Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theatre">THEATRE</h2>



<a href="https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/hamilton/">Hamilton</a> is still on in Brum until 31 Aug and is definitely worth a watch if you haven&#8217;t seen it before (my review <a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/review-hamilton-birmingham-hippodrome/">here</a>). Elsewhere in the city there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-sound-of-music-stage-experience/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/">The Sound of Music</a> at The Alexandra from 15-17 Aug, <a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/pretty-woman-the-musical/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/">Pretty Woman</a> from 20-24 Aug and over at the Wolverhampton Grand check out <a href="https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-wizard-of-oz/">The Wizard of Oz</a> before 4 Aug and <a href="https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/101-dalmatians/">101 Dalmatians</a> from 20-24 Aug.



The RSC never fails us, and we’ve got heaps to choose from this month, starting with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-school-for-scandal">The School for Scandal</a>&nbsp;until 6 Sept &#8211; expect big gowns, even bigger wigs and heaps of period flair. For more comedy there’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-merry-wives-of-windsor">The Merry Wives of Windsor</a>&nbsp;until&nbsp;7 Sept, with girl power aplenty.&nbsp;<a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/the-merry-wives-of-windsor-review/">Here’s</a>&nbsp;my review.&nbsp;And if you like your theatre alfresco check out <a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/as-you-like-it/">As You Like It</a> in the RSC&#8217;s Holloway Garden Theatre before 1 Sept. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-39-1000x667.jpg" alt="As You Like It RSC" class="wp-image-57488" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-39-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-39-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-39-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-39.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



There&#8217;s also some free theatre courtesy of the RSC throughout August with a line-up of student, community and semi-professional productions, performances, workshops and stories on the Holloway Garden Theatre stage. Highlights include The Tempest on 10 Aug, a trip to Fairyland in Just Be You on 11 Aug, and heaps more &#8211; <a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/open-stage">here&#8217;s the full line up</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music">MUSIC</h2>



It&#8217;s pretty quiet for live music on our patch this month, so amen to <a href="https://www.utilitaarenabham.co.uk/whats-on/justin-timberlake-tickets/">Justin Timberlake</a> for not getting banged up before coming to see us in Birmingham! He&#8217;s on at the Utilita Arena on 7 Aug so wear your best dancing shoes, and over at the O2 Academy there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham/events/1509746/streets-tickets">The Streets</a> on 23 Aug.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festivals">FESTIVALS</h2>



There&#8217;s the last of the festivals to catch this summer, and what a line up there is. We&#8217;ll be making our first stop at <a href="https://www.fargovillage.co.uk/events/coventry-pride">Cov Pride</a> at FarGo Village on 3 Aug. Not only is there loads of awesome food vendors and indie stalls there&#8217;ll be performances and heaps of great entertainment too. Over in Leam there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.artinpark.co.uk">Art in the Park Festival</a> in Jephson and Mill Close Gardens on 3&amp;4 Aug with more than 200 artists, live performances, music, food and workshops.



If you&#8217;re leaving the kids at home check out the West Mid’s biggest&nbsp;music and arts festival, <a href="https://www.made-festival.co.uk">Made</a> on 3&amp;4 Aug in Digbeth. Expect live art displays, street food and music from everyone’s guilty pleasure, Dizzee Rascal. 



<a href="https://shropshire.campbestival.net/">Camp Bestival</a> &#8211; one of the UK’s&nbsp;largest family music festivals&nbsp;&#8211; is being held in the West Mids for the third time this year after proving a huge hit in 2023. Faithless, Rick Astley and The Darkness are among the acts from 15-18 Aug and there&#8217;s loads of theatre, activities and talks too.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-40-1000x667.jpg" alt="Camp Festival" class="wp-image-57489" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-40-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-40-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-40-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-40.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Over in Alcester at Ragley Hall there&#8217;s <a href="http://www.campercalling.com">Camper Calling</a> from 23-25 Aug for this family-friendly event. There’s music from the likes of Travis, Jessie J and Groove Armada. Make sure you check out the Mindfulness Field for all things zen. No music here but noise aplenty at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/1817/lunt-roman-festival-2024">Lunt Roman Festival&nbsp;</a>on&nbsp;3&amp;4 Aug&nbsp;in Cov. Think history reenactments, battle drills, living history and horse displays. Oh, and chance to kit the kids out in replica Roman gear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-amp-drink">FOOD &amp; DRINK</h2>



Food connoisseurs are going to want to check out&nbsp;<a href="https://birminghamrestaurantfestival.co.uk/">Birmingham Restaurant Festival</a>&nbsp;which is on from 1-31 Aug. There’s top restaurants like&nbsp;Purnell&#8217;s and 670 Grams&nbsp;putting on great value set menus for a month, get in quick though they book up fast!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-41-1000x667.jpg" alt="Birmingham Restaurant Festival" class="wp-image-57490" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-41-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-41-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-41-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-41.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Like your brunch with a side of jazz? I mean, who the hell doesn&#8217;t really? On 17 Aug at <a href="https://www.thewhitelionradfordsemele.co.uk/whats-on-in-leamington-spa/">The White Lion</a> in Radford Semele enjoy a delicious breakfast in the gardens to the soothing sounds of some live jazz. 



