Brighton What's On Guide

Music, clubs, theatre, comedy, film, pubs, folk, yoga & everything else.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence 12A @ Depot Cinema

Airbnb Smart Hosting Seminar Brighton @ The Poets Ale and Smoke House

Barulho Samba Band Open Session @ Carlton Hill Primary School

Brighton Haunted Pub Crawl - Mixed Spirits @ The Clock Tower

Comic Boom @ Komedia

Cred Talks: Simon Quinn, Animation for TV and film @ Phoenix Gallery

Depot Film quiz no rating @ Depot Cinema

Fisherman’s Friends 12A @ Depot Cinema

Funny Fursday, so funny we're doing it TWICE this month! @ Hotel Pelirocco

Hedwig and the Angry Inch 15 @ Depot Cinema

Matinee Film: The Escape @ Ropetackle Arts Centre

Never Alone @ Jubilee Library

OmmaySing Me Clubs. Sing . Meditate . Create @ Phoenix Community Centre

Ray & Liz 15 @ Depot Cinema

Roxalas, Voodoo Rays, PPZN and More TBA - InBrighton Live @ The Richmond

S.T.A.B Electronics, Iron Fist of the Sun, Active Denial @ The Pipeline

Shirely the Middle Aged Siren @ Grand Central

Suzi Ruffell – Nocturnal @ Ropetackle Arts Centre

The Hiccup Project: Lovely Girls @ The Old Market

The Kindergarten Teacher 12A @ Depot Cinema

The Maydays Free Improv Comedy Taster Session @ The Maydays Studio

The Moving Model: Equilibrium @ New England House

The White Crow 15 @ Depot Cinema

TOM's Film Club: The Man From Mo'Wax (15) @ The Old Market

Whats on at Ropetackle Arts Centre

Film Thu 28 Mar 2 pm

Matinee Film: The Escape

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £3.50

a stirring, emotionally rich look at what it means to start over’

an ordinary housewife and mother sets out to reclaim her life and makes an extraordinary decision which will change her life forever. armed with a one-way ticket to paris, she leaves everything behind to rediscover herself in a strange city. but walking out on your life isn’t so simple.

cert 15 duration 101 mins

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Comedy Thu 28 Mar 8 pm

Suzi Ruffell – Nocturnal

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £12

The Artful Dodger in an 80s suit, her swagger is abundant, her delivery is on point, and the tempo of is up up up – never missing a beat’ – The Skinny

Star of Live At The Apollo, Live From The BBC, Mock The Week, Roast Battle and Live From The Comedy Store, Suzi Ruffell takes her sell-out and critically-acclaimed show Nocturnal on tour this Spring.

If you don’t have anxiety, I don’t think you’re concentrating! Suzi is worried about everything – from someone breaking into her flat, to human rights across the globe, to her cat’s quality of life – and it’s keeping her awake.

Following last year’s critically acclaimed, sell-out run, this show is not to be missed.

‘Excellent hour of Stand Up’ ★★★★ The Sunday Times

‘Emerging star’ ★★★★ The Scotsman

‘Flawless stand-up machine’ – The List

‘Rammed with laughs plus a topping of sexual politics’ Beyond the Joke ★★★★

‘Positively bursting with comedic energy and the gags tumble out at a breakneck rate’ The List ★★★★

‘A truly joyous hour’ Voice Mag ★★★★

British Comedy Guide – Best Reviewed Edinburgh Fringe Shows 2018

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Fri 29 Mar 8 pm

Sarah Jane Morris & Antonio Forcione

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £20

Sarah Jane Morris and Antonio Forcione come together in a worldwide tour to
promote the launch of their collaborative album: Compared to What.

This duo have each been compared to an impressive array of musical geniuses
including Janis Joplin and Tom Waits (vocally) as well as Jimi Hendrix (instrumentally)
– a comparison Antonio wears with pride. Django Reinhardt also comes to mind.
In truth, Sarah Jane and Antonio are great artists in their own right. Channelling
their energies together, they share audiences in Italy, Britain, and all over the world.
Together they increase their spheres of appreciation, giving loyal fans the chance to
experience favourites afresh, as well as attracting new audiences with the strength and
artistry of their unique partnership.

Compared to What is the result of a fruitful and varied songwriting collaboration. It
covers a number of traumatic social issues and many songs of emotional intensity
which reflect the urgent concern both artists feel for the tragedy of refugees. One
song in particular deals with the boat people – a drama most keenly felt in Italy and by
Italians – with Sarah Jane and Antonio acting as tribunes of conscience. This sense of
witness describes many of Sarah Jane’s most passionately felt songs from the recent
past, and in new material Antonio adds his own awareness and artistic response.

Alongside the songs of conscience, Compared to What includes some wry comedy,
also love songs and some memorable covers, notably Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan.
Sarah Jane’s and Antonio’s set touches heights of great musical beauty both in
Antonio’s unique virtuoso guitar playing and Sarah Jane’s legendary voice, now more
subtle and persuasive than ever, with range and power undiminished. The whole
is a triumph of collaboration between two of the most individual and richly talented
musicians on the world stage.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Spoken Word Sat 30 Mar 8 pm

An Evening with Paul Johnson

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £10.00

As the TV and radio “go-to man” for all issues related to the nation’s finances, Paul Johnson, director of the highly respected Institute for Fiscal Studies, makes a welcome return to his home town of Shoreham-by-Sea, giving an exclusive talk at Ropetackle.

The IFS has established an enviable reputation for its authoritative analysis and independence, cited regularly by all party leaders despite its readiness to question, and where necessary, criticise their pronouncements. Since the Brexit vote, the IFS has provided extensive analysis and warnings of the likely impact on the UK’s economy.

As well has being head of the IFS, Johnson is a member of the statutory Committee on Climate Change and the Banking Standards Board, the remit of both being hugely important at the present time. If you are interested in the financial state of the nation, the day after we’re due to officially leave the European Union, this is sure to be a scintillating evening.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Kids Sun 31 Mar 2 pm

Four Hands Dance presents: A New Show

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: Adult & child: £5

Four Hands presents a new work

What did you think when you first looked into the eyes of your child? What did they think about you? How much time do you spend with children in your life? What do they learn from you and what can you learn from them?

With a cast of professional performers, their children and a community cast of families from the local area, Four Hands explore the themes of connection, intimacy and physical play between parents and their children. People of all ages are invited to witness this joyful dance performance, which celebrates the multitude of relationships between adults and children in a playful and intimate environment.

Four Hands are a dance company, based in the South East predominantly working with families with young children. They have recently become associate artists of Ropetackle and are support by South East Dance and Arts Council England.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Film Tue 2 Apr 2 pm

Bohemian Rhapsody

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £3.5o

Another date added due to popular demand!

If you missed out on a seat for our 9th March screening, do not despair! We’re showing this Oscar-winning film once again, this time in the afternoon.

A foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer, Freddie Mercury, who defied convention to become one of the most beloved performers on the planet.

Rami Malek turns in a stunning, Oscar-winning performance.

Cert. 15

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
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Spoken Word Wed 3 Apr 8 pm

The Rum Manual – Tasting of Fine Rum and Chocolate

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £15

Like rum? Come and enjoy a fun and interesting evening discovering the tricks of this lively spirit. (With added chocolate.)

The premium rum market is growing at an astonishing rate. The mission of Dave Broom‘s latest book is to help drinkers appreciate this complex spirit, find the style they like and discover how this versatile spirit can best be enjoyed. It will help you to understand your rum – how it’s produced (whether from molasses, cane syrup or cane juice) and whether it’s dry, sweet, fresh or oaky.

More than 100 different rums are featured and analysed, from rich, sweet mellow Guyana rums to the vegetal peppery rums of Martinique or Guadeloupe and contemporary spiced rums. Dave Broom provides a description and graded tasting notes for each brand, allowing you to create the perfect mix every time. Finally, a selection of classic and contemporary cocktails shows just how wonderfully versatile this spirit is.

Award-winning author and spirits expert Dave Broom has written eight books, two of which (Drink! and Rum) won the Glenfiddich Award for Drinks Book of the Year. He has also won the Glenfiddich Award for Drinks Writer of the Year twice and recently won the extremely prestigious IWSC Communicator of the Year Award. In 2015 Tales of the Cocktail presented Dave with the Best Cocktail & Spirits award, followed by the Golden Spirit Award in 2016.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Thu 4 Apr 7.30 pm

Richard Durrant – April ’19

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £16; Con: £14 £5 under 16

“Durrant never lets his stunning technique overshadow this wonderful timeless music” – The Sun

Richard Durrant returns to Ropetackle with an unplugged, unamplified recital.

Expect Durrant originals and acoustic repertoire from Britain, France and Spain preformed in the round at Durrant’s favourite Arts Venue.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
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Music Fri 5 Apr 8 pm

Hazel O’Connor – Hallelujah Moments

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £20

The first major female star of the 80s, award-winning singer-songwriter Hazel O’Connor rose to fame in 1980, when she starred in the iconic film, Breaking Glass. There were hits and eye-catching Top of The Pops appearances aplenty along the way. Hazel’s ageless songs include: Eighth Day, Will You, Big Brother, Monsters in Disguise, Calls The Tune, If Only, Give Me An Inch , Blackman and Hanging Around – all of which seem even more relevant in our present times.

