After Hours Live - Christina Boonstra

Octavia's Cafe
Octavia View, 10a-14 South Brink, Wisbech
7:30pm (doors open 7pm)
Free entry

Christina Boonstra is a singer songwriter born and raised on the move. Her songs are a unique blend of acoustic indie pop, so catchy they'll rattle around in your head for days.

Her debut EP 'Until My Feet Move', received great reviews and was aired on numerous radio stations including BBC Three Counties, Vibe Radio Watford and UCB.

Wisbech Buskers to play After Hours Live

Contrary to a previously advertised date, After Hours Live will now be taking place on Friday 21st October we welcome The Wisbech Buskers to the After Hours Live stage. The Wisbech Buskers are Jacob Keet (violin), Clive Butcher (accordian) and Alan Vibes (Cello). Having met in the Fenland town of Wisbech, they discovered their passion for acoustic folk music. They formed as a group for a special concert that Jacob had organised and people were so impressed that they were booked for an After Hours Live session of their own! Come along to hear some great folk and classical music tinged with fun and frolicks and a twist of faith. 

After Hours Live takes place in Octavia’s Café, that is operated by The Ferry Project. This means every cup of tea, every mug of coffee, every slice of delicious cake purchased goes to the charity, helping those who are homeless in our community. Find out more about their work here http://www.ferryproject.org.uk/

Entry is free and the music starts at 7:30pm (doors open 7pm).

Find out more about After Hours Live here: www.afterhourslive.org.uk 

Matt McChlery at After Hours Live

Matt McChlery entertained a home audience at After Hours Live at the start of March. Playing an acoustic set of covers by the likes of the Foo Fighters, Adele and Snow Patrol as well as a few original numbers too. Thank you to all who came.

Next month we welcome Bean Baker to the After Hours Live stage. This will be Bean's second time with us and if his first appearance was anything to go by, this is going to be a night to remember, so do come along to Octavia's Cafe on Friday 8 April.

Libby Redman playing After Hours Live in February

After Hours Live is back on Friday 5th February with the immensely talented Soul and Gospel singer Libby Redman. Libby will be travelling down from Liverpool to be with us at After Hours Live in February. Growing up with a love for music and wearing out toy microphones, Libby first performed one of her own gospel songs on stage at the age of 11. Writing music and lyrics is as natural to her as singing.

Described on Premier Gospel as ‘a gospel singing sensation’, her voice is powerful and emotionally stirring as it spills out from her core, powerfully articulating a range of life experiences that express faith, hope and love.

Libby produced her soulful new album, SO GOOD, which was released in November 2015. Recently nominated by Pure M Awards as Best UK Act whilst touring the UK & Europe, Libby continues to develop her distinctive sound.

More about After Hours Live

After Hours Live is a monthly event that takes place on the first Friday of every month in Wisbech, the heart of the Fens. Hosted by The King's Church, it combines first-class entertainment (that ranges from musicians and comedians to poetry reading and magicians) with a twist of faith. Performers come from far and wide across the UK, as well as some great home-grown local talent.

Starting at 7;30pm,Octavia’s cafe swings into action brewing up steaming cups of tea and luscious cappuccinos and lattes. Free entry means that you can come and enjoy the comfortable cafe atmosphere and still be able to afford a cup of your favorite beverage and maybe even treat yourself to an indulgent slice of cake! Some performers may also bring CDs they have recorded or books they have written that will also be available on the night.

2016 Line-Up

Other performers at After Hours Live in 2016 include: Chelsea Alice Scott, Bean Baker, Salt of the Sound, Pete McAllen and many more. Please visit the After Hours Live website www.AfterHoursLive.org.uk or ‘Like’ our Facebook Page to be kept up to date with the latest news and events.

Jon Kendall plays at After Hours

Musician, Jon Kendall travelled up from Milton Keynes to play at After Hours Live on Friday. His charismatic enthusiasm blended wonderfully with his acoustic musical talents. He sung a mixture of cover songs as well as some originals, including a new song he had written about the work of the charity 'Compassion'.

After Hours Live now takes a Christmas break and will be back in early February 2016. Please watch the After Hours Live website www.afterhourslive.org.uk for more information and the latest updates.

Have a blessed Christmas!

Open Mic at After Hours Live

Alan and Pam perform at Open Mic

Friday 2 October 2015 saw the return of the annual Open Mic Night at After Hours Live, situated in the picturesque Octavia's Cafe in Wisbech. The event saw many talented performers take to the stage for a 10 minute slot where they entertained the audience with a wide variety of acts including comedy, poetry and music. Some of the highlights included a rendition of the Tom Jones classic 'Kiss' on a cello by Pam and Alan Vibral. Acoustic original songs by Alex Chapman that contained a Johnny Cash vibe were another highlight of this fun-packed evening.

