Friday 23 December 2016

22nd December - Bruce Neil at Antique Rose

Last night once again saw us back in Bush Walk. Georgina Hustler, owner of Antique Rose handed out Prosecco, then introduced Bruce Neil to the crowd. Bruce played guitar and sang some of  his more recently written songs that he is planning to release in the New Year. His daughters Elsie and Betsy spurred him on and offered to warn their Dads numb fingers from the cold air! A good crowd was gathered, and Bruce closed with his famous acoustic version of "Paradise City" which was well received.



Antique Rose has been described as 2 floors of lovely pretty things ... gorgeous gifts .... festive treats ... plus Wokingham's winter Wonderland.. a whole Floor of Christmas loveliness !!! And there is still time to go visit.

Tonight we are inside St Paul's Church for a performance by their Church Choir and tomorrow at 4pm work off those mince pies by joining us at Howard Palmer Gardens for what can only be described as a Wrap Up Party. Come one, come all for what may be a real mix of acts but will be a good time.

21st December - the 4Bones at Brown Bag Cafe

Brown Bag hosted a great night for our 21st Wokingham Living Advent Calendar of 2016. With mulled wine and mince pies being enjoyed by one of our largest crowds to date, the 4Bones played Christmas greats like "Have yourself a merry little Christmas", "Frosty the snowman" and "We wish you a merry Christmas". All performed with four trombones that gave this performance that difference the crowd loved.




A message from Brown Bag,
'Brown Bag has been in Wokingham Town Centre for over 10 years, serving the finest hot drinks, handmade sandwiches produced daily in our very own kitchens and cakes! We love being part of the Living Advent Calendar and hope lots of people come and join us’

Tonight we are inside St Paul's Church, sheltering from the forecast bad weather, for a performance by their Church Choir.

Wednesday 21 December 2016

20th December - Not the North Band at the Dukes Head.

There was a real festive buzz in the Dukes Head last night as lots of people flooded in for the Living Advent Calendar. Local band "Not the North" warmed the crowd up playing some great covers including "Valerie". The 4 piece band then showcased some originals whilst the landlord of the pub handed out prosecco cocktails and mince pies. A really good atmosphere created by a very talented band who describe themselves as "Berkshire based, Four piece rock fusion band playing mainly originals and a few covers, drawing on a variety of styles, including prog rock, funk, swing, blues and Latin beats".

The video features one of their original tracks "Route 120".



Tonight we are at Brown Bag cafe just off Denmark Street with the 4Bones who are a four piece trombone act.

Tuesday 20 December 2016

19th December - The Mighty Lemons at the Hope & Anchor

The Hope & Anchor was our venue for the 19th performance of the Wokingham Living Advent Calendar.

We were joined by the Mighty Lemons who are quite simply the best Ukulele covers band in the world (at least that's what Nigels' mum says). They only play for charity and good causes and they played a few awesome Christmas tunes as well as some rocking covers. Normally a 7 piece Ukulele band they were short a couple of lemons but proved to still be pretty mighty despite this handicap.

No sour notes were heard during their renditions of "Jingle Bells", "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and the Queen classic "Fat Bottomed Girls" among a number of other songs. Finishing off with "I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)" originally by the Proclaimers and with an encore of "Brown Eyed Girl" the audience sang and occasionally danced along throughout the performance.



Tonight we will be at The Dukes Head for Not the North band a four piece rock fusion act which from their description will be quite an interesting mix of styles from Prog Rock to Latin beats.

Monday 19 December 2016

18th December - The Live Nativity!

Sunday saw Wokingham gathering in the Market Place at 3pm to see donkeys (supplied by JAC) and make some crafts amoung other activities before processing on mass to Howard Palmer Gardens for the Live Nativity.

Howard Palmer Gardens saw almost 500 people young and old enjoy a performance of the Nativity story.

