Olivier Award-winning touring opera company, OperaUpClose, is bringing live opera back to Guernsey with a staged production of its critically-acclaimed La Bohème. One of the most accessible and moving operas ever written, this modern staging will appeal to both existing opera lovers and younger audiences who have never been to a live opera performance. Sung in English, and with a story that is highly relevant to the burning issues facing young people today, it is aimed at music lovers of all ages.

This clever English translation of La Bohème brings relevant issues such as immigration and the aspirations of youth to the forefront as a group of idealistic graduates bicker, party and try to make ends meet as they follow their dreams. And all this set to Puccini’s glorious music, which can never fail to uplift all who hear it.

Set within the vibrant streets of London’s hugely creative Soho, this was OperaUpClose’s first production, opening in 2009. Since then the company has won numerous awards and accolades for its innovatively staged, accessible, affordable and high-quality English re-imaginings of well-known works, as well as premieres of new operas.

This production of La Bohème has been revived for OperaUpClose’s 10th Anniversary.

kindly sponsored by Kleinwort Hambros.

After a short stint as an actress in the Royal Shakespeare Company Nina Conti became a ventriloquist and hasn’t looked back since.

Last year she won a British Comedy Award for her appearances on ‘Live at the Apollo’. Other television credits include QI, Russell Howard’s Good News, Sunday Night at the Palladium, The John Bishop Show and Christopher Guest’s HBO series Family Tree.

Nina is also a regular in Clare and the Community – the long running BBC Radio 4 comedy. In addition, Nina has turned her hand to documentary film-making with her most recent exploit ‘Clowning Around’ (in which she trained as a children’s hospital clown) airing to great critical acclaim. Her directorial debut’ Her Master’s Voice’ in which she took the bereaved puppets of her mentor, Ken Campbell, to a puppet graveyard in Kentucky won her a BAFTA nomination and a Grierson Award.

Doors/Bar 6.30PM | Show: 7.30PM

WaterColour Matchbox present a night of heavy rock with a twist. Bringing together the likes of award-winning and local composer Lydia Pugh, with a choral and orchestral ensemble, they plan on bridging the gap between classical instrumentation and modern heavy rock, in a way that has never been done before on the island. Doubling up as the launch date for their upcoming album ‘Pathways’, you can prepare for an evening of powerful riffs blended with precise orchestral arrangements written especially for the occasion. The night will be one not to be missed. Support from local acts to be confirmed.

Rob Burton, saxophone

Hailing from a farming family in Cambridgeshire, saxophonist Rob Burton won the Woodwind Category Final of BBC Young Musician 2018 at the age of eighteen. He went on to secure a place in the Grand Final at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, where he performed with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mark Wigglesworth, broadcast live on BBC 4 and BBC Radio 3.

Christine Zerafa, Piano

London-based Maltese pianist Christine Zerafa has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician in various venues and festivals in Malta, the United States and across the United Kingdom. She has frequently appeared at major London venues including Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall, St John Smith Square, St Martin in the Fields, and she has performed live on BBC Radio 3.

Programme to follow

Dr Devra Davis, world leading American scientist on the environment and health, multiple award winner, former US presidential appointee and senior US government health advisor to US government, WHO, World Bank, and senior lead scientist and lead author on Al Gore’s 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Team, has agreed to come to Guernsey on 2nd October 2019 to speak and take questions about the health and environmental hazards of 5G and wireless radiation.

GRAMMY nominated musician Dr. Martin Taylor, MBE, is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, educator and musical innovator whom Acoustic Guitar magazine calls ‘THE Acoustic Guitarist of his Generation’.
Martin will dazzle audiences with his signature style that artfully combines virtuosity, emotion and humor with his strong, engaging stage presence.

Local support from Bordeaux Blue

The audience will be seated at large round tables in the main hall.

