Read Issue 37 here Art and Soul magazine is an independent Peterborough magazine encouraging the arts, literature, music and theatre within the Peterborough area and beyond.
Music, horror, humour and ballroom - an explosive mix at The Cresset this March
MUSIC through the ages takes us through March at The Cresset with stars and songs from the Sixties, Seventies, Eighties, Nineties and now. Combined with outrageous shows like The Circus of Horrors and Roy Chubby Brown, boys’ fun with Charley Boorman and the Hairy Bikers, and finishing with a night of TV ‘s favourite Strictly Come Dancing stars - there’s something for everyone. Dig out those Eighties sequins and prepare to strut your stuff with Who’s Bad, The Ultimate Michael Jackson tribute band. Complete with glittering gloves and white socks, the audience can dance their way through three decades of chart-topping tunes from the King of Pop. Tickets cost £22.50 for the show on March 3. Doors open at 7.30pm.
For a complete change of pace, darts heroes Eric Bristow and John Lowe will be in Legends of The Oche - Series 2 on March 5. Doors open at 7pm and tickets cost £15.
It’s the turn of music from the Seventies as Errol Kennedy’s Imagination takes to the stage on March 6. Errol was one of the three original members of the funk/soul trio Imagination, whose first UK hit single Body Talk spent 18 weeks in the charts. And if a string of hits in 28 countries, a royal performance and a dozen silver discs wasn’t enough, Errol was the first ever “Page 7 fella” in The Sun newspaper. Tickets cost £17.50 and doors open at 7.30pm.
Circus of Horrors Presents The Day of the Dead is the latest shocking new show set in Mexico. Witch-doctors, Voodoo acrobats, pickled people, bendy bodies, demon dwarfs and flying vampires erupt from a tank of blood to perform their amazing blood curdling stunts. It has to be seen to be believed. Tickets for the March 7 show cost £20 and doors open at 7.30pm.
From Mexico to the USA, and back to the Sixties, as the Magic of Motown is next up at The Cresset. With the music of the Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie and many more, the audience will be dancing in the aisles. The show at 8pm on March 12 costs £19.50.
Multi-million-selling recording artist Barbara Dickson brings her 40 years of showbiz experience to The Cresset in a welcome return visit to the Bretton theatre on March 13 at 8pm. Tickets are £19.50.
On March 17, actor, adventurer and author Charley Boorman takes a break from travelling the world to host an evening of entertaining anecdotes and revelations about his escapades. The Charley Boorman Show opens at 7pm and tickets cost £18.50.
And if you like boys’ adventures, The Hairy Bikers Big Night Out is packed full of Simon King and David Myers’ fascinating stories and great cooking. Tickets cost £19.50 and doors open at 7.30pm on March 19.
A month at The Cresset wouldn’t be complete without a healthy dose of comedy. Roy Chubby Brown is bringing his outrageous humour billed as “too rude for television” to Peterborough on March 25. Tickets cost £20 and the show starts at 7.30pm.
The following night, The Comedy Club is back at 8.15pm with Eddy Brimson, Susan Murray, Hattie Hayridge and Jon Robbins bound to have you rolling in the aisles. Tickets cost £9.50.
Rounding off an amazing month is An Evening with Strictly Come Dancing’s Brian Fortuna and Kristina Rihanoff. Fans of the TV hit will be able to see dancing demonstrations, ask questions and join in workshops with audience participation. Tickets cost £20 and doors open at 7pm on March 26. For more information or to book any of the shows go online at www.cresset.co.uk or call the box office on 01733 265705 or 01733 842500.
Saturday 31st July 2010 will see the return of Field Day to London’s leafy green corner ofVictoria Park. Embarking on their fourth annual outing, Field Day have an incredible array of acts lined up that will ensure that you’ll have no choice but to mark the date for one of this summer’s truly essential festivals firmly in your diary. Brought to you by London’s most forward thinking and bold promoters - Eat Your Own Ears, Adventures In The Beetroot Field, Bugged Out!- Field Day will once again deliver the freshest line up of bands and DJs of the 2010 Festival season,plus the Village Mentality, village fete area complete with Brass Band, tug o' war, sack racing and much more.
Tom Baker of Eat Your Own Ears and main booker for Field Day says: "We are delighted to be back now in our fourth year, incredible how time flies; it seems so long ago that Field Day began. I am really excited to have Phoenix headline, a great live band and a band that will get you dancing and singing... The rest of the bill is really shaping up, there are so many great albums out in 2010, it feels like an exciting time for music..."
Starting with a bang, Field Day are proud to announce that Grammy award winning Gallic indie-pop sensationsPhoenixwill be headlining 2010’s event. With their fourth album ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’ gathering accolades left right and centre, whilst continuing to bowl over their fans and win them a whole new audience of admirers, the band’s irresistible blend of strutting disco and blissfuleuphoricpop all topped off with their effortless insouciant indie vibe will be the perfect end to what promises to be Field Day’s most amazing event yet.
