January Film@Quarterhouse. Thursdays, doors open at 7.45pm: tickets £3.50 advance, £4.50 on the door 13th January: The Girl Who Played With Fire - Hot on the heels of the ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ comes the sequel. Salander and crusading journalist Blomkvist are once again caught up in a brutal murder investigation. This is the original adaptation of the second book in the literary sensation of 2009, The Millenium Trilogy, by Steig Larsson. Cert: 15 20th January: Gainsbourg - Since his death, revered singer, songwriter and actor Serge Gainsbourg has reached legendary status in France and is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th Century. Gainsbourg: Je T’aime, Moi Non Plus is a stunning portrayal of a lifetime of eclectic musical incarnations. Cert: 15 27th January: The Secret In Their Eyes - This slick film noir, partly set in a grim 1970’s Buenos Aires, beat favourites The White Ribbon and A Prophet to scoop the Oscar for Best International Film 2009. Esposito, a retired prosecutor, broods over an unsolved case from his past, a crime so vicious and all consuming that haunts him still. Cert: 18 www.quarterhouse.co.uk/whatson/film Quarterhouse Bar & Restaurant Special Offer! FREE FILM TICKET WHEN YOU BOOK A TWO COURSE MEAL Enjoy a two-course meal at Quarterhouse Bar and Restaurant on a Thursday night and get your film ticket for that night free! Subject to availability, please book in advance on 01303 858 540 The Creative Quarter The wonderful new Creative Quarter website is now live!! Make sure you take a look and explore all the fantastic artists and creative businesses we have living and working in the Creative Quarter and hear about news and events. To view the site simply follow this link. Home Ground stained glass window competition. Home Ground at 41 The Old High Street, has a beautiful new stained glass window that has been installed by Easthope Stained Glass of 78 The Bayle. The window was part of a competition for children from St Eanswythe’s School. The winning window was designed by 10 year old Laura Loku. MK Artlab, 45 The Old High Street, provided art materials to the winners and runners up. Do look out for the stunning design next time you are in the Old High Street! The Cube Exclusive Christmas Gift Experience - How to be a Zoo Keeper at Port Lympne Zoo, part of The Aspinall Foundation’s Keeper Academy. Study Animal Observation on the African Experience Safari, clean out animals, food preparation and feeding and more. New Year New You! Start off your new year by learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby with Kent Adult Education. Daytime and evening classes available in Art, Craft, Computing, Languages, Self Development, Health and Fitness. Contact Kent Adult Education, The Cube, Tontine Street, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1SD. Tel: 08456 065 606 Log onto: www.kent.gov.uk/adulted. Year One SHOW prize 2011 for performing arts. The SHOW: prize fund was launched in 2010, as part of Year One’s ongoing support for local performing arts ventures, to encourage performers already contributing to Kent’s lively performing arts scene and to show some of the new, exciting and innovative work being created in the county to the rest of the country. SHOW:BRIGHTON is a great opportunity for early career performers to present their show at a high profile arts festival and get noticed on a regional and national scale. The successful performers will get a chance to perform to new audiences, develop their skills and experience, while networking with other companies, producers, promoters and press. The opportunity and application pack have been posted to the Year One website ( www.yearoneconsulting.com and click on the SHOW: logo or go to the ‘Community’ page). The deadline for applications is Monday 10th January 2011 at 12noon. 2011 Sneak Preview Music 16th February Senses Fail The Hook 11th March Skabour warm up event - King Hammond + Meow Meows + OLAS/Boss Sound system 19th March Dirty DC 25th March Dreadzone Comedy 5th February Shazia Mirza (Guardian columnist, Have I Got News For You & The Infidel) 15th April Imran Yusuf (Recently featured on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow) 21st May Richard Herring (revisiting his smash hit show Christ On A Bike) Keep an eye out early next year for more details of the Spring programme and The Hook Music Festival 2011! For more information and booking please visit: www.quarterhouse.co.uk/whatson Or call the Box Office: 01303 858 500 Bluesky Pie Sunday 9th of January, 7.30pm FREE entry - Bluesky Pie Unplugged at Quarterhouse Bar & Restaurant Featuring Ted Clark (Coronal), Mark Stone, Ghetto Picnic, Re-Percussion and J’aime Monday 10th of January, The Lanterns - Bluesky Pie presents: Mish Mash Monday Featuring 5 live bands + DJ £3 on the door 30% off all drinks. For more information and other events visit the Bluesky Pie Facebook page by clicking here. Skabour Valentine’s Special at The Folkestone Cricket Club. Tickets are now on sale for the Skabour Festival and Folkestone Cricket Club fundraiser event on the 12th of February. For more information visit their Facebook page by clicking here.

As you may or may not be aware, the Seafront and Harbour development is not part of the Creative Foundation’s remit. But if you are interested and would like to find out more, please consult their website by clicking here or email enquiries@folkestoneseafront.com.

Related articles

• Gainsbourg, DVD review (telegraph.co.uk)

Please find attached (shepway-play-map-dec10feb11) the listing of the FREE play events taking place over the Christmas and February school holidays.

All the events are FREE OF CHARGE, funded by the Big Lottery and staffed by three play workers who facilitate games/play for ALL ages.

MUSIC, ARTS & CRAFTS, CIRCUS SKILLS, PUPPETS, BOARD GAMES, BALL GAMES, TOYS, & MUCH, MUCH MORE…..

