WOW What's On Where August 2010

Issue 23

Complimentary Copy (£2.50 where sold)

Music Gig listings Live music for August

August 2010

Something Fishy WOW Kids enjoy the Sea Life!

Events Days out

and things to do

Win Win Win Lace it up Dressing up for Summer Parties

tickets to: Sea Life Centre Theatres Concerts and more...

THEATRE • CINEMA • DAYS OUT • MUSIC • FASHION • SHOPPING • ART • EVENTS • MOTORING

The essential guide to what’s on in the Midlands

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Scirocco - page 43

The essential guide to what’s on in the Midlands 2

UP FRONT – latest news.

4

THEATRE – We look at a few productions coming the stage this August.

Autumn Style - page 19

10

MUSIC – Gigs in the region.

16

MOVIES – Previews of releases for this month.

19

ARTS –Creative stuff.

23 COMEDY – Having a Laugh.

24 FASHION – Lace It Up! 26 HAIR & BEAUTY – Looking after yourself this Summer.

28 LADIES THAT DO... take a day to visit Kibworth.

WOW Kids - page 32

31

WOW Interview - WOW talks to stage star Claire Sweeney.

32 WOW KIDS – More healthy eating from our mini chefs!

34 EVENTS – Things to do in August.

37 EATING OUT - WOW’s guide to where to eat.

38 MOTORING – WOW takes a look at the Mazda3 MPS WOW What’s On Where is published by WOW Publishing Limited, 50 St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7DU. TEL: 01858 439999.

FAx: 01858 469008.

EMAIL: sales@wowwhatsonwhere.co.uk.

WEBSITE: www.wowwhatsonwhere.co.uk

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Tracy Webber.

FEATURE WRITERS: Leon Gray, Derek Hammond, Elaine Lavender, Matt Bozeat.

MOTORING EDITOR: Tim Barnes-Clay MOVIES EDITOR: Jaz Cox CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Reg Cox. DESIGNERS: Tracey Flaxmer, Paul Condie.

SALES DIRECTOR: Paul Calcott.

© WOW Publishing Ltd 2009/10.

PICTURE CREDITS: Cover; iStock photo.

and a lot more.

44 SPORT - Something for the more energetic reader.

46 WIN WITH WOW – Competitions and reader offers.

47 CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY – Big ones & small ones.

48 SECRET MIDLANDS – WOW visits Salcey Forest.

This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the permission of the publishers. Liability: while every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information herein, or any consequence arising from it.

WOW August 2010

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D? 5A>=C WOW TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT’S GOING ON

The Synchronicity Factor 5IF MBUFTU PGGFSJOH GSPN 4UFQIFO 5 )BODPDL Stephen Hancock has written an astounding new thriller which blends mythology, history and the supernatural in a pageturning mystery that twists and turns as it races towards a violent climax and an awe-inspiring revelation.

The Synchronicity Factor is resonant of iconic thriller writers such as Dean Kootz and Ian Fleming, and has been widely praised. “Disturbing and intriguing.

The Synchronicity Factor is much more than a page-turning thriller, for its remarkable plot is rooted in real science and real history�.

Peter Lovesey, Cartier Diamond Dagger Lifetime Achievement award-winning crime fiction author.

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Stephen Hancock has created something unique.

Working within the conventions of the classic action thriller, The Synchronicity Factor evokes much of the feel and texture of the world of Ian Fleming and Eric Amber, but cleverly

interweaves this with a dark powerful supernatural strand that harks back to the best period of Dennis Wheatley. All of this combines to generate a narrative that is packed with reader guessing until the very end. The characters are intriguing and stronglydrawn, the settings vivid and memorable, the technology and the women glossy and seductive. “The Synchronicity Factor is a hugely enjoyable read, and I look forward to seeing more work from Stephen Hancock�.

Steve Cockayne, author of the Legends of the Land trilogy and The Good People.

About the Author: Stephen Hancock spent many years in senior marketing positions

in industry prior to starting his own highly successful marketing and PR agency.

Now active as awriter and professional jazz pianist, he runs a creative writing group in Leicestershire.

Stephen T. Hancock PUBLICATION DATE 01 Nov 2010 ISBN: 9781848764637 Price: ÂŁ8.99

Arts Fresco 010 -JOF VQ JODMVEFT TPNF PG UIF [BOJFTU BDUT FWFS UP IJU UIF &BTU .JEMBOET Sun 1 Th SepT If you enjoy the unexpected, the incongruous, and the downright absurd, you’re almost certainly an Arts Fresco fan. If you’ve never heard of it, but you like the idea of seeing an entire town turned on its head for a day, pencil Sunday 12th September 2010 in your diary right now.

That’s when Arts Fresco returns to Market Harborough for its biggest ever festival of

WOW July 010

street art and theatre.

Arts Fresco is famous for being the street festival blessed with more gold stars than an EU flag. Expect more of the same for 2010. Much more.

Arts Fresco now has such a high standing within the streettheatre community, the acts are queueing to be booked. That makes the job of programming team, all the harder. How do they whittle them down to the

very best?

Luckily the team has a trick up its sleeve: a ruler. They’re not just checking whether street acts measure up to the demanding Arts Fresco standard, they’re measuring their height above see level.

That’s right, any act on stilts or ladders or wearing seven league boots is more likely to earn a nod of approval. The team’s on a mission to give

everyone in the 25,000-plus Arts Fresco audience a firstclass view of the fun

It’s early days yet. next month we’ll let you know who or what you can expect to meet on the streets of Harborough this September. One thing’s for sure, you’ll see wild inventiveness, the like of which you’ve never seen before.

Music for Youth celebrates its 40th Anniversary

Soul Patrol performing at the Music for Youth National Festival (Rock, Pop and Urban category) at the O2 Academy

'PS TFWFO EBZT UIJT +VMZ ZPVOH NVTJDJBOT GSPN BDSPTT UIF DPVOUSZ UPPL PWFS UIF DJUZ PG #JSNJOHIBN Now in its 40th year, this Festival is a national showcase that embodies the UK’s thriving youth music scene.

340 groups performed live to audiences in venues including Symphony Hall, Town Hall, O2 Academy, Birmingham Conservatoire, CBSO Centre, Museum and Art Gallery and for the first time ever Birmingham

City Football Club.

Robert Smyth School’s Soul Patrol competed against bands from all over the UK at the O2 Academy and managed to capture the top award.

For more information about Music For Youth go online to www.mfy.org.uk

Soul Patrol collect MFY award

Wedding Fayre a great success .PSF PG UIF TBNF GPS OFYU ZFBS The Exclusive Wedding Fayre at Ladywood Estate ( previewed in our June issue) was hailed as a great success by stalholders and and also the beautiful Brides that came along for the day! Hannah form HandMaid Events tells us “We will certainly be arranging another fayre for next year, date to be confirmed!” So watch this space for news.

Hand-Maid events also

raised £868.92 for DLRAA (Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance)

Contact Hannah at Hand-Maid Events for more info on info@hand-maidevents.co.uk or telephone 07725 252200.

For info on Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance go online at www.dlraa.co.uk

Mark Powell form DLRAA receives his cheque from Hannah Solomons

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C740CA4 WOW TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE LATEST THEATRICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Disney On Ice celebrates 100 years of magic.

"MM ZPVS %JTOFZ GBWPVSJUFT BU UIF /*" 3RD - 1 TH NOVEMBER A one-of-a-kind skating spectacular featuring more than 60 Disney stars is coming to The NIA, Birmingham for 20 performances from 3rd – 14th November.

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends from Disney’s Mulan, The Lion King and Pinocchio, and Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story, The Incredibles and Finding Nemo, will be taking to the ice while Stitch from Lilo & Stitch drops in to wreak his usual havoc during this grand celebration in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic.

Produced by Feld Entertainment, this fanfare production features more than 60 unforgettable Disney stars that span the decades, a sing-along score of award-winning Disney music, stunning choreography, elaborate sets and beautiful costumes.

With Mickey and Minnie leading the fun, audiences enjoy breathtaking production numbers choreographed by Emmy Award®-winner Sarah Kawahara.

Kawahara previously worked with Michelle Kwan and choreo-

graphed the skating segment for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Complementing Kawahara’s fabulous skate sequences are the memorable tunes compiled by music directors Art Kempel and Stan Beard that bring the wonderful memories of Disney to life on ice. Scenic Designer David Potts and Lighting Designer LeRoy Bennett create the mood and settings that showcase extraordinary Disney moments.

Outfitting this cast of more than 60 characters was the challenge facing Costume Designer Scott Lane. His dazzling designs range from Mickey’s Marching Band, to the “it’s a small world” dolls, to the stars of Mulan and Finding Nemo. The bright colors and minimal structure in the Nemo costumes allow the characters to move freely in order to mimic the natural movement in water. Renowned designer Bob Mackie also lends his talents to a red sequined evening gown worn by Minnie.

Scenic Designer David Potts, who has worked on numerous

Broadway productions, creates a theatrical atmosphere on ice.

Skaters weave around and enliven the “it’s a small world” sequence amidst sparkling floats that turn into a radiant light parade; a blanket of snow and an avalanche fall as Mulan battles the Huns; and a giant present is opened to reveal Buzz Lightyear as he’s first introduced to that favorite toy cowboy, Woody and his pal Jessie.

To discover more about Disney On Ice, log on to www. disneyonice.com.

Tickets are now on general sale. Prices range from £16.50 to £34.50 plus booking and transaction fees and can be purchased online at www. theticketfactory.com or by calling The Ticket Factory on 0844 338 8000.

To advertise your event in the East Midlands’ fastest-growing guide to what’s going on and where to be seen, email sales@whatsonwhere.co.uk or call 01858 439 999

WOW August 2010

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Tell Me On A Sunday $MBJSF 4XFFOFZ UP TUBS JO -MPZE 8FCCFSoT .VTJDBM MOn 30 Aug - SAT 4 SepT Claire Sweeney is to star in a new version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s masterpiece of musical theatre, Tell Me On A Sunday, which will be rehearsed in Northampton and opens at Royal & Derngate on Monday 30 August, for a week, before embarking on a major national tour.

Originally conceived for television starring Marti Webb, Tell Me On A Sunday has been performed by legendary musical theatre stars Elaine Paige, Sarah Brightman and Denise Van Outen. Now Claire Sweeney takes on this celebrated role in a show which features a wonderful score and the chart-topping hits Take That Look Off Your Face, Unexpected Song and the title track Tell Me on

a Sunday.

This production has been remodelled for Claire by the masters of musical theatre, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black.

With an exclusive new song – I Still Believe in Love – this is the definitive version of the classic musical for 2010.

Tell Me On A Sunday charts the romantic misadventures of a young English girl newly arrived in New York. Brimming with optimism, she seeks success, companionship and, of course, love. But as she weaves her way through the maze of the city and her own anxieties, frustrations and heartaches she begins to wonder whether – in fact – she’s been looking for love in all the wrong places.

Tell Me On A Sunday takes to the Royal stage from Monday 30 August to Saturday 4 September.

Tickets, priced from £9.50 to £25.50 can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www. royalandderngate.co.uk.

WOW August 2010

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Keith Jack Is Joseph!

"U MBTU UIF n"OZ %SFBN 8JMM %Po SVOOFS 24TH AUG - 14TH NOV This year, KEITH JACK, the hugely popular runner up from the hit BBC series Any Dream Will Do finally gets the coloured coat as he takes over the title role in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT .Keith Jack, who shot to fame in the prime time television show, just narrowly missed out on the top spot to winner Lee Mead who went on to play 72 sold out weeks in the West End. Watched by millions every Saturday night, the TV show was produced to find a leading man for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new West End production, and Keith, chosen from tens of thousands of wannabes, captivated audiences week after week with his sparkling charisma and sensational singing voice.

Speaking of his succession to the sought after role, Keith says “I am delighted to be playing my dream role on tour around the UK, and with the three years experience

I’ve gained since the TV series I’m really looking forward to bringing something new and exciting to the show.� Bill Kenwright, one of the most successful and prolific producers in British theatre today, (whose current hit West End shows include the renowned musicals Blood Brothers and Dreamboats and Petticoats), was on the expert panel of judges alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber, Denise Van Outen and John Barrowman and is delighted that Keith is taking on the leading role.

Since Any Dream Will Do, Keith’s star has well and truly risen, with numerous stage and television appearances including performing for Her Majesty the Queen, at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s birthday party, singing alongside John Barrowman on tour and on his album, and featuring on the BBC shows I’d Do Anything and When Joseph Met Maria. Keith’s launched his debut album This Time in 2008

and his hotly anticipated follow up An Evening at the Musicals was released to critical acclaim in 2009.

Bill Kenwright’s critically acclaimed production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s family favourite musical will be visiting venues all over the country as the show tours the UK throughout 2010.

24 August - 12 September Birmingham Hippodrome 0870 7301 234 28 September – 9 October Nottingham Theatre Royal 0115 989 5559 9 – 14 November Aylesbury Watergate Theatre 0844 871 7607

The Monsters Are Coming‌.

