Internationally-renowned musician and entertainer Gary Lovini is looking forward to his first appearance at the Lytham Proms Festival Weekend – not least because it’s right on his doorstep. The acclaimed violinist travels hundreds of thousands of miles every year performing to appreciative audiences on top cruise ships across the world. But Lytham St Annes is home for the globe-trotter and his performance at the festival on Saturday, August 3, is his first foray into the world of Proms. Gary, who shot to fame after winning TV’s ‘New Faces’ and is well-known to Blackpool audiences after his summer seasons, will be supporting superstar Russell Watson for the ‘Last Night of the Proms’ style concert.

This will also feature special guests Jonathan & Charlotte, runners up from ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Lytham Proms Festival Weekend – Lancashire’s largest live music event – runs from August 2-4 at Lytham Green, near Blackpool, with three nights of music programmed to attract a wide range of concert-goers.

Opening night ‘The 80’s Strikes Back’, with headliners Tony Hadley, Jason Donovan and Marc Almond, is followed by Saturday night’s ‘Last Night of the Proms’ concert.  Heading up the final Sunday night is Brit Award nominee and number one-selling artist Rita Ora, with guests Conor Maynard and Stooshe.

Gary, who has just returned from the UK after a cruise that took in Egypt and the Med, is delighted to be performing on home turf. He said: “I can’t wait for August and the Proms, it is going to be brilliant. It’s the most local gig I’ve ever done and it’s also a fantastic opportunity.

“As well as cruises, I’ve been on a number of TV shows and spent summer seasons in Blackpool; I actually met my wife, Emma, who is from Wrea Green, on North Pier. But this is the first Prom and festival event I’ve been involved in and I am really looking forward to it.

“I suppose you could say that I’m adding another string to my bow!”

Gary is already putting together his repertoire for the Proms, which will include some of his recently recorded work and he promises there will be “something for everyone to enjoy”.

Originally from Staffordshire, Gary turned professional as a teenager and describes himself not only as a musician, but also as an entertainer.

Highlights of his career include performing on the stage of the London Palladium during a three-month engagement there and jetting out as a teenager on Concorde to entertain passengers on the QE2. He was the youngest ever entertainer in the history of the Cunard Line at the age of just 16. Gary also appeared at The Royal Variety Show alongside Jason Donovan, who is also on this year’s Lytham bill.

Peter Taylor, festival director at St Annes-based Cuffe & Taylor, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have signed up Gary for this year’s Proms.  “He will bring something extra special to the event, with his great musical talent, and is a true entertainer. We can guarantee that festival-goers are in for a real treat when he takes to the stage.”

Gary is also backing Cuffe & Taylor’s partnership with Keep Britain Tidy to create one of the UK’s greenest live music events. This year’s event will promote Keep Britain Tidy’s national ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign, aimed at encouraging everyone to take pride in their towns and cities.

Gary said: “It’s a tremendous initiative and I’m all for anything that creates pride in communities. There is certainly a lot of pride and community spirit here in Lytham St Annes and the Proms plays its part in that.”

Tickets for Lytham Proms Festival Weekend can be booked online here or by calling 0844 888 9991. A selection of VIP packages are also available.

For more information and to read more about Gary Lovini, as well as up coming tour dates, please visit his site Gary Lovini International Violinist or get in touch through his Twitter feed or Facebook page

Lancashire’s largest live music event, Lytham Proms Festival Weekend, today announced their 2013 partnership with environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

The two organisations will work together to promote both the Lytham Proms Festival Weekend in August 2013 and the charity’s national ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign, aimed at encouraging everyone to take pride in their towns and cities.

Lytham Proms Festival Weekend, now Lancashire’s premier music event runs from the 2^nd – 4^th August 2013, with three nights of music programmed to attract a wide range of concert-goers.

Opening night ‘The 80’s Strikes Back’, with headliners Tony Hadley, Jason Donovan and Marc Almond, is followed by Saturday night’s ‘Last Night of the Proms’ concert, featuring Russell Watson and guests Jonathan & Charlotte, famous runners up from Britain’s Got Talent. Heading up the final night is Brit Award nominee and number one-selling artist Rita Ora, with guests Conor Maynard and Stooshe.

For nearly 60 years, Keep Britain Tidy has worked to encourage and support people to improve the places they love. Now the charity is hoping to spread the message to festival-goers in the beautiful and much-loved seaside resort.

Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive Phil Barton said: “We are delighted to be working alongside such a high-profile event as the Lytham Proms Festival Weekend.

“We know that people in Lytham love where they live and take great pride in their area, that’s why we thought the festival provided the perfect opportunity to spread our ‘Love Where You Live’ message.

“Our aim is to not only help ensure the Lytham Proms Festival Weekend is clean and green, but also to encourage music lovers of all ages to take care of their surroundings both at the festival and after they leave.”

Speaking ahead of today’s announcement, Peter Taylor festival director at leading concert promoters Cuffe & Taylor, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Keep Britain Tidy on Lytham Proms 2013.

“We’ve always worked to the mantra of leaving Lytham Green in exactly the way we found it, however, this partnership just re-affirms our commitment to doing this. In addition, we are working towards minimising waste from the festival and are working with Keep Britain Tidy in order to do this. We’re planning to announce more on the back of this fantastic partnership very soon.”

Tickets for Lytham Proms Festival Weekend can be booked online here or by calling 0844 888 9991. A selection of VIP packages are also available.

 Visit the Love Where You Live section of our website now

Organisers of Lytham Proms Festival Weekend have announced the new VIP Hospitality Caterers for 2013. Popular restaurant & lounge bar, Twelve, of Thornton Cleveleys will be serving up mouth-watering dishes at Lytham Proms Festival Weekend, this year from the 2nd – 4th August. Over 1500 people will sample the VIP packages over the course of the weekend in August with delicious food, and of course great headlining performances from the hottest music industry talent.

Guests will be treated to meals bursting with locally sourced Lancashire produce. Menus for the ‘80’s Strikes Back’ and ‘Last Night of The Proms with Russell Watson’ will feature a three course meal including appetizers and coffee with the Sunday evening showcasing a variety of ‘Street Food’, adding a touch of theatre to the VIP marquee. Guests can enjoy a taste of some classic dishes, complete with full salad bar and a huge selection of individual jar desserts featuring homemade classics. All menus have a vegetarian option, and special diets can also be catered for.

The announcement of Twelve being the official partner for Lytham Proms came at a special VIP launch held today that the restaurants Thornton base. For one weekend only, the restaurant will become ‘Twelve at Lytham Proms’.

Peter Taylor, Director of Cuffe & Taylor, organisers of Lytham Proms, said “Twelve are a great brand to work with and are known locally for their high quality food and service. Their reputation already excels itself and we are looking forward to working with them this year. Together we aim to give our VIP guests their best Lytham Proms experience yet!”

Director of Twelve Restaurant Caroline Upton added, “’Twelve Event Management is delighted with the opportunity of working with Cuffe and Taylor at Lytham Proms Festival Weekend 2013. Twelve is a quality product and as such always relishes working with likeminded operators. Lytham Proms has established itself over the last years as an excellent event for both Fylde coast people and those from further afield. With another amazing line up of acts, this year will no doubt prove to be a memorable event for all who attend. We very much look forward to working in Lytham and assisting in making this a fabulous occasion for all who attend”

Full details of the VIP packages are available here.

Lytham Proms organisers have announced they are bringing a triple Brit Award nominee to the Lytham Proms Festival Weekend on Sunday 4^th August. Rita Ora, British female solo singer and chart topper will take to the stage in a special summer performance on Lytham Green.  

Rita Ora has already made British chart history as the first vocalist of a drum and bass number to score a UK number one single with DJ Fresh’s “Hot Right Now”.

