Category: Breaking News

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York’s Apollo Festival over the moon on its July return at new venue after four-year gap

The Hoosiers: Irwin Sparkes, on vocals and guitars, and Alan Sharland, on drums, percussion and vocals

APOLLO Festival is taking off again this summer after a four-year hiatus, promising the biggest and best event to date.

The family-friendly festival will be held on July 3 and 4 at the new home of York RI in Hamilton Drive, with Musicians Against Homelessness at the core.

New for 2020, the Friday Night Chill focus will be on a chilled-out, intimate evening of food, drinks and acoustic music for over-18s only. The line-up includes 1990s’ acoustic tribute act Melting Pot, Leeds band The Dunwells, Dodgy lead singer Nigel Clark and York’s lady soul, Jess Steel. 

The Saturday bill will be divided between the Main Stage and the Musicians Against Homelessness (MAH) stage.

Jess Steel: soulful York singer, performing on the Friday night

Stereo MC’s, The Hoosiers and Happy Mondays’ alumni Bez and Rowetta, in their On The 6th Day God Created Manchester show, will be the leading acts on the bigger stage, backed up by fast-rising York band The Skylights; Gary Stewart’s Graceland tribute to Paul Simon; The Mothers; tribute acts Ultimate Killers; LMX (Little Mix) and Antarctic Monkeys and a DJ set by Danny Glew.

On the MAH stage will be The Perfect Shambles; emerging York bands The Feds and Seratones; Bravado Cartel; Slow Train; Page 45; The Silents; The Madchester Anthems; Y Street Band; Hot Dogz; VLTAGE and The Peacocks.

In past years, Reverend And The Makers, Inspiral Carpets, Cast, Dodgy and, aptly, Space played Apollo Festival. Now, festival director Stuart Kelly says: “Following a break, we feel the time is right for Apollo Festival to return. We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly festival, affordable for everyone and providing a fun environment for everybody to enjoy.

“It’s fantastic to have the likes of Musicians Against Homelessness on board, not only to see the acts they will bring but also in being able to raise awareness to their cause.”

Gary Stewart: paying tribute to Paul Simon in his Graceland set

Stuart continues: “We’re excited to be at our new venue, York RI, and bringing in the additional evening on the Friday is a new experience that we hope, in addition the usual Saturday, people will enjoy too.

“It’s one of the best line-ups we’ve put together and hasn’t been easy but I’m over the moon with the acts playing on both days. I personally can’t wait to see our loyal supporters come back and seeing new faces enjoying themselves too.”

Looking ahead to the July 3 and 4 festival, Stuart says: “One thing for certain is it’s going to be packed full of entertainment with family quizzes and plenty of free kids’ activities.

“As always, being family friendly and affordable is a huge priority within Apollo, therefore our infamous kids’ quarter will be returning with ten-pin bowling; hay-bale climbing frames; face painting; arts and crafts; balloon modelling; magic shows and workshops; storytelling and a children’s disco to name but a few free-of-charge activities. Back too will be the much-loved funfair for additional fees.”

Skylights lead singer Rob Scarisbrick

An array of street food, drink, craft beer and cider will be on offer, and festival-goers will be permitted to bring in their own picnic food and unopened soft drinks and water (no alcohol and no glass).

Stuart is delighted Musicians Against Homelessness (MAH) will be running the second stage. “We could not be happier to be working with this amazing organisation,” he says.

MAH was founded by music PR Emma Rule with the patronage of music industry guru Alan McGee, the Creation Records founder who famously signed Oasis. The project provides opportunities for up-and-coming talent while raising funds for the UK homelessness charity Crisis, and since 2016 MAH has hosted hundreds of gigs and curated numerous festival stages, featuring thousands of artists.

Emma says: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be partnering up with Apollo Festival this year and to host the MAH stage. Thanks to the festival and artists that support us, we will continue to raise funds to help those living on the streets, while ensuring that people visiting the festival enjoy a fantastic programme of music.”

