storytelling cambridge – New in Cambridge

What’s on in Cambridge – March 2020

As I write this, yet another storm is raging. Will Spring ever come?? I’d love it to hurry up as I’m attempting to house train a lively 12 week old puppy who definitely doesn’t like going out into the garden in the cold and rain! Here’s the events listing for March. As usual, I’ll add to it as the month goes on so do check back and feel free to get in touch through my Contact page if you have an event that you’d like to be included.

Rolo The Cambridge Dachshund — Rolo is ready for the next storm!!

1 – 9th The Minerva Festival. A city wide Festival celebrating the music of women and non-binary people. http://www.minervafestival.org

1st 2.30 – 5pm Dakshina 2020. An offering of music and dance from South India. Samarpana Classical Arts. Proceeds support Indian classical arts in Cambridge. Chesterton Sports Centre, Gilbert Road, CB4 http://www.eventbrite.com

2nd 8pm Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra. Strauss, Beethoven and Brahms. West Road Concert Hall. Tickets on the door or from http://www.cuso.org.uk

3rd 8pm Continuum. Gesualdo Responses for Holy Saturday and Reproaches by Stuart Beer. Trinity College Chapel. Tickets on the door.

5th 11am – 1pm George Mallory: from student to mountaineer. A special one day exhibition exploring George Mallory’s life from his undergraduate days at Magdalene College (1905 – 1909) to his final expedition to Everest in 1924. Free event. The Old Library, Magdalene College. http://www.magd.cam.ac.uk/old-library/public-engagement

6th 12.15 – 1pm Lunchtime Concert: Cadenza. Cambridge University’s premier A Capella group perform their own arrangements and mash-ups of pop and jazz hits. Free, all welcome. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. FB: Lunchtime Concert: Cadenza

6th 8pm Clare College Music Society and Chapel Choir of Clare College. Mozart Coronation Mass, Scattergood, Schubert. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.adcticketing.com

7th 10am – 1pm Family Saturdays: Fruity Fun. Taste delicious and unusual fruits and plant pomegranate seeds that you can grow at home. Find out about Fairtrade as part of Fairtrade Fortnight 2020. Drop in, no need to book. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

7th 2 – 4.30pm International Women’s Day event. 8 women talking for 15 minutes each on various zoological themes and the stories of many more. Free, drop in. Aged 8+. Museum of Zoology, Downing Street. https://www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk/

7th 6 – 7pm Moving On. Traditional close harmony and classical music. Post concert reception and exhibition of watercolour paintings. The Lucy Cavendish Singers. Emmanuel United Reformed Church, Trumpington Street. http://www.lucycavendishsingers.org.uk

7th 8pm Cambridge University Sinfonia. Rimsky Korsokov, Borodin, De Falla. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.adcticketing.com

8th 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Get creative with artists and education volunteers in a practical art making workshop. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

8th 7.30pm International Women’s Day Concert. Closing event of The Minerva Festival, including a performance of the winning piece of the composition competition. St. Giles’ Church, Castle Street. http://www.minervafestival.org

8th 8.15pm Beethoven’s Violin Sonatas plus miniature companion pieces. Krysia Osostowicz and Daniel Tong. King’s College Dining Hall. http://www.adcticketing.com

9 – 22nd Cambridge Science Festival. Featuring events from astronomy to zoology. Everyone is welcome to explore, discuss and discover science through talks, hands-on activities, films and exhibitions. Free entry. https://www.sciencefestival.cam.ac.uk/ PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL EVENTS AT THIS FESTIVAL ARE NOW CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

9th 1pm Beethoven’s Violin Sonatas plus miniature companion pieces. Krysia Osostowicz and Daniel Tong. St John’s Old Divinity School. http://www.adcticketing.com

9th 7.30pm Magsoc Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Dvorak, Bruch, Schubert. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.magsoc.net/tickets

9th 7.45pm Climate Change: What it means and what we can do about it. Speaker: Prof Joanna Haigh, CBE, FRS. Part of the Science meets Faith programme of talks. Free admission, retiring collection. Wesley Church, Christ’s Pieces.

