Muddy Editor’s Picks

Stilettos at the ready but nowhere to go? Read on for Muddy’s curated guide to What’s On in Glos, Worcs and beyond.

♥ CHARITY: The Polar Plunge, Sandford Lido, Cheltenham, Sat 29 Feb

It may be flippin freezing, but if the Scandinavians can do it, we can too. Feeling brave? (or slightly loopy) … Then we have the event for you. Take the plunge at Sandford Lido’s Polar Plunge and swim 50m (or until you go numb) to raise money for Winston’s Wish. Sign up here and start waxing up. Registration is £10 and the, ehem, fun. starts at 10.30am. We’re not sadists, we promise, did you know some people swear by the mental and physical benefits of a chilly dip?! We have brain freeze just thinking about it.

♥ COMEDY: Phil Wang, Gloucester Guildhall, Fri 28 Feb

This acerbic and hilarious comedian regularly gets 4 stars ratings from the likes of the Telegraph, Times and Metro. Fresh from his sell-out Edinburgh shows, Wang has made a name for himself exploring sex, romance, politics and his mixed race Malaysian heritage. He’s back with his new show shining a spotlight on morality and the modern sense of self. A regular at Live at the Apollo, don’t miss it. Tickets £15.

♥ CHARITY: An Evening with Tusk at Thyme, Fri 28 Feb

This much lauded Cotswold-chic restaurant is the setting for the worthy Evening With Tusk on 28 Feb. Book a stay or book dinner only, and you’ll be greeted with garden nibbles and English sparkling wines in the Tithe Barn followed by a talk from wildlife filmmaker Alistair Fothergill. Dinner in the Ox Barn and raffle in aid of Tusk’s Elephant Conservation projects top off the evening. Fun in a jolly good cause – hurrar.

♥ MAGIC: An Evening of Deception, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, Thurs 27 Feb – Sat 29 Feb

Gloucestershire’s live magic show is back after wowing sell-out crowds last year. Taking to the stage this year for some of the greatest live magic you’ll see are Darren Campbell, Katherine Rhodes and from Amsterdam, Fritz Alkemade. Darren is one of the UK’s busiest magicians and is back in his hometown of Cheltenham (whoop) to perform. Expect a night of mind-blowing magic with the pros.

♥ WELLBEING: Seasonal Yoga, Stroud Yoga Space, throughout February

Take some well-earned time out for yourself at one of the restorative classes at the uplifting Stroud Yoga Space. Things to make you go ahhhh include Yogalates with Jayne Avery on Mondays at 10am, Mindfulness Yoga on Wednesdays and Seasonal Yoga on Fridays. And if you’re expecting, there’s also a great Yoga for Pregnancy session on Sundays from 6.30pm. Just £12 for a drop in.

♥ JAZZ: Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Tues 05 May – Sun 10 May

It’s nearly here and we’re very excited at Muddy. A whole bandwagon of global stars is rolling into Cheltenham in May – promising to make this year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival the very best yet. We are talking global songstress Emily Sandé, Greg Porter, Beverley Knight, Robert Plant and many, many more. This fantastic event takes place from 05 to 10 May and the hottest tickets are sure to go quick so get booking. See wishlist singers or just go along and discover some amazing new talent for your Spotify playlist. Tickets go on sale to members from Weds 26 Feb and to the public from Weds 04 March. Click here to book your place.

♥ ADVENTURE: Banff Mountain Film Festival, Forum Theatre, Worcs, Fri 28 Feb – Sat 29 Feb

Embark on a night of adventure with a brand new collection of short films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. The Banff Mountain Film Festival shines a light on the world’s most thrill-seeking explorers as they push themselves beyond their limits. With stunning shots that will make you want to go and book an adrenalin holiday right now, each show has different films so why not rock up to both. Get your mojo pumping at this brilliant night in/out. Image Ben Tibbetts

♥ SNOWDROPS: Colesbourne Gardens & Painswick Rococo Garden, Cheltenham and Stroud, From 1 Feb to 1 Mar

Dubbed England’s greatest snowdrop garden (Country Life), if you like flowers, you’ll adore Colesbourne. Now with a collection of 350 varieties, visitors can enjoy the snowdrops throughout the ten acre garden with its woodland and lakeside paths, the Spring Garden and Formal Garden, alongside drifts of cyclamen, hellebores and other winter plants. Also don’t miss a stroll around the pretty arboretum and nearby church. Or head to Painswick Rococo Garden, an 18th century hidden garden with one of the largest plantings of naturalistic snowdrops in the UK.

♥ LAMBS: Live Lambing, Cotswold Farm Park, Sat 8 Feb to 19 Apr

Pack the hankies and prepare for cute overload, it’s live lambing time at Cotswold Farm Park. Grab a pew in the large barn to witness one of nature’s most life-affirming spectacles as the ewes give birth. As well as seeing the main event, kids will adore the lambing talks, bottle feeding and Q&A sessions with the keepers. Have a cuddle with a fluffy baby chick and see eggs hatching. Cuteness overload.

♥ MUSIC: Handpicked Acts, The Tavern Music Box, throughout Feb and March, Cheltenham

One of the best places in Glos to catch emerging artists – our tip of the day. Pull up a chair at The Tavern pub which styles itself with a neighbourhood feel. Catch Ben Drummond on Sat 29 Feb. An award-winning singer-songwriter and professional guitarist.

♥ FILM: Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Malvern Theatre, Worcs 25 Feb – 29 Feb

Prepare to get hot and steamy with this showing of Lady Chatterley’s Lover. DH Lawrence’s most sensual novel was first published in 1928 and was a scandal of its time. Richard Madden, James Norton and Holliday Grainger take centre stage in this passionate romp. Age guidance of 14+ suggested, running time is 2 hours and 20 minutes.

♥ ART: Hope in Hell by Dan Baldwin, Paragon Gallery, Cheltenham, Fri 14 Feb – Sat 29 Feb

Head to the swanky Paragon Gallery in Cheltenham for this stunning exhibition. British artist Dan Baldwin is an art innovator and mixed media genius and his collection of original silkscreen prints is a fascinating exhibition. If you like your art 3D and brimming with skeletons, crucifixes, story book illustrations and goodness knows what else, you’re in for a treat.

Further Afield

♥ EXHIBITION: Kimono – Kyoto to Catwalk, V&A Museum London, from 29 Feb

Tokyo fever is in the air with the impending Summer Olympics and the V&A is turning Japanese in homage. Paying tribute to the kimono, this show shines a light on the clothing as an icon of fashion, culture and status. Glimpse stunning examples from the 1660s up to the present day. Expect to see the kimono Alexander McQueen designed for Björk for the cover of ‘Homogenic’, the Star Wars costumes inspired by them and much more. Our Muddy tip is book ahead, it’s sure to be very popular.

♥ SHOW: Magic Goes Wrong, Penn & Teller, Vaudeville Theatre, London, throughout Feb and March

Co-created by magic rebels Penn & Teller, Mischief Theatre conjures up and evening of grand illusion to make your head spin. The show hinges on a hapless gang of magicians and (of course) things soon spiral out of control. From the same team who created Olivier award-winning Peter Pan Goes Wrong. 11+ age recommended. Now booking until August 2020.

♥ NEW EXHIBITION: Steve McQueen, Tate Modern, London, 13 Feb – 11 May

So cool, you’ll be name dropping this one all month. London is Steve McQueen’s home town and this is the first major exhibition of his work here since he won the Turner prize in 1999. Also the director of Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave, Steve McQueen’s portfolio features 14 major works spanning his stellar career in film, photography and sculpture. The display will cover the last 25 years and include personal works such as his early film on Super 8 camera and this breathtaking aerial depiction of the Statue of Liberty (above). The show also coincides with McQueen’s latest artwork Year 3, on show at Tate Britain until 3 May.

♥ THEATRE: Pretty Woman The Musical, Piccadilly Theatre, London, until 2 Jan 2021

It may not be the most #MeToo show of the year – but hell, it’s an of-its-time classic, right? Hot on the heels of its hit Broadway premiere in 2018, Pretty Woman this month begins its West End residency. Let’s be honest it’s going to be a huge crowd puller, so book up fast. Plus, the production has some major names with choreography from two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Hairspray) and an original score from Grammy winner Bryan ‘Everything I do, I do for you’ Adams.

♥ MUSICAL: Mama Mia! The Part y, O2, London, throughout Feb and March

Mama Mia, how we love a bit of ABBA, and this spectacular night out at the O2 is a definite must-see. Created by the one and only beardy one Bjorn Ulvaeus, this immersive all-singing, all-dancing theatrical dining experience awaits you (booking until May 2020). Over the course of four hours (you’ll need a lot of Cosmo-fuelled endurance we reckon) you get a four course gourmet Mediterranean meal and a fabulous ABBA disco. Pure pop escapism, and we want to be there right now.

♥ DANCE: Message in a Bottle, Sadlers Wells, throughout Feb and March

They were some of the songs that defined the 80s and 90s – Roxanne, Every Breath You Take, Fields Of Gold and Shape of My Heart. Iconic hits of 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sting. So our cool culture alarm went off big style with Message In A Bottle – a spectacular new dance-theatre show from triple-Olivier Award nominee, Kate Prince, Featuring exhilarating dance dazzling footwork and breathtaking athleticism set to the music of Sting, this uplifting show is a story of humanity and hope.

♥ ART: Picasso and Paper, Royal Academy of Arts, until 12 April

Picasso didn’t just draw on paper – he tore it, burnt it, and made it three-dimensional. From studies for ‘Guernica’ to a 4.8-metre-wide collage, this simply brilliant exhibition brings together more than 300 works on paper spanning the artist’s 80-year career. Don’t forget to book ahead people, big crowds are expected at this one, give yourself enough gawp time (1 – 2 hours) and tickets start at £18.

This Weekend

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