Wednesday: blue funk and a ukulele

It's the last Wednesday of the month which means its time to get your Ukulele out and get along to the Boarhound pub.Or just go along and applaud. Loudly. Meanwhile in Poynton, well, over to Garry the Hat to explain. 'Now here’s a thing, Chris Cook has cancelled his tour until next spring. Sad but every cloud apparently does have a silverlining. Instead of coming with Chris, Jim has put together what can justifiably be described as a blues supergroup for a Bluefunk ’exclusive’, one off event. This collaboration of top drawer musicians has never happened before and who knows, may never happen again. Ignore this at your peril, this is very likely to be one of those ’I was there’ sort of gigs. Feast your eyes on this lot. Jim Kirkpatrick - guitar,vocals- Heavy Weather, Bernie Marsden Band, FM, Thea Gilmore Band. Neil ’Kegsy’ McCallum - Drums - Heavy Weather, Bernie Marsden Band, Climax Blues Band. Ian Rowley - Bass guitar - Heavy Weather, Bernie Marsden Band, Debbie Bonham Band.John ’Gunner’ Gunstone - Keyboards - Heavy Weather, BernieMarsden Band, Otis Grand. Steve Hayes - Guitar, vocals - Nearly Dan, Barflys Les Hunt - guitar -Climax Blues Band (of Les, Jim says "totally worldclass player, one of the best you could wish to hear, the blues world’s best kept secret". Blimey thanks Garry! maccukulele@live.co.uk Last Wed of month. Upstairs at the Boarhound, Brook St. Macc 30 Sep 2009, 20:00 - Bluefunk @ the WMC (Jim Kirkpatrick’s Heavy(er) Weather) Park Lane, Poynton, Cost:£8 booked £10 door image courtesy Blue Funk

The things we wondered at

We got along to the exhibition at Barefoot Couture. What an extraordinary place! It's great that they will be hosting regular exhibitions and the loop will keep you posted.

















Nipped to the Buy Art Fair at Urbis at the weekend too. Found it a bit disappointing. To our mind by far the best stand was from Likailin (in Prestbury) with an often provocative collection of contemporary Chinese paintings and sculpture. We look forward to visiting their shows from now on in the village. See their web site for opening times and details.

Sculpture at Likailin Gallery














Thanks to Vera for the picture of the charismatic front man from the Hot Bananas at the fabulous, bands at the bandstand day at South Park. There just aren't the words.....but we're full of a sort of admiration.

What did you get along to? What did you think?

Likailin Gallery, Prestbury www.likailin.com
Barefoot Couture 01260 222122

Loop social

Macc 'does' national poetry day

Not simply satisfied with just reporting the arts events in and around Macclesfield the loop likes to get on and organise the odd thing too.

To celebrate the issue of loop No 9 it hosts another of its highly popular social evenings. A chance for like-minds to exchange a bit of banter (cultural or otherwise) whilst enjoying some local creative talent and raising a glass to national poetry day too.(ok thats the 8th and we're a couple of days early but...)

Please join us for an evening of poetry with former Cheshire poet laureate
John Lindley

“…a dash of grit, rough urban magic, rural charm and a healthy dose of colourful humour.”
John will be signing copies of his new book at his new book The Casting Boat.

“ Lindley’s is an acutely observed world...(his) poetry is sexy, lyrical and by turns melancholic’ Link

Tues 6 Oct 8pm
Ronnie's bar
Dukes Court
Mill St
Macclesfield

Free but Booking essential please to maccloop@googlemail.com 07981 128454

Cinema: Cinemac

For your delectation at Cinemac. Go to their website for full details of dates and times.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (U)

(500) Days of Summer (12A)
(12A) 1hr 35mins USA 2009 Dir. Marc Webb Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zoe Deschanel 'Love has a starring role in this fresh look at the classic boy meets girl fairytale. Instead of the doe-eyed, lovelorn girl, this time it’s the boy who falls in love and the girl who loves him not. This doesn’t stop luckless Tom from pursuing the captivating Summer through a series of ups and downs in a story about relationships and selfdiscovery. By far the most genuine romantic comedy that’s been made for a long time, it will melt even the hardest of hearts.'
Go and see for yourself.

Go to the Cinemac web site to view a trailer for this film.

Tickets £4- £5.50
Don't forget cheap tickets on a monday night £3

If you have not yet discovered Cinemac, an unconventional and charming cinema, check out the website: http://www.cinemac.org.uk/ for further information, times and full listings.
Cinemac
Heritage Centre,
Roe St, Macclesfield.

Something for the weekend?

Music wise you can catch Apollyon at the Swan with Two Necks, and Tommy Allen and Jonny Hewitt playing Mississippi Blues at the Hollins on Friday whilst Dead River Disco are at Ronnie's on Sunday night.

Creative Sparks:The Secret Lives of Objects writing class runs at Bollington Art Centre tomorrow and then in the evening there is a Stars of Stage and Screen Spectacular at St Michaels's Church in Macc. Lyme Park is 'doing' the Victorians at home both weekend days; the perfect chance to try on some Victorian costume and try your hand at related games and puzzles.

There is a Craft fair at Capesthorne and Christ Church in Macclesfield will be opening its doors on Saturday. As we mentioned below its the final weekend of Cheshire Open studios so try to get along to some of these. The Village of Sutton is holding its first Village Arts Festival this weekend. There's a wonderful programme of music, dance, art and workshops. Not to be missed.

If that's not enough and you fancy a trip into Manchester there is the Buy Art fair at Urbis where Prestbury's Likailin Gallery will be exhibiting. I Think we'll take a look.
For more art closer to home, Barefoot Couture at Bosley cross roads are holding an auction and exhibition of local artists work in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.We love Colin Hallidays paintings so we will definitely be nipping along.

Remember if you saw it in the loop, please tell them.
picture by Colin Halliday

Sutton Festival Jenny Kendal 01260 252204
Stage and Screen spectacular Sat 26 sept 7.30 01625 421894
Ronnies Bar 01625 665050 Sun 7pm
The Swan with two necks see maccattack link below
Urbis Buy Art Fair www.buyartfair.co.uk
Barefoot Couture 01260 222122
Creative Sparks see Bollington Arts centre link below
Cheshire Open Studios www.cheshireopenstudios.org.uk or www.artistsatwork.org.uk

A lift from The Lift

We are always tantalised by the gigs put on by the Lift in Glossop and whilst its not within the loop's normal boundary we think you should be teased too:



Sept 26th Gilad Atzmon and The Orient House Ensemble As a member of the Blockheads, Gilad has also recorded and performed with such as Ian Dury, Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Connor and Paul McCartney. Gilad has also recorded with Robert Wyatt, the Waters Boys and many others

'Gilad Atzmon has always been one of the most distinctive saxophonists on the British circuit.”Clive Davis, The Sunday Times

Oct 24th Carmen Souza Truly amazing songstress from Cape Verde who blew people away at Womad and Reading festivals.

Nov 21st Catfish Keith A two-time W. C. Handy Blues Award nominee for best acoustic blues album, and 2008 inductee into the Blues Hall of Fame, Catfish has eleven number one independent radio chart-topping albums to his credit, and packs houses all over the world with his dynamic stage show.

The Lift, Glossop. See link to their web site. Picture: Carmen Souza at the lift
Thanks to Roger for alerting us to the lift in the first place.

Have another go.

Cheshire Open Studios

Have another go, immerse yourself in artists studios in the Macclesfield and Wilmslow area this weekend.

Grab the chance to explore the creative nerve centres of artists Karin Sheldon, Mary Christie, Becky Waite, Julie Allen, and four artists exhibiting with Garry Olson at his gallery; Lynne Allaby, Jane White and Rosemary Graham.

Don't miss artist Sue Crossfield who is showing her lovely ceramic pieces at her home in Handforth. See her charismatic seahorses above.

Yvonne philips is taking part in her first Open Studios over the weekend from 10am - 5pm at her home in Capesthorne.

She says 'Please feel welcome to call and see my work, have a cup of tea and a chat.'
An offer we can't refuse.

