A round up of the the best events in Lancashire and the Lake District during August
THEATRE
2nd-November 8th
The Shape of Things
Black American comedy set in a liberal arts college all about the contemporary obsession with appearances.
Theatre By The Lake, Keswick, 017687 74411
Until 3rd
9 to 5: The Musical
Starring Natalie Casey as Judy Bernly, Jackie Clune as Violet Newstead, Anita Louise Combe as Roz Keith, Amy Lennox as Doralee Rhodes and Ben Richards as Franklin Hart.
Liverpool Empire Theatre, 0844 871 3017
4th
Treasure Island
Swashbuckling adventure in the open air by Cambridge Touring Theatre.
Rufford Old Hall, 01704 821254
8th-10th
Grease the Musical
Annual stage experience which gives budding actors, singers, dancers and musicians aged 11 to 21 the chance to experience what it is like to work on a professionally run theatre stage. This year culminating in the classic Grease the Musical.
The Palace Theatre, Manchester,
Until 10th
Robin Hood
The Dukes Theatre returns with it’s annual open air theatre show. This is a new adaptation of this traditional tale performed in this spectacular setting with two essentials for the story – fantastic woodlands and the Ashton Memorial, a very grand castle indeed.
Williamson Park, Lancaster, 01524 598500
10th
Twelfth Night
Brand new production of Shakespeare’s comic tale of shipwrecks, sea storms and mistaken identity performed in the open air by Chapterhouse Theatre Company.
Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass, 01229 717614
12th-16th
Bury Grammar School Theatre Week
This year’s Bury Girls’ Grammar School theatre week culminates in a unique performance of ‘Ticket to Ride’, the story of The Beatles and how the band formed, with the children performing, singing, dancing and making their own props and costumes.
The kindergarten in Bury Grammar School, Girls’, 0161 7972808
17th
Sherlock Holmes
Dynamic detective duo Holmes and Watson tackle their most fiendish case yet in this inventive sow for all. Bring your picnic!
Speke Hall, Liverpool, 0151 427 7231
21st-24th
West Side Story
National Youth Music Theatre present a cast of 40 and an orchestra of 35 exceptionally talented young people from all over the UK as tow young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs in 1950s New York.
Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, 0161 835 3500
CONCERTS
2nd-4th
Lytham Proms Festival Weekend
The biggest musical and cultural event in Lytham featuring The 80s Strikes Back featuring some of the best known sounds of the 80s, Russell Watson, Rita Ora, Conor Maynard and Stooshe.
Lytham Green, 0844 888 9991
9th-10th
Testifest
Two day indoor music festival with headliners Kazabian and The Soul Train with more than 15 babds playing over the weekend.
Tosside Village Hall
10th
The Beatles Story
The story of one of the world’s much loved groups in the form of music and video starring Garry Gibson.
The Philharmonic, Blackpool, 01253 367636
20th
The Houghton Weavers
An evening of folk music, song and humour encompassing the talents of Tony Berry, David Littler and Steve Millington.
The Floral Hall, Southport, 01704 500036
COUNTY DAYS OUT
3rd
Garstang Show
Fantastic day out for all the family with entertainment for all ages and tastes, horticultural and agricultural exhibits as well as The Galloping Acrobatics.
The Showfield, Garstang, 07867 313346
3rd
Cockermouth Show
Promises to be an action packed day for all the family with animal antics galore, entertainment from the Black Rock Llamas Display Team, rodeo bull rides, sheep clipping and sheep dog demonstrations.
The Fitz, Cockermouth, www.cockermouthshow.co.uk
4th
Lytham Hall Classic Car Show
More than 300 classic cars, trucks, commecials and classic motorcycles, as well as displays from classic car clubs, trade stands and autojumble.
Lytham Hall, 01253 736652
10th
Clitheroe Food Festival
Showcasing the Ribble Valley’s finest food and drink producers, professional and highly acclaimed chefs, first class cookery demonstrations throughout the day.
Clitheroe Market
10th
Cockerham Village Show
Traditional village show with classes for all skills and interests including flowers, vegetables, art, crafts, cookery, floral art and photography as well as those for children to enter.
Cockerham Village Hall, 01524 793549
10th-11th
Lowther Show
The all new Lowther Show is set to host the Horse Carriage Driving Trials, which have a long and proud history with Lowther, supported by HRH Prince Phillip.
Lowther Castle, www.countrymanfairs.co.uk
11th
Trawden Show
Fabulous day for all the family with exhibits including sheep, cattle, rare breeds and working sheep dogs, heavy horses, horse show and showjumping as well as dog show and dry stone walling competition.
Recreation Ground, Trawden, 01535 637994
13th
Lunesdale Agricultural Show
Traditional local country show.