EVERYONE WELCOME

Become a friend of the ‘Shepway Play MAP’ on Facebook for all the latest information

Related articles

• A new member writes… Why I’ve decided to join the Liberal Democrats now (libdemvoice.org)
• Five Places To Play Fun Social Games Other Than Facebook (socialtimes.com)

Wednesday 13^th, 8pm: Drink and Draw at Home Ground Café Bar, 41 The Old High Street, Folkestone. Open evening for artists to meet and draw together; organised by Anthony and MK Artlab, Tel: 01303 241079, www.homegroundcb.co.uk.

Thursday 14^th, 7.30pm: The Gurkha Military Music Spectacular at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. The world famous Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas presents an evening of lively concert music, ethnic Nepali folk tunes and colourful dances, including the world-renowned Khukuri dance. Tickets £16.50 / 15.50 / 14.50. www.leascliffhall.co.uk.

Friday 15^th, 7.30pm: An Evening with Blowers at Quarterhouse, cricket legend Henry Blofeld brings his “Caught Short and Grumpy” show to Folkestone. Tickets £15/£12.50 conc, Box Office 01303 858500, www.quarterhouse.co.uk.

Friday 15^th, 7.30pm: Joe Pasquale at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. It’s time for Joe to hit  the road again where the audience will take part in amazing experiments that will answer age-old questions like “Why do birds suddenly appear… every time you are near?”. Tickets £18; www.leascliffhall.co.uk

Friday 15^th, 8pm: OPEN MIC NIGHT at Home Ground Café Bar, 41 The Old High Street, Folkestone. Tel: 01303 241079, www.homegroundcb.co.uk.

Saturday 16^th, from 1pm: Art in Romney Marsh Fête Day in St Nicholas Church, New Romney. See panel below for more information.

Saturday 16^th, 7.30pm: The Choir of Rochester Cathedral, conducted by Director of Music Scott Farrell, performs a programme of favourite works from the cathedral choral tradition at St Leonard’s Church, Hythe. Tickets £10 on sale at Brandon’s Music Shop, 55 High Street, Hythe, tel 01303 263108, or can be obtained at the door. (Admission free to those under 18 in full-time education.)

Saturday 16^th, doors 7.30pm: The Vintage Corporation – 60s/70s Music Night at The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe. The Vintage Corporation treat the music of their heroes with the respect that is due to musical genius. They don’t merely learn a song, they study and perfect it and ultimately play it brilliantly. With a total emphasis on entertainment and an infectious dance play-list, they aim to get the audience foot tapping. Tickets £8.00/£7.00 concessions. Box Office: 01303 223925.

Saturday 16^th, 8pm: Rich Hall at Quarterhouse. Edinburgh Fringe favourite and Perrier Award winner Rich Hall is back on the Road (sold out) 16+. Tickets £15. Box Office 01303 858500, www.quarterhouse.co.uk.

Saturday 16^th, 8pm: Anna Stone at Home Ground Café Bar, 41 The Old High Street, Folkestone. Tel: 01303 241079, www.homegroundcb.co.uk.

Sunday 17^th, 8pm: Oysterband Acoustic at Quarterhouse. “Tremendous, joyous, remarkable…Oysterband…play with an imagination and vigour that makes them the cream of their genre”. Rolling Stone. Tickets £14. Box Office 01303 858500, www.quarterhouse.co.uk.

Wednesday 20^th, 8pm: Drink and Draw at Home Ground Café Bar, 41 The Old High Street, Folkestone. Open evening for artists to meet and draw together; organised by Anthony and MK Artlab, Tel: 01303 241079, www.homegroundcb.co.uk.

Thursday 21^st, 10am – 4pm: Introduction to Silk Screen Printing Workshop at Silkworm Studios, Tontine Street, Folkestone. £65pp. For details, go to www.silkwormstudios.com.

Thursday 21^st, from 7.30pm: Jack Pound’s Open Stage at Butt of Sherry, Hythe. Contact 01303 266112.

Thursday 21^st, 7.30pm: Maximum Rhythm N Blues at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. This all-start line up features The Manfreds with original members Paul Jones, Mike D’Abo, Tom McGuinness and Mike Hugg. Tickets £24 / 22; www.leascliffhall.co.uk

Friday 22^nd, 8pm: October Man at Home Ground Café Bar, 41 The Old High Street, Folkestone. Tel: 01303 241079, www.homegroundcb.co.uk.

Friday 22^nd, 7.30pm: Oxjam – With a Little Help from Your Friends at Quarterhouse. A night of top music from across the country to raise money and awareness for Oxfam. Featuring Belingo, Jane Smith, Sixes and Sevens, Hotrod and Dragsters and Kuulama (16+) Tickets £8. Box Office 01303 858500, www.quarterhouse.co.uk.

Saturday 23^rd, 10am-2pm: Open Day at University Centre Folkestone. Meet the tutors and find out more about the courses on offer. For more info go to www.ucf.ac.uk or ring 01303 760600.

Saturday 23^rd, 11am: Coffee Concert by the Finney Family and Friends at the United Reformed Church, Folkestone. £3 at the door, with a retiring collection for the Pilgrims Hospices. For more info, call 01303 242694.

Saturday 23^rd, 11am to 5pm: Folkestone Book, Paper and Print Collectors’ Fair at The Grand, Folkestone. 40 dealers offering paper treasure of all descriptions – ephemera, art work, postcards, maps, prints. Entrance £2.

