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March 2020 - August 2020
Issue 99
Secretary: Mike Cracknell, [email protected] 25 Aspels Cres, Penwortham, PRESTON PR1 9AN Tel: 01772 748547
www.prestonarts.com
Preston Opera Presents a New Production of Carmen
Members of Preston Opera are currently hard at work, rehearsing for their next full-stage production, Bizet’s ‘Carmen’. The story’s eponymous heroine is a fiery, headstrong girl who develops a passionate attachment to a young corporal, Don Jose. Carmen’s ardour bewitches the young tenor who abandons his childhood sweetheart, Micaela, and the certainty of his life as a city guard, in favour of a stormy and volatile existence with Carmen and her smuggler associates. Throw a charming, charismatic and extremely popular young matador – the pin-up of the day – into the mix – and you have the perfect ingredients for a roller-coaster ride of conflicting emotions and highly-charged drama.
Fired4U
The Clay workshops which we ran during the Arts festival to make Christmas Angels and Gingerbread houses, were extremely popular and we had to do a few extra sessions to accommodate everyone who wished to come to them. A lot of the attendees were new to us or new to creating with clay and they all loved it. The looks of joy on people’s faces when they had created them and returned to paint and finally collect them were amazing. These in the main were Christmas items although some were created with an all year round design on them so they didn’t have to put them away. We have had reports this year of how much they were admired by friends and family making the creators all the more proud of their creations. Details of future events can be found in the Diary and on the website. Jane Fox
Preston Opera Orchestra, and leader Helen Andrew, are looking forward to performing this dynamic score. Preston Opera is very lucky to have secured the talents of Laura Wood, singing the title role and Cameron Mitchell, making his debut with the Company as Don Jose. Cameron has impressed the Company with the power and versatility of his tenor voice, which makes light work of the passages of sustained softness. Cameron’s rendition of the famous ‘Flower Aria’ is sure to be a highpoint. This is an exciting production which looks set to be extremely popular, so please make sure you book as early as possible. Tickets will be available from the Preston Opera website: www. prestonopera.org.uk from the end of March. Performances run from Friday 29 May to Sunday 31 May at Fulwood Aacdemy.
Cultural Framework Strategy With Preston’s 10 year Cultural Framework due to expire the Council commissioned Tom Fleming Consultants in 2018 to develop a 10 year strategy that would be “bold, challenging and provide a concise and succinct high level sense of direction underpinned by a series of key priorities”. When the consultants turned up to set about this task many key people were involved in the Preston Arts Festival and unable to attend the early meetings. Many had a jaundiced view of using consultants who tend to be unaware of what is happening in the city and rely on what they glean from a few brief encounters with individuals who have a relatively narrow field of knowledge. When the consultants’ report was published it appears to have been heavily criticized to such an extent that the powers that be took the brave decision to abandon it. In mid 2019 the Council, much to its credit, took the view that the Cultural Framework would be better served by reaching out for the opinions of local participants in the arts and culture in general. Every effort was made to encourage those who wished to have their say
to take part in a series of meetings in Sept 2019, Nov 2019 and Jan 2020. It was refreshing to see such well attended diverse gatherings where people of different ages and interests mixed together to plan the cultural strategy. The recommendations that emanate from these meetings will be discussed in the not too distant future. Obviously some may be happier with the outcome than others but at least every effort was made to enable everyone to have their say.
Preston Circle Dance Group We dance on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month (none in Jan, June or July) from 7 till 9 pm at Galloway Hall, Brackenbury Road, Fulwood PR2 3BS. There will be an outdoor dance/meal in July, date to be arranged. We learn a variety of dances from the Circle Dance repertoire which includes dances from countries such as Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, as well as some of the Bach Flower Dances, and some meditative ones. You don’t need a partner as we all dance together in a circle. If you can walk, you can dance! Further details from Rosemary on 07903 669598.
