HOLMES FEST WILL CELEBRATE ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE IN PORTSMOUTH THIS JUNE
The writers and musicians of Portsmouth cordially invite you to attend Holmes Fest to celebrate the arrival in 1882 of one of its most famous residents: Arthur Conan Doyle, who created super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes while living in Southsea.
Specially-penned stories by local authors, Victorian music hall songs, projection and duelling will all feature in this fun night dedicated to Doyle, Holmes, Victoriana and Portsmouth.
Founder member of The Furrow Collective, The Emily Portman Trio and The Shee, singer and harpist Rachel Newton is joined on tour by Lauren MacColl on fiddle and Mattie Foulds on percussion. Rachel released ‘Here’s My Heart Come Take It’ in April 2016, a mix of English, Scottish Gaelic and original compositions, her music has been called ‘the sound of modern Scotland’. She draws on folklore and tradition and then applies her own singular vision, creating music that is beautiful and haunting.
Chris Smither is a true American original bluesman who has distilled his own sound after 50 years on the road.
He has always travelled his own road, eschewing sophisticated studio tricks and staying true to his musical vision whilst still drawing deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and philosophers. Smithers is a profound songwriter and a blistering guitarist (citing Lightnin' Hopkins and Mississippi John Hurt as his two major influences) who is, as he puts it, a 'one-man-b
Chris Wood is an uncompromising writer whose music reveals his love for the unrecorded history of the people, so it’s only right that his new album ‘So Much to Defend’ touches on minor league football, empty nest syndrome, learning to swim, Cook-in Sauce and, not least, the Gecko as a metaphor for contemporary society.
He’s won six BBC Folk Awards, so it’s no surprise that live Chris Wood has the air of a craftsman who no longer needs to be precious about his art. With no apparent effort he rea
Shell Shock is one soldier’s story of coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
After serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, Tommy Atkins’ observations on life on civvy street are poignant, frequently comic and always moving. His over-emotional responses to post office queues, a trip to Ikea, his relationships and family lead to alienation and anger.
The play is based upon a novel first published in 2011, by Iraq veteran Neil Watkin (writing as Neil Blower), who was diagnosed with PTSD after leavi
Hecklers is the only independent comedy club in the area and the heartbeat of our thriving comedy scene. This month we're delighted to welcome Ian Stone, Chris Washington and Ant Dewson to Hecklers. MC for the night is the wonderful Gary Coleman.
Comedian, prolific activist and documentary maker Mark Thomas returns to Aldershot’s West End Centre with his new show ‘Predictable (Work in Progress)’. Very few predicted the political events of the past year and with his new gig, Mark sets out to find what the future has in store for us. The show asks the audience what their predictions for the future are, creating a fantastical, hilarious and sometimes accurate vision of the world.
Tickets: £12 including food
Suitable for ages 14+
7pm
Join hosts Dean Atta and Deanna Rodger for a night of poetry from some of the UK’s best spoken word artists, accompanied by a Caribbean-themed meal.
Our menu of performers, chosen for their wit, wisdom and ability to move you are:
Appetisers: Open mic (There are 6 three-minute slots only - arrive early to secure your spot on the mic)
Starter: J. Fergus Evans
Main Course: Keith Jarrett
Dessert: Toni Stuart