Take a look at what's coming up this March in our arts centres across Hampshire and the events at our new venue, The Arc Winchester.
The Arc
Coming up at The Arc Winchester this March, is a whole range of comedy, music and children’s activities, as well as courses in the Digital Lab and two extraordinary art exhibitions in The Gallery and City Space. Below are some of the top picks from the exciting new spring programme at The Arc, home of Winchester Library.
Exhibitions
Extraordinary Everyday: The Art & Design of Eric Ravilious(running until 15 May)
This ‘extraordinary’ exhibition of works by war artist Eric Ravilious (1903 – 1942) is already proving to be popular with The Arc visitors. 80 years after his death, this dazzling new exhibition guides visitors through Ravilious’ brilliant career, showcasing wood engravings, watercolours, books, ceramics and lithographs. Among the many highlights are stunning watercolours from public collections, such as Train Landscape, and rarely-seen works from private collections, including Room at the William the Conqueror.
Tickets: Adults £6, children £3, concessions £4.75, families £16.75.
Turn and Return (Running until 3 April)
This free exhibition in the City Space gallery showcases the astonishing work of textile artist, Deirdre Wood, and features IKAT and dip-dyed silk, linen and wool. Hand woven in her strip-weaving signature style, the cloths are twisted, turned and sculpted into unique textile architectural wall-hangings.
Comedy
Barnstormers Comedy Club (18 March)
After a brief hiatus whilst the Winchester Discovery Centre metamorphosed into the beautiful surrounds of The Arc, Barnstormers Comedy is returning to restart 'the funny' and bring the best of the UK comedy circuit and beyond to Winchester; a task they have been undertaking with unwavering commitment and devotion since 2008.
As ever, there's a top line-up on offer, including BGT runner-up Robert White, the cheeky, dark and delightfully filthy Diane Spencer and the wonderfully droll Dougie Dunlop. Free-forming resident MC Kevin Precious will be on hand to preside over the shenanigans.
Tickets £12.50 advance or £14 on the door.
Bobby Mair: Cockroach (24 March)
Cockroach is an hour of dark, gut-wrenching stand-up from one of the best comedians in the country Bobby Mair. As seen on Feel Good (Netflix), Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Roast Battle (Comedy Central), Guessable (Comedy Central), 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (BBC Two) and lots more.
Suitable for ages 16+. Tickets £14.
Music
An evening of big band (5 March)
The Surrey Jazz Orchestra (SJO) plays an exciting mix of big band, swing and jazz that suits all ages.
With tunes from the historic libraries of Count Basie, Stand Kenton and Buddy Rich, through to the modern day genre of Quincy Jones, Chick Corea and Gordon Goodwin, the band blends fantastic instrumentals with amazing crooning from a number of talented singers, including our featured vocal artist Mr Nate Rogers.
The library of the SJO provides music to satisfy all tastes, from calm ballads through gentle and swinging tunes, to the frenetic and exciting sounds that ensure everybody’s toes are tapping.
Tickets £12 advance or £15 on the door.
Theatre
An enchanting wordless show for grown-ups and their babies with music, movement and sensory interaction... A gentle sensory adventure with an original soundtrack, captivating movement and interactive fun and games; toooB is a perfect introduction to theatre and dance for the very young and includes a stay-and-play session with the performer.
Suitable for 6-24 month olds and their grown-ups. Tickets £8 per person or £28 for family of four.
For children
Learn Nature Journaling (six weeks starting 26 March)
Each week for six weeks, the team will take something from the natural history collections cared for by Hampshire Cultural Trust and teach participants all about it. They will also discuss the habitats found in Hampshire and what can be found there.
The course will teach participants to become a nature artist, drawing, writing and painting what they learn each week. This course is packed with ideas on how to present findings and explores different ways to respond to nature in a journal. Journal and materials supplied.
Tickets £55.
Every Thursday, The Arc’s Performance Hall is filled with a lively mix of rhyme and song which can be irresistible to babies and toddlers. These relaxed and free sessions invite little ones to dance and sing along to classic rhymes such as Row, row, row your boat and Wheels on the bus, helping to develop reading and speech.
Suitable for under 5s, children must be accompanied.
Digital Lab
Intermediate Microsoft Word (17 March)
Intermediate courses require some prior knowledge of computers, mouse and keyboard use and ability to surf the internet.Learn to open and name files, enter, edit and cut and paste text and a host of other time-saving tips and tricks to make this classic programme work for you.
Tickets £4
More information about The Arc Winchester and the programme of events and activities is available at arcwinchester.org.uk.
West End Centre
48 Queens Rd, Aldershot GU11 3JD
Comedy
Hecklers Comedy Club + Live Stream (10 March)
Visit the West End Centre for a night of laughs, celebrating International Women’s Day with a fantastic comedy line up including Laura Lexx, MC Karen Bayley and Steff Todd in the regular comedy night, Hecklers!
