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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Alan Dotchin Blog
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250502T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250502T210000
DTSTAMP:20260619T163029
CREATED:20250430T162639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250502T113042Z
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SUMMARY:Opera North - Verdi's Simon Boccanegra
DESCRIPTION:Gripping. Intriguing. Step into powerful music.\nWho’s on stage\nOur long-time friends Opera North bring their epic chorus\, magnificent orchestra and incredible cast to Sage One. \nWhat they’re playing\nGiuseppe Verdi’s gripping story of political intrigue and personal tragedy Simon Boccanegra is Opera North’s latest concert staging of large-scale Italian classics\, following acclaimed performances of Turandot and Aida. \n\n\n\n\nWhat’s happening in the music?\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn 14th-century Genoa\, former pirate and man of the people\, Simon Boccanegra\, is elected head of the republic. It’s the start of a decades-long rivalry with nobleman Jacopo Fiesco. Power struggles and revenge plots unfold\, but underneath it all\, the two are bound together by the strongest of family ties. Is reconciliation within reach before it’s too late? \nThis is a gripping thriller that isn’t just political\, it’s personal. In this concert staging of the revised 1881 opera\, the chorus and orchestra take centre stage immersing the audience in Verdi’s powerful music. It promises to be an unmissable event. \nTake a look\n 
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/opera-north-verdis-simon-boccanegra/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250503T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250503T213000
DTSTAMP:20260619T163029
CREATED:20250430T165541Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T165541Z
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SUMMARY:Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox - Magic and Moonlight Tour 2025
DESCRIPTION:Vintage. Modern. Expect tap dancing.\nPostmodern Jukebox (PMJ)\, the renowned retro musical collective\, is bringing their “Magic & Moonlight” World Tour to The Glasshouse. PMJ will transport audiences to a parallel universe where modern hits are reimagined in classic genres like jazz\, swing\, doo-wop\, and Motown. Expect a cast of world-class singers\, dancers\, and instrumentalists breathing new life into pop favourites with vintage flair. Get ready for an unforgettable night that blends “The Great Gatsby” with “Sinatra at the Sands” meets “Back!…To The Future” \nDress vintage\, for the full effect! \n\nAbout the artists\n\n\n\n\n\nPostmodern Jukebox\n\nWhen Bradlee started making YouTube videos that remade the hits of today in the classic styles of yesterday\, a “viral” success story was born —one that quickly led to sold out shows across North America and Europe in the Summer of 2014. \nThe touring act received rave reviews from industry publications and world-renowned artists alike. In the years that followed\, “PMJ” built a reputation as the “Saturday Night Live of singers” by introducing audiences to dozens of exceptional musical artists and turning them into bonafide stars. \nTen years and two billion views on their YouTube channel later\, a Postmodern Jukebox show has become something of an annual musical tradition for hundreds of thousands of dedicated fans\, all over the world. The rare concert act that appeals across generations\, older audience members will fall in love with the timeless sounds and nostalgic sensibilities\, while younger fans will be thrilled by the fresh take on current pop culture and the sheer virtuosity of the performers on stage. \nWebsite: postmodernjukebox.com \nSocial media: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube \n\n\nRivkala\n\nRivkala\, meaning ‘to connect’\, is an emerging neo-soul vocalist\, songwriter\, bandleader and pianist\, and winner of Drake Music’s Emergent Artist of 2023. \nRaised in Manchester on jazz\, funk\, disco\, psych rock\, Klezmer and soul\, her writing is characteristically flavoured by bass-driven grooves and socially poignant storytelling. \nAs a bandleader of a 6-piece outfit\, she’s spent the past year building momentum and a following through gigs across the country\, including festivals such as Kelburn Garden Party\, Northern Pride and playing at the home of the London Symphony Orchestra\, as well as legendary North East venues Hoochie Coochie\, The Jazz Cafe\, and The Cluny. \nWith single plays on BBC Introducing Manchester and North East\, Rivkala is currently working towards her debut EP\, a melodramatic conceptual project set in a dingy cabaret bar\, exploring bitter themes of disappointment and heartbreak with a signature biting humour. \nFacebook | Instagram
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/scott-bradlees-postmodern-jukebox-magic-and-moonlight-tour-2025/
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250504T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250504T153000
DTSTAMP:20260619T163029
CREATED:20250413T151548Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250504T105511Z
UID:17234-1746367200-1746372600@blog.alandotchin.com
SUMMARY:The Music of Star Wars
DESCRIPTION:Spectacular. Iconic. Bring your lightsaber.\nWho’s on stage\nOur very own Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia conducted by life-long film buff Stephen Bell. \nWhat they’re playing\nSome of the most extraordinary pieces of music ever written for cinema\, John Williams’ epic scores for Star Wars. \nNeed to know\nPrice: £13 – £49 \nRunning time: 2 hours\, with a 20 minute interval. \nAge: Children under 14 must be accompanied by \nMay the fourth be with you…\nCelebrate Star Wars day with a concert experience that’ll whisk you off to a galaxy far\, far away with all your favourite music from the series. If you think it sounds good in the cinema\, wait till you hear it played live! \nRecord breaker \nThe soundtrack to the original film (1977) is the best-selling symphonic album of all time. And it’s one of only a handful of scores that won every award going – Oscar\, Golden Globe\, Grammy and BAFTA – in it’s release year. \nJoin in the fun \nRoyal Northern Sinfonia love a bit of dressing up. You’ll spot Sith Lords\, Jedi\, and maybe even a Wookie in the orchestra\, join in the fun and dress up as your favourite character too.
