Soprano Carly Paoli’s Christmas Collection

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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British/Italian soprano Carly Paoli is thrilled to announce the release of her highly anticipated Christmas album, Carly Paoli The Christmas Collection, on 8th November.

Available on CD and digital formats this album, released on the Abiah label, is a heartfelt celebration of Christmas, featuring 15 festive tracks that promise to bring holiday cheer to listeners around the world.

A true star of the classical and crossover genres, Carly has earned international acclaim with performances on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, sharing the spotlight with luminaries such as Andrea Bocelli, Elaine Paige, David Foster, Aled Jones and Alfie Boe.

Most recently Carly performed at the Rockefeller Center’s iconic Rainbow Room in New York with Sir Rod Stewart in aid of The Kings Foundation. Her impressive resume also includes performances for various members of the Royal Family at Windsor Castle and St James’ Palace, and she was famously praised by Pope Francis, who when he heard her rendition of Ave Maria described her as having ‘the voice of an angel.’

Carly Paoli The Christmas Collection marks Carly’s first Christmas album, and it includes a delightful mix of Christmas classics and medleys, each infused with Carly’s signature elegance and emotive artistry. Highlights from the album include a duet with renowned American singer David Phelps on Hark The Herald Angels Sing, as well as cherished favourites such as O Holy Night, Bless Us All from The Muppet Christmas Carol, Somewhere in my Memory, the theme from Home Alone, Irving Berlin’s Let It Snow, Silent Night, Grown-Up Christmas List by David Foster, Believe from The Polar Express and My Christmas Dream which sees Carly duet with musical theatre star Rachel John. The album also features two special medleys, Carol of the Christmas Bells and Christmas Medley, re-imagined with Paoli’s unique style.

“I’ve always been captivated by the magic and warmth of the Christmas season,” says Carly who is an ambassador for CPRE Wilts. “This album is a celebration of that magic and a tribute to the joy and togetherness that define this time of year. I hope it brings as much joy to my listeners as it has brought to me in creating it.”

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In the mood for music?

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Amersham Concert Club’s highlights at Amersham Free Church include Ensemble Renard on 26th October & the Meraki Duo on 30th November, Jenny Faulkner tells us…

Ensemble Renard invite music-lovers to hear music that’s both familiar and foreign to them at their concerts, and this is no exception!

On Saturday, 26th October, they’ll bring you A Breeze Through the 20th Century, including the festive music of Valerie Coleman’s Umoja to the hazy rhapsody of Samuel Barber’s Summer Music and Amy Beach’s Pastorale. Ensemble Renard who are supported by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, will also perform György Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles. All the music is for wind instruments (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, french horn) and the music, some of the finest written in the 20th century for these instruments is often ethereal and hauntingly beautiful.

Our November concert is entitled Songs of Longing: Nature, People and Place. The Meraki Duo (flute and guitar) have put together a very thoughtful programme of music that may not be familiar to many people but is filled with ‘songs’ from all corners of the world that share common human themes of nostalgia, melancholy or ephemerality in connection to nature, people and places.

Visit Amersham Concert Club home (amershamconcerts.org.uk)

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Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems live shows

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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HEY GIRL…HEY BOY… Superstar DJS…HERE WE GO! Jo Whiley is here with the ultimate 90s party… at Oxford’s o2 Academy on 3rd October and G Live in Guildford on 18th November

Get ready to be transported back to the decade that defined a generation – as the legendary Jo Whiley brings her electrifying new show Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems to your doorstep.

The undisputed queen of this decade of British music will be rummaging through her record bag, dusting off her vinyl and bringing you the biggest hits and hidden gems that shaped the soundtrack of the 90s.

From the rise and huge success of Blur and Oasis to the block rocking beats of The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy, with Jo behind the decks, this isn’t just a soulless 90’s playlist – it’s a journey through music history. Jo lived every moment, curated every track, and shared the studio and stage with the greatest acts of the decade.

Jo says: “I can’t wait to get back on the road in 2025 and bring the best of the 90s to audiences across the UK. There’s nothing like the energy of a 90s Anthems crowd, and I am looking forward to relive those moments with everyone – from Britpop to Rock to dance, it’s going to be an epic trip down memory lane.”

