February hits the high notes for music at Chelmsford Theatres.
Get into the swing of February with Swinging at the Cotton Club on Saturday 3 February at 7.45pm. The action-packed show celebrates Harlem’s hottest nightclub, The Cotton Club, during its halcyon days in the 1920s and 30s. During these years the club would have Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday singing on stage whilst dancers such as Bojangles Robinson and Nicholas Brothers had the audience under their spell with their breath-taking dance routines. Recreating the club’s atmosphere will be The Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra, who will be playing all the hits of the day including ‘Minnie The Moocher’ and ‘The Charleston’, whilst the Lindy Hop Dance Company will recreate the dazzling jazz dances.
A tribute to Elton John, Rocket Man will come to the Civic Theatre on Thursday 8 February. The concert will feature all of Elton’s trade-mark flamboyant costumes, light show, together with superb vocal and piano performances worthy of the man himself. Hear those classic songs such as ‘Are You Ready For Love’, ‘I’m Still Standing’, ‘Your Song’ and many more all brought to life in the intimate surrounds of The Civic Theatre at 7.45pm.
Judie Tzuke came to world wide acclaim in 1979 with her hit song ‘Song With Me Till Dawn’, which was released on Elton John’s own Rocket Record Company. Since then Judie has continued to release albums, tour and work with musicians such as Queen’s Brian May and violinist Nigel Kennedy. Judie now comes to The Cramphorn on Friday 9 February at 8pm for a night of old favourites, songs from her new album and stories from her life.
Oh Carol celebrates the songwriting partnership of Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. Together the Brooklyn friends wrote songs that defined the 1950s and 1960s, with hits such as ‘Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen’, ‘Breaking Up Is Hard To Do’, (is this the way to) Armarillo and many more. The show is delivered by a talented cast and musicians from many top West End musicals. Oh Carol will be on The Civic Theatre stage on Friday 16 February at 7.45pm.
One of the biggest British bands of all time, Pink Floyd, are celebrated by Think Floyd, who have been called the definitive Pink Floyd experience. Nick Mason, Pink Floyd’s drummer has even called the band ‘Brilliant, better than we are’. The band faithfully recreate the Pink Floyd experience with a stunning laser light show and virtuoso musicianship, to fully recreate the atmosphere, visual delight and musical excellence of this iconic band. The brand-new show for 2018 will feature tracks from the whole career of the band as well as songs from ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, ‘The Wall’ ‘Animals’ and more. Catch Think Floyd on Saturday 17 February at 7.45pm.
For classical lovers, the M&G Classical Concert Series will be celebrating its 30th anniversary with a new set of concerts, starting on Saturday 10 February at 7.30pm with the Academy of Ancient Music. The Academy will be playing pieces by Bach and Vivaldi on original or modern recreations of the period instruments that the music was originally composed for; wooden flutes, trumpets without valves and strings woven from gut.
The Lunchtime Concerts continue every Wednesday in the Cramphorn Studio at 1pm and offer a delightfully relaxing interlude to the day. On February 7 Lisa Day will be performing vintage swing music, whilst on February 14 Aurora Voices will be led by Bev Lockyer and Andy Heard. Saxology Saxophone Quartet will be appearing on February 21 and the New Hall School Musicians will return to the studio’s stage after impressing everyone at their last concert here. The lunchtime concerts are free although a donation of £1 is suggested.
To book tickets to see any of these events, visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call the Box Office on 01245 606505.
