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Elton John by Stuart Epps
Stuart first met Sir Elton John in 1967 where he was the office boy at the Beatles music publisher Dick James.
This was the same year that Elton Met his lyricist Bernie Taupin. Elton was employed as a staff songwriter. Stuart was immediately impressed with Elton's talent. He started working as assistant for Elton's co-ordinator and Head of DJM records Steve Brown.
This involved everything to do with Elton's career including booking studios, musicians and promoting his early records to the BBC. In the Late 60s and early 70s he toured the states with Elton and his band as his personal assistant.
Whilst touring with Kiki Dee and Elton in 1974, Stuart was at the amazing New York Madison Square concert when John Lennon performed his last gig with Elton. He then went on to work at Elton's producer Gus Dugeoens Studio The Mill in Cookham. Here he worked again with Elton recording Hits including Song For Guy and Nikita.
Stuarts talk at Norden Farm also includes his work with other artists including Led Zeppelin, George Harrison, Chris Rea, Robbie Williams and Oasis.
Studio
£16
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other events you may be interested in
Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope
Mark Farrelly (Howerd's End, Jarman) brings his hugely-acclaimed solo play to Norden Farm for an up-close encounter with the original Englishman in New York.
From a conventional upbringing to global notoriety via The Naked Civil Servant, Quentin Crisp was one of the most memorable figures of the twentieth century. Openly gay as early as the 1930s, Quentin spent decades being beaten up on London’s streets for refusing to be anything less than himself. His courage, and the philosophy that evolved from those experiences, inspire to the present day.
Naked Hope depicts Quentin at two phases of his extraordinary life. Alone in his Chelsea flat in the 1960s, certain that life has passed him by, and thirty years later, performing An Evening with Quentin Crisp in New York.
Packed with witty gems on everything from cleaning (Don’t bother – after the first four years the dust won’t get any worse) to marriage (Is there life after marriage? The answer is no), Naked Hope is a glorious, uplifting celebration of the urgent necessity to be your true self.
'A stunning piece of theatre, masterfully told' ★★★★★ Broadway Baby
'An acting masterclass' ★★★★★ Sardines Magazine
'A truly life-affirming play and an absolute triumph' ★★★★★ All That Dazzles
'An uncanny feat of resurrection. Farrelly’s mastery of his audience is total' ★★★★ Time Out
'A riveting and quite hysterically funny show' ★★★★ British Theatre Guide
'Reveals both the frailty and fearlessness of a trendsetter' ★★★★ Metro
Studio
£16 I £14 (Supporters)
Macbeth: David Tennant and Cush Jumbo
Filmed live at the Donmar Warehouse in London, especially for the big screen.
David Tennant (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) and Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife, Criminal Record) lead a stellar cast in an ‘enthralling’ (★★★★★ Daily Telegraph) new production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Unsettling intimacy and brutal action combine at breakneck speed as Max Webster (Life of Pi, Henry V) directs this tragic tale of love, murder, and nature’s power of renewal. With staging ‘full of wolfish imagination and alarming surprise’ (★★★★★ The Guardian), the immersive 5.1 cinema surround sound places the audience inside the minds of the Macbeths, asking are we ever really responsible for our actions?
Courtyard Theatre Cinema
£16
Align and Flow Yoga
Led by Deborah Le Vene-Page
Align and Flow Yoga is influenced by the biomechanics and heart orientated philosophy of the Anusara Hatha style of yoga. With a specific alignment focus within the flow of postures the practice will tone and strengthen the body, improve posture and create more freedom in the body and mind resulting in a calm and relaxed state of being.
Each week there will be a different theme weaving its’ way through the session, but a typical class starts with breathing techniques to centre and ground, poses to warm up and then progresses to a fun and challenging mix of vinyasa and alignment yoga.
This class is designed to cultivate focus, stamina, strength, and flexibility. Leaving time at the end for a well-deserved relaxation.
Come prepared for an energising class that will also leave you feeling relaxed.
Age guidance: 18+ years
Spring
Sat 11 Jan - 22 Feb (7 weeks)
Sat 8 Mar - 26 Apr (8 weeks)
£12.50 per session | £73.50 per 7 week course | £84 per 8 week course
Suitable for all levels of experience. Please bring a yoga mat with you.
- 18 Jan SOLD OUT
- 25 Jan from £1250
- 12 more dates...
Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet
Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet! put on fabulous, feelgood 70s and 80s disco nights for grown-ups at venues across London and the South East - and we’re delighted to welcome them back again after a funk-tastic sell out night here last year.
