World class performers Collister & Fix to appear at Ropery Hall

Father Earth is the true story of one man’s attempt to help save the planet, by converting a derelict church on the Orkney Isles into an eco-friendly recording studio. It’s also a fascinating study of a psychological power struggle between a character comedian – Graham Fellows, and his long-standing creation – John Shuttleworth.

Father Earth is also about family relationships – specifically between fathers and sons – and it explores the paradox: how in the battle against extinction we are often distracted by personal and family issues, as they appear more important and pressing than the future of the planet.

Funny yet moving, and filmed mainly in the Orkney Isles over a 10-year period, Father Earth is Graham Fellows’ most thoughtful and accomplished movie to date.  Previous work includes It’s Nice Up North filmed by Martin Parr (2004) and Southern Softies (2008)

With guest appearances from Sooty and Sweep, and a virtuoso performance from Graham’s mathematically driven elderly father Derek, this 83-minute documentary will be followed by an informal Q&A with performer/director Graham Fellows (AKA John Shuttleworth).

PG Certificate 

A double-header

JESSE TERRY

Whatever magic potion the troubadours in Laurel Canyon were sipping on in 1971, Jesse Terry has managed to track it down and take a deep gulp. Now on his seventh album, When We Wander, Terry performs his beautifully crafted songs to around 150 audiences a year from Bonnaroo to the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the 30A Song-writers Festival to Americana Fest.  Recorded live, When We Wander prioritises emotion and raw performances over perfection.  In Spite of You recalls his stay in a residential facility for behaviour modification that traumatized him as a young teenager: “The sermons that you sold me all were fakes.” Yet he emerged to earn a degree from Berklee College of Music, net a five-year staff writer gig on Nashville’s Music Row penning material for major TV networks, and win prestigious song-writing awards.. then going on to become the singer-songwriter his countless fans know today, who (in the words of Music News Nashville)

“bring[s] to mind iconic artist/poets like Paul Simon and Jackson Browne…. [with] a performance that touches the heart like only a whisper can.”

“It is easy to compare Terry’s heritage and storytelling to that of Jackson Browne, James Taylor or Bruce Springsteen.. A symphonic delight for the heart and soul.” ~ Americana UK 9/10

EMMA STEVENS

Emma started playing guitar at the age of two years and has gone on to learn bass, cello, piano, banjo, ukulele and mandolin. She established a career as a singer songwriter in 2012, and her original music has achieved four consecutive play-listed singles on BBC Radio 2, extensive international radio play in the UK, Europe and Australia, an iTunes single of the week with her song “Riptide”, and sold out headline shows as well as  supporting The Feeling, Take That, Wet Wet Wet, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Train, and Simply Red to name a few! Emma’s music has been used on many TV shows on BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4, and even featured on a TV show in China which was broadcast to 75 million people, gaining her over 500 million streams on Chinese streaming site NetEase!

“Just Magical” – Sir Terry Wogan
“A Very Talented Multi Instrumentalist” – The Telegraph

Channelling the sounds of The Byrds, Big Star and The Flying Burrito Brothers, as well as hints of Mojave 3 and The Allah Las, The Hanging Stars mainline the dying embers of the early ‘70s psychedelic folk and cosmic country scenes. The band is comprised of songwriter, singer and guitarist Richard Olson, Sam Ferman on bass, Paulie Cobra on drums, Patrick Ralla on banjo, guitar, keyboards and assorted instruments, with pedal steel courtesy of Joe Harvey-Whyte.

Barton Arts Festival present Dez Allenby, Frances Kelly and Trevor Millum in What’s Cooking?

A sharing platter of words and music including a rich helping of Under Milk Wood, a side order of mixed verses and savoury stories, plus some sweet musical desserts provided by the cream of local talent.

Barton Arts Festival present …Two Pianos.

Join the sensational David Barton and Al Kilvo for an intimate ‘unplugged’ evening of Two Pianos as they battle it out to deliver the best rock ‘n’ roll piano experience audiences have seen. Feel the energy and witness the foot stomping performance of Two Pianos as they perform and sing hits from Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Elvis, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins, Everly Brothers and more!

Barton Arts Festival present: The Ladykillers

Five oddball criminals planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians. Stars Alex Guiness, Peter Sellars