Rhona at the piano as singers help hospice
Rhona said: "The recently-formed Torbay Gospel Singers, for whom I am the pianist, are taking part in an afternoon concert in aid of Rowcroft Hospice at the Palace Theatre, Paignton this coming Sunday.
"Then I will be teaming-up with double bass player Kevin Sanders to play some gentle jazz of a jingle bell nature at the Corbyn Head Hotel in Torquay on December 23 and 27. Both events start at 8.30pm."
THE lounge at the Carlton Theatre in Teignmouth is to be the setting tonight for the latest Teignmouth Music Sessions event.
Organiser John Perkins said: "The Teignmouth Music Session is a free rock and blues evening where we aim to show what good musical talent there is in and around Teignmouth.
"The evenings develop the way those attending want them too, but they usually develop into a mixture of an open mic feature, along with some excellent blues jamming.
"Normally we have several local bands plus some well known local solo artists playing two or three numbers and, during previous sessions, we at TMS have been amazed by some previously unknown local talent who have just turned up to play.
"The sessions take place in the lounge at the Carlton Theatre on a monthly basis, and they start at around 8.30pm.
"Admission is free for all. Once again we're hoping to create a great musical evening.
"Of course the bar at the theatre will be open from 8.30pm till late, so we invite all local rock and blues musicians and live music fans to come along and enjoy a great evening."
Those wishing to attend the event to play and/or sing are invited to simply turn-up tonight.
Amplification, plus mics, drums and other essentials are provided and everyone is welcome.
Further information can be obtained by email from John Perkins at theteigmouthsessions@googlemail.com or by telephone on 07919 354426.
AS USUAL, some South Devon venues will be buzzing with quality live music events over the coming few days.
For starters, Eloise takes centre stage at the Snooty Fox in St Maychurch tomorrow night, and she'll be followed on Saturday night by a visit to the venue from the enduringly popular Torbay outfit Who'z in the Room with Norman?
In fact local live music fans are spoilt for choice on Saturday evening because the Usual Stars play the John Bull in Chatto Road, Torquay; Duke Johnson and the Scorchers are in action at the Wellington in Ipplepen; Livin' in a Valvestate return by popular demand to the Lime Tree in Paignton, and the Usual Suspects descend on The Entertainer in Paignton.
NOT to be outdone by South Devon's rock and blues fraternity, local jazz fans also have a feast of events from which to choose over the coming few days.
In fact, an open-air event gets this week's local jazz programme under way, when the Dart Valley Stompers take pride of place this evening at the Wellswood Street Party in Torquay at 5.30pm.
In contrast, Roger Marks and His Brass Farthings, plus their special guest John Shillito, take centre stage at the Sportsman Inn in Blackawaton near Totnes tonight.
Then on Saturday night, Annie Noel and her Swingtet make their fortnightly visit to the Grand Hotel in Torquay.
Looking ahead to Monday, James Harris and His Quartet are in action at the Clifford Arms in Fore Street, Shaldon, while across the river, the John Shillito Select Four entertains at the Ye Olde Jolly Sailor Inn in Northumberland Place, Teignmouth.
Tuesday evening's long-running jazz gathering at the Crown and Sceptre in St Marychurch features Angus Thomson, Brian Huggett, Steve Dow, Colin Fulcher and Brian Clarke. And finally, next Wednesday evening from around 6.30pm, the Ciderpress Stompers will be in action at the Dartington Cider Press Centre.
WATCH next week's Lowe Down column for details of a winter folk concert being staged next Thursday evening at the Palace Theatre Arena in Paignton.
The event features the Folk Orchestra of Torbay plus the Torbay Folk Choir. The admission on the night is by donation.