10th 7 – 8.30pm Cafe Sci Cambridge. Obscure Crops to Save the World. Free event, non-ticketed. Espresso Library, East Road. FB: Obscure Crops To Save The World

10th 7.30 – 9pm Talk: Town vs Gown – social divides in Cambridgeshire antiquarian life. Mill Road History Society. Ross Street Community Centre, Ross Street. https://millroadhistory.org.uk/events/

12th 8pm Beethoven 250. Coriolan Overture, Piano Concerto No. 3, Symphony No. 2. St John’s College Chapel. FB: St John’s College Music Society

13th 8pm Musical Visions. Mendelssohn and Dvorak. Cambridge Graduate Orchestra. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.cambridgegraduateorchestra.com

13th 8pm March. A selection of marches, fanfares and theme tunes including Copland and Mendelssohn. The University of Cambridge Concert Band. St. Giles’ Church, CB3. Tickets on the door or from uccb.soc.srcf.net

14th 9am – 5.30pm The Rising Festival 2020. Celebrating International Women’s Day with interactive workshops, talks, 1-2-1 coaching, networking, performances, open conversations, Happy Hour and more. St Barnabas Church, Mill Road. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL LATER THIS YEAR DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

14th 10am – 4pm Super Science Saturday – The Museum Takeover. Hands on activities, meet the researchers, discover more about the world of early dinosaurs. Free family drop in. Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, Downing Street. FB: Super Science Saturday – The Museum Takeover

14th 10am – 4.30pm Murder Will Out: A day of crime, thriller and mystery fiction. Heffers bring a selection of authors to the city for this day long crime event. The Old Library, Emmanuel College, St Andrew’s Street. Tickets from Heffers Bookshop or http://www.eventbrite.co.uk

14th 7.30pm Earth, Sea and Space. Back to the Future, Thunder and Lightning Polka, Apollo 13, Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001: A Space Odyssey) and more. Cambridge Concert Orchestra. A fundraiser in aid of the Motor Neuron Disease Association (Cambridgeshire branch). Wesley Methodist Church, Christ’s Pieces, CB1. Tickets on the door or email cambridge@mndassociation.org or c.i.george@icloud.com

14th 7.30pm St John’s Voices. Bach, Howells, Scarlatti. St John’s College Chapel. Tickets 01223 300085

14th 7.30pm Beethoven and Mozart. Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.cambridgephilharmonic.com

14th 7.30pm Cambs Frocktails. Meet and get to know other people who sew clothes. Cocktails, competitions and celebration of all things sewing. Wear your special me-made outfits. Clayton Hotel (formerly The Tamburlaine), CB1 https://cambsfrocktails.com/ PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO 17 OCTOBER 2020 DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

15th 11am and 2pm Science on Sundays: The mechanics of plant development. Part of a programme of free, informal, monthly drop-in plant science talks, bringing the latest discoveries in plant science to visitors in a 30 minute nutshell. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

15th 7.30pm Folk & Blues. Alistair and Ian Anderson, Black Fen Folk Club. NCI Club, Holland Street, CB4. http://www.blackfenfolkclub.com

16 – 27th Love Cambridge Restaurant Week. Discover different places to eat as some of the city’s best eateries offer set menus at £5, £10, £15 and £20. https://www.love-cambridge.com/restaurant-week/

19th 5 – 9pm LATE: Perceptions of Vision and Taste. See four exhibitions after hours plus there will be four special events on the night, three of which require pre-booking. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/calendar/whatson/late-perceptions-vision-and-taste

19th 7pm Voces 8 – Choral Dances. A celebration of choral music inspired by dance. Palestrina, Victoria, Rachmaninov, Britten. Trinity College Chapel. Tickets on the door or from http://www.CambridgeEarlyMusic.org

19th 7pm A Polar Pint. An evening of polar science talks over a pint! Panton Arms, Panton Street. http://www.pintofscience.co.uk/event/polar-pint-of-science-cambridge

