The Met, Market St, Bury BL9 0BW • 0161 761 2216 • www.themet.biz

Autumn& Winter 2015SETH LAKEMAN

THE UNTHANKS

ELIZA CARTHY ANDTHE WAYWARD BAND

THE BLUES BAND

NOSFERATU

ANDY MCKEE

LAU

SECKOU KEITA

GRIMM’S FAERY FEAST

What’s On

WelcomeWELCOME TO OUR AUTUMN

season of events at The Met. September to December is always a busy period for us with the thrilling addition of Ramsbottom and Homegrown Festival to our programme.

This year we are very excited for our Christmas show, which will take families on a flavoursome journey through the Grimm’s Tales. The great Ian McMillan has rewritten some fabulous stories, which will be told all over our building by Proper Job Theatre Company with the extra special addition of tasty treats to enhance the multi-sensory experience.

As part of the theatre programme, we are delighted to welcome the amazing Les Enfant Terrible with their indoor version of The Imaginary Menagerie. We saw it three times at Ramsbottom Festival 2014 and can’t wait to see it again!

Elsewhere Manchester legends Lip Service return in October and half term is packed with the very best in touring theatre for children including Gulliver, We are Brontë and Kid Carpet and the Noisy Neighbours.

The Homegrown Folk Festival reaches out across Bury using some of our fantastic venues to welcome great names from the world of English folk and roots music including Seth Lakeman, The Unthanks and Eliza Carthy.

The music programme is amazing this season and it’s difficult to highlight just a few.

Please come and see some brilliant new artists to the venue like Calan as well as the likes of Lau, Thea Gilmore, The Albion Band, Nell Bryden and Judy Tzuke. Particular mention must be given to Sweet Liberties, a very special show on 26 November as part of the Magna Carta celebrations in 2015.

As ever we are grateful to you, our audiences, for continuing to come and see fantastic artists in our small venue. In addition we must credit Arts Council England and Bury Council for continuing to support The Met, helping make Bury a great place to live and visit.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Met this season.

David AgnewArtistic Director

The Met is a much loved venue, but our 165 year-old building is starting to show its age. We want to refurbish and improve the building, to create an exciting and vibrant space for you and for artists, while retaining The Met’s unique character.

We’re calling this project A Better Met, and for the past three years we’ve been working hard behind-the-scenes to make it happen. Transforming the building will cost £4.6 million, of which we’ve already raised £4.2 million.

We need your help to find the final £400,000.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? The best way to help is by making a donation. You can donate on our website, by text (to send £5 right now text BMAA01 £5 to 70070), at our ticket office or at an event (look out for the red buckets). Every penny helps.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the support for the project so far and with almost 90% of our target

already achieved, we hope you’ll join us in the final push to create a brilliant venue for arts and music in Bury.

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The Imaginary Menagerie

Thursday 5 November

First Thursday Comedy Club

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Comedy Dave SpikeyWork in ProgressThursday 3 September 8pm£20 / £17.50

Co-writer and star of Phoenix Nights, comic, presenter and actor Dave Spikey will be attempting to prove punchlines are funny out of context.

Perverted Moves in the DarkArrso n Hami ProductionsThursday 24 September 8pm£9 / £7 concession

An off-the-wall comedy with live and filmed sketches plus a few surprises by Manchester duo Arrso n Hami.

Contains occasional bad language and adult themes.

Ages 15+.

The People’s Republic ofPoetryA Firm Of PoetsFriday 30 October 8pm / £8

A cross between a poetic super-group and Whose Line is it Anyway?, this dynamic show will feature regionally established and emerging poets stepping up to the mic to perform their work.

Dave Spikey

Top comedy on the first Thursday of every monthFirst Thursday …in AugustThursday 6 August 8.30pm£8 advance / £10 door

Comedian of the year competition. Ten rising

comedy stars compete for your votes. Who wins?

You decide.

First Thursday …in OctoberThu 1 October

8.30pm / £8 advance / £10 door

In celebration of the 100th First Thursday, Charlie Chuck, headline act of the first ever Comedy Club returns. Support from Tony Cowards, Rachel Fairburn and Red Redmond.

First Thursday …in NovemberThursday 5 November 8.30pm£8 advance / £10 door

Comedy fireworks with Australian John Robertson and musical comedian Tom Taylor. Plus two of the brightest stars on the horizon, Adam Rushton and Katie Mulgrew.

First Thursday …in DecemberThursday 3 December 8.30pm£8 advance / £10 door

Fresh from her Radio 4 show and appearances on Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You, Jo Caulfield headlines. Support from Lancashire lad Mike Wilkinson, Mercury Comedian of the Year Tom Little and rising star Ben Briggs.

Justin MoorhouseDestiny CallingFriday 11 December 8pm£15 / £13 concession

Fresh from appearances on Phoenix Nights Live, Coronation Street and Live at The Apollo comedic tour-de-force Justin Moorhouse is back doing what he does best – making people laugh up and down the country.

People’s Republicof Poetry WorkshopFriday 30 October 4pm / FREE

Want to read your work with Firm of Poets? Join this workshop to hone your performance poetry skills before joining them on stage in the evening.

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Children & FamiliesShows for October half termDavid Gibb

Sat 17 October 11am / £8

David Gibb is an award-winning songwriter and storyteller on a mission to make great music for children and families. Get lost in magical musical stories from finding a dragon in your bedroom to dreaming about swimming in the sea. Ages 3+

The Imaginary MenagerieLes Enfants TerriblesThursday 5 November 7pm£10 / £6 concession

Are Bumblewasps poisonous? What do Whistling Panks eat? What happens when you lick a Tresillian Toad…?

Answer these and more quest-ions in a puppet-packed,ludicrously lyrical extravaganzafrom the acclaimed creatorsof The Terrible Infants andThe Trench.Ages 6+

GulliverBig Telly Theatre CoTue 27 October 2pm / £6

Uproarious theatrical adventure.

