A complete guide to The City Wakes
The Other Room: Syd Barrett’s Art and Life
What?
The Other Room features the most comprehensive collection of Syd’s paintings ever to be seen in public. The works, many of which have never previously been exhibited, are displayed alongside rare archival-quality prints from Syd’s photo-biographer Mick Rock and original pieces from Pink Floyd’s legendary designer Storm Thorgerson. The exhibition also features rare Syd-related memorabilia, including diaries, correspondence and furniture designs.
Where?
This will take place at the Ruskin Gallery at Anglia Ruskin University.
When?
23rd October to 2nd November.
Cost?
Entry is free.
For more information
Concert Performances
What?
Presenting fresh interpretations of Syd’s greatest songs directed by award-winning musician and composer, Simon Gunton. The production will showcase specially-created video art and stunning Floyd-esque lighting displays and will culminate in a one-off gala performance of the concert.
Where?
The Centre at St. Paul’s.
When?
24th to 31st October. All performances start at 7.30pm and can be booked online.
Cost?
Between £20 and £30.
For more information
Gala Performance – Trinity College Chapel
What?
The spectacular finale to The City Wakes will be a gala performance of the concert.
Where?
The beautiful setting of Trinity College Chapel.
When?
1st November at 7.30pm.
Cost?
£50.
For more information
Guided Tours – Syd’s Cambridge
What?
Special guided tours for fans of all the major Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd-related historic sites in Cambridge including Syd’s birth place, school and college, venues he attended and played at, and the locations featured in his songs.
Where?
The walking and minibus tours are from The Cambridge Visitor Information Centre, The Old Library, Wheeler Street. The meeting place for the motorcycle tours is Scudamore's Punting Company Ltd, Granta Place, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RS.
When?
Tours by mini bus start at 2pm, and tours on a Harley Davidson can be arranged for a time of your convenience and will last for approximately two hours.
The tours will be running daily from 22nd October to 1st November.
Cost?
Varies between £7 - £39 depending on what tour you wish to go on.
For more information
Tours can either be booked by phone or by e-mail either by 01223 457 574 or
Music Workshops
What?
Under the expert eye of The City Wakes Musical Director, Simon Gunton the public are offered the opportunity to explore the surreal genius behind Syd’s wonderfully unorthodox music and lyrics. No previous musical experience is necessary and all instruments are provided.
Where?
The Centre at St. Paul’s.
When?
Workshops will run on 24th, 25th and 31st October.On the 24th and 25th workshops run between 11am and 1pm and on the 31st they run between 1pm and 3pm.
Cost?
£30 per person. Twenty places are available in each workshop and tickets can be booked online.
For more information
All at Once: The Happening
What?
A recreation of a 1960s-style ‘happening’ – directed and hosted by a group of Syd’s former friends.
Where?
The Centre at St Paul's.
When?
7.30 on Tuesday, 28th October.
Cost?
Free.
For more information
Booked online at
Mind Over Matter – Storm Thorgerson
What?
Mind Over Matter celebrates the iconic designs of Storm Thorgerson. Including over sixty pieces of his work for Syd and Pink Floyd – not least the album covers now regarded as modern classics – the exhibition represents the first time Storm’s work has been shown in his hometown.
Where?
Grand Arcade.
When?
TBC
Cost?
Free.
For more information
Talks
What?
Syd’s friends Storm Thorgerson, Mick Rock, David Gale, William Pryor, Andrew Rawlinson, Nigel Lesmoir-Gordon and Matthew Scurfield, give a series of talks and book signings. Talks from the authors of several well-regarded Syd biographies – including the new forthcoming Faber and Faber biography A Very Irregular Head by Rob Chapman – are also scheduled.
Where?
Borders in Cambridge City Centre.
When?
25th to 31st October.
Cost?
Free.
For more information
The Book – Syd: The City Wakes
What?
A new book of interviews and memorabilia, based on the memories and collections of Syd's friends and family. Focussing on Syd's early life and the exciting Cambridge cultural scene in which he was such key figure, the book includes interviews, photos, drawings and letters that have never been seen in print before.
When?
This will be available shortly after The City Wakes.
For more information
The Madcap by Malcolm Boyle
What?
The Madcap is a multi-media critically-acclaimed solo show about Syd Barrett, written and performed by award-winning musician Malcolm Boyle which combines tragicomic performance, hallucinatory film and slide projections with his own interpretations of Barrett's songs.
Where?
The Centre at St Paul's.
When?
30th October at 9.45pm.
Cost?
£8.
For more information
Book online at
David Gale’s Peachy Coochy Nite
What?
Cooching with St Paul - an audiovisual collision involving eyewatering imaginative freedom countered by massive constraint. David Gale grew up with Syd Barrett then lived with him in London. In addition to delivering a talk at Borders and conducting guided tours of Syd's Cambridge, David will present a special edition of the image and text work he is currently both making and curating in London.
The Peachy Coochy format, as regularly presented by David in London’s Toynbee Hall, the presentation of a series of projected images, each of which is visible for 20 seconds only. The presenter must accompany every image with precisely 20 seconds of spoken text. The images need not be narratively linked but randomness is frowned upon. Thematic associations are embraced.
In the traditional Peachy Coochy Nite, a number of Coocheurs delight their audience in the course of the evening. Drawn from many walks of life - we have had visual artists, performers, poets, quantum physicists, dancers, journalists and green activists - we now look forward to recruiting a lepidopterist, a nun, a surgeon, a policeman and a robber.
Where?
The Centre at St Paul's.
When?
Wednesday 29th October at 9.45pm.
Cost?
£8.
For more information
Book online at