21st 10am – 4.30pm CAMCRAFT Handmade Fair. 40 stalls of gorgeous handmade items. Free entry. Guildhall, Market Square

21st 11am – 4.30pm Cambridge Sustainable Fashion Festival. Stalls, a big Swish (clothes swap party), a free sewing Repair Cafe, learn how to recycle, reuse and create a capsule wardrobe plus pick up styling tips. St Barnabas Church, Mill Road. FB: Cambridge Sustainable Fashion Festival PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

21st 2 – 5.30pm Reading “Emma”. An intensive and exciting Study Day on this Jane Austen novel, with two lectures and a round-table seminar. Literature Cambridge. Stapleford Granary, CB22. https://www.literaturecambridge.co.uk/emma PLEASE NOTE THIS STUDY DAY HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS AND WILL BE REARRANGED FOR SEPTEMBER 2020 DATE TBC

21st 7 – 9pm Spring Equinox Mindfulness around the Campfire. Simple guided meditations, opportunities for reflection, discuss, poetry and games exploring our relationship with the natural world. Milton Country Park, CB24. https://mindfulness-of-nature.com/

21st 7.30pm The Crucifixion, Stainer. The Leys Choral Society. The Leys School Chapel, Fen Causeway. http://www.theleys.net/boxoffice PLEASE NOTE THIS CONCERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

21st 8pm New Cambridge Singers. Frank Martin Mass for double choir and Pergolesi Stabat Mater. Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs, Hills Road. http://www.cambridgelive.org.uk

22nd 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Get creative with artists and education volunteers in a practical art making workshop. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

22nd 7.30pm A Crowne of sharpest Thorns. Goodall and Purcell. Fairhaven Singers. Trinity College Chapel. http://www.fairhavensingers.org.uk

25th 7.30pm The Sixteen’s Choral Pilgrimage 2020. Allegri’s Miserere. St John’s College Chapel. http://www.thesixteen.com

25th 7.30pm True Stories Told Live. Cambridge storytellers and a musical turn. No need to book, just turn up a bit early to get a drink and find a seat. NCI Club, Holland Street, CB4. FB: True Stories Told Live Cambridge PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

27 – 28th 4 – 11pm Eddington Beer Garden. A pop up with draft craft beers, gins, spirits, wines and soft drinks, food vans and live music. Free entry. Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington, CB3. You can pre-register at http://www.eventbrite.com

28th 2 – 6pm Board Games Afternoon. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. £2 per ticket. Cambridge Central Library, Lion Yard

28th 7.30 – 10.30pm Stand Up Comedy Night from Big Deal Comedy. 4 comedians and an MC, licensed bar selling alcoholic and soft drinks. Unit 1-4, The Grafton Centre, CB1. FB: Stand Up Comedy Night

29th 2.30 – 4pm A Musical Afternoon at the University Church. Haydn, Vivaldi, Boyce. The Academy of Great St Mary’s. Great St Mary’s Church, Senate House Hill. FB: A Musical Sunday Afternoon at the University Church

Snowdrops

What’s on in Cambridge – November 2019

So November is here, with bright frosty mornings and leaves crunching under our feet. As ever, there’s loads going on in the city this month. Do get in touch if you know of an event that I could add in to this listing and don’t forget to check back every now and again as I will update it through the month.

1st 7pm Cinema under the Whale. A special screening of the Spielberg classic JAWS, in the dark under the skeleton of a 21 metre whale. Plus a short pre-screening talk on threats to sharks and work to protect them. Museum of Zoology, Downing Street. http://www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk

2nd 10am – 1pm Family Saturday – Feed the Birds. Help the birds in your garden survive the frosty winter nights by making bird feeders to put out in your garden. Free event. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

2nd 10.30 – 11.15am Sharing Stories. Stories from around the world, told, read and sung. Free, drop in. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Milton Road Library. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk

2nd 2 – 4pm Magic and Mystery Family drop in. Magic crafts, family tours and story telling. Free. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

2nd 3.30pm Autumn Concert. Cambridge Wind Band. The Ashburton Hall, St Faith’s School, Trumpington Road. http://www.camwindband.com

