Arts & Exhibitions

Ballerinas from local dance school, Emily Dee Dance School, sashayed their way through MK Gallery to hold first position alongside the famous paintings of ballet dancers by Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970) – one of the most popular and pioneering English artists of the 20th century and currently the subject of the Gallery’s new exhibition Laura Knight, A Panoramic View (9 October 2021- 22 March 2022). The young dancers, all of whom attend Miss Emily’s ballet lessons, got a ‘behind the scenes’ first look at how Knight expressed her love of ballet, performers and performance in her paintings. Miss Emily, Director of Emily Dee Dance School, was delighted to see the paintings depicting dancers and performers for the first time and said: "What a fantastic opportunity for my dance pupils to see these beautiful paintings. They really enjoyed Fay’s short talk about Laura Knight’s work. For some, it was their first..

A new exhibition currently on display at Milton Keynes Museum is turning up the volume at the Wolverton-based history hub – by exploring the history of music in the new town. Milton Keynes – Wired For Sound' is a companion show to the book by the same name, from the pen of Pulse features writer Sammy Jones.   The collection of t-shirts, flyers, posters and various pieces of music memorabilia is a chance to step back in time and relive some of the greatest musical moments in the town's history. And there are more than you might think: “That was really the purpose of the book,” said Sammy, “There were so many great stories and anecdotes that needed to be recorded, and of course we've hosted some of the biggest artists from the world of rock and..

They say you never know what is around the corner, and that you should live each day to the fullest, don’t they? Jonathan Ellams won’t disagree with that sentiment; 2020 was terrible for us all, but that he is able to answer questions for Pulse Magazine right now is miraculous. Last July, Jonny suffered a cerebellar stroke to the right of the vertical artery. It affected his left side, killing off the brain cells responsible for controlling balance. Dizziness became a very real issue, he was left with a stutter and had to learn how to walk again. His recovery has staggered doctors. “... I was told by a nurse that most people don’t survive blood pressure as high as mine. Apparently I am a walking miracle!” he told Pulse’s Sammy Jones. “I’m gradually getting better and should make..

A new exhibition launching at Milton Keynes Museum this week puts the town's rich musical heritage firmly in the spotlight. The feast of photographs, records and memorabilia spans the artists that live here and frequent our local venues, through to the world-famous performers who have wowed on the National Bowl stage. There is also a look at the musical releases created at Linford Manor, which welcomed guests including Biffy Clyro, PJ Harvey and Jamiroquai during its time as a residential studio. “Milton Keynes has such a rich musical heritage, and this show definitely proves it,” said Sammy Jones, author and owner of the Milton Keynes Music Archive, WFS. “It is a real trip down memory lane, and an opportunity for people to reacquaint themselves with our brilliantly creative past.” Marshall Amplification is one of the biggest names in music,..

From shopping for out-of-season fruits to making an airship prop, it’s all in a day’s work for Verity Scott. She can be called upon to source absolutely anything in her role as a production buyer in the UK TV and film industry, as she told Sammy Jones. As a youngster it was working on the stage, as opposed to dressing sets, that proved alluring for Verity: “I wanted to be a singer in the West End,” she admits, “But my father was head of art at Stowe School and was heavily involved in designing the school theatre productions, so from a very young age I was involved with the production of the shows.” Perhaps not surprisingly, that led to her training as a theatre designer, and her time in university afforded Verity the opportunity to work in the art department on a few short films. Snapping up work experience in..

In the late 1970s two teenagers in Bletchley talked about collaborating musically. More than 40 years later, and now with an ocean between them, they’ve finally got their act together. Yes, it has been worth the wait, says Sammy Jones. When Glenn O’Halloran and Blake Leyh first talked about releasing an album, Grease was the big screen hit, Dynasty was on the small screen and James Callaghan was Prime Minister. The duo had met while organising a Rock Against Racism gig in Bletchley. Seeing eye to eye politically and sharing the same musical interests, a friendship was forged between 18-year-old Glenn (at the time holding the mic as frontman for The Transistors) and 14-year-old Blake. Teen years passed by in a flash, and Blake disappeared across the pond, setting up home in New York, but still with music at the core of his everything. He was pretty exceptional too, with..

Leslie Jeffrey was a colourful, creative character who was part of the fabric of Wolverton, the place he called home for his whole life. Leslie passed away in May, and artist and friend Shelly Wyndebank decided to pay perfect tribute – by placing paper cutouts of Les at various locations around the town. The images began appearing in town at the start of July, and made quite an impact! “I wanted to commemorate a dear friend and thought it would be great to share it on the streets of Wolverton,” Shelly told Total MK. ‘Les the Juggler’ was a circus performer, a teacher of circus skills, and an avid supporter of the arts and gigs. Despite being struck down by ill health at a young age, he put together the Circus Club and taught 100s of children at the Madcap Theatre. Shelly first met Leslie two decades ago when he..

There will be no more timed entry slots when Milton Keynes Museum opens to the publictomorrow, and more importantly for the hands-on history hub, visitors can once again get tactile with the exhibits! “Being able to interact with our exhibits is what sets us apart from other museums and we can't wait to be able to give our visitors the full experience again,” said Museum director Bill Griffiths. “During lockdown and the restricted opening times we have been investing our time in new displays, so there is something new for everyone to enjoy.” Among the new attractions is a Servants' Room, which explores the skills that a 13-yearold entering a life of service would have been expected to learn. With no mod cons and much to do, the work was hard and the hours long. The School Room has moved and is much improved, and the Museum is now able to share more details about its own..