If “Hot Right Now” has temporarily rocked the British pop chart, her solo material is about to blow its mind. This hugely impressive powerhouse has an amazing vocal range, and seen her perform support slots on the DJ Fresh and Coldplay tours in 2012.

Though Rita is signed to a modelling agency, it is clearly in music where she is about to shine. Her debut UK single “R.I.P.” is a thrusting, compelling ode to lost love, followed by her debut U.S. single, “How We Do,” an infectious pop-rock party anthem paired with her stunning vocals.

Peter Taylor, Lytham Proms organiser said today;

“It’s been a really tough choice to follow Olly Murs from 2012. However, we wanted to give our audience something more edgy this year. The Festival is beginning to develop a name for its diverse range of music styles. I wanted to bring something more contemporary and different, rather than straightforward ‘pop’. Hopefully we will put on a show to remember. We are thrilled that an artist like Rita Ora, who is at the top of her game right now decided to play our festival, as we have had a lot of competition from the larger more established festivals. This show is certainly going to rock the green!”

Special guests will be announced very shortly.

To kick off this amazing night’s line up will be the winner of “Fylde’s Got Talent”.

A limited capacity of tickets will be available for this special event. Tickets will be priced at £29.50 + booking fees; HOWEVER a Special Early Bird Ticket will go on sale on Friday 22^nd February at 09:00 priced at £22.50 + booking fee, for one week only, and subject to availability. A group ticket will also be available for 4 people, priced at £99 inclusive of fees and secure delivery!

Tickets can be booked online or by calling 0844 888 9991. A limited allocation of tickets will also be available in person from Lowther Pavilion Box Office, Lytham, daily from 10am – 5pm.

There will also be a VIP package available priced at £99 plus booking fees.

Anticipation is mounting for the release of Lytham Proms, finale night headline act. Organisers have so far remained tight lipped regarding the name of the star that will headline the final night of a 3 night live music event on Lytham Green on Sunday 4^th August 2013. The annual event, attracting over 30,000 music fans to the usually peaceful town of Lytham St Annes is now in its 4^th year and runs for the first weekend in August.

Already announced is the Friday night ‘The 80’s Strikes Back’ concert with Tony Hadley, Jason Donovan and Marc Almond headlining with a host of other 80’s stars. The Saturday night ‘Last Night of the Proms’ concert will be led by tenor ‘Russell Watson’ with organisers announcing his special guests ‘Jonathan & Charlotte’.

The Sunday night is usually a more contemporary artist, with Olly Murs and Boyzone being two of the previous headlining acts.

Organiser have today announced that they will be taking to the world of Social Media to make the announcement in just a few weeks’ time, with a special event planned to officially announce the name of the headlining artist. A competition for those who tweet online, or share the Facebook photo will find one lucky fan securing a pair of Backstage Passes to the final night concert.

To join in, head over to www.facebook.com/lythamproms and share the #whossundaysheadliner photo, or tweet  “#whossundaysheadliner at @LythamProms (along with any suggestions you have)”.

Closing date is  Friday 22nd February and a winner will be selected at random from Facebook or Twitter… and you can enter as many times as you want, each Tweet and Share will count as 1 entry!!!

Concert promoters Cuffe and Taylor, have today announced who will be performing alongside Russell Watson at Lytham Proms Festival Weekend on Saturday 3^rd August 2013.

Jonathan and Charlotte, the classical singing sensations who shot to fame in 2012’s Britain’s Got Talent, will delight the crowds on the Saturday evening. They performed in front of an audience of 14 million on TV, and most recently at the Military Awards in front of Prince Charles and David Cameron.