2nd 6.30pm Even You Song. Director of Music Owain Park with Cambridge Chorale and school choirs against a backdrop of digital projections and new writing. An immersive work based on Choral Evensong inspired by space travel. Trinity College Chapel. Tickets from http://bit.ly/2YvwxAb

5th 7pm Firework Display and Bonfire. Food stalls and fairground open 6 – 10pm. Midsummer Common. Free event. http://www.cambridgelive.org.uk/city-events/bonfire-night

6 – 14th Cambridge Music Festival. A programme of classical music with world-class artists, both well known figures and rising stars. http://www.cambridgemusicfestival.co.uk

6th 7.30pm Handel Coronation Anthems, Concerto Grosso in B flat major, Op 3 No 2 and Organ Concerto in F Major, Op 4 No 4. Academy of Ancient Music and Choir of King’s College Cambridge. King’s College Chapel. http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/concerts

8 – 9th Cambridge Oktoberfest. German beer, food and music in a tent on Jesus Green. http://www.cambridge-oktoberfest.co.uk

8th 7.30pm Mike de Souza Trio. A vibrant young trio performing new, original music drawing on the sounds of contemporary jazz, Radiohead and Deerhoof. Unitarian Church, Emmanuel Road. http://www.wegottickets.com/listencambridge

9th 6.30 – 10.30pm Ceilidh. Raising funds for Cambridge Street Aid and The Cyriacs, St Paul’s Church, Hills Road. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk

9th 7.30pm Brahms: German Requiem and Cello Sonata in E minor. New Cambridge Singers. Little St Mary’s Church, Trumpington Street. http://www.newcambridgesingers.org.uk

12th 7.30 – 9pm Changing Landscapes in Romsey Town. Talk by John McGill for Mill Road History Society. Ross Street Community Centre. http://www.millroadhistory.org.uk

13 – 24th Cambridge International Jazz Festival. Main events, Fringe events (many of which are free), family events, workshops, talks and films at venues around the city. http://www.cambridgejazzfestival.info

13th 7.15pm True Stories Told Live. Local storytellers and a song. NCI Club, Holland Street. FB @cambridgetruestories

16th 10.30 – 11.15am Sharing Stories. Stories from around the world, told, read and sung. Free, drop in. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Milton Road Library. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk

16th 2 – 5.30pm Literature Cambridge Study Day: Understanding “Hamlet”, with Cambridge scholars Adrian Poole and Fred Parker. Stapleford Granary, CB22. http://www.literaturecambridge.co.uk/hamlet

16th North Pole Cambridge Ice Rink opens. Skate under a transparent roof. Funfair, Alpine Cabin themed bar and stalls. Closes 5.1.20. Parker’s Piece. http://www.thenorthpolecambridge.co.uk

16 – 17th 11 am – 5pm Ink, Paper and Print Illustration Fair. Screenprints, letterpress, hand-made books, lithographs, linocuts and more. Free admission. The Guildhall, Market Square. http://www.inkpaperandprint.co.uk

16 – 17th 10am – 5pm A handmade Christmas pottery exhibition and sale. 15+ potters, a wide range of ceramics from rustic to refined, free kids’ craft. Kiln Cambridge, 61 Ditton Walk, CB5. FB@kilncambridge

22nd – 8 Dec 11am – 4pm Fri – Sun, 5 – 8pm Weds. Here and How? An exhibition of artists from the North West, curated by STOCK Gallery. Motion Sickness Project Space, Petty Cury. http://www.motion-sick.wixsite.com

23rd 11am – 5pm Worth the Weight Vintage Kilo Sale. Vintage clothing from the 60s – 90s. £15 per kilo. St. Paul’s, Hills Road. FB @worththeweightvintage

23rd 7.30pm Mozart Requiem. Trinity Singers. Trinity College Chapel. Tickets on the door.

