Washington Whirligig
A Duke Ellington Evening with Washington Whirligig. The small jazz and swing band with the big sound. A first set exclusively of Duke Ellington Numbers from this award-winning band with the big sound of New Orleans. Listen Online

Dan Lythe
Chesterfield born and bred, Dan hosts a podcast called Soft Spot for Stand Up.‘He is an absolute natural wit. Hilarious, deliciously dark one liner comedy with razor sharp delivery that’ll have you reeling from the first to the last.
'One to watch.' ‘Tell ‘em again at The Teller.
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Aza Brown
Chesterfield born Aaron was a singer/songwriter with prominent indie band The Dazy Age in the mid-90’s, pushing modern music boundaries with experimental funk-tinged rock. Aaron returns with 4 of his own singles. With the ethereal sheen of Urban Hymns-era Verve omnipresent throughout.

Wendy Kirkland & Pat Sprakes
Pianist and singer Wendy Kirkland is a mainstay of the UK Jazz scene. Wendy is performing with guitarist/bassist Pat Sprakes.
Terrific (jazz) pianist and singer **** Dave Gelly, The Observer.
Kirkland impresses on every level. Superb. Recommended. **** Matt Ruddick, Kind of Jazz.
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Zoe Bury 
Local, up-and-coming comic Zoe brings her unique brand of comedic storytelling. Basing her routines around her daily mishaps, of which she seems to have more than her fair share, she is sure to entertain us.
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The Melodygal
Tracey will take you on a sentimental musical journey through the 40’s and 50’s. Experience the sounds and songs of the wartime era, followed by the jumping and jiving rock ‘n’ roll of the 1950’s.
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Mark Gwynne-Jones
Winner of four festival fringe awards for Best Spoken Word, Mark has published five collections of poetry and appeared in numerous anthologies.
'Inspired…one of the most accomplished performance poets in the land…drawing the audience into a world where things are not quite what they seem.' The Guardian.

Equally at home with all your favourite rock, funk, indie. pop and party tunes from the last 5 decades, The WonderWhys cast Midas rays of funk-tinged sunshine upon everything they touch, and strike a natural rapport with any audience.

Byron is a writer and documentary maker from the Staffordshire Moorlands. Since his childhood he has had a passion for all aspects of the landscape history of the Peak District. From the bottom of the deepest limestone gorge to the vast tracts of moorland bog he has explored every habitat to find out just how well are our rare plants are doing. For the last decade, amongst other projects, he has been conducting a detailed survey of wild orchids in the area. In this talk, along with stunning photographs of every wild species, Byron will take you across the national park, discussing the rich and unusual flora which thrive across Britain's most exciting National Park.

Unfortunately, due to illness, this event is postponed. Keep your eyes peeled for the new date.

A fun-packed evening as you try to beat the other teams to the buzzer in our family friendly, laugh a minute, quiz. Hosted by Ben Knight.

With our regular compere, Daniel Lythe plus three incredibly talented comedians:

Stevie Gray
Oldham-born Stevie Gray is a cheeky and very likeable comedian. Stevie's stage act fuses jokes, music, news stories and audience participation to create an up-tempo energy in any room. Stevie has appeared all over the UK, playing the Edinburgh festival, the Comedy Store, Jongleurs, Glee as well as making regular MC appearances for Funhouse Comedy.

Tej Dhutia
Tej calls her comedy her therapy basing it around motherhood and the taboo subjects she was never allowed to speak about whilst growing up a ‘good Indian girl’.

Edi Johnson
Props, Jokes, Quizzes, Audience participation, Bingo etc all add up to a daft experience going beyond just singing some songs. Taking inspiration from Morecambe & Wise, Flight of the Conchords and Tim Vine alongside Old School Hiphop and Pop, The EJ Bit wants to play a bunch of silly tunes alongside a box full of bad jokes & props to ensure a memorable experience rather than just listening.

Gogglehead
A great new group, making their ‘live’ debut, and introducing their first album. A style not unlike ‘The Band’ (Bob Dylan’s backing group when he ‘went electric’), they quote as influences ‘Talking Heads’, ‘The The’ and ‘Grateful Dead.’ Listen Online
'Best rock band I've heard in years' (David McPhie).