Other acts to be unveiled include Amiina, the spellbinding Icelandic female four-piece who have graced the albums and shows of Sigur Ros, who will be showcasing their enchanting take on minimalist and contemporary classical music. Beth Jeans Houghton will be performing her experimental folk with keyboards, xylophones and a looped choir of herself and will be joined on stage by her band the Hooves Of Destiny. Caribou, whose amazing new album ‘Swim’ (out in April) will be taking the dynamic interplay between visuals, electronics and live sound to the next level with a setof brightly textured, rapturous gems that gleam with astonishing production.Chilly Gonzales, the world record holder for the world’s longest solo performance, will be tickling the ivories in his own inimitable style and partaking in some mass audience participation. Corsano And Flowers featuring Mick Flower (Vibracathedral Orchestra, Sunroof, Magik Markers, Michael Flower Band) and Chris Corsanomost well know for his incredible percussion work with Bjork, will be revelling in their virtuoso collaboration, drawing on influences from primitive blues, La Monte Young and John Cale. Strains of Kate Bush or Siouxie and the Banshees can be heard in the echoing, eerie vocals of Esben And The Witch who present the dynamics of post-rock in an bewitching, electronic, pop context. The Brighton three piece's sound has also drawn comparisons with PJ Harvey, Portishead, Bjork, Radiohead and Cocteau Twins but present a dark, haunting music that is very much of their own. Gold Panda started writing beats and collaborating a few years ago, working with the likes of Infinite Livez and Shuttle (both Ninja Tune) as well as creating his own beautiful, glitchy electronica, referencing a multitude of influences and born out of samples constructed partly from charity shop vinyl and VHS. This BBCs “sound of 2010” and MTV-dubbed “remix king” created raved-about reworkings for the likes of Telepathe, Bloc Party, Simian Mobile Disco and Health. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble's insanely catchy and upbeat instrumental hip-hop is sure to get your feet working as the 9-piece work up a frenzied sweat.Born in Chicago, with Phil Cohran (Sun Ra Arkestra) as their dad, the 8 brothers began their career as street musicians, busking on the sidewalks before they laid anything down on tape. Their jazz roots are evident, but jazz from 100 years ago, solid, dancefloor music which differs from the avant-garde offerings of their father's community, but is as individual as anything you'll ever hear. The group feature on the new Gorillaz album ‘Plastic Beach’ alongside Lou Reed, Bobby Womack, Mos Def and more.
The man to get even the most jaded dance music aficionado excited about music again, James Holden, will be dropping a superlative set that takes in elements of house, electro, breakbeat, techno and beyond. Plus there will be must-see appearances from Bristolian beat maverick Joker And MC Nomad who will be supplying the pressure. The mighty Max Tundra will be throwing down an intricate mosaic of sounds and styles, and as anyone who saw him supporting Hot Chip on their last tour will testify, Max Tundra knows how to get the party started! Memory Tapes will be droppingtheir cutting edge 80-s infused catchy, wistful grooves, electronic pioneers Mouse On Mars make a rare live outing to come and play Field Day, they are currently working on their brand new album, so expect new music and exciting new sounds. Pantha Du Prince who has just released a brilliant new album, ‘Black Noise’, on Rough Trade, will be communing with nature playing his pastoral techno made with sounds sampled from the great outdoors. All the more appropriate that he should bring his shoegazey, psychedelic soundscapes in the open air of Victoria Park. And the incredible psychedelic experimental synth genius Silver Apples, whose interstellar drones and driving, minimalistic music pre-empted krautrock, 70s electronica and 90s rock, will be bringing a healthy dose of New York attitude to the east end of London.
There will also be the return of 'Village Mentality', the off-the-wall Village Green area within the festival that supplies the masses with some bucolic treats away from the hubbub of the main festival. Inspired by summer sports days and country fetes - Field Day's very own village green will host stalls and activities throughout the daytime, ranging from sack-racing, to whack-the-rat, Bowling for Bacon, you can try your luck on the tombola, crack a few nuts on the coconut shy - or just sit on some hay bales and stuff your face with homemade cake... and lots more to be announced, and as the country saying goes - "be like an ant in the days of summer”.
Keep your eyes peeled for future line up announcements and for the latest news visit - www.fielddayfestivals.com (new website coming soon)
Latitude Festival returns for an incredible 5th edition on 15-18th July 2010, taking place once again in the sumptuous surroundings of Henham Park Estate set within Suffolk’s stunning Sunrise Coast.
Celebrating its fifth year in 2010, Latitude has already become a firm favourite of the festival circuit. Starting out as a small and curious gathering of people in 2006, Latitude’s bold and pioneering approach of incorporating the full range of arts over one weekend has helped to secure its reputation as one of the most respected and highly anticipated events of the season.
Over the past four years, Latitude has inspired and charmed; shocked and educated; bewildered and beguiled. It has entertained its crowds with an eclectic blend of established and emerging acts, all of the highest calibre. With the arts very much at its core, Latitude’s dizzying display of talent is spread throughout the site in perfectly designed and dedicated arenas that entice you in.
Cherry-picking the very best from the worlds of music, theatre, comedy, literature, film, poetry, dance, fashion and cabaret - it is a festival like no other; an intimate place that encourages you to be all that you’ve ever wanted to be; and indulge in the spirit of exploration and discovery.