23rd 7.30pm Dance the Night Away. Brahms, Khachaturian, Offenbach and more. A concert in aid of Cambridgeshire Lupus Group. Cambridge Concert Orchestra. The Church of St John the Evangelist, Hills Road. Tickets from http://cco.org.uk or http://www.eventbrite.com or on the door

26th Feast & Fast: The Art of Food in Europe, 1500 – 1800 exhibition opens (running until 26.4.20). Presents novel approaches to understanding the history and culture of food and eating. Free entry. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

28 – 30th 12 noon – 7.30pm Thursday/10am – 6.30pm Friday and Saturday. Cambridge Made Christmas Fair. Loads of fabulous hand made goodies from local makers. Free entry. St. Andrew’s Baptist Church, St. Andrew’s Street. FB @CambridgeMade

28th 5 – 9pm LATE: A Feast for your Senses. See the new Feast & Fast exhibition, join pop up talks, learn more about Christmas food traditions and book for a special screening of Bright Star, a romantic drama about John Keats. Christmas shopping, live jazz and seasonal treats in the Cafe. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

30th 10.30 – 11.15am Sharing Stories. Stories from around the world, told, read and sung. Free, drop in. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Milton Road Library. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk

30th 2pm and 3pm “Mouse’s Night Before Christmas”. Award winning author Tracey Corderoy reads from her new book. Festive craft activity. Tickets £3 in advance, redeemable against a copy of the book when bought on the day. Heffers, Trinity Street. http://www.heffers.co.uk/events

Autumn colour in Trumpington Street Cambridge — Autumn colour on Trumpington Street

What’s on in Cambridge – October 2019

Well here we are, it’s October already and the rhythm of the city is changing again as the students return. There’s so much happening in Cambridge this month … festivals of film, ideas, craft beer and gin, storytelling, fundraisers for local charities, art exhibitions, Diwali celebrations and lots more. So do take a look and come back too, as I’ll update this listing through the month.

Autumn colours on Trumpington Street, Cambridge — Autumn colours in Trumpington Street

1 – 12th 8am – 5pm Illuminating Cambridge Libraries. Exhibition of Sara Rawlinson’s photographs of College libraries. Michaelhouse Centre, Trinity Street, CB2. http://www.sararawlinson.com

1 – 31st 9am – 5pm weekdays. Black Cantabs: History Makers. Photography exhibition celebrating 260 years of Cambridge education for black Cambridge students and graduates from the 1700s to the 21st century. Fitzwilliam College, Storey’s Way, CB3

3 – 27th The Cambridge Show. Painting, photography, performance, sculpture and other media from 22 local artists. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

5th 10am – 1pm Family Saturdays – Brilliant Bats. Learn loads of bat facts and enjoy bat themed craft ready for Halloween. Free event. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

5th 10.30 – 11.15am Sharing Stories. A family friendly story telling session with stories from around the world told, read and sung. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free, drop in. Milton Road Library, CB4. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk

5th 11am – 1pm Toy Swap Shop. Also books (fiction/children) and clothes swap (women/children). Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington. http://www.atoyslifeandbeyond.org

5th 2.30pm Nearly New Sale of pre-loved parent and baby goods. Sports Centre, Cambridge Regional College, Kings Hedges Road. http://www.nctcambridge.org

7th 7.30 – 9pm LATE: Gallery Party. Celebrate the launch of a new season of programming on the theme of Sensual/Virtual. Music, cash bar and surprises on the night. Free event. Fitzwilliam Museum. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

10th 7.30 – 9pm Miss Jebb revisits Mill Road. An evening of fact and fiction, drama and poetry as Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children and author of “Cambridge – A Brief Study in Social Questions (1906), takes us for a walk down Mill Road. Free event. Ross Street Community Centre, Ross Street. http://www.millroadhistory.org.uk

12th 10am 2019 Heffers Classics Forum. A day of talks from some of the top names in the world of Classics. The Old Library, Emmanuel College, St Andrew’s Street. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk

12th 10am – 3pm The Kenya Youth Project Autumn Fayre. Stalls, pictures, stationery, handcrafts, nearly new, books, jigsaws, toys, homemade jam and cakes, Kenyan gifts. Wesley Methodist Church, Christ’s Pieces. http://www.kenyayouthproject.org.uk