Tickets £10.50
Catherine Bohart: This Isn’t For You (25 March)
A blisteringly funny new stand-up show filled with horrendous life advice, cheery nihilism and reluctant self-discovery from one of the UK and Ireland’s most exciting comics.
“The laughs keep coming and, finally, so does a tear or two. Marvellous” – ★ ★ ★ ★ The Times
Tickets £14.
Theatre
Florence: The Lesser Known Life and Legacy of Florence Nightingale (9 March)
Through song and storytelling, Louise Jordan disrupts the traditional narrative and invites audiences to consider the relevance of Florence Nightingale’s work today.
Tickets £13.50 or £11.50 for concessions
Music
Public Address: Leoni Jane Kennedy (12 March)
Public Address presents Leoni Jane Kennedy as we celebrate International Women’s Day with the impressive musicianship of Leoni Jane Kennedy. With intricate guitar riffs alongside powerful, soulful vocals, the band are achieving a new rock sound with progressive influence in their rhythmic and melodic structures.
Tickets: £5 advance or £7 on the door.
Classes and Workshops
Design your own tote bag celebrating International Women’s Day! Grab the favourite women in your life and get creative from printing to designing your own funky fashion piece to take away with you.
Tickets £15.50
More information about the West End Centre and the programme of events and activities is available at https://www.westendcentre.co.uk/.
Ashcroft Arts Centre
Osborn Road, Fareham, Hants PO16 7DX
Comedy
Funny Women: International Women’s Day Special (10 March)
Funny Women celebrate the newest and most exciting female stand-up in the UK, from the International Funny Women Awards and beyond!
Ashcroft Arts Centre will be celebrating International Women's Day with a wonderful line up of Esther Manito (Live at the Apollo), Katherine Kenway, Ola Labib (The News Quiz), Jade Gebbie, Julie Stenton and headliner Suzy Bennett.
“This comedy show provides something for everyone! […] perfect for an intimate evening of laughter” - Broadway Baby
Tickets £12.50.
Theatre
Florence: The Lesser Known Life and Legacy of Florence Nightingale (12 March)
Through song and storytelling, Louise Jordan disrupts the traditional narrative and invites audiences to consider the relevance of Florence Nightingale’s work today.
Tickets £13.50 or £11.50 for concessions.
Lovers of Great British Bake Off will love this show! Tackling senses and imagination this is a play about two women questioning the meaning of home, the evening is timed to perfection in order to deliver a perfect Croatian pepper biscuit, baked live in front of and with the help of the audience, intertwining with a story of what it is like to settle in a different country.
Tickets £13.50 or £11.50 for concessions.
Music
Four-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, Sarah Jane Scouten's music delivers a signature mix of vintage folk and country with modern sounds and subjects.
"Sarah Jane Scouten showcases a major talent and a whole lot of versatility" - No Depression
Tickets £12.50.
Cara Dillon (19 March; selling fast)
Set for sell-out success, don’t miss this opportunity to see folk powerhouse Cara Dillon live in Fareham.
“Quite possibly the world's most beautiful female voice"- MOJO Magazine
Tickets £20.
Classes & Workshops
This class teaches participants how to make their own colourful, reusable, washable menstrual cloth pad and become one step closer to living a sustainable lifestyle!
Discover the many benefits of this eco-friendly alternative to single use products in a fun, relaxed and friendly workshop with step-by-step guidance suitable for all levels.
Tickets £32.50.
More information about Ashcroft Arts Centre and the programme of events and activities is available at https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/celebrating-international-womens-day.
Forest Arts Centre
Forest Arts, Old Milton Road, New Milton, BH25 6DS
Comedy
Funny Women: International Women’s Day Special (9 March)
Funny Women celebrate the newest and most exciting female stand-up in the UK, from the International Funny Women Awards and beyond!
Forest Arts Centre will be celebrating International Women's Day with a wonderful line up of Louise Leigh (MC), Jessie Nixon, Amy Mason, Hettie Austin, Pravanya Pillay and Suzy Bennett.
“This comedy show provides something for everyone! […] perfect for an intimate evening of laughter” - Broadway Baby
Tickets £12.50.
Theatre
Florence: The Lesser Known Life and Legacy of Florence Nightingale (11 March)
Through song and storytelling, Louise Jordan disrupts the traditional narrative and invites audiences to consider the relevance of Florence Nightingale’s work today.
Tickets £13.50 or £11.50 for concessions.
Music
Concert Pitch Presents: The Tailleferre Ensemble (Celebrating IWD) (10 March)
Visit Forest Arts Centre for a new, regular live classical music event, Concert Pitch, opening with The Tailleferre Ensemble – a UK-based chamber collective, founded in 2019 by Nicola Hands and Penelope Smith with the aim of promoting women in music.
Tickets £10.50.