5IF HBMBYZoT äSTU FMFWFO SFWFBMFE JO BO JOUFSHBMBUJD MJOF VQ 18TH - 20TH 0CTOBER BBC Worldwide has revealed thefinal 11 monsters that will be taking to the stage at The NIA, Birming-

WOW August 2010

ham as part of the very first production of Doctor Who Live.

The out-of-this-world lineup includes The Doctors arch-en-

emies, the Daleks, as well as 10 of the best-loved and most terrifying monsters from the TV series including the Cybermen, Weeping Angels, Judoon, Silurian, Smilers, Winders, Scarecrows, Vampires, Clockwork Robots and Ood. Based upon the BBC’s smashhit, award-winning series Doctor Who, and developed in association with Doctor Who’s Executive Producer and show runner, Steven Moffat, the new stage show, promises to deliver a spectacular audio/visual experience featuring live music, special effects and appearances from the show’s most popular monsters. Doctor Who Live promises the same excite-

ment, adventure and suspense that viewers have come to expect from the TV programme and will feature specially filmed new video scenes.

Doctor Who Live has been conceived as a fully immersive music and monsters spectacular.

Please note that Matt Smith will be appearing on Video Screen.

DOCTOR WHO LIVE! THE NIA, BIRMINGHAM, 18-20 OCTOBER. Tickets priced at ÂŁ38.50, ÂŁ34.50 and ÂŁ25.00 subject to booking and transaction fees are available online at www.theticketfactory. com or by calling The Ticket Factory on 0844 338 8000.

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It’s your move... $IFTT UIF MFHFOEBSZ NVTJDBM NBLFT JUT NPWF PO /PSUIBNQUPO TUES 14 - SAT 1 SEPT A brand-new production of the legendary West End and Broadway musical Chess runs at Royal & Derngate from Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 September as part of a major UK tour.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood directs an amazing company of actors and musicians in this extraordinary new staging of the classic musical. Written by Tim Rice and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, Chess has one of the greatest musical theatre scores of all time including One Night In Bangkok, Pity The Child, Anthem, You And I and, of course, I Know Him So Well which became a number one hit for Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson.

Two of the world’s greatest

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chess masters battle it out at the world chess championships but their greatest contest is for the love of one woman. Amidst political intrigue and international conspiracies, the American and the Russian fight to win the heart of Florence Vassy in a romantic triangle that mirrors the heightened passions of the Cold War all set to an explosive score by the composers of Mamma Mia and the lyricist of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.

A superb cast of West End stars including James Fox (Fame Academy, Jesus Christ Superstar), Shona White (Wicked), Daniel Koek (West Side Story), Poppy Tierney (Mary Poppins, Aspects of Love, The Witches of Eastwick), James Graeme (The Phantom of the Opera) and David

Erik (Dirty Dancing, The Phantom of the Opera) lead an amazing cast of actors and musicians in this unmissable production.

Craig Revel Horwood has previously won huge critical acclaim for his thrilling productions of Boublil and Schönberg’s Martin Guerre, Spend Spend Spend, Hot Mikado and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard which transferred to the West End. His regular collaborator, Musical

Supervisor and Orchestrator Sarah Travis won the Tony Award for her work on the Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd.

Make your move now and book for the must-see musical event of the year! Chess takes to the Derngate stage from Tuesday 14 for one week only. Tickets, priced from £36 to £14, can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

From Tucker to Python 5PEE $BSUZ UP TUBS JO .POUZ 1ZUIPOoT 4QBNBMPU

MOn 27 SEP - SAT 2 OcT Much loved TV actor Todd Carty will bang two coconuts together in the UK Tour of Spamalot, joining the cast as Patsy. The musical, based on the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, comes to Northampton’s Royal & Derngate from Monday 27 September to Saturday 2 October.

Todd Carty is well known as Tucker from the BBC TV children’s show Grange Hill which he starred in for five years and which resulted in his very own spin off series, Tuckers Luck. He also played central character Mark Fowler in EastEnders for 12 years and starred in The Bill as PC Kent. More recently he

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has reinvented himself as a director, and tried his hand at ice skating in Dancing On Ice. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot has been written by Python member Eric Idle and

with a musical score created

by Eric Idle and John Du Prez.

Audiences all around the world have been roaring with laughter since Monty Python’s Spamalot won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2005.

Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people.

The show features fantastic tunes which are catchier than the plague, including He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Table, Find Your Grail and of course the Nation’s Favourite Comedy Song (Reader’s Digest Poll 2009) Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

The show features the voice of Python star Eric Idle, as the voice of God. The Lady of the Lake will be played

by Hayley Tamaddon, best known as Delilah Dingle in Emmerdale and as the winner of the latest series of Dancing On Ice. Comedian and Radio 4 presenter Marcus Brigstocke plays King Arthur..

Spamalot is at the Derngate stage from Monday 27 September to Saturday 2 October. Don’t miss your night with the Knights of the Round Table. Book your tickets for Spamalot now – priced from £14 to £37 – by calling the Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk

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See behind the scenes.

The Opera Show #BDL UP JUoT SPPUT BOE TFMMJOH PVU GBTU

5IFBUSF 3PZBM /PUUJOHIBN JT IPMEJOH B GSFF 0QFO %BZ SAT 7 Aug - 12pm TO 4pm The Theatre Royal Nottingham will be opening its doors on Saturday 7 August with a chance for the public to go behind the scenes, win theatre tickets and take part in and see a wide range of colourful performance events on every foyer level.

The Open Day will start at 12noon and finish at 4pm, and the public will have access not only to the foyers and backstage areas of the Theatre Royal, but also for the very first time will get a unique chance to go on the Royal Concert Hall platform stage. Entertainment

will include backstage tours by actors from the theatreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Royal Company., Street dance demonstrations, Victor Scott, junk percussion artist, Local artist Stephen Jon with his extraordinary and elaborate street theatre costume characters, Balloonatic balloon artists and much, much more.

Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, Royal Centre Nottingham, NG1 5ND Tel: 0115 989 5537 Website: www.royalcentre-nottingham. co.uk

Wed 1ST - Sun 12TH SepT â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;THE OPERA SHOWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; had its world premiere at Leicestershireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kilworth House Theatre in 2008 and has just returned from a triumphant tour of the USA and Europe.

Presenting the most beautiful music ever written, exquisitely performed in a spectacular and exuberant 21st century showcase.

This ravishing production is startling and fresh, with dazzling choreography animating great works of classical music. The result is an enchanted world where thrilling music is brought

to life in an alluring, playful and electrifying evening that will delight opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

The Opera Show runs from 1 - 12 Sept (No Monday performance).

Tickets ÂŁ22 - ÂŁ25 All performances @ 8.00pm Box Office: 01858 881939 (Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday 10.00am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.00pm) or online at www. kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk Kilworth House Theatre, Lutterworth Road, North Kilworth, Leicestershire LE17 6JE

Subscribe to WOW Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Where for only ÂŁ20 a year, and get all the latest news hot off the press. For details see the ad on our directory pages.

WOW August 2010

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WOW MUSIC - SPONSORED BY OYSTER HOUSE MEDIA

Summer in the city

this is popera!

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$MBTTJDBM CPZ CBOE DMBTTZ DBCBSFU Fri 20th - SAt 29th AuGuSt Although much of their material predates the band itself by the odd hundred years, there’s nothing remotely old-fashioned about pop-opera boy band Blake – the choristers met on a social networking site, and have cheekbones to swoon for.

Expect a rousing ‘Swing Low’ and ‘Hallelujah’ as a third album takes the boys back to the top of the Classical Charts, featuring ever more reverse-crossover

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Fri 13th - Sun 15 AuGuSt Tenth anniversary celebrations are in order – and surely the sun will be out this year?

– for Leicester’s Summer Sundae Weekender, featuring whole swathes of the de Montfort Hall Gardens transformed into a seaside scene – with all the accompanying Punch & Judy/knobbly knee/sandcastle comps included.

The two headline acts from each day are listed below, but this fab fan fest is just as much about local acts, folk and R&B, roots flavas, DJs and poptastic number-one

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artistes as top-of-the-bill showstealers. Highlights include Seasick Steve and Mumford & Sons, fresh from Glasto worship, on the Friday and Sunday; but we like the sound of the Saturday with The Fall and Turin Brakes appearing third and seventh on the bill!

SUMMER SUNDAE WEEKENDER: SEASICK STEVE + TEENAGE FANCLUB / TINCHY STYDER + THE GO! TEAM / MUMFORD & SONS + THE FUTUREHEADS De Montfort Hall Leicester

material from U2, Paul Simon and Vangelis.

Also barely in her 20s is stunning Irish vocalist Jessie Buckley, already a veteran of ‘I’d Do Anything’ and the West End’s ‘A Little Night Music’. ‘Accomplished, daring and confident,’ according to The Stage – recommended by WOW. Fri 20 JESSIE BUCKLEY Sat 28 BLAKE The Stables Milton Keynes

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Tad swings in the park /PSUIBNQUPO 4VOEBZ CBOETUBOE GFTU THROUGHOUT AUGUST Every Sunday this August there’s a musical treat in store at Abington Park in Northampton where the bandstand is set to be jumping with music and dance, Sunday afternoon picnics and sunny summer vibes – all for free between 2pm and 5pm, courtesy of those nice people at Northampton Borough Council.

The month of outdoor grooves comes to a spectacular climax on Sunday 29, when jazz bigwig Tad Newton – not forgetting his Jazz Friends – will be laying down their swinging sounds of the ‘40s and ‘50s, plus more contemporary blues material. Veterans of the jazz fest scene in the UK and Europe, Tad and finger-popping

Friends have played at events and occasions as diverse as the FA Cup Final and Henley Royal Regatta, the Royal Festival Hall and our very own local Stables.

Suffice to say, the next time you see Tad, it’ll cost quite a bit more than zero, zilch, nada – so take note of WOW’s top hip tip and get along to Bands in the Park, daddy-o!.

Sun 1 PRAISE IN THE PARK Sun 8 BEDWORTH BRASS Sun 15 SIMILAR JONES Sun 22 MOULTON 77 SILVER BAND Sun 29 TAD NEWTON’S JAZZ FRIENDS The Bandstand Abington Park Northampton www.northampton.gov.uk

F70C{B >=

To advertise your event in the Midlands’ fastestgrowing guide to what’s going on and where to be seen, call 01858 439 999

If you only go to 30 gigs this month… with DJ Fontana

Sun 1 KATATONIA Firebug Leicester Mon 2 BONNIE PRINCE BILLY St John the Baptist Church Coventry Tue 3 THE SISTERS OF MERCY The Assembly Leamington Spa Thu 5 RAMONA The Musician Leicester LOWER THAN ATLANTIS Northampton Labour Club Fri 6 TONY MCPHEE AND THE GROUNDHOGS The Musician Leicester SLINKY IN 3D VISION: LEE HASLAM + DAV GOMRASS Santa Pod Raceway Wellingborough BAD MANNERS The Pitz @ Woughton Leisure Centre Milton Keynes Sat 7 BIG PIG 2010 (LIVESTOCK FESTIVAL!): THE SOUND + JIM DAVIES + JIMM ZORN + New Clark’s Farm, Lilbourne, Nr. Rugby LEICESTER CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL AFTERPARTY: ABA SHANTI + FATMAN INTERNATIONAL SOUND + The Auditorium Leicester ABBA REUNION CHARITY CONCERT & 70’S DISCO Mallory Park Circuit Kirkby THE KING BLUES Kasbah Coventry Thu 12-Sat 14 CROPREDY FESTIVAL: STATUS QUO + LITTLE FEAT + FAIRPORT CONVENTION Banbury Fri 13-Sun 15 BAREFOOT FESTIVAL Mountsorrel Sat 14 PURPLE RAIN The Musician Leicester THE NORTH SEA RADIO ORCHESTRA The Fishmarket

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Northampton A FOREIGNERS JOURNEY Queen’s Hall Nuneaton ASSEMBLY CLASSICS: DJ CHIP DALESON + DJ TOE The Assembly Leamington Spa 1000 HERTZ + THE SMOKING HEARTS Xscape Milton Keynes Tue 17 RORY ELLIS The Musician Leicester Fri 20 THE LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS Queen’s Hall Nuneaton Fri 20-Sun 22 RHYTHM FESTIVAL: BILLY BRAGG + THE DAMNED + DONOVAN + WAILERS + 10CC + ARLO GUTHRIE Twinwood Arena Beds.

Sat 21 WRECKLESS ERIC Taylor John’s House Coventry THE HAMSTERS The Stables Milton Keynes Tue 24 THE CHORDS Rescue Rooms Nottingham Thu 26 NEW AMEN CORNER WITH THE FABULOUS SUMMER OF LOVE ORCHESTRA The Stables Milton Keynes SHAUN RYDER The Assembly Leamington Spa Fri 27 THE PIRANHA BROTHERS The Criterion Leicester Fri 27-Sun 29 FESTINHO 2010: PAPER AEROPLANES + ELIZA CARTHY + Hinwick House Wellingborough Fri 27-Mon 30 SHAMBALA FESTIVAL Northamptonshire Sun 29 DAN REED The Musician Leicester OPEN MIC: PLR + HUNDREDS RODE + THE WONDERSMITHS + The Roadmender Northampton

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Slacker sounds %SPQ JOUP UIF %POLFZ WED 11TH AUGUST With an impressive list of previous as long as your arm, gaffer Darren is fast establishing Leicester’s Donkey pub as the best music venue out of the city centre.

