Ukulele for small people.

Introduction to the Ukulele: a word from Roger.

'If you read the Loop you will be aware of Maccukulele, our mutually supportive ukulele and singing group.

As an ex nursery teacher and a ukulele and song enthusiast I am keen to try out a series of short and sweet social/ukulele sessions involving two or three families either together or separately. In sessions lasting perhaps 15-30 minutes we could share news and our musical and other interests. Hopefully this would be a happy learning experience for all concerned and would be free of charge in this exploratory phase.

Please get in touch to express interest:

Thanks'

Roger Maccukulele@live.co.uk tel: 0778 9031903

Image courtesy www.abcstores.com

listen and learn with the loop.

Thank you to those of you who joined the loop Janes on Tuesday night at Ronnies. We did enjoy ourselves!A massive thank you to Helen Walford and Steve Smith who played and sang for us. Helen has such a beautiful voice.

The good news is you can easily catch more of them in their various incarnations and their talented friends:

tonight Thurs 28 from 8pm at the Townhouse Pub on King Edward Street in Macc. Playing are Chris Birdsall, Rich House, and Robin Mukherjee. If it's a good night they'll probably do it every last Thursday of the month there at the pub. Helen is also playing Sunday 31 Jan at the Crompton Road Tavern, Crompton Road, Macclesfield. It's free from 8pm. They are having a night with their band Mars Black and some dj's on Sat 6 March at the Townhouse. Get your diaries out.

picture: courtesy Helen Walford

Silk

Bit of a silk theme today.

Silk screen ( that wonderfull group who show an excellent range of interesting filns, ie the best in world cinema) have a special night tonight with Alan Sennet talking about Classic French Cinema from 1930s- 1960s.

Silkscreen:Whitaker Room, The Heritage centre.
www.silkscreen.org.uk 01260 820727 for details.

Meanwhile looking ahead
Pauline Townsend, Silk Painter has workshops coming up in March and is taking bookings.

Spring Flowers - Sun.7th March

Beginners Workshop - Sun.28th March

Inspired by Gustav Klimt - Sun.11th April

All workshops run from 10.30am - 4.30pm

& cost £45 inc. lunch & all materials.

All based at her studio in Buxton.

Booking essential 01298 22117

www.silkpainter.co.uk

Picture: 'Student's work at Klimt workshop'

Ice flowers and ukuleles

Remember its the loop social at Ronnies Bar at 8pm tonight ( Tueday 26th) . Join us to listen to Dead River Disco, the wonderful Helen Walford and Steve Smith.

Remember also to print off and use your Ronnies voucher for wine and pizza on the back page of the loop.

Ronnies, Dukes Court, Macc 8pm

In the mean time in case you got a Ukulele for Christmas, or your kids did....

A few words from Roger: Introduction to the Ukulele

If you read the Loop you will be aware of Maccukulele, our mutually supportive ukulele and singing group.

As an ex nursery teacher and a ukulele and song enthusiast I am keen to try out a series of short and sweet social/ukulele sessions involving two or three families either together or separately. In sessions lasting perhaps 15-30 minutes we could share news and our musical and other interests. Hopefully this would be a happy learning experience for all concerned and would be free of charge in this exploratory phase.

Please get in touch to express interest: Thanks

Roger Maccukulele@live.co.uk tel: 0778 9031903

Thankyou to Ian and Susan for their beautiful Ice Flower picture.'We enjoy getting The Loop and thought you might like a couple of our photos taken on The Cloud above Congleton, it was beautiful wasn't it? They are from our own artists blog we have just started at www.susanlaughton.blogspot.com.'

Take a look.

Vagina Monologues. book now

After months of rehearsals Eve Ensler's Vagina Monolgues are being performed at Macclesfield Town Hall 12-14 February.
V-Day is a global movement aimed at ending violence against women, and the profits from this performance will be going to Macclesfield Womens' Aid, who help women and children escape abusive home situations.
Book your tickets now.
Tickets available from http://www.vdaymacclesfield.co.uk/sale.htm and also The Town House and The Hollins pub.
www.vdaymacclesfield.co.uk

Note to ensure the full amount of the ticket sale goes to Womens Aid try and by directly in the pubs if you possibly can.

