Posts Tagged ‘whatson’
BIG COUNTRY TO PLAY CLASSIC DEBUT ALBUM LIVE FOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Big Country, 2012.
Big Country, the cult Scottish rock band who formed in November 1981, kick-off their 30th anniversary celebrations by performing their classic 1983 debut album The Crossing live in its entirety during a thirteen-date tour of the U.K. in February 2012. This includes an appearance at the UEA in Norwich on February 13th.
An international best seller, The Crossing sold over 2 million copies in the UK, spawning 2 Top Ten hits and spending 84 consecutive weeks on the Music Week album chart. Scheduled for release on February 6th 2012, the deluxe edition of the album will come with a wealth of previously unreleased demos and mixes, available on 2CD, double-vinyl and digital download formats.
In announcing the ‘Crossing The Country Tour’, bassist Tony Butler says, “It’s typical to write an album and only play a few songs from it, so to get the opportunity to play an entire album is very cool. This tour will give us the chance to play songs never performed before alongside the well-known ones, songs that were written but didn’t make it on to the album, and the associated ‘b side’ material. We can’t wait.”
Big Country, who on November 19th will receive the inaugural ‘Pride of Scotland Award’ at the annual Nordoff Robbins Tartan Clef event held in Glasgow, reformed with The Alarm’s Mike Peters on lead vocal duties in place of the late Stuart Adamson, who passed away in 2001, for two sold-out UK tours and main stage festival appearances including The Isle of Wight Festival, T in The Park, Oxegen and V Festival during 2011. In addition, Big Country re-united with The Crossing’s producer Steve Lillywhite to release their first single in 12 years, ‘Another Country’.
The Crossing tour will also precede the release of a new studio album, scheduled for release in autumn 2012.
Big Country’s ‘Crossing The Country Tour’ dates are as follows:
Feb. 3: Academy, Manchester, U.K.
Feb. 4: O2 Academy, Liverpool, U.K.
Feb. 6: Barrowland, Glasgow, U.K.
Feb. 7: Alhambra, Dunfermline, U.K.
Feb. 8: O2 Academy, Newcastle, U.K.
Feb. 9: O2 Academy, Leeds, U.K.
Feb. 11: O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London, U.K.
Feb. 12: Hexagon, Reading, U.K.
Feb. 13: UEA, Norwich, U.K.
Feb. 15: O2 Academy, Bristol, U.K.
Feb. 16: Rock City, Nottingham, U.K.
Feb. 17: O2 Academy, Birmingham, U.K.
Feb. 18: O2 Academy, Sheffield, U.K.
Tickets are on sale now priced £22.50 from www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk.
The Crossing (2 CD Deluxe Edition) is available to pre-order now on Amazon: http://zaphod.uk.vvhp.net/v-v/111031182341
WIN!
We’re giving away two tickets to the Norwich gig, plus a copy of the album, ‘The Crossing: Deluxe Edition’.
To be in with a chance of winning, simply email your name and address to contact@enjoynorwich.com, subject: ‘Big Country’ by 12Midnight on Tuesday 7th February.
This year, the Christmas Seaside Special at Cromer Pier’s Pavilion Theatre is going all out to encourage families along to its fun and festive shenanigans by offering a ‘Kids Go Free‘ deal from 17th December.
We (myself, my Partner and 3 1/2 year old Little Man) went along to a 2pm performance to road-test just how much family-friendly fun we were talking about at this unique theatre perched just metres above the North Sea…
We weren’t disappointed.
Personally, this was my first experience of one of Cromer Pier’s ‘Seaside Specials’, although they are famed far and wide, with people travelling from way beyond Norfolk’s county borders to enjoy them (yes, that far). As the lights went down and the music started, I couldn’t help but smile at Little Man’s awe-struck face. It was definitely the first time he’s been to this sort of thing as well, though he is rapidly becoming a seasoned theatre goer for kids plays and the like.
For the next 2-and-a-half-odd hours (with interval), we were treated to a smorgasbord of entertainment that included dance numbers, singing, comedy, magic and storytelling.
The dancing would appeal to any fan of ‘Strictly..’, and was very accomplished. I was delighted to see a ballet sequence of the Sugar Plum Fairy dance from The Nutcracker, with wonderful pointe work. Each number was well choreographed, well loved and nostalgically festive.
The singing, led by Lulu Alexandra and Dale Page, was equally fabulous, with classic Christmas numbers right through to Glee-esque songs (including Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’). All feel-good, mostly contemporary and Christmassy. Slades ‘So Here It Is Merry Christmas’, and the rest of this upbeat Christmas medley, had me grooving inside if not in the actual aisle. I couldn’t help but grin with delight.
