Updated 18th June 2023 – after the gigs.
Apart from open mic nights I haven’t really done much performing recently. So you wait around, and then suddenly it’s two gigs in one day!
Fortunately the timings mean that I can play both of them and so Saturday June 3rd 2023 is going to be a busy day.
All UK music venues are currently under threat.
Obviously, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all live music venues in the UK are closed at the moment. Even pubs that have reopened cannot resume music events either – whether it’s open-mic nights or other gigs.
The Phoenix Cultural Centre is a community group based in Woking that has been set up to support Woking musicians, artists, poets, etc, and to try to open a venue in the town.
The venue will be called The Fiery Bird and it will be…
‘a Community focused arts and cultural centre and music venue for everyone in Woking to participate in and enjoy’.
Woking hasn’t really had a proper live music venue for many years, and that is about to change. But the Phoenix Cultural Centre need help to get the funds to bring this about.
Read more I’m Supporting the Phoenix Cultural Centre’s Crowdfunder Appeal
I’m honoured to have been asked back to do some busking at Woking’s popular Party in the Park on Saturday 9th July.
If you’ve not been to Party in the Park before it’s a great event – not just a wide variety of music, but food stalls, fairground attractions. There are also plenty of things for kids to do as well. And it’s all free!
It takes place in Woking Park, just south of Woking town centre and close to the Leisure Centre. The party kicks of at 12:00 noon, and finishes at 9pm.
I’ve currently no idea what time I’m going to be playing, or where in the park, but I’ll post on that when I know more. You can bet it won’t just be me busking though, there are loads of great musicians in the Woking area – of all different styles.
So why not pop along and have a great time. And let’s pray for good weather like last year.
The formal address for Woking Park is: Kingfield Road, Woking GU22 9BA and there’s more information on the Celebrate Woking website.
Get Surrey has reported on strong comments made by Ray Morgan, Chief Executive of Woking Borough Council.
Apparently he accused the Phoenix of ‘whinging’, ‘moaning’ and ‘rubbishing other organisations’.
I’m sure there has been a misunderstanding here as from my experience the Phoenix organisation has always tried to do the best for music in the Woking area. Phoenix CEO Elaine McGinty didn’t respond directly to the accusations, but said “We have been putting the cultural agenda on the map in Woking and assisting the council in that.”
There’s also an audio of Ray Morgan’s comments to the council.
