Leisure

Hugh Cornwell is touring the UK in November 2019 to promote his new album 'Monster'. I was lucky enough to be able to speak with him for 20 or so minutes to ask a variety of questions about his musical influences, his career as part of The Stranglers, his solo career post-The Stranglers, the state of music and plans for the future. Also whether a reunion of The Stranglers original lineup could ever happen.

Reviewing a tribute band will always be difficult. Do they sound as good as the original? Do they look the part? Thankfully ABBA Forever came up positive on all these points and I believe the sold-out crowd at the Radlett Centre would back me on this.

Yes the circus is in town! My kids may be teenagers, but I knew they would still enjoy a trip away from their PlayStations and laptops – and so it proved! We went on the first night and although the crowd was a little sparse, the performers did not let it affect their enthusiasm and energy. The days of animals at circuses are long gone, so the show had to rely on human performance, in particular clowns, acrobats and trapeze artists, and they did not disappoint.

Every year St Albans holds one of the largest charitable events in Hertfordshire, the St Albans Half Marathon. This year will be no exception.....

Just when parents thought that life was getting back to normal in this first week of the New Year, heavy snowfalls have turned St Albans into a winter wonderland once again. The children of St Albans have just returned to school after their Christmas break but today most of the local schools are closed. It is predicted that they may be shut for a few more days.

I've just found time to add a post about the Alban Opera. I must admit to an interest here as I'm singing in the choir. So very busy for the next week with rehearsals and then 5 performances in 4 days.....

Featuring three sets and one MC per show, you're all set for an evening of entertainment! The November line up is DYLAN MORAN: Black Books, Shaun of the Dead, Run Fatboy Run and multiple stand up specials.

A St Albans bookclub have decided to take their friendship one step further; actually it will be a few thousand steps further! This bookclub have not just formed a great bond, but have taken steps to help those around them.

As you all doubtlessly know, there is a campaign, led by JamesHannaway of the Rex cinema in Berkhamstead. Here's some useful info from James

Join Rich Hall and his virtuoso musical mates for a mash-up of music, comedy and gratuitous coloration as they return this spring with a UK tour of Rich’s infamous ‘Hoedown’ in spring 2017. In addition to two nights at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival (17th - 18th March) and four nights at London’s Leicester Square Theatre (5th - 8th April), Rich’s Hoedown will be touring the UK from March until July this year. The floor will reek of liquor and spent dreams.