Michael Clement
Supported by Buxton piano man Michael Clement. Listen Online

The Melodygal – Tracey will take you on a sentimental musical journey through the 40’s and 50’s. Experience the sounds and songs of the wartime era, followed by the jumping and jiving rock ‘n’ roll of the 1950’s.

The life and work of WH Nithsdale, remarkable Edwardian photographer, tax collector and cyclist Illustrated talk by David Cliffe, local history enthusiastic and author.

A fun-packed evening as you try to beat the other teams to the buzzer in our family friendly, laugh a minute, quiz. Hosted by Ben Knight.

With our regular compere, Daniel Lythe plus three incredibly talented comedians:

Alex Leam
Comedian who was probably the DJ when you got married.

Kellii Taylor
The #1 hairdresser, beautician, life coach, and spiritualist. In Hull. Kelli! is also an award-winning comedian.

Ricky Balshaw
BBC New Comedy Award semi-finalist Ricky Balshaw is a former Paralympic, World Championship and European Championship dressage medallist, and sports pundit, with a penchant for dark humour. Join Ricky for a reliably twisted and hilarious look at the unique social and physical challenges he faces a disabled person as well as having his masculinity challenged just because he rides horses.

Shankara Andy Bole
Andy has worked with many musicians, including David Allen (Gong), Hiroshi Higashi, Bill Gilonis, Damo Suzuki, Tang, Bonfire Radicals and the Glissando Guitar Orchestra. His music draws from many genres, from 70's kosmische electronic music, space rock, fusion and folk. Listen Online

MR. BUNNY
Doing his own thing, taking the riddims of Studio One and Treasure Isle, the heads of Don Drummond and Prince Buster,  the mixing desk of Keith Hudson and the cut and paste of Luciano Beria and Steve Reich to produce the Dub of Love.  Join Bunny, Al, Seth, Bertha, Moggy, Ted and Andy as they chant down iniquity. Listen Online

ALAN BROWN
Guitarist composer creating original instrumental compositions using loopers and effects to create soundscapes that tell a story. Listen Online

NIGEL AYERS
International Multimedia Artist and Industrial Music Pioneer (NOCTURNAL EMISSIONS, THE PUMP) His sound art work is rooted in assemblage and collage. Years before digital sampling became commonplace, his recordings used thousands of edited "found" and specially recorded sound samples. His interest in the psychological effects of sound, and in particular the recombination of sound to affect perception of time and space is reflected in his music. Listen Online
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GRAHAM CLARKE
Plus, Ex GONG electric violinist Graham Clarke. There’s been a long tradition of great jazz and blues violinists, from Joe Venuti, Ray Nance (in the Duke Ellington band of the 1940s), Jean-Luc Ponty, Don ‘Sugar Cane’ Harris and Graham Clark is a worthy successor to that tradition. Graham and Nigel will perform both individually and together. Listen Online

Rachel Murray is often to be found roaming the hills and dales of the Peak District muttering stories to the winds and the odd passing sheep. She does also tell to real life people, especially if they have an odd sheep with them. Captivated by stories as a youngster, her love of a good tale has only intensified with age. Now she enjoys sharing all manner of stories with all manner of people. For this evening in her home territory of the Peak she will be bringing you ‘All’s Well that ends Well’.

A Life in Progress Show - Not Done Yet! After thirty years of listening to others, one day Stewart listened to himself and left his job. Now he wants you to listen to him. A comic reflection on retirement, therapy and getting older, using stories, songs and stand up. (Fringe event – see buxtonfringe)

Join a Guided Tour of YOUR Uniqueness with Amanda Blair, coach, lecturer and author of the book “Limited Edition of One”What makes us who we are and nobody else is? It’s our “daily differentness”.We constantly do, sense, think and feel different things to others. Every single day of our lives, ordinary is actually extraordinary.At this thought-provoking yet playful event, Amanda will walk us through areas of daily life that are full of ingredients for discovering the limited editions of one that we are. From the places and possessions that have shaped us, to the people we’ve met along the way, each of us is a one-off story in the making.

