Take a look at what's coming up this September in three our arts centres across Hampshire and the events at our new venue, The Arc Winchester.
The Arc (Winchester)
Coming up at The Arc in Winchester this September is a whole range of comedy, music and activities for adults, children and young people alike. We also have more courses in the Digital Lab and two free, brand new art exhibitions in The Gallery and City Space. Below are some of the top picks from the exciting new autumn programme at The Arc, home of Winchester Library.
Comedy
Marcel Lucont: Le “Best Of” (23 September)
Britain’s favourite French comedian presents his greatest oeuvres from the past decade. Expect deadpan wit, supreme sex poetry, soaring miserablist chansons and Gallic superiority.
As seen on Comedy Central at the Comedy Store, The John Bishop Show (BBC One), Set List (Sky Atlantic) and Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC Three).
- “Fresh, accessible and hilarious” – The Guardian
- “Excellently dry” – The Times
- “Wonderful French wit... Superb stuff” – Time Out
Tickets: £14
Suitable for ages 16 and above
Paul Foot: Swan Power (29 September)
The multi-award-winning comedian presents his brand new show. Tired of the goose? Swan Power is here.
Paul opens his beak and explores topics including Nanna on the rack, murdering Santas and interfering ambulance drivers (self-appointed busybodies!). Plus, Billy Zane’s valuable diamond (c/o RMS Titanic).
Live by the swan, fly by the swan.
- “Like a rare exotic bird, he's special” – The Daily Express
- “Sublime, original, brilliant” – The Independent
- “Something of a comic genius” – The Sydney Morning Herald
Tickets: £15
Music
Budapest Café Orchestra (17 September)
Budapest Café Orchestra play a blistering barrage of traditional folk and gypsy-flavoured music from across the Balkans and Russia, Klezmer laments, Romanian Dominas, Hungarian Czardas and their own unique re-imaginings of some of the biggest tunes ever written by the classical greats.
The Budapest Café Orchestra was established in 2009 by British composer and violinist, Christian Garrick, and led by him have won legions of fans with their magical and infectious performances.
- “The music is magic in their hands” – BBC Radio 3
- “Not so much a band name as a whole genre of its own, Budapest Café Orchestra embraces an encyclopaedia of music and mischief” – The Scotsman
Tickets: £16 / under 12s FREE
Jacob & Drinkwater (25 September)
UK alt-folk duo Jacob & Drinkwater have been called “stand-out new folk” by BBC Radio 6 Music. Jacob's sweeping vocals never fail to captivate, delivering many a spine-tingling moment; the fluidity and precision of his finger-picking underpinned by Drinkwater's nimbly rhythmic double bass; at times sweetly soaring, haunting, percussive and driving, the layers of depth a perfect counterfoil.
Featured numerous times on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music and lauded by their musical peers as one of the most accomplished acts touring the circuit today.
- “Really stop you in your tracks” – Fresh on the Net- Fresh On The Net
- “Inventive and thrilling” – R2
- “One of our best artists” – BBC Devon Introducing
Tickets: £12 advance / £14 on the door
Exhibitions
Infinite Beauty (9 September to 16 November)
Infinite Beauty is a free and unique exhibition in The Gallery at The Arc that investigates the enduring appeal of nature as a subject for leading British contemporary artists. The exhibition explores the way in which artists interact with natural forms: plants, animals, habitats and the wider landscape and, in some cases, how their work comments on the ways human activity impacts the ecologies around us. It will feature an eclectic mixture of media, style and approaches with photography, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture – helping us to look at our relationship with nature afresh.
Works by leading artists will take us from familiar everyday experiences to the ends of the earth among the ice and snow of Antarctica. These works have been generously loaned from private collections and some of them publicly exhibited for the first time at The Gallery.
Tickets: FREE, donations welcome.
HEARTH (9 September to 13 November)
A new exhibition at the City Space gallery and an exciting new site-specific commission for The Arc's atrium, created by artist Suna Imre, HEARTH is an ambitious installation, which speaks of our complex relationship with the Earth.
