The Peterborough Festival - 2007

 

Jazz Cruises along the river Nene were extremely popular at last year's Festival.  So this year there will be twice as many.  Fans will be able to choose from two bands and 4 departures, with Key Ferry Cruises running trips on both Tuesday 3 July and Thursday 5 July.

 

First up are The Jazz-Beens with their Dixieland trad sound, featuring tunes like When You're Smiling, Ain't She Sweet, Down by the Riverside and I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate.  Formed in the early 1990s, the band has played at The East of England Show, Music in the Park, The Moat House and Barnsdale Lodge.  They are regulars at many local clubs and have appeared at numerous festivals, fetes and parades.  They have even done a couple of funerals - and they have all been to prison (performing at Whitemoor)!

 

Then on Thursday, The Meena Lee Quartet return to the water.  Hugely successful last year, the band are well known on the local scene, regularly appearing at many concerts and events.  They were the support band to Courtney Pine on his last visit to the Spalding area.  With a style perhaps best summed up as "Songs from the Great American Songbook", their repertoire features well known standards and classic material made famous by artists such as Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Julie London and Fred Astaire, to name but a few.

 

Key Ferry Cruises' Passenger Ship 'Mandolin' is moored right next to the Key Theatre.  There is a licensed bar and all facilities on board, but please note there are steps down into the passenger saloon.

 

The first cruise each evening departs at 6.30 pm. and the second at 8.00 pm., with boarding from 15 minutes prior to departure.  Both trips are ideally timed so that you can enjoy a meal out before or after your cruise - especially if you book at Riva, the new restaurant within the Key Theatre building.

 

Tickets are priced at £8.00 each and are only available through the Tourist Information Centre.  Telephone 01733 452336 or call in at 35 Minster Precincts.  Space is limited and expected to sell out quickly so do get in early.