There are three chances to enjoy some music and help worthy causes in Southend in the near future.

The first involves a singer who knows he is going blind. John Joseph has a young family and sings at the string of Jumping Jaks clubs.

He is appearing at the Kursaal this Friday to perform You Are My Eyes, a song dedicated to his partner Elaine.

An album with this track will be on sale and all proceeds from the evening, which includes supporting acts and a buffet, will go to the British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society who are trying to fight the disease caused by defective genes. Tickets are available on 01702 710518.

If the sounds of Gilbert and Sullivan are more to your taste then Cameo Opera are performing some of the duo's top tunes on Sunday, October 24 at the New Empire Theatre, Alexandra Street.

All proceeds from the afternoon and evening performances will go the Cancer Research Campaign. Tickets are available from the box office on 01702 353577.

Then in December there is an evening of classical delights being performed in aid of Southend Hospital's leukaemia unit appeal.

Southend's young musician of the year pianist Joanna Smith will be one of the excellent classical musicians in the line-up, that will include Andrew Mason on clarinet and the Chalkwell Hall Junior Harmony Choir.

The concert will be held at the Plaza Centre, Southchurch Road on December 18.

Tickets for this concert are available from Tony Wilson on 01702 221436.

Note worthy - Cameo Opera, above, perform excerpts from G&S, while former Southend Young Musician of the Year Joanna Smith gives a piano recital in concerts raising money for charities

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