March 2017

Sportive Cyclists Vie For Document Network Services Mountain Crown

Cyclists joining the annual Cycle Derby Spring Classic Sportive on Sunday April 23 will be vying for the DNS King or Queen of the Mountain crown for the first time this year.

A 100m section of Long Lane between Radbourne and Longford will be laid with timing chip technology and riders taking part in the 40k, 80k and 160k will be timed on the uphill climb.

Both the fastest male and female riders will win the DNS sponsored King or Queen of the Mountain title, organised by Cycle Derby and HUUB Events.

A gripping, intriguing and uproarious spy thriller on stage in Graham Greene’s Our Man in Havana Coming to Buxton Opera House 20-22 April

Innovative theatre company Creative Cow brings an evening of hilarity and satire in this witty adaptation of Graham Greene’s spy thriller ‘Our Man in Havana’.  Known as one of Greene’s ‘entertainments’, the play tells the tale of a luckless vacuum cleaner salesman who gets sucked in to a dirty world of espionage and double agents when the chance of helping out MI6 with a job or two proves too good an offer to resist.

Sinfonia Viva Invites Local Groups To Join Anniversary Tour

Derby-based Sinfonia Viva, the East Midlands’ only professional orchestra, will mark its 35th anniversary this year by touring the region with its inflatable mobile venue and is inviting local creative groups to join them.

The Orchestra will start its month-long tour by erecting its mobile venue in Derby Market Place on June 13 and 14 before moving onto Mansfield, Scunthorpe, Mablethorpe and North Norfolk.

Super Heroes, Comedy and Entertainment Blast Off in Derby Cathedral Quarter

Derby Comedy Festival will burst into life in the Cathedral Quarter on Saturday April 15 with  free entertainment for all the family between 11am and 3pm in the Market Place.

‘Blast Off!’ will be the launch event for Derby Comedy Festival (Friday May 5 to Sunday May 14). It has been produced by FFTS Events Ltd and supported by the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID).

Derby College Apprentice Set For National Shepherd Finals

Derby College’s agriculture apprentice Mike Bosworth (23) has won a place in the  finals of the National Shepherd Association’s Young Shepherd competition after winning a bronze medal in the regional heats.

Mike, from Little Eaton, is combining his apprenticeship on the working farm at College’s Broomfield Hall land-based campus in Morley with supporting younger students there.

Triple award-winning JOAN embarks on another national tour

Following an incredibly popular preview at Derby Theatre in 2015, and a phenomenally successful, award-winning run  at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2016, JOAN, a Milk Presents  Production in association with Derby Theatre, has  embarked on another national tour and will play at the Wales Millennium Centre, The Oval House, Camden People’s Theatre, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Barnsley Civic, Birmingham Rep and at Touchstones Rochdale.  

PRS for Music Foundation Open Grants Programme new application deadline (UK)

Not for profit organisations based in the UK with projects that involve the creation, performance and promotion of new music of any genre have until the 8th May to apply for up to £10,000 of funding from the current round of the Open Fund for Organisations. The Open Fund is available to any not-for-profit organisation based in the UK with an eligible project, this includes: 

•    Promoters
•    Festivals
•    Orchestras and large ensembles
•    Talent development or composer development organisations
•    Venues
•    Curators.

Funding for artists & bands (England)

PRS for Music Foundation has announced that the next application deadline for the Momentum Music Fund is the 16th May 2017. The Momentum Music Fund offers grants of £5,000-£15,000 for artists/bands to break through to the next level of their careers. Activities eligible for support include: 

•    Recording
•    Touring
•    Marketing.

Sportives Support Local Charities

Cyclists taking part in the Derby Spring Classic Sportive event on Sunday April 23 and the North Derbyshire Challenge in September will be raising money for two local charities.

Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre was the nominated charity for last year’s two sportives which are organised by Cycle Derby and HUUB Events.

They will continue to be supported this year alongside Ashgate Hospice Care which provides support, care and specialist therapy services to people in their own homes across North Derbyshire as well as at the hospice in Chesterfield.

Multi Talented Principal Conductor Takes Centre Stage with Sinfonia Viva

The audience at Sinfonia Viva’s latest concert in the Twilights series at Derby Cathedral on Friday April 7 will be treated to two distinctly different sides of the Orchestra’s multi-talented Principal Conductor Duncan Ward.

