Friday, February 1 3, 2009
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Former managers aim to revitalise their old pub
INSIDE YOUR GUIDE TO ENTERTAINMENT ON THE FYLDE A delightful family movie about doggy adventures
Teenage disco nights ready for a comeback
Stage is set for hilarious comedy all about money
2
the weekend
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FILMS
Friday, February 13, 2009
Sequel is such a dud
THE PINK PANTHER 2 (PG) Rating: 3/10
THE razor-sharp intellects of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple would struggle to unravel The Curious Case Of The Completely Pointless Sequel. Let’s review the evidence: the death of Shawn Levy’s 2006 remake of The Pink Panther at the box office; the kidnapping of anything resembling a joke from a script co-written by leading man Steve Martin; and the poisoning of nostalgic affection for the films starring Peter Sellers. Three years later, Martin dons the moustache and vacant stare of ham-fisted Inspector Clouseau once more in this lamentable second outing which is, unthinkably, even more relentlessly silly and dull than its predecessor. The Pink Panther 2 is an embarrassment, revolving yet again around the theft of the legendary diamond from under ze noses of ze gendarme in ze French capital. The convoluted plot, clumsily stitched together by screenwriters Scott Neustadter, Michael H Weber and Martin, is a hook for desperately unfunny set pieces which include Clouseau falling down a chimney, donning the guise of a flamenco dancer and impersonating the Pope. The Pink Panther 2 opens to the strains of Henry Mancini’s theme tune but the similarities to the Sellers films end there. Martin goofs, gurns and flings himself into each misadventure with gusto but the slapstick is telegraphed in advance.
the weekend
Barking mad!
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HOTEL FOR DOGS (U) Rating: 6/10
CHILLING ACTION: Jared Padalecki as Clay Miller and Derek Mears as Jason Voorhees
W
hile The Pink Panther 2 leaves us caterwauling for mercy this week, Hotel For Dogs turns out to be a decidedly finer pedigree of comedy, adapted from the book by Lois Duncan. Thor Freudenthal ignores the advice about working with children and animals to direct this family-oriented tale of two enterprising orphans, whose enduring love for their four-legged friends sparks a magical adventure. The premise is barking mad and the scriptwriters unleash themselves from reality early on but there is a sweetness and innocence to the film, which proves charming, albeit with an excess of mawkish sentiment. Andi (Emma Roberts) and her younger brother Bruce (Jake T. Austin) have passed from one foster home to the next, eventually landing up with musicians Carl and Lois Scudder (Kevin Dillon and Lisa Kudrow), who care more about rehearsals than feeding two brats. So Andi and Bruce learn to take care of themselves, concealing their Jack Russell terrier Friday from the animalhating Scudders. During an altercation with local police, the siblings seek shelter in an abandoned hotel, which turns out to be home for two strays: a Bull Mastiff called Lenny and a nervous Boston Terrier called Georgia. Friday takes a shine to the homeless duo and Andi and Bruce hit upon a novel idea: to employ the boy’s knack for inventions to transform the disused building into a sanctuary for all strays in the city, thereby saving the animals from a trip to the pound and possible extermination. Pet store workers Dave (Johnny Simmons) and Heather (Kyla Pratt), and bored local kid Mark (Troy Gentile) lend helping hands and soon the streets are completely clear of animals, all living and pooping in perfect harmony in the hotel. However, Andi,
Beauty spot terrorised by masked man FRIDAY THE 13TH (18) Rating: 4/10
SWEET COMEDY: Lisa Kudrow as Lois Scudder. with Kevin Dillon as Carl, and (below) the canine cast
Dogs steal the show
grow suspicious, the kids risk their own futures to save the animals, to the dismay of caring social worker, Bernie (Don Cheadle). Hotel For Dogs is cute and undemanding, engineering a happy ever after for the two diminutive heroes, who have suffered at the hands of an unwieldy care system. However, the stars of the show are the animal performers and the array of zany gadgets. ■ Lisa Kudrow interview in Life! magazine, free with The Gazette tomorrow
Bruce and the gang can’t keep the hotel secret forever and when the soon-to-be-unemployed dogcatchers
Blood on the streets of Vegas IN the early hours of March 9, 1997, Christopher “Biggie” Wallace, aka rapper The Notorious BIG, left a Los Angeles club with his entourage, bound for their hotel. When his vehicles stopped at traffic lights, an unknown assailant opened fire in a drive-by shooting, spraying the car with bullets and fatally injuring the musician. His passing was the latest flashpoint in a fierce rivalry between east and
NOTORIOUS (15) Rating: 5/10
west coast rappers including Tupac Shakur, who had died in a drive-by shooting in September the previous year. The film opens on March 8, 1997, with Wallace (Jamal Woolard) and his friends partying hard, then flashes back to May 1983 to piece together the rapper’s formative years.