BottleTop is a community of people from all backgrounds and ages. They are passionate about telling stories and building relationships. Since September they've worked with around 100 members of the local community to make this event possible, from churches, schools, choirs, shops, the Salvation Army and craft groups. So many people have worked tirelessly to make today possible and for them to be able to tell what we believe is most exciting, inspiring and hope filled story ever told.  

With a story influenced through an exploration of the senses it was fitting that Bottletop brought Kim an adept of British Sign Language on to sign the whole performance.

Click the photo for the full album. 

Wokingham Living Advent Calendar - Live Nativity

Tonight we will be at the Hope & Anchor for a performance by a 7 piece Ukulele band, The Mighty Lemons.

17th December - Meet a minion at Dollshouse Boutique

Saturday's performance saw us outside Dollshouse Boutique who gave out drinks and homemade nibbles. The Mountain Entertainment Minion "Jorge" featured in his very own "meet a minion" show! He danced the YMCA with the boys and girls joining in, as well as "chu chu ah" . There was then a photo opportunity to have a picture with Jorge, before everyone clapped and danced along to "Happy" which was a highlight- even for passers by!



Tonight you will find us at the Hope & Anchor for a performance by 7 piece Ukulele act The Mighty Lemons.

16th December - St Crispin's Chamber Choir at the Methodist Church

We were in the warmth of the Wokingham Methodist Church for this 16th performance in 2016's Wokingham Living Advent Calendar.

St Crispin's Chamber Choir were back to entertain us with some suitably seasonal songs led by their music director, Nicholas Wolstencroft, including "Here is the little door" by Herbert Howells, "The Truth from Above" by Vaughan Williams and an alternate version of Away in a Manger. As last year they were excellent, showing a real scope of talent through the school of all ages from the students to the teachers.




And as we were all enjoying it so much we had an encore of "Ding Dong Merrily on High".

Tonight we are at the Hope and Anchor on Station Road for what is likely to be one of the more unusual performances by the Mighty Lemons, a 7 piece Ukulele Band.

Friday 16 December 2016

15th December - Laura Elliott at Rococo

We were all gathered in Bush Walk at Rococo last night to see Laura Elliott perform. There were chocolates handed out by Rococo and plenty in Bush Walk shops to dazzle the senses, and it was topped off by a wonderful performance.

Laura gathered some friends as well as local support as the 14 yr old sang showing great confidence and really displayed her vocal talents. She sang "Half the World away" and "Not about Angels", then we were given a fabulous performance of Laura singing whilst playing the guitar, before she rounded off with "Power of Love". Laura really showed her “passion for singing and musical theatre and enjoyment from playing the guitar”.




A really talented young singer who was a delight to watch and have take part in this year’s Calendar!

Tonight join us at the Methodist Church for what is bound to be an amazing performance by the St Crispin’s Choir. They performed for us last year and were spectacular.

Thursday 15 December 2016

14th December - The Remnants at Clifton Ingram

Another fantastic Living Advent Calendar performance in Wokingham this year.
The crowd huddled up on the kerb outside Clifton Ingram, warmed by gifts of hot chocolate and cookies, to listen to the beautiful harmonies of The Remnants. A four piece A-Capella vocal harmony group singing songs from Henry the 8th up to do bop. Their songs included "God Rest ye Merry Gentleman", "Good King Wenceslas" and a drinking song from the 17th Century.




Many thanks to Clifton Ingram for the warming drinks.

Tonight you will find the Living Advent Calendar down at Rococo on Bush Walk for a performance by a talented Platform Young Professional, Laura Elliott.We also hear that other businesses in Bush Walk will be open for late night shopping.

Wednesday 14 December 2016

13th December - Jaxannah! at Kaanaanmaa

It was a damp evening outside Kaanaanma the Jewellers for our 13th Living Advent Calendar performance, but the outstanding Jaxannah! (a close harmony singing group offering a mix of light Christmas music with a folky feel) drew the crowds in with their renditions of "away in a manger", "hark" & "do you hear what I hear".



