Paris Commune - the subtitle of HAWKWOOD COLLEGE Kristin Ross’ book Communal Luxury. 7:30pm Free WEDS 17TH JAN – WEDS 21ST MAR stroudmicropub.co.uk Wild Writing with Kevan Manwaring THE PRINCE ALBERT Are your words too tame? Do your ideas need liberating? Let them out SUN 21ST of the cage, and allow them to prowl Turn Left at the Albert the page! This rule-breaking writing workshop is designed to encourage A fundraising event for the Labour you to give voice to the feral fringes Party ft. stand-up poet, armchair of your creativity. You’ll be supported revolutionary and recumbent rocker - in a friendly, safe environment to Elvis McGonagall, stand-up poet and venture beyond literary comfort sustainable nihilist - Jonny Fluffypunk zones and tap into words that can and Stroud’s favourite miserablist electrify, shock, motivate and move. Bill Jones…7:30pm £10adv from All you need is a pen and paper and a [email protected] / 07534619788 willingness to be wild! You may be out and the Albert in the garden in the evenings, so bring theprincealbertstroud.co.uk outdoor clothing and be prepared! #34 | JAN 2018 THEATRE - REBECCA MACMILLAN 21
Rebecca MacMillan
By Nikki Owen
When I met Rebecca MacMillan, she was due to some toast. “What happens in and genuine. “Improvisers tend to your brain during improv is called be really nice people because of have a baby. And when I say due, I mean go into creative disassociation – a flow this having to work together on labour at any minute. For most people, the fact state. You feel like you’re channeling stage,” says Rebecca. “You become that their baby might decide to enter the world something else. Almost like you’re open to ideas and you help people an observer of the process.” to grow while being bold with your at any minute would mean meetings, interviews That’s what makes Impromptu own ideas and not second guessing and gatherings of any kind would be out of the Shakespeare such an exciting yourself, and at the same time question. However Rebecca is not most people… thought for the Good On Paper knowing you will be supported.” party – that flow state. So, crucial It’s infectious, Rebecca’s question: what’s going to happen positivity and enthusiasm, it’s on the night? “It starts with a ping inspiring. We end the interview Rebecca – who incidentally, It’s a story many of us can relate pong ball chucked into audience,” with a coo over the (very cute and had to cancel our first interview to - the dreams we have about the Rebecca says with a grin – and a sleepy) baby and a promise from because, yup, the baby was on its job we want to do, the sort of life sleeping baby on her lap. “About me to see the show. And what’s way - is possibly one of the most we want to lead. Except when we 150 balls are chucked out at next for Rebecca, aside from relaxed people you’ll ever meet. Not get out into the world, everything random and on them are written super-mum-dom and maybe some only is she meeting up to talk to me seems to take over and, before we Shakespeare ingredients - locations, sleep? “Impromptu Shakespeare just two weeks – two weeks - after know it, we’re as far away from our has a London residency at the she’s had a baby, but on Saturday Nursery Theatre and we’re looking 6th January between 10-11pm at forward to the Good On Paper the Black Book Café, she, along “WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR BRAIN DURING IMPROV IS Party in January!” And this is all with her theatrical comedy troupe on top of Rebecca being in a band Impromptu Shakespeare, will be CALLED CREATIVE DISASSOCIATION – A FLOW STATE. called the Shakespeare Heptet, performing live, freestyle improv to regular outings with the Maydays a packed audience. YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE CHANNELING SOMETHING ELSE. and running another improv group So, for a lady who clearly has a called The Adventures of the knack of keeping the drama purely ALMOST LIKE YOU’RE AN OBSERVER OF THE PROCESS.” Improvised Sherlock Holmes. Told to the stage, I asked Rebecca, who you – amazing. is also co founder of Maydays, an dreams as can possibly be. That’s objects – like daggers, for example But, whatever Rebecca does award-winning improvised comedy why Rebecca, who has a degree - types of people - rings, witches, next, something