HSDY nights are recommended by everyone from Time Out and The Guardian to Stylist and Radio 4 and they have been described as 'Abba collides with Saturday Night Fever in a glorious mash up'.
DJ Lady G will be on the decks playing all your favourite soul, funk and disco tunes. Dancer Lady Boo will be showing you the moves to everything from Car Wash (complete with shiny rags) and Hey Mickey, to the 1979 Gonzales hit, Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet, after which HSDY take their name.
If you fancy dressing up (it’s not obligatory, but lots do) there are prizes for the best retro outfits, and free sweets and ice pops too.
In the words of Shalamar, it’s going to be 'a night to remember!'
10% profits from HSDY nights go to Cancer Research UK
Party the night away until 12am - with our Café Bar also open serving drinks until then!
Courtyard Theatre
£18
This is a standing/dancing event with some unallocated seating
Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet! website
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Crafternoons - Tuesdays
Led by Creative Eye
Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.
Get crafty with a range of activities, or bring along your own projects to work on with support from tutor Kayleigh Robinson.
You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. Come either Tuesday or Wednesday and join in that week's craft. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.
Spring Season
Tues 14 Jan - Charcoal Drawing
Tues 21 Jan - Embroidered Photos
Tues 28 Jan - Decoupage Log Slices
Tues 4 Feb - No Session
Tues 11 Feb - Polymer Clay Octopus
Tues 18 Feb - Pin Board
Tues 25 Feb - Willow Suncatcher
Tues 4 Mar - Wire Flowers
Tues 11 Mar - Felt Keyring / Brooch
Tues 18 Mar - Woven Basket
Tues 25 Mar - Wool Hoop Art
Tues 1 Apr - Book Folded Sheep
Tues 8 Apr - Fabric Flower
Tues 15 Apr - Cube Bunny
Tues 22 Apr - Embossed Foil Decorations
Tues 29 Apr - Iris Paper Folding
Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.
Local transport can be provided as part of the ticket price for those attending on a Wednesday.
If you need transport to Norden Farm for the Wednesday sessions please contact Jess Thompson at [email protected] / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.
Suitable for ages 60+ years.
2pm - 3pm
£6.50 per session, including a cup of tea
Bollybhangra Dance Fit
Led by Nanda Sharma
Welcome to Bollybhangra Dance Fitness Party sessions! Nanda teaches her original choreographies to top hits from Bollywood, Bhangra, Belly dance and also other international music and dance rhythms.
The joyful music and movements encourage us to open our hearts and minds to possibilities, improve wellbeing and body-confidence and encourage us to embrace our individuality.
Enjoy the benefits of dance on flexibility and balance, health and fitness, and mood, memory, in a fun and friendly environment, at your own pace - no pressure. Beginners welcome.
Every class feels like a party and your place awaits! Dress up or dress down, some colour, sequins and a jingly bellydance scarf will add to your experience!
Bring water, a towel, wear dance sneakers or trainers.
Spring
Tues 14 Jan - Tues 29 Apr
3pm - 4pm
£10 per session
Norden Farm Choir
Led by Seann Wilkinson
A non-audition community choir open to all. Working on everything from Madonna to Les Mis, from gospel to pop - this is an opportunity to meet people, learn some harmonies and sing your hearts out. No experience required. Enthusiasm absolutely necessary!
Spring
Tues 14 Jan - Tues 1 Apr (exc 18 Feb)
7.30pm – 9pm
£11 per session | £110 per 11 week term
Beginners/Gentle Yoga
Led by Julie Potter
This class is particularly suited to beginners, those returning to yoga having had a break, those with specific injuries or conditions or even those that consider themselves to be of a certain age that might need a less challenging approach. We will cover general breathing practises, the basic and gentler postures, together with general information and possible discussion around movement and the potential difficulties we might come up against.
The aim will be to relax and enjoy.
The yoga I teach is an evolution of nearly 30 years of practice and study, with a broad experience of many styles and teachers. In recent years I have been moving away from ‘external’ evaluation of the postures and moving towards an internal sense of the postures, moving away from the more used traditional approach of systemised yoga to a more experiential and felt approach, influenced by teachers who have been inspired by the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli.
Please bring a blanket, a Yoga / Pilates mat, and wear loose comfortable clothing
Spring
Wed 15 Jan - 12 Feb (5 weeks)
Wed 19 Feb - 19 Mar (5 weeks)
Wed 26 Mar - 30 Apr (5 weeks)
11am - 12.15pm
£12 per session | £50 per 5 week course
This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.
You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email.
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