Hi Everyone

We appear to have reached the two week point in December.  As I speak, the disembodied voice of Andy Williams is telling shoppers that "it's the most wonderful time of the year" (somewhat unhelpful and slighrtly annoying if all your looking for is a duvet cover or a spare pair of socks).  Some soft drink company will probably be driving a load of trucks around with their logo on it, the Salvation Army will unleash their trumpet players from their underground lair, and somebody is probably rushing from the pub to the bookies so they can place an ill-advised bet on a white Christmas.

But that, dear readers, is not all for it's also time again for I, your humble narrator, to let you know what's happening at the Rising Sun this weekend...

On Friday we have none other than THE BIG UNTIDY NIGHT OUT

The Big Untidy Night Out specialises in bringing new unusual talent into the Rising Sun.  Singers, songwriters, poets, punk outfits, ambient experimentalists, sensational cellists and demonic banjo-players…the possibilities are endless.

This time the good prople at Untidy HQ bring you another NOT QUITE CHRISTMAS festive smorgasbord of acoustic delights! We have the acoustic guitar and voice of ex-Pressgang member JOHN FORRESTER and the good-natured political singer/songwriter and teller of tales Mr JON MASON. Brighton-based WOB will be joining us for bouncy guitar-driven tunage as well as the folk/punk of POG. If that wasn't enough we are now pleased to announce that our very own PAULA CURTIS, will also be playing. Compering the evening's festivities will be , 'Mr Christmas' himself MIKHAIL THE TERRIBLE (if Santa was a member of soviet-era Russian politbureau!)

We're open at 8pm and it'll cost you absolutely NOTHING on the door

aturday afternoon sees another YELLOW TEAPOT CAFE

Yellow Teapot is a family-friendly volunteer run cafe showcasing local artists' work as well as interesting books to browse, delicious homemade cakes and exotic teas to sample.

We're open from 1pm to 3pm and it's absolutely free!

On Saturday evening, we're pleased as punch to bring you a TRIBUTE NIGHT: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

’Twas the Trib Night before Christmas... After the success of last year's new addition to the Tribute Night schedule, we’re going off-piste once again for another seasonal soirée!

Join us for a Yuletide jamboree as we immerse ourselves indulgently in festive spirit whilst seeing off Reading’s Year Of Culture, Tribute Night’s 10th birthday year and the Rising Sun Arts Centre’s 25th birthday year!

A bunch of local(ish) musicians and Rising Sun regulars will treat you to a delicious spread of Christmas songs and Christmas Number Ones and a right old knees up it will be too. Yes, it’s basically a Christmas concert wrapped up to look like a Tribute Night, the way you might wrap up a Wham! LP to look like an ashtray.

We'll be open at 8pm for a prompt 8.30 start, and as usual, there will be no charge on the door, but  we suggest you keep £5 or more aside in that tiny pocket-within-a-pocket in your jeans to donate when a friendly looking person thrusts a cash-hungry hat towards you during the interval.

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!)

Have a nice weekend!