For full times and locations go to www.cheshireopenstudios.org.uk or

www.artistsatwork.org.uk

Your fresh autumnal loop

You will hopefully have received your latest copy of the loop, at the weekend. We want to apologise for it arriving in your in box a few days later than planned. It was due to circumstances outside our control and we are very frustrated that some listings events will have passed. Please forgive us! With that said, its a good reminder to always keep an eye on this blog for lots of updates and prompts. Its also an ideal spot to tell us what you think (we'll take it on the chin) and what you've been along to. If you took your camera better still , share your pictures with us. Perhaps you saw the bands in South Park at the weekend?

Please can we draw your attention to an error in the listings for Bel canto choir; it meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday not Friday each month as we said, and their phone number is 01625 616247.This welcoming group is for those who 'just want to sing for the sheer pleasure of it!'

Thanks to Macc Skate for the image which shows the graffiti produced for the Skate Jam in West Park a couple of weeks ago.

In case you didn't receive your loop as requested, it could be that your server took a high handed dislike to it, as part of the group mail out. Please put maccloop@googlemail.com in your mail box to prevent this.

If you did get your hands on it, please feel free to forward it to like minded local friends, we would very much appreciate it. Oh yes and if you get along to something because you saw it in the loop please tell them!

Dean Entwistle

I know, I know we keep going on about it, but we do love art in unorthodox places. Well done Camp Four for throwing open your doors to Dean Entwistle's glorious landscapes. Lets face it if you have popped in looking for a sturdy water proof for your hikes you can't fail to fall in love with these.

Wednesday 23rd Sept 7.30pm
Go along to listen to Dean giving an informal talk to accompany his work.

Please RSVP to Camp Four to let them know you are coming: info@campfour.co.uk

If you are inspired by Dean's dramatic landscapes and would like to take up the brush yourself, why not consider Jill Maguire's water colour classes? Her Tuesday afternoon classes in Macc are over subscribed but she is starting a Congleton class at the High School on Box Lane from this Tuesday evening onwards. It runs from 6.30p.m. - 8.30p.m. and is a Watercolours Class for all levels, including beginners. People can join it late. It is a 5 week block, but may extend to become 10 weeks.

Jill Maguire Water colour classes 01625 432437
Camp Four. Pickford St, Macclesfield 01625 619204.

Cinema: Age of Stupid

The Age of Stupid











A special one off showing at Cinemac
Pete Postlethwaite plays an archivist in the devastated world of the future, introducing well-chosen TV and documentary clips, plus some great little animations, and asks the question: "Why didn t we stop climate change when we still had the chance?" Showing in collaboration with World Development Movement: campaigning against the root causes of poverty:
further information available at www.wdm.org.uk

Wednesday 23 September, 8.00pm
(12) 1hr 32mins USA 2008 Dir. Franny Armstrong
Admission free (with voluntary donations for costs)

Weekend extra

Something for the weekend?

Fingers crossed it will be glorious this weekend, like last. When we were graced with the sort of weather the North West has become entirely unaccustomed to.
We definitely want the sun to shine on those Pirates (it's National Pirate Day) and on the bands playing at the Bandstand in South Park on Saturday. Great local music, a picnic by the lake... see earlier post for full details. Take your terrier as the annual South Park Dog Show is going on too. Mmm, take your terrier dressed as a pirate?! Pictures please!

The'' Looking at Paintings' 8 week course starts at Bollington Arts Centre tomorrow and if you fancy some trad jazz Annies Saints and Sinners play the Egerton Arms. Don't miss the very high quality and expansive Cloverbank Farmers Market on Saturday and watch out for frolicking calves, capering as you drive up the lane. They're having a ball at the moment apparently.

There's more music from F.I.G.M.O and Hey Zeus at the Swan with two Necks on Saturday night and the Merchants of Cool play Ronnie's on Sunday .

It's the second weekend of the Cheshire Open Studios. Seize this opportunity to see and possibly buy work direct from the artists in their studio. Sadly Macclesfield artist Jayashree Jaipal won't be showing as advertised but see her glorious pink abstract here instead.