A spokesperson for Cuffe and Taylor said “Like the rest of the country, when we first heard these two perform on Britain’s Got Talent, we were blown away. Sometimes on shows like X-Factor or Britain’s Got Talent, you can often guess what to expect, whether it is going to be for entertainment value or they actually have a talent, but with Jonathan and Charlotte, it was hard to predict what would happen next. They were totally amazing, and sounded just like professional classical singers. Since their rise to fame they have been fine-tuned by some of the industries most respected experts, making them the perfect accompaniment for Russell Watson on the Saturday night.”

They sang their version of ‘The Prayer’, which was originally sung by Andrea Bocelli with Celine Dion, and even Russell Watson recorded his version with Lulu. So the plucky pair from Chigwell in Essex were pitching themselves with the greats

They met at state school in the music room and became close friends during their GCSE options year. Charlotte heard Jonathan singing Bring Him Home from Les Miserables, just after his voice had broken, through the wall.

‘And I thought who is that? Damn! That boy’s got vocal chords.’

Tickets are available here or by calling Ticketline on 0844 888 9991

Prices are as follows for guests wishing to bring their own picnics and seating;

• Until      14^th May 2013 – £37.50
• From      15^th May 2013 – £40.00
• From      27^th July 2013 – £50.00

On this night, members of the general public can bring picnics and small garden chairs / tables. No umbrellas, gazebos, windbreakers, parasols or hammocks will be permitted.

There will also be a VIP package available priced at £149 plus booking fees.

FYLDES GOT TALENT IS BACK

The annual Fylde’s Got Talent competition is upon us and performers from the FYLDE BOROUGH area only are being sought to showcase their talents.

The lucky winner’s will perform on the same stage as the headline act for the Sunday night of The Lytham Proms Festival Weekend 2013.

The competition, now in its fifth year is proving to be a real hit with the locals, and Cuffe & Taylor are hoping that next year will be no exception.
So far previous winners have performed alongside international artists Boyzone in 2011, and Family favourite Olly Murs in 2012.

A spokesperson for Cuffe & Taylor said “We are really proud of how successful this local event has become, it has almost taken on an identity of its own. We are constantly being approached by local talent who wish to enter the competition, as they all want the opportunity to play on a world class stage, alongside their idols. We are close to announcing the artist for the Sunday night, but as yet it is a closely guarded secret. Needless to say the winner will not be disappointed.”

The competition is looking for all types of performers – singers, dancers, musicians, magicians and comedians – all encouraged to take part whether soloists, duos, bands or groups.
So if you think you have what it takes then visit www.lythamproms.co.uk to apply.

Auditions will take place at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Centre, St Annes on Saturday 9th March starting at 10:00 (audition time slots will only be given to those who apply online beforehand).
Space will be restricted so participants are encouraged to stick to their audition slot times.
The Grand Final will be held at Lowther Pavilion, Lytham, on Sunday 28th April 2013, tickets priced at £10.00 plus booking fee.

All money raised from the competition will be donated to the RNLI, which is a charity that saves lives at sea.
They provide, on call, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service and a seasonal lifeguard service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboats in 2001, its lifeguards have saved more than 140,000 lives.

In order that we raise as much money as we possibly can, we have introduced a small entry fee of £2.50 – per act, this is payable on the door at the auditions.

To book your tickets for the Fylde’s Got Talent Final visit www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk or call the box office on 01253 794 221.

Click Here to Enter…

Jason Donovan, 80’s soap star and pop heart throb, has been announced as the latest star of the Lytham Proms ‘The 80’s Strike Back’ show. A host of 80’s stars will grace the stage in Lytham on Friday 2^nd August at the opening night of the popular three night music event now in its 4^th year.

Jason will replace the previously announced Jimmy Somerville who has had to drop out of the show due to a personal engagement.

Peter Taylor, from organisers Cuffe & Taylor said, ‘We were really upset to hear that Jimmy Somerville could no longer perform, especially after he announced his appearance to all his fans. However, the event is not just about one artist, it’s about a full night of entertainment. We were thrilled that Jason was able to agree, and I think that Jason will really add to the already stellar line-up’

‘The 80’s Strike Back’. will now feature Tony Hadley, Jason Donovan, Marc Almond, Heaven 17, Odyssey, Altered Images and Sonia along with the REWIND all star band.

