John Peel Centre

Looking for the best Christmas Party in Stowmarket? Look no further - this could be it! Join us for the last Vinyl Lounge of 2020 for an evening of dancing and great music as the JPC Vinyl Lounge DJs play the best vinyl in town.

Join us for another great night of vinyl sharing! Get into the attic, dust off your records and bring a couple of them down to us and we'll do our best to play them for you! Dance the night away in a chilled environment of candles (not real ones!) lamps, lights and drapes with friends and like-minded people.

Licensed bar with Adnams draught and bottles… Doors from 7.30pm.

Tickets for all 4 Vinyl Lounges in 2020 now on sale. Get yours early to avoid disappointment!

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The Churchfitters is a folk band like no other. A double bass made out of a saucepan. Heart-wrenching vocals accompanied by a musical saw or a glass harp. Foot-stompingly fast fiddle mixed with infectious funk-rock rhythms. And traditional tunes reinvigorated with mesmerising jazz sax.

Why 'Churchfitters'? Nobody knows! They're not fitters and have absolutely nothing to do with churches. The name's origin is lost in the mists of time but there is one aspect that suits them perfectly - its quirkiness. When your array of instruments includes a motorcycle petrol tank, a musical saw and a Mercedes Benzouki made from hubcaps there's little point worrying if the name makes sense! Saucepan dulcimer, glass harp, Bing-Bong machine and magic boots all join some more conventional instruments (fiddle, banjo, sax and whistle to name a few) to back Rosie Short's sublime voice.

These three flamboyant characters present their uplifting and entertaining show with a unique dynamism and describe their music as 'Folk Unlimited'. Mike Harding calls it 'Brilliant and beautiful' while Dave Pegg says they are 'The most musically inventive group I've seen in decades'.

www.churchfitters.com

Licensed bar.

Due to continuining Government restrictions, we have rescheduled this event from 11th September 2021. If you have already purchased a ticket, this will be automatically transferred to this new date. If you would prefer a refund, please contact your original point of sale. Thank you for your understanding.

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Joining forces for an evening to showcase the best in contemporary Folk, Alden, Patterson & Dashwood and Honey & The Bear are proud to bring you their own twists on the tradition, storytelling woven in to song and harmonies abound in a magical night to remember.

Honey & The Bear are a roots-inspired duo from the Suffolk Coast. Their softly interweaving vocal harmonies and foot stomping rhythms combine elements of Folk & Americana. The multi instrumentalist pair, comprised of songwriters Jon Hart and Lucy Hart, include Guitar, Banjo, Ukelele Mandolin and Double Bass and have been writing & performing together up & down the UK since early 2014.

'Accomplished, easy-on-the-ear acoustic folk-pop for grown-ups' - fRoots Magazine

'Beautiful harmonies and charisma from both aside, they were very obviously enjoying each other's company which enhanced the atmosphere of the evening … Jon and Lucy spoke, played and sang with ease making it all look effortless … Their lyrics were significant without being contrived, and were enhanced by their storytelling and communication with the audience in between numbers.'

www.honeyandthebear.co.uk

Norwich-based folk trio Alden Patterson and Dashwood weave rich vocal harmonies, fiddle, dobro, guitar and mandolin around beautifully written original songs and melodies. Their music takes influence from folk traditions from both sides of the Atlantic with uplifting instrumentals and self-penned songs depicting tales of young travellers, sleepy seas and their affection for home.

Their independently-released debut album 'Call Me Home' received widespread critical acclaim and was awarded 'Editor's Choice Album of the Year' by fRoots, the UK's leading publication specialising in folk and world music.

Over the last three years the trio have made a name as one of the best new acts on the scene and have toured the UK and Europe extensively including main stage slots at the UK's most prestigious festivals and a tour with folk legends Show of Hands.

'It's lovely stuff' - Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 Folk Show ????? Album Of The Year Editors Choice - fROOTS Magazine ????? R2 - 'Talented and poetic triumvirate' ???? Songlines - 'Obviously something of enormous promise'

www.aldenpattersonanddashwood.com

Please note that this is a seated event. Seating is unallocated, though all have a good view.

Licensed bar.

