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ContributorsLouise Dawson has lived in Rochester for nearly eight years and juggles a variety of careers. Ten years as an actor has given way to parenthood and freelance work in presentation graphics. Gardening and yoga feature quite strongly when there is time to spare, and she is always on the lookout for interesting arts and theatre events.

Emma Dewhurst is an actress, community arts practioner, writer and mother. She is currently alternating the role of Editor with an acting role in ‘The Iron Lady’, a new film starring Meryl Streep. She continues to be passionate about the magazine and is delighted that it is going from strength to strength.

Philip Dodd is an author who lives in Rochester. As a publisher, editor and writer he has worked on books with the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, Benny and Björn from ABBA, and Take That. The first book he ever commissioned was Barry McRae’s ‘The Jazz Handbook’, and his own contemporary jazz group, the Philip Dodd Quartet, are performing in March at the 606 Club in Chelsea.

Rebecca Rising settled in Medway seven years ago after studying English and working in London and China. Currently a full time mother she enjoys writing in her spare time. She volunteers at a variety of community events and loves Medway’s ever-increasing cultural life.

Nick Walker is an events director, film critic and filmmaker. His flagship Medway project, The Other Cinema, is a weekly event held every Thursday at the Chatham Odeon. He went on to set up the Screen Classics programme at the Central Theatre, Chatham. Nick also writes, directs and produces short films and is the editor of Film Essay, for cinéastes wanting to write about film culture. Nick has worked for The Guardian and the London Film Festival. Currently he is Events Director at Film Education and Director of National Schools Film Week.

WELCOME TO WOW Medway – the new arts and entertainment magazine featuring the best of What’s On Where!

This month we’ve taken a look at Medway’s thriving music scene. For our

centre page feature, writer Philip Dodd describes how Medway jazz is jumpin’, Groovy Uncle’s Glenn Prangnell [cover] explains why vinyl isn’t dead in this month’s Profile and blues guitarist Chris Corcoran has kindly donated copies of his newly launched CD for our Giveaway.

Elsewhere you’ll find Nick Walker’s film column, a little something to get you digging on the Lifestyle page and the usual best listings in Film, Music, Theatre, Visual Art and more.

Keep sending in your listings, feedback and suggestions – it helps me mid-month when I’m working in my lonely old garret. And please mention WOW Medway if you use our supportive advertisers.

Happy reading!

ContentsNews 4

Disability Arts 6

Profile 7

Film 8

Nick Walker 9

Medway Jazz 10

Music 12

Theatre 14

Eating out 15

Visual Art 16

Lifestyle 17

Giveaway 18

Artist’s Space 19

Cover photo of G

lenn Prangnell by P

hil Dillon. w

ww

.phildillon.co.uk

BRING OUT YOUR

ARTIST

NewsART IN THE DOCKYARDTHE WINNERS!

Artist Ian Campbell-Briggs has been named Artist of the Dockyard 2010/11 in the bi-annual Art in the Dockyard competition, which showcases work by some of Kent’s finest artists, both amateur and professional, working across a wide range of media. The title is awarded to an artist whose work stands out across all categories, encapsulates the extraordinary spirit of The Dockyard and displays exemplary technical merit.

On presenting Campbell-Briggs with his award, the judges, amongst whom were Rochester’s own Nettie Iles-North and Chatham visual artist Wendy Daws, praised the artist for “an inspired, diverse range of perspectives of the site from sculpture to 2D artworks” adding that his artworks “captured all the romance and delight that can be found in The Dockyard.”

The Art in the Dockyard exhibition runs at No. 1 Smithery: The Gallery at The Historic Dockyard, until 27 March. thedockyard.co.uk

Adult Education in the Medway towns offers exciting opportunities to develop your artistic interests and skills. Don’t worry if you feel you may have missed the start of a course: Gary Bassett, Adult Ed’s Fine Arts and Crafts curriculum manager, is standing by to take your call on 01634 338406. He is happy to give advice and can often find a suitable vacancy at most times in the year.

IN BRIEFHUMAN LIBRARY EVENT – TAKE OUT A PERSON!An opportunity to speak informally with a varied group of people, available on loan, of all ages and cultural backgrounds. The aim is to challenge stereotypes in a positive and humorous manner. Strood Library Hall, Fri 18 March, 10am-1pm. Booking essential

Joanne Creighton, Art in the Dockyard Project Director said: “We are especially pleased to be staging this exhibition of art generated by the people living and working in Kent and have an ongoing commitment to use these wonderful new facilities to further improve our links with the local arts community into the future.”

Bag by Sheilagh Dyson

Records, CD’s, DVD’s, memorabilia and bargains are on offer at the RECOLLECT MUSIC FAIRS at Rainham Mark Social Club on March 13th (9.30am-3.30pm) and Rochester Corn Exchange on March 20th from 10am-4pm. Free admission

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ROCHESTER COUNTRY MARKET Adult Education Centre, Eastgate, Rochester ME1. 01634 721527 Every Thurs 11am-12.15pm

ROCHESTER FARMERS MARKET Corporation Street Car Park, ME1 1NN. 01634 843666 Every 3rd Sunday of the month, 9am-1pm. Next market 20 March

GOING TO MARKET!

Will be celebrated on Saturday 5th March.

All women are welcome to join the IWD centenary celebrations and be part of a special social history event. There will be workshops, natural therapies, entertainment for adults and children and stalls. Entry is free, but there is a small charge for some activities.