The Dunwells: Leeds band playing a York festival

Maverick businessman Alan McGee  believes the MAH campaign also gives new bands a platform, in the way that Rock Against Racism did in the 1970s.

McGee, who now manages The Jesus & Mary Chain , Black Grape, Happy Mondays and Cast, says: “Music brings us together regardless of politics or social standing. It’s a great leveller and a vital tool for change.”

Stuart concludes: “York businesses will be given the opportunity to get involved and play a major role in York’s premium family festival, giving exclusivity to these businesses to showcase their company and also give their employees VIP experiences they never forget.”

Friday night tickets cost £5; Saturday general admission is £15; youth, six to 17, £5; under-fives free, at apollo-festival.co.uk. On the day, Saturday’s prices are £20; youth £5; under-fives free.

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What, again Alan? Carr adds fourth York Barbican gig on his Not Again, Alan! tour

Alan Carr looks shocked as he learns he will play York Barbican four nights in a row in December

YET again, Alan?! Yes, comedian Alan Carr is adding a fourth night of his Not Again, Alan! show on December 16 as he turns York Barbican into York Carrbican.

Carr, ever-chatty son of former York City footballer Graham Carr, will play four successive Christmas nights in York, having already added December 17 to his December 18 and 19 gigs on his first tour in four years.

Tickets for the extra date are on sale on 0203 356 5441, at yorkbarbican.co.uk or in person from the Barbican box office.

Since his last comedy travels, chat-show host Carr has “managed to find himself in all sorts of dramas”, apparently. Such as? “Between his star-studded wedding day and becoming an accidental anarchist, from fearing for his life at border control to becoming a reluctant farmer, three words spring to mind…Not again, Alan!” says his tour publicity. “Join Alan on tour as he muses upon the things that make his life weird and wonderful.”

Even louder hailer: Alan Carr announces a fourth December night at York Barbican

Not Again, Alan! will be Carr’s fourth UK solo show in four-year cycles in the wake of Yap, Yap, Yap’s 200 dates in 2015 and 2016, Spexy Beast in 2011 and Tooth Fairy in 2007. He last brought his chat, chat, chat to York on the Yap, Yap, Yap! itinerary on July 11 2015 at the Barbican.

Later this year, Carr will host Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow on ITV, wherein five all-time favourite game shows will be supersized and reinvigorated for a new audience: Play Your Cards Right, Take Your Pick, Strike It Lucky, Bullseye and The Price Is Right. In 2020 too, Carr will return to the judges’ panel on the second BBC series of RuPaul’s DragRace UK.

Given the ticket demand for Not Again, Alan! again and again, again and now yet again, York Barbican advises prompt booking.

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Diversity to connect with York Barbican next April in new Ashley Banjo show

Diversity: ready to connect on their 2021 tour

DANCE troupe Diversity will play York Barbican on April 25 2021 on their Connected tour.

Last year marked ten years since Diversity won the third series of Britain’s Got Talent, an anniversary celebrated on the sold-out 48-date Born Ready tour.

At those shows, Diversity promised to continue into a second decade and, true to their word, founder and choreographer Ashley Banjo has created Connected, a show that centres around the world of social media, the internet and the digital era we now live in, but, more importantly, how this connects us all.

Banjo says: “Every year that goes by, and every time we get to create a new touring show, I cannot believe we are still lucky enough to get to do this. 

“But even after all this time, we are still growing, and this new decade and new chapter for Diversity is sure to be something even more special than the last. I truly do believe that we are all connected in more ways than one and I cannot wait to bring this to life on stage.”

Banjo has returned to the judging panel for his third series of ITV’s Dancing On Ice, whose final on Sunday will feature fellow Diversity member Perri Kiely competing for the winner’s trophy.