Accompanied by virtuoso saxophonist Clare Hirst (The Belle Stars, Communards, David Bowie) on sax and vocals and Sarah Fisher (Eurythmics) on keyboards and vocals, this powerful blend of voices and musicianship brings a classy touch of energy, passion and fire to Hazel’s vibrant performance.

With a new album celebrating and reflecting Hazel’s very own Hallejujah Moments, expect a soulful introspective dip into this artist’s stunning portfolio, the old and the new. A sumptuous night of some of the greatest songs of the 20th Century delivered with passion and fire. With a special Meet & Greet immediately after the show, you’re in for a treat.

“They were absolutely fantastic, bringing the entire audience roaring to its feet.” The Telegraph

“It’s all there, that voice, soaring sax …timeless.” Glastonbury Festival

“The sturdiness and earthy expression of her voice…marvellous” Hot Press

www.hazeloconnor.com

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
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Music Sat 6 Apr 8 pm

The Korgis feat. original frontman James Warren

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £18

‘Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime’ was a massive worldwide hit, and ‘If I Had You’ is often cited as a favourite love song of all time. Add to that the George Martin-produced album ‘The Man With the Bowler Hat’ by Stackridge, of which James was a founder member, and it becomes clear that the fanbase for The Korgis is huge.

James and the band have worked hard at creating a show that is both musically superb and visually stunning. Backing vocal group, ‘Born To Win’ bring a vibrant energy to the show, and James’ meticulous attention to musical detail has elicited comments such as ‘flawless musicianship’, and ‘breathtaking musicality’. The set has been designed to bring in fans from all of the eras. Going back to the very first Stackridge song ever released, through all the Korgis’ hits and favourites, the reformed Stackridge of the 2000s and the new material that is being compared to ‘Lennon at his finest’.

The shows to date have drawn standing ovations at every performance.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Comedy Sun 7 Apr 8 pm

The Treason Show: April 2019

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £16

Spring has sprung and so have the lunatics from The Treason Show! Somehow they’ve been let out again. So join madman in chief, Mark Brailsford and his merry satirical troupe for the satire fest that just keeps on giving. The world may be going to hell in a handcart, but The Treason Show will always find a way to laugh at all the madness. If you like HIGNFY and the Thick of It then this is the show for you.

“Brilliant puns scatter through the script like bullets. Wicked, witty fast and funny”

Brighton & Hove Independent.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Comedy Sun 7 Apr 11 am

Jazz Breakfast with Mike Hatchard

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £11

Feat. Clark Tracey (drums) and Derek Nash (saxes)

Tracey first played piano and vibraphone before switching to drums at age
13, studying under Bryan Spring. Tracey played in several ensembles with his
father Stan Tracey from 1978 until 2013, including a quartet called Fathers
and Sons with John and Alec Dankworth in the 1990s. In addition to his
extensive work with his father, Tracey has played with many visiting
American musicians such as Scott Hamilton, Johnny Griffin, Red Rodney,
Barney Kessell, John Hicks and Pharoah Sanders throughout his career. He
also worked and recorded with Buddy DeFranco and Martin Taylor from 1984–86,
then with Charlie Rouse (1988), Alan Skidmore in Hong Kong (1989), Tommy
Smith (1989), and Guy Barker (1992).

He has led his own ensembles since the early 1980s, playing with many jazz greats and leading bands in tours around the world. His reputation for hiring highly talented youngsters is legendary, Tracey’s current quintet includes luminaries Chris Maddock, Henry Armburg Jennings, Harry Bolt and Daniel Casimir.

At the forefront of the British Jazz movement, Derek Nash is “one of the
most versatile saxophonists in the UK today” (The Guardian.)

Derek has been a member of the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra
since 2004, has led Sax Appeal for over thirty years, fronts the funk/fusion
band Protect the Beat, and is a member of the Ronnie Scott’s Blues
Explosion.

He is renowned for his energetic, vibrant, passionate and charismatic
performances on all four saxophones – from sonorous baritone to soaring
soprano – and is an award-winning performer having received the John
Dankworth Award and the British Jazz Award (Small Group) for Sax Appeal.

We could go on and on with Tracey and Nash’s credentials, but space is limited! Just know that these two legends will deliver a stunning performance and early booking is advised.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Wed 10 Apr 8 pm

Blue Rose Code

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £14

Music, SEATED
Blue Rose Code
WEDNESDAY 10TH APRIL 2019 - STARTS 8PM
TICKET PRICE: £14
Buy Tickets

A nomad both geographically and musically, Ross Wilson (Blue Rose Code) writes from the heart – eschewing any specific genre – and the twelve new songs on The Water Of Leith, addressing themes of love, loss, travel, home, accepting the past and embracing the future, are painted with colours of soul, jazz, folk and pop – an eclecticism that has become a hallmark of Blue Rose Code and has seen him compared to John Martyn, Van Morrison and Tom Waits.

Blue Rose Code were recently featured on Loose Ends (BBC Radio 4), the esteemed Quay Sessions (BBC Radio Scotland) was nominated for Scots Singer Of The Year in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017, won Scottish Album of the Year 2017 and was also listed as one of the Albums of the Year by The Skinny and No Depression respectively.

‘The Water Of Leith,’ Blue Rose Code’s 4th studio album, released in October, has rightfully been praised to the rafters and was recently hailed by The Skinny magazine as their Scottish Album Of The Year 2017.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Comedy Thu 11 Apr 8 pm

Ivo Graham: Motion Sickness

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £14

From being the youngest winner of the So You Think You’re Funny award for new acts at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2010, the Eton-educated comedy talent is now a regular fixture in the clubs and theatres of the UK circuit and on panel shows.

His gauche charm and crafty, self-aware wit has proved a hit with audiences of all ages.

Join Ivo for a feisty new hour about facing the future, named after his fourth favourite Hot Chip song (and a beaut by Phoebe Bridgers). As seen/heard on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, Live From The BBC, Jon Richardson’s Ultimate Worrier, Fighting Talk, The Now Show, It’s Not What You Know, and eating Subway sandwiches in petrol stations.

“An endlessly amusing hour from the politest man in comedy” (****, the i).

“Not an ounce of flab on his routines… a joy” (****, Telegraph).

“A self-deprecating dweeb par excellence, on the brink of comedy’s Premier League” (****, Evening Standard)

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Kids Fri 12 Apr 2Shows: 11.30 & 1.30

Short Stories, Tall Tales

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £6 Adult & Child

Storytelling for babies, toddlers and parents.

Watch actress and mum Hannah Summers bring classic and modern stories to life though live performance and interactive, creative play. Adventure into stories, explore through the senses and let your little ones’ imaginations run free.

Suitable for ages 0-4 years. Duration 45 mins.

£6 per adult + 1 child, £2 per additional child

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Fri 12 Apr 8 pm

Jackie Oates

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £15.00

Jackie Oates is a singer and fiddle player hailing from Staffordshire. Her unique treatment of English ballads and songs, and pure, haunting singing style has established her at the forefront of the new English folk revival.

Since appearing as a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards 2003, she has performed extensively at festivals and venues across the country and beyond, in a solo capacity and with her band. A founder member of Northumbrian group and Mercury nominated Rachel Unthank and the Winterset, Jackie is now a permanent member of the folk super-group The Imagined Village as well as touring in her own right.

Jackie released her new album The Joy of Living in August 2018 and it has been receiving rave reviews across the board: (read some of them below!)

The Joy of Living in Jackie’s own words:

“My daughter Rosie was born just five days before my Dad died unexpectedly from sepsis, at a time when all three of us were fighting the same condition. During the months that followed, I fluctuated between numbness and intense emotion at the joy and sadness that had struck me all at once.

“I began recording this album during the summer of 2016, with my good friend and fellow Imagined Village band member, Simon Richmond. At that point we weren’t really sure where the recordings would lead and assumed we were making a series of demos. We set about recording songs in my kitchen while my little girl played at our feet. We had no plan and were limited in our access to instruments and moments of quiet. As the months went by, however, we realised the songs were gradually inhabiting their own space in time – one which we knew would serve to take us to its natural conclusion. I invited musician friends to come and join us on the album with the premise that everything was to be recorded in the same spot.

“I am proud of what we have achieved and know that it’ll remain a reminder of a very formative few months of my life’s story-line.”

“The last two tracks on The Joy Of Living – Davey Steele’s The Last Trip Home and John Tams’ Rolling Home – form the most heartfelt and fitting tribute to Oates’ father. The former is a kind of final call to arms, a song about coming to terms with your place and time on Earth. The latter is simply one of the most moving pieces of music I have ever heard – the only extant recording of Oates’ father’s singing but joined by an overdub of Oates herself to create a musical dialogue that stretches time and transcends generations. As the original recording fades out and Oates’ unaccompanied voice alone remains, we are left tearful but somehow full of hope. As a conclusion to a compelling, spirited emotional rollercoaster of an album, it is quite perfect.” – FRUK

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
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Music Sat 13 Apr 8 pm

African Night Fever Presents: Dobet Gnahore

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £20

We’re delighted to bring you beautiful sounds and mesmerising moves from Dobet Gnahore, courtesy of the African Night Fever crew.

Grammy Award-winner and Radio 3 World Music nominee Gnahore is hailed as one of the freshest talents in new African music. She sings in seven languages and embraces a wide variety of musical styles, ranging from her native Ivorian ziglibiti, West African mandingka melodies and those further afield, such as Congolese rumba and Cameronian bikouts.

Gnahore’s stage presence radiates unbelievable style and energy accompanied with mesmerising acrobactic dancing. The songs on her new album MIZIKI were torn from the depths of this open courageous and intensely feminine African. A student at Abidjan’s Ki Yi M’bock, like Youssou N’Dour, Salif Keita and Ray Lema, she has become an internationally-acclaimed voice and someone the Guardian has described as “WOMAD’s best act”.

She says “I want to make people dream” – so come and share that dream!

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Sun 14 Apr 8 pm

Sam Lee’s Singing With Nightingales: LIVE

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £16

This Spring, the Mercury Prize-nominated folk artist Sam Lee is bringing his much celebrated Singing With Nightingales events indoors.

This highly unique event will take place in a relaxed, low lit, setting – cleverly interweaving live broadcasting direct from the countryside with songs and stories from Sam and his guests, celebrating nature and the nightingale’s acclaim in folklore, myth and world culture.

A live feed will give audiences the opportunity to hear wild nightingales performing their magical courtship arias, witnessing a one-off collaboration between the human musicians on stage and one of Nature’s finest voices.

Combined the elements will create a thrilling, uplifting and never-to-be-forgotten experience.

The event is produced by the award-winning music promoter The Nest Collective, which has been staging Singing With Nightingales in wild woodland settings since 2015. Previous seasons have been profiled on the BBC’s Breakfast television show, Radio 4’s Today and on Countryfile. The field concerts have also been very favourably reviewed by many newspapers and magazines, including The Guardian, Telegraph, Times and Observer.

Singing with Nightingales LIVE is supported by Arts Council England.

RUNNING TIME: approx. 3hrs (with interval)

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
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Music Thu 18 Apr 8 pm

Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £12

A chance meeting at their local Black Fen Folk Club in Cambridge uncovered Hannah and Ben’s shared musical passions and sympathies, that over time have developed into a unique and intimate show of American roots and English folk music.

Huddled round a single microphone, singing intimate duets with just mountain dulcimer, dobro and guitar, Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage are a folk duo that look and sound classically timeless, yet feel refreshingly unique.

Fleetingly, they may evoke memories of Gram and Emmylou, Shirley and Davey, or Gillian and David, but their warm distilling of influences from both sides of the Atlantic produces a refined sound that is decidedly their own.

Their unique unplugged presentation creates a widescreen, cinematic soundscape with open spaces and atmosphere, giving their beautifully pure vocals room to share the songs’ emotion and narrative.

The material is as joyful and fun as it is intense, but the common factor is the duo’s warmth and confidence in each other; their natural ease and connection is clearly evident on the recorded music, and a genuine pleasure to witness on stage.

‘This is folk music for everyone – a master-class in proficiency, an exercise in individuality and a declaration of love of the folk tradition from both sides of the Atlantic’ ★★★★★ Spiral Earth

‘Spellbinding… Hannah and Ben were born to play and sing together’ FRoots

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
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Film Thu 18 Apr 2 pm

Matinee Film: Isle of Dogs

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £3.50

Sensationally rendered animation, rich in detail and full of deadpan heroism and epic ineptitude. delightful’

When the corrupt mayor of Megasaki sends all the dogs into quarantine on trash island, his twelve-year-old ward goes there to find out what has happened to his beloved spots and gets help from a pack of misfit canines who have also been exiled.

cert pg duration 101 mins

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Film Fri 19 Apr 7.30 pm

Exhibition on Screen presents: Rembrandt, feat. Q&A with executive producer, Phil Grabsky

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £12

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, this film marks the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt’s death, and explores the major show of the artist’s works hosted by London’s National Gallery and Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. Rembrandt’s life story is interwoven throughout, alongside behind-the-scenes preparations at these world-famous institutions. For many, Rembrandt is the greatest artist that ever lived and this deeply moving film seeks to explore the truth about the man behind the legend.

Exhibition On Screen (EOS), the pioneering series of gallery and artists’ films for the cinema, provides access to the world’s greatest art and artistic institutions. Each film offers a cinematic journey into the personal lives of history’s best-loved artists.

This event, part of EOS’s sixth season, features a Question and Answer session with EOS executive producer and director, Phil Grabsky. “My team and I are delighted to give viewers behind-the-scenes access to some of the world’s greatest galleries and museums and to tell the stories of history’s most influential artists. I hope these new films inspire viewers to continue discovering the lives of artists who have shaped our cultural heritage, and will continue to do so for many years to come.”

Since being launched in 2011 by filmmaker Phil Grabsky, EOS has released 19 films which have been shown in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Running time: 90 minutes

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
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Kids Fri 19 Apr 2Shows: 11.30 & 1.30

Short Stories, Tall Tales

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £6 Adult & Child

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
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Kids Sat 20 Apr 11 am then 2 pm

Treasure Island

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: Various see details

TICKET PRICE: £10 advance, £12.50 child, £13.50 adult, £50 family of four
From the producers of the Shoreham annual pantomime…!

Alongside panto baddy Tom Beard, a host of stars from the world of children’s television including Callum Donnelly from CBeebies ‘Justin’s House’ and ‘Spotbots’, and Nickelodeon’s Eleanor Snowdon are setting sail with a show perfect for children aged three and upwards.

This child-friendly adaptation of ‘Treasure Island’ is a very funny, high energy, big, bold and bright show with crazy characters, all your favourite songs and a swashbuckling sensational story on the seven seas!

Laughter, plenty of adventure and a whole host of pirates are on the horizon – brought to life by our intrepid crew in search of buried treasure!

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
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Comedy Sat 20 Apr 8.30 pm

Barnstormers Comedy Club (April 2019)

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £13.50 advance

Three top comics and a barrel of laughs!

Saturday night out at Ropetackle with three top comics from the UK comedy circuit and beyond. Every month Barnstormers Comedy Club promises, and delivers, a great laugh-out-loud night out.

Unbeatable sell-out Saturday night entertainment cabaret style and the perfect way to get together with your mates. Each month our compère introduces three top acts from the comedy circuit. A barnstorming night out!

Over 18s only. £13.50 in advance. £15 on the door.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
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Kids Wed 24 Apr 10.30 & 12.00 & 2.00

Circles in the Sand – show + interactive play session

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £8

Half Moon presents a Tam Tam Theatre production for children 0-3 years.

A captivating show for the very young, exploring sand in new and exciting ways.

Slipping through your fingers
Soft between your toes
Grab it, drop it
Where is it gone?

Join us in a world of buckets, castle building, spinning and tumbling in this delightful show for under 3s which explores sand in new and exciting ways.

With no words, and accompanied by an evocative soundtrack of world music, Circles in the Sand is an intimate, imaginative and captivating show, providing the perfect introduction to theatre for the very young.

At the end of the performance, children are invited onto the stage to delight in the feel of the sand as it trickles between fingers and toes.

Circles in the Sand is created by performer Marleen Vermeulen and award-winning theatre director Sarah Argent.

Performances last 25 minutes (no interval), followed by an interactive free-play session where the children are invited to play in the sand with the buckets that feature in the production.
Designed for audiences of up to 52 (children and adults).
Testimonials:

“A charmingly observed celebration of the joys and triumphs of discovery presented with engaging warmth and integrity.”
Jo Belloli, Associate Director, Early Years, Polka Theatre

“As a Drama teacher and Mummy I’ve found it hard to find theatre for the under 1’s and Circles in the Sand is just the perfect content and time for babies.”
Holly Barradell, Executive Member of National Drama

“Absolutely wonderful… Such friendliness and happiness in the room.”
Audience member

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Music Thu 25 Apr 8 pm

Ma Bessie & her Blues Troup

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £16 & £18 on door

Enjoy a night celebrating the musical talent of Bessie Smith (15th April 1894 – 26th September 1937) with a show that tells the story of an incredible life through her songs and others of the era.

Nicknamed the “Empress of the Blues”, Bessie Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. She is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and was a major influence on other jazz singers.

Ma Bessie (Julia Titus) and her Blues Troupe perform to a narrated show, featuring music from the era and showcasing many of Bessie’s songs. The show chronicles her life from a one-room shack in Blue Goose Hollow, to becoming the highest-paid black entertainer of that time, to the tragic accident on Route 61 in September 1937 that ended her life aged 43 years.