11 - 4pm, Pembroke Building, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime.

For more information find the IWD Facebook page, or go to medwayiwd.co.uk

The Medway Valley Countryside Partnership is inviting

entries from budding photographers to the 4th River Medway Photo Competition, whose theme this year is ‘Life on the River Medway’.

Photographs must be inspired by the River Medway, its landmarks, wildlife or people/communities belonging to it. Entrants may register and upload their photograph(s) in digital format only to the competition website at www.rivermedwayphoto.org, where all entries will be displayed.

In addition all entrants are being asked to submit a short paragraph about the circumstances surrounding their photograph: where was it taken, why was it taken and what does it mean to you?

There are two entry categories: Photographers aged 17 or under and those aged 18 or over. One person in each category will win a day-long photographic workshop with professional wildlife photographer Terry Whittaker and their winning image on canvas to keep. Happy snapping! Closing date is 1 May.

MEDWAY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2011

SPEED DATING ROCHESTER

THURSDAY 17TH MARCH, 40+ THURSDAY 21ST APRIL, 30+

Contact: 07918 653679www.singlescenedating.com

or: e-mail: info@singlescenedating.com

SingleScene Dating holds quality singles events in the South East for people of all ages, including Speed

Dating, Country Walks, Dinner Parties, Mix & Mingle evenings and much

more! We hold social events for people wanting to make new friends and

dating events for people who would like to meet someone special. We also offer online dating as an alternative.

UNLIMITED COMMISSION WIN for visual artist Rachel Gadsden

A project by south east artist Rachel Gadsden that places disability and South African women living with HIV and AIDS on the international stage of London 2012 has been awarded almost £60,000 by the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, the UK Arts Council and the British Council. The project is one of thirteen major new commissions for Unlimited, the ground-breaking programme that celebrates arts and culture by disabled and Deaf artists.

Gadsden is to work in partnership with South African artist and activist Nondumiso Hlwele and the Bambanani Women’s Group based in Cape Town, South Africa, in a commission entitled Unlimited Global Alchemy.

Gadsden is a figurative narrative painter who works in a wide range of mediums to produce powerful, vibrant images which are full of humanity and movement. “Hearing that my application has been successful was an incredible moment,” she says, “but calling Nondumiso in Cape Town to tell her the news was the greater pleasure.”

Unlimited Global Alchemy will create an exhibition of large-scale visual artworks in South Africa and the UK including a film, an exhibition and a live multi-media theatrical performance. Applications for the third round of Unlimited commissions is open now, closing date 18 April. www.london2012.com/unlimited

APRIL PREVIEW Barely a hop skip and a jump away from Medway, The Orchard Theatre, Dartford presents an adaptation of a much-loved novel this April

Veteran actor Oliver Ford Davies is coming to the Orchard Theatre, Dartford to play the title role in the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Michelle Magorian’s stunning novel Goodnight Mister Tom. Adapted for the stage by David Wood, the UK’s ‘National Children’s Dramatist’ (The Times) the piece is set during the dark and dangerous build-up to the Second World War. It follows a young boy, William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and builds a remarkable and moving friendship with the elderly recluse Tom Oakley.

The theatre is remarkably accessible to the Medway towns – just thirty minutes by train and barely yards from the station. Performances run from Tues 19 – Sat 23 April at times to suit everyone. Tickets from £10 (concs £1.50 off). There are also a series of themed World War II events in Dartford organised to coincide with performances from 11 – 23 April, including a talk with Michelle Magorian herself, craft workshops, ration cooking and a wartime sing-a-long. For a full list visit the website. Box office: 01322 220000. orchardtheatre.co.uk

Margate’s Turner Contemporary gallery Opening is set for April 16-17 and will be celebrated with a series of activities and events throughout the weekend. The opening exhibition, Revealed: Turner Contemporary Opens, which runs to 4 September, explores the themes of imagination, discovery, wonder and the creative spirit. centred on a little-known but extraordinary painting by Turner depicting a volcanic eruption that Turner himself never witnessed, the inaugural exhibition will feature new commissions by Daniel Buren, Russell Crotty, Ellen Harvey and Conrad Shawcross. A gallery opening of this magnitude is a rare event indeed: be one of the first to visit and soak up the new, positive energy of this town in the interesting process of reinvigorating itself.

Disability Arts

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Glenn Prangnell’s career is having a bit of a mid-life renaissance. His first album, Groovy Uncle’s ‘Play Something We Know!’ is about to be released on vinyl by State Records and the future’s looking bright. The story of his journey to this point is a heartening one.

A musician to his core, Prangnell has always written songs. In the eighties and nineties he played with a succession of Medway bands – The Offbeats, Craven A’s and Goodchilde. He cites Billy Childish as a lasting influence; The Pop Rivets; The Prisoners. When the last of his bands folded around twelve years ago Prangnell thought, “That’s it, I’m retired now.”

He got on with the day job and wrote a bit on the side. A few years down the line he realized that he was sitting on over sixty songs which he had never done anything with, so he put together a CD and handed it out to family and friends.

His sound is upbeat, energetic and eerily like the early Beatles: grainy and live. It isn’t a homage, or even particularly deliberate. “It’s just the way the songs come out and always have,” Prangnell says.

Two years ago, local ace drummer Ian Snowball heard Glenn’s sound and asked if he could pass on some demo tapes. Snowball soon got back to him: “They want you down there as soon as possible!” he said.

