So what has happened venue wise since our last issue in November?... Well the answer to that is an awful lot! The re-launch of The Rocket all-nighter in London was a mjor success and this looks set to be one of THE venues of the coming year. The next date down there is Easter Saturday (April 19th) with a new room of classic Motown, Stax & Atlantic soul replacing the Modern room and working alongside the established Northern and Hipshaker rooms... Certainly not to be missed!
T.S.O.P down at The Longfield Suite Prestwich are still doing great things. Credit is due to Terry and Lynne Davies and everybody else involved with Prestwich for making it the great success that it is. Prestwhich is every first friday of the month throughout 2003.
Finnaly a mention has to go to two of the hardset working promoters on the scene. Neil Jones and Jayne Malone at Bury Town Hall - which is packing them in each and every month. This night is quickly becoming one of the biggest in the North West. Sunday April 13th sees a massive Charity all-dayer at the venue and along with the great soul nights throughout the year the next massive three room all-nighter is planned for Friday October 17th. Well done you two and everyone else involved with North Manchester Soul Club you deserve all the success you get.
Talking of great venues what's coming up?
The regular summer run of bank holiday all-nighters start on (Easter Sunday) Sunday/Monday 20/21 April. Although the Ritz won't be ready to hold the Easter all-nighter due to massive refurbishments. But don't worry we won't be missing out on our regular dose of Bank Holiday Soul! Richard has organised THE LONGFIELD SUITE at Prestwich to take the Ritz's place while it is refurbished. For more details check out Richard every week on jazz fm 100.4 one till four each sunday afternoon.
Also staying with news on The Ritz after the sucess of last August's COMPLETELY FREE all-nighter its back. For August 2003 over 2000 tickets will be available for FREE.
This was one of the biggest nights of the year last time. Get ready for it all again!
The next big date on the Togetherness calendar is saturday July 12th this of course is the date for the next annual Oldies all-nighter at the King's Hall in Stoke and this next one won't dissapoint. One week prior to that is the new annual summer getaway at The Whitby Pavilion, Whitby, North Yorkshire. This is an all weekend event with the Country's top DJs and should be a great weekend. (4th - 6th July 2003)
Ebony Alleyne
She wowed us all at The Cala Gran in October. Now she's the new opening act on Simply Red's next tour. Yes Ebony Alleyne, this artist is causing such a stir its unbelievable. Ian Levine did a great job producing tracks such as 'Walk away and never look back', 'Count the days', 'Second look', 'He's My Man' and so on for Ebony. Although it now seems due to 'Record Business' politics her proposed Sony album will not be being released.
It's such a great shame lets hope tha somebody sees sense and manages to release her material so that we can enjoy her work and she can enjoy the success she deserves.
'Once Upon A Time In Wigan'
Well this play got rave reviews. Everybody who I know who went loved it and sung its praises many have said it was a true testament to what life at The Casino was like. Yet still managing to be funny and down to earth. The play's director Paul Saddot and the four stars Steve Hillman, Richard Oldham, Sally Carmen and Christine Roberts should be proud of themselves. They seemed to have finnaly shown what life at Wigan was like were many others failed.
Cala Gran October 2003
How can you top a weekend which had Sandi Sheldon and Motown legend Willie hutch perorming at? Well they've done it again. October of this year sees Northern Soul legends Marvin Smith and Ruby Andrews grace the Cala Gran stage.
Marvin of course was lead singer with Chicago soul legends The Artistics and a great solo artist responsible for many Northern classics such as 'Who will do your running now' and 'Have more time'.
Ruby again a Chicgo native can list many Northern classics most notably 'Just loving you' and 'I've got a bone to pick with you'. This is going to be ONE TOP WEEKEND! and now with the Connoisseur's tent in full effect along side the usual Northern & Modern rooms with the very best DJ line up in each room it's getting to be a truly un-missable event.
Soul on the net
Been on the net recently? Firstly a new auction site has been up and running for over a month now/ This one has a bit of a difference to all the others though. All money made on the auction will go to Charity. H.I.H. Alison Holden has decided to start this off. At the site you can either donate money to Charity of your choice, list a item for auction or just bid on the fantastic items listed. A great idea and one that deserves all our support. So check it out www.night-owl.co.uk/auction .
www.soulbid.com seems to be attracting mroe and more interest and lots of tempting items up for bids each day. www.soul24-7.com is of course STILL pumping out the soul along with www.solarradio.com .
Don't forget the Advanced Northern Soul list at Topica.com ... To subscribe just send an email to advancednorthernsoul-subscribe@topica.com and you'll be admitted to a world of maddness, insanity and serious soul talk!
Soul Pinching Popstars
By the way anyone seen the video for Sheffield band Moloko's new single 'Familiar Feeling' featruing some spectacularly good Northern dancing? Also the video for Paul Weller's new single will be apparently centred on a Northern dancer (aren't we the tredny one's!)
And what about that Colonel Saunders?... He's got them grooving around with their Kentucky Fried Chicken in a record shop to the Northern classic 'I can't get away' by Bobby Garrett in the latest series commercial - must be getting playlist advice from Felix The Cat!
Well there you have it folks just a quick review of what's going down and what's coming up over the next few months. Enjoy your soul, hope you all have a great time whatever and wherever your doing it.
Sean Livesey