Situated near Victoria Park on Welford Road, it’s been strictly standing (and boogieing) room only for the likes of Fun Lovin Criminals, Seth Lakeman, New Beautiful South, Michelle Shocked… and believe us, we could go on.

Next up is the Slackers, ska-reggae-soulsters fighting out of New York, New York for almost 20 years. This year’s ‘The Great Rocksteady Swindle’ is album number 12: catch their ‘imaginary Jamaican rock ‘n’

roll’ (© singer Vic Ruggiero) on myspace, and grab a ticket while you can.

Wed 11 THE SLACKERS The Donkey Leicester

Scissor Sisters /JHIU 8PSL "SFOB 5PVS FRI 3RD DECEMBER 2010 Following their recent sold out UK tour and show-stopping Glastonbury performance, Scissor Sisters announce an arena tour which kicks off in Birmingham at the LG Arena on Friday 3 December 2010.

The announcement of the LG Arena date follows the success of recent album Night Work which has been declared a triumphant return by the critics and the public alike. From The Times to Heat to Pitchfork the critics praised Night Work whilst the public showed their enthusiasm by sending the album to the top of the charts.

Jake Shears, Ana Matronic, Babydaddy and Del Marquis are renowned for their live shows. They have always

wowed crowds in the UK from their early days playing small clubs to headlining arenas in 2007. The band made its return to the live stage recently when they played a series of live dates ahead of the release of their album.

As well as performing songs from their new album Scissor Sisters are also expected to perform tracks from their self-

titled debut album, which has sold over 2.5 million copies and 2006’s Ta-Dah album which sold 1.4 million copies in the UK alone. .

Tickets priced £30 plus booking and transaction are on sale online at theticketfactory.com or by calling The Ticket Factory on 0844 338 8000.

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Just capital .7 BOE && SFDBMM QSJNFUJNF $4/:

Fri 27TH AUGUST Rumbling into the Midlands for the Shambala Festival and a one-off date in Cov, American post-folk darlings MV and EE (Matt Valentine and Erika Elder to most of us) come direct from their base deep in the Vermont woods. The latest album Barn Nova follows two previous lo-fi growers Green Blues and Gettin’ Gone, with more old-time front porch vibes sounding

terribly 2010. Backed by the Golden Road in just the same way Crazy Horse added beef to Neil Young, this is prime Americana with more than a passing nod to the Grateful Dead and sunny 1970. Potential mass appeal alert.

Fri 27 MV & EE WiTH THE GOLDEN rOAD TAyLOr JOHN’s HOusE C OVENTry sAT 28-s uN 29 sHAMbALA FEsTiVAL NOrTHAMpTONsHirE

Organised chaos %SVN nOo CBTT MFHFOE BU UIF 3PBENFOEFS Fri 3RD SEPTEMBER Drum ‘n’ bass aficionados will need no introduction to Raymond Bingham – perhaps better known as Grooverider, groundbreaking rave and breakbeat DJ back in the day, now a nailed-on legend with his own Prototype label, and due to roll into Northampton early in September for a night of sonic excess.

If it’s not your scene, it’ll

sound like uncomfortably like a percussion drill in your inner ear: this is for fans only.

They call Grooverider ‘The Godfather’ of DnB – in which case tonight’s second on the bill is the genre’s unmistakable ‘Mean Streets’. .

Fri 3 sEp OrGANisED CHAOs: GrOOVEriDEr + MiCKy FiNN + EKsMAN + HArry sHOTTA rOADMENDEr NOrTHAMpTON

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Sounds Of Space 2010 " XFFLFOE PG NVTJD UBMLT BOE FWFOUT JOTQJSFE CZ UIF XPOEFST PG PVS VOJWFSTF THU 7TH - SAT 9TH OCTOBER The European premiere of The Planets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; An HD Odyssey, which couples the latest images from NASA with a performance of Gustav Holstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous suite by the Houston Symphony, is amongst the highlights of Sounds of Space â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a weekend of music, talks and events between 7-9 October at Town Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham.

The Sounds of Space weekend will offer incredible live experiences for music fans, armchair astronomers, popular science enthusiasts and families alike, with classical, contemporary and jazz music including premieres and new commissions, talks on alien science and space tourism, a free family day and a major new outdoor photographic exhibition all taking place across both venues.

The centrepiece of the weekend is the first performance outside the US of a monumental NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Houston Symphony collaboration, The Planets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; An

HD Odyssey, at Symphony Hall on Friday 8 October. The Houston Symphony, led by Music Director Hans Graf, will perform Holstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s astronomical masterpiece accompanied by high definition planetary images taken from rover and satellite exploratory missions, radar images and computer-generated graphics.

Brian Enoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seminal album, Apollo: For All Mankind, will be performed by 15-piece ensemble Icebreaker and renowned steel pedal guitarist BJ Cole on Saturday 9 October at Town Hall Birmingham. Original NASA footage taken from Al Reinartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1989 lunar documentary of the same name will be screened during the concert.

A work describing the majesty and mystery of space, Apollo: For All Mankind, was created and recorded in 1983 by pioneer of ambient music, Brian Eno, along with his brother Roger and Canadian producer and guitarist Daniel Lanois in 1983. Music from the album has since been used in the feature films 28 Days Later,

Traffic and Trainspotting.

There are newlycommissioned works, Musickosmos performed by Steve Tromans on Friday 8 October in Symphony Hall Level 3 Bar and Bruno Madernaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Serenade for a Satellite performed

by Birmingham Contemporary Music Group on Saturday 9 October at Town Hall.

Talks include What Would A Martian Look Like?, a discussion on extra-terrestrial life with author Prof Ian Stewart and Sounds of the Universe, an exploration of the secret sounds of stars, galaxies and the big bang itself on Thursday 7 October at Symphony Hall. Space Tourism on Saturday 9 October sees Stephen Attenborough, Commercial Director of Virgin Galactic, talk about his organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ambitious project to carry the first paying passengers into space, marking the beginning of a new age of human expedition.

To Boldly Go, a major new outdoor exhibition featuring images from the University

of Birminghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s space and astronomy research programme will be open to the public in Victoria Square from 28 September to 18 October. Entry is free.

The University plays a pivotal role in shaping our knowledge of our planet, the solar system and beyond, from creating special cameras to protect astronauts from solar storms to helping to build instruments used by the Large Hadron Collider to find out how the Universe was created.

The free Sounds of Space Family Day (Symphony Hall foyers on Saturday 9 October) offers young budding space and science fiction fans the chance to explore a mobile planetarium, meet Aliens from planet Flip Flop, hear the sounds of space and help to create a special galaxy..

Sounds of space is at town hall and symphony hall birmingham, 7-9 october. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.Thsh.Co.Uk/ soundsofspace

Get Carter 'PML BXBSET XJOOFS QMBZT .BSLFU )BSCPSPVHI THU 2ND SEPTEMBER This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Radio 2 Folk Awards Winner Sam Carter will be playing at Market Harborough Theatre.

Described as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;One of the most gifted acoustic guitarists of his generationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Mike Harding Sam is startlingly perceptive and selfassured young singer and guitarist.

Sam has spent the last few years busily honing his craft both as a writer and performer touring with Bellowhead whilst holding down his post as Emerging Artist in Residence at Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Southbank Centre. Sam is a protege of folk

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guitar legend Martin Simpson who performed to an ecstatic sell-out audience at the Welland Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Octagonal Hall last November.

Adam Bugla of Harborough based amgigs says â&#x20AC;&#x153;we had heard so much about Sam and were familiar with his recorded work but when we saw him live earlier in the year we were blown away by his ability as a performer and just had to bring him to Market Harborough. We are delighted to be able to continue to bring award winning folk acts to Market Harboroughâ&#x20AC;?

Opening up for Sam having just returned from a short American tour will be The Rosellys - with fabulous vocals delivering hard to forget uptempo numbers and simply beautiful ballads, their debut CD got deservedly rave reviews.

Further information, video clips and tickets are available from www.amgigs.co.uk or from ABC Music, St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road tel: 01858 463144 or tel AMGigs: 01858 525179 for tickets and information

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Ensemble Assembly 8BLFNBO BOE DD SPDL -FBNJOHUPO

Fri 13TH AUGUST “It’s always a treat to get the English Rock Ensemble together and so when the invitation came to perform at the Cropredy festival we jumped at the chance,” Rick Wakeman tells us. “It’s the classic line up of musicians having to find a bit of space around the keyboard rig – that’s Tony Fernandez (drums), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Dave Colquhoun (guitars) and Ashley Holt (vocals). Roll on August!”

Rick isn’t the first superstar to drop by the Assembly for a more intimate fan soiree than

a stadium/festival allows – in this case the very night before the Fairport annual. Look out also for Graham Gouldman and the 10cc back catalogue in Spatown: there may be no Lol or Kev along but, to be fair, guitarist Rick Fenn and drummie Paul Burgess first signed up in 1976, so the crew boast legit CV clout..

Fri 13 RICK WAKEMAN & THE ENGLISH ROCK ENSEMBLE The Assembly Leamington Sat 14 Cropredy Festival Banbury Fri 20 10CC The Assembly Leamington

To advertise your event in the East Midlands’ fastest-growing guide to what’s going on and where to be seen, email sales@whatsonwhere.co.uk or call 01858 439 999

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<>E84B WOWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JAZ COX LOOKS AT SOME OF THE NEWEST CINEMA RELEASES

F70C{B >= FridAy 13th the SOrcererâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Apprentice Walt disney Studios producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon turteltaubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative comedy adventure about a sorcerer and his hapless apprentice who are swept into the centre of an ancient conflict between good and evil.

Balthazar Blake (nicolas cage) is a master sorcerer in modernday Manhattan, defending the city from baddie Maxim horvath (Alfed Molina). Balthazar canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it alone, so he recruits dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel) to take a magical crash course. itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take all the courage dave can muster to survive his training, save the city from the powers of darkness, and get the girl... the Secret in their eyeS Argentinian writer-directoreditor Juan Jose campanellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multi-layered thriller interweaves the personal lives of a state prosecution investigator and a judge, with a manhunt spanning 25 years. recently retired court investigator Benjamin (ricardo darin), decides to write a novel based on an old, unresolved rape and murder case, which still haunts him. Sharing his plans with judge irene (Soledad Villamil), he sets out to identify the murderer - landing them both at the centre of a judicial and personal nightmare, as the mystery of the heinous crime unfolds.

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the expendables 5IJOHT BSFOoU RVJUF BT UIFZ TFFN Fri 20th AUGUSt THE EXPENDABLES is a hard-hitting action/thriller about a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator.

Once the mission begins, the men realize things arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite as they seem, finding themselves caught in a dangerous web of deception and betrayal. With their mission thwarted and an innocent life in danger, the team struggle with an even tougher challenge - one that threatens to destroy this band of brothers. Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) is a man with nothing to lose. Void of emotion, he is a fearless leader, the sage and the strategist of this tight-knit band of men who live on the edge. His only attachment is to his pickup truck, his seaplane and his team of loyal, modern-day warriors.

The team behind him is made up of Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), former SAS and a savant with anything that has a blade; Yin Yang (Jet Li), a master at close-quarter combat; Hale Caesar (Terry Crews), who has known Barney for ten years and is a long-barrel weapons specialist; Toll Road (Randy Couture), a skilled demolitions expert and considered the intellect of the group; and Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), a combat veteran and an expert in precision sniping who struggles with his own demons. When the mysterious Church offers Barney

a job no one else would take, Barney and his team embark on what appears to be a routine mission: overthrow General Gaza (David Zayas), the murderous dictator of the small island country of Vilena and end the years of death and destruction inflicted on its people.

On a reconnaissance mission to Vilena, Barney and Christmas meet their contact Sandra (Giselle Itie), a local freedom-fighter with a dark secret. They also come to learn who their true enemy is: rogue exâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;CIA operative James Monroe (Eric Roberts) and his henchman Paine (Steve Austin).

When things go terribly wrong, Barney and Christmas are forced to leave Sandra behind, essentially giving her a death sentence.

Haunted by this failure, Barney convinces the team to return to Vilena to rescue the hostage, finish the job he started and to perhaps save a soul: his own.