After Hours Live is back on Friday 6 November where talented singer Rachel Yvonne will be travelling up form London to give us an evening to remember. Please visit the After Hours Live website for more information.

Jacob Serenades After Hours

Accomplished violinist, Jacob Keet and friends played to an absolutely packed audience at After Hours Live in June. Jacob is an excellent violin player and is a member of the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra. He played several pieces, but he was not along. Indeed the night featured an array of talented singers and musicians from in and around the Wisbech area of all ages. These included: Thomas Clarkson Academy Srtings; The Wisbech Community Choir, The Wisbech Buskers, and Loc Mai and Gabriel Fitzsimmons on keyboard.

The evening too the audience on a musical journey from the Middle Ages up tot he present day, guiding the audience on a musical journey across Europe.

This was the first time After Hours Live had hosted an evening of classical music and based on its success, will definitely be having another one.

July sees 'The Ragtag Misfits' take to the After Hours Live stage at Octavia's Cafe in Wisbech. It is set to be a fun filled night so do please come and join us. Find out more on the After Hours Live website.

Were you at Jacob Keet's After Hours Live event? If so, what did you think? Please leave your comments in the section below.

Magic and Giggles at After Hours Live

Tom Elliott is a stand-up comedian with a difference . . .he is also a magician. Seamlessly weaving in comedy and jokes with his magic show, Tom delighted the After Hours audience. From very funny ventriloquism with audience participation to escaping from a straitjacket as well as the obligatory card trick and some close-up magic, Tom Elliott did a great job! (You could tell by the number of people in the audience who were recording his tricks on their mobile phones!)

Tom stood in for the acclaimed comedian Tony Vino at short notice who was unfortunately stuck on a boat somewhere between Lisbon and Bristol! - Thanks Tom.

Film Night: Facing the Giants

Meeting Point is hosting a Film Night on Tuesday (17th Feb 2015) starting at:

6pm

Octavia View

10a-14 South Brink

Wisbech

Entry is free and everyone is welcome! Here is the outline of the film taken from the DVD sleeve:

After six consecutive losing seasons, high school football coach Grant Taylor believes things can't get any worse. He's wrong. With fear and failure defeating him in football and in life, the downtrodden coach and husband turns to God in desperation. Trusting that God can somehow do the impossible, Coach Taylor and his Shiloh Christian Eagles soon discover how faith plays out on the field . . .and off!

Watch the trailer here:

Matt McChlery to play After Hours Live in January

Friday 9th January 2015 sees our very own Matt McChlery take to the After Hours Live stage at Octavia's Cafe in Wisbech where he will be playing a blend of contemporary songs you may have heard on the radio as well as some of his own original material.

Matt's song "Fingerprints" has recently been awarded a 'Finalist' position in the prestigeous 2014 UK Songwriting Contest. Matt will be singing "Fingerprints" at the event as well as having his latest CD for sale which also includes the song. This will be the fourth time Matt has played at After Hours Live and it is set to be another fantastic event.

Doors open at 7pm with music starting at 7:30pm. Entry is free, but do bring some money so you can enjoy the delicious cakes and teas / coffees.

Daughters of Davis at After Hours Live

Daughters of Davis playing at After Hours Live

 The brilliant and super-talented Daughers of Davis fought the Friday night traffic to be with us at After Hours Live in Octavia's Cafe, Wisbech on Friday. Despite the sub-zero temperatures outside the largest audience After Hours Live has had to date helped make the cafe feel snug and warm. The girls put on an amazing performance with their unique blend of acoustic instruments and haunting harmonies singing a mix of covers such as Michael Jackson's 'Billy Jean' and 'Have a Holly Jolly Christmas' as well as some original material.

After Hours Live is in the process of booking performers and special guests for its 2015 line-up so keep up to date by checking out the After Hours Live website for all the latest news. See you in 2015!

 

Bean Baker at After Hours Live

Bean Baker and his bass guitarist Dave fought the Friday evening traffic all the way from Gloucester to be with us at After Hours Live on Friday evening. We are centrainly glad they did as they produced an amazing top-quality performance singing covers such as Ed Sheeran's 'Lego House' and Emily Sande's 'Next To Me'. To prove their musicianship they also covered a jazz number 'Hit The Road Jack' and then played a medley where they combined the popular song 'Everything Is Awesome' from the Lego Movie with One Direction's 'You're Beautiful'. They also played some original compositions including 'Set Me On Fire' as well as 'The Troll And Ogre Hunter' - their CDs sold almost as quickly as the chocolate cake in the interval!

