Fiona Jones, Author at Blackpool Social Club

15 Jan

Blackpool Soundwaves – Learn to Sing!

Fiona JonesMusic & Gigs

Learn to sing a cappella! January seems to be the month of dieting, frustrated non-smokers and ill-used gym memberships. The media can’t seem to make its mind up whether we should detox or retox and is taking bets on when we're going to give up giving up. Well how about 2014 being about taking on something new? We’ve got just the thing. The Soundwaves are Blackpool's very own twenty-strong a capella chorus and they are inviting ladies aged fourteen plus to join them for a new year's challenge. For four weeks Samantha Roberts, musical director for the Soundwaves, and her…

31 Aug

Blackpool Illuminations Switch On 2013

Fiona Jones0 CommentsLocal News

The past 72 hours must have been squeaky bum time for the Marketing Blackpool team, as beautifully presented by Duncan in his article yesterday, Wednesday saw the headline act and ticket seller, The Script, pull out of not only one of their gigs but one of Blackpool’s biggest events of the year due to family illness. The tweets of support from fans were also joined by Gary Barlow’s Glimmering beacon of hope, offering to step in on the condition that the proceeds go to Children in Need. And so, after checking twitter constantly, it came to be. What a hero.…

30 Aug

Blackpool Illuminations New Archive Blog

Fiona Jones2 CommentsLocal News

Last week saw me take a visit to Lightworks, the Blackpool Illuminations depot, to find out more about the history of Blackpool’s famous illuminations and meet new kid on the Blog, Carol Chapman who has the exciting but arduous task of rediscovering the huge collection of paraphernalia that has accumulated over the years. Tell me more about your project! The blog is called Illuminations Collection and is a way for me to share with as many people, the discoveries I make on a daily basis. Weekly, I upload pictures and share news about what is happening at Lightworks such as new…

24 Jul

Blackpool: Is it really a crap town?

Fiona Jones3 CommentsColumns & Opinion

All over the internet this last week has been 'news' of an updated version of an outdated opinion. Crap Towns: The 50 Worst Places to Live in the UK, has been granted a second round at town-bashing and the follow up; Crap Towns: Revisited, has allowed us the dishonour of being one of said Crap Towns. My question is, what constitutes a crap town? I’ll hold my hand up, we must have all at some point huffed something along the lines of "That’s Blackpool for you," or exclaimed profanities at various failings of the town. Blackpool is still in a…

06 Jun

Aping the Beast: Be part of something monstrous this summer!

Fiona Jones0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitions

The Grundy’s latest exhibition is set to cause a stir amongst the crowds in Blackpool, and you could be involved in getting things moving! British artist, Serena Korda is in town for the summer with her showcase ‘Aping the Beast’. Korda’s latest creations showcase animal symbolism and folklore; think age old tales of giant beasts and the fascination versus repulsion of spiders and snakes. Set in the Grundy itself is the main attraction, The Beast, a giant rubber T-Rex type dinosaur which takes centre stage in the main exhibition hall. Elsewhere in the gallery is a selection of pictures and…

24 Apr

Comedy Carpet LIVE

Fiona Jones0 CommentsLocal News

First there was the Comedy Carpet, a 2,200 square metre expanse of concrete and granite, adorned with the work of over 1,000 comedy writers and performers, like a ‘welcome’ mat between the Irish Sea and Blackpool’s iconic tower. On its opening, I drove past the many people taking in the quotes and jokes, and thought there was an alfresco mass happening. Now we have a great reason to bow our heads in respect to the Comedy Carpet as July sees two nights of hilarious entertainment lined up in the eponymous Comedy Carpet Live. Visit Blackpool announced the starry line up…

28 Feb

The Nightingale at Blackpool Grand Theatre

Fiona Jones0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performance

Wednesday afternoon, straight from work, is not usually a time that I head to the theatre. Nonetheless, I borrowed my nephew and jogged through town in the glorious winter sunshine to my favourite building in Blackpool, The Grand Theatre. On the bill today was storytelling, puppetry and animation. My junior co-author joined me fresh from school and we settled in our seats with pop and sweets. The Nightingale is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Emperor and the Nightingale and is influence by other tales and fables. I was thrilled to be able to take Luke for his first ever…

18 Feb

Spookshow at Showzam!

Fiona Jones1 CommentLocal News

Sunday night was fright night for a group of sixty unknowing victims who dared venture into the unlit, cool Baronial Hall at Blackpool Winter Gardens. We met in the Galleon Bar, clueless to what lay ahead for the next hour, and filled in our disclaimers, or Fright Insurance, which required details such as next of kin, blood type and our deepest fears. Finally 6pm came and we were led upstairs to have, what was promised to be, the time of our lives. In the absence of a hot date, as recommended on the Showzam! website, I had the company of…

16 Feb

Showzam Launch at Blackpool Winter Gardens – Part One

Fiona Jones0 CommentsLocal News

Showzam!, the ever-popular festival of magic and amusement born and bred in Blackpool, has entered into our lives with a bang, pop and ‘Abracadabra’! From Saturday the 15th to the 24th of February, Blackpool will be taken over by sights more weird and wonderful than usual as 2013’s programme of events promises a huge variety of events for all ages. Showzam Central is the HQ of all things circus, magic and variety. As well as performances from the Invisible Circus there are side shows such as well loved irregular regular, Pinball Geoff with his vintage and arcade games and ‘Miss…

29 Jan

Preview: Lee Nelson

Fiona Jones0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performance

The 7th of June sees another comedian take to the famous stage on Blackpool’s North Pier theatre. The pier, which has a rich history of performers who have called it home, has managed to secure increasingly popular funny man, Lee Nelson, who has extended his tour especially to fit in the prestigious venue. Stephen Mercer of North Pier Theatre said, “Lee Nelson is one of the funniest and most popular comedians in the country. His shows constantly sell out and his unique brand of comedy will have the audience in stitches." Lee Nelson, a character written and performed by Simon…