Our May Concert
Our May concert started with Ann Parker playing Romance, Under Paris Skies and Tarantella. I was up next, playing American Patrol and Sailors Hornpipe. It was now time for our guest artist George Syrett to take to the stage. It had been a couple of years since we had seen George at the club, so we were looking forward to this concert. George took to the stage and started his first half playing Snow Waltz. He then went on to the accordion standard piece – Bel Fiore. The music continued with If You Love Me, La Vie En Rose, Moulin Rouge, Chanson D’Amour and a Selection of Tangos. After It’s a Long Way To Tipperary he continued with the slower piece Stardust, Moonglow, Danny Boy, Amazing Grace, Cuckoo Waltz, Blaze Away, Crazy and Anchors Aweigh. It was now time for the break, after which we saw Bernard Belshaw playing How Wonderful To Know, Ave Maria, The Harry Lime Theme, Moulin Rouge, Stanger In Paradise and Face The Music And Dance. It was now time for our guest artist George Syrett to return for his second performance of the night. He started with Tico Tico and continued the entertainment with Rodriguez, Besame Mucho, La Cumparsita, Fascination, Let Me Go Lover, I Will Wait For You, Sharpshooters March, Once In A While, Twelfth Street Rag, Return To Sorrento, Spanish Eyes, Lolita, Moonlight Serenade, Has Anybody Seen My Girl, Alexanders Rag Time Band, Darktown Strutters Ball, New York New York, Calum Mclean and, finally, to finish the night he played Auld Lang Syne.
This had been a very entertaining night from George who always goes down well at the club and one which we will surely repeat at some future date.
David Batty
This Wednesday
This Wednesday is one of our local players nights. This is where we all have a great time either playing or supporting the local players. If you play the accordion then please ensure you bring one along and give us a tune. If you don’t play then please come along and be an audience for the players. If you are not used to playing at the club then even more reason to bring your accordion along and have a go. You know you want to! Maybe 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.
Behind The Scenes at King Georges Hall
On the 24th of June 2014 at 10:30am there is a Hall Tour of King Georges Hall. You can enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of King George’s Hall and learn more about its fascinating history, including its mysterious ghost. For More Information tel 0844 847 1664
Anders Flanderz
Anders Flanderz is a Swedish Street Buskers who plays Accordion whilst also being a one man Band. Over the last few weeks Anders has been gaining internet fame with a YouTube video of his one man band covering the Star Wars Theme tune. The video was uploaded in March but has started to gain popularity over the last few weeks. On the 1st of June his video had been seen by 330,000 people. Onn the 10th June the viewing figures were almost 560,000. Anders One man band consists of an Accordion, a horn, xylophone, small keyboard, a cymbal on his helmet with another above his head attached to his foot, a water butt on his back with a drum peddle attached to his other foot which bangs the side of the butt like a drum it also appears that Anders also uses various wind instruments. Anders set up resembles something similar to Dick Van Dyke in the film Mary Poppins. A search on YouTube for Anders Flanderz brings up many videos of Anders busking on the streets of Sweden. Anders plays an assortment of tunes Star Wars Theme, Dueling Banjos, Ghostbusters, Wake Me up, The Final Countdown and more. To watch Anders Star Wars Video visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EJsgq46atU#t=21
Michael Coyne New DVD
Accordionist Michael Coyne has released a DVD filmed on Location in Ireland, the Tracks on the DVD are: Long Gone are the Days, Your Wedding Day, Kind Deeds Never Make The News, Dublin Town in 1962, You’re The World, A Tree In The Meadow, Reels, The Barmaid I Met In Kinsale, It Still Takes A Woman, So Here Are The Roses, Home To Donegal, Here’s A Toast To Old Galway, County Mayo You’re The Heaven I Call Home and Jigs. To buy the DVD visit www.michaelcoynemusic.com
Music In The Park
On the 13th of July from 2:30pm – 4:15pm there will be music from Thornton Cleveleys Brass Band at Hawthorne Park, Hawthorne Road, Thornton, FY5 5EL Bring a picnic. For more information tel 01995 602125.