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In 1981, Ian formed The Icicle Works with Chris Sharrock (drums), and Chris Layhe (bass and vocals). They quickly gained a following through their debut single release, Nirvana, and extensive live performances up and down the country.

The Icicle Works became part of the Liverpool renaissance movement of the eighties, alongside acts such as Echo And The Bunnymen, The Teardrop Explodes, WAH!, Heat, OMD, Black, Dead Or Alive, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, The Lotus Eaters, and China Crisis. They signed to Beggar's Banquet records, and under the guidance of Martin Mills scored a top 20 hit with Love Is A Wonderful Colour in the U.K ; and top 40 placings in the U.S, Canada, and Europe with Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream), with their eponymous debut album. The Icicle Works achieved top 40 placings in the UK for all four of their albums - The Icicle Works, The Small Price Of A Bicycle, If You Want To Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Songs, and Blind - until they split up in 1988.

Since then Ian has worked on various music projects and has released a number of solo albums. In 2009 he published his autobiography. This decade, Ian has released a number of albums, including some harder rocking albums, an album of cover versions, and an collaborative album.

Support TBA

Licensed bar.

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Peter Buck was the guitarist for one of the biggest bands in the world - REM. Luke Haines was the guitarist for the Auteurs. The Auteurs were not the biggest band in the world. They were pretty good though. Luke Haines also does paintings of Lou Reed.

One day, Peter Buck bought one of Luke Haines' Lou Reed paintings (for £99.00). They had never met before but decided that the fates had brought them together and they should write some songs together and make an album.

'Beat Poetry For Survivalists' is that album. With songs about legendary rocket scientist and occultist Jack Parsons, The Enfield Hauntings, (of 1978) a post-apocalyptic radio station that only plays Donovan records, Bigfoot, and Pol Pot.

'Beat Poetry For Survivalists'is released on 6th March 2020 on CD and LP.

Support TBC

Licensed bar.

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Stowmarket Operatic and Dramatic Society present Half a Sixpence

This is a classic family show is based on H.G.Wells' novel 'Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul' and is the story of Arthur Kipps, an orphan who unexpectedly inherits a fortune. Kipps and Ann were childhood friends. When they were parted, Kipps cut a sixpence in half and told Ann to look at it whenever she missed him. Years later, Kipps is working as an apprentice in a draper?s shop in Folkestone. Ann arrives in the town, looking for him. They meet and re-kindle their childhood friendship. Then everything changes.

Featuring over twenty musical numbers including ?Flash Bang Wallop? made famous by Tommy Steele, ?All In The Cause Of Economy?, ?Half A Sixpence?, ?Money To Burn?, and ?Too Far Above Me?, this is a feelgood show for all the family to enjoy.

www.stowmarketoperatic.org.uk

Performances: Tuesday 23rd February - 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) Wednesday 24th February - 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) Thursday 25th February - 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) Friday 26th February - 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) Saturday 27th February - 2pm (doors open at 1.30pm) Saturday 27th February - 6.30pm (doors open at 6pm)

All performances will be seated, with seats unallocated. The doors will open approx. 30mins prior to the start of each performance (the ticket time is the door time).

Licensed bar.

Please note that this event has not been organised by the John Peel Centre, and as such all aspects of it are the responsibility of Stowmarket Operatic & Dramatic Society who have hired the Centre.

Due to ongoing Government restrictions, Stowmarket Operatic and Dramatic Society have rescheduled their forthcoming production of 'Half a Sixpence'. The society have made this decision with the cast, crew and of course their audience members at the front of their minds. However, they are planning to still bring you the wonderful production of 'Half a Sixpence' in February 2021. Tickets will automatically be transferred to the new dates. However, if you would prefer a refund, please contact your original point of sale.

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Join us for another great night of vinyl sharing! Get into the attic, dust off your records and bring a couple of them down to us and we'll do our best to play them for you! Dance the night away in a chilled environment of candles (not real ones!) lamps, lights and drapes with friends and like-minded people.

Licensed bar with Adnams draught and bottles… Doors from 7.30pm.

Tickets for all 4 Vinyl Lounges in 2020 now on sale. Get yours early to avoid disappointment!

• more info