The record label that brought the likes of the Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells and the Isley Brothers to the world recorded its first million-selling hit in 1960.

From there, Motown became the world’s greatest music label and The Magic of Motown authentically revives the biggest hits of all: Stop in the Name of Love; Signed, Sealed, Delivered; My Guy; What Becomes of the Broken Hearted; I Heard it Through the Grapevine; Endless Love; All Night Long; Heatwave; I’m Coming Out; Why Do Fools Fall in Love; Get Ready; Ain’t Too Proud to Beg; My Girl; I Want You Back; I’ll Be There and Dancing in the Street.

All those hits that you love to sing into your hairbrush will be lovingly recreated on-stage by an incredible cast featuring the dazzling costumes, choreography and a live band; staples of that elusive Motown sound.

We’ve teamed up with the producers of this huge live production to offer you lucky people the chance to win a pair of tickets to see The Magic of Motown at the Derby Assembly Rooms on Friday 8th October at 7:30pm.

To enter, pop all your details in the boxes below:

Closing Date: Friday 1st October

Derby Assembly Rooms, Market Street, Derby, DE1 3AH

Box office: 01332 255800

Ticket prices start from £19

www.derbylive.co.uk

www.easytheatres.com

- There are no cash alternatives or alternative dates/venue available for this prize -

- Winner is to collect tickets from the box office on the day of the performance, from half hour before curtain-up.

From time to time we may send you information about fabulous products, services and brands that may interest you. If you mind terribly, email claire@69-247.com otherwise keep your eyes peeled.

1. Do you have to practice daily to retain your ninja skills?

Yes. I try and do – at least – 3 press ups a day and jog, from my bedroom,  next door, to my studio, as much as I can….maybe twice a day.

2. What are the top 3 qualities a ninja has?

a: you have to wear a mask.
b: you have to have watched a lot of 80′s ninja movies.
c: And I guess, learn some ninja moves from someone…which I haven’t bothered to do yet. Cos I’m not a ninja.
3. Do you think they relate to your lightning fast mixing?
Not much.

4. Do  you think your true identity will be revealed? Do you have a contingency plan?

I wear ANOTHER mask, under my mask. Just in case.
5. You’re playing in Birmingham as part of your Smash Up Tour, what will the gigs be like on the tour?

I wanna try a few new ideas on the tour, maybe go a little more left-field than I normally do. And I wanna do a couple of classic radio mixes, live, which I’ve never done before….can’t wait!
6. What does it feel like contributing so many mixes to BBC Radio 1? It’s such an institution, do they leave you alone to just get on with it and do it your way?

Radio One have been super-supportive of my stuff. And I love doing the mixes. And yeah, mostly, I get to do what I want. Pretty much all the time really. The only times when they get involved is either they want me to do a special mix, like the History of Drum & Bass, or it’s when I’ve forgotten to cut some cuss words out…..but other than that…it’s all me.
7. Finally, what are your top tips for anyone wanting to be a DJ/producer?

Focus, work hard, never give up and be patient. Plus you’ve got to LOVE it. Oh, and look UP when you’re DJing…that’s important. And with that nugget, I’m off…..HooOOOOOO!!!!  x

Launched  earlier this August, SUB91 lives above Walkabout on Granby Street and the 400  capacity venue has so far been  hitting the city with some incredible acts. The venue’s latest announcement treats Leicester music-lovers to a rare, intimate show with Welsh rockers Funeral for a Friend, who will bless the venue with a unique chance to see the band perform never-before-heard material at one of just three UK dates, with their new line-up.

In April this year, Funeral for a Friend announced the departure of long-time member, Darran Smith. Soon after, with bassist Gavin Burrough taking over Darran’s role as guitarist. Richard Boucher, formerly of Hondo Maclean, has joined the FFAF ranks to become the band’s new bassist. Funeral for a Friend have been busy writing and recording new material for their upcoming EP ‘The Young and Defenceless’, that is available exclusively to those who have purchased through the Pledge Music Scheme. The band will be back in the studio at the start of September to work on a forthcoming album, due out in early 2011.

