Book Now For The Kings Of Swing at Blackpool Grand Theatre - 10th March

Over recent years Swing music and the big band sound has become extremely popular with the public. The Kings of Swing is a live concert featuring the Kings of Swing Orchestra and presenting some of the best swing vocalists currently performing throughout Europe today. A contemporary swing show that celebrates all things swing!

Featuring:

Tony Benedict (pictured), the founder member of the 'Kings of Swing' stage show touring since 2003. Also star of the 'Bobby Darin Songbook' show and 'Viva Las Vegas'

Liam O'Brien who played Dean Martin for over two years in the West End tour of The Rat Pack: Live From Las Vegas in the UK, Europe and US.

Mark Porter who has performed with the BBC Big Band, the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Glenn Miller orchestra UK, Mark has his own big band and performs regularly at concerts, and on cruise ships. Mark has fronted the New Squadronaires Orchestra for nearly 25 years and is also currently touring with The Kings Of Swing show.
For info and booking: http://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/

More tour dates can be found at: http://www.kingsofswingshow.com/

The Peak District Food & Drink Festival 17th March - 1st April and Food & Drink Fair 31st March - 1st April 2012, Buxton

The Peak District Food & Drink Festival, running from 17^th March until 1^st April is an initiative that is intended to facilitate the showcasing of high quality local produce available at a variety of food and drink establishments – hotels, restaurants, pubs/cafes, tea rooms, farm shops, breweries – from the Derbyshire Dales, High Peak, Staffordshire Moorlands and East Staffordshire.

The festival fortnight will offer a superb opportunity for visitors and locals alike to sample the diverse treats on offer and benefit from the special offers available during the festival period. The highlight of the festival fortnight will be the Junior Master Chef competition, sponsored by Tideswell School of Food.

Heats will run throughout the fortnight and culminate in the final cook off to be held at the Peak District Food & Drink Fair 31st March and 1st April at the Devonshire Dome, Buxton.   The Food & Drink Fair at the Dome will be open from 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday, 31^st March. There will be live music with a superb band at the Dome from 6pm until late on the Saturday.  Sunday’s opening times are 11 am till 4 pm.

During the festival fortnight participating establishments will be hosting their own small events and promotions including: special menus, demonstrations, tasting sessions, special offers, brewery tours and prize draws/competitions. These will be included in a special festival brochure.

For further details, please see the website extendingtheseason.co.uk

Or follow Peak District Food and Drink Festival on Facebook

Tune In to "In Conversation" Show on 103.2 Preston FM - Friday 7pm

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

• Dance Diva Stacey Jackson talking about her new release
• Swing singer Matthew Ford (pictured) talking about his music and picking his favourite show song.
• Top saxophonist Snake Davis previewing his Suspicions soul night
• Blackpool Seagulls ice hockey team who are returning to the ice after 20 years 
• Artists of the week: Lancashire songwriter Baxter Rhodes and composer Paul Birhcall
• the nostalgic "Oh Boy" spot
• Jazz singer Sarah Ellen Hughes talking about her new CD
• an exclusive interview with Greg Kane from Hue And cry talking about their new album and tour
• a new release from Spanish punk band Segismundo Toxicomano

 

 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/  

 

 

Hue & Cry - CD Release and Tour Dates - April / May 2012

Hue and Cry have a new album out in March called "Hot Wire" and are playing a number of dates across the country - kicking off at the Sands Venue on Blackpool Promenade on 26th April and moving on to Darwen Library Theatre the following day (see list of full tour dates below).

You can hear the first part of our exclusive interview with Greg Kane from Hue and Cry talking about the new album in our  "Best Kept Secrets...In Conversation" show on 103.2 Preston FM this Friday evening from 7pm. 

