The Apex | Feb - May 2023

WELCOME

Although the likes of Tom Allen, Lulu, and Anton du Beke have sold out, there is still plenty to enjoy over the coming months (and if you really want to see a show, it’s often worth ringing box office and asking to be added to the waiting list for returned tickets).

A busy programme of classical music sees welcome returns from the Academy of Ancient Music, Britten Sinfonia and the Brodsky Quartet, first visits from the Tallis Scholars and Riopy, several of our fabulous local ensembles and then a very special concert at the end of May, the proceeds from which will go to support a hospital in Ukraine.

Strictly Come Dancing singer, Tommy Blaize joins up with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra for a celebration of the music of

Ray Charles; other jazz gigs see guitarist Martin Taylor celebrating 50 years of touring, Joe Stilgoe brings us 100 years of music from the theatre, Syd Lawrence Orchestra will be back and Georgia Cecile makes a first visit to The Apex following her success as main support for a recent Gregory Porter tour.

You’ll be able to see Big Country, Roachford, Eric Bibb, The Beat, Graham Gouldman, Francis Rossi, Danny Baker, John Cooper Clarke, Dr Amir Khan, Peter Cox, Show of Hands, and so much more.

We hope you enjoy flicking through the pages of this brochure and we look forward to seeing you at the Apex this Spring.

NICK WELLS • APEX PROGRAMMER

* Ticket price includes booking fees where applicable. Concessions may be available, categories change according to event. Event details correct at time of print, but could change, see website or ring for up-to-date information.

THE

JOHN MARTYN PROJECT

SUN 29 JAN 7.30pm £19.50*

Six established artists come together to celebrate the music of John Martyn. Vocalist Blythe Pepino (toured with London Grammar), virtuoso guitarist and mandolin enthusiast Kit Hawes (has worked with Seth Lakeman & Cara Dillon), soul singer and multi-instrumentalist Pete Josef (has performed with Roni Size, Reprazent and

Rag ’n’ Bone Man), Sunday Times ‘Breaking Act’ Sam Brookes and rhythm section John Blakeley & Jon Short (Sheelanagig).

A virtuoso guitarist with a laid-back but highly expressive voice, John Martyn emerged from the British folk scene in the late 1960s to make some of the most hauntingly evocative and mesmerising music of his era.

ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC

WED 1 FEB 7.30pm £31.50*, £26.50* (U25s £7.50*)

Laurence Cummings and AAM explore and perform works by Bach, including The Musical Offering, Bach’s dazzlingly imagined and endlessly rich masterwork, which has fascinated performers and scholars for centuries.

BARRY STEELE AND FRIENDS

FRI 3 FEB 7.30pm £27.50*

Barry Steele’s Roy Orbison & Traveling Wilburys Story captures the essence of Orbison, from ‘A Black and White Night’ through to the original super group Traveling Wilburys and songs Orbison wrote for other artists.

WOLSEY ORCHESTRA

SAT 4 FEB 7.30pm £16.50*

An evening of popular orchestral classics.

Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man; Barber: Adagio for Strings; Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Op.11; Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 in E minor.

SWINGING AT THE COTTON CLUB

SUN 5 FEB 7.30pm £25.50*

The fabulous Lindy Hop Dance Company and Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra take you back to 1920s & ’30s New York City into Harlem’s hottest nightclub.

Performances by Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald would have had the club swinging, while dancers such as Bojangles Robinson and the Nicholas Brothers lit up the stage with their breathtaking routines.

BOTH SIDES

NOW

WED 8 FEB 7.30pm £21.50*

HOMAGE TO THE SONGS OF JONI MITCHELL

Mim Grey, Jo Harman and Mike Mayfield front a multi-million streaming band of international musicians, Redtenbacher’s Funkestra.

RIOPY

THU 9 FEB 7.30pm £25.50*

Self-taught pianist and composer who fuses minimalism, pop and cinematic styles; his evocative solo piano pieces have provided the backdrop to several popular movie trailers (inc The Shape of Water) and adverts (Mercedes, Peugeot, Armani). as well as documentaries for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

His first two albums RIOPY and Tree of Light had 450 million streams worldwide, and his new album (Extended) Bliss is on Warner Classics. Plus support from Adam Naas.

THE SMITHS LTD

FRI 10 FEB 8pm £16.50* standing adv (£18.50* seated adv)

If you never saw The Smiths then this is your chance to experience the thrill of those great songs played live. If you were lucky enough to see them first time around then prepare to relive that excitement again.