St. Louis Blues https://youtu.be/XfMY4Zzw0P8

Nobody knows you when you’re down and out https://youtu.be/4Y-sHc5AQWU

I’m Wild About That Thing https://youtu.be/ciwEVuAycGs

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Film Thu 25 Apr 2 pm

Matinee Film: The Children Act

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £3.50

Emma Thompson gives yet another powerful performance in this affecting adult drama.

In a moment of personal crisis as her marriage crumbles, fiona, an eminent high court judge, is asked to rule on the case of adam, a brilliant boy who is refusing on religious principle the blood transfusion that will save his life. adam is three weeks from his 18th birthday and still legally a child.

cert 12 duration 105 mins

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Kids Fri 26 Apr 11 am

My First Cinema: Messy Goes to Okido: Journeys – Journey to Socktropolis

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £3.00/Adults free

Journey to Socktropolis

Zam tries out her new navigator, which the friends use to get to messy’s most favourite place in okido….socktropolis! but when the batteries run out, how will they find their way back? (maps)

when you need to know, go to okido!

three ten minutes films duration 30 minutes

£3.00 each child, adults free

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Music Fri 26 Apr 8 pm

John Coghlan’s Quo

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £20

Rock,
John Coghlan’s Quo
FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2019 - STARTS 8PM
TICKET PRICE: £20
Buy Tickets

John Coghlan’s Quo recreates an authentic 70s Quo Sound in keeping with John’s time with with the rock legends. For Quo fans and critics alike, this era is often regarded as Quo’s “Classic” period and the music has a special place in the rock canon.

John Coghlan joined Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster in their newly-formed band ‘The Spectres’ in 1962. The group went through a series of name changes, including Traffic Jam, before becoming Status Quo in the late 60s when Rick Parfitt also joined the line-up. In the years that followed, they released a string of chart-topping hits including:

*Pictures Of Matchstick Men *Ice In the Sun *Down The Dustpipe *In My Chair *Paper Plane *Mean Girl *Caroline *Break The Rules *Down Down *Roll Over Lay Down *Rain *Mystery Song *Wild Side Of Life *Rocking All Over The World *Again And Again *Whatever You Want *Living On An Island *What You’re Proposing

Since leaving Quo, John has worked with many noted and diverse musicians, in his own Diesel Band; with Partners In Crime; and the Rockers, featuring Phil Lynott, Roy Wood and Chas Hodges. Other collaborations have included Noel Redding (ex-Jimi Hendrix) and Eric Bell (ex-Thin Lizzy).

In 2013 and 2014, John re-joined Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt and Alan Lancaster for the two sell-out Status Quo Frantic Four Reunion Tours, appearing all over the UK and Europe and reigniting the excitement of the early days of Quo.

During the late 90s, John Coghlan’s Quo was formed and through various line-ups they have enjoyed regular gigs all over the UK and Europe.

The current band consists of John on drums, with Mick Hughes on guitar and vocals, Rick Chase on bass and vocals, and Rick Abbs on guitar and vocals.

Come and relive some of the best songs in the rock canon from a true original.

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Music Sat 27 Apr 8 pm

The Drystones & Hickory Signals

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £12

The Drystones are an award winning young (just 21) lively folk duo from Priddy in Somerset playing violin, guitar and whistle, who have made a big splash since they formed in July 11. They play a mix of their own tunes and arrangements of folk tunes given drive, beat and energy. They have played festivals all over the Country (including Sidmouth, Broadstairs, Warwick, Bromyard, Purbeck and Folk East), and at their 2013 Glastonbury Festival performance they were highlighted by Steve Lamacq on Radio 2 as his “recommendation of the day”. They were the 2015 Larmer Tree Breakthrough Music Award winners and were asked by Michael Eavis to play the 2015 Glastonbury Extravaganza when Joan Armatrading had to cancel! Their third CD is a Songlines “Top Of The World” album. For just two people they make a lot of sound, you will not be bored!

The Drystones are a young (just 21) lively folk duo from Priddy in Somerset playing violin, guitar and whistle, who have made a big splash since they formed in July 11. They have played festivals all over the West Country (including Larmer Tree, Sidmouth, Broadstairs, Purbeck and Folk East), and at their 2013 Glastonbury Festival performance they were highlighted by Steve Lamacq on Radio 2 as his “recommendation of the day”. According to Living Tradition “to describe their instrumental style as spirited and animated would be akin to asserting that Bellowhead can be quite an energetic band”!

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Music Fri 3 May 8 pm

Flook

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £16

The flutes of Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen, the guitar of Ed Boyd and the bodhran of John Joe Kelly weave and spin traditionally rooted tunes into the breathtaking sound of the groundbreaking band Flook. This group possesses a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination.

“iconic, ground-breaking, progressive and all-round brilliant” Lynette Fay, BBC Radio Ulster, January 2018

Though their first release, Flook! Live! (1997), was already heralded as “the ultimate modern flute album” by The Irish Times, Flook only properly burst onto the international music scene with the release of their debut studio album, “Flatfish”, in 1999. This album introduced master bodhran player John Joe Kelly to Flook’s line up of flutists Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen and guitarist Ed Boyd.

Flatfish was hailed as “stunning”, “remarkable” and “little short of miraculous”, but it was Flook’s live performances that really captured the hearts of those who watched and listened; the rapport between these four musicians, the sheer enjoyment they developed in playing together, was commented on by audiences and critics alike. “Rubai”, released in 2002 and nominated for BBC Folk Album of the Year, was universally applauded by both journalists and fellow musicians and cemented Flook’s reputation as one of the most exciting and innovative bands to emerge from the English/Irish folk scene.

Following the release of “Haven” in 2005, they went on to win the coveted award for Best Group at BBC Folk Awards 2006. Flook announced that they were taking a prolonged pause from live performance at the end of 2008, but, due to overwhelming popular demand, they’re now back – and with a new album due for release in early 2019, they are firing explosively on all four cylinders.

There is no shortage of virtuosity amongst the members of Flook, but the unique impact of this Anglo-Irish band stems from the wholly intuitive, almost symbiotic, exchange between the various flutes, frets and skins.

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Music Sat 4 May 8 pm

Stacey Kent

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £27.50

“Stacey Kent has been quietly sitting on top of the world of jazz vocals, for many years” Jamie Cullum

We are delighted to present the internationally acclaimed and Grammy-nominated vocalist Stacey Kent, on tour with her stellar group of musicians, featuring music from her latest critically acclaimed album “I know I Dream”. It features a remarkable collection of songs, including Bossa Nova classics, Chansons, American Standards, alongside reprises of some of Stacey’s most loved repertoire.

For Stacey, whose international touring schedule keeps her on the road for most of the year, the return to the UK provides a rare opportunity for British fans to enjoy this incredible vocal talent, live in concert.

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Music Sun 5 May 11 am

Jazz Breakfast with Mike Hatchard

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £11

Join us for Ropetackle’s regular monthly jazz concert with the inimitable Mike Hatchard, special guests, and plenty of wonderful live jazz music. See below who will join Mike each month, and start your Sundays the right way. Pastries and cakes available to purchase at each event.

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Music Fri 10 May 8 pm

John Doyle

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £12

“More talent than anybody deserves to have all to themselves.” Philadelphia News

Ropetackle is delighted to welcome Irish guitar wizard John Doyle. Name many of the most notable recordings and/or performers in Irish music and it’s a fair bet that John Doyle had something to do with them – Liz Carroll; Eileen Ivers; Karan Casey; Solas; Michael Black; Mary Black; the trio of McCusker, McGoldrick and Doyle; and now Usher’s Island (Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Mike McGoldrick, Paddy Glackin and John Doyle), not to mention the hugely popular Transatlantic Sessions. This list is a veritable who’s who of the greatest names in Irish music, and these are just a very few of the stellar artists for whom John Doyle’s signature guitar sound, singing or songwriting is essential.

Impossibly in demand in the studio and on the road, immensely talented and
blessed with an acute ear, a wicked sense of rhythm and seemingly endless stream
of magic in his playing, composing, performing and producing, John Doyle is solidly
establishing himself as one of the most versatile, creative and prolific voices in folk
and traditional Irish music.

“Doyle on guitar has risen to a level occupied by him alone. No one in Irish traditional music is a better guitarist than him right now.” The Wall Street Journal
“A complete rhythm section all on his own.” Chicago Tribune
“More talent than anybody deserves to have all to themselves.” Philadelphia News

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Music Sat 11 May 8 pm

Geno Washington & The Yo Yo’s

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £18

Geno Washington is still the No 1 60’s Soul Man, the real deal… enjoying cult status on the Soul, R&B, Blues and Northern Soul scenes, due in main to his unsurpassable reputation as a live performer. A contemporary of Alexis Corner, Gerogie Fame, The Small Faces and Jimi Hendrix (all of whom were his support acts back in the day) he is as electrifying on stage today as ever, a force of nature and a genuine joy to behold. Geno was recently invited to play to a sell-out audience as part of the prestigious annual Lord’s Taverners charity fundraiser at The Albert Hall and was also picked by Ray Davies to play as the main act at The Royal Festival Hall at his ‘Summer Meltdown’ finale. He was also recently asked to present Dexy’s Midnight Runners with an award for longevity at The Mojo Music Awards.. is that irony?

