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AGED just 17, DJ Harrison McDonald, known as Harry MC, has already enjoyed the type of career that his peers could only dream of. After a sell out summer in Ibiza, running his own hugely successful family event called:- 'El Kiddo' based at the island's infamous Bam Bu Ku, following a popular run in Dubai, Harry and his Dad have teamed up with local event organiser Mark Pickup.

Together they are bringing this family music based extravaganza to:- Southport, on:- Sunday, 29 October 2023, to The Waterfront Hotel, Promenade Southport (formally Bliss).

El Kiddo will bring a family party like no other, with off the wall entertainment and a high-energy line up of talented tribute acts including:- Katy Perry and Taylor Swift as well as Harry MC and a local DJ competition winner.

Having been a DJ since the age of 11, and selling out venues since he was 13, Harry has also become well known within Liverpool for working at Jamie Webster gigs as well as the hugely popular Boss events, all in support of Liverpool Football Club's devoted fans.

At just 12, Harry played in front of 2,000 people at a Boss event in Barcelona, and then DJ'd for 60,000 people at the Champions League Final in the official fan park, Madrid, in 2019, and then for 70,000 people at the Champions League Final official fans' zone in Paris last year.

Harry MC said:- "I feel it is a real honour to have been brought up around live music and cultural events. My dad, Barry, was the promoter for Garlands back in the day, and he passed on to me a real work ethic. I attended DJ boot camps as soon as I was old enough to, and was lucky enough to go behind the scenes at some of the world's most iconic clubs, to see how everything worked. This year so far has already been a wild ride; after taking El Kiddo to Dubai I brought it back to Bam Bu Ku in Ibiza; this season had a:- 'Mad Hatter's Tea Party' vibe, which gave us a season of sell outs. Having been a part of the music scene from a young age, I wanted to create something family orientated so that children of all ages could enjoy their own club atmosphere but in an entirely age appropriate setting. The Southport version of El Kiddo will take all of the elements of the Ibiza smash and bring them to the town. As well as DJ sets and our amazing tribute acts, our guests can also enjoy Ibiza style entertainers. As it is Halloween, we also encourage fancy dress for Mums, Dads and the kids, with some prizes for the best dressed on the day."

No stranger to staging successful events in Southport, Mark Pickup from Southport TV said:- "After attending with my family and playing at the El Kiddo event this summer in Ibiza I was determined to bring it to Southport. It's just something a bit different for families. The kids are being entertained all day in a fun, family environment with great music including:- live tribute acts. My daughter didn't leave the dance floor at the Ibiza event as she was immersed with the entertainers all afternoon, so I thought lets do it in Southport with a Halloween theme. Over 60% of tickets are already sold, so I would encourage anyone who is thinking of attending to make sure they are ready to snap up the rest. Kids and their parents and guardians having the best time is what El Kiddo events are all about; see you on the dancefloor!"

For more information and tickets head to:- Skiddle.Com. El Kiddo will take place at Waterfront Hotel, Southport Promenade, on:- Sunday, 29 October 2023, from:- 2pm to 6pm.

Who will be crowned this year's Southport New Comedian of the Year 2023?

THE Southport New Comedian of the Year returns with the grand final taking place on:- Tuesday, 10 October 2023, with tickets just �5 each! It is being held as part of the 12th Annual Southport Comedy Festival which takes place under canvas in a luxury heated and seated marquee courtesy of Elite Marquees in Southport's famous Victoria Park, home of the Flower Show. This year's event is sponsored for a 2nd year by Dragon Soop, a caffeinated alcoholic beverage that comes in a range of flavours.

Isabelle Kent, Sales and Marketing Director said:- "Dragon Soop is once again delighted to support the hugely popular Southport Comedy Festival. We wish all acts a Sooper Festival experience!"

Following a nationwide search where aspiring comedians from all over the UK were invited to apply for 1 of 8 places in the final. Over 100 comedians applied, we can now reveal which 8 will be going forward to the final.