Saturday 23rd, 7.30pm: Jonathan Pugsley (baritone) and Sarah Murphy (piano) perform ‘Songs for an Autumn Evening’, including music by Schubert, Debussy, Schumann, Novák (Czech contemporary of Dvorak) and a selection of English songs, at St Leonard’s Church, Hythe. Tickets £13 or £5 for students available from jonpugsley@btinternet.com, or from Brandon’s Music Shop, 55 High Street, Hythe, tel 01303 263108, or can be obtained at the door.

Saturday 23^rd, 8pm: Live Music at Home Ground Café Bar, 41 The Old High Street, Folkestone. Tel: 01303 241079, www.homegroundcb.co.uk.

Sunday 24^th, 8pm: Open Mic Night at Quarterhouse Bar and Restaurant, with £2 a pint + other drink promotions, 01303 858540, www.quarterhouse.co.uk.

Tuesday 26^th, 7.30pm: Quiz Night at Home Ground Café Bar, 41 The Old High Street, Folkestone. Tel: 01303 241079, www.homegroundcb.co.uk.

Wednesday 27^th, 7.30pm: Cancer Bats at Quarterhouse, acclaimed metal and punk rock band. Nominated for best album at the Kerrang! Awards in 2008. (16+) Tickets £8. Box Office 01303 858500, www.quarterhouse.co.uk.

Wednesday 27^th, 8pm: Drink and Draw at Home Ground Café Bar, open evening for artists to meet and draw together; organised by Anthony and MK Artlab, 41 The Old High Street, Folkestone. Tel: 01303 241079, www.homegroundcb.co.uk.

Thursday 28^th, 2.30pm: Folkestone Decorative & Fine Arts Society’s Talk on Windsor Castle at The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone. We welcome back Oliver Everett, an old friend of the society, who will talk about, and illustrate, the remarkable restoration work that followed the catastrophic fire in 1992. There will be a follow up visit to Windsor Castle on 3 November. Visitors are welcome at £5. For more information email folkestone@nadfaskentarea.org.uk or telephone 01303 239530 or visit our website: www.nadfaskentarea.org.uk.

Thursday 28^th, 6pm: CALLING ALL ARTISTS at Quarterhouse, a free evening for local artists, musicians and writers to discuss opportunities to showcase work in Folkestone during the Folkestone Triennial 2011 exhibition. To register your interest in attending please contact the box office on 01303 858500, www.quarterhouse.co.uk.

Friday 29^th, 7.30pm: Dub Pistols at Quarterhouse. Few bands can raise the roof or ignite a festival crowd with more rabble rousing aplomb than Dub Pistols. (16+) Tickets £10. Box Office 01303 858500, www.quarterhouse.co.uk.

Friday 29^th, 7.30pm: Abba Mania at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. Join in and enjoy all of your favourites including Mamma Mia, Voulez Vous, Dancing Queen and many more; www.leascliffhall.co.uk.

Friday 29^th, 8pm: Live Music at Home Ground Café Bar, 41 The Old High Street, Folkestone. Open evening for artists to meet and draw together; organised by Anthony and MK Artlab. Tel: 01303 241079, www.homegroundcb.co.uk.

Saturday 30^th, 7.30pm: Séance – a Hitchcockian-style thriller at The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone. After losing her beloved husband in the war the young Lady Billingham is inconsolable and overcome with grief. Upon the insistence of her maid she eventually agrees to meet a medium. The séance that ensues reveals an apparition of the dead husband to the young widow. Henceforward the ghost of the dead captain haunts the woman and she cannot escape his voice insisting that they should be together, forever. Mad with grief she must choose between life alone or death with her husband. “With a climax that nobody expects this psychological thriller will be the next ’Woman in Black”. Tickets £10.00/£9.00 concessions - Group booking I in 10 free. Box Office 01303 223925.

Saturday 30^th, 8pm: Russell Kane at Quarterhouse. “The kind of gags that make you snort beer out of your nose…An impressive punch line rate”. Metro (16+) Tickets £14/£12. Box Office 01303 858500, www.quarterhouse.co.uk.

Saturday 30^th, 8pm: HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS PARTY! at Home Ground Café Bar, 41 The Old High Street, Folkestone. Tel: 01303 241079, www.homegroundcb.co.uk.

Saturday 30^th, 10am – 4pm: Stelling Minnis Art Group’s Annual Art and Craft Show at Stelling Minnis Village Hall. As well as various art exhibits by the group, there will be sculpture, floral design, weaving, quilting and other specialist craft on show. Tea and cakes will be provided.

Sunday 31^st, 8pm: Halloween Ghost Story Telling at Home Ground Café Bar, 41 The Old High Street, Folkestone. Tel: 01303 241079, www.homegroundcb.co.uk.

And coming up in November:

5^th – 13^th: Folkestone Book Festival

Alexei Sayle, Germaine Greer, Dan Cruickshank, Martina Cole, Steven Berkoff and Arthur Smith are just some of the well-known authors taking part in this year’s Folkestone Book Festival. There will also be live performances from theatre group The Fitzrovia Radio Hour, with their spoof 1940’s radio plays, a night of fantastic folk music from 3 Daft Monkeys and a stand-up comedy evening with Jeremy Hardy, stalwart of BBC Radio 4’s News Quiz. For more information please visit www.folkestonebookfest.com.