Annie's Saints and Sinners Egerton Arms Chelford 8.30pm 01625610059
Cheshire Open Studios www.cheshireopenstudios.org.uk
jay_jaipal@yahoo.co.uk
Clover Bank Organic Farm, North Rode www.cloverbankorganicfarm.co.uk
Ronnie's bar www.ronnies-bar.co.uk
Bollington Arts centre Art Appreciation course. See link below

Looking ahead & further a field: books

A bit further a field than we normally cover but definitely worth the trip, The Knutsford literature Festival takes place 6-23 October. Particularly if you were enthused by Mark Illis and Stephen May who read from their novels at a special loop evening in Macc earlier in the year. You have probably had the chance to read their books by now and be raring to fire probing in depth questions! Or not. A really enjoyable evening even if they are totally new to you. Book quickly though.

'Tender' by Mark Illis who writes for Emmerdale, Peak Practice, Eastenders and The Bill. 'Tag' by Playwright Stephen May is Director of the Ted Hughes Arvon centre at Lumb Bank

Tues 20 Oct 7:30pm £4 Knutsford Catholic Church Hall www.knutsfordlitfest.blogspot.com

Local wisdom

You may remember an intriguing event organised by the London College of Fashion in Bollington in July. As a part of Local Wisdom you were invited to be photographed wearing a treasured garment with personal significance. The day was a great success and now you have the chance to view a selection of the resulting photographs in the window of the White Gallery in Bollington.


The Silkscreen season gets under way tonight, see posting for Sept 2 and have a look at their web site and be seduced by the brilliant programme of films.

The Virgin Mary's are playing at Ronnie's tonight but if its time to pick up a guitar yourself you could join in the beginners electric guitar lessons at the Dog and Partidge in Bollington instead.

White Gallery, 13 Wellington Rd, Bollington www. thewhitegallery.blogspot.com
Guitar lessons Mark 07989 600001
Silk Screen www.silkscreen.org.uk
Ronnie's bar www.ronnies-bar.co.uk

Pirates in the Park

A message in from Andy Hughes...

SOUTH PARK BANDSTAND GIG
Saturday 19 September. 1 – 7pm

Hot Banana’s on around 3pm (image courtesy of www.thehotbananas.com)

Plus: it’s National Pirate Day so come in fancy dress and instead of going home head for the follow on Party at the Swan. Including: 2 live bands: FIGMO (metal) and in support Hey Zeus! (pop/rock). 8pm – 1am (officially)

FREE ENTRY!

So dust of your parrot and a big pirate - arrrghhhh!!

A Far Eastern Odyssey Close to Home

In search of something exotic? Then visit the Wilmslow branch of Waterstones on Wednesday 16 September (12.30pm). Where you will find chef and restauranteur, Rick Stein signing copies of his latest book - Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey. The visually stunning, culinary tribute to authentic Southeast Asian cuisine, accompanies the BBC series of the same name.

Waterstone's, 29 Grove St. Wilmslow
01625 521685
http://www.waterstones.com/

Serendipity

The loop loves a bit of serendipity. It happened today as I utterd the words,' I wished we'd got to the Bollington Festival of transoprt , I'd love to see some old cars'. We swung into a Rudyard pub car park and there they were. Not your average classics, these were a troup of gorgeous pre and post war Jowetts. Bradford is hardly synonymous with innovative design and you don't see these Idle made cars around very often : the lines of the lovely rag top Jupiter is surely as seductive as the Jag XK120?. It was a lovely unexpected treat.

Mark Linehams pub based Guitar classes start tomorrow.He tutors all levels on acoustic and electric in a Bollington pub on different but regular nights. Contact him for full details.

Theres a Macc Town Trail to learn how Macc has been shaped by its history,on Monday morning. Booking is essential for this and it starts outside the Town Hall at 10am.The Camera Club meets on Monday night whilst the former 'stitch and bitch' now the more demurely named Mulberry Tree Stitchers get together for a chin wag and skills exchange.

The tantalising SciBar gets its teeth into anti matter and a pint of decent beer at the Vale in Bollington for what sounds like a series of fascinating talks. See their web site for full details.

