Week Starting 14 December 2009

A Week of Live Music

Just because the calendar reads "December" does it mean that every newsletter has to be tarnished with the festive brush? Not this one. Well, not entirely. Since it is the time of year when we can all hear the faint jingle of Santa's sleigh bells, this week the Good Time Guide brings you a week of gigs, carol concerts and jam sessions. When the frost hits, there are more ways to keep warm than just cranking up the central heating. Pull on your winter knits and head down to your local live music venue to join a hot, sweaty group of revellers enjoying some great music and a fantastic atmosphere. Obviously there are less hot, sweaty people at a carol concert - unless they've positioned themselves too close to the candles - but even there you can enjoy the warm, cosy feeling of a good night out with like-minded people. Whether you are up for a night of cabaret, carols or the dance music of the Dub Pistols, the Good Time Guide is on hand to help your December night sing.

Monday - Good Intentions Festive Special @ The Good Intent, Puttenham

On the second Monday of every month, The Good Intent pub in Puttenham hosts Good Intentions Music, a showcase for songwriters and bands across Surrey and beyond. You can look forward to an evening of acoustic music played in a friendly atmosphere - and of course, there are cask-conditioned ales to sample. This month plays host to the Good Intentions Festive Special featuring the Guildford Vox Community Choir, singer-songwriter Anna Neale, pop fivesome Brassneck and Carly Rockett. It kicks off at 8pm and entry is FREE. Sound good? It sounds even better inside.

Click HERE for more information. If you feel the flame of musicianship rising within you and are interested in performing at Good Intentions Music, send them an email at gooditentionsmusic@gmail.com.

Tuesday - The Cinematics @ Boileroom, Guildford

Scottish music is not all bagpipes and Proclaimers - thankfully. This Tuesday sees the arrival of the Cinematics at The Boileroom, wowing the crowd and playing their unique brand of post-punk revival music. Their album "Love and Terror" was released in October '09 and if you can spare £6 and make it to the venue by 7pm you'll get to hear it live before they go off to tour the States in early 2010. Get ahead of the crowd by listening to a sample of their music HERE.

For full listings from The Boileroom, click HERE.

Wednesday - Rob Himself @ Farenheit55, Guildford

Tucked away in Guildford, Farenheit 55 provides a great late night venue for live music and legendary cocktails. Strangers On A Train is their Wednesday night showcase, bringing you the best original live entertainment featuring bands and singers from today's music scene. This week you can enjoy an appearance by Rob Himself, playing a set following the release of his charity download-only single, "Lost in New York." If you want to hear it live without contributing to charity get down to Farenheit 55 @ 8pm.

Now come on. Of course you also want to support Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. Of course you do, you're not Scrooge. Luckily you can download it now from iTunes and Amazon MP3 amongst others. To hear more from Rob Himself click HERE.

Thursday - The Dylan Project in Concert @ The Farnham Maltings

This Thursday you can enjoy the thrill of Bob Dylan’s music played live at the Farnham Maltings. But this is not just any old tribute band though - The Dylan Project is strung together by four of Britain's best roots-influenced musicians with a unique singer thrown in for good measure. Founded by Steve Gibbons and Dave Pegg of Fairport Convention, the Dylan Project also brings together PJ Wright and Simon Nicol for an exciting homage to Dylan's music.

Take part in the project from 8pm to 10.30pm. Tickets are £18 (£16 concessions) and can be booked by clicking HERE. For more information contact the box office on 01252 745444.

Friday - Dub Pistols @ Boileroom, Guildford

We bring you back to the Boileroom with a bang this weekend. This Friday night is packed full with some of the finest live music around - in just one place you can enjoy Jimmy Screech, Subsource, The Roots Brothers all topped off with the headline act Dub Pistols. They're here in Guildford for a special Christmas show to promote their recently released album "Rum & Coke." They put on an amazing live show but the Dub Pistols have also produced cutting edge dance remixes for the likes of Lily Allen, Ian Brown, U2, Moby and Sly & Robbie. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are £12 in advance, £14 on the door. Age 18 +

For more information on what is sure to be a classic set click HERE.

Saturday - Farnham Youth Choirs' Christmas Concert @ Farnham Maltings

Friday was a bit of a mad night out. We want to calm things down a bit and bring back some traditional Christmas cheer. From 7.30pm to 9.30pm you can enjoy all of your festive favourites at the Farnham Maltings. 2009 marks Farnham Youth Choir's 25th Anniversary and so they are hoping to make their Christmas Concert one to remember as they are joined on stage by the Farnham Junior Girls' and Farnham Junior Boys' Choir. Once you've imbibed a bit of the festive spirit this Saturday, you'll be rushing home to deck the halls with boughs of holly, if you haven't already.

Tickets are £11 (£8 concessions). For more information click HERE or call the box office on 01252 745444.

Sunday - A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols @ Guildford Cathedral

The outside is nothing to be proud of, but wander inside Guildford Cathedral and it is an absolute stunner. Join the Men, Boys & Girls of the Cathedral Choir as they sing the service of Nine Lessons and Carols. No tickets are necessary - just pop along at 6.30pm to enjoy one of the highlights of the Cathedral year. You'll be able to warm yourself up with some seasonal refreshments in the Refectory or dabble in a little last minute Christmas shopping in the Gift Shop.

For more information on this event click HERE.

Tip of The Week

ofia Taliani @ The Farnham Maltings

We've given you a real blend of music to enjoy this week, so it makes sense that our tip of the week is a whole mix of music in one fantastic evening. Take the chill out of your December evening with some musical Italian passion. Join Sofia Taliani for "11 Transformations", her unique evening of cabaret at the Farnham Maltings this week. You can expect to hear songs by Mozart, Cole Porter and Mundungo's "Volare" amongst many others. If you can't bear the fact that Strictly Come Dancing has ended for another year, then soothe your anxiety with some Italian and Argentine tango sounds and rhythms.

Tickets are £12 (£9 concessions) and the evening starts at 8pm. Click HERE for more information or call the box office on 01252 745444 to book tickets.