exhibitions

theatrical events

regular courses and workshops

musical feasts and cabaret evenings

Judy Dewsbery, New Work, 25th - 27th April, 2008

'SPLASH', the current series of paintings and drawings is a fantasy upbeat exploration of Hastings'   seaside. With a nod to Donald McGill and perhaps Beryl Cook the work is also a continuation of my 'Cuban' series which featured some splendidly buxom ladies, but with a touch of the Hastings' girl and boy at play. These are totally fictional scenarios, as opposed to the Cuban paintings which were based on sketches done while I was there and then developed once back in England. I'm constantly amazed by the inappropriate clothing (and lack of) of our youth, while celebrating their spirit and lust for life.

see more work by Judy Dewsbery

My brother Mark and his family from Venezuela visited England in August 07. His two elder daughters and his current wife devised and hosted an afternoon performance of 'the history of Venezuela, through dance' for an invited audience of 40. They emphasised that current Venezuelan culture was a true mix of African Slaves, indigenous Indian and Spanish peoples using music, projected images and their own dances. Rebeca, student and flamenco dancer and Adriana, MA student have worked together on projects in the Barios of Caracas with disadvantaged young people. Sabrina, Mark's wife, studied the History of Venezuelan Culture at University. It was the first time Mark had seen any of them perform like this.

The performance also touched on the melding of  Santeria and Christianity within the culture using a full bull's head mask and matching maracas which they had brought with them from Venezuela (used,apparently, to put a 'hex' on people), a golden sun burst and an image of the Crucifixion (both of whicch I had to go off into the Old Town to find; Roberts Rummage, naturally).

The dancing ended with an energetic salsa which the audience joined in - from 3 year olds - 70+, after which they were served with a meal of rice and beans and fried plantain.

The afternoon was captured on video by Dave Reading and the extracted stills can be seen by clicking here

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April 2008

Judy Dewsbery,

Splash, 25th - 27th April

December 2007

SoCo - new small woks

New work from members of SoCo. (South Coast Artists)

Judy Dewsbery

Theatrical Performances and Events

Judy has been involved in many theatrical performances and events. They vary in range from a performance on the subject of domestic violence, a cabaret style evening describing the journey in search of gender, to street theatre. She works with dab Arts and other theatrical groups to create these performances which, from their concept and beginnings at the Beacon, are performed in venues, both local and in London. Judy is involved with all aspects including costume, stage sets, props and performing.

These events are now to be found on Judy's part of the site. click here

Musical Feasts and Cabaret Evenings

Over the past 2 years we have been hosting a series of evenings run as 'private parties' for up to 80 people, all seated. Friends and friends of friends are invited to attend, booking essential, and they contribute towards costs of musicians and food.

Simon is in charge of the food, all of it being sourced as locally and in season as possible. A set menu of main course with vegetarian option, followed by dessert, then fruit, cheese and coffee is brought to candle-lit tables.

Musically we have had Naomi Kilby, a trainee opera singer, with piano and harpsichord accompaniment offering a programme that ranged from Mozart to Kurt Weill.

The Stanhope Players, with musical director George Veness played 18th Century Chamber Music with violin, oboe, bassoon and flute using harpsichord and square piano from the Stanhope Collection
(www.stanhopecollection.co.uk).

Guest artists include mezzo soprano Claire Sheffield who was singing a Bach aria when a ripple of laughter went through the room - the sheep were staring through the window behind her, transfixed. (See attached image)

Neshamah, Lynda Murray's quartet have done several evenings including one on the theme of Duke Ellington and also a salsa one. See: www.hastingsjazzclub.co.uk  for details of Lynda's monthly jazz club based downstairs in the White Rock Hotel, Hastings.

The last evening of 2005 featured local divas, who were accompanied by Matt Juckes on a grand piano in one room and a keyboard in the other. The ladies, Ms Valentine Blue, Bea Lacey, Eve Ferret, Lynda Murray, Mama Josie and Lex - individually performed one number in each room. The diners left their tables to follow them. Fabulous.

We also host functions for the St Mary's Terrace Preservation Society such as the summer garden party, art exhibition and the Christmas party.

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