Libraries and leisure

Wanted - Artists and Sponsors for the Boy in Blue Charity Art Exhibition to be held at the Barns at Westmill Farm from the 10th to 16th October 2008. The latest date for the submission of work is 28th September 2008.

Venue: Artshed Arts Centre, Westmill Farm, Westmill Road, Ware.

Boys in Blue is a charity art exhibition being staged in October 2008 for the benefit if The Prostate Cancer Charity and sponsored by Artshed Arts Centre and Winsor & Newton. The exhibition, being organised by Artshed Arts Centre, offers an opportunity for artists to exhibit their work and raise funds for the charity.

The organisers of this exhibition are also looking for sponsors to pledge to purchase a painting for £100. Buy a ticket for £100, which will entitle you to join us for the evening on the 10 October and choose a piece of work.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Each year, 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 10,000 men die – that’s one man every hour. The Prostate Cancer Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front – through research, support, information and campaigning.

A ready prepared canvas measuring 16”x16” (40cmx40cm) square will be included in the £11.75 hanging fee to Artshed Arts Centre. Canvases to be posted will require an additional cost of £4.20 (1 or 2) £6.85 (3). For larger quantities please call for a quotation. All paintings will be sold at the exhibition for £100 each. A minimum of 25% will be deducted at the point of sale for the benefit of the charity with no commission taken by the organisers.

The paintings must be original, not shown before the exhibition; but can be of any style or theme or medium. Wall hung sculptures are welcome as long as the outside measurements do not exceed 40cmx40cm – they must all have some element of Blue within the work. All work will be available for sale and exhibited.

If you want any further information about the event or how you can help in other ways please call Artshed Arts Centre on 01920 466 446. Administrators: Lynn Andrews and Sarah Mayson

If you would like to participate in this exciting exhibition as either an artist or a sponsor you can download an application form from the website at www.artshedarts.co.uk

Calling all photographers! Our goal is to raise money for a really great organisation, HAD (Hertfordshire Action on Disability) and show the varierty of sights and scenes, people and places that make up the wonderful county of Hertfordshire.

• Ten categories - all with great prizes
• Top prize of £1,000 of camera equipment for overall 'Best Photograph'
• 100 selected photos included in unique commemorative colour book
• All entry fees go directly to Hertfordshire Action on Disability charity
• All enteries displayed on website
• Open to all - any picture taken in Hertfordshire

Closing date is 30th September 2008

All photographs will be displayed on a special website, at venues around the county and a selection of the best ones will be published in a full-colour book that will be sold throughout the county and beyond. Plus, all winners and runners-up are invited to attend the award ceremony and meet the panel of distinguished judges.

How to enter

Please visit www.imagesofherts.co.uk
You may send your photos either online or by post and pictures can be either digital images or prints. The competition is open to photographers of all ages, amateurs and professionals alike.

Venue: Trestle Arts Base, Russet Drive, St Albans, Herts AL4 0JQ.

Dates: Wednesday 3rd September to Friday 3rd October

Time: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm

Textiles at Trestle an exhibition of work by:

Eva Oxberry - Compelling compositions made from
recycled materials, creating contemporary textile art and accessories.

Elspeth Hector - Think texture. Think colour. Think style and individuality. Think knit and stitch. Think accessories.

Exhibition is part of Herts Open Studios 2008. Please visit the Herts Visual Arts Forum website for further information. www.hvaf.org.uk/open-studios

Venue: St John’s Arts & Recreation Centre, St John’s Walk, Market Street, Old Harlow.

Date: This exhibition opens on Thursday 4th September and closes on Thursday 18th September

A selection of oils acrylics and water colours. Private View 6.00pm-9.00pm. All welcome.

Venue: British Schools Museum , Queen Street, Hitchin SG4 9TS.

Date: This exhibition opens on Saturday 6th September and closes on 30th November.

The exhibition will display embroidery by the members of the North Herts and Beds branch of the Embroiderers' Guild which illustrates traditional techniques as well as modern interpretations: including quilting and mixed media.

