First Word WolvesShropsStaffs June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2022 16:13 Page 1
News from around the region
New 1940s event at Black Country Living Museum A new two-day event will next month reveal fascinating stories of life in the Black Country during the war years of the 1940s. Back Home takes place on 9 & 10 July at the Black Country Living Museum. Commenting on the show, the venue’s director of programmes, Carol King, said: “There will be so many aspects of life from this period to rediscover, including the fearless contributions of ARP wardens, the resourcefulness of those at home, and the vital contribution of the home guard.” For more information, visit bclm.com
Indian movie magic at the Wolverhampton Grand
Supersized Elf to make Midlands Christmas visit
Full steam ahead with the return of popular show
Responding to the success of its screening last autumn of Bollywood classic Devdas, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is this month showing another Indian film. Screened in Hindi with English subtitles, English Vinglish tells the story of a sweetnatured Indian homemaker who attempts to learn English after travelling alone to New York City to help her sister prepare for a wedding. The film is being screened at the Grand on Saturday 11 June. For more information and to book tickets, visit grandtheatre.co.uk
Elf: A Christmas Spectacular will make a two-day stopoff at Birmingham's Resorts World Arena this festive season (Thursday 22 & Friday 23 December). The hit Hollywood blockbuster movie has been supersized into a live arena spectacular, complete with a massive stage featuring film backdrops and a mobile stage which travels the auditorium, ensuring that everybody gets a close-up view of the action... You can bag yourself a seat for the show by visiting theticketfactory.com
The Shrewsbury Steam Rally will make a welcome return at Onslow Park on Sunday 28 & Monday 29 August. The familyfriendly event will showcase over 1,000 exhibits, including working tractors, steam engines and beautifully preserved classic vehicles from years gone by. Among the show’s other attractions are an olde-time fair, miniature steam engines, a craft marquee and a full arena programme on both days, featuring moving convoys of historic commercial vehicles and an interactive display of birds of prey.
Himley Hall putting the (Bucks) Fizz into summer
Flower-powered family fun
Eurovision winners Bucks Fizz (now The Fizz), ’80s pop duo Go West and Roland Gift from the Fine Young Cannibals are among the performers appearing at next month’s Black Country Weekender - two days of live music and entertainment taking place in the grounds of Dudley’s Himley Hall. The event also features the Ibiza Proms - six hours of dance anthems, classic hits and contemporary tracks performed by The Garage House Orchestra. With further attractions including a comedy tent, local bands, a funfair, real ale & street food, and plenty of games and activities for youngsters to enjoy, the Weekender takes place at Himley on Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 July.
A Shropshire company is this summer providing people with the opportunity to visit a field of flowers which is grown and harvested in order to make biodegradable petals and dried flowers. The award-winning Shropshire Petals is teaming up with Shropshire Festivals to offer the novel experience. A field of colourful sunflowers, cornflowers, delphiniums and wildflowers will create the perfect photo backdrop for visitors to the field, which is located in Newport. There will be a viewing platform to take in the spectacular views, street food to tuck into, and the opportunity to buy freshly cut flower bouquets. Kids, meanwhile, can experience the Forest of Fun, complete with a special gnome trail. The flower-field experience will open at the end of July for two weeks only. The exact dates will be revealed once it’s known when the best crop of flowers will be due. To find out more, visit shropshirepetals.com
04 whatsonlive.co.uk
Lichfield Arts L2F Festival launches competition to find winning song 2022 Lichfield Arts L2F Festival has launched its search for the winning song for 2022. The competition is open to anyone who has an as-yet-unpublished, self-penned song that broadly fits into the global folk tradition. There’s a cash prize to be won and the chance to attend a songwriting forum with John Tamms. Finalists will be invited to perform their songs at Lichfield Arts’ Folk Farm Festival Picnic in September. Two of the short-listed candidates will then be invited to the L2F Festival weekend, to perform their entries at one of the concerts taking place in October. For further information and access to the entry form, visit lichfieldarts.org.uk
