The topics for the Winter Series are music, literature and film.  One of the most exciting parts of the Culture Cafe project has been learning about the extraordinary talent in the local area, and we are very pleased to welcome composer Charlie James as well as authors Nick Everard, Sarah Lee and Sue Moorcroft, all of whom live within 20 minutes of Market Harborough.  Then we travel a little further afield with film expert Alan Seaman, who will remind of us some dark tales from the lands of the midnight sun.

• Wednesday 31st January 2024 - Meet the Composer

What’s involved in writing music? Where does the inspiration come from? Have you ever wondered if you could do it?

Charlie James is an extraordinary local composer whose work features regularly on Radio 3 and Radio 4, and who has been recognised as Radio 3's Artist in Spotlight and Composer of the Week. Three of his CD's have even been included into the national archives. He loves sharing with people the art of composition - how to write ‘that’ song or piece, the one we all have in us.

• Wednesday 28th February - In the End, We’ll All Become Stories

Margaret Atwood’s famous quote inevitably invites us all to consider how our own lives might become stories. Three local writers join us to tell how they have turned very different real-life inspiration into successful novels.

Nick Everard is a thriller writer whose former Army Officer experience feeds into his recent scandal-based murder mystery; Sarah Lee has written a moving novel based on her mother’s experiences as part of the Windrush generation; and Sue Moorcroft used a selection of love letters sent to her by a reader as inspiration for just one of her many successful novels.

The discussion will be facilitated by Diana Bretherick, Harborough Culture Cafe co-founder, former barrister, and successful author of two Turin-based crime novels.

Signed books will be available to purchase on the evening.

• Wednesday 27th March 2024 - White Nights, Dark Tales

Film expert Alan Seaman is our guide for a whistle-stop tour around the fictional crime scenes of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.

He’ll be looking at the cultural and socio-political differences that inform the narratives of some of the most popular Nordic Noir films and television programmes.

Alan is an experienced freelance film teacher who works for a wide variety of venues across the East Midlands. He has also recently completed his first crime novel.

Timings:

Doors open for all events at 6.30pm and talks will start at 7.30.

There will be opportunities to continue the conversation afterwards and the bar will remain open.

Food orders:

Louisa's Place is offering food for the the Culture Cafe events, in the form of tapas-style platters at £9.00 per person.

The standard platter comprises Parma ham, chorizo, hummus, olives, cheddar, brie, bread / crackers, salad sticks.

The vegetarian platter comprises falafels, hummus, olives, cheddar, brie, bread / crackers, salad sticks.

Louisa's Place is very happy to accommodate gluten-free or any other specific dietary needs or allergies - please contact them on louisasplace4a@gmail.com to explain your requirements and to place your order.

All platters must be ordered in advance and payment will be taken on the night.

Please note:

- Over 18's only, please, due to the licensing regulations at Louisa's Place.

- To ensure that our chosen charities receive the maximum possible amount from each ticket sold, we have to charge booking fees to cover the cost of the ticketing website and transaction fees to cover the cost of the finance platform.