WHILE many other venues may close down over the Christmas period, Alcester's Cuckoo Club will still be treating music-lovers to an evening of entertainment.

The town's premier nightspot presents The Notorious Brothers on Friday, December 30, offering blues-based rock to impress the most discerning of musical tastes.

The Cuckoo Club, based at the Greig Centre, combines nightclub, concert hall and cabaret club to attract the very best musicians to the area and raise funds for the centre itself.

Guests sit at round tables of eight and a licensed bar is available with table service. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own nibbles.

The Notorious Brothers were formed 10 years ago by Reg Jones and Melvin Hancox and following Reg's death last year the band restructured, consisting of Melvin Hancox on guitar, John (Slopey) Hill on bass and new drummer Richard Rivett.

Playing music influenced by late 60s British blues-based rock, the band has just finished recording its second CD, including original compositions that will be aired for the first time at the gig.

Stepping up a gear, the first Cuckoo Club gig of 2006 is set to feature The Dr Teeth Big Band, an eight-piece outfit from Stratford-upon-Avon.

The group has been playing "non-stop-jump-jive-rhythm-and-boogie" for six years and has featured at events including Birmingham International Jazz and London Swing Dance Society as well as appearing in jazz clubs and nightclubs including Tamworth Jazz Club.

Both concerts run from 8.30-11.15pm with tickets, priced £7, available from the booking office on 01789 400073. Previous concerts have sold out so people are advised to buy tickets early.