Dom Hatton Woods... Hailing from Somerset, Dom now resides in Manchester where he is a student as well as a comedian. His comedy is dry and authentic. Talking about his dysfunctional family and all areas of his life in a dry, sarcastic, but hilarious way. Dom has more than 10 million views online for his comedy videos. A rising star Dom has been doing stand up for 3 years and in this short time he has been tour support for Daliso Chaponda, Tom Stade and Jamali Maddix.
Sallyann Fellowes... Sallyann Fellowes lives in Egham, Surrey. A regular on the stand-up circuit she brings a unique brand of comedy weirdness, is unpredictable, funny haha and funny peculiar. She also loves Haribo. Winner of New Forest Comedian 2023, Runner Up Not So New Comedian 2023, Winner G&B Comedy Allstars 2023.
Dave Wilder... Based in Brighton, by day Dave is a bestselling, award winning author. In his 2 short years doing stand-up he has already amassed a number of comedy accolades. He has won the Castle Comedy Cup, Big Nose Gong Show, Bill Murray Roast Battle, Oi Oi Comedy Competition, Soho Comedy Revue. He was Runner up in the Reading:- 'New Comedian of the Year,':- 'New Forest Comedian of the Year,':- 'Owen's Got Talent' competition. Finalist in the:- 'King Gong,' West End New Act of the Year, Broadwater's Got Talent, Backyard Comedy Knockout. It has been said that he is 1 of the most exciting new 1 iner comics on the circuit today...
Chloe Reynolds... Hailing from Newcastle Under Lyme (the Stoke one) Chloe performed they're 1st gig in between Poet's in Stoke, in January 2020 just before the pandemic�Chloe's comedy is mostly autobiographical but they try to highlight the mundanity / normality of attributes and experiences that are quite niche. Chloe has come runner up in the Midlands Comedy awards best new act, a finalist in the upcoming breaking talent award by Birmingham Comedy festival, and Shortlisted for BBC new comedian of the year 2023. By day Chloe is a digital marketer running social media campaigns.
Harry Jenkins... Born and bred in Birmingham where he still lives Harry is an exciting newcomer having been going for less than a year since January 2023. Harry is about 30 gigs in. However in a very short space of time he has gone on to win various gong shows and place in competitions all around the country for his dry, irreverent take on normal everyday life. He is already receiving critical acclaim from industry professionals. "Harry is ridiculously good for someone so new." Mike Bottomley, owner of Funhouse Comedy Clubs. "Harry has what it takes to become pro. It's not just the material or the delivery in this case, but it's the mental attitude. Jenkins is shrewd and switched on and already has a well tuned comedy brain�He's someone to watch for the future."
Martin Durchov... Originally from Bulgaria, Martin has been living in London for the last 8 years. A software developer by day Martin was a finalist in So you think you're funny and Leicester Square new comedian of the year and runner up in Bath New Act of the Year. His style is quick jokes about his background and Bulgaria.
Lucas Jefcoate... Originally from Essex, Lucas is now based in London where he is a freelance video editor and podcast producer. Performing in London for nearly 2 years he has 150+ gigs under his belt. His comedy brand is off-beat humour and weirdly specific observations. Lucas' passion for joke telling is rivalled only by his obsession with wearing hideous cardigans when entertaining a crowd. Lucas has competed in the New Forest New Comedian of the Year Semi Final, The Max Turner Semi Final and the Backyard Knockout Final. He has recently returned from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival after a successful run of his split bill of stand up comedy with comedian Serena Smart.
Alex Stringer... An exciting new talent from Liverpool, by day Alex is a phlebotomist. Since starting comedy in 2019 she has been doing well in the comedy competitions. Finalist Comedy Bloomers LGBT+ New Comedian of the year Finalist 2022, Leicester Square new comedian of the year semi-finalist 2021, So You Think You're Funny semi-finalist 2021, 2nd in West Didsbury Comedy Festival New Act of the Year 2020, Beat the Frog World Series 2020 finalist. She has also been tour support for:- Tom Ward, Hayley Ellis and Sally Anne Hayward.

Southport Comedy Festival Director and Southport New Comedian Of The Year host, Brendan Riley, said:- "A highlight event of the festival, the New Comedian Competition is a great chance to have a sneak preview of the stars of tomorrow. It is always a lovely night with a positive pro comedy vibe. We are really excited about this year's finalists. It is going to be a difficult 1 to judge as the standard is really high. This event usually sells out; and with tickets at just �5 what have you got to lose?"

The Southport New Comedian of the Year event is part of the 17 day Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones BMW. Running until:- 15 October 2023, the star studded line up includes:- Jason Byrne, Simon Brodkin, Paul Sinha and Rich Hall to name just a few. For more information or to book tickets visit the festival website.

* Dragon Soop should only be consumed by adults aged 18+. Please enjoy responsibly...