And in Case You Didn’t Know… in 1980 ‘Oh Geno!’ was a massive No 1 hit in the UK for Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Vocalist Kevin Roland based the song on his memories as a youth, of Geno’s gigs, when club-land used to echo to the chants of Geno! Geno! Geno!

Geno Washington and the Yo Yo’s! feature members of the super tight Ram Jam Band – playing a blistering set of pared down Street Soul, R&B and House Rockin’ Blues.

Always ready to rock the house, the King of the Swingers Geno Washington is the incarnation of all things ’60s. Hipsters and flipsters, movers and shakers alike, are all rendered incapable of having a bad time, when the Good Time Guru gets his army of fans on the good foot! The old Geno magic still drags them in and sends them home high.

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Spoken Word Thu 16 May 8 pm

An Evening with Peter James

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £12

book launch, SEATED
An Evening with Peter James
THURSDAY 16TH MAY 2019 - STARTS 8PM
TICKET PRICE: £12
Buy Tickets

Join the creator of the much-loved DSI Roy Grace series of crime novels, Peter James, who comes to Ropetackle to discuss his latest book Dead At First Sight.

Peter is one of the UK’s best-selling authors, best known for writing crime and thriller novels. With a total of 13 Sunday Times No. 1s under his belt, he has achieved global book sales of over 19 million copies to date and been translated into 37 languages.

Synonymous with plot-twisting page turners, Peter has garnered an army of loyal fans throughout his storytelling career. He has won more than 40 awards for his work, including the WH Smith Best Crime Author of All Time Award, Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger and a BAFTA nomination for The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons (for which he was an executive producer.)

Many of Peter’s novels have been adapted for film, TV and the stage.

Peter was asked to write this novel by Sussex Police to raise awareness of romance fraud due to its alarming prevalence in the UK. He lives locally and uses Sussex as the setting for much of his work.

Not to be missed!

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Music Fri 17 May 8 pm

Philip Clemo: Dream Maps LIVE

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £14

Philip Clemo’s Dream Maps Live brings together an outstanding group of musicians,
who between them have worked with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Goldfrapp, Hugh
Masekela, Brian Eno and George Michael, with extraordinary visual projections from
Clemo’s ground-breaking Breath Project (featured at V&A Museum, Eden Project &
on TED).

Clemo builds mesmeric shows, with hypnotic and captivating musical forms that
transcend genre. These interplay with multi-textured soundscapes of geothermal
eruptions, Malaysian rainforests and even a humpback whale’s heartbeat.

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Music Wed 22 May 8 pm

Fara

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £15

Following their debut release Cross the Line in 2016, Orcadian folk quartet FARA are touring the UK with material from their second album, Times from Times Fall. Comprised entirely of self-penned songs and instrumental tracks, FARA will celebrate the community which inspired them to become musicians; an album rooted in the spirit of the Orkney Isles and its people, it combines the unique Orkney fiddle tradition with contemporary and original songs and tunes.

With the mission of creating something entirely new and collaborative, the four members of FARA, who have been friends since childhood, have co-written many of the melodies on the album, blending all four distinctively different musical voices together, whilst also celebrating the unity of their musical beginnings.

The songs incorporate words by Orcadian poets: George McKay Brown, Edwin Muir and Christina Costie, as well as one original and one traditional text. The Orcadian imagery running through these songs, alongside new melodies brimming with the islands’ tradition whilst also pointing in new directions, celebrates the ever-expanding Orcadian folk tradition.

The album, along with their haunting performance, will excite and delight

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Music Thu 23 May 8 pm

Jo Harman (full band) + Special Guest

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £17.50

AWARD WINNING RADIO 2 PLAY-LISTED ARTIST JO HARMAN UK TOURING

Widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest ever soul/blues fuelled voices, JO HARMAN is an international touring and recording artist who remains a genre-defying, independently minded artist of rare credibility. An artist who makes sincere and heartfelt music, The Mirror proclaimed her ‘UK’s finest female soul blues voice’ who, according to Classic Rock, writes ‘lip-biting beautiful songs’.

Jo recently released her second studio album ‘People We Album’ to much critical acclaim (see accolades at foot of the page) and no little commercial
success. Indeed the ‘lead single’, ‘When We Were Young’ (featuring Michael McDonald) achieved BBC Radio 2 play-listing, as well as play listing on other mainstream national stations across Ireland (RTE1) and Europe. The album has also made various ‘best of’ lists for 2017.

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Comedy Fri 24 May 8 pm

Henry Paker: Man Alive / UK Tour 2019

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £12

Star of Comedy Central at the Comedy Store, Josh (BBC3) and co-writer and star of Radio 4’s ‘Small Scenes’, Henry’s latest show is a unique mixture of stand up comedy and illustration which took the Edinburgh Fringe by storm.

A delightfully twisty and turny hour in which Henry uses cartoons to tell a story about a lonely man who lives in a forest in a house full of clocks, alongside delivering stand up routines about marriage, commuting and dark chocolate. Somewhere between a graphic novel, a stand up show and a fairy tale.

‘An introvert’s fantasia….Paker exceeds your expectations in a wonderfully ingenious way’ **** The Times

‘A quirky, touching piece of comedy, clever enough to work on a number of levels which leave audience members each with a different favourite moment’ 4 stars – **** The Skinny

***** (5 stars) Edinburgh Festivals Magazine

“A natural born comedian” Michael McIntyre.

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Comedy Fri 24 May 8 pm

Henry Paker: Man Alive / UK Tour 2019

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £12

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Music Fri 31 May 8 pm

King Size Slim: Blues

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £14

Few artists create a distinctive sound, but KSS has done just that…terrific stuff!” ***** Radio 2 Magazine

In 2005, Toby Barelli, aka KING SIZE SLIM, began experimenting with a new sound; a sound fully conscious of its roots but with a new story to tell. Having spent the previous four years touring and recording with TwoTone pioneers The Selecter and other ska and reggae luminaries, the sound was always going to be rhythm led, heavy on the bass and rootsy in the melody.

Big warm tones from KSS’s resonator guitar with a powerful and direct vocal style became the trademarks of the sound. Add rolling grooves, multi-layered percussion and harmonies and you get heavyweight acoustic sound that shouts loud and kisses sweet. A sound audiences love.

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Music Sat 1 Jun 8 pm

Hue & Cry

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £18.50

Brothers Patrick and Gregory Kane formed Hue and Cry in 1983 and the duo made a huge impact in the late 80’s with the albums ‘Seduced and Abandoned’ and ‘Remote’ as well as massive hit singles such as ‘Labour of Love.’ Albums like ‘Stars Crash Down’ and ‘Jazz Not Jazz’ ensured Hue and Cry’s continued triumph in the 1990’s, whilst the release of the hugely applauded ‘Open Soul’ in 2008 brought them firmly back into the limelight. The release of their seasonal album ‘Xmasday‘ (2009) and live album ‘Bitter Suite Again’ (2010), preceded the release of ‘Hot Wire’ (2012) which received rave reviews. To date Hue and Cry have sold in excess of two million records worldwide.

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Music Fri 7 Jun 8 pm

Martin Simpson: A Master of his Art

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £17.50

“Martin Simpson has transcended borders and oceans to quietly become a superb storyteller and musician of great depth and unquestionable taste.” Stephen Fearing

The remarkable intimate solo performances Martin gives go from strength to strength – every gig is a masterclass. He travels the length and breadth of the UK and beyond, giving rapt audiences passion, sorrow, love, beauty, tragedy and majesty through his playing.

“What’s it like being the best guitar player in the world…?” Martin’s modesty and grace prevented him from answering this BBC Radio 4 interviewer’s question recently, but the facts speak for themselves.

Forty years after he recorded his first album, Golden Vanity in 1976, Martin is known as a guitarist of formidable talent. Equally at home playing English traditional folk, American folk and blues and his own compositions, he is consistently named as one of the very finest finger-style guitar players in the world.

He is listed in Gibson Guitars’ Top 30 Acoustic Guitarists of all time, and Acoustic Guitar readers voted him number 12 guitarist in the world in 2005.

Universally acclaimed as one of the finest ever acoustic and slide guitar players, and a fine banjo-picker to boot, his solo shows bear witness to an artist at the very top of his game. Whether interpreting material from tradition or singing his own potent self-penned songs, Simpson is a remarkable storyteller; captivating and profoundly moving. His own songwriting produced the poignant ‘Never Any Good’, from Prodigal Son, 2007’s Folk Album of the Year.

Martin continues to collaborate with a dazzling array of people from across the musical spectrum, including: Jackson Browne, Martin Taylor, June Tabor, Richard Hawley, Bonnie Raitt, Danny Thompson, David Hidalgo, Danú, Richard Thompson and Dom Flemons.