You can hear Preston FM on 103.2FM in the local area or worldwide via the internet at http://www.preston.fm/

Hue & Cry "Hot Wire - Stripped" Tour Dates
Thu 26 Apr Blackpool The Sands 01253 625262 - http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/
Fri 27 Apr Darwen Library Theatre 01254 706006
Sat 28 Apr Southampton The Brook 02380 555366
Thu 3 May Liverpool Eric’s 0151 2369994
Sat 5 May Durham Gala Theatre 0191 3324041
Fri 11 May Dublin Vicar Street (+353) 01 775 5800
Sat 12 May Hayes Beck Theatre 0208 561 8371
Sun 13 May Gravesend Woodville Halls 01474 337774
Tue 15 May Wolverhampton Robin 2 01902 401211
Wed 16 May Milton Keynes The Stables 01908 280800
Thu 17 May Bournemouth O2 Academy 0844 4772000
Sat 19 May Porth The Factory 01443 687080

Hue and Cry will also be presenting a special ‘Hot Wire in London’ show where they will be performing a special full band gig at O2 Academy in Islington, London on Saturday 26th May. The band whose new album Hot Wire - the first new album from brothers Pat and Greg Kane since 2008’s Open Soul - is released on 19th March, will be performing much of their celebrated back catalogue as well as an introductory selection of songs from the new record. Hot Wire itself combines a love of Steely Dan and the solo work of Becker and Fagan with a sprawling template that includes songs reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone and early New Orleans’ inspired funk.


Specifically for the ‘Hot Wire in London’ show, Hue and Cry have announced a unique platinum pass package that provides additional access to a VIP Reception (which will include complimentary bubbly on arrival at the venue) the band's sound-check as well as a Meet & Greet with Pat and Greg Kane, an exclusive intimate piano & vocal acoustic set from the brothers together with complimentary pre-show hospitality and souvenir brochure.

Sat 26 May Islington, London O2 Academy 0844 477 2000

As Scottish as crude oil and football management excellence, Hue and Cry first leapt to prominence in 1987 when their single Labour Of Love (lifted from that year’s Seduced and Abandoned album) hit the No.6 slot. The immensely successful album Remote and further hit singles Violently and Looking For Linda followed before the Top Ten album Stars Crash Down and the release of Open Soul in 2008 further showcased the band’s classic pop-soul sound. The release of Hot Wire firmly cements their position as loveably intellectual hip funkateers.

Hue and Cry area also set to perform at the Hot Wire Weekend on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st March at Glasgow’s O2 ABC, the first of these dates featuring the brothers in an intimate piano and vocal performance, whilst the second date sees the pair lining up as part of their full seven piece band. The weekend will include the Platinum Pass Package providing the ultimate in access and amazing extras.
 
For more information: http://www.hueandcry.co.uk/

Nazareth: New CD Release & March 2012 Tour Dates

NAZARETH: ‘Big Dogz’ UK Tour - March 2012

Special Guest at BILSTON: DEBORAH BONHAM
Support at Clitheroe, Liverpool, York, Newcastle, Southampton, Derby & Grimsby: BOWDEN WILLIAMSON BAND ONLY

Out Now: New Nazareth studio album – ‘Big Dogz’ (Edel)
Also available - ‘Naz Box’ (Salvo/USM)

Nazareth are one of the UK’s finest ever classic rock bands. The band are perhaps best known for their breakthrough albums, ‘Razamanazz’ and ‘Loud n Proud’- (both 1973) and their chart-storming singles, ‘Bad Bad Boy’, ‘Broken Down Angel’ , ‘Love Hurts’, ‘My White Bicycle’ and their remarkable adaptation of Joni Mitchell’s ‘This Flight Tonight’. Since then the band have released a steady stream of top-notch albums and retained a steadfast, almost rabid fan base across the world.

Nazareth has sold an impressive over 60 million records in their 40 year music career worldwide for which they count as one of the best known and most successful Scottish bands ever. On their new album ‘Big Dogz’, they have returned to their roots, pure rock music with its rough edges, like it’s straight from the ‘70s. Exactly how rock should sound – and that’s how Nazareth lays it down.

An excellent overview of the bands career is the current sumptuous 4-cd Salvo/Union Square Music release, ‘NAZ BOX’

Said NAZARETH founder member Pete Agnew:Our friends at earMUSIC offered us the opportunity to mark some new territory with this new album and the 'Nazhounds' are delighted to be back among their pack. We're straining at the leash to tour this puppy. We reckon it's bitchin'! So get ready, because from 10th March, the Big Dogz gonna howl!!"

Support for the England portion of the tour (except Bilston) is the Bowden Williamson Band, featuring Animals & Friends guitarist, John Williamson – recently seen across the UK alongside Stax and Blues Brothers legend, Steve Cropper. Special Guest at Bilston is Deborah Bonham

Formed in 1968, Nazareth sprung from the ashes of a semi-professional local band, ‘The Shadettes’, eventually taking their name from the opening line from ‘The Weight’ - the classic song by The Band. Releasing their first album in 1971, the band still features the gravel-voiced DAN McCAFFERTY and bassist PETE AGNEW, alongside lead guitarist JIMMY MURRISON and LEE AGNEW who has more recently taken over the drum stool for so long occupied by the sadly departed DARRELL SWEET.

For their 40th anniversary, Naz decided to record a come-back album. earMUSIC released ‘The Newz’ in 2008, proving once again that Nazareth is fully committed to rock and always satisfy with great songwriting and a fresh sound. The contemporary production brilliantly held true to their roots and really emphasize the extraordinary voice of Dan McCafferty.

‘Big Dogz’ was recorded in Prague and mixed in Basel, produced by guitar player Jimmy Murrison and young Swiss sound-wizard Yann Rouiller, the album has a challenging approach to production. In contrast with rock music’s current tendency to be clean and overproduced in order to be perfect and easily consumed, Nazareth´s album focuses on capturing the dangerous and challenging edge that rock music should have, too often lost in the chase for perfection. For this reason, Nazareth have always truly concentrated on bringing out that dirty, challenging, edginess of real rock; that sound that rock music must have.

Nazareth really manages to be different. On the new album, you’ll find what the band has always portrayed: four guys who live rock, who record together in the same room to show who they really are and what they want.

‘Big Dogz’ is a pure rock diamond, one that is sure to become one of the highest points of their grandiose career and follow the success of past albums like ‘No Mean City’ and ‘Hair Of The Dog’.

Founding member Pete Agnew says: "They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but having recorded the new album 'Big Dogz' I don't agree. We've got some tasty bones here!”

MARCH TOUR DATES
SAT 10TH: GLASGOW, Classic Grand, 18 Jamaica Street, G1 4QD 0141 847 0820 7pm Tickets – Tickets Scotland or Chic Box Office 08700 110034 £17.50 +bf http://www.classicgrand.com/
SUN 11TH: INVERNESS, Ironworks, 122b Academy Street IV1 1LX 0871 789 4173 7.30pm Tickets tbc http://www.ironworksvenue.com/
TUES 13TH: DUNDEE, Dexters, 22 Castle Street, Angus DD1 3AF 8pm Tickets tbc 01382 228894
THURS 15TH: CLITHEROE, The Grand, 18 York Street, Lancashire BB7 2DL 01200 421596 Tickets tbc Time tbc http://www.thegrandvenue.co.uk/
FRI 16TH: LIVERPOOL, O2 Academy, O2 Academy 2, 11-13 Hotham Street, L3 5UF 7pm £17.50 http://www.o2academyliverpool.co.uk/
SAT 17TH: YORK, The Duchess, Stonebow House, York YO1 7NP £20 +bf (advance) / £22.00 (door) 7.30pm 01904 641 413 http://www.theduchessyork.co.uk/
TUES 20TH: NEWCASTLE ON TYNE, O2 Academy, Westgate Road, NE1 1SW 7pm £17.50 http://www.o2academynewcastle.co.uk/  Box office 0844 477 200
WED 21ST: SOUTHAMPTON, The Brook, 466 Portswood Road, Portswood, Southampton SO17 3SD http://www.the-brook.com/  023 8055 5366 320 (advance)/ £22.oo (door) Doors 8pm
FRI 23RD: DERBY, Assembly Rooms (Darwin Suite), 8pm £20.oo Standing Only 01332 255800 http://www.derbylive.co.uk/
SAT 24TH: *BILSTON, Robin 2, 2-28 Mount Pleasant, Bilston Wolverhampton WV14 7LJ (with DEBORAH BONHAM only) http://www.therobin.co.uk/  01902 401211 £20 (advance)/ £22.oo (door) Time tbc
SUN 25TH: GRIMSBY, Yardbirds Rock Club, Church Street, Grimsby, N.Lincs DN32 7DD 07771 520374 http://www.myspace.com/yardbirdsrockclub  Time tbc Tickets tbc

Release Of The Week: Is this Love By Stacey Jackson

In our "Best Kept Secrets...In Conversation" show on 103.2 Preston FM this Friday evening from 7pm we will featuring "Is This Love" by Stacey Jackson as our new release of the week.