Looking to keep the kids busy? Print out an explorer’s sheet and head to Warwick Uni’s <a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/services/art/sculpturepark/sculpture/">Sculpture Park</a>, there’s also a music room at Warwick Arts Centre, and if that’s not enough there’s swimming, climbing and tennis at the Sports and Wellness Hub. Make sure you leave time to head to the beautiful and super family-friendly <a href="https://www.benugo.com/sites/restaurants/benugo-bar-kitchen-at-warwick-arts-centre/">Benugo Bar &amp; Kitchen</a> where there’s board games, toys and colouring, kids eat for £1 during the summer hols too. For more family-friendly dining there&#8217;s the reliable slices at <a href="https://www.pizzaexpress.com">Pizza Express</a>, sure to please the palates of tiny tots and silver foxes alike. There’s pizzas (obvs), dough balls, pastas, and puds, and we’ll let you into a lil secret. Until 11 Aug, kids eat free with any pizza or main – all day, every day.



On&nbsp;31 Aug&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cobbsfarmshops.co.uk/stratford-events/summer-party-2024">Cobbs Farm Shop</a>&nbsp;in Stratford is holding a summer party &amp; maker’s market. Think tours of the apple farm, face painting, garden games and heaps of treats to sample from local vendors. If that’s not enough to tire the kids out then the outdoor play area should do it.



Pull your skates on and head to FarGo Village on&nbsp;10 Aug&nbsp;for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fargovillage.co.uk/events/roller-disco-birthday-party">roller disco</a>&nbsp;to celebrate its 10th birthday. Make time before and after to grab some food for one of the awesome food joints, from delicious handmade noodles to cakes.



Free gin and rum? We&#8217;re in! Head to <a href="http://www.shakespearedistillery.com/">Shakespeare&#8217;s Distillery</a> between 10am and midday on 2 Aug for free tours and samples. It&#8217;s part of National Distillery Day, which sounds like a good excuse to us. Cheers!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-workshops">WORKSHOPS</h2>



FarGo Village is celebrating its 10th birthday in style with heaps of awesome events, and some top free workshops too. Help decorate the village by taking part in the <a href="https://www.fargovillage.co.uk/events/free-art-workshops-1">Birthday Art Workshop</a> on 10&amp;15 Aug or there&#8217;s the <a href="https://www.fargovillage.co.uk/events/free-bunting-workshop">bunting workshop</a> on 14 Aug.



<a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/your-visit/see-for-free/the-glasshouse">The Glasshouse</a>, an interactive project of light, art and sound is on show just outside the RSC from&nbsp;8 -11 Aug, and on 6 Aug there&#8217;s a workshop with the creative team who designed the piece. It will explore using elements and recycling sounds to affect touch and proximity, and is a great one to do with the kids. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-42-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Glasshouse RSC" class="wp-image-57492" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-42-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-42-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-42-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-42.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Take some time out for a few hours by heading to one of the workshops at The Makers Space in Alcester. On 7 Aug you can learn how to make <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/felt-flowers-workshop?start=2024-08-01T00:00&amp;select=2024-08-07T10:00">felt flowers</a>, on 8 Aug there&#8217;s an intro to <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/an-introduction-to-portrait-drawing?start=2024-08-01T00:00&amp;select=2024-08-08T10:00">portrait drawing</a>, <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/copy-of-stained-glass-workshop-flowers?start=2024-08-01T00:00&amp;select=2024-08-14T10:00">stained glass flowers</a> on 14 Aug, <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/macrame-pot-hangers?start=2024-08-01T00:00&amp;select=2024-08-15T10:00">macrame</a> on 15 Aug and have a bash at making a super cute <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/miniature-felted-mouse-and-his-house-workshop?start=2024-08-01T00:00&amp;select=2024-08-17T10:00">needle feltin</a>g mini mouse in its house on 17 Aug. <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/apps/bookthatapp/calendar">Here&#8217;s</a> a full list of all the workshops. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoors">OUTDOORS</h2>



For some ‘me’ time in Warwickshire’s beautiful countryside then visit&nbsp;<a href="https://woottonparkwellness.co.uk/bookings/">Wootton Park Wellness</a>&nbsp;for a total recharge. Think yoga, breath work, relaxing walks and more at the Self-Care Sunday Retreat on&nbsp;4 Aug or the Four Elements Day Retreat on&nbsp;18 Aug.



Over in Brum there&#8217;s heaps on during the Birmingham Weekender from 23-26 Aug. Think everything from family raves to quirky exhibitions, circus acts and foam parties. <a href="https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/birmingham-weekender-2024/">Here&#8217;s everything</a> that&#8217;s happening.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-43-1000x667.jpg" alt="Birmingham Weekender" class="wp-image-57494" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-43-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-43-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-43-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-43.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010)&nbsp;is known for her arachnoid sculptures – don’t know what I’m on about, then you’re going to want to visit Compton Verney where you can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/">see her work</a>&nbsp;across the galleries, landscape and collections until 6 Oct.

Awesome August! 38 great things to do this month

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