St James presents a Hip Hop night of epic proportions, featuring legendary Rodney P, with Hip Hop Producer Skitz and Dr Syntax, already known to Guernsey audiences from his performances with The Mouse Outfit at the Vale Earth Fair a few years ago. Performing with Dr Syntax is producer Pete Cannon, together the two will bring their own brand of irreverent, often comedic hip hop (with a touch of bass music and jungle for good measure). Support by local outfit Asylum Seekas.

RODNEY P & SKITZ

Rodney P is widely acknowledged as the Godfather of UK Rap. Inspiring a whole generation of British emcees and producers by being the first to rap in his authentic London accent and produce a home-grown Hip Hop reggae vibe that is distinctly rooted in the UK. Following the international success of London Posse, Rodney P has enjoyed one of the most esteemed and perpetual careers in UK hip hop to date. Recognised as Britain’s most eligible candidate for Hip-Hop ambassador; indeed for many his name is synonymous with UK Hip-Hop.Skitz gained recognition as a homegrown Hip Hop producer fusing the rawness of UK emcees with solid production and distinctively jamaican influenced basslines. His first album Countryman won Hip Hop album of the year and catapaulted rappers such as Est’elle, Roots Manuva and Skinnyman into the limelight.

DR SYNTAX & PETE CANNON

Dr Syntax first appeared as a regular collaborator and guest with the legendary Foreign Beggars crew, featuring on their first three albums and performing with them at countless live shows worldwide. He embarked on a solo path in 2007, releasing his acclaimed debut ‘Self Taught’, beginning a prolific run of releases over the next decade. Songs such as ‘My House’, ‘Middle Class Problems’ and ‘Hire Me’ showcase his trademark humour and creativity to a tee.

1st Prize winner and Audience Prize winner at the Trondheim (Norway)International Chamber Music Competition in 2017, the Maxwell Quartet has been hailed for “great communication” by The Strad Magazine and as “brilliantly fresh, unexpected and exhilarating” by The Scottish Herald.
The Maxwell Quartet is now firmly regarded as one of Britain’s finest string quartets, with a strong connection to their folk music heritage and a commitment to bringing together wide-ranging projects and programmes to expand the string quartet repertoire.

“The Maxwells played with verve and confidence. Each movement – from the arresting opening five fortissimo chords to the exuberant energy of the final Vivace, the Quartet played with wit and passion. the Maxwell Quartet’s energetic but precise rendition . . . had the audience stamping their feet, and
applauding not one but multiple encores.”
The Oxford Daily Info

Programme:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quartet No.17 in B flat K458 (“Hunt”)

Claude Debussy: String Quartet in G minor, Op.10

Franz Schubert: String Quartet No. 14 in D minor D.810 “Death and the Maiden”

Event finishes at approx. 9.30pm

Olivier Award-winning touring opera company, OperaUpClose, is bringing live opera back to Guernsey with a staged production of its critically-acclaimed La Bohème. One of the most accessible and moving operas ever written, this modern staging will appeal to both existing opera lovers and younger audiences who have never been to a live opera performance. Sung in English, and with a story that is highly relevant to the burning issues facing young people today, it is aimed at music lovers of all ages.

This clever English translation of La Bohème brings relevant issues such as immigration and the aspirations of youth to the forefront as a group of idealistic graduates bicker, party and try to make ends meet as they follow their dreams. And all this set to Puccini’s glorious music, which can never fail to uplift all who hear it.

Set within the vibrant streets of London’s hugely creative Soho, this was OperaUpClose’s first production, opening in 2009. Since then the company has won numerous awards and accolades for its innovatively staged, accessible, affordable and high-quality English re-imaginings of well-known works, as well as premieres of new operas.

This production of La Bohème has been revived for OperaUpClose’s 10th Anniversary.

kindly sponsored by Kleinwort Hambros.

Rob Burton, saxophone

Hailing from a farming family in Cambridgeshire, saxophonist Rob Burton won the Woodwind Category Final of BBC Young Musician 2018 at the age of eighteen. He went on to secure a place in the Grand Final at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, where he performed with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mark Wigglesworth, broadcast live on BBC 4 and BBC Radio 3.

