Stroud Fringe 2017 by TammyLynn Photography
As many of you might now have heard sadly the Stroud Fringe is no longer taking place this year. Putting together a free festival on such a scale in the centre of Stroud is a gargantuan task which relies on a hoard of volunteers and funding to continue (see this month’s article in Good On Paper)
The current Stroud Fringe team took over in 2015 and for the following three years built the festival into one of the biggest free events in the South West bringing thousands of festival goers to Stroud not to mention boosting the local economy.
Since 2015 we have worked closely with the fringe team - producing the programme in 2016/2017 and putting on our own Good On Paper stage in St Laurence Church as well as producing Stroud Fringe Special Editions of the magazine. All though we couldn’t be involved this year (mainly due to the demand of putting GOP together in our spare time every month plus organising our new venture Hidden Notes!) we we’re very much looking forward to the mass celebration of Stroud that the fringe brings forth.
Fingers crossed that it will be back in 2020 in some shape or form but until then we have collated everything else taking place in Stroud (including Live @ St Laurence - see stroudfringe.co.uk) - which is a lot!!
So read on for our Guide to the August Bank Holiday Weekend in Stroud. Share, invite friends from further afield to show them just what an amazing place Stroud truly is…And do come back to this page for news and updates as there will no doubt be much more to add!
ARTS
Clay Sinclair, Cleo Mussi and Paul Grellier
ART OF CLAY
Clay Sinclair
Provocative post-pop paintings on Perspex by local/international artist Clay Sinclair situated at 48 High Street. Plus prints for those on a budget and People's Republic of Stroud tat for those joining the revolution. Open Mon – Fri 11am-5pm/Sat 10am-5pm
claysinclair.com
BEDFORD STREET
Fri 23rd – Mon 26th Paul Grellier: Outside Inner Space
Grellier, who studied alongside Gillian Wearing and other YBAs, is well-known for his large, semi-kinetic sculptures involving heavy blocks of salvaged stone and agricultural steel floating in space, and for his “Suspended” installations. Often drawing from his personal and professional experiences including a rural childhood and interests ranging from medical instruments to shamanism, Paul’s pioneering and intriguing creations invite audiences to explore imaginary realms and peer beneath the visible and ordinary surfaces of things…10am-6pm
paulgrellier.co.uk
THE DINER
Mon 19th – Sat 31st Bombshells, Heroes and Icons
A new exhibition at the Diner on Nelson St. dedicated to Bombshells, Heroes and Icons ft. works by Tamzin M.M, David Horton and Helen Fox. Tues – Thurs 10am-11pm/Fri 10am-11pm/Sat 9am-11pm. Private view Mon 19th 6-9pm
facebook.com/strouddiner
THE MUSEUM IN THE PARK
Sat 13th July – Mon 26th Aug Mussi’s Herbal
A new collection of inventive mosaics by Stroud-based artist Cleo Mussi. An ornament of comely grace featuring garlands of the head, nosegaies and poesies for the recreation of mind and wholeness of being. An exploration of ‘all the idle weeds that grow’, the vegetable guerrillas and common place plant escapees and trespassers that mark the well-trodden tracks of human migration and movement. After exploring the exhibition, be sure to take a wander around the Walled Garden, Cleo’s living, growing, every changing mosaic of colourful and dramatic plants and flowers. Look out for special linked workshops, family drop in activities and a talk on plant lore by acclaimed author Roger Phillips.
