What's On (May 18-20): Vanquish, Howard Marks, Richard Digance and more

Hot new girl band Vanquish are making a flying visit to Cleethorpes’ Waves Nightclub, Cleethorpes on Saturday.

The girls, who are set to tour with Westlife this year, will be performing a selection of feel-good songs from their debut album, including their first single, The Harder You Love.

Saturday, May 19 (from 11.45pm). Waves Nightclub, Cleethorpes.

 

BAFTA nominated entertainer Richard Digance will be bringing his guitar and a collection of stories gathered from over 40 years in the entertainment industry to the Plowright Theatre in Scunthorpe this Saturday.

During his career, Richard has supported the likes of Steve Martin and Robin Williams and played a guitar duet with Brian May of Queen in addition to receiving The Gold Award from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters in 2003.

Saturday, May 19 (7.30pm). Plowright Theatre, Scunthorpe. Tickets: £16.50. Call 0844 854 2776 to book.

 

Furnace returns to Scunthorpe’s The Baths Hall on Saturday as four bands take to the stage for the venue’s brand new Rock and Indie night.

Gaskin are set to headline the evening, supported by Skarlett Riot, Protocol 5 and The Tripdown Project. The bands will be followed by DJs who will take the party long into the night.

Saturday, May 19 (8pm). The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe. Tickets: £7. Call 0844 854 2776.

 

VIDEO: Music video for Vanquish’s debut single, ‘The Harder You Love’

 

The Orpheus Male Voice choir presents The Gibside Singers, who will sing with soul on Saturday at St Andrew’s Methodist Church, in Cleethorpes.

The pitch-perfect singers, who have previously performed for Prince Charles, will perform a selection from their expansive repertoire which covers all styles from traditional, musicals and opera to classical and sacred, as well as a sprinkling of pop.

The Orpheus will present their most popular songs and will also be performing joint items with The Gibside Singers.

Saturday, May 19 (7.30pm). St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Cleethorpes. Tickets: £6 (Available from Central Hall Box Office, in Duncombe Street, Grimsby, or by calling 01472 355025)

 

Howard Marks is bringing his one-man comedy show An Audience With Mr Nice to Barton’s Ropery Hall.

Born in a small Welsh coal-mining village, Howard’s life has taken in everything from earning a degree in nuclear physics to becoming “the most sophisticated drugs baron of all time”, resulting in him being imprisoned for seven years in America’s toughest federal penitentiary. Since then he’s written an autobiography, appeared on TV and in film and campaigned vigorously for the legalisation of recreational drugs.

Friday, May 18 (8.15pm). Ropery Hall, Barton. Tickets: £20. Call 01652 660380.

 

An array of top musicians are heading to the Redbourn Club for the Scunthorpe Blues Festival.

Among the acts who will be showcasing their talents are Chantel McGregor, Mick Simpson, The Idle Hands, Avit Blues Band and The Liam Tarpey Band.

Saturday, May 19 (3pm-11pm). Redbourn Club, Scunthorpe. Tickets: £19. Call 01472 349222

 

As the People’s Festival 2012 reaches its climax, there’s a chance to Brush Up Your Shakespeare with soprano Alison Pearce, pianist David Syrus and special guest Clive George at Grimsby Central Hall on Saturday.

The concert will celebrate Shakespeare, England and the Monarchy with special tribute for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Saturday, May 19 (7.30pm). Grimsby Central Hall. Tickets: £12 (£10 concession/student, £5 child). Call 01472 355025.

 

Friday to Sunday is Museums at Night Weekend in North Lincolnshire when there will be the opportunity to experience a host of unique evenings at some of the region’s top attractions. See below for a run-down of what’s on:

Friday, May 18

Epworth Old Rectory – Candlelight tours 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm and 7.30pm. Free, last about 45 minutes, booking recommended. Call 01427 872268.

North Lincolnshire Museum, Scunthorpe – 5pm-8pm. Step into the spooky museum and watch out for ghosts. Experience the WWII air raid shelter, Victorian cottage and steel gallery. Learn about gadgets and gizmos of the past. Take part in glow in the dark activities and special night trail quiz to win a prize. No need to book, ideal for 6 years upwards. Call 01724 843533.