There were also some people who were at After Hours Live for the first time and it was lovely to meet them. We are hoping they will be back next month to see the fantastic Daughters of Davis who will be getting us into the festive spirit.

Alan Vibes Rocking at After Hours Live

 

Friday 7th February saw popular local musician and entertainer, Alan Vibes take to the After Hours Live stage. performing to a packed audience, Alan soon had everyone singing along amd even up on their feet and dancing. Singing covers from Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, The Blues Brothers, Cliff Richard and many, many more Alan delighted the After Hours Live audience.

Octavia's Cafe again played host to the event and were superb hosts. Thanks to all who came. We have an excellent line-up at After Hours Live for 2014 so we do hope to see you again soon.

the month of March (Friday 7th) sees young singer / songwriter Holly Smith from Peterborough coming along to After Hours Live. She is extremely talented and one not to miss! See you there . . .

Poetry Book launched at After Hours Live Open-Mic Night

Fiona Lankfer reading her poems at After Hours Live

January saw After Hours Live get a fabuolus start for 2014 with the ever popular After Hours Poetry Open-Mic night. This saw several poets and lovers of poetry read poems they had either written themselves or just simply love to read (even if written / published by others). The evening had an added bonus in that it was also the launch event of the new After Hours Live: Little Book of Poetry. Local poets who have read at After Hours events in the past contributed to the book which contains 21 poems that cover a variety of themes, and some with a twist of faith.

The book will be available for purchase at the price of £4 at all After Hours Live events this year. Profits go towards the running costs of After Hours Live.

 There is a fantastic line-up of artists for 2014 who will be appearing as apecial guests at After Hours. Among them are Noel & Tricia Richards, Daughters of Davis, Henry Olonga and South African Stand-up Comedian Mark Palmer. Visit the After Hours website for more information or pick up a 2014 'Artist Line Up' card at Octavia's Cafe to keep informed of who is playing/appearing when.

Keith Hammond at After Hours Live

Keith Hammond performs at After Hours Live

Yesterday another successful After Hours Live happened in Octavia's Cafe in Wisbech. Guitarist and songwriter Keith Hammond was our special guest artist this month. He played a fantastic mixture of his own songs and others from the charts. A balance of entertainment with a twist of faith gave a lovely insight into Keith's life and the two songs he played from the latest album recording from Kingsgate Church, Peterborough gave a glimpse into a future of musicality and song writing that is very exciting indeed.

After Hours Live will be back on Friday 4th October where we will be hosting an 'Open Mic' night. Musicians and entertainers from all walks of life are welcome to participate. Simply email info@afterhourslive.org.uk to book your 10min slot. Slots will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, so get in quick as they do tend to go fast!

Paul Kerensa at After Hours Live

Comedian Paul Kerensa entertains at After Hours Live

Professional stand-up comedian, Paul Kerensa, visited Wisbech on his book tour. He has won comedy awards on ITV as well as helped to write hit sitcoms such as 'Dead Ringers' and  BBC's 'Miranda'. It was fantastic having someone of Paul's calibre visiting our lovely town.

Paul had the audience in stitches in no time! A great night of fun and hilarity was had by all. Octavia's Café in the grand Octavia View building that is managed and run by the Ferry Project, again played host to After Hours Live, with help from The King's Church, Wisbech who funded and co-hosted the event.

This event formed a part of The King's Church, Wisbech's involvement in the annual Wisbech Rose Fair festival. Other churches in the town have fabulous floral displays in their buildings, but The King's Church has stand-up comedy and a rally car instead (see next blog for more about the rally car!)

After Hours usually happens on the first Friday evening of every month, however with the long summer holiday happening over August and many people going away during that time, After Hours takes a well deserved rest as well! We will be back in September, so please do keep checking our website for more information nearer the time as we would love to see you there!

www.afterhourslive.org.uk

GP Taylor Visits After Hours Live

Author GP Taylor tells his fascinating life-story at After Hours Live 

New York Times best-selling author GP Taylor gave the audience at After Hours Live an unforgettable evening of stories and tales all based on his own life journey. He spoke about growing up and being expelled from school, being unable to read for many years, how he came to be an ordained priest as well as all the adventures and twists and turns his life has taken since becoming a successful author. An unashamedly Christian message given in a no-nonsense unpretentious way, Graham engaged with the audience who all thoroughly enjoyed hearing about his fascinating life.