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/the-music-of-star-wars/
CATEGORIES:Classical,Concerts
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250508T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250508T213000
DTSTAMP:20260619T163029
CREATED:20250506T203542Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250506T203542Z
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SUMMARY:…Earnest?
DESCRIPTION:…Earnest? \nThe Edinburgh Fringe smash-hit …Earnest? arrives at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House following rave reviews ahead of an eagerly awaited West End run. \nWhen a traditional production of Oscar Wilde’s classic play gets underway\, everything seems to be going perfectly to plan… that is\, until the lead actor fails to arrive on cue and an actual audience member is chosen to star in the show. \nWhat follows is a madcap medley of impromptu games and spontaneous solutions as the desperate director does his best to keep this faithful production going. But with stage whiskey being swapped\, off-the-cuff auditions being held and muffins being eaten (no matter what state they’re in)\, there’s just no telling what this unique version of The Importance of Being Earnest is going to throw up. Especially when more audience members are drafted in to replace an ever-thinning cast… With the script ripped up and rewritten\, can the show reach its fabulous finale\, just as Oscar Wilde intended? \nThis one-of-a-kind comedy sensation is completely different\, completely chaotic\, and completely Wilde every single night. And who knows\, you might even become a star yourself! Guaranteed to have you laughing whether you’re sitting in the audience… or performing onstage …Earnest? is perfect for fans of The Play That Goes Wrong and Noises Off! \n“Get this on the West End now\, please!” ★★★★★ – Lost in Theatreland ★★★★★ – Broadway Baby ★★★★★ – North West End ★★★★★ – The Skinny
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/earnest/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250509T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250509T213000
DTSTAMP:20260619T163029
CREATED:20250413T150927Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250413T150927Z
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SUMMARY:Rossini’s Stabat Mater
DESCRIPTION:Wit. Grandeur. An opera in disguise.\nWho’s on stage\nNil Venditti is a real firecracker. So much so\, Royal Northern Sinfonia snapped her up as Principal Guest Conductor after two visits.  Tonight she’s joined on stage by four super soloists\, Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia. \nWhat they’re playing\nIt’s high energy from the start with Rossini’s Overture to The Barber of Seville\, Mozart’s majestic Symphony No. 29 and then Rossini’s Stabat Mater. \nWhat you’ll hear\nGioachino Rossini Overture to The Barber of Seville (8’)\nWolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 29 (28’)\nGioachino Rossini Stabat Mater (61’) \nWho’s playing\nNil Venditti conductor\nSalome Jicia soprano\nMarianna Pizzolato mezzo-soprano\nKonu Kim tenor\nDevid Cecconi baritone\nTim Burke chorus director\nChorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia\nRoyal Northern Sinfonia \nWhat’s happening in the music?\nThink of Rossini and you think of comic operas\, impossibly fast-moving songs that are real tongue twisters\, and his trademark chirpy musical demeanour\, music that’s never without a smile. So it’s hard to imagine him writing music for a serious religious text\, but write it he did – managing to combine music that’s heartfelt and serious with his innate musical drama and soaring\, joyous melodies. Having said he’d never write another opera\, perhaps he did… he just called it something different. In this concert it’s accompanied by one of his madcap overtures plus a Mozart Symphony that squeezes drama\, elegance\, majesty and exhilaration into 25 minutes. \n \nThat’s all folks…\nIt’s amazing what you’ll find hidden away in Saturday morning cartoons. Take a trip down memory lane with this Loony Tunes cartoon classic – Bugs Bunny’s own take on Rossini’s overture\, The Rabbit of Seville.
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/rossinis-stabat-mater/
CATEGORIES:Classical,Concerts
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250510
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250511
DTSTAMP:20260619T163029
CREATED:20250812T105029Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T105029Z
UID:23199-1746835200-1746921599@blog.alandotchin.com
SUMMARY:York
DESCRIPTION:York is a historic city in the north of England\, renowned for its rich heritage\, medieval architecture\, and well-preserved ancient walls. Founded by the Romans in 71 AD as Eboracum\, York later became a key Viking settlement known as Jorvik\, and its diverse past is still evident in its narrow cobbled streets and archaeological sites. The city’s most iconic landmark is York Minster\, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe\, featuring stunning stained glass and intricate stonework. York’s Shambles\, a picturesque medieval street with overhanging timber-framed buildings\, is a popular attraction\, drawing visitors from around the world. Today\, York seamlessly blends its historical charm with modern culture\, offering museums\, shops\, cafes\, and festivals throughout the year.
