SOUTHAMPTON YMCA celebrate 125 years in the city with an Open Day on Wednesday September 24.   Their premises in Cranbury Place will be open to the public between 10am and 3pm, when members of staff will be on hand to welcome VIP guests and provide information on the work of the YMCA.
An official opening ceremony by the Mayor, Councillor Parvin Damani, will be followed by a short welcoming speech by YMCA Chief Executive Tony  Frowd. Exhibitions will portray the history of the YMCA in Southampton and their current contribution to the fabric of the city.   There will also be the chance to meet YMCA residents, seek sports and nutrition advice from Andre Fergus and watch or take part in a musical talent show between noon and 3pm, during which time a free buffet/barbecue lunch will be served.
The talent show will be judged by a panel of celebrity guests including former Brotherhood Of Man singer Barry Upton.  Also a top record producer and songwriter, Barry knows all about talent spotting, having created Steps, and has worked with many other stars including Dollar, Sonia and Shane Richie.  Fellow judge Chris Barfoot, President of Anglo American Pictures, is an award-winning film director who has also worked with Shane Richie and many other celebrities including Prunella Scales and The Artful Dodger’s Mark Hill.
Also on the panel of judges is young Southampton-based musician and composer, Stephen Keith.  Co-writer of Gareth Gates’  latest smash hit  single "Sunshine," Stephen is also a member of UK hip-hop band The Pickpockets who have just finished a tour with Ice T and who are currently negotiating a contract with a major record company.   Completing the panel is glamorous model Kylie Perry, from Hedge End, who has just won the title of Miss Southampton.  Kylie who is with the Modelhub Agency, will be representing the city at the Miss England Finals in London  next month.
All are welcome to attend the open day. Entrants to the talent contest are asked to contact the Housing Office on 02380 221202; more information on the Open Day  is available on the same number.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

       More blues news - Winchester’s Tower Arts Centre will be featuring The Black Cat Blues Club once a month during their autumn season. Tuesday is the day beginning with Memo Gonzales & The Bluescasters on September 30. October 21 showcases Sonny Black & The Dukes, with The Bruce Katz Band from Boston USA on November 18. There will be full details of the new season in an article in next month’s Playing Out Loud. If you can’t wait that long ring 01962 867986 and ask for their glossy brochure or have a look at www.tower arts.co.uk.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)

       Fans of Dennis Locorriere will be delighted to hear that Dennis is touring solo again during October and November with a number of dates across the South.  
The man who gave Dr Hook their distinctive sound with his golden voice is at his best as a one-man show; his guitar-playing at his concert at Eastleigh’s Point venue as part of Eastleigh Summer Festival was revelatory.  The full list of Dennis dates is as follows:

OCTOBER:
Fri 3rd - Rivermead Complex, Reading
Sat 4th - St Georges Hall, Bradford
Sun 5th - Cheltenham Town Hall
Fri 10th - Cresset Theatre, Peterborough
Sat 11th - Regal Theatre, Worksop
Mon 13th - Beaufort Theatre
Wed 15th - Orchard Theatre, Dartford
Thu 16h - North Wales Theatre, Rhyl
Fri 17th - The Civic, Guildford
Sat 25th - Winter Gardens, Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Wed 29th - Shrewsbury Music Hall
Fri 31st - Angel Theatre, Woodbridge
NOVEMBER:
Sat 1st - Memorial Theatre, Frome
Fri 7th - Octagon Theatre, Yeovil
Sat 8th - The Civic, Winsford
Sun 9th - Billingham Forum
Wed 12th - Palace Theatre, Southend
Fri 14th - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
Thu 27th - Plaza Theatre, Stockport
Fri 28th - Pacific Arts Centre, Birkenhead

See also www.dennislocorriere.com for more info and some great sound bites.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)