Prema

The final days of sunshine

2011-09-23T12:56:00.006+01:00

Sun Stations
Saturday 24th September 2011 at 8pm
 A potent blend of English folk, new music and a lively show exploring our forgotten traditional calendar and annual festivals. Through a combination of live music, recorded sound, images and spoken word, this award-winning duo (amazing fiddler John Dipper from Methera and English Acoustic Collective twinned with accordionist Luke Daniels who some of you will remember from Lost Music of the Gaels) present their unique take on strange rural customs and the hidden history of our ritual year. Join John and Luke for an evening in which they update our festive cycle’s original soundtrack, plotting the stations of the sun to discover a wealth of music that will stimulate the appetites of all ages for English traditional culture. An abolsute must for all lovers of traditional music from two of the world’s very, very best musicians.

Tickets (10 or £7 concs) available now on 01453 860703

www.prema.org.uk

2011-08-30T13:46:00.002+01:00

We're nearly there. From Thursday 1st September Prema's new website will be up and active. After years of living with our grey, muted site, we're about to relaunch with a splash of colour, a wealth of pics and some gorgeous textures. Have a look around our new site and tell us what you think

Book Club - Tuesday 28th June

2011-06-21T17:22:00.007+01:00

So Many Ways to Begin by Jon McGregor
Tue 28 Jun 7.30pm

David Carter cannot help but wish for more: that his wife Eleanor would be the sparkling Scottish girl he once found so irresistible; that his job as a museum curator could live up to the promise it once held; that his daughter's arrival could have brought he and Eleanor closer. But a few careless words spoken by his mother's friend have left David restless with the knowledge that his whole life has been constructed around a lie. Struggling to make sense of his past through an archive of letters, photos and artifacts, David searches for meaning and truth, but the story always comes back to him and Eleanor, to their quiet attempts to hold together something they began before they could even understand what it was. Here’s the exquisite second novel from the writer who was celebrated for his gorgeous “If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things”.

Summer Garden Journals - Sunday 26th June

2011-06-15T15:50:00.004+01:00

In spite of the recent downturn to our glorious Summer weather, there's no need to surrender outdoor pursuits.

There's nothing nicer than a wander around the garden, looking at how the borders are coming along and the recent rains have given a new lease of life to the flora around us.

Nature provides a wonderful source of visual inspiration and reference for many artists and designers. Why not spend the day with talented botanical illustrator Carol Roberts, finding new ways to record your observations. Create pages of notes and visual ingredients in the morning, really developing your eye for observing closely as you explore the local flora and fauna. Then spend the afternoon transforming your journal pages into a unique composition. A glorious Sunday spent on an adventure with watercolour with nature's bounty for inspiration.

Bring your camera, some watercolours and a sturdy sketchbook.

Make & Cake

2011-06-08T14:03:00.002+01:00

Hungry caterpillar cake by Coco Cakes

The lovely team at Prema are on hand to help you plan your next super birthday bash or creative party. We are lucky to work with some amazing artists from a wide variety of art disciplines who have a whole heap of making marvellousness up their crafty sleeves.

We have versatile indoor spaces, a cosy garden and a lot of eccentric charm. We can even organise a beautiful birthday cake.

From sock monkeys to animation this is a great way to celebrate and even better – you don’t have to do the clearing up. We can accommodate all ages and abilities and are a fully accessible arts centre. Parties run for around 2 hours.

Give us a call and let’s see what we can cook up.

Countdown to half-term

2011-05-23T17:19:00.005+01:00

Blimey, it only seems five minutes ago that we were in the Easter Holiday, doesn't it? And now it's half-term ... fret ye not! Prema has some great little courses to keep your little darlings occupied and creative during the school holiday.

Paper Mechanics
Tue 31 May 10am-3pm Ages 8+ £15 or £12 (Friends)
The art of paper mechanics and pop-up may be technical yet it’s easy to learn to create impressive and surprising results. Illustrator and paper folder Lisa Yardley is bringing more of her creative skills to Prema in this brilliant one-day workshop. Learn the basics of folding and cutting (craft knives will be in operation) and then combine and adapt techniques to produce individual and elaborate designs. Great for books and cards, come and enjoy this really versatile and inexpensive process.

School of Rogue
Wed & Thu 1/2 Jun 10am-4pm Ages 9+ £15 or £12 (Friends)
Rogue Theatre, one of the UK’s most prominent and daring physical theatre companies, comes to Prema this summer. Spend two delirious days with Angelina and Ollie to delve into the drama of magic, circus, scripting and your own physical being. Learn bags of new tricks and work together on the text, staging, lighting, direction and performance of a show over the two days. This workshop is suitable for young people with and without disabilities and is supported by the Clore Duffield Foundation. The places are sure to sell very quickly so book now to make sure you’re here to help create the greatest show on Earth!

Calling all bookworms!

