Martyn Joseph is a completely unique and mind blowing artist. Take everything you think you know about singer songwriters….and rip it up. For one man and a guitar he creates a performance with a huge far-reaching sound that is energetic, compelling and passionate. Be it to two hundred people or twenty thousand, he blows the crowd away night after night.
April 2019 saw him win a “Wales Folk Award” for “Here Come The Young”, the title track of his most recent album, of which Uncut magazine said “He’s never sounded more potent than he does here”
In 2018 he was honoured with a ”Spirit of Folk” Award by Folk Alliance International in Kansas USA and he also received Fatea magazine’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” here in the UK.
He is gifted with the rare ability to speak to the soul with his expressive and poignant lyrics and has a career spanning 30 years, 32 albums, over a half a million record sales and thousands of live performances.
Compared to Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews, he has created his own style and reputation as a mesmerizing live performer and stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives.
A unique talent driven by passion, social awareness and love for his trade, he’s a jaw dropping guitar player who has developed a unique percussive style, teamed up with a powerful show stopping voice, and has been called “The Welsh Springsteen”
Concerned with making music that is relevant and vital to his audience, he engages with challenging narratives tackling the complexity of the human condition, underpinned with a promise of hope. In his own words “Really what I do is to try and write songs that might step up and make some sense of a moment in time. A good song makes you feel like you’re not alone in the world.”
He is hailed as a raconteur weaving tales on topical concerns, as well as stories on the fragility of love, with a magical ability to reach out to his listeners through his passion and humour. Stunning reviews single him out as an unmissable solo performer whose music stays with you long after the show has ended.
Monthly farmers’ market selling fresh and organic produce, direct from the producer and sourced as locally as possible. The wide variety of stalls include bread, jams and honey preserves, fresh eggs, homemade bread, plants & herbs, Italian and Indian foods, pies, pork, bacon and beef products, fish, confectionery, local cheeses, handmade chocolates, ostrich meat, mushrooms, fruit and vegetables and local breweries.
The stallholders are always happy to discuss their products and help visitors with their choice of purchases and there are lots of opportunities to sample the delicious food on offer.
The critically acclaimed West End revival of Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble’s 42nd Street will be screened at Otley Courthouse. This legendary musical stars national treasure Bonnie Langford as Dorothy Brock with music and lyrics by Harry Warren and Al Dubin.
42nd Street tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes who gets her big break on Broadway. This is the largest ever staging of the Tony® Award-winning musical, and featuring iconic songs 42nd Street, We’re In The Money and Lullaby Of Broadway, this is pure musical magic on the big screen.
The stage production was produced by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade. It was filmed live for the cinema screen at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in November 2018.
The production stars Emmerdale’s Tom Lister (Julian Marsh), Philip Bertioli (Billy Lawlor), Clare Halse (Peggy Sawyer), and star of theatre, film and television Bonnie Langford (Dorothy Brock).
The 60-strong cast features Jasna Ivir (Maggie Jones), Christopher Howell (Bert Barry), Matthew Goodgame (Pat Denning), Graeme Henderson (Andy Lee), Bruce Montague (Abner Dillon), Mark McKerracher (Mac/ Doc / Thug), Emma Caffrey (Annie), Ella Martine (Lorraine), Clare Rickard (Phyllis) and Paul Knight (Oscar).
Matthew Warchus directs Andrew Scott (BBC’s Sherlock, Fleabag) in Noël Coward’s provocative comedy Present Laughter.
As he prepares to embark on an overseas tour, star actor Garry Essendine’s colourful life is in danger of spiralling out of control. Engulfed by an escalating identity crisis as his many and various relationships compete for his attention, Garry’s few remaining days at home are a chaotic whirlwind of love, sex, panic and soul-searching.
Captured live from The Old Vic in London, Present Laughter is a giddy and surprisingly modern reflection on fame, desire and loneliness.
Gather for an evening of worship, inspiring teaching and an opportunity to pray for the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts tells the story of a small group of apprehensive disciples who found themselves unleashed by the Spirit to go global and lead the new church of Jesus followers. Featuring Lisa Holmes, Gavin Calver and Lou Fellingham (pictured).
Sandy Denny was an English singer-songwriter who was lead singer of the British folk rock band Fairport Convention. She has been described as “the pre-eminent British folk rock singer” and Britain’s finest female singer-songwriter. After briefly working with the Strawbs, Denny released four solo albums. Her composition “Who Knows Where the Time Goes?” has been recorded by Judy Collins, Eva Cassidy,& Nina Simone.
Fotheringay MkII members Sally Barker (The Poozies, BBCTV’s “The Voice”) and guitarist PJ Wright (TradArrr, The Dylan Project) are joined by frequent Fairport Convention guest Anna Ryder, fast rising star Marion Fleetwood (voice, fiddle, guitars) and the rhythm section of bassist Mat Davies and drummer Mark Stevens from now-defunct folk-rock legends Little Johnny England to form The Sandy Denny Project.
With every year Sandy’s reputation continues to grow in stature as a songwriter and interpreter of traditional material (and that of Bob Dylan!), and the six musicians in the band who share an impressive folk-rock pedigree are each at the very top of their musical game, provide a sublime night’s evening of music at its very best paying tribute to Sandy Denny herself.
Otley Rugby Union Club plays in the National League 2 North at the famous Cross Green ground in Otley. Tickets available on the door.
Otley RUFC formed in 1865 and is one of the most distinguished rugby clubs in the country. The First XV has played at the top of the National Leagues for more than a decade, and many internationals have come through the club’s Junior section including Nigel Melville and more recently Danny Care.
The club has hosted some memorable occasions including the North’s defeat of the All Blacks in 1979, the North versus Australia in 1988, and Italy versus the USA in the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
Back by popular demand, English comedian, author and musician Mitch Benn is best known for his comedy rock songs performed on BBC radio. A regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s satirical programme The Now Show, Benn has performed at several music festivals, and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He has also released seven studio albums.
In his latest stand-up show, award-winning Benn, spreads insight and laughs in equal measure. Join the “country’s leading musical satirist” (The Times) as, with six string in hand and a head full of silly rhymes, he identifies the problems and proposes (semi-serious) solutions.