‘They’ turned out to be State Records, a small lo-fi studio based in Folkestone which achieves great results with minimum interference from technology. The boys at State are passionate about ‘old school’ analogue recordings onto vinyl: for Prangnell’s sound it was a match made in heaven.

Initially, with State’s help, Groovy Uncle brought out a single in 2010 entitled ‘Monkey Trousers’. Five hundred copies were pressed, there was a little launch and copies are still selling. In the US a DJ on New York’s WRUR soul station got hold of it and it went to number one in their charts. “I thought, that’ll do me!” says Prangnell.

Hot on the heels of the single’s success, ‘Play Something We Know!’ is to be released on 14 March. “Why vinyl?” I ask. It’s clearly a question close to his heart. “It sounds live, warmer, a truer sound,” he says. (For those without a turntable there will be a CD to download).

And why did he re-group as Groovy Uncle? “Everyone thinks it’s me but it’s not,” he says. “I was watching the Grammies once and David Bowie came on at the interval. A reviewer said afterwards that he ‘pranced around the stage like a groovy uncle’.

That’s a good name for a band, I thought!”

Groovy Uncle has become more than a band: it’s the name under which Prangnell records (with a changing set of top musicians) and makes music promo films in his ever-decreasing spare time. “What now?” I ask.

“The main thing is I want to keep recording,” he says. With a growing fan-base, interest in both the UK and America and no end to the stream of songs, that seems like an ambition set to come true.

WOW Medway’s Editor Emma Dewhurst meets Groovy Uncle’s Glenn Prangnell and found him A HAPPY MAN

Profile

Limited edition 12” vinyl album out on March 14th on State Records (THSLP-001) and available to buy from the Groovy Uncle Website and local independent retailers. Distributed by Cargo (UK) Get Hip(USA), Clear Spot (NL).

Available to download from iTunes, Amazon etc from 1st April.

e: staterecs@ntlworld.com e: groovyuncle@tiscali.co.uk

groovyuncle.co.uk staterecs.com

FILMl THE OTHER CINEMAChatham Odeon Cinema, Maritime ME4 4LL. 0871 22 44 007

A weekly showcase of quality films from around the world, with a post-show discussion led by Nick Walker over a free glass of wine. £7.70/£5.50. theothercinema.info.

BLACK SWAN (15) 20103 Mar, 7.45pmDir: Darren AronofskyCast: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder

Portman was awarded a BAFTA for her performance in this psychological thriller set in the world of the New York City ballet. 103 mins

BLUE VALENTINE (15) 201024 Mar, 7.45pm Dir: Derek CianfranceCast: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams

Worth seeing for the acting alone. Gosling and Williams lived together in real time during the shooting of this story of a contemporary relationship. 112 mins

127 HOURS (15) 201010 Mar, 7.45pm Dir: Danny BoyleCast: James Franco

Man trapped in canyon cuts off his own arm. Not a barrel of laughs, then, but a fascinating account of this true story by Slumdog Millionaire director Boyle. 94 mins

NEDS (18) 201117 Mar, 7.45pmDir: Peter MullanCast: Martin Bell, Marianna Palka, Steven Robertson, David McKay

Energetic, darkly humorous tale of Scottish gang culture. 124 mins

BIUTIFUL (15) 201031 Mar, 7.45PMDir: Alejandro González InárrituCast: Javier Bardem

Bardem won Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for this intense character study of a man in free fall who finds redemption. 147 mins

l SCREEN CLASSICS, The Central Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS01634 338 301

A big-screen celebration of cinema classics introduced by programmer Nick Walker. £6/£5 (booked online). Students £3.50. See four Screen Classics and get a fifth free. medway.gov.uk/theatrebookings

THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (12) 19558 Mar, 7.30pmDir: Charles LaughtonStarring: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish

If you see only one film in March make it this one. A psychological thriller shot in a remarkable, expressionistic style foreshadowing the likes of David Lynch and Martin Scorsese.

Mitchum gives a spine-chilling performance as the fanatic preacher who marries a gullible widow for her dead husband’s hidden fortune. Electric. 93 mins

BEST OF MARCH RELEASESIRONCLAD (15) Drama set in the Middle Ages starring James Purefoy and a full-scale replica of Rochester Castle. Rel. 4 Mar

FAIR GAME (12A) Tense political drama. Sean Penn and Naomi Watts star. Rel. 11 Mar

THE COMPANY MEN (Cert tbc)Flipside of the American dream. Rel. 11 Mar

THE LINCOLN LAWYER (Cert tbc) Investigative thriller with stellar cast. Rel. 18 Mar

SUBMARINE (15)IT Crowd’s Richard Ayoade’s directorial debut. Rel. 18 Mar

YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER (Cert tbc)Woody Allen’s latest bittersweet comedy. Rel. 18 Mar

COUNTRY STRONG (12A)Gwyneth Paltrow in country singer comeback. Rel. 25 Mar

UNKNOWN (12A)Liam Neeson in identity theft drama. Rel 25 Mar

To be shown at the following cinemas:

ODEON CHATHAM, Dickens World, Chatham ME4 4LL. 0871 22 44 007. odeon.co.uk

ODEON MAIDSTONE, Lockmeadow, Maidstone, ME16 8RG. 0871 22 44 007. odeon.co.uk

ROCHESTER CINEWORLD MULTIPLEX Medway Valley Leisure Park, ME2 2SS. 0871 200 2000. cineworld.co.uk