Tonight join us at Clifton Ingram Solicitors for another outstanding performance by act The Remnants.

Tuesday 13 December 2016

12th December - Olivia Dance Academy at Broad Street Tavern

Last night we were at the Broad Street Tavern, and we attracted by far the busiest crowd yet!! At least 50 pupils from the Olivia Dance academy invited Mums, Dads, Grannies and Grandads to literally " squeeze" into the high street pub for their ballet performance yesterday evening. The dancers ranged from age 3 to 15yrs and danced beautiful pieces to "twinkle twinkle little star", "the Nutcracker" and finished altogether with "Carol of the Bells".  The dancers really did themselves proud and were a joy to watch.

The dancers even performed the entire 11 min show for a second time through to allow a shuffle of audience for all the get the chance to see as the audience was so packed!



Wokingham Living Advent Calendar 12


Tonight we will be at Kaanaanmaa on Denmark Street for another fab performance, this time by local group Jaxannah!.

Monday 12 December 2016

11th December - Storytime with Mother Christmas at Maison Rustic

Princess Anna was invited by the Enchanted Players Theatre Company to entertain the crowd at Maison Rustic in Bush Walk on the 11th day of advent with “Storytime with Mother Christmas”.  She read her favourite Christmas story "Twas the night before Christmas" and sang some of her favourite songs. She also posed for photos with children young and old.

Wokingham Living Advent Calendar 11



She was introduced by Georgina of Maison Rustic which offers “Rustic Home Accessories & Furniture including candles, picture frames & lots of gorgeous copper & rose gold for your home!”

Tonight join us at the Broad Street Tavern for the 12th Living Advent Calendar performance, Olivia Dance Academy.

10th December - Barbarettes at TG Art Gallery

Saturday’s performance saw us at the TG Art Gallery in Peach Street. The Barbarettes filled the shop with a sea of red sequin jackets ready to perform to the gathered crowd. The ladies were led by their choir master Emma, who introduced each song and got us involved wherever possible.

The ladies opened singing " Jingle Bells" followed by many popular classics such as "Santa Baby", "Mr Sandman", "Aquarius" and "Jingle Bell Rock" to name a few. Their performance was rounded off with the ladies singing "It’s Raining Men". A really festive feeling was in the air with Mulled wine by fabulous host TG Art Gallery and so many great songs packed into the Barbarettes performance.



From the Barbarettes, “We are a ladies singing group from Reading, Wokingham & the surrounding areas who meet weekly in Woodley. We sing  4 part unaccompanied songs, which range from traditional barbershop numbers such as Java Jive to more recent songs by the Beetles and Lady Gaga - and just about everything in between! We are an all inclusive group and the majority of the ladies do not read music and amazingly learn from sound. If you would like to be part of this amazing team of ladies then we rehearse every Wednesday evening from 7.45pm at St John Ambulance Hall, Woodley.”

Tonight join us at Broad Street Tavern for a performance by Olivia Dance Academy. 

9th December - Lydia Rose at Grape Escape


Grape Escape was packed to the rafters for Friday's Living Advent performance! A treat of mulled wine was well received for all to enjoy.

Lydia Rose is an extremely talented young lady who delighted the audience with her opening of "Maybe". Her other songs included "Royals" and Keane’s "Somewhere only we know". The gathered audience were truly impressed by the amazing vocals of this 15 yr old who sang with such confidence and charm.



Lydia says, "I'm really excited to be involved in the Living Advent this year as I love singing and performing. I have been a member of Platform since I was nine where I have been in many shows and have taken musical theatre exams. I play the ukulele and have recently been learning the guitar and piano to help with my music GCSE at school and I would love a music career in the future."


Tonight we are at Broad Street Tavern for another stellar performance, this time by talented young dancers from Olivia Dance Academy.