For full details of all events in Shepway, visit: www.discoverfolkestone.co.uk
ART EXHIBITIONS – SHEPWAY and EAST KENT
Now to 17^th: Thursday to Sunday, 10am - 5.00pm. Exhibition of Paintings by Sara Wicks, Cliff Howe & Kaija Bulbrook at the West End House Gallery, Water Lane, Smarden, Kent TN27 8QB. The exhibition also includes sculpture, jewellery, textiles and ceramics – ideal for collectors and for presents. www.wehg.co.uk. Telephone 01233 770261. Preview Friday 3^rd September, 5pm - 8.30pm.

1^st to 13^th, 10am – 5pm (Tues to Sun): Box of Dreams at Georges House Gallery, Folkestone. Exhibition of work by creative groups and individual artists from across Kent taking part in Mind the Gap 2010, an artist–led project started by Canterbury artist Sandra Pearson which is open to all wishing to celebrate creativity for mental health. Launch event 1^st October, 12 – 4pm; www.canterburymindthegap.com,

info@canterburymindthegap.com.

2^nd & 3^rd, 9^th & 10^th, 16^th & 17^th: Art on Romney Marsh at various churches across Romney Marsh. See panel below for more information.

7^th to 10^th: Tony Ross-Gower’s First One-Man Show at the Creek Creative Community Art Gallery, 1 Abbey Street, Faversham ME13 7BE. Show of ‘Raku’ and stoneware pottery representing the culmination of 37 years’ practice. Admission FREE and the potter will be demonstrating over the weekend. The gallery is open 10am to 6pm; tel: 01795 591555; info@creek-creative.org.

9^th to 19^th, daily 10am – 4pm Two exhibitions: ‘The Human Landscape’ and ‘Coastal Paintings by John Eveleigh’ at The Grand, The Leas, Folkestone (in the Ballroom and the Palm Court). The Human Landscape is a collection of over 150 works, preserved by The Friends of the Folkestone Collections. John Eveleigh’s selection ‘Coastal Paintings’ include landscapes from St Margaret’s Bay to the mouth of the Rother. There will be a preview evening on Friday 8^th 6pm – 8pm; Aldous Eveleigh will talk about his father’s work. Contacts for further information: Mrs Pat McMath on 01303 256265 and Mike Umbers on01303 265118.

13^th to 31^st October: A Retrospective Exhibition by Brian Oxley at The Cube Gallery, The Cube, Tontine Street, Folkestone CT20 1SD – a recognition of nearly fifty years as a teacher in adult education. There will be a wide range of work on show, including drawings, watercolours, pastels and paintings – some of which are for sale. For more information, call: 0845 6065606 or log on to www.kent.gov.uk/adulted.

16^th to 27^th: Kate Knight : Pleasure Seekers at Georges House Gallery, 8 The Old High Street, Folkestone CT20 1RL. This exhibition presents a body of paintings focusing on ideas of longing and searching. Revealing a darker side of human nature, flickering between abstraction and figurative, provocative and playful, harsh and tongue in cheek! To be continued…. www.kateknight.org.

ART ON ROMNEY MARSH
Art in Romney Marsh has returned for a fourth year. 26 contemporary artists have been selected to produce site-specific work in a wide range of media including painting, sculpture, installation, video, film and sound. These artists have created an exciting interpretation of the history, architecture and geography of this unique location. This year work will be shown in Fairfield, Brookland, Ivychurch, Newchurch, Burmarsh, Dymchurch, Old Romney, New Romney and St Mary in the Marsh by kind permission of the priest-in-charge Jim Field. Art in Romney Marsh 2010 launched last weekend and takes place over the next 3 weekends of 2nd/3rd October, 9/10th October and 16th/17^th October – please note that Newchurch church will not be open on the 16^th. The exhibition opening times are 1pm to 5pm.

Three Shepway artists are exhibiting this year: Nicholette Goff, Jonathan Wright and Tony Foster. Tony’s installation can be seen at St Clement’s Church in Old Romney, Jonathan’s installation is at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Newchurch and Nicholette’s installation is at St Mary the Virgin Church, St Mary in the Marsh.

Nicholette says: “In preparation for this exhibition I have been looking at the medieval practice of celebrating the Virgin Mary’s Assumption with an offering of herbs and medicinal plants. The plants would be picked by members of the community and brought to the church where they would be laid on the altar. The hanging I have made for the church is a metaphor for this sheaf of medicinal plants. I have taken samples from things that are growing in the church grounds and the surrounding lanes to create imprints that pick up the colour and texture that is unique to the plant and the time of year. On the reverse of each one I have noted some of the ailments they would have been used to treat. The small Pew Books allow for closer and quieter contemplation of the imprints that the plants left on the paper. For me they resemble the ‘floral chaplets’ held in the hands of the congregation as they waited to make their offering.”

One or more of the artists will be present in each of the churches over the next three weekends.

On Sunday 10^th at 3pm there will be a First Performance of Dungeness by John Blood (piano) and Nicolas Robinson (cello) at St George’s Church, Ivychurch.

And on Saturday 16^th, from 1pm, there will be a fête at St Nicholas Church in New Romney – showcasing creative responses to the churches made by young people of XTRAX Young People’s Centre Hastings and young people from Rye College. Responses made by older learners of the marsh who have worked with artists exhibiting will also be showcased. Tea and cakes available.

