THE Blues Band are guaranteed to get feet tapping when they appear at Harpenden Public Halls tonight (Thursday).

Formed in 1979 by ex-Manfred Mann group members Paul Jones and Tom McGuiness, originally to play a few pub gigs, they are still going strong 18 albums/CDs later.

Paul and Tom called on Tom’s old McGuinness Flint friend Hughie Flint on drums when they formed the band and were then joined by slide guitarist Dave Kelly and Gary Fletcher on bass guitar.

When Hughie retired, Medicine Head stalwart Rob Townsend took his place on drums.

Last year saw The Blues Band make their seventh appearance at The Glastonbury Festival and they are favourites on the European Festival scene.

They are just completing a new studio album with guests including soul diva Maggie Bell and Bruce Springsteen’s old buddy, Southside Johnny, which is due for release shortly.

The Blues Band are appearing at 8pm and tickets are �18.50 with concessions �16.50, available from the box office on 01582 767525 or online at www.harpendenpublichalls.co.uk

Cute critters koalas are at the fore in a show for children at the Public Halls on Saturday afternoon, May 7.

How the Koala Learnt to Hug was written especially for parents to enjoy with their children and is based upon a collection of Australian short stories.

It features a host of characters including Natalie Wombat, Natascha the Witch and Karen the Koala and covers themes such as the importance of friendship and the magic of a nice warm hug.

The show begins at 2.30pm and tickets are �8 for adults and �6 for children.

Michael Morpurgo’s poignant tale Private Peaceful can be seen at the Public Halls next Tuesday, May 10.

It relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn.

During the night he looks back at his short but joyful past growing up in rural Devon, his exciting first days at school, the accident in the forest that killed his father, his adventures with love of his life Molly and the battles and injustices of war that brought him to the front line.

Morpurgo’s inspiration for the book, which won the Blue Peter Book of the Year, came from a visit to Ypres where he was shocked to discover how many young soldiers were court-martialled and shot for cowardice in the First World War.

It can be seen at 7.30pm and tickets are �12 with concessions �10.