The Values pay tribute to Ray Davies & The Kinks

Many great bands including The Fall, The Stranglers and Big Star have released great version of songs written by Ray Davies of The Kinks. The Kinks have organised a competition in which they invite fans to record a cover of one of their songs and the winner gets to meet Mr Davies and Kinks drummer Mick Avory at the famous Konk recording studios. Go on You Tube and serach for: "The Values Harry Rag" and you can witness the splendid new video that Team Beswick & Pye have made to go with the Values version of a little known track from the "Something Else" LP that The Kinks released on Pye records in 1967. Paulo Hewitt said of the original: "A jaunty celebration of the ordinary cigarette rather than the herbal variety traditionally favoured by musicians, Harry Rag put us right back in the music hall of Ray's youth, it's funny lyrics about tabacco addiction roaring out. Harry Rag is Cockney rhyming slang for fag (ciagarette)." The Values version of Harry Rag was produced and arranged by Julian Wakeling. The lead vocal is by Mikey Georgeson. The tin whistle is played by Paul Speare.

"I Remember" at the A-side B-side Gallery

Wednesday the 14th of November is the date of the p.v of "I Remember" at The A-side B-side Gallery. The address is 5-9 Amhurst Terrace, Hackney E8 2BT The night will also be a launch party for a special issue of The Rebel magazine which features 50 people sharing a memory, plus texts by Susan Finlay, John Douglas Millar, Russell Walker, and Kitty Davies, and a free 5 track CD featuring tracks by Trogons, Orpheus Knoxx, The Values, The Pheromoans, Mikey Georgeson. The "I Remember" exhbition will feature one artwork each from... Justin Bailey, Gordon Beswick, Mel Cole, Chris Coombes, Rosalind Davis, Caroline Gervay, Dom Kennedy, Tom Lovelace, Chloe Mortimer, Simon Munnery, Kate Murdoch, Liam Newnham, Christopher Owen, Liz Purchase, Kes Richardson, Alli Sharma, Annabel Tilley, Barry Thompson, Julian Wakeling, Aleksandra Wojcik, Paul Wye. Contributors to The Rebel magazine of memories include Francis Upritchard, Andrew Mottershead, Jasper Joffe, Tinsel Edwards, Abigail Zara Parry, Cuong Sam, William Smart, John Duffin, Gemma Fleet, Tine Frellesen and Uliana Apatina. Curator Harry Pye says: "After watching Federico Fellini's 1973 film Amarcord I thought it would be interesting to see how willing some artistic friends of mine would be in sharing some of their memories. Visitors to the show, readers of the magazine and listeners to the CD will be faced with many different memories from many different people. Some say: "Half the fun of remembering is the rearranging" I don't know how much rearranging has been going on. I picked the artists rather than the work. I am unable to say which memories are true or not. I Remember is both an art exhibition and a publication with an accompanying CD. Don't forget to remember the opening party on the 14th of November."

(Above image by Aleksandra Wojcik from the series "Postcards from my life") The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday 12 - 6pm or by appointment. For more info e-mail: asidebsidegallery@hotmail.com 44787634029 or 447792126195

MOTHERS show has successful run in Wirral

The Festival of Firsts art program got off to a glittering start on June 25th at the Holiday Inn, Hoylake with more than 70 attendees taking in the work of some star-studded names. Feted artists, the Singh twins (pictured above) were among the audience as the Preview of the Mothers Exhibition launched – one of the many attractions at this year’s Wirral Festival of Firsts. The Exhibition is now on show at Holiday Inn, Hoylake until the 8th July. Admission is free. Amrit and Rabindra Singh are British born twins of Indian origin, who have become world famous for depicting their home city of Liverpool and other scenes in the traditional Mughal miniature painting style but on a grand scale. Their work has featured in shows all over the world.

Closing party at V22 Summer Club tomorrow

The V22 Summer Club is a platform for an eclectic gathering of artists, arts organisations and community groups who have collaborated to produce a rich, interactive, public programme which includes exhibition, film, dance, live art, theatre, performance, music, sound, lectures, discussions, workshops, games, digital interactivity and other special community events Utilising V22's impressive 50,000 sq ft exhibition spaces in Bermondsey, the Club has also created a purpose-built cinema, an intimate live music venue, a pop-up cafe serving excellent food, a dance floor and an organic cider bar. New constructions and additions to the space continue to invigorate the whole site and offer a range of experiences, activities and artforms in a family-friendly environment.

Closing Party Sunday 29 July, 12 - 11pm Come along on our final day for a variety of events or simply to join us in a closing glass. Kids' day kicks off with Nico and Miila's choice of films, while Harry Pye & friends create a Wall of Smiles. Join the DiY punk and Sound/Space parties, bring along 7" records as Lucky 7's goes Warehouse, catch rare sneaker documentaries, style classics and the occasional Michael Jordan highlight reel, enjoy 1150 images of great and rare sneakers...! Should be fun

(Above: Harry Pye and Cuong Sam)

(Above: The wall of smiles with added artworks from Denise Morden's children's workshop)

Westland Place Open Studios

(Above: "You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore" by Gordon Beswick 2012) Westland Place Studios is a couple of minutes walk from Old Street Tube (near The Moorfields Eye Hospital).

Gordon Beswick is one of the many artists inviting you to see where he works and what he's been up to. Why not pop along this Saturday (the 30th)from 11am until 5pm. Westland Place Studios is located right next door to Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant, and when the restaurant celebrates its 10th birthday with a street party the studios will be open to tempt visitors in to discover some amazing art. There have been artists studios at 3-11 Westland Place for 20 years, making it one of the longest running creative hubs in the Hoxton / Old Street area. 21 studios, spread over four floors of this former tobacco industry factory, house the workspaces of 23 artists. Their work spans a large range of art disciplines and creative approaches making this an exciting creative environment for all working in the building as well those visiting. Each studio is as unique as the endeavours of the artist working within it. The occupants of Westland Place studios invite you to explore their workspaces, view their accomplished and varied works and be tempted to buy or commission some art.

Paul Weller records a special birthday single for Paul McCartney to help War Child

Paul Weller has recorded a cover version of The Beatles song Birthday. The track is available for one day only and all the money goes to help the War Child organisation. On June the 18th McCartney is 70 years young. Paul Weller says: “I wanted to do something for Paul's 70th, the man’s been, and still is, an immense and enduring inspiration for me. It was him and his three friends that made me want to pick up a guitar in the first place. I saw him play live recently and he inspired me just as much as ever, he was brilliant. I just hope he likes our little version, a token of my and the bands love for him and his music. Rock on Macca”. War Child are an excellent organisation. To find out about their current projects to help protect the children of Syria visit their website: www.warchild.org.uk To buy the single visit www.paulweller.com

Photos from A Side B Side Gallery