Darlington (UK) R'n'B Club - News

Hope Mike Prenderghast doesn’t mind me cribbing this; this is the latest news update concerning Darlington’s R’n'B Club and it’s future:-

The Market Square Festival will definitely go ahead this year on Sunday 16th September. We secured a little extra funding this year from a couple of benefactors, and have been able to book a headliner who we have been after for a number of years now - Andy Fairweather Lowe. Other acts on the main stage will be The BLUE BISHOPS and the ROBIN BIBI BAND. We’re currently finalising the Fringe Festival and should have all the other bands tied-up very soon.

Our next Arts Centre gig is on Friday 15th June when we have THE PRODUCERS appearing once again in the Garden Bar. The Producers are something special: playing the freshest live blues in Britain today, with Harry Skinner’s excellent vocals and Dave Saunders on rock-solid bass. With seven acclaimed albums, air play and live appearances across Europe, The States, Australia and New Zealand, The Producers are rightfully collecting their share of blues awards.

When the Arts Centre closes this July, the R’n'B Club will be taking a summer break before starting out again in a new venue. We have decided to relocate to the Dolphin Centre’s Central Hall from September 21st. Please don’t phone anywhere for tickets or for further info ‘cos there isn’t any yet! First gigs are: 21st Sept. - THE STUMBLE. 12 Oct. - CONNIE LUSH & BLUES SHOUTER. 2nd Nov. - BLUES ‘N’ TROUBLE. 23rd Nov. - LITTLE STEVIE & THE BUSINESS. 21st Dec. - NINE BELOW ZERO + Support [tbc].
Mike P hasn’t mentioned that the R’n'B Club has one more gig at the Arts Centre before it closes it’s doors - Tim Aves’ Wolfpack (feat Joel Fisk) on June 29th. Think this one is going to kick some serious….......

Mike

Connie Lush !!

What a voice and what a fabulous entertainer.

Anyone round the North east fancy some free music (and reasonable beer!!!)

Darlington Rhythm & Blues FREE Festival
Sunday 16th September

Main Stage:-
ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW & The Low Riders(3:40 – 5:10pm)
THE BLUE BISHOPS(2:20 – 3:20pm)
THE ROBIN BIBI BAND(1:00 – 2:00pm)

The Dolphin Centre:-
THE BANDITS(5:00 – 7:00pm)
THE SOULUTIONS(1:45 – 3:45pm)

The Pennyweight:-
TIN CAN ALLEY(7:00 – 9:00pm)
THE PETE GILGAN BAND(3:30 – 5:30pm)

Hogarth’s Bar:-
THE ALLIGATORS(6:00pm – 8:00pm)
THE MONOLOGUES(3:00pm – 5:00pm)

The Hole In The Wall:-
OIL CITY CONNECTION(2:00 – 4:00pm)

The Boot ‘n’ Shoe:-
MOJO HAND BAND(2:00 – 4:00pm)

The Joseph Pease:-
THE ATLANTIC SOUL MESSENGERS(2:30 – 4:40pm)

The Quaker House:-
ROUGH JUSTICE(8:30 – 10:30pm)
LEWIS HAMILTON & THE BOOGIE BROTHERS(5:00 – 7:00pm)
THE JOHN BLACK BAND(2:00PM – 4:00pm)

Hoskins Bar:-
HEAVY SOUL(6:00pm – 8:00pm)

The Quays:-
JET MARTIN(5:00 – 7:00pm)

Keep watching as there's a couple more bands and venues to be confirmed.

Last full gig at the Arts Centre will be Smokin' Spitfires on 6th July

After that, the R'n'B Club decamp to their new home, the Central Hall at The Dolphin Centre in Darlington. A rosta of gigs has been announced from September:-

21st Sept - The Stumble
12th Oct - Connie Lush & Blues Shouter
2nd Nov - Blues 'N' Trouble
23rd Nov - Little Stevie & The Business
21st Dec - Nine Below Zero (+ support)

Tickets from box office - 01325 486555 or more info, see Darlo R'n'B Club website.