THE ROYAL CINEMA, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7AG. 24hr info line: 01795 591211, Box Office: 01795 591211. From £4.50-£5. royalcinema.co.uk

SHOWCASE BLUEWATER, Bluewater, Greenhithe, DA9 9SG. 0871 220 1000. showcasecinemas.co.uk/bluewater

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‘THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER’by Charles Laughton is one of Hollywood’s strangest creatures. Surely one of the most frightening of movies, with one of the most unforgettable of villains, and on both of those scores it holds up... well after four decades.The film, set in 1930s West Virginia, is essentially a taut thriller that centres on a religious fanatic who transforms into lone killer, with sometimes comedic and sometimes terrifying consequences.

The fairytale element of this quite surreal piece is played out via the story of two children on the run from the villain. The film was filmed in black and white by Stanley Cortez (who also shot Orson Welles’ ‘Magnificent Ambersons’) in the style and motifs of German Expressionism – all shadows, stylised dialogue, distorted perspectives, surreal sets, which add up to a simplified and disturbing mood that reflects the main villainous character.

The villainous character in question is played by no less a talent than the raffish outsider Robert Mitchum, who is simply superbly cast in the role, often acting outside his comfort zone to great effect. The film is based on the 1953 novel of the same name by Davis Grubb, adapted for the screen by one of the icons of American film writing and criticism James Agee and Laughton. The novel and film draw on the true story of Harry Powers, hanged in 1932 for the murders of two widows and three children in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

The rest of the cast don’t feel in support but part of the lyrical quality of the piece, adding to the overall sense of dread and forbearing that pervades every scene in the film. Shelley Winters is singularly impressive as a man-

hungry and vulnerable widow, taken in by Mitchum’s charms. Lillian Gish is simply one of the greatest actresses Hollywood has ever produced, from D.W. Griffith’s ‘Birth of a Nation’ to ‘The Whales of August’ (alongside Vincent Price and Bette Davis) she shone in her roles, always providing a strong and memorable backbone to any movie. The two children are appealing for their mixture of naïveté and sibling camaraderie, wonderfully cast and played out with great skill in their only screen roles.

This was Charles Laughton’s only foray into directing for the screen: of course he had a massively impressive career on stage and in movies, notably as Captain Bligh in Frank Lloyd’s 1935 classic ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’, and his Academy Award-winning performance in ‘The Private Life of Henry VIII’. The film’s release was a less celebrated affair – a critical and box-office failure ensuring that Laughton never directed again.

The film was hopelessly and brilliantly out of synch with American post-war sensibilities and yet is certainly one of the greatest American films of all time; an expressionistic oddity for sure but utterly compelling and beautiful, combining horror and humour better than any other film…

It is a timeless and enduring classic and as it says in the film’s trademark finale sequence, “they abide and they endure.”

Nick Walker introduces The Night of the Hunter as part of the Screen Classics programme at The Central Theatre on Tue 8 March, 7.30pm

NICK WALKER ON THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER – WHERE HORROR AND HUMOUR MEET IN EQUAL MEASURES

BlueNotesGreen

Shoots

This year jazz in the Medway area is set to flourish, finding fertile ground with new audiences and venues. Many of those good vibes are down to Roan Kearsey-Lawson, who runs the monthly 144Club at Rochester’s Roffen Suite and September’s Maritime Jazz Festival. Good vibes, literally, since as well as being an impeccable drummer, he is a superb jazz vibraphone player – and they are as rare as hen’s teeth.

Medway born Roan was inspired by hearing a drum solo by Rochester’s Ronnie Verrell, a big band stalwart famous for providing the drumming for Animal in The Muppets! After paying his dues around London and the South East, Roan became involved with a Dover-based jazz club. When that closed he decided to create a similar venue in Medway, launching the 144Club five years ago.

It’s a relaxed, Ronnie Scott’s-style club, where top-flight guest artists are backed by Roan’s regular house band. Last year a significant step forward for the club was inviting Scott Hamilton, the American tenor player, to perform. Roan is bringing more international stars to the Roffen – New York saxophonist Greg Abate visits in July – while continuing to showcase the best UK musicians, including Chatham-based Tommy Whittle, still playing sax well into his 80s.

As well as running the club, teaching and performing with his quartet and New Orleans street-beat outfit Blew Tubes, Roan runs the Maritime Jazz Festival. He has been involved with the Festival since its outset in 2009, when, in collaboration with Dickens World MD Kevin Christie, he rescued it from cancellation. Christie stepped in to offer the Britannia Theatre as a replacement venue. Linking him with the Roffen’s owners, Brian and Sarah Henslow, Roan says, ‘Without these people, music, especially jazz, just can’t happen.’

This year’s Festival runs from 22th to 24th September. ‘I don’t want to blow my own trumpet’, Roan says appropriately, ‘but I’m pleased to be helping keep jazz alive in this area at a time when it’s under financial pressure elsewhere in the UK.’

Another Medway lad, born in Strood and now living in the heart of Rochester, is James Taylor, by some distance the UK’s funkiest Hammond organ player. His band JTQ, the James Taylor Quartet, is celebrating its 25th anniversary: their versions of the Starsky And Hutch and Mission Impossible themes were signature grooves of the acid jazz movement in the 80s and 90s.