He also has hosted, choreographed and starred in the BAFTA-nominated The Real Full Monty from 2017 to 2019 and the International Emmy Award, Broadcast Award and Royal Television Society Award-winning The Real Full Monty: Ladies Night in 2018-2019. His Channel 4 show, Flirty Dancing, completed it second series last December.

Diversity’s nine tours have sold more than 600,000 tickets. Tickets for next spring’s Connected show at York Barbican are on sale on 0203 356 5441, at yorkbarbican.co.uk or in person from the Barbican box office.

Running from March 19 to May 29 2021, the Connected tour also will visit Harrogate Convention Centre on March 20; Victoria Theatre, Halifax, March 21; Hull Bonus Arena, April 3, and Sheffield City Hall, April 4. Box office: Harrogate, 01423 502116 or harrogatetheatre.co.uk; Hull, 0844 858 5025 or bonusarenahull.com;  Halifax, 01422 351158 or victoriatheatre.co.uk; Sheffield, 0114 278 9789 or sheffieldcityhall.co.uk.

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The Very Grimm Brothers to spin gold from straw at Poppleton All Saints Hall

The Very Grimm Brothers: invitation to Grimm Castle aka Poppleton All Saints Hall

THE only thing that cheers up Adrian Mealing and John Denton, alias The Very Grimm Brothers, is you.

These purveyors of comedy, silliness, wistful poetry, fairy tales, songs and everyday anecdotes invite you to Grimm Castle and its enchanted forest, masquerading for one night only as Poppleton All Saints Hall, Upper Poppleton, York, on April 3 at 7.30pm.

“It’s a very chatty, tangential gig,” promises Grimm John, a Malvern Poetry Slam Champ, who sings à cappella with Men In General, A Fistful Of Spookies and The Spooky Men’s Chorale, joined by Denton from John Denton’s Midnight Band.

“You should expect encounters with direct action, clumsy departures, the poetry of platforms, Seville marmalade, undimmed love, Severn Trent Water and the spinning of gold from straw,” say The Very Grimm Brothers.

The duo have appeared alongside the Peatbog Faeries, Attila The Stockbroker, John Hegley, Elvis McGonagall, Johnny Fluffypunk and Roger McGough and performed at Poetry On Loan, Bang Said The Gun, Stratford upon Avon Litfest, Wolds Words, Mouthpiece Poets, Mouth & Music, Speakeasy and the Blue Suede Sporran Club.

“Think of The Very Grimm Brothers as the love children that Victor Meldrew and Pam Ayres never had,” trumpeted the Church Stretton Arts Festival, ahead of their gig there.

Who can resist such a combination?! Tickets cost £12.50 at poppletonlive.co.uk/events.

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Tom Rosenthal’s Manhood is an incisive comedy show with a cutting edge

Tom Rosenthal: “Maybe I’m stuck in adolescence, I don’t know,” he says. All pictures: Idil Sukan

PLEBS and Friday Night Dinner sitcom star Tom Rosenthal is bringing his first-ever stand-up tour to Pocklington Arts Centre on March 14.

Manhood is truly comedy with a cutting edge, wherein Rosenthal will be “avenging the theft of his foreskin”, as he discusses how he has suffered psychological distress ever since he realised he had been circumcised as a child.

Tom, the Hammersmith-born son of TV sports presenter Jim Rosenthal, applies the use of graphs, statistics, playful jokes and rigid research to tell his story, having spoken to experts on the subject matter.

He may have a Jewish background, but he was not brought up to be Jewish and that was not the reason for the circumcision. He duly felt anger towards his parents, the aforementioned Jim and his mother Chrissy Smith, a former Newsnight producer, when he was younger.

“Most comedy shows will not be an hour about genital-cutting practices,” says Tom Rosenthal of Manhood

“Maybe I’m stuck in adolescence. I don’t know,” says Tom. “As soon as I found out what happened to me, I was just constantly searching for a reason that made sense of it and I’ve still not found one. That’s sort of the driving force of the show: going through all the justifications for it being allowed.”

