The Stevenage Fringe – 2009

Congratulations to the hundreds of local performers who took part in the Stevenage Festival 2009.

There were a huge variety of events celebrating the arts in Stevenage during the festival that weren't part of the 2009 main programme.

As well as the performances at the Gordon Craig Theatre, the festival also included many smaller events in and around Stevenage which are detailed below.

Click on links below to jump lower down the page for more details on the event.

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

Exhibition of work by Stevenage Artists Society, Stevenage Photographic Society, Stevenage Underwater Photographers, Stevenage Locomotive Society.

Tickets: Free admission

Patchwork Day

Join Lizzie Reakes for this one day workshop. You will discover a simple and effective way of breathing new life into a favourite old garment by creating a traditional patchwork using geometric fabric shapes. Please bring along a garment or fabric you would like included in your patchwork. Please contact Stevenage Museum 01438 218881 to book your place

Tickets: £11, (£7.50 conc)

Flotsam and Jetsam –
An entertaining evening demonstration of flower arranging by a professional auctioneer

Nick Ground tells tales about his day job as he arranges fantastic, impressive flower arrangements on stage.

Tickets: £5.00 on the door (includes refreshments and flower prizes)

Family History Day

Organised by Stevenage Family History Society - an opportunity to talk over your ‘brick wall’ with a Family History society member

Talks at 12.30 (Researching your Family History without the Internet) and 2.30 (Using the Internet for Family History) Aimed at beginners.

Tickets: Free entry

Friends of Forster Country present:
An evening of Fun Edwardian Music
from Stevenage Ladies Choir

Interval refreshments by Friends of Holy Trinity.

Tickets: £5 from A-Top Properties, 1 Drapers Way or telephone 01438 369173

(Public welcome to attend FOFC AGM at 6.15 p.m.)

Desperate Journeys – Freddie Knoller

Freddie tells his life story – one of persecution, flight and the death camps of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen.
Waving farewell to his parents (whom he was never to see again) at seventeen he went on to survive the horrors of a bombing, escaped to France, was interned, escaped again and then made his way to Paris where he spent an extraordinary two years living on commissions from German soldiers. But that was only the beginning of his extraordinary story.
Arrested by the Gestapo, Freddie fled and joined the Resistance. A betrayal led to his arrest and deportation to Auschwitz. He survived the camp and the infamous death march through the resources of luck, friendship and optimism. Finally, after a period in Dora Nordhausen, where he was forced to witness the hideous executions of other slave labourers, the British liberated him from Belsen-Bergen on April 15th 1945.

Tickets: £5.00 on the door or in advance from Hilary Spiers 01438 350217

The Art and Architecture of Byzantium –
John Julius Norwich

What was Byzantium?
It's mystery and it's magic, and the astonishing monuments and mosaics that still survive today.
Historian, travel writer and television personality John Julius Norwich comes to Stevenage to deliver this entertaining and informative lecture.

Tickets: £5.00 on the door or in advance from Hilary Spiers 01438 350217

Film: The Kite Runner

Doors open at 7.30 p.m. - Film commences at 7.45p.m

An open screening of the Hertfordshire Film Club.
As young boys, Amir and Hassan were inseparable friends, until one fateful act tore them apart. Years later, Amir will embark on a dangerous quest to right the wrongs of the past – and redeem himself in ways he never expected – by displaying the ultimate in courage and devotion to his friend.

Tickets: £5 for non-members. Tickets available on the door or from tim.young373@gmail.com

Handel in Georgian London 1710 – 59

Organised by the Stevenage and Knebworth Arts Group to mark the 250th anniversary of the death of George Friedrich Handel, accomplished singer, pianist and harpsichordist Peter Medhurst looks at Handel’s time in London at the end of the 18th century. Morning lecture with slides and musical excerpts followed by live performance of Handel’s music in the afternoon.

Handel's music in the afternoon performed by Hannah Ockendon, soprano, Anne Whiteman, contralto, Sedah Webster, oboe and Julia Desbruslais, cello.

Tickets: £20 including lunch
Tickets must be purchased in advance from Hilary Spiers 01438 350217.

1920 – A walk in Paris

Join Margaret Bale as she leads you on a walk around the centre of Paris. Visit some well known landmarks as well as some less well known buildings, comparing the old views (taken from old photographic plates) with the same views today.

Tickets: £11, No Concessions3.50 (conc.) Numbers are limited so please book in advance with Stevenage Museum on 01438 218881. Tea and coffee supplied – bring your sandwiches

The Life and Works of Van Gogh

Organised by Stevenage Arts Society, Anthony Slinn talks about the Vincent ‘magic’ that turns canvas and paint into £30,000,000. Anthony is himself a painter and his research and enthusiasm for his subject is infectious.

Tickets: £5 on the door or in advance from Mrs J Meek 01438 880253 or Mr E Walsh 01438 223064.

Take 001 –
A Practical Talk on Making a Recording

Howard Burrell (Producer) with Dan Halford (Engineer) and Richard Uttley (Pianist) will demonstrate the steps in making a professional sound recording. Dan will describe the set – where and why the microphones are placed and the sort of sound he expects to get from this. Richard will talk about what he is going to play and what sort of sound and effect he expects to create and Howard will describe the role of the producer and his relationship with the artist.

They will then demonstrate ‘simple’ editing skills, explaining the decisions made in order to produce the best recording possible with the material available. The talk will conclude with a performance of the ‘finished’ product and the comments of Richard the performer.

Tickets: £3.00 on the door or in advance from Hilary Spiers 01438 350217

World without End

On the day after Halloween, in the year 1327, four children slip away from the cathedral city of Kingsbridge. They are a thief, a bully, a boy genius and a girl who wants to be a doctor. In the forest they see two men killed – an event that will shape the rest of their lives.

Local author Ken Follett discusses his bestseller World Without End, sequel to Pillars of the Earth. He talks about the problems of writing a hugely successful book, why he waited seventeen years to write it and why he loves Oprah Winfrey.

Tickets: £5.00 on the door or in advance from Hilary Spiers 01438 350217

AFTER DARK – Young bands play rock and unplugged stages

Book a place to play on the open mic stage.

Tickets: £11, No Concessions4 on the door. Enquiries 01438 219400.

Rock in the Park
(won't be happening this year)

The organisers regret to confirm that due to safety concerns about the water levels in the lakes, they have been unable to obtain a license to host Rock in the Park this year.

We hope it will be back with a vengeance, next time.

Songs of Praise – Churches Together

Come and sing your favourite hymns and worship songs at Songs of Praise, hosted by Churches Together in Stevenage. We are delighted to be joined by Pam Rhodes, a familiar face on BBC’s Songs of Praise. Enjoy a medley of song with singers and musicians from local schools, church choirs and worship bands. Look out for opportunities to vote for your favourite!

Tickets: Admission Free

Zimsculpt Exhibition At Knebworth House

Zimbabwean stone sculpture, despite political and social upheavals across the country, remains a truly contemporary force, combining successfully with an ancient cultural heritage.

The art is direct, powerfully human and extremely beautiful. Artists will be on site each day to display their crafts and discuss their work