What's on where around Luton: listings, June 22 edition

WEDNESDAY JUNE 22

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 Searchers’ remarkable career continues at The Stables, Wavendon at 8pm. With classic hits including Sweets For My Sweet, Needles and Pins, Don’t Throw Your Love Away and When You Walk In The Room, they have contributed enormously in establishing the UK as leading nation in the music industry. Their solo concert has been enthusiastically received around the world. Along with anecdotes and reminiscences, the evening includes all their famous hits, plus many album recordings, B-sides and other well-known favourites. Tickets cost £24. Call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org to book.

THURSDAY JUNE 23

After 50 years of The Who, Sensation hits The Stables, Wavendon to celebrate the music of this timeless British band with a unique concert, taking audiences from My Generation to Who are You via Tommy and Quadrophenia, all performed with maximum rhythm and blues. From the team who presented the five-star production of Tommy at London’s Greenwich Theatre, the show features musicians and singers from many West End and touring productions and promises a night of nonstop hits from one of the most influential bands of all time. The show start at 8pm. Tickets cost £18.50. Call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org to book.

FRIDAY JUNE 24

The Griffin Players present a charity production of Timeless: The Ultimate Musicals Showdown at Luton Library Theatre. The show is a celebration of some of the best musicals ever written but this isn’t just any ordinary concert. The talented company has split into two: Team Classic and Team Modern. Team Classic will perform showstoppers from classic shows such as Chicago, Chess, Sweet Charity and Cabaret, while team modern will stage musical numbers form more modern musicals such as We Will Rock You, Once, Matilda and Tommy. Proceeds will be split between the Griffin Players and the Alzheimer’s Society. The show starts at 7.30pm. Call 01582 878100 to book.

The Totternhoe Players present Strictly Sex Factor (On Ice) on at Totternhoe Lower School hall at 7.30pm. It tells the story of a struggling amateur dramatic society with little money but plenty of creativity. There will be a ploughman’s meal with dessert during the interval, with audience members required to bring their own drinks and glasses. Tickets for the entertainment and meal cost £9 each and must be paid for in advance. Call 01582 603287 to book.

Henlow Bridge Lakes present what may be the biggest tribute festival Bedfordshire has seen. A weekend of music and entertainment will take place at the popular camping and fishing venue next to Arlesey railway station. Tributes to David Bowie, Madonna, The Beatles, Queen, Simply Red and Robbie Williams will feature, along with local musicians Becky Phillips, Panic Attack and Corruption. The festival opens on Friday from 12 noon with music starting at 3pm. It will finish at 11pm. Camping on the very popular Henlow Lakes campsite is included with the tickets and guests are welcome to stay until 3pm on the Sunday. The event is for ticket holders only and tickets cost £70 per adult and £35 for children aged five to 16 years which includes weekend camping at the festival. Call 01462 812645 to book.

SATURDAY JUNE 25

The Griffin Players present a charity production of Timeless: The Ultimate Musicals Showdown at Luton Library Theatre. Proceeds will be split between the Griffin Players and the Alzheimer’s Society. The show starts at 7.30pm. Call 01582 878100 to book.

The Totternhoe Players present Strictly Sex Factor (On Ice) on at Totternhoe Lower School hall at 7.30pm. It tells the story of a struggling amateur dramatic society with little money but plenty of creativity. Tickets cost £9 each and must be paid for in advance. Call 01582 603287 to book.

Henlow Bridge Lakes present what may be the biggest tribute festival Bedfordshire has seen. Tributes to David Bowie, Madonna, The Beatles, Queen, Simply Red and Robbie Williams will feature, along with local musicians Becky Phillips, Panic Attack and Corruption. Tickets cost £70 per adult and £35 for children aged five to 16 years which includes weekend camping at the festival. Call 01462 812645 to book.

The Northern Soul Tour comes to The Stables, Wavendon at 8pm. The late, great Edwin Starr’s band The Team and special guest Northern Soul legend Lorraine Silver perform soul and Motown hits including Agent 00 Soul, 25 Miles, Stop Her On Sight, Landslide, War, Eye To Eye Contact and many more. Angelo Starr has taken over on lead vocals, performing all the Edwin Starr classics and some Northern Soul covers. Lorraine recorded Lost Summer Love, still a massive favourite on the Northern Soul and Scooter scene. Tickets cost £22.50. Call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org to book.

SUNDAY JUNE 26

Blunderbus Theatre Company presents The Sorcerer’s Apprentice at Luton Library Theatre at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Charlie Hubble is a little boy with a very big dream: he wants to be a world-class magician. So, he saves up his pocket money to buy The Big Book of Magic for Trainee Magicians and sets off to Mr Zacoor’s Toy Shop to buy his spellbook. However, Mr Zacoor is no ordinary shopkeeper – he’s a real life Sorcerer who has a very special job for Charlie. The blends music, puppetry and storytelling. There is also an enchanting toy shop setting filled with all sorts of magical surprises It’s aimed at ages three to seven. Tickets cost £7. Call 01582 878100 or visit lutonculture.com to book.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 29

Sarah Jane Morris & Antonio Forcione

Date: Wednesday 29 June, 8pm

Tickets: £16.50

Sarah Jane Morris and Antonio Forcione have come together for a worldwide tour to promote their collaborative album Compared to What, and play The Stables, Wavendon at 8pm. The duo have been compared to an impressive array of musical virtuosos including Janice Joplin and Tom Waits (vocally) as well as Jimi Hendrix and Django Reinhardt (instrumentally). Compared to What covers a number of important current social issues, reflecting the urgent concern both artists feel for the plight of refugees. Alongside songs of conscience, the album includes wry comedy, love songs and some memorable covers, notably of works by Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan. Tickets cost £16.50. Call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org to book.