Funeral for a Friend announced that they will play three intimate shows around the UK this November, to give their fans the first chance to see the new line-up performing brand new material, at smaller venues than they would ordinarily play at. Mike Jones, national concert promoter for SUB91 said:

‘It is our honour to bring Funeral for a Friend in to Leicester. When a band like this plays a venue of our size, we know it’s going to be a good night. It’s really one for the fans! It’s not every day you get to see a band like Funeral for a Friend in such an intimate room, and it makes for a pretty special event! I can’t wait to see how it all goes down.’

Tickets are on a first come, first served basis and are guaranteed to sell out in advance. Fans are urged to buy early to avoid disappointment. With only three UK dates announced, fans will be flocking to see FFAF from miles around.

So far tickets have been going like the veritable hot-cake so hopefully a sign of things to come in Leicester!

Tix can be purchased from:

www.sub91.com

www.seetickets.com

Rock-a-boom Records, Leicester: 0116 253 8293

Walkabout, Leicester: 0116 251 5816

SUB91:  30-32 Granby Street, Leicester, LE1 2DE

From Saturday 28 to late on Monday 30 August, venues taking part in the Fringe will be buzzing with the sounds of the best up and coming Liverpool bands.  From all day gigs at the Zanzibar and Heebie Jeebies on Seel Street, acoustic sessions at the world famous Parr Street Studio 2 to music and film with Urban Strawberry Lunch in St Luke’s bombed out church.

And if seeing the latest acts live isn’t enough, all the venues will be giving away a special limited edition Fringe CD containing 20 tracks by the city’s most talked about acts including The Delta Fiasco, Wave Machines, The Bo Weevils and Slopes.

Organisers are also setting creative festival-goers a cinematic challenge – 48 hours to script, shoot and edit a film capturing the spirit of the Fringe Festival and four other elements which will be revealed on Sunday 29 August. To scoop the £250 prize, interested filmmakers should meet at the café in FACT at 11am on the Sunday.

Anyone taking part in the 48-hour film challenge must return their completed films (in DVD format) to FACT by 11am on Tuesday 31 August.

Judges from FACT, North West Vision and Media, Canvas and Mathew Street Fringe will judge each entry and the winner will be announced on Saturday 5 September and all the films will be shown in the Box from midday.

For more information, please email 48hour@creativeuniverse.co.uk or go to www.mathewstreetfringe.com.

Keep up to date with all the goings on:

Twitter – http://twitter.com/MatStreetFringe

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=20243778753&ref=ts

Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/themathewstreetfringefestival

Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/mathewstreetfringe

The Fringe festival is funded by ERDF (European Regional Development Fund)

Miss England 2010 is taking place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole (at the
NEC) over a two‐days period on the 31st August & 1st September. The event is being held as a fast moving fashion show‐style Red Carpet event, and winners will be modelling Wizard Jeans, designer eveningwear and cocktail dresses. Not only that but this year the Miss England contest has banned the swimsuit round and instead will be featuring sportswear as part of a plan to promote a healthier lifestyle and body image for women.

So, to celebrate, here’s a little bit more about the contestants in our area:

Miss Birmingham:

Kerry Price, 23, insurance advisor, has performed a 14,000ft skydive!

Miss Nottingham:

Jessica Linley, 20, Nottingham Uni Law Student, on the University debate team!

Miss Leeds:

Katie Farr, 23, Political Studies graduate, she’s a keen kickboxer!

Miss Manchester:

Elicia Davies, 22, Drama Graduate from Manchester Met Uni, works for Selfridges!

Miss Leicester:

Elki Parmar, has just completed an Art and Design foundation course at De Montfort University and hopes to progress further with her degree after her gap year!

Miss Coventry:

Kirstie Logan, 19, English and French graduate, Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferer and aims to set up a charity for youngsters with the same condition.

