Fabulous February
Fabulous music, art and creativity - the Arts Centre has it all!
Friday night is concert night at the Ilminster Arts Centre. Despite these chilly nights, a warm welcome awaits. Just grab a drink, sit back and enjoy some of the best live music around.
Whatever your musical tastes - whether it's jazz, blues, folk, classical, pop or rock - there's something for everyone.
Coming up on 3 February is a wonderful classical performance from Spiritato, a pioneering period ensemble with a love for little-known composers and challenging conventions. Presented by Concerts in the West, it showcases the talents of a fabulous quintet of musicians on a mission to bring the work of forgotten or less well-known composers to a wider audience.
Julia Titus, Mike Denham and Steve Graham - a great trio of talent!
On 10 February, the songs of the legendary blues and vaudeville singer of the 1920s, Bessie Smith, will be brought to life by a 'Great Trio of Talent' starring actor/poet/singer-songwriter Julia Titus, performing as Ma Bessie, with ever-popular pianist Mike Denham and acclaimed jazz trumpet player Steve Graham. Not to be missed.
Jemima Farey returns, by popular demand, on 17 February to present and perform an evening of 'Flying Folk' with Danny Ward, Colin Elliott, the Toadflax Band and the Farey Family Folk Group. They will be playing a mix of traditional and original folk songs.
The following Friday, on 24 February, features Trevor Whiting with the Craig Milverton Trio playing from 'Bechet to Bird', a celebration of clarinet and saxophone highlights of the classic jazz era from New Orleans through to swing and beyond. Trevor is one of the most in-demand reed players on the British jazz scene. He'll be accompanied by the sublime talents of Craig Milverton on piano, double bassist Ashley John Long and Nick Millward, one of the UK's leading jazz drummers and a former member of the world-famous Kenny Ball's Jazzmen.
All performances start at 7.30pm. Doors open from 6.30pm with a cash bar and free entry to the art gallery. To book, telephone 01460 54973 or email performances@ilminsterarts.org.uk leaving your telephone number.
As well as hosting sumptuous sounds, the Ilminster Arts Centre also offers a feast for the eyes. Its Gallery displays the work of leading artists from Somerset and across the wider South West.
A mixed media exhibition called 'Miscellany' runs from 31 January to 18 February featuring paintings, photographs, prints and textiles from ten artists, who are exhibiting together at the arts centre for the first time. All the work is for sale and, as a charity, the Arts Centre receives a commission on each item purchased.
This display is followed, from 21 February to 4 March, by the tenth annual exhibition of 'Schools Go Visual', displaying the artistic work of pupils and students from local schools.
Throughout the year a busy and varied programme of workshops, led by talented tutors, gives the opportunity for anyone to learn or develop their craft-making, drawing and painting. This could be either for personal pleasure, a way to relax in the company of like-minded people or to make gifts for family and friends. You can get as creative as you like with classes ranging from Clay Sculpture, Exploring Ink, Felting and Glass Bead Jewellery Making to Watercolours, Acrylics, Pastels and Art Journals. For more information and to book your place telephone 01460 54973 or email workshops@ilminsterarts.org.uk leaving your telephone number.
Helping to run all these activities is a brilliant team of dedicated volunteers, without whom the Arts Centre couldn't do what it does. If you can spare some time to join as a volunteer and contribute to your community, the Arts Centre would love to hear from you.
We look forward to seeing you soon!