Friday 22 December 2017

21st December 2017 - Lydia at the Brown Bag

We were treated to free mince pies and mulled wine at the Brown Bag on Thursday night for our 21st Advent Calendar performance. Performing was Lydia, who wowed us with her talent and bravery. She played some current hits including Ocean Eyes and Without You.

Lydia is 16 years old and loves singing and playing the guitar & has recently started to learn to play the piano.  She is currently studying for my GCSEs, including music and have taken part in a couple of Open Mic nights and local singing competitions.  Lydia really enjoyed performing in the Living Advent last year and is looking forward to being involved again this year.

Do enjoy this short video.


Thursday 21 December 2017

20th December - Lorna James at the Dukes Head

It was all singing, swinging and dancing in the Dukes Head on Wednesday evening for Lorna James.

With an audience of backing singers and some young dancers she, accompanied by Pauly Zarb on keys, played some jazzy variations on some well known Christmas tunes, including Santa Baby, White Christmas and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Easy-going, elegant songs for a busy world – that’s what Lorna James aims to bring you. Classic, classy swing, soul and jazz songs with a seasonal twist. Ho-ho-ho!

Please enjoy this video below by SilkPurse video.


19th December - Still Crazy Duo at the Queens Head

We were in the Queens Head on the Terrace for the 19th performance in this years Living Advent Calendar.

Joined by Liz and Mark of the Still Crazy duo we were treated to a selection of songs all done acoustically. They play popular music from the 1960's to the present day including some lovely Christmas and festive numbers.






Tuesday 19 December 2017

18th December - The Enchanted Players Theatre Company at Wokingham Library

There was the sound of many happy youngsters on Monday night as they enjoyed a special performance by the Enchanted Players.

The Enchanted Players Theatre Company has been running since 2009 teaching in eight schools in Berkshire and Oxfordshire, we tour professional shows. Next one at Wokingham Library is 3 Tales on the 12th February. We have all characters for parties and events. In this particular performance Enchanted Pupils will be displaying short pieces of what they have been learning this term. The night will open with a surprise character setting the scene for a magical evening,

The Library was full of excited children and even more excited adults for this fantastic performance.

Here is a very short clip featuring a fairly well known individual....



17th December - Live Nativity in Howard Palmer Gardens


The rain from earlier in the day cleared through leaving us with a dry, if damp underfoot,  performance in the atmospheric Howard Palmer Gardens.

Theatresmith lead by Director Nicola Allpress presented a humorous and heartwarming retelling of this traditional Christmas story of the birth of Jesus Christ. It was supported by Churches Together in Wokingham and Wokingham Town Council as well as a lot of support from other local organisations and individuals to help put this on.

Do enjoy the film below courtesy of Silk Purse Video.



16th December - Magic by Richard John at TG Art Gallery

It was a magical afternoon at TG Art Gallery on Saturday for a performance full of illusions and quite a lot of eating playing cards. Richard John wowed the audience with his close up magic, primarily involving cards and sleight of hand.

Recently a magic advisor for the Hollywood film, Now You See Me 2, Richard has wowed crowds up and down the country with his skills a magician.
Being one of the best sleight of hand artists in the country, Richard has performed for the BBC, ITV, and British Airways to name a few.

Enjoy this film courtesy of Silk Purse Videos. And let us know if you can work out how he did it.




15th December 2017 Frank Doherty at the Grape Escape

It was a lovely intimate setting in the Grape Escape on Friday night for a performance by Irish musician Frank Doherty.  He played acoustically on guitar in the cosy venue, a few traditional numbers and some Christmas sing along classics, which did indeed have the whole audience singing along.

Frank is an Irish Singer, guitarist & fiddle-player who has had a lifetime of musical experience playing mostly in pubs & clubs throughout London & the South-East.  From time to time he has also performed on TV & Radio