Motown classics on the road

Based on the autobiography of the record label’s founder Berry Gordy, Motown: The Musical premiered on Broadway in April 2013 and has been playing at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre since February 2016. Featuring classic hits by the likes of Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye, the production tells the story of the man who broke down barriers…

Nottinghamshire venue for the Big Fake

Nottinghamshire’s Thoresby Park is the setting for one of the biggest gatherings of “fake” bands seen in the UK, with The Big Fake Festival bringing 24 unreal acts together for three days of the nation’s favourite hits from 30 August to 1 September 2019. The conclusion to a summer of “Fake Festivals” across the country,…

X Factor auditions underway for 2019

The X Factor Live Tour 2019 begins in Nottingham this week, with the stars of the 2018 series Dalton Harris, Scarlett Lee, Anthony Russell, Danny Tetley, Acacia & Aaliyah, Brendan Murray, Shan Ako and Bella Penfold going on the road to venues across the UK and Ireland until 6 March. And if the sight of…

Massive summer of cricket

Cricket fans around the world are looking forward to this summer’s big event, the 12th one-day World Cup, which will be held in England and Wales from 30 May to 14 July. First contested in 1975, the tournament format has changed over time but in 2019 will comprise all 10 teams playing each other in…

Back to School for Minami

Southampton will be turning Japanese in March when Minami Con goes Back to School to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The convention started back in the 1990s with just four video rooms showing anime, a quiz, masquerade, some karaoke, artist alley, dealer’s room and a games room, but has grown into a themed events-focused showcase with…

Hairy Bikers off on an epic trip

What do you get if you cross a professional make-up artist, specialising in prosthetics, with a locations manager on productions such as the Harry Potter films and TV series Byker Grove? Answer, Britain’s hairiest culinary conquistadors… Dave Myers and Si King, aka the Hairy Bikers. Big hearted, down-to-earth cooks with a love of good food,…

Thrill-filled show of shocky horrors

When it started back in Glastonbury in 1995, people thought it wouldn’t run for 25 weeks let alone 25 years, but a quarter of a century later the Circus of Horrors is still running amok around the globe. An amazing amalgamation of bizarre and breathtaking circus acts, the “shocky horror” show pulls together a series…

Antiques to get an airing in Belfast

There may not have been many positives coming out of Stormont in recent months but that could all change before the end of the month… although it’s unlikely to be anything coming from the politicians. On Saturday, 27 July, the Parliament Buildings and Stormont Estate in Belfast is the venue for the next Antiques Roadshow…

Let’s Rock in Exeter, Southampton and London

Powderham Castle is in for a retro blast on Saturday, 1 July, when 1980s legends Tony Hadley, Howard Jones, Belinda Carlisle, Jason Donovan and Toyah take to the stage for Let’s Rock Exeter. Located in a picturesque setting beside the Exe estuary just outside Exeter, Powderham Castle is one of England’s oldest family homes. Sir…

Saints go marching in for beer

There’s a brand new venue for this year’s Southampton Beer Festival… St Mary’s Stadium, home of Southampton Football Club. And there’ll be up to 90 high-quality cask ales and a range of up to 30 popular ciders and perries to tease the taste-buds from 23-24 June! This year’s festival features a new layout – with…