When Gulliver returns from another amazing experience at sea, his family are more than a little perplexed. They had just about coped with the giants, and the tiny people, but a world ruled by horses? He and his family must learn to live together in this strange world where weird is the new normal. Ages 12+

We Are BrontëPublick TransportWed 28 October 7.30pm£10 / £6 concession

A comic family friendly introduc-tion to the world of the Brontë’s.

Physical theatre collides with stand-up and improvisation to

discover the imaginary worlds the siblings created and

the real world they lived in. No ordinary Brontë

adaptation. Ages 12+

Kid Carpetand the Noisy Neighboursout of the egg productions

Thu 29 October 1pm / £6

A funny and moving new show that uses music, puppetry and projection to look at what it’s like to move into a new house and find your place there. Ages 6+

The Toothy Adventures of Davy DentureArtful PlaygroundFri 30 October 11am& 1pm / £6

Interactive and imaginative musical journey for children.

Everyone expects Davy to be a dentist when he grows up. But he wants to be...something else.

Off he goes with Grandpa Fred and Robot on an

adventure where he makes toothy discoveries, learns about love and loss, and finally decides what he wants to be. Ages 3+

4Kid Carpet and the Noisy Neighbours

We Are Brontë

= part of theFAMILy ARTS FESTIvALfamilyartsfestival.com

Proper Job Theatre Company present

Grimm’sFaeryFeast

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Thursday 17- Thursday 24

December

Join the brothers Grimm in their kitchen this Christmas as they

cook up a feast of miraculous stories and special food!

Thu 17 7pm• Fri 18 7pm• Sat 19 11amc 3pmc 7pmc

Sun 20 11am• 3pm• 7pm• Mon 21 11am• 3pm• 7pm• Tue 22 11am• 3pm• 7pm• Wed 23 11am• 3pm• 7pm• Thu 24 11amc 3pmc

Tickets c £12 • £10 5

Performance timetable DECEMBER

Adapted byIan McMillan

AN ORIGINAL and wonderful adaptation of the Grimm’s tales.

Perfect for a Christmas treat.

Wander into the theatre foyer and immediately be immersed in the world of the Grimm’s stories with installations inspired by the tales. Walk through a dark forest to get to Cinderella’s ballroom where the feast is taking place. Open the ball-room doors, see the candlelit table and enjoy the tasty treats cooked

up by the storytelling chefs. Be transported to a world of food, forests and fairies in this fantastic immersive feast.

Grimm’s Faery Feast integrates quality culinary treats created by award winning chef Stephen Taylor, beautiful music developed by Roddy B and a fantastic new script by Bard of Barnsley Ian McMillan alongside Proper Job’s trademark visual, dynamic and visceral style. Ages 5+

Experience theatre at The Met with our Theatre Special Offer. 20% off tickets for any 3 marked shows.

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The Doppel GangJust Some Theatre CoThursday 10 September 7.30pm£8 / £6 concession

New play that combines the wild wit of the iconic Marx Brothers with brilliantly British humour. A hopeless manager, a desperate double act and an unconvincing male impersonator attempt an audacious stunt to save their theatre. Will anyone believe they are the real Marx Brothers?

Pirates of PenzanceWhitefield Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society

Wednesday 21 - Saturday 24 October 7.30pm / £12

WAODS present their new take on the Gilbert and Sullivan classic.

‘The Pirates’ are set to headline this year’s Penzance festival which is celebrating its 30th year of bringing an eclectic mix of music to international audiences. Whatever happens a fun time is always guaranteed to be had by all. In an interview with the ‘Major General’ he told us that he was “proud that his humble festival has grown into such a huge international event”.

We Are BrontëPublick TransportWednesday 28 October7.30pm / £10 / £6 conc

Physical theatre collides with stand-up, clowning and improvisation.

Inspired by the real and imaginary worlds of Yorkshire’s literary siblings this is no ordinary Brontë adaptation.

Star MakersPlanet RabbitThursday 29 October 7.30pm£10 / £8.50 concession

It’s panto time at the Theatre Royal and we join the staff behind the scenes at the biggest show of the year.

Theatre r 0161 761 2216

NosferatuProper Job Theatre Company

We’re delighted to present the premier of Proper Job Theatre Company’s Nosferatu.

Inspired by the 1922 German Expressionist film Nosferatu and Bram Stoker’s Dracula this new play uses breathtaking illusions and trickery, features an original musical score and a libretto from acclaimed poet Ian McMillan.

It’s one hour before dawn. On the blood dark sea the ship is barely moving. There’s a sail as torn as a tattered shirt. Something is aboard the ship.

Suitable for ages 12+ this bloodthirsty production promises to live long in the memory.

Proper Job will return to The Met in December with

Christmas show Grimm’s Faery Feast.

Wednesday 7 & Thursday 8 October 7.30pm / £12 / £10 concession

The Doppel Gang

We Are Brontë

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Casting the RunesTwo Ghost Stories by MR JamesTuesday 3 November 8pm£8 / £6 concession

Meet the unforgettable Abbot of Lufford – magic lanternist and historian of the occult. The story is best known as the source of classic horror film Night of the Demon.

It is partnered with The Residence at Whitminster where a dark shadow is cast over the precinct of a peaceful English church.

Suitable for ages 13+ and contains moments of pleasing terror.

ThePicture ofDoreen GrayLip Service TheatreWednesday 11 November 8pm / £12

Celebrity presenter Doreen Gray has it all, a drive time radio show, a high ratings lifestyle programme on Even More 4, but hitting 50, Doreen finds her face no longer fits the bill.

At a school reunion she stumbles across a youthful self-portrait and makes a dark and dreadful pact with the picture. A hilarious new show from the award winning Lip Service.

Shakespeare Schools FestivalWednesday 25 November 7pm£9 / £7 concession / £6 groups 20+

We welcome local talent to the stage as part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival. Over the evening three schools will each perform different abridged Shakespeare plays.

Come and celebrate the achieve-ments of our local schools while enjoying a wonderful evening of entertainment.

you must be the one to bury me Babel Theatre CompanyThu 26 November 7.30pm / £10

A journey into a fragmented world as one man’s grasp on reality crumbles when the memories of his recent relationship materialise around him, subjecting him to an onslaught of romantic terrorism.

