Paul & Lucy's BEST KEPT SECRETS

Christian Carter organises Charity Event in aid of Fylde Coast Cancer Charities, 26th February at Peek-a-Booze Cabaret Bar Blackpool

2012-02-06T22:55:00.001Z

Charity event in aid of cancer

Sunday 26th February - 2pm till late

At Peek-a- Booze cabaret bar

72/74 Dickson Road, Blackpool

Lots of great acts including celebrity guests

cheap drinks all day & night

TAKING PART:

sara cheston.

liam halewood.

cybil du vaux.

fran.

shane roche.

kristian.

steve yorke.

alima khan.

johnny roxx.

tracy cavagan.

sammy adams.

zoe denice.

ronan john.

tony just.

also hypnotist from benidorm craig torevell

plus more to be confirmed.....

Also, the venue has a hotel ensuite rooms from 15 pound a night.. if you need a room please contact Peek-a-Booze cabaret bar on their facebook page.

Hope you can make it to help us raise money for a great cause..

Blue Skies Hospitals Fund

Registered charity number 1051570

England's Laura Davies and Melissa Reid awarded invites for the 2012 HSBC Women's Champions 2012

2012-02-06T20:52:00.000Z

England’s Laura Davies and Melissa Reid secure coveted spots in ‘Asia’s Major’

Laura Davies and Melissa Reid have been awarded invitations into the 2012 HSBC Women’s Champions field in recognition of their contributions to Europe’s victorious 2011 Solheim Cup team.

Davies and Reid join defending champion, Karrie Webb, as she looks to reclaim her title against a stellar field of the world’s top women golfers from 23 to 26 February 2012 at the Tanah Merah Country Club, Singapore. The fifth edition of the tournament will see 63 of the world’s top female golfers battle it out over 72 holes of individual stroke play for an increased prize fund of US$1.4 million.

Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship at HSBC explained the decision, “We had applications from many worthy candidates but we wanted to acknowledge the magnificent achievements of Europe’s 2011 Solheim Cup team by awarding two of their key team members this opportunity. Laura is Europe’s most accomplished female golfer and with over 80 professional career victories she is more than qualified to take her place in the HSBC Women’s Champions field. Mel is one of Europe’s most exciting prospects and after such a successful debut at last year’s Solheim Cup as well as three LET victories already to her name, I have no doubt that she will present the field with some stern competition.”

The local Singapore qualifying event held last week on the Garden Course saw 22 year old, Koh Sock Hwee, win her place in the field after coming out top of a two day qualifying competition.

For more information on the HSBC Women’s Champions 2012, please visit the tournament website at http://www.hsbcgolf.com/womens.

Release Of The Week: "Are You Ready" EP by Dirt Box Disco

2012-02-06T18:52:00.000Z

In our radio show on Friday evening on 103.2 Preston FM, our release of the week was the "Are You Ready?" 5 track EP by Dirt Box Disco, kindly supplied to us by Stu Taylor of STP Records.

The tracks are as follows:

1: Are You Ready?
2: Burning
3: Tragic Roundabout
4: Rum & Cola
5: Cross In The Box

We think this is great feelgood rock n roll - check it out!

You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Are-You-Ready/dp/B006JU3F5W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328554154&sr=8-1

To find out more about Stu Taylor Promotions and other great bands and releases, go to his website here: http://www.stprecords.co.uk/index.htm

Ice Hockey: Flyers Go To Hull And Back In Tough League Encounter

2012-02-05T20:39:00.001Z

English National League 2 North

Sunday 5th February 2012

Hull ENL Stingrays 3 - Fylde Flyers 1

Period Scores: 1-0, 1-1, 1-0
Shots On Goal: tba
Penalties In Minutes: tba
Flyers Scorer: Elvis Veldze 1
Flyers Most Valuable Player: Mark Gillingham

photo by Mick Caunce

Listen Again: Punk Rock Cartoons Los Angeles Exhibition

2012-02-05T20:33:00.001Z

If you missed our Best Kept Secrets In Conversation show on 103.2 Preston FM on Friday evening, you can listen again now to our fascinating interview with caricature cartoonist David Worth right here now.

All you have to do is click on the sound icon below (please note that this may take longer to load if you are using a Mac...):

To find out more about David's Punk Rock Cartoons, check out the website here: http://www.punkrocktoons.com/

Listen Again: Sara Dowling Interview At Sands Soul Night

2012-02-05T19:55:00.002Z

If you missed our Best Kept Secrets In Conversation show on 103.2 Preston FM on Friday evening, you can listen again now to our fascinating interview with jazz and soul singer Sara Dowling here now.

All you have to do is click on the sound icon below (please note that this may take longer to load if you are using a Mac...):

To find out more about Sara Dowling, check out her website here: http://www.wix.com/saradowling/live

To find out more about what is coming to the Sands venue in Blackpool, look here: http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/

Listen Again: Marvin Ruffin Soul Interview

2012-02-05T19:16:00.001Z

Don't worry if you missed our Best Kept Secrets In Conversation show on 103.2 Preston FM on Friday evening. You can listen again now to our fascinating interview with top soul singer Marvin Ruffin here now.