PRESTON ARTS NEWS Produced by Preston Arts Association. Copies are available free of charge from local libraries, local arts societies, at the Guildhall, Travel Information Office in the Bus Station, Waterstones Bookshop, Alston Hall and other arts venues in the area. Information and any news items should be sent to Vincent Smith 13 Woodford Copse Chorley PR7 2ER Email: [email protected] The next issue will cover the period September - November 2020 Deadline for submissions July 31st 2020
MEMBERS PAA Member Groups contact details Artful Bernie Velvick [email protected] 01772 504644 BMA (unpaid subs) Broughton Players Wyn Tagg www.prestonplayhouse.com 01772 312447 City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Soc. Christopher Bowden [email protected] 01772 812910 Club Players at Broughton Adrienne Davidson adrienne.davidson@ btinternet.com 01772 774360 Company of Voyces Jean Miller [email protected] 01772 718064 Damson Poets Terry Quinn [email protected] 01772 822649 Dancing the Next Step Ron McDonald [email protected] 01772 783364 Find Your Voice Joyce Tindsley [email protected] 01704 895683 Fired 4U Jane Fox [email protected] 01772 203060 Friends of Folk Jim Minall [email protected] 01772 422416 Grimsargh Players Jane Rawkins [email protected] 07854799159 Hall Players Jan Winder [email protected] 07904129139 Harmony Singers Winifred ONeil [email protected] 07724834031 Harris Music Preston Tom Costich [email protected] 01772 719433 KTB Music Katy Bradley [email protected] 01772 933042 Longton Players Chris Hill [email protected] 01772 746200 New Longton Artists Brian Thomas [email protected] 01772 614270 One Voice Community Choir Liz Heaney [email protected] 07974465984 Penwortham St Leonards Gilbert & Sullivan Society John Stopford [email protected] 01772 612030 Preston Art Society Angela Holmes [email protected] 01257 278479 Preston Cardmakers Kath Derbyshire [email protected] 01772 812968 Preston Cecilian Choral Society Heather Swift [email protected] 01772 456666 Preston Circle Dancing Group Rosemary Forrest rosemary.forrest@talktalk. net 01772 793658 Preston Drama Club Dennis Yardley [email protected] 01772 495325 Preston Embroiderers Guild Kath Roberts [email protected] 01772 463668 Preston Flute Group Rob Rainford [email protected] 01772 861105 Preston Folk Dance Club Kath Risely [email protected] Preston Friends of the Phil Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines milena@philfriends. demon.co.uk 01772 555824 Preston Gilbert & Sullivan Society Sue Hurrell [email protected] 01772 454774 Preston Historical Society David Hindle [email protected] 01772 652090 Preston Lacemakers Christine Keber [email protected] 01772 339913 Preston Movie Makers Roy Logsdon [email protected] 01772 672599 Preston Opera Diane Mackley [email protected] 01772 815508 Preston Orpheus Choir Morag Hill [email protected] 01772 791873 Preston Photographic Society Iain Jack [email protected] 07881 733639 Preston Poets’ Society Dorothy Nelson [email protected] 01257 254331 Preston Recorded Music Society Vincent Smith [email protected] 01257 272929 Rawstorne Singers Sue [email protected] 01772 740554 SATA Theatre Tony Balmer [email protected] 01772 733699 Silver Bell Jazz Band Roy Freeman [email protected] 01772 726459 South Ribble Strings Jeremy Harries [email protected] 01772 712638 UCLan Confucius Institute Feixia Yu [email protected] 01772 894242
Rawstorne Singers
The Rawstorne Singers began 2020 with a convivial New Year lunch before getting back down to the more serious business of weekly rehearsal. We are currently preparing for Choral Evensong at St Peter’s Church Scorton where we always receive a warm welcome and copious refreshment. Longer term we are looking forward to our choir trip to St Davids in Pembrokeshire in the summer. There we will enjoy a week of singing the services in the cathedral, visiting the beautiful sandy beaches (whatever the weather!) and spending time in each other’s company. If you are a singer, why not come and spend a day with us on Saturday, 25th April? We are holding a Come and Sing Choruses from the Messiah at St Saviour’s, Bamber Bridge. You can have fun singing this well-known work, a light lunch will be provided and there will be a low-key concert at the end of the day. More details can be found on our website at http://www.rawstornesingers.btck.co.uk/ ComeandSing and a registration form can be downloaded here too. We always welcome new members. If our style of music appeals to you and you feel you would like to join us, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] We don’t give formal auditions but you need to feel comfortable singing in harmony and coping with a relatively large repertoire. There will be an informal chat with the Musical Director after you have attended a few rehearsals.