James is watching the growth of jazz in the area with genuine interest. As a teenager he remembers jazz in local pubs – the Sunday

Philip Dodd explores Medway’s jazz scene and finds it thriving

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lunchtime jazz sessions at the Eagle in Rochester High Street are still going strong and have a great reputation amongst the musicians James meets.

After many years gigging round the world, he has only recently started performing more regularly nearer home, at the Pizza Express Music Room in Maidstone, as part of their ever-eclectic programme. James also did a gig at the newly refurbished Thorndike Arts Centre at Rochester Girls Grammar and and tips it as a ‘great venue’ to watch out for.

His own contribution to music was recognised in November at the biennial Medway Culture and Design Awards when he received a Lifetime Contribution award and the music trophy. For last July’s opening of the Historic Dockyard’s No. 1 Smithery – another venue with great potential for jazz performances – he wrote eight pieces to resonate with the paintings in the inaugural Stanley Spencer exhibition.

Supported by organisations like the Medway Jazz Society, jazz in Medway is on the up. Remember, as Frank Zappa once said,

“Jazz isn’t dead. It just smells funny.”

144Club At The Roffen:

144club.co.uk

Maritime Jazz Festival:

maritimejazzfestival.co.uk

Jazz at the Eagle:

theeagletavern.org.uk/livemusic/jazz.html

Music Room, Pizza Express, Maidstone:

pizzaexpresslive.co.uk/maidstoneList.aspx

James Taylor Quartet:

jamestaylorquartet.co.uk

Medway Jazz Society:

http://medwayjazz.btck.co.uk

MedwayJazzSociety

Cojazz 2011 season at the RAFA Club:

Dylan Howe Quintet, Friday 18 March, 8.30pm

Derek Nash Band, 15 April, 8.30pm

THE RAFA CLUB, Building No. 4, Dock Road,

Chatham ME4 4TX

01634 365352 e: coljazz@virginmedia.com

Coljazz Promotions

http://coljazz.webs.com

MUSICl CLASSICALTHE CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4AS 01634 338338

Sat 5 Mar, 7.30pm City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra Programme includes Mozart’s 5th Violin Concerto. £14, £11, £9 (concs available)

THE BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, 5 The Brook, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338

Thu 10 Mar, 6.30pm Crash, Bang, Wallop! Fascinating Rhythm A fun, interactive concert by the City of London Sinfonia’s brass quintet.

Come early to make your own shaker before the show. For 5s and over. £4.50 for children and adults. Family of four £15

ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL ME1 1SX. 01634 810061

Sun 13 Mar, 4.30pm Organ Concert

Sat 9 April, 7pmRochester Choral Society concert Bach Mass in B Minor with the Rochester Sinfonietta. £7-15, children and students £3. 01634 401049 e:tickets@rochesterchoral.co.ukrochestercathedral.org MAIDSTONE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Mote Hall, Maidstone Leisure Centre, Maidstone ME15 7RN 0845 1552277

Sat 26 Mar, 7.30pm Centenary Concert - Walton, Brahms, McCabe, Britten Soloist John Lill (piano), conductor: Brian Wright. mso.org.uk

WIGMORE LECTURES, Wigmore Library, 208 Fairview Avenue, Wigmore ME8 0PX 01634 235576

Wed 16 Mar, 8pm Polina Shepherd: The Russian Choral Tradition A talk with music accompanied by members of the Brighton Russian Choir. £3.50

l GIGSTHE CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4AS 01634 338338

Tue 1 Mar, 8pm Sam Carter Voted best newcomer of the year 2010 BBC Folk Awards. £8 Frid 4 Mar, 7.30pm

An Evening with Rick Wakeman One-off night with Wakeman telling tales at the piano. £22-23.50

THE EAGLE124 High Street Rochester, ME1 1JT 01634 409040.

No entry feeLive Jazz, Sundays, doors open 12pm. UK and international finest

Live Music, Thursdays, from rock and roll to indie, soul and more

Club Night, Fridays and Saturdays, chart fillers and old school classics to 12am

Ska, Reggae & Northern Soul DJs, last Sunday of every month 7-10pmtheeagletavern.org.uk

THE GOOD INTENTJohn Street, ME1 1YL 01634 843118

Shirleys of Coljazz presents the best of small group jazz, first Friday of the month. Next session Fri 4 Mar, 8.30pm. Free

JAZZ AT THE BROOKOld Town Hall, 5 The Brook, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338

Tue 8 Mar, 8pm Geoff Eales – The Standards Trio Fresh and entertaining arrangements of the Great American Songbook. £11

MAN OF KENT ALEHOUSE, 6-8 John Street, Rochester ME1 1YN 07772 214315

Wed 2 - Andy Smythe Trio; Thurs 3 - Steve Winchester, Wed 9 – Son of Kirk, Thurs 10 - Dave Ferra Blues Band, Sun 13 - Rosie Eade, Tues 15 - Ukulele Jam Night hosted by Scarey Dave & Rosie, Wed 16 – Sarah McQuaid, Thurs 17 – The Mercurials, Wed 23 - Micheal Scorey, Thurs 24 - King Size Slim, Wed 30 - No Worries, Thurs 31- Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs

FRIDAY NIGHTS AT THE ROCHESTER COFFEE CO.146 High Street, Rochester ME1 1ER 01634 540032.