museuminthepark.org.uk
SVA
Fri 9th – Sat 31st Stroud Summer Show 2019
In the long shadow of Parisian salon exhibitions and the RA, Stroud Summer Show shows work by makers and artists for the community, in the community and by the community. This exhibition is being organised by Cast Space, an arts platform run by James Holliday, with SVA. Organised by Cast Space with SVA. Cast Space is a platform for art and ideas to be realised and tested. At the core of Cast Space is community and collectivism and the benefits of artists and makers to the societies we occupy. Open Fridays and Saturdays 10am-3pm (John Street)
sva.org.uk
WET PAINT GALLERY
Sat 17th – Sat 31st Water of the World
A celebration of water through the eyes of artists from around the world. Including Aboriginal Art from Australia, woodcuts from Japan and works inspired by France, Southern Europe and the British isles. Open Weds-Sat 10:30am-4:30pm
wetpaintgalleryonline.com
ART BURST PAINSWICK
Sat 17th – Mon 26th Aug
Ten days of individual artists’ exhibitions; exhibition of entries for the ‘Character of the Cotswolds’ prize competition (judged by Mary Portas and Emma Falshaw of T&C Financial Planning), ten open artists’ studios, Gloucestershire Society of Artists annual exhibition, St Mary’s Church floral display and the Rococo Garden Sculpture exhibition. The festival also includes eight weekend Art Master Classes and daily children’s Art Experience workshops. Visit the website for the full programme! artburstpainswick.co.uk
PAINSWICK ROCOCO GARDEN
Sun 26th May – Sun 8th Sept Art Unbound
This summer, renowned curator Anna Greenacre brings together works from both established sculptors and emerging British talent, set against the stunning backdrop of Painswick Rococo Garden. In a range of media including wood, stone, wire, ceramics and bronze, this contemporary outdoor exhibition has been designed to embrace the natural beauty and creative energy of the rococo period. Sculptors include Peter Beard, David Begbie, Aly Brown, Mike Chaikin, Alison Crowther, Sophie Dickens, Luke Dickinson, Kim Francis,Alex Jones, Tony Lattimer, Sophie Marsham, Rebecca Newnham, Yorgos Papadopoulos, Joe & Jenny Smith, Guy Stevens, Anthony Turner, Clare Trenchard and Dominic Welch.
rococogarden.org.uk
MUSIC
Fletchstock at the Fringe: Be Humble, Stroud Dub Club Presents: Fringe Fever, The Outer Fringe at the Crown and Sceptre, the Diner, Unconventional
ALE HOUSE
Fri 23rd Slimline Shufflers
The Slimline Shufflers play a New Orleans style of rhythm'n'blues pioneered by such luminaries as Professor Longhair, James Booker and Dr. John. Eric Arthur, Bristol's finest exponent of this piano style, provides a virtuosic base and is joined by Henry Slim bringing horn-like amplified harmonica and baritone vocals to the mix. 8:30pm Free
Sat 24th Los Gusanos, Molly-Anne, The Shaggy Dog Raconteurs
Los Gusanos: An eclectic mix of blues, jazz, latin and afro-colombian music. Vivan Los Gusanos! 8:30pm Free. Molly-Anne: A young and upcoming musician from Gloucestershire, looking to make a positive impact. With a soulful, country inspired sound fused with elements of indie folk…5pm Free. The Shaggy Dog Raconteurs: A folk/blues Americana quartet with a dash of jazz, ragtime and bluegrass. They write songs to make your grandmother blush and your grandfather whistle. 2pm Free
Sun 25th Hipkiss HIPKISS features Muddy Manninen (ex Wishbone Ash) on guitar and acclaimed British saxophonist and vocalist Patsy Gamble. The band play a mixture of their own original material and covers in a blues, rock, soulful style. 8:30pm Free
THE CROWN AND SCEPTRE
Fri 23rd The Outer Fringe: The Soul Destroyers, the Leon Daye Band, the Virtual Kevins
The Soul Destroyers: thirteen piece soul/pop/cheese/funk/groove party band! The Leon Daye Band: Upbeat pop-rock sing a longs to folk based traditional song writing with delicate melodies and heartfelt lyrics. The Virtual Kevins: A combination of chilled soul, funk and dance. Free
Sat 24th The Outer Fringe: Tree Top Flyers, Loan Sharks, Off Script, Tazmin Barnes, Bob Porter Project, Mr Marko’s Outer Space Emporium, Tom Clissold
Treetop Flyers: London based folk rockers “like witnessing some stoned gods at the Filmore East in '69.”. The Loan Sharks: South West's pop-punk kings. Off Script: five piece ft. guitar and sax – all original songs. Tazmin Barnes: Actress, model and singer inspired by the likes of Jessie J, Adele and Meghan Trainer. Bob Porter Project: A fine blend of Americana, roots, rock and blues…Mr Markos Outer Space Emporium: Soundscapes, big beats, big bass and 80’s synths in a sci-fi style. Tom Clissold: Singer song writer performing originals and covers. Free
Sun 25th The Outer Fringe: Luke Philbrick and Solid Gone, Shady Past, John Dalton, The Scrutineers, Nigel Gardener, The Lynchpins, Stroud Red Band