Update: Doors open and 7.30pm on all nights and curtain goes up at 8pm sharp.

Haiti: a few words from Macclesfield Oxfam

Oxfam, Mill Street, Macclesfield are appealing for donations for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal, please help by bringing whatever money you can afford and if possible 'gift aid' it at the till. We also need donations of clothing and accessories, books and music, bric-a-brac and linen item for us to sell in the shop to help raise money for Haiti - these can also be gift aided enabling us to receive an extra 28p (from the tax man) per £1 for each item we sell.

For people who want to donate on-line we have set up a Justgiving page http://www.justgiving.com/Oxfam-Macclesfield-Haiti-Earthquake

Please help in whatever way you can. If you cannot help using any of the ways mentioned how about giving your time? Time is just as valuable - a couple of hours volunteering in the shop, behind the scenes helping to sort and price donations. Call in at Oxfam, 74 Mill Street, Macclesfield and request an application form.

Thank you

Image of Haitian sequin banner coutesy www.indigoarts.com

Looping into the Weekend

the loop e-guide (issue 11) is now out. If you haven’t received a copy; or IMPORTANTLY if your copy will not open please send us an e-mail at: maccloop@googlemail.com and we will sort it out.
And now... Something for the Weekend:
On the Visual Arts front Art From the Attic, new work by young artists from Macc’s Sunderland St Studios opens at the Bollington Arts Centre from Sunday between 2 and 4pm and during other events. Plus, the work of the winners of the Jobling Gowler Art Prize 2009 can currently be viewed at the art friendly Solicitor’s office on Park Lane. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

When it comes to performance the Marionette Theatre co presents Magical Marrionettes, its winter variety show. At the Poynton Civic Centre on Saturday at 2pm

Also on Saturday Macclesfield Music Society presents young Russian pianist, Alexandre Karpeyev at the Heritage Centre at 7.30pm.

The newly refurbished The Hollins offers live music on both Friday and Saturday in the form of Smokehouse Blues Band (Johnny Hewitt on harmonica) and FreeFall Vertigo with ‘its excellent rendition of Delila’

Last but not least make your way to Ronnie’s Bar (pic courtesy of www.ronnies-bar.com) on Sunday and catch the Boogie Men. Cut the voucher out of loop 11 and get a gourmet pizza and quality bottle of wine for just £10 (offer open until end Feb)

Bollington Arts Centre, Wellington Rd. www.bollingtonartcentre.org.uk/
Jobling Gowler Solicitors, 250 Park Lane. 01625 614250 www.art.250parklane.co.uk/
Poynton Civic Centre, off Park Lane. 01625 872368
Heritage Centre, Roe St, Macc. 01625 82077/427339. www.macclesfieldmusicsociety.co.uk/
The Hollins, 262 Black Rd, Macc. 01625 424920. www.the-hollins.com/
Ronnie’s Bar, Duke’s Court. 01625 665050. www.ronnies-bar.com/

Sinnerboy: Blue Funk

Blue Funk Club
We've been meaning to check out the Blue Funk Club in Poynton for ages. Sinnerboy are a live 'n' kicking Rory Gallagher Tribute band playing there tonight. 'Guitar wizard Barry Barnes and his ace band return to treat us to their dynamite tribute to the work of blues legend Rory Gallagher. High octane start to 2010'.

