thelist

Kids Theatre

THE HERO NEXT DOOR BY ONJALI Q. RAÚF New play for seven to 10-yearolds exploring themes of friendship, and empathy, Sun 25 June, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham

Dance

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD & THE THREE LITTLE PIGS Roald Dahl’s stories are set to music and danced by Ballet Cymru, Fri 23 June, The Roses, Tewkesbury

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS Circus acts and ‘forbidden tease’ combine in a show featuring seductive choreography and a comedian compere, Fri 23 June, Albany Theatre, Coventry CIRQUE: THE GREATEST SHOW Musical theatre meets circus in a show featuring ‘breath-taking’ aerialists and contortionists... Sun 25 June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Talks & Spoken Word

THE MAKING OF A MURDERER Scottish detective David Swindle shares his unique insight into the minds of some of Britain’s biggest serial killers, Wed 21 June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS? An experiential ghost story ‘unlike anything you have ever experienced before’, Thurs 22 June, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

AN EVENING WITH CHRIS HADFIELD A mind-expanding evening of exploration, imagery, stories and music, Fri 23 June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Events

FREEMAN DANCE SUMMER SHOW

Featuring inspiring choreography in the genres of street dance, ballet, tap, Irish and musical theatre, Fri 23 & Sat 24 June, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

BRB2: CARLOS ACOSTA’S CLASSICAL SELECTION A gala celebration of classical ballet, with Frederick Ashton’s Rhapsody and Carlos’ new interpretation of Fokine’s The Dying Swan featuring amongst the highlights, Sat 24 June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Light Entertainment

WINDRUSH 75TH YEAR CELEBRATION

One-off event featuring performances, guest speakers and presentations. The evening culminates with a jamboree of music from the 1950s to the present day, Thurs 22 June, The Rep, Birmingham

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS Circus acts and ‘forbidden tease’ combine in a show featuring seductive choreography and a comedian compere, Thurs 22 June, Swan Theatre, Worcester

RUSH - A JOYOUS JAMAICAN JOURNEY

Comedian John Simmit narrates the story of reggae music and the Windrush Generation, Thurs 22 June,

MINI MOTORISTS MONDAYS Celebrating the centenary of the famous Le Mans endurance race, Mon 19 June, British Motor Museum, Gaydon

STORYTELLING WEEK A day of storytelling and multi-faith themed activities, Mon 19 - Fri 23 June, Coventry Cathedral

THE BIG BANG FAIR The UK’s biggest STEM celebration for young people, Wed 21 - Fri 23 June, NEC, Birmingham

WAXSTOCK 2023 The largest specialist car care event in Europe, Thurs 22Fri 23 June, Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry

ADULT NIGHT Chance to enjoy ‘the ultimate’ indoor Lego playground completely kid-free! Fri 23 June, Legoland Discovery Centre

Birmingham

SUMMER CEILIDH An evening of ‘merry jigging’, Fri 23 June, Coventry Cathedral

THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW A haven for crafters, offering all the latest supplies, ideas and innovations, Fri 23 - Sun 25 June, NEC, Birmingham

POTFEST BY THE LAKE Showcasing the work of 80 of the UK’s finest ceramics makers, Fri 23 - Sun 25 June, Compton Verney, Warwickshire

BIRMINGHAM RUM FESTIVAL Featuring over 100 rums, including heritage brands such as Appleton Estate and Havana Club, Sat 24 June, The Cuban Embassy, Moseley, Birmingham

BADDESLEY BAT WALK Explore the grounds at dusk to learn all about the resident bats, Sat 24 June, Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire

STEP BACK TO THE 1940S Feel the spirit of the British home front as you travel by heritage steam train to each station, Sat 24 - Sun 25 June, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

June, British Motor Museum, Gaydon TECH ROOTZ Immersive experience in the worlds of gaming, design thinking, music production and more, Sun 25 June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

LEAMINGTON CANAL FESTIVAL

Featuring stalls, boat traders, food vans and a programme of entertainment, Sun 25 June, Clemens Street, Royal Leamington Spa

PANTOMIME KIDS AUDITIONS - JACK & THE BEANSTALK Little Wolf

Entertainment is holding auditions for youngsters who’d like to participate in this year’s panto production of Jack And The Beanstalk, Sun 25 June, The Core Theatre, Solihull EASTNOR SOS Displays by the local emergency services, Sun 25 June, Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire

STRAWBERRY PICKING Pick your own punnet of strawberries to take home, Sat 24 - Sun 25 June, Hatton

Adventure World, Warwick

SUMMER MAKERS MARKET Featuring independent makers, artists and designers, Sat 24 - Sun 25 June, FarGo Village, Coventry

SUMMER FAIR WEEKEND Sat 24 - Sun 25 June, The Civic, Stourport

MIDLAND SEALYHAM TERRIER CLUB

CENTENARY CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW The Midland Sealyham Terrier Club celebrates its 100th anniversary, Sun 25 June, Bodenham Arboretum, Kidderminster

FORD NATIONALS Ford car clubs all over the UK come together to make a display of blue oval wheels, Sun 25

Festivals in the Midlands

BIRMINGHAM RUM FESTIVAL Featuring over 100 rums, including heritage brands such as Appleton Estate and Havana Club, Sat 24 June, The Cuban Embassy, Moseley

SHREWSBURY FOOD FESTIVAL

Featuring hundreds of food & drink stalls, street-food trucks, bars, chef stages and chef schools, Sat 24Sun 25 June, The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury

UPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL Ben Holder’s Hot Club Quartet, Jake Leg Jug Band, Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Jazz Band, Hotsy Totsy, Sat 24 - Sun 25 June, various venues in Uptonupon-Severn, Worcestershire