Arrival Accoustic Night, every first Friday of the monthInflight, new Jazz night, every second Friday of the monthSipping Sessions hosted by Moogie Wonderland , every third Friday of the monthDeparture with resident DJ Nathan Martin, last Friday of the monthRequest Guestlist on Facebook

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‘PERFORMANCE’ - NEW CLUB NIGHT inspired by Nicholas Roeg’s film of the same name.

POCO LOCO AMIGOS BAR 60 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS

A wallet-friendly, monthly multi-sensory club experience featuring the best of Retro Pop, Glam Rock and New Wave.

Next club nights: Frid 18 Mar & 15 April, 9pm-2am. Free admission. Find them on Facebook

The Man of Kent Ale-house6-8 John Street, ROCHESTER. ME1 1YN

07772 214315 www.manofkent.com

11 Kentish Ales, 6 Kentish Ciders, 10 Kentish Wines & 1 Kentish Cherry Brandy

March 2011

Wed 2nd - Andy Smythe TrioThurs 3rd - Steve Winchester

Wed 9th - Son of KirkThurs 10th - Dave Ferra Blues Band

Sun 13th - Rosie EadeTues 15th - Ukulele Jam Night hosted by Scarey Dave & Rosie

Wed 16th – Sarah McQuaidThurs 17th – The MercurialsWed 23rd - Micheal ScoreyThurs 24th- King Size Slim

Wed 30th- No WorriesThurs 31st – Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs

THEATREThe most original theatre on offer this month is Chalkfoot Theatre Arts’ new touring production, Queen Elizabeth’s

Elephant, a new sparkling new comedy by Claudia Leaf based on a story which originates from Queenborough on the Isle of Sheppey. It was road-tested last autumn in front of an invited audience, who dubbed it ‘Hilarious’, ‘Surprisingly relevant’ and ‘Wonderful storytelling’.

Set in 1588, it tells the story of a small Kent town expecting the arrival of an unusual royal gift: an elephant. The townsfolk have no idea how to deal with such a creature so they enlist the help of self-styled elephant “expert” Dr Jan De Bleecker.

The company is committed to touring non-theatre venues such as village halls and open air sites. Well worth your support.

The Medway tour dates are as follows:

Wed 2 March, 7.30pm BLUE TOWN HERITAGE CENTRE Sheerness ME12 1RW 01795 662981

Sun 20 March at 7.00pm HIGHAM MEMORIAL HALL Higham, ME3 7JL 01474 823342

Sat 26 March, 7.45pm HARTLIP VILLAGE HALLSittingbourne ME9 7TH 01795 843255

Thu 31 March, 8.00pm RODMERSHAM VILLAGE HALL Sittingbourne ME9 0PR 01795 423700

Sat 2 April at 7.30pm UPCHURCH VILLAGE HALL Sittingbourne ME9 7EU01634 231326

l THE BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE. 01634 338338CABARET OF CURIOSITIES Fri 18 March, 8pm. Dizzy O’Dare joins forces with The Brook Theatre for this one-night only extravaganza, featuring cheeky burlesque, indoor circus and hula-hoops. Tickets £10, concs available. Over 16s only

O’SULLIVAN BEARA – THE LAST GAELIC CHIEFTAINThu 31 Mar–Fri 1 April, 7.30pmAward-winning Play on Words Theatre Company presents the UK premiere of Aidan Dooley’s one-man show. Tickets £10, concs availablemedway.gov.uk/theatrebookings

l THE CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4AS. 01634 338338

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHISTMon 14-Wed 16 Mar, 7.30pm An updated version of Dario Fo’s hilarious satire by LOVE&MADNESS. Tickets £15-£17. Over 12s only. Meet the cast Mon 14 March after the show

AFTER MISS JULIEThu 31 Mar-Sat 2 April, 7.30pmPatrick (Closer) Marber’s tale of seduction, passion and obsession re-locates Strindberg’s classic to post-war England. Tickets £15-17. Over 16s only. Meet the cast Thu 31 March after the showmedway.gov.uk/theatrebookings

l CHURCHILL THEATREHigh Street, Bromley BR1 1HA 08448 717 620 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Christopher Sergel, based on the novel by Harper LeeMon 21-Sat 26 Mar, 7.45pm; Thu & Sat mat 2.30pmStarring Duncan Preston as Atticus Finch, this much-loved

Pulitzer Prize winning story, now in its 50th year of publication, tells the extraordinary and unforgettable tale of life in the American Deep South through the inquiring eyes of a child. A new production of this gripping classic. ambassadortickets.com

l HAZLITT THEATRE Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL. 01622 758611

MY GRANDFATHER’S GREAT WARThu 17 March, 7.30pmPowerful solo drama performed by Cameron Stewart (Best Actor nominee, MEN awards) interweaving the First World War diaries of his grandfather, Captain Alexander Stewart with his own, contemporary perspective. Tickets £12, concs £10 GrandfathersGreatWar.co.uk

LOCKERBIE: UNFINISHED BUSINESSSat 19 Mar, 7.30pmA new solo show based on the story of Dr Jim Swire, whose daughter Flora was killed in the bombing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie. Tickets £12, concs £10 davidbenson.info l MEDWAY LITTLE THEATRE 256 High Street Rochester ME1 1HY. 01634 400322

CYRANO by Barry KornhauserThu 3-5 Mar. MLT’s Youth Company present this modern translation of Edmond Rostand’s classic tale of love, courage and honour. Tickets £4, Sat £4.50 mlt.org.uk

Wow MEDWAY 15

REBECCA RISING finds aubergine nirvana at

XiankerlaiFish-flavoured aubergine might not be the dish which sends the masses rushing to Rochester’s new Chinese restaurant, Xiankerlai. But I have been searching in vain for an authentic version since eating it repeatedly whilst living in China eight long years ago. To say that Xiankerlai’s chef created veritable aubergine nirvana in a chilli bean sauce bursting with ginger and garlic will hopefully hint at just how good the food is here.