World Poetry Day Event Every 21st March is World Poetry Day. It is a day to encourage people to read, write, teach, and publish poetry and to recognize the great cultural contribution poetry makes to human society. World Poetry Day was declared by UNESCO in 1999. It has been celebrated in Preston in recent years by an evening devoted to poetry read by people from many different countries in many different languages including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Arabic, Hindi, Portugese, and Welsh. There are also English readings by readers from a range of different English speaking countries. The event was celebrated at the Ham & Jam coffee shop before it closed down and it is now held at UCLan’s Livesey House. This year it will take place two days early on Thursday 19th March and will again be organized by Damson Poets, Preston Poets’ Society and UCLan.
Jane Irwin in Concert with Preston Opera
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Exciting news for lovers of classical music: international soprano Jane Irwin will be singing with Preston Opera and Orchestra in a summer concert at Lancaster Priory on Saturday 18 July.
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Jane Irwin studied music at Lancaster University and singing at the Royal Northern College of Music as a mezzo. In 2002 she made her Carnegie Hall debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony under Mariss Jansons. She has sung for the BBC Proms, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Berlin Festival, the Concertgebouw and the Musikverein. Since 2009, she has moved to a soprano repertoire and has sung with many different orchestras and opera companies around the world. Jane also sang the role of Miss Jessel in Turn of the Screw with Aurora Orchestra at Snape Maltings and LSO St. Luke’s, her first Isolde for Regensburg Opera and, in 2016, the Foreign Princess Rusalka in Saarbrucken. More recently, she sang Isolde in concert in Craiova, Romania.
Thu 26-Sat 28
Being a local girl, Jane has always been a keen supporter of Preston Opera and other groups in the north-west. She is therefore delighted to be able to present a shared programme with the Company and its Orchestra. The concert will include some popular operatic pieces and is certain to be one of the musical highlights of 2020, so tickets will be going quickly!
Wed 1
Tickets will be available from www.prestonopera.org.uk from late March.
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Sat 28
Tue 31
7.15 pm - St George’s Church,Lune Street PRESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY Shopping in Victorian Britain. A talk by Stephen Sartin 7.30 pm (doors 7.00) - Penwortham Arts Centre (The Venue) KTB MUSIC Jazz Jam (all welcome) .00 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON CIRCLE DANCE GROUP Circle dancing, beginners welcome. 7.00-9.30 pm - The Harris TWO MAN TING AT HARRIS LIVE . Join Sierra Leonean drummer Jah-man Aggrey and guitarist Jon Lewis with their unique brand of bouncy “Sunshine Afro-roots”. 7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting.Must be pre booked 01772 203060 7.30 pm - Preston Playhouse PRESTON GILBERT & SULLIVAN SOCIETY (WITH SPECIALLY INVITED ORCHESTRA) The Yeomen of the Guard, with words by Gilbert and music by Sullivan 10.00-11.15 am - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Mini Potters craft sessions for pre school aged children. Must be pre booked 01772 203060 1.00 pm - Longton W.I. Hall School Lane, Longton KTB MUSIC Songs, poems and stories from Lancashire dialect expert Sid Calderbank. 1.00 pm - The Harris Creative Workshop: Pattern Design with artist Bonnie Craig 7.30 pm - St Mary’s Church, Broadfield Avenue, Leyland PRESTON CECILIAN CHORAL SOCIETY “ Choeur et Orges.” Requiem by Durufle and Messe Solonelle by Vierne sung by The Cecilian Choral Society with organ accompaniment. 8.00- 12.00 pm - The Sir Tom Finney,Central Drive,Penwortham CREATIVE NETWORK Creative Network Invites: 5 acts free admission 7.30-9.30 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON ART SOCIETY Workshop with Peter Layzell 7.00 pm - Longton Library SPOT ON LANCASHIRE Truckstop Honeymoon. Katie and Mike West tell stories about the strangeness of everyday life interspersed with a wide range of songs. 1.30 pm - Samlesbury War Memorial Hall CITY OF LONDON PHONOGRAPH & GRAMOPHONE SOC. Boogie woogie presented by Albert Pattison and Welsh Choirs presented by Glyn Hughes 7.00 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON CIRCLE DANCE GROUP Circle dancing, beginners welcome. 