Secret Garden Concerts is back!! 🌸 We have an incredible lineup of comedy, theatre, jazz and classical music. 🌸 See what's on here: secretgardenconcerts.com/book/ 🌸 #secretgardenconcerts #gardenconcerts #outdoorconcerts #secretgarden #openairconcerts #openairtheatre #outdoorarts

Friday 30th July - Pip Utton is “Playing Maggie”. Join us for our first theatre show of the season in our secret garden. 🌸 📷 Image credit - Andy Doornhein 🌸 Pip Utton #piputton #theatre #whatsontheatre #whatsonstage #fringetheatre #secretgarden

On Saturday 31st July we have our first jazz act of the Secret Garden Concerts season - the Jay Rayner Quartet! Jay Rayner 🎹 Link here to book: secretgardenconcerts.com/31st-july/ 📷 Image credit - Pal Hansen #secretgarden #secretgardenjazz #jazz #jazzmusic #jazzgig #whatsonjazz

Secret Garden Concerts is back! And we have soloists from London Concertante performing on Sunday 1st August. Join us in our magical garden for a programme of Handel, Vivaldi, Bach, Gabrielli and Handel/Halvorsen. 🍃 Book here: secretgardenconcerts.com/1st-august/ London Concertante

We are so thrilled to be hosting the Brodsky Quartet on 6th August. 🌿 Enjoy a sensational evening of Bach, Britten and Beethoven (all the Bs 🐝) 🌿 📷 Image credit - Sarah Cresswell #brodsky #brodskyquartet #classicalmusic #classical #magicalgarden #secretgarden #outdoorconcerts

We couldn't be more thrilled that the Brodsky Quartet are playing at Secret Garden Concerts this year. Here is a sneak preview of them performing at King's Place: youtu.be/k3Nee2hPHQI Book now: secretgardenconcerts.com/6th-august/ Cambridge Creative Management

“It’s like Wonderland” - Audience member of Secret Garden Concerts 2020

A sign that live entertainment is back: I’ve got lots to tell you about this morning. First up the JR Quartet is playing a full length show as part of the Secret Garden Concerts season on July 31, in Streatham. Have a link and a video. It will be fab. secretgardenconcerts.com/31st-july/

The Secret Garden returns: London Concertante's live out-door performance season Secret Garden Concerts with Brodsky Quartet, Michael Collins, The King's Singers Jay Rayner Jason Rebello Tim Garland and more. My preview: planethugill.com/2021/07/the-se…

Delighted to say that the brilliant, Afghan/ S American mash up bbq CUE POINT LDN are doing the food for the upcoming Secret Garden Concerts season. We play on July 31. Here's a ticket link: secretgardenconcerts.com/31st-july/ And here's a link to my piece about Cue Point theguardian.com/food/2020/dec/…

As ever if you want a one stop shop for all live dates - jazz Crazy Coqs and Secret Garden Concerts, and one man shows in Harrogate, Leeds, Tonbridge, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Southampton and Cardiff - everything is on this page. jayrayner.co.uk/live-shows/

Word of the day, once again, has to be 'apricity' (17th century): the warmth of the sun on a chilly day. It's too good to lose.

6 DAYS LEFT! Do YOU know any young singers who might like to be part of a unique scholarship? FREE membership, FREE singing lessons, FREE coaching, FREE masterclasses, solo opportunities & the chance to perform with one of the UK’s most versatile choirs? londonoriana.com/scholarship

Word of the day is 'growlery' (1853, from Charles Dickens): a place you retreat to for the purposes of growling, muttering, and letting off steam.

Word of Christmas Day, always, is ‘confelicity’: joy in the happiness of others. Wishing everyone confelicity aplenty today.

Etymology of the day is 'canter', short for 'Canterbury trot': the leisurely pace at which pilgrims in the Middle Ages would ride on their way to the shrine of Thomas à Becket in Canterbury.

Word of the day is 'popjoy' (19th century): to celebrate and enjoy oneself. Popjoying goes well with 'conjobbling' (17th century): joining others for conversation and company.

A gentle reminder of the word ‘matutolypea’: grumpiness or downheartedness first thing in the morning. Based on Latin and Greek, literally ‘morning grief’, or ‘sorrow of the dawn’.

La Divina: Maria Callas was born 100 years ago today!

Happy 100th birthday, Maria Callas! 🎈 #Callas100 Today, we celebrate the legacy of this diva unlike any other, whose breathtaking voice, awe-inspiring presence & pure talent capture our hearts. Watch her electrifying performance of Carmen's Séguedille: youtu.be/R87BnJoRegs