Underley Park, Kirkby Lonsdale, 015395 67618
15th-18th
Morecambe Beer Festival
A range of handcrafted ales, from many local breweries organised by the Lunesdale CAMRA group.
Winter Gardens, Morecambe, 01524 422180
17th-18th
Lytham 1940s Wartime Weekend
Historic vehicles, music and dance, memorabilia, thrilling battles, educational talks and demonstrations plus a living history camp.
The Green, Lytham, 01253 658443
18th
Fylde Coast Food and Drink Festival
A must for all food lovers with cooking demonstrations, samples, food to buy and eat as well as plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained.
Marine Hall, Fleetwood, 01253 887693
25th-26th
Summer Steamings
27 old stationary steam engines rescued and restored, some of the engines which once powered the cotton mills of Lancashire. Most will be running in steam on these days only.
Bolton Steam Museum, 01204 846490, www,nmes.org
24th-25th
Great Eccleston Tractor Pulling Championships
The UK Championship finals with some machines producing in excess of 9000 horsepower.
Great Eccleston showground, www.nwtpc.co.uk
24th-26th
Great British Food Festival
Tuck into a Man v Food competition or get baking for the cake-off at this perfect day out with lots of child friendly activities. Entertainment includes live music, chef demos and local producers.
Stonyhurst College, Hurst Green, www.stonyhurst.ac.uk
25th
Turton Tower Farmers Market
Local farmers market including an excellent range of individual and exotic foods and goods. Victorian Kitchen Tea Room, fantastic craft stalls, specialist Asian cuisine stall and Mrs Dowson’s Homemade Ice Cream.
Turton Tower, near Bolton, 07551 794283
31st
Furness Medieval Fair
Sample life in medieval times when the abbey ruins will be taken over by a living history group transforming it into a medieval camp, with staged fights, guided talks on the architecture, traditional crafts and early Tudor music amongst the entertainment.
Furness Abbey, Barrow, www.furnessabbeyfellowship.co.uk
31st
Darwen 1940s Day
Various entertainers throughout the day including singers, music and dancers, unique Victorian style markets surrounding the square and all money raised to ABF Soldiers Charity.
Darwen Market Square, 01254 688040
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
9th September
The Annual Baby Beat Charity Golf Day
With Match of the Day’s Mark Lawrenson, teams of four are invited to play in this prestigious event to raise funds for The Baby Beat Appeal. Tickets £250 per team.
Leyland Golf Club, 01772 524414
EXHIBITIONS
3rd-17th
Kendal Art Society Exhibition
Annual exhibition by Kendal Art Society of their latest works with unframed pictures to take away.
Kendal Town Hall, 01539 720181
17th-18th
Art in the Gardens
Annual open air selling exhibition by members of the Lytham St Annes Art Society. Original paintings and artworks will be displayed – weather permitting – from 9am to 5pm.
Memorial Gardens, Lytham
23rd-29th
Bardsea Schoolroom Art Exhibition
The painting ‘Great Langdale Beck’ by Ron Stacey is just one of the original paintings created by more than 40 members of the Bardsea Schoolroom Art Group at it’s bi-annual art exhibition. The painting will also be raffled to raise funds for St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston.
Bardsea Village Schoolroom, near Ulverston
Until 8th September
Heaven’s Company: Ornithological Art
Exhibition celebrating Ruskin’s love of birds with a display of stunning pictures by some of the 19th century’s greatest ornithological artists.
Brantwood, Coniston, 015394 41396
Until 13th October
Different Kinds of Weather
Exhibition by Daniel Cooper, a response to the atmospheric transitions throughout the seasons, inspired from hot summer sunlight to sweeping strom clouds.
The Ruskin Museum, Coniston, 015394 41164
OUR FAVOURITE FIVE
1st-4th
Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show
Hit the road with Mickey Mouse and your favourite Disney friends for a hilarious talent search in this all new Disney production where Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy set out on a zany road trip where audiences can help find the coolest acts around.
Echo Arena, Liverpool, 0151 475 8888
20th
Babe the Sheep-Pig
Illyria present Dick King-Smith’s family favourite in the open air. A heart warming tale of friendship, courage and one pig’s determination to save his bacon.
Brantwood, Coniston, 015394 41396
23rd-26th
Bolton Food and Drink Festival
Four day foodie spectacular with entertainment including Britain’s favourite baking duo, Mary Berry and Paul Holllywood, Michelin starred chef Michael Caines, James Martin, Aldo Zilli.
For more information visit www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com
25th
Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show
The original and world famous Lakeland Sports comprising the old and traditional sports of fell running, Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling and Hound Trailing.
Grasmere Sports Field, www.grasmeresports.com
31st-September 1st
Mintfest
A kaleidoscope of international performers take over the whole town for one of the UK’s leading outdoor arts festivals.
Kendal, 01539 720252, www.lakesalive.org