Here is a diary of our events
PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2008

FOLK PLUS

REDCAR CRICKET CLUB

8.00 p.m. Tickets £5.00 from 01642 470932

featuring

Bob Fortune

Wendy Arrowsmith and Blind Summat

The John Wrightson Band

More evening concerts and matinee performances are being planned for the autumn and winter beginning with

Tees Hot Club - jazz and blues on Friday 28th November at the Claxton Hotel Redcar - details to follow

David Bainbridge - Baritone with Peter Gaunt - Piano - Thursday 18th December at Zetland Methodist Chapel 1.30 - details to follow

REDCAR HIGH STREET ENTERTAINMENT 7TH AUGUST 2008

Luck was certainly with us on the 7th August when we held our Street Entertainment Event.

From 11 till 3 the sun shone and the breeze dropped to give a great day for our singers and musicians.

Following on from the disaster of the loss of our chairman's van in a road accident, which we have used previously as a base for our entertainers in the street, we were at the mercy of the weather. To help with this we bought a lightweight Gazebo which served its purpose by acting as a focus for the concert and provided some relief from the direct sunshine.

Johnty started the event off playing a wide range of music styles on many instruments and got the day off to a great start. People shopping at the Farmers' Market stopped and sat down to enjoy his performance. Trish McLean and Ian Wright (their new C.D. is now available from iww@mpi-offshore.com) then took over and continued the high standard followed by an excellent set by Cliff Healey who delighted the shoppers with his performance of many well known country and western songs - inspiring the odd dancer to get up and join in here and there.

The whole atmosphere was very enjoyable and added that little bit extra to market day.

We are hoping to put on more events of this nature in the future.

A varied and diverse matinee programme of music and songs
from opera to the West End

Steve Craig – Tenor

Stephen Ridley - Piano

ZETLAND METHODIST CHAPEL

REDCAR

On Thursday 17^th July 2008 at 1.30 p.m.

Entrance fee £2.50 including refreshments – pay at the door

Further information from 01642 477018

This event has been sponsored by Platform for classical music excellence in the Tees Valley

Our second matinee concert proved to be a real success. Zetland Methodist Chapel was the venue for an hour long performance by Steve Ridley - piano and Steve Craig -Tenor.

Steve Ridley

Steve Craig

The programme was rich and varied with pieces sung in Italian and German along with several English songs. In addition Steve Ridley played an entertaining interlude where he asked for audience participation to identify some classical pieces which had been used in advertising.

The audience of over 75 people were thrilled with the programme and quality of entertainment and we are delighted that the two talented performers will come back in January to entertain us again as part of programme of three further matinees beginning with David Bainbridge (baritone) on 18th December at 1.30 p.m.

JULIE FELIX

returns to Redcar

Tuesday and Wednesday 17th and 18th June 2008

Sir William Turner’s Almshouses

Kirkleatham

7.30 p.m.

£12.00

Entry by ticket only

Ring 01642 477018 or 01642 470932

Julie Felix returned to Redcar to perform to two packed audiences at The Chapel in the Almshouses at Kirkleatham on June 17th and 18th.

After a couple of difficult hours, our sound system reached the Chapel following an unavoidable delay. It was checked out and set up. The concert began half an hour late with another problem when a string on Julie's guitar snapped at the beginning of her opening number. This was quickly replaced by our chairman whilst Julie sang an unaccompanied number and the concert began.

What a performer and professional she is. Despite the setbacks she performed with enthusiasm and energy and certainly proved her worth.

The Highway of Diamonds Tour is in celebration of her 70th birthday (last weekend) and we were treated to a delightful mixture of her own songs and those of others. The audience were invited to ask for requests of their favourites in the second half. At the end of each concert Julie stayed back to chat and sign autographs.

