What's on where around Luton: listings, June 15 edition

WEDNESDAY JUNE 15

Adults with learning difficulties arts and craft sessions. Every Wednesday 10.30am to 12.30pm and Saturdays from 11am to 1pm at Arttrend, Arundel Road, Luton. Social and creative activity for adults with learning difficulties, engaging in all types of art and craft work such as painting in acrylics, papier mache, salt dough, cross stitch, rug making etc. Please see the website www.arttrend.co.uk and go to Art ALD, then see the gallery of work already done. Tel 07794 987796 if you would like more details. 10.30am to 12.30pm Wednesdays, 11am to 1pm Saturdays – but you can come and go at any time. £6 per session including materials and refreshments.

Luton Irish Forum holds a weekly Tuesday and Wednesday Club from 11am to 1.30pm at 102 Hitchin Road. This is a great chance to meet old friends and make some new ones.

Refreshments are all included along with soda bread, scones with jam and monthly chicken and chips.

Entry costs £1, plus optional £3 for two games of bingo and a raffle.

The Kimpton Players present Tom Jones at Kimpton Memorial Hall, Hall Lane, Kimpton. Based on the novel by Henry Fielding, the fast-paced comedy romp through 18th Century England follows the fortunes of Tom Jones, a young man “much beset by women” as he discovers the joys and hazards of love and lust. Call 01438 488337 or visit www.thekimptonplayers.co.uk to book.

THURSDAY JUNE 16

The Kimpton Players present Tom Jones at Kimpton Memorial Hall, Hall Lane, Kimpton. Based on the novel by Henry Fielding, the fast-paced comedy romp through 18th Century England follows the fortunes of Tom Jones, a young man “much beset by women” as he discovers the joys and hazards of love and lust. Call 01438 488337 or visit www.thekimptonplayers.co.uk to book.

Chapterhouse Theatre Company presents The Railway Children, the heart-warming story of adventure and family set in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, at Wrest Park at 7.30pm. E. Nesbit’s classic story has delighted adults and children alike for generations. The show features period costume, traditional music and songs and a whole host of unforgettable characters. Visit www.chapterhouse.org for more information.

Barnstormers Comedy night at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable at 8pm, with Jason Patterson, Robert White and Mark Maier. Tickets £12.50 in advance or £15 on the door. Call 01582 60 20 80 to book.

Kelly Oliver made a life-changing decision to pursue a career performing her own material while travelling in Rio in 2013. On her return she explored local singer-songwriter opportunities and was immediately offered a slot at Hitchin Folk Club and soon after, a place in their club tent at Cambridge Folk Festival. The Telegraph gave Kelly’s debut album, This Land, a four-star review and included it on their top folk albums of 2014. Kelly also won Solo Singer of the Year at the NMG Awards. She appears at The Stables, Wavendon at 8.45pm. Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door. Call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org to book.

FRIDAY JUNE 17

Los Pacaminos perform at Luton Library Theatre. At least one member of this highly respected seven-piece Americana group will be very familiar – the London-based outfit is led by Paul Young. And he’s not the only reason to part with your hard-earned cash and leave the house - some of the best musicians in the business have teamed up to present this mix of Tex-Mex classics. Tickets: £17.50. Visit www.lutonculture.com or call 01582 878100 to book.

The Kimpton Players present Tom Jones at Kimpton Memorial Hall, Hall Lane, Kimpton. Based on the novel by Henry Fielding, the fast-paced comedy romp through 18th Century England follows the fortunes of Tom Jones, a young man “much beset by women” as he discovers the joys and hazards of love and lust. Call 01438 488337 or visit www.thekimptonplayers.co.uk to book.

Russell Watson presents Songs from the Heart at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable at 7.30pm. The UK’s best-selling crossover artist of all time returns to the stage in 2016 with a stunning collection of our best loved songs. Tickets: £45 or £37.50. Call 01582 602080 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.