Town Trail booking 01625 504505

Guitar classes: Mark Lineham The Dog & Partridge, 97 Palmerston Street, Bollington

07989 600001

Mulberry Tree Stitchers Every 2nd Mon, 10.30–12noon.
Mulberry Tree Café, Heritage Centre, Roe St. Macc
01625 423417/426603

Mon 6.30pm

Bollington Sci Bar The Vale Inn, Adlington Road , Bollington, http://www.bollingtonscibar.co.uk/

Macc Camera Club Monday 8pm The Library Jordangate www.macclesfieldcameraclub.org.uk

Jowett Car club North West http://www.jowettnorthwest.co.uk/index-6.html

MADS: Noises Off

Just the time to order your tickets for MADS latest production. Noises Off opens the Season at the Little Theatre. Called the 'funniest farce ever written', Noises Off with it’s frantic pace and saucy innuendo should leave you breathless with laughter.

Frayn was apparently inspired to write Noises Off whilst watching the performance of a farce from the wings. According to the playwright, "It was funnier from behind than in front and I thought that one day I must write a farce from behind."^.

Noises Off has all the ingredients of a perfect farce: 'people come and go through lots of doors, men’s trousers fall down and young women run around in their underwear.' What more could you want?

21 - 26 Sept £5/£7
MADS Little Theatre

01625 611974

Performances commence at 7.45pm, and the box office and bar will be open from 7 o clock.

Something for the weekend?

The new loop is looming and you should get one delivered to your inbox next week.So let us have your e mail address if you haven't already.

In the meantime there's plenty to entertain you this weekend.
There is an auction view at North Rode for Adam Partridge flog It, if antiques are your thing. Personally we are always open to a rummage in a box of random items.
Thursday sees the start of the Heritage Open days. There are some intriguing happenings tied in with this, this weekend so look at http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/HOD009394E/.5 for times and events.
The beautiful King Edward St Chapel will be open on Friday and Saturday with posy making workshops 11-2 for children on Saturday. We love the idea of the Angry Preacher on Saturday, a tour of Macc's non conformist chapels, exploring this fascinating strand of the town's history with a curious 'Revd Stephen Macall'
Pugin's St Alban's Church will be open ( with those lovely medeival carvings) as will Christ Church. If you don't 'do' ecclesiatical 'The Pubs and Breweries of Old Macc' on Sunday might be more your thing. For inspiration why not get hold of the new town trail booklet written by local historian Dorothy Bentley Smith. £2.

The other must do this weeknd is to throw yourself into the Cheshire Open Studios.Now in its 12th year this is a unique chance to view artists work (and maybe purchase directly )and to talk with them in their own studios spaces.Go to www.cheshireopenstudios.org.uk for a full list with maps of the artists taking part.

Loop readers are invited to view the work of Julie Hamer and Sara Belfield in particular. See invite below.

The Martyn Donaldson Music Trust concert is on Saturday at the Methodist Church (see post before) or alternatively catch VooDoo Souls at the Swan with Two |Necks. Sunday has the coyly named Unshaggables playing at Ronnies. Its a good weather forecast for once and loads of things to do outside, so get out and play.

Flog It Auction www.adampartridge.co.uk
Heritage Open Days http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
Cheshire Open Studios www.cheshireopenstudios.org.uk
Julie Hamer www.jahama.co.uk
Martyn Donaldson Music Trust www.mdmt.org.uk

Image courtesy Sara Belfield

Martyn's Music 5

Sorry its a bit blurred....so for those with out blur correcting lenses:

There is Mozart, Rogers and Hammerstein, Stevie Wonder, Kenyan song and dance with students from Starehe Girls’ School Nairobi, under the tutelage of Rob Stewardson. And lots more too. Tempted? tickets are nearly sold out so ring
01625433187 /01625615298 asap for yours.

Cinema:Cinemac

For your delectation at Cinemac. Go to their website for full details of dates and times.

The Time Traveler''s Wife (12A)
Coco before Chanel (12A)
Shorts (PG)

Friday 11 to Thursday 17 September (not Weds 16)
Coco before Chanel (12A) 1hr 50mins subtitles France 2009 Dir. Anne Fontaine Audrey Tautou, Benoit Poelvoorde Coco Before Chanel follows the young Gabrielle Chanel (a marvellous Tautou) as she tries to escape her upbringing as the orphaned illegitimate daughter of a travelling salesman, firstly as a cabaret singer and then as the mistress of a wealthy socialite and horse breeder. As befits the woman fêted as the most influential fashion designer of the 20th century, Coco Before Chanel is a stylish and sophisticated look at the woman behind the icon.

