Oxjam festival brings a feast of live music to town

There are events to meet a wide range of musical tastes - and also for those who like to dance, play instruments and get behind the mic.

Edmund Flach, one of the planning team, said; “We hope this will be the best year yet for collecting funds to help Oxfam combat poverty and suffering across the world. Some of the performers are old friends, and some are welcome newcomers. Why not join the growing band of enthusiasts who try to go to every event?”

Here are some of the events:

Friday March 3rd

‘Friday Fiddlers’ - English, Irish, Scottish, Cajun and American folk-tunes, The Dukes in Heath and Reach, 8.30pm

The 38’s - ‘60s soul through to ‘70s punk, The Crown, 9pm

‘Karaoke Knights for Oxjam’ - The Heath Inn, Heath and Reach, 9pm

Saturday March 4th

Rock of Ages Choir ‘Oxjam Concert’ - inimitable versions of many rock classics, and a few surprises! All Saints Church, 7.30pm

Carnaby Street - classic songs by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and many more, plus some Glam Rock from the early ‘70s including The Sweet and T-REX, The Heath Inn, 9pm to 11.30pm

Sunday March 5th

‘Oxjam Barn Dance’ with The Ouzel Valley Ranters - Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hall, Beaudesert, 2.30pm

CG3, with support from Aspect - an afternoon of popular jazz, The Black Lion, 3pm

Testament, a Milton Keynes-based Christian band - The Ashwell Arms, 7pm to 9pm

‘Swan Sunday Session Open Mic’ - The Swan in Northall, LU6 2EY, 8pm ‘til late

Wednesday March 8th

‘Greensand Jazz’: The Bruce Barth Trio featuring Bruce Barth (piano) with Arnie Somogyi (bass) and Stephen Keogh (drums) - The Five Bells, Stanbridge, 8.15pm. Tickets costing £13 (£3 for under 18s and full-time students) are available from the website, www.greensandjazz.org.uk, or from Espresso Head, 8 Hockliffe Street

Friday March 10th

‘The Ashwell Folk Session’ - an informal evening of songs and tunes at The Ashwell Arms, 8.30pm to 11pm

The Booze Brotherz - an 8-piece Blues Brothers tribute band complete with a brass section, The Crown, 8.30pm ‘til late

‘Wheatsheaf Band Session for Oxjam’ showcasing local music talent with Spacejunkie, Fall From Glory and The Reformed, plus acoustic sets - The Wheatsheaf, 9.30pm to midnight

Saturday March 11th

Open Air Music in the High Street - six hours of live music from a range of local musicians and groups, bottom of Leighton Buzzard High Street (near the Oxfam shop), 10.00am to 4.00pm

The Big Busk for Oxjam - local musicians playing for donations in aid of Oxfam at various spots in and around the High Street, 10am to 4pm

Organ Recital by John Wearmouth - programme of popular organ classics including “Gothic Suite”, “Carillon de Westminster”, “Fantasia and Fugue on BACH” and one or two pop items, St. Barnabas Church, Linslade, 3pm

Secret Genius - songs from bands as diverse as Free, Stealers Wheel and The Eagles, to Paramore, Jason Mraz, Adele and The Kaiser Chiefs, The Crown, North Street, 9pm to 11.30pm

Leap of Faith - local covers band featuring music from Muse, Radiohead, Kasabian, Killers, Blur, David Bowie and more, The Heath Inn, Woburn Road, Heath and Reach, from 8.00pm

Sunday March 12th

‘Ale ‘n’ Acoustic Session’ - bring your voices and instruments to join in with this very informal and fun acoustic afternoon, The Black Lion, High Street, from 3pm

Most events are free entry with a collection for Oxjam, but some are ticket-only, so check the details online, and look out for posters and programmes around town.

Check the website www.oxjamleightonbuzzard.org.uk and the Oxjam Leighton Buzzard Facebook page.