Inspired by Alain De Botton’s Essays in Love the show unpacks the puzzles that love bamboozles us with, in a vibrant and original way.

Passing Strangersby Eric Chappell Planet Rabbit ProductionsSaturday 5 December 7.30pm£10 / £8.50 concession

A local single’s evening, a deserted hotel bar. Bachelor Malcolm is ‘big in imports’ and recently single Clive, a hospital porter, is masquerading as a doctor. Here they meet two divorcees, Julie and the cynical, defiant Liz.

Malcolm is determined to break down Liz’s defences while trying to pair Clive off with Julie. But the women have a few tricks of their own, and Malcolm soon finds that life, likethe evening, is full of surprises.

Casting the Runes

ShakespeareSchoolsFestival

You must be the one to Bury me

The Picture of Doreen Gray

Mad 4 BritSaturday 1 August 8pm / £12 / £10 concession / Rock & pop / Standing

An energetic tribute to the Madchester bands of the 80s and 90s. Be taken on a nostalgic musical journey via Oasis, The Happy Mondays, The Verve and many more.

SpookyMen’s ChoraleWednesday 2 September 8pm£17 / £15 concession / Folk

The Spooky Men’s Chorale perform a repertoire that is inspired by the pointless grandeur of everyday manliness. Expect ancient Georgian table songs, tawdry anthems and ballads of pure beauty along with an interesting array of hats.

Sam Sweeney’s FiddleMade in the Great WarFriday 4 September 8pm / £16 / Folk

Bellowhead’s Sam Sweeney tells the story of the fiddle that took almost one hundred years to complete.

Go on a multi-media journey from the music halls of Leeds to a luthier’s workshop in Oxford via West Flanders, Belgium and the Battle of Messines Ridge.

Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick Friday 11 September 8pm£16 / £14 concession / Folk

Two of UK folk’s finest, who created a new era of English instrumental music, return to The Met for a night of thrilling live music with all the old skills and a new collection of traditional songs and instrumentals.

Black & GoldSaturday 12 September 8pm£10 / Standing / Rock & pop

An eleven piece soul band with full brass and rhythm sections playing classic and chart hits. Look forward to hearing hits such as Shake a Tailfeather, River Deep, Mountain High and Son of a Preacher Man.

Spooky Men’s WorkshopWed 2 September 3pm / £10

Fancy learning how to Sing Like A Bloke? Take part in a pre-show workshop where you’ll learn some of the Spooky repertoire.

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MartinCarthy

Spooky Men’s Chorale

SamSweeney’s

Fiddle

DaveSwarbrick

Black& Gold

Music

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www.ramsbottomfestival.comFor more informationand tickets visit

Festivalsponsors

Festivalsupporters

Friday 18, Saturday 19& Sunday 20 SeptemberRamsbottom Cricket Club

RAMSBOTTOM FESTIvAL celebrates its fifth birthday

with a packed selection of music, family arts shows, delicious food and real ale.

Headline artists The Wonder Stuff, Idlewild and The Proclaimers are joined by over fifty other great indie, rock and folk acts.

Family arts now has its own stage, with a crew of musicians, acrobats and storytellers leading children’s activities all weekend. Highlights include parkour, tap dancing and The Marie Celestial, a walking mechanical art installation.

Stalls from local food vendors will be serving up Great British grub and international cuisine, with the festival’s beer tents offering craft beers and real ales, including our own special festival ale.

Want to camp? The festival campsite is just ashort walk away.

Ramsbottom Festival is organised by The Met in partnership with The Bridgewater Hall.

The WonderStuff

Idlewild

The Proclaimers

Friday 18 SeptemberThe Wonder Stuff, Sundowners, Houdini Dax, The Narrows, Louis Barabbas and the Bedlam Six, and The Jade Assembly, and more.

Saturday 19 SeptemberIdlewild, The Go! Team, John Bramwell, Lazy Habits, Space Monkeys, Edward II, Tom Robinson Band, Slow Readers Club, Black Rivers, New York Tourists, Ciaran Lavery, and more.

Sunday 20 SeptemberThe Proclaimers, Moulettes, Marc O’Reilly, Flight Brigade, Sweet Billy Pilgrim, Blue Rose Code, Baked A La Ska, Rura, Grainne Duffy, Galleon Blast, The Slytones, Bendrix, Harp and a Monkey, and more.

Festival line-up...

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The Houghton WeaversThursday 24 September 8pm£14 / £12 concession / Folk

Expect traditional songs and ballads with a few jokes and anecdotes thrown in for good measure.

The Other HalfFeaturing Mark Billingham with My Darling ClementineFriday 25 September 8pm£13 / Americana

A unique collaboration of song and story between leading light of crime fiction Mark Billingham and country music duo My Darling Clementine.

A rundown Memphis bar. Lust, murder and domestic horror. That

long and difficult search for... The Other Half. A Mr Kite Benefit.

The Ben Cox BandWednesday 30 September 8pm£10 / Jazz

Ben Cox and his band return to The Met with a Telegraph top Jazz album of 2015, a debut session at Maida Vale and an endorsement from Jamie Cullum.

Look forward to groove based funky original songs with Cox’s mesmerising tone and captivating delivery.

The Sounds of SimonThu 1 October 8pm£12 / Rock & pop

A tribute to the wonderful music of Simon and Garfunkel. Lose yourself to nostalgia with classics such as Mrs Robinson, The Sounds of Silence and Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard.

Martin Stephensonand The DainteesFriday 2 October 8pm / £14£12 concession / Rock & pop

Reunited with The Daintees, the ever popular Martin Stephenson performs new album California Star.

An exuberant tour-de-force combining heart-in-your-mouth intimacy with playful humour and warm self-deprecation.

Seckou Keita22 StringsSaturday 3 October 8pm / £12£10 concession / World music

One of the most influential and inspiring kora players of his generation. A charismatic musician whose collaboration with welsh harpist Catrin Finch earned him accolades such as fRoots Critics Poll Album of The Year 2013, Songlines Magazine Best Cross Cultural Collaboration 2014, and two BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominations.

