Heart Radio Kent Breakfast Presenters James Heming and Becky Ives will open the Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink, in the beautiful splendour of Calverley Grounds, on Friday 18th November 2016 at 5.45pm with Tunbridge Wells Rock Choir singing a selection of well-known hits along with some Christmas songs.
There will also be a performance from Silver Blades Gillingham, who will be showcasing a variety of their very own talent with a skating performance from their Christmas show, Alice in Wonderland, as well as solo and group numbers. Performer’s ages range from 11 – 19 years old.
The Invicta Junior Ice Hockey Club under 9’s, Invicta Buckaroos, and under 11’s, Invicta Stampedes, will follow with a display of youth sport showing the excitement of the game starting with some hockey skating drills followed by a short match – something for everyone.
To get you in the festive spirit, the ice will then be opened to the public for the first time this season from 8.00-9.00pm. Heart Radio presenters will be turning up the sounds and playing a mix of classic party tunes which are sure to include hits from the 90’s, noughties and now. The Heart Angels will be helping to bring this wonderful event to life armed with reindeer antlers for the children and adults of course, making sure to capture all feel good moments from the night for a festive photo gallery on heart.co.uk.
During the festive season, The Assembly Hall Theatre and The Forum have also announced a major collaboration to bring live music to the Royal Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink. The live music nights, featuring a fine collection of musical talent from the South East, will bring a wonderful and new festive atmosphere to the ice rink. The bands will perform on four Thursday nights in November and December playing rock to indie to folk.
John-Jackson Almond, Theatre Director at the Assembly Hall Theatre says: “The Assembly Hall Theatre and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council are really proud to be entering into our first major collaboration with The Forum at the Christmas Ice Rink. We hope this partnership will grow and give many more local and upcoming bands more and varied opportunities in our Borough and further afield!”
Starting on Thursday 24th November, three exciting acts will take to the stage each Thursday night from 7.00-9.00pm. The final Thursday event will be on 15th December. Each evening will offer a different variety of bands and solo artists, and will lead into the Christmas and New Year party season shows at The Forum itself, which start on Saturday 17th December with the Anti-Nowhere League.
Venue owner Jason Dormon said: “Since our recent conversion to a social enterprise earlier this year, the Forum has begun branching out to new venues such as programming weekend nights at the Sussex Arms. So we really pleased to add this Thursday night residency at the ice rink as another string to Tunbridge Wells’ ever increasing live music offering.”
Entrance to the music nights is free and, if you would like to skate while you listen, tickets can be purchased from www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com
The line-ups for each night are: 24th Nov: 7pm Havelock Music (Acoustic), 7.30pm Ukelear Fallout (Americana) and 8.10pm Steffan James Band (Folk rock). 1st Dec: 7pm Young Apollo (Acoustic rock), 7.30pm Wax (Fuzzy guitar) and 8.10pm The Breretons (Folk rock). 8th Dec: 7pm The Ackerleys (Acoustic), 7.30pm Lily & Jessie Denning (Soul harmonies) and 8.10pm Mike Wilton (Blues) and 15th Dec: 7pm Paul Cheese (Singer/songwriter), 7.30pm Youth (Acoustic rock) and 8.10pm Cyrano (Rock)
Tickets for The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Ice Rink, which is open from Friday 18th November 2016 to Monday 2nd January 2017, can be purchased either at www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com, from the Assembly Hall Theatre Box Office in person or by calling 01892 554645. The onsite Box Office will be open from 18th November. The cost for one hour’s skating, including hire of skating boots, starts from £7.00 for children and £10.50 for adults. Student prices are £9.50 and Go! Card £7.