Go to the Cinemac web site to view a trailer for this film.

Tickets £4- £5.50
Don't forget cheap tickets on a monday night £3

If you have not yet discovered Cinemac, an unconventional and charming cinema, check out the website: http://www.cinemac.org.uk/ for further information, times and full listings.
Cinemac
Heritage Centre,
Roe St, Macclesfield.

Something for the weekend?

Paragon Art Gallery have a special show starting on Saturday, a retrospective of the work of William J Colclough 1938-2007. We'll definitely pop down to take alook and it runs until 16th September.They will also be hosting their 2nd exhibition of work by local artist (and artist in residence) Steven Bewsher.
Sunday's visual stimulation can be found in Bollington Art Centre's Gallery with Eclectic Stitches.Meanwhile over the hill theres the Craft Fair in Buxton on both days.
Saturday night sees jazz in Bollington with John Hallam Jazztet with Jeff Barnhart. Apparently John and Jeff were sensational last year – and will be again no doubt. The Knuckleheads play the Swan with two Necks in Macc .If you get along tell us what they were like.

On Sunday why not head to the Hollins Farmers Market for some nice veg to go with the roast ?
The loop does like a party and hope to head down to Ronnie's bar's second birthday bash on later on with Carus Thompson and the Virgin Mary's playing.Should be a good one.Oh and happy birthday!

Paragon Gallery Waters green, Macc 01625 502111 www.artatparagon.com
Jazz at the Art Centre £8; ring 01625 574410 to reserve your seat

BAC In the Gallery Eclectic Stitches until Oct 4

Hollins pub, Black rd, Macc

Ronnie's bar, Dukes Court, Macc

picture courtesy John Hallam and Jeff Barnhart

Meet Colonel Stuart Tootal DSO OBE

The first senior commander to provide an account of the fighting in Afghanistan will be discussing his new book Danger Close: Commanding 3 PARA in Afghanistan at the Waggon and Horses on Sunday 6 September.

The book offers a dramatic and often moving insight into the leadership of soldiers and the sharp end of war. Tickets, priced at £6, are available from Waterstones in Macclesfield and from the venue. (Proceeds will be donated to the Afghan Trust Charity.)

Waggon and Horses
Manchester Road, Eaton, North Congleton, CW12 2JD
01625 424212

Calling all script writers

The Organised Chaos Theatre Company is inviting writers living and/or working in the North West of England to submit new scripts for entry into its new initiative.

Writers are asked to submit an original script with a performance running time of up to 2 hours, any running time below this will be accepted. The script must be your own work and not previously published or professionally performed.

Please send your entries by email in word format including a cover sheet with the title and writers name.

Organised Chaos will commit to produce the selected play in Manchester in the early part of next year with the potential for future productions in the North West (and beyond) and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Writers should email their script to Kirsty or Gayle at mailto:organisedchaostheatre@gmail.com

Deadline for submissions: 27 September 2009

.picture' Time light courtesy of Image Palette www.imagepalette.com

loop Invite: Open Studios

And just in case you can't make out the fine detail...

Julie Hamer and Sara Belfield invite you and your friends to a preview on Friday 11 September at 7pm of paintings, prints and sculpture.

The exhibition continues Sat 12 and Sun 13 September from 10am to 5pm.

Venue: 7 Kershaw Grove, Macclesfield SK11 8TN
Tel: 01625 614303. Mob: 0778 2312264
e: julie@jahama.co.uk
Web: http://www.jahama.co.uk/

and we'll see you there...

A Season of Silkscreen

For lovers of the best in world cinema the Silkscreen Film Society is beginning upon a new season. With the next great film I’ve Loved You So Long (picture courtesy of Silkscreen.org.uk) showing on Wednesday 16 September (French with subtitles).
Silkscreen, for the uninitiated, is a non-profit making society currently with around 330 members. The films are shown at the Heritage Centre in Roe Street (the home of Cinemac) and can be seen on Wednesdays (at approximately two-week intervals) with showings at 5.30 and 8pm.
The season, running through to March 2010, includes the brilliant comedy-noir In Bruges, starring Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell; Caramel, a tender, light-hearted look at what life is like for working women living in Lebanon today. (France/Beirut with subtitles); and the outrageously offbeat comedy hit Juno.
Details of the full programme are available on the website. Including information on the talk by Alan Sennett, on classic French cinema from the 1930s to the 1960s. Wednesday 27 January. Sennett is a lecturer in film, politics and history.
The price of the event is included within the membership fee and costs £4 to visitors. Membership subscriptions for 2009/10 are £24, an average only £2 per film and a membership form can be found on line.