We'll also be running our fascinating exclusive interview with Stacey where she tells about how she came to work with Snoop Dogg, why she moved to London and what made this Dance Diva decide to record a new version of an old Whitesnake heavy rock classic!

So join us on Friday evening from 7pm onwards for this and a whole lot more.

You can hear Preston FM on 103.2FM in the local area or worldwide via the internet  at http://www.preston.fm/

To find out more about Stacey Jackson, visit her official website at: http://www.staceyjackson.com/

Quote of the Week! ...Or Century, Maybe... - Chris Evans On Radio

We liked what Chris Evans wrote in The Mail On Sunday's "Live" Magazine on Sunday, 11th February 2012.

He said: "Anyway, everyone knows radio is miles better than both television and film"

We heartily agree. After all, you can listen to the radio in the background while you do other things: ironing, homework, webpage updates etc but TV is rather distracting.  The obvious one: you can listen to the radio while driving but it is very dangerous  and, luckily, illegal to try and watch tv or a film while doing so.  But try telling that to the coach driver on a holiday I went on to Austria in 1986...nightmare! 
So, well done to Chris - very well said!

By handy coincidence: our "Best Kept Secrets...In Conversation" radio show - featuring lots of interesting guests and new music - can be heard on 103.2 Preston FM this Friday evening from 7pm....

Snake Davis & The Suspicions - Sands Blackpool Soul Night - 25th February

Snake Davis and the Suspicions will be making their first ever Soul Night visit to the Sands Venue on Blackpool Promenade on Saturday 25th February 2012. 

The ‘Suspicions’ are a storming 8 piece with brass and female vocalists, including bass man "Dangerous" Dave Bowie and guitarist, Mark Cresswell, taking to the road to do their OWN show again for the first time in 13 years! Expect to be dancing, swaying or slithering in your seats as they storm through Wigan classics and beautiful Soul ballads.

For more information - or to make your table booking - visit the Sands website here: http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/artists/646/Sands-Soul-Night-with-Snake-Davis-and--the-Suspicions-/1638

To find our more about Snake Davis, check out his website here: http://www.snakedavis.com/

To hear our exclusive interview with Snake Davis talking about the Sands Venue and looking ahead to the Suspicions gig, click on the sound icon below (this may take longer to load if you are using a Mac...): 

The University of Central Lancashire's BA (Hons) Course in Music Practice present their Music Festival "Uclan MusicMedia Festival 2012" on 11th, 12th and 13th May 2012

Each year in May, students in their second year of study on the Music Practice BA Course at The University of Central Lancashire in Preston (Uclan) organise a Music Festival as part of their course.

Entitled  "The Production Line" and based at the recenlty-opened Media Factory on the University Campus, students take responsibility for everything from fund-raising, marketing, publicity, sound and lighting to video.

This year The Production Line will be held on 11^th, 12^th and 13^th May at the Media Factory.  Don’t miss it because Uclan students set a very high standard - we love going to the art/design/ceramic exhibition.  (OK as Uclan alumnae ourselves, we may be just a touch biased).


Here is Paul Birchall to tell you a little more about The Production Line 2012 - (to listen, click on the sound icon - it may take longer to load if you are using a Mac...):



The Media Factory, Kirkham Street, Preston PR1 2HE

More info: http://www.uclan.ac.uk/

Blackpool Seagulls Return To The Ice In Big Charity Match - 25th February

Historic ice hockey team the Blackpool Seagulls make a welcome return to the ice after a break of almost 20 years on Saturday 25th February when they take on the UK Firefighters Ice Hockey team in a charity match.

The team has been reformed by a group of former Seagulls players from the 1980s following the opening of the new Sub Zero ice rink on Cleveleys promenade and, bolstered by an enthusiastic group of younger players, will now be playing regular challenge matches against other recreational teams.

The Firefighters game on 25th February will raise money for two charities: "Children With Cancer" and "Help For Heroes" and Barclays Bank have kindly offered to match pound for pound all funds raised on the day.

