Performances
Friday night is performance night. We host live music from top artists, including internationally-renowned musicians. Concerts cover a wide range of genres, including jazz, blues, folk, classical, pop and rock music. We also put on plays, talks and more! There's something for everyone.
To book a great night out buy tickets online or call 01460 54973. Performances start at 7.30pm, unless otherwise stated. Doors open at 6.30pm with a bar.
A warm welcome awaits – just grab a drink, sit back and enjoy some of the best performances around.
*Please note that tickets for performances and workshops are not refundable unless we are fully booked and have a waiting list. Refunds are subject to a £5 admin charge.
The Beatles For Sale
An exceptional Beatles experience that recreates the vibrant sounds and sights of The Beatles with a hint of humour.
Tickets: £22
Duo Fabulae
Lorena Cantó is a Spanish and Belgian viola player who has spent several years in the award-winning Jubilee String Quartet. Yvain Calvo is a Spanish pianist with an active career both as a soloist and chamber musician. Yvain graduated with the highest praise from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in 2021.
Promoted by Concerts in the West
Tickets £20
Colin Scobie and Jâms Coleman
From Anglesey, Jâms Coleman performs as a soloist, chamber musician, and vocal accompanist. Recent highlights include recitals at the BBC Proms. Colin Scobie is already established as one of the most creative and compelling violinists and chamber musicians of his generation.
Promoted by Concerts in the West
Tickets: £20
Bowie Fashion
Are you ready for a fabulous tribute event, celebrating the unforgettable music of the iconic British superstar, David Bowie? This most authentic live show features Bowie Fashion performing all the best loved hits from Bowie's 45 year reign at the top of the global music industry.
Tickets: £22.
Alex Clark & the Craig Milverton Trio
As finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020 and winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards, Alex is known to be one of the most versatile saxophonists. Praised for her intelligent ear for harmony and a deep knowledge of repertoire across a broad spectrum of styles, Alex's sound is steeped in the tradition of bebop.
Tickets: £20
Dave’s Big General Knowledge Quiz
Come and support the Arts Centre with a wonderful evening of quizzing! Fiendish questions, bar and a raffle await.
Tickets: £15 per team of 4.
Voces Amici
Voces Amici return to Ilminster after their triumphant visit last autumn for another evening of exciting vocal music. Accompanied by Jonathan Delbridge, the group will take the audience on a musical trip around the world, ending in their beloved Somerset.
Tickets: £16
Paul as Elton John
Close your eyes and you won’t believe your ears, open your eyes and you won’t believe them either! You simply won’t find a closer tribute to Sir Elton John.
Tickets: £22
Byron Wallen
Widely recognised as a seminal figure in world jazz, he is constantly travelling the world recording, teaching and performing.
Tickets: £20
Amy Mayes
A soulful, raw, and powerful storyteller, Amy Mayes has become a powerhouse of a voice who will reach into your soul and take you on a journey akin to her own. After touring with Ronnie Wood for his ‘Mad Lad’ album and playing with the likes of Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Imelda May, Lulu, and Johnny Depp ‘An Introduction’ was released and showcased to a sell-out at Ronnie Scott’s.
Tickets: £20
Mitsu Trio
The Mitsu Trio was formed in 2020 by British pianist Tyler Hay, Japanese cellist Akito Goto and Catalan violinist Laura Custodio Sabas. All three members met at the Purcell School for Young Musicians when they were just teenagers, where they formed a strong musical connection.
Promoted by Concerts in the West
Tickets £20
Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman
Twice voted BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Best Duo, this multi award-winning musical couple continue to exude timeless class with their exquisite brand of traditional and contemporary acoustic music.
“It’s folk music for the modern age.” – The Telegraph, London
Tickets: £18
Tiny, Jelly & The Duke
The Sunset Café Stompers present "Tiny, Jelly & The Duke", a new programme celebrating the lives and work of Duke Ellington, Jelly-Roll Morton and (less well-known but equally fascinating) Tiny Parham.
