I don’t mind admitting I’ve had a very busy week since returning from Gloucestershire with tight turn around’s and everything happening all at once. If you know your dates it wont come as any surprise to learn that last Saturday was Armed Forces Day but not quite so well known is Global Beatles Day which falls every year on the 25th June.  It’s a day which honours and celebrates the ideals of The Beatles. The date, June 25th, was chosen to commemorate the day when the Beatles participated in the BBC programme Our World in 1967, performing “All You Need is Love” which broadcast to an international audience.

Dressed in my 60s Fashions!

The holiday was created and first celebrated in 2009 by Beatles fan Faith Cohen, who calls it “A thank-you or love letter to The Beatles.” I’m not sure how many employers recognize the holiday  but from my perspective I only found out about World Beatles Day this year when a client asked if I could perform my 60s show and include some Beatles songs as they wanted to celebrate the day. I confess I don’t have that many Beatles songs in my repertoire but that is something I’m working on changing and on this occasion I was able to include “When I’m 64”, “Octopus’s Garden” and “Love of the Loved” which was also recorded by Cilla Black. 

I’m constantly working on new songs and I hope it wont be too long before I’m able to include “She Love You”, “Help” and With A

Dressed to sing for a Summer Garden Party!

Little Help from my Friends into my shows too. “Octopus’s Garden” is one of my new additions and it sits well for this time of year. I also have loads of other songs I need to learn quickly in time for early July which include an around the world show and the Leighton Buzzard Carnival. The theme this year is the 1960s and I’ve been booked to sing on a float for a straight through three hours. Ideally I don’t want to repeat my music but as Paul is going to be singing too I think we will have plenty of songs.

Saturday was a tight turn around as I started my day by performing 2 x 45 minute sets for a private garden party in Leighton Buzzard. We couldn’t have wished for better weather as it wasn’t too hot and it wasn’t too cold. Id been asked to included plenty of show tunes and the best music from the 1940s, 50s 60s & 70s.  It was a lovely day and every-one really enjoy themselves singing along with my music. Straight afterwards I had to dash over to Tring to perform for a special Armed Forces day concert.

At The Nora Grace Hall, Tring!

I had been booked by Tring together to headline Our Music in the Garden event which was taking place at The Nora Grace Hall. I was really thrilled to get the booking as I have very fond memories of rehearsing at this hall back in the late 80s when I was cast in the roll of Grace Farrell in the musical Annie as part of Tring Festival Companies production. On this occasion I was working alongside the RAF band and Tring School Big band which showcased some of the towns new up and coming talent.

Enjoying the Show!

I’d been asked to include in my program for Armed Forces day some songs from the 1940s and musicals. My instinct told me to avoid Glenn Miller as I had a feeling the other two bands would be including Miller which turned out to be the case. Instead I focused on British and American sing along tunes from the period, Hollywood, Judy Garland, South Pacific and Vera Lynn which turned out to be the right choices. I also streamed my show live which went out on facebook.

The following day it was all change as I made my way over to Stockwood Park to perform for the Luton Festival of Transport show. Initially I had

Meeting up with Bletchley Bear!

been booked to perform in the main arena so I was expecting to use all six of my speakers and rig up in the round. At the beginning of the day the weather looked like it could have gone either way but fortunately it didn’t rain and I was able to share a marquee with the “Wannabe Shadows”. Their marquee played out over the catering area and only required two 300 speakers which is a much easier set up to rig. As it turned out the Wannabe Shadows forgot to pack their amp so I let them use my equipment which proved to be beneficial for both of us.

So as not to clash with the Shadows I made sure I sang  lots of family show tunes from Abba to Disney and I avoided singing Cliff Richard. With it being football season I finished my show with Nessun Dorma which went down extremely well with the audience. It was a nice easy job as I’d been booked to perform a single straight through 60 minute show at mid day. It then gave me plenty of time afterwards to enjoy the event and look at the

Leader of the Pack!

different types of vehicles from lorries to Scooters. I always enjoy these sorts of events because it allows me to meet people and network.

Later this year I’m planning to do a photo shoot which I want to be slightly dark and dangerous so if I can coordinate it with a 1920s vehicle that would be marvelous.

This week it’s all change with the 4th July and “Stars and Stripes”.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for now! 😉

Vintage Elegance!