Crackerjack Gloucestershire News

Blondie announce gig at Westonbirt Arboretum

jamie — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:39:38 +0000

An atomic show is in store at Westonbirt Arboretum this summer as Blondie arrive at the forest venue.

Fronted by the iconic Debbie Harry and undoubtedly one of pop music’s most enduring bands, they have announced a gig at the Tetbury venue as part of the Forestry Commission Live Music programme.

They arrive on June 20 and tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, February 12.

The announcement follows the news that Status Quo, Keane, James Morrison and Simply Red will be performing at the spectacular venue this summer too.

Antique clocks auction - Chorley's, Prinknash

e3admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:02:03 +0000

Around 50 clocks feature in Chorley’s sale this month.

Estimates range from £40 to £2,500 for the lots in the February 25 sale at Prinknash.

The list includes long case clocks, the best of which is by a Dublin maker and unusually has an equation of time-dial to the arch.

This enabled the owner to see how slow or fast the sundial was compared to Greenwich Mean Time. It’s expected to fetch between £800 and £1,000.

Help For Heroes: The White Comrade - Chorley's, Prinknash

e3admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:02:03 +0000

The White Comrade, a painting of a wounded World War I soldier, is in Chorley’s sale at Prinknash on February 25.

The proceeds of the sale of the lot – estimated at £7,000 to £10,000 – is going to Help The Heroes which does much to rehabilitate the wounded servicemen of Iraq and Afghanistan today.

The painting was donated by a Cheltenham couple, Roy and Dorothy Faier, who bought it from a redundant church in Windsor.

Dominic Winter: vintage photography sale - South Cerney

e3admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:02:03 +0000

Dominic Winter’s vintage photography sale at South Cerney on March 4 includes this iconic image by Alberto Korda.

It shows Fidel Castro entering Havana with his fellow revolutionary Camilo Cienfuegas on January 8, 1959.

Korda was not a photo-journalist at that time, but for 10 years he was the Cuban leader’s personal photographer, and responsible for the portrait of Che Guevara that has become one of the most famous photographs of all time.

There are seven Korda photographs of Castro from 1959 and 1960 in the sale.

Jazz night: Damon Brown Quintet - D-Fly, Cheltenham

e3admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:21:29 +0000

A new jazz night gets under way in Cheltenham this week.

Cheltenham Jazz welcomes the Damon Brown Quintet to D-Fly at 8pm on Wednesday, February 10 in the first of its series of concerts at the restaurant.

More acts will follow on the second Wednesday of each month.

When your light is a large as trumpeter Damon Brown’s, you’ve no right to hide it under any sort of bushel. That’s what he usually does however on tour stop-offs at Cheltenham.

Ten Secrets of 100 Per Cent Healthy People - St Andrew’s Church, Cheltenham

e3admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:21:29 +0000

Author and nutritionist Patrick Holford thinks he has pinned down the 10 key ingredients for a healthy life.

He’ll explain them at St Andrew’s Church, in Cheltenham, on February 8.

In his talk, ‘Ten Secrets of 100 Per Cent Healthy People’, Patrick will discuss diet, exercise and lifestyle factors that he believes many overlook.

The seminar is organised by the Isbourne Holistic Centre and takes place from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

“On my website 55,000 people filled in a questionnaire about their lifestyle,” he explains.

Happy Mondays to headline Wychwood Festival

jamie — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:38:39 +0000

Madchester legends the Happy Mondays have been announced as a headline act at the Wychwood Festival in Cheltenham this summer.

The indie group, who had their most notable chart success with Step On and Kinky Afro in 1990, will headline the three-day festival on the Saturday night.

New Beautiful South have already been announced as the Sunday headliners for the sixth annual event at Cheltenham racecourse.

Adrian Edmondson and The Bad Shepherds, Toumani Diabate and the Levellers have also been confirmed.

Retro Films - The Playhouse, Cheltenham

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:20 +0000

A week of retro and award-winning films at The Playhouse in Cheltenham is wrapping up with three classics.

The theatre in Bath Road has transformed itself into an art house cinema for seven days and if you haven’t popped along yet, there are still three films to catch.

On February 5 it’s the director’s cut of The Exorcist (18).

Frequently voted one of the scariest and most disturbing horror movies of all time, this version includes nine minutes cut from the original film release.

Missy Malone & Friends Burlesque Revue - Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:20 +0000

International burlesque star Missy Malone is debuting her new stage show at the Everyman Studio Theatre.

The Missy Malone & Friends Burlesque Revue features some of the biggest names on the circuit including Vicky Butterfly, Leyla Rose, Des O Connor and Christian Lee.

It’s a show that features glamorous striptease, music and magic and while it’s not explicit, it’s not suitable for under 16s.

Snowdrop Weekend - Colesbourne Park

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:20 +0000

While much of Gloucestershire is hoping that the snow is over, Colesbourne Park is just getting started.