In recent years, he has been a lynch-pin in the award-winning Full English, The Elizabethan Sessions and, in 2015, recorded Murmurs, an exciting new album with Andy Cutting and Nancy Kerr. Martin’s latest solo album, entitled Trails and Tribulations was released in September 2017 on Topic Records. Album guests include Andy Cutting, Kathryn Tickell, Nancy Kerr and John Smith.

He has had the most nominations of any performer in the 18 years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, an astonishing 32 times, 13 of those as Musician of the Year, winning that particular accolade twice.

A virtuoso player without question, but above all Martin Simpson conveys his diverse treasure trove of material from the heart, performing with rare subtlety, intensity and honesty. A true master of his art.

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Music Fri 14 Jun 8 pm

Limehouse Lizzy

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £17.50

Limehouse Lizzy continue to keep the spirit of Celtic rock icon Philip Lynott and his band Thin Lizzy alive, well and dominating stages worldwide. The band have also added a tribute into their show to ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist (and world-renowned solo artist) Gary Moore.

From their Official PRS award, performing for Virgin Atlantic in Barbados, T.V. appearances (BBC 2’s ‘Arena’ among others), and to actually being recruited to record and tour by members of the original Thin Lizzy, Limehouse Lizzy have just completed their 25th year with their most explosive show and critically-acclaimed line-up yet.

Despite international tours (UAE, Germany and previously USA, Scandinavia, the Caribbean etc.), corporate clients (Mitsubishi, NatWest) and even book appearances (The Rocker, Send In The Clones), Limehouse Lizzy have shoehorned a co-headline tour with tribute giants Livewire into 2019, along with their own stand-alone tour, in what will be an exhausting year-long schedule.

The boys are back!

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Music Thu 20 Jun 8 pm

Mike Farris + special guest

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £18

Ropetackle is very proud to present a rare chance to see Grammy-winning blues/soul/gospel/Americana star Mike Farris in concert, when he flies in direct from the USA to perform a short UK tour at selected venues to promote new album Silver and Stone. Farris is widely regarded as one of the most sincere and compelling performers around, who, in the words of top music publication ‘Rolling Stone’, possesses ‘a super-sized voice filled with the electricity of Saturday night and the godly grace of Sunday mornings.’

On the night, Mike will perform a sumptuous mix of originals as well as his own take on gospel and soul favourites to make this a truly unforgettable show.

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Music Fri 21 Jun 8 pm until Sun 21 Jul

Charlie Dore + Julian Littman: 8 instruments 20 songs 90 mins

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £12

A very special evening of eclectic, contemporary folk as Charlie Dore, one of the UK’s most respected songwriters teams up with multi-instrumentalist Julian Littman of Steeleye Span and virtuoso double bass player Gareth Huw Davies for a preview her brand new album, Dark Matter.

The new collection, described as a cocktail of speculation, stories and dreams served up in a hand-blown glass includes the songs Two Thousand Hour Lightbulb, Breakfast of Neutrinos, 15 Minutes With Danny Kaye and Personal Hell. Charlie promises another raid on the instrument cupboard as the pair swap guitars, mandolin, harmonium, ukulele, piano and autoharp as well as some new and different flavours to shine a personal light on her subject matter.

They’ll dip into favourites from the past 6 albums too and also share some original acoustic versions of hits Charlie has written for others, including George Harrison and Jimmy Nail. She may even do a new version of Pilot of the Airwaves if we ask nicely…

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Music Sat 22 Jun 8 pm

Women in Rock

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £18.50

A dazzling two-hour journey through the music of some of the world’s greatest female rock legends. You’ll be singing, dancing and cheering for more!

Women in Rock is the only show of its kind in Europe – powerhouse female singers performing the best-known songs from the world’s greatest female rock legends, such as Heart, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Cher, Bonnie Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Blondie, Evanescence, Suzi Quatro, Pink and many more.

The singers, who include Emily + Victoria from the critically-acclaimed Vampires Rock Theatre Show, Cilla and the Shades and Dusty Springfield, are backed by a dynamic, professional full live four-piece that have played with A Foreigner’s Journey and The Bon Jovi Experience.

Women in Rock was chosen from a huge volume of applicants to perform for Harley Davidson at their 115 Euro Festival in Prague in July 2018 in front of 150,000 people. The Rolling Stones opened the festival.

A fitting tribute to women that rock!

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Music Sun 23 Jun 8 pm

The Claire Martin Quartet

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £18

Multi-award-winning vocalist Claire Martin OBE returns to Ropetackle with her brand new, all Swedish band: Martin Sjöstedt piano, Niklas Fernqvist bass and Daniel Fredriksson drums – as part of her 2019 Believin’ It tour.

Celebrating her 20th release on Linn records, Claire and the trio will play stylish interpretations of jazz standards alongside material from the new album, including songs by Pat Metheny, 10cc, Joni Mitchell and Johnny Mercer.

Believin’ It has already won acclaim from Grammy-winning vocalist Kurt Elling, who says: “The marvellous and enticing Claire Martin has only deepened her connection to music and the heart as the years go by. This collection proves her dedication to music. Sister is so real and … unencumbered. I for one have fallen more in love with her … ‘A Little More Each Day.’”

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Music Fri 28 Jun 8 pm

Simon & Garfunkel: Through the Years

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £24.50

Seventh Avenue Art presents: Simon and Garfunkel Through the Years.

Critically acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest tribute shows, Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years returns in 2019 with an all new production. Featuring a full live band, moving video footage and stunning vocal harmonies, this spectacular concert takes audiences on a journey through songs and history of Simon and Garfunkel.

“One of the greatest tribute shows anywhere in the world” – Stuart Cameron, BBC and ITV Broadcaster

The show is a celebration of the incredible rise to fame of two boys from Queens, New York who would go on to become the most successful folk-rock duo of the 1960s, selling 38 million albums in the US alone and winning 10 Grammy Awards. In 1981 they performed to over half a million people in their home town of New York and in 1990 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Collectively known as Bookends, Dan Haynes and Pete Richards who, like their idols met in high school and began singing together from an early age, have been fronting Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years since its creation in 2011 and were championed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as being one of the best vocal groups touring today.

Alongside stops in London’s West End, the show has toured extensively in the UK, Europe and United States and has performed consecutive sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe since 2014 with concerts being described as ‘simply breathtaking’.

“A masterpiece” – BBC Radio

Hear all the hits such as The Sound of Silence, Mrs Robinson, The Boxer and the iconic Bridge Over Troubled Water as well as hits from Paul Simon’s solo career such as Call Me Al, Kodachrome and 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover in this unmissable show.

Don’t miss your chance to see Simon and Garfunkel Through The Years.

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Music Sat 29 Jun 8 pm

The Congo All Stars – Soukous Dance Party

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £15

African Night Fever Presents:

Formerly known as Soukous Kumbera and fronted by the formidable Koko Kayinda, the African champion of conga players, the Congo All Stars are a group of talents ranging from the days of OK Jazz, Papa Wemba and Kofi Olaminde to Kanda Bongoman. The group combine modern day Soukous music with a touch of innovation by blending the sounds of Africa in a cocktail of rhythms that makes their music truly danceable and fun for all. Join them for a musical journey of the sounds of Congo and its Soukous and rumba rhythms with melodic mesmerising guitar riffs accompanied by tantalising dance moves.

The night will feature African Night Fever DJs for a true party atmosphere. Limited seating.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Fri 5 Jul 8 pm

South Coast Soul Revue Summer Show

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £15

When Eddie Cochran sang “There ain’t no cure for the summertime blues”, he hadn’t heard South Coast Soul Revue and their happiness-inducing, hi-energy blend of summertime soul and feelgood funk!

With the sensational Ruby and Danny providing vocals, the funky horns of Laurent and Tommy, and a rhythm section reminiscent of Motown’s Funk Brothers, you are guaranteed a great night of live music.

Dancing is optional – but highly recommended!

Limited seating.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Film Thu 11 Jul 6.50 p.m.

Madame Butterfly

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £12

Spend a evening “at the opera” as we present Madam Butterfly on the big screen.

Puccini’s Japanese tragedy Madam Butterfly is given a ravishing production by The Royal Opera. Its alluring imagery of Japan from the 19th-century European Imagination heightens the intense clash of East and West. When the American naval officer Pinkerton seduces the young ‘Butterfly’ Cio-Cio-San, he seems to promise every happiness – but his cruel abandonment leads to her tragic self-sacrifice.

Antonio Pappano, Music Director of The Royal Opera, is renowned for his interpretations of Puccini, and conducts an exceptionally fine cast with the Royal Opera Chorus and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

Powerful performances show why Madam Butterfly remains one of the all-time operatic favourites.

The event begins with a brief talk at 6.50pm with the screening at 7pm. There will be a 20 minute interval with an estimated finish of 10.15pm.