The ultimate winner of Miss England 2010 will win a place in the 60th Miss
World final with the chance to win $100,000

This 3 day festival of far-out fuzz and fun is happening over August bank holiday at the Firebug in Leicester, perfect for getting hot and bothered to a host of unruly and rulin’ bands and rowdy record wranglers. With the guys from Biff Bang Pow bringing the left-field indie and garage, and the girls from The Lava Lounge bringing the rock’n’roll and trash, this festival is an exciting mix of the finest vintage and new sounds!

Friday 27th (8pm-4am) sees the folks from the Biff Bang Pow club spinning up the soul, psyche, 60s garage, funk and left field indie, whilst the stage will be swinging to the hip sounds of:
THE SEE SEE / WE THREE & THE DEATH RATTLE / JAMIE SAYS / KICK IN THE EYE
Saturday 28th (8pm-4am) is helmed by the Lava Lounge who’ll be twistin’ and shakin’ ‘till late to wild R&B, sloppy soul, Rock n roll, garage, punk, surf, beat & other choice tunes, with four riotous live bands:
KING SALAMI and the CUMBERLAND THREE / THE HANDSOME DICKS /
THE DESPONDENTS / THE NO-BRAINERS
Sunday 29th (1pm-6pm) is a child-friendly affair with a record fair & retro market, fantastic fete with foolish games, beer garden BBQ & bands:
THE LONELY TOURIST / PLAYER PIANO / CHRIS OLLEY / CHARLES RANDOLPH RIVERS SLIM RYTHM REVUE
As well as the superb:
DJ WHEELIEBAG
Sunday 29th (7pm-3am) will be an adult aural blowout including:
DAVID PETER AND THE WILDE SECT / THEE VICARS / THEE LUDDS / DAYLIGHT FREQUENCIES / THE VITAMIN SEES
With DJs across 2 rooms, more fun, drinking, merriment, stupidity, thrills and wild dancing! A real blow-out finale…you’ll be stirred, shaken and stimulated! NOT TO BE MISSED!!! And remember, you’re not at work on Monday so it’s going to be a real party! Come down and LOSE YOUR COOL!

And even though Englebert will NOT be playing, It’s the hippest, hottest happening Leicester has ever seen! Hurry, there’s only a few tickets left
Advance price for each day is £5 or £10 for a weekend pass, available from We Got Tickets: Lose Your Cool!
All festival profits go to Macmillan Cancer Support and Alzheimer’s Society.

Based on Lloyd Street in Manchester’s city centre, the fresh fish and seafood restaurant wants diners to decide how delicious the LIVEBAIT menu is, and settle the bill on their terms.

Ellen O’Donnell, General Manager at LIVEBAIT Manchester says:  “We pride ourselves on offering the very best quality seafood, which is ethically sourced and fully sustainable but we’re always working to make sure our menus are exactly how our customers want them to be. We’re keen to hear customers’ feedback on the menu in terms of value, variety and quality. So what better way to achieve this than by running a pay-what-you-think it’s worth offer?

“We’ll be listening carefully to feedback and observing diners’ reactions to ensure our menu combinations are hitting the right notes, as well as getting their advice on how we can develop our current menu to include favourite dishes or specials.”

So if you know your plaice from your pollock and your crab from your cod. Or if you simply know what you like, why not pop down?

*The pay-what-you-think menu will encompass all main dishes and shellfish from the a la carte menu served all day on Wednesday 1^st September.

LIVEBAIT MANCHESTER: 22 Lloyd Street, Manchester M2 5WA,

Tel: 0161 817 4110
Email: lbmanchester@paramountrestaurants.co.uk

Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri: 12.00pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 12.00pm – 11.00pm
Sun: 12.00pm – 9.00pm

www.livebaitrestaurants.co.uk

Brides and grooms planning their wedding in 2011 are invited to a free open day on Bank Holiday Monday August 30 at the beautiful Leicestershire country estate venue Friar’s Well Estate.

