The last house band standing
THIS WEEK WE MAKE A VISIT TO THE WILLOWS SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB
THE Willows is one of the area’s top clubs boasting some excellent facilities, including a fantastic concert room that can hold 300 people, as well as a bar and games room.
Club chairman Dave Hollingsworth, who has been in charge for over a decade and a member of the club for 40 years, said: “Post-pandemic, like most clubs and pubs in the UK footfall numbers are down, but it’s great to see people now starting to return and once again enjoy coming into the Willows club.
“The club’s fantastic resident outfit Last Band Standing consisting of keyboard and bass player Richard Grant, guitarist Paul Sutton and drummer Wayne Porter are literally the last of the area’s house bands and they are on-stage every weekend alongside a guest artists from 8pm.
“We have some great entertainment arranged for over the coming months with young singer Ryan Willingham appearing here next Saturday night.
“Sunday nights are very much the same format with the band Marshal’s Law playing there this week and over the past couple of months we have introduced guest bands on a regular basis.”
The Willows has always had a busy programme of week-day events. On Monday’s it holds a weekly afternoon club with a cabaret entertainer, bingo and raffle and on Tuesdays it holds a dancercise class in the concert room and also its chess players club hold tournaments in the bar.
It has a country music night one Wednesday night monthly and a line-dancing class is held in the concert room every Thursday.
The club’s vice-chairman Pete Warrington said: “For some time now afternoon shows have been a regular and very successful addition to the programme of entertainment here at the Willows and once a month local entertainer Hutch and his wife Claire put on a special Friday Cabaret Concert afternoon.
“The shows feature some of the UK’S star names and tribute performers. The next is planned for the afternoon on Friday, October 29, with Hutch presenting a divas show.
“This time around the list of guest artistes includes Sheffieldborn Lauren Faye Moss impersonating music legends like Madonna, Lady Gaga and Barbra Streisand supported by singer Liam Alexander and Hutch’s and Claire’s star duo Fatal Attraction.”
Always leading the way in support of local charities, for some time the Willows Sports and Social Club have been the key venue for the Mail’s Junior Star Search competition. For more information on membership and events, visit their Facebook page.
THE coming weekend sees the return of Cherry Burton Arts who are set to “go live” once again with more East Riding musical events.
Saturday night sees the return of the local outfit The Creedence Collection who take to the stage at the Village Hall in Cherry Burton, near Beverley.
The Creedence Collection made up of musicians fronted by Lynn Blakeston and Rob Nicklas pay tribute to the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty, which means that they are able to draw on a stunning catalogue of songs with classic hits including Bad Moon Rising, Have you Ever Seen the Rain and Up Around the Bend. Their tight rocky sound makes for a fantastic evening’s entertainment.
John Fogerty was the band’s main songwriter, and went on to have a successful solo career with an enviable collection of songs, many covered by other great artists including Status Quo (Rockin’ all Over the World) and Tina Turner (Proud Mary).
Cherry Burton Arts organiser Martin Peirson added “We are taking the necessary safety precautions to allow live music to happen in the Village Hall once again and as usual attendees should bring their own drinks and glasses.”
■■Tickets cost £15 available in advance from www.wegottickets.com, by calling 07399 568834 or email martin@peirson.karoo.co.uk
AMONG the other gigs of note this week, singer Mark Andrews will appear at the Ryder Club in Coltman Street, west Hull, this afternoon. Tomorrow night The Ritz Country Music Club in Holderness Road, east Hull, features the return of country artiste OJ Reynolds and on Friday night Rachel Mills is appearing at the Highland Laddie on Southcoates Lane, east Hull.
Next Tuesday night The William Gemmell CMC on Anlaby Road, west Hull, features the sounds of country music artist Ryan Pailing.