Luke Philbrick and Solid Gone: Raw Delta Blues guitar and an almost tribal foot-stomping beat combine to create their own original Skiffle-Blues blend. The Shady Past: Revved up kick starting rock n roll. John Dalton: Scouse troubadour…The Scrutineers: Local indie/pop/alternative duo. Nigel Gardener: Beautiful acoustic guitar melodies. The Lynchpins: Eight piece barbershop men’s group. Stroud Red Band: A scion of the London Big Red Band, which has been in existence since the 1980s. Like them they play music from the heritage of the labour movement. Free
Mon 26th The Outer Fringe: Yard Sale, DJjerksauceproject
The pub hosts a Yard Sale Flea Market in the Big Tent in the garden! Plus a Pad Thai Noodle Bar and tunes from DJjerksauceproject…Free (click here for facebook event page)
crownandsceptrestroud.com
THE DINER
Fri 23rd Drag Night and Karaoke
The Diner opens up for the bank holiday weekend with a drag night and karaoke thrown in for good measure! Go Blonde or Go Home…Follow the Diner on facebook for news and updates! facebook.com/strouddiner
GALGOS LATINO
Sat 24th Bongo Mondo Fringe Spectacular
Sean and Tom from Sound Records return after a triumphant first event with a bag packed full of musical gems from Lebanon, Nigeria, Japan and, of course, Venezuela, as well as many more dancefloor fillers from across the globe. The cocktails will be flowing, the shirts will loud and the dancing joyful...9pm Free (click here for facebook event page)
galgos.co.uk
GOLDEN FLEECE
Fri 23rd Joe Reeve Is…Elvis
Back for a Summer Spectacular at The Hottest Venue in town, Elvis is jumpsuited and booted and ready to curl his lip just for you baby. Uh-huh...9pm Free (click here for Facebook event page)
goldenfleecebar.co.uk
HORNS ON HORNS ROAD
Sun 25th The Stroud Red Band
Stroud Red Band's pop-up participation music event - all brass, woodwind and percussion players welcome - the more the better. Assemble at one end of Horns Road, and process along to the Crown and Sceptre, playing easy New Orleans-style Jazz. Message Stroud Red Band on facebook for links to downloadable parts for your instrument! And be sure to wear some horns on your head! And bring flags ad banners! 1:15pm (click here for facebook event page)
LANSDOWN HALL
Fri 23rd Fletchstock at the Fringe – Be Humble
Flipside: Stroud’s finest regroup to Jam 4 Jamie. Daddy Skitz: hip-hop album of the year winner and purveyor of fine quality beats. Errol’s Kitchen: One of Bristol’s finest live fierce funk bands. The 3 Scratchateers: Turntablism from 3 past Stroud based DMC maestros. Pete Daisy and Jamie Rainbow: Chunky beats, funky breaks and bangers! Threebagsfull and Sista Oona: Dirty dub. Home grown. Hombrelobo: Something old something new but all god damn funky! Sparkplug: Live global hip-hop sensation dropping J. Fletch Produkshunz. 7pm £10 from Trading Post - 100% of profits to fund launching The Fletch Music 4 Life Foundation. (click here for facebook event page)
Sat 24th Stroud Dub Club: Fringe Fever Stroud Dub Club proudly present a night of jungle vibes! ft. DJ Threebagsfull, DJ Rudini, DJ Nicky Blackmarket, DJ Dubbu, Gardna (Live PA) x Fat Stash and MC’s Speng Bond, Mr Melody, Sista Oona plus special guests...Soundsystems – Jungle Box Audio and Majestic Vision. 9pm £10adv from Trading Post/£15otd (click here for facebook event page)
lansdownhall.org
THE OLD CONVENT
Sun 25th Unconventional
Monobrow (Stroud Block Party/Sound Records) and DJ Darius (Crooked Stylus) combine for a five hour bonanza of head nodders, floor fillers and party tunes. Not only that but they've got the best drinks in town with the mighty Wild Boar Gin Bar in a fantastic venue. Admission is by ticket only in advance from Sound Records and capacity is 120 so make sure you get in there quick once tickets go on sale for £6. It's gonna be big! 9pm – 2am (click here for facebook event page)
THE PRINCE ALBERT
Fri 23rd The LBJB’s, Trongate Rum Riots
Following their sold out (and still talked about!) show at the Good On Paper Rodborough takeover back in May the mighty LBJB’s return to the Prince Albert…The Bristol based heavy funk/soul supergroup ft. Kieron Bon Suis Dunne, Marcel Osborne, Billy Weir, Rafaelle Dornelles (Rafa Dornelles Trio) and Andrew Neil Hayes (Tezeta/Run Logan Run) high energy performances have secured them shows with heavyweights on the funk scene including the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club…Get down y’all!! The Trongate Rum Riots hail from Glasgow, a city as soaked in salty maritime tradition as their music.Their style ranges from sweaty punk to dirty folk, with the occasional bluesy lick and Balkan riff, and is equally as visceral in its plugged-in form as it is in its stripped-back acoustic set.
