April events at Blue Collar Corner

Karen Neville

Reading FC

Make a date for British Street Food Awards, Mark Bowen of Reading FC & a Sunday acoustic session

Blue Collar Corner, Reading’s street food and drinks arena in Hosier Street, is uncovering it’s roof terrace and preparing for summer with a packed line-up of events and DJs this month.

Events include two days of hosting the South Eastern heats of the British Street Food Awards, a Supporter Trust at Reading (STAR) evening with Mark Bowen and the Reading FC off field team plus live music.

“We can’t wait to bring British Street Food Awards to Blue Collar Corner on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April” Glen Dinning of Blue Collar says, “We last hosted the Awards at Market Place in November 2020 where the quality and variety of food on offer was incredible. It’s so exciting to see future food trends – this is a chance to experience the very best of the British street food scene, vote for your favourites and support independent businesses.

“Variety of food is an ongoing theme here at Blue Collar Corner now with our four kitchens on short term rotations between two to four weeks each keeping the food option fresh and exciting.

“Our evenings with Brian McDermott in conversation last year were very special events. Glen continues “so we’re really happy to be welcoming more Reading FC related events on Wednesday 26th April when the Supporters Trust of Reading host an evening with Mark Bowen and the off field team.”

“We’ve uncovered our roof terrace and are getting the site summer ready” Glen continued, “Our live acoustic Sunday sessions have been a big hit recently. Our next of these will be the 19 Something Festival Launch on Sunday 23rd April, raising money for Age UK with stripped down live sets from a selection of local acts.”

This month you can enjoy:

Sat 18th Apr – British Street Food Awards + DJ Rob Wire + DJ Chris Gale 
Sun 19th Apr – British Street Food Awards
Thu 20th Apr – Feel Good Thursdays w/ DJ Rich Sloman
Fri 21st Apr – DJs Elle Cee & Kingpinn
Sat 22nd Apr – Rum & Donuts DJs + DJ Arthur
Sun 23th Apr – 19 Something Festival launch in aid of Age UK
Wed 26th Apr – Supporters Trust at Reading w/ Mark Bowen & off field team
Thu 27th Apr – Feel Good Thursdays w/ DJ Slippery People
Fri 28th Apr – DJ Acronym
Sat 29th Apr – DJ Mark Fitzpatrick + DJ Gilbert
Sun 30th Apr – Rum & Donuts DJs + DJs Elle Cee & Kingpinn 

For full info on Blue Collar’s April DJ sets and events (including their Cheese Feast event in Forbury on 28th-30th April), see blue.collar | Facebook | Linktree or follow their socials at @bluecollarfood.

Blue Collar Corner’s November showcase

Ellie Cox

Reading FC

A fabulous mix of music from DJ Huey Morgan and The Amazons headline beside some straight talking from former Reading FC manager Brian McDermott in Reading this month

Local independent street food specialist Blue Collar, are bringing big names to Blue Collar Corner for their extensive November events schedule. 

What’s on

On Saturday 19th November, Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman and Radio 6 Music DJ Huey Morgan brings his NYC Block Party to Blue Collar Corner. Running from midday until midnight and with free entry throughout, Huey Morgan’s NYC Block Party will be a riotous celebration of the Good Times feature the sound of funk, soul, disco and hip hop jams. Huey will be playing a special early evening set, ensuring younger fans also get to enjoy his set, under 18s are welcome until 8pm.

Former Reading FC manager, Brian McDermott, who famously lead the Royals to promotion into the Premier League in 2012, hosts a presentation entitled Winning, Losing, Mental Health & Finding Balance followed by an audience Q&A. Brian will share his story of dealing with the highs and lows of football including feelings of not being ‘good enough’ and having to cope with anxiety, depression and an alcohol addiction. Two sessions of the presentation, on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th are sold out. The third and final evening with Brian is on Wednesday 23rd and tickets are available now from www.linktr.ee/blue.collar.

Fresh from reaching number five in the UK Official Albums Chart with their third album How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me, local indie rockers The Amazons head to Blue Collar Corner for a special hometown DJ set on Thursday 17th Noember. The band will be celebrating the end of their current album tour which has taken them across Europe and the UK, including a packed-out show at Roundhouse, London. The Amazons’ DJ set will be part of the Indie Thursdays night, Blue Collar Corner’s weekly free entry night of indie anthems and alternative favourites.

“We could not be more excited about this month at Blue Collar Corner”, says Blue Collar’s Glen Dinning. “Brian McDermott is my hero and having him agree to tell his story at Blue Collar Corner is very special to me. I’ve also always loved watching England’s World Cup games with friends so I can’t wait for the moment when we kick off our first game and cheer on the lads.”

He continues: “October’s guest and resident DJ sets at Blue Collar Corner were a big hit, so we’re really happy to have a strong mixture of both again in November, keeping up the great vibes into the evening to fit with our later opening hours. The Amazons’ latest album is probably my favourite of the year so I’m really looking forward to hearing what they play when they join us for their DJ set on Thursday 17th.”

Blue Collar Event manager Pete Wheeler adds: “We’re also thrilled to have a rare free entry DJ set from Huey Morgan when he plays an early evening set for us on Saturday 19th. His Saturday lunchtime shows on BBC 6 Music are always full of great funk, soul, disco and hip hop selections so we’re definitely in for a treat when he brings his NYC Block Party to Reading.”

Also at Blue Collar Corner this month, Reading’s Indie Market bring their popular local art, craft and produce stalls to the venue on Sunday 6th. Music lovers get to dig the crates for bargains and rarities at Blue Collar Record Fair & Social on Sunday 20th. On the same date (20th November), the venue begins its screenings of selected World Cup 2022 football games, showing the opening ceremony and opening game. England kick off their campaign the following day (Monday 21st) against Iran at 1pm, tables can be reserved now for this and England’s other group games at www.linktr.ee/blue.collar.

Then on Saturday 26th November, Blue Collar Corner present their first R’n’B Brunch. Cheekily entitled Pop Ya Collar, expect three hours of nothing but solid gold 90s & 00s R’n’B jams. Pop ya collar while they pop the cork on your bottle of Prosecco or serve you up a gin n’ juice. No diggity, no doubt.

For the full Blue Collar events line up for November visit www.bluecollarcorner.co.uk