The entire production was steered by the lovable local entertainer Olly Day. With his cheeky stance, Norfolk accent and local knowledge, he hits just the right note with the audience, eliciting laughs without ever really stepping over PG-rated content.
His physical-comedy-packed ’12 Days of Christmas’ with fellow comedian Dave Mac was utterly hilarious. If it was scripted/choreographed to pan out as it did then these two are comedy geniuses (genii?). It certainly seemed very ad-hoc and improvisational. Marvelously funny.
Throughout the show there are pieces that allow children to really engage – the child performers sorting out their letters to Santa, and Olly Day and the same children singing ‘When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney’ for example. Despite this being the longest theatre performance Little Man has ever been to, he remained pretty much captivated through all but the comedian segments, which, as you’d perhaps expect, lost him a bit. The songs, music and physical comedy had him beaming and laughing with the rest of us however.
All in all, it was a breath of fresh air (not unlike the salty surroundings when you stepped back onto the Pier!). Anyone who thinks family-friendly variety is old fashioned or ‘not for them’ should really think again. Or at least see this show before passing absolute judgment. A really feel-good production that’d get even the Scroogiest among us into the Christmas Spirit, its money well spent in my opinion. And with shows like Strictly, Glee, Britain’s Got Talent and the X factor marking a resurgence in the popularity of ‘family entertainment’, a live, well-crafted modern take on the time-honoured variety show like this holds its place nicely beside more 21st Century activities such as 3D HD movies and the Wii.
Performances run every day except Mondays and Christmas Day with the closing night being New Years Eve, after which the theatre bar will remain open to see the New Year in. All children go FREE (2 children limit per 1 paying adult) from the 17th December 2011. While Little Man did enjoy the show, based on the duration, I would say that the show is most suited to the over 5s.
The evening shows start at 7pm, so you can get away around 9.30pm or stay on for a drink or coffee and cake (or warm mince pies!) in the bar, which stays open after the show. Christmas Meals and the Winter Menu (Bangers’n'Mash etc) are available in the Tides Restaurant on the Pier and there are ‘link meals’ to the show for those who wish to enjoy both experiences.
Cromer Pier & Pavilion Theatre,
Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9HE
Office: 01263 512281
Box Office: 01263 512495
Until twelfth night (5 January 2012), Norwich city centre is home to 21, individually designed, 7.5ft high wooden Christmas trees. The Tree Art Trail will increase the level of festive fun in Norwich this year, helping children and families to explore our beautiful city throughout the Christmas period.
Families are being encouraged to follow the child-friendly trail over the festive season. Trail maps and activity sheets are available at each of the tree sites, and at the Tourist Information Centre at the Forum in Norwich, to guide visitors around the locations. At each tree site there is a stamp. Trail followers that collect ten or more stamps on their trail map can enter a prize draw to win some exciting prizes, all donated by local businesses.
Each enormous tree is decorated with eye-catching designs, based on traditional Christmas themes. Local artists have been painting, sculpting and crafting to create individual designs that range from fun and quirky to simple and striking.
Decorating the huge wooden Christmas Trees.
Stefan Gurney, Norwich City Centre Partnership Manager, said: “The event is a true example of partnership working in Norwich. The Tree Art Trail has been organized by Norwich City Centre Partnership as part of NORWICHRISTMAS. All the wooden templates for the trees have been provided by Chapelfield Shopping Centre with prisoners from Norwich prison building the wooden trees. Norwich Arts Centre have delivered the project with local artists.
“Each of the host sites have paid for their trees but Mills and Reeve, Alan Boswell Group and Howes Percival have kindly sponsored the trail. Without them and the support from Archant, Chapelfield, Norwich Arts Centre, City Centre Partnership, Norwich Theatre Royal and Norwich Prison Service, we wouldn’t have a Tree Trail” concludes Stefan.
In keeping with true Christmas spirit, money donated by each of the businesses hosting a tree will go to Norwich Open Christmas which provides lunch and entertainment for those who are homeless or on their own on Christmas Day.
DOWNLOAD the Tree Art Trail Map.
Tree decorating in progress...
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- 11/02/2012 - Signs of Spring Week at Fairhaven Garden February 11, 2012
- 10/02/2012 - Coaching for a Great Life! Weekend Break in Norfolk February 10, 2012
- 09/02/2012 - A Beginner's Guide to Stargazing February 9, 2012
- 09/02/2012 - SCIENCE MUSEUM LIVE ON TOUR February 9, 2012