Meanwhile Birdy and Rich House play Ronnies bar.
Ronnies Bar Dukes Court, Mill St.
01625 665050 www.ronniesbar.co.uk
Sinnerboy:Wed 20 Jan : £6 adv £7 door
The Blue Funk Rhythm 'n Blues,
W M C Park Lane, Poynton, SK12 1RG

Steve Tilston in Biddulph

A word from Craig Pickering at Biddulph Up in arms:
'Having emerged from the big freeze we will hopefully get our 2010 programme under way tomorrow evening (Weds Jan 20) with Steve Tilston as the guest. Steve is making a welcome return after several years and is the first of a string of fabulous singer-songwriters coming our way over the next few months. He has a large back catalogue dating back to the early 70's documented on the 5cd set Reaching Back and a fine new album Ziggurat under his belt. Not least of his achievements is being father to the wonderful Martha. We had hoped initially to make it a family affair but conflicting schedules and the birth of Martha's daughter Zennor means that we can enjoy two separate evenings. Support comes from loyal supporter Graham Dawson making his Up In Arms debut. Hope to see you there but if not keep checking the gig list on our website for updates.' Thanks Craig.

Steve Tilston Weds Jan 20 The Biddulph Arms @ 8pm Admission £12 Tel 01782-514896

Screen Deva

Screen Deva Friday 28th May – Sunday 6th June 2010 Building on the success of the previous two years, Screen Deva 2010 will be a festival of film screenings, digital media events, interactive artworks and participatory activity. The festival offers a range of opportunities for artists, filmmakers, community groups, individuals and schools to get involved: * Call for Submissions from Local Filmmakers and Artists Chester Performs is seeking submissions of both new and existing film works by filmmakers and artists from Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales. Submissions could be in with the chance of being screened before a range of feature presentations during the week long film festival, Screen Deva. Find out more… Deadline for submissions Thursday 11th February * Opportunities for Artists Chester Performs is seeking submissions of work by artists across a range of digital practices for a number of opportunities as part of Screen Deva. Find out more… Deadline for submissions Thursday 11th February *

Young Deva - Calling all Aspiring Young Filmmakers Chester Performs is seeking submissions of both new and existing work by young filmmakers, aged 11 to 25 years from Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales, to form part of the line up of screening events for Screen Deva. Find out more… Deadline for submissions Friday 26th February Submission forms and further details about all of the above opportunities can be found online at www.chesterperforms.com. Alternatively call 01244 409113 or email info@chesterperforms.com. Screen Deva is produced by Chester Performs, a leading producer and promoter of diverse arts events in and around Chester www.chesterperforms.com.

Will it be back?

Its just odd. Looking out the window on a grubby but coloured world. The loop had been rather charmed by monochrome Macc and it certainly inspired local photographers. Please keep sending your pictures now the snow has disappeared.

It will make getting to events a bit easier anyway.You may want to get along to Relatively Speaking performed by the Poynton Players next week.

'This production will be a refreshingly light and frothy comedy after the seasonal festivities. The two couples in this play spend a summer Sunday in a welter of misunderstandings, concealments and confusions. This is one of Alan Ayckbourn’s earliest and most successful plays, regularly revived in the professional theatre because of its timeless themes and sharp, sparkling dialogue. You will love it!'

Or if live music is more your bag Last Flowers play Ronnies bar on Sunday.
picture: another in our occasional series of handsome old doors in Macc.
Mon 18-fri 22 Jan Poynton Players, Georges Road West 01625 874191 pp.tickets@ntlworld.com Last Flowers at Ronnies bar Sun 17 Jan Ronnies Bar Dukes Court, Mill St. 01625 665050 www.ronniesbar.co.uk

A Musical Loop Social

Loop bloggers, all, please join us for another of our highly enjoyable evenings with unpredictable live elements; this time in the musical form of Dead River Disco. A curious name for the very talented pairing of Helen Walford and Steve Smith, wonderfully described we think as:
acoustic and folky, soft and chimey, English and American, male and female
Should you need more convincing, discover them on www.myspace.com/deadriverdisco

When and where...
Tuesday 26 January at 8pm
Ronnie's Bar, Dukes Court, Mill St, Macclesfield

Free but Booking essential: maccloop@googlemail.com 07981 128454

Stitch and Bitch. Well he's a dog actually.