12th 10.30am – 2.30pm Nearly New and Used Book Sale. Milton Road Library, CB4

13th 12 noon – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

13th 1.15 – 2pm Lunchtime Concert: Works for piano by female composers. Diana Brekalo presents music by Lily Boulanger, Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann and Countess Dora Pejacevic. Free. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

13th 7.30pm Schumann: Overture – Genoveva, Piano Concerto in A minor, Symphony No 2 in C. Sinfonia of Cambridge. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.sinfoniaofcambridge.org.uk

14 – 27th Cambridge Festival of Ideas. Debates, workshops, talks, exhibitions and performances celebrating the arts, humanities and social sciences. This year’s theme is “Change”. Free. http://www.festivalofideas.cam.ac.uk

15th 7pm Fundraiser Evening for Cam Sight. Dining and music from CBT. The Three Horseshoes, Madingley. http://www.camsight.org.uk

16 – 19th The 2019 Cambridge Greek Play: Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles. A modern day interpretation, performed in Ancient Greek with English surtitles. The tradition of performing a play in Greek every three years at Cambridge University goes back to 1882! Cambridge Arts Theatre, Peas Hill. http://www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

16th 7pm Cafe Sci Cambridge: The ethics of medical data sharing. Espresso Library, East Road. FB @cafescicambridge

17 – 24th Cambridge Film Festival. UK premieres of new features, classic retrospectives, insightful documentaries, short films, discovery titles from the global stage, family favourites and several international film festival winners. http://www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk

17 – 20th Eddington Craft Beer and Gin Festival. Local craft beers, flavourful gins, live music and food vans. Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington. http://www.eventbrite.com

17th 7pm Cambridge Breast Cancer Appeal Fashion Show. In aid of Addenbrooke’s Hospital Breast Cancer Appeal. Grand Arcade. http://www.cambridgebreastcancerappeal.com

18th 7.30pm Somersaults. Propulsive, joyous spontaneous music ranging from swinging free jazz to timbral and textural improvisations. Unitarian Church, Emmanuel Road. http://www.wegottickets.com/listencambridge

18 – 19th 7.30pm Dracula Part 1: Jonathan Harker’s Journal with Martin Prest in the haunting and atmospheric one man show adapted from Bram Stoker’s classic novel. The Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road. http://www.ThatsMyCueProductions.com

19th 10am – 4pm Cambridge Photography Show. For anyone who is passionate about photography and video. Free entry. Guildhall, Market Square. FB Cambridge Photography Show 2019

19th 10.30 – 11.15am Sharing Stories. A family friendly storytelling session with stories from around the world told, read and sung. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free, drop in. Milton Road Library, CB4. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk

19th 12 noon – 4pm WE ARE CAMBRIDGE Family Day. A fun, interactive day exploring what living in and around Cambridge means to you. Artist led workshops where you can create artwork inspired by Cambridge, your ideas of home and hopes for the future of the city. Plus a wildflower seed-bomb workshop inspired by the history and work of Alan Turing. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

19th 2 – 5.30pm Literature Cambridge Study Day: An Introduction to Reading Poetry. Do you love poetry and would you like to understand it better? Accessible lectures and a seminar with leading young Cambridge scholars. Stapleford Granary, CB22. http://www.literaturecambridge.co.uk/read-poetry

19th 3 – 4pm Children’s Event: Author Isabel Thomas unlocks the life of Stephen Hawking with storytelling and activities. Free event. Heffers, Trinity Street. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk

19th 7.30pm Locked Opened! Stories from the underground railroad told by Sheila Arnold. Unitarian Church Hall, Emmanuel Road. http://www.cambridgestorytellers.com

19th 7.30pm Stargaze. Adams, Prokofiev and Dove. Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra. West Road Concert Hall. Free pre concert talk at 6.45pm. http://www.cambridgephilharmonic.com

20th 10am – 4pm Apple Day. Apple tasting, identification, cultivation, activities and edibles. Free Garden seasonal highlight tours, live music, pop up food trucks and craft stalls. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

