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United States

Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, then on to 9/11 Memorial 150 150 mhamer

Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, then on to 9/11 Memorial

Our last day in New York and we went to celebrate Mass in the iconic St Patrick’s Cathedral then onto 9/11 Memorials where once the Twin Towers stood, a day etched in all our minds, now an epitaph to all those who died, and also a testament to man’s lack of humanity and empathy!

Mass at a famous cathedral and the 9/11 Memorial were on the itinerary for Jimmy Cricket and his family.

Earlier during their holiday in New York, they watched a show on Broadway and visited the historic Ellis Island.

Jimmy tweeted: “Our last day in New York and we went to celebrate Mass in the iconic St Patrick’s Cathedral.

“Then onto 9/11 Memorial where once the Twin Towers stood, a day etched in all our minds

“Now an epitaph to all those who died and also a testament to man’s lack of humanity and empathy.”

Ellis Island, in New York Harbour, contains a museum and a former immigration inspection station.

It was the United States’ busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 to 1954.

Ellis Island processed about 12 million immigrants to the country through the Port of New York and New Jersey.

The Statue of Liberty

Today, it is part of the Statue of Liberty national monument (right) and hosts a museum of immigration (below).

Popular entertainer Jimmy posted several messages and photos of the holiday.

He tweeted: “Been to see this wonderful musical, taken from the classic Disney film, “Frozen”, at the St James Theatre!

“Been to this wonderful city that never sleeps a few times, but never to Ellis Island, where walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen in 1845, who came seeking a better life.

“I entered the Registry Room, then onto to Liberty Island to meet the great lady once again!”

The US trip included a visit to Hoboken, New Jersey, birthplace of legendary American singer and actor Frank Sinatra.

Jimmy posted: “I had the great pleasure of visiting the town of Hoboken where Sinatra was born and had spend his formative years.“

Follow Jimmy on Twitter here.
See the Tour Dates section here on this website to keep up to date with all Jimmy’s movements.

Also read: You Must Be Joking show set to return at Newry Town Hall

Walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen

Walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen 150 150 mhamer

Walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen

Been to see with my family, this wonderful musical, taken from the classic Disney film, “Frozen”, at the St James Theatre, on Broadway this evening!

Jimmy Cricket and his family enjoyed a recent holiday in New York.

It included a visit to the famous Broadway to watch a show and also a trip to the historic Ellis Island.

Ellis Island, in New York Harbour, contains a museum and a former immigration inspection station.

It was the United States’ busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 to 1954.

Ellis Island processed about 12 million immigrants to the country through the Port of New York and New Jersey.

The Statue of Liberty

Today, it is part of the Statue of Liberty national monument (right) and hosts a museum of immigration (below).

Popular entertainer Jimmy posted several messages and photos of the holiday.

The pictures included those at the top of this article.

Jimmy said: “Been to see this wonderful musical, taken from the classic Disney film, “Frozen”, at the St James Theatre!”

He added: “Been to this wonderful city that never sleeps a few times, but never to Ellis Island, where walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen in 1845, who came seeking a better life.

“I entered the Registry Room, then onto to Liberty Island to meet the great lady once again!”

Been to this wonderful city that never sleeps a few times, but never to Ellis Island, where walking in the footsteps of my fellow Irish countrymen in 1845, who came seeking a better life, I entered the Registry Room, then onto to Liberty Island to meet the great lady once again!

The US trip included a visit to Hoboken, New Jersey, birthplace of legendary American singer and actor Frank Sinatra.

Jimmy posted: “I had the great pleasure of visiting the town of Hoboken where Sinatra was born and had spend his formative years.“

Follow Jimmy on Twitter here.

The popular comedian is back in action this weekend with performances around the country on both Saturday and Sunday.

See the Tour Dates section here on this website to keep up to date with all his movements.

