Swing 26 – Saturday 20th June

Filed under music

WI Hall, Lower Lane, Chinley SK23 6BD – visit the Tickets page for more information

Matthew Compton (accordion), Ken Marley (double bass), Paul Hartley (guitar) and Julian Gregory (violin) have played together as an ensemble over many years, developing a musical telepathy that’s hard to create any other way. The sense of ‘group’ in this format transcends the term ‘group’ – it’s about harmony, communication, and above all, joy in the music.
With violin, accordion, double bass and guitar, the band have access to music from across the world in many styles, in a close-knit and reactive way the instruments converse, take flights of fancy and each player responds as if of the same mind. Expect everything from the Hot Club de France to the bothys of County Kerry or the barns of Shetland; from Brahms’ take on Hungarian dances to the real thing. Songs from Broadway, songs from the smoky jazz clubs of New Orleans, virtuoso fireworks and plenty of well-loved, familiar tunes. The band dubs itself ‘Swing ’26’ – next year it will be ‘Swing 27’. Don’t miss them before they’re gone.

Licensed bar.

Charlie Moritz & Friends – New album launch

Filed under music, past events

“Seeking Connection”

This is going to be the first live gig in the brand new rebuilt Chinley Community Centre. The gig also marks the revival of Blackbrook Valley Arts which pre-Covid brought a procession of really top class live music acts to Chinley.

Talented singer-songwriter and guitarist Charlie Moritz is by now a well-known face on stages all around the Peak District as well as further afield in the North West. In January 2024, against stiff, nationwide competition he was among the musicians chosen to attend national centre for the folk arts Halsway Manor’s prestigious Open House week. Having recently played successful gigs in Buxton Festival Fringe for the second year running, Charlie is delighted to be invited by Blackbrook Valley Arts to offer a launch of his brand new album ‘Seeking Connection’. Ably supported by gifted musician friends, Stuart Bootle (piano) and Tim Walsham (Chapman Stick), his wide-ranging repertoire of self-penned songs, along with a few well chosen covers, is destined to offer a really engaging, tuneful evening. Proceeds from the gig will be donated to the charity War Child.

At the Chinley Community Centre (SK23 6BE) on Saturday 18 October 2025.

Doors open at 7:00pm. Performance starts at 7:30pm.
Tickets £12 from Chinley Post Office, Chinley Co-op and online at https://wegottickets.com/event/674742.

Licensed bar with real ale, wine and soft drinks. Hot drinks are also available. Disabled access.

4Square in Concert

Filed under music, past events

4Square, Manchester’s prodigious folk foursome, brings sizeable skills, gorgeous three part harmonies, and endlessly inventive arrangements to their fiery and virtuosic brand of folk-fusion.

The show will bring exciting and entertaining folk and acoustic music featuring:

  • The spectacle of simultaneous fiddle playing and clog dancing;
  • Inventive arrangements;
  • Plenty of audience interaction.

Now in their 11th year of wowing audiences and winning fans at venues and festivals all over Europe.

Mike Harding on BBC Radio Folk Show said “A great band! Totally joyful playing guaranteed to cheer all but the most curmudgeonly up. Four great musicians at the top of their trade. Brilliant stuff.”

“Infectiously, ever accessibly, they fuse elements of folk, rock, Latin and jazz into tight rhythmic structures over which their strings dance some magical patterns.” Living Tradition

Find out more on their website at www.4squaremusic.co.uk.

At the Chinley Community Centre (SK23 6BE) on Saturday 4 April 2020.

Doors open at 7:30pm. Performance starts at 8:00pm.
Tickets £10 from Parmar’s Newsagents, Lower Lane, Chinley and online at https://www.wegottickets.com/event/498366

Licensed bar with real ale, wine and soft drinks. Hot drinks are also available. Disabled access.