Special Early Bird Tickets are now on sale for £29.50 + booking fees if booked before the 31^st December.

VIP package tickets are also available priced at £99 plus booking fees.

To book tickets and for further information Click Here

Russell Watson the ‘Peoples’ Tenor dubbed ‘The Voice’, will be switching on the Lytham Christmas Lights on Saturday 17th November, 2012.

Last year’s Fylde’s Got Talent Winner Kurtis Reid, will kick off the afternoon of entertainment at 2pm, performing alongside him will be Lytham Community Choir, Freckleton Brass Band, XFactor and Big Brother star Stephanie McMicheal, boy band Juice, local vocalist Peter Antony and party band The Love Rats.

Also making an appearance on the stage to celebrate the big switch on will be local Team GB Silver Medallist Shelly Woods, with the event being hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire. The entertainment starts at 2pm, with the lights being switched on at 4:30pm, and it all draws to a close at 5:30pm

The switch on is being organised by Lytham Business Partnership in association with Cuffe and Taylor, organisers of the Lytham Proms. Cuffe and Taylor are installing a mobile stage, sound system and lights to ensure the switch on becomes an annual community event.

A spokesperson for Cuffe and Taylor said “Having recently announced Russell Watson for next year’s ‘Last night of the Proms’ we thought it would be extremely fitting if we got the man himself to switch the lights on. Russell is always busy, and we knew it was a long shot, but thankfully having worked with us in the past, he was able to say yes. We were asked to make the event feel more traditional and involve the local community.”

Russell is the UK’s best-selling classical artist, selling in excess of seven million albums worldwide, and will performing at the Lytham Proms Festival Weekend 2013, on Saturday 3rd August.

Tickets for both The 80’s Strikes back and Russell Watson nights of Lytham Proms Festival Weekend 2013 will be available at the switch on, 17th November from 9am – 6pm, and for this day only there will be no booking fee.

After the phenomenal success of Lytham Proms 2012, organisers Cuffe and Taylor are bringing back the iconic 80’s decade with a new show entitled ‘The 80’s Strike Back’. Iconic 80’s performers Tony Hadley, Jimmy Somerville, Marc Almond, Heaven 17, Odyssey, Altered Images and Sonia will take to the stage on the opening night of the ‘Proms’ weekend on Friday 2^nd August 2013.

The show, which is promising to be three-and-a-half hours of non-stop hits, will also feature the massively popular REWIND All Star Band, famed for their annual Scottish and Southern ‘Rewind Festival’ appearance.

Adding to the already announced Saturday night headline appearance with Russell Watson, ‘The 80’s Strikes Back’ is set to play to a capacity audience of 10,000, and promises to be once again ‘The Ultimate Party’

Speaking about today’s announcement, Peter Taylor, Director of Cuffe and Taylor said “The 80’s night was one of our most popular shows for 2012, so we decided to bring it back, and this time make it bigger and better. We’re working with REWIND this year, and they are responsible for the two largest 80’s Festivals in Scotland and Henley… so it make the perfect choice to bring the show to Lytham. This time we’ve chosen a real 80’s line-up that will certainly appeal to the die-hard fans.

“The 2012 80’s night was just fantastic, and despite us struggling to serve everyone at our bars, we promise we learnt our lesson and 2013! We’ve more lights, more bars and we really will throw the best party ever!!!”

For tickets please click here

Special Early Bird Tickets go on sale on Friday 2^nd November at 09:00 priced at £26.50, and for the first week only will be inclusive of the booking fee.

From Friday 9^th November at 09:00 until 31^st December £29.50 + booking fee

From Tuesday 1^st Jan at 09:00 onwards £32.50 + booking fee

There will also be a VIP package available priced at £99 plus booking fees.