All you have to do is click on the sound icon below (please note that this may take longer to load if you are using a Mac...):

To find out more about Marvin Ruffin, check out his website here: http://www.marvinruffin.co.uk/index.php

To find out more about what is coming to the Sands venue in Blackpool, look here: http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/

Ice Hockey: Flyers Batter Sharks In "Thriller In The Chiller"

2012-02-04T20:16:00.006Z

English National League 2 North
Saturday 4th February 2012

Fylde Flyers 3 - Solway Sharks 14

Period Scores: 0-4, 2-5, 1-5
Shots On Goal: Flyers 54 - Sharks 80
Penalties In Minutes: Flyers 56 - Sharks 34
Flyers Scorers: Ric Hulme 1+1, Elvis Veldze 1+1, Janis Grinbergs 1+0
Flyers Most Valuable Player: tba

stock photo - not from tonight's game
photo by David Morrison

Report

Anybody who imagined that a second visit by runaway league leaders Solways Sharks to ENL newcomers Fylde Flyers in consecutive weeks might be a little dull will certainly have been eating their words after this thrilling encounter at the Sub Zero rink in Cleveleys.

Upsets DO happen in ice hockey - like the USA beating the Soviet Union for the Olympic gold medal in 1980 and Peterborough Pirates beating Cardiff Devils in the 1991 Wembley Play Off semi final - but they don't happen all that often and the top teams with the the big name players usually do tend to beat the smaller teams on an annoyingly regular basis.

So with the greatest respect to all concerned, and despite the heroics of last weekend when the Flyers held the Sharks to 2-2 at the end of the first period, the result of this game was never really going to be in any doubt.

For those who were hoping for a rematch in the "Jersey" Joe Murphy v Marc "Fifer" Fowley big fight, that didn't happen either but - luckily for the fight fans at least - quite a few of Murphy's team mates more than made up for it.

In the first period, the Flyers made all the running and were 16-0 up in the penalty stakes by the hooter - Janis Grinbergs sitting most of this out after receiving 2+10 for a head check.

After the restart, the Sharks upped their game a bit and contributed 14 penalty minutes of their own but the Flyers were pulling away by this time with Kurtis Hall's 10 minute misconduct and Chris Butcher's roughing penalties helping to keep the tally respectable at Flyers 34 - Solway 14 after 2 periods.

The 3rd period saw 44 minutes of penalties dished out - 22 to each side which made for a lively match for the fans (Flyers 56 - Sharks 36), if not necessarily a great game for the purists.

In between all of this going on, the occasional spat of ice hockey broke out, but we won't let that spoil a good story.

Joking apart, credit must go to everybody involved in putting this game on today: to the Solway team and supporters who travelled down from Scotland on the worst day of the year weather wise, to the Fylde club for getting the game on and to all the local fans who braved the ice and sleet and cheered both teams on throughout. Well done everybody!

Oh yes - Solway won, by the way - but you probably knew they would anyway...

Review: Sands Swing Night feat. Matthew Ford and Sarah Ellen Hughes - 3rd February 2012

2012-02-04T10:26:00.007Z

As we arrived at the Sands Venue, the ever-vigilant doormen reminded us to wrap up warmly at the end of the evening, as the weather forecast was for -11 degrees.

Lucy tried the cheese board as dessert this time for a change and voted it excellent – four different, good-sized pieces of cheese, red and white grapes, sticks of celery, assorted biscuits, butter and a very good, home-made dried fruit and nut chutney.

Though the food is absolutely superb at The Sands Venue, we were there for the Swing Show – usually on Saturdays but this time on Friday, 3^rd February - and what a show! As always, Neil Shatliff and his sensational Sands Band were brilliant partners for the singers, showing them off to perfection.

Paul Ellis, looking dashing in his dinner jacket, started the ball rolling with ‘The Lady is a Tramp’ and ‘Come Fly with me’. Paul has been referred to by Richard Shelton as “the man who sounds more like Sinatra than Sinatra does” and we think that’s true.

Paul introduced Sarah-Ellen Hughes, who made the journey from her home in London to appear at the Sands. We had heard silver-voiced Sara-Ellen before, singing with pianist Mike Taylor and were really looking forward to seeing her in the beautiful night-club/cabaret setting that is the Sands in Blackpool and hearing her sing with a 7-piece band. We weren’t disappointed. With a gold S on either side of the stage, echoing Sara-Ellen’s name, she came on wearing a long, black evening dress with diamante top – very classy and elegant – and set the bar very high indeed, beginning her first set with “Someone to watch over me”. Then came a Nina Simone classic – ‘My baby just cares for me’.

Sara-Ellen’s next song was “Teach me Tonight”, accompanied by Mike Hope on Tenor Sax. The Sands Band then played “I could write a book” before introducing Matthew Ford. Though we had heard a great deal about Matthew, we hadn’t actually seen him or heard him sing before. Matthew looked extremely handsome in dark suit and tie. His first song was ‘Moon Dance” and, well we think Matthew is better looking than Michael Buble (and Matthew is English too - though we felt we could be forgiven for thinking he had Italian origins – he was that good) and his voice has a soft, Gene Kelly tinge to it. Then came ‘Ain’t that a kick in the head’ with Dan on piano.

Then two Matt Monroe numbers – “A portrait of my love” and ‘Walk away’ with the band. A delightful duet with Sarah-Ellen ‘Something Stupid’ was followed by Matt singing “I’ve got you under my skin’, which we just had to dance to, before the final song of the first set – ‘The Birth of the Blues’.

The Sands Sound Engineer, Mark works tirelessly throughout the evening to make sure the sound is perfect and always picks great music for the interval which gives those who have never visited The Sands before a chance to look at the Champagne Bar with its amazing view of the Promenade and sea.

