Spotlight on Festivals & Events on the Yorkshire Coast late 2008
Autumn 2008 Edition
26th – 28th September - 6th Annual Scarborough Jazz Festival
26th-28th September at The Scarborough Spa Complex. What an impact this event has had on the jazz world! In its first four years it has enjoyed increasing national acclaim. The wonderful Victorian Scarborough Spa will sparkle with the highest calibre jazz musicians at the sixth Scarborough Jazz Festival. Highlights are top vocalist Clare Teal and the prestigious BBC Big Band; Guy Barker's stunning Jazz Orchestra; saxophone superstar Courtney Pine; Tom Cawley's outstanding 'Curios'; UK's leading tango ensemble 'Tango Siempre'; band of the moment quintet 'Empirical'; Alan Barnes' Ellingtonians and the acclaimed vocalist Claire Martin with the exceptional Gareth Williams Trio.
The superb regional bands 'Tribute to Atlantic Jazz', Jamil Sheriff Octet', Julie Edwards and Kevin Dearden Quintet; UK Promoters' Choice bands Gareth Roberts Quintet, Alcyona Mick Quintet and Indo-Jazz fusion band 'Free Spirits'; and the witty, multi-award winning reeds player Alan Barnes as compere. What a weekend!
NB: The Crown Spa Hotel is but a stone’s throw away from the Spa Complex!
27th September – Fishy Things Going On!
As the UK’s most popular hobby; yes we are talking Fishing the Yorkshire Coast is party to a number of leading events this autumn.
One of the more unusual forms of the sport is fishing from an Ocean Kayak; a great way of seeing the Coastal Scenery from an unusual perspective whilst also having the opportunity to bring home some fresh fish for supper!
4th October - British Longboard Club Championship Competition
Saturday 4th- Sunday 5th October taking place in both Scarborough's North Bay and South Bay beaches; the competition has been given this new date due to a glorious weather forecast which means no ground swell wave producing storms in the North Sea.
This event is well worth a visit to the Yorkshire Coast. Scarborough and the coast is becoming one of the surf locations of the North due the variety of surf spots available suitable for beginner to advanced and the just plain scary! Most of the best spots are visible from the shore so can make a great visual spectacle.
31st October weekend - Whitby Gothic Weekend and Scarborough's Haunted Halloween
This weekend you can pick from two ghostly choices in both Whitby and Scarborough.
Gothic Weekend; the origins of Gothic Weekend lie in an ad hoc meeting of Gothic Fans and Whitby was chosen for its Dracula connections, Gothic architecture and Whitby townsfolk already fostered a sense of acceptance of the Gothic culture. The festival was held yearly until 1997, when it became twice-yearly, now held in April and October. It has since grown into one of the most popular gothic events in the world, attracting attendees from across the UK and around the world.
Haunted Halloween Scarborough;it is the eve of All Saints – Halloween – and you think you are brave, fearless and daring. Well think again! Join in this series of tales and stories with our costumed storyteller. Wear warm clothes (perhaps a waterproof!), sensible footwear. This event is not suitable for very young children. Pre booking is essential, places are limited.
1st November 2008 - The One
The One: Elton John Tribute
View the dates that this event is on.
Arguably the finest Elton John tribute act in the country comes to the Spa Theatre in Scarborough on Saturday 1st November this year.
With costumes and songs from every decade of Elton’s career, Aaron Hart is a well respected Elton John performer who has entertained worldwide with his “The One” tribute show.
“The One” show features many of Elton’s well-known classic hit songs, and includes Aaron’s amazing live piano playing, his unmistakable vocals, and superb custom-made costumes.
Aaron has been described as a “fantastic Elton performer”, with “the most eye-catching entrances” and who “looked and sounded like the real thing.”
Tickets on sale in the Reception at the Crown Spa Hotel; you can purchase these when you book.
Prices: £12.50
Concessions: £11.50
The Crown Spa Hotel is but a stone’s throw away from the Spa Complex!