Also read: You Must Be Joking show set to return at Newry Town Hall

Las Vegas: Hot weather and an indignant barman 150 150 mhamer

Las Vegas: Hot weather and an indignant barman

Jimmy Cricket reflects on his holiday in the United States earlier this year in his latest newspaper column - and suggest not asking for a shandy in Las Vegas

Jimmy Cricket reflects on his holiday in the United States earlier this year in his latest newspaper column – and suggests not asking for a shandy in Las Vegas!

The famous comedian went with his wife May in the summer to Vegas, a resort city known for its vibrant nightlife, centered around 24-hour casinos and other forms of entertainment.

And in his November column in the Lancashire Evening Post, he talks about the hot weather and asking for drinks at the bar.

He says: “I suppose if we did get a harsh winter this year we’d be more forgiving because this summer has been such a belter.

“However, although we had another scorcher this year, I went to somewhere that was even hotter. ‘Las Vegas. Yes siree.’ Mrs Cricket and I packed our cosies and sun cream and headed to the gambling capital of the world.

“Boy was that hot. And I just don’t mean the Showgirls. One day I took a 20-minute walk, stopped at a convenience store and purchased a cold bottle of water from the fridge. Before I got back the bottle was so warm, I could hardly hold it. The air conditioning in the hotel was even more welcoming than a tax rebate that day.

“We had a great time in, Las Vegas, and saw lots of exciting shows, including in a show called, Love, which was themed around The Beatles’ music.

“Of course, there were hiccups. Like the Paris Hotel. Here’s a tip here. If you do visit it and go right up to the bar on the first floor, don’t ask for a half of shandy. I did and a quite indignant barman plonked the beer, lemonade and glass in front of me and told me to do it myself.”

Read Jimmy’s full column here

 

Visit to iconic Monument Valley & Viva Las Vegas! 150 150 mhamer

Visit to iconic Monument Valley & Viva Las Vegas!

Monument Valley in the United States

Jimmy Cricket got to fulfil the ambition of a lifetime when he visited the legendary Monument Valley in the United States of America.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a red-sand desert region on the Arizona-Utah border, known for the towering sandstone hills recognised by their steep sides and flat tops. The park has frequently been a filming location for Western movies.

Jimmy, who visited the valley as part of a holiday in Las Vegas, posted on Facebook: “Well folks! We got to fulfil a life long ambition, to visit, the spectacular, “Monument Valley”, backdrop of the John Wayne, (Director John Ford), films such as, “The Searchers”, “Stagecoach”, on the border of Utah and Arizona with Bob our Navajo Indian guide, in dedication to my oldest brother John who was also a great fan! ??.”

The famous entertainer kept his friends and fans up to date regularly with his trip on his social media channels.

He and Mrs Cricket were joined during the holiday by their eldest daughter Jamie, who currently works as a deputy headteacher in the Cayman Islands.

Among the shows they watched in Vegas included the Bellagio’s dancing waters and Cirque Du Soleil, at The Mirage, a 3,044-room Polynesian-themed resort and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.

Jimmy Cricket and daughter Jamie in Las Vegas

Jimmy, 72, and Mrs Cricket set off back from the US on Saturday (7 July).

“Las Vegas you have been a blast, (and while touring there and back), ‘Monument Valley’, you have been truly inspirational, now on our way home!” said Jimmy.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, folks! 150 150 mhamer

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, folks!

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card features new US president Donald TrumpDear readers,

I cannot believe 2016 is coming to an end and the Christmas season is once more upon us.

This year has been a fantastic one for me personally as it all started back in January with a service led by the Bishop of Salford to formally award me with my Papal Knighthood.

During the year I have also been fortunate to have:

·         Been involved in some great shows, such as the You Must Be Joking, which toured Northern Ireland back in the spring, and the opening weekend of The Good Old Days autumn season at the world-famous City Varieties Theatre in Leeds

·         Made a couple of appearances alongside my friend Tony Crane and the iconic 60s band The Merseybeats

·         Had trips to Spain to appear in some lovely venues around the Costa Blanca region

·         Paid visits to the Warner Leisure sites at Nidd Hall in Harrogate and Bembridge on the Isle of Wight

·         Did a spring season at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

·         Continued to write a monthly column in the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post

·         And managed, at long last, to launch a new Christmas CD for the Francis House Children’s Hospice – a project I’ve been wanting to get off the ground for a couple of years. As I write this, I am nearing sales of more than 1,300 from this year’s festive period.