View all the latest movie trailers online
Despite the best efforts of his single mother Voletta (Angela Bassett) to raise him well, Christopher deals drugs on the streets and gets his girlfriend Jan (Julia Pace Mitchell) pregnant. However, his music career takes off and he aligns himself with rising star Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs (Derek Luke), signing for Bad Boy records. This in turn brings Christopher into
the orbit of the volatile Lil Kim (Naturi Naughton) and singer Faith Evans (Antonique Smith), both of whom take him further away from Jan and baby daughter, T’Yanna. A feud ignites and Christopher aligns himself with his west coast brethren, including cousin and fellow rapper Lil’ Cease (John Jefferies), against Shakur (Anthony Mackie) and his posse. The war of words leads to blood on the streets.
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MARCUS Nispel, who directed the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, helms this revamp of the seminal 1980 chiller about a masked psychopath running amok at Camp Crystal Lake. In this new incarnation, Clay Miller (Jared Padalecki) is searching for his missing sister Whitney (Amanda Righetti) and pursues the few leads to Crystal Lake, where locals and the police warn him to stay away from the infamous beauty spot. Ignoring these sage words, Clay heads for the site of Jason Vorhees’ bloodthirsty rampage accompanied by local lovely, Jenna (Danielle Panabaker), discovering rotting old cabins covered in moss and an eerie quiet. The air is soon filled with the screams of eviscerated, fun-seeking college students as Jason (Derek Mears) rises from the grave to slay again... and again... and again.
Coming soon Three gifted people (Dakota Fanning, Chris Evans, Camilla Belle) race against time to save mankind in Paul McGuigan’s futuristic thriller PUSH... and Isla Fisher plays a young woman with out of control spending habits in the consumerist comedy CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC (previews Cleveleys Wednesday and Thursday).
TOP FILMS 1 (-) Bolt 3D (PG) 2 (-) He’s Just Not That Into You (12A) 3 (-) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (12A) 4 (2) Slumdog Millionaire (15) 5 (1) My Bloody Valentine 3D (18) 6 (-) Hotel For Dogs (U) - previews 7 (4) Valkyrie (12A) 8 (8) Role Models (15) 9 (5) Bride Wars (PG) 10 (10) Revolutionary Road (15)
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LISTINGS
the weekend
FRIDAY Attractions CARNIVAL BALL. Showzam’s annual extravaganza pays tribute to the original Blackpool Flower Carnival - with Tina C hosting plus burlesque and variety from Empress Shah, the Ruby Blues, Ryan Stiles, Diamond & Pearl, Van Buren, Marawa, The Bears and the Swing Commanders. Blackpool Tower Ballroom. 8pm - 2am. CIRCUS OF WONDERS. A unique and imaginative journey of discovery though circus and sideshows - costumes, props, photos, pictures and restored sideshows. Showzam Central, Winter Gardens, Church Street/Coronation Street, Blackpool. To February 22, 11am-7pm. Admission free. CARNESKY’S GHOST TRAIN. Back with more chills and thrills as part of Showzam 2009. Olympia, Winter Gardens, Coronation Street, Blackpool. Daily to February 22.
Theatre and shows BLACKPOOL FRINGE PROJECT. Out of Sight Theatre group with three short plays -The Boy Who Cried Beard, Four Voices and A Picnic and the Friends In the Toy Box Part of Showzam 2009. Olympia Hall Cabaret Theatre, Olympia, Winter Gardens, Blackpool. To Sunday, 1.30 to 3pm. Admission free. THE BLUES BROTHERS. Jake and Elwood back on tour with the Magnificent Seven Blues band and Sensational Sisters of Soul singers. Charter Theatre, Guild Hall, Preston. Tonight and Saturday, 5.30 and 8.30pm. SABBAT. The trials of the Lancashire witches in 1612 go under the microscope in a new and powerful play by Richard Shannon. The Dukes, Moor Lane, Lancaster. To February 21. Monday to Saturday, 8pm. Box office, (01524) 598500.
Cabaret A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS. West End singer Vickee Lester with a free admission Valentine’s Special in the champagne bar. Septembers Champagne Bar & Restaurant, Queen Street, Blackpool. 9pm.
Pubs and bars HOT ROD. Rock covers. The Oxford, Oxford Square, Marton. CABARET AND KARAOKE. With Jay Phillips, Rob Johnson, Johnny Roxx and Becky Jay. K2 Bar, Church Street, Blackpool. U-ZU. A different type of pre- Valentine celebration from the U2 tribute band. The Belle Vue, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool. VALENTINE’S DISCO. Disco, karaoke and charity raffle with The Caroloke Zone. Last Orders, Trunnah Road, Thornton. OCD. The Steamer, Fleetwood. THE BLUE PIG ORCHESTRA. The Raikes Hall, Liverpool Road, Blackpool.