Cio-Cio San – Ermonela Jaho
Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton – Marcelo Puente
Goro Carlo Bosi
Sharpless Scott Hendricks
Suzuki Elizabeth DeShong
Bonze Jeremy White
Kate Pinkerton Emily Edmonds
Imperial Commissioner Gyula Nagy
Prince Yamadori Yuriy Yurchuk
Orchestra of The Royal Opera House
Royal Opera Chorus
Conductor Antonio Pappano
Stage Director Moshe Leiser/ Patrice Caurier

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Sat 13 Jul 8 pm

The Alter Eagles

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £18

The Alter Eagles are an experienced, authentic Eagles tribute band. Formed in 2003, they perform the whole repertoire of Eagles tracks, from tasteful country rock – complete with full harmonies – through to hard-rocking numbers, showcasing the Eagles’ trademark duelling electric guitars. The current set comprises material from 35 years of Eagles’ performances, up to and including 2007’s Long Road Out Of Eden.

Lauded for their accuracy, the Alter Eagles are a tribute to the Eagles, pure and simple and in a typical two hour set play many of the band’s greatest hits, including Hotel California, Desperado, Life In The Fast Lane, How Long, Lyin’ Eyes, Take It Easy and One Of These Nights.

“Truly rocking….an audio illusion of the highest calibre.”

“Their performance of the Eagles’ music was superb and the standing ovation from the packed audience was truly deserved.”

“Being ardent fans of the Eagles since the 70s, we were thrilled to hear their renditions of songs such as Take It Easy, Desperado and Hotel California...absolutely excellent.”

The Alter Eagles are:

Steve McCormack (vocals, guitars)
Jay Stezaker (vocals, guitars)
Al Tomkins (keyboards, guitars, vocals)
Rob Beattie (bass, acoustic guitar, vocals)
Mike Bradley (guitars, vocals)
Matt Hobson (drums and percussion)

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Fri 19 Jul 8 pm

Richard Durrant Summer Special

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £18/£16 concs/£5 under 18

£18, £16 concs., £5 18 & under
Maverick guitarist Richard Durrant kicks off the silly season with a fun-packed musical celebration of the summer holidays. Sun-drenched guitar repertoire basks contentedly alongside virtuoso ukulele music, songs and unpredictable musical offerings. With surprise guests

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Sat 27 Jul 8 pm

Michael Messer’s Mitra

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £14/£12 friends

“The most exciting and creative blues innovation I have heard in years!” David Freeman, Jazz FM

Mitra (pronounced ‘meetra’) is a trio comprising British Blues innovator and slide guitarist, Michael Messer, Hindustani slide guitar maestro from India, Manish Pingle, and London-based tabla master, Gurdain Singh Rayatt.

This is more than another meeting of musicians from different cultures; it is a band with a successful album and its own unique sound, an exhilarating and highly accessible fusion of Blues and Hindustani classical music.

The album Call Of The Blues released in 2016, was immediately picked up by the blues, folk and world music media, getting worldwide radio airplay and press coverage in more than 40 countries and hitting No.1 in the iTunes blues chart.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Thu 22 Aug 8 pm

Lucky Petersen feat. Tamara Tramell

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £17.00

Legendary American Bluesman Lucky Peterson, master of the blues guitar and the Hammond B3, celebrates his 50th Anniversary of performing professionally this year. He was born in Buffalo, NY in 1964, the son of James Peterson, a renowned blues guitarist and owner of The Governor’s Inn, a popular roadhouse club in the city and regular stop for some of the most famous bluesmen of the day. With all of the incredible talent and music going through the club, Little Lucky Peterson, as they called him then, learned very early in his life that his true calling was music, and in particular the Blues!

By the age of three, Little Lucky Peterson gave his first concert and, instead of going out and playing with the other children, was hanging around the club learning from and starting to play with the numerous artists that passed through. One of the top artists of the day – Willie Dixon recognised his talent and produced Lucky’s first album when he was only five years old. “Our Future” released on the label “Today/Perception Records”.

Invitations immediately started to pour in for him to perform live on national TV from such major television programmes such as: “The Ed Sullivan Show”, “The Tonight show” and “What’s my line” With this first album Little Lucky managed to reach out and grab the attention of the whole country with a hit song written for him by his father “1-2-3-4” a cover version of James Browne’s big hit “Please, Please, Please”. The rest, as they say, is history!

In his teenage years Lucky played guitar and keyboards, touring and recording with such notable artists as: Etta James, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Little Milton, Otis Rush, Kenny Neil and others. He has always been a big hit with audiences even when

In the early 90s, Lucky started to record his own albums on such prestigious labels as; Alligator Records, Verve, Gitane, Universal, Dreyfus, JSP Records, and others and has since spent his years touring extensively – worldwide – with his group – The Organization – playing his own original style of contemporary blues, fusing soul, R&B, gospel and rock and roll.

In March 2018, Lucky Peterson was nominated alongside, Taj Mahal, Keb Mo and Robert Cray, by JAZZ FM in the UK for the year’s “Best Blues Act” award.

This latest show features a talented singer from Texas, who is also Lucky Peterson’s wife, – Tamara Tramell – she performs a fascinating mix of southern soul and modern R&B which manages to also combine both tough bluesy edges and a pop sassiness – a truly unique artist!

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Sat 31 Aug 8 pm

It Had to Be Two – A Musician’s Guide to a Happy Marriage

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £15

Paul Cavaciuti & Nadine André are both successful performing musicians in their own right, and are happily married – most of the time. Following the great examples in love set out by the likes of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Hoagy Carmichael and Beethoven, Nadine & Paul take the audience through a journey of how to live in perfect harmony, both on and off the stage.

This is the first ever public performance of their special recipe, tried and tested over 10 years: Take one classical pianist and one jazz drummer and mix well. Throw in a piano, drum set, a pinch of kazoo and a handful of song. Leave to simmer before serving with a chilled glass of Chopin.

Two Different Musical Worlds
It Had To Be Two is a duo; a marriage of two heads, two hearts and four hands. What started as an interrupted practice session of classical pianist Nadine André by her jazz drummer husband Paul Cavaciuti, quickly grew into an intriguing new project; an act exploring the coming together of two very different musical worlds.

The realisation that Bach grooves and Chopin swings roused great excitement in the Cavaciuti household. Paul’s breadth of experience as an international jazz drummer and percussionist, playing regularly with ensembles as diverse as The David Gordon Trio and the London Chamber Orchestra, gives his interpretations of music by the great Classical composers creates a unique pulse, and provides a completely new way to experience them. Nadine’s ease and versatility at the piano comes from a long and busy career as a soloist and chamber musician, and her fluid and vibrant renditions of works by Debussy, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff, among others, are all imaginatively and expertly accompanied by Paul.

Coupled with their classical innovation, Paul and Nadine also share a love of early jazz, and decided to make this music an integral part of their show. Most songs written in America between 1920 and 1940 are about love, and the duo noticed early on that they were naturally injecting their performances of these numbers with comical references to their own relationship. There is a certain irony to this show, as Paul and Nadine weave together music by the romantically-challenged songwriters of 20th century America and European classical composers with their disastrous love lives, all to provide their audiences with fine examples of how to live “happily ever after”.

What could possibly go wrong?

For full individual biographies, please visit paulcav.com and nadineandre.com

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Sat 14 Sep 8 pm

Sharon Shannon & Band with Special Guest Seckou Keita

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £24.00

Legendary Irish accordion maestro Sharon Shannon brings a new live show on UK tour 2019. Joined by her band, Jim Murray acoustic guitar, Jack Maher electric guitar, vocals and Sean Regan, fiddle, percussion and beatbox, Sharon will perform music from her many albums throughout the years, including 2017’s Sacred Earth.

Recorded at Real Worlds Studios and produced by Robert Plant Justin Adams, Sacred Earth features many tracks with African influences and indeed African musicians as collaborators and guests.

Seckou Keita from Senegal playing Kora and percussion was one of the key collaborators. Now Seckou joins Sharon and her band, as a special guest on the Sacred Earth UK tour 2019.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Thu 26 Sep 8 pm until Sat 26 Oct

Fleetwood Bac

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £18

Fleetwood Bac are the world’s first and best Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself, the only Mac tribute to authentically replicate the classic ‘Rumours’ line-up.

Over the last few years they have received rave reviews from ‘The Stage’ newspaper, the U.K.s leading Fleetwood Mac fansites, the official Stevie Nicks website; and from ecstatic audiences wherever the band played, wowing audiences as far afield as Dubai, St. Tropez, the Cayman Islands and Monte Carlo, and twice selling out the world-famous Minack Theatre in Cornwall.

Fleetwood Bac have also been rated by The Times newspaper as one of the U.K.’s top 5 tributes, alongside The Bootleg Beatles, Bjorn Again and the Counterfeit Stones.

Fans include original Mac bassist and biographer Bob Brunning, who joined the band several times on stage, and Peter Green’s official biographer Martin Celmins.

The sound, the look, the mystical atmosphere and on-stage chemistry are all portrayed with the passion and energy that got the seal of approval from ‘Big Daddy’ Mick, and built up an excellent reputation amongst Mac fans through numerous tours, festival appearances, corporate events and TV and radio slots all over the U.K. and Europe.