Paul Ellis started the second part of the show with the topical ‘Let’s Face the Music and Dance’. `Paul always makes gentle jokes and he pretended he was going to alter the title of his next song to “Friday night is the loneliest night of the week’ – a nod to the fact that it’s usually “Swing Saturdays” at the Sands.

Sarah-Ellen Hughes returned to sing ‘The way you look tonight’, ‘That old Devil called Love’ and the Judy Garland classic “Get Happy” before the Band’s next instrumental – ‘If I were a bell’ - and, again we had to get up dance.

Matthew Ford came back with some songs which were originally Italian and these sounded so authentic we thought he was Italian – “Sta Sera’, then a very energetic ‘Sway’, then Matthew came onto the dance floor (of which in total at the Sands Venue in Blackpool we counted 5) in front of the stage and encouraged us all to sing the words ‘That’s Amore’ as he sang and directed us, which was great fun.

Matt has a very easy, relaxed style that makes you feel as though he is enjoying your company as much as you are enjoying him singing your favourite songs.

Next came ‘Mack the Knife’, with some personalised vocals in the final verse, when Matthew introduced some of the band members. Then came an Anthony Newley song ‘Feeling Good’ and we did indeed feel good after a wonderful show.

The audience cheered, clapped and shouted “More” so Paul, Sarah-Ellen and Matthew joined the band on stage to sing, while the Sands staff encouraged everyone to get up and move to a rousing rendition of ‘New York, New York’.

It was another truly fantastic, feel-good evening of live music at The Sands Venue and we have to say a big thank you to Matthew Ford, Sarah-Ellen Hughes and Paul Ellis, to Neil Shatliff and the Sands Band, to Mark the Sound Engineer and to all the lovely, dedicated, hard-working staff who make the Sands experience so memorable. For those of us who like Swing Music it is a real treat.

The Sands Venue have a large programme of events planned for 2012 so please check out their website – http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/

Award-winning vocalist Sarah-Ellen Hughes is a singer/songwriter – to find out more see http://www.sarahellenhughes.co.uk/

Award-winning Swing Band singer Matthew Ford will be back at the Sands Venue in Blackpool on 31^st March and 14^th April 2102. To find out more see http://www.matthewford.info/

Best Kept Secrets Show on 103.2 Preston FM - Friday 7pm

2012-02-02T19:11:00.000Z

In our highly popular "Best Kept Secrets...In Conversation" show on 103.2 Preston FM this Friday evening from 7pm we will be featuring:

Punk rock cartoonist David Worth talking about his new exhibition in Los Angeles
Marvin Ruffin and Sara Dowling (pictured) talking about their own fascinating musical backgrounds and the Soul night at the Sands venue.
Top saxophonist Snake Davis
Sarah Jayne Buckley - star of Over The Rainbow - The Eva Cassidy Story
Unsung singer of the week Kelly Johnson
the nostalgic "Oh Boy" spot
music from Lancashire Songwriters Sara Dowling and Emma Holbrook
and new releases from Dirt Box Disco and Stacey Johnson.

So make it a date! You can tune in to Preston FM on 103.2 FM in the local area or listen in worlwide via the internet at http://www.preston.fm/

Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre's "World at your Feet" Diamond Show, Grand Theatre, Blackpool Friday 10th February to Sunday, 12th February 2012

2012-02-02T16:51:00.000Z

DAZZLING DANCE SPECTACULAR!

Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre presents World At Your Feet Diamond Show from Friday 10^th February to Sunday 12^th February.

Lots of colour! Lots of laughs! Lots of dancing! With a talented cast of almost 200 and an array of costumes this sensational song and dance extravaganza is packed full of dance routines fromRiverdance and tap spectaculars to ballet, street dance and popular musicals as well as plenty of comedy moments.

This Diamond Show celebrates the opening of Blackpool’s own Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre on 11^th February 1952 by Beryl Whittaker. Since then it has been a long standing training ground for many young performers. Beryl herself has previously performed at theatres such as the London Palladium, Blackpool Opera House, Manchester Opera House and Blackpool Tower Circus. She also appeared in the 1948 Royal Variety Performance as a dancer-juggler alongside Danny Kaye and Julie Andrews.

Sheila Ganley of Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre said: “We have been rehearsing this show since last year and everyone is very excited. This year’s Diamond production is for the whole family and really does have something for everyone.

For the cast it is an exciting time, not only because they are performing on the Grand Theatre stage, but also because we are celebrating a Diamond year for Whittaker’s. We know that all the excitement will spill over to the audience and they will enjoy it just as much as we are! I think Miss Whittaker would have been extremely proud.

Bring the children, bring the grandparents – it’s a great night out for the family!”

The worshipful Mayor of Blackpool, Clr Joan Greenhalgh, sent the following message to the centre; “It gives me real pleasure to extend my very best wishes to everyone at Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre on the occasion of the 60^th Anniversary of the Centre.

For these years Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre has produced an array of talent and many former pupils now feature in television dramas and National productions of a high calibre.

The Mayoress and I are looking forward to seeing World At Your Feet Diamond Show and we are sure that it will, once again, be a successful one.

We both hope that Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre will continue to produce home grown talent for many more years to come!”

During the 1970s Beryl Whittaker and her husband, Jack Ganley, were stalwart campaigners and fundraisers for the revival and re-opening of the Grand Theatre.

Today the centre provides dance lessons for all ages as well speech and acting for selected ages. They stage revue shows and young people’s productions at the Grand Theatre.

World At Your Feet Diamond Show will be at the Grand Theatre from Friday 10^th February to Sunday 12^th February.