LAURENCE JONES

WED 15 FEB 7.30pm £19* adv (£20.50* door)

One of the UK’s hottest guitar players, Laurence won British Blues Awards Young Artist Of The Year three-times and was voted European Music Awards’ Best European Guitarist and one of Music Radar’s Top 10 best blues guitar players in the world.

FAT CAT

COMEDY CLUB

SUN 12 FEB, 12 MAR & 9 APR 8pm £13.50*

For line-up, see www.fatcatcomedyclub.com.

FAIRPORT CONVENTION

THU 16 FEB 7.30pm £29.50* Having formed in 1967, Fairport Convention have been entertaining music lovers for over half a century.

This year’s Winter Tour comprises long-established Fairport favourites and songs from albums old and new.

THE BON JOVI EXPERIENCE

FRI 17 FEB 8pm £19* standing adv

Wo-ah, we’re half way there! The only tribute to have been on Bon Jovi’s official website & performed live on stage with Jon Bon Jovi himself.

“The best Bon Jovi tribute band I’ve ever watched” – Jon Bon Jovi.

PINK BY VICKY JACKSON

SAT 18 FEB 8pm

£19* standing adv

For over a decade Vicky Jackson has been wowing audiences with her energetic and accurate portrayal of Pink.

“Her huge voice just knocked me out!... She has a truly phenomenal gift” – Peter Cox (Go West)

THE SOUTH

SUN 19 FEB 7.30pm £24.50* standing (£26.50* seated)

Nine-piece band featuring former members of The Beautiful South including Alison Wheeler and Gaz Birtles. Enjoy ‘A Little Time’, ‘Perfect 10’, ‘Rotterdam’, ‘Old Red Eyes Is Back’, ‘Don’t Marry Her’, plus many more, along with a few South originals.

JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW

TUE 21 FEB 7.30pm £26.50*

Clive John pays homage to the Man In Black, with Meghan Thomas as June Carter. Hits like ‘Walk the Line’, ‘Ring of Fire’, ‘Boy Named Sue’ are balanced with atmospheric songs such as ‘The Man Comes Around’ and ‘Hurt’.

JIMEOIN

WED 22 FEB 7.30pm SOLD OUT!

80s MANIA

FRI 24 FEB 7.30pm £27.50* Tributes to Duran Duran, Kim Wilde, Culture Club, Madonna, Wham!, Madness and many more bring over 35 smash-hits from the 1980s. “It’s like Top of the Pops meets Live Aid...” – Mike Read.

JOE STILGOE

THU 23 FEB 7.30pm £24*

Stunning rearrangements of theatre music over the last century, from Kurt Weill to Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hammerstein to Hamilton, and everything in between. Played with all the drama, tension, heartache and heartbreak you’d expect from Joe, whose own original songs are close to achieving the status of modern standards.

“Gorgeous playing, amazing voice, great tunes. Sigh” – Tim Minchin

THE KING OF REGGAE

SAT 25 FEB 7.30pm £25.50*

‘Let’s Get Together And Feel Alright’ as Rush Theatre Company tell the story of Bob Marley, with over 20 of his iconic hits played live by the JA Reggae Band.

HAYSEED DIXIE

MON 27 FEB 8pm

£20.50*

The undisputed creators (and masters) of Rockgrass: hillbilly deliverances of rock classics such as ‘Ace Of Spades’, ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ and ‘Eye of The Tiger’, alongside country favourites and original songs.

ESSENTIAL 60s

SUN 26 FEB 1.30pm £26.50*

The FOD Band return with sing-along hits from the 1960s from The Dave Clark Five, Roy Orbison, Elvis, Del Shannon, The Hollies, The Monkees and many more.

ROY HEMMINGS

SUN 26 FEB 7.30pm £29.50* standing (£33.50* seated)

Motown & Philadelphia Live: Drifters singer and his band play hits from The Stylistics, The 4 Tops, Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Drifters and more.

THE BEAT WITH RANKING JNR

WED 1 MAR 8pm £20.50* standing (£23.50* seated)

‘Mirror in the Bathroom’, ‘Hands Off… She’s Mine’, ‘Too Nice To Talk To’… The Beat, with Ranking Roger’s son Ranking Jnr, continue to play all these classic hits in their dynamic live shows.