The Other Half

The Houghton Weavers

Ben Cox

Martin Stephenson

Seckou Keita

Music

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vonda ShepardFriday 9 October 8pm£20 / Rock & pop

Through her long running appearances and performances on smash hit TV show Ally McBeal the American singer-songwriter’s music has been heard by millions.

In this intimate show she performs new hits from her fourteenth album alongside old favourites.

HomegrownThursday 15, Friday 16 & Saturday 17 October / Folk

See pages 18 and 19 for details of The Met’s festival of finest English folk.

Wille andthe BanditsFriday 23 October 8pm / £8 / Blues

Classic rock blues three piece that pushes the boundary of the expected. Expect an eclectic mix of material that is bursting at the seams with textures, originality and soul.

The StumbleSaturday 24 October 8pm£12 / Blues

Lose yourself in rapturous Chicago style Rhythm and Blues.

This powerful six piece combine well chosen covers and original songs with influences ranging from Muddy Water, B B King and King Curtis.

Aly Bain, Ale Möller & Bruce MolskyThursday 29 October 8pm£16 / £14 concession / Folk

Sharing their Celtic, Nordic and Appalachian cultures are Aly Bain, Scotland’s supreme traditional style fiddler, Swedish multi-instrumentalist Ale Möller, and American old time fiddler, singer, guitarist and banjo player Bruce Molsky.

China CrisisAutumn in the Neighbourhood TourFriday 30 October 8pm / £18 seated £16 standing / Rock & pop

Known for their string of hit singles China Crisis return in support of their new album Autumn in the Neighbourhood. Look forward to classics including African & White, Christian and Working with Fire & Steel alongside some of their first new material in twenty years.

Limehouse LizzySat 31 October 8pm / £16 advance£18 door / Rock & pop / Standing

Action-packed, pyrotechnic-filled tribute to Thin Lizzy. Expect classic tracks such as The Boys Are Back in Town and Sarah along with more of the Celtic influenced tracks like Whisky in the Jar and Black Rose.

Aly Bain, Ale Möller & Bruce Molsky

TheStumble

LimehouseLizzy

ChinaCrisis

Willeand the Bandits

Vonda Shepard

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Sam Bakerwith Carrie ElkinLove Songs and DuetsSunday 1 November 8pm£16 / Americana

Two highly respected Texas singer-songwriters come together to play covers of songs they love and a selection of everyone’s favourite originals. A Mr Kite Benefit.

Andy McKeeWednesday 4 November 8pm£20 / Acoustic

One of the world’s finest acoustic guitarists with over 150 million YouTube viewers. Be entertained as he magically transforms the steel string guitar into a full orchestra via his use of altered tunings, tapping, partial capos,

percussive hits and a signature two-handed technique.

Connie LushFriday 6 November 8pm£12 / £10 concession / Blues

One of the finest Blues singers in the UK, Connie Lush continues her love affair with audiences everywhere, bringing her enormous gusto for life and music wherever she goes.

Beverley CravenFriday 6 November 8pm / £18.50Rock and pop

After becoming a household name in the 90s, Beverly Craven is back performing hits including Promise Me, Memories, Holding On, Woman to Woman and Love Scenes.

LauSaturday 7 & Sunday 8 November 8pm / £18 / Folk

The UK’s most musically revered and celebrated folk trio perform tracks from their acclaimed new album The Bell That Never Rang.

Comprising of Kris Drever, Martin Green and Aidan O’Rourke,

Lau continue to effortlessly bridge the seemingly opposed worlds of acoustic

folk and electronica.

Judie TzukeSongs and StoriesThursday 12 November 8pm / £23 / Rock & pop

One of the UK’s finest singer-songwriters. This

intimate gig will features old favourites, new songs and

tales from her life and career.

AndyMcKee Lau

BeverleyCraven

ConnieLush

Sam Bakerwith Carrie Elkin

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The GrahamsThursday 12 November 8pm£10 / Americana

Lifelong couple, both romantic and musical, Alyssa and Doug Graham have been performing together since they were teenagers. Look forward to an expansion of their roots-based sound to include more propulsive and dynamic songs.

Nell BrydenFri 13 November 8pm / £16 seated£14 standing / Rock & pop

American singer-songwriter Nell Bryden is back on the road following the release of fifth album Wayfarer. Featuring singles All You Had, Wayfarer and Waves expect a departure from Nell’s usual sound with a more uptempo feel.

Metro JazzFriday 13 November 8pm / £5 / Jazz

The Met’s community jazz orchestra, led by saxophonist Munch Manship, perform a mix of the best foot-tapping jazz.

CalanSaturday 14 November 8pm£12 / £10 concession / Folk

Fiddles, guitar, accordion, bagpipes and step dancing explode into life as Calan perform songs and tunes from their new album Dinas with infectious guitar rhythms and high-voltage routines giving way to beautiful and haunting songs.

Livewire AC/DCSaturday 14 November 8.30pm£15 advance / Standing / Rock & pop

High-voltage rock and roll tribute to AC/DC including hit after hit, from Back in Black, to Rosie to Highway to Hell. If you’re still standing by the time the cannons fire bringing the evening to a crescendo, we salute you.

MartinHarleySunday 15 November 8pm£12 / Blues

Phenomenally talented slide guitarist, singer and songwriter, almost unique in the UK in his playing lap slide. Expect traditional delta blues inspired slide and vocals married with edgier and more commercial influences.Calan

LivewireAC/DC

TheGrahams

JudieTzuke

MartinHarley

Nell Bryden

Thea GilmorePresented by Edge St LiveSunday 15 November 8pm£27.50 premium / £22.50 standard

Thea Gilmore performs songs from her latest album Ghosts and Graffiti.

A retrospective with a difference expect to hear all her best known songs along with new tracks and newly recorded versions of some of her songs.

“The most coherent, literate and charged British singer-songwriter

of her generation...” MOJO

Music

Magic BeansThu 19 November 8pm / £8 / Jazz

A band with an ear for a quirky cover and the imagination to take it in a completely new direction. Performing music from their second album Anything You Can Dream, be entertained by unusual covers as well as rootsy originals that draw on influences from folk, jazz and world.