Tickets from £10.00.

Book your seats now by calling the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 743339, online at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk or at the Grand Theatre information sales point in the Houndshill Shopping Centre.

Follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook for up to the minute show info and theatre gossip, news and reviews

Don’t forget - Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only

Turner and his contemporaries: The Hickman Bacon Watercolour Collection at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 5AL 12th January - 14th April 2012

2012-02-01T20:27:00.000Z

Abbot Hall Art Gallery and Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry in Kendal celebrate their fiftieth anniversary this year with an exhibition of watercolours.

Sir Hickman's private collection of watercolours (which fade when exposed to light), collected from the end of the nineteenth century until just prior to the First World War, is the most important private collection in the world.

John Robert Cozens, Thomas Girtin, William Muller, Richard Parkes Bonington, David Cox and J.M.W. Turner are among artists whose work is on display.

The Art Gallery is in Kendal and has a coffee shop. So why not have a day out in the Lakes?

Abbot Hall Art Gallery and Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry
Kendal, Cumbria LA9 5AL
Tel.: 01539 722464
www.abbothall.org.uk

Portuguese Maverick Fadista Claudia Aurora to give two more concerts in the UK in March 2012

2012-01-31T19:47:00.001Z

A chance to see and hear Claudia Aurora:

8th March 2012 - Green Note, London

22nd March 2012 - Howard Assembly Room Leeds.

Follow Claudia on Facebook and Twitter.

For further information please see www.claudia-aurora.com

Green Note, 106 Parkway London NW1 7AN www.greennoteco.uk
Howard Assembly Room, Grand Theatre, 46 New Biriggate, Leeds LS1 6NU

Acclaimed by Time Out London, NME, The Last Tuesday Society, BBC Radio 3 and Venue Magazine, Porto-born singer/songwriter Claudia Aurora enraptures with spine-chilling emotion. Her mournful Portuguese Fado songs are drenched in a sadness (Portuguese Saudade) that courses through the audience.

Snake Davis the Saxophonist on Tour 2012

2012-01-31T19:44:00.000Z

Just a few of the opportunities to see Snake in action during the next few weeks:

Guest Appearance - Oxford

Thursday February 2nd Snake will be playing with The Spin Trio at Oxfords Jazz Club at The Wheatsheaf, 129 High Street, OX1 4DF. Doors 8.15pm on stage for 9pm Tickets £9, £7 and £6 Online booking or call 07711 671647

The Snake Davis Band - Witney

Saturday February 4th The Snake Davis Band will be performing at Cokethorpe School, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 7PU. The school transforms into their own version of Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club. 7.30pm Tickets £24 includes food. There's also a bar (cash only) Tel: 01993 892 338 or email boxoffice@cokethorpe.org

The Snake Davis Band – Blackpool

Friday February 10th returning to the newly refurbished, fabulous venue, The Sands, on the Promenade in Blackpool. Entrance £15.50 or £29.99 with meal. http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/artists/313/Jazz-Night--with-Snake-Davis-/1630 Tel: 01253 625 262

The Burden of Paradise - Hovingham

Saturday February 11th Returning to the legendary Shed venue at Hovingham Village Hall near Pickering. Tel: 01653 668494 and online booking http://www.theshed.co.uk/gigs#11.02.12

Guest Appearance – Bury St Edmunds

Friday February 17th appearing with the Chris Ingham Trio at The Hunter Club, St. Andrews Street South, IP33 3PJ. On stage at 8pm tickets £10 Tel: 01284 748 280

Guest Appearance - Stokesley

Thursday February 23rd with The Colin Holt Band at Stokesley Town Hall. Tel: 01642 710 270 or 01642 711 566 (Also on Friday but sold out).

Snake Davis & The Suspicions – Blackpool

Saturday February 25th The Sands Venue, The Promenade, Blackpool. Entrance is £15.50 or £29.99 to include a meal Tel: 01253 625 262 or http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/artists/646/Sands-Soul-Night-with-the-Suspicions-/1638

SnakeStrings – Barton Upon Humber

Friday March 2nd Bringing the new line up to Ropery Hall at The Ropewalk, Maltkiln Lane, Barton upon Humber. 8pm Tickets £15 in advance or £17 on the door Tel: 01652 660 380. http://www.the-ropewalk.co.uk/roperyhall/music.htmThe Ropewalk coffee shop are also serving a set 3 course Greek meal earlier on that evening for £14 a head. Booking essential and early sitting so as not to miss the show.

Special Guest with Reuben Richards & Soul Train – London

Saturday March 10th at The Boisdale Club, Cabot Place, Canary Wharf, E14 4QT. Tickets from £10 to £35 Tel: 020 7715 5818 or online booking. http://tickets.boisdale.co.uk/?view=3/2012

Jim Diamond & Snake Davis acoustic – Cheltenham

Wednesday March 21st Appearing together at Vonnies, Charlton Kings Social Club, Cheltenham, GL53 8AP.