Ward will return to the Cathedral for the fourth in the Twilights series of drive time and early evening concerts after initially launching the programme last November.

The April 7 concert, starting at 6pm, is entitled ‘A Spring Quintet’.  The highlight will be a new composition by Ward entitled ‘Hopscotch for Wind Quintet’ which he will conduct.

Derby College Students Support Ramathon

Public Services students at Derby College will be turning out in force to help organisers of the annual Ramathon in June.

Around 100 students, who are based at the College's Broomfield Hall campus, will be supporting the annual Derby half marathon, business team run and mini Ramathon fun run which will be held on Sunday June 4.

Bake Off star Val extends range of bakes at Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire

Derbyshire farm shop Croots has added to its range of bakes created by Great British Bake Off star Val Stones.

Val’s brother Steve Croot runs the farm shop near Duffield, with wife Kay, and last year they teamed up to launch a tasty selection of bakes under the Val at Croots……made with love brand.

Now two new bakes – banana and pecan loaf and spelt cookies - have been added to the range.

New Junior Duathlon Announced by HUUB Events

Derby-based HUUB Events has announced its first Junior Duathlon which will be held on a closed circuit at Darley Moor race track in Ashbourne on Saturday May 27.

The event is open to young people aged eight to 16 and has been organised by HUUB Events in partnership with junior triathlon clubs – Derby’s HUUB Sports Academy and Ashbourne-based Peak Performance.

Art For Life Sessions at Artcore

Artcore are running weekly Art for Life sessions every Wednesday from 1-3pm that enable positive health and wellbeing. Open for all ages of people with disability or learning difficulty, these sessions are innovative and engaging. They allow for exploring a variety of art mediums to spark creativity and expression whilst encouraging socialising and learning new skills.

Our group sessions are £10 pr hour, per participant (minimum of a 2 hour booking) 
All art materials and refreshments are provided in the cost.

THE BIG 1 CARNIVAL ON CHADDESDEN PARK

Organised by Chaddesden Partnership Group in association with Derby LIVE, The BIG 1 at Chaddesden Park returns on Sunday 4 June, with all the family favourites that guarantee a great day out for everyone.

The park will be filled with stalls selling books, sweets, crafts and jewellery and those handing out information about a number of different groups and charities, including Derbyshire Fire Service and Police. 

Over 80 Fringe Acts Already Entered!

With still five weeks to go before the final deadline for entries, the Fringe already has over 80 fantastic acts signed up and there is still time to take advantage of an early entry discount, which is available until the end of March.

New Mills Festival Launches Call For Visual Arts 2017

New Mills Festival is delighted to invite submissions from artists to take part in a two-week long Art Trail. The Trail forms part of New Mills Festival which takes place across the town from the 8th to the 24th September 2017. Submissions open on 12th March 2017 and close on midnight 7th May 2017.

Americana duo Hungrytown to perform in Buxton

The Green Man Gallery presents the internationally-acclaimed American folk duo Hungrytown, who are currently on their 2017 Further West Tour of the UK. How is the UK west of the US? Their tour started in January in Florida, went through the American south to California, continued onto New Zealand and will be here through April before returning to the US, heading west the whole time.

Gangsta Granny is coming to Buxton Opera House Wednesday 12 to Sunday 16 April

Watch out! The cabbage-crunching, criminal master-mind, Gangsta Granny is coming to Buxton Opera House

Birmingham Stage Company, the acclaimed producers of Horrible Histories, George’s  Marvellous Medicine and Tom’s Midnight Garden, are bringing their world premiere of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny to Buxton Opera House from Wednesday 12 to Sunday 16 April.

Celebrate Earth Hour at the Unitarian Chapel on Short Row, Belper, on Saturday 25 March, 8.30pm to 9.30pm

Doors open at 7.30pm to refreshments, when Ravenoak Recorders will be playing as guests arrive.  

The Earth Hour performance begins with the beautiful voice of Folk singer Sue MacFarlane. She is followed by Future Music's grand finalist Lucy Milford, a local singer/songwriter. The evening concludes with Belper contemporary composer James Oldrini, with his string quartet, plus special guest. The chapel seats only around 100 people, so early arrival is advised as the event is not ticketed.

