A what's on guide to the Leicester and Leicestershire shows. concerts, theatre and music scene in 2008

Shows, music, plays, dance, concerts, gigs, exhibitions, visual arts and festivals in Leicester and Leicestershire - your best guide to what's on at smaller venues.

See our listing below for specific dates; otherwise check the following pages for types of live music and show guides

Rock music gigs | Acoustic, jazz, blues and open mic nights | Karoke and open mic nights | Classical Music | Acoustics and solo singers

What's coming up in 2009? Our new page on next year's Arts

We have started a new page, listing singers, soloists and acoustic artists in Leicester/shire.

Hip hop/Dub/R&B Editor

We are looking to recruit a voluntary content editor to cover hip hop, dub and R&N in Leicester. If you know a lot about this style of music locally please contact us about submitting information by email.

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Big venues

Big venues all have their own websites with full listings

Curve - first show on 4th December - see below.

The De Montfort Hall

Loughborough Town Hall

The list below is for any type of entertainment event, poetry readings, exhibitions, installations or classical music concerts

For venues and theatre addresses click here. | Check out our Leicester Bands page.

Venues + Promoters

Organisers: send us details of your event.

If you want your event listed right away, use our EXPRESS LISTINGS service.

Want to go to a rock gig? See our Leicester Rock Gigs listing

Date 2008	Show
Now	If you want your event listed right away, use our EXPRESS LISTINGS service.
Friday 15th August	ACOUSTICS AT THE SHED Singers, duos and acoustic band sets in the lower bar of the shed. Doors open 7.30 p.m. £5 entry.
Saturday 16th August	OUT OF KARMA – 8.30pm - £3 www.myspace.com/josephmacwan Donkey favourites, OUT OF KARMA, bringing cool vibes and some of the most soulful live music happening in the county at the moment. At the Donkey
SATURDAY 16th August	PAVILION ACOUSTICS COMPETITION GRAND FINAL of the competition for singers, sponsored by Silver Bullet Promotions, Arts in Leicestershire, Connexions, Leicester Vocal Tech and the Convolution Rooms. For details see our Acoustics page Free entry. Doors open at 7 p.m. The Pavilion Venue, Victoria Park, London Road, Leicester
Sunday 17th August	JOHN BUTLER & RICK WILLSON – 3 – 6PM – FREE The return of the legendary John & Rick from Diesel Park West. 2 voices + 2 acoustic guitars = 1 big sound!! Classic rock songs from The Stones to Moby Grape with a few DPW songs thrown in from this ridiculously talented pair. Expect a full house (or yard!) At the Donkey
Wednesday 20th August	DON QUIXOTE – 8.30pm - FREE – The mic is OPEN!! Calling all budding and established singer/songwriters/musicians/performers. PAULA DRIVER runs this popular night of unplanned live music every Wednesday night!! To perform there just turn up on the night and book a slot. At the Donkey
Friday 22nd August	ACOUSTICS AT THE SHED Dave Voss + Bryn Jones + Oli Steptoo Singers, duos and acoustic band sets in the lower bar of the shed. Doors open 7.30 p.m. £5 entry.
Sunday 24th August	THE SOULMEN – 3 – 6pm – FREE MR SOULMAN himself, Hubert, along with the cream of Leicester soul and funk musicians, performing soul classics. Fun time at The Donkey! At the Donkey
Sunday 24th August	ENDERBY CHARITY EVENT in aid of Rainbows Children's Hospice Doors open Midday, playing on stage until 6.30pm followed by ‘jamming' session in the bar until close. The Nags Head 41, Cross Street, Enderby, Leicestershire, LE 19 4NJ. Six bands shall be performing on stage in the garden: Pluto – Groove Religion – The Falling Leaves Hazardous Material – The Up Beatles – Propshaft Live ‘jamming' session open to all musicians. Visit us at: http://thenagshead.org/livemusicday.aspx
Wednesday 27th August	DON QUIXOTE – 8.30pm - FREE – The mic is OPEN!! Calling all budding and established singer/songwriters/musicians/performers. PAULA DRIVER runs this popular night of unplanned live music every Wednesday night!! To perform there just turn up on the night and book a slot. At the Donkey
Friday 29th August	ACOUSTICS AT THE SHED Chris Armson Singers, duos and acoustic band sets in the lower bar of the shed. Doors open 7.30 p.m. £5 entry.