SnakeStrings – Darlington

Thursday March 22nd Returning to a favourite venue of ours, Darlington Arts Centre. Tickets £14 & £12 http://www.darlington.gov.uk/NewCulture/EventsDetails.htm?EventID=159864

Tel: 01325 486 555

SnakeStrings – Kirby Overblow

Friday March 23rd All Saints Church, Kirby Overblow near Harrogate. Email kirkbyoverblowevents@gmail.com www.kirkbyoverblow.org

SnakeStrings – Horkstow

Saturday March 24th This is where it all began, returning to where SnakeStrings first performed. Tickets £15 each £5 for school children or £20 on the door. 6.30pm Great acoustics and natural raised stage in the chancel. Tel: Henry on 01652 618329 Robert on 01652 618 207 or Email: Henry.Fell@tiscali.co.uk

SnakeStrings – Goole

Saturday March 31st at the Junction, Paradise Place, Goole, DN14 5DL On stage at 8pm Tel: 01405 763 652 http://www.junctiongoole.co.uk/programme

All dates, times & prices correct at time of going to press and may be subject to change. Please check with venue before booking.

Friday, 20th April and Saturday, 21st April 2012 Circque du Ciel at North Pier Theatre Blackpool

2012-01-31T15:43:00.000Z

Blackpool North Pier Theatre is pleased to announce three stunning performances of ShangHi from the award-winning Cirque du Ciel; direct from China, beyond Gravity.

The highly awaited and internationally acclaimed production of ShangHi from Cirque du Ciel arrives in UK this Spring and you can see this spectacular show at Blackpool’s North Pier Theatre on Friday 20^th and Saturday 21^st April.

Cirque Du Ciel’s ShangHi will take you on a journey through the mysterious dreams of a little girl as she explores her fantasies. The production was originally directed in China by Cirque Du Soleil’s Guy Caron and will captivate and enthral every audience member.

With over 30 amazingly multi-talented and skilled performers, this marvellous two-hour extravaganza combines acrobatics, modern dance, martial arts, original music and many other traditional and modern Chinese elements in an amazing fantasy adventure. ShangHi is an unforgettable spectacle that you will find hard to believe – it really is the next generation of Cirque du Soleil.

Cirque du Ciel’s ShangHi boasts over 500 superb costumes, intricate scenery, and fantastic and evocative lighting. This stunning production showcases the skills of not only these striking performers, but also the world-class artistic team who created and devised this brilliant multi-media spectacle.

The astonishing routines include hat juggling, terrifying yet beautiful aerial silks, acrobatics and stunts, amazing magical illusions and the famous death defying Chinese monkey poles, a dizzying mix of balancing, tumbling, spinning and brilliant live drumming.

Miss this and you will miss the most daring, breathtaking and stunning family entertainment show of the year!

There are three performances of Cirque du Ciel’s ShangHi; Friday 20^th April at 7.30pm and Saturday 21^st April at 2pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at just £21.50 for adults, £19.50 seniors, £15 for children and just £60 for a family of four (minimum one adult and one child, saving up to £19.50!) and are on sale now. They can be booked by calling the North Pier Box Office on 01253 623304, visiting our website www.northpierblackpool.co.uk, or via the 24-hour Ticketmaster Hotline 0844 847 2452.

Auditions at the ACE Centre in Nelson for Star Maker - Pendle's own "X Factor" style contest

2012-01-31T15:25:00.000Z

Do you have the X Factor?

If so, now is your chance to shine!

Star Maker is a brand new singing competition open to people in Burnley, Pendle and Craven.

Just like the TV talent show X Factor, there will be three different age categories, a boot camp and a live final!

And the prize is up to £1,000 in cash, a recorded album and two festival appearances, including a slot on one of the Roadhouses at this year’s Great British R&B Festival in August.

Organiser, Aaron Whitehall-Pain, from LKJ Security, said: “The aim is to find local talent and give them a chance to get noticed.

“I know there are a lot of gifted people out there just waiting to be discovered and I want to find them!

“We are looking for solo artistes or duos, but strictly no professional or semi-professional singers.

“We are also hoping to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, with 50 pence from every entry and ticket sold being donated to this very worthy charity.”

The three age groups are: 12-18 years; 18-25 year and over 25s.

The judges will be the three members of local band Diva Dynamic.

Auditions will be held at The ACE Centre in Nelson, on Thursday and Friday, May 24^th and 25^th.

The live Final will be held at The Muni Theatre in Colne on Friday, July 20^th

The cost is £3.50 per entry which can be paid via The Muni Theatre’s Box Office on 01282 661234. Audition forms will then be sent out.

Live show tickets cost £5.00 each, which can also be bought from The Muni Theatre’s Box Office or The ACE Centre on 01282 661080.

13th May 2012 Frank and Janice Flynn Open Day in aid of Over Wyre MacMillan Cancer Support

2012-01-31T15:18:00.001Z

Janice and Frank Flynn are pleased to announce:

11^TH GRAND CHARITY

GARDEN OPEN DAY

CHAPEL HOUSE, WHEEL LANE, PILLING PR3 6HL

Tel 01253 790293

SUNDAY 13^TH MAY 2012

11.OOam TO 3.00pm

1^ST PRIZE WINNER OF LANCASHIRE LIFE GARDEN OF THE YEAR 2004

SHORTLISTED TO THE LAST 10 OF THE 2006 DAILY MAIL NATIONAL GARDEN COMPETITION

ADMISSION £5 PER ADULT to include tea/coffee and biscuits.

CHILDREN FREE WITH AN ADULT

FABULOUS RAFFLE –

1^ST PRIZE £100.

2^ND £50.

3^RD £25.

ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO THE Over Wyre MacMillan Cancer support

THERE WILL BE A CAKE STALL AND A PLANT STALL – ALL CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME

Please note

there is a Japanese Water Garden and large pond so children

must be supervised at all times.