Matched crowdfunding for arts and heritage: Second phase of the Nesta pilot

For the past five months Nesta has been running a pilot programme to see if matched crowdfunding - that is funding bodies combining grant funding with multiple financial contributions from the crowd - can stimulate exciting and dynamic new projects in the arts and heritage sectors. 

In the second phase of the programme Nesta will be testing a larger funding contribution from both ACE and HLF for projects, to examine what impact this has on the demand for programmes and their ability to raise funds from the crowd. 

Networking Events for BLACK* artists

The Women’s Community Forum is organizing a series of 5 events bringing together Black and Minority Ethnic and Refugee artists from across the UK in March/April 2017.

We are also in the process of collating a catalogue of BLACK* artists for inclusion in the re-designed The Women’s Community Forum website available end of March 2017.

The networking event will allow us to get to know each other, share ideas, identify and express our needs. 

BLACK* Artist Directory

The Women’s Community Forum has been funded by the Arts Council England to collate a BLACK, Asian, Ethnic Minority, Refugee artist’s directory – so we would love to hear from you.

We are really thrilled to be compiling this major document which will strengthen the community of BLACK* artists and make it easier for organisations to gain access to a vast number of artists. We feel certain that this directory will raise the profile of BLACK* artists in England and the rest of the UK.

DERBYSHIRE ACCESSIBILITY CAMPAIGNERS IN LINE FOR NATIONAL TOURISM AWARD

Derbyshire’s accessibility champions Gillian Scotford and Jane Carver are celebrating news that they have been shortlisted for a prestigious national tourism accolade.

Gillian and Jane, co-founders of Accessible Derbyshire, are in the running to win national tourist board VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar Award 2017, which will be announced during English Tourism Week (March 25 to April 2).

Junction Arts: Art on The Model - Call out for Creative(s)

An opportunity has arisen for a creative, or team of creatives, who have the ability to develop a site-responsive engaging and accessible project that can produce large scale public realm artworks with the local community of ‘The Model’ during an exciting, albeit challenging, time within New Bolsover’s history. 

Deadline for applications - 26th March 2017

For more information visit: https://www.curatorspace.com/opportunities/detail/art-on-the-model--call...

Medals Galore At Great Northern Running Event

Nearly 500 people braved the cold and rain to take part in the fourth annual Great Northern running event in Mickleover on Sunday.

The half marathon, 10k and 2k family fun run was organised again by Mickleover Cricket Club and Derby-based HUUB Events. It was named after and took part along part of the disused Great Northern railway line in Mickleover.

The first medal of the day was awarded to the 2k winner Josh Cotton (11) from Mickleover who was followed by runners of all ages and abilities.

Sinfonia Viva Launches Carers’ Choir

Derby-based Sinfonia Viva, the East Midlands’ only professional orchestra, is launching a new initiative to bring together local people who are carers for family  and friends.

The new Carers’ Choir will be open to people across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire who will come together once a month to enjoy music and potentially have opportunities for performing.

The choir, which will be free to join, will be launched on Tuesday March 21, 7.30pm to 9.30pm at The Voicebox, Forman Street, when carers and support groups are invited to come along for a taster session.

Geldards support Derby Spring Classic Sportive

Geldards has re-pledged its support for Derby’s two major cycling sportive events this year.

Pride Park-based law firm Geldards will work with organisers Cycle Derby and HUUB Events to stage the Team Challenge events – which are popular elements of the Spring Classic Sportive on Sunday April 23 and the North Derbyshire Challenge on Sunday September 17.

What’s on at Cromford Mills JUNE 2017

Saturday 3rd June

1pm-5pm

LUMSDALE PROJECT GARDEN PARTY

Location: Ivy Cottage, Upper Lumsdale

Cost: FREE ENTRY/DONATION

Come and join us at this much loved, annual event where residents and friends of the beautiful Lumsdale Valley get together to raise funds to help maintain the environment and industrial archaeology of this important site. Be part of our exciting new project to protect the remaining ruins in Lumsdale.

What’s on at Cromford Mills MAY 2017

Saturday 6th May

2pm-3:30pm

MORRIS DANCING

Location: Mill Yard

FREE ENTRY

The Ripley Green Garters will be celebrating their 35th Anniversary of Dance. Join them and other local Morris teams at Cromford Mills and enjoy an afternoon of dance displays.

For further details please visit www.cromfordmills.org.uk or phone 01629 823256.

Wednesday 10th May

10am-12noon

KNIT AND NATTER

Art Attachments Bridge the Gap: Artists in Residence Programme III

Deadine: 27 March
Interviews: 3 April
Residency Dates: 17 April
Residency Exhibition: 30 June

After two very successful programmes, Artcore invites emerging and established artists to apply for our third Artists in Residence Programme.

Artcore will host a two month residency programme for Two Artists: one emerging arts graduate of Derby University and the other an established artist.

Cast announced for one of Pinter’s major dramatic works at Derby Theatre this spring

Derby Theatre is delighted to announce the cast for one of their big productions for the spring, Betrayal by Harold Pinter, on from Friday 17 March until Saturday 1 April. 
 
Emma and Jerry meet two years on from the end of their adulterous affair. Emma has betrayed her husband Robert. Jerry has betrayed his best friend Robert. But Robert has secrets of his own. 
 
As time peels backwards charting a seven-year love affair, a complicated and intricate web of lies and deceit is revealed, making us question who is betraying whom. 
 

International Women's Day Celebration Derby - Saturday 11 March

Everyone welcome - all genders, all ages Inspiring workshops, live entertainment and activities Free creche, family fun and good causes in our festival marquee and yurts.

10am - 4pm
FREE ENTRY (donations welcome) Market Place & QUAD, Cathedral Quarter, Derby

womensdayderby.wordpress.com 
facebook.com/WomensDayDerby 

Fringe Celebrates Model Cover Design!

Buxton Fringe has revealed the cover artwork for its forthcoming printed programme, an engaging and unusual photograph featuring tiny models set against an old-fashioned map of the town.

Created by former Buxton Community student, Tom Mason, the artwork can be seen in sneak-preview mode on the Fringe’s newly published flyer and will grace the cover of this year’s programme, available in the town and beyond from the beginning of June.

The Bootleg Shadows Thu 13 Apr, 7:30pm Derby LIVE’s Guildhall Theatre

Derby LIVE is proud to announce that The Bootleg Shadows, will be visiting the Derby LIVE’s Guildhall Theatre.

The Bootleg Shadows perform a unique concert that encompasses the Shadows amazing career from 1960 up until the early 80s. Concert audiences are invited to relive fantastic hits such as Apache, Foot Tapper, Man of Mystery, Atlantis, Wonderful Land, Kon Tiki, Don't Cry for Me Argentina, FBI and many more.

Great Drama at the Guildhall Theatre

Derby LIVE is pleased to announce a host of brilliant drama shows that will be performed in the Guildhall Theatre this spring. With a variety of themes and stories, there is a show to suit every drama enthusiast in the next few months. 

Family Fun Weekends At Cromford Mills APRIL AND MAY 2017

Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th April

10am-5pm

FAMILY FUN WEEKEND: ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Location: Cromford Mills

FREE ENTRY (small charge for some activities)

Don’t be late…for a very important date! Follow Alice into Wonderland and enjoy a day of adventure. Hurry after the White Rabbit, sit down for a feast at the Mad Hatter’s tea party, play a selection of giant games, and join the Queen of Hearts for a game of croquet…

Ilkeston Event Showcases Course and Career Options

Derby College’s Ilkeston campus is opening its doors to the public for an information morning on Saturday April 1 between 10am and 12 noon.

As well as a wide range of demonstrations, there will be the opportunity to try out various skills which are based at the £10 million purpose-built campus in Pimlico.

The Call for Entries for Melbourne Festival EMERGING TALENT AWARD for Young Artists is now open.

Launched in 2014 the Award has become a popular part of the annual Melbourne Festival Art & Architecture Trail. The Award is for Artists aged 25 or under living or studying  in the East Midlands and planning a career as an Artist.

The Theme is TRANSFORMATION  - Young Artists are asked to submit 3-4 jpeg images of current work with their ideas for the competition (max 100 words +sketches) with a CV and FULL contact details by 23rd April 2017. 

Artists will be shortlisted by 14th May and need to present finished pieces by 31st August. 

The CALL for ENTRIES is now open for the Melbourne Festival Art & Architecture Trail.

Each year 120 Artists exhibit on the Melbourne Festival Art & Architecture Trail in 70 halls, homes and gardens in the heart of Melbourne, South Derbyshire and we have approximately 5000 visitors, the event takes place on Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th September this year.