House DevilsFri 20 November 8pm / £10 / Folk

Featuring the combined talents of singer and guitarist Matt Fahay, harmonica and flautist Mat Walklate and all-Ireland senior fiddle champion

Andrew Dinan. Tickets includes entry to Bury

Beer Festival.

TheaGilmore

HouseDevils

MagicBeans

Bury Beer FestivalFriday 20 and Saturday 21 November 12 noon - 12 midnightFriday before 5pm £2 / Friday after 5pm £4 / Saturday £4Half price admission for Friends of The Met and CAMRA members

Bury Beer Festival transforms The Met’s Main Theatre into

a gigantic bar featuring over 100 different ales, ciders and perries from our favourite local brewers plus a hand-picked selection from across the North West and beyond hosted by our resident ale experts at Automatic.

We’ll also have a delicious range of Food for Beer on offer plus a fantastic programme of live music allowing you to drink and dance all weekend long.

vIP Beer Package£20 available in advance onlyvIP entry from 5pm onwards

• No queues entry to the Festival

• £10 of drinks vouchers

• 1 food voucher

• Commemorative Festival glass

• Festival programme

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Lynched

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Sweet LibertiesThursday 26 November 8pm£18 / £16 concession / Folk

Marking eight hundred years since the sealing of the Magna Carta, Martyn Joseph, Nancy Kerr, Sam Carter and Maz O’Connor perform new songs inspired by significant moments in the evolution of democracy, from the Magna Carta and the Tolpuddle martyrs to the fight for women’s suffrage.

LynchedFriday 27 November 8pm£15 / £13 concession / Folk

Traditional folk group hailing from Dublin. Distinctive four-part harmonies combine with uilleann pipes, concertina, accordion, fiddle and guitar to create humorous Dublin music-hall ditties, classic ballads from the Traveller tradition and traditional Irish and American dance tunes, alongside their own original material.

The Mighty RevelatorsFriday 27 November 8pm£10 / Blues

With a wealth of experience behind them as individuals, together they play quality funky blues. Expect original compositions with clear influences from blues greats

such as BB King and Ronnie Earl.

Wreckless EricSaturday 28 November 7.30pm at Bury Art Museum / £10

One off special event hosted by Bury Art Museum. Best known for Whole Wide World Wreckless Eric will be joined by local four piece Adventures with Salvador and 80s teen angst icon Surfin Dave.

Mama GenesisSaturday 28 November 8pm

£15 advance / £13 advance concession / £17 door

A high-octane tribute to British super-group Genesis. One of the top Genesis tribute bands in the UK look forward to some of their greatest hits including Mama, Turn It On Again and Invisible Touch as well as much loved album tracks such as In The Cage and Ripples.

Flight BrigadeSaturday 28 November 8pm£6.50 / Folk

With music that evokes the sound of 70s folk they have opened for folk

greats such as Seth Lakeman and been championed by BBC

6 Music’s Tom Robinson amongst many others.

“glorious folk-tinged stadium anthems” Record of the Day

!5SweetLiberties

FlightBrigade

MamaGenesis

WrecklessEric

The Mighty Revelators

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St Agnes FountainThursday 3 December 8pm£18 / Folk

The annual collaboration of Chris While, Julie Matthews, David Hughes and Chris Leslie is back with new album Christmas is Not Far Away. As they begin their fifteenth sell-out year expect ‘rhythmed-up’ carols and Christmas music, interspersed with laughter and spoken word.

It’s the official start of the festive season for their legions of fans.

The East PointersFriday 4 December 8pm£10 / Americana

This Canadian folk trio are attracting attention from across the world. Banjo, fiddle and guitar combine to create traditional and original tunes

with influences ranging from Irish and Scottish to Canadian Maritime.

The Albion Christmas BandThursday 10 December 8pm£20 / £18 concession / Folk

Featuring the combined talents of Simon Nichol, Kellie While, Simon Care and Ashley Hutchings, this show takes you on a guided tour through the Christmas customs of Britain, with traditional English Christmas music, spoken word, humorous readings and dance. A great way to start your festivities.

“the perfect antedote to the corporate Christmas” The Guardian

Baked A La SkaSaturday 12 December 8pm / £10 / Rock & pop

With unusual Christmas album Ska of Wonder, Baked A La Ska will deliver seasonal ska treats such as When You Wish Upon a Ska and Harmonica for Christmas.

Perfect if you fancy an alternative sound to Christmas.

The Blues BandFriday 4 December 8pm£25 / Blues

Passion and showmanship combine to deliver the definitive good night out. The quality and variety of performance and material is pretty much unrivalled and after thirty five years of playing together you can expect a show jam packed with the best rhythm and blues.

Nearly DanSat 5 December 8pm / £12 advance£14 door / Standing / Rock & pop

Faithful homage to jazz-influenced best-sellers Steely Dan.

Ten-piece tribute act play all the favourites including classics Do It Again and Reelin in the Years.

Music

St AgnesFountain

The EastPointers

The BluesBand

Baked ALa Ska

TheAlbion

Christmas Band

Ramsbottom Folk Club

Tickets on sale in advance from The Met oron the night at Ramsbottom Cricket Club

Top quality folk music every month at Ramsbottom Cricket ClubSteve TurnerWednesday 12 August 8pm / £8

Steve Turner began his career on the Manchester folk scene in the 1960s, and has since built a reputation as a multi-instrumentalist, pioneering highly sophisticated English concertina song accompaniments.

Damien Barber and Mike WilsonWednesday 9 September 8pm / £10

Two of the finest exponents of traditional song in the United Kingdom. Mike has a musical her-itage that is emphatically of the North East – rural and industrial folk songs both traditional and modern. Heavily influenced by earlier Norfolk singers, Damien is a stylish and distinctive singer. Together they have a rich shared repertoire of traditional songs plus the work of modern folk writers.