Celtic Dream Saturday, 7th April 2012 at North Pier Theatre, Blackpool

2012-01-31T15:11:00.001Z

Saturday 7^th April is a date to put in your diary. That is when Ireland is coming to Blackpool! Celtic Dream has been created to bring one of the most original and authentic shows in the world to you.

With a selection of the finest dancers, vocalists and musicians from around Ireland, Celtic Dream will enchant and take audiences on an uplifting journey of song and dance with a kaleidoscope of colour against a backdrop of highly infectious, powerful and spirit invoking music.

The Celtic Dream show is the perfect blend of traditional Irish music alongside modern and popular songs. Heartwarming performances feature astoundingly choreographed dance routines and a touch of the old Irish ‘craic’.

Celtic Dream is also delighted to include among its cast, the magnificent Dream Tenors, a trio of talented young male vocalists with a very special sound, who were recently invited by Tourism Ireland to support music icon Van Morrison in a show-stopping performance last night at St James’ Palace especially for Irish ministers and members of The English Royal Family.

Dream Tenors’ vocalist John Ward has also penned a forward-looking, positive and uplifting, national song for Northern Ireland titled Home.

Show creator and producer Peter Tobit said, “England has it’s Jerusalem, Scotland has it’s Flower of Scotland and now thanks to the songwriting skills of John Ward, Northern Ireland has it’s anthemic Home, the lyrics of which sum of the hope and positive future for Ireland.”

Celtic Dream embodies the true spirit of Ireland and will leave you mesmerised and wanting more and more of the ultimate Irish experience.

Audiences will be delighted with time-honoured tunes like Danny Boy and Carrickfergus to the haunting modern day classics of Sarah McLachlan's In the Arms of the Angels.

To experience Celtic Dream is to experience the genuine heart and soul of Ireland.

Celtic Dream at Blackpool’s North Pier Theatre on Saturday 7^th April at 8pm. Tickets are priced at just £22.50 and £20.50 and are on sale now. They can be booked by calling the North Pier Box Office on 01253 623304, visiting www.northpierblackpool.co.uk, or via the 24-hour Ticketmaster Hotline 0844 847 2452.

Review: Schools Alive 2012 on Monday, 30th January at the Grand Theatre Blackpool

2012-01-30T22:32:00.002Z

The annual celebration of the multitude of talent that we have here in Blackpool that is Schools Alive, featuring some of the primary and secondary schools in the area, is on this week at the Grand Theatre. We were very lucky to get tickets for Monday's show because this event is always a sell-out.

Promoted by Blackpool Music Service, which has deservedly won the highest ‘National Music Council’ accolade, “The Major Trophy” for being its best Music Service, the show features different schools each evening.

Tonight, it was the turn of Park School, Kincraig Primary, St. John’s C of E Primary, Unity College, Palatine Community Sports College, Roseacre Primary, Collegiate High School, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary and Thames Primary.

Compered and introduced by our very own Star of Radio - Hayley from Radio Wave’s Breakfast Show - the evening was brilliant from start to finish. Hayley began by telling us all to switch our mobile phones off or onto silent and also to remember that we weren’t at Bloomfield but in the gorgeous Grand Theatre. Some people may not realise that Blackpool’s Grand Theatre is one of the most beautiful theatres in the world and that performing on that stage is something really special.

The show began with Park School’s Brass Band who played a selection of foot tapping tunes. It is really great to see the tradition of brass bands is in safe hands and that it is not in danger of fading away.

Then Kincraig Primary gave us their version of “Staying Alive” with great enthusiasm and lovely dresses.

St. John’s C of E Primary presented an ambitions sketch entitled “The Only Way is made in Blackpool”, reminding us of how very lucky we are to live in the entertainment capital of the world. Their rendition of the song “Blackpool Belle” and of the monologue “The Lion and Albert” was delightful and their final song in praise of fish and chips very catchy.

Then came Unity College with an excellent mixture of mime and also singing themselves some of the songs and dances from “Sister Act”.

Palatine Community Sports College finished the first half in true theatre tradition with a professional and polished performanc - singing and dancing their way through songs from the show “Lion King”. The costumes, props and make up were absolutely awesome and the singing and dancing to an extremely high standard indeed. We take our hats off to the pupils from Palatine Community Sports College because we would have been scared stiff on that stage in front of a packed house but there was no sign of nerves at all in this slick performance.

Roseacre Primary came in straight after the Interval with “Grease Lightning” – brilliant use of props such as hubcaps as drums, blow-up guitars and an impressive piece of scenery in the shape of a red car from which popped some of the lads straight from Rydell High.

Collegiate High School sang and performed “Food glorious food”, “Consider Yourself Well In” and “Oom pa pa” from Oliver with great gusto, followed by a dance choreographed to music from the “Lion King” from Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary.

Thames Primary School finished off the evening “Daisy’s Dream” – a modern moral tale with some excellent and very amusing performances narrated, sung and danced by magic mushrooms, wise owls, ninja squirrels, a ‘fab four’ of beetles, complete with guitars and drums, lots of fairies, some elf confidence, leprechauns, a rainbow and a pot of gold. The young lady who played the part of Daisy also sang and played guitar.

WELL DONE EVERYBODY! Apologies if we have left anyone out – there was just so much to see.

It would not be fair to pick out one school as our favourite because the standard was very high indeed and we are aware of the differences the teachers have with the material they work with.

All credit to the teachers as well as to the pupils because a standard that high cannot be reached without hours and hours of dedicated unpaid overtime.