Christine Zerafa, Piano

London-based Maltese pianist Christine Zerafa has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician in various venues and festivals in Malta, the United States and across the United Kingdom. She has frequently appeared at major London venues including Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall, St John Smith Square, St Martin in the Fields, and she has performed live on BBC Radio 3.

Programme to follow

1st Prize winner and Audience Prize winner at the Trondheim (Norway)International Chamber Music Competition in 2017, the Maxwell Quartet has been hailed for “great communication” by The Strad Magazine and as “brilliantly fresh, unexpected and exhilarating” by The Scottish Herald.
The Maxwell Quartet is now firmly regarded as one of Britain’s finest string quartets, with a strong connection to their folk music heritage and a commitment to bringing together wide-ranging projects and programmes to expand the string quartet repertoire.

“The Maxwells played with verve and confidence. Each movement – from the arresting opening five fortissimo chords to the exuberant energy of the final Vivace, the Quartet played with wit and passion. the Maxwell Quartet’s energetic but precise rendition . . . had the audience stamping their feet, and
applauding not one but multiple encores.”
The Oxford Daily Info

Programme:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quartet No.17 in B flat K458 (“Hunt”)

Claude Debussy: String Quartet in G minor, Op.10

Franz Schubert: String Quartet No. 14 in D minor D.810 “Death and the Maiden”

Event finishes at approx. 9.30pm

Paul Harris, known to all as Harry the Piano, presents his signature cabaret-style show mixing jazz with…every genre conceivable!

A unique ‘multi-faceted musical imagination’ has brought audiences to their feet in every conceivable venue around the world. Every show is unique and ends with Harry taking requests from the audience leading to such combinations as ‘Coronation Street’ as a tango and ‘The Entertainer’ as if played by Rachmaninoff!

Don’t miss this chance to hear the piano at St James sound like it never has before in an evening of entertainment from one of the greatest improvisers around. Harry will work with local piano students on jazz and improvisation in the afternoon workshop.

Kindly sponsored by Credit Suisse

Pre-Show Supper at St James available, please phone the Box Office on 711361 to book.

Guernsey Jazz Orchestra take to the stage for their annual autumn concert, showcasing a wide variety of jazz styles as well as some well-known hits.

With a 17- piece big band, great vocalists, cabaret seating and a licensed bar, this is a night not to be missed!

Our Fragile Planet

This concert forms part of the Fragile Planet Event (more details on page 14), and will feature all aspects of the performing arts, including the Bel Canto choir, dancers, readings, baritone soloist Casey-Joe Rumens and a performance of Mirror Lake by local composer Angus Macrae. Photographic backdrops will be provided by Spectrum Guernsey and Karl Taylor Photography. The Guernsey Symphony Orchestra will perform Britten’s Sea Pictures, Tintagel by Bax, and Fantasia on British Sea Songs (usually heard at The Last Night of the Proms).Conducted by Jean Owen the evening will be the conclusion of a day of talks.

After a short stint as an actress in the Royal Shakespeare Company Nina Conti became a ventriloquist and hasn’t looked back since.

Last year she won a British Comedy Award for her appearances on ‘Live at the Apollo’. Other television credits include QI, Russell Howard’s Good News, Sunday Night at the Palladium, The John Bishop Show and Christopher Guest’s HBO series Family Tree.

Nina is also a regular in Clare and the Community – the long running BBC Radio 4 comedy. In addition, Nina has turned her hand to documentary film-making with her most recent exploit ‘Clowning Around’ (in which she trained as a children’s hospital clown) airing to great critical acclaim. Her directorial debut’ Her Master’s Voice’ in which she took the bereaved puppets of her mentor, Ken Campbell, to a puppet graveyard in Kentucky won her a BAFTA nomination and a Grierson Award.

Doors/Bar 6.30PM | Show: 7.30PM

The Comedy Club takes place in the more intimate setting of the Dorey Room. A pub style set up, mostly standing, with limited seating and a mix of music and comedy, the Comedy Club should make for a  ore relaxed atmosphere. We have a UK headline act supported by local comedy from Band Wagon, and music from some local favourites.