A message from Macc Stitch and Bitch:

'Just to say hello, happy new year and let you know that the macclesfield stitch and bitch are having a learn crochet session at Kusch on Monday 18th January. The group is fab and ranges from "can just about manage a scarf" knitters like me to "really really impressive hands in a blur they are so fast" knitters like Kim who is teaching the crochet.'

They meet at Kusch Bar and are more than happy to see new faces with needles and crochet hooks.

The loop is hoping that maybe one of them can be persuaded to get their needles clicking to create a little stripey jumper for a shivering Jack Russell pup. Go on it wouldn't take long and he would be so grateful!

Stitch and Bitch Kusch bar, Mill St. 7.30pm Mondays

Curiosities and spin

We are intrigued by the next lecture for the Friends of Silk Heritage on Wednesday. Keith Warrender a photographer from Timperley, with interests in architecture and history unlocks the secrets of some of the regions historical gems and unusual customs.

A thought provoking start to the new year is the Lit and Phil lecture at the library on Thursday 'The influence of the media on politics' with John Harris. He writes on politics and popular culture for The Guardian. His books include The Last Party: Britpop, Blair and the Demise Of English Rock, and So Now Who Do We Vote For?, published to coincide with the 2005 General Election. He is also a regular panellist on BBC2's Newsnight Review.

Thanks to Yvonne Phillips for her beautiful snow picture.

Friends of Silk Heritage 13 Jan 7.30pm £4/£3 Curiosities of Greater Manchester. Heritage Centre

Lit and Phil The influence of the media on politics.Thur 14 Jan 7.30pm £3 non memebers Macclesfield library

Narnia and Macc

Having just read that brussel sprout and cabbage crops have been devastated by the weather and food prices will rise, now may be the time to start thumbing seed catalogues.There is a new group Food4macc who are keen to help amateur food growers in a friendly and mutually supportive way. Why not join them at the Town House Pub on Thursday to find out more? As they say 'why not reduce your carbon footprint and grow your neighbourhood into a nicer place?'. Quite.

The Jazz and Blues society is underway again this Tuesday. Join them at the Nags Head to listen to great recordings with a friendly crowd.

Thank you Holly for your New Year wishes but 'On a sad note my husbands cousin Dan is in a terrible situation at the moment - stuck in Columbia in a terrible physical situation with no way home. We are trying to raise some money for him - '

http://www.justgiving.com/Casa-Alianza-Emergency

Ok we don't know Dan but just picture yourself or somone you love in a similar situation...

Thanks to Jo for his bewitching Macc snow picture

www.Macc4food.org Thursday 14 jan 7.30 Town House Pub, King Edward St
Jazz and Blues, Tues 12 Jan 7.30pm Nags Head

Virgin Snow

We know its dicey on side roads and precarious on pavements but its still so darned pretty. Another light dusting over night has hidden the grubby bits, and the snow just keeps on inspiring you to take your cameras out. Thanks to artist Yvonne Philiipps for her picture....more to follow and keep them coming. If you don't get to the panto in Bollington you might fancy the Virgin Marys at Ronnies on Sunday.




Victory: the council took note of 450 letters of objection and a very polite bunch of demonstrators on Thursday this week. They very sensibly turned down the application for a lap dancing Club in town. The loop loves the banner Lap dancing? No. Tap Dancing? Yes, Yes, Yes!. Inspired.

Virgin Marys at Ronnies Bar Dukes Court, Mill St.
01625 665050www.ronniesbar.co.uk

Woodpecker? Pirate? Oh yes it is

Estelle, thanks for this:

'I don’t know if ‘loop’ readers would be interested in this, but thought I’d let you know. I’m a keen birder myself, so I for one was very excited when on Monday I saw a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on a tree down Woodhouse End Lane (opposite Fools Nook pub).

The numbers of these birds have declined by 80% in the past 30 years and those remaining individuals are mostly confined to the South of England, with a small pocket in Yorkshire also.

Thought this might be of interest to other birders in Macc, as well as anyone else interested in nature, wildlife and the environment.'