Please note this is an all standing gig.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Sat 12 Oct 8 pm

Wishbone Ash – 50th Anniversary Tour

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £25

It’s a remarkable milestone few bands have achieved… 50 years of continual touring and recording… and always at the highest level. As Wishbone Ash take their place among an exceptionally rare elite, they’ll be celebrating the occasion with a SPECIALLY EXTENDED SHOW – including back-projections – taking the audience on a unique journey through their illustrious history.

Having sold millions of albums, the band’s iconic twin-guitar sound has become familiar to audiences around the world, with legendary classics such as The King Will Come, Throw Down The Sword and Blowin’ Free.

Join in the celebrations and become a part of rock history as they mark this incredible anniversary back on home soil in the UK where it all began!

Definitely one not to be missed!

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Fri 18 Oct 8 pm

Martin Harley

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £17.50

+ Full Band

“I’m ready to make a bigger noise… Muddy Waters invented electricity right?”

In 2019, British guitarist and songwriter Martin Harley is making a change. Having created a deep impression on the acoustic blues roots and Americana scene with his last two Nashville recorded albums, his highly anticipated new record finds a new and exciting sound. It is an intimate and gritty analogue album, recorded in a remote chapel deep in the wilds of Pembrokeshire, taking country blues riffs to the electric bottleneck slide guitar, served with sweet vocal harmonies and the driving rhythms of co-producer and drummer Harry Harding (Yola Carter/William the Conqueror).

Through his road-worn song-writing style this record explores hopes and fears for fast changing times, offering gospel like comfort and consolation. The song Roll with the Punches implores the listener not to get dragged down when challenges seem unsurmountable. Coming Home asks questions beyond the end of life and explores freedom from worldly desires.

If success can be measured by growing global demand to attend Martin’s dynamic live performances, then perhaps his touring schedule is proof of that. He recently played to a full house at the Union Chapel in Islington, London and has appeared at Edmonton, Vancouver, Canmore and Calgary Folk Festivals in Canada, Glastonbury Festival, Bestival and Beautiful Days in the UK, numerous European and US tours and events including the Americana Music Association UK’s AmericanaFest in London, The Bluebird in Nashville and Tønder in Denmark.

In 2018, Martin Harley was ranked #16 in the world’s greatest acoustic guitarist poll in Total Guitar Magazine and he was nominated as Instrumentalist of the Year at the Americana Music Association UK Awards.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Fri 25 Oct 8 pm

Gryphon: ReInvention

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £20

Since their last appearance at Ropetackle last autumn, Gryphon have released an all-new studio album of ‘specially written, previously unheard material – and this comes all of 41 years after their 5th album, way back in 1977.

No-one could ever pigeonhole the legendary and unpredictable Gryphon. They appeared on BBC Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4, all in the same week. Creative, fresh and different, they played prog rock festivals, folk clubs, cathedrals and at the National Theatre.

ReInvention returns to their early connection with Lewis Carroll’s Alice books, where they found their name. Graeme Taylor has set the White Knight’s song ‘A-Sitting on a Gate’ into an epic 11 minute extravaganza .

Brian Gulland provides four new compositions, displaying his wide influences from 20s English humour, through harrowingly massive church organ chordal sequences, New Age recorder, to some strident and stirring full-on electric rock riffs.

Graham Preskett also contributes 4 new compositions, in a mid-70s Gryphon style, adding some Celtic influence, and demonstrating his experience in writing filmic music. Graham is not only invaluable for his writing, but is also a multi-instrumentalist employing his talents on violin, mandolin, harmonica and keyboards with great aplomb.

Singer Dave Oberlé provides creative percussion, whilst alongside founder member, Brian Gulland on bassoon and bass crumhorn, the extraordinarily virtuosic Andy Findon shines on clarinets, saxes and flutes.

So what is Gryphon’s music? It’s just as it always was – imaginative, quirky, dazzling yet full of humour. Every album and gig utilises at least 40 instruments, so the textures are varied and unfamiliar.

Gryphon is the antidote to genres. Whatever you expect, you’ll get something different. Come along on 25th October and see them prove that ReInvention has certainly been worth the wait.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Sat 23 Nov 8 pm

Graham Parker

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £24.50

Regarded as one of the UK’s most distinguished and original songwriters, Graham Parker is perhaps best known as lead singer of Graham & The Rumour who preceded the arrival of punk rock and new wave. His career has spanned over 40 years and was recently reinvigorated when acclaimed US film producer and director Judd Apatow cast Parker in his hit film ‘This Is 40’, featuring a performance by Graham Parker & The Rumour that signalled the band to reform to play a series of now legendary come back concerts.

Expect songs from early albums with the Rumour, including picks from the re-worked Squeezing Out Sparks solo acoustic 40th anniversary album (released March 2019), his solo career (Cloud Symbols) and tunes from recent Rumour reunion albums.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Sun 24 Nov 8 pm

Chris Wood

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £15

Chris Wood is an uncompromising writer whose music reveals his love for the un-official history of the English speaking people. With gentle intelligence he weaves the tradition with his own contemporary parables.

A self-taught musician, composer and song writer, Chris is a lifelong autodidact whose independent streak shines through everything he does. Always direct and unafraid to speak his mind, his song writing has been praised for its surgical clarity. He cites his major influence as “Anon”.

His most recent album ‘So Much to Defend’ has received wide critical acclaim and includes reflections on minor league football, empty nest syndrome, learning to swim, Cook-in Sauce and, not least, the Gecko as a metaphor for contemporary society.

Hollow Point; his chilling ballad of the shooting of Jean Charles Menezez, won a BBC Folk Award (he’s won six.) and emphatically secured Wood’s place as a serious speech-master for the unofficial history of England.

Collaborators include Martin Carthy, Dizraeli, Billy Bragg, Andy Cutting, Andy Irvine, Karine Polwart, Jean Francois Vrod, The Imagined Village, Hugh Lupton, Martin Butler and many others.On stage Chris has the air of a craftsman who no longer needs to be precious about his art. Without any apparent effort he reaches deep into an enviable repertoire of songs before revealing another gem.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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Music Fri 29 Nov 8 pm

Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders

@ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Admn: £22

Andy Fairweather Low came to prominence as the lead singer in Amen Corner. The 60s saw them clock up hit after pop hit. Songs such as ‘Bend Me Shape Me’, ‘Hello Suzy’, ‘( If Paradise is ) Half As Nice’ are internationally remembered to this day. But if you were paying close attention, you might have picked up a clue in the magnificent ‘Gin House’ as to where Andy’s future musical collaborations would lead.

Since the early days, Andy has gone on to work with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, David Crosby, The Band, Elton John, Roger Waters, Dave Gilmour, The Who, BB King, Joe Cocker, Steve Winwood, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Joe Satriani, the Bee Gees, Jeff Beck, The Impressions, Lonnie Donegan, Mary J. Blige, Georgie Fame, Bonnie Raitt, Otis Rush, Van Morrison, Chris Barber, Jackson Browne, Bill Wyman, Sheryl Crow, Pete Townshend… and hundreds more.

His first solo album in 24 years Sweet Soulful Music was released late in 2007 followed by The Very Best Of Andy Fairweather Low which was released in the UK in June 2008 and the Live DVD followed hot on its heels.

In fact, Andy has been touring and releasing albums ever since then and has built a strong following. One Live DVD and a three-disc Box Set DVD / Double Live CD which debuted in the Amazon Box Set Top 50 in its very first week of release.

2013 saw Andy and the band opening the shows on Clapton’s European tour headliner The Americana Festival and complete their first tour in Japan with 8 shows in Tokyo. Their UK Autumn 2013 tour in support of the Zone O Tone was so well received that further early Spring dates in 2014 were added in the UK and Germany.

2014 started with the band on Bob Harris’ rock show playing in session and continued with two UK tours, festival appearances, a second tour of Japan and further German touring and a landmark appearance at Bluesfest held at The Royal Albert Hall which was broadcast live on Paul Jones Radio 2 Blues show and the next night they played a show at The New Theatre in Cardiff which was both filmed and recorded and released as a DVD / Double live CD in Autumn 2015.

2015 itself was a year of consolidation as it started with an appearance in January at Celtic Connections Festival, contained two long UK tours, two tours of Germany, another Japan stint, a tour of Ireland and several UK summer festivals and one in Estonia but many people will remember that in May 2015 Andy and the band were the opening act for Eric Clapton’s 70th Birthday tour starting at Madison Square Garden, NYC and ending with a run of seven shows at The Royal Albert Hall.

2016 and 2017 saw more Japanese trips and European tours and a few shows with an extended line up The Hi Riders Soul Revue with extra brass and Hammond organ players throughout the show and 2018 saw a 41-date UK tour with this extended line up with remarkable festival appearances with the extended line up including two drummers

A remarkable band and a remarkable front man ………….. Follow them into 2019!

Andy Fairweather Low – Guitar & Vocals, Dave Bronze – Bass & Vocals,

Paul Beavis – Drums, Nick Pentelow – Sax & Clarinet.

Ropetackle Arts Centre - BN43 5EG
t: 01273 465432 | Website | Email

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