Our February Concert
Our February concert started with John Robinson playing Whistling Gypsy, Gypsy Rover, Floral Dance and Blaidon Races. Our next player was Patrick Halpin playing My Old Irish Home, By The Mill, Dark Island and A Working Man. Colin Ensor then took to the stage to play his 1933 Settimio Soprani, Colin started with Cruising Down The River, then continued with Aint She Sweet, Once In A While, Any Old Time, That Lovely Weekend and Play to Me Gypsy. Ann Parker was our next player, Ann played Romanze, Frog Chorus and Beautiful Days. Arthur Frankland followed Ann, he started with Banks Of Loch Lomond, then went on to play Fields Of Athenry, Edelweiss, Daisy and Midnight In Moscow. Our next player was Rebecca Parker who gave us her renditions of Valse De Amiele, Largo and Valse Continental. I took my turn and opened a music book to choose three pieces I don’t normally play at the club, these wereBlackpool Belle, Alpine Slopes and Fleur De Paris. Sara Daly then played The Lovely Glens of Angus, Emma & Jamie’s Wedding and Fathers Waltz. Our next player was Andrew Baker played Santanatalie, Sailing, Memory, Isle Of Capri, Summertime and Mcnamara’s Band. From accordions we changed to melodion as we listened to Graham Driver playing Jaqueline Waltz, Weasles Revenge, Upton On Severn Stick Dance, Three Jolly Sheepskins, Stop The Cavalry, Much Wenlock, Rochdale Coconut Dance and Caroline’s Waltz. It was now approaching the end of the evening, we ended the evening in fine style listening to Bill Agnew playing Scotland The Brave, Tobermorays Wedding, Smile, Happy Days and Lonely Nights, What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For, Whatever You Want, Only You, It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, Pack Up Your Troubles, Keep The Home Fires Burning, Lili Marlene, Begin The Beguine, Save The Last Dance For Me, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Hey Jude, O’Bla-de O’Bla-da, La Paloma, Caroline In the Morning, Swannee River, California Here I Come, Show Me The Way To Go Home and So Long It’s Been Good To Know You. What a good night we had experienced from great players. Its nice to see such a great variety of music from our own local players.
David Batty
This Wednesday
This Wednesday we have Robert Burton as our special guest artist. It has been quite a few years since Robert played at Leyland, and I can’t think why I have not brought him back earlier than this, shame on me. Robert is an entertainer who can switch from continental music, to accordion favourites to great singalong music. I am sure Robert will have you singing on Wednesday night. Please bring along a friend for a great night out. The doors are open at 7.30 for 8pm. If you see someone you don’t normally talk to then please introduce yourself, you might make a new friend.
Tram Sunday
20th July Fleetwood Festival of Transport is one of the oldest and biggest free family days out in the North West of England. The event regularly attracts well over two hundred different vehicles – from stream trucks and fire engines to vintage cars and bicycles, Fleetwood Festival of Transport has got it! The event is held in the historic town centre of Fleetwood, a small seaside town a few miles north of Blackpool. Because the event is held on the streets, which are closed to normal traffic, the event area is entirely hard-standing. For more information visit www.tramsunday.co.uk
Accordion Wanted
Kath Becker (who is based in Lancashire) is looking for a small light accordion to take round schools, the accordion must have a counter bass row. Kath is looking to spend around £100. If you have an accordion that fits this bill then you can contact Kath on 07910 133466.
Germany’s Eurovision Entry
Germany’s competition to find their Eurovision entry came to a close on Thursday night with the winners of the competition being a female trio called Elaiza the group consists of Elzbieta Steinmetz the singer and pianist, Yvonne Grünwald who plays the Accordion and glockenspiel while also providing backing vocals and Natalie Plöger who plays bass and also sings backing vocals. The group were up against eight other artists with everyone performing two songs. There were three rounds of voting during the competition, with Elaiza winning with their song “Is It Right?” The song can be viewed on YouTube here http://youtu.be/hhKTE6KvlZI The UK’s Eurovision Entry was announced on the 3rd March as Molly singing “Children Of The Universe”. You can watch the UK’s Entry on YouTube at http://youtu.be/fFqYbibLh8k This years Eurovision Song Contest is being held in Copenhagen and can be seen on TV on the follow dates: 1st Semi-Final Tuesday 6th May 2014 BBC Three, 2nd Semi-Final – Thursday 8th May 2014 BBC Three, Grand Final – Saturday 10th May 2014 BBC One.