.There's nothing better for hanging on to a bit of Christmas spirit than a panto and a foot of snow. So take full advantage of "Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates" a family pantomime by Paul Reakes being performed from 9th to 16th January by the Bollington Festival Players . A swashbuckling tale with a beautiful Dame, Goodies, Baddies, Pirates, Islanders and even a mystery female pirate. A romp in the best pantomime tradion, with plenty of audience involvement!

Robinson Crusoe 9-16 Jan £7/ £5 family tickets too.Bollington Art Centre (01625) 875326.

For the Love of Snow

my heart flys free,
chasing my yearning
across a pure white field,
while i run behind,
laughing, and leaving
bootmarks in the snow

jane birch (jan 10)

Lap dancing snowmen

Breaking news you can keep an eye on the Macclesfield Barnaby Festival at
http://twitter.com/Barnaby2010

There's a new local facebook group you might like to know about:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=230683782336&ref=mf

Macclesfield Oxfam is now on facebook. Through this page they will keep you informed of the latest goodies for sale on their on-line shop, invite you to help them with fundraising events and share any other news with you about Oxfam in Macclesfield.

There are lots of things we need in Macclesfield; a theatre, more visual Art space a venue for touring bands and performance groups. Its a big list and I've not even started. I don't think we need a lap dancing club however and can only think that it will do nothing to enhance the already seedy ambience of night time Macc. I don't give a fig whether its a private members club or not.

'The Council hearing of application by Repent for lap dancing at their Mill Street nightclub is at 10 am on Thursday.

Does this sit with the Council's recently revealed redevelopment plans for a revitalised cultural quarter, and a national Silk Museum at the Heritage Center a couple of hundred yards away?

Those who object to the application for whatever reason, are gathering for a short protest at 9.30 outside the Town Hall.Make your feelings heard. '

Its not surprising really but Cinemac is closed today. The drifts in the projection box have become unmanageable. Its a shame as the schools are closed and what better after a session of sledging than some high pitched animated chipmunks?They are back on Thursday with Alvin and the Chipmunks (U) at 5.30pm.

Check out their website for full details of this and their other features until Thursday 14th January.

Avatar (12A)
Where the Wild Things Are (PG)
Sherlock Holmes (12A)

Cinemac
Heritage Centre
Roe Street
Macclesfield SK11 6UT
Recorded Information: 01625 423535
Enquiries: 07871 422937

Happy New Year Barnaby

First things first.A very Happy New year from the loop.

It's truly a year of promise: 2010 heralds the launch of the first Macclesfield Barnaby Festival (June18-20) .This is a real chance for the 'least cultured town in Britain' to raise its game, celebrate some of the great talent that is here, lure some new performers and artists to town whilst proving it has an appetite for more.
Festivals don't just happen out of the blue and there is a great deal of planning, grant applications and hard graft going on.There is a 'Barnaby' meeting this week which is a great chance to meet the team of volunteers, find out more about the festival and get invoved. E mail maccloop@googlemail.com if you want to come along.

We were about to post the first comment of the new year on our blog .The loop is averse to censorship and is always keen to hear from its readers and so was gamely about to press 'publish' when we realised it was actually a disguised link to a Chineses porn site. Given all the writing was in Mandarin we thought it would be of limited interest to loop readers.

Thank you to photographer Jo Belfield for her beautiful picture of snowy Kerridge Ridge at dusk. We are always happy to post your pictures so please send them through.

Buttefly Jam

It is another welcome return on Wednesday (Feb 3) at The Biddulph Arms when firm local favourite Bob Fox revisits North Staffordshire. Known more as an outstanding interpreter than writer Bob mixes traditional material with other fine writers from the North East and beyond, all intelaced with his trademark humour. Support comes from local father and son duo Chris and Ciaran Algar. Weds Feb 3 @ The Biddulph Arms 8pm Admission £12 Tel 01782-514896

www.biddulphupinarms.com

Meanwhile start thinking about Friday night.Want to know where the loop and friends are off to? The Hollins to see their favourite band, Butterfly Jam. See you there.