Suna has created multiple smoke-fired boulders. Completely hollow and made of clay, their marks show images we see of the universe and of our planet; the mystery and beauty of our home in the context of a much larger whole. The boulders are arranged as if breaking away from a nucleus. This fragmentation and potential collision references our precarious relationship to the earth and is an invitation to question our place within the natural world and how we can contribute to its healing.
The exhibition is an opportunity to look more closely at the fragility and beauty imbued in the details of the installation and witness the colours, textures and landscapes of these smoke-fired forms. The Atrium Commission has been funded by Arts Council England.
Tickets: FREE, donations welcome.
For adults
In conversation: BBC Masterchef winners Shelina Permaloo and Jane Devonshire (14 September)
An evening of delicious food and relaxed conversation with BBC MasterChef Winners and cookery authors Shelina Permalloo and Jane Devonshire. Shelina and Jane will both provide a cooking demonstration followed by an in-conversation style talk with presenter Rebecca Fletcher, exploring the inspiration behind their distinctive cuisines.
The chefs will be around for book signing and conversation after the talk and copies of Shelina and Jane's books will be available for purchase.
Tickets: £12 / £9.60 concession
Watercolour for wellbeing with Iris Hill (22 September)
Watercolour for wellbeing classes explore free-flowing painting techniques and breathing meditations to nurture your creativity and inspire calm. In this session, we take inspiration from seasonal botanicals, using pastel and watercolour to express our artistry. Settle into serenity as we celebrate vibrant summer energy and colour palettes. Two things that are wonderful for your wellbeing, art and yoga, come together in one workshop.
All levels of creative and yoga experience are welcome. Whether you are a practising artist seeking fresh inspiration and flow, or you are curious to tap into the abundance of creativity that already resides within you.
Tickets: £38 / £31 concession
In conversation: 12 birds to save your life with Charlie Corbett (22 September)
Meet the skylark, the wren, the chiffchaff and the robin in Charlie Corbett's lyrical and life-affirming book. Through 12 characterful birds, Charlie shows us there is joy to be found if we know where to look, and how to listen.
A deeply personal journey of grief, uncertainty and healing, Charlie explores the place of these birds - from solitary skylarks to squabbling sparrows – in our history, culture and landscape. Join Charlie and presenter Rebecca Fletcher as they explore how the changing of the seasons and observing nature with heart and mind can lead to finding nature's lessons in happiness.
Tickets: £12 / £9.50 concession
Digital Lab
How to stay safe online (22 September)
The internet and social media are hugely valuable tools and provide the potential to connect with other people around the world. However, there are some risks to participating in these online spaces. This introductory session suggests strategies and tools that you can use to protect yourself and minimise risks and will include common social media tools that you may consider using. It will also briefly consider how to deal with children and their particular risks.
Tickets: FREE
Intro to Adobe Photoshop (24 September)
Learn the basics of Photoshop in a two-hour introductory session. Using tasks specially created to help you learn, you’ll walk away knowing how to create documents to size, import and work with text and images, and use the Adobe system of layers in the best way for your work. And there’ll be a takeaway at the end to help you when you want to practice at home.
Tickets: £18 / £14.50 concession
For children and young people
Rhymetime – for under 5s (every Thursday until 15 December)
Youngsters who learn to rhyme young, go on to read and develop their language better. And you can start here with our weekly rhyming sessions. We fill our Performance Hall with a lively mix of rhyme and song which can be irresistible to babies and toddlers.
Suitable for under 5s, but make sure a parent or guardian comes along too! The relaxed atmosphere means you can leave for a baby change, or breast and bottle feed during the session.
Tickets: FREE
Storytime – for under 5s (every Tuesday and Saturday until 17 December)
Young children get so much out of a storytelling session. It boosts their listening skills, enriches their imagination, gives them lots of cultural understanding and even helps them be better communicators! Storytime sessions, run by Winchester Library and held in the relaxed setting of the Children's Library, are a wonderful way to ensure your child gets a regular storytelling experience.
Under 5s and a parent and guardian are invited to join us. No need to book, just come along on the day! Parents/carers are asked to stay for the duration of the session.