Fylde Folk Festival
Friday 29th until Sunday 31st August 2014 at various venues across Fleetwood. Artists booked for 2014 Shooglenifty(Scot) Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman(Best Duo Folk Awards), Roy Bailey, Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston, Urban Folk Quartet, Isla St. Clair (Scot), Lady Maisery, Dallaghan(Eire), Tom Lewis, Poles Apart (Pol), Allan Yn Y Fan(Wal), The Young uns, Steve Tilston (Thurs), Gren Bartley Band, Barluath (Scot),Shane Hennessy (Eire) Gary & Vera Aspey, Alan Bell Band, Hughie Jones, Scolds Bridle, Steve Turner, The Jeps, Stanley Accrington, Goat Roper Band, Derek Gifford, The Captains Crew, Steve Turner, Hard Times, Niamh Boadle (BBC Young Folk Award Finalist), Thistle, Troubadour, Ian Gartside Band, Peter & Barbara Snape, Andrew Green, Camellia, Blue Pig Orchestra, Howard Bond, Past Carin, Red Duster, Bruce Hogg, The A69 Band with Dave Peters, Ursula Holden-Gill, Rantum Scantum, Joe & Maureen Nicholson, Linda Jennings, Festival Ceilidh Band, Dave Walmisley, Gallimaufry Dance Band, Richard Moss, Rapunzel & Sedayne, Ian Brandwood, Paul D. Wrigley, Jenny Coxon, Ramblin Riversiders, Fred Rose, Spitting on A Roast, Southport Strings, Clare Bakewell, Cartoon Food, Tamsin Porter, Liquidambar, Nine Tenths Below, Orchestra in Folkus, Julian Taylor & Fleetwood Mashers. For more information visit www.fylde-folk-festival.com or telephone 01253 872317.
Accordions At The Castle
This accordion festival is to be held from the 11th to the 16th of May at Norbreck Castle. The week includes Guest Artists, Workshops, ‘Free & Easy’ Sessions, Dancing, Antique Accordion Display and Trade Stands. Band Workshops include Scottish, Jazz, Buskers, Mixed Ability, Vintage Accordion, Swing Big Band and Folk. Guest Artists for the Week include Harry Hussey, Giancarlo Caporilli, Gennaro Ruffolo, Rosemary Wright, David Vernon, Bert Santilly, Denise Leigh & Stefan Andrusyschn To book a place contact Sceptre Promotions on 01780 782093
Lytham 1940’s Weekend
This is to be held on the 16th and 17th of August. The event is described as The 1940s brought to life with a bang! From the dark days of Dunkirk, through the blitz and hard times on the home front to D-Day and victory in Europe and Asia, come join in the atmosphere and immerse yourself in a brilliant weekend of entertainment, re-enactment and have-a-go fun! Historic Vehicles, music and dance, memorabilia, thrilling battles, educational talks and demonstrations plus living history camp! For more information visit www.lytham1940s.co.uk
Preston Riversway Festival
The 2014 Preston Riversway Festival will be held from the 11th until the 13th of July. The weekend boasts over sixty guest boaters who sail to Preston from around the country to join in the fun, a host of water based activities such as boat trips around the dock. Guest boats include the RNLI and other maritime services and a charity dragon boat competition bringing the water alive with activity to entertain all the family. They are also in negotiations with the Royal Navy to bring the newly adopted HMS Charger to the festival. For more information visit www.prestonriverswayfestival.co.uk
Brendan Shine Concert
Irish Accordionist Brendan Shine Recently performed at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn on the 13th March. If you’d like to see Brendan in concert he is appearing in St Helens on Thursday 8th May at Theatre Royal, Tickets cost £14 Adult or £12 Concession. To book visit www.StHelensTheatreRoyal.com or telephone 01744 756000
Lytham Proms Festival
1st to 3rd August 2014 – A three night musical extravaganza, taking place on the beautiful heritage site of Lytham Green. Friday 1st – 80s V 90s Evening, Saturday 2nd August – Sir Tom Jones. Sunday 3rd August – Halle Orchestra, Michael Ball, Lesley Garrett, etc culminating with a spectacular fireworks display. For more information visit www.lythamproms.co.uk
Krist Novoselic covers Pop Song on Accordion
48 Year old Krist Novoselic who is best known as the bassist and founder member of Nirvana (American Grunge band 1987 – 1994) is a big fan of the Accordion. In an interview with Fuse in 2012 Krist said he was “obsessed” with playing the accordion. He commented: “I’m obsessed with the accordion. You know how some people have dark obsessions, that are embarrassing or self-destructive? My obsession is accordion playing. I have to play every day and I play it for hours. I play polkas and I play Beatles songs and Rolling Stones songs and Nirvana songs.” On 9th March 2014 Krist covered Lorde’s hit Royals on the accordion during a show at Takoma Park in Maryland as part of the Fair Vote campaign. A video of the instrumental Accordion cover can be seen on YouTube at http://youtu.be/lNXvAaaYLeo Krist recorded Bass and Accordion on the Foo Fighters song “I Should Have Known” A Interesting 3 minutes video of Krist in the Recording studio recording Accordion for the song has been put on YouTube and can be viewed on YouTube website at http://youtu.be/Jz9CoEPb0Xo This type of music may not be to everyone’s taste but it does bring the accordion to the attention of a younger audience as an instrument of diversity.
Leyland Festival
Join in the fun at Leyland Festival 2014. The Festival is a good value day out for all the family, celebrating the local people, businesses and community groups who pull together to make sure the festival continues to go from strength to strength. The Festival will take place on Saturday 21st June 2014, This years theme is Around the World. If you would like to book a stall or just want to get involved please call us on 01772 625441