UNIVERSITY CENTRE FOLKESTONE – forthcoming events
Saturday 23^rd October, 10am-2pm: Open Day at UCF. Meet the tutors and find out more about the courses on offer. For more info go to www.ucf.ac.uk or ring 01303 760600.

Tues 26^th October, 5.30pm: Kent Association of Young Entrepreneurs networking event at UCF: How to Network a Room with speaker Ron Roser. To book email: debbie.cameron@iod.com. Website: www.iod.com/kent.

Wednesday 27^th October, 6pm: Public lecture: Reclaim the streets: performance on the pavement with speaker Julian Bryant. FREE event but booking essential. For more info go to www.ucf.ac.uk or ring 01303 760600.

Tuesday 9^th November, 6pm: Public lecture: Writing Lives with speaker Stephen Wakelem – event is part of Folkestone Book Festival. For bookings, call the Festival Box Office on 01303 858500 or go to www.quarterhouse.co.uk

Wednesday 10^th November, 10am-1pm: Connect with Literature: What is Love? Tolstoy workshop with Frank Foley. FREE event but booking essential.  For bookings, call the Festival Box Office on 01303 858500 or go to www.quarterhouse.co.uk

Thursday 11^th November, 5.30pm: Faber New Poets: meet the poets Joe Dunthorne and Jack Underwood, listen to readings and get a chance to ask questions at University Centre Folkestone. FREE event but booking essential.  For bookings, call the Festival Box Office on 01303 858500 or go to www.quarterhouse.co.uk.

Thursday 11^th November, 7pm: How Books are Bought and Sold. Join a panel discussion of experts to get an overview of the book industry today and what authors should know about the business of publishing. FREE event but booking essential. For bookings, call the Festival Box Office on 01303 858500 or go to www.quarterhouse.co.uk.

Saturday 13^th November, 10am – 1pm: Two practical workshops for writers with author and freelance journalist Jane Wenham-Jones. Planning and plotting your novel and at 2pm-4pm: How to get published. What it costs: £5 for morning session, £4 for afternoon session, £8 for both. Booking essential as places will be limited. Call the Festival  Box Office on 01303 858500 or go to www.quarterhouse.co.uk

Monday 15^th November, 5.30pm: Kent Association of Young Entrepreneurs: How to Time Manage with speaker Julia Russell. To book email: debbie.cameron@iod.com. Website: www.iod.com/kent.

Thursday 18^th November, 6pm: Public lecture: A Flamenco Journey with artist Charlotte Baynes. FREE event but booking essential. For more info go to www.ucf.ac.uk or ring 01303 760600.

Friday 22^nd, 7.30pm: Sing-a-long Concert by ‘Days Gone By’ at Capel Church, Albany Road, Capel-le-Ferne with Songs of the Sixties. Tickets £7 obtainable from John Oliver 01303 251403 or E mail johne.oliver@talktalk.net.

14^th October to 24^th November: Scopos [The Watcher] at Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Gallery, Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks TN13 1LQ. Last month, artists originating from or currently working in Kent were invited to submit work for this group exhibition. Artists were asked to investigate aspects of observation in contemporary art and explore the relationship between artist, artwork and audience. The exhibition preview will be on 14^th October, 6pm to 8pm. It will then be open: Mondays – Fridays 9am – 6pm; Thursdays late night opening until 8pm; Saturdays 9am – 5pm. For further information, visit www.kent.gov.uk/arts.

Now to 15^th October: Natural Histories at Maidstone Library Gallery, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH. Cas Holmes and Anne Kelly: mixed media textiles with Found Materials. Both artists’ work evoke a feel of memory and place yet bring to the fore a contemporary take on traditional textiles. The environmental impact of producing work from waste in recessionary times in an artistic context is explored. The work is very accessible to those with a specialist interest in textiles as well as the more general gallery visitor. Both artists will be available for a meet-the-artist session on Saturday 25th September 2010, 2.00-4.00pm and would be happy to discuss their work and Cas Holmes’ new book, The Found Object in Textile Art. (See www.casholmestextiles.co.uk).

Saturday 9^th, 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm: The Big Draw at No. 1 Smithery, Historic Dockyard, Chatham ME4 4TZ. This is a free event when visiting the dockyard. Normal admission prices apply. Inspired by the Stanley Spencer paintings in the No.1 Smithery Art Gallery, we attempt to create a giant drawing for the dockyard. Working with professional artists, participants are invited to draw portraits to transfer onto a large-scale artwork by ‘gridding-up’, in a Stanley Spencer fashion! This is a fun, drop-in event and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Further details: www.thedockyard.co.uk or artinthedockyard@chdt.org.uk.

GENERAL NOTICES
KALE - New cultural events listings for Kent

Kent Arts Listings Email (KALE) is a monthly listings service produced in partnership with Kent’s cultural destinations. This is an exciting new service so do take a look for yourself. KALE is a monthly email covering the best events at arts centres across Kent. Choose a single highlights email and/or an email about one of eight specific art forms, delivered to your inbox each month. Art form-specific emails cover: festivals, theatre, film, comedy, live music, classical music, visual arts and children’s events. KALE is independent, free & easily-digestible. It is an essential guide to the best of Kent’s art attractions. Sign up at www.kentarts.org.uk.

