November signals the real start of the build-up to Christmas and there are plenty of top-class acts to keep everyone entertained at the Milton Rooms in Milton.

Magic, milestone music and lots of laughs are in store – plus a real bonus for fans of brass band music.

Mandy Muden, who reached the semi-final of the America’s Got Talent TV show this year, presents her brand of magic and comedy on November 3 before music takes centre stage with The Belgrave House Band’s version of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders from Mars on November 10 and a day later Gary Stewart and his band recreating Paul Simon’s Graceland album.

This epic weekend is followed by another with comedy with Steve Gribbin on November 17 and singer/songwriter Robbie Cavanagh the day after. A special concert in aid of Acorn Community Care featuring the New York Brass Band takes place on November 24 and DC Blues close out the month on November 30 at Ryedale Blues Club.

December sees two further brass band concerts featuring The Malton White Star Band on the 7th and Swinton & District Excelsior Band on the 10th. It’s eyes down for Bingo ’n’ Crazy on December 1 and the ever-popular Huge usher in a Christmas knees-up on December 16.

New events are being added all the time, so head over to www.themiltonrooms.com for the latest information and to book tickets.

November

Friday, November 3: Mandy Muden – An Evening of Magic and Comedy. Mandy Muden returns to The Milton Rooms with her hilarious comedy magic show. Her sensational appearances on Britain’s Got Talent and the 2022 Britain’s Got Talent Ultimate Magician won critical acclaim from both judges and public alike for a show packed with Mandy’s razor-sharp wit, magic tricks and plenty of mind reading. This year she competed successfully over the pond in America’s Got Talent, winning through to the semi-finals. 8pm. Tickets £15.

Friday, November 10: The Belgrave House Band presents Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders from Mars. The Belgrave House Band returns to perform their interpretation and celebrate the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s seminal album, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Ziggy Stardust holds its place as one of the most impactful albums of all time. Intrepid and impulsive, Bowie’s androgynous alien alter ego has touched millions of hearts and minds around the globe. The album has sold more than 7.5million copies worldwide since its inaugural release in 1972. 8pm. Tickets £20.

Saturday, November 11: Gary Stewart’s Graceland. Led by the legendary Leeds-based troubadour Gary Stewart and backed his incredible six-piece band, this spectacular group of musicians come together to recreate Paul Simon’s landmark Graceland album in all its glory. Expect to hear those magical songs, with their captivating stories, distinctive harmonies and South African rhythms, brought to life with no detail spared. 8pm. Tickets £15.

Friday, November 17: Hilarity Bites Comedy Club – Steve Gribbin: Elon Musk’s Monkey. Steve Gribbin, the sarky, satirical Scouse song-thrush, brings his brand of scathing musical comedy to The Milton Rooms. Up-to-the-second topical and unashamedly political, Steve takes on everything from climate change, royal feuds, the cost of living crisis and the perils of being an embarrassing dad, all with his customary cheeky charm and wit. 8pm. Tickets £10.

Saturday, November 18: Robbie Cavanagh. A welcome back to award-winning singer/songwriter Robbie Cavanagh.This year sees him present his newest body of work, Tough Love, a new studio album recorded live with his band. A self-confessed devotee of ‘real music’, Robbie is not defined by genres - his only rules are good musicians, real instruments, great microphones and performance with emotion; capturing sound, not producing it. 8pm. Tickets £12.

Friday, November 24: New York Brass Band – concert in aid of Acorn Community Care. New York Brass Band is North Yorkshire’s only contemporary New Orleans inspired Brass Band. The band is a powerhouse 7/8-piece, with a line-up of percussion, sax, trumpets, trombones, guitar and sousaphone, who hail from York. Ryedale Stray Notes, a talented 25-piece band full of talented young musicians, will open the show. 7pm. Tickets £13 through www.themiltonrooms.com/whats-on or call 07813 889085.

Thursday, November 30: Ryedale Blues Club – DC Blues. York-based DC Blues are coming off the back of a great year. They have shared the bill with the cream of the UK Blues scene with appearances at The Hallelujah Festival, The Great British Rock & Blues Festival for Blues Matters magazine and the O2 Academy in Sheffield for HRH Blues VII. DC Blues have been playing their own take on ‘the blues’ with original material and selected covers since 2012. 8pm. Tickets £10.

December

Friday, December 1: Bingo ’n’ Crazy! Join the fun at the newest sensation sweeping the nation - Bingo ’n’ Crazy. Hosted by DJ Foster Grant, expect a night of crazy music from the 1960s to present day, flashing lights and crazy stage games for a chance to dance, sing and play your cards right for fabulous prizes. Adults only, minimum age 18. 8pm. Tickets £17.

Thursday, December 7: Brass at Christmas with The Malton White Star Band. A Christmas extravaganza with The Malton White Star Band, their Community Training Band and the singers from Norton Primary School. A collection for Ryedale Special Families will be made during the evening. 7pm. Tickets £8.

Sunday, December 10: Swinton & District Excelsior Band – Free Christmas Concert. A free Christmas concert by the Swinton band, featuring the main band, the training band and the beginners’ group. There will be a raffle and a retiring collection to help towards band funds. 2pm. Although the event is free, tickets will be issued. To reserve, contact a band member directly, message the band on its Facebook page or email the secretary on secretary@swinton-band.com

Saturday, December 16: Huge at Christmas! Looking for the ultimate Christmas party? Join Huge, the ultimate party band. They have sold out the Barbican Centre and the Grand Opera House jn York a record 12 times. Few bands cover the range of material they play, including Bruno Mars, Olly Murs, The Killers, The Kaiser Chiefs and Take That, to name but a few, as well as 1970s disco and Motown classics. There are not many nine-piece party bands out there and the impressive line-up features a four-piece brass section plus, of course, their charismatic leader– front man Big Ian. 8pm. Tickets £17.

January

Saturday, January 6: New Year Black Tie Ball: If you love swing music, Hep to the Jive are bound to impress. With Steve Brooke on keyboards, they recreate the sizzling sounds of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s featuring classic songs from the likes of Glenn Miller, Vera Lynn, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin. But their repertoire also includes more modern sounds from Michael Buble, Caro Emerald and Paolo Nutini. Lindy Hop, West Coast and Balboa swing dances are interspersed with ‘smoochers’, ballroom and Latin American favourites. Doors open 7pm, dancing 7.30pm to 10.30pm. For more information and to book tickets, call 07508 876049.

*The Milton Rooms is on the lookout for volunteers to help to keep things running smoothly. If you can spare some time to help, email info@themiltonrooms.com for more information.