11th November 2008 - Scarborough Dance Festival
Tuesday 11th - Sunday 16th November at The Spa; festival organiser and host Philip Wylie will present Modern and Latin dancing in the Ocean Ballroom together with the Modern ‘Learn & Improve’ workshops. As in previous years there will be a morning Sequence Teach-In in the Ocean Ballroom plus a programme of afternoon Sequence dancing in the Grand Hall The very popular presentation of Young Rising Dance Star
Cabaret will take place most evenings in the Ocean Ballroom. The exciting and very popular Ross Mitchell his Band and Singers are back for the Saturday Night Gala Dance; the social dance evening includes the ‘Scarborough Waltz Trophy’ a popular event for all dancers. A warm welcome awaits all dancers to the 11th Annual Scarborough Dance Festival; festival highlights include:
Festival Gala Night with Ross Mitchell, his Band & Singers.
Morning Coffee Dances with Modern and Latin workshops.
Sequence Dancing by Gary and Gwenda Cole.
Demonstration Cabaret by Young Dance Stars.
Latin Workshop with Alex and Lisa Bellinger-Ivanets (11 Nov. only).
Competition Events including Modern, Latin & Social for ages: - Juvenile, Junior, Adults & Over 50's.
A Programme of Tea Dances for Modern & Latin in the Ocean Room.
A Programme for Sequence Dancers in the Grand Hall.
The Crown Spa Hotel is but a stone’s throw away from the Spa Complex!
15th November 2008 - Christmas Parade (switching on Christmas lights)
15th November, Annual town centre event. This year’s event will be a
pantomime theme electric parade with vehicles and costumed characters all decorated with lights making its way through the town centre starting from Queens Street with a variety of street entertainment, the Mayor switches on the lights at approximately 4.15pm. This marks the star of the festive winter Season calendar of events. Various community groups will also be taking part in the parade. The town centre will come alive with light and entertainment including, children’s entertainers, free face painting and bands. More events will follow in our Festive Edition of Spotlight!
Theatre & Film Spotlight for September, October & November
Scarborough's live entertainment scene is flourishing with events on every week; below is a very small selection of what is on this Autumn.
The Stephen Joseph Theatre
4th September to 4th October; Woman in Mind, The Stephen Joseph Theatre.
Clergyman’s wife, Susan, bored, restless and frustrated with life in general and her family in particular, escapes to a happier, more exciting dream world of her own imagining. But when Susan’s two worlds start to overlap and finally collide, danger threatens. Janie Dee returns to head the cast as Susan in this major revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s bitter sweet 1985 comedy hit, directed by the author for the first time in over two decades.
16 October - 8 November; Jack Lear, The Stephen Joseph Theatre
Jack is old, tired and finally hanging up his oilskins and sou’wester. At last he is dividing up his ‘kingdom’ to his feisty and unforgiving daughters, Morgana, Freda and Victoria. Years of being raised in hard graft amongst fish guts, leering trawler men and all that is coarse and masculine has made each one long for femininity and freedom from the heavy burden of their father’s penny pinching ways. As Jack looks towards a retirement of rest and putting his boots up, his daughters have other ideas in mind as their resentment rises and surges with the tide. Barrie Rutter plays Jack in this gritty re-working of Shakespeare’s King Lear. Family loyalty and love battle through hatred, revenge and sibling rivalry that is more tempestuous than the dark oceans.
Don't forget many traveling shows appearing at the famous Stephen Joseph Theatre
The Futurist Theatre
The line up this Autumn at the Futurist is tremendous here is just one of the many shows.
16th November Paddy McGuinness Plus Yo Live! On Tour 2008
Wednesday 19th November at the Futurist Theatre from 20:00. Paddy hits the road again with his eagerly awaited brand new show ‘Paddy McGuinness Plus You’. The new show will have
Scarborough Spa Complex
Different shows on every week through out the week!
30th October Mad About The Musicals returns with a BRAND NEW 2008 show. This electric production of Musical Showstoppers was voted by many venues last year as one of the best one-night shows in the UK.
So, sit back and enjoy two hours of unforgettable West End and Broadway favourites, the stunning vocal talents of a West End cast, top notch dancing and glitzy costumes - ‘A Pure Slice Of Entertainment’
Hollywood Plaza
This is my wife's favourite film theatre; just how they used to be; cosy and comfortable.
Do have a look at our local film theatre which is a little gem our very own Hollywood Plaza
