Blake to perform at Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th Birthday Spectacular NEWS


Blake to perform at Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th Birthday Spectacular

BRIT Award winning classical trio, BLAKE, will be performing for Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th Birthday Spectacular, at London’s famous Palladium, on Saturday the 18th of March 2017.



Classically trained vocal harmony group Blake are one of the first acts announced to star in a one-night spectacular this year to celebrate Dame Vera Lynns 100th birthday. Being held at Londons world famous Palladium on Saturday 18th March 2017, the entertainment extravaganza will honour The Forces Sweetheart and mark her incredible 100 years. Proceeds from this star-studded event will raise money for the Dame Vera Lynn Childrens Charity (DVLCC).

This wont be the first time Dame Vera Lynn and Blakes paths have crossed as they performed with the Dame at the Imperial War Museum for the Vera Lynn Trust Dinner on October 10th 2009 as Stephen Bowman of Blake explains:

After a few attempts Blake finally convinced Dame Vera to join them on stage, with Sir Tim Rice, to perform her classic song 'We'll Meet Again', resulting in a standing ovation for Dame Vera from the packed room. Seeing that Dame Vera seemed to be having a whale of time, Ollie from Blake cheekily asked if she would like a dance. To everyone's surprise, she accepted and the two of them danced a few numbers on the floor as the guests looked on. Since that evening we've performed at other events for Dame Vera, continuing to support her amazing work for the forces. We genuinely feel privileged and honoured to have got to know her so well, making it all the more special to be singing for her once again in her 100th year. She's more than a national treasure, she's one of Britain's all-time greats!

To tell the story of Dame Veras life, and highlight her many hits such as Well Meet Again and The White Cliffs of Dover, the show will feature a host of stars from the stage and screen. Other acts also announced to perform are Hayley Westenra, comedian Alexander Armstrong and renowned dancer and choreographer Robert Robinson. The celebrity guests will be performing and narrating during the evening and will be accompanied by The Royal Air Force Squadronaires and Salon Orchestra of the RAF conducted by Sqn Ldr Matt Little, a very fitting tribute to Mr Harry Lewis, Dame Vera Lynns husband, who was a founding member.

Dame Vera is credited for boosting the nations morale during the darkest days of World War II, and has been honoured countless times for her services to entertainment and charity. Her latest accolade came in the Queens 2016 birthday honours when she was made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour.

Dame Vera commented: To have reached my hundredth year is in itself an achievement - with all the many memories that one collects over the years, the different places and the wonderful people one meets and the many, many fans from across the world who have supported me. The show on March 18th will be but a tiny insight into my career from when I started professionally on stage at the age of seven, through the war years right up until the current day. So I want you to sit back and enjoy what for me has been an incredible adventure of song, dance and friendship.

Dame Veras son-in-law Squadron Leader Tom Jones (Retd), one of the shows producers, added: We are all incredibly excited to be celebrating Dame Veras milestone birthday with this star-studded show at The London Palladium. She remains so humble about her career, which touched the lives of so many troops and got them through some of their darkest days. Were really looking forward to welcoming guests, friends, VIPs and dignitaries to the concert to celebrate - it will be a truly memorable night for all who attend.

The Dame Vera Lynn 100th birthday celebration - or 100: A Tribute to Dame Vera Lynn as it is entitled - is being held at the London Palladium on 18th March 2017. Tickets are on sale now priced from 50 and available from http://www.seetickets.com/show/100-a-tribute-to-dame-vera-lynn/pal/2/5169

Recently, Blake teamed up with another iconic female performer, Dame Shirley Bassey. After singing Moon River at her 70th birthday party the Brit Award winning trio and Dame Shirley released festive single The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), raising money for the childrens charity Variety and The Noahs Ark Children Hospital for Wales. Most recently they appeared on BBC One on Christmas Eve, performing with Dame Shirley on David Walliams celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey.

2017 marks ten years since the start of Blake, and they are currently working on a celebratory album for this massive milestone. They are also touring the UK with brand new show Songs of Stage and Screen. Dates can be found here.

Notes to editors:

The Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy was founded in 2001 running from Billingshurst, West Sussex. In 2015 its name was changed to the Dame Vera Lynn Childrens Charity (DVLCC) to provide a clearer definition of its status. Since then DVLCC has helped more than 500 families from across East and West Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire and London

About the author
Media contacts for Blake: Republic Media E:info@republicmedia.net T: 020 3213 0135 Media contact for 100: A Tribute to Dame Vera Lynn Gemma Hook, PMW Communications Ltd. E: gemma.hook@pmwcom.co.uk T: 01403 783400 ext 210



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