He is not anti-circumcision, however. “If you want to choose to do it when you’re old enough, go right ahead. It’s like any other kind of body modification, like a tattoo or a piercing,” he says.

“But to do it to a child against their will when they cannot take the decision to take that back, it feels as if it’s against our human rights. I want prospective parents to watch my show. Have a nice night out. Laugh with the boy from the sitcoms with the big nose, but also go away thinking ‘maybe that’s not cool actually’.”

Best known for playing Roman Empire nerd Marcus in ITV2’s Plebs and the perpetually adolescent prankster son, Jonny, in Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner, Tom has long wanted to do a stand-up tour. “The nicest thing about it is getting to meet the people who actually watch the TV programmes I’m in,” he says.

“I think the story of someone who is at odds with their body is something teenagers can relate to,” says Tom Rosenthal

“I’m also really proud of Manhood. It’s a show that I always wanted to make. It has a dual purpose for me. Obviously, I wanted to put on the funniest show that I can, but I also want fans to go away thinking about stuff which most people don’t really think about.

“It’s something that I think is slightly askew with our culture. I should add that this is not your typical comedy show. Most comedy shows will not be an hour about genital-cutting practices.”

After premiering Manhood at last summer’s Edinburgh Fringe and playing dates last autumn, Tom is touring from February 8 to April 9. “I’m really a molly- coddled actor,” he says. “It has surprised me how tiring live comedy is. Some of my friends seem to be able to walk on stage and just be themselves, whereas I’m always nervous. I have the utmost respect for all comedians. I guess, by comparison, an actor’s life is quite easy.”

The tour marks a new phase in Rosenthal’s career. Although he started out as a stand-up, becoming joint winner of the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Award in 2011 after graduating from London University with a Philosophy degree, acting has taken up most of his time since then.

“I’m really proud of Manhood. It’s a show that I always wanted to make,” says Tom.

“I was reluctant to call myself a comedian despite the fact that I did stand-up. I felt like until you’ve done a tour, you can’t call yourself a comedian. So, one semi-benefit of doing Manhood is that now I’m a little bit more comfortable saying I’m a comedian as I’ve gone to towns, people have paid money to see me and I definitely heard some of them laugh.” 

Although the subject matter of Manhood may be personal, Rosenthal believes the feelings of alienation he discusses are universal. “I’ve had quite a lot of teenagers coming and I think the story of someone who is at odds with their body is something they can relate to,” he says. “What makes it interesting though also makes it quite odd. The fact that you are watching a guy talking about his penis quite a lot.”

His Pocklington audience next week will discover more about Tom in his Manhood show, but for those familiar with his television characters, does he consider himself to be closer to Marcus or Jonny?

“I probably feel I’m more Marcus,” he decides. “He’s a neurotic schemer who thinks that he’s smarter than he is, whereas Jonny is a sort of teenage boy prankster. Ultimately though, if you combine the two, that’s my whole terrible personality.”

Tom Rosenthal: Manhood, Pocklington Arts Centre, March 14, 8pm. Box office: 01759 301547 or at pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk.

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Bronwynne Brent evokes Hazlewood, Nancy Sinatra and Morricone in Selby

Bronwynne Brent: “Creating songs that feel like you can live in them”

AMERICANA singer-songwriter Bronwynne Brent travels all the way from the Mississippi Delta to the howling winter winds of Yorkshire to play Selby Town Hall tonight (March 6).

“I absolutely love Bronwynne’s darkly brooding voice,” says Selby Town Council arts officer Chris Jones. “She creates songs that feel like you can live in them, and somehow she manages to sound like Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra rolled into one.”

Tonight’s 8pm show will be Brent’s Selby debut, performing with her trio. “Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, she has the kind of stop-in-your-tracks voice that sounds like Southern sunshine,” says Chris.

“There’s a hint of Delta blues behind the ache in her songs, a glimpse of honky-tonk twang, an echo of riverboat can-cans, a whiff of Ennio Morricone and an atmosphere that conjures up of the darker side of country song-writing.”

