Lions Party Southwell

An excellent afternoon spent entertaining the over 60's at the Lion organised party held in the Southwell Minster School.

On the bill were the Lions themselves, who sang some songs from the thirties and forties, and then the Palace Singers from Newark who got the audience singing and were really enjoyable, with one of the most active musical directors I have ever seen.

Besides doing our regular spot, complete with jumping off the stage and dancing with some audience members, we aired our Chrismas package for the first time this year, and then sang a selection of carols with the Lions. A highlight was when we told the audience it was Rob's birthday, and without any prompting, the audience sang "Happy Birthday" to him.

I have to say that we get much more enjoyment and fun singing for an appreciative audience like this then we ever get from singing in barbershop competitions or even to a barbershop audience. This is where we feel "at home", and where we get a genuine rapport with the audience. Additionally, we are very aware that because of mobility and health problems, this particular audience is limited in it's choice of live entertainment. We feel humbled and honoured that we were enable to spend an afternoon with them and give them a few smiles. 

After the show, we adjurned to the excellent Saracens's Head,  to check it out in readiness for our forthcoming appearance there at the Rotary Club annual dinner (actually, we just went there for a pint!!).

Our next performance is with the Major Oak Chorus at a Freemasons dinner at the Goldsmith Street Masonic Hall in Nottingham, and then it's a WI event at Gotham (near Nottingham) on the 10th December.

 

Cornmill Beeston

Another great afternoon at this superb pub.

We sang for about 2 hours then we were fed a wonderful lunch by our hosts Andrew and Sharon.  A lady came up to us and told us it was her husbands' birthday, so we trooped to his table and sang Happy Birthday, and then When I'm 64, which his family loved!!

One of the highlights (for us) was in the dining room when we sang The Lion Sleeps Tonght to a couple of tables with kids - always the hardest audience to please. It was great seeing their grinning faces.

We are back at the Cornmill in a couple of weeks on December 13th (2.00pm to about 4.30), and we hope to have as guests, a brilliant new ladies quartet who will be making their debue appearance. We are also planning to include a few Christmas songs, and may even persuade Mick to wear his Christmas hat (he looks like a proper Santa's little helper)!!

Nov-December appearances

Hello everybody


We are at the Cornmill Beeston on Sunday 22nd November and again on Sunday December 13th, from 2.00 till about 4.00 on both dates. If you are in the area, drop in and say hello - the food is delicious and Andrew the landlord and his staff will make you really welcome.

On Sunday 29th, we are at Southwell Minster School at the Lions Christmas Party. This is a party for the local over 60's, and we are proud to be singing with a whole host of other groups, including (so I am imformed) the Southwell Rugby Club!! Can't wait to see what Mick makes of that!!

Other than these performances, we are singing for the WI, the Rotary Club (again in Southwell), and the Free Masons (with the Major Oak Chorus). All are Christmas events so there will be much Ho HO Ho'ing and hopefully Christmas Cheer.

Although we are now fully booked for November and December, we are available throughout most of 2010, so if you are interested in booking us for your event, please email me on ron@special-blend.co.uk  and we'll happily discuss your requirements.

Quartet Championships 2009

What an enjoyable day.

Although we didn't qualify for the next round (we are a performance quartet - not a specialist competition one), we increased our scoring by some 3% over last year, and were highly commended for our performance of the ballad "I'll Be Seeing You". The judges didn't like our interpretation of the uptune "Ain't Misbehavin",  because we sang it in swing time - just like Fats Waller used to sing it.

Maybe it was a bit too advanced for them. Luckily, when we sing Ain't Misbehavin  to everyone else, they love it.

Many many thanks to our supporters who travelled all the way from Nottingham to cheer us on, especially Mandy, Karen and Nigel, and the members of Revised Edition quartet. Guys, we really really appreciate your support. 

Anyway onwards and upwards. Yet more invitations ot sing in and around Nottingham, and I'm delighted to confirm that we will be singing at th Cornmill Beeston again on Sunday November 22nd, and Also December 13th.
Both of these appearances start around 2.00pm, and we will be singing around the pub until about 4.00

The December one will be special, because we will be performing our Christmas package, and hopefully have another quartet giving a guest appearance.

If you are in the area, it would be great to see you. Andrew and his staff are really good, and the food is superb.

It's that time of year again

Once more into the breach - it's time for the British Association National Competition again, this time to be held in Birmingham. Hopefully, this year we'll be able to compete without sore throats, coughs, sneezers etc. Our aim is to improve on our scores from last year, but the competition this year is enourmous - 45 quartets competing- all on 1 day!

At least we'll have a good day out and hear some fine singing, and for the first time in our history I'm not driving, so I can partake of what we hope will be a celebration drink later.

Our diary is now full for December, but we are happy to take enquiries for 2010 - why not contact us - we may not be as expensive as you think!!

Latest News

Following our successful appearanceat the Corn Mill gastro pub in Beeston, I am delighted to report that we have been requested to perform there for  two more dates. More news once the timings  have been confirmed.