THE SHY TEDS. The King Edward VII, Central Drive, Blackpool. GARY CHRISTOPHER. Swing and middle of the road singer with a Valentine’s special. The Matrix, Breck Road, Poulton. And Saturday. G-STAR. Male/female vocal duo. G Casino, The Promenade, South Shore. DJ NIGHT. HIts from the 60s to the present day. Yates’s, Blackpool. BIGGEST PARTY IN TOWN. With DJ Damo. Brannigans, Market Street, Blackpool. DAVE GARTHWAITE. Chart, commercial, r ‘n’b and dance. Schofields, Birley Street, Blackpool. CABARET NIGHT. Resident compere plus guest acts. The Princess Music Hall Tavern, Foxhall Road, Blackpool. Also Saturday. PARTY NIGHT. With resident dj Andy. West Coast Bar, Cleveleys. From 8pm to 2am. DJ’S GINGE AND TRIGGER. Rumours, Talbot Square, Blackpool. DISCO NIGHT. With djs’ Kudos, Dave G and Aka Ali. From the 60s to current sounds.The Queens, Talbot Road, Layton. IAN CALVERT and SCOTT WALKER. Party, pop chart and dance music. The Edge, Hardhorn Road, Poulton. And Saturday. SOUL NIGHT. Soul, Motown, Philadelphia and Northern with DJ John Miles. Plus live acts. Soul Suite, Queen Square, Blackpool. DAVE WARD ROADSHOW. Disco night latest releases, chart and classic hits. The Ship & Royal, Lytham. 8pm to midnight. DISCO NIGHT. With Papa Greywolf. Bay Horse Hotel, Station Road, Thornton. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. The Royal, Marton Drive, Marton. ROY LYNCH. Radio Wave presenter in residence. The Loft Wine Bar & Nightclub, Lofthouse Way, Fleetwood. DISCO NIGHT. Halfway House, St Annes Road, Squires Gate. DJ NIGHT. Whittle Springs, Talbot Road, Blackpool. And Saturday. THE VALVETRONICS AND KASENO. Two top local bands live on stage. The Royal Oak, Breck Road, Poulton. ALMOST JAMAICA. Afro Caribbean night of reggae, dub, ska dancehall and roots. Upstairs @ Mojo’s, Back Church Street, Blackpool. FRIDAY 13th HORROR NIGHT. Horror cocktails and fancy dress party. Che Bar, Talbot Square, Blackpool.
Nightclubs DANCE NIGHT. Private hire night open to all with bounce, donk, classics, hardcore, drum ‘n’ bass and more. Plus Lee Watson and Jason Fubar on level two. The Syndicate, Church Street, Blackpool. ANDY J’s FEELGOOD NIGHT. Start the weekend with a plus - free admission with flyer, drinks £1.50 until midnight. The Residence, Vicarage Road, Poulton. URBAN UNDERGROUND. DJ Fontalba with r&b, reggae and bashment. Hush, Talbot
in thewings
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Square, Blackpool. From 10pm to 4am. CLUB NIGHT. Dave Jay in the dance arena plus rota of residents with different styles in different rooms. Plus Over 25s Night in The Gallery. Club Sanuk, Blackpool.
circus and sideshows - costumes, props, photos, pictures and restored sideshows. Showzam Central, Winter Gardens, Church Street/Coronation Street, Blackpool. To February 22, 1am-7pm admission free.
Rock, blues and pop
Pubs and bars
ROCK NIGHT. First full appearance of local supergroup Mauser plus young locals The Glove Puppets and Nuclear Autumn from Preston. West Coast Rock Cafe Club Above, Abingdon Street, Blackpool. ROCK AND ROLL PARTY NIGHT. With guest bands. Theatre Bar, Queens Hotel, The Promenade, South Shore.