SylVeSter StAllOne, JASOn StAthAM, Jet li, terry creWS, rAndy cOUtUre, dOlph lUndGren, GiSelle itie, Mickey rOUrke, BrUce WilliS, SteVe AUStin, ArnOld SchWArzeneGGer. directOr: SylVeSter StAllOne Genre: ActiOn rAtinG: 18 rUntiMe: tBc

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Scott Pilgrim vs The World ZFBS PME CBTTJTU NFFUT UIF HJSM PG IJT ESFBNT FRI 27TH AUGUST Meet charming and jobless Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). A bass guitarist for garage band Sex Bob-omb, the 22-yearold has just met the girl of his

dreams...literally. The only catch to winning Ramona Flowers? Her seven evil exes are coming to kill him. Filmmaker Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) tells the amazing story of one romantic slackerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quest to power up with love in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Scott Pilgrim has never had a problem getting a girlfriend. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s getting rid of them thats the hard part. From the girl who kicked his heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ass-and now is back in town-to the teenage distraction heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trying to shake when Ramona rollerblades into his world, love hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been easy. He soon discovers, however, his new crush has the most unusual baggage of all: a nefarious league of exes

S1 bAArIA (15) 3pm, 8pm S1 SkeletonS (tbc) 6pm S2 JASper penGuIn explorer (u) 2pm S2 Went the DAy Well (pG) 8.30pm S2 SeperADo! (12A) 4pm Sun 1 S1 InceptIon (12A) 12pm, 3.30pm, 6.30pm S2 toy Story 3 (3D) (u) 1pm, 3.15pm, 5.30pm, 8pm

S2 the rebounD (15) 8.15pm S2 monSIeur hulotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S holIDAy (u) 2pm, 4.15pm S2 GooD hAIr (12A) 6.15pm S3 plAytIme (u) 3pm, 7pm

mon 2 S1 InceptIon (12A) 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 8.45pm S2 toy Story 3 (3D) (u) 1pm, 4pm, 7pm

WeD 11 S1 GAInSbourG (15) 1.30pm, 4.30pm, 7pm S2 the rebounD (15) 6pm S2 monSIeur hulotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S holIDAy (u) 2pm S2 GooD hAIr (12A) 4pm, 8pm S3 plAytIme (u) 4.15pm, 7pm

tue 3 S1 InceptIon (12A) 3pm, 6pm, 8.45pm S2 toy Story 3 (3D) (u) 1pm, 4pm, 7pm WeD 4 S1 InceptIon (12A) 3pm, 6pm, 8.45pm S2 toy Story 3 (3D) (u) 1pm, 4pm, 7pm thu 5 S1 InceptIon (12A) 3pm, 6pm, 8.45pm S2 toy Story 3 (3D) (u) 1pm, 4pm, 7pm FrI 6 S1 GAInSbourG (15) 1pm, 3.30pm, 6pm, 8.30pm S2 cInemA bAmbIno: mon oncle (u) 11Am S2 mon oncle (u) 1.15pm S2 the rebounD (15) 4pm S2 heArtbreAker (15) 6.15pm, 8.30pm S2 All tomorroWS pArtIeS (15) 10.45pm

SAt 7 S1 GAInSbourG (15) 12.30pm, 3.30pm, 6pm, 8.30pm S2 mon oncle (u) 12pm, 3pm S2 the rebounD (15) 5.45pm S2 heArtbreAker (15) 8pm Sun 8 S1 GAInSbourG (15) 12pm, 2.30pm, 5pm, 7.30pm S2 the rebounD (15) 1pm S2 mon oncle (u) 5.15pm S2 heArtbreAker (15) 3pm, 7.45pm mon 9 S1 GAInSbourG (15) 1.30pm, 4.30pm, 7pm S2 the rebounD (15) 6pm S2 mon oncle (u) 12.30pm, 3pm S2 heArtbreAker (15) 8pm tue 10 S1 GAInSbourG (15) 1.30pm, 4.30pm, 7pm

thu 12 S1 GAInSbourG (15) 1.30pm, 4.30pm, 7pm S2 the rebounD (15) 4pm S2 monSIeur hulotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S holIDAy (u) 2pm, 6pm S2 GooD hAIr (12A) 8pm S3 plAytIme (u) 4.15pm, 7pm FrI 13 S1 bAArIA (15) 1pm, 7pm S1 SkeletonS (tbc) 4pm S2 bASe moI (18) 10pm S2 cInemA bAmbIno: monSIeur hulotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S holIDAy (u) 11Am S2 the prInceSS AnD the FroG (u) 1pm S2 monSIeur hulotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S holIDAy (u) 3pm S2 bronco bullFroG (15) 6.15pm, 8.15pm SAt 14 S1 bAArIA (15) 3pm, 8pm S1 SkeletonS (tbc) 1pm, 6pm S2 the prInceSS AnD the FroG (u) 2pm S2 monSIeur hulotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S holIDAy (u) 12pm, 6.30pm S2 bronco bullFroG (15) 4.30pm, 8.30pm Sun 15 S1 bAArIA (15) 1pm, 6pm S1 SkeletonS (tbc) 4pm S2 the prInceSS AnD the FroG (u) 2pm S2 bronco bullFroG (15) 12pm S2 VIVA lAS VeGAS (u) 4.30pm S2 elVIS: thAtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S the WAy It IS (u) 7pm mon 16 S1 bAArIA (15) 3pm, 8pm S1 SkeletonS (tbc) 1pm, 6pm S2 the prInceSS AnD the FroG (u) 12pm S2 Went the DAy Well (pG) 2.15pm, 6.15pm S2 SeperADo! (12A) 4.15pm, 8.15pm

WeD 18 S1 bAArIA (15) 3pm, 8pm S1 SkeletonS (tbc) 1pm, 6pm S2 JASper penGuIn explorer (u) 2pm S2 SeperADo! (12A) 4pm thu 19 S1 bAArIA (15) 1.15pm, 6.15pm S1 SkeletonS (tbc) 4.15pm S2 JASper penGuIn explorer (u) 1pm S2 DISorIenteD GenerAtIon (15) 3pm, 8pm S2 SeperADo! (12A) 6pm FrI 20 S1 cInemA bAmbIno: the IlluSIonISt (pG) 11Am S1 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 2pm, 3.45pm, 6pm, 8pm S2 the kArAte kID (pG) 1.30pm S2 SplIce (15) 4.15pm, 9.30pm S2 coco chAnel & IGor StrAVInSky (15) 6.30pm SAt 21 S1 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm S2 the kArAte kID (pG) 12.30pm S2 SplIce (15) 6pm S2 coco chAnel & IGor StrAVInSky (15) 3.30pm, 8.15pm Sun 22 S1 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm S2 breAkFASt At tIFFAnyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S (pG) 12pm S2 SplIce (15) 8pm S2 coco chAnel & IGor StrAVInSky (15) 2.30pm S2 the kArAte kID (pG) 5.15pm mon 23 S1 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 2pm, 3.45pm, 6pm, 7.45pm S2 coco chAnel & IGor StrAVInSky (15) 4.15pm S2 the kArAte kID (pG) 1.30pm, 6.45pm tue 24 S1 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 2pm, 3.45pm, 6pm, 7.45pm S2 coco chAnel & IGor StrAVInSky (15) 6.15pm S2 the kArAte kID (pG) 1.30pm S2 DoWn terrAce (15) 4.15pm, 8.45pm

controls her love life and will do whatever it takes to eliminate him as a suitor. As Scott gets closer to Ramona, he must face an increasingly brutal gallery from her past, arcade stylefrom vegan rock stars to infamous skateboarders and fearsome identical twins. And if he hopes to win his true love, he must vanquish them all before it really is game over.

MIcHAEL cERA MARy ELIzABETH WINSTEAD KIERAN cULKIN cHRIS EVANS ANNA KENDRIcK DIREcTOR: EDGAR WRIGHT GENRE: cOMEDy, ROMANcE RATING: 12 RUNTIME: TBc

THE LAST AIRBENDER After four centuries of war between the nations of Fire, Earth, Air and Water, our hero Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world. Based on the animated Nickelodeon TV series.

PIRANHA New action thriller from director Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes). Every year the population of sleepy Lake Victoria explodes from 5,000 to 50,000 for Spring Break, a riot of sun and drunken fun...

WeD 25 S1 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 2pm, 3.45pm, 6pm, 7.45pm S2 coco chAnel & IGor StrAVInSky (15) 6.15pm S2 the kArAte kID (pG) 1.30pm S2 DoWn terrAce (15) 4.15pm, 8.45pm thu 26 S1 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 2pm, 3.45pm, 6pm, 7.45pm S2 coco chAnel & IGor StrAVInSky (15) 6.15pm S2 the kArAte kID (pG) 1.30pm S2 DoWn terrAce (15) 4.15pm, 8.45pm FrI 27 S1 the GIrl Who plAyeD WIth FIre (15) 1pm, 3.30pm, 6pm, 9pm S2 cInemA bAmbIno: cAtS & DoGS: the reVenGe oF kItty GAlore (3D) (pG) 11Am S2 cAtS & DoGS: the reVenGe oF kItty GAlore (3D) (pG) 3.30pm S2 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 1.30pm S2 Jour De Fete (u) 6pm SAt 28 S1 the GIrl Who plAyeD WIth FIre (15) 1pm, 3.30pm, 6pm, 8.30pm S2 cAtS & DoGS: the reVenGe oF kItty GAlore (3D) (pG) 1.15pm S2 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 3.15pm Sun 29 S1 the GIrl Who plAyeD WIth FIre (15) 1pm, 3.30pm, 6pm, 8.30pm S2 cAtS & DoGS: the reVenGe oF kItty GAlore (3D) (pG) 3.45pm S2 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 2pm S2 SAturDAy nIGht & SunDAy mornInG (pG) 12pm mon 30 S1 the GIrl Who plAyeD WIth FIre (15) 1pm, 3.30pm, 6pm, 8.30pm S2 cAtS & DoGS: the reVenGe oF kItty GAlore (3D) (pG) 1.15pm S2 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 6pm S2 the mAnchurIAn cAnDIDAte(12A) 3.15pm, 7.45pm tue 31 S1 the GIrl Who plAyeD WIth FIre (15) 1pm, 3.30pm, 6pm, 8.30pm S2 cAtS & DoGS: the reVenGe oF kItty GAlore (3D) (pG) 1.15pm S2 the IlluSIonISt (pG) 3.15pm, 7.30pm S2 the mAnchurIAn cAnDIDAte (12A) 5pm

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But this year a new type of terror is about to be cut loose: prehistoric man-eating piranhas released by a sudden underwater tremor. Jessica Szohr, Steve McQueen and Elisabeth Shue figure as potential fish food.

MARMADUKE The world’s most lovable Great Dane leaps from comic strip fame (he’s in 600 newspapers in 20 countries) to big screen stardom. In this family comedy, the supersized dog helps his adopted family settled in to their new Californian home, while discovering that fitting in with his new four-legged friends isn’t always easy for a 200pound teenage dog.

FRIDAY 20TH SALT As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) swore an oath to duty, honor and country; but her loyalty is tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her experience as a covert operative to elude capture. However, her actions only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: “Who Is Salt?” To be fair, it all sounds just a weeny bit reminiscent of Matt Damon’s Bourne trilogy.

FRIDAY 27TH DIARY OF A WIMPY KID Meet the kid who made “wimpy” cool, in a family comedy based on the illustrated novel by Jeff Kinney, the first in a series that has thus far sold 24 million copies. The movie chronicles the adventures of wise-cracking schoolkid Greg Heffley, who must somehow survive the scariest time of anyone’s life: middle school.

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The Runaways oT 3PDL

Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning star in this music-fueled story of the ground-breaking, all girl, teenage rock band of the 1970s: The Runaways. The film follows two friends, Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, as they rise from rebellious Southern California kids to rock stars of the legendary group that paved the way for future generations of girl bands. Joan and Cherie fall under the Svengali—like

influence of rock impresario Kim Fowley, played by Michael Shannon, who turns the group into an outrageous success and a family of misfits. With its tough-chick image and raw talent, the band quickly earns a name for itself-and so do its two leads: Joan is the band’s pure rock’ n’ roll heart, while Cherie, with her BowieBardot looks, is the sex kitten.

Written and directed by Floria

Sigismondi, the film chronicles Joan and Cherie’s thunderous relationship on and off stage, as the band starts to break out.

KRISTEn STEWART, DAKOTA FAnnInG. DIRECTOR: FlORIA SIGISMOnDI GEnRE:BIOGRAphy, DRAMA, MUSICAl RUnTIME:105 MInS CERTIFICATE: 18

Wildly eccentric hit British comedy 8JME 5BSHFU BU UIF 'PSVN $JOFNB FRI 13 – SUn 15 AUGUST Hit-man Victor Maynard (Nighy) is proud of his family’s tradition in the profession, and is endlessly reminded of his heritage by his interfering mother. When he has problems completing a contract on Rose (Blunt) he is

very annoyed to find another company brought in to complete the job. Impulsively defending his former target he finds he is now in danger himself. Don’t miss this hilarious British comedy that includes the actors, Eileen Atkins and Martin Freeman.

BILL NIGHY, EMILY BLUNT, RUPERT GRINT DIRECTOR: JONATHAN LYNN GENRE: COMEDY RUNNING TIME: 98MINS CERTIFICATE: 12A

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ART AND CULTURE NEAR YOU...

The Festival of Quilts #BDL BHBJO BU UIF /&$ THUR 19TH - 22ND AUGUST The Festival of Quilts at The NEC, Birmingham is the largest and most eagerly anticipated event in the patchwork and quilting calendar anywhere in Europe.

