st albans NOW May 23

Welcome to May

This month there’s so much going on locally, so we’ve squeezed in as much as we can on our events pages, from Coronation Celebrations, Concerts and Comedy to Camouflage Creatures, the County Show, Cathedral Events, Kings Wardrobe Trail, Kimpton May Festival, 10k’s and much much more!

As always please mention st albans NOW when you call any of the advertisers. If you run your own business we’d love to include you, it’s so easy just book your space online today!

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Music, Theatre & Family Fun

Whipsnade Zoo

Easter Fun with Pip and Posy until 9th May

Join Pip and Posy in their world of play and exploration and follow a family-friendly trail to discover the amazing animals at the Zoo. Please book

Top Trumps 27th May - 4th June

Grab your super Top Trumps card at the entrance, then look out for the giant Top Trumps cards to play against, there'll also be themed talks about the top traits of the featured animals. Ages 5 - 9

Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable LU6 2LF www.whipsnadezoo.org

Abbey Theatre

Separate Tables

4th May 7.30pm Charity performance, all proceeds to Herts Young Homeless, £15

5th, 6th & 9th - 12th May 8pm & 13th May 2.30pm

Set in a slightly shabby hotel in Bournemouth, two separate stories of love and loss are played out before the genteel residents. £13, £12

Cinderella / 00 & His 7 19th May 7.30pm

Performed by The London Ballet Company. This double-bill offers magic, comedy and drama in this well -known classic and an entertaining spy spoof.

Abbey Theatre, St Albans AL1 2DL 01727 857861 www.abbeytheatre.org.uk

The Eric Morecambe Centre

Lost in Music - One Night at The Disco

5th May 7.30pm £31.50

Enjoy a musical journey straight to the heart of disco!

Relive songs from Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge, Chic and more.

Paul Young Behind The Lens Tour

6th May 7.30pm £81.50, £46.50, £31.50

See Paul Young who broke into the big time 40 years ago with hits such as Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home) and Everytime You Go Away.

G4 11th May 7.30pm £59.50, £27.50, £25

Following X-Factor fame, G4 continue to mesmerise audiences, with their unique style.

Magic of Motown 12th May 7.30pm £33.50

With classics from Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson and more.

Steve Harley Acoustic Band 20th May 7.30pm £34

Widely considered one of the most charismatic performers on stage, this original Cockney Rebel shows no sign of slowing down!

Sweet Caroline - A Tribute to Neil Diamond

26th May 7.30pm £29.50

Starring Gary Ryan, as seen on Stars in Their Eyes, in a musical journey featuring 50 years of some of the greatest songs ever written.

Legend - The Music of Bob Marley

27th May 7.30pm £29.50

Celebrating this musical icon, combining his superb, distinctive vocals with flawless musicianship, and a supremely talented cast.

The EMC, Rothamsted Park, Harpenden AL5 2FR www.the-emc.co.uk

The Alban Arena

Calling Planet Earth 5th May 7.30pm £28

A New Romantic Symphony that goes on a journey through the 80s with songs from Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Ultravox, OMD and more.

Simon Brodkin: Screwed Up Overview

6th May 8pm £24

Fresh from his sold-out, Edinburgh Fringe run, this world-famous prankster is back with an outrageous new stand-up show. Age 14+

Dave Gorman 10th May 7.30pm £29

The man behind hit TV shows Modern Life Is Goodish and Are You Dave Gorman? is back with a brand new live show, Powerpoint To The People.

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac

11th May 7.30pm £46.50, £36.50 and £31.50

The world’s finest tribute to this much loved band.

The Searchers ‘Thank You’ Tour 13th May 7.30pm

The last chance to catch the appearance of a truly legendary band. £31

An Evening with Anton Du Beke and Friends

17th May 7.30pm £45.50, £42.50

Expect a fab-u-lous evening of song, dance and laughter, as this Strictly legend and judge, takes to the stage with a live band, a guest singer and dancers.

Tiger Lillies 20th May 8pm £24.50 Age 14+

The Grammy nominated Godfathers of alternative cabaret present their most famous songs alongside new surprises, expect dark and deviant theatrics.

Anything for Love 25th May 7.30pm £30

No.1 recording artist, Steve Steinman, brings you his new show with over 25 of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman’s greatest hits in this 30th Anniversary Tour.

Babatunde Aléshé: Babahood

26th May 8pm £15 Age 16+

Join the multi award winning star of Celebrity Googlebox as he talks about family and fatherhood.

Don’t Stop Believin 27th May 7.30pm £27.50

One way, or another, nothing’s gonna stop us now in this new, feel-good show of the year with a crazy, crazy night of non-stop, singalong favourites.

