Acoustic Guitar and Song
Leader: Jonathan Fenton
Did you play the guitar and enjoy singing the songs of the 1960s to 1980s (Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Carole King) or jazz standards? Do you still play? Then this group is for you. It will meet in members’ houses, probably twice a month.
Harmonica, ukulele and jazz violin players are also very welcome. If you’re interested, please contact Jonathan. Dates and times of sessions to be arranged to suit.
Cinema Group
Leader: Mayah Weinberg
The Cinema Group meets monthly for an exclusive screening of our selected film. One of our knowledgeable members introduces the film and leads a post-screening discussion.
Our programme continues with a Film Noir series, beginning in February with Marcel Carné’s 1939 classic, Le Jour se Lève (“Daybreak”), starring Jean Gabin. Our foreign language films have English subtitles.
- When: Monday morning from 10.30
- Frequency: Monthly
- Location: A north London cinema. Online booking only; details will be sent with film notification.
In addition, from time to time we may, as a group, attend a public screening of a film of interest.
Classical Music Club
Leader: Richard Gold
The group meets weekly and alternates between opera and non-operatic material. Normally, works will be played complete, with operas usually split over two sessions.
A chance to enjoy complete works and congenial conversation. Each session lasts up to 2 hours. No musical knowledge required — just open ears!
- When: Most Wednesdays during term time, 10.00 am – 12.00 pm (depending on length of work chosen)
- Frequency: Weekly from 20 September
- Location: New North London Synagogue, Sternberg Centre, 80 East End Road, N3 2SY. The venue is fully accessible, including for wheelchairs, and there will be ample space also for carers.
Jazz Appreciation
Leader: Stephen Humphreys
A monthly group that shares its interest in listening to and discussing jazz classics. From October 2023, the meetings will be held in person, initially at the leader’s home
- Location: Leader’s home in NW11
- When: 3.30–5.00 pm Thursday
- Frequency: Last Thursday of each month
The Musicals
Leader: Carole Fenton
Four singers, Tanya Forward, Carole Fenton, Jonathan Fenton, and Searle Kochberg, together with accompanist Stephen Goldwater, will present songs and talk about the backgrounds of the composers of the great musicals such as George & Ira Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Frank Loesser and Lerner & Loewe.
- When: Tuesday 10:45 am – 12:15 pm
- Where: Fellowship House, 136a Willifield Way, NW11 6YD
- Frequency: Monthly (usually 3rd Tuesday of the month)
Singing for Pleasure
Leaders: Betty Mason & Roger Rose
Assisted by pianist Stephen Goldwater
Singing songs across the music genre, accompanied by a pianist. Sight reading although useful, not essential; just the ability to enjoy singing in a group. Lyrics are provided in advance of each session. No auditions are required.
- When: 5.00–6.00 pm Monday
- Frequency: Weekly
- Location: HGS Free Church, North Square, NW11 7AG
Theatre Group
Leader: Sharon Cavendish
- When: Theatre trips as arranged
- Duration: Depends on the show
- Location: London theatres
- Number of places: No restriction on numbers; each show will have a set number of tickets available on a first come, first served basis.
Theatre visits. We benefit from group rates, but no transport is provided for West End and local shows; please make your own way there, or go in cabs with other members.
How the Theatre group works
- Tickets are provisionally booked for shows that Sharon thinks people will be interested in. To get the discount, a minimum number of tickets need to be sold (amount varies from show to show).
- Some of the deadlines are quite tight, so there is no time to wait to get enough interest before asking for payment.
- If the minimum number of bookings isn’t made, you get your money back.
- If you buy a ticket, and then can’t use it, Sharon will try to sell it to another member, but there is no guarantee of this.
- Tickets are sent out shortly after the deadline for booking.