THE January blues were banished by tropical sounds at St Giles Church Hall thanks to The Honolulu Cowboys.

The band performed their first concert of the year on Saturday with a Hawaiian Tea Dance that will take place on the first Saturday of every month this year.

Homemade cakes mixed with grass-skirts and flower garlands as The Honolulu Cowboys performed songs more often heard in the islands of the Pacific Ocean than in the Woodstock Road.

Our top stories

Band founder John Hinkes, 61, said: “It is not a money-making thing. It is really just a bit of fun, it is a bit like a youth club really.

“It is very informal with tea and homemade cakes served and you can bring alcohol if you like.

“We play some sort of retro-surfing Hawaiian skiffle and swing.”

Singer Maria Eva, 55, said: “I love the music because it is right up my street and it means we can involve young and old.

“I used to work as an activities coordinator in a care home and the old people really enjoy it.”

The tea dance will take place every Saturday from 7pm to 9.30pm.

The group will also perform on Thursday at the Burton Taylor Theatre, Oxford Playhouse, at 8pm.

For more information call 07952 772358

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.