Tickets: FREE
Construction Club – for under 15s (every Saturday until 17 December)
Our Construction Clubs are free, drop-in sessions where children and adults get a chance to play and build using plastic bricks; most commonly Lego® or Duplo®. It’s the perfect chance to let your child’s creativity flow, as well as you own!
Tickets: FREE
More information about The Arc Winchester and the programme of events and activities is available at arcwinchester.org.uk.
West End Centre (Aldershot)
Comedy
Marcel Lucont: Le “Best Of” (15 September)
Britain’s favourite French comedian presents his greatest oeuvres from the past decade. Expect deadpan wit, supreme sex poetry, soaring miserablist chansons and Gallic superiority.
As seen on Comedy Central at the Comedy Store, The John Bishop Show (BBC One), Set List (Sky Atlantic) and Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC Three).
- “Fresh, accessible and hilarious” – The Guardian
- “Excellently dry” – The Times
- “Wonderful French wit... Superb stuff” – Time Out
Tickets: £14
Suitable for ages 16 and above
Hecklers Comedy Club (8 September)
2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the first ever Hecklers Comedy Club at the West End Centre and what a comedic season it's set to be!
Join us for a night of laughs with a fantastic comedy line-up – either in person at the Westy, or from the comfort of your home via live stream.
Tickets: £10
Music
A multiple Blues Music Award winner – including the 2020 Blues Music Award for Acoustic Artist of the Year and the 2018 Blues Music Award for Acoustic Album of the Year Break The Chain – Doug MacLeod is known for his superb song writing, guitar wizardry, warm soulful vocals, wit and unforgettable live performances.
At the heart of a Doug MacLeod performance is his knack for storytelling, bringing characters – from the faceless to the legendary – to strikingly real life. A true master of his craft, MacLeod’s songs have been covered by many artists including Albert King, Albert Collins, Joe Louis Walker and Eva Cassidy.
- “Doug MacLeod is an acoustic roots master” – Elwood Blues (aka Dan Aykroyd)
- “Doug MacLeod – now there's a man who can really play the blues” – David Honeyboy Edwards
Tickets: £12 advance / £15 on the door
Public Address: Before Breakfast + Support (10 September)
The West End Centre has seen some awesome rising stars come through the doors – and everyone has to start somewhere. Our monthly Public Addressshowcase welcomes up-and-coming artists, alongside some special guests.
Before Breakfast weave strong melodies with piano, cello and vocal harmonies to create an authentic and accomplished sound that is drawn from a wealth of musical experience, from classical to folk and inspired by artists including Bjork and Marika Hackman.
The Sheffield duo recently supported Tokio Myers on his UK tour and have worked with Reverend And The Makers, Jon Boden, The Dunwells and Renegade Brass Band.
- “Before Breakfast take acappella, anchor it with an acoustic piano, and smash it… to pieces!” – Fresh on the Net
- “Alt-folk with some deeply personal lyricism, words that touch on personal independence, feminism, and more” – CLASH
- “Easily one of the best bands to ever come out of Sheffield” BBC Introducing Sheffield
Tickets £5 advance / £7 on the door
Theatre
Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me (28 September)
Juno was born with spina bifida and is now clumsily navigating her twenties amidst street healers, love, loneliness and the feeling of being an unfinished project.
Winner of the Women’s Prize for Playwriting 2020, Amy Trigg’s remarkable debut play Reasons You Should(n't) Love Me is a hilarious, heart-warming tale about how s*** our wonderful lives can be.
★★★★ “Enormously entertaining” – The Guardian
★★★★ “A hilarious, honest and heart-warming play which demands an audience” – Whatsonstage
★★★★“Wonderfully heartfelt and beautifully delivered” – Theatre Weekly
Classes and Workshops
There are also lots of classes and workshops to discover in September at West End Centre, including tapestry weaving (16 September), life drawing (24 September) and meditation (24 September). To find out more about these and other classes and workshops visit www.ashcroft.org.uk/events.
For Children and Young People
Our 12-week Youth Theatre class (starting 12 September) offers children and young people a space to build their confidence and resilience, open to ages 8-12 and 13-17 respectively.
