Star Trekking in the Blackpool Lights . . .

28 August 2017

Blackpool will boldly go where no one has gone before with the first intergalactic switch-on of the world-famous Illuminations.

The announcement of a Star Trek switch-on finale completes the line-up for this year’s event, which is being staged in association with MTV. There will be live performances from artists Example and DJ Wire, Diversity, Conor Maynard and Louisa Johnson.

The main show will commence at around 7pm with performances by Louisa and Conor, followed by another scintillating routine by Diversity which will lead directly into the Star Trek switch-on sequence. Immediately after the Switch-On, Example and DJ Wire will rock the Promenade for an hour-long party under the Lights.

Blackpool already has a strong relationship with the Star Trek franchise, with an interactive exhibition on the Golden Mile and features within the Illuminations, and it’ll be a spectacular and innovative way to welcome in the Blackpool Illuminations season.

The biggest night in Blackpool’s events calendar, which is being staged in association with MTV, will feature headline performances by Example and DJ Wire, Conor Maynard, Diversity and Louisa Johnson.

The free concert, to be held on the Tower Festival Headland Arena on Friday 1 September, also sees the return of Club MTV DJs R3wire and Varski, who took last year’s event by storm.

International rapper and songwriter Example has performed to sell-out audiences across Europe and worked alongside global stars including Calvin Harris and Chase & Status. He has also acted in numerous movies.

He will be joined at the Switch-On party by the hugely-talented Louisa Johnson – at 17, the youngest ever winner of The X Factor, who went on to secure major hits with Tears and So Good selling over 1 million singles.

Conor Maynard is no stranger to Blackpool having appeared at the inaugural SLIMEFEST event in 2016. The singer-songwriter has a huge following on You Tube and was named as MTV’s Brand New star for 2012.

Diversity, who stunned the Switch-On capacity crowd with an astonishing routine last year have just completed their seventh UK arena tour. Widely acclaimed as one of the world’s great dance acts, they will be bringing another unique set to the Switch-On stage.

The Friday night event will start with a “Blackpool Introduces” showcase featuring the best of talent from the local area, including local singer songwriter James Edgar; the incredible vocal harmonies of District 12; upcoming new band Pacific;
and, the soulful vocals of Gloria Adereti.

This will be followed by an exclusive performance from B&FC’s student choir who will then lead the crowd in a special rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ to commemorate the College’s milestone anniversary. The event will be one of the highlights of the College’s year of celebrations, with a number of events already having taken place or planned throughout the rest of the year.
 

Switch-On VIP
We’re happy to be this year’s VIP partner for the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On event.

The VIP packages include a complimentary drink and canapes on arrival; access to the VIP marquee within the Switch-On arena; and exclusive access to the after-show party in the glittering Festival Suite with Viva’s host and Entertainment Director, Mr Leye D Johns, along with members of the Viva cast for an exclusive VIP performance.

Prices start from £69.00 for adults and £35.00 for under 14s. Tickets are on sale NOW include a whole host of added extras including a delicious after-show supper and an official VIP goody bag.

Tickets: available online here, by calling Viva Blackpool on 01253 297297 or by e-mailing [email protected].

 

Happy Birthday To Us!

10 August 2017

The Vegas venue in the heart of Blackpool is set to celebrate five years in business this Saturday with a special offer for customers.

The entertainment complex opened back in August 2012 after entrepreneurs Martin Heywood and Leye D Johns set out to create a Las Vegas style experience on the Fylde Coast.

To celebrate they are offering the first fifty customers to book tickets for Viva Vegas Live on Saturday August 12 a special £10 offer.

Leye D Johns, Entertainment Director at Viva, said: “Martin and I have a long history of providing top quality entertainment in Blackpool since our days at the Alabama Showboat and we couldn’t be happier to celebrate Viva’s 5th birthday this weekend.

“We’ve been incredibly privileged to work with some of the best entertainers in the business and to see Viva flourish into an icon of the Golden Mile.

“Not only that but we’ve received a host of awards and accolades over the years, none of which would have been possible without the constant support of our dedicated colleagues and customers.”

The venue revived the former bingo hall and reimagined it as an entertainment complex to rival any other in town, with three stunning rooms providing shows and function spaces 365 days a year.

Earlier in the year the business expanded with the opening of the Viva Vegas Diner on the corner of Church Street and the Promenade, offering an American style dining experience never before seen in the town combined with regular live music from house band The Fremonts.

The new venture saw a £1.2m investment made into the refurbishment of the diner, staff development initiatives and improvements to the staging and video screen backdrop in the main venue.

Martin Heywood, Managing Director at Viva, added: “When Leye and I opened the venue back in 2012 we had a vision to provide an exceptional visitor experience for our customers and we are delighted to be able to continue to do so.

“We are both absolutely committed to Blackpool, a town which we both have a huge passion for, and count ourselves very lucky to be a part of the thriving entertainment offer.

“Not only that, but we enjoy nothing more than providing quality career and development opportunities to the people of the UK’s number one seaside resort.”

Viva and the Viva Vegas Diner employs 90 staff, all paid the living wage, in a variety of positions from marketing assistants to box office clerks, bartenders to technicians and everything in between, plus prides itself on offering a programme of career development opportunities.

Over the years Viva has won a number of awards including Entertainment Venue of the Year and Customer Service gongs in the Radio Wave Culture & Lifestyle Awards, and in 2016 Entertainment Director Leye D Johns was named Lancashire Tourism Superstar as well as being shortlisted for the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar award.

Discounted celebration tickets are only available on Saturday 12 August for Viva Vegas Live when quoting ‘FIVE YEARS’. For more information or to book tickets visit www.vivablackpool.com or call 01253 297 297.