Unmissable events
Exhibition November 16– February 23, 2020 ‘Norman Cornish: The Definitive Collection’ (right), The Bowes Museum, Teesdale, Co Durham. Retrospective of the artist’s work—portraits, industrial scenes and landscapes—almost 100 years after his birth, focusing on mining conditions and his local village. Adult museum entry £14 (01833 690606; www.the bowesmuseum.org.uk)
November 15–May 4, 2020 ‘George IV: Art & Spectacle’, The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London SW1. Exploration of the monarch’s public image and the art that inspired him against a backdrop of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Includes Dutch masterpieces, French porcelain, books, drawings and watercolours. Adult tickets £13.50 (0303 123 7324; www.rct.uk)
Until February 23, 2020 ‘Sargy Mann: Let It Be Felt That The Painter Was There’, Attenborough Arts Centre, University of Leicester, Leicestershire. Largest public showing of the artist’s work, with unseen archival material, photographs and audio recordings, plus depictions of his home in Peckham in South London(0116–252 2455; www.attenborougharts.com)
Festival November 22–24 The Margate Bookie, Turner Contemporary Gallery, Kent. Celebration of literary figures, both budding and experienced, with appearances from Lisa Jewell, Mark Billingham, P. J. Whiteley and Louis de Bernières. Try writing masterclasses, poetryslam nights, life-drawing, immersive workshops and film screenings. Tickets from £10 (www.margate bookie.com)
Music November 16 Methera at St Peter’s Church, West Knighton, Dorset. Newly composed traditional pieces straddling the genres of folk and chamber music, featuring the cello, fiddle and viola. There will be a second performance on November 17 at The Springhead Trust, Fontmell Magna, Dorset (01305 269512; www.artsreach.co.uk)
November 17 The Bampton Classic Opera Young Singers’ Competition, Holywell Music Room, Oxfordshire. Public final of the competition launched in 2013, which fosters some of the country’s most talented young professionals aged between 21–32. Adult tickets £15 (020–7592 9102; www.bampton opera.org)
Shopping November 19 Gift of Sight Fair, Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, London SW3. Christmas shopping fair in support of St John Eye Hospital group, with 10% of everything spent going to the charity. 12 noon–6pm, general admission £5 (020–7253 2582; www.stjohneyehospital.org)
Book now April 5, 2020 Bringing the House Down, Glyndebourne, Lewes, East Sussex. Special concert in aid of the Meath Epilepsy Charity, featuring arias and ensembles from opera and musicals, plus Classic FM presenter John Suchet. From 3pm, tickets from £40 (01273 812321; www.glyndebourne.com) PB