SID Hudson returns to action with his popular Cali-R nights next month, starting with a night of soul, funk and ska at the United Services Club, Dunstable, on Friday, February 10 from 8pm until 12.30am.
Tickets, at £8.50, are available now from Clowns, High Street North, Dunstable (01582 699402), the United Services Club, High Street South (01582 475607) or via the Cali-R website, www.cali-r.com.
There are four other Cali-R nights in the first half of the year, with the first on Saturday, March 17 at Luton Rugby Club, Newlands Road, Luton. Tickets are £9 and available from the club (01582 720355), Clowns and the website.
It’s back to the United Services Club on Friday, April 13 before a trip to Barton on Saturday, May 5 at the village hall (01582 883228). Tickets, at £8, are also available from Clowns and the website.
There’s a Cali-R “first” on Friday, June 29 with an open air gig at the Fancott, Toddington, featuring Sid on the decks and Hitsville USA, an eight-piece Motown tribute band. Tickets for the event, from 8pm until midnight, are £12 and available from the pub (01525 872366), Clowns and the website.
Finally, back on Friday, March 2, a Mod and 2 Tone night takes place at the United Services Club, from 8pm to 12.30am.
Sid said: “This isn’t a Cali-R night but should appeal to Cali-R regulars. I’ll be there playing Northern soul and Mod classics, but the night features Hope And Glory, a seven-piece Madness/2 Tone tribute act.
“I was very impressed with them when I saw them and I know it will be a top night of ‘heavy, heavy monster sounds’!” Tickets (£8) are from the club, Clowns and www.cali-r.com
Tickets for all dates become available five weeks before each event.
The year 2012 has special significance for Sid, as he celebrates 40 years of DJing.
He said: “It’s 40 years since I started my first regular gig at The Greyhound in Dunstable. I placed a single advertisement in Blues & Soul magazine and the place was packed as a result.
“I played lots of Northern soul, as well as other good soul. That was a culture shock for a pub that specialised in rock music!”