Recent Events » Oompah!

Friday 10th October 2025 – Bluebell House, Wokingham

We understand the joy that live music can bring to those who can’t get out and about easily. Bluebell House is one of our favourite venues – we always get such a warm welcome and the residents really know how to have a good time. Special recognition to Eric, former trombonist, who made it on to his feet for the Macarena – wasn’t expecting that! And then there’s 92-year old Ellen, one of our greatest supporters who can’t wait for us to come back: “You give us real joy. Please come back – we love you!” We love you too, Ellen!

Friday 10th October 2025 – Wade Day Care Centre, Wokingham

It’s always a treat for us to play at the wonderful Wade Day Care Centre in Wokingham – we always receive such a warm welcome and love the way the members join in. Thanks to Bill for his excellent singing and kind comments:

“I loved it – I think it’s wonderful entertainment …. very talented … If you want to be entertained, these are the people you want!”

Saturday 4th October 2025 – Bray Village Hall

Well, that was a proper first Oktoberfest celebration by the villagers of Bray – well done to all who arranged it! Lots of lederhosen and dirndl outfits on show, with beer, traditional food, hearty singing and lively dancing! There was even a log-sawing and hammering competition – and, not for the first time, the stein competition was won by a lady! All amazing fun – and lead, of course, by the fabulous music of Oompah! who were joined, on this occasion, by a guest artist on sousaphone! Looks as though this could be the beginning of a great Oktoberfest tradition in Bray!

Tuesday 30th September 2025 – Promise Inclusion, Acorn Community Centre, Wokingham

Promise Inclusion is a local, independent registered charity that supports adults and children with learning disabilities and / or autism, their parents, carers and their families. Tuesday is club night and we were delighted to make a return visit to this fantastic group – we had singers, dancers and even a couple of conductors keeping us on our toes.

From Promise Inclusion: “Thank you so much to you and your brilliant band for coming along last Tuesday evening. Our members really do enjoy your music and get engaged. Your musicians and compère including our members in the evening makes it so much fun. Thank you all so much. We’re looking forward to your next visit.”

We’re glad you enjoyed it as much as we did!

Saturday 27th September 2025 – Siren Craft Brew, Reading

Oompah! was delighted to make a return visit to Siren’s flagship bar in central Reading to kick off their Oktoberfest celebrations. Whilst enjoying award winning craft beers and dining off their amazing menu, guests were treated to Oompah! playing traditional Oktoberfest music, including popular singalongs. The hat game was fun but the stein game was exceptional – either Reading drinkers are VERY strong or there was a lot of cheating going on! Who cares – it was a lot of fun!

Friday 26th September 2025 – Holme Grange School, Wokingham

For the second year running, Oompah! brought Oktoberfest to Holme Grange School to help celebrate international week. There was lively music and some traditional games which the students enjoyed. Thanks for inviting us!

Friday 29th August 2025 – Bluebell House Nursing and Residential Care Home, Wokingham

What a delight it was to play to the residents and their guests during their open afternoon! We couldn’t have asked for a more responsive and appreciative audience. Hear what a few of the residents had to say:

” I loved it to bits – it made my day. It filled me full of joy. I loved every minute of it and I hope you’re coming back.” Ellen

“It was very good – excellent. I’ve had a brilliant afternoon – it was lovely!” Patricia

“It was a jolly good afternoon!” Sandra

“It was a really good afternoon because it cheered everybody up. The band was very good.” Shirley

“We’ve had a lovely afternoon.” June

“It was a rather good, enjoyable concert. The music was very enjoyable – good music, well presented.” John

“I really enjoyed it. Everything was so happy.” Shirley

Friday 18th July 2025 – Merlewood Care Home, Virginia Water

Thank you for your great reviews today – it was a pleasure to play for you!

“It was lovely – really, really enjoyable!” Olive

“Excellent entertainment!” Gill

“It was terrifically good!” Mary

“It was very, very good! It took us out of ourselves!” Ruby

” I enjoyed it very much – it was comforting.” Margaret

Saturday 28th June 2025 – Hurst Show & Country Fayre

Oompah! was delighted to play at the Hurst Show & Country Fayre for the third year running – it’s always a very special non-commercial event with all profits going to charity. Here we are back in our traditional costumes – and delighted to be joined by our two newest members – Ian on trumpet and Charlie on Euphonium!

Thursday 8th May 2025 – St. James’s Church, Finchampstead

It was a cold evening but that wasn’t enough to dampen anyone’s spirits as we helped to celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day for the second year running. We played popular songs and wartime favourites, including several new numbers prepared specially for this occasion.

Chris Driver, organiser of the event, had this to say:

“Thank you so much for bringing your lovely band to play for us on Thursday! It was brilliant and much appreciated, especially as it was SO cold! There have been so many uplifting comments about the evening. Thank you for your part in making it such a success.”

Friday 7th March 2025 – Merlewood Care Home, Virginia Water

We love it when we’re invited back! Here we are trying to look casual during a break at this lovely Care Home. Thanks for the coffee and cakes!

What’s so funny?

Friday 7th February 2025 – Merlewood Care Home, Virginia Water

It’s not just about the music we play – it’s as much about the connection we make with our audience! The residents clearly had a great time:

“Thank you so much for performing for us last week – the residents and staff thoroughly enjoyed it … I can’t stress enough how much praise you have received from everyone here.” Julie, one of the staff

Thanks for inviting us back!

Tuesday 7th January 2025 – Promise Inclusion, Acorn Community Centre, Wokingham

What a great first gig of the year! The members of Promise Inclusion were on top form – conducting, accompanying, singing and dancing during this 2-hour evening slot. We don’t have permission to publish photos of the fun they were having but you would have been impressed with their energy and enthusiasm!