1.00 pm - St Georges Church, Lune St HARRIS MUSIC PRESTON Chamber Philharmonic Europe plays music by Vivaldi, Ponchielli, Suk and Rachmaninov 7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting.Must be pre booked 01772 203060 7.30 pm - Preston Playhouse Talking Heads, 3 of the series of bittersweet monologues by one of Britain’s greatest wits Alan Bennett, A Lady of Letters, A Chip in the Sugar and Soldiering On. 1.00 pm (doors 12.300) - Penwortham Arts Centre (The Venue) KTB MUSIC Songs from versatile tenor Michael Bilsbrough 7.00 pm - Livesey House UCLan DAMSON POETS/PRESTON POETS’ SOCIETY/UCLAN World Poetry Day event. Poetry from around the world read in many languages. 7.30 pm - St Ambrose Church Hall, Moss Lane, Leyland PRESTON FOLK DANCE CLUB Spring Anniversary Dance. Jeff & Lynne Hoyle with White Knuckle. Tickets only (ring 01995 672114) Doors 8.00 pm - The Continental Legendary folk singer and guitarist Martin Carthy returns to the Conti. Even Bob Dylan acknowledged his influence. 10.00 am- 4.00 pm - New Longton Methodist Church Hall Making the Most of Your Voice - Rhythm and Counting Singing Workshop - Tutor Joyce Tindsley 7.30-9.30 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON ART SOCIETY Colour 2: Monikers, Mysteries and Misunderstanding. The second part of a presentation by Stuart Mason. 7.30-9.30 pm - The Continental DAMSON POETS Poetry evening with 2 guest poets and open mic. Free admission, everybody welcome. 7.30 pm - St Andrew’s Church Hall, Ashton SATA COMMUNITY THEATRE Maskerade. Phantom of the Opera meets the DiscWorld in Stephen Briggs hilarious stage adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s best selling novel. 11 am - 4 pm - Various venues in Chorley Town Centre CREATIVE NETWORK What’s Your Story, Chorley? Drama, poetry, talks etc. in venues around the centre of Chorley.Free entrance 7.30 pm - The Atkinson, Southport FRIENDS OF FOLK Feast of Fiddles. Violinists from some of Britain’s best folk groups on their annual tour, including Peter Knight (Steeleye Span), Brian McNeill (Battlefield Band) and Chris Leslie (Fairport Convention)
APRIL
7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting. Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Wed 1 7.00-9.30 pm - The Harris ROBBIE CAVANAGH AT HARRIS LIVE With a blend of intricate guitar melodies and powerful, emotive lyrics, take this chance to enjoy the hauntingly beautiful music of Robbie Cavanagh Wed 1 - 7.30 pm - Broughton Club CLUB PLAYERS, BROUGHTON Ladies in Sat 4 Lavender. A play by Shaun McKenna. A young Polish violinist enters the lives of two ageing spinsters in Cornwall.
Wed 1 - 7.30 pm - Preston Playhouse PRESTON DRAMA CLUB Deathtrap, Sat 4 a thriller by Ira Levin Thu 2 10.00-11.15 am - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Mini Potters craft sessions for pre school aged children. Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Thu 2 1.00 pm - Longton W.I. Hall School Lane, Longton KTB MUSIC Scott Robertson (classical guitar) in concert. Thu 2 7.00 pm - Longton Library SPOT ON TOURING Author talk. Best selling local crimewriters Neil White and Nick Oldham discuss their work. Sat 4 10.00 am 4.00pm - New Longton Methodist Church, Chapel Lane PRESTON ORPHEUS CHOIR Come and sing workshop - Bach’s St John Passion (in English) Musical Director: Abi Kitching, Accompanist: Paul Greenhalgh. Sat 4 8.00- 12.00 pm - The Sir Tom Finney,Central Drive,Penwortham CREATIVE NETWORK Creative Network invites: 8 acts free admission Mon 6 7.15 pm - St Georges Church, Lune St PRESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY Viking Voices. A talk by Paul Atherton. Tue 7 7.00 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON CIRCLE DANCE GROUP Circle dancing, beginners welcome. Tue 14 7.30-9.30 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON ART SOCIETY Books,books and more books. A workshop with Jac Balmer exploring different book structures. Wed 15 1.00 pm - St Georges Church, Lune St HARRIS MUSIC PRESTON Sophie Rosa (violin) and Benjamin Powell (piano) play music by Schubert, Brahms, Kreisler and Tchaikovsky Wed 15 7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting.Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Tue 21 7.00 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON CIRCLE DANCE GROUP Circle dancing, beginners welcome. Wed 7.30 pm - Preston Playhouse HALL PLAYERS Don’t You Want Me? 22 - Sat A play by local playwright Andy Bennison. Old friends meet again 25 after nearly 40 years. Sat 25 10.00am - 5.00pmSt Saviour’s Church, Bamber Bridge THE RAWSTORNE SINGERS WORKSHOP Come and sing choruses from Handel’s Messiah.Tickets: £15 Includes a copy of the score, refreshments and a sandwich lunch. Performance 4.15 Wed 29 7.30-9.30 pm - The Continental DAMSON POETS Poetry evening with 2 guest poets and open mic. Free admission, everybody welcome. Thu 30 7.30 pm - Fox Lane Club, Leyland FRIENDS OF FOLK The Blackheart Orchestra which consists of vocalist Chrissy Mostyn and multi-instrumentalist Rick Pilkington along with lots of elecronic instruments.