2011-05-04T15:52:00.004+01:00

It’s back! We’re re-launching Prema’s book club – this time the group will be convened by avid reader Siobhán McCann. The book club is a great chance to get together and talk about the book – what worked for you, what didn’t, parallels you might have spotted to other writers’ works or perhaps a chance to ask questions (so often a novel can leave us with a number of thoughts and questions).

We’re taking the theme of the second novel as our focus for the next few books. It’s all very laid-back and you’re welcome to chip in with your thoughts or sit back and listen to the discussion. Each session lasts about 90 minutes and there’ll be a pot of tea and coffee on the go and some very comfy sofas! And it’s free! What could be nicer?

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
Tue 24 May 7.30pm
When Elspeth dies she leaves her beautiful flat (overlooking Highgate Cemetery) to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina Poole, on the condition that their mother is never allowed to cross the threshold. But until the solicitors’ arrives neither Julia nor Valentina knew of their Aunt’s existence. The twins feel that in London their own lives can finally begin but have no idea that they have been summoned into a tangle of fraying lives, to unravel the secrets of their aunt, who doesn’t seem quite ready to leave her flat, even after death, Niffenegger weaves a delicious and deadly ghost story about love, loss and identity. A tasty second helping from the author who brought us the much beloved Time Traveller’s Wife.

Rogue Theatre Promo

2011-05-04T13:35:00.003+01:00

Rogue Dancers

2011-05-04T12:33:00.003+01:00

This weekend we're joined by madcap Cornish pixies - Rogue Theatre for an exclusive preview of their fine new show The Dancer and The Devil which was devised and supported here at Prema and also by the Lowry, Salford.

Rogue Theatre in The Dancer & The Devil
Fri & Sat 6/7 May at 8pm
Tickets £10 or £7(c)
Family ticket £20 or £15(c)

“Imagine yourself however you want to be: beautiful if you are not; rich if you are poor; great if you are small; powerful if you have no power. I don’t mind as long as you pay… I don’t mind as long as you stay”

Bright, sparkling and full of comic mischief, The Dancer and the Devil invites you to lose yourself in a world of twisted cabaret. Set in a secret bar, a speak easy, in a country smothered by war, The Dancer and the Devil presents a cabaret of those displaced, those who have to hide and those who have had to run away from their former lives with hastily-packed suitcases bursting with stories and memories. Meet “Cupcakes” (the Murderous Master Baker), “Minue” (who’ll be whoever you want her to be), “Ruby” (the jewel that fell from the crown), and “Laverna” (who’ll get the fire blazing).

Dress to impress and join us at Prema for the dance of your life! Here’s a glimpse into the sumptuous and cuckoo world of Rogue Theatre. Tonight’s show is suitable for brave, imaginative young people of nine and over and a great family night out. Book now.

Time for Bed, Sleepy Head

2011-01-06T16:12:00.002Z

They're back! The Ding Foundation make a really welcome return to Prema on Friday 4th February with the darkly haunting show "Hanging by a Thread" - a tale loosely inspired by a Tove Jansson story.

In the tale of intrigue we meet a Grandmother who has knitted herself into her bed and the grand-daughter. The younger woman tends to the older in a macabre and slightly hallucinatory world where memory and fantasy seem to blur into one another.

A stonkingly good for all lovers of dark, visual theatre and for brave children of 11 and over. Special family deal available - two grown-ups, two kids for the princely sum of twenty earth pounds!

Go on, you'll love it and you'll be talking about it for days afterwards

Sneaky Peek of The Kosh

2010-10-15T19:09:00.002+01:00

On Friday 19th and Saturday 20th November, Prema proudly presents the amazing talents of Sian Williams and The Kosh in their daring, dusky and astonishing show The Storeroom. Here's a little video to get you going. You can book tickets right now by calling Prema on 01453 860703.

The show is suitable for brave kids of ten and over and so if you fancy an awesome night out as a family, we'll give you a family deal of twenty quid. Bargainous!

Christingle Cuties

2009-12-16T14:55:00.003Z

And here’s three saucy minxes with a festive ditty for the people. Sit back, kick off those peep-toe mules and drink in the sequinned joyfulness which is the Del Rubio Triplets with their Yule Tidings. These three lovelies bring Prema’s warmest Winter Wishes with them alongside our excitement at the new purple programme for 2010 – if you haven’t already received a copy, send an email to info@prema.demon.co.uk and we’ll post you one out in the New Year. Prema will be closing for a fortnight – we’re here until Friday 18th December and we’ll return for your bookings on Monday 4th January 2010. Here’s wishing you the merriest of Christmases and keeping fingers crossed for a swell 2010 for all of you.

Wassail

2009-12-08T16:02:00.004Z

And so as 2009 draws towards a blustery yet festive close, we reflect on what a great year it’s been at Prema. Thanks for your support, your ideas, your passion and your company throughout the year. Our new programme is just about to come back and we’ll be mailing it out to you before we tuck into those mince pies and mulled wine. We’re closing down for a couple of weeks on Friday 18th December but open again in early January 2010, ready to take your bookings for our great 10.1 programme. Wishing you a very merry midwinter and sending you good and positive thoughts for 2010 – look forward to seeing you soon. In the meantime, we’ll hand over to Judy Christmas-Garland and her schmultzy musing on a message for the twenty-fifth ...

Free Fun and Frolics

2009-10-23T18:42:00.011+01:00

Hey, don’t forget that this Sunday (25th October) we’re holding a right swanky BIG DRAW event here at the Arts Centre. The proceedings kick off on the chimes of one o clock with amazing artist Imogen Harvey-Lewis leading drawing sessions where you, your kids, your friends, neighbours and families are warmly invited to browse a dazzling array of animals from the exquisite kingfisher through to a deer, butterflies to fox cubs and to draw what you see and perhaps some creatures from your imagination. The emphasis for the Sunday afternoon is on fun – fun for everyone, having a go and really getting stuck into some drawing – it’s free, easy and there’s no right or wrong.

The afternoon session will be accompanied by delicious tea and cakes courtesy of our friends and some gorgeous music from the world-class Tippett Quartet.

Hot foot it to Prema between 1 and 4pm for a rip-roaring time in the company of friendly folk. No need to book – hope to see you there. You’ll totally love it!

Bring a few pennies for a slice of yummy cake and a cup of piping hot rosie lea.

That Sinking Feeling

2009-10-09T17:48:00.003+01:00

Over the last few years Prema has been working in partnership with health services – GP surgeries, mental health teams and hospitals – on creative projects to help people rediscover a sense of well-being and balance in their lives. Emotional health is something so many of us take for granted but it’s something which is easily and quickly shattered after a death, an incident or even someone saying the wrong thing.

Just recently Prema has submitted a funding application to both Children in Need and Comic Relief to undertake a county-wide project for young people – we’re calling the project Cover Up. More specifically, young people who self-injure as a way of managing painful emotions. Cutting, burning, purging are strategies used by many as a way of coping and just staying alive. To this end, Prema has devised a confidential, robust programme of work for young people aged 14+ who use self-harm. This project isn’t up-and-running yet but we’ve got our fingers firmly crossed that the funding will come in to make our project happen. We hope to work with our friends at Samaritans in providing ongoing support for people in distress and despair on the self-harm project. Samaritans is a confidential 24 hour service for anyone going through a tough time – you can find out more about them by visiting www.samaritans.org

In the meanwhile, check out this beautiful drawn animation which highlights the work of Samaritans but also provides us with a quiet moment to appreciate peaceful sounds and powerful images.

Just a Taste...

2009-10-02T17:49:00.007+01:00

King Pest - The Paper Cinema with Kieron Maguire

Hanging by a thread - Ding Foundation

Madame Lucinda's Wonder Show - Rogue Theatre

Few tickets remaining ...

2009-10-02T16:41:00.010+01:00

We’re dead thrilled to be welcoming the fantastic Rogue Theatre back to Prema on 20th November 2009 with their shiny show, jam-packed with intrigue and rippingly good yarns. We’ve only got a handful of tickets left so if you’re after an evening of mystery, suspense and shimmering spectacle give Prema a call to reserve. Don’t miss out – you’ll only kick yourself!

Rod Thomas

2009-10-02T16:24:00.002+01:00

Who says ukuleles are for squares?
They can be for socks too... We'd love this guy to play at Prema, so if you're reading Rod give us a bell.

Designs On Darwin

2009-10-02T16:19:00.006+01:00

Amazing news – Prema along with dazzlingly dynamic artist Imogen Harvey-Lewis have just accessed funds from The Learning Revolution to widen participation in Prema’s plans for celebrating this year’s BIG DRAW event.

Imogen will be working through Gloucestershire County Council’s Art Lift project to deliver creative sessions in illustration and drawing to patients across the county in a project called LifeSIZE. LifeSIZE focuses on drawing things from the natural world – butterflies, crocodiles, elephants and ladybirds – all to scale. Imagine that! Humungous hippos, giant giraffes and tiny termites. Imogen will be working in Bourton-on-the-Water, Minchinhampton, Gloucetster city, Dursley and Brockworth with patients who have been referred over the last couple of years to the Art Lift project. To find out more about Art Lift, have a peek here.

The drawing sessions in the Doctors’ surgeries will interface with Prema’s Sunday afternoon extravaganza A Whale of a Time on Sunday 25th October 2009 from 1-4pm at the Arts Centre in Uley. The free afternoon event is an open invitation to anyone and everyone to get stuck-in, pick up their drawing implements and join in the fun. To find out more about the LifeSIZE project and the Whale of a Time afternoon, give Prema a holler on 01453 860703 or e-mail us on info@prema.demon.co.uk

Joann Castle

2009-10-02T15:50:00.001+01:00

Queen of the Tinklers!