9th December 2013 - Ryan Hetherington at Oslars Coffee

Monday night found us in Oslars Coffee, a favourite venue from last year and a wonderful warm and inviting one.

“Ryan Hetherington is in his final year at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, studying Music Business.  After graduation, Ryan hopes to either organise music industry events or be the next Toya Wilcox!  For the next 15 minutes, Ryan will be making noises to songs.”

We think Ryan was selling himself short with that last sentence, as the audience enjoyed some wonderfully sung Christmas favourites including; “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree”, “White Christmas” and the less Christmassy but always wonderful “I’ve got you under my skin”

If you weren’t there and even if you were I hope you enjoy this short compilation of clips from last night.

Oslars is an independent coffee shop selling unique coffee's in a grade II listed building in the heart of Wokingham. They have a delicious range of coffee, teas, hot chocolate's, milkshakes, cold drinks, food and snacks – with as many ingredients as possible sourced from the local area. www.oslarcoffee.co.uk

Tonight join us at H20 hairdressers on Rose Street for a dramatic treat.

Extra video from 7th December performance

Endre Adam performing "It came upon a Midnight Clear" at Oslars Coffee on Denmark Street.

December 6th 2012 - Pauly Zarb at Rococo

Last night we were in the centre of town for our first of three Thursdays in Bush Walk and there was a great family feel with many young people in the audience to see the excellent Pauly Zarb.

Known by the people of Wokingham in particular by his performances this year at the Jubilee celebrations. He performed in the town during the Big Lunch and on the main stage for the Big Gig on the sunday. While not a Wokingham native he moved to Wokingham with his family after a number of years in the USA and has taken Wokingham to his heart. 

Pauly played a number of his own songs as well as the classic "Waltzing Matilda" and the family favourite “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. He was also accompanied by his daughter who proved she is as much a showman as her dad, dancing through his entire set much to the delight of the crowd.

Pauly Zarb has been a musician since the age of 4.  He has given his life to playing and giving his music to a world audience.  Originally from Australia and a multil-instrumentalist, he has performed throughout Australia, USA, Canada, England and Europe as a soloist.  He also performs with award-winning National/International duo act, The Zarb Brothers ("Matt Zarb" (2001) Best Folk Album); USA national touring act, Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours; and USA award-winning finger style guitarist, Pat Kirtley.  He has opened shows for musicians like Tommy Emmanuel, Keith Urban, Willie Nelson, and many others.  As an accomplished musician, he has recorded many albums and after living in Kentucky, USA for 10 years, he has now moved to Wokingham.  He is currently recording a new album "Love the Right to Live", and is touring throughout Denmark and Norway, and is a regular peformer at the local Australian venue, The Walkabout in Reading, and Jagz Club, Ascot.

This Thursday it was Rococo hosting, a family owned and run jewellery business with branches in Cookham and Marlow as well as Wokingham. Manageress Juliette and staff provided warming cups of hot chocolate for all.

Started in the late 70’s Rococo offers fashions straight from the catwalk to everyday wear at affordable prices.http://www.jewellerybyrococo.com/index.php 

Did you know on Thursdays between now and Christmas, shops in Bush Walk are staying open until 7pm.  Come for the performance and stay to browse the gifts, jewellery and clothes.

Bush Walk’s entrance is between Wallis and The Christmas Store, opposite the Town Hall in the Market Place.

Future Thursdays see us back to enjoy the wonderful hosting skills of Antique Rose and Barbara Easton.  

Don’t forget to check the calendar to see where the performance will be tonight!

Where is the Living Advent Calendar going to be?

We can reveal that the first 7 venues will be:

1^st - Wokingham Town Hall (Market Place)
2^nd – More Arts (43b Peach Street)

3^rd - Wokingham Décor (56 Peach Street)

4^th - The Local Barber Shop (Montague House, 31 Broad Street)

5^th - The Electric Tattoo Company (Montague House, 31 Broad Street)

6^th - Rococo (9 Bush Walk, Market Place)

7^th - Oslar Coffee (2-2a Denmark Street)

Remember all events start at 6:15pm and are 15 minutes in duration (unless stated otherwise).

Come and see what fabulous local talent we have found to liven up these dark December evenings!

A full list of venues will be available soon both online, on posters through the town and flyers. You can also visit our new and improved Information Centre from Monday the 26^th November for more information on Wokingham’s Living Advent Calendar and other events happening throughout the Town.

Also:

The Living Advent Calendar is featured in today’s edition of the Wokingham Times on page 10.