Owner Wen Liu aims to offer authentically cooked food hailing from all over China. As well as a menu bearing familiar chow meins and sweet and sours, a second, more adventurous menu boasts among its dishes Cumin lamb in Chinese bread from the Turkic West, Sichuan Ants climbing a tree and Lion’s head meatballs from Shanghai. I tried meltingly tender Salt and pepper squid and Mapo tofu satisfyingly laced with mouth-numbing Sichuan peppers. All were astoundingly good and pleasingly generous, with none of the sugared-down gloop so often found in ‘English’ Chinese food.

As if to prove the adage that some things are too good to be true, however, a recent takeaway lacked the depth of flavour of the dishes I’d eaten in the restaurant. Disappointed, I spoke to Wen who explained the original chef has gone but assured me that an additional Sichuanese chef is joining the restaurant in March to offer the full range of dishes. Phew! If the new chef can create dishes as fine as the ones I originally tasted I will be back again and again.

164 High Street Rochester ME1 1EX 01634 409155

EATING OUT

VISUAL ARTl BROOK THEATRE ART GALLERYChatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338

DIVERSE MEDWAY Wed 16 Mar only. 6.30-9.30pm Medway-inspired work by local Creative and Media students. Free

l GALLERY CAFÉ, ROCHESTER CENTRE Eastgate ME1 1EW

ROCHESTER & WEST KENT ART SOCIETY - WINTER EXHIBITION To 8 April. Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm, Frid 9am-4pm. Hosted by the Medway Adult and Community learning service. Free

l NO.1 SMITHERY: THE GALLERY The Historic Dockyard Chatham, ME4 4TZ 01634 823800

ART IN THE DOCKYARD To 27 March. See News p 4. An inspiring and diverse range of artworks by Kent artists, whose inspiration was taken from The Dockyard itself. Adults £15.50, Children £10.50, Conc £13.00, Family £43.50 Ticket gives unlimited returns to No.1 Smithery: The Gallery and all the other Historic Dockyard attractions for one year. thedockyard.co.uk

l NUCLEUS GALLERY, 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108

Gallery opening hours 10-5pm

CONTRADICTION – VARIOUS ARTISTS To 10 March. Artists Dean Volante, Nicola Phippen, Elizabeth Welch, Gemma Yeates and Claire Scott exhibit a range of work exploring energy, form and space. Mixed-media including works employing paper, glass, ceramics and photography. Free

TRANSIENCE / A SENSE OF PLACE 2 – ROY, NEIL & CLAIRE SPARKES12-24 March. A rare occurrence: an exhibition of new works by one family: father, son and daughter. All three artists have exhibited widely in the UK and abroad. Free

Preview/Meet the Artists: Friday 11 Mar 6-8pm - all welcome

A VARIED VISION - RICHARD HAYDON-KNOWELL26 Mar-7 April. Richard Haydon-Knowell paints to express his love of beauty, truth and order. A retired Christian minister, Haydon-Knowell has had Parkinson’s disease for 10 years and will be donating 25% of all exhibition sales to the charity Parkinson’s UK. Free

Preview/Meet the Artist: Frid 26 Mar 6-8pm - all welcome nucleus-arts.com

l NUCLEUS MEDWAY, 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 07735 598533

Wed, Thur, Frid, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm Art, cards and jewellery by Medway and Maidstone artists at affordable prices. l ROCHESTER ART GALLERY & CRAFT CASE Medway Visitor Information Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 338319

MARTA MARCE – CONDITIONS OF ABSTRACTION To 25 March. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10.30am-5pm

Don’t miss this cheering, colourful exhibition of paintings by Spanish-born Berlin based artist Marcé. This month’s CRAFT CASE continues the playful themes of the main exhibition with Lindsey Mann’s mixed-media pieces of jewellery inspired by light-hearted memories of childhood and Clare Tindall’s amusing, colourful objects made from liquid latex. Free

Artist talk with Marta Marcé: Thur 24 March 1-2.30pm. Booking essential on 01634 338319

l TRINITY THEATRE AND ART GALLERYChurch Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1JP 01892 678 678

DOMESTIC MAPPING21 Mar-2 April. Maidstone-based textile mixed media artist Cas Holmes in collaboration with Anne Kelly as Resonant Textiles. The exhibition focuses on using found materials and vintage fabrics as part of the narrative process inspired by travel, memory and the local environment. Free

Meet the Artist Session on Wed 23 March 5.30-7.30pm. resonanttextile.blogspot.com

Wow MEDWAY 17

by Louise Dawson

How many times are we advised to take more exercise, eat more healthily, cook from fresh? We all know we should, but in today’s world of fast food and convenience it can be difficult to be motivated, let alone fit it all in.

Here is the answer. Forget the gym membership and the pre-packed vegetables – get an allotment! The digging alone will tone you up, and yield lots of fresh, straight-from-the-ground produce to take home and stir-fry.