Saturday 30th August	AUGUST 30 th – Richy Sampsons DRIFTERS REVUE!! – plus support - 8.30PM - £8 Adv. /£10 door This event has been cancelled.
Monday 1st September	CITY ACOUSTIC CLUB Musician Open Stage FREE open mic session every Monday Electric and Acoustic BANDS welcome (drums and backline provided) At least 4 acts from the open stage nights will be selected to play SUMMER SUNDAE FESTIVAL 2009 The Musician Pub
Monday 8th September	CITY ACOUSTIC CLUB Musician Open Stage FREE open mic session every Monday Electric and Acoustic BANDS welcome (drums and backline provided) At least 4 acts from the open stage nights will be selected to play SUMMER SUNDAE FESTIVAL 2009 The Musician Pub
Friday 12th September	ACOUSTICS AT THE SHED Singers, duos and acoustic band sets in the lower bar of the shed. Doors open 7.30 p.m. £5 entry.
Monday 15th September	CITY ACOUSTIC CLUB Musician Open Stage FREE open mic session every Monday Electric and Acoustic BANDS welcome (drums and backline provided) At least 4 acts from the open stage nights will be selected to play SUMMER SUNDAE FESTIVAL 2009 The Musician Pub
Friday 19th September	ACOUSTICS COMPETITION at the Harrow Inn, Melton Road, Thurmaston (The Home of the Glastonbudget Festival) Acoustic Championship with cash prize, trophy, paid gigs and a slot at the Glastonbudget festival 2009. Doors open 7.30 p.m. Free entry. Singers wanted. Phone 07971 428 613
SUNDAY 21st September	ACOUSTICS AT THE SHED Singers, duos and acoustic band sets in the lower bar of the shed. Doors open 7.30 p.m. £5 entry.
Monday 23rd September	CITY ACOUSTIC CLUB Musician Open Stage FREE open mic session every Monday Electric and Acoustic BANDS welcome (drums and backline provided) At least 4 acts from the open stage nights will be selected to play SUMMER SUNDAE FESTIVAL 2009 The Musician Pub
Friday 26th Septmember	ACOUSTICS COMPETITION at the harrow Inn, Melton Road, Thurmaston (The Home of the Glastonbudget Festival) Acoustic Championship with cash prize, trophy, paid gigs and a slot at the Glastonbudget festival 2009. Doors open 7.30 p.m. Free entry. Singers wanted. Phone 07971 428 613
Monday 29th September	CITY ACOUSTIC CLUB Musician Open Stage FREE open mic session every Monday Electric and Acoustic BANDS welcome (drums and backline provided) At least 4 acts from the open stage nights will be selected to play SUMMER SUNDAE FESTIVAL 2009 The Musician Pub
Thursday 2nd October	The Y Theatre Thu 2 October 8pm. £12 / £10 conc Phil McIntyre Entertainment present Jason Manford The multi-award winning Comedian and star of 8 Out of 10 Cats , Live at the Apollo and XFM , brings his first live national tour to The Y. Naturally funny, he is a master of observational comedy and has a genuine respect for the old comedy greats. Don't miss this exciting and hilarious show. *“Very funny”* Peter Kay *Hilarious”* Johnny Vegas The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y
Friday 3rd October	ACOUSTICS COMPETITION at the Harrow Inn, Melton Road, Thurmaston (The Home of the Glastonbudget Festival) Acoustic Championship with cash prize, trophy, paid gigs and a slot at the Glastonbudget festival 2009. Doors open 7.30 p.m. Free entry. Singers wanted. Phone 07971 428 613
Friday 10th October	ACOUSTICS COMPETITION at the Harrow Inn, Melton Road, Thurmaston (The Home of the Glastonbudget Festival) Acoustic Championship with cash prize, trophy, paid gigs and a slot at the Glastonbudget festival 2009. Doors open 7.30 p.m. Free entry. Singers wanted. Phone 07971 428 613
Saturday 11th October	The Y Theatre Sat 11 October 8pm. £7 / £5 conc / £3.50 performer The Y and Nu Century Arts present Live Box: Zhenya Strigalev with Cherry Grand Moth Zhenya Strigalev (saxophone), Mike Janisch (double bass/bass guitar), to be announced (drums). This high energy trio play Zhenya Strigalev originals – a mixture of fusion, jazz and funk producing unpretentious, accessible, bright but funky tunes. Zhenya is a superb Russian fusion saxophonist. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, he is gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting alto saxophonists in London . *"Russian sax demon"* Time Out An open mic jam session follows giving audience members the opportunity to jam with Cherry Grand Moth on stage. Previous Live Box ‘jammers' have included vocalists, a rapper, performance poets, a drummer and a tin whistle player! *“The jam session went beyond the usual standards without becoming self-indulgent free jazz.”* Leicester Mercury www.myspace.com/zhenyastrigalev The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y