Early booking is essential.

Award-winning Rich Hall has won critical acclaim across the Globe by performing to sell-out audiences each year at the Edinburgh Fringe, throughout sell-out UK tours and at comedy festivals worldwide. His grouchy, deadpan style has established him as a master of absurdist irony and the king of rapid-fire wit. Rich is also well known for his tv and radio work including regular appearances on ‘Stand Up For The Week’ (Channel 4), ‘QI’ (BBC1/2), ‘Live At The Apollo’ (BBC1), ‘Have I Got News For You’ (BBC1) and ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ (BBC2) to name a few.

Mike Wilmot is a Canadian comedian known for his role in the film ‘It’s all gone Pete Tong’, and who has also appeared in many TV shows, including ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ (BBC2).

Doors/Bar open 6.30pm | Show starts 7.30pm

WaterColour Matchbox present a night of heavy rock with a twist. Bringing together the likes of award-winning and local composer Lydia Pugh, with a choral and orchestral ensemble, they plan on bridging the gap between classical instrumentation and modern heavy rock, in a way that has never been done before on the island. Doubling up as the launch date for their upcoming album ‘Pathways’, you can prepare for an evening of powerful riffs blended with precise orchestral arrangements written especially for the occasion. The night will be one not to be missed. Support from local acts to be confirmed.

GRAMMY nominated musician Dr. Martin Taylor, MBE, is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, educator and musical innovator whom Acoustic Guitar magazine calls ‘THE Acoustic Guitarist of his Generation’.
Martin will dazzle audiences with his signature style that artfully combines virtuosity, emotion and humor with his strong, engaging stage presence.

Local support from Bordeaux Blue

The audience will be seated at large round tables in the main hall.

St James presents a Hip Hop night of epic proportions, featuring legendary Rodney P, with Hip Hop Producer Skitz and Dr Syntax, already known to Guernsey audiences from his performances with The Mouse Outfit at the Vale Earth Fair a few years ago. Performing with Dr Syntax is producer Pete Cannon, together the two will bring their own brand of irreverent, often comedic hip hop (with a touch of bass music and jungle for good measure). Support by local outfit Asylum Seekas.

RODNEY P & SKITZ

Rodney P is widely acknowledged as the Godfather of UK Rap. Inspiring a whole generation of British emcees and producers by being the first to rap in his authentic London accent and produce a home-grown Hip Hop reggae vibe that is distinctly rooted in the UK. Following the international success of London Posse, Rodney P has enjoyed one of the most esteemed and perpetual careers in UK hip hop to date. Recognised as Britain’s most eligible candidate for Hip-Hop ambassador; indeed for many his name is synonymous with UK Hip-Hop.Skitz gained recognition as a homegrown Hip Hop producer fusing the rawness of UK emcees with solid production and distinctively jamaican influenced basslines. His first album Countryman won Hip Hop album of the year and catapaulted rappers such as Est’elle, Roots Manuva and Skinnyman into the limelight.

DR SYNTAX & PETE CANNON

Dr Syntax first appeared as a regular collaborator and guest with the legendary Foreign Beggars crew, featuring on their first three albums and performing with them at countless live shows worldwide. He embarked on a solo path in 2007, releasing his acclaimed debut ‘Self Taught’, beginning a prolific run of releases over the next decade. Songs such as ‘My House’, ‘Middle Class Problems’ and ‘Hire Me’ showcase his trademark humour and creativity to a tee.

Hailing from the streets of London and raised by its punk-jazz underbelly, Dat Brass are a high octane, ten-piece brass outfit who have been kicking off parties and festivals across the UK. With an anthemic blend of horns, lyrical verse, pounding percussion and razor sharp scratch sounds, Dat Brass have single-handedly changed the face of brass band music as we know it.

