What’s on in Newbury? You’re spoilt for choice this week
Big Band dazzler
Newbury’s own Apollo Big Band are making their debut at Arlington Arts on Saturday. This 18-piece band brings you an exciting programme of some of the best big band tunes around today, from Cole Porter to Post-Modern Jukebox. Led by musical director Les Bruce and featuring the dazzlingly talented vocals of Steph Richardson, you can expect a toe-tapping evening from this popular local band. Doors to the venue open an hour before the performance starts, with the bar starting service at the same time. Doors to the auditorium usually open half an hour before a performance. Tickets from the box office during opening hours (10am-4.30pm weekdays), as well as just before and during the show. There is currently a problem with online booking. The box office and bar accept both card and cash payments, but there is no cash machine on site. https://arlington-arts.com
Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman
Returning to Arlington Arts tomorrow (Friday) Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman’s partnership has proved personal, permanent and pivotal, for more than a quarter of a century. From their early days in folk supergroup Equation, through to their new album Almost A Sunset, this multi award-winning musical couple continue to exude timeless class with their exquisite brand of traditional and contemporary acoustic music. 2024 sees them release ’The Collection’. 18 of their most loved songs compiled into one seamless album. Twice voted BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Best Duo https://arlington-arts.com
Zoots
They have a Newbury gig in November, but before that The Zoots bring their Sound of the 60s show to Hungerford tomorrow (Friday, 7.30pm). Bop at the Croft Hall to the 1960s sounds that everybody loves – with legendary numbers by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Monkees, Beach Boys, Kinks, Searchers, Four Seasons, Elvis and many more of your favourite artists. Get into the groove that’s thrilling audiences of stage and screen around the world. Discover why music critics call The Zoots “impressive”, “authentic”, and “impossible not to like”! Recent winners of the most Outstanding Decade Music-Themed Entertainment Act 2024, The multi award-winning band have played more than 1,000 shows and toured some 35 countries, performing in theatres, concerts, festivals and events worldwide. https://artsforhungerford.com/
Roman Family Fun
West Berkshire Museum is having a free drop-in Roman Family Fun Day on Saturday (10am-3pm). Do you know what a bulla is? Find out from re-enactors @ButserIXLegion - enthusiasts based at the Butsa ancient farm who aim to bring Roman history to life from Legionnaires to civilians and slaves. In costume, they will show what life was like in Roman Britain. Visitors can take part in crafts and follow a trail.
Charismatic Greek saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos
He’s worked with the best and now Greek saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos (saxophone) guests at the vibrant Pangbourne Jazz Club at PWMC in Whitchurch road on Sunday. Vasilis’ charismatic performances reveal his truly fabulous style thus his energy and passion interact with his audience. With his great talent, love and respect. he cherishes the instrument’s challenges and pushes it beyond. He will be backed by the Pangbourne Jazz Club Rhythm Section: Jim Pollard (piano), Andy Crowdy (double bass), Terry Hutchins (guitar) and Brian Greene (drums). No need to book. https://www.pangbournejazzclub.com/
Exhibition: Oak
KURT Jackson’s Oak, at The Base Greenham is well worth a view, it’s a show that looks at our beloved national tree in all seasons and references its significance in our lives. The artist takes a representational rather than a conceptual approach, with great technical expertise. The body of work is concerned with the oak’s place in our ecology, landscape, history, social narratives, literature and culture using oil, collage, pencil, wax crayon, etching, photoprints and bronze, along with poetry and prose. The show is both a visual feast and a reminder of how precious the natural world is. To check opening times and tickets visit https://thebasegreenham.co.uk/
Tim Spicer on A Suspicion of Spies
The author of A Suspicion of Spies, Tim Spicer, reveals the intriguing story of an extraordinary man, the spymaster Wilfred ‘Biffy’ Dunderdale, in conversation with Rebecca Fletcher at Hungerford Town Hall on Wednesday (7pm). Biffy was a lifelong friend of Ian Fleming and many have considered him to be the blueprint for Bond. There is likely some truth in this. The tales of action and intrigue found in this comprehensive biography could be taken straight from the pages of From Russia with Love, which Biffy acted as ‘consultant’ for. This biography is the story of the complicated intrigues of the world of intelligence. It is what the British are good at and Biffy was one of the best. More about this Hungerford Bookshop event at https://hungerfordbookshop.co.uk