Since having to re-home owing to the closure of their regular venue as reported back in the summer; things have been a bit shakey for Darlington's long-standing R'n'B Club, but hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel as this press-release from their secretary Mike Prendergast explains:-

Darlington Rhythm ‘n’ Blues Club   2012 - 2013

Darlington Rhythm ‘n’ Blues Club are moving venue’s again!
In July this year they were forced to move out of the Arts Centre due to its closure, they then re-located to the Dolphin Centre’s Central Hall.
After two events in Central Hall it became clear that the acoustics were not right and after lots of head scratching and trials and tribulations they changed their events to the Dolphin Centre’s Bistro Bar.
Two further gigs in the Bistro Bar and it hasn’t really solved the problem.
Spokesman for the R’n’B Club Mike Prendergast explains:
“We knew when we left the Arts Centre’s Garden Bar we would have a big problem finding the right room to hold our gigs. The Garden Bar was ideal, really nice atmosphere, not too big, but still plenty of room for the ladies who liked to dance while their feller’s sat and listened.
After looking practically all over town, we approached the managers of the Dolphin Centre and asked if they could help us. Both Mike Crawshaw and Paul Soderman were brilliant, and gave us the opportunity to tryout the Central Hall, even giving us the use of their equipment and being able to sell our tickets for us at Reception.”
Sadly however, they couldn’t get the sound right and after two events they consulted Mike and Paul again, who suggested they try the Bistro Bar. So, along with Catering Manager Graham Carey for further advice, they held two gigs in the Bistro Bar.
The sound proved to be quite a lot better during these gigs, but now they had another problem – restrictive viewing.

After the first gig the layout of the room was changed, but whatever way they moved furniture around, it still had two pillars right in the middle of the room, and naturally, some of their patrons didn’t like that.
Back to square one!

Mike Prendergast continues: “We have one last event in the Dolphin Centre - which is our Christmas party, and we have sold over 100 tickets for this gig already. We are moving back to the Central Hall for this gig because it can hold a bigger crowd and because of this reason, it will improve the sound. The human body absorbs sound and can improve the acoustics in a big room. So the more people we can get in, the better the sound will be! We’re hoping for at least 150 people, which we feel is achievable.”

The date is Friday 21st December with Nine Below Zero headlining, and support from Lewis Hamilton & The Boogie Brothers.
NBZ have a good following in the Darlington area, but haven’t played in the town for a few years now. Lewis Hamilton is an 18 years old guitarist from Scotland, who’s tipped to be the next Joe Bonamassa. Lewis’s style is in the Gary Moore blues-rock genre.
Tickets priced £15 are available from 01325-388410.

The R’n’B Club will then start 2013 in another new venue - the Forum Music Centre in Borough Road. Darlington.
With the help and guidance of Forum manager Allison McKay, the Committee are confident that their patrons will be happy in their new home. The Forum is purpose-built for live music and creating a great night’s entertainment.
With a new season of events currently being booked, the R’n’B Club finally look like they are about to settle down to events on stage, rather than events off it.
For further information; gasto.promotions@gmail.com
or www.darlington-r-n-b-club.co.uk

Anybody within distance of the club, keep an eye out on upcoming shows and if you can, drop in and give them some support. If you haven't been to The Forum before; its formerly a Primary school building, tucked away behind the Civic Theatre. Has a good sized bar area and separate performance room, dedicated for live shows: not big, maybe 120 seated or 200 standing, but has "atmosphere".
Cheers.
Mike

Yeah - gonna give Christmas an almighty kick-off.

Had a couple more pieces of news from Darlington Club; firstly a New Year's gig arranged by another member of the club's committee:

Also Ian Ross [R'n'B Club secretary], is putting on a "New Year Special" at Holy Family Social Club on
Friday 11th January.
[The Holy Family Social Club is situated in Prior Street, Cockerton, Darlington. DL3 9EN]

The band are The Alligators - who are fronted by Dr. Feelgood vocalist Robert Kane.

Tickets £10 - From Guru, Blackwellgate, Darlngton. DL1 5HD

Also available on the door from 7:30pm

Band on stage at 8:30 finish approx 11:00

Further info: ianross500@gmail.com 01325 484946 / 07855 937357

Mike Prendergast who's one of the movers an' shakers with Darlington R'n'B Club has re-activated his own Gasto Promotions which runs separate gigs from the R'n'B Club.

Things kicked off in fine style on Friday 3rd May with Chantel McGregor doing a cracking sold-out gig at Darlington Forum.

Upcoming gigs:-

Friday 31st May - The Whole Hog

Friday 21st June - Spectrum

Friday 26th July - The Brothel Crepers

These gigs will be at The Travellers Rest in Darlington (DL3 9ER). Future events could be at The Forum.