To apply please email us 6-8 images by the 31st March with a CV, Artist Statement and FULL contact details. 

Entries will be collated ready to select artists and arrange who goes where by the end of May, the fee of £80 is due by the end of June.

The Remi Harris Trio in Concert a “Live & Local” show at Crich Glebe Field Centre on 9 April

A welcome return to Crich of one of the UK's hottest jazz guitar talents, Remi Harris, together with double bass player Mike Green, and fellow guitarist Caley Groves.

Fresh from smashing it at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and appearing at the 2016 Proms supporting Jamie Cullen, we are delighted to bring this amazing trio, and their wonderful jazz, blues and rock influenced music back to Crich.

High Tor Players present Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett in May

The Play revolves around the antics at the Wicksteed home. It is a satirical merry-go-round. Family, friends and the sexual satisfaction of the "corpus" (body) are the ruling passions in this farcical comedy of ill-manners. Through a dance of mistaken identities and carnal encounters, one motto holds fast: "He whose lust lasts, lasts longest."

"A parade of wit." - The New York Times

Spring Bank Arts are delighted to bring you the fifth season of Coffee Concerts for Spring 2017.

Hallé cellist Dale Culliford has created another series of chamber music bringing you some of the most famous and well-loved works from Mozart and Schubert, through to pastoral oboe music and exotic Hungarian string music. The first concert on March 19th includes beautiful and fresh music that deserves an established place in concert halls everywhere. Dohnányi’s String Trio is a strong and spirited work full of rhythmic Magyar influences and haunting melodies. Adding Hallé co-principal oboist Hugh McKenna to the string trio creates the lovely sound of the oboe quartet.

St Peters Quarter Business Improvement District To Resume

Businesses in Derby’s St Peters Quarter have voted to re-establish the area as a Business Improvement District (BID).

The ballot saw a turnout of 48.4% with 67.4% of votes in favour judged by rateable value and 59.2% were in favour by number.

The ballot was open to businesses occupying or owning premises with a rateable value of £12,000 – reflecting the increase in small business rates relief in the forthcoming financial year – and did not include businesses in the Eagle Market and Theatre Walk given the imminent transfer in ownership of these sites to Intu.

Jenson Button Trust Triathlon Returns To City – Sunday July 23

Derby-based HUUB Events have revealed that the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon will return to Derby for the third consecutive year on Sunday July 23.

The Jenson Button Trust Triathlon previously took place near Luton and was held at Markeaton Park for the first time in July 2015.

This summer’s event will be even bigger with elite, seasoned and novice triathletes as well as teams of three in the Team Challenge, competing alongside Formula 1 McLaren Honda racing driver Jenson Button in a day of sport.

Broomfield Hall Lambing Sunday

Visitors to Derby College’s Broomfield Hall campus in Morley on Sunday March 26 between 11am and 3pm will have the chance to meet the new-born lambs and other animals who are cared for by students at the College.

Broomfield Hall’s working farm and animal unit will be open throughout the day where visitors can join hands-on sessions to learn how to care for and handle some of the resident animals and exotic species.

Merrill Academy Students Join Barclays Life Skills Workshops

Staff from Barclays plc recently organised a range of workshops on key employability skills for students at Merrill Academy.

The company’s Life Skills programme has been devised to support young people into the world of work. Sessions included interview skills, CV writing and job search techniques.

FP McCann boosts apprenticeship links with Derby College

The country’s largest supplier and manufacturer of precast concrete solutions is broadening its skills base by taking on Derby College apprentices.

Rapidly expanding FP McCann employs around 120 people at its Weston Underwood site and has tripled in size since 2010. Currently it employs more than 1,300 staff at 12 sites in the UK and Northern Ireland. 

HR officer Claire May said FP McCann opened its Weston Underwood site three and a half years ago and quickly began forging links with Derby College. 

Clay Cross Heritage Gala seeks artisans & local producers

First Art have partnered with Clay Cross District Council and the Friends of Kenning Park to run a Heritage Gala event celebrating the people and the rich history. On show will be: Acts, comedy show, performances, art, vintage vehicles and much more.

The event will take place on Sunday 28th May in Kenning Park, Clay Cross 12pm-6pm. It’s a free for the public to attend event and we’d like to offer a range of artisan products, and hand crafted items for visitors to buy.