KELLY BUCKLEY picks her top five events for the week ahead.
1. WHAT? Band4Life – Santa Cause number 4.
WHO? Lots of favourite local bands, including Platypus, Phillious Williams, the Dave Woodcock Band and many other acts and DJs playing across three rooms, to raise money to buy kids in refuges toys for Christmas.
WHEN? Today. 7pm until 3am.
WHERE? The Railway Hotel, Clifftown Road, Southend.
DAMAGE? £5 a ticket, available from the Railway Hotel, Fives record store in Leigh and the Squeeze Cafe in Rectory Grove, Leigh.
2. WHAT? Sundown Arts Christmas Bonanza WHO? The Sundown Arts gang are putting on a fantastic free event, starring Nancy Wallace, the Dark Globes, Katy Denny, Beardy Al Johnson and more, with free Christmas treats and free books!
WHEN? Today. 7pm.
WHERE? The Ship pub, New Road, Leigh.
DAMAGE? None. It’s free!
3. WHAT? Almost Grown Christmas special
WHO? The longest-running mod and northern soul night in Essex will be putting on what’s promised to be a special night, celebrating Christmas plus playing host to a Chesters (Southend) and Chestnut Centre (Pitsea) reunion. DJs Dick Coombes, Marco Faccini and Robert Messer will be playing all the old favourites in northern soul classics and rarities / R’n’B / Latin boogaloo and a dash of ska. If that wasn’t enough there is a free CD to first 50 through the door.
WHEN? Today. 9.30pm until 2am.
WHERE? Saks Underground in Clifftown Road, Southend.
DAMAGE? £5 on door.
4. WHAT? Christmas Films by the White Bus
WHO? The White Bus film company are showing a trio of Christmas films – Get Santa, the Nightmare Before Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life – on Sunday, so whether you want to go along to something in the day or cosy up in front of the big screen for the evening to an absolute classic, or indeed all three, you should be in the Christmas mood by the end of it.
WHEN? Sunday. Get Santa – 1pm, the Nightmare Before Christmas – 4pm and It’s A Wonderful Life – 7.30pm.
WHERE? The Palace Theatre, London Road, Westcliff.
DAMAGE? £6
5. WHAT? The Beatles Convention No. 7
WHO? A bunch of local acts and bands will take to the stage to pay homeage to the fab four. It’s fun, everyone will know the words so can join in, and it’s now become part of a tradition at this favourite musos boozer.
WHEN? Sunday, from 3pm.
WHERE? The Railway Hotel, Clifftown Road, Southend.
DAMAGE? Free
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