Three poems by Edgar Allan Poe performed by local writers combined with readings and performances of their own original poetry and short stories. All those involved are part of the local Buxton Spoken Words group. (New Writing) (Fringe event – see buxtonfringe)

Come in. Sit down. How are you? Emma's been seeing Darren. She thinks she's in love. Her boss thinks she's in breach of contract. The situation needs to be resolved. An ink-black comedy from Mike Bartlett. (Fringe event – see buxtonfringe)

Christine Palmer and her two Bearded Collies invite you to join in the fun as she reads from her beautifully illustrated children’s books, Cowardy, Cowardy Custard - Custard, Custard Petit Froussard. They have both French and English on the same page, perfect for anyone young or old who wants to improve their French. (Fringe event – see buxtonfringe)

How to Fall in Love is a work in progress play that explores the friendship of 6 women, all finding their way through life. Written by Staffordshire University graduates. Come and join for a light evening of a rehearsed reading and let’s explore Platonic love. (Fringe event – see buxtonfringe)

A Journey Through The Peak District In Word, Film, & Sound. This is a work of rare quality, as timeless as its subject John Tams. The fascinating quest of the poet Mark Gwynne Jones. An array of audio odysseys… and some marvellous Derbyshire reflections… Ann Treneman, The TimesBringing together the voices, wildlife and atmospheres of this strange and beautiful region, Mark Gwynne Jones shares the unheard stories of the Peak District.

From some of the more spectacular ways ancient miners tracked lead, to startling memories of big winters in The Peak, here too, is the story of the world’s first cotton spinning mills and the now vital battle to revive the moorlands. Combining live performance, archive recordings, film, music and humour -this will be a live presentation of Mark’s popular audio series, Voices From The Peak. (Fringe event – see buxtonfringe)

Zerene is a singer/guitarist duo covering indie, pop, alternative, grunge and folk music. Expect a powerful vocal range, intoxicating guitar loops and covers of artists from Nirvana to Nancy Sinatra and Linkin Park to Lana Del Rey. Listen Online (Fringe event – see buxtonfringe)

The Norden Flute Quartet is based on the outskirts of Oldham. Their music is best described as eclectic, ranging from classical to jazz, and much in-between. They like to perform in unique venues, so the High Peak Bookstore is an ideal venue to see this versatile ensemble.

Christine Palmer and her two Bearded Collies invite you to join in the fun as she reads from her beautifully illustrated children’s books, Cowardy, Cowardy Custard - Custard, Custard Petit Froussard. They have both French and English on the same page, perfect for anyone young or old who wants to improve their French. (Fringe event – see buxtonfringe)

An evening with the legendary BESSIE SMITH.. as close as you’ll ever get to the ‘Empress of the Blues’. Building on her passion for the blues legend, Julia Titus formed her Pig Foot Band in mid-2015 to share the music of Bessie Smith and her contemporaries with a new generation of listeners. Mixing Julia’s rich, warm vocal sound with a dynamic band that look and sound the part, Ma Bessie & her Pig Foot Band perform classic blues and jazz tunes from the inter-war years with a selection of original songs and hand-picked covers from the last 50 years of popular music.  The Ma Bessie repertoire includes classics such as ‘Careless Love’, ‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out’ and, of course, ‘Gimme A Pig Foot (And A Bottle Of Beer)’. Listen Online

A special ‘one-off’ evening of chat and reminiscence with ‘The Man in the Hat’.
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Jonathan Rowlands
Manager, agent, publicist, record producer to (amongst others) Rod Stewart, Nina Simone, Tom Jones, R B Greaves, Tim Hardin, Tim Rose. Plus, tales from Muscle Shoals, Rockfields Studios, the Hollywood Hills, the ‘2 I’s’ Coffee Bar, Whisky a Gogo, Scotch of St. James, the Flamingo.

Ric Lee
In conversation with Ric Lee; drummer with ‘Ten Years After’, high speed blues group, and one of the stars of the 1969 Woodstock Festival.

Jack Harper
Guitarist Jack Harper to round off the evening.