It really WAS better in the 90s… let Jo Whiley show you with this sensational new show. Prepare for a night of Britpop nostalgia, high-energy beats, the ultimate celebration of the era and let Jo remind you of what you’ve forgotten with this sizzling anthem-packed party to end them all.

Jo is still at the cutting edge of new music and will always be the ultimate authority on the very best of classical sounds of the 90s, Jo is an institution in her own right and a national treasure.

Whether you were rocking out to Britpop, raving to club classics, or living the indie dream, Jo’s got you covered – Jo loved it all and she’s ready to remind you why 90s really were the best time to be alive.

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Crazy Bear’s Okto-BEAR-fest on 5th October

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Crazy Bear Stadhampton will be hosting Okto-BEAR-fest – a wild twist on the classic Oktoberfest celebration

Are you ready for a day of beer at the Crazy Bear Stadhampton?

Crazy Bear Stadhampton will host Okto-BEAR-fest – a wild twist on the classic Oktoberfest celebration.

Tickets grant you access to an unforgettable day filled with Bavarian vibes and the Crazy Bear’s very own crazy flair.

Incredible entertainment to see the mood, plus a fantastic selection of great food and beers from Wiper and True Brewery will be available for purchase throughout the day 2-10pm.

Whether you’re there for the beer, the pretzels, or just the good times, this is sure to be a day to remember!

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Guildford Jazz & Soul Festival

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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Guildford Jazz & Soul Festival features 16 events across 14 venues and is celebrating the best in UK and local jazz and soul from September 4th through to October 17th

Guildford Jazz has always been about bringing the best, established UK jazz artists to Guildford. Why go to Ronnie Scott’s when you can have the same experience in Guildford?

Its first jazz and soul festival naturally includes many of the sort of artists who you could see at major venues and festivals across the UK. Headline acts include Natalie Williams Soul Family, who make a rare appearance outside their monthly sold out residency at Ronnie’s, and Bill Laurance, the five times Grammy award-winning pianist and founding member of Snarky Puppy.

Other national artists already booked to appear include jazz pianists Jason Robello and Gwilym Simcock, award-winning saxophonist Tony Kofi and the Organisation, rising jazz stars vocalist Emily Masser and saxophonist Alex Clarke, BBC Radio Jazz Records Requests presenter Alyn Shipton talking about his latest book and performing music from the Jerry Mulligan Quartets as part of the Guildford Book Festival, The Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir and guitarist Pete Roth.

Guildford Jazz’s founder, jazz bass player Marianne Windham explains why now is the right time for the festival. It was decided four years ago to organise the first locally curated Guildford Jazz Festival but just a week before it started lockdown hit. Since then Guildford Jazz has continued to grow and thrive.

It has teamed up with venues such as the Boileroom and The Stoke and attracted audiences at outdoor events and festivals and prides itself on being part of the community and having a reputation as one of the leading jazz clubs in the country.

She continues: “There are many lovers of live music locally who are still unaware of the world class music available on their doorstep. Rather than sit back and wait for them to stumble across us, we thought we would take the plunge and commit to a major high-profile festival to bring great live jazz and soul directly to music lovers who may not have heard of us, in venues across Guildford and in the streets, churches, restaurants, cafes and bars, wherever they normally hang out.

“We hope that the festival will bring the joy of live music to new listeners, bring more people back into the centre of town and be the next step in our journey to make Guildford a UK hub of creative live music.”

Many of the events are free. More information about Guildford Jazz, the festival and how to book tickets at Guildford Jazz

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Over The Hill music in Witney

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

Love Blues & Roots music? There’s lots to enjoy at Studio 7 in Station Lane, OX28 4BQ, from 3pm on bank holiday Monday 26th August

Over the Hill will feature four of the UK’s leading blues, roots & Americana acts including:

Matt Owens & The Delusional Vanity Project
Matt first came to prominence as a founder member of indie-folk band Noah and the Whale. His latest album Way Out West has met with critical acclaim and he’s currently working on his fifth. Expect a punchy performance with a Springsteen vibe.