VALENTINE’S DISCO NIGHT. Smooth sounds for romantics from DJ Jay. Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel, The Esplanade, Fleetwood. VALENTINE’S DAY TRAFFIC LIGHT PARTY. With DJ Gaz Pecks. Free glass of bubbly and choose your availabilitity colour. The Oxford, Oxford Square, Marton. TONY WILLIAMS BAND. Everyone’s Valentine! The Golden Eagle, Warren Drive, Anchorsolme. KERRY GROGAN. Female vocals. The Burn Naze, Gamble Road, Thornton. TONY MITCHELL. Valentine’s Day special from the popular performer. The Links, Heeley Road, St Annes. TRIDENT. Hard working, hard rocking band for a Valentine’s Day with a difference. The Albert, Lytham Road, South Shore. OUT ON BAIL. The King Edward VII, Central Drive, Blackpool. BAREFEET. Classic 70s and modern rock. Lane Ends Pub, Weeton Road, Wesham. THE BLUE PIG ORCHESTRA. The Shovels, Hambleton. GARY CHRISTOPHER. Swing and middle of the road singer with a Valentine’s special. The Matrix, Breck Road, Poulton.. THE GILETTES. Soul and Motown group. G Casino, The Promenade, South Shore. IRENE SILVER. Dinner by reservation only. The Steamer, Queens Terrace, Fleetwood. THE JEPS. The Rossall Tavern, Larkholme Terrace, Fleetwood. HUGGY AND THE BEARS. Thornton Lodge, Little Thornton. STARLIGHT DUO. The Falcon, Hardhorn Way, Poulton. CABARET AND KARAOKE. With Jay Phillips, Rob Johnson, Johnny Roxx and Becky Jay. K2 Bar, Church Street, Blackpool. THE JOE WILDY SHOWBAND. Weekly residency. Theatre Bar, Queens Hotel, The Promenade, South Shore. DJ SENO. Fun and games. Yates’s, Talbot Square/Clifton Street, Blackpool. BIGGEST PARTY IN TOWN. With DJ Paul O’Brien. Brannigans, Market Street, Blackpool. DAVE WARD ROADSHOW. Disco night latest releases, chart and classic hits. The Ship & Royal, Clifton Street, Lytham. 8pm to midnight. DAVE GARTHWAITE. Chart, commercial, r ‘n’b and dance. Schofields,, Birley Street, Blackpool. CABARET NIGHT. Guest acts weekly. The Princess Music Hall Tavern, Foxhall Road, Blackpool. Also Friday. PARTY NIGHT. With resident DJ Andy. West Coast Bar, Bispham Road, Cleveleys. From 8pm to 2am.
Social clubs NIKKI MILLER. Stanley Road WMC, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 621168. JON DEAN. Duple Social Club, South Shore. Details, (01253) 341647. SUZANNE WILD. Brun Grove WMC and Institute, Blackpool. (01253) 762186. JUNIOR TALENT SHOW - 3RD SEMI FINAL. Layton Institute. Details, (01253) 391774. JOHNNY BAKER. Claremont Conservative Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 620981. NICK CUPIT. Blackpool’s Number 1 Club. Details, (01253) 346516. VICARIO. Bloomfield Club, 128 Bloomfield Road, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 344583. TONY MAC. Hotels and Apartments Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 623784. SHEILA DIAMOND. North Shore WMC, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 627974. CARRIE MICHAELS. Cleveleys Men’s Club, Slinger Road. Details, (01253) 853219. JOHN MALCOLM. Brunswick Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 624208. VIXON. Bispham Con. Club, Red Bank Road, Bispham. Details, (01253) 357519. JOE BLACK. St Annes Ex-Servicemens Club, Alexandra Road. (01253) 721033. CARL HENRY and EMMA JANE. Highfield Road & Rec. South Shore. (01253) 342389. TONY LEE. Thornton Cleveleys Wings Club. 135s. Details (01253) 852709.
Others SPORTSMAN’S DINNER. An evening with ex England Everton player Joe Royle - plus hot pot supper and dessert. Blackpool Cricket Club, West Park Drive, Blackpool. 7.30pm.
SATURDAY Attractions CARNESKY’S GHOST TRAIN. Back with more chills and thrills as part of Showzam 2009. Olympia, Winter Gardens, Coronation Street, Blackpool. Daily to February 22. CIRCUS OF WONDERS. A unique and imaginative journey of discovery through
DISCO AND KARAOKE PARTY NIGHT. Halfway House, St Annes Road, Squires Gate. R&B NIGHT. With DJ Benji. Chubby’s Bar, 94-98 The Promenade, Blackpool. Free admission. To 3am. IAN CALVERT and SCOTT WALKER. Party, pop chart and dance music. The Edge, Hardhorn Road, Poulton. And Friday. 70s/80s NIGHT. With DJ Dex. The Gynn, Gynn Square, North Shore. DJ GLENN MILLER. Party soul and disco plus live acts. Soul Suite, Queen Square, Queen Street, Blackpool. COLIN JON. Party night. Rumours, Talbot Square, Blackpool. POP QUIZ. Music through the decades. The Fairhaven, Marine Drive, Ansdell. From 9pm. FAMILY NIGHT. Music and games for all the family. Progress Sports & Social Club, Exchange Street, Blackpool. 8pm midnight. DJ NIGHT. Whittle Springs, Talbot Road, Blackpool. And Friday.