Snowdrops are in full bloom on the estate, which is between Cheltenham and Cirencester.

Owned by the Elwes family since 1789, the snowdrop collection in the 2,500-acre grounds is renowned for being one of the best displays in the country.

Reggae Night - Subscription Rooms, Stroud

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:20 +0000

Bob Marley’s Birthday will be celebrated with a reggae night in Stroud’s Subscription Rooms on February 12.

The evening features Bev Gee, Princess Talibah, Elaine, Othieno and DJ Derek.

Tickets, priced £10 in advance, are available on 01453 760900 or £12 on the door.

Jus’ Like That - The Everyman, Cheltenham

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:20 +0000

Clive Mantle stars in the moving tribute to comedy legend Tommy Cooper, Jus’ Like That.

The play features all of the best gags and magic tricks that helped make Tommy one of the nation’s favourite comedians.

But it also shows the darker side of a man who had a turbulent relationship with the bottle.

That’ll Be The Day: The Beat Goes On - The Roses, Tewkesbury

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:20 +0000

The rock ’n’ roll variety show That’ll Be The Day returns to The Roses on February 9 to 10.

The Beat Goes On Tour includes the usual mix of live music, dance and comedy.

Audiences at the Sun Street theatre will be transported back to the 1950s when the multi-talented stars take to the stage.

Then back-to-back hits will pave the way through to the 1970s.

To let the good times roll, call 01684 295074 for tickets.

Johann Strauss Gala - Cheltenham Town Hall

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:20 +0000

Cheltenham Town Hall is being transformed into a glitzy venue in 19th-century Vienna.

The Johann Strauss Gala is performing its tribute to the waltz king on February 6.

The gala, formed in 1975 marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Strauss, includes live music and dancing as well as glittering sets and costumes.

The show is performed annually in more than 40 venues in the UK, highlighting different aspects of the classical era.

The orchestra will be led by traditional Viennese violin played by music director David Juritz.

Patsy Gamble - New Brewery Arts, Cirencester

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:20 +0000

Relax with an evening of the blues courtesy of Patsy Gamble and her band at the New Brewery Arts in Cirencester.

Patsy will be joined by local musical talent for the gig on February 12, as part of the Brewery Blues event.

She and her band will perform a mixture of her own material and covers in a jazz funk, fusion style.

Comedy compère Terry Keogh introduces the evening, with support from local bands hermesCORR, Juey and Indigo.

Book tickets at £5 each on 01285 657181.

Textile Artist: Deirdre Nelson - Museum in the Park, Stroud

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:20 +0000

Multi-talented artist Deirdre Nelson brings her quirky look at textiles to the Museum in the Park.

Deirdre is based at the Stroud museum as artist-in-residence and has been researching the collection there. From this study she is aiming to produce a completed piece of work to be exhibited during the Stroud International Textiles Festival later this year.

Speakers: Tony Benn - Gloucester Guildhall

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:20 +0000

Having spent 50 years serving in Parliament as the longest-standing Labour MP, Tony Benn is to be the latest guest speak at Gloucester’s Guildhall.

Following a rich political career, from Cabinet minister in the Wilson and Callaghan Governments and Secretary of State for industry and energy, he became the president of the Council of European Energy Ministers in 1977. He was an elected member on the National Executive Committee of the Labour party from 1959-1994, acting as the chairman between 1971 and 1972.

Dancefest 2010 - Cheltenham Town Hall

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:20 +0000

Secondary school students are showcasing their talents at this year’s Dancefest 2010.

Cheltenham Spa Schools Sports Partnership is hosting its fourth secondary schools Movement and Dance Festival on on February 10 at Cheltenham Town Hall.

It is open to those studying GCSEs, A Level Dance or PE or attending after-school clubs.

Also on the bill are Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Dance Company, Kittens Dance Company and its new senior company Top Cat Dance Company and Gifted and Talented.

Tickets cost £6 and it starts at 7pm.

Unusual Valentine's Day menus

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:19 +0000

Restaurants across Gloucestershire are publishing their Valentine’s Day menus.

Two of the more unusual offerings come from Cheltenham’s Turkish and Moroccan restaurants.

At Daphne Restaurant, in Crescent Place, lovers can enjoy three courses for £24.95.

On the menus are Turkish favourites such as shakshuka – pan fried cubes of aubergine and potatoes served in tomato sauce – to start, and grilled kofte kebabs as a main course.

Rural Cinema: Creation - Cotswolds

e3admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:47:19 +0000

Creation (PG) is the powerful true-life tale of Charles Darwin and the most explosive idea in history.

It’s showing across the Cotswolds as part of the Rural Cinema programme.

The film tells of how The Origin of Species came to light. Darwin is played by acclaimed British actor Paul Bettany and his wife Emma is played by Bettany’s real-life wife, Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly.

It’s in Quenington on Monday, and in Toddington and Bisley on Tuesday.

For details, ring 01285 623454.