MAY Mon 4
7.30 pm - St Mary’s Brownedge, Bamber Bridge BROWNEDGE FESTIVAL EVENT Preston Gilbert & Sullivan Society - songs from the operas Tue 5 7.00 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON CIRCLE DANCE GROUP Circle dancing, beginners welcome. Tue 5 7.30 pm - St Mary’s Brownedge, Bamber Bridge BROWNEDGE FESTIVAL EVENT A miscellany of song from The Shylarks, a versatile singing group from Manchester. Wed 6 7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting.Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Wed 6 7.30 pm - St Mary’s Brownedge, Bamber Bridge BROWNEDGE FESTIVAL EVENT Music from Fr Colin & Friends from St Mary”s High School Wed 6 7.30 pm - Preston Playhouse BROUGHTON PLAYERS Stepping -Sat 9 Out, a comedy by Richard Harris about a group of 6 women and one man in tapdancing class. Thu 7 10.00-11.15 am - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Mini Potters craft sessions for pre school aged children. Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Thu 7 7.30 pm - St Mary’s Brownedge, Bamber Bridge BROWNEDGE FESTIVAL EVENT Concert by the Company of Voyces including The Last Supper, a cantata by Eric Thiman. Fri 8 7.30 pm - St Mary’s Brownedge, Bamber Bridge BROWNEDGE FESTIVAL CLOSING EVENT Concert by the Octavius Choir. Mon 11 7.15 pm - St Georges Church, Lune St (TBC) PRESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY General Meeting followed by The Harris Pyx and Lancashire Catholicism. A talk by Dr Janet Graffius. Tue 12 7.30-9.30 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON ART SOCIETY Making Your Mark. Pop up exhibition. Wed 13 1.00 pm - St Georges Church, Lune St HARRIS MUSIC PRESTON Prince Bishops Brass Ensemble bring the season to a lively conclusion. Fri 15- Times to be confirmed - Various venues in Penwortham CREATIVE Sat 18 NETWORK Penwortham Live Wide variety of creative arts, music and dance. 160 performances over the two days One £5 wristband covers all events. Sat 16 7.00 pm - St Michael’s Church, Church Street, Kirkham PRESTON ORPHEUS CHOIR Bach’s St John Passion sung by the Preston Orpheus Choir. Musical Director: Abi Kitching, Accompanist: Paul Greenhalgh. Sun 17 1.30 pm - Samlesbury War Memorial Hall CITY OF LONDON PHONOGRAPH & GRAMOPHONE SOC. Voices of the Stars presented by Dave Lomax and Film music/ Film Theme open to members.