Sean Grant & The Wolfgang are back in business with the release of the sophomore album, 33. Since its release a few weeks ago, it has been all guns blazing, and yet this effort could so very easily never have made it to fruition, writes Sammy Jones. In 2018, the collective built on the buzz afforded by their 7 Deadly 7 EP with the debut album, The Shadows Are Lengthening, through the hip Fierce Panda label. Things were great, or so the band’s protagonist believed. But by the start of 2020, the mood was more sombre. Sean wasn’t in a good place.  Thankfully the Milton Keynes-based artist took action – he quit alcohol for six months, went vegan, and embraced meditation and mindfulness in his battle to change his life for the better. “It was actually before the the first lockdown that I decided to cut out drinking for a..

After a lengthy drought, music, comedy and performance returns with gusto this July courtesy of the IF: Milton Keynes International Festival. The feast of fabulous was set to explode across the new town in 2020, but the pandemic put paid to that. Twelve months on, and with some clever configuring, IF will roll out between July 10 and 30 and as is traditional, it promises something for everyone within this year’s extended three week window. Sammy Jones has Pulse’s preview of the fun ahead... The Amphitheatre Programme – in Campbell Park - opens with Slapstick Picnic’s production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Just two performers will deliver this decidedly daft reworking, which comes with added culinary capers (July 17, 1.30 & 5pm).  A decidedly fruity show follows a day later when Gandini Juggling presents Smashed2. You’ll definitely get more than your five a day if you book..

Gigs might not be back yet, but the music-making is continuing in earnest for MK’s creatives. Here’s a look at some of the recent releases breaking out through the concrete... The Broadway Twisters have a tasty new album for you to wrap your ears around. Well, when we say new, it is and it isn’t. ‘South By South West 2’ was set for release last April, “...but Covid knackered that,” says guitarist/vocalist Adrian Stranik. So, while this debut album has been on a soft release since September, the CD version is fresh to the racks just now.  There’s an album worth of decent songs here (and fans of the Urban Voodoo Machine will be thrilled to find a cover of Cheers For the Tears among them), but what gives them the added edge is the delivery; it’s all swagger and sensational execution in this rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll fusion...

Join MK Gallery in celebrating Midsummer at its family fun day Saturday 26 June With Midsummer’s Day falling on Thursday 24 June this year, MK Gallery invites you to join them for several family fun activities to celebrate Midsummer - a time when the sun moves towards the southern hemisphere and historically, we give thanks to nature for all its gifts. Using natural, locally foraged objects, families will be able to create their own cyanotypes, a method of printmaking that uses sunlight. Artist Sophie Bennet will support families in creating their own designs in the Gallery’s event space from materials collected on a short foraging walk. Children will be able to emulate Midsummer traditions by creating their own flower crowns using natural materials and real flowers under the guidance of artist Alice Boland-Rhodes and are invited to show their appreciation of nature by joining in the collaborative creation of a large-scale mural outside the main entrance of the Gallery. Visitors..

It is National Volunteers’ Week from 1 to 7 June and MK Gallery is heaping praise and gratitude on its army of existing volunteers. At the same time, we are inviting new recruits to sign up and join our ranks.  The Gallery is hosting an open evening for volunteers on Friday 4 June, between 4-7pm, for those who are curious and keen to find out more about volunteering.  Potential newcomers will have an afterhours, volunteer-led tour of the Memphis: Plastic Field exhibition while learning about the role of a gallery assistant. They’ll visit the Skyroom, which houses the Gallery’s in-house cinema, so those interested in film can see how volunteers facilitate the screenings and run the kiosk.  The open evening will be hosted in the Gallery café – where volunteers often enjoy a catch-up with each other before or after their sessions. In this colourful and airy space, potential new..

From rogue crayon doodles on his parent’s walls to having his work exhibited and collected around the world, Craig Alan’s prominence in the contemporary art world is something his earnestly creative seven-year-old self could have only dreamed of. With his distinct style of using hundreds of tiny figures to create portraits of world-renowned icons, Craig has captured the imagination of art lovers across the globe. A combination of wit, skill and intricacy, each piece is endlessly fascinating to observe – with tens and often hundreds of individual people integrated into the artwork, you’re sure to always spot another quirky detail with each look.  Continuing his ‘Icons’ series, Craig has just released the Limited Edition “Marvelous Stan Lee” as a tribute to the late Marvel Comics legend. In his signature style, the visage of Stan Lee emerges from the gathering of minuscule figures which, on closer inspection, are revealed to be..

One of MKs most successful musical exports are back after an extended period of downtime.  Sammy Jones caught up with Hacktivist who are sounding more brutal than ever... acktivist whipped up a storm when they unleashed their brutal debut album in 2016. With its ferocious blend of grime and metal, Outside the Box saw all eyes – and ears – turn their way.  The band put themselves right in the mix, and took full advantage of the opportunities that came their way; they played the Warped tour in Europe, delivered the goods on festival billings including Download, Reading and Leeds and T in the Park, and went Down Under to show the Aussies a thing or two.  And they joined Korn on the road in Europe and accompanied Limp Bizkit in France. Things were cooking for a while. And then? The band had to steer its way through a couple..