Normal Museum entrance times and charges apply. Please see our website: www.hitchinbritishschools.org.uk for further information.

Venue: The Studio, Ramada Hotel, A41 Watford By-Pass, Herts WD25 8JH.

Date: Sunday 7th September

Time: 8.15pm to 9.30pm

Cuban Salsa for experienced dancers with at least one year of Salsa dancing or 2 years. New York style.

Richard has been a teacher since 1992 and specialises in getting students to dance to the best of their ability. It is a fun class and partners are not necessary as he operates a partner rotation system as well as dancing within the class himself.

Cost: £48 per person

Check website out for details and to book online www.salsaduende.com

Venue: The Studio, Ramada Hotel, A41, Watford By-Pass, Herts WD25 8JH.

Date: Course starts on Sunday 7th September

Time: 6.00pm to 7.00pm.

Argentine Tango 6 week course.

Richard will take you through the steps and movement of this wonderful dance. Be prepared to smile and enjoy the learning process. Remember dance is for fun!

Check website out for details - www.salsaduende.com

venue: Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture (MoDA), Middlesex University, Cat Hill, Barnet, Herts EN4 8HT.

Date: Saturday 13th September

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Drawing workshop for adults.

Be inspired by the Art Nouveau designs in the MoDA collections and create your own designs in coloured pencil, combining design and the shapes and colours of real flowers. Artistic guidance from Heather Jolliffe, founder member of the UK Coloured Pencil Society.

Suitable for beginners as well as for those with experience.
All materials will be provided.

Tickets:
£32 - Full rate
£26 - Concessions for Friends of MoDA, seniors, students, Middlesex University staff, registered disable people and ES-40 holders.

Lunch is not provided. There are sandwich bars and restaurants nearby.

Venue: Gable Hall, Prince Edward Street, Berkhamsted HP4 3EZ.

Dates:
Saturday 13th September and Sunday 14th September; Saturday 20th September and Sunday 21st September; Saturday 27th September and Sunday 28th September

Time: 10.00am t0 4.00pm

See demos and slideshows, chat to the artists as well as see dozens of pieces of contemporary digital art, encaustic wax painting and stained glass.

See our exhibition website for images, details and links www.artinberkhamsted.co.uk

Cost: No entry charge.

Venue: New Life Pentecostal Church, Lawn Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP3 9JF.

Date: Saturday 13th September

Times:
* Workshop from 10.30am to 5.00pm
* Evening Concert from 7.30pm to 9.00pm

Have you always dreamt of singing in a choir a la Hollywood movie ‘Sister Act’ with Whoopi Goldberg?

Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Usher, Mario Winans and Leona Lewis have all enjoyed huge chart success selling millions of records all over the world... and it all started in their local Gospel Choir!

Now you can learn this fun, inspirational, energy loaded style of music, as three International Industry Professionals join forces to teach you in an exciting all day workshop and evening concert.

• No previous experience required
• No need to read music
• No audition
• All welcome

Gospel workshop sign up form
Gospel workshops flyer

Tickets:

* Evening concert:
£10 (Price after 4th July and on door - £15)

* Gospel workshop:
£20 - Adults (Price after 4th July and on door - £25)
£10 - Under 16s (Price after 4th July and on door - £12.50)
£30 - Family, two adults and two under 16s (Price after 4th July and on door - £37.50)

Send cheques to: Urban Precinct, 26 South Hill Road,
Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 1JB. www.urbanprecinct.com

Venue: Bishops Hatfield School, Woods Avenue.

Date: Wednesday 17th September

Time: 7.15pm to 10.00pm

Come and sing Handel's Messiah with David Temple and Hertfordshire Chorus at our Open Rehearsal.

Come and try us out and have a warm welcome and a great evening

For more information www.hertfordshirechorus.org.uk

Venue: The Back House Room, Handside Lane, Welwtn Garden City, Herts AL8 6SY.

Date: Saturday 20th September

Time: 1.30pm to 5.30pm

Working with the natural rhythms of life, this is the time to sow the magical seeds of abundance which will come to fruition in the following year.

