Radio Show This Saturday on 103.2 Preston FM - from 4pm

In our radio show on 103.2 Preston FM this Saturday from 4pm we'll be talking to Richard Shelton (in photo) about his interest in Frank Sinatra as he prepares for his new show at the Globe Theatre at Blackpool Pleasure Beach over the summer months.

We look back at the Body Mind Soul exhibition in Manchester and the Salford Art Club and Salford Remembers 100 Years exhibitions at Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

Lucy talks about Antonietta Vogels and her "Healthy Sense of Self" programme and we have a double play from the new Sicknurse album "Nightshift" and new releases from Deaf Havana and Milky Chance.

So join us from 4pm on Saturday afternoon from 4pm on 103.2 Preston FM.  If you live outside the broadcast area you can still listen in over the internet at www.preston.fm



  

Review: Agatha Christie's "Black Coffee" at Blackpool Grand Theatre - runs until Saturday!

If you're still having withdrawal symptoms following the screening of the very last Poirot story on TV, then fear not - here is another great Poirot mystery from the pen of Agatha Christie.

Having had 25 years of David Suchet's rendition of the Belgian 'tec, I wasn't sure what to expect from Robert Powell's new interpretation.  I'd seen RP appear in all sorts of things on TV - from playing Jesus of Nazareth, Captain Walker in Tommy and Richard Hannay in the 39 Steps to a drippy detective alongside Jasper Carrot - so his versatility as an actor was never in question.  And I'm pleased to say that I liked his Hercule Poirot very much indeed.  Less bombastic than Peter Ustinov's, more light hearted than Albert Finney's - very much his own version of Poirot, rather than trying to copy anyone else's.

This show has a really great cast including Liza Goddard (loved her since Skippy - yes, honestly...) and a whole host of others who really suit the story.

The plot has all the elements you'd expect to see in a good Agatha Christie mystery - murder in country house, lots of suspects, lots of red herrings and clever detective skills that solve the crime.  Great costumes, scenery and music  as well - by the way.

I won't tell you what happens because I don't want to spoilt it for you but if you like a good mystery play, and love Agatha Christie stories then you really will enjoy this production.

It runs at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool until Saturday. You can find out about bookings here: http://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/shows/performance/black-coffee

There's a full list of UK tour dates here: http://www.kenwright.com/index.php?id=1356

"Sinatra - The Main Event" at Blackpool's Globe Theatre from 4th July to 6th September

A piece of Las Vegas is coming to Blackpool's Globe Theatre this Summer.

SINATRA - The Main Event, starring Richard Shelton and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra.

It was billed as the biggest comeback in showbusiness history - now the 40th anniversary is marked with a stunning recreation of Frank Sinatras The Main Event concert exactly as it happened at New Yorks Madison Square Garden on October 13, 1974

Do you have your tickets for this fabulous show?

If not, then book now at https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/book-online/show-tickets/sinatra/ 

Photo: Richard Shelton with Miss Blackpool 2010 Ella Green (not from this show)

Book Now For Agatha Christie's Black Coffee at Blackpool Grand Theatre

Agatha Christie's Black Coffee

Showing Monday 19 May 2014
to Saturday 24 May 2014

Bill Kenwright, by special arrangement with Agatha Christie Ltd, presents Robert Powell as Hercule Poirot in Black Coffee.

A quintessential English country estate is thrown into chaos following the murder of eccentric inventor, Sir Claud Amory, and the theft of his new earth-shattering formula. Arriving at the estate just moments too late, one man immediately senses a potent brew of despair, treachery, and deception amid the estate’s occupants. That man is Hercule Poirot.

In the first play ever written by Agatha Christie we are introduced to a character who went on to become the most famous detective of all time and the only fictional character ever to receive a full-page obituary in the New York Times.

Robert Powell is one of the country’s best loved actors. Having received multiple awards and a BAFTA nomination for his portrayal of ‘Jesus’ in Franco Zefferelli’s Jesus of Nazareth, he went on to star in numerous film hits including 39 Steps, Four Feathers and Shaka Zulu, and also featured in several TV series including The Detectives and Holby City. His extensive stage performances include roles in the national tours of Alan Bennett’s Single Spies and Jeffrey Barnard is Unwell before most recently appearing in Singin’ in the Rain at the Palace Theatre in the West End.

Audio Discribed Performance Wednesday 21 May at 7.30pm

Tickets

£17.50 to £28.50
Concession £3.00 off
Friends of The Grand £5.00 off Opening Night (Stalls & Dress Circle Tickets only)
Groups 20+ £3.00 off, 50+ £4.00 off

Online booking here: http://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/shows/performance/black-coffee

Tea Dance with a difference - Sands Venue Blackpool, Sunday 1st June 2014

The Sands Venue have announced the return of their very popular Tea Dance on Sunday, 1st June 2014.   DANCING TO THE MUSIC OF KARL BARNETT - 3 PIECE BAND WITH PIANO, BASS AND DRUMS.

