Don’t let the chilly weather keep you stuck at home this weekend; here are five events happening in and around the Cotswolds to get you out and about.
Gloucester Cajun and Zydeco Festival
Guildhall, Gloucester; January 23-25
To take the edge of the cold, the warm atmosphere of the American Bayou is sweeping in to Gloucester this weekend for the annual Gloucester Cajun and Zydeco Festival.
The festival is the biggest of its kind in the UK and the longest running Cajun festival in Europe. It is one long party weekend of music, dancing, workshops and authentic Cajun cuisine.
Now in its 22nd year, the festival was founded by Pat Roberts and Louis Hawkins back in 1993. The pair were inspired by a mutual love of Cajun music and a fascination surrounding Cajun dance.
This year’s three day event runs from Friday January 23 to Sunday January 25, and features The Hotfoot Specials, The Dough Boys, The Zydeco Diamonds and David Greely and the Creole Brothers. There will also be performances from Boat Band and the Bon Temp Playboys, with sets from the Swamp Rock DJs between bands.
There will be dance workshops throughout the weekend, plenty of jumbalaya and other flavours of the American south will be on offer, with nearby Cafe Rene serving up further southern treats throughout the weekend. It’s safe to assume that the cayenne pepper will be in overdrive!
For more information, visit: www.venues.gloucester.gov.uk/Freetime/Guildhall/listings/music/Cajun-Festival-2015.aspx
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Twenty Stories from Twenty Years
Subscription Rooms, Stroud; Saturday January 17-24
To mark Brandon Trust’s 20th anniversary year, the charity which works across Gloucestershire is holding a free photographic exhibition featuring the inspirational stories of 20 people with learning disabilities.
‘Twenty’ documents two decades of positive and freeing change in social care and disability awareness through the eyes of individuals the charity has supported since its creation in 1994.
Visit: www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk/general.asp?pid=12&pgid=321
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Burns Night
Subscription Rooms, Stroud; Sunday January 25
Also at the Subscription Rooms this weekend is the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, with a night of traditional music, singing and poetry, all in aid of the great work of Acorns Three Counties Children’s Hospice. Traditional Scottish food is included in ticket price.
Musicians will include local Scots in Blondes with Beards and Take Two. The evening will be hosted by resident Scot, Sub Rooms General Manager Paul McLaughlin, with special guest Johnny Coppin.
£14.00 (£12.00 concs)
Visit: www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk/general.asp?pid=12&pgid=972
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Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Malvern Theatres, Malvern; January 19-24
Celebrated West End newcomers and winners of the Whatsonstage Award for Best New Comedy 2014, Mischief Theatre will be visiting Malvern Theatres with their new show Peter Pan Goes Wrong, running until this Saturday.
The play introduces ‘The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’ who are attempting to stage J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of Peter Pan, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does, as the accident prone thesps embark on an adventure to Neverland with hilariously disastrous results.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is a highly physical comedy packed with finely-tuned mayhem and Buster Keaton inspired slapstick, co-written by Mischief Theatre company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields. The play is directed by Adam Meggido, with performances by an ensemble cast of ten, featuring: Laurence Pears, Cornelius Booth, Alex Bartram, James Marlowe, Chris Leask, Leonie Hill, Naomi Sheldon, Matt Cavendish, Harry Kershaw and Rosie Abraham.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is produced by Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd. A donation from every ticket sold is given to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Tickets: £15.12-£28.56 (Under 26s £8.96)
For more information, visit: www.malvern-theatres.co.uk/events/event/peter-pan-goes-wrong
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Shaun the Sheep: The Movie activity weekend
Heritage Motor Centre, nr. Gaydon; January 24-25
The Heritage Motor Centre is hosting the first of two ‘Shaun the Sheep The Movie’ activity weekends this week celebrating the release of the movie on February 6, with Shaun the Sheep interactive activities including following the ‘flock on the block’ trail, starring in their own movie trailer, building their own Land Rover and making their own woolly top knots.
They can also enter the ‘Shaun the Sheep The Movie’ colouring competition and be in with a chance of winning some Shaun the Sheep goodies. The colouring sheet can also be completed without a visit by downloading it from the Heritage Motor Centre’s website.
All activities are free of charge but normal Museum entry fees apply: Adults £12, Child £8 (5-16 years) under 5 free, Concessions £10 & Family £34 (2 adults & up to 3 children).
For more information about the HMC, visit www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk
