Tom sparkles at Cov's Regency jem

Tom Robinson, Drapers Hall, Coventry, November 11

Music lovers throughout Coventry will rejoice in the return to life of the city's finest Regency building, Drapers Hall, in Bayley Lane.

The Grade II* hall, built in 1832 for Coventry's wealthy Drapers company, officially re-opened its doors on November 11 with legendary musician Tom Robinson, who blasted out songs in between losing his glasses while offering intimate details of life in his old band, with their punchy Rock Against Racism lyrics.

Age has certainly softened the beautiful old hall with its glorious chandeliers - but not so much Robinson who's just released a new album and still wants to change the world for the better.

His gig appears very different from what's coming up next at Drapers Hall, with top classical musicians lining up to perform. including violinist Johan Dalene on November 21 and Musician of the Year finalist Jess Gillam on November 25.

Jess will be followed by the Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan on November 26, then internationally-known harpist Catrin Finch on November 28, followed by tuba player Theon Cross on December 4.

In the New Year music afficionados can look forward to to the electronica Haiku Salut Lamp Show on January 29 and one of the most active musicians on the Afro-beat scene, Dele Sosimi, on February 4.

Restoration of the hall - closed for most of the past thirty years - is down to a collaboration between the City Council, the Prince's Trust and the Historic Coventry Trust. It will be used as a teaching centre for music as well as a concert venue.

For more details of what comes next visit www.historiccoventrytrust.org.uk.