SETTLE'S Victoria Hall will launch its 2016 season with a performance by musical heritage champions Pitmen Poets on Sunday.

The group comprises former Lindisfarne singer and songwriter Billy Mitchell, singer and instrumentalist Bob Fox, leading exponent of Tyneside song Benny Graham, and much-covered Durham songwriter Jez Lowe.

The musicians will celebrate the triumphs, tragedy, humour and hard times of North-East England's coal mining tradition.

Regional heritage will also be celebrated next Saturday, January 23, when Scottish singer-songwriter Bill Adair compères A Celebration of Burns.

The evening will include a piper, songs, poetry, and a supper of haggis, neeps and tatties.

The popular Swing Commanders return next Sunday, January 24, with their mix of 1940s classics, boogie-woogie, western swing and 50s jump jazz.

Every member of the Swing Commanders sings and plays at least one instrument, but what makes them stand out even above their music ability and performing skills is their joie-de-vivre.

There is another musical treat on Wednesday, January 27, when nine-piece band Anda Union from Inner Mongolia takes to the stage.

Its members came together at music college in Hohhot, their capital city, and were able to integrate traditional forms - like the now-famous throat singing - into a sound uniquely Mongolian.

Skipton's Lempen Puppet Theatre Company provides family entertainment on the morning of Saturday, February 6.

It will perform The Amazing Thing, which takes the audience on an unusual journey through a medley of well-known Brothers Grimm Tales.

There is a change pace in the evening with music from Phil Beer, one of the most popular ambassadors for acoustic roots music. He is perhaps best known as a fiddler, but his skills don't stop there as he also plays slide, Spanish and tenor guitar, mandocello, viola, mandolin and South American cuatro!

The musical theme continues with Ireland's Echoes of Eireann (Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann) on Saturday, February 13, A Fistful of Spookies on Friday, February 19, and The Mark Nevin Band on Saturday, February 20.

Talking Stock Productions returns on Sunday, February 21, with its latest offering Godfrey's Last Love (Bring Me Sunshine).

By Alan Stockdill, it is about retired cricket umpire and avowed socialist Godfrey Shackleton, who celebrates his lottery win with a lads' trip to Morecambe. But life changes once again when he bumps into widow Betty, who's there on a bowling trip with Clitheroe Conservative Club.

The hall also welcomes back Keith James on Thursday, March 3, who will give a concert as Yusuf - Cat Stevens.

Proceeds and audience donations from the show will go direct to the UNICEF UK's Government-matched Syrian Children's appeal.

Next to take the stage will be Red Dragonfly Productions which will present DiaoChan: The Rise of the Courtesan on Friday, March 4.

It is a tale of courtesans, warlords, steamy conspiracy and enticing twists set in the ancient Chinese era of the Three Kingdoms. The play is performed in English with a British East-Asian and East-Asian cast in full Chinese traditional costume.

The following night, the Ferocious Dog Band will entertain with their own take on traditional Celtic folk and Queen tribute band QueenEsque! will round off the first quarter's entertainment on Saturday, March 26.

The hall will also continue with its First Sunday Folk events, introduced by Mike Harding, and its foreign film nights.

For more information and tickets, call 01729 825718 or visit settlevictoriahall.org.uk