This Christmas I am at the White Rose Theatre in Leeds featuring in a panto production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

And then when we get into 2017, I immediately fly off to Tenerife for an appearance there early in the New Year!

And there’s more…

… Other highlights for 2017 include a return to the Benidorm Palace in March alongside Gerry and the Pacemakers; another residency back at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool over the winter, spring and the autumn; teaming up with my pals from  show band group Clubsound for a night in Northern Ireland In April; a visit to the Wayside Cheer Hotel in Guernsey over the Easter weekend; a voyage with Cruise & Maritime Voyages around the Faroe Islands in July; and plenty more to keep me out of mischief!

If you see me advertised at any venue near you in 2017, please do come along and say ‘Hi’!

That reminds me… can I thank all those who over the last year have either seen one of my shows, or browsed this website, or bought one of my CDs or DVDs.

All that remains for me to say, dear readers, is have a happy Christmas and a great start to the New Year!

Jimmy Cricket's signature

Las Vegas, Siberian tigers and the chipmonk 150 150 mhamer

Las Vegas, Siberian tigers and the chipmonk

Jimmy Cricket's May column in the Preston-based Lancashire Evening PostJimmy Cricket has been continuing with his Las Vegas travelogue in a regional newspaper.

The famous comedian, 70, visited the United States city of Vegas, known as the Gamblers’ Paradise, about 15 years ago.

And it was an eventful trip, as he told readers of the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post in his latest monthly column, having told them previously about the time pop legend Gladys Knight blew him a kiss at a concert in the city.

Jimmy said one of the other shows he saw involved two magicians performing “incredible feats of faring”, which included Siberian tigers appearing out of nowhere.

The religious season of Lent started while practising Roman Catholics Jimmy and Mrs Cricket were in Vegas.

“When we went to Mass on Ash Wednesday, we were told that some people actually put gambling chips in the collection plate,” he explained.

“Apparently after Mass, the priest then  brings them into the hotel next door and has changed them into money. Guess what he’s called? The Chipmonk!”

He added: “Look out for my column next month (June) when there will be more… ”

* Jimmy completes his spring season at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool with final performances on Wednesday (25 May) and Saturday (28 May).

The day pop legend Gladys Knight blew me a kiss in Las Vegas 150 150 mhamer

The day pop legend Gladys Knight blew me a kiss in Las Vegas

Jimmy Cricket's Lancashire Evening Post column

Jimmy Cricket has been remembering the one and only time he went to Las Vegas – where a music legend blew him a kiss!

In his Lancashire Evening Post column for April, the well-known comedian, 70, recalls his visit about 15 years ago to the United States city of Vegas, famed for its gambling and endless entertainment.

Having entertained passengers on the flight across the Atlantic, Jimmy says he and Mrs Cricket went to see Gladys Knight in concert.

Known as the “Empress of Soul”, she is an American singer–songwriter and actress. She is best known for the hits she recorded during the 1960s and 1970s with her group Gladys Knight & the Pips, which also included her brother and two cousins.

Jimmy says in his column: “At the end of her set, Gladys walked along shaking hands with any members of the audience that went to the front of the stage.

“With a bit of coaxing from Mrs Cricket, I made a bee line towards the great lady. Unfortunately I didn’t quite get the timing right. As I thrust my hand towards the stage Gladys moved on. I missed her hand by a second. As my outstretched hand stood suspended in mid-air in the full glare of the spotlight, I felt the eyes of the whole audience was up on me.

“Then just before she disappeared into the wings, Gladys looked over to notice what had happened and, in a moment that is forever etched in my memory, she blew me a kiss!”

* Jimmy is appearing at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool every Wednesday and Saturday until the end of May.