Our Youth Theatre tutor Bekki has a whole load of games, drama exercises and activities designed to help establish trust, unlock creativity and have fun doing so!
More information about West End Centre and the programme of events and activities is available at https://www.westendcentre.co.uk/.
Ashcroft Arts Centre (Fareham)
Comedy
Marcel Lucont: Le “Best Of” (29 September)
Britain’s favourite French comedian presents his greatest oeuvres from the past decade. Expect deadpan wit, supreme sex poetry, soaring miserablist chansons and Gallic superiority.
As seen on Comedy Central at the Comedy Store, The John Bishop Show (BBC One), Set List (Sky Atlantic) and Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC Three).
- “Fresh, accessible and hilarious” – The Guardian
- “Excellently dry” – The Times
- “Wonderful French wit... Superb stuff” – Time Out
Tickets: £14
Suitable for ages 16 and above
Pete Firman: Bag of Tricks (9 September)
Pete Firman is one of the UK's most popular magicians and he's back on the road! You've seen him on television, now experience his trademark blend of laugh-out-loud comedy and jaw-dropping magic live on stage.
As seen on ITV's Tonight at the London Palladium and The Next Great Magician, BBC One's The Magicians, The John Bishop Show and The Sarah Millican Television Programme.
- “The new poster-boy for British comedy magic” – The Telegraph
- “The man from Middlesbrough sets the pace for comedy-meets-magic in the 21st century” – The Times
- “Seamless blending of quality magic and stand-up comedy. It is a joy to watch” – Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
Tickets: £16
Suitable for ages 14 and above
Music
A multiple Blues Music Award winner – including the 2020 Blues Music Award for Acoustic Artist of the Year and the 2018 Blues Music Award for Acoustic Album Of The Year Break The Chain – Doug MacLeod is known for his superb song writing, guitar wizardry, warm soulful vocals, wit and unforgettable live performances.
At the heart of a Doug MacLeod performance is his knack for storytelling, bringing characters – from the faceless to the legendary – to strikingly real life. A true master of his craft, MacLeod’s songs have been covered by many artists including Albert King, Albert Collins, Joe Louis Walker and Eva Cassidy.
- “Doug MacLeod is an acoustic roots master” – Elwood Blues (aka Dan Aykroyd)
- “Doug MacLeod – now there's a man who can really play the blues” – David Honeyboy Edwards
Tickets: £12 advance / £15 on the door
Jah Wobble & the Invaders of the Heart (21 September)
Combining global music, reggae, fusion and punk influences, Jah Wobble has entranced the world with his hypnotic bass riffs for over four decades and becoming one of Britain’s most influential and distinct bass players.
Accompanied by his band, Invaders of the Heart, Jah Wobble is reborn into a new decade as defiant as ever with a brand-new UK tour.
Tickets: £22 advance / £23.50 on the door
Classes and Workshops
There are also lots of classes and workshops to discover in September at Ashcroft Arts Centre, including Ashcroft Adult Company (starts 12 September) and intermediate sewing and garment making (starts 13 September). To find out more about these and other classes and workshops visit www.ashcroft.org.uk/events.
For Children
Ashcroft Young Company (starts 12 September)
Mystery, magic and mayhem all await at Ashcroft Young Company! With classes for ages 6-11and 12-16 respectively, you can learn the skills for devising and exploring a range of characters and situations. We will use the Grimm Fairy Tales as a stimulus to create our own original piece of drama!
The possibilities for our storytelling are endless. It's a chance to create, explore, use your imagination, build confidence and communication skills, as well as to meet new friends and have fun. If you love acting then this is the class for you!
More information about Ashcroft Arts Centre and the programme of events and activities is available at https://www.ashcroft.org.uk/.
Forest Arts Centre (New Milton)
Comedy
Marcel Lucont: Le “Best Of” (22 September)
Britain’s favourite French comedian presents his greatest oeuvres from the past decade. Expect deadpan wit, supreme sex poetry, soaring miserablist chansons and Gallic superiority.