Last year over 30,000 people travelled to The NEC from over 50 countries around the globe demonstrating the sheer scale of The Festival of Quilts.

Quilts are displayed in their thousands and come in many guises from both competition entrants and professional artists such as Kaffe Fassett, Susan Shie and Jane Dunnewold.

Those who adore textiles, whilst

not pretending to have a specific love for quilts, have also come to recognise the sheer spectacle afforded by The Festival of Quilts. You certainly don’t need to be a maker to be transfixed by the beauty, colour and artistry, which surrounds you within this massive event.

For some, the origins of the quilt as a bedcover are fully respected.

For others, the essential disciplines are challenged, the rules are explored and boundaries broken. All aspects of quilting can be found within the Festival – nothing is ignored.

The Festival is also about ‘doing’. Vast numbers of workshops

and lectures are presented to allow both the beginner and the expert to explore new territory. The shopping is immense and never has there been a greater variety of patchwork and quilting suppliers gathered together under one roof anywhere in Europe.

The Festival of Quilts Returns To The NEC, Birmingham, Thur 19 – Sun 22 August. Opening Times 10am - 5.30pm (closes 5pm Sunday) For tickets call 01394 288521 or visit www.twistedthread.com For further information call 020 8692 2299 Tickets priced at £11 (Adults,) £10 (Over 60s,) £5 (child aged 4-18) plus booking and transaction fees are also available online at www. theticketfactory.com or by calling The Ticket Factory on 0844 338 8000. Group rates are available, £8 for groups of 10+ adults

Local hero to Land’s End .BMDPMN 1PMMBSE BOE "NBOEB )PTLJO BU KHBMMFSZ FRI 20 AUG - TUES 5 OcT Malcolm Pollard was one of Northampton’s most respected artists, perhaps best known for his carved polychrome and gilded figure of the ‘Risen Christ’ which hangs above the congregation in St Matthew’s Church, Northampton, but whose work also adorns many other public buildings, homes and churches around the country. An inspirational figure to many of the Midlands artistic souls, this retrospective collection

of original paintings, drawings and sculptures reflects the standing of the much-missed teacher/artist/ inventor/designer.

The other, equal-favourite artist of jgallery curator Sue Brooks – yes, it’s a dream double bill! – is Amanda Hoskin, whose ‘Colours, Coast, & Sea’ collection of oil paintings truly brings home the wonders of Cornish cliffs, coastlines and seascapes. Allow yourself to be drawn deep into Amanda’s romantic vision.

Fri 20 Aug - Tues 5 Oct MALCOLM POLLARD & AMANDA HOSKIN jGallery Moulton Northampton Normal opening hours Fri/Sat/ Sun 10am-4pm Tel: 01604 492192 www.jgallery.org.uk

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Best of British %JTDPWFS UIF WFSZ CFTU JO #SJUJTI TIPF EFTJHO BU /PSUIBNQUPO .VTFVN BOE "SU (BMMFSZoT TIPXDBTF FYIJCJUJPO UIJT TVNNFS 9TH SEPTEMBER 2010 Discover the very best in British shoe design at Northampton Museum and Art Galleryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s showcase exhibition this summer.

From classic English shoemakers to top British shoe designers, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Best of Britishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a celebration of British style and design and is part of Northamptonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer-long Shoe Town Festival 2010 programme of events.

As well as shoes from the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own designated collection; the show includes a number of special loans from the elite of

British designers and shoe companies, including Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Georgina Goodman, Manolo Blahnik, Carreducker and Trickerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

Rebecca Shawcross, Northampton Borough Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s museum shoe expert, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Britain and in particular Northampton has always been known for the quality of its shoes. We are lucky to have one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most coveted collection of shoes. The best of our British collection will be on show, which combined with some incredible loans makes this an exhibition to savour.â&#x20AC;?

After viewing the exhibition, visitors will be asked â&#x20AC;&#x153;What a British shoe means to them?â&#x20AC;? Is it a shoe that is traditional in style, a Derby or Oxford brogue? Is it a shoe that is quirky, with a sense of humour that makes you laugh? Is it a shoe that is designed by a British based designer? Is it a shoe designed by a British based designer yet made abroad? Is it a shoe that has MADE IN ENGLAND stamped on its sole?

Best of British is show-

ing at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery until 19 September. Admission is free.

For details of other Shoe Town Festival events visit www.Northampton.gov.uk/ museums.

For details of other Shoe Town Festival events visit www.

Northampton.gov.uk/museums

A Life In Art 3PMG )BSSJT $#& DFMFCSBUFT ZFBST JO BSU XJUI OFX DPMMFDUJPO 14TH TO 28TH AuguST Croft Wingates are excited to announce they will be showcasing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Life in Artâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a new collection of paintings, drawings and sculpture from Rolf Harris CBE from 14th to 28th August. This year sees Rolfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 65th year in art, and this important exhibition celebrates the life and work of one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular and well known artists.

In addition to concentrating on this collection and fulfilling

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numerous entertainment engagements, Rolf has spent the last few months working on a major art book , also entitled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Life in Artâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. This much-anticipated retrospective and personal memoir has also been produced as an exclusive collectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s box set, the book is encased in beautiful presentation box and is accompanied by two Limited Editions signed and numbered by the man himself.

Acknowledged as a

genuine modern master and the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bestâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;loved artist, Rolf has been awarded the CBE and has won many accolades both for his artwork and for his contribution to the entertainment industry. His versatile talents have won him immense popularity on gallery walls and Glastonbury stages.

Always a huge favourite on television, his famous BBC1 TV series â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Rolf on Artâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gained the highest ever viewing figures for a programme on the visual

arts, topping all previous programmes by over six million viewers.

For more information regarding Rolf Harris and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Life In Artâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; please call Croft Wingates on 01858 465455 or email john@croftwingates. co.uk Croft Wingates, Wingates Walk, 44a St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road, Market Harborough, Leics LE16 7DU. www.croftwingates.co.uk

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Northamptonshire Open Studios $FOUSBM -BVODI &YIJCJUJPO BU ,FMNBSTI )BMM 26th Aug – 19th Sept This year’s Northamptonshire Open Studios Central Launch Exhibition will be hosted at Kelmarsh Hall; entrance is free for the duration of Northamptonshire Open Studios, 26th Aug – 19th September 2010. (The exhibition in the Hall will only be until 2nd September; artwork in the gardens will remain until 19th September.)

To compliment the central exhibition; an Artist Trade Fayre will be taking place 29th & 30th August at Kelmarsh Hall. The attractions include workshops and demonstrations by artists and ‘drop in sessions’ for anyone to ‘have a go’ the Marquee being sponsored by Design Factory.

Sketching in the grounds, ‘Picnic in the Park’; just bring along the family and a basket full of goodies. On offer will also be ‘Cooking in the Walled Garden’, Mrs Montgomery’s famous cakes, a Pimms tent and chocolate Fountain, Archery in the grounds, a Classic Car & Vintage Bike Show. The ‘Strung Out Sisters’ will be playing 2 sets on Sunday 29th as well as other musical entertainments throughout the two days. It is sure to be a fun filled, entertaining day exploring the arts with the

best artists Northamptonshire has to offer!

On Sunday 29th August after the Artist Trade Fayre we shall be going straight into the Awards Evening & Reception, visitors are welcome to stay and enjoy the evening with us, a glass of wine and see which lucky artists will be awarded the Design Factory Prize and the cash prizes from Colemans.

The Open Studios will then commence from Sat 4th – Sun

19th Sept; an opportunity to walk into working studios and talk to the artists. Artists at Barton Hall, Kettering are very excited to announce that this year as well as all the Resident Studios being open and work on show by Associate artists; Kettering & District Art Society are also holding there Members exhibition in the Oak Room. Some of the other large display rooms will also have work on display by Angie Snelling, Charles Bezzina and

Sam Wadsworth: A View 1PSUSBJUT PG /PSUIBNQUPO 26th Aug – 19th Sep More than 150 guests enjoyed the opening of Sam Wadsworth A View: Portraits of Northampton at the end of July.

The Gallery Upstairs at 78 Derngate was choc-a-bloc as guests had a first view of Sam’s new collection of vibrant, contemporary paintings.

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Featuring the famous (or infamous) Lift Tower; the grandeur of All Saints Church and a portrait of one of Northampton’s new famous sons, Matt Smith of Dr Who fame.

Original oil paintings and limited edition mounted prints are available to purchase.

• Open until Sunday 10th October 2010 • Free entry – Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm • 78 Derngate: The Charles Rennie Mackintosh House & Galleries • 82 Derngate, Northampton, NNI IUH • Tel: 01604 603 407

Ricardo Insua-Cao. We are also delighted that Ise Brook School will be exhibiting their students’ artwork that will be for sale.

Catherine Arrowsmith will also be doing her ‘flame worked beads glass bead making demonstrations’; please check the NOS brochure for details.

Rothwell & Desborough Gallery will play host to the local art group; ‘Practically Perfect’, 4th – 19th Sept with a Private View Evening on 1st Sept; amongst members are Brian Taylor, Greta Palmer & Cheryl Austin who now have studios at Woodside Studios, Desborough, a newly formed Art Studios, studio space is currently available; please check HYPERLINK “http://www.openstudios.org. uk”www.openstudios.org.uk for details.

Further details of all opening days & times can be found in the 2010/11 free full colour brochure available from local libraries, TIC’s, galleries; art suppliers or go to HYPERLINK “http://www.openstudios.org. uk”www.openstudios.org.uk for further information.

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2><43H WOW FINDS OUT WHERE THE LAUGHS ARE THIS MONTH

Not rocket science 3JDLZ (FSWBJT CMJOET VT XJUIe TPNF CMJOEJOH OFX NBUFSJBM TUE 10TH - WED 11TH AUGUST The Office, Extras, Hollywood success and the recent animated Ricky Gervais Show have made the pasty fat bloke a prime target for British critics, who feel he probably shouldn’t have time to pack a tour of last year’s Edinburgh Festival show into his busy superstar agenda.

The argument runs that Ricky never served his apprenticeship on the comedy circuit; that he’s a writer, not a comedian. And, wouldn’t you just know it, complaints are flying because this latest one-man show – unlike the considerably tighter Politics, Animals and Fame – is really nothing much to do with Science.

Perhaps unfortunately for the naysayers, since Science was premiered in 2009, Channel 4 has only gone and voted Gervais the third greatest stand-up comedian of all time, behind Richard Pryor and Billy Connolly.

It’s true: a set resembling a mock-up of Frankenstein’s laboratory – a brain in a vat, various test tubes bubbling away – is little more than dressing. What Ricky does is wibble on about the stuff that’s on his mind – Amanda Holden, fellow fat people, receiving a goat intended for an

African family at Christmas – and it would be churlish to argue that there’s anyone out there who does it better. Fans of curricular comedy coherence, meanwhile,

should maybe give macroeconomics a chance.

Tue 10-Wed 11 RICKY GERVAIS: SCIENCE The NIA Birmingham

F70C{B >= If you only go to 20 comedy gigs this month… with DJ Fontana

Fri 6-Sat 7 COMEDY & CLUB NIGHT: ANVIL SPRINGSTEIN, JOHN GAVIN, JOHNNY CANDON, GEOFF NORCOTT Highlight Comedy Leicester Thu 12 THE COMEDY CLUB: GUEST COMEDIANS Wicksteed Park Kettering EVENING OF CHUCKLES Ramada Encore Milton Keynes Sat 21-Sun 22 RHYTHM FESTIVAL COMEDY STAGE: JIM TAVARE + STUART BLACK + BRIAN DAMAGE & KRYSSTAL ++ Twinwood Arena Beds.

Sun 5 Sep LAFFBORO’S 2FUNNY COMEDY CLUB: PATRICK MONAHAN, ISHI KHAN JACKSON + The Swan In The Rushes Loughborough Tue 7 Sep COMEDY AT THE GLOBE INN: BRIAN DAMAGE & KRYSSTAL, STEVE DAY, BEN DAVIDS + The Globe Inn Tamworth

PROMOTE

Your Gig, Band, CD, Website, etc.

With a THUMBNAIL AD (like this!)

In our listings column.

Call the wow team on 01858 439 999.

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;PRT Xc d_ The perfect staple for your Summer wardrobe is most definitely lace.

Perfect for dressing you up if you are attending one of the many seasonal Summer balls, weddings, or garden parties.

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here is not a safer material investment on the high street at the moment, as lace is guaranteed to see you right through Autumn. WOW fashion team advice is - keep your palette neutral and to add a modernism, introduce it to the new seasons leather.

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808 5JQ Borrow your boyfriends watch to add some boyish charm to a very feminine attire

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1. Cream lace dress with

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beaded necklace £45 Yumi,

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Black zip detail leggings £80 Michael Michael Kors, House of Fraser.

2. Leather flutter tote £120, River Island.

3. Thomas Sabo Watch, Halo Jewellery.

4. Miso Lace Cross Back Dress £39.99, Republic.

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5. Faux Leather Shorts £28, Next.

6. All Over Bow Detail Baby Doll Lace Dress £21, Red

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Label Fashion.

