Between the Commons Area Guide

RICH(ARD) DAWSON has drawn so many long drafts from the whirlpools of Elemental North Eastern Archetypes, he may now be one himself. Fearless in his research and willingness to follow his inspiration, Dawson has created an impressive catalogue of music and storytelling steeped in both ancient myths and contemporary dread. A fog of sickness, trauma and mute inevitability inhabits his records and is often expressed in the havoc with which Dawson's hands produce sounds from his long-suffering guitar, an instrument as bruised, individual and indefatigable as its owner. Dawson's forthcoming new album End of the Middle (out Feb 14th through Weird World) is intricate, evocative, stripped-back, tactile and almost has the transportive ability to put you in the places and scenarios it describes. The album focuses around a family unit. It zooms in quite close-up to try and explore a typical middle class English family home, Dawson says. We're listening to the stories of people from three or four generations of perhaps the same family. But really, it's about how we break certain cycles. I think the family is a useful metaphor to examine how things are passed on generationally. The title of the new album End of the Middle is a suitably slippery contradiction, one that invites multiple interpretations: Middle-aging Middle-class The middle-point of Dawson's career The centre of a record Centrism in general Polarisation The possibility of having a balanced discussion about anything Stuck in the middle with you Middle England Decide for yourself at this concert in the intimate, beautiful setting of The Clapham Grand, tickets are going to fly! General Seated (Upper) INCLUDES ONE TICKET, GIVING ENTRY FOR ONE PERSON, TO THE UPPER CIRCLE LEVEL OF THE VENUE. THERE IS A SIGHT RESTRICTION TO ANY VISUALS USED ON THE BACK SCREENS ON THE STAGE, AND SOME POTENTIAL SIGHT RESTRICTIONS OF THE STAGE FROM CERTAIN SEATS. THERE ARE 5 FLIGHTS OF GOLDEN STAIRS TO GET TO THE UPPER CIRCLE, WITH TOILETS & A BAR LOCATED ON THE WAY. THIS IS UNALLOCATED SEATING & WORKS ON A 1ST COME, 1ST SERVED BASIS. PLEASE ARRIVE WITH YOUR GROUP TO ENSURE YOU CAN BE SAT TOGETHER & MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE TICKETS FOR THE SAME AREA (STALLS or CIRCLE or UPPER CIRCLE) PLEASE HAVE YOUR TICKETS ACTIVATED AND READY FOR SCANNING. INCLUDES £1 VENUE RESTORATION LEVY

This brand new 75mins show retells the story of how the modern railway came to being. Along the way we meet famous historic people, relive event milestones and learn the ups and downs from the past two centuries of our railways history. Complete with original new music, this show will take you back to the golden age of rail. Come and find out how it all started, what the Bronte's had to do with trains and what was the British Rail Flying Saucer Proudly forming part of Railway 200 : 1825 - 2025 Supported by Avanti West Coast

Suitable for Reception, Years 1 & 2 Bush Baby is back! It's a picture book party with dynamic duo Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie in this fun interactive story time and live drawing event starring everyone's favourite Bush Baby! Join Karl and Duncan for pant loads of parps and giggles as they share I Really, Really Love My Noisy Bum, the hilarious sequel to I Really, Really Need A Poo and their mega bestselling title, I Really, Really Need A Wee. www.karlnewson.com [http://karlnewson.com/] www.duncanbeedie.co.uk [https://duncanbeedie.co.uk/] Duration:One hour Booklist: I Really Really Love My Noisy Bum I Really, Really Need A Poo I Really, Really Need A Wee I Really Really Love You So Part of the London Primary Schools Programme. For more information go towww.barneskidslitfest.org/schools [http://www.barneskidslitfest.org/schools]

Thursday 29 May / doors 6.30pm / show approx one hour after doors Live At The Clapham Grand returns in May with a very special headliner to be announced, plus star of The Office Australia Felicity Ward, Stephen Bailey (Live At The Apollo, Would I Lie To You), Lara Ricote (QI, Live At The Apollo) and Jin Hao Li (Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee for Best Newcomer). Important information: For any ticketing enquiries, please contact DICE via their Help Desk. For any information about the show, accessibility or timings, please contact Team Grand on [email protected] detailing your enquiry and the show/date in question. Check out all FAQs for attending shows on our website, here: https://claphamgrand.com/faqs/ Presented by The Clapham Grand. This is an 18+ event

Suitable for Years 5 & 6 The Waterstones and Blue Peter Prize Book Award winner neurodivergent author and screenwriter Elle McNicoll discusses her groundbreaking novels, including A Kind of Spark, now a smash hit CBBC series. www.ellemcnicoll.com [https://ellemcnicoll.com/] Duration:One hour Booklist:A Kind Of Spark Show Us Who You Are Like A Charm Like A Curse Keedie Part of the London Primary Schools Programme. For more information go towww.barneskidslitfest.org/schools [http://www.barneskidslitfest.org/schools]

Fast Trains will be joining by our two touring artists, H is for Hawk and Foxpalmer for a very special night that celebrates The Boileroom, Guildford and their rich and varied contriubution to the grassroots locl music scene. Presented by Success Express. This is an 18+ event