Friday 17th October	The Y Theatre The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y Fri 17 October 8pm. £11 / £9 conc Da Comedy Room present Mek Mi Laugh Da Comedy Room returns for another evening of great British comedy. Heading the bill is Toju , star of Channel 4's hit comedy series Balls of Steel. The ‘hip-hop impressionist' skilfully blends impersonations drawn from rap and music culture with his uncompromising brand of stand-up. Also performing is the talented impressionist and impressive beatboxer Stefano Paolini plus Roger Dee alongside your host for the evening, naughty but nice Special P Fredricks . Suitable for 18+
Friday 17th October	ACOUSTICS COMPETITION SEMI-FINAL at the Harrow Inn, Melton Road, Thurmaston (The Home of the Glastonbudget Festival) Acoustic Championship with cash prize, trophy, paid gigs and a slot at the Glastonbudget festival 2009. Doors open 7.30 p.m. Free entry.
Saturday 18th October	THE JONI MITCHELL PROJECT – 8.30pm - £5 SALLY BARKER & GLENN HUGHES team up again to give us an extraordinary rendition of the works of JONI MITCHELL!! If you were there the last time you will know how absolutely true to detail these songs turned out. Top class stuff. Book early for this one! the SongClub & DONKEY EVENTS THE DONKEY, 203 Welford Rd Leicester, LE2 6BH tel: 0116 2705042 www.myspace.com/thedonkeybar www.myspace.com/thesongclub
Wednesday 22nd October	The Y Theatre The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y Wed 22 October 8pm. £12 / £10 conc Paramount Comedy and Avalon Promotions Ltd present Edinburgh & Beyond 2008 sponsored by Magners Irish Cider Fresh from their Edinburgh Festival shows, four of Britain 's finest comic talents come together for the must-see tour of the year. Glenn Wool , star of 8 Out Of 10 Cats headlines the show, which is hosted by the shambolic genius, Dan Atkinson . Also performing is the Peep Show 's, Isy Suttie whose bizarre characters and songs combined with her charming style mark her out as one of the most original female acts on the circuit and the hotly tipped new face of the UK Comedy scene plus Hackney Empire New Act Winner, Joe Wilkinson . This is one line-up you can't afford to miss
Thursday 23rd October	The Y Theatre The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y Thu 23 October 1pm. £6 Adult / 4.50 Child Babbling Vagabonds present HALF TERM Hansel and Gretel A shadow puppet adventure for children aged 3 - 11 years (and grown-ups too). A bright light shines on a screen. Birds sing, leaves rustle in the wind, we're in a forest and a story has begun. Lights flicker and shadows move to specially composed music, as theatrical magic tells the ever popular story of two brave children and a house of gingerbread. The performance is followed by a 15 minute Question & Answer session where the company share their magical tricks and show the simple science of shadow puppetry. Family shadow puppet making workshop 11am - 12pm. £2.50 per child / adults go free! Come and make your very own puppet with our team of friendly puppeteers. Please book in advance. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. www.babblingvagabonds.co.uk
Friday 24th October	ACOUSTICS COMPETITION SEMI-FINAL at the Harrow Inn, Melton Road, Thurmaston (The Home of the Glastonbudget Festival) Acoustic Championship with cash prize, trophy, paid gigs and a slot at the Glastonbudget festival 2009. Doors open 7.30 p.m. Free entry.
Sunday 26th October	The Y Theatre The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y Sun 26 October 8pm. £14.50 Bound & Gagged Comedy present 4 Poofs and a Piano: More Hairdressers Than Barber Shop. 4 Poofs and a Piano have become a household name thanks to their appearance on the hugely popular, award winning Friday Night With Jonathan Ross . In this, their first national tour, the boys are promising an eclectic mix of song and dance, from jaunty re-workings of classic covers to their own comic observations of life in the noughties. *“There could be 5 Poofs and 2 pianos soon”* Elton John