Each evening, there are programmes of acts: Tuesday is the turn of BASSO, Christ the King Catholic Primary, Woodlands School, Revoe Community Primary, St. Mary’s Catholic College, St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary. St. George’s C of E College, Devonshire Primary, Mereside Primary, Bispham High,

Wednesday – First Beat Orchestra, Holy Family Catholic, Baines C of E Primary, St. Kentigern’s Catholic Primary, Norbreck Primary, Claremont Primary, Bispham Endowed Primary, Anchorsholme Primary and finally on Thursday – Layton Primary, Waterloo Primary, Hawes Side Primary, Moor Park Primary, Melissa Miles BMS Brass Band, BMC Youth Concert Band, Marton Primary, Westcliff Primary and Montgomery High.

With our thanks for a wonderful evening to the staff and backroom guys at the Grand Theatre, to Hayley from Radio Wave, to Andrew White (Blackpool Music Service Music Adviser), to the parents, teachers and pupils who make Schools Alive so fantastic.

Hayley promises to mention the schools on the Radio Wave Breakfast Show each morning - worth getting up early for.

The Pavilion Restaurant and Tea Room in Ashton Gardens St. Annes announces evening a la carte dining with live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays in February 2012

2012-01-30T14:57:00.001Z

The delightful Pavilion Restaurant and Tea Rooms in Ashton Gardens, St. Annes-on-the-Sea, Lancashire have announced their programme of fine dining on Friday and Saturday evenings in February 2012:

Friday, 3rd February - "Just John" - vocalist
Saturday, 4th February - Peter Ritmo - Swing singer

Friday, 10th February - "Just John" - vocalist
Saturday, 11th February - Peter Ritmo - Swing singer

Friday, 17th February - To be confirmed
Saturday, 18th February - "Just John" - vocalist

Friday, 24th February - "Just John" - vocalist
Saturday, 25th February - Peter Ritmo - Swing singer

For further details, to book a table, or to have a sample menu, please call 01253 724440.

Check out the Pavilion website on www.ashtonpavilion.com

The Pavilion Restaurant and Tea Room
Ashton Gardens
St. Georges Road
St. Annes-on-the-Sea
Lancashire
FY8 2AE.

Valentine's Day entertainment at The Galleon Bar in Blackpool

2012-01-29T19:22:00.004Z

As a special treat for all you romantic people, Sara Cheston and her Band That Swing Thing will be at The Galleon Bar in Blackpool to entertain and delight you.

Stephen Pierre will also be there to sing for you.

The fun starts at 8pm and there will be a buffet - so don't be late!

The Galleon Bar
68-70 Abingdon Street
Blackpool
FY1 1HF

01253 751488

Ice Hockey: Flyers Give Sharks Scare In Close Opening

2012-01-28T19:49:00.008Z

Saturday 28th January 2012
English League Division 2 North

Fylde Flyers 3 - Solway Sharks 11

Period scores; 2-2, 0-4, 1-5
Flyers Scorers: Veldze 1+2, K Hall 1+0, Caunce 1+0
Shots On Goal: Flyers 57 / 3 Goals - Sharks 76/11 goals
Penalties In Minutes: Flyers 26 - Sharks 43
Flyers MVP: Tony Melbourne

Our Report:A game of two halves is normally used to describe a football match but it is also very apt for this fascinating end to end ED2n encounter played out at Cleveleys Sub Zero rink.

The Solway Sharks breezed into town (or should that be swam...?) as runaway league leaders with 18 wins from 18 matches and had anybody suggested before the game that an 11-3 win for the visitors was on the cards, they probably would't have got any argument from me. The Sharks have a far stronger team than anybody else in this division and should have been playing in Division One this season but, for the opening period, you really would have been hard pushed to tell which was the superior side!

After a nervy shart, the Sharks took the lead as early as the 3rd minute but the Flyers fans were brought to their feet by a splendid solo effort by Latvia Under 20 international Elvis Veldze for an equaliser mid way through the period. A further Sharks strike was equalised late on by Kurtis Hall and the 2-2 scoreline at the end of the first period really did reflect the superb effort that the Flyers had made - matching their visitors in every department on the ice.

Second periods ought to banned in Flyers games as, just like last weekend's home encounter against Hull ENL Stingrays, an unfortunate occurence helped turn the tide in favour of the opposition.

The Flyers really came out - well, flying... - for the second period and battered the Solway goal. It seemed only matter of time until they took the lead but, once again it was the Sharks who struck first - with goals on 23 and 27 minutes. At the mid point of the game 7th place Flyers were "holding" the runaway league leaders to a narrow 2-4 scoreline - a really superb performance by a side playing their first ever season in senior ice hockey.

Then, in the 36th minute, the improbable occured. Solway were a man down due to a roughing penalty and the Flyers were regrouping for another powerplay assault on the Sharks net. During a momentary lapse of concentration, the puck was passed from beind the goal, took an unfortunate deflection off a Fylde skate and ended up creeping over the goalline past the despairing dive of Steve Gilmartin who, incidentally, played heroically throughout. An own goal - except that you don't have "own goals" in ice hockey, they don't exist. The goal is awarded to the last attacking player to touch the puck and, in this case, it had been the Sharks netminder Gary Russel who had cleared the puck from his own goal line.

It is such an unusual occurence for a netminder to score a goal in open play with a guarded net (ie not an "empty net" goal), that when this happened to Peterborough Pirates netminder Tony Melia in 1996, his shirt was placed in the NHL's Hall Of Fame - so this was certainly an interesting piece of history for Flyers fans to witness, even if the goal was at the wrong end....