You can hear an exclusive interview with Seagulls' match co-ordinator Peter Bleackley by clicking on the sound icon below (please note this will take longer if you are using a Mac...):

Blackpool Seagulls v UK Firefighters Ice Hockey Team.
Saturday 25th February
Admission: £4 adults / £2 children
Doors open 4.30pm / Face Off 5pm
Venue: Sub Zero Ice Arena,  Jubilee Promenade, Cleveleys, FY5 1DB

Team photo by Adam Tranter


More info: http://www.blackpoolseagulls.co.uk/ 

Ice Hockey: Fylde Coast To Victory With First Home Shut Out

Saturday 11th February 2012
English League Division 2 North

Fylde Flyers 11 - Lancashire Raptors 0

Period Scores: 5-0, 2-0, 4-0
Shots On Goal: Flyers 77 - Raptors 25
Penalties In Minutes: Flyers 44 - Raptors 37

Flyers Scorers: Elvis Veldze 3+1, Ric Hulme 2+1, Caunce, Bracegirdle both 1+1, Marriott, Murphy Butcher, Grinbergs all 1+0, Melbourne, Whitby both 0+2.
Flyers MVP: Elvis Veldze

Photo: Hat trick hero Elvis Veldze bears down on the Raptors goal  (credit: Adam Tranter)

Next Flyers home game: Fylde Flyers v Lancashire Raptors (yes - again...) Saturday 18th February at Sub Zero rink, Cleveleys - 5pm face off.

Review: Snake Davis Band at Sands Blackpool Venue - 10th February

From the moment you are greeted by the doormen at The Sands Venue on the Promenade in Blackpool, you just know you are going to have a wonderful evening.  It is definitely a prestigious venue (“Ronnie Scotts Plus).

This time we were there to see Snake Davis.  The sumptuous meal cleared away by the fantastic staff, the lights went down and Paul Birchall, Snake’s keyboard player/pianist, began quietly playing the piano, then Snake came on stage to ease us in gently with some haunting notes, playing a tiny saxophone lent to him by someone called Steve.  Then came the Drums with a capital “D” – we had noticed Ali, Snake’s young and very talented drummer last year.  Next, Simon Goulding came in on bass guitar and Snake the Charmer transported us on his magic carpet of music for an evening with the “Wow!” factor in bucketloads.

Paul Birchall slipped effortlessly from the grand piano to the keyboard.  Snake was sinuous as ever. He told us he was wearing a new jacket – a gorgeous dark blue dinner jacket with a fabulous lime green silky looking lining.   Snake announced an evening of firsts – Paul playing the grand piano, Ali with an extra drum (his first snare drum) and tambourine (plus his amazing cymbal with holes in) and Simon with a new bass guitar, that he plays a la John Gomm like a drum, turning it into a sort of mini band.

Snake paid tribute to the amazing sound system at the Sands and to Mark Gill the Sands Sound Engineer, without whose input the Band would not sound quite so spectacular.  Mark also came in at just the right moment with some mood lighting to give the performance extra oomph.

I could give you a long list of the music the Snake Davis Band played, such as “The Wakefield Wobble” and “In a whisper” (originally on the “Snake Bites” CD) with Paul on piano, Snake on penny whistle and Ali using some very unusual colour block drumsticks that gave a quieter, more gentle sound, or “Purple Rain”…   But with Snake words really are superfluous - from start to finish the show is sensational with the musicians ‘talking’ to each other in music – please go and see for yourselves.

Snake finished by thanking all the wonderful staff who look after us so well - not forgetting those behind the scenes.  Snake will be back at the Sands on various dates in 2012 with his 4-piece band and also with his 8-piece Soul Band.  Ticket options are with or without 3-course meal so check out www.the-sands=backpool.co.uk and tell Stephen Fry if he wants the “Wow!” factor every time, then it has to be The Sands Venue in Blackpool.

Snake and the Suspicions will be playing at the Sands Venue on Saturday 25th February.

Bookings here: http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/artists/646/Sands-Soul-Night-with-Snake-Davis-and--the-Suspicions-/1638

More info: http://www.snakedavis.com/

New North West Dates For Vocalist Sara Creeney

Saturday 11th February:  Help The Hero’s 1940’s Night
Vocalists Sara Creeney and Eddie Smith will be performing with the  Starlight Swing Orchestra At St Josephs Parish Centre, Harpers Lane, Chorley, PR6 0HR

Doors open 7.30pm
Tickets to include supper £10

Tel  01257 275137/07890 420009

photo supplied courtesy of Mark Byrne - www.markbyrne.co.uk


Saturday 18th February 8.30pm onwards
Vocalists Sara Creeney and Chris Hewitt will be performing with The fantastic
Jacqui’s Rhythm Katz (a small band with a big sound)
At On The Fringe at the Shakespeare 1 Scarisbrick Road Southport
Free event
Tel 01704 533448

Sunday 19th February: Swing Night at the Sands Venue Blackpool
with Liam O'Brien and the Sands Swing Band.
http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/

Wine and Book Tasting, Ansdell Library, Thursday, 1st March 7 p.m. organised by the Friends of Ansdell Library

The Friends of Ansdell Library are holding a wine and book tasting evening on Thursday, 1st March 2012 from 7.00p.m. Yes that's right a book 'tasting' at the same time as a wine tasting...