Harking back to the glory days of Lee Hazlewood and Gram Parsons, Brent’s writing taps into the murky undercurrent of country that starts with old Appalachian murder ballads and continues through to today’s crop of psychedelic country songwriters. “Like a juke-joint Nancy Sinatra, Bronwynne unites all the best elements of Southern American roots music and ties these many different influences into a sound that’s both comforting and refreshing,” says Chris.

Brent has released two albums, 2011’s Deep Black Water and 2014’s Stardust, the second produced by Seattle’s Johnny Sangster with a “spaghetti northwestern” feel to it.

Playing with Calexico drummer John Convertino and Fiona Apple’s bassist, Keith Lowe, on Stardust, she sang songs with a heavy weight on their shoulders: her stories populated by battered women, defeated lovers, devilish characters, highway ghosts and lonesome wanderers.

Looking forward to tonight, Chris concludes: “Bronwynne Brent is incredible: one of the very finest contemporary voices you’re likely to hear. Her songs are so rich and brooding. They’re astonishingly well-crafted with a compelling dark underbelly mixing country, folk and glorious speakeasy jazz sounds. This show will be an absolute treat.”

Tickets cost £14 on 01757 708449 or at selbytownhall.co.uk or £16 on the door from 7.30pm.

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REVIEW: Big Ian’s A Night To Remember at York Barbican…and what a night it was!

Heather Findlay, left, Jess Steel, Beth McCarthy and Annie Donaghy relishing I Feel Like A Woman at A Night To Remember. Picture: David Harrison

REVIEW: Big Ian’s A Night To Remember, York Barbican, February 29

DEMENTIA is a team game, says Ian Donaghy, now as much a motivational speaker at conferences as a showman, fundraiser and event host.

Not only Dementia Projects in York, but also St Leonard’s Hospice, Bereaved Children’s Support in York and Accessible Arts and Media benefit from these nights to remember.

Saturday, sold out as ever, was the eighth such night, nights that had raised £150,000 so far. Big Ian is yet to confirm this year’s total, but £5,700 was taken in bucket collections alone.

Torch singer! Big Ian Donaghy has the phones out for Lionel Richie’s Hello at A Night To Remember at York Barbican. Picture: David Harrison

Yes, the fundraising is important, but Big Ian puts the fun into that fundraising, as well as the heart and soul, in a community event that, no matter what hell of a world is going on outside right now, always brings out the best in York.

Here’s the news, delivered in a specially recorded Look North spoof bulletin from Phil Bodmer, devotee of Big Ian’s Guestlist nights at York Racecourse. This would be the biggest gathering of A Night To Remember yet: not only the old father time of musical directors, George Hall, on keyboards with his band of bass, guitars, drums and percussion, but 14 brass players to boot, four from Big Ian’s band Huge and a whole heap of shiny young players from York Music Forum, gathered under the tutelage of Ian Chalk.

What’s more, the musicians and singers had an 80-year age range, from those fledgling brass talents to 93-year-old Barbara from the Singing For All choir, a force of nature who summed up everything joyful about this celebration of the power of music throughout our lives.

River deep, mountain high: Graham Hodge conquering Cry Me A River. Picture: David Harrison

Big Ian took the lead, brass assisted, on Elton John’s I’m Still Standing and, yes, he would still be standing three hours later, still urging us to fill those buckets.

Simon Snaize’s rendition of Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer, with the brass section  breathing fire, was an early highlight; Boss Caine’s mine-deep voiced Dan Lucas turned Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 from daytime to night-time hours; Jess Steel, as vital to these nights as Big Ian, climbed the first of several vocal mountains with Barbra Streisand’s The Way We Were.

Songs were interspersed with Dementia-themed video clips, usually recorded on Ian’s phone, some bringing tears, others cheers, all indeed making it a team game.

Thank you for the music: A Night To Remember’s singers and musicians take a bow at the finale. Picture: David Harrison.