Theatre and shows See also listings for Friday. INTERNATIONAL STARS OF MAGIC. Blackpool’s own Russ Stevens plus Jupiter, Rafael, Jerone Helfenstein, Nester Hato, Graham Jolley, Omar Pasha, Juan Mayoral, Soma and Tony Stevens. Part of Showzam! 2009. Opera House, Church Street, Blackpool. 2 and 7.30pm. MISS BEHAVE’S VARIETY NIGHT. One the world’s few surving female sword swallowers with a raunchy, risqué, saucy and sassy selection of speciality acts. Part of Showzam 2009. Grand Theatre, Church Street, Blackpool. And Sunday, 7.30pm. STRICTLY COME LAUGHING. A circus show for all the family with Mooky and Bubu, Arron Sparks, Polinde, Jana Roberts and Pat Bradford & Kate. Part of Showzam 2009. Tower Circus, Blackpool Tower. Daily, 2.30pm. Ends February 22. A WORLD OF WONDER. Blackpool Magicians’ Club with a show to introduce children to the world of magic - acts include John Hardman, David Plant and Coventry. Part of Showzam 2009. Blackpool Magicians Theatre Club, Rear No 1 Sherbourne Road, North Shore. 11am. And Sunday.
Nightclubs ELEKTRO FUNK. A journey to the twisted side of house with DJ Jason Fubar plus Lee Watson on level one and dj Scottie Boy on level three. The Syndicate, Church Street, Blackpool. CUPID’S VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY NIGHT. Plus live act Car Wash and 70s disco. Marine Hall,Fleetwood. 7.30pm. URBAN ON ICE. DJ Fontalba with urban, real r&b, hip hop, reggae and bashment. Hush, Talbot Square, Blackpool. From 10pm - 4am.
FYLDE COAST AMATEUR DRAMATICS WITH LISA ETTRIDGE
Appeal for men Players cash in
“WHERE have all the men gone?” – a familiar cry on the Fylde Coast at the moment as local theatrical societies are struggling to get the male population to take part in their shows. Blackpool Operatic Players is the latest society to be pleading to all local men to join them for their production of My Fair Lady. Although rehearsals are well underway for their opening night on Wednesday, April 29, at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre, the society need more men to fill the stage for big chorus numbers. Spokeswoman Karen Gray said: “It’s such a shame. We have an excellent cast, brilliant produc-
Diary date
Puss In Boots St Bernadette’s Players St. Bernadette’s Church Hall, All Hallows Road, Bispham February 18 - 21, 7.30pm tion team and everyone is working so hard, but we definitely need more men to join us. “Once you take out those who have principal parts, you realise the women definitely outnumber the men. So, please, if there men who can sing and fancy treading the boards, get in touch”. My Fair Lady is based on the
play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. It first opened in London’s West End in April 1958. It tells the story of Cockney flower-girl, Eliza Doolittle, who manages to pass for a princess at a society ball after having had her rude vowels ironed out by linguist, Professor Henry Higgins. The path from gutter to upper class is not an easy on, but all turns out well in the end. It is at The Grand Theatre from April 29 to May 2. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings. Any men interested can call Karen Gray on 07775 727838. Tickets from the theatre box office, (01253) 290190.
MONEY is the theme as the Cleveleys Park Players bring their latest offering to the stage. Rehearsals are well under way for Donald Churchill and Peter Yeldham’s comedy, My Friend Miss Flint which will be coming to the stage at Cleveleys Park Methodist Church Hall, West Drive on Thursday. The play follows the story of Tom Lambert who receives a telephone call from the Inland Revenue inquiring about his public relations consultant, a Miss Joanna Flint. Tom can honestly say he has never heard of her. By lunch he knows differently. Sarah, his accountant and ex-wife confesses she has invented Miss Flint as a tax dodge which the revenue have rumbled.
■ Ring Lisa Ettridge with am dram news on 361729 ● email lisa.ettridge@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
The show will run from Thursday to Saturday, February 19 -21 at 7.30pm nightly. Tickets are £5 and are available on the door or by calling (01253) 829338.
LISTINGS
Friday, February 13, 2009 SATURDAY NIGHT LOVIN’. Paul Dunne, Dave Jones and Paul Walker with dance, club anthems, house, electro, oldskool and trance (Dance Arena), Jaylen & Jones with funky house, r&b, current floorfillers (Buddha Room), Lee Hirst chart and party, r&b and bassline (The Studio and The Gallery). Club Sanuk, North Promenade, Blackpool. ANDY J. Resident dj in residence. The Residence, Vicarage Street, Poulton.
Rock, pop and blues REGGAE/RAGGA NIGHT. Second edition of the specialist night. West Coast Rock Cafe Club Above, Abingdon Street, Blackpool.