KAST OFF KINKS

FRI 3 MAR 7.30pm £23.50*

Kinks hits played by former members of The Kinks: Mick Avory (founding member & original drummer from 1964-84) and Mark Haley (keyboards / vocals 1989-93).

TOM ALLEN

SAT 4 MAR 8pm SOLD OUT!

BRITTEN SINFONIA & LAURA VAN DER HEIJDEN

THU 2 MAR 7.30pm £28.50*, £23.50* (U25s £7.50)

JS Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No 3 CPE Bach: Cello Concerto in A minor Dobrinka Tabakova: Cello Concerto Grieg: Holberg Suite

BURY FRIENDLY ORCHESTRA

SUN 5 MAR 6pm £13.50*

Malcolm Arnold’s The Padstow Lifeboat; Khachaturian’s Adagio (Onedin Line theme); Debussy’s En Bateau; movements from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Handel’s Water music and Strauss’s Beautiful Blue Danube.

SYD LAWRENCE ORCHESTRA

TUE 7 MAR 7.30pm £26*

Big Band musical extravaganza, directed by Chris Dean and packed with Big Band Favourites by Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald and a few new surprises.

10CC’S GRAHAM GOULDMAN & HEART FULL OF SONGS

MON 6 MAR 7.30pm £31.50* adv

In between 10cc’s sell-out, bi-annual tours, the band’s co-founder Graham Gouldman takes his Heart Full of Songs project on tour, playing his songs in their simplest form, acoustically.

BUTLER, BLAKE & GRANT

FRI 10 MAR 7.30pm

£26*

Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Bernard Butler (Suede) and James Grant first joined forces at Celtic Connections – playing their beautifully crafted tunes with natural camaraderie, melody, harmony and impeccable guitar chops.

BURY BACH CHOIR: CARMINA BURANA

SAT 11 MAR 7.30pm

£26.50*, £21.50*, £16.50*

Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana includes some of the most recognisable and magnificent pieces of choral music ever written, including ‘O Fortuna’.

Concert opens with Elgar’s wonderful and evocative song-cycle Sea Pictures.

FLEETWOOD BAC

FRI 17 MAR 8pm

£19.50* standing adv

The world’s first Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band & the only one to replicate the classic ‘Rumours’ line-up.

Their sound, look and on-stage chemistry got the seal of approval from Mick Fleetwood himself.

THE MANFREDS

THU 16 MAR 7.30pm

£26.50*

60 Years of Hits, Jazz & Blues: considered one of the finest and most respected bands from the 1960s and still with original front man Paul Jones, Manfreds will perform many of their timeless hits.

SUFFOLK SINFONIA

SAT 18 MAR 7.30pm £14.50* Spring Concert celebrating British composers, with Soirées Musicales by Benjamin Britten, followed by The Lark Ascending (violin soloist Jonathan Acton), concluding with the Enigma Variations.

JUAN MARTIN

WED 22 MAR 7.30pm £21.50*

Voted into the top 3 flamenco guitarists in the world by Guitar Player USA, Juan Martin’s exquisite style captures a pure flamenco sound. “A giant of the flamenco guitar tradition” – The Times

ELIO PACE: BILLY JOEL ALBUMS SHOW

TUE 21 MAR 7.30pm £31.50*

Elio and his band perform ‘The Nylon Curtain’ and ‘Piano Man’.

“Elio Pace is fierce! An accomplished musician and performer, his talent can be equalled only by his infectious enthusiasm” – Lulu

RAF HONINGTON VOLUNTARY BAND

THU 23 MAR 7.30pm £13.50*

Join RAF Honington Voluntary Band for an evening of popular classics, favourites from stage and screen and military pageantry in this coronation year. This concert will raise funds for the GeeWizz charity.

FEAST OF FIDDLES

SAT 25 MAR 7.30pm £25.50*

“Britain’s fiddling supergroup” (Mark Radcliffe) includes Peter Knight, Brian McNeill, Ian Cutler, Tom Leary, Marion Fleetwood, Joe Brown and Garry Blakeley plus a rock back-line with drummer Dave Mattacks.

SUN 26 MAR 4pm £35.50*–£23.50*

Mendelssohn: The Fair Melusine; Mozart: Clarinet Concerto; Haydn: Trumpet Concerto (Christian Barraclough, Trumpet); Mozart: Symphony No.38, ‘Prague’.