Tickets: £20
Joanna Eden: Joni & Me
UK Singer/songwriter Joanna Eden presents a breath-taking show in celebration of her hero Joni Mitchell.
Tickets: £20
Cecil Sharp and the soundscape of Somerset: a talk by David Sutcliffe with live music from Sirinu
SOLD OUT
In honour of the Ilminster Literary Society, Ilminster Arts Centre is delighted to host a captivating evening celebrating the life and legacy of folk collector Cecil Sharp through both insightful commentary and stirring music. This special event features a talk by David Sutcliffe and a concert by the acclaimed ensemble Sirinu, weaving together history and melody to bring Sharp’s work vividly to life.
Tickets: £16
'The Jazz Giants Remembered '
It's 100 years since Oscar Peterson's was born and this unique presentation celebrates the great drumless trio he led with Bassist Ray Brown and Guitarist Joe Pass in the 1970s.
Tickets: £20
Gordon Giltrap
Recently awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year’s Honour List for services to Music and Charity, legendary British Guitarist Gordon Giltrap is back out on the road in what promises to be an electrifying solo acoustic show. Expect to hear classics such as Heartsong and Lucifer’s Cage alongside new material from his latest album ‘Scattered Chapters’.
Tickets: £22
Trio Anima
Trio Anima was formed in 2006 at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Since then, they have delighted audiences with their distinctive instrumental combination and imaginative programming.
Promoted by Concerts in the West
Tickets £20
Tone Big Band: Lunchtime Jazz
A fabulous lunchtime jazz event from Tone Big Band and musical director Nick Brace. Covering music from early swing to the modern era.
Free entry - donations in aid of the Arts Centre.
Mikeleiz-Zucchi Duo
Winners of the Royal Over-Seas League Annual Music Competition’s Mixed Ensemble Prize and City Music Foundation Artists, the Mikeleiz-Zucchi Duo’s repertoire spans everything from reimagined traditional works to modern repertoire and improvisation, all vividly rendered by the unique combination of saxophone and accordion.
Promoted by Concerts in the West
Tickets £20
'Unforgettable ' Tribute To Nat King Cole '
'Unforgettable ' Is stunning Vocalist/Guitarist Denny Illett and Award Winning Craig Milverton's latest project paying tribute to the supreme and legendary Vocalist and brilliant Pianist 'Nat King Cole' .
Tickets: £20
The All Seasons
Bringing to life the music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, The All Seasons present a show that will wow fans of the Jersey Boys sound.
Tickets: £22
Dave’s Big General Knowledge Quiz
Come and support the Arts Centre with a wonderful evening of quizzing! Fiendish questions, bar and a raffle await.
Tickets: £15 per team of 4
Alasdair Beatson
Scottish pianist Alasdair Beatson is renowned as a sincere musician and intrepid programmer. He champions a wide repertoire on both modern and historical instruments with particular areas of interest: classical, early romantic and French music (especially Fauré), alongside the music of today’s composers.
Promoted by Concerts in the West.
Tickets: £25
Steve Knightley: The Winter Yards in Spring – Solo Tour 2025
SOLD OUT
Steve Knightley returns in Spring 2025 with his highly anticipated Winter Into Spring solo tour, offering fans a bold new show. Following the acclaim of his Winter Yards album and tour, hailed as "a deeply atmospheric journey" (Spiral Earth), this fresh performance blends powerful new songs with reimagined classics from Knightley's extensive career.
Tickets: £22
Mike Denham SpeakEasy with Tom "Spats" Langham
Mike's guest tonight is arguably the UK's top jazz entertainer, Tom "Spats" Langham. Spats plays majestic guitar and banjo, and is an excellent vocalist. With Mike at the piano, the two will explore 1920s jazz and 1930s swing with expertise and huge delight.
Tickets: £20
Buy tickets online
Ensemble Hesperi
Ensemble Hesperi is a dynamic and innovative London-based period ensemble, with a reputation for showcasing Baroque Music through intelligent, research-led programming.
Promoted by Concerts in the West
Tickets £20
Fleetwood Shack
Prepare to be transported on a remarkable musical journey as Fleetwood Shack delivers an extraordinary performance, featuring an impressive repertoire of the biggest and most beloved Fleetwood Mac hits. Guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Fleetwood Mac’s love, emotion, and mystical aura.
Tickets: £22
Oh La La! Quintet - A Night of French Music
A fabulous quintet led by Parisian-born Fifi la Mer on vocals and accordion with Alex Garnett on vocals, tenor sax and clarinet; Oliver Wilby on accordion, clarinet and tenor sax; Simon Picton on guitar and Julian Bury on bass. French jazz at its best!
Tickets: £20
Flying Folk -- With Sian and Rob Colquhoun & Wildwood Jack
A fantastic folk evening. Tonight Sian and Rob Colquhoun & Wildwood Jack join Flying Folk host Jemima Farey.
Tickets: £16
‘S’Wonderful’ A homage to George Gershwin
This brand new show centres on one of the greatest composers of the 20th Century , George Gershwin and features many of his compositions including The man I Love , Someone to Watch Over Me , Summertime and I've Got Rhythm ' .
Tickets: £20
Dave’s Big General Knowledge Quiz
Come and support the Arts Centre with a wonderful evening of quizzing! Fiendish questions, bar and a raffle await.
Tickets: £12 per team of 4
Babooshka - Salute to Kate Bush
The ultimate Kate Bush tribute show, will take you through the career of one of the worlds most iconic artistes of the 20th Century.
Tickets: £18
The Berkley Ensemble
The Berkeley Ensemble was formed by friends in a spirit of adventure. ‘An instinctive collective’ (The Strad), its members have come together from diverse corners of musical life to make music in new ways.
Promoted by Concerts in the West.
Tickets: £18
Budapest Café Orchestra
Budapest Café Orchestra play a blistering barrage of traditional folk and gypsy-flavoured music
Tickets: £22
Craig Milverton with Simon Spillett
Inspired by the classic Brit-bop of the 1950s and 1960s, Simon's style is powerfully passionate, its emphasis on straight-ahead jazz. Simon is supported by Craig Milverton, one of Britain's finest Jazz Pianists.
Tickets: £20
Voces Amici - accompanied by Jonathan Delbridge
Group of young professional vocalists with programmes ranging from light classical Operatic arias to songs of the Wars and musical theatre.
Tickets: £15
Spikedrivers - bluesroots at its best
Their music has been described as 'haunting', 'gutsy', 'tribal' and even psychedelic. Inspired by the early blues of Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker and Big Bill Broonzy they have added their own blend of north African and Native American rhythms, gospel harmonies, sixties blues and rock guitar.
Tickets:
Early Bird: £20 Standard Adult: £22, Students: £5, Children 12 and under: Free
Led Zeppelish
A tribute to the 70's rock legends Led Zeppelin.
General admission: £22
Students: £5 with valid student ID
Hilary Cronin and Asako Ogawa
Selected by BBC Music Magazine as a Rising Star of 2022, Hilary Cronin won both First Prize and the Audience Prize at the 2021 Handel Singing Competition. Hilary is a regular soloist with The Monteverdi Choir, the English Baroque Soloists and Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
Asako Ogawa is one of the today’s most versatile performers on keyboard instruments, from virginals, harpsichord, fortepiano to modern piano. Her wide repertoire covers all periods both on harpsichord and modern piano.
Promoted by Concerts in the West.
Tickets: £18
Blackdown Acapella and Somer Singers
Ilminster Arts Centre is delighted to give a first-time welcome to two local singing groups, renowned for their glorious, unaccompanied vocal harmonies: Blackdown Acapella and Somer Singers
Tickets: £12
Flying Folk
A fantastic folk evening. Tonight we have the Nightjars performing as well as Patrick & Jemima Moran of the Farey Family.
Tickets: £16