The Little Mermaid

28th May 2pm & 5pm adult £15.50, child £13.50

Expect fun, singing and dancing, all brought to you by a fantastic and energetic company of wonderful performers in this brand-new adaptation.

In The Night Garden

31st May 1pm & 4pm & 1st June 10am & 1pm

Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in this fun-filled live show. From £16.50

Civic Centre, St Albans AL1 3LD

www.alban-arena.co.uk

Barn Theatre

Calendar Girls by Tim Firth

5th - 13th May 8pm & 13th May 2.30pm

Closer by Patrick Marber

31st May - 3rd June 8pm

Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST

www.barntheatre.co.uk

I Spy With My Little Eye 6th May 2.30pm £12 Molly and Bingo the puppy are having a birthday party and you're invited! There'll be a treasure hunt, singalong songs and lots of games.

www.sandpittheatre.co.uk

Sunbirds 7th May

The Beautiful South’s co-founder Dave Hemingway returns with his new band Sunbirds. The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans AL1 3TE

www.sunbirds.co.uk

St Albans Organ Theatre

Theatre Organ Concerts 7th & 13th May 3pm

Sunday Opening 14th May 3pm

www.stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk

Summer Concert 13th May 7.30pm

St Albans Symphony Orchestra perform Stravinsky’s Symphonies for Wind Instruments, two arias from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Five Songs for Liane and Mendelssohn’s fifth Symphony. £18, £13, child £2 St Saviour’s Church, St Albans AL1 4DF www.saso.org.uk

Serenade to Music 13th May 7.30pm £17, £8

Music Makers Choir of Harpenden present works by Vaughan Williams, Gerald Finzi, William Gardiner, Edward Bairstow, Amy Beach and Edward Elgar. High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden AL5 2RU www.musicmakerschoir.wordpress.com

Live Cinema

National Theatre Live: Best of Enemies

18th May 7pm

David Harewood (Homeland) and Zachary Quinto (Star Trek) play feuding political rivals in James Graham’s (Sherwood) award-winning new political thriller, filmed live in London’s West End.

Exhibiton on Screen: Tokyo Stories

23rd May 8.30pm & 28th May 4pm

Spanning 400 years of art, from delicate woodblock prints to Pop Art posters, contemporary photography, Manga, film and new artworks created on the streets.

Royal Opera House: The Sleeping Beauty

24th May 7.15pm & 28th May 2pm

Be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s music in this true gem from the classical ballet repertory.

Campus West, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk

Amadeus Chamber Orchestra Concert

20th May 7.30pm £18, child £3

Sibelius Pélleas et Mélisande Suite / Strauss Horn Concerto no.1 / Haydn Symphony no.104 (London) St Saviour’s Church, Sandpit Lane AL1 4DF www.amadeuschamberorchestra.org.uk

Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club

22nd May & 19th June 8pm

See some old favourites and some rising stars, treat yourself to an uplifting start to the week. The Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE www.oldtownhall.co.uk

Kids Rule! 27th May - 4th June 10am - 5pm

Get ready for a right royal knees-up to celebrate the King’s coronation with hands-on activities and freshair family fun. Wrest Park, Silsoe MK45 4HR www.english-heritage.org.uk

Dino Week 27th May - 4th June

There are 5 roaming Dinosaurs to meet around the farm. Explore the Giant’s Rock-Climbing Wall, the Sky Trail High Ropes and huge Jumping Pillows, Go Karts, JCB Digger Village and lots more. Mead Open Farm, Billington, Beds LU7 9JH www.meadopenfarm.co.uk

Dino-ventures Half Term Fun

29th May - 4th June

Enjoy some ROAR-some fun with Dinosaurs to meet, fossil finding fun in the giant sandpit, a Dino Hunt, Jurassic arts and crafts and the Puddle Play Park. Willows Activity Farm, London Colney AL4 0PF www.willowsactivityfarm.com

Camouflage Creatures

30th & 31st May 10.15am, 11am & 2.30pm £2

From stripes and spots to colour transformations, see how animals use camouflage to hide and explore the wonderful colours and patterns that result, then create your own camouflage creature to take home.

Tring Natural History Museum HP23 6AP www.nhm.ac.uk

Professor Slug's House of Bugs

31st May 11.30am & 2pm

This interactive show is packed with colourful puppets, catchy songs and educational information about the wonderful world of bugs. Age 3+, £9

Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton LU1 4LX www.culturetrust.com

Out & About

The King’s Wardrobe 24th April - 24th May free

A fun interactive trail to celebrate the Coronation. Scan the QR codes found around the city, which tell the story of the animal kingdom and the coronation of Sir Lawrence the Lion. Meet 10 of the King’s friends on the augmented reality trail and reveal what each of them suggests the king wear for the crowning – they’re not all sensible! On completing each challenge, take a selfie with the character’s animal costume on and once the trail is complete, download the story as a free e-book, visit www.enjoystalbans.com for the trail map.

Kimpton May Festival 28th April - 1st May

This years theme is Rock, Pop and Superstars, with an art show, wine tasting, a procession, maypole dancing, a Samba band, dog show, fancy dress, 5 a-side football, children’s activities and much more. www.kimptonmayfestival.co.uk

Hertfordshire Garden Show 29th April - 1st May

With goods for sale including garden furniture, water features, hot tubs, sculptures and more. Tickets include access to Knebworth Park, Gardens, Adventure Playground and Dinosaur Trail. Knebworth House, Stevenage SG1 2AX www.knebworthhouse.com

Ashridge Estate

Bluebells at Dockey Woods

Charges apply on: 29th April-1st May, 6th-8th & 13th & 14th May 10am - 4pm £3, child £1.50

See how the woodland is managed to protect the bluebells while you enjoy this spring spectacle. Parking in Dockey Wood is limited, if you can, park in the main car park and follow the trail from the Visitor Centre. Dockey Wood, Berkhamsted HP4 1NF www.nationaltrust.org.uk

May Day Merriment

30th April - 1st May 11am - 4pm

Traditional Elizabethan May Day with dancing & music

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park HP8 4AB www.coam.org.uk

Wild Writing Workshop

1st May 10am - 4pm £36, age 16+

Join writer Helen Moore for a nature writing workshop. Home Farm Glamping, Elstree WD6 3AZ www.homefarmglamping.com

Luton Hoo Walled Garden

Open Wednesdays from 3rd May 10.30am - 4pm

Explore this fascinating Capability Brown designed walled garden, take a tour of the garden and historic service buildings. £7.50, child £1, under 5’s free Art in the Walled Garden from 3rd May Artists are invited to draw inspiration from the unique

structures and beautiful plants in the Garden, includes entry to the annual art exhibition and monthly sessions from visiting artists. Season ticket £30, day entry £7.50

A Midsummer Night’s Dream 26th May 7pm

Join the HandleBards in this hilarious, high-octane production. £19.50, child £12.50, under 10’s free www.handlebards.com

Luton Hoo Estate, Luton LU1 4LF 01582 721443 www.lutonhooestate.co.uk

St Albans Cathedral

Exhibition: Threads through Creation

3rd May - 11th June

Be enchanted by 12 large-scale and colourful embroideries while you look, imagine and question the Book of Genesis in a completely different way. Free Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the Coronation 6th May 10am - 5.30pm

A screening of the Coronation, followed by a community lunch, drinks and a sing-a-long. Free, £5 donations on the door are welcome

IOF Concert: Mona Rozdestvenskyte 20th May 5.30pm, free

More to Explore Tour: Flowers and Plants in the Cathedral 21st May 1.30pm

The Cathedral is full of flowers, in stone, in wood, in glass and, of course lots of real ones. This tour gives you a chance to admire them all. Free, please book Queen by Candlelight 22nd, 23rd & 25th May 7.30pm

A live cast of West End singers, accompanied by a live rock band, experience the music of Queen as you have never heard it before. £60 - £10, please book George Michael by Candlelight 26th May 7.30pm

A sing-along show with Rory Phelan, backing singers and a live band. £10 - £45, please book St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard AL1 1BY www.stalbanscathedral.org

Hatfield House

Living Crafts 5th May 8am - 5pm from £6

A celebration of creativity with designer-makers showcasing glassblowing, willow weaving and stone carving and more.

Slam Dunk Festival (South)

27th May 9am - 10pm

The UK’s biggest independent Rock Festival. Hatfield House AL9 5HX www.hatfield-house.co.uk

Wildlife Trust

Dawn Chorus Walk 6th May 7.30am

Join nature-enthusiast Steve Halton on this early morning walk to hear the bird song. £5 Blow's Downs Nature Reserve, Beds LU6 4AE

Coronation Oak Walk 13th May 10.30am

An illustrated guided walk and talk; hear about Panshanger’s Royal connections and visitors. £5 Panshanger Park, Hertford SG14 2NA

www.wildlifebcn.org

Redbourn Fun Run 7th May 9am - 2pm

Take part in the 1k (£6) 3k (£9), 5k (£11) or relay races (£12). Redbourn Leisure Centre AL3 7PP www.redbournfunrun.co.uk

Harpenden

Out & About

King's Coronation Festival

Hertford Castle 7th May 12 noon - 4pm

With music, entertainment, garden games, food and drink stalls and a children's 'Kings & Queens' fancy dress competition. Free but donations to the Mayor of Hertford's Charity Appeal Fund are welcome

Hertford Castle, Castle Street SG14 1PX www.hertford.gov.uk

Shuttleworth

Season Premiere Air Show 7th May

gates 9.30am, flying display 2pm, adult £35

Enjoy historic aircraft taking to the skies in an action-packed, dramatic air display.

Special Operations Evening Show 20th May, gates 2pm, flying display 5.30pm, adult £32.50

See historic icons of aviation in the air, unique heritage vehicles on display, re-enactments and more.

Behind-the-scenes Tour and Lunch

25th May 10.30am £60

Shuttleworth, Biggleswade, Beds SG18 9DT www.shuttleworth.org

Workshop: Make a Roman Oil Lamp

8th May 10am, 11.30am & 1.30pm £5 age 4+

Verulamium Museum, St Albans AL3 4SW

Brambleton Model Railway Open Day

13th May 2pm - 5.30pm £4, child £2

Access off Highfield Oval, Ambrose Lane, Harpenden www.brambleton.org.uk

Farm to Fork Dining Experience 13th May

An evening of fine dining while learning about the history and future of sustainable food. £70

Rothamsted Manor, Harpenden AL5 2BG www.rothamstedenterprises.com

Sustainable St Albans

Repair Fair 13th May 2pm - 5pm

St Albans District Fixers will try to mend your textiles and electrical items.

Quaker Meeting House, Harpenden AL5 1PD

Our Planet Our Future: The Ants and the Grasshopper 16th May 7.30pm free Film screening, followed by a group discussion. The Plough and Harrow, Harpenden AL5 1PR www.sustainablestalbans.org

Bubble Rush 14th May

In aid of The Hospice of St Francis. Walk, run, dance, jog or toddle through the foam. Register today.

Drift Limits Racetrack, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RR www.stfrancis.org.uk

St Albans Museum + Gallery

Talk: A Roman Palace at Verulamium and Other Stories 16th May 6.30pm £10 (7pm zoom £6)

Hear about methods used to uncover the archaeology of Verulamium and recent finds, including a Roman palace discovered last year.

Exhibition: Time for Tea from 19th May free

Exploring tea from leaf to cup through objects and archives from the Museums collections, looking back at tea houses and cafés of the city.

Paint Your Own Mug

27th May 11am, 12.30, 2pm, 13.30pm £7.50

Age 10+, adults without children welcome

St Peter’s Street, St Albans AL1 3DH www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Wheathampstead 10k 21st May

10k - 11am & 2k family fun - 10am

Raising funds for Beech Hyde Primary School. www.wheathampstead10k.co.uk

An Evening with Zoe Jasko 25th May 7.30pm

Join Zoe, author of 'What the Wind Saw: Short Stories from the Heart of Hertfordshire' for an evening of literature, Hertfordshire, and wine! £5

St Albans Library, The Maltings AL1 3JQ

Brewfest 26th - 28th May

Beer and music festival with over 100 of the best craft beers from around the country, street food, cocktails and live music. From £12.50

St Albans City FC, Clarence Park, St Albans www.eventbrite.co.uk

Herts County Show 27th & 28th May

Celebrate Hertfordshire’s finest farming, food, entertainment and shopping. The Showground, Redbourn AL3 7PT www.hertsshow.com

RAF London

1940s Week 27th May - 4th June

See history brought to life and learn about WW2, from bunkering during the Blitz, to rationing and the fighter planes that fought in the Battle of Britain. Please book RAF Museum London NW9 5LL www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Natural Handmade Candles & Skincare

Have your own Spa at home with our natural products suitable for all skin types. Gift ideas for him, for her and for yourself with Soaps, Lotion Bars, Body Butter, Himalayan Bath Salts, Bath Bombs, Home Fragrance, Soy Candles that burn slower and last longer and lots more. Visit us at The Small Biz Collection, Unit 1 The Village Arcade, 7 High Street, St Albans AL3 4ED Wholesale also available

@inmindandsoul2

King’s Road: for King and Country

Born out of a desire to commemorate the lives of the Great War Fallen who had lived in King’s Road, St Albans, the roads’ current residents suggested the idea of a lasting memorial. Then came the task of researching the lives and the families of those men. It involved many hours leafing through old newspapers and

and obtaining advice from local and national bodies. The result is not only the Memorial, but also a book telling the stories of the families. After a 5 year huge fundraising project, they will be unveiling a Memorial at the end of the road on 13th May to honour the lives of the 15 young men who left the road for war and never returned. The memorial was designed by artist Renato Niemis who designed the memorial at Imperial War Museum Duxford dedicated to the American airmen lost in WW2. The book, 'King’s Road: for King and Country', is the young soldiers' stories and contains pictures, letters, personal comments and specially written poems by local poet, John Mole. Finally and most poignantly, a very large donation came from neighbours, whose father lost 7 uncles in the Somme, they gave £910, £10 for each year of their father's life.

Chapman Auto Services

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