Kieran O’Malley’s fiddle bow was a wand of magic whenever he played, whoever he accompanied; Heather Findlay and Simon Snaize’s duet for Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain had exactly The Chain reaction it deserved, guitar solo and all.

Ken Sanderson, alias Las Vegas Ken, normally restricts himself to a solo slot, but for the first time, he was joined by Hall’s band, at Big Ian’s urging: another hit at this “Gang Show with people we really like”.

Later, a fellow staple of these shows, 6ft 3 folk stalwart Graham Hodge, newly turned 70, would be seen as never seen before, again at Donaghy’s suggestion, as he eschewed folk balladry for a dinner jacket to knock Cry Me A River out of the park with the vocal performance of the night. Better than Bublé? No troublé!

Jessa Liversidge, front, centre, leads one and all in I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing..and she did! Picture: David Harrison.

What better way to open the second half than radiant York singer Jessa Liversidge leading her Singing For All group, ebullient Barbara and all, in fact all the audience, as we sang I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing. In perfect harmony, of course! “I’m a bit c**p these days,” said Barbara, but singing is about so much more than the act of singing, and you could see how much it means to her after all these years.

From Annie Donaghy’s Careless Whisper to Beth McCarthy’s U2 and Guns N’Roses mash-up, Hope & Social’s Gary Stewart turning into Paul Simon for You Can Call Me Al, to Annie, Beth, Heather and Jess, all in black  and white, for Shania Twain’s I Feel Like A Woman, the show-stoppers kept coming.

Out came the phone torches on Big Ian’s command for Lionel Richie’s Hello and a big, big finale followed up the apt Don’t You Forget About Me with Jess does Dusty for You Don’t Have To Say You Love M and, what’s this? A video message of support from Rick Astley that arrived in Ian’s in-box from Sydney, Australia, at quarter to five that morning.

Cue a Never Gonna Give You Up singalong, and no, you just know Big Ian is never gonna give up on these special nights, his belief in making every life vibrant and vital to the last. Well done big fella, well done sound techie Craig Rothery, well done York.

Even the audience’s shoes were shining stars on A Night To Remember at York Barbican on Leap Year Saturday

Charles Hutchinson

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New York Brass Band to toast Pocklington Arts Centre’s 20th birthday at party night

New York Brass Band: seven-piece Mardi Gras jazz powerhouse from York, although there appears to be nine of them here

POCKLINGTON Arts Centre will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on Friday (March 6) with a party night.

A private reception at 7pm will be followed by a public performance by North Yorkshire’s only contemporary New Orleans-inspired brass band, the New York Brass Band from old York.

This seven-piece powerhouse, complete with percussion, sax, trumpets, trombones and sousaphone, will raise the roof with their rousing brand of Mardi Gras jazz from 8pm.

Looking forward to Friday’s celebrations, director Janet Farmer says: “New York Brass Band are a far cry from being your typical brass band. This is up-on-your-feet dancing, party-loving, Mardi Gras-style funky brass music that will be a lot of fun. 

“As Pocklington Arts Centre celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, we felt a band like this added a true party vibe to our diverse programme of live music.”

Hailing from the ancient streets of York, New York Brass Band are at the forefront of a funky brass revolution now sweeping Great Britain. 

“Inspired by Rebirth Brass Band, Soul Rebels, Hot 8, Youngblood and Brassroots, New York Brass Band pack a powerful punch of relentless drums, rumbling tuba and wailing horns,” says Janet.

“Nothing kicks a party into gear like the sound of a smokin’ New Orleans Mardi Gras jazz band.

Although New York Brass Band’s inspiration is drawn from New Orleans musicians, their repertoire ranges from Marvin Gaye to George Michael, from Cee-Lo Green to Stevie Wonder, with some funky, gritty northern originals thrown in for good measure. 

