Get your tickets Today...



FOLLOWING the huge success of the 2007 Bath & North East Somerset Charity Showcase concert, which took place in The Bath Forum in May 2007, there will be another bumper SHOWCASE featuring talented local groups on May 3rd 2008 again in The Bath Forum.

Cllr. Ian Dewey is the 2008 Chairman of B&NeS and he approached Grenville Jones who organized the 2007 event to see if he would produce SHOWCASE 2008, and the answer was yes!

Main sponsor of the 2008 SHOWCASE is Bath Building Society supported by HSBC, Wessex Water, Mowbray Woodward Solicitors, the Bath Chronicle and GWR are the media sponsors.

The Charities chosen by Cllr Dewey to benefit from the 2008 SHOWCASE are: Bath & District Samaritans, Children’s Hospice South West, St John Ambulance Bath, Wansdyke Scouts, Midsomer Norton & Radstock Community Service Vehicle Trust, Crossroads Caring for Carers (B&NES but based in Radstock)

Tickets priced £15 and £25 from Bath Festival Box Office on 01225 463362




There will be a host of talent on show on May 3rd including the fabulous Stockingtops singing group (pictured above)

The girls who have “Swing with their Sing” wowed the 1700 packed audience for the December Silver Ring Christmas show which was also in the Bath Forum. Dan Biggane, writing in the Bath Chronicle said:

“Temperatures rose as harmony group Stockingtops took the stage. This stunning all-troupe delivered a lively set full of glitz and glamour.”



Jane Lilley Singers

JLS (pictured above) began 35 years ago with 12 friends singing together for fun! They have now grown in number (to 30) and reputation! They have been heard all over the world through their many recordings and broadcasts. They sing a wide range of music covering everything from sacred and classical to jazz, gospel, folk and pop. They have won countless competitions all over the country and perform at a variety of venues in the UK, but say their highlight is always their annual Christmas concert at the Guildhall in Bath, where they sing to packed audiences for 2 nights.

Last month they entertained Christmas shoppers in the Podium in Bath to raise money for Julian House. In addition, they took collections at both nights of their concerts and raised a total of £890 for this local charity. They also give regularly to Tear Fund supporting those who seek to bring relief in third world countries.

The JLS are keen to encourage younger singers in the group. To this end, many of their Daughters have sung with them and Jane, a singing teacher, also delights in the membership of many of her students, both past and present.

JLS are looking forward to the release in the Autumn of a brand new CD "Where the Heart Is". For more info on the JLS you can visit their website: www.janelilleysingersofbath.co.uk Alternatively, phone their secretary: Viv Morris on 01225 318666.

Curtain Up Theatre Group

Curtain Up (pictured above) take children aged between 6 and 17 years old and offers them skills for life! Schools are based in Swindon, Bath & Melksham where each week the children learn to dance, act and sing.

The children enjoy performing in many venues and they certainly have been variable! Apart from regular performances in the West End, the Bath Showcase, and annual appearances at the Bath Christmas Markets, our children’s television credits include BBC productions of Lark Rise to Candleford, Bonekickers, Casualty, Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Children’s Classic Stories. Next year we will see many of them perform on the big screen alongside Hollywood star Hugo Weaving when Universal Pictures releases Wolf Man.

There is no audition to join us or to take part in any performance, all children need is enthusiasm and commitment and the curtain will go up for them!

For further information please feel free to contact us 01761 239185 www.curtainup.biz

Bath Community Gospel Choir

This all-access adult choir is for anyone who would like to have a go at singing gospel music. The choir consists of people of all singing abilities and there are no auditions to get in. You don’t have to be able to read music notation and whether you have lots of singing experience or none, you’re very welcome. We sing a mixture of spirituals, traditional gospel songs, R&B, funky and pop gospel… and of course there’s all the swaying and clapping into the bargain! The choir has performed locally including at The Forum, The American Museum at Westonbirt Arboretum and has worked with Bazil Meade, Director of the London Community Gospel Choir.
 
Email us at: bathgospel@googlemail.com or ring Jo Sercombe on 01225 383240



The City of Bath Male Choir

The City of Bath Male Choir are pictured above raising the roof at Bath Abbey last May when they sang at the official Mayor-Making Ceremony to a packed audience. The Choir was started by Grenville Jones 20 months ago and has grown in size in that short time to over 70 singers.

The City of Bath Male Choir delighted the audience at the 2007 SHOWCASE and are looking forward to appearing again this year.

In the last 12 months they have sung on stage with Aled Jones at the Forum, visited Germany for a highly successful tour and had their second sell-out annual concert at the Guildhall.

Looking ahead, they will be at the Forum again on stage with Britain’s Favourite Tenor, Alfie Boe on Saturday June 28th. Tickets now available from Bath Festival’s Box Office on 01225 463362 and in May they will be competing in BBC Radio 3 ‘Choir of the Year’ competition.

In June the Choir will be representing the City when they visit the twin-town of Alkmaar in Holland.

See www.bathmalechoir.org for full details for details of Bath’s exciting new singing group!

Merriman Theatre Group

Merriman Theatre Group (pictured above) celebrates its 10th anniversary this year – it was formed in 1998 to encourage young people in Midsomer Norton and the surrounding areas the opportunity to take part in professionally led workshops on all aspects of theatre and performance, as well as being involved in large scale musical productions. We currently have 40 members aged from 9-17, from 10 different schools and colleges across B&NES.

Merriman produce two shows every year, and are currently in the middle of rehearsals for High School Musical, following highly popular productions of Disney’s Aladdin, Barnum, The Wiz and Honk! More than 250 young people have been involved with the group in its first 10 years, and it is hoped that many of them will return for Merriman’s 10th Anniversary Gala Concert in September 2008.

For details about forthcoming events, or details on how to join the group, please e-mail merrimantheatre@hotmail.co.uk



Bath Light Operatic Group

Bath Light Operatic Group began more than 50 years ago and has a huge following in the area. They have achieved much critical success, winning the Best Musical award in the annual Rose Bowl Awards for Pickwick in 1977, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in 1985, West Side Story in 1987, Kiss Me Kate in 1988 and Barnum in 1994. There have also been best performance awards for several of BLOG’s principal players, together with numerous nominations.

The Group presents three nights of "Songs from the Shows" concerts at the Guildhall each spring as well as a full-scale musical at the Theatre Royal, Bath in the Autumn.  This year’s production is a true Broadway classic, “42nd Street”.

The Bath Light Operatic Group is constantly searching for new talent, in all departments, onstage as well as behind the scenes. Why not join? Young or old, male or female, singles or couples. If you are interested, contact the BLOG secretary on 01225 862904 for an application form.



The Hayesfield School Big Band

They are the top school BIG band for miles and they will be getting the 2008 SHOWCASE off to a rousing start. The Hayesfield School Big Band (pictured above) have won competitions across the West Country and are a big hit at local dances and fundraising shows. Led by Mark Bradbury, we are delighted that they will be bringing their talents to the 2008 SHOWCASE on Saturday May 3rd.

A big thank you to our sponsors