Saturday nights out are here again...!
Monthly concerts ‘ready to rock’
THE concert halls of Havant have been largely silent throughout the pandemic.
But for musician and parish priest, Canon Tom Kennar, the silence has been especially hard.
The parish of St Faith's, which Tom leads as Rector, has a long history of keeping music live - and a reputation for encouraging local performers of music and drama.
St Faith's Pallant Centre is the rehearsal home of the Havant Orchestras and Havant Dynamo Youth
Theatre, and the Solent Male Voice Choir.
The Pallant Centre and the parish church have both been hosts to concerts by worldclass – and more amateur – performers including pianists, singers, organists, bands, choirs and folk-ensembles. But, apart from a few online concerts, all was silent throughout 2020.
Tom approached singer DiElle about curating a series of concerts to showcase local talent. The result is 'Saturday Night at the Havant
Pallant' - a monthly concert with locally-renowned headline acts, supported by other great musicians.
The first show kicks off on Saturday with doors opening at 7pm, and features Hayling Island's Gary O'Connor Band.
Gary said: ‘We will be ready to rock. We are very excited as it’s a great event.
‘A lot of musicians have been looking forward to getting back out there and strutting their stuff.
‘The hall has been refurbished, so we are doubly excited to be getting back out there doing new things in a new place in front of audience at last.’
DiElle will be comparing, with The DiElle Trio.
'Rocking Rector' Tom will be tearing up the piano keys with his set of blues and rock classics.
Careful Covid management will be in place, with the audience seated and served at tables from the Pallant Centre's bar.
Tickets will be available on the door (£10 each or £54 for a table of six), but numbers will be limited by Covid-safety measures.
Saturday Night At The Pallant is a monthly event designed to shine a light on the plethora and diversity of local musicians, both professionals and community groups.
A lot of musicians have been looking forward to getting back out there. Gary O'Connor