Our guide to the best events in and around region.
THEATRE & DANCE
1st - 22nd
Fatherland
Created by Frantic Assembly’s Scott Graham, Karl Hyde from Underworld and playwright Simon Stephens, Fatherland is a bold, ambitious show about contemporary fatherhood in all its complexities and contradictions.
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 0161 833 9833
1st – 2nd
Turma! Hadrian’s Cavalry Charge
This unique event celebrates the accession of Hadrian to the Imperial Roman throne, 1,900 years ago. A troop of 30 cavalrymen will be performing intricate manoeuvres and showcasing their skills with javelins and other weapons.
Bitts Park, Carlisle, www.hadrianscavalry.co.uk
4th – August 12th
Treasure Island
The Dukes present an outdoor walkabout production of Treasure Island, where the winding paths and dark woodlands of Williamson Park are transformed into the fictional island.
Williamson Park, Lancaster, 01524 598500
8th – 9th
The King Returns
This year is 400 years since the visit of King James I to Hoghton Tower. Thanks to the support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, this family-friendly living history event will be a weekend of pomp, majesty, music and drama.
Hoghton Tower, near Preston, 01254 852986
9th
The Lost World
Dinosaurs prowl the parkland of Lytham Hall as Illyria stage Arthur Conan Doyle’s adventure story, the basis of the Jurassic Park series. Expect the spectacular from artistic director, Oliver Gray.
Lytham Hall, 01253 736652
11th
Mind Over Matter: Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Sir Ranulph Fiennes offers a personal journey through his life, which is at turns light-hearted and strikingly poignant.
Charter Theatre, Preston, 01772 804444
12th - 14th
Oliver
Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College, Burnley, perform their adaptation of classic Dickens novel, Oliver.
Burnley Mechanics, 01282 664400
17th – 21st
Trainspotting Live
This 21st anniversary production recaptures the passion and controversy of the famous novel and globally successful film, following the story of Mark Renton and his friends, living through the Edinburgh heroin scene of the 80s.
Preston Guild Hall, 01772 80 44 44
18th - 22nd
Dirty Dancing
The classic film is back on stage, telling the story of Baby and Johnny, two young spirits from different worlds having the summer of their lives.
Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3019
24th - 29th
Sister Act
An all new production of the Broadway and West End smash hit musical comedy, starring Alexandra Burke and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood.
Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3019
25th
A Comedy of Errors
Held in Brantwood’s lakeside meadow, bring your own seating and enjoy this classic William Shakespeare story performed by Illyria. Coniston Launch will be running a ferry service to and from the performance.
Brantwood, Coniston, 015394 41396
29th
Des O’Connor and Jimmy Tarbuck
Direct from the London Palladium, Des O’Connor joins Jimmy Tarbuck live on stage. The two legends of show-business will perform, reminisce and entertain.
The Opera House, Blackpool, 01253 625252
MUSIC & CONCERTS
1st
50 Years of Bowie
This musical journey takes you through the iconic singer’s ever-changing personas in one night. All the greatest hits are performed by John O’Neill as David Bowie, and his band.
The Grand, Clitheroe, 01200 421599
2nd
Brass in the Grass
Blackpool Brass Band perform a number of songs at this free Sunday concert in Ashton Gardens.
Ashton Gardens, Lytham Saint Annes
6th
80s Mania
Europe’s ultimate 80s party with a live band and dancers features 35 chart topping smash-hits, including Duran Duran, The Human League and Wham!.
Oldham Coliseum, 0161 624 2829
8th
Summer Gala Concert: Last Night of the Proms
The Choirs of Blackburn Cathedral join together for a concert of celebratory music including Handel’s Coronation Anthems.
Blackburn Cathedral, 01254 277430
13th
The Roy Orbison Story
Widely recognised as one of the world’s leading vocalists, Barry Steele plays homage to the legendary Roy Orbison.
Charter Theatre, Preston, 01772 804444
22nd – 23rd
Andre Rieu’s 2017 Maastricht concert
Celebrating 30 years of André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, this presentation of his 2017 Maastricht concert also features an interview with Andre, exclusively for cinema audiences.
Rheged Centre, Penrith, 01768 868000
28th
UFO
British rock band UFO are back with their latest tour, performing songs from their 22nd studio recording, A Conspiracy Of Stars.
King George’s Hall, Blackburn, 0844 847 1664
30th
Pendle Piano Trio
The Ribble Valley Proms season continues with the Pendle Piano Trio. Enjoy a performance of popular light classics followed by afternoon tea. All proceeds to St Andrews Church.
Slaidburn Village Hall, 01254 384893
COUNTY DAYS OUT
June 29th - July 16th
Manchester International Festival
Staged every two years, the world’s first festival of original, new work and special events features performing arts, visual arts , music and popular culture staged around the city in theatres, galleries and concert halls to railway depots, churches and car parks.