Sat 24th OVERPROOF
Late afternoon and early evening sounds in the yard. Dubbu and Mendoza are the spinners on the decks with the best in dancehall, hip hop and old school sounds. Food served from Cappeninis Wood Fired pizza out the front…
Sun 25th DiscoNature
Party Animals! Get your dancing paws, flippers and hooves on and join us for an afternoon exploring animal behaviour through music, games, dance and comedy. A fun body and brain workout for all.DiscoNature is an interactive live show combining natural science, comedy, music, dance and games, developed in collaboration between musician Josef Reeve aka JoeisElvis and Kaoru Blackstone from Wild Things, Stroud-based natural science and art group. It starts at 2pm. It's not a drop-in club - it's an interactive live show where we all dance. To make the most of it, please arrive by the start time.Dress code: no strict one, but nature/wild wear welcome! Aimed for families with children aged 3 to 10, but all welcome!
Sun 25th The Scribes, Frankly Skanky
The Scribes are a new wave hip hop three-piece consisting of co-lyricists Ill Literate and Jonny Steele and beatbox maestro, who's unique talents have combined to make a much heralded sound quite unlike any other. Storming the Prince Albert stage at this year’s Chalfest do not miss their triumphant return to Stroud…Frankly Skanky: Stroud dwelling sacred dub roots reggae band. Bristol influenced dubbed up versions of rare roots reggae tunes they’ve discovered and loved.
theprincealbertstroud.co.uk
QUEEN VIC
Sat 24th The Starttles, Ewan Young, DJ Dr Cheese The Starttles: Rock and pop duo, Ewan Young: Singer/guitarist, DJ Dr Cheese: Does just what his name suggests….
Sun 25th JP Brass All Stars Band, A’La-Ska JP Brass All Stars Band: A traditional brass band playing very non traditional brass band music. Rock covers, pop songs, show tunes...you name it. A’La-Ska: Six piece traditional ska band up cycling a fusion of classic reggae and ska... With a twist
THE RETREAT
Sat 24th Midlife Crisis What better way to spend August Bank Holiday weekend that with a proper 'Midlife Crisis'! Bringing you a broad range of Stonkin' House, Funky Breaks & New Disco ft. Bean, Blakey, Jamie Rainbow and Sam Taylor…
facebook.com/theretreatstroud
SAMA SAMA
Sat 24th Lengdems: Fringe Takeover
This party will be something different from what Sama Sama and Lengdems have ever put on before so make sure you come along! They are pulling out all the stops in providing a day party like no other! Sun, good vibes and good community is their mission statement for the event. Local up and coming DJ’s will be providing a huge selection of genres including UK funky, garage, dnb, disco, house and everything and anything in between! Lengdems is all about bringing communities together as well as giving back..so with that said they are proud to be supporting a charity which is close to one of their staff member's hearts. The charity we will be donating to is called Money for Madagascar and they fund Grass-roots conservation and development in Madagascar. They also work closely with another charity called Akany Avoko who provides homes, an education and a healthy life for more than 120 of Madagascar’s most deserving but neglected youth. 2-8pm facebook.com/samasamastroud (click here for facebook event page)
SOUND RECORDS
Fri 23rd Felix Jupiter
An evening of chilled out indie and folk music, live and in concert featuring Felix Jupiter, Nell Rosa, Zarina and Days of Pure Enjoyment. Limited space in the venue so make sure you're there for doors! 8pm Free (click here for facebook event page)
facebook.com/soundrecordsstroud
ST LAURENCE CHURCH
Fri 23rd - Sun 25th Live & St Laurence
Stroud Fringe may not be going ahead as planned, but the fringe team are delighted to announce that the concerts in St Laurence Church over the Bank Holiday weekend are still on! There’s a brilliant line-up including free daytime sound installations and evening performances by alternative duo Samana (Friday), Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor (Saturday), former Wild Beast Hayden Thorpe (Sunday) and a supporting cast of rising independent music stars. Tickets for the evening shows are only £5 (plus booking fee) and all proceeds are going to the Fringe. Visit the website for full details! (click here for the facebook event page)
