Friday 16 January

New Jazz 5

Darius Brubeck Quartet

Darius Brubeck on piano, Paul Greenwood on tenor saxophone, Matt Ridley on bass, Wesley Gibbens on drums

During the 1970’s, Darius Brubeck led his own groups, played with Don McLean and toured the world with ‘Two Generations of Brubeck’ and ‘The New Brubeck Quartet’ with his famous father Dave. South Africa became Darius’s focus from 1983, where he joined the leading band ‘Afro Cool Concept’, toured extensively for 16 years and celebrated 10 years of democracy in South Africa with a series of concerts in Europe and the USA. Darius, Matt and Wesley have been together for a couple of years and appear on the new album launched in late 2008. Darius Brubeck’s bands always offer a varied programme with originals, standards and a taste of South African jazz.

Friday 23 January

The Very Best of Thin Lizzy. Roisin Dubh: The Spirit Of The Black Rose Tour 2009

Limehouse Lizzy

Renowned for an action-packed explosion of a show, Limehouse Lizzy continue to keep the spirit of Celtic rock icon Philip Lynott and his band Thin Lizzy alive, well and dominating stages worldwide. Attention to detail, playful audience interaction and that all important X-factor have led to their performance being described as “beyond tribute”, by both audience and critics alike. It also led to an appearance on an episode of BBC2’s ‘Arena’ documentary series in 2007.

If you’re sceptical about tribute acts, you won’t be after seeing Limehouse Lizzy Radio Times

www.limehouselizzy.com

Saturday 24 January

All The Thoughts I've Had Since I Was Born

Mark Watson

In 2008, Mark Watson won Best Show at the Adelaide and Sydney Comedy Festivals, completed a 100-date tour of the UK, Australia and New Zealand, recorded the second series of his cult Radio 4 show Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better, trained as a climate change lecturer under Al Gore, performed another 24-hour show, published his third book, Crap At The Environment and continued his regular appearances on the likes of BBC2’s Mock The Week.

He is one of Britain’s most talked about comedians, but also, is quite tired and a bit stressed. He returns to the road with a brand new show where he describes his attempts to reclaim his sanity.

The highest achiever Edinburgh has seen this decade, he stands out as Peter Cook or John Cleese must have done The Times

www.markwatsonthecomedian.com

Sunday 25 January

Lincolnshire Philharmonia

Lincolnshire Philharmonia is the orchestra of RAF Cranwell and is made up of a mixture of professional RAF musicians as well as civilian teachers, students and amateur players from all over Lincolnshire. Founded by former RAF musician Malcolm Goodman, who is still very involved with the orchestra, the Lincolnshire Philharmonia gives regular concerts in Lincoln, Grantham and Cranwell’s Whittle Hall.

Monday 26 January

World Cinema Obsessions.

(1985) 115 mins (15)

A Zed and Two Noughts

Our new World Cinema series runs until the end of March on alternate Mondays. Each fortnight we’ll begin with one or two short films or animations, then have a break for drinks and then screen the main feature at approximately 7.45pm after a short introduction. After the film, there will be the opportunity to talk about the film over drinks at the Green Dragon.

This season we focus on the theme of obsessions and kick off with Peter Greenaway’s extraordinary film in which two men become obsessed with an accident and soon begin experimenting with the time-lapse aesthetics of decay. This is a visceral and cerebral treat, as dead animals decompose to the frenetic rhythms of Michael Nyman, and symmetry is elevated beyond obsession.

Thursday 29 January

4Front Performance Company

J, D and Coke

In the late 1970’s, cocaine culture grew in nightclubs and party scenes across the UK. ‘Coke’ was imported and supplied by organised crime gangs who glamorized the seedy underworld in which they operated. The flamboyant society in which the drugs flourished were ignorant to the violence, intimidation and murder carried out to supply the demand. As the battle on drugs intensified the stakes grew higher for both the police and the criminals involved.

In a disused warehouse, a hostage, a gangster and a new recruit will all have to make choices which could either keep them alive or ultimately seal their doom.

J, D and Coke, explores the choices we make when under extreme stress and the consequences of those actions. The play is presented by 4Front, a new Lincoln company that has emerged from the University of Lincoln, committed to staging new & challenging plays.

Please note: this will play will last just under an hour and is not suitable for those aged under 14

Friday 30 January

Literature at Lunchtime

A Celebration of Robert Burns

A Celebration of Robert Burns A special lecture by Dr Jane Mackay to explain why people the world over, not just Scots, adore this man. But, wasn’t he a drunken reprobate? Well, no! In his short life of 37 years Burns rescued and transformed the entire Scottish folk tradition. His stance for democracy, his love of freedom, his huge humanity are part of the reason that there will be ‘Burns Suppers’ all over the world, from Florida to Russia. Come and find out why this man, born in 1759, is still so loved and honoured.

Saturday 31 January

Indefinite Articles

Claytime: A Play with Clay

We invite you to a place where the earth’s natural material meets with children’s imaginations: a world of fabulous forms, amazing animals and morphing monsters! Each Claytime is totally unique – creating its own world, its own characters and its own stories drawn directly from the participation of its young audience. Truly interactive theatre at its most engaging. This show is made with and for 3 to 6 year olds.

This is a delightful show that engages the audience directly in its story telling and the use of clay. At the Mercury Theatre, parents and older children as well as the very young seized the chance to participate. Adrian Stokes Mercury Theatre, Colchester