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/york/
CATEGORIES:Travel
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250510T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250510T170000
DTSTAMP:20260619T163029
CREATED:20250509T140642Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250511T150712Z
UID:17785-1746871200-1746896400@blog.alandotchin.com
SUMMARY:We’ll Meet Again
DESCRIPTION:At the Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial at Elvington near York there will be events held over three days\, to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. On May 8th itself there will be be a Memorial Service in our chapel at 11.30\, led by the Museum’s chaplain. This is open to all visitors. \nThe big celebration takes place on May 10th and 11th\, with our annual wartime weekend\, ‘We’ll Meet Again’.\n1940s re-enactors\, vehicles\, displays and demonstrations will take place against the backdrop of the Museum’s Halifax bomber and Dakota paratrooper aircraft\, on the site of a former RAF WW2 bomber base. \nThis is an annual event but has a VE Day twist\, with a street party taking place over the weekend. Bring your own picnic and join in the celebrations\, or buy food from our café and share the tables with other visitors.\nNormal museum admission applies. More details www.yorkshireairmuseum.org/events \nhttps://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/activity/well-meet-again-and-ve-day-memorial-service-at-yorkshire-air-museum/
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/well-meet-again/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250525T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250525T170000
DTSTAMP:20260619T163029
CREATED:20250413T150431Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250413T150500Z
UID:17227-1748185200-1748192400@blog.alandotchin.com
SUMMARY:Piano Greats – Jeneba Kanneh-Mason plays Bach\, Chopin and Debussy
DESCRIPTION:Reflective. Serene. A perfectly balanced afternoon.\nWho’s on stage\nJeneba Kanneh-Mason\, one of the seven Kanneh-Mason siblings who’ve wowed the world with their musical talents. \nWhat they’re playing\nEnjoy music that’s like an old friend\, like Bach’s Partita\, alongside new discoveries including William Grant Still’s beautiful\, hazy\, Summerland. \nWhat you’ll hear\n\nJohann Sebastian Bach Partita No. 5 (15’)\nLudwig van Beethoven Sonata No. 17 (25’)\nFrédéric Chopin Nocturne No. 7 (5’)\nFrédéric Chopin Nocturne No. 8 (6’)\nWilliam Grant Still Summerland (5’)\nClaude Debussy Prèlude Book 1:  La fille aux cheveux de lin (3’)\nClaude Debussy Prèlude Book 2: Bruyères (3’)\nFlorence Price Fantasie Nègre No. 1 (10’) \nWho’s playing it\n\nJeneba Kanneh-Mason piano \n\nWhat’s happening in the music?\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBach’s Partita No.5 is a torrent of gorgeous melody right from the off\, William Grant Still’s nostalgic Summerland takes the afternoon to a moment of reflection\, while Florence Price’s Fantasie Negre both chills and swells the heart\, its blues-inflected harmonies based on the spiritual Sinner Please Don’t Let This Harvest Pass. \n \nA Spiritual Transformed\n\nThat spiritual has been sung by countless singers and musicians. In today’s concert it’s adapted by composer Florence Price\, the first black woman to have composition premiered by a major American orchestra. In this video you’ll hear soprano Yolanda Rhodes sing the spiritual before the pianists take over with Florence Price’s version of it –  described by WQXR’s (a US radio station) James Bennet as ‘at times melancholy\, at others turbulent\, but always heartbreakingly beautiful.’
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/piano-greats-jeneba-kanneh-mason-plays-bach-chopin-and-debussy/
CATEGORIES:Classical,Concerts
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250525T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250525T220000
DTSTAMP:20260619T163029
CREATED:20250505T072921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250526T123143Z
UID:17692-1748201400-1748210400@blog.alandotchin.com
SUMMARY:Across the Universe
DESCRIPTION:Overview\nAcross The Universe is a celebration of The Beatles’ “studio years” 1966-1970. This unique show featuring live band and orchestra is a must-see for all Beatles fans. The music recorded by the Beatles from 1966-1970 represents some of the most ground-breaking strides in popular music history\, in terms of songwriting ingenuity\, recording techniques and the establishing of different musical genres within pop music. Many of these innovative recordings were never intended to be recreated live. \nNow in homage to this sensationally creative period in The Beatles’ career\, Across the Universe brings these recordings to life with stunning detail and accuracy. \nNo wigs\, no costumes. Across the Universe’s intention is musical authenticity\, assisted by world class orchestrations from live strings and brass. \nhttps://youtu.be/f0KZURopVYE
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/across-the-universe/
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