Tickets are £5.00 per person - available from the Library.

This sounds like a brilliant idea!  There will be a variety of wines to taste and for each wine a book will be found and short excerpts will be read from the book to whet your appetite.

So why not try something new?

Why not get in touch to let us know how the evening went?  We will publish the best review of the evening on Best Kept Secrets - just e-mail us on paul@bestkeptsecrets.biz.

Ansdell Library
59 Commonside
ANSDELL, Lancashire,
FY8 4DJ.

Tel.:  01253 738554

"How to succeed in the music industry" A Talk by Steve Coe the Songwriter, St. Annes Library, Tuesday, 14th February 2012 at 2 p.m. Entry Free

Steve Coe, internationally successful hit

 songwriter / record producer / label boss,

will be giving a talk at St. Annes library.

2 p.m. Tuesday 14^th February 2012

  

·      ‘Insider’ songwriting tips.

·      How to promote your music.

·      Behind the scenes insights into how the industry works.

·      Current trends and developments in the music biz.

·      Anecdotes about famous people Steve has met or worked with----Francis Rossi, Sheila Chandra/Monsoon, Jakatta, Colin Blunstone, Peter Gabriel, Laura Branigan, neil Tennant et al.

·      The talk will be of interest to all everyone who’s into music (i.e. not just musicians and writers.)

·      Lots of audience involvement, questions etc.

More information on Steve?  www.stevecoe.com

“All musical styles, all ages and experience, all you need is a passion!”

Mauritian Golf Resort, Le Touessrok announce partnership with European Tour Golfer Victor Dubuisson

The luxury Mauritian golf resort, Le Touessrok is happy to announce a new relationship with European Tour golfer Victor Dubuisson. As part of the agreement the 21 year-old Frenchman will practice at Le Touessrok’s Championship golf course throughout 2012 as well as utilise the resorts world-class facilities to hone his game ready for a full Tour schedule. Victor will carry Le Touessrok’s logo on his  chest whilst competing on Tour and will be officially affiliated to Le Touessrok on the European Tour start sheets.

Le Touessrok is one of the world’s great golf resorts located in the warmth of tropical Mauritius. The Championship Golf Course is across the water from the resort mainland on its own island and was designed by 2 time Major Champion, Bernhard Langer. Victor Dubuisson turned professional in 2010 after playing his last event as an amateur as the 2010 Open Championship. He had a glittering amateur career that saw him ranked No.1 in the Amateur world Rankings in 2009 and included a victory at the 2009 European Amateur Championship.

Excited about the partnership and hoping to build on a solid rookie year, that included 3 top 10 finishes on Tour, Dubuisson said, “I’m very excited about my new partnership with Le Touessrok; I believe it’s one of the best and most stunning courses in the world. To be able to practice there all year round, making the most of their fantastic facilities and prepare for a demanding 2012 schedule is such a great opportunity for me. Hopefully this is the start of a long and special relationship.”

Dubuisson continued, “I played in the Standard Bank Mauritius Open at Le Touessrok last December and I love the course, it suits my game and tests all aspects of it. Everyone at the resort has always been very friendly and welcoming to me and I’m extremely thankful that they have given me the opportunity to come back again and again. It really is a spectacular setting and I encourage anyone to visit Le Touessrok if they get the chance.”

Russell Hannah, the General Manager of Le Touessrok Golf also expressed his satisfaction, “All of us here at Le Touessrok are extremely pleased to be partnering with Victor, he has had a fantastic amateur career and we believe that, with this new relationship, he has all the attributes and facilities in place to become a world-class player and a future star of European golf. We believe in a complete approach to game improvement and our facilities and Golf Academy programmes will allow Victor to cover all aspects of his game.”