stroudfringe.co.uk
STAR ANISE ARTS CAFE
Fri 23rd Fringe Global Beats
Stroud’s original purveyors of funky tunes from all around this groovy globe delivering an earth shattering party with a bass bias. Expect the usual lashings of Reggae served up with oodles of Cumbia, Gypsy, Balkan, with side servings of Bhangra, Latin and Afro beat all at Strouds best funky cafe. One love, unity and tolerance. 8pm £5/£3adv (click here for facebook event page)
STROUD BREWERY
Thurs 22nd – Sun 25th Food and Music Weekender
Great music, food plus Sunday family entertainment with walk about circus acts. With multiple food options, loads of great beer and the launch of the Breweries new gig space, you are all in for a treat! stroudbrewery.co.uk (click here for facebook event page)
YARD TRAIL
Mon 26th
Stroud Yard Trail is back! Follow all the festival fun with Yard Trail on Monday 26th August. It's a great way to get to know your neighbourhood, hunt some bargains or make some cash whilst saving the planet by reusing and recycling and building stronger communities! Sell (or purchase) your old vinyl, cd’s, cassette tapes, 8-track tapes, books, comics, artwork and much more…As well as outside people’s houses locations also include the Crown and Sceptre, Trainspotters and Spacehoppers. facebook.com/yardtrailstroud (click here for facebook event page)
FROCESTER BEER FESTIVAL
Fri 23rd – Sat 24th Aug
A cricket field, beer, cider, wine, music and lots more…For over thirty years the Frocester Beer Festival has been serving the local community and recently the world! It is a fantastic event which attracts nearly six thousand people over two days on the August bank holiday. The ethos of the festival is for you to enjoy a fine selection of ales, whilst raising much needed money for local charities.
frocesterbeerfestival.com
SPOKEN WORD/LITERATURE
OLD COOP SHOP
Fri 23rd Co-Operativerse
Jeff Cloves and Philip Rush are reading poetry at the Old Co-Op Shop in Horns Road. They’d love you to come.There’ll be an exhibition of photographs at the Old Co-Op and you’ll be able to look at those, too. Everything will be done and dusted by 8.30 pm so you’ll be able to go on to enjoy what other delights the Bank Holiday Weekend offers, perhaps beginning at the Crown and Sceptre which is almost next door. There will be some seats and plenty of room, but if you want to bring a cushion (or evening a folding chair) that will be fine. 7:30pm Free
THEATRE/DANCE LISTINGS
Giffords Cicus: Xanadu
GIFFORDS CIRCUS
Thurs 15th – Tues 27th Xanadu
Roll up, roll in to the stately pleasure-dome for miracles, song, symphony and enchantment. Musicians, horses, clowns and tumblers enfolded in this joyful paradise, with music loud and long – the Giffords Circus caravan will be taking to the road for a 2019 summer of love. It is midsummer 1973 in Hyde Park and the flower power movement is at its height. Hippies, hipsters, rock stars, musicians, wild women and global nomads with Shamanic horses gather to play, sing, dance, protest and perform. Policemen and a family of out-of-towners get caught up in the celebrations. Will they get in the groove? Nell Gifford builds a pleasure dome and Tweedy has a job in the kitchen as he thought everyone was talking about “Flour Power”. As evening approaches, the ever more chaotic event careers towards a joyful, transcendental finale. Be there or be square! Minchinhampton Common (remainder of the tour also includes Stratton Meadows, Cirencester 12th – 16th Sept and back to Fennells Farm for the final shows 19th – 29th Sept) giffordscircus.com
PAINSWICK ROCOCO GARDEN
Mon 26th Outdoor Theatre: IKProductions – Sword in the Stone
Wizards, magic swords, knights in shining armour and the throne of England. There are fights to be fought, knights to be knighted, and quests to be… quested. See for yourself exactly how Arthur became the most renowned King of England in this madcap, hilarious retelling of the legendary English legend of The Sword in the Stone…2:30pm
rococogarden.org.uk