20th 10.30am – 4pm Cambridge Vegan Market. Food stalls, lifestyle brands, luxury cosmetics, ethical clothing, interesting charities and more. FB Cambridge Vegan Market

20th 1.15 – 2pm Lunchtime Concert: Music for harpsichord. Final concert of the complete Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, recital No. 30, performed by Francis Knights. Free. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

20th 7 – 9.45pm Sakhya Diwali celebrations. A fundraiser evening of music, Indian food and Bollywood dancing. All proceeds go to grass-root education and development oriented projects in India. St Paul’s, Hills Road. Booking required. Email tickets.sakhya@gmail.com

20 – 26th 10am – 4pm Art Exhibition. Original paintings, drawing, prints and sculptures. Cambridge Drawing Society. The Leys School, Fen Causeway. http://www.cambridgedrawingsociety.org

26th 5 – 9pm Cambridge Mindful Pub Crawl. Low and no alcohol drinks at three venues with the first round on Adnams. Starting at The Castle Inn, Castle Street, CB3. Tickets from http://www.joinclubsoda.com

27th 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

27th 1.15 – 2pm Lunchtime Concert: Music for piano. George Harliono performs Chopin’s Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor. Free. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

28th 7.45pm Centenary Lecture: Professor Dame Sally C Davies, Master of Trinity College, on being the UK’s Chief Medical Officer. Free admission, retiring collection. Wesley Methodist Church, Christ’s Pieces.

29th 7pm Graphene the new wonder material: But will it change the world? Fundraising lecture from Professor Sir Colin Humphreys, CBE, FREng, FRS Director of Research Dept of Materials Science and Metallurgy. In aid of Cam Sight. Dept of Material Sciences and Metallurgy, Charles Babbage Road, CB3. http://www.camsight.org.uk

Laxtons Superb apples — Fantastic harvest of Laxton’s Superb apples from our tree this year

True Stories Told Live Cambridge

One of the things I love most about writing this blog is hearing people’s stories when I meet them. Everyone has a tale to tell from their journey through life … it might be funny, shocking or sad and it’s often a story of perseverance in the face of adversity. So I was intrigued when True Stories Told Live Cambridge came up on my social media and I met compere Nick Barraclough to find out more.

Now retired from a career as a musician, radio producer and documentary maker, Nick was invited by a friend to tell a story at True Stories Told Live in Hampstead several years ago. It was a small gathering in a tiny room but Nick was hooked. So he brought True Stories Told Live to Cambridge, initially holding sessions at The Punter, moving to the NCI Club in Holland Street as the word spread and audience numbers swelled. There’s an event every couple of months, attended by around 100 people who listen to 6 stories, one told by Nick as compere and one of which is a story set to music.

True Stories Told Live Cambridge

Each storyteller narrates a personal tale which can be funny, serious or even harrowing. Nick tells me, “Their story needs to have a beginning, a middle and an end and something has to happen.” Each storytelling slot is 10 minutes maximum and stories must be told without reading from a script (although it’s fine to have bullet point notes!). “The audience is always really supportive and engaged,” Nick comments, “and many of our future ‘turns’ are recruited from the audience. It can seem daunting but we give help and advice on how to frame your story and once people have done it once, they always want to do it again.”

True Stories Told Live Cambridge

The next True Stories Told Live Cambridge is on Wednesday 24 April at the NCI Club, Holland Street. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start and the evening finishes by 9.30pm. It’s a free event but you’ll need to pay £2 for temporary club membership and you can enjoy drinks from the bar as stories unfold through the evening.

For more information, take a look at the True Stories Told Live Cambridge Facebook page, through which you can also get in touch with the team if you’ve got a story of your own that needs to be told!

Facebook: @cambridgetruestories

What’s On in February

Well, we’ve almost got through a very grey and murky January so here’s the what’s on listing for February. It’s an eclectic mix of events that come to my attention so if you know about an event that could be included, please get in touch via my Contact page. I’ll update this listing through the month, so it’s worth checking back every so often.

