There’s still plenty of action to come before Christmas at the Milton Rooms in Malton – and why not keep that festive feeling going into the New Year by buying tickets as presents to one of the great shows coming up in 2024?

December sees two brass band concerts featuring The Malton White Star Band on the 7th and Swinton & District Excelsior Band on the 10th, plus A Celebration of Choirs at Christmas on the 18th.

It’s eyes down for some Bingo ’n’ Crazy on December 1 and Emerald the Elf goes off on her latest festive adventure for the younger ones on December 2 and 3. and there are still a few tickets left for the ever-popular party band Huge’s knees-up on December 16.

A black tie ball celebrates the New Year on January 6 and then Malton & Norton Musical Theatre present their 75th anniversary pantomime Dick Whittington from January 20-27.

In February two great shows await – a Phil Collins tribute, Seriously Collins, on the 2nd and on the 8th the acclaimed Paul Jones and Dave Kelly present An Evening of Acoustic Blues and Stories.

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

November

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.

Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3: Emerald the Elf and Father Christmas 2023! Join Emerald the Elf in her latest festive adventure. Come and see what new job Emerald has been given this year – will she need help again to make sure everything is ready for Christmas in time? This interactive family show is suitable for all ages; each family has their own space to sit in and is able to go and see Father Christmas individually at the end of the show. All children receive a gift. Saturday, December 2 – 12noon, 2pm and 3.30pm. Sunday, December 3 – 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. Tickets: Adults and children £5.

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 in 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.

Monday, December 18: Fa la la la la! A Celebration of Choirs at Christmas. A festive evening of Christmas music with local choir leaders Alison Davis and Nicky Copley. This is a celebration of Christmas choral music from the Young Crescendos, Malton School Chamber Choir, Kirkham Henry Senior Choir, Harmonia and Ryedale Voices. 7.15pm. Tickets £11, under-18 £9.

January 2024

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.

Saturday, January 20 to Saturday, January 27: Malton & Norton Musical Theatre present Dick Whittington. For their 75th anniversary pantomime, Malton & Norton Musical Theatre have chosen a good old traditional tale with an action-packed storyline, and a very original, funny script. From the sewers of London to the shores of Morocco, the cracking script overflows with comedy and action, with some up-to-the-minute twists and turns along the way. the story features all the usual traditional roles, including the best tongue-in-cheek baddie in the business, King Rat. With an exceptionally busy Chorus, the script also includes plenty of knockabout fun, courtesy of comic Captain Cuttlefish and his sidekick, Scupper. Times vary. For dates, times and ticket prices visit www.themiltonrooms.com/events

February

Friday, February 2: Seriously Collins. An evening of the music of Phil Collins, including his solo career and Genesis hits. Chris Hayward and his world class band recreate Collins’ extensive catalogue featuring In The Air Tonight, Another Day In Paradise, Easy Lover, Against All Odds, Invisible Touch, Follow You Follow Me, I Can’t Dance and Sussudio amongst others. 8pm. Tickets £20.

Thursday, February 8: Paul Jones and Dave Kelly – An Evening of Acoustic Blues and Stories. Founder members of The Blues Band, Paul Jones and Dave Kelly’s roots go way back. As well as their own material, they not only perform the work of the greats, ranging from Howling’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker through to Sonny Boy Williamson, but they have played alongside them. After over a quarter century as presenter of his BBC Radio 2 R&B show and as a vocalist and harmonica maestro, what ex-Manfred Mann singer Paul Jones doesn’t know about the Blues can be written on a pinhead. Europe’s leading bluesman, Dave Kelly, has played with legends such as James Burton and Buddy Guy, with superb blues vocals combined with guitar virtuosity. 8pm. Tickets £28.

*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.

Ends-

24/11/23

Pictures:

1 DC Blues

2 Bingo ’n’ Crazy

3 Huge

4 Dave Kelly and Paul Jones