FAN-TASTIC Dance Fans

Lucy disovered some wonderful decorated fans which are just right for dancing - or, indeed, just watching!

Click on the icon below to hear what Alison Gallagher-Hughes had to say about them:

Improve Your Dance Hold!

While having a mooch around the sales stands at the British National Dance Championships at the Blackpool Winter Gardens, we came across an amazing device that helps you get the correct holding position for ballroom dancing.

If you don't have the right hold on your partner, you don't get the right movement or control and that's where the TOPLINE frame comes is. It helps you get your arms into the right position and then, over time, you get used to the correct hold and your dancing improves as a result!

They come in different sizes and designer Nick Gallagher-Hughes (pictured) kindly fitted both of us with the correct frame - they are suitable for men and ladies - and we immediatey noticed the difference in our own hold just standing in the exhibition hall. In fact, while we were there, one of the couples who were due to compete, rushed out to borrow one for their practice session in the ballroom and apparently caused quite a lot of interest among other competitors...!

Even if you are not planning on dancing in competitions, this frame will be helpful because every dancing partner likes to have a firm, clear hold as that is the only way to follow the steps correctly. That means you can look swishier when you dance and that makes everybody feel good!

To find out more, check out their website at http://www.toplinedanceframe.com

Father Christmas take note: we'll have one each please!

To hear a short interview with Nick, click on the icon below:

New Partnership with Radio Blackpool!

We are pleased to advise that we have reached an agreement to provide our "what's on" news and interview content to the new Radio Blackpool online radio station.

You can find out more about Radio Blackpool by clicking on their website at www.radioblackpool.co.uk

Sara Creeney to sing at Bangla Fusion Restaurant

Outstanding north west vocalist Sara Creeney vocalist will be performing on Friday 26th November from 8pm onwards

at the Bangla Fusion Restaurant, Liverpool Old Road, Much Hoole, Preston PR4 5JQ

Bookings - tel: 01772 610800
e-mail: banglafusion@googlemail.com
www.banglafusion.co.uk

Zoe Lister In Teechers - Blackpool Grand Theatre Preview

Former Hollyoaks star Zoe Lister appears in the Hull Truck Theatre Company's production of "Teechers" at the Blackpool Grand Theatre from Weds 24th to Sat 27th November. For tickets and info, call the box office on 01253 290190 or visit the website at http://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/.

To hear a brief preview with Zoe, click on the icon below:

Best Kept Secrets Show On Preston FM!

• You can tune in to our very latest "Best Kept Secrets...In Conversation" show on Preston FM on Friday 19th November at 7pm on 103.2FM and online at www.preston.fm
  

Coming up in the show:

An exclusive interview with rock n roll legend Marty Wilde at the Blackpool Grand Theatre about how he put his current tour (featuring Roxy Wilde, Eden Kane and ex Shadow Jet Harris) together, how he made the switch from skiffle to rock n roll and all about his chart successes.

Actor Andrew Lancel - DI Neil Manson in The Bill - talks about that popular police drama's demise and why he likes to sing at the Sands Blackpool venue!

International harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani talks about this under-rated instrument in advance of the Manchester Camerata "Baroque In Dresden" concert at the Colne Muni next week.

Centre manager Stuart Dolman talks about the new Trax Windsports centre on Lytham St Annes beach.

We go behind the scenes at the Lytham Academy of Theatre Arts youth production of "Les Miserables"

and Miss Blackpool pageant official photographer Howard Barton explains what makes a good photograph and why you should always employ a professional photographer for important occasions.

So why not join us at 7pm on Friday evening on 103.2 Preston FM - or online across the globe at http://www.preston.fm/....

Inspiral Carpet Tom Hingley Live At Blackpool Grand

There’s a great treat in store for music lovers as Inspiral Carpets frontman Tom Hingley plays a solo gig at Blackpool Grand Theatre on Friday evening.

To find out more about Tom’s music, you can check out his website at www.tomhingley.co.uk.

For booking info and show tickets call the box office on 01253 290190 or visit the website at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

To hear a brief preview interview with Tom, click on the icon below:

Afternoon Tea Dance at the Art Deco Cafe in Blackpool

Photos from the afternoon tea dance held at Parks Art Deco Cafe in Stanley Park Blackpool. Music was provided by the Bill Barrow Band with Lynne Fox on vocals. Dish of the day was without a doubt the afternoon tea put on especially for the occasion (centre pic).

To find out what's coming up at the Parks Art Deco Cafe, visit their website at www.parksartdecocafe.co.uk

Roy Celebrates Special RAF Anniversary

89 year old World War 2 veteran Roy Hardacre has been in Blackpool this week celebrating a special anniversary. He volunteered to join the RAF on 15th November 1939 at the outbreak of war and celebrated the 71st anniversary with dinner and dancing to the Ray Gordon Band at the Monterey Beach Hotel in St Annes.