Railings at Great St Mary's — The railings at Great St Mary’s Church

2nd 5.30pm Migration 2018: Art and Migration. Lady Margaret Hall, Sidgwick Avenue http://www.darwin.cam.ac.uk/lectures

3rd 10am – 12pm Ages 11 – 15, 1pm – 2.30pm Ages 7 – 10 Come and Play at Trinity. Music making for young instrumentalists. Trinity College. Email concerts@tcms.org.uk

3rd 1pm St Clement’s Players. Mozart, Haydn, Sammartini. St Clement’s Church, Bridge Street

3rd 7.30pm Fairytales for Grown Ups: Grim Grimms. The Crick Crack Club with Ben Haggarty. Cambridge Junction http://www.junction.co.uk

3rd 7.30pm East Anglia Chamber Orchestra. Mendelssohn and Vaughan Williams. West Road Concert Hall http://www.adcticketing.com

3rd 7.30pm Wine Gums Comedy Night. Cambridge University Centre Wine Bar, CB2 http://www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

3rd 9.30pm Messiaen. King’s College Music Society. King’s College Hall. Tickets on the door

5th 7.45pm Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Screening of the 1920 movie with live organ improvisation by David Briggs. The Leys School Chapel http://www.theleys.net/boxoffice

8th 8pm Ben Crosland Quintet plays the Ray Davies Songbook. Hidden Rooms, Jesus Lane http://www.cambridgejazz.org

9th 5.30pm Migration 2018: Refugee Migration. Lady Mitchell Hall, Sidgwick Avenue. http://www.darwin.cam.ac.uk/lectures

9/10th AHBAB Festival. Cambridge Junction http://www.junction.co.uk

9/14th e-Luminate Festival at venues around the city http://www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/e-luminate and see my January blog post too

9th 10pm Valerie Welbanks Solo Cello. Saariaho, Crumb and Bach. King’s College Chapel http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/concerts

10th Kettles Yard re-opens. Castle Street, CB3. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

11th 4pm Be My Love Charity Gala for Arthur Rank Hospice and Multiple System Atrophy Trust. Michaelhouse, Trinity Street. For tickets email adriancb23@gmail.com

11th 8.30pm The Chilingirian Quartet. Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Selwyn College Hall http://www.selwynalumni.com

13th 4.30pm Twilight at the Museums at venues around the city http://www.museums.cam.ac.uk/twilight and see my blog post too

14th 7pm Valentine’s Day Blind Wine Tasting. l’Alliance Francaise Cambridge, Hills Road info.alliance.cam@gmail.com

14th 7.30pm The Endellion String Quartet. Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. West Road Concert Hall http://www.cambridgelivetickets.co.uk

15th 7.30pm Romsey Mill Charity Quiz Night. C3 Centre, CB1 http://www.eventbrite.co.uk

16th 5.30pm Migration 2018: Disease Migration. Lady Mitchell Hall, Sidgwick Avenue http://www.darwin.cam.ac.uk/lectures

16th 7.30pm Mortal Voices, The Academy of Ancient Music. Pergolesi, Corelli and Handel. West Road Concert Hall http://www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/tickets. Please note there is a free pre-concert talk at 6.30pm.

18th 2pm Introduction to Tennyson. Stapleford Granary, CB22 http://www.literaturecambridge.co.uk

20/24th 7.45pm Spring Awakening. Brickhouse Theatre Company. Robinson College, CB3 http://www.brickhouse.tessera.info

22/24th 7.45pm and Sat.1.30pm L’Elisir D’Amore, Donizetti. Cambridge University Opera Society. West Road Concert Hall http://www.adcticketing.com/amore

23rd 5.30pm Migration 2018: The Partition of India and Migration. Lady Mitchell Hall, Sidgwick Avenue http://www.darwin.cam.ac.uk/lectures

23/25th Watersprite Film Festival at venues across the city http://www.watersprite.org.uk and see my blog post too

24th 7.30pm The Academy of Great St Mary’s. Brahms, Weber, Schumann. Great St Mary’s Church http://www.adcticketing.com

Primroses — To remind us that Spring is on the way!!