Victor is currently displaying the Le Touessrok Resort logo on his chest at this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour.

Le Touessrok is the flagship of Sun Resorts and throughout the years, it has evolved into a leading hotel in its category, quickly becoming the quintessence of luxury and chic easy going beach living. Member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the hotel is a contemporary, chic and vibrant resort and boasts the true essence of cool, modern elegance imbued by the cultural warmth of tropical Mauritius. Le Touessrok is the ultimate holiday spot for lovers of a unique tropical chic ambiance which best suits it today. More Information is available at www.letouessrokresort.com

Gilbert O'Sullivan - New CD Release & UK Tour Dates 2012

NOTE: we wll be featuring an exclusive interview with Gilbert O'Sullivan HERE from Tuesday 21st February - so book mark this page now!

Gilbert O’Sullivan, one of the country’s most revered singers, songwriters and musicians, celebrates an amazing forty-five year recording career with the release of ‘A Singer and His Songs - The Very Best Of Gilbert O’Sullivan’ on 5th March 2012, through Union Square Music. The album will also be supported by a full UK tour beginning on 17th March through to 15th April.

Part of a major Gilbert O’Sullivan reissue campaign, the album chronicles songs from his debut album, ‘Himself’ in 1971, through to his most recent album ‘Gilbertville’ and features no less than 14 top 10 UK hits, including the multi-million US selling and Grammy-nominated, ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’, the unforgettable UK number 1 ‘Clair’ and ‘Get Down, for which he won two Ivor Novello Awards in 1973, for Best Song and Best Songwriter.

Along with the release of the album, fans will be delighted to know that Gilbert will be touring with ‘A Singer and His Songs', performing 18 live dates across the UK from 17th March 2012.

He will be joined by his amazing 11 piece band, including a string quartet, to present a stunning two hour plus performance.

2012 TOUR DATES AND BOOKING LINKS

MARCH
17 TORQUAY Princess Theatre 0844 8713023 www.atgtickets.com/torquay
19 GUILDFORD Glive 0844 7701797 http://www.glive.co.uk/
20 DARTFORD Orchard Theatre 01322 220000 http://www.orchardtheatre.co.uk/
22 BRISTOL Colston Hall 0117 9223686 http://www.colstonhall.org/
24 CYMRU Venue 01492 872000 http://www.venuecymru.co.uk/
25 BIRMINGHAM Town Hall 0121 7803333 http://www.thsh.co.uk/
27 BASINGSTOKE Anvil 01256 844244 http://www.anvilarts.org.uk/
28 BUXTON Opera House 0845 1272190 http://www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/
29 CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange 01223 357851 http://www.cornex.co.uk/
31 ST ALBANS Arena 01727 844488 http://www.alban-arena.co.uk/

APRIL
01 BRIGHTON Theatre Royal 0844 8717650 www.atgtickets.com/brighton
03 PETERBOROUGH Cresset Theatre 01733 265705 http://www.cresset.co.uk/
04 YORK Opera House 0844 8472322 www.atgtickets.com/york
05 LIVERPOOL Philharmonic 0151 7093789 http://www.liverpoolphil.com/
07 BRADFORD St. George’s Hall 01274 432000 http://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/
12 LEICESTER De Montfort Hall 0116 2333111 http://www.demontforthall.co.uk/
13 DERBY Assembly Rooms 01332 255800 http://www.derbylive.co.uk/
15 GLASGOW Royal Concert Hall 0141 3538000 http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/

For more information, check out the official website: www.gilbertosullivan.net

Blackpool Seagulls Return To The Ice - Charity Ice Hockey Match - 25th February

Miss West Lancashire Galaxy Visit Sands Blackpool Tea Dance

The reigning Miss West Lancashire Galaxy Lisa Cox visited the Tea Dance today at the Sands Venue on Blackpool Promenade.

"Strictly" fan Lisa had a dance with some of the customers at this weekly event, enjoyed a sumptuous afternoon tea with snadwiches cakes and scones and met the Frontline Dance band who specialise in music for ballroom and latin american dancing.

Afterwards she had look round the rest of the venue and even tried out the piano in the top floor Sea View restaurant!

To find out what is on at the Sands venue in Blackpool, take a look at their website here: http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/

You can find out more about the national Miss Galaxy competition here: http://www.galaxypageantsuk.com/galaxyengland/index.shtml

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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.

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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