HALF TERM EVENTS FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

Children & the Arts works in partnership with the arts community to engage young people in the arts. Our aim is to give every child the chance to experience the best that the arts have to offer, be that through visiting a gallery, watching a performance, participating in a music workshop or taking a backstage tour of a theatre. Everyone can take advantage of our free online event listing guide during Arts & Kids Week 23^rd to 30^th October. Click on the following link to find out what’s available

http://www.childrenandarts.org.uk/events/

CHOIR SINGERS

If you would like to sing at the Voices for Hospices Fund-Raising Concert on 9^th October (Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast & Trial By Jury) at the United Reformed Church, go along to the note-bashing rehearsal for the chorus on Saturday 2^nd, 10am to 1pm, with a final rehearsal on the 9^th 10am – 4.40pm. Prior enrolment is essential – please phone 01303 242694.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS

The Creative Foundation is inviting artists, musicians, writers and arts organisations from Folkestone and across the Shepway district to join them to find out more about the Folkestone Triennial 2011 - A MILLION MILES FROM HOME and the opportunities it offers to stage complementary exhibitions, events and shows for the benefit of visiting audiences on Thursday 28^th October at 6pm at Quarterhouse, 45 Tontine Street, Folkestone CT20 1JT. This event is free but advance booking is essential as spaces are limited. Call 01303 858500.

CALL FOR ARTISTS – CONTEMPORARY PRINT FAIR

December 2010 sees the Sidney Cooper Gallery’s inaugural contemporary print fair, hosted by Canterbury Christ Church University. Bringing the best contemporary print to Canterbury from local, national and international artists. All artworks will be for sale. Artists are invited to make submissions; the deadline is 15^th October, 2pm. Please contact the Sidney Cooper Gallery, St Peter’s Street, Canterbury for details at www.canterbury.ac.uk/sidney-cooper

EQUATOR MUSIC COMPETITION

Equator is announcing its first Music Competition in which semi finalist from all over Kent will have the opportunity to perform live in front of a supporting audience on 22nd October in Ashford. The competition is aimed at supporting and developing exciting, interesting and unique young artists from Kent and Medway. Soloists, instrumentalists, singers, and music groups under the age of 18 years living in Kent or Medway are invited to submit a music entry for this competition. Schools can also submit an entry of their groups or soloists. The entry must be one piece of music or a song of any genre not longer than 5 minutes on CD, DVD or MP3 format. Deadline for entries is 10^th October. Please include name of group/soloist, address and contact name, telephone and mobile number, email address, number of members, ages, genre and school if the entry is from a school. The postal address to send the entry to is: Equator Kent Music Talent Competition, c/o Shiva Nova, Peregrine, Grange Road, St Michaels, Tenterden TN30 6TJ. Email entries must be sent to: admin@shivanova.co.uk. More information can be found at www.equatorfestival.com.

Folkestone Writers – Event at Folkestone Book Festival

Folkestone Writers have their own event at the Folkestone Book Festival at the Quarterhouse on 9^th November at 2pm when they will be presenting their first Folkestone Anthology, a collection of short stories and poems by authors living in and around Folkestone, Hythe, and Romney Marsh. There are 18 contributors including some names which are well known locally such as Sandra Howard (novelist) and Nicholas Reed (art historian & publisher of Folkestone Creative). Items to be read out at the event have been selected because they are short, amusing, and dramatic. Since their first meeting over a year ago Folkestone Writers have held informal meetings once a month at which members read and discuss extracts from their own work. They also have short talks and discussions. Anyone wishing to attend the event on 9^th November should visit www.folkestonebookfest.com or telephone 01303 858500. Anyone wishing to purchase a copy of the Anthology (£7.99 cheques payable to Folkestone Writers) and also for information about the group should contact John Sussams on 01303 242990) or email john@sussams.freeserve.co.uk.

Short Story Competition

To coincide with the Roman Villa excavations on Folkestone’s East Cliff, this year’s Friends of Folkestone Book Festival’s short story competition subject is entitled “Hidden Treasure.” Entrants should submit a fictional, historical story connected in some way with the Roman or Anglo Saxon settlements in Kent. It can involve love, mystery, crime, battles, or archaeology. Work should be an unpublished piece of fiction of up to 1,000 words. There is no entry fee and the competition is open to all. There are three age categories: 11s and under, 12-17s and 18s and over. The winner of the over 18 category will receive a prize of £100 and the winners of the categories for 11s and under, and 12-17 years will each receive £50. The winning stories, along with those of some of the runners-up, will be read out at the Short Story Competition Judging event on Sunday 7^th November at 4.30pm in Quarterhouse . This event is free to all. Copies of the entry form can be obtained at Waterstone’s Booksellers, Folkestone. To enter, three copies of your story together with the completed entry form should be posted to: Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival, c/o Waterstone’s Booksellers, 16 Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 1DP, or email one copy to shortstory@friendsoffolkestonebookfest.co.uk. Alternatively, they can be handed in at Waterstone’s, Folkestone. Please ensure that your name, address and phone number are written at the start of your story. Entries will only be acknowledged if you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The closing date for entries is 16^th October.