BRODSKY QUARTET

TUE 28 MAR 7.30pm £24.50*, £19.50* (U25s £7.50)

Alexander Borodin: Scherzo in D from Les Vendredis; Karen Tanaka: At The Grave of Beethoven; Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No.16 in F; Maurice Ravel: String Quartet in F.

TOMMY BLAIZE & NYJO PRESENT: RAY CHARLES

THU 30 MAR 7.30pm £26.50* The 19-piece National Youth Jazz Orchestra return with Tommy Baize, lead singer of the BBC Strictly Come Dancing band. A prolific musician and civil rights activist, Ray Charles changed the course of music history with his pioneering combination of gospel, jazz, and R&B.

ROACHFORD

WED 29 MAR 7.45pm

£26.50* standing (£28.50* seated)

Since 1988’s ‘Cuddly Toy’ (a mainstay of radio airplay for over three decades), Roachford has released 10 studio albums and been a sought-after songwriter. For the past nine years, he has been part of Mike + the Mechanics, but recently released a new solo album ‘Twice in a Lifetime’ and single ‘High on Love’ which earned 5 weeks of Radio 2 A-list airplay

THE LEGEND OF BARRY WHITE

FRI 31 MAR 7.30pm £28* William Hicks, “a big man with a big voice”, delivers a phenomenal performance of ‘My First My Last My Everything’, ‘Just the Way You Are’, ‘Ecstasy’ and many more.

CAVERN BEATLES

SAT 1 APR 7.30pm £27.50*

Fully endorsed and licensed by the club, The Cavern Beatles are widely regarded as being as close to the real thing as you are ever likely to see.

BUDDY HOLLY WINTER DANCE

PARTY

SUN 2 APR 7.30pm £23.50*

Recreating Buddy’s 1959 Winter Dance Party, with Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper and Dion & The Belmonts.

KATE MOSSE: WARRIOR QUEENS & QUIET REVOLUTIONARIES

TUE 4 APR 7.30pm £30*

International bestselling Author Kate Moss OBE brings ‘Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries: How Women (Also) Built the World’.

Audiences can expect a fabulous evening of entertainment; part detective story, part celebration of extraordinary, trail-blazing and inspirational women throughout history: Mothers of Invention and Pirate Queens, unsung heroines of medicine and those who dazzled on the screen, the stage and in the stadium, we’ll meet those who fought for what they believed and those who reached for the stars.

SONS OF PITCHES

THU 6 APR 7.30pm £26.50*

The first winners of Gareth Malone’s The Naked Choir, The Sons have “given a cappella a kick up the backside” with their creative vocal gymnastics, soaring solos, impeccable harmonies and sensational beatboxing.

JEN BRISTER

FRI 7 APR 7.30pm £16.50*

The Optimist: If Jen has learned anything, it’s that she’s no good in a crisis. Has the pandemic changed her for the better or is she still the same old pessimistic naysayer? I think we all know the answer to that. Let’s just hope she can make it funny.

LUTHER

SAT 8 APR 7.30pm

SOLD OUT!

‘Never Too Much’, ‘The Best Things in Life Are Free’, ‘Endless Love’, ‘Ain’t No stoppin’ Us Now’, ‘Love The One You’re With’, ‘Dance with My Father’.

Luther Vandross tribute with a 10 piece band.

NATASHA WATTS

MON 10 APR 7.30pm £26.50*

Natasha blasted on the UK Soul scene over 10 years ago with her beautiful voice and vivacious personality. Having performed all over the world and opened up for the likes of Gladys Knight and the O’Jays, Natasha’s new album delivers a gritty mature and wellrounded soul sound.

BURYSOUND

FINAL 2023

FRI 14 APR 6pm

£tbc

Heat winners battle for the BurySOUND crown. Headlined by last year’s winners Collars.

PETER KNIGHT & JOHN SPIERS

THU 13 APR 7.30pm

£19.50*

The pairing of violin and melodeon is not a new one, but Peter & John’s improvisation and invention have created something inspirational & engaging with tunes from Britain’s folk dancing heritage.

THE ZOMBIES

SAT 15 APR 7.30pm

£28.50* adv

Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent & co bring new songs and early hits (‘Time of the Season’, ‘She’s Not There’) and post-Zombies solo favorites (‘What Becomes of the Brokenhearted’, ‘Hold Your Head Up’).

THAT’LL BE THE DAY

MON 17 APR 7.30pm

£28.50*

The UK’s leading Rock ’n‘ Roll touring show celebrates feelgood pop music from the 1950s through to the 1980s, with comedy sketches, impersonations, brilliant vocals and superb musicianship.