Bomber County Remembered with Elsham Wolds Airfield – Visit the Elsham Wolds Memorial Rooms, Elsham Treatment Works and find out what it was like to serve at the base, with light refreshments available. Call 01652 653247.

Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19

Railtours around the iron and steel making plant at Scunthorpe - Standard tours 6.30pm and 8pm (any age), lasting an hour. Must be booked with Brigg Tourist Information Centre. Call 01652 657053. Admission free (donations welcome).

Friday, May 18, Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20

Visit a Humber Super Sloop – 6pm-9pm, aboard the Spider T Historic Ship at Keadby Lock. Enjoy a live band and the atmosphere on this ship which is representing the region at the Queen’s Royal Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames. Call 01724 783506.

Saturday 19 May

20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Scunthorpe. 4pm-9pm. Free. Join local photographer Lee Beel for an evening of angels and gargoyles at the former St John’s Church. Themed activity table and guided tours of the church at 4.30pm and 7pm. The West Lindsey branch of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Bellringers will be ringing the bells from 6.30pm to 8pm. Nick Hennessay, storyteller and musician, will be performing at 5.30pm for families and 8pm for adults. Café open until 8.30pm. Call 01724 297070.

Farming Museum at Night at Normanby Hall Country Park - 5.30pm-7.30pm. Join Scunthorpe Little Theatre Club as they bring the installations to life. On Sunday night pre book to join Select Society as they bring the Hall to life. Call 01724 720588.

A Miller’s Tale at Wrawby Postmill – 5pm-7pm, Mill Lane, Wrawby. Free, donations welcome. Step aboard for a unique experience. Call 01652 653699.

Winterton’s Colourful Characters – 7pm-9pm, All Saints’ Church, Churchside, Winterton. An evening of treasure hunting and dramatic storytelling with Scunthorpe Little Theatre Club, for all ages, each story lasting 10 minutes. Light refreshments available. Call 01724 734285.

Up in the Gallery at Wilderspin National School, Queen Street, Barton. 7.30pm. Victorian variety show. Adults £7, children £5, £1 off for Victorian dress. Booking essential. Call 01652 635172.

Aviation Heritage Storytelling Evening – 6pm-10pm, Kirton Town Hall, Market Place. Display of deactivated weapons, 1940s uniform “fashion show”, photographs, letters and stories on display. Free, refreshments available. Call 01652 648978.

Baysgarth House Museum, Barton – 8pm onwards. Free, booking essential. On a guided tour you will meet Sir Henry Nelthorpe as well as WWII characters, a Red Cross nurse and Grammar School pupils of 1950s, played by the South Bank Players. Call 01652 637568.

Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20

Humber Keel “Comrade” and Humber Sloop “Amy Howson” – 4.30pm-9pm, The Lock at South Ferriby. Free tours of the vessels, slideshow presentations by Brian Peeps at 5.30pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm. Displays of historic photographs. Call 07545 562461.

Sunday, May 20

Evening tour of Scawby Gardens – 6.30pm-8.30pm, Scawby Hall, Vicarage Lane. Free tour with the Head Gardener, including entertainment for children. Call 01652 654272.

 

Ali G, Borat and Bruno star Sacha Baron Cohen returns to cinemas with his latest comedy creation, The Dictator.

The film tells the story of fictional despot Admiral General Aladeen (Cohen), a man “who risked his life to ensure democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed”. After rumours spread he is developing a nuclear weapon, Aladeen travels to New York where he ends up getting kidnapped and, after having his beard cut off, is left unrecognisable. He must then get by working in a store whilst trying to return to power in his homeland.

VIDEO: Trailer for ‘The Dictator’ (15)

The Dictator is showing daily at cinemas throughout northern Lincolnshire including Parkway Cinema in Cleethorpes, Vue cinema in Scunthorpe and Playhouse Cinema in Louth. Check with your local cinema for times.