GEORGE NEWS - Petronel Baard and Voldi George are presenting their first winter show at Leila's Arms, a unique rustic eatery, in Blanco on Friday 26 April at 19:30 for 20:00. The occasion, entitled Classics for beginners, will take the form of a participatory show with quizzes and prizes.

Petronel, who was born in Riversdal, remarked this week: "I will be singing some light classical songs as well as my Antjie Krog compositions. Petronel has a honours degree in cabaret and direction. She is the 1999 winner of the ATKV Crescendo, a national competition and will be playing her piano on Friday night.

This accomplished singer has produced three albums, the first one, Lank al, was accompanied by Rocco de Villiers and won a South African Music Award (Sama). Petronel has toured the country and performed at both the KKNK and Aardklop with her own production Lang Vrou, to critical acclaim. Her album Deja Vu has been described as "A jewel in the crown of Afrikaans music" and was recorded live in Darling at Evita se Perron.

Voldi George, who has formal training in piano and violin, is proud to be a George local. He has performed for audiences across the nation including the KKNK, Nederburg Arts Experience, the George Society of Arts, the George Music Society, the South Cape Children's Choir, the George Male Choir and the very first South African Idols competition where he reached the top 50.

His versatility is manifested in cross-genre collaborations over the years with classical musicians and rockers alike.

Working in the US, he developed a penchant for jazz and incorporates it into his consistently growing repertoire. Besides traditional operetta and operatic fare, his abilities stretch beyond the obvious to lyricists like the Bergmans and composers including Kern, Berlin and Michel Legrand. He currently enjoys collaborating with the irrepressible cabaret diva Petronel Baard.

On Friday night George will be singing solos and medleys, making up the musical theatre selection of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter and Lloyd Webber.

He will include operatic pieces and a selection of Neopolitan songs in his performance.

Classic ballads will be intermingled with some of his favourite jazz standards including Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennet. The audience is invited to dress formal or wear "anything you like". The cost of tickets is R140 per person and it includes a wholesome soup, hot bread, cheese and chillies.

Bookings must be done by phoning 084 844 7996 or 044 870 0292.