We want to thank first of all Julie for her support and cooperation in helping solve our unforeseen problems of the evening and for delivering a first class performance, secondly our Chairman Bob for coping incredibly well with the difficult circumstances and also to the marvellous audiences on both evenings, but particularly those on the first evening who waited patiently and offered their support and encouragement. Particular thanks goes to the anonymous gentleman who after winning the raffle gave his bottle of wine to our chairman!!.

A matinee programme of ballads, comedy songs and favourites from the musicals

with a dash of opera

sung by the international baritone

DAVID BAINBRIDGE

Accompanied on the piano by Peter Gaunt

ZETLAND METHODIST CHAPEL

REDCAR

On Thursday 17^th April 2008 at 1.30 p.m.

Entrance fee £2.50 including refreshments

Further information from 01642 477018

This event has been sponsored by Platform for classical music excellence in the Tees Valley

A matinee performance was a new venture for FORMA. Based on a model used in Whitby and Scarborough, and supported by Platform, we invited the international baritone David Bainbridge to perform for us for an hour, followed by tea and biscuits at the Zetland Methodist Church Redcar. Originally Peter Gaunt was to accompany David but due to an illness he was replaced at the last minute by David Burnett. The two David's put on an excellent programme to the delight of an audience of around 50 people. His programme included "The Income Tax Inspector", "This Nearly was Mine" and "The Toreador Song"

The best way to review this is to quote from members of the audience ......

"I loved every minute of it - we need more of this"

"His voice blew me away"

"I came to the concert reluctantly with a friend but thoroughly enjoyed it - please invite them back"

"It is great to have such quality performers here in Redcar especially on an afternoon".

We will certainly be inviting them back probably around Christmas time.

Saturday April 12th 2008
Redcar High Street

Working with Redcar Borough Council

STREET ENTERTAINMENT

Featuring Jim Bainbridge

The Men of Staithes

Trish Maclean and Ian Wright

In support of Redcar Council's Creative Market on Saturday 12th April, FORMA organised a half day's street entertainment on what turned out to be a cold wet day. The Men of Staithes sang an authentic programme of shanties, traditional fishermen songs and hymns, internationally known Jim Bainbridge from Scotland played his melodian to accompanying his singing whilst his wife Francie played the spoons. Our local duo Trish Maclean and Ian Wright completed the programme with their range of folk music. All acts put on an excellent show particularly bearing in mind the biting cold. FORMA gained from some clear noticeable advertising and hits on our website increased considerably. Well done and thank you to all who persevered in the dreadful weather.

An informal night of

JAZZ AND BLUES

with

TEES HOT CLUB

and special guests

REDCAR CRICKET CLUB

Saturday - 29th March 2008 at 8.00 p.m.

Tickets £5 including a cold platter supper

RAFFLE

Tickets from 01642 477018 and 470932

Come and enjoy the words and music of

Cole Porter
Fats Waller
George Gershwin
Jerome Kern
Django
Duke Ellington

FORMA’S 2008 programme of events got off to an excellent start on the 29th March at Redcar Cricket Club with a Jazz and Blues evening enjoyed by a capacity crowd. In addition to the quality musical content the audience were treated to a cold platter supper.

Tees Hot Club is a guitar/percussion band who skilfully delivered a programme of Django, Bossa and classic jazz pieces. The Jazz numbers were complimented by the guest appearance of two elder statesmen of the North East Jazz scene, Pete Papprill and Jack Laing, who added their depth of skills with a range of instruments including tenor sax and trumpet. Duncan Lister added his considerable talents to the blues numbers. The rich mellow vocals of Gus Smith are always a pleasure to hear.

Redcar had a real tradition of good jazz in the past – this evening was a great indication that this tradition should be rekindled.

A FUN NIGHT FOR CHRISTMAS
at
THE CLAXTON HOTEL REDCAR

1ST DECEMBER 2007

7.30 FOR 8.00 p.m

Come and join us for an enjoyable evening with comedy song writer

MARTIN NESBITT

along with

THE SCRATCH BAND

The Claxton Hotel in Redcar was the venue for our most recent event on the 1st December 2007. The night began with Saltburn's singer/songwriter Martin Nesbitt. He mixed his act to include one or two serious pieces along with some of his collection of comedy material.

