Refresh November programme

Cheshire West and Chester Council's Refresh autumn arts programme continues this month in Chester. Amongst the highlights are magic lanterns, a photography walk, photography workshop, flash fiction and a writing workshop.

Refresh is an events programme for Chester, featuring work by artists, makers, actors and writers, created with communities across the city. With free workshops, performances, networking events and exhibitions. Refresh takes inspiration from Chester, its historic Rows and its people. Refresh events will pop up in Chester and the Rows on a regular basis until spring 2024.

Magic Lanterns - Luminous Yarns

Free
Friday 18 and Saturday 19 November, 5pm / 6pm / 7pm
Meet at Pach 22, 22 Bridge St

A trail of eight exquisite mini-projections in the nooks and crannies of the Rows. Each projection is accompanied by a magical soundtrack created with children from Grosvenor Park Academy. For all the family.

Dawn Photography walk with Simon Buckley

Limited tickets £4
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 Nov, 6am to 8.30am
Meet at The Cross

A unique early-morning walk around the Rows with photographer Simon Buckley. Tips, advice and stories from the master of crepuscular photography (sun rays and sunbeams).

The Gold in Your Own Backyard with Elizabeth Garner and Dr Tim Campbell-Green

Free
Saturday 19 November, 4pm to 5pm
Bishop Lloyd's Palace, Watergate St

Go back in time through folklore, and the streets of Chester, with an afternoon of readings, discussion and demonstrations. With author Elizabeth Garner and archaeologist Dr Tim Campbell-Green and works by Chester artist Liz Ellis. Using the backdrop of Bishop Lloyd's Palace as inspiration, expect magic, mystery and mischief.

Photography workshop with Simon Buckley

Limited tickets free
Saturday 19 November, 11am to 4.30pm
Pach 22, 22 Bridge St

A morning photography workshop, followed by a chance to go out into Chester, take photos and get feedback from Simon at an afternoon session. Free photography advice from one of the north-west's most iconic photographers.

Theatre Porto Young Writers - reading stories inspired by the Rows

Free drop in, no ticket required
Saturday 19 November, 12.30 to 1pm
St Peter's church, The Cross

Come and hear the stories written by Theatre Porto's young writers who've been inspired by Chester's Rows.

Unlocking the Rows - A writing workshop for 13-18 year-olds

Free
Saturday 19 November, 1.30pm to 3pm
St Peter's Church, The Cross

If you're aged between 13 and 18 and are interested in writing, then this 90-minute creative, fun session is for you. It doesn't matter what style of writing you're into, prose, poetry, dialogue. You don't need any experience, just an interest in getting your ideas down on paper. The session, led by prize-winning poet and short story writer, Kevin Dyer will be a great, fun, no-pressure, opportunity to write. Just bring along your imagination and see what happens.

Rows' Flash Fiction

Free
Sunday 20 November, 4pm
Garret Bar, Storyhouse, Hunter St

Readings from a collection of eclectic, heartfelt and fabulous flash fiction inspired by Chester's unique Rows, read by their Chester authors, some experienced, some new. Flash fiction gurus Peter Blair (University of Chester) and David Gaffney (new novel Out Of The Dark) will also read a selection of their wonderful, lightning-fast fiction and discuss their approach to this most invigorating of writing techniques.

For more details about the Cultural Programme Refresh, celebrating the historic city: