Solid Silver 60's

The Swinging Blue Jeans

Fancy a trip down memory lane? As modern-day fashionistas' will admit 'retro' is back. And it appears not just in our clothing but in our entertainment.

Solid silver 60's will please and delight fans with old favourites that take them back in time.

Now in its 25th year the show, which brings together heroes of the decade, continues to delight generations of music lovers with timeless classic songs performed by the hit-makers of yesteryear.

The UK's 60's show return with acts that collectively includes stars, such as Dave Berry the true entertainer who made famous hits such as: 'Mamma', the 'Crying Game' and 'Little Things'; and 'The Troggs' who received critical acclaim around the world with songs including 'Wild Thing' and 'Love Is All Around'.

Also on the bill is Mike Pender (the original voice of 'The Searchers') who was featured on many of their big hits during the 60's and 70's including 'Needles and Pins', 'Sweets For My Sweet, 'Sugar and Spice and 'Don't Throw Your Love Away'.

Other artists include Brian Poole (a member of 'The Tremeloes'), Peter Sarstedt, remembered for his huge number one song 'Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)', plus three original group members of British pop harmony group Vanity Fare.

Last but not least the very special guests of the evening are the 'Swinging Blue Jeans' whose fans will recognise old favourites such as 'Golly Miss Molly and 'Don't Make Me Over'.

Join in this amazing night, where these 60's lovers are guaranteed a timeless journey to music much loved. Make this trip down memory lane a lasting one.

See the Solid Silver 60's on Sun 7 March at the Victoria Theatre, Fountain Street Halifax HX1 1BP 7.30pm. Adm: £21.50, £19.50 & £17.50. Info: 01422351158.

By Sinead Lewis

Night for Haiti

They are billed as the UK's Hottest Music Talent' and they have come together in aid of Haiti. Who? Foals, The Boxer Rebellion, New Young Pony Club, Eliza Doolittle and any more acts to be announced will be performing at a benefit concert in Battersea, south west London to raise funds to raise money for Haiti.

A Night for Haiti is being orchestrated by Action Against Hunger | ACF International, an international humanitarian organisation committed to ending child hunger. Recognised as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, Action Against Hunger works to save the lives of malnourished children while providing communities with sustainable access to safe water and long-term solutions to hunger.

With 30 years of expertise in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster and chronic food insecurity they run life-saving programmes in some 40 countries benefiting 5 million people each year.

Humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger, present in Haiti for over 25 years, immediately launched an emergency response following the devastating earthquake on January 12th. Within hours, Action Against Hunger's nutrition and water specialists were mobilised, offering life-saving assistance to those survivors so desperately in need. Action Against Hunger's teams are particularly concerned with saving the lives of children at risk of life-threatening malnutrition and immediately launched emergency nutrition and feeding programmes to help the quake's youngest survivors.

Edwin Congreave, from Foals, one of the bands playing on the night says what happened in Haiti was so tragic and destructive that it defied any possible cynicism.

"The most innocent people, in the most troubled society in the western hemisphere, suffered, and are still suffering. It's easy to doubt the power of the individual to react and respond adequately, but it's not hard to simply divert a little money in the right direction."

As for Action Against Hunger, he adds, "By putting on this show they're simply continuing their aid work with more urgency and a temporarily higher profile. The role of musicians in this is limited, but useful, and we'll do what we can, while we can."

The benefit concert, Night for Haiti takes, place on Friday 19th February at the newly refurbished Clapham Grand (opposite Clapham Junction train station), Battersea, London SW11. They are providing the entire free of charge and donating all the proceeds to the appeal. Adm: £15. at Ticketweb: www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=370036 Info: Info: 0844 847 2438. To donate to Action Against Hunger's Haiti emergency appeal please visit www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk

Earthquake Fund Raiser

The Haiti Earthquake Fundraiser at the Roundhouse, Camden on 25th February is picking up pace.

KT Tunstall, Reverend & The Makers and Paul Weller are the latest acts to support the fantastic event to support relief efforts by performing on the night.

They are joining a brilliant cast of some of the world's greatest entertainers including Bombay Bicycle Club, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Magic Numbers, Mr Hudson, Othello Woolf, Seasick Steve and The Futureheads on the bill to support of the humanitarian aid efforts of both ActionAid and Médecins Sans Frontires.

Due to overwhelming support from acts and artists, the organisers have boosted the Roundhouse line-up with The Hoosiers and some of 2010's hottest breakthrough acts such as Charlotte O'Connor, Example, The Strangeways and Stornoway confirmed for a sister event at Camden's Proud Galleries. Taking over the popular Queens of Noize night, Smash & Grab, revellers will have a second option of great music and comedy.

Organisers Beanstalk, fronted by Katrina Larkin and Victoria Burns have created a spectacular night of music and comedy to raise money for ActionAid and Médecins Sans Frontires. Due to the support from bands, acts and comedians there will now be a sister event at Proud Galleries around the corner from the Roundhouse event showcasing some of the best up and coming talent.

Haitian visual artist Andre Eugene the progenitor of the Grand Rue movement in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, who will be flying over and presenting work and photography by artists involved in Ghetto Biennale Arts Festival Port Au Prince in the bars and foyer of the Roundhouse.

The night has received the backing of major music stars and even MPs David Cameron and Ben Bradshaw, whose messages of support will be displayed on the big screen on the night of the event, along with 51 other high-profile names such as Coldplay and Paloma Faith to mark the 53 days since the devastating earthquake struck the island.v

100% of money raised through the Fundraiser will be donated directly to ActionAid and Médecins Sans Frontires to support their work saving and re-building the lives of those affected by the Haiti earthquake.

This great night of music and comedy to raise thousands for the aid work in Haiti will be held on Thurs 25 Feb at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Rd, London, NW1. London. Adm: £40 / £100. Info: 0870 389 9920, tickets: www.haitiearthquakefundraiser.com

Bev Is Back

With the release of her eponymous debut album in the 90s Beverley Craven became a household name. The album became a worldwide hit, selling more than two million copies.

Her 1991 single, 'Promise Me', went on to become a huge hit across Europe and she followed this up with a string of chart successes including 'Memories', Holding On', 'Woman To Woman' and 'Love Scenes'.

Now in 2009, after a lengthy break raising her family, Beverley is back with 'Close To Home', her first studio album in ten years.

The 1992 BRIT-Award winning singer was born in Sri Lanka on July 28th, 1963. Her family relocated back to the UK when she was 18 months old and settled in Hertfordshire.

Aged 18, Beverley, who had been encouraged to learn the piano by her mother, a classical, violinist moved to London, intent on carving out a career in the music business. The next few years saw her struggling to find the all-important break, making ends meet with a succession of day jobs whilst pursuing her musical ambitions with session work and pub gigs with various bands.

In the late 80s her perseverance paid off when she was offered a job as a backing vocalist on a European tour with soul legend Bobby Womack, and then in 1988, the big break finally came when one of her demo tapes fell into the hands of Epic Records who immediately offered her a recording contract.

After a stint in the States, developing her writing and performing skills, Beverley commenced work on her self-titled debut album which was released in the UK in 1990. Its success was almost unprecedented - within a year it had been certified double platinum with sales of over one million copies and it went on to spend an incredible 52 weeks on the UK album chart.

The debut single, 'Promise Me', reached number 3 on the UK singles chart and also charted across Europe. Further hits followed with 'Holding On', 'Woman To Woman' and 'Memories', whilst Beverley performed sold-out shows across the UK, mainland Europe and the USA.

Beverley's second album, 'Love Scenes', was released in September 1993 and reached number 4 in the UK album charts, spawning the hit singles 'Love Scenes' and 'Mollie's Song'.

Beverley then took a break from the music scene before returning in 1999 with her third album, 'Mixed Emotions'. The album was critically well-received but poorly promoted by the record company. Increasingly disillusioned with the music industry; Beverley went into semi-retirement and concentrated on raising her family.

However, when you have the bug youre well and truly bitten. Ten years on Beverley is finally back with 'Close To Home', her long-awaited and perhaps most personal album to date. "It's a rebirth in many ways," she says. "Only this time there's no record deal and no pressure. I'm doing things on my terms now and you know what - Im really enjoying myself!"

She will be performing songs from her album at Live Lounge, an intimate night of live music at Baby Blue, one of Liverpools most established clubs and performance spaces; Beverley is show to go down a treat. The seated venue has a growing reputation for showcasing the finest comedy talents in the UK.

Beverley Craven performs on Wed 21 Oct at Live Lounge, Baby Blue, Edward Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AF. Adm: £20 adv, £22 door. Info: 0844 8000 410. Also on 10 Mar 2010, Garrick Theatre, Lichfield - 01543 412121; (11/03/10) Parr Hall, Warrington - 01925 442 345; (13/03/10) The Lights, Andover - 01264 368368; (26/03/10) - Coastal Coffee, Rustington - 07859 297542. More Info: www.beverleycraven.com

Please check back for updated events.

Every Monday
FAVOURITE THINGS
Live: Jazz jam from the in-house band - The Show & Prove Jazz Trio - whilst budding musicians are invited to join in for a jam. Bringing together jazz buffs, jazz virgins, jazz musicians and DJ's to celebrate this most maligned and misunderstood of genres. Wannabe selectors can send in their top ten jazz cuts for the chance to drop 30 minutes of fame behind the decks, plus superstar DJ's will drop by to lay down a few of their favourite tracks too.  Venue: Proud, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AH. Adm: Free. 7pm - 12.30am.Info: If you want a chance at stardom on the decks then mail Dom at info@wahwah45s.com with your top ten all time jazz cuts – include ‘Favourite Things’ in the subject header.

Mondays
FREE BALKAN GYPSY JAM MADNESS WITH ZEST AND FIRE
Led by the eclectic Viktor Obsust and friends.Suitable for any instrument, level, creed etc but you must possess enthusiasm to enjoy music and try something new! See and hear the Balkan beat live as its made - learn a few tunes and have fun with irregular rhythms. Fine food, fine drinks, fine music, fine crowd, what else one can wish for!!! A must see for party crowds, bring your dancing shoes and your instrument!.(unless there is a scheduled Prestige Performance Concert/Special event) Venue: Quecumbar.42-44 Battersea High Street, London SW11 3HX. 7pm-12am Adm: Free all night. Info: info@quecumbar.co.uk

Tuesdays
SIZZLING GYPSY SWING JAM
QuecumBar & Jam, the UKs best sizzling Gypsy Jam session. You saw Johnny Depp in Chocolate play Django's Minor Swing. Now see and hear it live. Bring your instrument and join the hot club sound Venue: Quecumbar.42-44 Battersea High Street, London SW11 3HX. 7pm-12am Adm: Free all night. Info: info@quecumbar.co.uk

Every Tuesday
ACOUSTIC TUESDAY: CAN YOU GIG IT?
"Can YOU gig it?" This is one to watch, listen and... play. Lead by acoustic duo Dan Olney and Steve Osaer, two singer/song writers, who will be playing a mixture of acoustic covers from Hendrix to Seal, Guns 'n' Roses to Crowded House, Bee-Gees to Soul Asylum, Radiohead to U2, as well as some of Dan & Steve's very own tracks. This night is also an opportunity for other artists to come down and flex their talent as the night will be run on an "open mic" theme. Other artists who join in will naturally be awarded with free drink tokens. This is an opportunity for other artists to show off their versions of various tunes or even showcase music of their own. So whatever style of music you have up your sleeve, come down and let it be known! The White Lion, 232 Streatham High Road, London SW16 2BB. 9pm-1am. Adm: Free. Info: 020 7274 5537

Wednesdays
7.00-12.00
MIKE HEAD
Piano Bar with Mike Head "Left Bank Blues" Swing piano vocals. Venue: Quecumbar.42-44 Battersea High Street, London SW11 3HX. 7.pm-12.am. Adm: Free 4 members & b4 8pm. .For non members after 8pm £5. Info: info@quecumbar.co.uk

Thursday
SWINGING CATS
Led by Australian guitarist Dave Blenkhorn one of the most sought after guitar players in the traditional and gypsy jazz scene since his arrival in the UK in 2005. He has played and recorded with some of Australia's best known jazz musicians James Morrison, Bob Barnard and Graham Bell and performed at numerous festivals on the European festival circuit with U.S players Leroy Jones, Evan Christopher and Dan Barrett.It's swinging guitar inspired by the music from the 30's and 40's and the playing of jazz greats Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian. Venue: Quecumbar.42-44 Battersea High Street, London SW11 3HX. 7.pm-12.am. Adm: Free 4 members & b4 8pm. .For non members after 8pm £5. Info: info@quecumbar.co.uk

Every Thursday
ANOTHER MUSIC=ANOTHER KITCHEN
Showcasing the finest in emerging talent from Britain's fastest rising independent labels. Venue:  Proud, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AH. 8.30pm-1am. Adm: £5 on the door.

Fridays
SWINGING CATS
Swing Time with various artists including vocals and instrumentals. Swinging guitar inspired by the music from the 30's and 40's and the playing of jazz greats Django Reinhardt and Charlie Venue: Quecumbar.42-44 Battersea High Street, London SW11 3HX. Info: 6pm-12am . Adm: Free 4 members & b4 8pm. .For non members after 8pm £5 info@quecumbar.co.uk

Saturdays
SWINGING CATS
Jazzmatazz various vocalists & instrumentalists with Swing/Jazz/Hot Club. Swinging guitar inspired by the music from the 30's and 40's and the playing of jazz greats Django Reinhardt and Charlie Venue: Quecumbar.42-44 Battersea High Street, London SW11 3HX. 6pm-12am . Adm: Free 4 members & b4 8pm. For non members after 8pm £5Info: info@quecumbar.co.uk

Every Saturday
SATURDAY AFTERNOONS AT PROUD
Acoustic and down-tempo acts all the way - look out for celebrity secret guests!> The Be-Team will be hosting summer afternoons out on the terrace. Providing weekly musical entertainment amidst the ‘Alice on Acid’ themed surroundings! Venue: Proud, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AH. 8pm (doors open). Adm: Free.

Every Sunday
THE CHURCH
Still rocking since 1979 - where all are welcome & revelry is the order of the day. Venue: The Forum: 9 - 17 Highgate Road, Kentish Town, London NW5 1JY. 12noon- 3.30pm. Info: 0208 963 0940.