This time there is a difference - there's more choice and the options are:

£19.99 per person including a three-course Sunday lunch served between 12 noon and 2 pm

OR

£9.99 per person for Tea Dance with Afternoon Tea - tea or coffee, sandwiches and cakes - from 2 pm

OR £5.99 for the Tea Dance only from 2 pm.

Usual drinks available from the bar.


To book or for more information please e-mail box-office@the-sands.co.uk or call 01253 625262

The Sands Venue
Palatine Building
Promenade
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY1 4TQ

"Salford at War - 100 Years Ago" Exhibition at Salford Museum & Art Gallery

There's a great exhibition looking back 100 years to Salford's experiences of the First World War at the Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

"Salford At War - 100 Years Ago" features lots of personal stories of people from the Salford area and a whole host of fascinating WW1 memorabilia. There is a mock up of a trench firing step and dug out and some of Lucy's Female Poets and Inspirational Women are also on display.

Lucy was very moved by some of the Roll Call panels of Salford people who were killed during the War - "Be worth of the heroes who have died for us" on the memorial to Lt. Harold Fletcher Robinson.  "Forget us not, oh land for which we fell, May it go well with ENGLAND, still go well, Keep her proud banners without blot or stain, Lest we may dream that we have died in vain" on the Patricroft Steam Shed memorial, Manchester.

"Salford at War" is on until the end of 2015, admission is completely FREE and the venue is  situated close to the Salford Crescent mainline railway station so there is no excuse for not going and having a look round.

There is also a coffee shop that serves very, very nice sandwiches, cakes, snacks and drinks.

There are always lots of other great things in different areas of the Museum and Art Gallery to see as well - and you can find our more on the Museum's official website here: HERE

Review: Salford Art Club 2014 Exhibition, Salford Musuem & Art Gallery

We were lucky enough to catch this exhibition by the local Art Club on it's very last day at the Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

The exhibits were all of a very high standard and all wonderful.  My own favourites were the WW1- related pictures and the amazing WW1 commemorative sculpture.  If I was asked to pick only one I couldn't.   There was a competition for the Public Choice too.  If you missed this particular exhibition, you can always find out more about Salford Art Club via their website
www.salfordartclub.co.uk

You can find out what is on at Salford Museum and Art Gallery by looking at their website:  HERE

Review: "Mind Body Soul" Exhibition at Manchester Central - 10th and 11th May

I hadn't been to Manchester for quite a few years so was quite pleasantly surprised to discover that the venue for this event - "Manchester Central" - was in fact, what used to be called the GMEX Centre, where I had worked in the media centre of the 1997 World Table Tennis Championships, meaning that I DID in fact know where it was after all - and also knew my way around the surrounding area.     It would be very difficult to come away from the two-day exhibition without feeling soothed and relaxed, as there was some wonderful, peaceful, live music from Jonathan Hugh on cello (Jonathan's latest CD "Lucid Dreaming" is now on sale) and Johnty Wilks on saxophone (Johnty's new CD "Deep Deep Peace" now on sale) and lots of incense and candles filling the air with an atmosphere of peace and calm.  

There were literally hundreds of different stalls from crystals, to health foods and supplements, books, natural fibre clothes, and much much more.   There were also free workshops about yoga, and a wide variety of meditation and healing techniques demonstrations throughout both days.

If you missed it, you can find out more about other Mind Body Soul exhibitions on their website at www.mbsevents.co.uk   

Photo:  Lucy finding out about Simply Minerals - plant derived minerals available from Nick and Johanne Giannotti - www.plantderivedminerals.co.uk - at their stand at the "Mind Body Soul Experience" in Manchester

Great War Hits In Our Radio Show On Saturday - 4pm

They didn't have pop music radio during the first world war but if they did, they'd certainly have played songs by Elsie Janis and Basil Hallam (pictured) who were among the biggest stage stars of the day.

In our radio show on 103.2 Preston FM this Saturday from 4pm we'll be talking about Elsie and Basil and playing some of their 78s.

Lucy also talks about Moina Belle Michael - the "Poppy Lady" - and entertainer Lena Ashwell.

There's also a brand new composition from singer/songwriter Ralph Keats, more nostalgia in "Party Like It's 1959" and new releases from  Jimi Raine, Leon Of Athens and The Away Days.  

So join us from 4pm this Saturday afternoon on 103.2FM or listen in live across the world on www.preston.fm

Ice Hockey: Deeside All Star Weekend Details Announced

Ticket arrangements have been announced for the All Star Weekend to be held at Deeside Ice Rink on 7th and 8th June.

On Saturday afternoon , the Deeside Dragons take on the Laidler Conference All Stars in  a 4.15pm face off.

On Sunday, the pick of the Dragons join forces with the Laidler All Stars to take on the Moralee Conference All Stars - again in a 4.15pm face off.

Tickets are £6 per person for each match or £10 for both games.
There are no concession as the games are being played in aid of MIND mental health charity.

Tickets can be bought at Deeside Leisure Centre - tel: 01244 845440

Details of the All Star teams will be posted here shortly.