Manchester, www.mif.co.uk
1st
Church Garden Fête
The garden fete has many attractions including plants, bric-a-brac, coconut shy, books, bouncy castle and children’s games. Teas and cakes will be served in the church.
St John’s Church, Keswick
2nd
Summer Flower Show
Westmorland Horticultural Society host their 25th Summer Flower Show. On view will be sweet peas, roses, fuchsias, pot plants, floral art and children’s exhibits.
Parish Hall, Kendal, 01539 741267
2nd
The Leighton Hall Classic Car and Bike Show
Fleets of classic cars will be on show along with classic motorcycles, ex-military vehicles and lovingly restored commercial vehicles. There’s also a playground and maze for younger visitors.
Leighton Hall, Carnforth, 016974 51882
6th – 8th
Lancaster Words
A three-day celebration of the written and spoken word with appearances by writers and artists as well as readings, interviews, discussions, performances and workshops at venues across the city.
Lancaster, www.wp.lancs.ac.uk/lancaster-words
9th
Art Market
A specialist art market dedicated to painters and printmakers, featuring some of the best artists from Cumbria and the North West.
Holker Hall, Grange-over-Sands, 01539 558 328
9th
Mere Magic Garden Trail
There are ten gardens to visit and a vintage bus will run between them and you can start at any point. Proceeds go to Mere Brow Methodist Church and Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Mere Brow, 01695 572604
14th - 16th
Formby Festival
Enjoy food from around the world alongside real ales and fine wines. There’s also local bands, choral groups and plenty to keep children happy including archery, climbing wall and water bumper boats, plus a kids cooking zone, circus school and a craft marquee
Formby, www.formbyfestival.co.uk
15th
Summer Soiree
White Wolf Yoga and Kitchen host their Summer Soiree at their the Cook Street venue in Liverpool. Guests will be invited to enjoy a gourmet four-course vegan menu created with fresh food from local suppliers, whilst enjoying the soothing sounds of live acoustic music.
Tickets for the Ballroom Soiree are priced at £35 plus booking fee. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/white-wolf-ballroom-soiree-tickets-35509733569?aff=eac2
15th – 16th
Heysham Viking Festival
Enjoy all things Viking in Heysham at this lively festival. There will be a living history encampment, battle re-enactment, fairground, weapons display, craft stalls, Viking parade and food and live music.
Heysham, www.facebook.com/heyshamvikings
27th - 30th
Gin Festival Liverpool
Enjoy over 100 gins – many exclusive that you won’t see anywhere else. There will also be gin masterclasses, a gin cocktail bar, live music and food.
Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool, www.ginfestival.com
29th - 30th
Chorley Flower Show
The award-winning show, now in its third year, will feature professional exhibitors’ marquee, Gardening Theatre with talks and demonstrations, show gardens, amateur and societies section and a children’s area with floral-related arts and crafts, fairground rides and fun activities.
Astley Park, Chorley, www.chorley.gov.uk
Throughout July
Sub Zero Challenge
A new offer by Chill Factore enables visitors to experience a whole range of snow activities all in one day. Activities include Downhill Donuts, Luge Slip ‘N’ Slide and Sledge ‘O’ Mania.
Chill Factore 0161 413 2010
EXHIBITIONS
From June 23rd
Wyndham Lewis: Life, Art, War
The largest UK retrospective of Wyndham Lewis’s work. The artist and writer was first commissioned as an official war artist in 1917, and the exhibition comprises more than 160 artworks, books, journals and pamphlets from major public and private, national and international collections.
IWM North, Salford, 0161 836 4000
15th until September 17th
Brick Dino
Enter the Jurassic period and meet the dinosaurs, each one masterfully built by artist Warren Elsmore and his team in miniature using Lego bricks and the latest knowledge about how they would have looked.
Harris Musuem and Art Gallery, Preston, 01772 258248
15th - 16th
HOME1947
From Burnley to Blackburn and Preston to Poulton-le-Fylde, the histories of many Lancashire families with experiences of the largest, mass migration ever witnessed have been kept in photo albums, boxes of mementos or long-held memories, until now. 70 years after the independence of India and creation of Pakistan, the experiences of those families are reflected in a landmark art installation by two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
Northlight Mill, Brierfield www.home1947.com
Until 30th
Accrington Camera Club exhibition
The annual exhibition at the Haworth Art Gallery, features the best images produced over the past year, as well as the winners in the club’s annual competition.
Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington, www.accringtoncameraclub.org.uk
Until September 3rd
Bright and Beautiful
A major new solo exhibition by Tracy Levine featuring 30 new paintings, each based on weeds, hedgerows and meadows as well as garden flowers and a special series of large Hydrangea paintings.
Brantwood, Coniston, www.brantwood.org.uk