Friday 9 December 2016

8th December - Luckley House School Choirs at Wokingham Library

Yesterday evening we were hosted by a warm and cosy Wokingham Library where snacks of Lebkuchen were on hand to enjoy.

We were treated to a triple header from the students at Luckley House school. Performances were given by the senior choir, the chamber choir and lastly the junior choir. Songs included "love shone down" "O Holy Night" and the evening was rounded off with a fabulous Encore of "count on me"  by Bruno Mars.





Many thanks to a busy and hugely supportive audience and to Wokingham Library for hosting us. Wokingham Library provides services to support learning and leisure activities for all in the local community. It’s free to join the library and members can borrow from a wide range of resources and also have access to free wi-fi and the Internet. For more information go to www. wokingham.gov.uk/libraries

Tonight’s Wokingham living advent Calendar performance is at Grape Escape on Denmark street with a Platform Young Professional of many years Lydia Rose.

Thursday 8 December 2016

7th December - Ben Lambert at the Ship Inn

We were at the Ship in for another grand performance by professional musician Ben Lambert.
Ben got the evening off to a swinging start with a Buble classic- "I just haven't met you yet", the audience joined in the swing of things by swaying along to "Sway" and "Save the last dance for me". A real "feel good" factor was in the air and the Ship Inn was well and truly packed with support for this evening’s performer!



Ben has been singing professionally for over 20 years, his singing career has sent him around the world on cruises and in International hotels. Ben’s vocal talents cover a vast repertoire of music and Artists.

Tonight we will be wrapped up warm in Wokingham Library with Luckley House Choir. Hope to see you there.

Wednesday 7 December 2016

6th December - Pauly Zarb and Family at the Local Barbershop

On the 6th Living Advent Calendar performance we were at The Local Barbershop for another brilliant event, this time by Pauly Zarb and family.  Pauly originally from Australia now residing in Wokingham, has been a professional musician for over 20 years. From Australia’s best festivals to USA's best festivals and now in Europe, Pauly is well recognized throughout the world of music.

Pauly opened his performance with a heartfelt rendition of "O Holy Night" whilst the crowd were handed a warming Hot Chocolate from Local Barbershop host Simon. Pauly then invited his daughters Chloe and Ella up to join him, aged just 11yrs and 9yrs they displayed their talents playing "Silent Night" on the violin and guitar. Even his youngest, 3 year old Zavier couldn’t resist a turn at the mic with an impromptu rendition of Tommy Thumb.  We were then treated to a true family singsong of classics such as “Rockin around the Christmas Tree” and “Frosty the snowman”. What a talented family!!



Wokingham Living Advent Calendar 06


Many thanks to the Local Barbershop our hosts for this evening. In their words. “The Local Barber Shop is truly local! We have a team all living within a 5 mile radius of the shop. A majority of the team went to school in Wokingham. That means that the money we generate is spent locally and benefits the town. Come and be a part of a local success story.”

Tonight we will be at the Ship Inn for performance 7, Ben Lambert with some swing classics, Michael Buble and a few seasonal songs.

Tuesday 6 December 2016

5th December - Dressing the Christmas Tree

It was a cold evening that saw the Wokingham Town schools arrive to present their decorations to the Mayor Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson and Mini-Mayor Elysia.

13 local schools took part and carols were wonderfully led by Wokingham Choral Society.



Foundry College
Evendons Primary School
Emmbrook Infants School
Wescott School
Walter Infant School
Hawthorns School
Keep Hatch School
St Teresa’s School
Emmbrook Junior School
Westende School
The Emmbrook School
The Holt School
Luckley House School

The Wokingham Paper was on site to take photographs do check them out on their article on the event here.

Many thanks also to 1st Winnersh Scouts for doing the refreshments and for Tesco and Marks and Spencer for donating mince pies.

The decorations are already on the tree and are looking lovely.

Join the Wokingham Living Advent Calendar tonight at the Local Barber shop for what will undoubtedly be a rousing performance by Pauly Zarb.

