Presented by Norden Farm Jazz Club.

Nic Meier (guitars)
Alex Hutton (piano)
Marianne Windham (bass)
Tbc (drums)

UK based guitarist Nicolas Meier has carved a reputation out as one of the world's most original and uniquely talented guitarists. Drawing from a love of Turkish, Eastern and Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango and more - all mixed with jazz.

Meier's versatility and musical fluency extends well beyond that, even (so much so, that his considerable talents drew the attention of rock guitar legend, Jeff Beck, who made Nicolas a mainstay in The Jeff Beck Group carrying him on two world tours during the course of the last several years).

Meier originally hails from Switzerland born in 1973, to parents who are great lovers of the arts. Never short on ambition, Meier founded his own record label, MGP Records, in 2009. To date, he's produced twelve albums as a solo artist in various group formats (The Nicolas Meier Group, Nicolas Meier Trio, Eclectica!, Nicolas Meier World Group), with his heavy metal band, Seven7, and in a duo format, with long-time partner, fellow guitarist and collaborator, the fabulous UK master, Pete Oxley.

Meier’s sound is rooted in his love of playing jazz on acoustic guitar, especially his Godin nylon-string guitar. It’s a sound that lends itself especially well to flamenco and middle-eastern music, also and conveniently so, as these influences, and more, are brilliantly fused in his unique multi-lingual style. He also plays fretless acoustic guitar, the Saz (a traditional Turkish stringed instrument), electric guitar, steel-string acoustic guitar, glissentar (an 11-stringed fretless instrument) and a baglama. By 2022 a new World Group studio album called Magnificent came out. A 3 CD package including Live and Stories! To promote this release, lots of UK concerts and a European tour of 11 dates opening for rock guitar legend Steve Vai.

This show will be a nod towards the influence of Pat Metheny and a celebration of jazz standards that has had an impact upon Nic’s musical development. It will be a colourful blend of jazz, rock and European folk influenced Jazz.

Studio
£16

Nic's website

Insta meier.nicolas
Fb Nicolas Meier

•   7 Feb from £16

Presented by Norden Farm Jazz Club.

Benn Clatwothy (sax, flute)
Alex Hutton (piano)
Simon Thorpe (bass)
Matt Home (drums)

Back by popular demand!

Benn was active in the London Music Scene in the 1970’s and was a protégé of Ronnie Scott. He moved to L.A. California in 1980 where he is now based. He was recommended for Horace Silver’s band and recordings followed. Having skills as a multi-instrumentalist (tenor, alto, baritone sax, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet) he has carved a career in the L.A music scene. He has worked with a huge array of class A musicians from the LA Philharmonic Orchestra to Cab Calloway. However, his main passion is playing Tenor Sax in a quartet setting – and his approach is unique. Playing from the songbook of Blue Note and more contemporary jazz, his tone is extraordinarily beautiful, and his melodic ideas come from the heart. As someone said recently 'it’s as though he’s talking to us and telling us a story through the saxophone!’

What to watch out for – The ballads will be enchanting, the up-tempo songs will be invigorating.

Studio
£16

Benn's website

•   7 Mar from £16

This is old-fashioned glamour in the company of two, modern-day musical greats.

A Couple of Swells is the inspired pairing of two unique entertainers.

Liza Pulman, songstress, comedienne and one-third of the iconic Fascinating Aida, and virtuoso pianist, songwriter and singer Joe Stilgoe. Together they combine humour and musicianship at the very highest level, making old songs sound new and new songs feel like you’ve known them all your life.

Both born in the proverbial trunk, their style has been fine-tuned from cradle to stage. Together they have the musical and theatrical chemistry of Dudley Moore and Julie Andrews, or Barbara Cook and Wally Harper.

Prepare to be swept away by Joe’s dazzling piano playing, Liza’s exquisite vocals and their beautiful, tight harmonies as they dig into the true classics and hidden gems of Irving Berlin, Paul McCartney, Jerome Kern, Billy Joel and Leonard Bernstein, mixed with a few new songs specially written for the show.

