Short on ideas but want some darn good fun this week? Read on for Muddy’s curated guide to What’s On in Glos, Worcs and beyond.

Muddy Editor’s Picks

♥ 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.

♥ PLEASURE FLIGHTS: RotroPro Helicopter Experience, Gloucester Airport, throughout the year

Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away! … Muddy LOVES this new, personalised helicopter experience taking Glos and Worcs by storm. Now listed in our invite-only Little Black Book, RotorPro offers bespoke pleasure flights where you can choose your own package, including where you’d like to fly, and even a choice of chopper. Does it get any more rockstar than this?!

All flights are piloted by expert helicopter pilot (and all round great guy) Ian Lowe, and the experience is based at Gloucestershire Airport, so we’d say super handy for access to some of the most stunning sights in the Cotswolds, from the Malvern Hills and River Severn to the Cotswold Water Park and Forest of Dean.

Soar through the skies and get a birds-eye view of your favourite places on a 30, 45 or 60 minute flight in a Robinson R44 pr Bell Jet Ranger. And watch this space for a special March deal Rotorpro will be offering of thrilling 10 minute taster flights (to be announced later this week). An experience that is perfect for a gift (Mother’s and Father’s Day totally sorted), a wedding, an anniversary, or just a treat for you.

So if you’re feeling all Anneka Rice (*immediately Googles 80s jumpsuits on Ebay*), want to fulfill a lifelong AirWolf meets Top Gun dream, or you just fancy turning up to that special event in style, then get in touch with RotorPro to find out more today.

♥ MOTHER’S DAY: Table Setting for Mother’s Day, Daylesford, Kingham, Sat 7 March

What? This little look I rustled up?! This is what you’ll be saying on Mother’s Day when you’ve been to this gorgeous little workshop. Learn how to create a wow-factor floral arrangement using seasonal blooms with tips from floristry tutors including how to care for cut flowers.

Make a bespoke arrangement which can be taken home in a vase. Weather permitting, each course includes a tour of the organic Cutting Garden at Daylesford too, where you’ll collect blooms and other natural materials to incorporate into your design. Dreamy, and so handy.

♥ FESTIVAL: Bibury Literature Festival, St Mary’s Church, Bibury, Glos, Fri 27 March – Sun 29 March

It’s only the second year running for this underground, boutique festival and it’s going from strength to strength. Head to the prettiest village in The Cotswolds (I live here, but not biased at all!) for this three-day lit fest. It manages to pull really big names for a village festival, making for an intimate setting and great events.

From historian Diarmaid MacCulloch to the Rev Jonathan Aitken (yes him!) award-winning authors Jessica Fellowes and Anne De Courcy and Nicholas Coleridge, the former chairman of mag giant Conde Nast. This year’s theme is ‘Our Special Relationship with the US’ and covers the arts and crafts, music and literature. Brilliant talks, debates and canapes guaranteed. Event tickets start at just £7, or snap up a weekend ticket and see it all for £45. Click here for the full line up and to book tickets.

♥ THEATRE: Ben Hur, The Barn Theatre, Cirencester, Glos, 4 March – 18 April

Fling on those togas, it’s Ben Hur at The Barn. Based on one of the timeless stories of one of the best selling books of the 19th century, this brilliant, condensed stage adaptation tells the epic tale of Ben Hur with just four actors. It promises to be a feast of chariot races, sea battles and stage combat and jolly funny too. Family tickets from just £35, snap ’em up.

♥ FORAGE: Expert Foraging Session, Tudor Farmhouse, Clearwell, Forest of Dean, Glos, throughout March

woman hands foraging

The Tudor Farmhouse is Little Black Book listed and this month it’s running fantastic foraging courses to get you in the mood for Spring. Chief foragers Ed Drewitt and Liz Knight take you off the beaten track and spend three hours searching for delicious ingredients. Set in the spectacular Forest of Dean which covers 27,000 acres of woodland, it’s the perfect location to be at one with nature (ahhh, and breathe).

Will you find nettle, yarrow, wild garlic and edible berries? It’s a culinary mystery tour. All foodie finds are handed over to the hotel’s head chef who will use them to create a gourmet lunch at the end to enjoy. Tickets are £60 and group course dates in March are: 14, 21, 28 March. 4, 11, 18, 25 April and 2, 9 May 2020. For more info contact the Tudor Farmhouse.

♥ FILM: Stroud Film Festival Launch, Stroud, Glos, Sun 8 March

Check out some of the best art house films around at the great Stroud Film Festival, now in its 6th year. Running at 12 indie venues across the town and beyond, catch whatever takes your fancy from classic movies to recent award-winning features such as Amazing Grace. There’s an ‘immersive’ screening of Willy Wonka for younger ones, and you can listen to film soundtracks (and get all groovy) with silent disco headphones. Free.

