Phil Beer and Friends in Concert - 27th May 2011

Phil Beer, half of the folk-singing duo 'Show of Hands' this time performed by himself accompanied by friends.  The first part of the concert starred his special guest Tom Palmer.  In the second part, Phil and a very talented young local musician performed.  They provided a very entertaining evening.

Helen

The Way Back Home - 28th May 2011

This was an enchanting dramatisation of the children's book/fantasy about a little boy flying his plane to the moon.  It starred two actors with a musical accompaniment in a stage set which was an intriguing mixture of drawers to open and doors to open and disappear in to.  At forty-five minutes it was a suitable length for the attention span of children of 3 upwards and a rather dreamlike experience for anyone older.

Helen

Exeter College Dream Band…Swing to Latin featuring Lizzie Parks - 17 April 2011

This was the 9^th annual performance of Exeter College Dream Band, a gathering of musicians associated with Exeter College.

This time 18 highly accomplished musicians played with tremendous verve a varied programme ranging from Gershwin to Count Basie and Buddy Rich.

The concert featured Exeter born singer, Lizzie Parks, who has become known internationally since she sang with the band in 2004. She was outstanding with an amazing vocal range for mood form the strident to the sultry and sophisticated.

 
Helen

The Rockin’ Berries - 14 May 2011

This was a 50^th anniversary concert starring two of the original Berries. Geoff Turton(vocals and guitar)and Chuck Botfield (lead guitar)  together with drummer, Simon Ryland, son of the original saxophonist of the group and Rich Price, a former member of the Move.

They performed with  great energy, melodiousness and a sense of fun, some of their hit records but also a varied programme including 50’s rock and roll and 60’s and 70’s music form Buddy Holly to the Beatles.

The evening was also packed with entertaining anecdotes as the group in their past had performed with the Beatles at Hamburg and toured with the artists such as Gene Pitney, Lulu and Roy Orbison. 

Helen