Bringing big-room originals and supercharged samples, this energetic hip-hop outfit manage to keep every performance fresh with lashings of improvisation and leg-breaking drops. Thanks to their sheer talent and onstage presence, Dat Brass have built a big reputation for themselves as one of the loudest get-downs around.

In 2018, they released their second LP, Dinner’s Ready, an unmissable amalgamation of red hot brass, thumping beats and wicked rhymes.

“taking London by storm” – Evening Standard

The Risk

The Risk were formed in 1984 by Mark Le Gallez and Colin Leach. The band play high-energy powerpop with a 60s and new wave influence and were among the crop of bands to come from the underground mod movement of the mid 80s, playing alongside contemporary acts such as Making Time and The Prisoners, some of whose members went on to form The Charlatans and Ocean Colour Scene and The James Taylor Quartet. The Risk have released four studio albums, and have toured Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Holland, Ireland, UK and USA. They played their first gig outside Guernsey in Dublin in 1985. The band relocated to California in March 1986 and spent six months playing up and down the west coast, recording their debut LP there. Essentially a three piece, The Risk have ‘had over 10 drummers’ with current member Stuart ‘Ozzy’ Austin the longest-serving on the drum stool.

The Sacred Hearts

The Sacred Hearts were a popular local live act in the 1990s, with their psychedelic power pop sound. Formed in 1989 by Mark Le Gallez and Colin Leach of The Risk who wanted to explore a different style of music, the band features Matt Hutchison on drums, vocalist Colleen Irven of Blue Mountains, and guitarist Mark Guppy and bassist Chris Denton from the Space Pirates. During the 90s the band released four singles and two LPs and caught the ear of John Peel, who played the band’s anthemic song Love Bomb several times on his radio show. The track is due to appear on a Cherry Red compilation of Indie/Psychedelic bands of the 90s out later this year.

Doors/Bar 7.30PM | age restriction 16+

St James presents a night of great live music from four UK bands. Think velvet lounge with cabaret style seating and table service for this one.

Come and relax and find your new favourite band.

Scott Lavene – FFO: Ian Dury & Father John Misty

Essex boy and songwriter Scott Lavene makes Punk ballads and Gutter-Pop and has in the past been compared to Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric, Elvis Costello and Father John Misty.

His new album ‘Broke’ was released in June 2019 and the single ‘Superclean’ has since had prime time airplay on BBC 6Music.

The Golden Dregs

“Minimalist guitar pop hewn from the notepad of Lou Reed, Jonathan Richman, or Robyn Hitchcock.” Clash Mag

The Golden Dregs returns with Nobody Ever Got Rich (By Making People Sad), a lo-fi, mellowed out, indie pop gem. Following on from his 2018 debut album Lafayette (released via Art Is Hard Records – previously home to Flamingods, Penelope Isles, The Orielles) Nobody Ever Got Rich is the first from his forthcoming new album expected later in 2019.

Michael Clark

London based singer songwriter Michael Clark is set to release his debut EP, Something to Be Won. Already catching the attention of the likes of Guy Garvey, Jon Kennedy, Clash Magazine and more Michael’s mesmerically haunting songs recall the simplicity of Elliot Smith, Pink Moon era Nick Drake and even elements of his father, Gavin Clark’s (Clayhill, Sunhouse) work.

“Sometimes you don’t just hear music, you feel it too; in the air around you, deep in your bones. Something To Be Won, the debut release from Michael Clark is one such piece, a four-song EP collection of sparse folk music that gently envelops those that find themselves sitting with it. “

Port Erin

Purveyors of original genre-bending music, Port Erin are a band of three made of two brothers–– Reuben Myles Tyghe, vocals and guitar, flanked by Jacob Myles Tyghe on bass and Cerys Brocklehurst on drums. Now residing and writing in the city of Bath, they hail from Broughton Gifford (a very small Wiltshire village tucked away in South West England) where they formed in January 2007.