♥ FITNESS Pilates and Barre Workouts, One Grove, throughout March

This brilliant workout hotspot features in Muddy’s invite-only Little Black Book and is a fantastic space to work out and find your motivational mojo. Try your first class totally FREE too – choose from a Mat Pilates, Yoga or Barre class.

We love that drop ins are always welcome at this super-friendly place, so even if you’re just a curious head along to see what they have to offer. The timetable runs Monday to Saturday and is chocca with great classes for all abilities.

AN EVENING WITH: Rory Bremner at Cripps Barn, Glos, Fri 6 March

barn cotswolds glos

This gorgeous 18th century stone barn tucked away in a pretty field near Cirencester is the setting for An Evening with Rory Bremner. The TV comedian will be on hand to entertain and make you laugh, along with the funky Phillip Todd Jazz Quartet. Sounds like quite an evening. Tickets cost £75.

♥ PHOTOGRAPHY: The Wildlife Photographer of the Year, M Shed, Bristol Museum, until 04 May

Avoid looking like this Himalayan Marmot when you’ve realised you’ve missed out on one of the best exhibitions of the year. Instead head to the brilliant M Shed at Bristol Museum to see the amazing Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019 exhibition.

Incredible moments caught on camera – it is the most prestigious wildlife photography competition in the world and comes from London’s Natural History Museum. Over 100 stunning images to see. Photo © Yongqing Bao, Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winner 2019.

♥ CHOCOLATE: Chocolate Making Workshop, Chocolate Genie, Evesham, Worcs, Sat 7 March

Love chocolate? Then join the team at Chocolate Genie in Evesham for a Saturday arvo making Belgian chocs. No skills required (just the eating kind). The cocoa shaped fun starts at 2pm and bring home a hand-made stash perfect for Mothers Day.

FURTHER AFIELD

♥ BALLET: Swan Lake, Royal Opera House, London, 5 Mar – 16 May

And pliett! … Celebrated as one of the most famous classics in the ballet canon, Swan Lake returns to the RO. The production has won two Benoit de la Danse awards last year for Principal twirler Vadim Mnutagirov and designer John Macfarlane. A spectacular and breathtaking show that has been reimagined for a new generation.

♥ 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 examples worn by Madonna and Freddie Mercury among others. Our Muddy tip is book ahead, it’s sure to be very popular.

♥ COMEDY: Michael McIntyre Warm Up Show, Ally Pally, Mon 2 March

Smart-suited Norf London joker Michael McIntyre is doing a special warm up show for his Big World Tour tour on Mon 2 March. Be part of the audience first to hear the gags (and some of his best old stuff). The fun starts at 18.30 and age rating is 14+.

♥ ART: David Hockney: Drawing From Life, National Portrait Gallery, London, until Thurs 28 June

It is the first major exhibition dedicated to Hockney’s drawings in more than 20 years. Forget those overproduced acrylic paintings of Californian swimming pools. In this enthralling show more than 150 portraits spanning 50 years show Hockney at his most emotional and contemplative. Feast your eyes on a range of works from pencil drawings to composite Polaroids. Book now to see it at the Wolfson Gallery at the National Portrait Gallery. Detail from Celia, Carennac, August 1971. Photo: Richard Schmidt/David Hockey/PA.

THEATRE: The Whip, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sat 21 March

This thought-provoking new play by award-winning playwright, journalist and University of Birmingham creative fellow, Juliet Gilkes Romero is the hottest ticket in town. Set at the beginning of the 19th Century in London as politicians of all parties come together to abolish the slave trade. The price of freedom turns out to be a multi-billion pound bailout for slave owners rather than those enslaved. Two women navigate their way to the true seat of political influence, challenging members of parliament who dare deny them their say.

THEATRE: King John, The Swan, Stratford-upon-Avon now until Fri 20 Mar

Catch one of Shakespeare’s rarely-performed works as director Eleanor Rhode makes an “engrossing” debut in the Swan Theatre. Stirring an uneasy semblance to the present day, King John tells of a nation in turmoil and a preening king, played by Rosie Sheehy, who will stop at nothing to keep the crown. The Guardian says the production “tingles with a tangible sense of spontaneity”.

♥ SHOW: Magic Goes Wrong, Penn & Teller, Vaudeville Theatre, London, throughout 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.

♥ 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 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.

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.

DANCE: Message in a Bottle, Sadlers Wells, London, until 21 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.

♥ BOOK NOW! Alicia Keys, Arena Birmingham (soon to be Utilita Arena Birmingham), 8 June

Following the announcement of Alicia – The World Tour, tickets have just gone on sale this week for the Grammy award-winner’s only West Midlands concert. Just a hop and a skip over the border! Her seventh studio album ALICIA is set to be released on March 20.

This Weekend

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