Hannah White
Winner of Best Song at the 2023 Americana Music Association Awards, Hannah has been described by Uncut Magazine as ‘an expressive voice and song craft’.

Mississippi MacDonald
Having picked up two awards at this year’s British Blues Awards, Mississippi and his band have spent the year playing the major blues festivals in the UK and selling out venues all over the country.

Sean Taylor
Sean is an international touring troubadour. He was nominated for the 2023 UK blues acoustic artist of the year award. His songs are best described as roots; influenced by blues, Americana, jazz, spoken word and folk music.

£20pp, no extra booking fees; tickets from WeGotTickets and Truck Witney

Spotify Playlist Over The Hill 2024 – playlist by Ade | Spotify

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Music on the Views in Fleet

Round & About

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Round & About

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Have you heard the news about The Views? The park is gearing up for the first family friendly live music festival right here on your doorstep in Fleet with Music on the Views. Sue Tilley invites us to join the party.

The people of Fleet certainly like to have fun so go along and join them for a fabulous family friendly event in Fleet town centre – a brand new music festival called Music on the Views.

On Sunday, 25th August, between noon and 9.30pm Fleet’s first ever outdoor live music festival will take place on The Views Park and EVERYONE is welcome. So, bring the kids, bring your friends and come and join the party!

The full line up for our first music festival is still to be announced – we like to keep you guessing and build the anticipation! In the meantime, as a teaser, we can confirm some great crowd pleasers – The ABBA tribute – FEVER, as well as Pod Gods of the 80s and 90s. More extra special bands will be announced very soon so do keep in touch by following us on Facebook at Music on the Views | Facebook.

Aside from some fabulous musicians, there will be a Pimm’s tent, a beer tent with a great selection of real ales, fabulous food stalls and special stalls of festival fun. If you want to bring your blanket, chairs and food, then do feel free to do so – although why not support some of our local small businesses who will be on site with a fabulous selection of tasty treats.

The event is being run by a small team of volunteers working in partnership with Fleet Town Council.

Sue Tilley, Chair of the Committee, said: “We are so excited about launching this new event, which we are hoping will grow to be a real bright star in Fleet’s expanding events calendar.

“We are of course, immensely thankful to our sponsors – Hampshire County Council, Hart District Council, Fleet Town Council, Church Crookham Parish Council, as well as Fleet Business Improvement District, Kirk Rice Accountants & Financial Advisers, KJM Salons, Fleet Lions, the Scouts and others. Without these wonderful local organisations and businesses this really, really could not happen.

“All we need now is for you to come down and party with us! See you there!”

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Don’t miss this magical Beaconsfield festival!

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Book your tickets for the sober, wholesome Back To The Roots festival in Bucks, 9th to 11th August

Created by the people for the people, Back To The Roots is a collaboration of diverse and cultural backgrounds to offer world sounds, a co-creation of art, music, education and innovative ways to bring us together to unite in love, music, dance, discussion, and commUNITY.

This will be the third year running Back To The Roots, an all-inclusive nature fest no matter your background or age to celebrate how we can live more consciously and harmoniously together in a world with so much diversity. This is a sober, family-friendly and pet-friendly event.

The Back To the Roots stage is the main hub with musicians, workshops, and drum circles. It’s been erected with a prayer from Jote Prakash, each pole placed in the ground with intention and love and there’s a sola PA system from Solar Sound Tribe.

Nestled in the trees, The Tree Of Life stage comes alive with acoustic vibes, spoken word and storytelling. At night the trees are illuminated and the party vibes come alive with Freedom dance sets and soundscapes, powered by battery-operated sound system by CopperBottomSounds.

If you are looking for a place where you can let your imagination run wild, embrace your creativity and learn in a fun and interactive way, The Forest School is the perfect place for you.

Festival-goers can also enjoy the amazing Cacao Temple, Fire Side, herbal organic mocktails, smoothies, and organic living deserts, face painting with Amy ‘SpacePony’, a children’s nature craft area and more!