Hicks and GoulbourneWed 14 October 8pm / £10

Fingerstyle guitar virtuoso Steve Hicks and singer songwriter Lynn Goulbourn thrive on the creative process of stretching established boundaries and perform mesmeric arrangements of traditional, contemporary and self penned songs and music.

The Rheingans SistersWednesday 11 November 8pm / £10

Rowan and Anna Rheingans explore traditional and contemporary folk music from across Scandinavia, Britain and America. With a strong emphasis on two fiddles and two voices their sound is accompanied by banjo, cello, bansitar and concertina.

Harp anda MonkeyWednesday 9 December 8pm / £10

Harp ’n’ banjo driven electro-folk-storytelling imbued with a deep Lancashire sensibility. A love of the Pennines, the people and their traditions shines through in their beautifully crafted and sometimes spooky vignettes

of northern life, love and remembrance.

Harp anda Monkey

r 0161 761 2216 q www.themet.biz

Tickets available from TheMet on 0161 761 2216 !7

Mr Kite Benefits

Steve Tilston& Jez Lowe

Steve Knightley

Saturday 14 NovemberFox Lane Sports & Social Club, Leyland

Wednesday 16SeptemberSt Joseph’s Club, Chorley

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Belshazzer’s FeastStick in the WheelFri 16 October 8pm / £14 / The Met

Belshazzer’s Feast’s sense of humour and musicianship have stunned audiences. Stick in the Wheel are an uncompromising London band.

Eliza Carthy and the Wayward BandKings of the South Seas + BascoFriday 16 October 7.30pm / £20 / The Met

Seth LakemanHabbedekuk + Bella HardyThursday 15 October 7.30pm / £22 / Castle Armoury Drill Hall

Innovative singer-songwriter and fiddle-player Eliza Carthy is one of the most impressive and engaging performers of her generation.

She is joined by The Wayward Band, a group bursting with some of the finest players in recent times including members from Bellowhead, Mawkin and Peatbog Faeries.

Kings of the South Seas create boundary crossing music that merges folk, jazz, music hall and rock with double bass, concertina, electric guitar and drums.

Basco have captured the hearts and minds of audiences from all over Europe with their infectious energy, virtuosity and inventiveness.

Sam Lee + RannockThu 15 October 8pm / £14 / The Met

Sam Lee is an outstanding singer and song collector. Danish band Rannok are known for their energy and new takes on traditional melodies.

Mercury nominated Westcountry folk singer and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman has steered English folk into the mainstream with high energy performances and a string of bestselling albums, including his current album Word of Mouth.

Habadekuk are one of Denmark’s leading folk bands characterised by powerful horns, toe-tapping fiddle

and contagious rhythms. With a vibrant mix of folk, rock, salsa and big band jazz they catapult folk melodies into the 21st century.

Bella Hardy is one of the most creative, prolific and original singers in the UK. Her captivating voice inhabits her music and spins her narratives with an equal balance of strength and sensitivity.

HOMEGROWN, The Met’s annual festival of finest

English folk music, returns this October for another weekend of great music at venues across Bury.

“One of the most important live showcases of contemporary and traditional English folk, roots and acoustic music in this country, if not all of Europe.” Northern Soul

This year’s festival takes place over the weekend of Thursday 15, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October, with events taking place at The Met and the Castle Armoury Drill Hall in Bury town centre.

Artists appearing at the festival include The Unthanks, Seth Lakeman, Eliza Carthy, False Lights and Fay Hield.We also welcome Habbedekuk, Basco and Rannock, three bands from this year’s guest nation Denmark.

Folk Festival

Thursday 15Friday 16

Saturday 17October

FESTIvAL OFFER 20% off if you book four Homegrown events together!

Taking place alongside the festival, English Folk Expo is an industry event bringing delegates to Bury from all over the world to experience the finest English folk.

Oyster3Sam CarterMaz O’ConnorThu 15 Oct 7.30pm / £16 / The Met

Oyster3 are the three founding members of Oysterband. Since 2009 there has been mounting excitement around songwriter, guitarist and singer Sam Carter. Maz O’Connor is one of British folk’s rising stars with

a rare talent for fusing traditional and contemporary sounds.

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The Emily Portman TrioFay Hield and The Hurricane PartyMoore Moss RutterSaturday 17 October 1.30pm / £16 / The Met

The Emily Portman Trio combine harp, fiddles, banjo, musical saw and concertina to create their inventive arrangements. Fay Hield’s rich voice fronts The Hurricane Party, a line up of some of the best folk musicians working today. Moore Moss Rutter meticulously rework English tunes and compositions into sets and songs.

Mercury nominated band The Unthanks have established themselves as the most innovative and critically acclaimed English folk band in modern history. Known for their timeless, unsentimental tales of loss, fear, booze and sorrow, the new songs are calmer and melancholic.

The Andy May Trio are an award winning Northumbrian piper, guitarist and fiddler playing high energy instrumental folk, inspired by the music of their native North East. They are sure to draw in both folk aficionados and newcomers for their dazzling shows filled with virtuosity and energy.

The UnthanksThe Andy May TrioSaturday 17 October 7.30pm / £22 / Castle Armoury Drill Hall

False Lights have an ear-ringingly dynamic, blast-in-your-face indie attitude in the name of folk – an explosion of loud, electric, guitar-driven folk for the 21st century.

Based on folklore but full of modern kick Keston Cobblers’ Club’s mish-mash of accordion, guitar, banjo, piano, harmonica and mandolin will

David Gibb “Letters through your Door”Saturday 17 October 11am / £8 / The Met

Award-winning songwriter and storyteller David Gibb makes great music for children and families. Letters through your Door is a fun and exciting show for ages 3+ packed with toe-tapping, catchy numbers.

False LightsKeston Cobblers’ ClubJess MorganSaturday 17 October 7.30pm / £15 / Standing / The Met

SethLakeman

SamLee

Eliza Carthy

FalseLights

DavidGibb

The Unthanks

make you want to dance until your shoes wear out.

Jess Morgan has been busy making a name for herself in contemporary indie-folk. Expect bold, inventive songs peppered with influences from Britain and America as well as country, blues and world music, driven by warm and distinctive vocals.

Classes and Workshops

Metro Jazz Every Monday 6.30-9.30pm from7 September / £80 term / £55 concession

The Met’s community jazz orchestra led by Munch Manship. Ages 16+.

HarmonicaSeven sessions alternative Mondays starting 14 September

Beginners 5.30pmBeginners continued 6.45pmIntermediate/Advanced 8pm

£42 term / £35 term concession

Courses in harmonica for all levels, led by musician Mat Walklate.

Bury youth Dance CompanyStreet Dance and Contemporary DanceRehearsals held on Tuesdays

Bury Youth Dance Company has been running since 2009 and is steadily gaining a reputation for training young people to become professional dancers. This term the company will be working towards an exciting performance project. All abilities welcome. Led by professional dancer and choreographer Claire Fildes. Ages 10-17. For further details contact catherine.collins@themet.biz

Bury youth TheatreEvery Wednesday in termStarts 9 September

BYT Minis 5-8 years4.30pm-5.30pm / £2 per session

BYT Juniors 9-13 years5.30-7pm / £3 per session

BYT Seniors 14+ years7pm-8.30pm / £3 per session

Drama sessions led by Marc Young and Sammy Deas. Explore creativity through improvisation, games and activities while developing team building skills, voice projection and confidence.

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Rock ChoirEvery Monday 7.30pm-10pm starting Monday 14 September

The most well-known contemporary choir with groups across Britain, Rock Choir has a pioneering new approach to vocal training and entertainment, raising money for charity through performances and events.

If you enjoy singing and would like to experience the buzz of a Rock Choir rehearsal firsthand, book your free taster for Rock Choir Bury online at www.rockchoir.com.

Harmonica classes with Mat Walklate

r 0161 761 2216 q www.themet.biz

One to FivesJump and JiveEvery Thursday 10.30-11.30am / Starts 10 Sept / £2.50 per child

Weekly dance workshops for children aged 1-5 and their families. Your little one can explore their creativity and have tons of fun. This season we will wriggle, jiggle and jump as we explore stories, rhythm and music through our bodies.

Everyone is welcome, come and have a go! Sessions last one hour.

Fiddle and Tin WhistleThursdays; for further details contact The Met on 0161 761 2216

Workshops exploring play-by-ear fiddle and tin whistle playing tutored by folk musician Emma Sweeny.

Bloco Ashê Bury SambaEvery Saturday 11am-1pm from 5 September / £5 / £3 concession / £2 under 16s

A percussive group for all levels playing samba influenced grooves and global beats across Bury.

New members of all ages welcome.

For information visit blocoashe.co.uk or call 01204 882201.

InspireCommunity voicesAlternate Saturdays 2pm-4pm from Saturday 5 September

£5 / £3 unemployed / £1 under 16s

An a capella, multi harmony, community choir, for all ages and abilities to share a love of singing.

Contact hello@inspirevoices.co.uk. @1

Introduction to Sound RecordingEvery Wednesday 7pm-9pm for five weeks starting 23 September / £75

This five week course covers: studio equipment, microphone technique and signal flow; drum recording techniques; instrument recording, Pro Tools and overdubbing; and hardware and software mixing techniques.

Introduction to Pro ToolsEvery Wednesday 7pm-8pm for 3 weeks starting 18 November / £40

A beginners guide to using the industry standard software for music recording and mixing.

Aiming HighEvery Saturday in term from 29 AugJuniors 9-13 years 10-11.30am / £3Seniors 14-18 years 11.30-1.30pm / £4

Arts and drama sessions for young people suffering from mental and physical disabilities.

Physical activities and drama games create a safe place for children to express themselves, encouraging them to become more independent and improve life skills.

Supported by Bury Council Children’s Services, BBC Children in Need and The Met.

StagecoachEvery Sunday 10am-1pm

Training in dance, drama and sing-ing for 4-18 years olds. For more information contact Ruth Mauriello on 0161 763 6161 or visit www.stagecoach.co.uk/bury.

Bury Youth

Theatre

Metro Jazz

Aiming High

Let’s be FriendsBecoming a Friend of The Met is the key to unlocking the incredible programme of music, comedy, theatre and family shows at The Met. Our Friends enjoy a huge range of benefits from saving money on each ticket purchase to exclusive behind-the-scenes access to The Met.

Access more….• 24 hour priority booking by

email for all new events

• Dedicated booking phone line 10am-5pm Monday-Friday

• Access to the Ramsbottom Festival VIP area with a standard priced ticket

• Regular updates on our upcoming renovation

• A tour of the new building before the official opening

• Seasonal newsletter

Choose from an Individual Friendship for £30 or a Joint Friendship for two people at the same address for £50.

To become a Friend call the Box Office on 0161 761 2216, go online at www.themet.biz and click on Let’s be Friends or come into The Met in person.

Save more….• No booking or exchange fees

• 10% off food at Automatic

Experience more…• Invitations to Artistic

Director David Agnew’s choice of events of the season

• Advance season brochure with an introduction from David Agnew

• Invitations to VIP and exclusive Friends’ events

SERVING BURY ALL DAY EVERY DAY OPEN FROM 10AM FOR SLAP UP BREAKFAST, SPEEDY BREAKFAST, MORNING COFFEE, QUICK LUNCH, SLOW LUNCH, HIGH TEA, CHIPPY TEA, POSH DINNER, INFORMAL DINNER, REAL ALE, WEE DRAMS, GLAMOROUS COCKTAILS... AND NIGHT CAPS.

Visit our sister pub, restaurant & brewery on Silver Street in Bury theclarence.co.uk@AUTOMATICCAFEAUTOMATICCAFE.COM /AUTOMATICCAFEBURY

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AccessThe Met is a fully accessible venue, on both its ground and first floors.

• The entrance is fully ramped with a lift to the main theatre and an accessible toilet built to Changing Places standards.

• We have staff on hand to help. Should you require a personal escort, we can supply that person with a free ticket.

• A magnetic induction loop for hearing aid users is used in the Main Theatre for the majority of our events.