His wit and originality comes through in his words and delivery and he created much laughter and delight.

A quiz, raffle and Pie and Pea supper followed and the night was completed with the humour and wide variety of songs, well performed by The Scratch Band. There was something for everyone to enjoy during their performance.

Thanks go to all who helped create an enjoyable evening

November 2007

JULIE FELIX -

The Forever Young tour

The Chapel
Sir William Turner's Almshouses
Kirkleatham
Redcar

Julie Felix

"The chapel at Sir William Turner’s Almshouses was the beautiful setting for two sell-out concerts for Julie Felix on the 13th and 14th November.

As part of her “Forever Young” tour Julie accepted our invitation to perform for us and the immediate response of her fans in the area for the first evening led us to extend the invitation to two nights. Julie’s voice remains strong and her message is still powerful and sincere. The performances were a mixture of her own choice of songs reflecting her cultural heritage and her personal thoughts and feelings, along with space after the interval for requests from the audience. We were able to enjoy favourites such as “Masters of War”, “A Hard Rain’s a gonna fall”, Mr. Tambourine Man”, “The Fox” and the tour’s signature tune “Forever Young” along with “Tabu”, “Chimes” and “How could anyone” plus many more. It was a privilege to share her thoughts about her parents, particularly her late father whose birthday it was on the 14th.

Julie stayed back to spend time talking with her many fans after the concert, posing for photographs and signing old LPs and new CDs.

We are thankful to a team of young Air Cadets from the 2394 Squadron who sold programmes and manned the car park to guard our cars in dreadful weather. They certainly lent a special air to the proceedings.

Both evenings were wonderful experiences and Julie is very keen to come back next year to entertain us again on her “Highway of Diamonds” tour to celebrate her 70th year. This is likely to be in June – watch this space".

Julie Felix

KIRKLEATHAM MUSEUM - Summer 2007

From the 27th May onwards until the 2nd September FORMA provided musical entertainment linked with the exhibitions at the museum every Sunday. In addition each Bank Holiday and, during the school holidays, each Wednesday, was targeted for additional entertainment. Entertainment was provided by -

Bob Fortune, our chairperson who sang some of his own songs rooted in the Cleveland area and accompanied himself on guitar. See our link page for details of his C.D.'s and recording facilities.

Les Cameron and Barbara Helen who sang their own pieces many of which are featured on their C.D. "Beyond the Sand". See their website via our links page.

Ian Wright with Trish Maclean who sang a wide range of popular songs including some original pieces. Trish played her flute to accompany some of Ian's singing. For contact see our links page

Milo Thelwall who sang and accompanied himself on guitar and also played fiddle. On his final day he included his double base and was accompanied by a colleague.

Judith Haswell who sang songs linking with the exhibitions of sea and country. See our link page.

Richard Grainger sang from his wide repertoire of music connected with local industry and the sea. See our link page for details of his C.D.'s and tours.

Mike Fowler played guitar including some Elizabethan pieces and also some appropriate modern jazz pieces.

Maggie Camp and Alan Leach played songs and read poems to support the "Atonement" exhibition of photographs. In addition Maggie also played and sang songs linked with the coast and countryside. See our links page.

Mike Smith (Magic Mike) entertained the visitors at the Family Weekend with magic, balloons and singing. See our link page.

Alex Wade played a medley of sea shanties on her concertina see our links page.

and finally

Speckie the Clown (Colin Robinson) amused children and families with magic balloons and jokes. See our links page.

ATONEMENT STREET ENTERTAINMENT Tuesday and Wednesday 4th and 5th Sept. 2007

Redcar Borough Council invited us to provide some street entertainment to support the premiere of the film Atonement. Maggie Camp, dressed in army uniform played her guitar and sang a range of songs linked with the Second World War. This added an extra dimension to the town's celebrations and brought smiles to many faces.