Their past performances include Glastonbury Festival from 2014 to 2017; Bestival on the Isle of Wight; Durham Brass Festival; Cork Jazz Festival; Le Tour de France; the Monaco Grand Prix and England’s cricket Test matches.

New York Brass Band have entertained guests at celebrity parties and weddings for comedian Alex Brooker, Liam Gallagher, ex-Scotland footballers Joe Jordan and Gordon McQueen and Jamie Oliver.

Tickets for Friday cost £11 each on 01759 301547 or at pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk.

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Harry Baker makes 10,000 days count in words and numbers at York’s Say Owt

Harry Baker: thank you for the 10,000 days

HARRY Baker, mathematician-turned-world-slam champion, marks turning 10,000 days old by celebrating numbers, words and life itself at The Crescent, York, on March 15.

Making a plus out of everything, Baker will be at the latest gathering of Say Owt, the spoken-word fulcrum hosted by York performance poet Henry Raby.

Amy King: finding words to sum up sexuality and feminism

“From winning his school’s Battle of the Bands competition with a Jay-Z maths homage, to his prime number poetry TED talk being watched by millions online, Harry’s love of language and logic has got him through literal marathons, seen him rap battle in front of Ice Cube, and now has him analysing the technical accuracy of So Solid Crew’s 21 Seconds,” says Henry. “He’s got 99 problems but maths ain’t one.”

Support comes from Amy King and Robert Steventon. “Amy won Say Owt Slam #23 last September. She’s a queer, northern, spoken-word artist, co-founder of the Sheffield spoken-word night All Mic Long, and her poetry tackles topics such as sexuality, feminism and her unwavering love for Wetherspoons,” says Henry.

Robert Steventon: gut-grabbing honesty

“Robert. who won Say Owt Slam #24 in February, is the maestro of Manchester’s Punk In Drublic poetry/comedy night. His poetry is 50 per cent heartfelt gut-grabbing honesty, 50 per cent honorary gobby northern nuance.” 

Doors open at 7pm for the 7.30pm performance of Harry Baker: I Am 10,000. Tickets cost £10, concessions £8, from Earworm Records, in Powells Yard, off Goodramgate, or The Crescent, off Blossom Street, or at seetickets.com or £12 on the door.

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Sue Clayton to lead World Down Syndrome Day event at Pocklington Arts Centre

York artist Sue Clayton with odd socks for World Down Syndrome Day’s event at Pocklington Arts Centre

YORK artist Sue Clayton will mark World Down Syndrome Day at Pocklington Arts Centre on March 21 as her Downright Marvellous At Large exhibition draws to a close that day.

Sue’s portraits of adults with Down Syndrome and a giant pair of hand-knitted socks will provide the backdrop for the 11am to 1pm event featuring children’s craft activities, music, cake and a pop-up exhibition.

That show, This Is Me, will be running in the arts centre studio during the final week of Downright Marvellous At Large from March 14 to 21. On show will be self-portraits by members of Wold Haven Day Centre, Pocklington, and Applefields Special School, York, created at workshops led by Sue. 

Sue put her exhibition together in honour of her son, James, who has Down Syndrome and turns 18 this year. “Downright Marvellous At Large is a true celebration of adults with Down’s at work and play, and I hope it has made a real impression on visitors,” she says. 

“I can’t wait to bring what has been a really busy, successful exhibition to a suitable close in spectacular style with a celebration to mark World Down Syndrome Day. 

“Everyone is invited to come along, enjoy some children’s crafts, a pop-up exhibition and a free piece of cake, as well as a few surprises along the way”

Sue’s portraits, presenting the “unrepresented and significant” social presence of adults with Down Syndrome, is complemented by a giant pair of odd socks created using hand-knitted squares donated by members of the public. 

Many people wear odd socks on World Down Syndrome Day, a global event that aims to raise awareness and promote independence, self-advocacy and freedom of choice for people with the congenital condition. 

Socks are used because their shape replicates the extra 21st chromosome that people with Down Syndrome have. 

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