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Magical music with Raans Coffee Concerts

Round & About

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The recent classical concert series at the beautiful Richard Lawson Pianos showroom in Amersham proved to be a fab four for music-lovers!

“Relax and enjoy Sunday morning Chamber Music concerts this summer…”

This was the intriguing promotion for a new series of Raans Coffee Concerts on at the Richard Lawson Piano studios in Amersham. Concerts that aim to bring music and inspiration to the community are to be welcomed anywhere, anytime so this was an opportunity not to be missed.

The opening concert on 16th June featured clarinettist Lesley Schatsberger, pianist Paul Nicholson and the cellist Nicola Tait Baxter who play together as Amabile, a trio formed in 2021. They played two pieces: Louise Farrenc’s Trio in E flat opus 44 and the better-known Brahms Trio in A Minor Opus 114.

An immediately attractive feature of the event were the extensive programme notes provided to peruse over coffee before the concert began and the additional introductions to each piece provided by the players. Thus, we knew a lot more about the gifted and productive mid-19th century composer, Louise Ferenc before hearing a single note of music. Despite her prodigious talent and prestigious appointment as professor at the Paris Conservatoire, her music was largely overlooked in her own lifetime (because she was a woman!) and has only recently come to more prominence as society has adopted an approach to music based more on meritocracy than gender bias.

Farrenc’s trio of 1856 was a delight and a perfect example of why we should hear her work more often in the concert hall. The style is lyrical and original with the interplay between the three instruments perfectly balanced and allowing each to shine individually as well as combine in perfect harmony. The programme notes refer to hints of Mendelssohn and Weber and perhaps the tunefulness of the whole supports this contention. However, it was the originality of the writing that shone.

In contrast, the Brahms trio is a late work (1891) and much loved by chamber music enthusiasts. It was written five years before his death as a tribute to clarinettist Richard Muhfeld whom he had playing the Weber concerto in Meiningen. However, this is not a clarinet solo with accompaniment; like the Farrenc it embraces all three instruments to produce moments of expressive beauty, not least in the adagio section where the cello and clarinet sublimely juxtaposition themselves in exquisite interplay, and the spirited final movement which allows the piano particularly to produce a full range of pyrotechnics. It was played superbly and received rapturous applause by a very enthusiastic audience.

This concert was an absolute joy from start to finish and included a thoroughly deserved encore of an arrangement of one of Shostakovich’s short pieces. The playing throughout was scintillating, not just because of the technical excellence of the individual players but also because of their ‘togetherness’ brought about no doubt by such thorough preparation that was demonstrated in an intimate knowledge of the music where the differing shades and dynamics were emphasised superbly. A subtle balance between the instruments was maintained such that no individual took centre stage. This was music making of the highest quality and made more so by the smiling relaxed approach of each of the three players which was in stark contrast to the histrionics and absurd facial expressions so often favoured by other musicians in similar circumstances.

Let us hope that this marks the beginning of ‘more of the same’ and let us hope that we can hear more of Amabile.

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Guildford Fringe is a cut above

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Guildford Fringe Festival 2024 announces this year’s line-up running from 29th June to 20th July including the return of its popular free music performances

Guildford Fringe Festival (GuildfordFringeFestival.com), which is now in its 11th year, will return for a three-week run of theatre, comedy, spoken word, music, cabaret and family-friendly shows! All at accessible prices and with some top free entertainment on the bill. 

The beautiful historic Guildhall balcony on Guildford High Street becomes the stage for a free evening of Opera on the Balcony on 30 June with arias and duets from well-loved composers such as Puccini, Verdi, Mozart, Lehár and more. This is followed by Bluebirds on the Balcony on 6 July showcasing the talents of the vintage close harmony trio. There is no need to book, just bring a blanket or chair, and settle in to be entertained. 

Charlotte Wyschna, Managing Director of Guildford Fringe Festival, said: “Since our Founder Nick Wyschna set up Guildford Fringe Festival back in 2013, we have been proud to offer open access to performers and shows, and have kept ticket prices as low as possible, with an average ticket costing £10. We have remained committed to this value particularly at a time when costs are making it harder for many people to access festivals and venues around the UK. As Guildford’s largest independent multi-arts festival, we champion up and coming talent as well as providing a welcoming environment for established names to share their Work in Progress, giving our Festival audiences the chance to ‘hear it first’. As always, we are grateful to our audiences, funders, performers and venues with a heartfelt thank you to Experience Guildford and Chapters Financial for their ongoing support.”  