7. Lace trim slip dress, £65, Mint Velvet.

8. Warehouse

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9. Brown leather ‘Portobello’ bag £460 Vivienne Westwood, House of Fraser.

10. Jasmine Hareem Pant, £50, Monsoon.

11. Taupe open toe shoe boot £45, Wallis.

12. White long sleeve shirt £29 Linea, Navy bow tie £55 Ralph Lauren, Grey collegiate stripe blazer £170 New & Lingwood, Tan leather belt £60 Boss by Hugo Boss, Grey chinos £125 Burberry Brit, House of Fraser.

13. Cream Lace Waistcoat £20, Dorothy Perkins 14. Fast Jet Soft Knot Wedge £95, French Connection.

15. pearl Jasmine Pearly Chandelier £12, Accessorize.

16. Leather flower+mixed bangle pack from £12, Dorothy Perkins.

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708A 140DCH MAKE SURE YOU’RE BEAUTY, NOT THE BEAST...

Kara Potter "U UIF IFBSU PG 5IF #FBVUZ .BOPS JT %FDMFPS Winning our first Decleor Award for Most Progressive Salon for 2009, Decleor as a skincare range goes from strength to strength, having over 900 scientists work worldwide, researching the concept of Decleor.

Decleor is a range using Essential Oils and Plant Extracts to provide the skin with the support and care it requires depending on the clients skin type.

Decleor are widely known

for the Aromessence Serums, which help to correct the skin via the blood and lymphatic system. The Aromessence are extremely powerful and have amazing results combined with a Decleor Moisturiser.

If you have any beauty questions you would like to ask our expert, please write to: Kara @ Beauty Manor, C/O WOW, 50 St. Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7DU.

8IBU JT BO &TTFOUJBM 0JM Essential Oils are from Flowers, Leaves, Fruit, Bark, Seeds and Roots. They are concentrates from effective ingredients, that are highly scented that can re-

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Purchase 2 or more from Decleor Aromessence Collection Receive your FREE gift. Limited stock available.

store balance, nourishment, repair and beautify the skin.

8IBU JT BO "SPNFTTFODF 4FSVN The Aromessence Serum are powerful concentrates from active essential oils.

Each Aromessence Serum whether it is for dry, oil, sensitive, mature and normal skin are a unique blend of oils, usually 3-9 oils with a plant oil base.

Each Aromessence Serum is guaranteed to be: 100% Natural 100% pure: free of dyes, mineral oil and synthetic fragrance 100% preservative free 100% effective.

Over 1,500 Damascena Rose

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petals are used in the making of Aromessence Rose d’Orient Serum With all these wonderful ingredients and technology behind Decleor, I am very excited for the New Launch of the Harmony Range this Autumn, ready for those harsh winter months, you can definitely rely on Decleor to help.

Take care, Kara x BeAuty MAnOr is above Browns Hairdressing, Manor House, High Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7NL. To book an appointment telephone 0844 999 4365 www.thebeautymanor.co.uk

)"*3 #&"65:

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Tracy and Elaine, frequently familiar with driving through Kibworth, decide it’s time to have a wander around the village on foot. you can go and relax to be really pampered or you can simply have your nails done - pretty.

Queens Flowers has a vast selection of traditional and extremely exotic flowers, they can provide all your floral needs for any occasion, including delivery but more than just being a florist on entering the shop we were welcomed by the delicate scent of flowers and a charming display of gifts and cards.

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ur first stop off was Boo Boo’s - a fabulous dance wear boutique which offers everything imaginable for the performer in your family, glitzy gifts to satisfy most big and little girls alike! Elaine was dumbfounded by the variety of dance shoes available!

Boo Boo’s also offer a ballet point fitting service which is highly regarded.

Moving on we came upon a gorgeous little book shop, the proprietor was very helpful, we particularly liked the children’s area, plenty of brightly illustrated books and comfy chairs to snuggle with your little one to choose your purchases at your leisure.

We were very tempted to stay in our next venture - Julians Hair Salon, a friendly welcome and lots of lucky clients being pampered, but unfortunately they were fully booked so we made our leave.

Next a browse around Dodes which sells a variety of clothes to suit every occasion whether you are going to a wedding or a Summer barbeque, a complete outfit

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would surely be found here.

Another place that deserves a longer visit is The Beauty Room, owned by Liz, a beautiful aroma hit us as we entered. They have several treatment rooms where

Definitely worth popping in!

To follow Queens flowers we head straight for Wedding Belles, where Debbie plays host to all things wedding, and will help you to create a fairytale wedding, browsing outfits for you and the whole of your wedding party. This is a definite first stop wedding shop.

Kibworth also has an Oasis dental practice which offers teeth whitening, this is apparently becoming increasingly popular with wedding couples so we decide to go and pick up a leaflet. As we arrive we receive a really warm welcome from a clearly accomplished receptionist who we imagine is worth her weight in gold as she explains that Oasis has a network of specialists providing all kinds of treatment from orthodontics to Cosmetics and use all the latest dental technology. The Oasis team promise - is to help you feel good about your smile and maintain a healthy mouth, so... if our few minutes in their reception is anything to go by then anyone needing some reassurance before signing up for treatment should pay them a visit!

As we unconformingly zig

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your very own baby shower, or just pick a perfect baby present itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s called Natures Purest (not a good place if you broody!)

We make our exit like a pair of clucking hens...

We compose ourselves and pick up a price list at the rather inviting Moko Hair salon then pop into Firenze restaurant with a mind to book a table as we have heard through the grapevine that this is a favourite with ladies that lunch! zag across the street we head for Magic Touch - a wonderful gift shop, it has the solution to any gift problems you may have, and also has the answer to any area of you home that might be looking for a special finishing touch, a printed canvas, an ornament a trinklet or more! There is also a really great selection of cards along with an array of smellies!

Close by there is another divine shop where you can get

WOW August 2010

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&7&/54 -"%*&4 5)"5 %0 With food and drink on our mind we end our wander with a must have coffee and chat at The Deli (if it’s a tipple that takes your fancy then there is always The Old Swan or The Railway). We embrace The Deli’s continental and relaxed atmosphere as lovely Mary gives us a Kibworth update.

Outside Country Property estate agents we can’t help having a nose at some of

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the latest hot properties and wonder what could be nicer than checking out some of the newest properties in Kibworth.

With David Wilson homes in the process of completing a new development on the edge of Kibworth we have decided to arrange a viewing.

Exhausted from a very enjoyable browse around Kibworth, we found many more shops than we ever imagined.

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BfTT]Th bcPab Pc P cWTPcaT ]TPa h^d Claire Sweeney is set to star in a fantastic new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s musical masterpiece Tell Me On a Sunday. Leon Gray from WOW caught up with Claire to find out more…

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ell Me On a Sunday tells the story of a woman in her midthirties who leaves London for New York seeking love and happiness.

But as she weaves her way through the maze of the city and her own anxieties and frustrations, she begins to wonder whether – in fact – she has been looking for love in all the wrong places.

This brand-new production is tailor made for Claire, who has a string of stage credits to her name, including Roxie Hart in Chicago and Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls.

“I’ve seen the show many times myself, and I can really relate to the character – I’m the right age for the role and can draw on my own experiences.”

Claire’s appearance in Tell Me On a Sunday follows in the footsteps of stars such as Sarah Brightman, Elaine Paige, and Denise Van Outen. The show features the same chart-topping hits – Take that Look Off Your Face, Unexpected Song, and the title track, Tell Me On a Sunday. But this new production has been remodelled for Claire with an exclusive new song, I Still Believe in Love.

“There’s a wonderful score with some big songs. This is a one-woman show and will be quite exposing, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Claire is a seasoned performer – one of the UK’s best-loved personalities who shot to fame as Brookside’s Lindsey Corkhill back in 1991. After a brief spell with the soap Claire spent the next four years as an entertainer on the cruise ships. On her return, she reprised her role as Lindsey and remained as one of the leading characters until the soap’s demise in 2003. Since then, her career has gone from strength to strength, with regular TV appearances

on shows such as Loose Women and 60 Minute Makeover, as well as West End roles, concerts, and album releases.

The curtain rises at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate on Monday August 30 before taking in more than 45 theatres across the country. But Claire is no stranger to the stage and the demands of a major national tour.

“I’ve got a vocal session later on today and start rehearsals straight after. It’s a challenging role, and you need to look after yourself – not too many late nights. But it’s not difficult; you just need to get on with it.”

Claire is starring in the lead role for the entire run, which closes at the Wycombe Swan Theatre at the end of November.

But there’s no time to relax for Claire, who has one day off before

embarking on her next role.

“I’m blessed to have been so busy. There haven’t been too many lean times. But I do find time to unwind and enjoy spending time with friends. You just have to take the opportunities when they come.”

Let’s hope you take the opportunity to sit back, relax, and see Claire Sweeney shine in this fabulous new production of Tell Me On a Sunday.

Tell Me On a Sunday takes to the Royal & Derngate stage from Monday 30 August to Saturday 4 September.

Tickets are priced from £9.50-£25.50.

Box Office 01604 624811 www.royalandderngate.co.uk

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;XUT d]STa cWT ^RTP] fPeT A million litres of sea life – including the UK’s first hammerhead sharks – awaits…

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At first it can seem a slightly strange idea, taking the kids on a day-trip to visit the National Sea Life Centre… in Birmingham.

However, as a resident of the great Midland Plain, it’ll only take you two seconds to cotton on to the sheer genius of the notion.

It’s precisely the fact that we live so far from the country’s bucket-andspade / beach-and-rockpool / aquatic wildlife havens that makes the sea so very special to us Midlanders.

So why not import a million litres of prime tropical undersea real estate on to the buzzing Birmingham canalside of Brindley Place?

Since the National Sea Life Centre opened in 1996, we’ve made regular visits as the seasonal attractions have gradually been added, but this year’s hammerhead sharks – the UK’s first, and that includes the regular seaside! – are threatening to become the ‘giant pandas’ of the aquatic preservation scene. Yes, there are bigger and more threatening sharks out there

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in the oceans, and indeed in the SLC’s fantastic underwater tunnel, but there can be few beasties whose evolutionary route arrived at such a curious full stop all those millions of

years ago. These most exotic sharks have got it all, if you’re nine years old: they’re scary, weird, fascinating, and kinda cute.

They were our favourites, for sure, closely followed by the sea horses – strange real-life fairytale creatures in a conservationfriendly breeding centre where dads get pregnant!

In 60 displays of freshwater and marine life across four levels in the splendid Norman Foster-designed Centre, we fumbled rays and rockpool starfish, met giant sea turtles, hung out with otters and helped save whales. And that was just for starters.

Deep beneath those million litres of sea water lies the world’s first 360-degree transparent tubular

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underwater walk through tunnel, where the sea turtles, black-tip reef sharks and tropical reef fish – yes, including Nemo – almost make you believe you’re bobbing about in tropical waters, thousands of miles from the landlocked Midlands!

For those of you who quietly ask yourself - how many fish can I look at before I get bored? The answer is simple - you won’t! The walk is cleverly broken up by the the feeding of the sea creatures, talks, a quiz, an amazing - not to be missed 4D short film, a hall of mirrors which is a real scream, then a cafe to munch some lunch and quench your thirst, and finally for a little retail therapy - a gift shop to purchase all things Sea Life.

National Sea Life Centre The Waters Edge, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HL www.sealife.co.uk

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4E4=CB WOW LOOKS AT WHAT’S GOING ON THIS MONTH

Double whammy foodie heaven /PSUIBNQUPOTIJSF 'PPE %SJOL "XBSETe BU UIF /PSUIBNQUPOTIJSF 'PPE 4IPX Sun 29 - MOn 30 Aug Now in its fourth year, the everpopular Northamptonshire Food Show promises another array of treats for food and drink lovers at Holdenby House. A splendid line-up of top chefs is again lined up to demonstrate their art, and an unbeatable range of local and regional purveyors of gastronomic marvels are set to vie for our tastebuds’ attention

– all thanks to sponsors Bell.

Meanwhile, the the prestigious Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards will also be decided over the two days, with a climactic Bank Holiday taste-off of cakes, wine, fine cheeses, pickles, organic meat, curry and much more.

Top of the bill in the demonstration stakes is once again the wonderful TV chef and author

Sophie Grigson, who will also take her place in the judging panel of chefs and food writers, selecting the winners and runners-up in each category at the Show (to be announced in October). This year’s awards see the new and prestigious title of ‘Curry Chef of the Year’ – sponsored

by British Pepper and Spice in conjunction with Northampton College and What’s On Where magazine – up for grabs alongside the established categories of Best Local Product, Best Local Drink, Restaurant of the Year and Pub/Bar Restaurant of the Year.

As we go to press, the four ‘Curry Chef of the Year’ semifinalists – in what is probably the best culinary competition in the world – have just been de-

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cided via an exciting cook-off at Northampton College. Good luck to all four finalists – and here’s to another delightful time in the historic surroundings of Holdenby House, where garden refreshments, falconry displays, croquet and kids’ entertainment make this event a great day out for all the family.

The nOrThAMpTOnShire FOOD ShOW @ Holdenby sponsored by Bell.