Over the past 12 years Port Erin have extensively toured the U.K. performing over 750 shows at some of of the U.K.’s most prestigious venues. They have made appearances at many UK & EU festivals including; Glastonbury Festival (‘10, ‘11, ‘13 & ’14, ‘17), played live sessions for BBC Introducing and their music has been aired numerous times on BBC Radio 6 (Guy Garvey & Tom Robinson). Since their formation, they have diligently been affirming themselves as one of the UK’s hardest working, most loved, unsung and underground DIY bands.

”A slick live experience. Part Talk Talk, part Miles Davis with notes of everything from jazz to krautrock” – METRO

Fresh from his BBC 6Music and Radio2 shows, Huey Morgan (Fun Loving Criminals) brings you the late night soundtrack of 70s and 80s New York City.
From the Cuban Heels of Chic, Prince, Stevie Wonder and Cameo, through to the glittering stiletto’s of Evelyn “Champagne” King, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan and Donna Summer. It’s Disco, it’s Soul and it’s Funk from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Remember: You gotta get up to get down! Dress Code: Uptown
Also spinning the decks to get us in the mood for some serious Funk is DJ Oneofakind, well known for his funky grooves and box of tunes, he has DJ’d everywhere from New York and London to Guernsey’s Townhouse.

A gig with a difference, a chance to get up close and personal with The Space Pirates of Rocquaine and hear the backstory to some of their self-penned songs which are steeped in local folklore and intrigue

Dr Devra Davis, world leading American scientist on the environment and health, multiple award winner, former US presidential appointee and senior US government health advisor to US government, WHO, World Bank, and senior lead scientist and lead author on Al Gore’s 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Team, has agreed to come to Guernsey on 2nd October 2019 to speak and take questions about the health and environmental hazards of 5G and wireless radiation.

He befriended Nelson Mandela, fought in the 1980s race riots and recorded radical and relevant reggae music with Bob Marley’s former band. Benjamin Zephaniah was unable to read and write at school but became one of Britain’s most notable poets. Now he’s brought out his remarkable autobiography. Benjamin will explain how he fought injustice and discrimination to lead an extraordinary life, while sharing a selection of stories and poems.

Presented by the Guernsey Literary Festival

Olivier Award-winning touring opera company, OperaUpClose, is bringing live opera back to Guernsey with a staged production of its critically-acclaimed La Bohème. One of the most accessible and moving operas ever written, this modern staging will appeal to both existing opera lovers and younger audiences who have never been to a live opera performance. Sung in English, and with a story that is highly relevant to the burning issues facing young people today, it is aimed at music lovers of all ages.

This clever English translation of La Bohème brings relevant issues such as immigration and the aspirations of youth to the forefront as a group of idealistic graduates bicker, party and try to make ends meet as they follow their dreams. And all this set to Puccini’s glorious music, which can never fail to uplift all who hear it.

Set within the vibrant streets of London’s hugely creative Soho, this was OperaUpClose’s first production, opening in 2009. Since then the company has won numerous awards and accolades for its innovatively staged, accessible, affordable and high-quality English re-imaginings of well-known works, as well as premieres of new operas.

This production of La Bohème has been revived for OperaUpClose’s 10th Anniversary.

kindly sponsored by Kleinwort Hambros.

This educational quiz, now in its 13th year, is an exciting spectator event showcasing some of the island’s brightest young minds. This year’s theme is ‘Your World’ and is in partnership with the young person’s national newspaper ‘First News’. Teams of students from the island’s schools will be competing for the coveted Year 6, Year 8 and Post 16 titles.
The winners of each age group will go on to compete against their Jersey counterparts.
Year 6: 10AM – Year 8: 3PM – Post16: 6PM

Free admission

‘Every year, the Community Awards shine a spotlight on local charities, individuals and businesses who work tirelessly- often with little fanfare- to improve the lives of thousands of people across the Bailiwick’ said Jim Roberts, Chief Executive of the Guernsey Community Foundation. Categories include: Charity of the Year, Fundraising Team, Organising Committee, Corporate Social Responsibility, Award for Innovation, Outstanding Individual and Youth Award. For more information visit communityawards.gg