Social clubs NICK CUPIT. Stanley Road WMC, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 621168. SOPHIE DIANE. Duple Social Club, South Shore. Details, (01253) 341647. JIMMY GOWERS. Brun Grove WMC and Institute, Blackpool. (01253) 762186. JASON LEE. Hampton Road Social, South Shore. Details, (01253) 341508. CRAWFORD & BROWN and NIKKI MILLER. Layton Institute. Details, (01253) 391774. DAVID WAINWRIGHT. Comrades of the Great War Club (Blackpool) Ltd, 116 Adelaide Street. Details, (01253) 625841. TONY JEFFRIES. Claremont Conservative Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 620981. CHELSEA STEVENS and CARL SCHOFIELD. Blackpool’s Number One Club. Details, (01253) 346516. DARREN SHAW and BRIAN SHARPE. Bloomfield Club, Blackpool. (01253) 344583. MIKE ENFIELD. Hotels and Apartments Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 623784. JAYDON ROBERTS. North Shore WMC, Cross Street, Blackpool. (01253) 627974. BECCI HAYMAN. Blackpool Trades and Social Club. Details, (01253) 622580. HARRY GEE. Blackpool Central Bowling and Social Club. Details, (01253) 341145. CHRISTIE CHARLES and DEAN RICHARDS. Thornton Cleveleys Royal British Legion. Details, (01253) 852450. JENNIFER KAYE and OLLIE SPENCER. Cleveleys Men’s Club., (01253) 853219. MARTIN JAMES. Brunswick Club, Blackpool. (01253) 624208. ALISHA MCKAYE. Bispham Con. Club, Red Bank Road, Bispham. (01253) 357519. JOHN MALCOLM. St Annes ExServicemens Club. Details, (01253) 721033. KEVIN LAINE. St Annes Conservative Club,. Details, (01253) 723471. FIREWORKX. Highfield Road & Rec., South Shore. Details, (01253) 342389. RONNIE JACKSON. Blackpool Catholic Club. Details, (01253) 622979. VALENTINE’S NIGHT SPECIAL WITH TOMMY CLARKE. Thornton Cleveleys Wings Club. Details (01253) 852709. JENNIFER JAMIESON. Knott End WMC. Details, (01253) 810362. MAURICE MALONE. Willows Catholic, Kirkham. Details, (01253) 682195. DAVE READ. Guitar/vocalist - music from the 60s to 80s. The Wainwright Club, Blackpool.
Music GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA. Ray McVay leads the way through Miller classics. Plus The Swing Cats’ tribute to the Andrews Sisters. Grand Hall, Guild Hall, Preston. 7.30pm.
Folk, Irish and country VEGAS DUO. Fort San Antone, Great Birchwood County Music Park, Lytham Road, Warton. LAU. Modern traditional music exponents. The Platform, Station Buildings, The Promenade, Morecambe.
the weekend
WEEKEND CHOICE BLACKPOOL’S annual festival of circus, magic and festival gets off to a flying start tonight with the Carnival Ball in Blackpool Tower Ballroom from 8pm to 2am. Prepare for an evening of style and romance as the womderful white trash country star Tina C (right) heads an exotic cast in an evening of dancing, cabaret and vintage glamour. Over 18s only. There’s more adult entertainment on Saturday and Sunday nights at Blackpool Grand Theatre with Miss Behave’s Variety Nighty show bringing together a laugh and thrillfilled evening with top variety and specialty acts from around the globe for Valentine’s weekend. Over 18s only. International Stars of Magic have plenty up their sleeves at the Opera House for two shows - 2pm, 7.30pm. With
Showzam! 09 a cast of stars from around the world, it’s a show for all of the family, as well as for serious magicians. There’s more for the family with Strictly Come Laughing starring Mooky and Bubu and a full cast daily at 2.30pm from Saturday until February 22 in Blackpool Tower Circus, The Blackpool Fringe Project presents daily entertainment in the Olympia at the Winter Gardens from 1.30pm and there’s a Matcham Tour in Blackpool Town Centre with Professor Vanessa Toulmin on Sunday from noon An events programme and details of festival packages for short breaks is at www.showzam.co.uk or by calling (01253) 478222.
Theatre and shows STRICTLY COME LAUGHING. A circus show for all the family with Mooky and Bubu, Arron Sparks, Polinde, Jana Roberts and Pat Bradford & Kate. Part of Showzam 2009 Tower Circus, Blackpool Tower. Daily, 2.30pm. Ends February 22. MISS BEHAVE’S VARIETY NIGHT. One the world’s few surving femael sword swallowers with a raunchy, risqué, saucy and sassy selection of speciality acts. Part of Showzam 2009. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. 7.30pm.
Quiz nights A WORLD OF WONDER. Blackpool Magicians’ Club with a show to introduce children to the world of magic - acts include Martin Scott Price, David Plant and Coventry. Part of Showzam 2009. Blackpool Magicians Theatre Club, Rear No 1 Sherbourne Road, North Shore. 11am.
Rock, pop and jazz THE THIRD MAN. Formed by ex Kooks bassist Max Rafferty. Support from locals Sinister Footwear and Brighton based Matt English. West Coast Rock Cafe Club Above, Abingdon Street, Blackpool.