tells me that for and theatre company, why improv? in classics and Latin, is so awe- stuff that happens in the plays, her and the Impromtu Shakespeare “I started improvising in 2003 and inspiring. Because for Rebecca, themes such as unrequited love, gang – fun and creative freedom first performed in Brighton with a it was a chance sighting in a revenge. Then, the audience have are only ever a ping-pong bounce group that ended up becoming the newspaper for classes on improv to try, at the start, to throw the of a word away. With extra newborn Maydays in 2004,” said Rebecca, that promoted her to stop and look ping pong balls - during a song and baby cuddles, naturally. her newborn in her arms and her at her life and go and fulfill the dance routine – in to a pair of the elfin, porcelain features neatly ambition she’d always dreamt of. bard’s britches.” Just an average Impromptu Shakespeare will be arranged under long, honey- She favours what’s called long night out in Stroud then. Rebecca performing at the Black Book Café coloured hair. “At the time this form improv. Long form improv is goes on to explain that the stage as part of the Good On Paper was short form improvisation where performers create shows in performers then select ping pong Party on Saturday 6th January (we moved over to long form which short scenes are blended balls and ask audience questions alongside Jonny Fluffypunk, Little improvisation around 2006), but I by story, characters, or themes; relating to each message written on Metropolis, Dennis Gould and Paper never started off there. I had normal whereas short form improv (think the balls, personal stuff – and then Jungle’s the Skeleton Woman. Visit jobs - went into management for ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’) consists the improv gets going from there impromptushakespeare.com for the Coop group – and then moved of short scenes usually constructed as the performance expands. further info and goodonpaper.info/ to Brighton. I’d been to meet a from a predetermined game, For Rebecca, who’s lived in events for tickets. friend who was doing improv, and structure, or idea and driven by Stroud since 2016, improv has I always thought I would end up an audience suggestion. Or, in been, in her words, “genuinely life Nikki Owen is an author and writer. doing performance, and at Uni, I other words, long form is to jazz changing.” And you can see why. Her third and final book in the Project was obsessed with Monty Python as short form is to pop. “I like Not only is she one of the most Trilogy – The Girl Who Ran (Harper and thought I would do something improv because it’s a bit like Jazz,” chilled out people I think I have ever Collins), is out now. Follow her on twitter like that alongside my degree - like Rebecca says whilst simultaneously met, but Rebecca’s also creative @nikkiwriter and nikkiowenauthor.com improv - but I didn’t.” feeding her baby and buttering 22 LISTINGS - THEATRE / COMEDY #34 | JAN 2018
SUBSCRIPTION ROOMS SVA
THEATRE/ SUN 28TH COMEDY FRI 5TH DANCE Brave Bold Drama: George and the Karaoke Joe Flight of the Imaginees LISTINGS Have you got the X Factor? Who Within the confines of his bedroom cares! Karaoke Joe is more interested LISTINGS George can conjure pre-historic beasts in the ‘Y not give it a go factor’ So turn and subterranean mythical creatures, up, drink a lot and have a sing along simply by slipping through a black to your favourite song…8pm £3otd hole into other-worldly dimensions. (John St) BLACK BOOK CAFÉ All these imaginings are just for sva.org.uk fun, until George is summoned to BLACK BOOK CAFÉ SAT 6TH protect the Ancient Spirits of the Good On Paper Nelson St. Party SAT 6TH Imaginees. Harnessing his magical powers against those that seek to The annual Good On Paper party Good On Paper Nelson St. Party dim the dazzling light of creativity returns this time across two venues The annual Good On Paper party - join George as he stretches ideas with comedy at the Black Book Café returns this time across two venues into even more fantastical brand ft. improvisational theatre/comedy with theatre at the Black Book Café new shapes. A globe-trotting quest troupe Impromptu Shakespeare, ft. improvisational theatre/comedy bursting at the seams with magical stand-up poet Jonny Fluffypunk and troupe Impromptu Shakespeare, Paper illuminations and original music - in a much much more…5pm £13adv from Jungle presents the Skeleton Woman tale about how limitless imagination goodonpaper.info/events with puppetry by Isabel Lyster and can be (and how it can get you into blackbookcafe.com much much more…5pm £13adv from a spot of bother sometimes!) 11am goodonpaper.info/events £8/£6concs/£25family THE PRINCE ALBERT blackbookcafe.com SUN 28TH Brave Bold Drama: Storytelling SUN 21ST COTSWOLD PLAYHOUSE Workshop Turn Left at the Albert Create Your Own Adventure: just A fundraising event for the Labour WEDS 3RD – SUN 7TH add imagination! 60 minutes of quick Party ft. stand-up poet, armchair Baroque Theatre Company: The thinking, sparks of inspiration and a lot revolutionary and recumbent rocker - Three Musketeers of delight as we whisk ourselves off Elvis McGonagall, stand-up poet and to far-flung locations as yet unknown! sustainable nihilist - Jonny Fluffypunk Baroque Theatre Company is proud to A drama workshop for all the family and Stroud’s favourite miserablist present this classic family adventure to enjoy together, led by Brave Bold Bill Jones…7:30pm £10adv from adapted from Alexandre Dumas’ ‘The Drama, makers of award-winning [email protected] / 07534619788 Three Musketeers!’ Cry ‘All for one family theatre and the company that and the Albert and one for all,’ as we join D’Artagnan brought you George and the Flight of and his friends Porthos, Athos and theprincealbertstroud.co.uk the Imaginees. Bring everyone, from Aramis, in their quest against the the super-small to the silver-haired! scheming Cardinal Richelieu. A rip 2pm £3 roaring, fast paced, swashbuckling show ideal for families (ages 5+). subscriptionrooms.org.uk Inventive stagecraft, witty dialogue and with colourful characters from the novel, this exciting story is brimming 18A KENDRICK STREET with energy and skillful storytelling to keep audiences captivated. There will SAT 20TH/FRI 26TH be action and romance galore in this Marcus Blackett: 7Up...Down... specially commissioned production. Whatever! Weds-Sat 7:30pm/Sat-Sun 2:30pm A performance by Marcus Blackett £12/£7under16/£30family as part of the Truth and Reality cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk exhibition above Made In Stroud - a mixed media show of the work of more than a dozen creative minds MINCHINHAMPTON MARKET exploring what Truth & Reality HOUSE means to them. What does it mean to you? Come and wonder, sit on a SUN 7TH beanbag, chat, drink tea/coffee and watch the performance…6pm free or Tutti Frutti and York Theatre by arrangement: [email protected] Royal: The Ugly Duckling 07767787641 Tutti Frutti and York Theatre Royal present a delightful new version of Hans Christian Andersen’s’ much CHANTRY CENTRE DURSLEY loved tale, The Ugly Duckling. This classic story about families, identity SAT 20TH – SAT 27TH and finding your place in the world is The Dods: The Wizard of Oz funny, sad sometimes but ultimately The Dods festive season family show! uplifting. 11:30am and 3pm £8adv Sit back and enjoy the wonderful timeless music of Harold Arlen and minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk Yip Harburg as they tell the tale of Dorothy and her adventures on the SVA yellow brick road…Visit website for times and tickets. TUES 9TH/16TH/23RD/30TH chantrycentre.org Introduction to Flamenco Rhythms Workshop An introduction to flamenco rhythms for dancers, guitarists, percussionists, or anyone interested in flamenco music. 8pm £5 (John Street) Hazel’s classes start on Sunday 14th January 2018 at 6.30pm sva.org.uk UPPER LOCK CAFÉ www.upperlockcafe.co.uk
• Exhibitions of work by local artists every month • Bands and Musicians welcome In the heart of • A piano for anyone who wants to play
And of course, handcrafted coffee, homemade cake Stroud, open & wholesome food! Some wine & locally brewed seven days a bottled beer too! Find us for a friendly welcome down by the canal at Wallbridge. week featuring: Facebook: Upper Lock Cafe | Twitter: @UpperLock T: 01453 702904 Hi, I’m Adam Hinks. Studio 1 Hallidays Mill I’m a freelance Chalford thepdco.co.uk multi-disciplined Graphic Designer.
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