Sharing can lessen the burden of responsibility for all that veg, so when a friend invited me to share her allotment I jumped at the chance. It came through last April, just when we should have been planting, so we had to clear the plot and stick in what we could – fast! The results were amazing. Unfortunately we were not very scientific about it so I cannot tell you exactly how many potatoes we harvested, but it was a lot – after drying and storing they kept us going for ages.

Other treats were raspberries, parsnips, tomatoes galore, the obligatory runner beans and fantastic Jerusalem artichokes. We are not experts by any stretch of the imagination, but enthusiasm and a pair of wellies saw us through. Those, and the friendly camaraderie of the old hands, who will help, hinder, donate rhubarb, and keep you entertained as you work.

Unfortunately there is a queue for allotments, and it can take time, as the popularity of growing your own has mushroomed in our days of global warming. But persevere, get on the list and keep chasing for your plot.

For more information contact Medway Council: search medway.gov.uk, email info@medway.gov.uk or phone 01634 333333

VEGETABLE CLUB FOR KIDSCapstone Farm Country Park is offering children an unusual opportunity to learn the basics of vegetable growing. In an inspired move to encourage children to work outside and discover the delights of growing their own, the Country Park are running a six month long Vegetable Club. Each child will be provided with their own allotment space and activities will include planting, propagating, weeding and pot making. Children will be able to take home what they grow.

The club runs every two weeks from Sunday 6 March, 10am – 2pm. Ages 6 to 8. Only £20 per child for the course (one off payment). Book in advance on 01634 338191

LIFESTYLE

DIGGING FOR FITNESS

Contact us

EDITORIAL: editor@wowmedway.co.uk

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ADVERTISING: sales@wowmedway.co.uk0845 388 2243 (local rate from BT landlines)

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PRINTING: PB Group Sittingbourne, 01795 413880, www.pbgroup.co.uk

PUBLISHER: Emma Dewhurst

Distributed locally to Medway households and public pick-up

points throughout the Medway towns. Launch circulation of 2000, rising monthly.

Great introductory ad rates available to all first time advertisers. All advertisers also featured in e-edition of the magazine and in our online Directory at www.wowmedway.co.uk Copy/listings deadline for April issue: 21 March

©WOW Medway magazine. All rights reserved. Whilst

every effort has been made to ensure that details in this publication are accurate, we cannot accept responsibility for such. Readers are advised to check listings information to avoid disappointment. Views expressed by contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of the editor and publisher.

WOW Medway is printed on 100% recycled paper

On a chill January evening, the Chris Corcoran Trio celebrated the release of their debut CD, The Getaway, with a party at the Roffen Suite, and invited WOW Medway along. The first thing that struck us was the way the trio lined up on stage. Dave Lagnado on double bass, Peter Greatorex with a stripped-down drum kit, Chris on semi-acoustic guitar (a vintage Broadway tuned down for an extra fat sound) played in one line abreast, like a gang ready to take on allcomers. We thought it was as if the Jets from West Side Story had decided to start a band. Talking later, Chris liked the analogy. ‘Although the trio is under my name, we’re a real unit.

The drums and bass are as much solo instruments as my guitar.’

The look of the trio matches their music: tight, taut, authentic, playing a hard-to-define – even by Chris himself – mix of blues and rock’n’roll with Latin, jazz and funk inflections, on the night enhanced by contributions from special guest, boogie woogie pianist and vocalist Big John Carter. It’s a real cocktail of styles, aptly since one of the stand-out numbers was ‘Tequila’, a 1958 Latino hit single. Of Chris’s originals, highlights include the skittering, rocking title track and the funky, summery opener ‘The Plunge’. Philip Dodd

CHRIS CORCORAN TRIO

WOW Medway have two copies of The Getaway to giveaway. To join the draw, email your name and address to editor@wowmedway.co.uk or use the contact form on the WOW Medway website by 31 March.

The Getaway is released on Corky’s Records – for more information visit www.chriscorcoranmusic.com The Chris Corcoran Trio, plus Big John Carter, will be appearing at the Pizza Express Music Room, Maidstone on 25 March

Wow MEDWAY 19

Aveling & Porter 4, the last in a quadriptych by Peter Reeds

I studied fine art at Medway College of Art from 1964-68. I spent a few years as a portrait painter, then a number of years travelling the world and experiencing life. I work from my Studio at The Deaf Cat (studios) in Rochester High Street. peterreeds813@btinternet.com

The ARTIST’S Space

01634 338338www.thecentraltheatre.co.uk

For tickets, more information and this season’s full line-up

Sun, 13 Mar 7.30pmVampires Rock

Classic rock spectacularfeaturing unholy anthems

including We Will Rock You,Highway to Hell and

many more.

Wed, 27 Apr: 1pm and 4pmThu, 28 Apr: 10am and 1pm

Peppa Pig’s PartyPeppa, her family and friends

are recreated live on stage,featuring beautifully true-to-life puppets.

Direct from the West End.

Sun, 20 Mar 7.30pmThe Big BalletA comedy ballet of weightyelegance and adorablehumour, starring 16 Corpsde Ballet dancers.

Sat, 30 Apr 7.30pmRoyal Philharmonic OrchestraA Russian Spectacular featuringRachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2 andmasterworks by Glinka, Rimsky-Korsakov andMussorgsky.

MAKEITYOURSTHISSPRING

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