Host of entertainment lined up at The Apex for the autumn season

There’s a host of entertainment on offer at The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds, over the autumn season with an eclectic mix of musicians and comedians.

It opens with the Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival on September 1 featuring the Connor Selby Band, Mojo Preachers, Southbound, Lee Ainley’s Blues Storm, Steve Nimmo Trio, Zal Cleminson’s Sin Dogs and headliners, Nine Below Zero.

If you’re a fan of blues and rock or alternative music, you might also enjoy Renegade Twelve (October 5), Hayseed Dixie (October 25), The Blues Band (November 9), The Selecter (November 15) and Hugh Cornwell singing his Stranglers hits (November 28).

Early September sees visits from three leading lights of contemporary folk music; one of the very finest fingerstyle guitarists in the world Martin Simpson (September 7); winners of ‘Best Group’ at the 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards The Furrow Collective (September 10); and “Britain’s most inventive folk singer’ (Songlines) Sam Lee (September 15).

Later in the year, enjoy hypnotic Celtic-dance music from Peatbog Faeries (October 24); fiery Orcadian fiddles from Fara (October 30); and dazzling musicianship from the Gigspanner Big Band (November 27).

Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri’s Acoustic Journey on September 28 includes cover songs alongside Kiki’s own hits ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ and ‘I Got The Music In Me’.

There’s Hammond-led funky jazz from The James Taylor Quartet (September 27) and soul group Shalamar (October 22) will ‘Make You Feel Good’, with a ‘Night to Remember’.

There’s also visits by Moody Blues front-man Justin Hayward (September 16); lovable Cockney rock ‘n’ roller Joe Brown (September 18); Gilbert O’Sullivan (October 15); Georgie Fame (November 2); and Graham Parker (November 26).

Award winning tribute show, Whitney – Queen of the Night returns on September 12, and Rock & Roll variety production That’ll Be The Day returns on September 19.

Go Now’s Tribute to The Moody Blues returns on September 29, You Win Again celebrates the music of the Bee Gees (October 2); Nicole Henry brings The Music of Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul (October 9) and Elio Pace & David Brown (Billy Joel’s guitarist 1978-1991) perform the Billy Joel Songbook Albums Show (October 21).

Step into Harlem’s hottest nightspot circa 1920 in Swinging at the Cotton Club on September 25, with exhilarating dance routines by the fabulous Lindy Hop Dance Company and swinging jazz from The Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra.

The BBC Big Band and their guest vocalist Atila will celebrate the centenary of the birth of Nat ‘King’ Cole on November 3.

Alan Johnson, the former postman-turned-Home Secretary, will lift the lid on his remarkable journey on September 23, while on September 26, one of the UK’s best-loved authors, Michael Morpurgo will be interviewed by comedian Katy Brand.

MasterChef judge and writer Jay Rayner investigates the concept of the last supper on October 29; Neil Oliver tells The Story of The British Isles in 100 Places on October 31 and there will be an opportunity to quiz Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder on November 6.

Winner of America’s Got Talent, Paul Zerdin brings his dysfunctional puppet family on September 30.

You can hear “acerbic perspective and unapologetic delivery of less politically correct home truths” (The List) from Sindhu Vee on October 7.

There’s also stand-up comedy from Andy Parsons (October 10) and John Robins (October 16) and hilarious anecdotes, sketches and music from Alistair McGowan, the Reverend Richard Coles and their special guests in Wireless Wise (October 12).

The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company and National Festival Orchestra will present two of the nation’s favourite comic operas: Pirates of Penzance on September 13 and The Mikado on September 14.

Miloš: The Voice of the Guitar (October 3) showcases the technical and expressive qualities of the classical guitar.

Brodsky Quartet (October 23) will be joined by cellist Laura van der Heijden for works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Schubert.

Born without his right hand, Nicholas McCarthy (November 4) performs dynamic left handed transcriptions of works by Scriabin, Strauss, Bach and Rachmaninov and Viktoria Mullova joins the Academy of Ancient Music (November 18) for a concert that sets the sublime against the joyful in music by Haydn, JS and CPE Bach.

Come Dance With Me on October 6 is a warm-hearted and poignant family saga based on the true story of two battling sisters and featuring show-stopping Strictly Ballroom dances and Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers-style routines, expertly choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Richard Marcel.

Bigger than ever, but just as glitzy and glamorous, The Ladyboys of Bangkok ‘Greatest Showgirls Tour’ (October 8) features 16 of the world’s most beautiful and stunning showgirls – who just happen to be men!

The Budapest Café Orchestra (October 17) play traditional folk and gypsy flavoured music from across the Balkans and Russia – evoking vivid images of fiddle maestros, Hungarian café life and gypsy campfires in a hugely entertaining display of skilful musicianship.

Effervescent string trio, Hot Club of Cowtown (November 11) blend traditional Western American swing with European hot jazz influences, writing their own material and reinterpreting everything from hoedowns to American songbook standards in their own original style.

AKA Trio (November 12) comprises three world-renowned virtuosos: Antonio Forcione, Seckou Keita and Adriano Adewale in a joyful, uplifting and life-affirming musical collaboration.

Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers (November 17) bring a brand new show of sharp synchronisation, dramatic choreography and sumptuous soundscapes, all wrapped up in a breath-taking display of high energy and powerful rhythms on huge taiko drums.

See www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 for more information or to book tickets.

Pictured above is the Budapest Café Orchestra who are due to appear at The Apex on October 17.