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Wigan Casino - Its Influence, Its Legacy... A Panel Event at 'Museum of Wigan Life'

Details of an upcoming event being held on Sat 30th September 2023 at the Museum of Wigan Life.

Northern Soul and Wigan Casino: its influence, its legacy, and everything that followed.

Something a little different to the usual type of event, but it will be a great way to spend an afternoon. Plus there's a soul night a mile up the road in Pemberton if you fancy making a day / evening of it! 

 

Northern Soul and Wigan Casino: its influence, its legacy, and everything that followed.

Wigan Casino is arguably the best known and most talked about Northern Soul all-nighter. Whether you attended or not, the iconic venue has earned its place in Northern Soul history.

At this unique event, join original DJs Richard Searling (via video), Gary Rushbrook, and Ian Wills, along with highly respected stalwarts Tim Ashibende, and Tim Brown for a question-and-answer panel event that will discuss the part Wigan Casino played on the soul scene, the myths, the truths, as well as highlighting the venues that followed.

Chaired by Dr Paul Sadot, director of ‘Once Upon a Time in Wigan’ and advisor for the film ‘Northern Soul’, expect lively conversation, explosive stories, and an emotional look back at some of the amazing venues that we have been treated to over the last 50 years. We will look at the incredible records that were discovered, the DJs that played them, and the memories that were made.

When? Saturday 30th September, 3-4.30pm

Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU

What is the cost? Free

Do I need to book? Booking is advised, but on the day if places are available (this is not guaranteed)

How do I book? Via Eventbrite through the link below

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wigan-casino-its-influence-its-legacy-and-everything-that-followed-tickets-655753655837?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

By contacting the museum directly 01942 828128 or email wiganmuseum@wigan.gov.uk or you can drop me a pm via @Jumpinjoan

Source Event Guide link
https://www.soul-source.co.uk/events/event/76531-wigan-casino-its-influence-its-legacy-panel-event/

 



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Ticket booked , love a bit of nostalgia, amazing really while it was running the Council and the notorious local constabulary only wanted to get rid of the WC , I'm surprised that the local tourist information board hasn't pushed the council into rebuilding the place , just a thought lol .

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Ticket booked. The write up mentioned a ‘soul do’ up the road later that night but no place or location was mentioned, or did I miss it?

Edit; just looked in the Events Guide and it’s probably at the Masonic Hall in Pemberton.

Edited by Catsprint
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Fabulous, thanks Chalky 😍

Just a quick heads up, we are a small museum so it will be a nice intimate event of 60 like minded souls. Over 40 of those seats have already gone, so if you fancy it, I would book asap. 

Thanks so much everyone :thumbup:

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Quick question, why is there no picture of Wigan casino on this website. I’d absolutely love to see some as I’ve heard loads about the place from my big sis x

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That's all the tickets booked, thanks so much everyone 😍

I'll start a reserve list, so if you've missed out but fancy it, drop me a pm and I'll add your name. By the same token, if you have a ticket but nearer the time find you can't make it, please do let me know :thumbup:

Edited by Jumpinjoan
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Great video, loved it. Always learn something more about this venue when you have stuff like this put on.  One thing that did strike a note with me, something that Tim said.

I started secondry school the year Wigan closed, given my age I can't really dispute this, and can honestly say I've never danced to it, in fact, I may only have ever heard it played at the 100 club, once!   But I love Romance Watson! 

 

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22 hours ago, Jumpinjoan said:

Sorry for the late reply everyone, not been too good. 

Here is the link to the panel event. The audience questions will be uploaded soon, will post here when they're up x

 

Thanks for posting this Joan , and so sorry I missed the event . You have worked your socks off to get all of this done, so well done you . 
Hope you get better soon and pass on my regards to the old man . 
🙏

Steve & Shila . 

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This is great.    This is what the BBC should be doing when they make a programme about Northern Soul!

A programme by Northern Soul fans, for people who are into Northern Soul!   

The programmes the BBC and others make about Northern Soul are usually all aimed at people who know little or nothing about it! 

All involved in this did a great job. 

Such a lot of the guest speakers view's and opinions I share with!  I have never forgotten those great memorable times at the Casino allnighters. 

Everybody sees the scene from their own point of view, and there is a lot of rewriting history, so it's good to hear from people who know how it really was, and lived the life style!

 

Edited by Solidsoul
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3 hours ago, Chalky said:

 it's the same records as 20 years ago, its boring and like watching an episode of top of the pops for 40 years or so.

If there were lots of great records to play, they would be getting played!

There is a limited number of great records and once you know them all you can't have anymore! 

The scene is fresh to newcomers who have a lot of tunes to learn and appreciate.

It's all a matter of what you know or don't know, as to whether venues are boring or not!  

 

Edited by Solidsoul
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Surely thats ,wrong how much you spend Chalky?? Me and you probably do but that doesn't make wigan the b all and end all of northern surely, I was too young for the wheel and torch but did blue rooms mecca wigan etc and a varied epitome of records were played as you know cost in them days was miniscule, top dollar then was 20 -35 max ,I purchased with a friend big boys at the time chapter five 25,cobblestone 15,precissions 20,stemmons express 25 the list endless every week as it still is a hunt for tunes I had ,didn't have or un heard of stuffwhich I prefer anyway can't wait for wigan 60 ,wheelchair parade ,Ps well done in benalmadena too

Edited by Steviehay
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5 hours ago, Chalky said:

That was exactly what my question about The Casino being detrimental to the scene in the years that followed especially today.  The constant looking back and the same old same being the musical focus for the vast majority of venues has to have a detrimental effect.  I known for a fact it is driving people away, not just the mainstream but the so called upfront and crossover venues, it's the same records as 20 years ago, its boring and like watching an episode of top of the pops for 40 years or so.

Spot on!

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5 hours ago, Chalky said:

That was exactly what my question about The Casino being detrimental to the scene in the years that followed especially today.  The constant looking back and the same old same being the musical focus for the vast majority of venues has to have a detrimental effect.  I known for a fact it is driving people away, not just the mainstream but the so called upfront and crossover venues, it's the same records as 20 years ago, its boring and like watching an episode of top of the pops for 40 years or so.

My example is always this Chalky........I'm a Man Utd fan, but I don't watch the old games/teams, I follow what's happening now, and by Christ if there were ever a better excuse for the former than current form eh? 🤣

My other way of looking at it, is that it becomes the NS equivalent of an Elvis convention!

On this subject, and spoken as someone who wasn't there......surely one of the worst things that ever happened at the Casino was the introduction of the Oldies All Niter wasn't it?  The rot sets in from there I reckon.

Yawnsville...... 🤭

 

Cheers,

Mark R

Edited by Mark R
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1 hour ago, Mark R said:

......surely one of the worst things that ever happened at the Casino was the introduction of the Oldies All Niter wasn't it?  The rot sets in from there I reckon.

Yawnsville...... 🤭

 

Cheers,

Mark R

Agreed Mark. "Wigan Oldies nighters".  

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It's one thing that the Casino had an oldies nighter back then, up until it's closure, as even some of the " oldies" were not that old at the time.

But for so called DJs to still play those records is at best plain lazy and very unimaginative considering the vast amount of choice of under played and forgotten tunes available.

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