It was also interesting to note that all of GP Taylor's books are about to be turned into movies! The first one is being released in a few months time: 'Muriah Mundi' which includes a star-studded cast. So watch this space cinema lovers!

Our next After Hours Live, on Friday 5^th July, sees Paul Kerensa, a stand-up comedian performing at After Hours Live’s Rose Fair Special! Paul has won many awards including ITV’s Take The Mike Award in 2002 and is a sitcom writer, most notably being on the writing team of BBC 1’s ‘Miranda’ and sketch shows such as ‘Dead Ringers’. This event is one not to miss! Come along for a great night out.

 

Joel Fitzsimmons at After Hours Live

 

Local teenager, Joel Fitzsimmons, took to the After Hours Live stage on Friday 10th May 2013 for his debut full-length solo gig. His set contained a varied selection of songs including The Beatles ‘Hey Jude’, U2’s ‘With or Without You’ and Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’. Joel is a very talented musician and as such he had expertly reinterpreted other well-known songs in his own style. Outcast’s ‘Hey Ya’ was performed on an acoustic guitar and ukulele and Taylor Swift’s hit ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ was performed as a rap! The sound resembled a Radio 1 ‘Live Lounge’ session.

Staying on the theme of variety, our next event on Friday 7th June sees the popular New York Times best-selling author, G P Taylor coming to Octavia’s Café to talk about his writing and novels. His works include Shadowmancer, Wormwood, Tersias, The Curse of Salamander Street and The Tizzle Sisters. There will be a variety of his books on sale as well as a question and answer session.

Bob Bell at After Hours Live - April 2013

On Friday 5th April, Bob Bell was back at After Hours Live delighting the audience with his tongue-in-cheek humour as well as his country music. Singing country classics as well as some old gospel standards, Bob Bell had the audience singing along and laughing out loud! One of his songs was by singer Tiny Tim and Bob came equipped with a long black haired wig and a ukelele to give a convincing performance! Bob was also joined on stage by a few friends, namely Alan Vibes and Robin Johnstone who helped sing and play a couple of the songs.

Octavia's Cafe once again played host to the enjoyable evening, giving a fantastic blend of ambiance, coffee and cake! It was good to see some old faces of people who regularly support After Hours Live, but it was equally good to see a whole host of new faces too - we hope to see you again next month?

Our next After Hours Live will not be on the first Friday of the month due to the bank holiday weekend. We will be back on the second Friday of May instead, Friday 10th May 2013. Our special guest is the young but very talented Joel Fitzsimmons who will be playing and singing a variety of songs, new and old. It promises to be an excellent event. We hope to see you there?

For more information, visit our website www.afterhourslive.org.uk

LoziB & Thomas Clarkson Academy pupils at After Hours Live

Lozi B performing at After Hours Live in Octavia's Cafe, Wisbech

After Hours had yet another successful event last night at Octavia's Cafe in Wisbech. Our March event was the first time that we had a few warm-up acts before our headline performer took to the stage.

Starting at the earlier time of 6:30pm, pupils from the Thomas Clarkson Academy bravely took to the stage to give some top-quality performances. Emily Lyall kicked things off by singing a fantastic version of 'Bullet-proof'. Joshua Betts added to the variety of the evening by playing some amazing pieces on his saxaphone. The stand-out piece for me was his version of the popular TV series Poirot's theme tune. Jone Lipnickaite finished off the warm-up acts by singing and playing her guitar as well as singing one song accompanied by piano. Her distinctive vocal quality served to add to the outstanding quality of these young performers. We look forward to working with them and other performers from Thomas Clarkson Academy in the future.

After a relaxing break for a cup of tea and a slice of cake from the fabulous Octavia's Cafe, LoziB took to the stage. She sang a variety of covers including 'Stand By Me' and 'You've Got A Friend' as well as some original compositions. Near the end of her performance LoziB bravely invited members of the audience to suggest various words that she then used to make up a song on-the-spot. This resulted in a truly unique experience and a song about Wendy the blue-and-red tiger! Her chilled and laid-back style added to the relaxed ambiance of Octavia's Cafe and the audience enjoyed the evening.

Next month, Bob Bell is back at After Hours by popular demand. His often amusing style and delivery of country music songs are guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Why not come along and join us on the first Friday evening of May at Octavia's Cafe for the next After Hours Live?