Sing A Long Cinema
On Saturday 21st of June, from 11am to 4pm, there will be a day at the movies with a large cinema screen in St John’s Square, Blackpool. At this free event seating will be provided for people to come along and take part in a sing-a-long to everyone’s favourite songs for the musicals. From Grease to the Sound of Music there will be something for everyone to sing a long to! The Civic Trust will be holding their ‘Indoor Street Party’ in St John’s Church. 21st June 12noon – 4pm.
Brass Bands in Burnley Parks
Burnley Council have been hosting a series of free brass band concerts held in Burnley’s parks every Sunday in June. The next concert is Darwen Brass Band at Ightenhill Park (22nd June, 2-4pm) and Championship brass event at Queen’s Park (29thJune, 1-4pm) featuring the Freckleton Band with support from the Junior Alliance band. Simon Goff, Burnley Council’s head of greenspaces and amenities, said: “Brass in the Parks is really the sound of summer and what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than enjoying an open air concert in beautiful surroundings?” The concerts have been organised by the council with help from the parks’ friends’ groups.
Have You Got Talent
On Saturday 2 August 11am – 4pm at St John’s Square, Blackpool. Have you “Got Talent”? Blackpool BID are holding a talent competition with the chance to win recording time and a performance at their Christmas Lights Switch on in November. Competitors can pre-register to perform on stage in front of an audience and judges. For more info 01253 476204 or email info@blackpoolbid.org
BBC World War One at Home
Your county needs you! Join BBC Radio Lancashire for a FREE day of fun and discovery, learning about our region’s place in the First World War. Find out about your family history, unearth some of the hidden stories from the Home Front, and see local BBC presenters in action! 24th June 11am – 5pm The Tower Festival Headland, Promenade, Blackpool, Lancs, FY1 1AP For more information tel 01253 478222.
The Park Bar, Glasgow
(Article from Daily Record) Nina Steele, the landlady at The Park Bar in Glasgow’s west end, might have forgotten some of the Gaelic she learned while growing up. But she still takes pride in the warm Highland welcome that has become the pub’s hallmark. Nina, 47, has worked in the pub for more than 25 years after arriving in Glasgow from her native South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Now her bar is in the running to be named the best in Scotland after being nominated in the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year competition. Delighted Nina said: “We have a plaque on the wall because we made the finals in 1997 so it’s great that someone has nominated us again.” The pub, established in 1895, is a wee bit of the Highlands in the heart of Glasgow, a home-from-home for visiting Gaels or locals who like a good night out. With traditional Scottish music four nights a week, it attracts its biggest crowds at weekends when around 250 can turn up to listen to the bands or join in with the ceilidhs. Nina, who runs the Park with her sister Winnie, started out as a waitress in the bar after plans to leave Scotland for a new life in America fell through. But she grew to love the place so much that she worked her way through the ranks and took over as the boss eight years ago. She said: “Most of our customers are Highlanders but we get every nationality in here. “I’ve started putting up flags from all over because the competitors in the World Pipe Band championships bring them in. Our regulars range from age 18 to 80. One woman, who is well into her 80s, comes in every week and is still on that dancefloor on a Friday night.” The Park Bar also boasts a regular Gaelic quiz night and hearty pub grub. Nina said: “It’s hard work sometimes but when you hear the music and see people enjoying themselves, it’s worth it. People who come here love a ceilidh. “I like to think the atmosphere is always good and the musicians who play are top-notch. “I never have a band that doesn’t have an accordion. I like to have an accordion playing. I keep one downstairs and, if anyone comes in, they’re welcome to give us a tune on it.” So if you’re ever in Glasgow and pass The Park Bar on Argyle Street call in and give them a tune.
Lancashire Festival
The Lancashire Evening Post and Blackpool Gazette are organising The Lancashire Festival. It takes place at Guys Thatched Hamlet, St. Michael’s Road, Bilsborrow, Near Garstang, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 0RS on Sunday, June 22nd, from 11am to 4pm A field full of fun to Celebrate Lancashire events include: Preston Guild Hall Theatre – Arts – Live Music – Inflatables – Donkey Rides – Punch & Judy – Bar serving Lancashire Ales – Face Painting—Fun Fair – BBQ cooking a host of local meats – Arts & Craft Stalls and Food Stalls. The event is Free Entry! For More details or to book a stall call the LEP/Blackpool Gazette Promotion team on 01253 361713