Silkscreen, Heritage Centre, Roe St, Macclesfield
http://www.silkscreen.org.uk/

The absolute wonder of Windystock

We are posting the comments that we received about Windystock and a comment we have received in response from one of the organisers.It was a great affair. I'm sure it won't rain next year. It just can't.

GirlBoy said...

Amazing show by all involved :) Good venue and the weather didn't matter, the acts and people, both organisers and patrons, were wicked!

Big shout to Rough Twist, the amazing Dead River Disco :) Birdie and The Virgin Marys

Loved it, hope to do it all again next year!!

The Merchants of Cool said...

A huge vote of thanks to Don and Warwick for the organisation.

The Merchants of Cool enjoyed playing and watching the other bands and not forgetting the Belly Dancers.

The Virgin Marys and Rough Twist were exceptionally good - nice one guys!!

The whole event was simply magical. Lets hope for good weather next year.

Steve Kowalski
The Merchants of Cool

Anonymous said...

Thanks GirlBoy we worked hard and hope we can do it all again next year, even better. I think everyone enjoyed it despite the weather.

The bands and acoustic acts were fantastic, giving their time and effort for free, Windyway really appreciate their efforts they were all brilliant.
Thank you to everyone

GazBrad said...

A great event, this has just got to be done again next year. Did the whole camping thing and enjoyed every minute. Weather? What weather! A light drizzle I think.

The bands were great, the beer tent was great, the food was great. You get the idea.

Here's to three legged dogs, muddy fields and good music. Hope the charity made some good money.

Cheers everyone, we'll be back.

Anonymous said...

Great little festival in a really beautiful location.

The acoustic stage made the day in my opinion, I'm not fan of cover bands, particularly at festivals, and there were far too many covers being played on the main stage by bands who were undoubtedly good musicians, but rather than pen their own songs, preferred to stick to the usual old crowd pleasers. Old Yellow and The Tensions were among the exceptions and played storming sets but should've been on later in the day, playing to more people!

The acts on the acoustic stage were an eclectic mix of truly original artists all doing their own thing very, very well.

Curator Helen Walford and her band Dead River Disco had some lovely understated melodic moments. Dave S, who had come from Prestwich to play, captivated the crowd with his dark acoustica. Alexis McClean and partner played her own brand of off-kilter folk to an admiring crowd. Former Virginmary, Chris Birdsall and his homemade "box of stomp" took things up a notch, drawing comparisons with The White Stripes and even Seasick Steve, with his lovely blues inspired music. The headline band came in the form of little known band Glass Ankle. The music was refreshingly simple and catchy with haunting moments; there is no-doubt this band can craft great songs. Their lyrics seemed to take inspiration from Japanese culture and I found out later that this was because the lead singer had recently returned from an 11 month excursion to the land of the rising sun. The performance also included video projections which added another dimension and drew the crowds in with footage of skate-boarding dogs and monkeys bathing in outdoor spas, amongst other clips again from Japan. Glass Ankle were an unexpected highlight of the festival and with more gigs and exposure I believe this band have potential to make some waves in the enormous musical sea.

So yes, a great day! Macc needs events like this and it was awesome to see so many people there supporting and enjoying iton Saturday.

Congrats to the organisers and to Windyway.

bluefunkster said...

It is indeed warming to read all these fantastic comments from some of the many people who came and supported the inaugural 'Windystock Festival'. I thank them all for their support and I am thrilled that everyone's effort was so greatly appreciated but most of all that it was a financial success for for the charity Windyway. All those involved with the sanctuary are a fantastic bunch of people and are proper grafters who work tirelessly for the cause. It was a privilege to put on this event with them and would be proud to do it again next year. Garry the Hat

02 September 2009 16:44