Scots comedy star Karen Dunbar gave impromptu musical performance accompanied by Lanarkshire band
Chewin' the Fat star Karen Dunbar gave an impromptu performance with a Lanarkshire band at a family and community open day.
The comedy legend took to the stage alongside the Michael Brawley Big Band at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust belting out the Frank Sinatra hit Fly Me to the Moon.
There was no rehearsal required as she nailed the song in one take in front of a delighted audience.
As the band struck up, thrilled Karen grabbed the mic and beamed: "How cool is this? It's brilliant!
"I don't want to blow my own trumpet, but I can carry a tune."
She gave the song her all and received a standing ovation from the huge gathered crowd.
Karen, who was at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Family and Community Open Day as an honorary guest added: "I can't believe the size and the scope of this place.
"It's packed, it's brilliant and actually, I am a bit overwhelmed.
"Thanks to the Michael Brawley Big Band - they are magic."
The appearance at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust (GVVT) was part of the Michael Brawley Big Band's 30th anniversary celebrations.
The band's schedule in the past year alone has included gigs at the iconic B-listed Kelvingrove Bandstand in Glasgow, Gleddoch Golf & Spa Resort, Hamilton Pride and Coatbridge's Summerlee Museum.
Uddingston on August 22 at 7pm.
This is open to all and donations to charity are welcome on the door.
www.gvvt.org or the band's Facebook page.
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Glasgow Times
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Chewin' the Fat star in surprise Glasgow musical performance
Karen Dunbar got up on stage with the Michael Brawley Big Band to belt out Fly Me to the Moon in front of a delighted crowd. She was guest of honour at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust's family day but the sing-song was a last-minute surprise addition. Karen Dunbar and the Michael Brawley Big Band (Image: Newsquest) There was no rehearsal … and she nailed the song in one take. As the band struck up, Karen grabbed the mic and beamed: 'How cool is this? It's brilliant! 'I don't want to blow my own trumpet… but I can carry a tune.' Karen Dunbar (Image: Newsquest) Karen officially opened the community event and said she was 'overwhelmed' by the Trust and its home at Bridgeton Bus Garage. READ NEXT: Glasgow parents put pressure on parents over school librarian cuts Search begins for 2025 Glasgow Community Champions 'I can't believe the size and the scope of this place,' she said. 'It's packed, it's brilliant and actually, I am a bit overwhelmed. I think it's fantastic that the Vintage Vehicle Trust is here. 'It's a big, big part of Glasgow's history. They do a great job and it's run by volunteers so everybody is doing this for nothing. 'Thanks also to the Michael Brawley Band – they are magic.' Karen returns to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time in almost 20 years this year for a limited run of her stand up tour from August 13 to 24.
Daily Record
a day ago
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Scots comedy legend Karen Dunbar heading to Lanarkshire for series of shows
This is a brand-new show for 2025, and it sees Karen sharing stories from her life and talking about her career, with – as you would expect from a stalwart of the Scottish comedy scene – a heap of humour and jokes. Comedian, actor, writer, DJ, and star of Chewin' The Fat, Karen Dunbar is set to embark on a brand-new tour which includes several shows in North and South Lanarkshire. This is a brand-new show for 2025, and it sees Karen sharing stories from her life and talking about her career, with – as you would expect from a stalwart of the Scottish comedy scene – a heap of humour and jokes. This is Karen's fourth tour with Aberdeen-based promoters, Breakneck Comedy, since 2023, and as Breakneck Comedy founder, Naz Hussain, explains, it's their most ambitious to date. He said: 'This is the biggest tour we've ever organised, and I'm delighted that we're working with Karen for it. This is a big year for Breakneck Comedy – it's our fifteenth anniversary and to be able to deliver such a huge tour for such a well-loved Scottish act is the icing on the cake. 'Anyone who's been to one of Karen's shows before will know that it's a great night of laughs, jokes, stories, and anecdotes from her career, covering everything from her time on Chewin' The Fat, right through to her latest adventures as a DJ. 