INFERENTIAL GRIN - “A grin is a smile that bursts”

A Folkestone Triennial fringe initiative

For the period of the Folkestone Triennial 2011, there will be an alternative exhibition of 11 talented local artists. Inferential Grin will showcase the immense talent that exists in Folkestone and surrounding area and has, at its foundation, the core objective of connecting with the local community, and demonstrating passion for our area. The chosen artists will be exhibiting one work each. These artists will have funded the work themselves and will be displaying their work for the public to view and vote for a “Fringe Favourite”. Local artists are being invited to send in submissions. For full details, please contact Johnny Cotter at 6 Rendezvous Street, Folkestone; mobile 07842 776007 or email me@johnnycotter.com.

Web radio for independent and unsigned artists

Based in Hythe, Somojo radio www.somojo.net is an online radio station globally promoting independent and unsigned music. With live shows all day and every day of the week, we are constantly on the lookout for more music to add to our play lists. Covering music of every genre, we already have some local talent on our shows, but would like more local solo artists and bands on our rota, who would like to get their music in front of a growing worldwide audience. There is also an ‘Access All Areas’ members area that is free to join, where members gain access to download free mp3s, chat with the artists, enter competitions, make their own radio shows and get special deals on cds and other merchandise. Somojo radio would also like to hear from anyone who might be interested in getting involved with a local radio project that has enormous potential. We are unable to pay at the moment, although that will be possible in the near future. So if you see yourself as a DJ, want to get involved with media marketing and promotion or help in planning the shows and selecting the music, please come say hello: artists@somojo.net.

RECENT RESIDENCY

The Word took residency at Strange Cargo’s Georges House Gallery in Folkestone for two weeks in September programming a series of workshops and playing host to other artists and projects. Lucy Lungley did a series of dance workshops. The Word engaged people in their various games and Nick Shearon did the Dwelling Project, which was set up to make a village out of rubbish. To see photos of our work, please go to www.livelitattheword.org.

Auditions for Dancers: Professionals, Graduates or 3rd year students

ARTS AWARD! CONNECT & CELEBRATE

At the Hazlitt Arts Centre, Maidstone on Tuesday 12^th October, 9am – 5.30pm

Calling all arts, cultural, formal and informal educational institutions in Kent and Medway - are you working with young people? Are you looking for a flexible and nationally recognised qualification to support and accredit young people aged 11 - 25 years old? Are you looking to improve your youth participation strategy for your organisations? Future Creative invites you to celebrate the success of Arts Award in Kent and Medway. For more information email Mandy.Sangiuseppe@future-creative.org. To register, email Stephen.Fenning@artsaward.org.uk by Monday 4^th October.

Folkestone Library offers an opportunity to promote your service

Folkestone Library has been modernised, with an improved layout that makes it more welcoming and easier to use. We are inviting organisations to use the foyer of the library to promote their service or to run a ‘surgery’. There is no hire charge. For more information, please contact either Ellie Thomas, Community Development Librarian at ellie.thomas@kent.gov.uk / phone 01303 850123 or Fiona Hukins, Customer Services Development Librarian at fiona.hukins@kent.gov.uk / 01303 850123.

PANeK UPDATE

Exciting things are happening with contemporary performing arts in Kent: there’s an afternoon workshop with the amazing Forkbeard Fantasy Theatre Company on 22nd October, a three-day short course resulting in new street theatre for Canterbury with Natural Theatre Company on 28-30th October, and an evening of work-in-progress performances by Kent-based companies on 19th November - deadline for proposals 15th October. Keep up-to-date with what’s happening by logging in to www.panek.org.uk.

FREE WORKSHOP - The Working Artist with Crista Cloutier

Monday 15^th November, 10am – 5pm at University Centre Folkestone

This workshop is open to students, professional artists, art professionals, and those who dream of being able to support themselves as such. Topics include: identify your creative and professional goals, putting together an artist’s statement and cv, approaching decision-makers, thinking and speaking about your work, how to form the vital relationships to collectors, gallerists, and curators, creating a professional mission for yourself and your career. Actively involved in the contemporary art world throughout her career, Crista Cloutier is internationally recognized as a writer, photographer, curator, and documentary film-maker. Until 2007, Crista was the Director of Segura Publishing Company, a collaborative fine art studio and award-winning gallery. In her nearly ten years of leading the company, she collaborated in the creation of original artwork with some of the most significant artists working today. This work is now included in collections such as New York’s Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Los Angeles County Museum, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and the Chicago Art Institute. The event is free but places are limited so booking essential.  For info and to book please contact Jane.Seaman@canterbury.ac.uk or ring 01303

847042; www.ucf.ac.uk.

REQUEST FROM NCA TO PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS

The National Campaign for the Arts has launched a new public campaign, I Value the Arts. This campaign aims to give everyone a chance to voice their views on support for the arts. Three quarters of the adult population attend or participate in arts activities every year and and the proportion of young people is even higher. If you value the arts and want to have a say about the arts in your community please register your details on a new website: www.ivaluethearts.org.uk. You will then be kept in touch with plans that could affect the arts nationally and in your area, with practical suggestions on what you can do to strengthen the case for the arts.

EVERLASTING POPPIES

“Last year during Artists Open Houses I made ‘Everlasting Poppies’. These poppies are hand-made using pure merino fleece, silk and mohair they are hand-beaded and have a small brooch clasp on the back. They were all sold and I donated 25% from the sale of each one to the Royal British Legion. Since I am not taking part in Artists Open Houses this year, but due to many requests, I am offering an opportunity to order an ‘Everlasting Poppy’ in time for Remembrance day on 11^th November. I will be taking orders up until the 1^st October and will make them during the rest of October ready to send out for the beginning of November. Each Poppy will be £19 which includes p&p, and £5 from each will be donated to charity. If you would like to order an ‘Everlasting Poppy’ please send a cheque for £19 along with your postal address to: Jan Lewis, 32 Graystone Road, Whitstable  CT5 2JX. Please remember that the deadline is 1^st October”.

