Metal

An amazing array of talent from around the globe presented, performed and entertained from the stage at Solomon Monk's Pump House - Metal's summer pop up venue in Chalkwell Park that housed our 10 day arts and culture festival from Friday 15 July - Saturday 23 July 2011.

The festival opened with the three-day Shorelines: Literature Festival of the Sea which saw literary giants such as Yang Lian, Iain Sinclair, Robert MacFarlane, Sjon and Roma Tearne speak about the importance of the sea in their work - reading from both published and new writings.

Followed by:

- Pecha Kucha Night Vol. 9 
- An evening of Jazz curated by Snowboy of the Latin Section fame;
- Five world class musicians from different classical traditions playing solo in Out on Their Own;
- A one-off, not to be missed, performance of Hugh Hughes in 360, the award winning theatre work by Hoipolloi;
- Adamski and London Snorkelling Team pair up for an evening of rave, 'neo waltz' and off-kilter music and comedy;
- Al Pitcher and Tom Wrigglesworth - two of the UK's best comics.

Friday 15th - Sunday 17th July.  Various times.
Shorelines: Literature Festival of the Sea.
A three day, packed celebration of new and classic texts that have the sea as a central theme. For more information on Shorelines click here.

Monday 18th July 7pm – 10pm
Pecha Kucha Night Vol 9.
Metal’s popular Pecha Kucha night goes large in our temporary venue with 10 speakers, each taking the 6-minute challenge to entertain with creative thoughts and images. See Pecha Kucha page for more details.

Tuesday 19th July 6pm – 11pm
An evening of Jazz hosted by Snowboy
An evening of mixed Jazz styles by Southend’s own jazz maestro, Snowboy, featuring James Taylor Quartet, Kit Downes Trio & Guests and the Kenny Baxter Quintet.

Wednesday 20th July 6pm – 11pm
Out on Their Own
World class orchestral musicians play solo. Including David Childs, Euphonium (BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist, 2000); Kuljit Bhamra, Tabla (Bhaji on the Beach, 1993; Bend It Like Beckham, 2003); Jonathan Aasgard, cello (principal cellist, the Liverpool Philharmonic); Tamsin Thorne, Bassoon and John Tothill, clarinet (both National Youth Orchestra).

For more information and to watch our mini-interviews with some of the musicians from OUT ON THEIR OWN, click here:

Thursday 21st July 7pm – 11pm
Hoipolloi presents Hugh Hughes in… 360
Edinburgh Fringe favourite. A story of friendship and sharing just about everything. Hugh climbs Snowdon with his best friend Gareth, but the journey to the summit leads to big questions about fantasy, first love and bottling things up.

A short video from Hugh Hughes performance at Solomon Monks Pump House:

Friday 22nd July 6pm – 11pm
Adam Sky (Adamski)
Supported by London Snorkelling Team
Adam Sky (Adamski) presents ‘neo waltz’ with live mc’s and special guests; London Snorkelling Team bring their off-kilter comedy set on an imaginary small island that reflects a love of unusual instruments, wonky cartoon music and 1950s exotica.

Saturday 23rd July  11am - 6pm.
End of Term.
A packed day of FREE family entertainment, arts workshops, performance, participation, sport and all kinds of fun.  Action takes place both inside Solomon Monks Pump House and across other areas of Chalkwell Park. For more information and a full programme of activiites, please click HERE.

Saturday 23rd July  6pm - 11pm.
Al Pitcher and Tom Wrigglesworth.
Two of the UK’s best comics on the circuit bring their shows to Southend before taking the Edinburgh Festival by storm.

Venue: Solomon Monk’s Pump House Bar and Café
Chalkwell pop up café will serve homemade food and drinks at the Pump House every day from 10am – 4pm.
From 6pm the café becomes our festival bar with artists’ installations, lighting, box office, impromptu previews and the best atmosphere in town.