Monday 5 December 2016

4th December - Mountain Entertainment at Sanpa

It was a fantastic turnout on Sunday afternoon with Sanpa our venue packed to the rafters.
Danny and the dancers from Mountain Entertainment started with their infamous "Viva Las Vegas", then Danny performed a Buddy Holly medley.

The dancers then joined Danny for the popular 60's favourite "Twistin the night away", followed by an upbeat Motown medley.

Next Danny had the crowd singing along and waving paper napkins to "Cant take my eyes off of you" which was a real highlight to see the whole of Sanpa joining in!

The finale was the classic "New York New York" with the girls wearing feathers and the crowd kicking their legs!!!

Mountain really wanted us to make sure you knew how excited they were to be taking part in 2016's Living Advent Calendar and thank you for coming along to this performance as well as supporting them throughout the year.

Enjoy this little video courtesy of Mountain Entertainment.



Tonight we are Dressing the Christmas Tree with 13 Wokingham Schools and Wokingham Choral Society. Hope to see you there.

3rd December - Time to Sing at Jess and Jake fashion

Saturday saw us at a packed Jess & Jake Fashion for the third Living Advent Calendar performance, it was great to see the shop crammed full of support for the performers of this special event.

Time to Sing are a small friendly choir who love to perform at local events, singing a wide variety of music ranging from show tunes to pop & rock. These fabulous ladies very much looking the part dressed in purple attire.

Their musical Director Daniel led the choir, they sang a mix of traditional carols and Christmas songs such as "Angels we have heard on high" ,"Do you hear what I hear?" and "Carol of the Bells" from the Home alone movie which was a true highlight with the blend of harmonies! A really talented choir that thoroughly delighted the public.

Enjoy the photos below and many thanks to the Wokingham Paper who captured a video on the night. Check out their Facebook page here for the video.

 

Jess & Jake Fashion treated the crowd with fizz and nibbles.

Hope you can join us tonight at Dressing the Christmas Tree.

2nd December - Lyrica at Martin & Co

We were at Martin & Co on the 2nd December for our second Wokingham Living Advent Calendar performance.

It was a cold evening, but act Lyrica warmed the crowd up with dancing and getting everyone singing along, while enjoying a mince pie and a tipple of mulled wine kindly provided by Martin & Co.

Lyrica are a fabulous trio comprising of the wonderful Gillie on vocals, Diane on the soulful cello and the awesome Kevin on guitar and backing vocals, who cheered the crowd with a fantastic mix of music including "Stand By Me", "Proud Mary", "Those were the days my friend" and everyone joined in with their final Christmas song, "We wish you a merry Christmas". 

Enjoy these photos of the evening, also below a short video from the evening from Facebook.





Tonight we are all gathering in the Market Place for the annual Dressing of the Christmas Tree where 13 local schools will present their decorations to the Town Mayor Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson, carols will be led by Wokingham Choral Society and refreshments provided by 1st Winnersh Scouts and local supermarkets.

Friday 2 December 2016

1st December 2016 - Platform YP at Wokingham Town Hall

Wokingham Living Advent Calendar is back!

We were treated last night to some very talented young professionals in the form of Platform YP a local performing arts school working with students aged 3-18.

They gave a spirited rendition of a number of songs from their repertoire including starting with a classic in the form of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". Other songs including "At the Beginning" from 90's animated musical Anastasia.

Do enjoy the video below.



The 100 strong crowd enjoyed some Christmassy chocolate biscuits courtesy of Wokingham Town Hall and Town Mayor Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson opened the performance.



Tonight the performance is at Martin & Co Estate Agents on Peach Street in the renovated Corn Chandlers and will be "Lyrica" who comprises the versatile Kevin on guitar and backing vocals. Debbie on soulful cello and Gillie on vocals and percussion. The music varies from smooth and lyrical to upbeat, playful and even raunchy:-) Country/Classical meets Tina…with just a hint of Christmas.