What’s on in Stroud this week: 2 – 8 Mar
It’s another packed week of art, music and culture in the Stroud valleys, with exhibitions, gigs, workshops and events promising everything from socialist brass band music and Japanese pottery repair to paintings and pies.
This week features a packed programme of events in celebration of International Women’s Day, which takes place on Sunday, with Stroud Sisterhood taking over the Old Town Hall for four days of celebration, and the Stroud Red Band taking to the High Street on Saturday to raise money for the women’s refuge.
Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district. To suggest an event for inclusion, use this form.
Regular and one off events
- Join the Harmony Tree Afternoon Folk Choir – Regular, Tue 3.45pm – 5.15pm
This group with leader Pearl Legay-Clarke promises an intergenerational alternative afternoon singing opportunity, mixing uplifting sea shanties, joyful celebration songs, moving laments, catchy ditties, and songs that celebrate the beauty of the natural world. Held at Trinity Rooms, with singing open to everyone aged 5+.
- See the Making Landfall exhibition – Wed 4 – Sun 8 Mar, 9am – 5pm
Showing at the Lansdown Gallery for five days only, the Making Landfall exhibition features new work by Pembrokeshire painter and former Stroud School of Art lecturer, Mark Mawer, alongside work printer and bookmaker Andrew Morrison and writing and photography by the poet Maria Stadnicka.
- Celebrate International Women’s Day with Stroud Sisterhood – Thu 5 – Sun 8 Mar
Stroud Sisterhood marks International Women’s Day with four days of celebration, centred around the Old Town Hall. Expect creativity and community, with coffee mornings, workshops, a party night and nature-based therapies among the activities on offer.
- Learn Kintsugi at Stroud Pottery – Fri 6 Mar, 10.30am
Local Kintsugi artist Clara Clara Bethell-Sacks brings the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using tree sap lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver and platinum to Stroud Pottery for a special class. Kintsugi means “golden joinery” and is a centuries-old Japanese art form.
- See Salt House at Ruskin Mill – Fri 6 Mar, 7.30pm
Ruskin Mill Gallery hosts one of its occasional gigs, this time with alt-folk trio Salt House,comprising Ewan MacPherson, Jenny Sturgeon and Anna Hughes. Expect thoughtful and innovative interpretations of old and new songs influenced by the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, Northumberland and Shetland.
- Watch the Stroud Red Band – Sat 7 Mar, 11am
Stroud’s leading socialist brass band bring their uplifting sounds to Stroud High Street to raise funds for Stroud Women’s Refuge in celebration of International Women’s Day. The band is affiliated with the London Big Red Band, which has been playing since the 1980s, and plays music with connections to the labour, socialist and international solidarity movements.
Continuing all week
- Celebrate British Pie Week at the Bowbridge Arms – Mon 2 – Sun 8 Mar
British Pie Week takes place in the first week of March every year, and the Bowbridge Arms team are ready for it, with a hearty selection of meat and vegetarian pies on the menu. Pies are served all week with either chips or mash, peas and gravy.
Further afield
- Go late at the Wilson – Wed 4 Mar, 6pm
The Wilson, Cheltenham’s art gallery and museum hosts the latest of its artist-led late openings which take place on the first Wednesday of each month, offering free entry and performances for all. This month’s event is a takeover by the University of Gloucestershire Popular Music students, who bring a range of site specific audio and visual works, performances and installations.
For a full month of art, music, theatre, literature, film and comedy events, pick up a copy of Stroud’s popular listings magazine, Good on Paper.