With our regular compere, Daniel Lythe plus three incredibly talented comedians:

Alex Hylton
Stand-up comedian and presenter from Manchester. Aged 21 he’s one of the brightest prospects on the UK comedy scene.
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Jon Matthews
An insightful stand up comedian whose work has been described as a 'a hilarious post-modern commentary on politics and popular culture'. Full of irony, surrealism, self deprecation and political comment with a dry crowd pleasing delivery, his performances have created much mirth wherever he has travelled.
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Tom Douglas
Sheffield based Tom describes his brand of comedy as ‘sharp and quick witted’

In the spirit of Old Time Variety, we present an evening of music and puppetry. There’ll be original music from Chesterfield vocal / guitar duo Poke O’Swedgers: haunting, folk-inspired and comic songs about the romantic poets, beard envy and the wonders of Glasgow. Also, fresh from their recent triumph at the Acme Empire, “Oh! Dove sono le mie salsicce”, there will also be a proper posh Judy and Punch show, brought up-to-date by Professor Bellissimo to appeal to contemporary mores and tastes

Netta Christie of Discover Buxton Tours discusses the life of Anna Seward, an acclaimed Georgian poet who regularly attended Buxton Crescent to take the waters. Anna did not suffer fools gladly and certainly did not shy away from giving her opinion, much of it rather damning, of the Buxton season and the people who attended.

A fun-packed evening as you try to beat the other teams to the buzzer in our family friendly, laugh a minute, quiz. Hosted by Ben Knight.

With our regular compere, Daniel Lythe plus three incredibly talented comedians:

Lois Mills
Lois Mills showcases the best of her weird and wonderful sketch comedy. The winner of Sketch Off 2018, Mills is a one-woman sketch group, turning your perception of sketch comedy, theatre and interpretive dance on its head.

Suzy Frost
From the underbelly of Sheffield emerged a geek with a potty mouth, and an affinity for teapots.

Callum Jarvis-Jones
He does that comedy. He also does that wrestling commentary. He’s probably a human, but can't 100% prove he’s not a fish.

JJ Galway
Uplifting and danceable Irish music (with some ‘heavier’ surprises) featuring accordion, keyboard, guitar, banjo, harmonica, bodhran, percussion. Listen Online

Ar Faoued
Acoustic folk/rock with a few contemporary ‘twists’, and some traditional folk and jigs. Listen Online

PsychicBread are a five piece with origins in the Peak District, London, Dubai, and Moscow who met through gigs, jams and a shared love of the extraordinary. Featuring the surreal narratives of Mark Gwynne Jones (‘Inspired…’ The Guardian  ‘Astonishing…’ The Daily Mail), PsychicBread conjure a world of truth and illusion. Winners of four Festival Fringe Awards their performance draws on elements of storytelling, vaudeville and psychedelic-folk. It’s dramatic, funny and at times startlingly sensitive.

'Working on Ice' is a talk about living and working in the extremes of the Antarctic.  At the age of 23, Simon joined the British Antarctic Survey (in 1986) to initially spend 2 winters at Rothera Research station. Becoming addicted to the challenges of this unique opportunity and the amazing pristine environment, he built a career spanning  25 years living and working in Antarctica.
An eclectic mix of work and adventure, Simon shares his experiences of building research stations, working alongside Emperor penguins, being hunted by Killer whales and attacked by Skuas. Despite managing several major incident including a plane crash, buildings on fire and rescuing a colleague from a 100ft crevasse he will assure you it is one of the safest places to spend a career!

A fun-packed evening as you try to beat the other teams to the buzzer in our family friendly, laugh a minute, quiz. Hosted by Ben Knight.

With our regular compere, Daniel Lythe plus three incredibly talented comedians:

Luvdev Barpaiga
Lovedev Barpaga has the kind of effortless and gentle likeability that is completely unique in the comedy world. Entire crowds seems to fall in love with him from the start and as much for his incredible humour as for his undeniable charm. Often laughing as much as his audience here’s a man in love with his job and it shows. 
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Adam Anwar
He says stuff – sometimes it’s funny!
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Ant Dewson
Ant Dewson is a comedian, mediocre piano player and singer of silly songs. Many of which are rude. He’s a regular performer at the UK’s best comedy clubs.

– Man in the hat presents - tbc

A fun-packed evening as you try to beat the other teams to the buzzer in our family friendly, laugh a minute, quiz. Hosted by Ben Knight.

A fun-packed evening as you try to beat the other teams to the buzzer in our family friendly, laugh a minute, quiz. Hosted by Ben Knight.