SouthseaScene

The Guildhall Trust recently announced that composer, pianist, bandleader and broadcaster, Jools Holland OBE DL is to join the Trust as a Patron and advocate for the Renaissance of Portsmouth Guildhall. As a regular performer at Portsmouth Guildhall, Jools was keen to offer his support to the Trust’s ambitious Renaissance programme of renovation and restoration which will support the Trust’s vision to become one of leading cultural organisations in the country; inspiring, entertaining and transforming lives. To be completed in two phases over the coming years, Renaissance will create a welcoming and accessible hub for the community and provide improved customer facilities, backstage areas and dynamic social spaces. After starting out playing pubs in the East End docks, Jools Holland went on to lead his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and sell millions of records worldwide. He was an original member of the band 'Squeeze' and he has worked with many artists, including St...

There's lots of fun things to do in the city this half term to keep the children entertained. Old Portsmouth photo walkshop for families Saturday 26 October 10-12.30pm at Portsmouth museum finishing in Old Portsmouth. Join experienced photographer Paul Gonella for a family walk from Portsmouth Museum to Old Portsmouth learning how to take great photos of the sights on the way. £6 per person call 02392 83 744 to reserve your space. ABC Teddy Bear Concerts: Bang the Drum! Saturday 26 October, 10.00 am at Portsmouth Guildhall.  Join percussionist Harriet Riley and string player Neil Valentine for a rip roaring ride through the world of hitting things! Tickets £8 from the Guildhall Portsmouth pictures family art workshop Wednesday 30 October 10.30-1pm at Portsmouth Museum Work with Simon Cowper to create Portsmouth inspired collages. Dress to get messy. £5 per person call 02392 83 4744 to book. Time Travellers Show Thursday 31 October 11am - 12pm; 2pm -3pm at Th...

The Portsmouth International Chamber Music Series continues on Monday 28 October at 7.30 in Portsmouth Guildhall with the  Esme Quartet . Formed in 2016 at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne, Germany The Esme Quartet is made up of four  Korean  musicians: Wonhee Bae and Yuna Ha play the violin, while Jiwon Kim plays the viola and Ye-eun Heo the cello. The Esme Quartet has rapidly gained a reputation as a chamber ensemble of exceptional achievement and promise. In April 2018 the quartet won First Prize and four special prizes at the prestigious Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition in London, and in autumn 2018 it became an HSBC Laureate of the Académie du Festival d’Aix. Colin Jagger, Director of Music at the  University of Portsmouth  said "I was privileged to hear the Esme Quartet at the International Competition at the Wigmore Hall 18 months ago, at which the standard was incredible. The Esme were the winners, and were one of th...

Portsmouth's annual fireworks display at King George V playing fields will take place on Wednesday 6 November. The children's funfair opens at 4pm and the bonfire will be lit at 7pm. The fireworks display will start at 7:30pm following the countdown from Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth. This year's display has been supplied by Pains Fireworks and there's also stalls selling hot food & refreshments. Cllr Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture and City Development said: "The fireworks display is always popular and attracts lots of people from across the city so get there early to enjoy the spectacular display." Visitors are asked not to bring their own fireworks or sparklers to the display for health and safety reasons. Travel: Car parking will be available at Lakeside for £2 which will be donated to the Rotary Clubs of Southsea Castle, Portsmouth and Southsea and Rotaract. Please avoid crossing Western Road which is a h...

This October the University of Portsmouth celebrates Black History Month (BHM) with a programme of cultural festivals, film, talks and a call to add to the University’s archives and collections in the Library. Black History Month promotes knowledge of black history, culture and heritage, and positive black contributions to British society. In support of BHM the University is supporting various activities throughout the Month, in conjunction with the Multicultural Staff Network and Student Union and Portsmouth Film Society. The University is also signing up to the Race Equality Charter , which aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education. Some of the events currently planned throughout the month include: Throughout October, University Library Our Global History archive project The University is proud of its global heritage - but as with so many institutions, it sadly has little recorded black history to date...

As part of its Discovering the Guildhall history project to preserve people’s memories of the Guildhall and the historic events which surround it for future generations, the Guildhall has created a fun memory booth based on an original recording studio, which people can step inside and record their memories to be included as part of a digital archive and potentially major exhibition which is to be launched in January 2020. The venue has received a fantastic response so far to a call-out for memories but it is hoped the booth will capture some more recent and quirky anecdotes from those visiting throughout the busy Autumn season and allow people wishing to add their memories in a more informal way to pop in at a time that is convenient to them. Located on the ground floor, next to the Guildhall’s Square Kitchen café, people are welcome to visit the booth whenever the venue is open to non-ticket holders Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturday 10am-2pm. Opening times may be restricte...

One year on from opening a natural skincare apothecary on Albert Road, Southsea Bathing Hut is staging a day of celebration on Saturday 3 August. Founded in 2015 to revive Portsmouth’s lost heritage as a soap-making city, Southsea Bathing Hut makes a full range of original skincare products. All are natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and made by hand on the shop premises at 2&2c Albert Road. After three years of trading at events, online and via stockists, the business grew successful enough to open its own shop in 2018. Expanding into the premises next door a year later. This has created space for a brand new workshop, which enables anyone passing to see the small team at work making their products. There will also be a private treatment room offering exclusive natural skincare and well being therapy. On Saturday 3 August, founder Samantha Worsey will welcome the community into her shop for a special celebration to mark the occasion and introduce new offerings. The workshop w...