Every Friday, Express presents a selection of exhibitions, performances, workshops, events, and other historic, creative, and delicious content to help islanders get their weekly dose of culture.
Here’s this week’s offering…
Black History Month talk
To mark Black History Month, Jersey Heritage is hosting a free talk by historian Adenike Ogunkoya at the Jersey Museum this weekend.
Discover the story of the Black community in Jersey in the late 19th century, with a special focus on women’s stories as the theme for Black History Month 2023 is ‘Saluting our Sisters’.
Held on Saturday 7 October, the event will start at 17:00 with a welcome drink and the opportunity to see the ‘Trade Roots’ exhibition exploring Jersey’s links to transatlantic slavery. Adenike’s talk will begin at 18:00.
This event is in partnership with Friends of Africa and the International Cultural Centre Jersey.
FREE tickets can be reserved via Eventbrite.
Inclusive theatre performance
Jersey Youth Performing Arts is hosting what they believe to be “Jersey’s first relaxed theatre performance” during October half term.
The “fully inclusive theatre company” are putting on a production of Disney’s ‘Frozen’ which will “offer additional support for those who may struggle to access a regular theatre experience”.
The performance will include a designated quiet area where those watching can take some time out if needed.
“It’s an ever increasing opportunity across London theatres and we are so excited to be able to offer this in Jersey, ” said Adelina d’Orleans, the Vice Chair of JYPA.
“I have been in contact with Autism Jersey, Mencap, Jersey Youth Service, BSK among others to offer our relaxed performance to them.”
Adelina added that the JYPA “strongly believes that theatre should be accessible to as many people as possible” so JYPA will not be charging for tickets to the relaxed performance.
“Any donations to our JYPA charity will be greatly appreciated but we don’t want ticket costs to be a barrier to attending,” she explained.
“This means we can open our offer to adults and young people with additional needs and their families who may not often get this opportunity.”
You can email team@jypa.co.uk for tickets and more details.
Rock2Recovery Fundraising Ball
The annual Rock2Recovery Fundraising Ball, held at the Royal Hotel this Saturday, aims to raise money for Rock2Recovery – a service which provides mental health support and coaching for those in the Armed and Emergency Services struggling with stress, as well as their families.
The coaches at Rock2Recovery share similar backgrounds and possess an understanding of the unique challenges faced by those in the Armed Forces, Veterans, and Emergency Services.
In Jersey, over 100 people have received over 530 sessions from Rock2Recovery, at a cost of about £141,000, all funded by the Community Interest Company.
The upcoming ball will raise funds to maintain crucial support and celebrate individuals in the Armed and Emergency Services, while emphasising the importance of seeking help when needed.
The event will take place at The Royal Hotel on David Place on Saturday 7 October.
The evening will begin with a Champagne Reception at 6:30 PM, followed by a three-course meal, a charity auction, a raffle, and speeches from veterans.
Tickets are £90 and are available from The Dog & Sausage, or from Sam on 07700331070.
To find out more about the Community Interest Company click HERE. To donate, click HERE, using the reference of JERSEY.
Black Butter Festival
The process of making black butter involves simmering cider over an open fire for many hours, before adding apples, sugar, lemon, liquorice and various spices.
This evening, participants can enjoy live music and food provided by Pink Panda Private Catering.
Tomorrow morning, the finalised black butter will be jarred, labelled, and made ready to be sold.
On Saturday afternoon, the Elms’ courtyard will also be transformed into a marketplace, featuring ‘Genuine Jersey’ produce, such as cider, sausages, wood-fired pizza, honey, cakes, relishes, jams, art, and, of course, the famous black butter. The event will also feature live performances and entertainment, such as Parish 13 and the Black Butter band.
Parking is available at Granite Products, La Route de la Vallée, with a shuttle service to and from the site throughout the day.
For more information, click HERE or call the National Trust office on 01534 483193.
Book sale in aid of Guide Dogs
Bookworms can explore a collection of more than 15,000 books that will be up for grabs at an annual sale this weekend.
Hosted by the Jersey branch of Guide Dogs for the Blind, the event will take place at the home of potato exporter Albert Bartlett on Trinity Hill on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October.
The sale will open at 09:00 and close at 16:00 on both days.
Branch Chairman Ken Syvret said the permanent shop at St Ouen was full to overflowing – with the military, art, gardening, cookery, and the Channel Islands among the categories most represented in the stock.
Mr Syvret added that there would be a wide range of books, with prices starting from 25p.
Last year’s book sale saw “enormous queues” and raised over £15,000 for the charity.
Breast cancer exhibition
A new exhibition that showcases body casts from 15 islanders affected by breast cancer has opened in town.
‘This is Me’, which runs until 30 October, encourages islanders to ‘Touch, Look, Check’ their own breasts for lumps, swelling or rashes which could be a sign of cancer.
Sponsored by Marks and Spencer, the casts will be featured in their King Street shop windows and in the store’s lingerie department and fitting rooms.
The exhibition marks ‘Pink Month’ or Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and is organised by ABC Jersey – a local charity building ‘A Brighter Community’ for islanders living with the disease.