Pete Long’s Echoes of Ellington present It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing at The Stables, Wavendon at 8pm. In 1914, a young man called Edward Ellington wrote a simple piano piece entitled Soda Fountain Rag. Over the next 60 years, he would compose a canon of work that would have him recognised as a leading American composer of any genre. This concert will focus on the great hits – expect to hear Take The A Train, Satin Doll, Mood Indigo, Caravan, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Sophisticated Lady and more. Tickets: £21. Call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org

SATURDAY JUNE 18

The Kimpton Players present Tom Jones at Kimpton Memorial Hall, Hall Lane, Kimpton. Based on the novel by Henry Fielding, the fast-paced comedy romp through 18th Century England follows the fortunes of Tom Jones, a young man “much beset by women” as he discovers the joys and hazards of love and lust. Call 01438 488337 or visit www.thekimptonplayers.co.uk to book.

Following huge demand after their performance here last year; Let’s Hang On returns to the Grove Theatre in Dunstable with their award-winning celebration of the legendary Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Featuring an anthology of classic hits including Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Bye Bye Baby, Sherry, Working My Way Back To You and many more. The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £23.50/ £21.50. Call 01582 602080 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.

Caritas Harmony are in concert at St Mary the Virgin church, Church Road, Studham at 6pm to support Friends of Studham Church. Tickets £12, including food. Under 12s are free. Cash bar available. Call 01582 599520 or visit www.caritasharmony.co.uk to book.

Thousands are expected to flock to Wrest Park in Bedfordshire for its first Country Fair. Set in the surroundings of the historic park, managed by English Heritage, entertainment will include Jez Avery’s Stunt Bikes, children’s entertainment with Banana Brain, John Cavana’s working dogs, birds of prey flying displays, terrier racing, the goat show including bottle feeding lambs and kids, historical re-enactment with Swords of Chivalry, ferret racing, children’s petting pens, full-size and scale vintage steam engines as well as rural demonstrators. There will also be a selection of arts, crafts and gifts exhibitors. Admission costs £7.50, concessions £6, children age five to 16 £3, accompanied children under five free. Visit www.oakleighfairs.co.uk/wrest for more information.

Caritas Harmony sing at St Mary the Virgin church in Studham at 6pm. The concert will feature the new composition Dunstable Downs by local composer Chris Hazell. Tickets £12 including food, with under 12s free. Call 01582 599520 or visit www.caritasharmony.co.uk to book. Proceeds will go to Friends of Studham Church.

Eagles tribute act Talon perform at the Radlett Centre at 8pm. Tickets cost £22 or £21. Call 01923 859291 or visit www.radlettcentre.co.uk to book.

Called everything from Hillbilly-Pink Floyd to folk-pop’ to surreal Americana, New York’s Slambovian Circus of Dreams (aka The Grand Slambovians) play at The Stables, Wavendon at 8pm. The band have a strong cult following throughout Britain, following a string of festival appearances including Glastonbury, Rhythm, Acoustic Festival of Great Britain and Beverley. Tickets: £17.50. Call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org

Following a notable 2015 which began with a number one album in the Blues charts and continued with sold-out gigs and festivals in the UK and Europe, headlining in Germany to audiences in excess of 3,000, John Verity comes to The Stables in Wavendon. A special show will be prepared for this concert, with the regular three-piece JV line-up augmented by the voice of Bianca Kinane. Keyboard player Tom Wilson will join John, Bianca and the band on stage as they perform new songs as well as the regular JV band set. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets: £15. Call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org to book.

SUNDAY JUNE 19

Following its West End success, The Simon and Garfunkel Story comes to Watford Colosseum. Featuring seasoned West End leading man Greg Clarke and a full cast of talented actor-musicians, the show takes audiences back through the 1960s, telling the story of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel from their humble beginnings as duo Tom and Jerry, right through their massive success, dramatic break-up and finishing with a recreation of the 1981 Central Park reunion concert. Using a projection screen, the show features 1960s photos and film footage whilst a full live band perform all their hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, Sound of Silence and many more. Call 01923 571 102 to book.

Britain’s Got Talent star Becky O’Brien performs in The Rat Pack and Judy at the Radlett Centre at 7.30pm. The show also features David Alacey from Lovejoy as Frank Sinatra, Paul Drakeley as Dean Martin and Des Coleman, famed for his four years as Lenny in Eastenders, as Sammy Davis Jnr. They are joined by the LA Showgirls and the swinging BG All-stars Band. Tickets £22.50 or £20. Call 01923 859291 or visit http://www.radlettcentre.co.uk to book.