This is the opportunity for you to remove old routines and beliefs from your life and start anew, knowing that you will be protected by the nurturing energy of the group.

Biodanza is an integrative dance therapy; it is music, movement and feelings.

No previous dance experience required. All ages welcome.

Visit www.biodanza-herts.co.uk for further information.

Venue: St John’s Arts & Recreation Centre, St John’s Walk, Market Street, Old Harlow.

Date: Monday 22nd September to Monday 6th October

Time: 10.00am to 5.00pm

A varied selection of work by one of St John’s regular art groups. Chinese theme to celebrate the Essex Jiangsu Festival.

Venue: St Joseph's in the Park School Hall, Hertingfordbury, SG14 2LX

Date: Monday 22nd September

Time: 8.00pm-10.00pm.

Waggoners Square Dance Club invites couples and singles to join their new group meeting every Monday. Admission £3
Information 020 8363 5247 or 01707 257 267
www.waggonerssquaredanceclub.co.uk

Venue: Luton Library Theatre.

Venue: Wednesday 24th September to Saturday 27th September

Time: 7.45pm to 10.00pm

Putteridge Bury G&S Society return to Luton Library Theatre with their version of the funniest, fast-paced and hugely entertaining Gilbert & Sullivan musical, “Pirates of Penzance” between 24th to 27th September 2008.

When Frederic turns 21 he is able to turn his back on his apprenticeship to a team of Pirates and falls in love with Mabel, the first girl he sees – despite being pursued by his aged nurse. All Mabel’s sisters are (mostly) horrified when they are captured by the Pirates with the intention of marriage immediately. Their father - Major General Stanley – saves them by lying about being an orphan, but the Pirates seek their revenge and pursue him. Only some terrified Policemen can prevent death and the battle is on...

With some swashbuckling Caribbean Pirates chasing Rock ‘n’ Roll girls, and Elvis pursuing Jackie O, this production is innovative, fresh and fun. Some of the most memorable G&S tunes are packed into the show with Mabel winning her man “Poor Wanderin’ One”, the Major saving his daughters “I am the very Model of a Modern Major General” and the unhappy Sergeant bemoaning “A Policeman’s Lot”.

With a live orchestra, colourful costumes and some of the top local singers in the area, this is a show not to be missed.

Tickets are available from 01582 547474 and are priced at £10 per ticket (£8 concessions). Family tickets are available – please ask when you call.

Venue: Hertford Museum, 18 Bull Plain, Hertford.

Date: Saturday 27th September

Time: 10.00am to 4.30pm

'All the Fun of the Fair!'

Drop-in children's activities between 10am-4.30pm. Find out all about the origins of fairs and old favourite rides, make a model helter skelter out of clay to paint and then take home with you! Lots of other fun things to do including colouring in and adding to our funfair mural!

Cost: 50p per child to take part.

Venue: Stevenage Library.

Date: Saturday 27th September

Time: 2.00pm

Lauren St John was born in Gatooma, Rhodesia, now Kadoma, Zimbabwe. After studying journalism in Africa, she moved to London, where she was for many years golf correspondent of 'The Sunday Times'.

Lauren will be talking about her latest book, 'Rainbow's End', which depicts her time growing up on an African farm during the twilight years of white colonialism in 1970s, and the early years of Zimbabwean independence in 1980s.

The event is part of the annual '1 Book 4 Stevenage' programme of events, as well as marking the National Year of Reading.

Venue: St Mary's Church & Transept, Redbourn.

Date: Saturday 27th September

Time: 10.00am to 4.30pm

Exhibition of needlework and crafts, with demonstrations, sales table (10% to charities), refreshments.

Admission: £2.00, children free, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Venue: Hertford Museum, 18 Bull Plain, Hertford

Date: Saturday 25th October to Saturday 1st November

Time: 10.00am to 4.30pm

Diwali Week

Find out all about this festival of lights, make a special Diwali lamp out of clay and have a go at making a rangoli pattern and Diwali card!

Cost: 50p per child (drop-in).