Music LOVE IS LIKE A RED RED ROSE. Special St Valentine concert by the Kenmore Trio. The Platform, Station Buildings, The Promenade, Morecambe. 3pm.
Pubs and bars RECOVERY ROOM. Tidal Beats Drum Circle (noon to 2pm) then djs Kate Fear, John Tree and Buzz:ed plus live set from The Ponies. Mojo’s, Back Church Street, Blackpool. From noon. THE WHITTLE’S GOT TALENT. Early doors weekly search a star - £50 to the winner. Open to all. Whittle Springs (The Victoria), Talbot Road, Blackpool. 5 - 8pm. FRANK FLYNN AND GUESTS. Weekly afternoon free admission live music. The Shovels, Hambleton. 3 - 6pm. NICK UNLIMITED. Back by popular demand for more rock and blues. Upstairs At The Raikes, Blackpool. From 5pm. THE LIONEL VINYL SHOW. Plus Lionel’s karaoke. Yates’s, Talbot Square/Clifton Street, Blackpool. TONY MITCHELL. In acoustic mood. The Steamer, Queens Terrace, Fleetwood. 1- 3pm. I LOVE VODKA SUNDAY. Commercial dance and chart anthems. Brannigans, Market Street, Blackpool.
IAN HOOPER AND PAUL DOBIE. Two of the area’s most popular singers and musicians in weekly session. The Edge, Hardhorn Road, Poulton. 8pm DJ NORRIE. Party night. Rumours, Talbot Square, Blackpool. OPEN MIC NIGHT. Take your own instruments. Free admission. Drinks promotions. The Blue Room, Church Street, Blackpool. From 8pm. WIND DOWN SUNDAY. Soul - Motown and Northern from Glenn Miller. Soul Suite, Queen Square, Queen Street, Blackpool. MISS PATRICIA’S MUSIC HALL. Theatre Bar, Queens Hotel, The Promenade, South Shore. 1 - 5pm. CABARET NIGHT. Different act weekly. Theatre Bar, Queens Hotel, South Shore. 8.30pm to midnight. BINGO AND FIND THE JOKER. Minimum cash prize of £50. The Golden Eagle, Anchorsholme. 3.30pm. FAMILY FUN DAY. DJ Sean Whitham with karaoke, party hits and more. The Royal Oak, Breck Road, Poulton. Noon to 4pm. POKER NIGHT. The Royal, Marton.
Nightclubs I LOVE SUNDAYS. Dave Pope and Craig Smith play r&b, hip hop and funky house. Drinks promotions. Main Arena, Club Sanuk, North Promenade/Springfield Road, Blackpool. 10.30pm to 3.30am
Quiz nights CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT. In aid of Brian House. Blackpool Catholic Club, 30 Queen Street, Blackpool. FREE QUIZ. With the Dave Ward Roadshow. Weekly prizes The Ship & Royal, Clifton Street, Lytham. 9 - 11pm. QUIZ NIGHT. Free beer giveaway and £50 bonus question. The Excelsior, Lytham Road, South Shore. 8.45pm. FUN PUB QUIZ NIGHT. With the Caroloke Zone. Last Orders, Thornton. QUIZ DAY. Plus bingo and Play Your Cards Right with compere Joe Gordon. The Victoria, Fleetwood. From 5pm. QUIZ NIGHT. And Play Your Cards right. The Boot ‘n’ Shoe, Elswick. 9.15pm. QUIZ NIGHT. With Paul Gee plus Play Your Cards Right. The Links, St Annes. QUIZ NIGHT. Plus The Accumulator. Presented by Danny. The Belle Vue, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool. FUN QUIZ NIGHT. Plus meat raffle and Name That Tune. Hosted by Trigger. The Burn Naze, Thornton. From 4pm QUIZ AND CHARITY FUN QUIZ NIGHT. Weekly quiz, fortnightly fund raiser for Brian House Children’s Hospice. Blackpool Catholic Club, Queen Street, Blackpool. QUIZ NIGHT. Including general knowledge and music rounds. Also Open The Box. The Mere Park Hotel, Marton. STEVE M’s SUNDAY QUIZ NIGHT. General
Irish, folk and country THE PICASSO BROTHERS. Fort San Antone, Great Birchwood County Music Park, Lytham Road, Warton. Lunchtime. IRISH MUSIC NIGHT. Calming folk music to unwind to. All welcome to play or listen. The Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel, The Esplanade, Fleetwood. 8.30pm. COUNTRY AND WESTERN NIGHT. Live music, shoot outs, bucket draw. Hampton Road Club, South Shore. COUNTRY AND WESTERN NIGHT. Guest act weekly. Progress Sports & Social Club, Exchange Street, Blackpool. 7.30pm.
