This year's Christmas Lights Switch-On

Fri 1 Nov 2013

Join a festive parade and then enjoy a variety of entertainment on the Market Place stage, leading up to the big switch-on event around 6pm.

The afternoon will start with the Capital FM stage show hosted by breakfast show presenters Dino & Pete and will feature performances from local artists. These will include Christmas carols with a difference from Derby’s Rock Choir, who will kick off the Market Place celebrations from just before 3.30pm, followed by local singer Abbie Tabberer.

Be inspired and uplifted as singing sensation Rock Choir will perform a feel-good repertoire of specially arranged and choreographed pop, rock and Motown songs. More than 50 Rock Choir members from Allenton will pack the stage conducted by local Rock Choir Leader Jennie Harwood.

Abbie Tabberer has been singing all her life, starting off as a regular member of the Nottingham Arts Theatre before moving onto train at the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama. During this time she appeared as a singer on BBC television show Waterloo Road. More recently she has taken part in national singing competitions and is currently a semi finalist in the biggest national singing competition; open mic uk.

There will then be a festive parade, which will start from The Spot and lead eveyone down to the Market Place, at 4.30pm where you will see acrobatics from the Snow Queen’s Ice ChariotJack and the Beanstalk’s Spirit of the Beans (EastEnders & Your Face Sounds Familiar’s Cheryl Fergison), the villainous Fleshcreep (George Telfer) and of course, the man who all the children want to see, Santa! The parade will be led down to the Market Place by The Ambassadors of Borrowash brass band and will include dancers from Razzmatazz dance group and Adaire to Dance.

Once the parade reaches the Market Place you'll be treated to performances from local band Mirco Jupiter, beat boxer & singer Intensi-T and Loveable Rogues.

Micro Jupiter are a 4 piece Rock/Electronic/Pop band from Derby formed in February 2011. They are fronted by the unique vocals of Sam Gomm, accompanied by Natt Webb on Electronics + Vocals, Jamie Thompson on Guitar + Vocals, and Sam Watson on Drums + Vocals. The foundation of the band is based around strong, hooky, pop choruses- backed by beefy guitars, punchy drums and various electronic sounds. However it's easy to hear all the different influences come together - including Reggae, Rock, Dub-Step, Pop and EDM. This combination has led the boys to many great experiences, including major festivals, concert halls, and an invitation to the BRIT awards 2013.

INTENSI-T is very much understated but extraordinarily vocal with heavy, hard hitting electro-pop beats fused with thumping bass-lines bellowing from his vocal cords. With just a microphone and a loop pedal, it has to be seen to be believed from this 19 year old. Critically acclaimed on the music scene for enhancing music videos and captivating audiences at gigs and festivals, Intensi-T prides himself in providing unique ways of capturing new sounds with artist development. Testament to his success is the 400,000 views of his videos on YouTube in less than a year.

Cheeky chappies Loveable Rogues charmed the Britain’s Got Talent audience – and judges – with their witty self-penned song Lovesick during the audition stage. The feel-good tune sent them through to the next round and caused a million crushes all over the country. They came back even stronger in the Semi Finals – singing the stupendously catchy song once more, and sailing through to the BGT Final.

The Christmas lights will be turned on at approx. 6pm by some of the performers from the evening who will be joined by The Deputy Mayor of Derby, Councillor Shiraz Khan and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Bayliss.

There will also be something special to entertain you earlier on in the day as the Snow Queen’s Ice Chariot and her two snowy Elves perform a breathtaking acrobatic balance routine at 2pm and 3.15pm in the St Peter’s Cross area.