The Museum of Richmond will be the benefiting charity for the popular annual 1940's Big Band Blitz at Clarendon Hall, York House, Twickenham on Saturday 18 November. This year the event will be part of the Queen's 80th Birthday celebration.

The Mayor of Richmond and his guests will be stepping back in time to the 1940s.

Big Band Blitz will re-create a special 1940's Glenn Miller wartime evening of big band music, dance and entertainment, featuring the legendary music of Glenn Miller and other Big Bands of the period.

The authentic setting with 1940's Period Dress and Memorabilia, Live Music and Celebrity Guests, Dancing, Food and Drink from the NAAFI, Licensed Bar, the Air-Raid Warning, Complimentary 1940's Newspapers and Spam, will make this a unique 1940's party, and enable guests to experience the atmosphere of those bygone days.

This special event will feature the acclaimed Jon Bennett Big Band, whose many credits include appearances at the Savoy Hotel, Australian High Commission, the Lyceum and Dominion Theatres in London's West End, and the Royal Gala Performance at Richmond Theatre.

A number of celebrity guests will be appearing including:

• Kathleen McCormack, one of Australia's top recording, TV and concert artists with 28 albums, and recipient of a Gold Award, who's many appearances include the Sydney Opera House.
• Paul Cox, international vocalist, described by Paul Jones on Radio 2 as "the best voice in the UK", chosen by the late Ray Charles to open his last three European Concert Tours. Appearances include Hampton Court Palace, the Royal Festival Hall, and the Montreux Jazz Festival where hedefined() appeared alongside Eric Clapton. Paul has also worked with UK jazz legenddefined() Chris Barber.
• Tom Nolan, acclaimed guitarist and musical director of Twickenham's Eel Pie Club, whose past appearances include the Royal Albert Hall, will be performing some famous George Formby songs with ukulele in his own unique style.
• Joanna Ruocco, one of the top female American drummers, has played with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Chuck Berry, Kylie Minogue and Paul Weller's Style Council, for which she was awarded a Platinum Disc.
• The Original London Palladium Tiller Girls, three members of one of the most famous chorus lines ever, famous for their weekly TV appearances on Sunday Night at The London Palladium.
• Pinstripes and Polka Dots, an electric group of enthusiastic dancers who have joined together to re-create the fashions and bring alive the stomping dance styles from the 1940s.
• The Hampton School Choir, the return of the famous children's choir, following their Royal Albert Hall concert appearance.

PLUS much more...

Details

• Tickets: £15 (£12-50 Concessions). Cheques payable to: Big Band Blitz
• Bookings from:
  • Museum of Richmond, Whittaker Ave, Richmond (020 8332 1141)
  • The Richmond Music Shop, 16 Red Lion Street, Richmond.
  • Big Band Blitz, c/o 44 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3RR (020 8973 3605)
  • Credit Card Bookings: Keith Prowse (www.keithprowse.com.uk) (0870 848 0000)