ON Valentine’s Day, February 14, Knighton community centre is hosting a rather unusual show featuring live renditions of hits from the swing and big band era, plus a smattering of pop and Latin American classics and movie themes, all performed by the 17-piece Little Big Band also known as Toot Sweet.

This Craven Arms-based amateur ensemble, which includes several Knighton musicians, was launched in 2006, and has expanded over the years to an impressive brassy line-up of saxes, clarinets, trumpets, trombone, plus bass, guitar, keyboard, drums and vocalist. Core member Dave Griffin is passionate about the music of the 30s through to the 50s, saying, “We get our kicks by simply playing the music we love that was very popular before, throughout and after the Second World War, big band swing style, and we do it for fun”.

The evening’s fun starts 7.30pm, tickets available now from the Tower House Gallery and Spar, Knighton, £5 entry only, or £7 you get home-made soup and bread supper too (tickets bought on the night will include soup only as long as stocks last). Bar will be open throughout. Larger groups may like to reserve a table by phoning 07751 221487 or by using the contacts page at www.knightoncommunitycentre.com. The show is a fundraiser for Knighton community centre, the future of which continues to be threatened by winter running costs, and the management team has said it is extremely grateful to the Little Big Band for offering to play for expenses only.