Not much planned this weekend? Here are our five suggestions for what you could get up to in and around the resplendent region of the Cotswolds
Cheltenham Dance Festival, Cheltenham
August 6-10
Ever wonder what 2000 feet swing-dancing across the promenade of a town centre looks like?
That surreal sight will be realised this Sunday, as 1000 dancers perform the jive in Cheltenham to break the Guiness World Record. The event is part of the annual Cheltenham Dance Festival which runs from August 6 - 10, and there is still the opportunity for the public to join in.
This year, the dance festival will be hosted by Beverly Harwood, and includes two glamorous evening balls with cabaret, a 1940s style Afternoon Tea Dance, along with workshops and classes hosted by experienced dance teachers in everything from the Lindy hop to the Waltz, as well as the aformentioned record attempt.
For more information, visit: www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/whats-on/festivals/dance-festival
The Worcester Festival, Worcester
August 9-25
The mission statement of The Worcester Festival declares that “...it is for the people of Worcester and its surrounds. It is a coming together of people of all ages. It is a celebration of life, and of Worcester and its people.”
Strong stuff.
This year, events include; The fifteenth Worcester CAMRA Beer, Cider and Perry Festival, the St Richard’s Hospice Duck Race, brass and percussion music from Gugge 2000, tours of Worcester’s famous cathedral, The Elgar School of Music’s Coffee Concert, The Festival Players present: The Comedy of Errors as well as plenty of workshops, markets and more.
For more information, visit:
The Great Fairy and Pirate Fun Run, Cheltenham
Sunday August 10
Although rumours abound about Johnny Depp coming to Gloucester this month on movie business, it seems it won’t be in the guise of arguably his most famous part, mincing pirate Jack Sparrow. However, there’s still an opportunity to invoke the spirit of the much loved character by donning a pirate costume and joining in with the Great Fairy and Pirate Fun Run in neighouring Cheltenham on Sunday August 10 2014.
Participants are encouraged to dress up as fairies, pirates, pixies, elves and gnomes, and there’s the promise of face painting, a bouncy castle and special guests.
Families across the county are expected to turn out to take on either the gentle 1k Fairy Dust run or the more challenging 5k Fairy Sparkle route, running through the picturesque Cheltenham Park. The run will raise funds for Cheltenham-based charity LINC, the leukaemia and intensive chemotherapy fund.
Entry costs £5 per person, £10 for a family of two adults and three children, or is free of charge for those who manage to raise at least £20 in sponsorship money.
For information and registration, visit: www.lincfund.org/thegreatfairyandpiratefunrun2014_214.php
The Medieval Gloucester Show, Gloucester
August 9-10
If The Great Fairy and Pirate Fun Run seems a little too tame for you passionate dressing-up enthusiasts, you might prefer The Medieval Gloucester Show.
The bowling green behind the City Museum will undergo a medieval makeover for the two-day celebration of Gloucester through the Middle Ages, and will feature a royal procession of Richard III, re-enactors flexing their method acting muscles and some dramatic swordplay demonstrations.
As well as interacting with the re-enactors, visitors can dress up, join in with themed quizzes, crafts and games and try their hand at archery.
For more information, visit:
www.venues.gloucester.gov.uk/Freetime/Museums/home.aspx
Kidderminster Art Festival, Kidderminster
August 9-24
The Kidderminster Art Festival (KAF) began its life in 2003 with a small grant from the Arts Council and an audience of 2000 people.
Since then, KAF has grown to include a large range of partners, commissions new work and at its peak in 2013 attracted audiences of over 27,000 people.
The festival this year features a World War I theme throughout to mark the global conflict’s centenary. Events include the eccentric Time for Tea tea party, humorous piece How Do Wars Start?, acoustic music and picnic in Habberley Valley Nature Reserve, a performance of Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince, a Night of Spoken Word and many more events and workshops across Kidderminster.
For further details and tickets, visit: www.kidderminsterartsfestival.org.uk
