Forget big names pushing the button – New Mills’ Christmas Lights switch on this Saturday may be low on celebrity, but it’s big on charm, scenery and good food. It’s also a great time to make the trip out of the city to the small Derbyshire town as a brand new gallery has just opened on Union Street, one of the town’s main shopping streets. For its inaugural show, New Perspectives in Painting, the co-operatively-run Studios Gallery has brought together eight painters with a fresh take on the medium, including one of Manchester’s ones to watch, Bartosz Beda (pictured and also featuring in the Contemporary Art Society show, Not Just For Christmas, coming up on Fri 7 and Sat 8 Dec at Mirabel Studios – see our preview). The Gallery is situated among New Mills’ independent shops and cafes, which will be opening late for the night (from 6.30pm, see what’s on). Adding to the festive atmosphere will be live street entertainment, Victorian fairground rides, a giant snow Queen, market stalls and stalls serving a variety of street food. And if you look closely you might be able to spot a celebrity after all – actor Tony Audenshaw (Emmerdale’s Bob Hope) is frontman of local favourites White Van Men, who will be singing their catchy, tongue-in-cheek songs inspired by the town’s peoples and places along with Christmas favourites.
The Studios, 12 Union Road, New Mills, High Peak, SK22 3ES, preview Thu 28 Nov, 6.30-8.30pm. Until Sat 21 Dec, open Thu 11am-7pm, Fri 11am-4pm or by appointment: 07753842861.
Image: Bartosz Beda, Screen II
- Words:
- Natalie Bradbury
- Published on:
- Mon 25 Nov 2013