AN AUDIENCE WITH MANCHESTER UNITED LEGENDS

THU 20 APR 7.30pm £37.50* Brian McClair and Andrew Cole will give you a full insight into their careers, from previous clubs, to putting on the famous red jersey, to representing their national country.

THIS IS BRITPOP

FRI 21 APR 7.30pm £27.50* standing (£29.50* seated)

Recapturing the raw energy and optimism of the mid90s pop charts, with over two hours of hits from the monster bands of the Britpop era, including Oasis, Blur, The Manic Street Preachers and The Stereophonics.

GEORGIA CÉCILE

WED 19 APR 7.30pm £21.50*

2022 Jazz FM Awards ‘UK Jazz Act Of The Year’ and ‘Vocalist Of The Year’, Georgia is a gifted and engaging performer and has been championed by Gregory Porter and Jamie Cullum.

“Her voice is spectacular” – Jamie Cullum

DR JOHN COOPER CLARKE

SUN 23 APR 8pm £30*, £26*

John Cooper Clarke shot to prominence in the 1970s as the original ‘people’s poet’; his latest live show is a mix of classic verse, extraordinary new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags and chat.

LONDON BALLET COMPANY

THU 27 APR 7.30pm £19.50*

‘Cinderella’ and ‘00 & His 7’. The timeless & beautiful ‘Cinderella’ is followed by the playful tale of everyone’s favourite spy, complete with Bond, Beauties and Baddies!

DANNY BAKER

WED 26 APR 7.30pm £29*

The trilogy that began with ‘Cradle To Stage’, followed by ‘Good Time Charley’, concludes with ‘The Sausage Sandwich Tour’. Age Guidance 14+

“Boy can he sell a story… a compelling, evocative account of his south London roots” ★★★★ – Evening Standard

MARTI PELLOW

FRI 28 APR 7.30pm SOLD OUT!

THE SEARCHERS

SUN 30 APR 7.30pm £31* The Searchers have decided to return for just one more tour! Enjoy ‘Sweets For My Sweet’, ‘Needles & Pins’, ‘When You Walk In The Room’, ‘Don`t Throw Your Love Away’, ‘Sugar & Spice’ and more.

LULU

WED 3 MAY 7.30pm SOLD OUT!

TURIN BRAKES

THU 4 MAY 8pm £26.50* Melodic acoustic musings with a healthy dose of indie rock.

GIOVANNI

PERNICE

MON 1 MAY 7.30pm & TUE 2 MAY 2.30pm & 7.30pm £45.50*, £42.50*

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 champion Giovanni Pernice with some of the best dancers and singers from the Ballroom and theatre world, stunning choreography and beautiful costumes.

CHANTEL McGREGOR

FRI 5 MAY 7.30pm

£19.50* adv (£21.50* door)

Hailed as one of the UK’s most exciting blues-rock artists, Chantel stuns The Apex’s audience with her guitar virtuosity every time she plays here. Now she’s back to showcase her own style of contemporary rock-blues and debuting tracks from her new album.

“A musician born with an effortless virtuosity, peppered by flights of incendiary guitar and flanked by moments of poise, grace and fluidity” – GetReadyToRock.com

BIG COUNTRY & SPEAR OF DESTINY

SAT 6 MAY 7.45pm

£31.50* standing (£36.50* seated)

Big Country celebrate 40 years of their 1983 debut LP ‘The Crossing’ by performing hits and live favourites, including ‘Fields of Fire’, ‘In A Big Country’, ‘Wonderland’, ‘Look Away’, ‘The Teacher’, plus many more. Kirk Brandon formed Spear Of Destiny in 1983 after the break-up of Theatre Of Hate, their singles include ‘Liberator’, ‘The Wheel’ and ‘Never Take Me Alive’.

ERIC BIBB

MON 8 MAY 7.30pm £30*

Grounded in blues and folk tradition, Bibb’s music continues to reflect his thoughts on current world events and his own experiences, whilst remaining entertaining, uplifting, inspirational and relevant. “…One of the finest American exponents of acoustic blues, an engaging performer and rousing guitarist who is blessed with a quite remarkable voice” – The Guardian

THE TIGER LILLIES

THU 11 MAY 8pm £24.50*

From the Circus to the Cemetery: The Olivier award winning Godfathers of alternative cabaret return with a career spanning concert. Expect dark and deviant theatrics as they delve into their back catalogue to conjure up the macabre magic of pre-war Berlin and fuse it with the savage edge of punk.

‘‘Martyn Jacques is a charismatic focus. Trudging between his piano and accordion like a man weighed down by supernatural dread – yet his voice is a molten cascade. The execution is impeccable throughout. Phenomenal’ – The Guardian

SHOW OF HANDS WITH MICHAEL WOOD & KIRSTY MERRYN

FRI 12 MAY 7.30pm £36.50*

Songs from the English Radical tradition. The Peasant’s Revolt, the Diggers and Levellers, Peterloo, and Tolpuddle Martyrs – Michael provides the historical context for songs that shine a light on the lives of ordinary people, as they fought for the rights that are ours today.

PETER COX

MON 15 MAY, 7.30PM £26.50* standing (£28.50* seated)

The Go West singer (‘We Close Our Eyes’, ‘The King Of Wishful Thinking’) has a new album, the first two singles from which, ‘Too Far Gone’ and ‘She Wants Magic’ reached No.1 on The Heritage Chart.

GRETCHEN PETERS

WED 17 MAY 7.30pm £30.50*, £26*

Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014, Peters has written for Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, Bryan Adams and Faith Hill. Her own album, ‘Blackbirds’ was No.1 in the UK Country chart.

ANTON DU BEKE AND FRIENDS

THU 18 MAY 7.30pm SOLD OUT!

TALLIS SCHOLARS

FRI 19 MAY 7.30pm £31.50* / £26.50* (U25s £7.50)

A Celebration of 50 Glorious Years, includes works by Gibbons, Tallis, Byrd, Rutter & Pärt. “One of the UK’s greatest cultural exports” – BBC Radio 3

TRACY BORMAN

MON 22 MAY 7.30pm

£26.50*

‘1000 years of Kings and Queens.’ The Royal Historian, broadcaster and Chief Curator of Hampton Court and The Tower of London takes us on an entertaining and informative audio-visual tour, from William the Conqueror to Charles III, packed with the good, the bad, the great and the mad, and their various romances, divorces, disasters and triumphs.

DR AMIR KHAN

TUE 23 MAY 7.30pm

£30.50*

Join the doctor for a fascinating, heartwarming, and frequently hilarious evening as he shares stories about growing up in his British Asian family with 5 sisters, ruled by Mama Khan, and his life as a general practitioner. And Dr Amir will bring the doctors surgery to you, taking questions from the audience. You will laugh, you might be shocked, and you’ll certainly be reminded just how special the NHS really is.

FROM UKRAINE WITH LOVE

THU 25 MAY 7.30pm £11.50*

Two well-known and respected opera singers from the Odessa Academy have fled with their families to live in Diss, while their men stayed behind to be part of the fight. This concert will help raise funds for the hospital in Odessa for disabled and injured servicemen. Tatiana Belousova (mezzo-soprano) and Natalia Stepanova (soprano) will perform popular arias from different operas alongside traditional and contemporary Ukrainian songs, accompanied by Birgitta Kenyon on piano.

MARTIN TAYLOR

FRI 26 MAY 7.30pm

£22.50*

Widely considered to be the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz and fingerstyle guitar playing, Martin’s inimitable style combines virtuosity, emotion and humour with an engaging stage presence. “One of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument” –Pat Metheny

FRANCIS ROSSI

SAT 27 MAY 7.30pm

£31.50*

The Status Quo legend takes up his acoustic guitar for a selection of well-known hits and some previously notperformed-live-before tunes. It will be a unique evening, with original-style, acoustic versions of Quo classics threaded together with stories from his remarkable 50 year career.

SUFFOLK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

SUN 28 MAY 4pm £tbc

Conducted by Leslie Olive, this all-Beethoven concert celebrates his rare ability to move seamlessly from high drama to lyricism.

Beethoven: Overture: Coriolan; Beethoven: Violin Concerto; Beethoven: Symphony No.4.

SIMON BRODKIN

WED 31 MAY 8pm £24*

Lee Nelson creator Simon Brodkin is back with a sensational new stand-up show ripping into his ‘I’m A Celebrity’ rejection, ADHD diagnosis, barmitzvah humiliation and five arrests. “No show has made me laugh more than this one” – The Times.

Age Guidance 14+

THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN

SUN 16 APR 2pm

£16* adult (£14* child)

Louis Pearl has thrilled audiences with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles for over 30 years with spellbinding tricks including square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fogfilled bubbles, bubble volcanoes, tornados and trampolines and people inside bubbles.

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE

SUN 12 MAR 1.30pm

£18* adult (£17* child)

£66* Family ticket

Dive into the world of science and look at how it shapes the modern world.

Expect 20ft liquid nitrogen clouds, exploding oxygen & hydrogen balloons, fire tornados, hydrogen bottle rockets, ignited methane and even a self-built hovercraft!

BEGINNERS

YOGA

EVERY WEDNESDAY 11.30am-12.30pm & 1pm-2pm • £7

Lunchtime class by Carole Baker, suitable for all ability levels, the classes cover Yoga postures (asanas) and basic breathing & meditation techniques to help de-stress and give you more energy.

TAI CHI

EVERY THURSDAY 9.45am-10.45am

Tai Chi basics & the Traditional Yang Family 103 hand form. To book, please contact martinfayers@yahoo.co.uk or call 01449736455.

For beginners and intermediates: learn or improve new blues rhythms, cool country wails, pitch bends and jam along with well-known solos. PLEASE NOTE: regular class dates may change – see our website www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 to double-check.

&

BOOZE & BRUSHES RESIN POURING

THE APEX GALLERY

OPEN: MON–SAT 9.30am-4.30pm • SUN 10.30am-4pm

IMPRESSIONS

TUE 14 FEB – SUN 12 MAR

A reflective exhibition combining imaginative and intriguing fine wood engravings by Jenny Portlock with well-observed graphic photographs by Graham Portlock.

Jenny’s engravings are dream-like with hidden meanings, intricate detail and rhythmic shapes.

Graham takes inspiration from the graphic and enigmatic elements of our environment and how light defines moods and forms.

SUE EATON & SHAUN BURGESS

TUE 14 MAR – SUN 9 APR

Sue’s pieces on textured canvas or reflective metals are contemporary interpretations of waterways, woodland and wildlife, with a different effect created by changing reflected light.

Contemporary artist, Shaun Burgess produces striking oil paintings with an emphasis on light, motion, and strong imagery - realism mixed with swatches of colour in a wide range of subject matter.

SWALLOWTAIL FINE ART

WED 12 APR – SUN 14 MAY

A collaboration of Broadland artists inspired by the beautiful countryside and coastline of Norfolk.

Lorraine Auton mainly works in acrylic and is drawn to twilight and nocturnal scenes; Amanda Springall-Rogers uses pastels to create realistic paintings of animals; and photographic artist Tony Colledge digitally re-imagines his own photographs to create an impactful, contemporary look.

Occasionally, the gallery is closed to the public. If you are travelling specifically to see an exhibition, please call the box office on 01284 758000 before your visit.

I SEE STARS

SUN 19 MAR 2.30pm & 6pm £17.50*

A lively collection of musical theatre, dance, drama and singing numbers brought to you by the students of Theatretrain Bury St Edmunds & Sudbury.

STRICTLY SATURDAYS

THIRD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH 2.30PM-4.30PM • Free

Fun & friendly dancing! Featuring Latin, Ballroom and Rock & Roll.

CHESS CLUB

EVERY TUESDAY 3.30pm-5.30pm

Run by Bury St Edmunds Chess Club – all welcome. For more info, visit www.bsechess.org.uk

PWL DANCE SHOW

TUE 23 MAY 12noon & 5pm

£16.50*

Good vs Evil. PWL’s annual production show is bigger and better than ever, full of talent, star quality and passion.

WEST SUFFOLK HOME ED FAIR

SAT 22 OCT 11am-3pm Free

A free activity and information day for home educating families.

PREGNANCY & PARENTING FAYRE

SAT 25 MAR 11am-3pm Free

St Edmundsbaby present maternity & baby related stalls, demonstrations, activities & support services.

ABOUT THE APEX

The box office is open MON – SAT 10am-4.30pm and an hour before events. 24-hour booking is available on the website: www.theapex.co.uk

The Apex is situated in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, close to the train and bus stations, and numerous car parks.

For map and directions see website. Closest parking at arc / Cattle Market car park, for Sat Nav use IP33 3DG.

* Ticket price includes booking fees where applicable. Concessions may be available, see website or ring for details.

Event details are correct at time of print, but may change. See website for up-to-date information, and for booking terms and conditions.