Music
Beds & Herts duo The Shires announce online concert
The Shires are a duo from Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire who are innately passionate about demonstrating the continued relevance of their UK perspective on country music. Made up of Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, the pair create music that draws from classic elements of the genre, whilst delivering singalong, mellow experiences within their forward-thinking tales.
Although 2021 sees The Shires delay their scheduled tour due to current COVID-19 restrictions, they are thrilled to announce a very special worldwide concert online for the beginning of April.
Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire duo – The Shires
About The Shires
The Shires are two relatable, exuberant friends that have confessed awe in each other’s vast skillset. With just their guitars, obsessive song-writing and vocal ability, the British duo have sold-out the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, become the first home country act to reach the top ten of the British album charts and even enjoyed a performance at the Royal Wedding on BBC Radio 2. The Shires carried this successful streak into 2020 with the release of their fourth album, Good Years. Recorded in the home of Country music, Nashville, the body of work concentrated on the authentic storytelling and the seamlessly blended vocals the duo have crafted a reputation for.
Upcoming performances by The Shires
The online concert, on the 10th April, will feature Ben and Crissie (and their band) relishing in the part of their musical career they love the most, performing. Creating an atmospheric live experience, the concert is presented with unbelievable sound quality and will boast their most prominent songs, including Daddy’s Little Girl and I Just Wanna Love You.
The Shires will be performing live at Bedford Corn Exchange. This event’s performance date was changed (the old date was Sunday, 16 May 2021 at 7:00 PM). The show will now take place on Friday, 13 May 2022 at 7:00 PM.
Tickets go on sale here. Find new tour dates linked here.
Enjoy a magical day out in St Albans this Christmas where you’ll find lots of fun festive events for all ages to cherish. Why not ‘crack two nuts with one nutcracker’ and pick up some wonderful Christmas gifts from an array of eclectic independent shops and top high-street retailers – and take a well-earned rest in one of the many outstanding eateries offering superb festive fare. So, wrap up warm and enjoy the buzz of St Albans this festive season…
Here’s what’s on in St Albans this Christmas:
Complete the trail and get the chance to win a £250 Enjoy St Albans Gift Card
The Nutcracker Christmas Trail
The whole family will love getting involved in this trail and will discover some interesting facts about St Albans along the way, whilst enjoying the beautiful sights of the city.
Nutcracker’s may actually look a little scary but according to German folklore, they represent power and strength, bare their teeth to evil spirits and serve as the traditional messenger of good luck and goodwill.
Find your free Nutcracker Trail map in town or view it online (here) and then wander around the city and district to find 15 Nutcracker Soldiers. The map tells you the location of the soldiers and as you find each one, write his name down on the Trail Sheet. Once you’ve found all of the names, fill in your details and post it into Santa’s postbox, which is also marked on the map. First prize is a £250 St Albans Gift Card, plus two runners-up will each receive a £50 St Albans Gift Card.
Go nuts for this fun family Christmas trail from 21st November 2021 until 4th January 2022.
Winterscapes
Wonder at the vibrant and beautiful artworks created by local St Albans artists at this outside pop-up public art exhibition. The community arts initiative with Collective Gallery aims to enhance the city centre and make art inclusive for all, giving people joy in the most unexpected of places.
Throughout December, City Centre, Parklets, Museum Railings
Covent Garden Street Performers
Bringing the magic and theatre of Covent Garden to St Albans. You might just bump into these outrageously funny and brilliant street acts as you wander around town, who knows where they’ll pop up- watch out for the toy soldiers and trees on stilts.
Christmas Installations
Incredible Christmas lights and animation installations dotted across St Albans town centre will bring fun and joy to all folk across the festive period- and provide the perfect opportunity for a fabulous Instagram picture too.
Christmas Carol Concerts
A number of special festive events will be taking place at St Albans Cathedral this winter. Including The Hospice of St Francis concert, a magical afternoon of popular carols, guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit. With special performances from talented local choirs, the hour and 15-minute concert will feature a mix of solo recitals, thoughtful festive readings and plenty of opportunity for merry audience participation. Standard tickets cost £12.
Live Street Entertainment
Wrap up warm and enjoy festive family fun when a variety of fantastic theatre productions come to town. Innovative and interactive live theatre performances from Trestle Theatre and Booster Cushion Street Theatre. 7th, 10th, 12 December (Trestle) & 23rd December (Booster Cushion), Outside The Museum + Gallery.
Enjoyment for the whole family at Santa’s Post Office © Kate Lindeman
Santa’s Post Office
Make memories when Santa’s ‘official’ and busy Post Office comes to town. The space is beautifully decorated to get everyone in the Christmas spirit, children can write a letter to Santa, enjoy Christmassy arts and crafts and interactive family games and fun. Every day from 21st November to 24th December 11am-4pm, old Cath Kidson shop, Christopher Place.