Various venues
SUNDAY
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+
Social clubs
knowledge, pop, rollovers - hosted by Steve Mulligan. The Mount Hotel, Fleetwood. QUIZ NIGHT. Plus Open the Safe. Cash prizes to be won. Gardeners Arms, Thornton. PETE’S QUIZ & MUSIC. With prizes. The Clarence, Marton. 8.45pm LANDLORD’S GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ. 40 weekly general knowledge questions in the new look pub. The Boot & Shoe, Elswick. 9pm. BEER AND CASH QUIZ. Chance to win £50 bonus prize. Dog & Partridge, Lytham Road, South Shore. MUSIC QUIZ. Plus Guess the Key. Raikes Hall Hotel, Blackpool. From 8.30pm. QUIZ NIGHT. The Admiral, St Annes Road West, St Annes. FAMILY FORTUNES QUIZ. Devonshire Arms, North Shore. From 9.30pm.
RIK STEVENS. Duple Social Club, 96a Bond Street, South Shore. Details, (01253) 341647. LEE DAVID. Brun Grove WMC and Institute, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 762186. PETE JONES. Hampton Road Social, South Shore. Details, (01253) 341508. ALAN BARKER SHOWCASE. Layton Institute, Westcliffe Drive. Details, (01253) 391774. RONNIE JACKSON. Talbot Club, 46 Milbourne Street, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 624305. JAMES ALEXANDER (Noon). LOUISE LORRAINE (Evening). Bloomfield Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 344583. TONY G FORD. Blackpool Trades and Social Club. (01253) 622580. and. Blackpool Central Bowling and Social Club. (01253) 341145. SIMON ROSCOE. Thornton Cleveleys Royal British Legion. Details, (01253) 852450. PAUL ANDREWS. Cleveleys Men’s Club, Slinger Road. Details, (01253) 853219. LES MALCOLM. Bispham Con. Club, Red Bank Road, Bispham. Details, (01253) 357519. JAYDON ROBERTS. Thornton Cleveleys Wings Club. Details (01253) 852709. MAGGIE ON KEYBOARD. Stanley Road WMC, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 621168.
Others SNOWDROP WALK. The Hall’s most popular annual event. Lytham Hall, Ballam Road,. Gates open at 10.30am, last entry at 3pm. ANTIQUE AND COLLECTORS FAIR. Marine Hall, The Esplanade, Fleetwood. 10am to 4pm.
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the weekend
W
ARM things up this half term. Learn how to eat fire and survive, go behind the scenes of magic and trickery to outsmart your friends at the Showzam 09 Festival of Circus, Magic and New Variety. Blackpool Magicians’ Club presents A World of Wonder tomorrow and Sunday with magic, mystery and Punch and Judy. Formed in 1941, Blackpool Magicians’ Club has a strong and active junior membership. Want to make and perform vanishing tricks, learn baffling and mysterious magic? The Showzam 09 magic workshops at midday on Tuesday and Thursday and are suitable for beginners (over seven years).
Hot Stuff!
How To Eat Fire and Survive takes place at Showzam Central, Winter Gardens, on Saturday, February 21, at midday, and gives an insight into the fire eaters.
Not to be missed!
On Friday, February 20, at 1pm The Variety Live Workshops give you an opportunity to learn from Variety Live’s world class performers. Book early!
Alive Inside!
The Magic of Sideshows on Friday, February 20, at 6pm, tells of the restoration of some incredible sideshow illusions that were exhibited in the 1950s and 60s.
Blackpool Loves – Strictly Come Laughing
Clowns Mooky and Bubu with the resident Endresz Family present Strictly Come Laughing to the Blackpool Tower Circus with daily 2.30pm matinee shows which run throughout the Showzam Festival from Saturday until February 22.
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Learn secrets of the magic world Highlights include Guinness World Record holder and yo-yo genius Arron Sparks from France, and from the Netherlands the amazing Polinde aerial act, Jana Robert’s hula hoop performance, using fire, LED light-up hoops – Jana can manipulate up to 50 hoops at once – and the skilful hand balance act from Pat Bradford and Kate. ■ Valentine’s buy-one-get-one free voucher on Saturday, February 14.
Miss Behave premiers her new UK show
The Infamous Miss Behave, one of the last surviving female sword swallowers (as seen on the Graham Norton Show) premiers a new UK show at Blackpool’s Showzam Festival at the Grand Theatre on Saturday and Sunday. Miss Behave also introduces you to an eclectic line-up of performers with top variety and speciality acts from around the globe. Showzam09 is 10 days packed full of enticing entertainment, sensational new shows and wonderful wizarding workshops and the only event in the UK that has fused the worlds of magic, circus performance, exhibition and theatrical events in a festival style event! For further details visit www.showzam.co.uk or call 01253 478222.
EURO STARS: The Polinde aerial act from the Netherlands and Arron Sparks from France