The 2024 Guildford Fringe Festival programme is as time of writing as follows (‘Free Fringe’ events marked*; family-friendly events marked +; WIP – Work in Progress):

Comedy: Bright Club Does Guildford Fringe, Darren Walsh: New Puns, Ingenious Fools presents Disabled Cants, Blue Badge Brunch+, Richard Pulsford: Get Rich Quick, Plastic Jeezus – Leave Them Wanting Less, Jake Baker: Union Sundown (WIP), Bexual Healing, Marjolein Robertson (WIP), Nathan Cassidy: International Man of Mestory, Madame Chandelier Saves Opera, Why I Chase Comedians and Other Bipolar Tales, Laughs and Tricks (Stephen Owen and Phil Turner), CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation, The Foraging Fan Club, Susie McCabe (WIP), Sam Love: Thirties (WIP), Mark Nicholas: This Is Not The Autistic You Are Looking For, Joe Wells (WIP), Phil Green: Guilt, Samantha Day: The Generations Game, Benny Shakes: Respect (WIP), Abi Clarke: Try Hard (WIP), Jack Skipper (WIP), Danny Buckler: Danny Does Vegas!, Katie Pritchard: I Kiss The Music, Juliette Burton: Hopepunk (WIP), Juliette Burton: Going Rogue (WIP), GROTTO, Charis King: Wummy (WIP), Fatiha El-Ghorri: Cockney Stacking Doll (WIP), Dylan Dodds: GroundDodds Day, Adrian Poynton: Ashes, Brits Abroad: Banned, Improv Wolves, Taxi Driver. 

Theatre: Stabbed From Behind – The Adult Murder Mystery, A Double Bill of New Writing from Performance Preparation Academy (PPA), The Regina Monologues by Rebecca Russell & Jenny Wafer, It’s a beautiful day! +, The Lucky and Ducky Show+, Zombie Chicken+, Bethnal Green, Living The Dream, The Bear and The Stronger, Through the Looking Glass+, Destination: ‘Old Hag’, Buried Denmark.

Live Music: Opera on the Balcony*+, Sinatra at Sunset+, Indigo Rocks, Madame Chandelier Saves Opera, Bluebirds on the Balcony*+, Café de Swing+, Opera in the Meadows, Liz Simcock in Concert+ (all proceeds to North Guildford Food Bank), What You Will+, Brian Houston Live at Clandon Wood+, Rock Choir Day*, Becoming Tosca, Open Mic Night at Sequoia Yoya*.

Spoken Word: Drag Story Time with That Girl*+, Robert Garnham: Juicy, Chris The Postman Poet: Existentially Yours.

Cabaret: The Harvey Juggling Show, Matt Daniel-Baker – The Mind Reader, The Goose and The Crow – Sinister Songbook, Drag Bottomless Brunch Bash, Dry Bottomless Brunch with That Girl+, Cabaret Drag Night with That Girl, Cabaret Drag Night with Mama Tasty, Cabaret Drag Night with Saffron Slayter, Drag Bingo With That Girl, 80s Daytime Disco Bottomless Brunch, Cabaret Drag Nigh with Big Liz

Other events: Write soon! A Writing Workshop with Paul Kerensa, Movie and a Meal (Churchill, Romance and Cigarettes and Life of Brian).

This year’s festival venues are Clandon Wood Nature Reserve, Guildford High Street, Guildford Library, Holy Trinity Church, St Mary’s Church, The Fallen Angel, The Guildhall, The Keep Pub, The Star Inn and The Stoke Pub. 

Tickets are now on sale via GuildfordFringeFestival.com or call the Box Office on 01483 361101. During the Festival, there will be also a daily Box Office at The Star Inn, Quarry Street, from 6-7pm. A great place to catch the Festival team for their top tips on what’s taking place. 

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