Countdown To Les Mis at Lowther Next Week!

The Lytham Academy of Theatre Arts (LATA) perform their production of Les Miserables next week at Lowther Pavilion in Lytham St Annes.

The show runs from Thursday 18th to Saturday 20th November at 7.30pm nightly, with an additional matinee at 2.30pm on the Saturday.

For tickets and further information, visit the website at www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk

We went along to a rehearsal and spoke to some of the people involved in the production to find out more about it. Click on the icon below to hear the interview feature:

Manchester Camerata At Colne Muni

There's a special evening of classical music at the Municipal Hall in Colne on Thursday 25th November as the Manchester Camerata present "Baroque In Dresden", featuring the Camerata Ensemble and renowned harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani (pictured).

The concert itself starts at 7.30pm but, beforehand, at 6.30pm Mahan will be giving a talk about some of the pieces to be played.

For info and tickets, visit www.themuni.co.uk

A full length interview with Mahan Esfahani about the harpsichord can be heard at various times throughout the day on Wireless Radio at www.wirelessradio.biz

To hear our short preview of the concert, click on the icon below:

Marty Wilde Tour: review - and more tour dates!

We saw the show last night and thought it was amazing - great entertainment from start to finish and wonderful nostalgic songs throughout. It was nice to see a sell our crowd at the Grand Theatre - with people of all ages gathered together to enjoy the occasion. Even if you do not remember the 50s and 60s first hand, there is something for everybody to enjoy in this show.

The "Born to Rock n Roll" tour continues throughout November as follows:

Wed 10 BIRMINGHAM Alexandra Theatre * 0844 8472294
Thu 11 NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall * 0115 9895555
Fri 12 LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru * 01492 872000
Sat 13 GRIMSBY Grimsby Auditorium * 0844 8472426
Tue 16 EASTBOURNE Congress Theatre * 01323 412000
Thu 18 FOLKESTONE Leas Cliff Hall * 0844 8471776
Sat 20 BASINGSTOKE The Anvil Trust * 01256 844244

Marty also has solo dates booked throughout 2011 as well - check out his website at www.martywilde.com for more details.

In this exclusive interview clip (below), you can hear the man himself explain how and why he put the tour together,who's on it and why you should try and get to see the show. Just click on the icon to listen.

Rod Demick At Blackpool Grand - Exclusive Interview & Preview

Top guitarist Rod Demick performs a special solo night at the Lawrence House studio at Blackpool's Grand Theatre on Friday 12th November.

Rod was a member of The Wheels along with Van Morrison in the early 1960s, played with The Strawbs and has worked with many top musicians over the years so there should be some fascinating tales to be told as well as some great music!

For tickets call the box office on 01253 290190 or visit the website at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

To hear what Rod has to say about the evening, click on the soundfile below;

Review: The Pavilion, Ashton Gardens, St Annes

We tried out the recently opened Pavilion Tea Room And Restaurant in Ashton Gardens in St Annes yesterday. Click on the soundfile below to hear what we thought of it...




You can hear more cafe reviews and other interesting interviews on www.wirelessradio.biz, a new Easy Listening internet service who are kindly using some of our spoken word material as test transmissions while they get set up.

ICroon Show At The Sands, Blackpool

There’s a special one off opportunity to enjoy an interactive musical experience this SATURDAY evening as former “Emmerdale” and “Rat Pack Confidential” star Richard Shelton brings his Edinburgh Fringe “ICroon” show to the Sands Blackpool venue.

With a variety of songs from the swing and big band era to choose from , including favourites by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Matt Monro and other great crooners, the audience are invited to select their own favourites and hear Richard sing them.

A great way to spend an enjoyable evening after the excitement of the Blackpool FC v Everton FC Premier league match in the afternoon, advance booking is essential.

For tickets and more information, visit the Sands Blackpool website at www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk

To hear Richard’s own preview of the “ICroon” evening, click on the soundfile below:

Empire Theatre Date For Sara Creeney

Top north west cabaret singer Sara Creeney will be performing from 2pm onwards for the Monday Club at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Tickets are £3 or £2.50 for club members.

For bookings call 01254 685500 (10am to 12.30) or book on line at www.thwaitesempiretheatre.co.uk

For more information about Sara Creeney, visit her website at www.sara-creeney.com

Kelly Johnson To Sing At The Cube, Poulton

Straight from her success as the lead vocalist in the Blackpool Pleasure Beach show Beyond Belief, where she starred alongside magician Richard de Vere, singer KELLY JOHNSON will be performing a special acoustic set at the Cube in Poulton from 7pm on Guy Fawkes Night Friday 5th November.

The former Butlins Redcoat has sung on cruise liners, top hotels in India and regularly performs at the Parks Stanley Park Art Deco Cafe in Blackpool.

Entry is free but get there early as Poulton will be busy with bonfire night revellers!