The Leicestershire wedding and event organiser Stones Events are inviting couples to visit the new and exclusive venue Friar’s Well at Wartnaby, near Melton Mowbray. Brides and grooms will sample the venue, food and drinks, and to meet Stones Events’ partner suppliers who provide everything from luxury cars to ice sculptures (I know! Wow, right?) and live music. Local businesses taking part include New World Forest, Darren Cresswell Photography, Lumbers Jewellers, Connisseur Cars, Adam Thomas and Christopher Scotney.

The 2,000 acres of Leicestershire countryside, five minutes’ walk from a 13^th Century church, is an ideal setting for a dream wedding.

Tom Goodwin, managing director of Stones Events said,

“The two big trends in fashionable weddings are for vintage themes and for very modern looks, both of which Friars Well is ideally suited to as couples can make it very much their very own venue and decide how it will look for them.”

The Open Day is from 10am to 5pm at Friar’s Well Estate, Wartnaby, Leicestershire LE14 3HY. For details contact Gemma Guttridge at Stones Events on 0845 370 47777 or email gemma@stonesevents.co.uk

The Wedding Fayre will feature an exciting mix of wedding suppliers located throughout the whole centre. In addition a wedding reception is being held at the Radisson Blu hotel where canapés and champagne will be served to visitors.

A sensational bridal show is set to be the icing on the cake for this event, hosted by style guru Bradley Taylor, who has worked in the fashion industry as a Celebrity Stylist for over nine years. The bridal show will run three times a day and will feature stunning dresses from Forevermore Bridalwear. Brad will also be on hand to offer invaluable fashion and styling advice.

The event is a perfect day out for brides and grooms to be who are seeking inspiration for their own wedding, with free goody bags for all visitors, live music and an amazing free prize draw to win a selection of wedding accessories and services. The prize draw can be entered by filling in an entry form on the day at The Light and one very lucky bride or groom-to-be will win:
£500 towards a wedding dress at Forevermore
Bridalwear, £250 wedding ring gift voucher from
Phillip Stoner the Jeweller, a complimentary
engagement shoot & £50 of gift vouchers for Cat
Hepple Photography, His and Hers bath robes
& 20% off your wedding courtesy of the Radisson
Blu, 2-4-1 on Hatton Wedding Carriages,
His & Hers complimentary vouchers for free
travel vaccines courtesy of One Medicare and
a £500 venture photography session.

Wowsers! Worth in excess of £3,000 this enormous prize is bound to make the bride blush with pleasure.

www.thelightleeds.co.uk

The Light, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 8TL

James will be guest celebrity chef at the festival launch day on Sunday 12^th September in the Liverpool’s Sefton Park, where over 80 of the city’s top bars and restaurants will be showcasing their culinary delights alongside specialist food and drink producers.

On the Sunday, James will tour the festival site, meeting exhibitors and fans alike, before joining an impressive line-up of national and regional chefs in the festival’s Cookery Theatre, where he will show festival-goers how to prepare original dishes with locally-sourced produce and top quality ingredients – live on stage.

Organised for the third year by Liverpool-based event management company, SK Events, the Food & Drink festival has grown to be a jewel in the city’s crown of large-scale events, generating national media attention with the quality of the event and calibre of its participants and exhibitors.

Denise Harris, Director of SK Events said:
“ We are delighted that James will be joining us on launch day and his involvement adds to the credibility of this popular event. With new additions to the festival this year like The Noble House’s VIP Champagne bar, and specialist masterclasses being run by our own city’s experts including The Chocolate Cellar, Liverpool Cheese Company, Olives & Oil by Delifonseca, Broughs Butcher’s Sausage Making and The Liverpool One Brewery Company, this year’s festival message is all about communicating to festival-goers and the wider City Region just how high the standard of the food and drink offer is within our city.”

Sunday’s launch day is followed by a week’s programme of themed days and events taking place in participating bars and restaurants around Liverpool, supporting the message of 2010’s Year of Health and Wellbeing.

A full calendar of events and activities can be found on the festival website  www.liverpoolfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk