One of the shining stars in the jazz singing firmament heralds the start of a vibrant spring at the Milton Rooms in Malton.

Jacqui Dankworth brings her top talent to Malton on Saturday, February 18. In ‘Siren Songs’, Jacqui, the daughter of Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth, turns her attention during an intimate evening to the most iconic vocalists of the 20th century and the singers who defined the ‘Great American Songbook’ – including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone and Peggy Lee.

A not-to-be missed night and tickets are selling well. To book visit www.themiltonrooms.com

Other top offerings in February include lots of laughs with the Hilarity Bites Comedy Club on the 17th, blues with The 20ft Squid Band on the 23rd and Irish Tales with Clúrachán on the 25th. There’s even something for the kids with Hans Christian Andersen: The Ugly Duckling and Other Stories on February 22.

Looking ahead to March and three bands in the Alt Rock Strada Showcase (3rd), Fifties and Sixties Show Lollypops and Moptops (4th) and top Scottish folk band Salt House ((25th) keeps the standard high.

There are many more events, with new ones added all the time, so head over to www.themiltonrooms.com for the latest information and to book tickets. The upcoming shows include:

February

Friday, February 17: Hilarity Bites Comedy Club featuring host Sammy Dobson, Fran Garrity and Paul ‘Silky’ White. Over-18s only as the performance may feature adult themes and language. 8pm. Tickets £10.

Saturday, February 18: Jacqui Dankworth ‘Jazz Sirens’: The daughter of Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth is firmly positioned as one of the UK’s foremost jazz vocalists. In this special and intimate evening, Jacqui turns her attention to the most iconic vocalists of the 20th century and the singers who defined the ‘Great American Songbook’. 7.30pm. Tickets £22.50.

Wednesday, February 22: Hans Christian Andersen: The Ugly Duckling and Other Stories. From the pen of one of the greatest children’s authors of all time come four of Hans Christian Andersen’s most well-loved stories - The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and The Emperor’s New Clothes. Most suitable for ages three to nine. Performances at 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Tickets: Adults £10, children £8, school parties £7 per ticket.

Thursday, February 24: Ryedale Blues Club – The 20ft Squid Band, an authentic ‘old school’ blues band hailing from the Deep South – of Yorkshire, that is, and Sheffield to be more precise. 8pm. Tickets £10.

Saturday, February 25: Clúrachán – Irish Tales. The folk band bring to life the colourful characters of the Coombe Market, Dublin at the turn of the century through music and song. Mudd the Fish; Dick Darby, Cobbler; Humpy Gussy, ex-con and mender of pots and pans; roguish Finton Fiddle, local ne’er-do-well and Iris Dougherty, flower seller, all have a tale to tell. 8pm. Tickets £10.

March

Friday, March 3: Alt Rock Strada Showcase - featuring Katy Hurt, The Loose Cut and Robbie Cavanagh. The rescheduled date for our Alt Rock event, which was postponed this year because of Katy’s illness. Featuring some of the best new artists and bands from one of the UK’s leading artists’ agents, Strada Music. 7.50pm. Tickets: £15.

Saturday, March 4: Lollypops and Moptops. A spectacular Fifties and Sixties package show starring The Dreamers. Alan Mosca has been in the band for over 37 years and will act as compere, retelling stories of the era. Also featuring The Temple Brothers and Buddy Walker as Buddy Holly. 7.30pm. Tickets £18.50.

Tuesday, March 7: Meet the Author – James Naughtie, BBC broadcaster and novelist. Part of Kemp’s Bookshops Literary Events. James Naughtie is a veteran journalist who presented Radio 4’s flagship breakfast news programme for more than 21 years and has had an illustrious publishing career with fascinating books on a multitude of topics, including his Flemyng Brothers spy series. Here he is in conversation with David Banks and signing copies of his thrilling third novel in the Flemyng series, The Spy Across the Water. 7.30pm. Ticket and book £25 (book RRP £20), ticket only £10.

Saturday, March 25: Salt House. A collaboration of writing and song from three of Scotland’s foremost performers; Jenny Sturgeon, Ewan MacPherson and Lauren MacColl. There are echoes of Pentangle, a touch of Dick Gaughan, murmurs of Scandinavian and Scots, all woven into a music that’s traditional and new. 8pm. Tickets £15.

Thursday, March 30: Ryedale Blues Club presents The Mark Pontin Group, Since releasing his debut album ‘Days of Destiny’ in 2013, Mark Pontin has firmly established himself in the UK Blues/Rock scene as an artist to take notice of. ‘Textures’ came next in 2015 to huge critical acclaim. 8pm. Tickets £10.

April

Saturday, April 15: ELO Encounter – Blue Sky Tour. A tribute to Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra, featuring all the much loved songs from ELO’s hit-filled library including Evil Woman, Telephone Line and Don’t Bring Me Down. Not only recreating the wonderful music of ELO, it’s a spectacular live show with stunning lights and special effects. 8pm. Tickets £15.

Thursday, April 21: Gaelforce are a superb Celtic folk-rock band from Yorkshire, playing a variety of rocked-up traditional folk songs and jigs’n’ reels, mainly from Ireland. The band was successful in the 1990s and has now reformed with ex-members of the Duncan McFarlane Band and the Mike Harding Band. 8pm. Tickets £10.

May

Saturday, May 13: Both Sides Now - The Joni Mitchell Celebration Concert. Both Sides Now are the UK’s only regular touring tribute to the songs of Joni Mitchell. The five-piece live band is led by the amazing voice of Sarah. The Joni Mitchell songbook draws on a three-decade journey of incredible creativity, from folk singer to mainstream rock artist, as well as an abiding love affair with jazz. 8pm. Tickets £16.

Saturday, May 20: A HEAD full of COLDPLAY. A tribute to the music and recreating the sound of Coldplay, without being an impersonation of the band. A HEAD full of COLDPLAY capture the feel, energy and themes with a setlist spanning all nine studio albums. 8pm. Tickets £15.

October

Saturday, October 7: Marblehead Johnson - The Original Britpop Experience. The five-piece band, named after the classic Bluetones Britpop anthem, pay tribute to the British Britpop music scene. Marblehead Johnson bring the recreated hits up to date in a combination of passion and quality. 8pm. Tickets £15.

* The Milton Rooms is a beautiful, Grade Il listed building and has gone through some huge changes in the past few years. Before the trustees and volunteers start the next phase, they would like to hear what people would like to see at the venue. Head over to www.themiltonrooms.com and fill in the questionnaire. It will only take a few minutes and will help to shape an exciting future for the community, arts and entertainment hub.

*The Milton Rooms needs volunteers to help to keep things running smoothly. We need help with office administration and ticket sales, event management (front of house/bar), technical support (sound and light), marketing and promotion, venue maintenance and DIY.

If you can spare some time to help, email info@themiltonrooms.com for more information.