Tue 19
7.00 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON CIRCLE DANCE GROUP Circle dancing, beginners welcome. Wed 20 7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting.Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Wed 7.30 pm - Preston Playhouse PRESTON DRAMA CLUB The Farndale 20-Sat Avenue Dance Society Murder Mystery, a comedy by David McGil23 livray and Walter Zerlin jnr. Wed 7.30 pm - Leyland Methodist Church Hall PENWORTHAM ST 20-Sat LEONARDS GILBERT&SULLIVAN SOCIETY St Leonards will perform 23 The Mikado; or, The Town of Titipu which is one of the most famous and best loved of all the Gilbert & Sullivan operettas Fri 22 - 7.30 pm - St Andrew’s Hall, Longton LONGTON PLAYERS Murder Sat 23 mystery evening with hotpot supper included. Also drinks at great prices for budding detectives to enjoy while attempting to solve the heinous crime. Tue 26 7.30-9.30 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON ART SOCIETY Imaginative Interpretation of Figure Drawing. Demo in acrylics by Gerry Halpin. Wed 27 7.30-9.30 pm - The Continental DAMSON POETS Poetry evening with 2 guest poets and open mic. Free admission, everybody welcome. Fri 29 - 7.15 pm(Fri&Sat) 2.15 (Sun) - Fulwood Academy, Black Bull Lane Sun 31 PRESTON OPERA A full-stage production in costume of Bizet’s great opera CARMEN – with Preston Opera Orchestra, and Chorus and stunning soloists.
JUNE Wed 3
7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting. Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Thu 4 10.00-11.15 am - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Mini Potters craft sessions for pre school aged children. Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Thu 4 7.30 pm - Fox Lane Club, Leyland FRIENDS OF FOLK Avondale. A two act performance of narration and 18 original songs performed by writer Len Pentin with Chris Nelson, Siobhan Nelson, Clive Pownceby, Mike Huddart, Don Palmer and Colin Wayte. Mon 8 10.00 am- 4.00 pm - New Longton Methodist Church Hall Making the Most of Your Voice - Performance Workshop - Tutor Joyce Tindsley Sat 13 7.30 pm - To be announced PRESTON CECILIAN CHORAL SOCIETY Summer Concert: Will Todd’s Mass in Blue with solo sung by Lorna James of Opera North Wed 17 7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting.Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Sat 20 10 am - 4 pm - In the Harris, on the Flag Market and by the Market PRESTON PULSE - A ONE DAY FESTIVAL SHOWCASING THE TALENTS OF PRESTON Music and dancing of many different styles,art and poetry, stalls, food. All events free. Sun 21 1.30 pm - Samlesbury War Memorial Hall CITY OF LONDON PHONOGRAPH & GRAMOPHONE SOC. Things of Beauty presented by Peter Miller and Personalities and the Spoken Word (open to members) Wed 24 7.30-9.30 pm - The Continental DAMSON POETS Poetry evening with 2 guest poets and open mic. Free admission, everybody welcome.
JULY Wed 1
7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting. Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Thu 2 10.00-11.15 am - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Mini Potters craft sessions for pre school aged children. Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Fri 10 - 11am Friday-7.30 pm Sunday - Various venues in Clitheroe ClithSun 12 eroe festival of Choirs (including the Harmony Singers) Sat11 To be confirmed - Various venues in Longton CREATIVE NETWORK Longton Live. Wide variety of creative arts, music and dance. One £5 wristband covers all events. Wed 15 7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting. Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Sat 18 7.30 pm - Lancaster Priory PRESTON OPERA Preston Opera in concert with international soprano Jane Irwin. Sun 19 1.30 pm - Samlesbury War Memorial Hall CITY OF LONDON PHONOGRAPH & GRAMOPHONE SOC. Portable Event - Dance Music Wed 29 7.30-9.30 pm - The Continental DAMSON POETS Poetry evening with 2 guest poets and open mic. Free admission, everybody welcome.
AUGUST Tue 4
7.00 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON CIRCLE DANCE GROUP Circle dancing, beginners welcome. Wed 5 7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting. Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Thu 6 10.00-11.15 am - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Mini Potters craft sessions for pre school aged children. Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Tue 18 7.00 pm - Galloway Hall,Brackenbury Rd. Fulwood PRESTON CIRCLE DANCE GROUP Circle dancing, beginners welcome. Wed 19 7.00-9.30 pm - Hennel Lane FIRED4U Adults evening. Clay and pottery painting.Must be pre booked 01772 203060 Wed 26 7.30-9.30 pm - The Continental DAMSON POETS Poetry evening with 2 guest poets and open mic. Free admission, everybody welcome.
