Centre Stage 2012 - Still time to register

Sarah an Michelle

The Centre Stage launch was held on the 24th November at the O2 Academy (Leeds). Sarah Smith, the organiser, welcomed us all and explained about the work they do for Martin House Children's Hospice. This years fund raising will be for the Team Lounge. This is set up as a place where very ill teenagers can be teenagers! She also said there is still time to register until February for any bands who wish to take part in this great competition. The heats to be held at The Wardrobe, Leeds from the 16th to the 19th April with the final being held at the O2 Academy on the 17th July. The successful band will go on to play at the Leeds and Reading Festivals at August bank holiday plus £1000 worth of musical equipment & other exiting experiences.
Traffic Wire then entertained us with their usual excellent performance.

On the main stage we were royally entertained by last years winners, the Mexanines who were supporting the headline band The Pigeon Detectives. The Mexanines Elliot Roper said of the competition " Entering Centre Stage 2011 and playing Leeds Festival was a massive thing for us- it opened so many doors for us to reach that next step. It's a brilliant cause and we  would urge every band to enter"
You can contact Sarah Smith - the Organiser at ssmith@martinhouse.org.uk or on 01937 844569 to sign up and at the same time support this very worthy cause.
Denis, Yorkshire Gig Guide

AUTISM SPECTRUM BAND SKILLS CLUB starting at Factory Street...

Hi Yorkshire Gig Guide, Following on from a successful pilot course we are pleased to be able to roll this out. Future programmes include school holiday courses and Saturday morning clubs.
AUTISM SPECTRUM BAND SKILLS CLUB
The group is for young people aged 8-16 with Aspergers, Autism or a social-emotional delay. Group members will form a band, learn to play an instrument and will have their song professionally recorded and copied onto a CD. Some broad aims for the group beyond the musical aspects are: increase confidence, find new ways to express emotions, be better able to understand other’s emotions and to increase social awareness and social skills. The CRB checked staff who run the group are all experienced both in running groups for young people as well as music professionals. Please share with anyone this may interest.
Further information and to register your interest please contact Amy on amy@factorystreet.co.uk
Best Wishes, From The Team
Factory Street Studios, 9 Factory Street, Bradford BD4 9NW 01274 682125 www.factorystreet.co.uk

Fantastic covers and groundbreaking original material is what you can expect from the immense lineup we have for you at the November Crown of Lights Band Night

Join our party!

Hello again YorkshireGigGuide!
Fantastic covers and groundbreaking original material is what you can expect from the immense lineup we have for you at the November Crown of Lights Band Night. We have two bands new to the Comrades (though with some familiar faces in and amongst), and the triumphant return of one of the best bands ever to grace our stage, and all of this is tied together by one of the most well known and loved acoustic artists the area has to offer. Here's the lineup.....
First up for the bands will be the debut performance of RAMSHANK. This 4 piece rock covers band from Huddersfield will mesmerise us with a set from the 70's to present day that could melt your face or warm your heart!
Next up will be the enigmatically named COSMIC BADGER. This young band from Wakefield are a relatively new outfit, but with some familiar faces to Crown of Lights regulars. Citing influences from Arctic Monkeys, The Beatles, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Oasis and The Libertines, they will deliver gives us an eclectic mix of covers from the 60's to the current charts, done in their own way.
Our very small part of the world is very lucky to have a crop of hugely talented and groundbreaking bands who stand out from the rest and have been dubbed 'superbands'. The likes of Commonside, The Dirty Vinyls, The Blister Factory and Britrocks all fall into that category. The last band performing for us tonight is one of the cream of that crop, the mighty LITTLE VEGAS LIES. With a new EP shortly to be released, the lads will showcase their own brand of Brit-rock, inspired by a strong heritage of British Rock bands like the Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppellin, The Stone Roses, Oasis and The Manic Street Preachers. Not to be missed!
Our acoustic artist for the night playing between bands is cut from the same stone, being the frontman for the awesome Commonside. Andy Cartwright will go solo for the night and bring us acoustic favourites from his band and more. Anything could happen!
So, a fantastic lineup which would not be out of place at much bigger events costing the earth to see. Yet, we bring you all of this for FREE!!!!. Yes, entry is free, the beer is cheap and the venue awesome and family friendly with a fantastic atmosphere. It's great night out, so I'll see you there :)
Pete
The Comrades Club
Regent Street
Heckmondwike
West Yorks WF16 0HD - 01924 403672 
Friday 18th NovemberDoors open 8pm  Free Entry!