BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL

As 2020 (a year like no other) draws to a close, it’s been a tricky time but also a period of inspirational creativity for many businesses. There’s lots to celebrate, many exciting experiences to get involved with and so much to look forward to…

Image: Ru Paul’s Drag Race: Werq the World

SEASIDE SENSATIONS Roll out the red carpet as some of the world’s hottest acts are lined up to perform at Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2021. You could be dancing on the ceiling (if there was one) as Lionel Richie returns (12th June), UB40 (19th June), Ru Paul’s Drag Race: Werq the World (20th June), Snow Patrol (3rd July), Duran Duran (7th July), Keane (9th July), Olly Murs (10th July), Lewis Capaldi (25th July), Westlife (17th August) and Nile Rodgers & CHIC (20th August). It’s going to be a sensational season of song and sequins.

PHOTO OP

In the late ‘80s and ‘90s the city of Sheffield reached a pivotal moment in its history, as it began a journey of regeneration. The first steps of the transformation captured by a group of gifted photographers whose work reflected both the hope and hard realities of the time can be seen in a new exhibition at Weston Park Museum The Sheffield Project: Photographs of a Changing City until 3rd May 2021.

TOUR DE YORKSHIRE ART A pandemic prompted the postponement of the much-loved annual Tour de Yorkshire cycling event, which was scheduled to take place from 30th April to 3rd May. This year’s official Tour de Yorkshire artist, Claire Baxter, has created six impressive images, inspired by the diversity, grandeur and splendour of Yorkshire and to capture the spirit and excitement of the race from the perspectives of the riders, the spectators - young and old. Painted locations include the Dales, moors, coast, townscapes and landscapes drawn from North, South, East and West Yorkshire in Claire’s quirky and colourful, distinctive style.

WHISTLE STOP OPERA Cinderella, the much-loved fairy tale, will amaze audiences, BUT not quite as you know it… Opera North’s Cinderella spends her days scrubbing the floors, dreaming of a better life. The prince looks out of the palace windows, dreaming of the perfect companion. Until fate intervenes, the two meet and the rest is history. This festive season a magical whistle stop tour with indoor performances in front of socially distanced audiences, will be visiting various venues. From 16th Jan to 14th Feb 2021.

SAY CHEESE! With over 100 years of history dating back to 1912, family run Cryer & Stott Cheesemongers have revived the famous Coverdale cheese to its original recipe. Launched at Welcome to Yorkshire’s Ian Woosnam Senior Classic Golf Tournament in September at Ilkley Golf Club, the cheese received rave reviews from some famous faces including footballer Robbie Fowler & cricketer Ryan Sidebottom. Coverdale cheese is being made in small batches of twenty every 2 weeks & already has a waiting list. Cryer & Stott are proud to be investing in collaborations to keep hand skills alive in Yorkshire.

DARK SKIES

Make a date for your diary as Dark Skies Festival in the North York Moors returns in February. Nocturnal action themed around Nature at Night with a fascinating insight into precious wildlife when the sun goes down, revealing the importance of dark skies and how being free from light pollution plays a crucial role to many species’ existence. It’ll be a packed programme of sparkle and celestial fun. 12th to 28th February 2021.

NEW LIGHT PRIZE Established in 2010, Scarborough Art Gallery’s New Light celebrates and promotes both well-known and emerging artists by offering some of the region’s best awards and opportunities in the biennial new Light Prize Exhibition. Fast becoming one of the UK’s largest and most talked about of its kind, it showcases 125 artworks from 105 artists across a range of media. On until 17th January 2021.

Top left to right: Lionel Richie, Claire Baxter and Tour de Yorkshire paintings and Coverdale Truffle Brie

Above: The Hepworth © Marc Atkins 2017. The Hepworth 100 Years of Contemporary Art © Danny Lawson/PA Wire Below: The Escapologist. Left: Cooper King Distllery

AMAZ-GIN AWARD A self-built distillery powered by 100% green energy, York’s Cooper King create outstanding sustainable spirits underpinned by ‘craftmanship, honesty and adventure’. Independent from the ground up, Cooper King’s distillery tours have been awarded a TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award, placing them in the top 10% of experiences worldwide.

CONTEMPORARY CREATIONS Dating back to the 1920s, Wakefield’s art collection was established to nurture a public understanding of arts’ relation to modern life, a collecting principle still followed by The Hepworth Wakefield today. Enabling new stories to be told and showing how narratives and ideas can cast fresh light on historical works, check out Vision & Reality: 100 Years of Contemporary Art in Wakefield. On until 25th April 2021.

THE GREAT ESCAPE The Escapologist’s outdoor escape games are town wide and incorporate the best of what Selby has to offer. Using augmented reality, players can experience a mix of heritage, scenery and points of interest found around the historic location. Can you find all the crystals playing Magic Portal or stop Spider Tech on Operation Mindfall? The games are suitable for 2-6 players, fantastic for families and last around 90 minutes.

IT’S MAGIC! Harry Potter fans can indulge their love of Hogwarts with a stay at North Shires. The Dorm inspired holiday accommodation with single wooden four-poster beds, an opulent bathroom and lounge area that mirrors the Gryffindor common room with a look-alike castle tower bedroom is perfect for Potter fanatics. The opening of The Dorm comes just 18 months after the creation of the Groundkeeper’s Cottage, based on Hagrid’s Hut. Seven miles inland from the fishing village of Staithes, there’s also a Hobbit-hole inspired cottage, Potts Corner with its turf roof, round doors and stained glass windows; Storybook Cottage; gypsy caravans and shepherd’s huts.

A NEW BE-GIN-NING Whitby Distillery, producers of Whitby Gin have received approval for a £1.5 million plan to renovate two derelict barns on the south-west corner of the Whitby Abbey grounds. Transforming the buildings into a new distillery, will include renewable energy sources to house a new hand-beaten still, a tasting kitchen and event space soaked in history. Green roofs will be planted with wild flowers to nurture the natural plants and wildlife.

MARKET TOWN Inspirational ideas for Christmas lunch creations or the perfect pressie, Barnsley Market is home to over 90 stalls fronted by charismatic traders selling a range of products meeting the market’s core values of quality, value and tradition. Pop to Market Kitchen, a food court full of flavours from around the world and alongside traditional cafes, you’ll find Turkish, Balkan, Indian, Thai, rotisserie duck, pizza, coffee, wacky desserts and a bar stocking cocktails, gins, craft beer and much more to tickle your taste buds.

HITTING A HIGH NOTE The Tan Hill Inn will be bringing some INCREDIBLE acts to the highest pub in Britain for the Highest Gig in Britain. Throughout July 2021 a variety of amazing acts will appear including Big Country who will be kicking off a Month of Music, plus there’s the fantastic From The Jam, Lindisfarne, Kim Wilde and Ferocious Dog with support from Holy Moly & The Crackers, plus the Newcranes.