THIS WEEK AT THE STABLES: WITH SEAN LAKEMAN, KATHRYN ROBERTS, JONNY & THE BAPTISTS & MORE

Michael Law's Piccadilly Dance Orchestra visit The Stables this Thursday evening (April 16) to pay their musical tribute to the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two. 

They'll be performing plenty of the songs that helped to lift spirits during those turbulent war years.

And they do a good job, these guys and gals - how else would you explain lengthy employment at The Ritz and The Savoy? They are currently undertaking their own series of dances at the legendary Café de Paris.  Catch them in V for Victory from 8pm.

Robin Trower (below) left Procol Harum more than four decades ago, and since then, the man who has been regarded as 'the White Hendrix' has wowed with releases aplenty, and worked with artists including the late, great Cream-bassist Jack Bruce, and Bryan Ferry.

The chap with the bluesy brilliance is wrapping up his current UK tour at the Wavendon haunt on Friday night (April 17), with special guest Joanne Shaw Taylor.

Tickets are sold out, but you can still enjoy listening to Trower's recent wares, on the new album, Something's About to Change.

Tia McGraff will be in song on Stage 2, as the American singer-songwriter continues her spring tour in support of her new album, Crazy Beautiful.

The Americana ace - and her 'voice stolen from angels' - will be live after 8.45pm.

Mariana Sodovska will command in Stage 2 on Saturday night (April 18).

If you believe what they say, Mariana crosses all borders: 'archaic midsummer night invocations, wedding songs and migrant chants from remote villages of rural Ukraine all take a singular turn and transmute into contemporary sounds that spans folk to avant-garde.'

Stalwart singer-songwriter Hazel O'Connor will be joined by seasoned players Clare Hirst (Bellestars, Communards, Bowie) and Sarah Fisher (Eurythmics) on sax and keyboards respectively.

3 September 2010 - Boerderij, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands

Husband and wife team Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman (top) take over on Tuesday night (April 21).

The BBC Folk Awards winners  issued their new album, Tomorrow Will Follow Today in February.

It's a wonderful example of their beautiful music - songs with substance, songs telling stories, sharing advice and asking questions.

The title track is our most favoured of the moment. 

MPMG Hattie 1 copy

Hattie Briggs (above) will support.  A little over a year ago, Hattie cut loose from Oxford University - ditching a Russian degree to launch her music career. 

Since then?  She's been on the rise and rise, and this tour with Roberts & Lakeman is a fine example of how things have been going right.

On the same night, in Stage 2, Jonny and the Baptists (below) will Rock the Vote, with their new show blending songs, satire and silliness.

Jonny & the Baptists Rock the Vote - image 1 copy

With the election edging ever closer (and the endless political drear), these boys - multi-award nominated and nationally acclaimed musical comedians, will be tackling the big issues at hand.

And with politicians now officially ranked below estate agents in the public's trust, it's a desperate bid to find at least one good reason to vote.

Last year, Jonny & the Baptists hit the top spot on the iTunes UK Comedy Chart with their ditty Farage.

Oh, and in an era when our purse is being hit by more and more costs for less returns, these guys are doing their bit to redress the balance - first time voters pay only a fiver for their ticket.  Nice work.

Last up this week, Courtney Pine is back at Wavendon with Song (the ballad book), featuring pianist Zoe Rahman.

Reach for that plastic pal and dial the box office on 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org