Hi Everyone

Well, it looks as though the country - and possibly the world - is careering head-first into a spiral of constitutional, political and social catastrophe. Some would even argue that, never mind Donald Tusk's promise of a "special place in hell" being forthcoming, perhaps we are already there.  But it's not all bad news! Not only has the BBC's endless political speculation pin-up Laura Kuenssberg (what doyou mean it's just me?) received her bumper overtime pay for another month, but she's promised ice cream for everyone!  I'm sure we can all look forward to the sight of her treating our beleaguered Prime Minister to a knickerbocker glory and putting a smile back on her face (if not ours... oh come on!  It's (nearly) easter!  I'd let her buy me a cornetto... maybe two!)

And while I remember, there's one or two things happening at the Rising Sun this weekend

On Friday, it's time for CLUB VELOCITY

The best live night in town (on the last Friday of the month) turns 16 years old this weekend!  Not only will there be an abundance of free cake and shizzle, but also the following musical delights

THE AUGUST LIST
Have come up the ranks for playing for us.  Their latest album is still one of the best albums of the last five years. Seriously.One of the best live bands in the UK.  Hard work does pay off, kids.  A truly great band and also a Club Velocity success story.

HORSE ROCK
A band that make putting on gigs so worthwhile.  They reach the parts that so many other bands can not reach.  Surf rocknroll punk for the masses.  Long Gone John is a fan.

AMELI
The powers that be at Club Velocity (and us) like to think that it's a sort of breeding crowd for new talent. Music is music.  Over the years the likes of the Amazons, Bloc Party, Glasvegas, Sundara Karma, Matt Maltese and several others all played early shows for us.

Ameli might currently only have one song in the public domain.  But what a beautiful song.Hard to pin it down.For fans of Kate Bush, Cocteau Twins, Bjork or even Mazzy Star.

We'll be open at 8pm and it'll only cost you £7 on the door or £5 in advance from www.wegottickets.com

On Saturday morning, with the help of Reading Voluntary Action, we pay host to a special workshop:  WHAT DOES VOLUNTEERING MEAN TO YOU?

Are you a volunteer, or do you benefit from volunteering?  Reading Voluntary Action are seeking creative visual representations of what volunteering means, to be included in an exhibition during Volunteers’ Week 2019.

If you’ve got an idea for a submission, but need some help making it a reality, drop into this special workshop at the Rising Sun Arts Centre and bring your idea to life!

The workshop will be led by artists Ollie Musson and Katie Shorey and will focus on making the most of materials you already have – maybe using your smartphone to create photos or a video, writing something about your personal connection to volunteering, or using recycled or found materials.

The workshop is free and open to all adults. You can just drop in on the day, but to help us plan, you can let us know you are attending, or ask questions, by emailing awards@rva.org.uk

We're open from 10am to 2pm!

That’s everything for another week, just to remind you that we are, as always, at 30 Silver Street, Reading, RG1 2ST (If you pop it into your satnav or Google, we shall magically appear!)