Liza Pulman
Pulman’s career began at Glyndebourne Opera and has encompassed music, theatre and over twenty years as one-third of Britain’s best-selling satirical comedy trio, Fascinating Aida. This much-loved satirical comedy group has just completed 100 sell-out shows across the UK including three nights at the London Palladium and are set to return for a run of shows at the Royal Festival Hall in January 2025.

Liza’s solo career as a concert performer and recording artist has showcased a talent for rediscovering, reinventing and reimagining timeless classics and lost gems. Most recently, Liza Pulman - Streisand played West End runs to packed houses and five-star reviews, and a new show, The Heart Of It, started its 2023 tour at The Other Palace in London.

Joe Stilgoe
Stilgoe is an internationally acclaimed singer, pianist and songwriter, known for writing songs that feel like classics, and adapting classics so they sound like they’ve just been written. Most recently, Joe arranged and accompanied Hannah Waddingham’s performance of Time After Time at the BAFTA Film Awards and opened this year’s Olivier Awards with his arrangement of Anything Goes.

Growing up surrounded by music, Joe’s career extends across theatre, TV and radio. He’s a regular on Radio 4 on shows including Loose Ends and The Horne Section and he has worked with some of the finest orchestras and bands in the world. Joe has released eight albums, five of which topped the UK Jazz chart.

'Oooo…it’s SO good' Dawn French 

'Joe Stilgoe and Liza Pulman are showbusiness royalty…' ★★★★ LondonTheatre1

'The chemistry Pulman and Stilgoe have together is second to none … together they are unstoppable' ★★★★All That Dazzles

'… a wonderful night of proper showbiz from two extraordinary artists right at the top of their game…' Damian Thantrey, Festival Director, Lichfield Festival

'Two supreme entertainers on the stage together… what’s not to love!' Stewart Collins, Artistic Director, Petworth Festival

Courtyard Theatre
£22

Highfield Productions website

Liza
Liza's website

Insta pulmanliza
Fb Liza Pulman

Joe
Joe's website

X JoeStilgoe
Insta thejoestilgoe
Fb Joe Stilgoe

•   4 Apr from £22

Led by Creative Eye

Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.

Get crafty with a range of activities, or bring along your own projects to work on with support from tutor Kayleigh Robinson.

You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. Come either Tuesday or Wednesday and join in that week's craft. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.

Spring Season
Tues 14 Jan - Charcoal Drawing
Tues 21 Jan - Embroidered Photos
Tues 28 Jan - Decoupage Log Slices
Tues 4 Feb - No Session
Tues 11 Feb - Polymer Clay Octopus
Tues 18 Feb - Pin Board
Tues 25 Feb - Willow Suncatcher
Tues 4 Mar - Wire Flowers
Tues 11 Mar - Felt Keyring / Brooch
Tues 18 Mar - Woven Basket
Tues 25 Mar - Wool Hoop Art
Tues 1 Apr - Book Folded Sheep
Tues 8 Apr - Fabric Flower
Tues 15 Apr - Cube Bunny
Tues 22 Apr - Embossed Foil Decorations
Tues 29 Apr - Iris Paper Folding

Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.

Local transport can be provided as part of the ticket price for those attending on a Wednesday.

If you need transport to Norden Farm for the Wednesday sessions please contact Jess Thompson at [email protected] / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.

Suitable for ages 60+ years.

2pm - 3pm
£6.50 per session, including a cup of tea

•  21 Jan from £650
•  28 Jan from £650
• 12 more dates...

Led by Nanda Sharma

Welcome to Bollybhangra Dance Fitness Party sessions! Nanda teaches her original choreographies to top hits from Bollywood, Bhangra, Belly dance and also other international music and dance rhythms.

The joyful music and movements encourage us to open our hearts and minds to possibilities, improve wellbeing and body-confidence and encourage us to embrace our individuality.

Enjoy the benefits of dance on flexibility and balance, health and fitness, and mood, memory, in a fun and friendly environment, at your own pace - no pressure. Beginners welcome.