A powerplay goal for the Sharks wrapped up the 2nd period scoring making for a 6-2 scoreline after 40 minutes.

Solway's strength in depth really began to show through in the last period and they managed 4 more goals (1 shorthanded) before Bobby Caunce's 57th minute strike gave the home fans the morale boost they had been hoping for. It was a niggly last 20 minutes with 55 minutes of penalties being dished out and, while the Sharks may have had the last word in the scoring stakes with their 11th goal on 58.20, Flyers Tom Murphy had the last laugh as he emerged victorious from a 59th minute roughing session with Sharks debutant - former Fife Flyers Elite League player Marc Fowley.

The Flyers have a quick chance of revenge as they face the Solway Sharks again at the Sub Zero rink in Cleveleys next Saturday 4th February in a 5pm face off. Don't miss it!

Photos:
Top: Flyers top points scorer for the season Bobby Caunce perpares for a face off.
Bottom: Sharks netminder Gary Russel faced 57 shots, letting in just 3 goals - and also scored one himself to be named Solway's Most Valued Player.

NWCFL Premier Division: Squires Gate 3 - Maine Road 3

2012-01-28T19:46:00.001Z

http://www.nwcfl.com/

Glossop North End 2 - AFC Blackpool 0

http://www.afcblackpool.co.uk/

photos and stories to follow

Review: Soul Night At The Sands Venue Blackpool feat. Marvin Ruffin and Sara Dowling

2012-01-28T00:39:00.004Z

We went along to the Sands Venue on the Promenade in Blackpool on Friday evening 27^th January 2012 to see the Soul Evening featuring Marvin Ruffin and Sara Dowling.

We took advantage of the special ‘buy one get one half price’ offer that the Sands had in January and had the most wonderful evening.

First of all the food which is really delicious. Paul had the Lancashire Cheese and Ham Rarebit with Home-made Piccalili Pickle and I had a superb salad. That’s the marvelous thing about the Sands – they will always do their best to help if you have any special dietary needs. Next, Paul had braised shin of beef, which came with creamed potatoes and gravy and I had the most amazing Roast Vegetable Cobbler with an enormous suet crust (see photo below) and delectably sautéed potatoes. For desert we both chose the pancake with yummy cream and rhubarb filling, finishing off with tea and coffee.

Marvin Ruffin and Sara Dowling (photo above) certainly brought the sunshine with them to Blackpool last Friday. The show was a sizzler.

Accompanied by the amazing and very versatile Sands House Band, led by Neil Shatliff on trumpet, Marvin and Sara sang a huge range of Soul Songs (all of which I LOVE) – Signed, Sealed Delivered, You make me feel like a natural woman, Need your loving,

At this point, I really must mention (and thank) Mark, the sound engineer at the Sands. Mark keeps on checking throughout the evening in order to make sure the sound really is the best you will hear in the UK today.

On with the show – You make me feel brand new, Young Hearts Run Free, You got the best of my life, Your love is lifting me higher and higher, Same old Song (with a different beat since you’ve been gone), For Once in my Life, You can’t hurry love.

Both Marvin and Sara are extremely talented singers and what a brilliant combination they make – not just with their singing but also with their stage craft and interaction with the audience.

The Second Half of their performance began with Freedom, then Midnight Train to Georgia, My Girl (which Marvin’s cousin David Ruffin who was in the Temptations made famous), Build me up Buttercup. Then with George, the pianist and arranger with the Sands House Band Ain’t no mountain high enough, Son of a Preacher Man. Then Marvin gave a rousing rendition of Mustang Sally, going seamlessly straight into The Midnight Hour.

Sara introduced the band members: guest on Guitar Johnny Hayes, Drums Erroll Roberts, Trumpet Neil Shatliff, Tenor Saxophone Mike Hope, Piano George King, before finishing with Ain’t nobody and finally Another Star.

Marvin and Sara then found more voice for us to interview them and you can hear these interviews on our next show on Preston FM 103.2 (http://www.preston.fm/ “Listen Live) on Friday, 4^th February 2012 at 7 p.m.

All in all an absolutely fantastic evening – we went home our heads full of songs and haven’t come down to earth yet!

TO FIND OUT WHAT'S COMING TO THE SANDS, VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE: http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/

Ice Hockey: Sharks Boost Squad For Trip To Fylde

2012-01-26T11:05:00.001Z

Fylde Flyers ice hockey team's opponents for Saturday's match, table topping Solway Sharks, have signed young Scottish forward Marc Fowley (in photo) after he was released by Elite League side Fife Flyers.

Sharks Coach Martin Grubb had this to say about his latest capture, “I am delighted to be able to bring someone of Marc's quality to the team as he will add speed, skill and a goal threat to our forward line. I have followed Marc's situation in Fife closely and I know that he is desperate to be playing regularly. He will be a valuable member of our team as the push for the league title continues and I know the fans will love his style.”

Marc himself was quick to add, “I am pleased to be signing with the Sharks for the remainder of the season. I have only heard good things about Spud as a coach and am aware of the talent on the roster. I have also played with some of the guys before and know there are some characters in the dressing room. I hope to help the team achieve their goals of winning the title and promotion into League One."

Before Fife, Fowley had previously also played Paisley Pirates. He was unavailable for the Sharks' matches last weekend but is expected to make his Sharks debut against the Fylde Flyers at the Sub Zero rink in Cleveleys on Saturday - 5pm face off.