'This is a brand-new show for 2025, and the fact that Karen has so many fresh new stories to share is testament to her talent as a comedian, and her amazing career.' Karen began her career as a DJ and karaoke host before she attended The Comedy Unit's open auditions in 1997 where she was cast in the BBC Scotland comedy sketch show Chewin' the Fat. Karen played a host of instantly recognisable characters including the Lonely Shopkeeper and the Depressed Taxi Caller. She starred in The Karen Dunbar Show, which received two Golden Rose nominations for Best Comedy Show and Karen herself two personal nominations for Best Comedy Performance. As a comedy actress, she has also tackled serious roles, most including a performance in the poetic monologue A Drunk Woman Looks at the Thistle adapted by Denise Mina from Hugh MacDiarmid's poem of the same name. In 2014, she was lead compère at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony held in Glasgow alongside John Barrowman and Des Clarke. Karen sang and performed a showcase of Scottish culture, inventions and places during the broadcast, which reached a global audience of 1.5 billion people. Breakneck Comedy is renowned for bringing top comedians and performers to towns and venues that might not be on the usual tour schedule. 'I love bringing big names to towns that some promoters might overlook,' said Naz. 'It's really exciting to be able to put on shows all over Scotland and make it easier for people to be able to enjoy a great night of comedy and entertainment without them having to worry about catching a train home from the city.' Karen will be playing Motherwell's South Dalziel Historic Building on Friday, September 19, at 8.30pm; East Kilbride Village Hall Friday, October 3, at 8pm; Airdrie Town Hall on Saturday, October 4, at 6pm; the Hamilton Function Rooms on Friday, October 17, at 8.30pm and Carluke Masonic Hall on Saturday, November 15, at 8.30pm. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Chewin the Fat star Karen Dunbar announces West Lothian show as part of Scottish tour
This is a brand-new show for 2025, and it sees Karen sharing stories from her life and talking about her career, with – as you would expect from a stalwart of the Scottish comedy scene – a heap of humour and jokes. Comedian, actor, writer, DJ, and star of Chewin' The Fat, Karen Dunbar is set to embark on a brand-new tour which includes a West Lothian show. This is a brand-new show for 2025, and it sees Karen sharing stories from her life and talking about her career, with – as you would expect from a stalwart of the Scottish comedy scene – a heap of humour and jokes. This is Karen's fourth tour with Aberdeen-based promoters, Breakneck Comedy, since 2023, and as Breakneck Comedy founder, Naz Hussain, explains, it's their most ambitious to date. He said: 'This is the biggest tour we've ever organised, and I'm delighted that we're working with Karen for it. This is a big year for Breakneck Comedy – it's our fifteenth anniversary and to be able to deliver such a huge tour for such a well-loved Scottish act is the icing on the cake. 'Anyone who's been to one of Karen's shows before will know that it's a great night of laughs, jokes, stories, and anecdotes from her career, covering everything from her time on Chewin' The Fat, right through to her latest adventures as a DJ. 'This is a brand-new show for 2025, and the fact that Karen has so many fresh new stories to share is testament to her talent as a comedian, and her amazing career.' Karen began her career as a DJ and karaoke host before she attended The Comedy Unit's open auditions in 1997 where she was cast in the BBC Scotland comedy sketch show Chewin' the Fat. Karen played a host of instantly recognisable characters including the Lonely Shopkeeper and the Depressed Taxi Caller. She starred in The Karen Dunbar Show, which received two Golden Rose nominations for Best Comedy Show and Karen herself two personal nominations for Best Comedy Performance. As a comedy actress, she has also tackled serious roles, most including a performance in the poetic monologue A Drunk Woman Looks at the Thistle adapted by Denise Mina from Hugh MacDiarmid's poem of the same name. In 2014, she was lead compère at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony held in Glasgow alongside John Barrowman and Des Clarke. Karen sang and performed a showcase of Scottish culture, inventions and places during the broadcast, which reached a global audience of 1.5 billion people. Breakneck Comedy is renowned for bringing top comedians and performers to towns and venues that might not be on the usual tour schedule. 'I love bringing big names to towns that some promoters might overlook,' said Naz. 'It's really exciting to be able to put on shows all over Scotland and make it easier for people to be able to enjoy a great night of comedy and entertainment without them having to worry about catching a train home from the city.' Karen will be playing Livingston's Howden Park Centre on Saturday, September 27, at 6pm.
