Get ready to do disco this weekend

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

BLUE Collar has laid out set times for its Disco events ahead of the Water Fest weekend in Reading later this week.

Disco Abbey and Disco Slice are both set to take place this weekend, with live performances from charttopping acts and awardwinning street food offerings.

On Friday, Reading’s Abbey Ruins will see Ryan McGregor open the main stage from 6pm, followed by Alive By Night from 6.45pm.

Soul II Soul frontman Jazzie B OBE will perform a DJ set from 7.15pm, with Odyssey performing live from 8.30pm. Headliners Fleetmac Wood will close the main stage, performing from 9.30pm.

The second stage will see a DJ set from Twin Sun from 5pm, following by Elle Cee & Kingpin from 6.16pm, Even Funkier from 7.30pm, and Jet Boot Jack from 8.30pm, before headliner Natasher Kitty Katt performs from 9.30pm.

Disco Slice is also set to take place during the weekend, with Saturday seeing DJ sets from Slippery People from 11am, Double Down Darby Disco from 1pm, Rich Sloman from 3.15pm,

Acronym from 5.30pm, and headline act Rum & Donuts from 8pm.

Sunday will see sets from DJ Gilbert from 11am, Galeforce DJs from 1.15pm, before Rob Wire closes out the weekend’s live acts from 3.30pm until 6pm.

Street food vendors will be on hand across the weekend, including Krua Koson, Main Street Tacos, Fink, Berlin Doner, Dhaba Shack, Pitta Pitta, Tapas Culture, and Clark’s Kitchen, who join Blue Collar Bars at the event.

There is also speciality coffee from Anonymous Coffee Co. Blue Collar events manager Pete Wheeler said: “We cannot wait for this weekend, and for both Disco Abbey and Disco Slice to begin.

“We really will have the best of street food, local craft beer, cocktails, DJs and live music available across the two events and it’s particularly exciting to return to Forbury Gardens after the success of this year’s Cheese Feast.

“In fact, some of the most popular food traders from Cheese Feast are returning for Disco Slice include Marlow Cheese Company with their award-winning cheese toasties, Heavenly Sausage, Soleluna pizzas, Gamekeeper’s venison burgers and many more.”

He continued: “Disco Abbey is set to be a serious fun night with top notch live acts and DJs from gates opening at 5pm all the way through until 10.45pm.

“Disco Slice, however, is free entry and not ticketed – so just turn up for great street food, drinks and disco classics.” n Disco Abbey takes place in the Abbey Ruins from 5pm on Friday, June 9, with tickets available from: whatsonreading.com n Disco Slice takes place in Forbury Gardens from 11am on Saturday and Sunday, June 10-11, with free entry: discoabbey. eventbrite.co.uk

COMING

TOGETHER:

Artist David Speed is creating a giant picture of musician Heather Small to mark the beginning of the St James’ Way, a pilgrims’ route to Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain

Heather Small plays large part in mural to mark start of pilgrims’ route

THE start of a pilgrims’ way will be that much brighter thanks to a new piece of art currently being created in Reading town centre, writes Phil Creighton.

British artist David Speed has painted the Estrellas del Camino (the Stars of the Way) mural as part of Las Estrellas del Camino, the world’s largest urban art exhibition.

Curated by Estrella Galicia it will feature works spread over 78 miles (126km) along several stages of the Camino Ingles/ English Way walking route, of which Reading is the starting point.

Known as the St James’ Way over here, it is one of seven recognised routes which form the Camino de Santiago on its way to Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain.

Mr Speed’s mural can be seen on the side of Haslams estate agents’ Friar Street office, and uses his neon technique.

It features an image of Heather Small, lead singer of the 90s dance music band, M People.

She walked the route for the BBC television series, Pilgrimage: The Road to Santiago, in 2018, becoming an ambassador for the Camino.

The mural is very close to Reading’s Abbey Quarter, where the St James Way starts its 70mile route to Southampton.

John McLaughlin, REDA board member lead for tourism and general manager of the Reading Hilton hotel, said: “It’s exciting to see that Reading’s unique place at the start of the St James’ Way and as part of one of the world’s most famous pilgrimages, the Camino de Santiago, is being recognised.

“Since the waymarking of the St James’ Way was completed last year, Reading is seeing a steady stream of people walking the 70-mile long-distance walking route while more than 250 people joined one of the Caminorelated events during May’s Reading Walks Festival.

“Reading has a rich medieval heritage with the Abbey as the starting point for pilgrims up until the 16th century.

“The new mural celebrates the people who are walking the Camino de Santiago in modern times for health, leisure or spiritual reasons and will help attract visitors to Reading and support the local economy.”

Steve Woodford, managing director of Haslams, said: “This new exciting mural helps showcase Reading as a destination and is part of the bigger picture of investment and development in Reading town centre.

“Haslams are proud to be able to host Heather Small on the wall of our building and we are looking forward to seeing the many visitors who come to see the mural and to visit Reading.”