Santa’s Post Boxes – Fun and wonder for little ones when they write a letter to Santa and post it in one of the special post boxes located around town – watch the delight on their faces when they receive a reply from the Big Man himself. There’s also the chance to win a £100 St Albans Gift Card. 21st November – 4th January, Fleetville Larder, Cositas, Eyes on St Albans, Alban Arena
Charity Postbox Topper Trail is popular with locals and visitors and raises thousands for charity
St Albans Postbox Toppers Charity Trail – Discover 82 postbox toppers that have been handcrafted by a team of dedicated volunteer yarn-bombers with designs including everything from Nativity scenes to Snowmen wearing colour-blind glasses. The trail is one of the biggest fundraising initiatives in St Albans that has raised over £64,000 for local charities. Search for ‘EYES on St Albans’ in your App store to download the App, enjoy the trail, donate and scan to win prizes and follow the Facebook page for more.
Manager of St Albans BID, Denise Parsons says:
“St Albans is the perfect winter destination for family fun, entertainment and Christmas shopping. We have an eclectic mix of independent shops, big-name retail outlets and of course, our famous Charter and Pop-Up Markets all alongside our fantastic pubs and eateries.
“It’s incredibly important for people to shop local this festive season and our TV ad and detailed Christmas Gift Guide will help locals and visitors to the make the most of their time shopping in our wonderful city. Our St Albans Gift Card also helps to support local businesses and is perfect for Christmas- as a stocking filler, a handy last-minute gift and it’s perfect for the person who is hard to buy for… and we all know one or two of those!”
Rag ’n’ Bone Man will land in Milton Keynes as part of a huge UK summer 2022 tour. The three-times BRIT award-winner will take to the stage with his band at Campbell Park in Milton Keynes on Saturday 16th July 2022. Tickets cost just £39.50 and go on pre-sale from 10am on 23rd November, then on general sale from 10am on 25th November via www.lphconcertsandevents.co.uk.
Rory Graham a.k.a Rag ’n’ Bone man will bring his impressive repertoire of hits to the beautiful surroundings of Milton Keynes’ Campbell Park. This follows this summer’s Revive Live tour which saw him hit the road alongside the likes of Tom Jones and Sam Fender in support of grass roots venues, followed by his own sold-out UK tour through October and November 2021.
Rag ‘N” Bone Man in Milton Keynes… a long time coming
Talking about the 2022 Milton Keynes event, Rag ’n’ Bone man said, “We all missed out on live music last summer so I’m looking forward to making up for lost time with a big summer show next year. I can’t wait to get on stage, so get ready Milton Keynes. It’s going to be huge!”
Rag ’n’ Bone man crashed onto the music scene with his 2018 multi-platinum selling album ‘Human’ winning ‘British Breakthrough Act’ and ‘Critic’s Choice Award’ at the BRITS, as well as ‘Best British Single’ for title track ‘Human’. The album was an international hit, and this hugely talented artist has been in constant demand ever since, with sell-out tours and headline festival appearances across the world.
Rory linked up with superstar producer Calvin Harris for the double platinum selling, global smash, ‘Giant’ which is sure to be a sing-along favourite at Milton Keynes Showground. His enduring appeal was underlined with the release of his new album ‘Life By Misadventure’, released in May this year, which became the fastest-selling album by a solo artist in 2021 so far. It debuted at number 1 and was preceded by two massive singles ‘All You Ever Wanted’ and ‘Anywhere Away From Here’ – a duet with US singing star, Pink.
With his distinctive baritone voice and magnetic stage presence, there are few performers who can captivate a crowd quite like Rag ’n’ Bone Man. His star continues to rise and fans from Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas should look forward to a show to remember.
Rag ’n’ Bone Man Live Milton Keynes
Campbell Park
Milton Keynes
MK9 4AD
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Our upcoming lunchNbloggers event will be taking place in the picturesque village of Woburn: Home to Woburn Safari Park, Woburn Abbey and Woburn Open Gardens.
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About lunchNbloggers
Each of our lunchNbloggers events is totally unique. Of the many restaurants and locations we visit, each has offered a unique setting and experience. The structure consists of an introduction, sampling, a tour of the venue and a masterclass. You can watch one of our wine tasting masterclass to get a taste of our events.
Our interactive masterclasses are themed for the destinations we visit. Other factors like our guest speaker are taken into consideration. This means each event is unique in every way. If you are interested in attending a lunchNbloggers event, visit it lunchNbloggers.com.
