Hi Everyone

Christmas is lurking in the wings. As I speak. cuddly Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is wondering how long before he needs to update his CV, the Queen is looking through her speech one last time and wondering she should call her eldest son's bluff and make him do the speech instead.  East 17 have used their download royalties to pay off their credit cards (and maybe, just maybe take care of the gas bill), Noddy Holder has booked next year's holiday and turkeys all over Britain are listening to a non-stop selection of Leonard Cohen and Morrissey whilst hoping that it's all just a nasty rumour put around by the sheepdogs.

And on top of that, we just happen to have a packed weekend at the Rising Sun!

On Friday, we bring you STAND-UP CINEMA

Screenings of the best locally made film and video plus rarely seen classics, obscure documentaries, cult independents and overlooked modern gems. Stand-Up Cinema is a collaboration between The Rising Sun Arts Centre and Real Time Video. To get your film shown at the next Stand-Up Cinema contact Real Time at info@real-time.org.uk

Our main feature this month is SHIVERS (David Cronenberg, 1975)

Nothing says Christmas more than a David Cronenburg movie!  (No?  What do you mean no?!)

Cronenberg’s debut film and in many ways a perfect antidote to the commercialised Christmas movie shmaltz fest we’ve become used to. Shivers is a chilling and illuminating, classic, bodyhorror film. The inhabitants of a tower block are infested by parasites which create a sexual frenzy in those infected. It does offer a vision of the world united in a common ideal. 

Which is a bit christmassy....  we think.... (Gary, can you get this double checked for us?  There's a good fellow...)

We're open at 7pm and it'll cost you a paltry £5 on the door.  Short Films start at 7.30. Shivers starts showing at 8.00 pm

On Saturday, it's time for another BANDORAMA

The third saturday of the month?  The third saturday of the month at a certain venue in Reading? Surely that means another helping of one of the best band nights in town.  Not only will there be an abundance of shizzle, christmas joy and mince pies but also the following musical delights

DRAW THE SHADES
Draw The Shades are a 4 piece rock band from Reading, UK. Distorted riffs, heavy anthems and soaring vocals make this band stand out from the crowd. The diversity of this band brings together an exciting mix of alternative sounds that entices their audiences.

MARIAH PARIAH
Three brothers who deal in mighty meaty punknroll  Great band!!  Like the Osmonds for punks.

IAMHUNGRY
Fresh faced (new) poppunks

We're open at 8pm, and it'll cost you £5 on the door or £4 in advance from www.wegottickets.co.uk

On Sunday, Thee O'Company presents LIFE IN A BOX

Thee O' company are a group of young actors. All based in and around the UK, they plan to take their own work on tour to independent theatres

Life in a Box was written by a member of Thee O' company and performed for the first time as a new troop.  Set in a bed and breakfast in Wiltshire, Life in a box provides a key hole into the everyday of the family who run the business and all the guests that arrive and depart throughout. 

Following in particular; the journey of one of the guests that takes an adventurous detour from Esslemont House. Includes transformative decisions, telephone calls and an all-important conclusion to the future of "life in a box". Also, Features LOTS of boxes. Come and see for yourselves. You never know who you might find!

We're open for 7pm and you can still buy a ticket via http://www.wegottickets.com/event/377832

And finally on  we bring the season – and the year – to a close with the CLUB VELOCITY/BANDORAMA NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

Why would you want to spend New Year's Eve anywhere else?  Not only will there be free punch and a free buffet (first come, first served) but also the following fine musical accompaniment

DOLLY AND THE CLOTHES PEGS
The best bluegrass-rocknroll band around and undoubtedly the ideal band to bring in the new year.

DAMIEN A PASSMORE
Your fave (very) tall cow punk country troubador sings songs from the heart and from other places.

CITY SCAFFOLD

New Kids in the block-who deal in rock/blues with a hint of prog.  Sexy (so it says here...)

We're open at 8pm, and it'll cost you £10 on the door or £8 in advance from www.wegottickets.co.uk

That's everything for another weekend and also for 2016, just to remind you first of all, that you can find us at 30 Silver Street, Reading, RG1 2ST  (If you put us in your Google or Sat 

Nav, we shall magically appear)

Also, there's just to time to say...

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM EVERYBODY AT THE RISING SUN!!

See you all next month!