Promise Inclusion is a local, independent registered charity that supports adults and children with learning disabilities and / or autism, their parents, carers and their families.

Thanks for your great review:

“Thank you so much to you and the wonderful Bandissimo for entertaining us so much last night. It was a brilliant evening all round and, as I said last night, you’re our new number 1 for best evening ever. Everyone was so engaged and had such fun.” The Acorn Centre Promise Inclusion Team

Friday 20th December 2024 – Promise Inclusion, Acorn Community Centre, Wokingham

This was our first time entertaining members of Promise Inclusion and what a wonderful welcome we received from members of the group! There was definitely no problem in getting people involved – in fact, we had a new conductor called Denise who did a grand job in keeping us all in time! We were even counted in on more than one occasion which led to a few interesting speeds on some well-known carols! Here are a few shots of the wonderful members of the band who give up their time so readily in support of local community groups.

Thursday 12th December 2024 – Bluebell House Nursing and Residential Care Home

What a lovely afternoon of carols and other Christmas music to get us all into the Christmas spirit! Resident Eric was on good form again with a couple of one liners that cracked us all up! Wishing you good Elf too, my friend!

Friday 6th December 2024 – Wade Day Care Centre, Wokingham

Well, we’re not celebrating Oktoberfest any more but we’re still playing – under our umbrella name of Bandissimo! Here we are at the wonderful Wade Day Care Centre recruiting new members for the band! Or were we recruiting new members for the Day Centre? Anyway, there was lots of Christmas music and great participation! Thanks for inviting us!

Saturday 26th October 2024 – Royal British Legion Club, Arborfield Cross

Thank you, Royal British Legion, for inviting us to entertain at your celebration of Octoberfest. It was great to see some of your guests in traditional costume and enjoying beer from the award-winning Siren Craft Brewery. Thanks to the volunteers who took part in the stein game – they’re trying to make it look easy but it’s a lot harder than it looks!

And, yes, it was a bit chilly!

Friday 25th October 2024 – Bluebell House Nursing and Residential Care Home, Wokingham

We have a special relationship with this delightful nursing and residential care home. What a privilege it was to entertain the residents and their families for a couple of hours in the afternoon to celebrate Oktoberfest! We loved the way they joined in – and the staff too! Thanks for the refreshments and a special thanks to resident Eric – former musician and master of the one-liners – he had us all in stitches!

Saturday 19th October 2024 – Siren Craft Brew, Reading

What a privilege to play at Siren Craft Brew’s flagship bar in central Reading! Thanks to Lucy and Paul for help with the logistics and to the warm welcome from staff. Congratulations to all who took part in the fun and games – but when the prize is a free award-winning beer, it’s no wonder there was no shortage of volunteers!

Friday 4th October 2024 – Wade Day Care Centre, Wokingham

We were delighted to be invited back to the Wade Day Care Centre in Wokingham. A big round of applause for the members and staff for their singing, clapping, thigh slapping, good natured competition in the games and general all-round engagement – what a brilliant crowd! The Macarena wasn’t too bad either!

28th September 2024 – Hook and Odiham RFC Oktoberfest

What a superb event this was – all very Oktoberfest! We entertained with our core band of seven players – perfect when you need plenty of space for the dance floor! Well done to the girls for kicking things off so well and to everyone for their impressive singing, dancing and good natured competition! We loved playing for you – thanks for looking after the band so well and for inviting us back next year!

Saturday 28th September 2024 – Siren Craft Brew, Finchampstead

We were delighted to support Siren Craft Brew this afternoon – such a great atmosphere and excellent beer! Well done to them for recently winning Supreme Champion Beer of Britain! Thanks for inviting us back next year!

Thursday 26th September 2024 – Home Grange School, Wokingham

The torrential downpours presented a bit of a challenge for this outdoor event – but nothing dampened the spirits of the Holme Grange students who joined in with great enthusiasm! Even the staff were putting on a brave face! Thanks for having us!

Friday 12th July 2024 – WADE Day Care Centre, Wokingham

What a great way to spend a Friday morning! Oompah! entertained members and staff at this wonderful day care centre in Wokingham from 10 – 11.30am. Impressive singing and participation, especially in the hat game and Macarena, led very capably by some enthusiastic staff members! Thanks for inviting us!

Saturday 29th June 2024 – Hurst Show and Country Fayre

We love to support local events – the Hurst Show and Country Fayre is always an amazing event, including lots of live music! We definitely got toes tapping! One lady even asked us which part of Germany we were from! We’ll take that!

Friday 27th October 2023 – Arborfield Oktober Foodfest

Oompah! was delighted to support this new event organised by the village’s events committee Engage. Thanks for the beer, Mysterious brewing Company!

Friday 20th October 2023 – Mysterious Brewing Company – Burghfield Village Hall

Well, it doesn’t get more lively than this! Great crowd celebrating Burghtober fest (Octoberfest), hosted by the brilliant Mysterious Brewing Company! Lots of enthusiastic singing and appreciation of our music – it was a big line up this time (the full works)! Thanks for the beer and food, guys! And if you want to see some of the action, head to our videos page!

Thursday 19th October 2023 – The Berkshire Care Home, Wokingham

Close to our hearts are the residents of the Berkshire Care Home. Oompah! regularly gets toes tapping and the happy faces are worth a million. Here are some of us who played for the residents and their loved ones. Staff had a good time too! Not quite sure what was so funny, though!

Saturday 7th October 2023 – Maidenhead and Bray Cricket Club

What a great crowd! MBCC certainly know how to celebrate Octoberfest!

What MBCC said: “I can’t thank you enough for the great performance – everybody is talking about how great the band and evening was … it was a great night enjoyed by all and we will definitely have you guys back for our next Oktoberfest.”