A Brief History... In its first year Latitude boasted a mind-blowing headline set from Antony & The Johnsons, Howard Marks provided the shocks and laughs with tales from his hit book ‘Mr. Nice’ in the Literary Arena and the legendary performed two very special performances on not only the main music stage, the Obelisk Arena, but also in the Poetry Arena.
Having already secured its pioneering reputation in its inaugural year, tickets to Latitude’s 2nd edition sold out fast and with the likes of Arcade Fire, Jarvis Cocker and The Good, The Bad & The Queen providing a top quality soundtrack and comics including Bill Bailey, Alan Carr, Dylan Moran and Mark Steel providing the laughs its easy to see why.
A blisteringly hot 2008 saw the festival bloom into a larger and even more popular event featuring music from Sigur Ros, Elbow, Grinderman and Joanna Newsom, and renowned English composer and pianist Michael Nyman mesmerised the Film & Music Arena with a spellbinding solo piano piece, a presentation of his own short films and an intimate Q&A with the audience. Also boasting such literary giants as Hanif Kureishi, Iain Banks and Irvine Welsh as well as the nation’s very own Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy; and the Theatre Arena expanded into a mini festival of its own with the National Theatre, RSC, Paines Plough and Royal Court bringing everything from emerging playwrights to classical Shakespeare, musicals to zombies!
And last year’s fun-filled weekend was perhaps the best yet; musically it featured a fabulously glamorous headline set by disco icon Grace Jones who bedazzled the crowd with a variety of costume changes for every song and put on an incredible hula-hooping display during ‘Slave To The Rhythm’, against a moody backdrop of thunder and lightning. The Obelisk’s other headliners Pet Shop Boys delivered hit after hit to a hypnotic visual display of graphics and lights whilst Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds brought the festival to a fitting close with a perfectly menacing performance.
Elsewhere over the weekend Media & Culture Minister Ben Bradshaw sparred with Jon “The Reverend” McClure over the state of British media at Instigate Debate in the Literary Arena; Sadler’s Wells presented Hofesh Shechter who brought his all-female cast of world renowned dancers to the floating stage on the lake; Latitude welcomed the Royal Opera House and the first full orchestra to appear at an outdoor music festival; Britten Sinfonia; And teams of budding dancers learnt salsa, ballroom and tap with dedicated workshops. Another first was the fashion show by House Of BlueEyes whose models defied physics by strutting on water down a catwalk on the lake. And the woods rang out with the sounds of both the human beatbox chorus of Shlomo & The Vocal Orchestra.
Other highlights over the weekend included an amazing show of vocal and musical beauty courtesy of special guest Thom Yorke who played the now established Sunday morning headline set; Spiritualized provided a wall of light and sound whilst Little Boots further cemented her hold on the British pop scene with an electropop-tastic set on the Sunrise Arena.
Whilst Latitude’s extensive line-up is an incredible assortment of riches that can keep you entertained all weekend, there is also another side to Latitude… a leisurely stroll through the festival’s magical woods and beyond can lead to all manner of untold treasures and unexpected pleasures.
By day you can stumble upon impromptu acoustic performances, fascinating political debates and interactive art installations that will transfix you for hours. But after sundown, in true Bacchanalian style, discover Latitude’s dark and decadent side as the enchanted woods transform into a secret world of temptation and intrigue. A haven for nocturnal animals in search of some mischievous fun under a canopy of fairy lights and imposing oak trees.
Day and night, Latitude Festival is the place to let the experience lead you; to explore the extraordinary and relish in unknown delights - the perfect place for the open-minded, culturally inquisitive and free-spirited.
So as the winter months take their toll, start daydreaming of happier, warmer climes and book yourself a slice of unadulterated cultural fun and adventure this summer at the fifth Latitude Festival on the Sunrise Coa
Tickets to go on sale at the Latitude Festival launch on Tuesday 9th March 2010
For more information please contact Press Counsel PR Dani and Charlie - National Anthea - Regional Griff (Dan) - Online FirstName@presscounselpr.com 020 7792 9400
PRESS REVIEWS FROM LATITUDE 2009
"Top-class performers, multi-coloured sheep, an exquisite lake setting and soil so porous no showers could muddy it. Latitude is becoming a fine alternative to Glastonbury." Observer
"In four years Latitude has established itself as a big stop on the summer festival circuit." The Times
"Latitude is about the atmosphere, it is about the families, it is about that inviting patch of matting in the poetry tent for the man who has had no sleep." The Independent
"Latitude in Suffolk last weekend was something of a triumph...this could be a serious, even unmissable date in the literary calendar." The Daily Telegraph
"Once again they've given us the perfect festival." Uncut
"The Latitude Festival is fast becoming the place to showcase innovative theatre to a previously untapped audience (including) a rostrum of new-writing talent that would make Edinburgh a little green with envy." The Stage
“An elegant and eclectic affair for the discerning festival goer.” Clash Magazine
Tickets to go on sale at the Latitude Festival launch on Tuesday 9th March 2010
Art and Soul