As seen on Comedy Central at the Comedy Store, The John Bishop Show (BBC One), Set List (Sky Atlantic) and Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC Three).
- “Fresh, accessible and hilarious” – The Guardian
- “Excellently dry” – The Times
- “Wonderful French wit... Superb stuff” – Time Out
Tickets: £14
Suitable for ages 16 and above
Rob Newman: Live on Stage (17 September)
Fresh from his BBC Radio 4 series Rob Newman On Air, the award-winning comedian’s new show is a stand-up epic that goes from cave paintings to car-free cities to ask: Who are we? Where are we going? And how do spiders fly?
- ★★★★ “Gleefully jaunty and refreshingly intelligent… hugely entertaining.” – The Guardian
- ★★★★ “Intellectually charged and adorably ambitious…a delightfully digestible dose of brain food.” – The Times
Music
Peggy Seeger: First Farewell Tour (15 September)
Peggy Seeger is a totally unique artist who has carved a special place in the folk revival of both the UK and the USA. Now in her mid-80s, her light burns as brightly as ever.
A multi-instrumentalist playing piano, guitar, five-string banjo, autoharp, English concertina and Appalachian dulcimer, Seeger is lauded for her feminist and political songs. She has made 25 solo recordings and participated in over 100 more and her 2021 album First Farewell was named #1 Folk Album of the Year by Mojo.
- “A trailblazer, both in her musical life and in her fiercely independent spirit.” – Evening Standard
- “Glorious – Peggy is a commanding presence” – The Times
- “Peggy Seeger may be folk royalty…but there’s still plenty of the mischievous reprobate – not to mention the untamed rebel – about her” – The Guardian
Tickets: £20 advance / £22 on the door
The Outside Track (16 September)
The Outside Track are one of the top Celtic acts in the world – their marriage of Celtic music, song and dance has been rapturously received.
Hailing from Scotland, Ireland and Cape Breton, its five members are united by a love of traditional music and a commitment to creating new music on this as a foundation. Their blend of boundless energy and unmistakable joie de vivrehas won them a large following around the globe.
- “Among the top bands in the world – stunning on every cut!” – Live Ireland
Tickets £14 advance / £16 on the door
Theatre
Late Bus to Broadway presented by Encore! Theatre Productions (8 – 10 September)
The fourth in their popular series of Broadway showcases, join Encore! Theatre Productions for Late Bus to Broadway: an evening of a myriad of musical showstoppers that will have you toe-tapping and hand-clapping.
With a hand-picked cast of 20 performers, you won't fail to be impressed by their singing and dancing talents. They will be showcasing nine of Broadway's top shows: West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Young Frankenstein, Bonnie & Clyde, Little Women, Something Rotten, 9 to 5, Into the Woods and Heathers. A little something to suit everybody's taste in musical theatre!
Classes and Workshops
There are also lots of classes and workshops to discover in September at Forest Arts Centre, including painting from still life (starts 12 September), contemporary dance (starts 13 September), Disco Fit (starts 16 September), Dancing Free! (starts 24 September) and Art Appreciation (29 September). To find out more about these and other classes and workshops visit www.ashcroft.org.uk/events.
For Children and Young People
Forest’s Young Company (starts 13 September)
Mystery, magic and mayhem all await at Forest’s Young Company! With classes for ages 8-12and 13-15respectively, you can learn the skills to devise and explore a range of characters and situations.
It's a chance to create, explore and use your imagination, as well as build your confidence and communication skills, meet new friends and have fun. If you love acting, then this is the class for you!
Forest Fables and Seaside Stories (25 September)
Join the StoryTribe for our regular relaxed storytelling session with a different story every time! Expect family fun, games and interactive storytelling, where imagination roams free.
Step into our desert island world, where two intrepid and eccentric castaways have found themselves stranded for many years. They only have each other, a few trees and a suitcase of clothes and trinkets for company. Join them on a tour of their strange island home and help create brand new stories about their weird and wonderful imaginary friends.
More information about Forest Arts Centre and the programme of events and activities is available at https://www.forest-arts.co.uk/.