Thursday 6th November	The Y Theatre The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y Thu 6 November 8pm. £5 / £3.50 conc The Y presents Emergency! Emergency's ‘candlelit cabaret' is an eclectic showcase of new work hosted by The Y. Presenting new acts from the region in theatre, dance, performance poetry and short film, Emergency! is a great networking opportunity, with a chance to give your feedback directly to the artists. If you would like the chance to perform at future events, please contact Amy Wale on 0116 2046216
Friday 7th November	ACOUSTICS COMPETITION PLAYOFF at the Harrow Inn, Melton Road, Thurmaston (The Home of the Glastonbudget Festival) Acoustic Championship with cash prize, trophy, paid gigs and a slot at the Glastonbudget festival 2009. Doors open 7.30 p.m. Free entry.
Friday 7th November	The Y Theatre The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y Fri 7 November 8pm. £15 Phil McIntyre Entertainment present Ed Byrne: Different Class Half toff, half pikey... All comic! One of Ireland's best observational stand-up comedians, comedy favourite, Ed Byrne returns with a blisteringly funny new one man show about marriage, class, the youth of today and anything else that strikes him as humorous. *“His wit won deafening cheers and feet stomping”* The Guardian *“Hottest tip this year is Ed Byrne…fluent, assured and wicked”* Sunday Times
Thursday 20th November	The Y Theatre The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y Thu 20 Nov 1.30pm. £7 Adult / £5 Child Red Ladder Theatre Company present Forgotten Things A cross-generational story for 21st century youth, fusing puppetry and theatre. Ideal for young people aged 14+, Key Stages 4&5 16 year old Toby believes he's a failure. He's losing the will to live. Toby's parents are out seeking help for him the night he decides to end it all. Luckily, having forgotten 'something important' Grandma Lilly interrupts to lead Toby into a mystery of half memories and family secrets. Finding the answers might just save both their lives. A dark comic play about finding hope…and what happens when it's taken away . School bookings contact Amy Wale on 0116 204 6216. Teachers go free! www.redladder.co.uk
Thursday 20th November	The Y Theatre The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y Thu 20 November 7pm. £7 / £5 conc BrightSparks present Showcase Live BrightSparks, the voluntary arts in mental health group, are working with six young men of BME origin, to produce performances based on their life experiences and celebrating their talent in all that is spoken. Mentored by Jean Binta Breeze, Nicholas Makoha and Sureshot (aka Michael Brome) the resulting show will encompass everything from poetry to hip hop and from music to visual arts. It will spark debate, air concerns and illuminate the experiences of young men living in the 21 st century. Directed by Melanie Abrahams and produced by the acclaimed renaissance one this show should definitely not be missed.
Friday 21st November	ACOUSTICS COMPETITION - GRAND FINAL at the Harrow Inn, Melton Road, Thurmaston (The Home of the Glastonbudget Festival) Acoustic Championship with cash prize, trophy, paid gigs and a slot at the Glastonbudget festival 2009. Doors open 7.30 p.m. Free entry.
Saturday 22nd November	The Y Theatre The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y Sat 22 November 8pm. £14 / £12 conc Phil McIntyre Entertainment present Tim Minchin: Ready For This? Described as the ‘next big thing in musical comedy' by The Times and direct from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tim Minchin winner of the Perrier Award for Best Newcomer in 2005, heads out on his second national UK tour with a sparkly new show. Featuring a hefty dollop of fresh material and a spoonful of the classics combined in a manner specifically designed to make you want to go to the lavatory. *“The best musical comedian since Bill Bailey* " Time Out
1st - 24th December	Pinocchio Shows Mon through till Sat Various times check with box office. Sparkenhoe Ark Theatre are proud to announce that for christmas 2008 we will be producing 'Pinocchio' a professional musical adaptation of this traditional tale.It promises to be a magical action packed production full of fun for the whole family.The venue has a reputation for stunning in-house productions of all genres with no expense spared and all for the reasonable accesible price of £5.00 per ticket for info contact box office 0116 253 9273 and our address is Sparkenhoe Ark Theatre, Sparkenhoe Street, Leicester LE2 0DL
Thursday 4th December	Leicester's new theatre CURVE opens today with its first show: a public dress rehearsal of CINDERLLA A Musical. A World Premier with music by Grant Olding, director and choreographer Adam Cooper. Find out more from the web site for CURVE Bookings: 0844 581 0779 The show runs from 4th December to 24th January 2009
Sunday 14th December	The Y Theatre The Y Theatre - What's On at the Y Sun 14 December 8pm. £15 / £13 conc Phil McIntyre Entertainment present Simon Day: What A Fool Believes Familiar to TV audiences for comic creations such as Billy Bleach, Dave Angel and Competitive Dad in BBC2s The Fast Show , Simon is one of the UK 's most talented character comedians and comedy actors. This tour will be his first solo stand up tour ever, with no wigs, hats or comedy glasses. He will attempt to explain what it is like to be a clown, hero, genius, loser and true artist in one show. Don't miss it! *“The maverick conscience of The Fast Show”* N.M.E