Holdenby House, just north of Northampton. www.holdenby.com Sun 29 and Mon 30 August, 11am-5pm. Adults £7.50, concession £6.50, child £3.50; Family ticket (2+3) £20.

More info call Stonehouse Events on 01604 820011.

&7&/54

2010 shoe town Festival /PSUIBNQUPO #PSPVHI $PVODJMoT NVTFVN TFSWJDF SFWFBMT JUT OFX QSPHSBNNF runs until mid september The festival, now in its second year, continues to celebrate Northamptonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich heritage and its status as the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shoe Town.

Locals and visitors are in for a treat with a wide range of events lined up at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery including: a Best of British exhibition that honours the very best in British shoe design from classic English shoemakers to top British shoe designers; a guided walk on 21 August that uncovers the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Victorian vices and virtues; dancing, arts and craft workshops throughout the summer holidays, tours, talks and a Shoe Town quiz to win

ÂŁ 100.

Other festival highlights at Abington Park Museum include an open-air theatre production of Kenneth Grahameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Wind in the Willows from 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7 August by the Masque Theatre troupe.

Performances commence at 7. 30pm each evening and tickets are only available on the door from 7pm, ÂŁ 10 (ÂŁ8 concessions) and ÂŁ6 children up to 16 years.

On 14 August Abington

Park Museum opens for a Victorian Family Fun Day where you can immerse yourself in a fun day packed with Victorian delights.

There will be plenty to make and do with Victorianinspired craft activities, music and sweet tasting sessions. E xperience the rigours of the schoolroom,

the wonder of a magic lantern show and come face to face with people of the period. Doors open at 11am - 4pm with FREE entry, but there will be a small charge for some activities.

The festival runs from mid July to mid September. Festival programmes are available from various locations around the county including both museums and by visiting www.northampton.gov. uk/museums.

Event tickets are available from Northampton museums (unless otherwise stated) by telephone (01604) 838111, and by post or in person at the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP.

Visit our past /PSUIBNQUPO )FSJUBHF 0QFO %BZT FWFOUT OPX POMJOF thu 9th - 12th september Key events for Northamptonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Heritage Open Days weekend 2010 are now available to view online at Northampton Borough Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website.

Once again local people and visitors will be able to enjoy free access to architectural gems that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission.

As well as visitor attractions, there will be heritage bus trails, river trips, tours and other family-friendly activities that help bring local history alive.

Heritage Open Days, which this year runs from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 September, was established in 1994 as Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to European Heritage Days, in which 49

cabinet member for culture, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heritage Open Days weekend is a fantastic, free of charge opportunity for people to explore some of Northamptonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most significant buildings and churches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is organised by the council and local volunteers who are dedicated to opening properties and staging activities that really help the public connect with our townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich heritage.â&#x20AC;?

countries now participate.

Although people are encouraged to download the Northampton programme of events, printed copies will be available to pick up at various tourist locations around the

region including the Tourist Information Centre and Northampton Museum and Art Gallery from the end of this month.

Councillor Paul Varnsverry, Northampton Borough Council

For the latest Northampton Heritage Open Days information visit www.northampton.gov. uk/heritageopendays or call Northampton Borough Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conservation team on 01604 837637.

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Stone the crows (FU SFBEZ GPS UIF -VCFOIBN 4DBSFDSPX 'FTUJWBM SAt 11th & Sun 12th Sept Lubenham is getting ready for its tenth annual Scarecrow Festival this month.

The event, running on the weekend of 11th and 12th September, is set to be bigger and better than ever.

As well as a colourful ar-

ray of imaginative scarecrows dotted throughout the village, there will be an array of stalls on The Green,including traditional games, crafts and produce for sale. A vintage vehicle display is expected to feature on the Green and there will fairground rides and a range of stalls including traditional games, crafts and produce for sale.

For those in need of refreshment, look no further than The Coach and Horses pub in Main Street, All Saints’ Church in Church Walk, and the village hall in Main Street.

All money raised goes to local organisations. Aunt Sally will love it!

Adrenaline pumping #JLFT CPBSET CMBEFT BOE CBOET GFTUe

SAt 18th Sept If you’re the kind of dude who can’t stand on a skateboard or sit on a BMX without ending up upside-down, the B4 Adrenaline Fest has been devised with you personally in mind. If you can’t strap on a pair of rollerblades without breaking the speed limit, or listen to a large-shorted group of teen noise terrors play guitar without making signs in the air that people over the age of 30 just don’t understand… then you get the picture.

Get along to Rockingham Motor Speedway in September.

There’ll be pro riders flashing by at the speed of sound and hanging upside-down over the ramps for

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whole minutes at a time. And you can compete yourself.

Kids: there’s no need to bring an adult. Adults: there’s no need to bring a kid. Fun for all the family.

Get your tickets – or sign up now for a starring role – at Adrenaline Alley, not just Corby and Northamptonshire’s number one skate park, but Europe’s Leading Indoor Urban Centre.

b4 ADrenAline FeSt 12 noon to 8pm, Rockingham Motor Speedway, Corby Adrenaline Alley Arnsley Road, Off Priors Haw Road, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 5QW Telephone: 01536 202049

ScArecrOW FeStivAl lubenhAm takes place on 11th and 12th September from 11.00am to 6.00pm in Lubenham, Near Market Harborough. Admission to the event, programmes and parking are FREE

'00% %3*/,

40C8=6 >DC DON’T JUST STICK TO YOUR USUAL HAUNTS, TRY SOMEWHERE NEW TO EAT!

Restaurant of the Month %BOHoT 7JFUOBNFTF 3FTUBVSBOU .JDIFMJO BQQSPWFEe BOE OPX /PSUIBNQUPOTIJSF 'PPE %SJOL "XBSET äOBMJTU There can be no chef or proprietor more deserving of WOW’s coveted Restaurant of the Month title than Miss Hao Dang, head chef and owner of Dang’s Vietnamese Restaurant, the only Northampton city-centre restaurant recommended by the Michelin Guide in each of the past two years.

Now ably assisted in the kitchen by her younger brother Luu Ngoc Dang, Hao is understandably proud of her insider’s tip-off from the culinary gods of MIchelin, which declares her establishment to be an “Immaculately furnished, contemporary restaurant, passionately run and offering

tasty good value food. Noodle soups are a speciality.”

The response to Michelin’s feedback has been phenomenal, with inquisitive customers keen to experiment in a cuisine that is beloved by fans of Chinese and Thai cooking. Indeed, we loved the cool pine interior of Dang’s – adorned with Luu Ngoc’s atmospheric Vietnamese townscapes – and the subtly spicy, exotic menu which the sibling team have assembled with a keen eye and taste for the finest and freshest produce.

We kicked off with a recommended selection of starters which ran to Vietnamese spring rolls, fried spicy vegetable

dumplings, seafood fishcakes and chicken wings stuffed with minced pork (£6.50 per head) and were immediately sold on the flavour and subtlety of Dang’s Vietnamese cuisine – not to mention the excellent value. Don’t make the mistake of thinking Dang’s spectacular soups are anything other than a meal in themselves: try bun thang (£7.95) with Vietnamese ham, prawns, chicken and egg, and chilli sauce and fried shallots to taste.

Or go for the unique flavours of muc-noi-sao-cai-sang – squid stuffed with chopped king prawns and minced pork, served with pak-choi in oyster sauce (£8.95).

Now we have to wait until October to discover whether chef Hao can add a Northamptonshire Food & Drink Award to her plaudits.

DAng’s 205 Wellingborough Road, Northampton NN1 4ED www.dangs.ws Tel: 01604 607060

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.0503*/(

<>C>A8=6 WOW TAKES A LOOK AT THE LATEST DEALS ON WHEELS

rocket Ship 5JN #BSOFT $MBZ UFTU ESJWFT UIF .B[EB .14 This hot little devil is basically the XR3i of the Mazda range.

Or put it another way, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to Mazda what the Golf GTI five door hot hatch was to VW in the days when a GTI was something to say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;WOW!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; at.

This smart, chunky, aggressive, yet very capable turbocharged 2.3 litre hot hatch

MAzdA3 MPS MAx SPeed: 155 mph 0-62 mph 6.1 seconds COMbined MPG: 29.4 enGine lAyOut: 2.3-litre 4 Cylinder turbOChArGed PetrOl MAx. POWer: (bhP) 256 At 5500 rPM MAx. MAx. tOrque: (lb.Ft) 280 At 3000 rPM CO2: 224 G/kM PriCe: ÂŁ22,595

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has a top speed of 155mph performance, but is has all the innovations of the second-generation Mazda3 on which it is based.

With a 0- 62mph in just 6.1sec, the car loves to be driven hard â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and I mean hard. You see, for a small family hatch, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fitted with one hell of a lump - the

immensely powerful MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo engine. It generates a whopping 260ps and 380Nm of torque, which means if you are heavy footed, watch out, the steering wheel can almost wrench itself from your grasp.

The front wheels can also go a bit loopy if you are too wild with the accelerator. Drive the car

within your limits though and you get a seriously fun, and at times, sensible ride.

The Mazda3 MPS has a mega-sporty suspension set up, but it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t affect ride comfort.

New-style alloy wheels are fitted with wider, lower profile tyres and the power steering is tuned to

.0503*/( produce a more direct steering feel.

Inside, the MPS is generously equipped with features including: part-leather front sports bucket seats, Bluetooth® technology, Welcome Mode lighting, a surround-sound BOSE® premium audio system and even a compact satellite navigation system developed especially for this model.

What is great about the MPS is that it will appeal to anyone who loves to drive a car with a sporty edge but needs five seats and a decent load area. I have two small children who fitted comfortably into their child seats in the back on our way to a four year old’s birthday party.

The buggy and all the bags you take for a three year old and a baby also went into the decent sized boot, without any hassle. What’s more, we still had

room for all four of us plus lots of party bags, toys and balloons on the way home!

My wife and I also took the car on a couple of shopping trips. What made the trip more interesting than usual were the people who stood and stared at the car as we loaded the food and nappies into the boot. Obviously the car has admirers – either that or fellow petrol-heads are trying to work out what it is!

This car is a motor I’d recommend. The only downside is the fuel economy. That can be remedied, to a degree, if you don’t drive it hard all the time. But it will be difficult – the MPS ‘pedal to the metal’ action is addictive, and that’s why one day, you might just buy one when you’ve had enough of your ‘normal’ family hatch, whatever that may be.

_a^ R^] POSITIVE • Performance • Looks • Room • Fun Negative • Fuel economy

WOW WOWAugust August2010 2010

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Are you Anti-Freeze Aware? :PVS BOUJ GSFF[F DPVME CF EBNBHJOH ZPV ZPVS DBS BOE UIF QMBOFU You might not know it, but almost 100% of the anti-freeze used in modern motor vehicles contains ethylene glycol. Unfortunately for you and your car, your pets and the environment, ethylene glycol just happens to be highly toxic.

As little as 30ml of the chemical can be fatal in adults.

Classed as hazardous waste by the Environment Agency, ethylene glycol is lethal even in trace amounts to dogs who walk through a contaminated puddle and then lick their paws.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, some formulations of ethylene glycol can even damage the vehicles theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re designed to protect,

ruining paintwork, harming the main bearings, and potentially causing engine failure.

The good news is that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now a far safer alternative in the

F BH

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TF

form of propylene glycol, which prevents freezing and acts as a coolant and corrosion inhibitor in just the same way as ethylene glycol. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just one carbon atom different on a molecular level, with none of the deadly side effects.

PG has been the safe alternative for vehicle antifreeze coolant in the USA and France for many years - and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a powerful UK lobby for ethylene glycol to be banned in anti-freeze and replaced by propylene glycol.

But now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible to get ahead of the game with a PG-based antifreeze coolant

available in the UK: AAA Classic Coolant, which is distributed by AAA Solutions Limited.

Transferring heat more effectively, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not harmful to the engineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main bearings - and as PG is widely used in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safe for you and your pets.

Unlike conventional anti-freeze, it can even be safely disposed of down the drain without harming marine life or wild animals.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to change to the safe, smart alternative to your current, toxic anti-freeze.

For more details, go to www. aaaclassic.com.

A breath of fresh air 1VSJGZJOH ZPVS BJS DPO SFEVDFT IFBMUI SJTLT Did you know that pollution inside a car with a poorly maintained air conditioning system can be five times higher than levels outside?

If you own one of the estimated 16 million cars on the road with air conditioning or climate control, you could be putting at risk the health of you and your family this summer if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t purify your air-con system.

One simple, effective way to alleviate the problem is to use an Air Con Refresher, designed by Astra Automotive to quickly eliminate unpleasant odours emitted from air-con systems, as well as killing any bacteria, mould and fungi on the evaporator.

Children, the elderly and asthmatic sufferers are the most vulnerable to the health risks arising from pollutants

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F

TF

and micro-organisms entering the cabin via air con can cause health risks â&#x20AC;&#x153;Scientists believe the problem is caused by a buildup of bacteria in the deepest recess of a vehicleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s air conditioning system,â&#x20AC;? says Astra Automotive MD Leon Callahan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is sometimes quoted as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sick car syndromeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a mobile version of the sick

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building syndrome blamed for illness in offices.â&#x20AC;&#x153; AA studies have identified micro-organisms on insulation material and evaporators inside the air conditioning unit as the prime suspect. Moisture provides a breeding ground for smelly bugs and the airborne particles they produce - known causes of headaches, nausea and allergic reactions.

To avoid these health risks, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recommended to use the Air Con Refresher once a year - or when you buy a used car.

The air-con decontamination process could hardly be simpler: you simply depress the nozzle level on the 250ml can whilst the air-con system is running, with the car empty, and all doors and windows closed.

The Air Con Refresher is available direct from Astra Automotive or from selected specialist automotive stockists, priced at just ÂŁ6.38.

Astra Automotive is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Professionalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and has been supplying value for money, quality products to the professional automotive market for more than 30 years.

For further information, call 01952 608600 or visit www.astraautomotive.co.uk

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR SST FQ-330 #Z 5JN #BSOFT $MBZ THE MITSUBISHI Evo is a legendary beast and attracts looks and shouts of admiration from petrolheads wherever you go.

That comes as no surprise because the Evolution X is about as understated as a pig in a wig. It is low, wide and oozes aggression.

The black muzzle with yawning radiator grill shouts â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;powerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and the massive tailpipes and vents on the bonnet more than hint at the levels of pure performance lurking beneath.

The Evolution FQ-330 SST produces a whopping 324 bhp from a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine mated to a four wheel drive system. The engineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power is distributed to the wheels that can use the clout the most and the brakes are sensational.

All this gives you a sense of unbelievable reassurance when pushing the car to its limits.

_a^ R^] POSITIVE â&#x20AC;˘ Power â&#x20AC;˘ Image â&#x20AC;˘ Unbelievable grip â&#x20AC;˘ Fun NEGATIVE â&#x20AC;˘ Interior plastics â&#x20AC;˘ Poor fuel consumption

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The FQ-330 drives just like all its other Evo X kith and kin, which is to say itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye-wateringly fast. Ok, the interior plastics are a bit cheap looking, but the Recaro bucket seats are just brilliant. It really is an addictive car to be in and the performance never gets boring, though youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll soon realise there is a cost to the addiction â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the fuel economy. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just say it is best to know where the petrol stations are in advance if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re planning a fun long burn off the beaten track.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new though is the SST (Sports Shift Transmission) dual-clutch transmission, which makes accessing the FQ-330â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s velocity even easier.

Push the pedal to the metal and flick through the gear paddles on the steering wheel (or leave it in pure auto mode), and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll accelerate to 62mph in 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 155mph. It could go faster but Mitsubishi have stuck an electronic speed limiter on the car.

While I usually prefer manual transmissions in sports cars, the SST system really suits the Evoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s insane character, moving through the gears as easily and quickly as the greedy engine will allow.

Possibly the most refined engine output and transmission combination in the Evo X range, the FQ-330 SST has been worth the wait. Sparkling

performance matched with fingertip control could mean itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the most rounded Evo X you can buy. But I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know for sure until I road test the 360 and the mighty new 400. Watch this space!

MITSUbIShI LANcER EVOLUTION X GSR SST FQ-330 SPORT MAX SPEEd: 155 mph 0-62mph: 4.4 seconds cOMbINEd MPG: 25.4 ENGINE LAyOUT: 4, 16V, 1998cc POWER: 324 bhP TORQUE: 322 Ib/FT @ 3500RPM cO2: 256 G/kM PRIcE: ÂŁ36,799 (On the road)

.0503*/(

VW Scirocco R #Z 5JN #BSOFT $MBZ THE VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO that I had on test stood out a mile. In a bright, almost neoncum-metallic green, the colour actually suited this particular potent model.

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Râ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the most potent variant of the Scirocco range - is the sort of car that talks to you. It says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Look at me, look at me, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a powerful car and you can have fun driving me and look cool.â&#x20AC;? And do you know what? The Scirocco is right.

During my short test of the VW on a beautiful sunny day in rural Leicestershire, my photog-

_a^ R^] pOSitiVe â&#x20AC;˘ performance â&#x20AC;˘ Stylish â&#x20AC;˘ Fun neGAtiVe â&#x20AC;˘ pricey

rapher and I took the bright green beast for its exercise around the narrow, dusty, cornfield-fringed country roads.

The first impression I had was of the tremendous â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;woomphâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; you feel when you push down hard on the accelerator. But you never feel scared. Or at least I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

The car always felt planted to the road. Its grip was sensational and the brakes awesomely quick in scrubbing off speed.

The only slight downside to the Scirocco is the interior. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get me wrong, the seats are comfy and they look every bit as sporty as the rest of the car, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just that the dash plastics look a little cheap to me. But perhaps thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just me being picky.

After parking up to take some pictures of the Scirocco R, my snapper and I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help admiring the chunky alloys and mean stance of the car. We probably sounded like anoraks, but we started harking back to the days of our youth when we lusted

after the 1980s Scirocco. To be honest, there is still a glimpse of the old model there if you squint, but the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;retroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; vibe still doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t detract from the sharp edged, seriously sexy look of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shape.

Being a dad-of-two, I also had a quick, rather sensible glimpse in the boot. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always important to me, even when testing sporty cars, to see if I can fit my childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stuff, my wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s things and my own gear into a car. Quite honestly I think the Scirocco would just about sort me out in that department â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at a squeeze.

Even with two doors, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enough room to lean in to the rear bench to hook up the child seats to the Isofix. I could be sold on the car. If a family man can say that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d buy the VW Scirocco then you can see why a young couple or a single professional might lap this car up. I can just see a couple of mountain bikes or a surf board strapped to the Sciroccoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roof â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that

sort of vision I have when really thinking about who would drive this lovely, powerful machine.

The only downside of my day with the stunning Scirocco R was that it was too short.

But in the time I had with the VW, I had enough adrenaline pumping through my veins to know that this car will thrill anyone who buys it. The thrills wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come cheap at nearly ÂŁ29,000, but if Volkswagen reliability and build quality is anything to go by, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll not be sorry you spent the cash.

VW Scirocco R MAx Speed: 155 mph 0-62 mph 6.0 seconds COMbined MpG: 34.9 enGine lAyOut: 1984/4 petROl MAx. pOWeR: 261 At 6000 RpM MAx. tORque: (lb.Ft) 261 At 6000 RpM CO2: 189 G/kM pRiCe: ÂŁ28,505

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B?>AC 41035

WOW LOOKS AT SPORTING EVENTS IN THE MIDLANDS REGION AND BEYOND...

The Magnificent Seven #JSNJOHIBN TUBST MPPL GPSXBSE UP CJH OJHIU PG CPYJOH

CWT cXc[T VWcb X] Ud[[ PaT) * European light-heavyweight champion NAThAN CLEVERLY steps up to to challenge for the Interim WBO World Lightheavyweight championship against KARO MURAT * The long-awaited welterweight showdown between KELL BROOK and MIChAEL JENNINGS, which will double as a WBO world title eliminator * Dynamite-fisted Welshman Enzo Maccarinelli defends his European Cruiserweight

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championship against ALEXANDER FRENKEL * RYAN RhODES in a defence of his European light-middleweight title against LUKAS KONECNY * MATThEW MACKLIN in a massive domestic showdown against bitter rival DARREN BARKER for the European, Commonwealth and British Middleweight championships * A major heavyweight shoot-out between British Champion Derek Chisora and

Commonwealth Champion SAM SEXTON * A first defence for WBA International super-middleweight champion JAMES DeGALE MBE * A debut championship fight for 2007 Amateur World Champion FRANKIE GAVIN against CURTIS WOODhOUSE * A return for former Commonwealth super-flyweight champion DON BROADhURST in an English title fight

SAT 18Th SEPTEMBER Birmingham stars Matthew Macklin, Frankie Gavin and Don Broadhurst can’t wait to box in their home city on Saturday, September 18, 2010.

All three are fighting for titles on Frank Warren’s massive World Championship Boxing - The Magnificent Seven show at the LG Arena which also features other big name boxers including James DeGale MBE, Nathan Cleverly, Kell Brook and Enzo Maccarinelli.

Macklin, Gavin and Broadhurst are vowing to put in explosive performances in their respective fights.

Macklin challenges Darren Barker for his old European middleweight title, while Broadhurst and Gavin are also involved in championship scraps on the Sky Box Office show.

Tickets for the Magnificent Seven show at the LG Arena, Birmingham are on sale now.

Priced at £40, £50, £80, £150 and £200 plus booking and transaction fees and are available online from www. theticketfactory.com or by calling The Ticket Factory on 0844 338 8000.

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8*/ 8*5) 808

2><?4C8C8 =B ...AND READER OFFERS FROM WOW WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON WHERE. 4IBSL *OGFTUFE 8BUFST Win a family trip to Birminghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spectacular National Sea Life Centre. WOW is proud to offer a family ticket for two adults and two kids (age 3-14), worth ÂŁ54.95. send your entries to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;SHARKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Competition. to the address at the foot of the page. Closing date for entries is Friday 27th August

,FFQ $PPM You might not know it but almost 100 per cent of the antifreeze used in modern cars, vans, buses and trucks contains ethylene glycol. WOW has antifreeze to give away to a lucky reader for use in any vehicle. For your chance to win, send your entries to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Antifreeze Competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. to the address at the foot of the page.

Closing date for entries is Friday 27th August.

4QBN 4QBN 4QBN In conjunction with the Royal & Derngate, WOW is giving away 2 pairs of tickets for Spamalot on Monday 27 September send your entries to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Spamalotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Closing date for entries is Friday 17th September.

'BDZ B HPPE SFBE With thanks to Stephen Hancock, WOW has 3 signed copies of The Synchronicity Factor to give away. See page 2 for more details of the terrific new thriller.

Closing date for entries is Friday 3rd September. send your entries to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Synchronicity Competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

4VNNFS 4VOEBF 5JDLFUT The Summer Sundae is on Fri 13 August at De Montfort Hall and Gardens, Leicester.

De Montfort Hall have very kindly given WOW a pair of weekend tickets to give away. For your chance to win, apply to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;SUMMER SUNDAEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to the address at the foot of the page. Closing date for entries is Friday 6th August.

*UoT OPU BMM CMBDL BOE XIJUF In conjunction with the Royal & Derngate, WOW has 2 pairs of tickets for Chess to give away for the performance on Tuesday 14 September. Send entries to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Friday 3rd September.

" CSFBUI PG GSFTI BJS For you chance to win one of two cans of Astra Automotive Aircon Refreshner, Send your entries to : â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; Fresh Air Competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to the address at the foot of the page.

Closing Date For Entries Is Friday 27th August.

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BP[RTh 5^aTbc Derek Hammond and family take a walk in the treetops

C

ake a giant step from the fast lane of the M1 in Northamptonshire, clean across the hard shoulder and into the still and quiet of neighbouring Salcey Forest. Situated just south of Northampton, it’s

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WOW August 2010

easy to find on any map, where it shows up unusually as a vast circle of woodland encompassing an inner sanctum of farmland known as Salcey Lawn.

There’s more to this ancient forest than rare flowers,

birdsong and picnics: every one of Northamptonshire’s Country Parks seems to boast excellent café facilities and playgrounds for the kids… and it isn’t every former medieval hunting forest that offers a bird’s-eye view of its canopy from a spectacular, winding treetop walk, 20 metres high at the uppermost lookout and 300 metres long.

Whether you want to stick to the clearly marked walkways through the forest or beat a retreat off-track, there’s a genuine sensation of time slowing down in this great oasis of green – maybe even winding backward into more leisurely times when royal deer were fair game for the Tudors, or when elephants were employed to shift timber during WW2, in what remains a commercially exploited forest. The Elephant Pond where the workers claimed their evening bath can still be enjoyed en route to the treetops, though nowadays there’s a bridge provided for your convenience!

Allow time to walk right around the ring of forest, taking in the array of ancient oaks including the 1,600-yearold remains of the Salcey Oak, once England’s greatest with a circumference of 15 metres.

Or cut right to the chase, and head up the long, slowly sloping (and so wheelchair friendly) wooden walkway into the canopy. The Treetop Walk was a Green award winner when it was built in 2005, and even at the fourth return those final steps into the lookout tower are still a source of quietly miraculous sensations of being above it all. Good healthy fun, and free, for kids of all ages.

F>F C^_ #) =^acWP]cb 2^d]cah ?PaZb Next Sunday’s day trip sorted.

And the one after that.

1 - BrAmptON VAlley WAy look out for WOW’s forthcoming feature spotlighting the pleasures to be had along and around the 14mile ex-railway route between Harborough and Northampton 2 - BrixWOrtH COuNtry pArk A seven-mile bike-ride around pitsford Water – or perhaps a more sedate time in the sensory garden?

3 - FermyN WOOdS COuNtry pArk Handy for the highly recommmended lyveden New Bield, and the natural habitat of wonderful red kites.

4 - irCHeSter COuNtry pArk Former ironstone quarry with networks of wooded trails, a narrow-gauge railway and Jungle parc activities for a tenner per kid.