MELBOURNE FESTIVAL CONCERTS AND PERFORMANCES : September 10th to September 26th
The Melbourne Festival consists of an Art and Architecture Trail and a Festival of Performing Arts. The Art & Architecture Trail, the core of the Festival, takes place over the middle weekend, September 18th - 19th. The Festival of Performing Arts takes place over a fortnight from September 10th - 26th .The concert and performances programme last year was the most comprehensive to date attracting over 1500 people over the two week period. We are hoping for a bumper turnout again this year.
This year’s programme is still being put together but we can promise you and eclectic mix of music from classical to choral, from folk to indie and jazz to rock – something for all tastes! The performance programme will also include drama, comedy and poetry – including a mix of all three!
Details of the programme will be posted on this webpage as events are confirmed. In the meantime don’t miss the following Arts Melbourne performances: -
Comedy Club at Melbourne British Legion on Friday 29th January
Jazz at the Bay Tree featuring Sally Doherty on Wednesday 23rd February
New Perspectives Theatre Company performing “Those Magnificent Men” at Ticknall Village Hall on Thursday 25th February
Saturday 12th September: Get Involved: The Blue Bell, Church Street: 8.00pm Entry Free
Pop, Rock, Indie duo playing the best music from the 60’s to current favourites.
Saturday 12th September: Live Music: The Blue Bell, Church Street: 8.00pm Entry Free
Wednesday September 16: Between the Covers: Thomas Cook Hall: - 7.30 pm: Tickets: £5
This is a repeat of the 2008, “You are what you read”, evening, where members of the Derbyshire County Library Service talked about their favourite books. The evening was fun, inspirational and the room was full. For a Festival organiser, that's enough – they're back!
Wednesday September 16: Jazz Supper at the Bay Tree: Chris Conway & Andy Nicholls: Bay Tree Restaurant, Potter Street - 7.30 pm: Tickets: £30
Born in Michigan USA Chris Conway has built his music career in the UK as a multi-instrumental working across many genres. He is a singer-songwriter, jazz pianist, guitarist and a player of jigs and reels in an Celtic band with a tin whistle. He has worked with many top musicians: members of Jethro Tull and Fairport Convention; violin virtuoso Dr L Subramanium and folk singer Martin Carthy.
He has released over 50 CDs under his own name or with his bands. His music has been heard on UK National TV, Radio, and film. His CD of relaxation music Ayurveda has sold over 10,000 copies worldwide. He is accompanied by Andy Nicholls his regular playing patner, saxophonist Andy Nicholls.
Wednesday 16th September: Between The Covers:Thomas Cook Memorial Hall, High Street: 7.30pm Tickets £5: Sponsored by Melbournelets Ltd www.melbournelets.co.uk
An evening of wine and words for readers and book groups. Cathy Petersen and Carl Cross promise to take us 'around the world in eighty minutes' with readings from their favourite books about travel. An eclectic mix of literature including the factual, fictional and funny!
Wednesday 16th September: Magical Mayhem:Senior Citizens Centre, Church Street: 5.00 – 6.00 pm for children age 5 – 11; 6.30 – 7.30 pm for children age 7 - 14: Tickets £3 from Rachel Coupe 01332 416152: Sponsored by Bright Lights
Circus Skills Workshop by Magical Mayhem. Learn to juggle, balance and perform a magic trick to amaze your friends!. This workshop is led by Paul Brown, who performed magic tricks at the Festival last year. His show was so popular that we have invited him back!.
Thursday September 17: Hothouse Big Band: Melbourne Infants School: Tickets: tbc
There were complaints last year that we rested EMYJO, the East Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra. Well they're back, in the disguise of the Hothouse Big Band. For those that have never experienced them, come along and have a ball. The talent of the young people is unbelievable under the semi-control of the Eno brothers. Great music, great atmosphere and there is a bar as well!!
Friday September 18 : Comedy Night: Royal British Legion, Derby Road: Tickets: £6 from Festival Booking office or Frank Hughes 0133 2862243
The Comedy Nights have had regular spots every 3 months since they were launched last year. The formula is timeless: Compère; 3 comedians; beer and wine; bajhis and samosas; packed house. An Arts festival is about creative development and comedy is just poetry without the label. My case rests m'lud.For this evening, the headline comic is Steve Nallon, supported by Marc Lucero and Chris Roche. Your compère is Andy Kind.
Friday 18th September: Melbourne Operatic Society: “September Serenade”: Bill Shone Leisure Centre, High Street. 7.30pm Tickets £7 from 01332 863030: Light supper with wine included.
Music by Lennon & McCartney, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Gilbert & Sullivan: solos and choral and more besides. The typical professional affair.
Saturday 19th September: The Conmitments – Tribute Band: Public Hall, Derby Road: 7.30pm: Tickets £10: Sponsored by Onesystem Ltd, www.onesystem.co.uk
The UK’s No.1 tribute band to the Alan Parker feelgood film of the 90’s and the music of soul and motown. They formed in 1995, playing the hits that millions know and love, including Mustang Sally, Try A Little Tenderness, Chain of Fools, Soul Man, Midnight Hour and countless more.
Saturday 26th September: Postscript: Festival Ceilidh with the Breedon Hotshots: Public Hall, Derby Road, 8.00pm :Tickets £6
This is a welcome postscript to the 2009 Festival and a chance to work off steam at a Celtic barn-dance. The Breedon Hotshots are five local players who formed last year to play as part of the Big National Ceilidh. Their music ranges from Northumbrian and other English tunes through to French, Irish, Scottish and Central European. They play fiddle, melodeons, guitar, concertina and sometimes even a cello makes an appearance!
They are headed up by a caller who cut her teeth on the dance floors of the North East and learnt her trade from the great Alistair Anderson.