Fiona Robson, the charity’s chair, said: “Each of these women have faced their diagnosis at different moments, undergone varied treatments, and battled diverse stages of this disease.
“Their collective message? Early detection is paramount.”
The handcrafted casts have been created in collaboration with Nicole Le Cornu of Love Casting.
The Art of Wine
Mind Jersey, in collaboration with Dunell’s and Midnight, is set to host a charity event that combines art, wine, and food.
Attendees will taste different wines and match them with artworks, followed by a three-course dinner that complements the drinks.
The artworks will be auctioned to raise funds for Mind Jersey, and Mind Jersey musicians will also deliver a live performance.
Dr Patricia Tumelty, Executive Director Mind Jersey, urged people to attend the evening, explaining: “Emotional and financial security are the bedrocks of good mental health – both have been shattered by the pandemic and inflation – as we go into winter months, please help Mind Jersey help more people to reconnect with hope and save lives.”
Tickets are £130 per person and the event will be held at the Pomme d’Or Hotel on Thursday 19 October from 18:30 until 22:30.
You can contact Jenny via jennyswan209@gmail.com or 07797759253 to book your place.
Crochet Class
The Harbour Gallery is hosting a weekly crochet class with Hazel McLaren on Sundays from 09:30 until 11:00.
The class is for adults and accompanied children, with a particular focus on mother-and-daughter pairs.
The cost is £30 per session for a pair, with a minimum of four sessions required to book.
There is a discount for children if their adult is not participating.
No Place Like Home
Art House Jersey’s ‘No Place Like Home’ exhibition continues, exploreing the concept of ‘home’ on a personal, national, global, and even cosmic scale.
It features a series of newly commissioned local and international works displayed both in and outside of its gallery space.
The exhibition will run until 15 October at ArtHouse Jersey’s Capital House, and is open 10.30 until 18:00 each day (closed Mondays).
Artist Talk with Ana Čvorović
On Saturday 7 October from 11:00 to 12:00, ArtHouse Jersey will host an event at Capital House featuring Bosnian artist Ana Čvorović.
Attendees will have the opportunity to gain insights into her creative process and engage in discussions about her work, including her commissioned piece titled ‘No Place Like Home – The Earth was Beginning to Lose its Balance’.
Čvorović’s installations delve into the complex dynamics of place, encompassing themes of war, migration, economic challenges, and the effects of globalisation. Her work portrays the transitional state experienced during forced displacement.
No Place Like Home Panel Discussion
On Monday 9 October, a panel discussion held at Capital House will explore what it means to make Jersey home, highlighting the challenges islanders face as well as potential solutions.
The organisers of the event, ArtHouse Jersey said: “The cost of living and property prices are major considerations, along with worries about a declining sense of community; many are reconsidering whether Jersey will remain their home.”
The event will be hosted by BBC Radio Jersey’s Jenny Mullin, and panellists will include Brooke Le Breton (recent post-graduate returning to the island), Carolyn Ramsey (Founding Artistic Director, Ballet d’Jerri), Deputy David Warr (The Minister for Housing and Communities), and John Hodge (Director, The Shelter Trust.)
More information can be found HERE.
Wings of Desire
This autumn, ArtHouse Jersey will host local cinephile Stefan Rousseau for a new series of ‘Films in Context’ at Greve de Lecq Barracks.
Art House Jersey said: “Films in Context promises an excellent opportunity to revisit or finally see on a large screen some world cinema classics from the past fifty years, films that have shaped cinema history, and to learn more about what makes these works so extraordinary.”
On 11 October at 19:00, Wim Wenders’ 1980s film ‘Wings of Desire’ will be screened.
The film explores how invisible, immortal angels populate Berlin and listen to the thoughts of its human inhabitants, yearning for human experiences and love. It offers a unique exploration of the human condition with masterful direction and cinematography.
Revved-Up Rally Stamp Collection
Jersey Post has released a new stamp collection that celebrates 50 Years of the World Rally Championship and the Jersey Rally at 40.
The stamps feature iconic cars from throughout the championship’s history, with dynamic illustrations by Keith Burns.
The miniature sheet depicts the distinctive orange Ford Escort Mk. 2 belonging to Dave Carrel, who in 1984 was the first islander to win the Jersey Rally.
These products are available for purchase at the Broad Street and Rue Des Pres post offices, as well as online HERE.
World-renowned cellist Natalie Clein
On 14 October 14, a classical music event will take place at the St Helier Methodist Centre featuring world-renowned cellist Natalie Clein and the Jersey Chamber Orchestra.
Natalie will showcase her exceptional talent with performances of Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 and Faure’s Elegie.
The orchestra, conducted by Eamonn Dougan, will perform Beethoven’s 7th Symphony and Cecilia McDowall’s modern composition, ‘Rain Steam and Speed’.
The evening will be in support of Music in Action’s charitable work, which creates opportunities for people from all backgrounds and of all ages to interact together with musical experiences that inspire, educate, and support wellbeing.
To purchase tickets or find out more, visit Music in Action’s website HERE or by emailing support@musicjersey.com.