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In addition we have provided lunchtime music at BBC RADIO TEES featuring Trish Maclean with Ian Wright, followed by Maggie Camp on Tuesday 4th September. Les Cameron and Barbara Helen were followed by Mike Fowler on Wednesday 5th September. Extracts from the recordings have been played on BBC Radio Tees in the build up to the Proms.

Jim Bainbridge, The Young Uns and Stan Gee and Evelyn May also sang in Redcar High Street on Wednesdays during August. Jonty was unfortunately rained off.
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All in all it has been a very busy but exciting and enjoyable summer for FORMA members.
We are now looking forward to our next event on the 13th and 14th November when Julie Felix comes to entertain us at The Chapel in Kirkleatham Village.

Saturday 7th July 2007
AMERICANA

"Around 70 people attended our most recent concert at Sir William Turner's Almshouses Houses on 07.07.07. To link in with America's Independence Day celebrations FORMA organised an evening of American music including some jazz, blues, traditional and more modern. Stan Croft and Mike Fowler began the evening with a selection of blues with some excellent solo spots by Mike. This extended to jazz pieces played by Mike and finished with his lovely version of "The Deer Hunter". The pair who have recently started playing together make a great combination and the two of them went down well with the audience. The evening ended with an entertaining and interesting performance by the experienced performers Stan Gee and Evelyn May who sang and played a range of instruments to convey the feeling of the American West. They, understandably, have been invited back to the Albuquerque Festival in America this Autumn following their first successful visit last year."

20th April 2007
LOCAL FOLK The Claxton Hotel Redcar, at 7:30
The first F.O.R.M.A. event.
A Night of contemporary and traditional folk music featuring
Les Cameron and Barbara Helen
Ian Wright and Trish Maclean
Richard Grainger
Tickets £6.00 including a light buffet.

"F.O.R.M.A. held its own first concert on 20th April 2007 at the Claxton Hotel in Redcar to a packed audience. Over 115 people attended to watch a beautiful opening performance from Les Cameron and Barbara Helen where they played a selection of their own pieces and a couple of well known numbers. They were followed by the captivating Richard Grainger who held and involved the audience with a range of songs relating to the local area. Following the Pie and Pea supper Ian Wright and Trish Maclean rounded the evening off with their delightful style of singing and banter. Les and Barbara and Richard have their own web sites if you would like to know more - see Links page. All artists have CDs available.

F.O.R.M.A. would like to thank the audience, artists and the staff of the Claxton Hotel for all their contributions making this an excellent night."

27th March 2007
Poems in Redcar Central Library - Gordon Hodgeon reading from his new book "Winter Breaks" at 7:15
F.O.R.M.A. Members will participate in the open mic part of Gordon's evening.

24th February 2007
Music Night - The Claxton Hotel Redcar 7.30
(F.O.R.M.A. in supporting role only)
£6.00 including quiz and pie and pea supper. Featuring Martin Nesbit and Bob Fortune

"The Claxton Hotel was host to a sell-out concert on the 24th February 2007. A tasty pie and pea supper was provided for an audience of over a hundred people who had come along to support both F.O.R.M.A. and the local branch of an epilepsy charity. Entertainment was provided by local singer/songwriter Bob Fortune (FORMA's chairperson) who sang a mixture of his own compositions on local matters interspersed with classics from the 60's and 70's, and Martin Nesbitt who sang a collection of his humorous songs. The audience enjoyed the music and a quiz and a good night was had by all. FORMA committee members provided support to make this an extremely successful evening."

18th February 2007
Display stand at Kirkleatham Pavillion
Local Craft Fayre organised by Joanne Hodgson of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

23rd January 2007
Committee meeting

10th January 2007
Inaugural Meeting - Committee formed.

Extra column

index

Here is a diary of our events PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

JULIE FELIX -

The Forever Young tour

Here is a diary of our events
PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE