Citylife in Lichfield February 2024

Sunday Acoustic
Lounge: Celebrating
The Songwriters
Following the sell-out success of last season’s Acoustic Lounge
Sessions, Lichfield Actor/Producer Tom Roberts and Musical
Director, Gladstone Wilson, returned to The Hub at St
Mary’s in January with some amazing guest vocalists for an
evening devoted to some of the greatest singer songwriters of
our time.
With stunning tributes to artists including James Taylor, Carole King,
Carly Simon, Fleetwood Mac, Adele and many more, the talented
vocalists stunned the packed audience at the intimate venue which is
fast becoming a firm Lichfield favourite!
Dave Monks opened the show with his rendition of ‘They Can’t Take
That Away From Me’ by George and Ira Gershwin which warmed the
crowd up nicely and got everyone toe tapping along.
Next Bryan Brindley, a local singer/songwriter who performs across
the Midlands as a solo act upped the ante with a Crowded House
classic. Tamworth-based Bryan has previously supported T’Pau and this
year will see him open for Chesney Hawkes and Toploader with a set
including covers from across the decades with his main influences
being the Beatles, Crowded House and Oasis.
With the voice of an angel, Clare Andress brought the audience to
tears with an Adele cover, which showcased her powerful voice. Having
worked in musical theatre and tribute bands touring all over the world,
Clare is no stranger to the limelight and is currently performing as the
voice of ‘Frida’ with one of Europe’s most successful ABBA tribute
bands.
Sarah Riches, a Staffordshire-based independent singer-songwriter
and recording artist, performed songs from The Carpenters and
Beverly Craven with her smooth melodic vocals which are reminiscent
of Olivia Newton John.
Future shows are already confirmed with Love Is In The Air, featuring
an evening of love songs, taking place on 25th February. Tickets are
available online at www.thehubstmarys.co.uk or from The Hub on
Market Square.
Garrick Celebrates
Christmas Ticket
Appeal Success
Courtesy of Pamela Raith Photography
The Lichfield Garrick Arts Charity is overjoyed to announce
the resounding success of its recent Christmas Ticket
Appeal project, showcasing the incredible power of our
local community in making a meaningful impact.
This heartwarming initiative garnered support from 28 local
businesses and 1089 individual Garrick audiences, who generously
contributed to providing 478 tickets to children facing various
challenges – be it trauma, loss, or financial barriers. The donated tickets
were distributed through esteemed local charities, including Lichfield
Foodbank, Pathway Project, Spark Burntwood, The National Deaf
Children’s Society, and Change Grow Live.
Lichfield Garrick extends heartfelt gratitude to the local businesses,
including Crown Highways, Lichfield Design and Construction, SLC
Rail, Richard Winterton Auctioneers, Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, White
House Print & Design, Barratt Homes, Adcocks Solicitors, Advantage
House, Allen Brown Jewellery, Ansons Solicitors, Birch Hosting,
Bluebird Care, Bowbrook Financial Planning, Central England Co-Op,
Duke of York pub, Elmia Sports Massage Therapy, Friary Shows, Hardy
Signs, Howden Insurance, Hunnypot Cottage Bakery, Jono’s Tourism,
Lichfield Advanced Motorists, Lichfield Chamber of Trade and
Commerce, Mercia Farmers Market, Palletways UK, PI-KEM, The
Listening Centre, and their patrons, for their incredible generosity.
Together, we've made a profound difference in our community, creating
magical moments for those who needed them the most. To all who
donated, please take a well-deserved bow.
This year's pantomime witnessed record-breaking attendance, with
nearly 40,000 people revelling in the joy of the show. The Garrick
eagerly anticipates welcoming back these attendees for this year's
enchanting production of "Jack in The Beanstalk," starting 22nd
November 2024.
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