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Your responsibility by Pat Kavanagh

2:25pm Friday 21st November 2008

Dear parent. While you luxuriated in front of Eastenders or Hollyoaks, the fruit of your complacent and irresponsible loins has been defiling, debasing, defaming and destroying all that we hold dear in our street. Did you know? Or perhaps like the vermin that you bore, maybe you just don’t care.

James Yorkston at The Vic in Old Town on Monday November 24

1:20pm Friday 21st November 2008

From bonnie Scotland comes a rare jewel of a songwriter, James Yorkston, with melodies seeping from every pore and harmonies soaking through his folk drenched fingers as he tours the UK.

Sian Phillips in Blood Brothers, Bristol Hippodrome until November 29

9:35am Friday 21st November 2008

Marti Caine Blood Brothers Bristol Hippodrome Until Saturday 29th November Tickets: £10.00 - £32.50 0844 847 2325 The classic album Tell Me On A Sunday was written for actress Marti Webb by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Dionne Warwick at New Theatre Oxford on November 25

9:22am Friday 21st November 2008

DIONNE Warwick takes the stage at Oxford’s New Theatre on Tuesday evening. In a showbiz world where just about anybody can expect to be called a legend if they manage a career longer than a couple of years, Dionne is the genuine article. Now 67, she began her career as a recording artist in 1962. Thanks to her superb voice and expertise in choosing and bringing out the best in songs, her work has become part of the global consciousness. Her back catalogue includes such immortal tracks as Walk On By, I Say A Little Prayer, Trains And Boats And Planes and All The Love In The World. Ahead of her Oxford date, she spoke to the Swindon Advertiser on a winter’s day in autumn - surely a bit a of a shock for somebody who spends much of her time at a cherished home in Brazil? In fact, she’s been pleasantly surprised. “This has been the most pleasant time I’ve spent here, weather-wise,” she said. “The sun has been out, and it’s only rained once!” She first came to Britain in 1964, by which time she was already very famous, and has visited countless times since. Dionne has been singing since her infancy in New Jersey, having been brought up in a musical family. Famed gospel singer Cissy Houston is an aunt, Whitney Houston a cousin and a younger sister, Dee Dee, found fame as a soul singer. (Sadly, Dee Dee lost a battle against cancer only weeks ago, and Dionne was by her side when she died.) Dionne said: “Being born into a musical family, music was all I’d ever known - it’s not like it was anything out of the ordinary for me.” When fame came, she met it with joy and humility. “It was wonderful - very exciting, and to be able to give pleasure to so many folks with your voice is something that you never think will happen. “When it did happen, it was - and it still is - an amazing thing.” Dionne has spent decades using her fame to highlight and ease the plight of vulnerable and needy people worldwide, and in 2002 she was made a global ambassador for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. Her humanitarian work has earned her enduring respect. She said: “I have to attribute this work to the way I was brought up. My grandfather was a minister, and he said we should all be of service to others in one way or another. “I took that very, very seriously, so anything I can do that involves my talent or expertise is something I’m going to share.” Tickets for the New Theatre show cost £35 (£32.50 in advance on 0844 847 1585.

Davood Ghadami in Lord of the flies, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon from Nov 25 to 29

9:28am Friday 21st November 2008

Davood Ghadami in Lord of the flies, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon from Nov 25 to 29 Davood Ghadami is 26-years-old but has no trouble tackling the role of a teenage boy, in the dark drama Lord Of The Flies in Swindon this week.

Martin Harvey nominated for national dance award while starring in Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych in West End

9:30am Friday 21st November 2008

Swindon dancer Martin Harvey has been nominated for a national dance award only weeks after scooping the leading role in the West End production of Dirty Dancing.

Oblivion by Peter Walmsley

3:41pm Thursday 20th November 2008

Cold wetness seeping into his trousers. Sensation of breeze across face as the now familiar descent into oblivion began. Stomach churning, ribs awash, head light somehow detached. Street lights blurred. Horn blowing loud…so far away. Shaking himself, rising from the wet tarmac. Better in bed perhaps than Bath Road.

Cheers, fears, tears and beers by Marmite Soldier

3:45pm Thursday 20th November 2008

Swindon Town Football Club. 1993. Motorway. Scarves. Wembley. Sunshine. Chants. Red Army. Leicester City. Hoddle. Maskell. Taylor. Cheers. Euphoria. Fight back. Fears. Chalkie. Ellery. Penalty. Bodin. Whistle. Premiership. Tears. Celebrations. Hugs. Lap of honour. Trophy. Motorway bridges. Flags. Crowds. Waves. Magic Roundabout. County Ground. Old Town. Party. Smiles. Songs. Beers.

Drum Beats by Alex Dixon

8:17am Thursday 20th November 2008

The floor is yellow, with fallen leaves...

Odd Odes by Les Fox

8:18am Thursday 20th November 2008

Big Ron of Penhill, writes jolly verse...

The Butcher Boy: A brutally good read

7:40pm Wednesday 19th November 2008

Well, there you go. As predicted, I've done largely little for the past day or so except read. Now I feel a bit shell-shocked, but I suspect The Butcher Boy by Patrick McCabe has that effect on most people who read it.

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Benjamin by Marmite Soldier

5:05pm Wednesday 19th November 2008

He hung from the cage, intent on adventure in the outside world, capturing our attention. Benjamin. Furry, striped, full of character. For eighteen years he charmed and dictated. Superior to all around him, Lord of the Manor, before time claimed its inevitable price. A cat-shaped space remains in our hearts.