Christmas Craft Show offers perfect presents
The popular Christmas Craft Show at Ilminster Arts Centre is on display in the Gallery until Friday, 22 December, providing a great opportunity to get that perfect present for yourself or loved ones.
It offers a winter wonderland of handmade gifts by local craft makers, so as well as buying a unique present you'll also be supporting your local community arts charity as well as talented artists and crafts people from across the South West.
The arts centre's shop is also staying open later, until 4pm, on Saturday, 9 December and Saturday, 16 December to make Christmas shopping easier than ever.
Why not pop in and have a look round, and take time out for a well-deserved cuppa and cake from the café at the same time?
Next up in the arts centre's busy programme of performances and events is Dave's Big General Knowledge Quiz on Friday, 15 December. Hosted by Dave Elliott, one of our brilliant volunteers, the quiz is a fundraiser for the arts centre and there will be a prize for the winning team, as well as a general raffle prize. Tickets are only £10 for a team of four.
Although the arts centre remains open, the performance programme then takes a break until Friday, 19 January when ever-popular pianist Craig Milverton returns with a sublime homage to jazz piano legends such as Dave Brubeck and James P Johnson. The Observer newspaper described Craig as "an extravagantly gifted pianist with an unrivalled swing", so it promises to be a performance to remember.
On 2 February, join us for a night of French music as the Oh La La! Quintet returns by popular demand. The Quintet, led by Parisian-born Fifi La Mer on vocals and accordion, also features: Alex Garnett on vocals, tenor sax and clarinet; Oliver Wilby on accordion, clarinet and tenor sax; Simon Picton on guitar; and Julian Bury on bass.
That's followed, on 9 February, with a wonderful tribute band who will create a West End experience in Ilminster. The All Seasons bring to life the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Their all-singing, all-dancing show has wowed audiences of all ages across the UK. Fans of the 'Jersey Boys' sound will not be disappointed!
The musical delights continue on 16 February with the first performance of the new year presented by Concerts in the West. The Perks Ensemble is a talented quintet of chamber musicians, all of whom studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School. Their repertoire will include Mozart and Brahms. The quintet comprises Oscar Perks on violin, Elliott Perks on viola, Sebastian Kolin on cello and Alexander Ullman on piano.
All performances and events start at 7.30pm. Doors open from 6.30pm with bar. To book or for more information visit www.ilminsterartscentre.com/performances or telephone 01460 54973 (Tues-Sat).
In the Gallery, the new year starts with an eye-catching exhibition of works from the winning artists and sculptors from the art centre's annual Open Exhibition. It runs from 2 - 27 January and will feature not only paintings and sculpture but also contributions in ceramics from the arts centre’s clay workshop group.
If you make New Year resolutions and fancy learning a new hobby or getting creative, then look no further than the arts centre. We offer a wide range of workshops for all abilities, led by friendly talented tutors. For details visit www.ilminsterartscentre.com/workshops
Please note that the arts centre will be closed from 2pm on 23 December to 1 January, providing an opportunity for its hard-working volunteers to take a well-deserved break and enjoy the festivities. It re-opens on Tuesday, 2 January 2024.
Finally, we’d like to wish a very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year to all our volunteers, visitors, artists, craft makers and performers. Your continued support is invaluable and much appreciated.