REGULAR DANCE CLASSES
Belly dance at The View, 6 – 8 Aspen House, West Terrace, Folkestone. Mondays 7pm – 8pm.

Cuban Salsa at The View, Folkestone. Weekly classes for beginners, improvers and intermediate. Contact 01303 241688.

Jive at Marsh Academy Leisure Centre, New Romney. Tuesdays 8.15pm to 9.15pm. Contact: revboogie@hotmail.co.uk.

Salsa, Merengue and Barchata at Southcliff Hotel, Folkestone. Weekly classes for absolute beginners, beginner plus, improvers and intermediate, Wednesdays 7.30pm to 11.30pm. Contact 01303 850075.

WEB LINKS
Shepway District Council – Arts & Culture: www.shepway.gov.uk/arts

Performing Arts Network Kent (PANeK is funded by EKLAAP, KCC, Arts Council England and Future Creative): www.panek.org.uk

Performing Literature : East Kent Live Lit: www.livelit.co.uk

Club Shepway: www.clubshepway.com

FAC (Folkestone Artists Cooperative): www.folkestoneartists.org.uk

FAS (Folkestone Art Society): www.folkestoneartsociety.co.uk

DFAS (Decorative & Fine Arts Society): www.nadfaskentarea.org.uk

Folkestone Camera Club: www.folkestonecameraclub.co.uk
Folkestone Choral Society: http://www.folkestonechoral.org.uk/

Folkestone Film Factory: www.folkestonefilmfactory.com

Folkestone Fringe: www.folkestonefringe.com

FHODS (Folkestone & Hythe Operatic & Dramatic Society): www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk

FHOS (Folkestone & Hythe Orchestral Society): www.fhos.co.uk

White Cliffs Creatives’ Guild: www.wccg.org.uk

White Shed (artists): www.whiteshed.co.uk

Shepway venues:

Leas Cliff Hall: www.leascliffhall.co.uk; online brochure link:

http://www.livenationstheatres.co.uk/uploads/documents/doc_839.pdf

Quarterhouse: www.quarterhouse.co.uk

The Tower Theatre: www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk

Live music at Hayne Barn, email: haynebarn.events@gmail.com

Music events at The Grand: www.grand-uk.com

For information on many events and activities in Shepway:

DFHRM: www.discoverfolkestone.co.uk

Send information about your events & activities to:

DFHRM: www.discoverfolkestone.co.uk

Tourist Information Centre @ Stop 24: TIC@howletts.net

KmFm: Shepway events slot every Friday at 09.30am during the Adam Dowling breakfast show 96.4 FM on DAB digital radio and on-line at www.kmfm.co.uk

FUSE EAST: www.fuseeast.co.uk

Togogo: What’s On activities: www.togogo/info

Channel Web Scene: www.channelwebscene.co.uk

Speculation is growing about a celebrity chef opening a fish restaurant in the harbour. A Facebook user announced to his Facebook friends that Marco Pierre White was in Folkestone on Wednesday checking out premises at the harbour. He was also seen in the area later in the week.

Keith Holland from Googies Art Cafe (Rendezvous Street) started the conversation by saying “Marco Pierre White opening a fish restaurant in Folkestone Harbour….good or bad? Discuss”

Keiths announcement created a very interesting mixed and lively Facebook conversation with many points being put forward - including:

Sharon Manning said “This type of elite restaurant is good for the middle classes with the money but may alienate those on a lower income - we need to do more to involve these people, not alienate them more.”

Another female FaceBooker said “Good to hear this. Marco is a popular big name, it would be good for Folkestone to have a celeb chef restaurant here.”

Stewart Hollyhead said “change is inevitable if you want to regenerate an area, you can’t handpick what aspects of that change you want or don’t want. If you want a fast train to London and a theatre then you are probably going to get a MPW opening a restaurant in replacement of a rundown bar. Just speaking as someone who has lived through three regenerations. I live in the harbour area and its quite empty all the time and could welcome a boost of visitors by a new restaurant. This is a great thing to happen, and will bring more people to the harbour area - hopefully will bring more big names to the area too.”

Sharron responded again with “gentrification is not always a positive thing it has made Whitstable Camden on sea and made the sense of disadvantage and alienatation worse for those who were already struggling while the middle classes embraced expensive coffee, art and deli culture and their London bretherin paying silly price for property….Folkestone struggles already with this problem I would like to see us creating local employment and projects …”

Steve Thompson said “Bringing more affluent people into town benefits those at the lower end of the social ladder we need an influx of disposable income to help kick start the regen program. Having a signature restaurant in the harbour will attract mid market places to the area too. Keeping it as it is will only lead to a further downward spiral. This is a good thing.”

Jason Martin who joined the conversation said:

“Why do people always think we should have one or the other…..I agree with Stewart….let’s have both…..Folkestone’s diversity is part of its charm, and we need facilities and infrastructure that meets the needs of everyone. One thing we should all agree on is that Folkestone requires more disposable income being spent locally, and from the sound of things there are a lot of social entrepreneurs that should be setting up things where they can spend it. Call in for advice!!”

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