• Guide dogs are welcome, and water can be provided on request.

We want your visit to The Met to be a first class experience.

If you have any special requirements call us on0161 761 2216 to let us know, and we’ll do our best to help.

volunteerThe Met has a dedicated group of volunteers who assist with many areas of our activities. All volunteers are interviewed at application to ensure they get the most out of the opportunities we offer. To get involved contact Scarlet Ordish at scarlet.ordish@themet.bizor call on 0161 761 7107.

Getting Here The Met is located in the centre of Bury, easily accessible by road and public transport. For directions visit www.themet.biz/location

Ticket Booking • By phone from 0161 761 2216

• Online via www.themet.biz

• In person Tuesday to Friday 12-7pm / Saturday 11am-5pm

• Concessions available for children, people over 60, on benefits or in education.

• Refunds We are unable to offer refunds. Ticket exchange may be possible with a £2 admin fee.

• A transaction fee of £2.50 is payable on phone and online bookings. There is no fee for bookings in person.

The Met is operated byBury MetropolitanArts Associationa registered charity(No 701879).

Address The Met, Market Street, Bury, Greater Manchester, BL9 0BW

Tickets 0161 761 2216

Admin 0161 761 7107

email post@themet.biz

web http://themet.biz

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders and sponsors:

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Sessions start from just £30 per hour, or free for under 19s living or studying in Bury.

For more details or to book a session phone 0161 761 7107 or email info@edwinstreetstudio.com

Edwin Street Recording StudioEdwin Street is a professional recording facility featuring state of the art equipment and superb acoustics. Perfect for all aspects of recording, mastering, mixing and learning, the studio offers affordable options for all.

visitor InformationHire The MetFor performances, conferences, meetings and exhibitions, our spaces are as versatile as your needs. Our experienced staff and professional facilities take the hassle out of your event:

• Sound and lighting by experienced stage technicians

• Ticket sales through our friendly ticket office

• Fully licensed bar

• High quality catering from the expert chefs of Automatic

• Marketing advice and support

We welcome promotions by bands, amateur and professional groups, and independent event promoters.

Call 0161 761 7107 or email hires@themet.biz to discuss your requirements.

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Timetable of events AUGUST

Sat 1 8pm Mad 4 Brit 8Thu 6 8.30pm First Thursday Comedy Club 3Wed 12 8pm Steve Turner !7

SEPTEMBER Wed 2 8pm Spooky Men’s Chorale 8Thu 3 8pm Dave Spikey 3Fri 4 8pm Sam Sweeney’s Fiddle 8Wed 9 8pm Damien Barber & Mike Wilson !7Thu 10 7.30pm The Doppel Gang 6Fri 11 8pm Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick 8Sat 12 8pm Black and Gold 8Fri 18 - Sun 20 Ramsbottom Festival 9Thu 24 8pm The Houghton Weavers !0Thu 24 8pm Perverted Moves in the Dark 3Fri 25 8pm The Other Half !0Wed 30 8pm Ben Cox Band !0

OCTOBER Thu 1 8pm The Sounds of Simon !0Thu 1 8.30pm First Thursday Comedy Club 3Fri 2 8pm Martin Stephenson !0Sat 3 8pm Seckou Keita !0Wed 7 7.30pm Nosferatu 6& Thu 8

Fri 9 8pm Vonda Shepard !1Wed 14 8pm Hicks and Goulbourne !7Thu 15 - Sat 17 Homegrown Folk Festival !8&!9Wed 21 - Sat 24 Pirates of Penzance 6Fri 23 8pm Wille and the Bandits !1Sat 24 8pm The Stumble !1Tue 27 2pm Gulliver 4Wed 28 7.30pm We Are Brontë 4&6Thu 29 1pm Kid Carpet & the Noisy Neighbours 4Thu 29 7.30pm Star Makers 6Thu 29 8pm Aly Bain, Ale Möller & Bruce Molsky !1Fri 30 11am The Toothy Adventures 4 & 1pm of Davy Denture

Fri 30 8pm China Crisis !1Fri 30 8pm The People’s Republic of Poetry 3Sat 31 8pm Limehouse Lizzy !1

NOvEMBER Sun 1 8pm Sam Baker with Carrie Elkin !2Tue 3 8pm Casting the Runes 7Wed 4 8pm Andy McKee !2Thu 5 7pm Imaginary Menagerie 4Thu 5 8.30pm First Thursday Comedy Club 3Fri 6 8pm Connie Lush !2Fri 6 8pm Beverley Craven !27 & 8 8pm Lau !2Wed 11 8pm The Picture of Doreen Gray 7Wed 11 8pm The Rheingans Sisters !7Thu 12 8pm Judie Tzuke !2Thu 12 8pm The Grahams !3Fri 13 8pm Nell Bryden !3Sat 14 8pm Calan !3Sat 14 8.30pm Livewire AC/DC !3Sun 15 8pm Martin Harley !3Sun 15 8pm Thea Gilmore !4Thu 19 8pm Magic Beans !4Fri 20 8pm The House Devils !4Fri 20 & Sat 21 Bury Beer Festival !4Wed 25 7pm Shakespeare Schools Festival 7Thu 26 7.30pm You must be the one to bury me 7Thu 26 8pm Sweet Liberties !5Fri 27 8pm Lynched !5Fri 27 8pm The Mighty Revelators !5Sat 28 7.30pm Wreckless Eric !5Sat 28 8pm Mama Genesis !5Sat 28 8pm Flight Brigade !5

DECEMBER Thu 3 8pm St Agnes Fountain !6Thu 3 8.30pm First Thursday Comedy Club 3Fri 4 8pm The East Pointers !6Fri 4 8pm The Blues Band !6Sat 5 7.30pm Passing Strangers 7Sat 5 8pm Nearly Dan !6Wed 9 8pm Harp and a Monkey !7Thu 10 8pm The Albion Christmas Band !6Fri 11 8pm Justin Moorhouse 3Sat 12 8pm Baked A La Ska !6Thu 17 - Thu 24 Grimm’s Faery Feast 5