Every class feels like a party and your place awaits! Dress up or dress down, some colour, sequins and a jingly bellydance scarf will add to your experience!

Bring water, a towel, wear dance sneakers or trainers.

Spring
Tues 14 Jan - Tues 29 Apr
3pm - 4pm

£10 per session

•  21 Jan from £10
•  28 Jan from £10
• 9 more dates...

Led by Seann Wilkinson

A non-audition community choir open to all. Working on everything from Madonna to Les Mis, from gospel to pop - this is an opportunity to meet people, learn some harmonies and sing your hearts out. No experience required. Enthusiasm absolutely necessary!

Spring
Tues 14 Jan - Tues 1 Apr (exc 18 Feb)
7.30pm – 9pm

£11 per session | £110 per 11 week term

•  21 Jan from £11
•  28 Jan from £11
• 7 more dates...

Led by Julie Potter

This class is particularly suited to beginners, those returning to yoga having had a break, those with specific injuries or conditions or even those that consider themselves to be of a certain age that might need a less challenging approach. We will cover general breathing practises, the basic and gentler postures, together with general information and possible discussion around movement and the potential difficulties we might come up against.

The aim will be to relax and enjoy.

The yoga I teach is an evolution of nearly 30 years of practice and study, with a broad experience of many styles and teachers. In recent years I have been moving away from ‘external’ evaluation of the postures and moving towards an internal sense of the postures, moving away from the more used traditional approach of systemised yoga to a more experiential and felt approach, influenced by teachers who have been inspired by the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli.

Please bring a blanket, a Yoga / Pilates mat, and wear loose comfortable clothing

Spring
Wed 15 Jan - 12 Feb (5 weeks)
Wed 19 Feb - 19 Mar (5 weeks)
Wed 26 Mar - 30 Apr (5 weeks)

11am - 12.15pm
£12 per session | £50 per 5 week course

This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.

You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email.

•  22 Jan from £12
•  29 Jan from £12
• 12 more dates...

Led by Emma Duncan

In each session children take part in a series of drama games and activities that develop their confidence as well as teaching them drama skills. These include focus, communication, developing a character and voice projection.

As the weeks go on the group will each have a part with some lines to learn in a small-scale show. They will rehearse as a team and share what they have learnt during the last session, more details to follow on this after half term.

Suitable for school years 2 - 6.

'Norden Farm is my favourite after school club, it always keeps me moving and relaxed. It is a great place to go for drama and within a short time, I have become far more confident and expressive' Timothy, age 7

'We have sent both of our children to Youth Theatre at Norden Farm and have seen dramatic improvements in there ability, confidence, social awareness and expressiveness generally and specifically. The environment is safe and developmental in a broad and exciting sense' Alex - parent

Spring
Wed 15 Jan - 2 Apr (12 weeks)
5pm - 6pm
£126

Junior Youth Theatre Booking Form

'The youth theatre is a nice place and I’ve only been here a short time and I Love it!' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'It is cool and welcoming' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'The youth theatre is one of the most professional classes I’ve enrolled in' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'The youth theatre is one of the best drama clubs, everyone is so friendly and we do amazing games' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'We have absolutely loved the drama classes, we have seen a tremendous improvement with our daughter's confidence, she enjoys the sessions as there is a mixture of techniques and games and has made friends along the way! Emma is great at adapting the lessons and I have only seen improvements, we Look forward to the end of summer show combined with the senior class!!! Love Norden Farm as the venue!' Junior Youth Theatre Parent

'This is my daughter’s first experience of a drama club - and it has been such a positive, confidence-boosting, creative experience for her. I particularly love that there is no pressure on the children - there is plenty of time and practice to get ready for the end of season Sharing Session, and the level of performance is just enough to stretch them, without making them worry. It’s pure joy and excitement! You can see how far the group has progressed from term to term - they are becoming a very confident and capable group of Thespians!' Junior Youth Theatre Parent

•  22 Jan
•  29 Jan
• 9 more dates...