Lots of Fun for all the Family at SATA There are many of us who enjoy a night at the theatre to watch a performance by one of our excellent local amateur theatre groups. I have laughed at farces, fought back the tears with tragedies and guessed whodunit on many occasions. After a while the same plays start to come round again and it is a pleasant surprise to see something different. Thus I was intrigued to see that SATA Theatre Company would be presenting Maskerade which was described as follows: Maskerade - A comedy by Stephen Briggs and Terry Pratchett directed by Tony Balmer. Phantom of the Opera meets the DiscWorld in Stephen Briggs hilarious adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s best selling novel. A madman stalks the Ankh-Morpork opera house leaving a trail of mayhem - so by theatre standards - situation normal. But when Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg the famous witches of Lancre decide to help, you can guarantee that things will get worse before they get better.
Company of Voyces
Preston Orpheus Choir
It’s hard to believe that we’ve reached the end of the first month in 2020. We have already taken part in our first engagement of the New Year at the ever moving service to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Holocaust Day, at St George’s church. Then, there is some time to settle into rehearsing a variety of music ranging from Vaughan Williams to James MacMillan for our next engagement. This is to be a Passiontide concert at St Silas, in Blackburn on Saturday 4th April, shortly followed by a concert on 7th May at the Brownedge Arts Week, St Mary’s, Brownedge. Time flies and it will soon be here. If you would like to join us, or organize an event where we might perform, do come along to a weekly rehearsal at St George’s church, via the George’s Road entrance, from 12.30 to 2pm, on Thursdays. Or for further information, ring Jean Miller on 01772 718064. We’ll be happy to see you. JM
This Easter, come and join Preston Orpheus Choir for an all-day workshop of Bach’s heartfelt and dramatic St John Passion. Musical Director Abi Kitching will guide you through this epic piece, together with accompanist Paul Greenhalgh, on Saturday 4th April 2020 at New Longton Methodist Church from 10am to 4pm. All singers will be warmly welcomed, whether familiar with the St John Passion or not, and scores can be provided. Everyone who participates is invited to join the Preston Orpheus Choir for two or more evening rehearsals, and then to take part in the concert performance on Saturday May 16th 2020 at St Michael’s Church, Kirkham. Places on the workshop day are £15 each – full information and booking forms are available on our website. Preston Orpheus Choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings at St Andrew’s School, Ashton-on-Ribble, and always welcomes new members. If you’re interested in joining the choir but would like to ‘try before you buy’, why not give the ‘three for free’ offer a go? Come along to three rehearsals free of charge before you make up your mind. You will be looked after by someone who sings the same voice part as you, and if you’re not sure what that voice part is, don’t worry, MD Abi will help you! If you are interested, please make contact via the website www. prestonorpheuschoir.org, or phone Shirley Grimshaw on 01772 735197.
ONE VOICE COMMUNITY CHOIR MAKES THE FINAL OF THE BBC GOSPEL CHOIR OF THE YEAR One Voice Community Choir has reached the final of the BBC Gospel Choir of the Year competition for the second time. Although, like 2013, they were pipped for first place, they produced a magnificent performance of How Excellent (Perfect Praise) which went down extremely well with the three judges who said “100%! There’s a real beauty in what you guys have just done there”, “I thought it was really stunning!” and “Goose bumps all over! I was very, very excited by that performance”. They were again conducted by Tyndale Thomas MBE who had only recently returned after 8 months recovering from 3 brain haemorrhages and a stroke in December 2018. The choir’s other achievements range from celebrating Preston’s City status in the Presence of the Queen, recording the BBC Children In Need song for Lancashire, performing again for the Queen and other dignitaries at the Commonwealth Observance Service at Westminster Abbey in 2009 and recording an album at Abbey Rd Studios. More recent achievements include being the first winners of Lytham’s St George’s Day Festival Choir Competition in 2017. As well as doing professional recordings and concerts, the choir has helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for local charities and organizations throughout the region. They have sung at many wedding ceremonies and are always thrilled to be involved in such special occasions. Led by musical directors, Tyndale Thomas and Kadria Thomas, they are delighted to share their love and passion for music with the people of Lancashire.
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Having enjoyed previous visits to St Andrews Church Hall in Ashton to see amongst others Jim Cartwright’s Two and Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft’s ‘Allo ‘Allo (where the audience sat round tables in René’s cafe) I decided to go again to see what SATA would do with Terry Pratchett’s work. Why don’t you give it a try as well? Performances are at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Ashton, Preston, PR2 1ES. Tickets are available on the door or via the website www.satatheatre.org. MDC