Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands

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



Where do we start? Deep breath, the festivals are in full swing, and we&#8217;re ready to dance like no one is watching in a field! We’ll be first in line at the Memorial Park when<a href="https://www.godivafestival.com/?utm_campaign=muddystilettos&amp;utm_medium=banner&amp;utm_source=google"> </a>Cov institution <a href="https://www.godivafestival.com/?utm_campaign=muddystilettos&amp;utm_medium=banner&amp;utm_source=google">Godiva Festival</a> returns from 5-7 July. There’s a stellar line up this year including Sam Ryder, Paloma Faith and Beverley Knight.&nbsp;<a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/godiva-festival/">Here’s</a> our roundup on who we can’t wait to see. For more music head to Moseley&#8217;s <a href="https://mostlyjazz.co.uk">Mostly Jazz, Funk &amp; Soul Festival</a> from 12-14 July and featuring the likes of Craig Charles, Mr Scruff and drummer extraordinaire Yussuf Dayes. 



Over at Compton Verney on the same weekend there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.also-festival.com/">Also Festival</a> &#8211; a boutique affair brimming with fresh ideas and immersive feasts set in a restorative 50-acre scenic lakeside/forest idyll. There’s hundreds of experiences including Ted-style talks, new bands, artists, wine tastings, cocktail making, wild swimming, forest bathing and interesting workshops.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/04/Untitled-design-1719.jpg" alt="Also Festival" class="wp-image-53614" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/04/Untitled-design-1719.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/04/Untitled-design-1719-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/04/Untitled-design-1719-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/04/Untitled-design-1719-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Warwick&#8217;s where its at this month with the <a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/warwick/events-tickets/the-warwick-thai-festival/">Thai Festival</a> on 8 &amp; 9 July followed by the <a href="https://warwickfolkfestival.co.uk/">Folk Festival</a> from 25-28 July. Over in Solihull there&#8217;s the <a href="https://www.solihullsummerfest.co.uk/">Summer Music Fest</a> on 20 &amp; 21 July at Tudor Grange Park. This year’s offering includes acts like Ronan Keating, The Feeling, Scouting for Girls and T Pau.



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



Ohh we&#8217;ve been waiting for ages for this one! <a href="https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/hamilton/">Hamilton</a> is at the Birmingham Hippodrome until 31 Aug. Keep your eyes peel for Muddy&#8217;s review. Elsewhere in the city there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/101-dalmatians/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/">101 Dalmations</a> from 2-6 July at the Alexandra Theatre with Kym Marsh as Cruella de Vil, <a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/player-kings/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/">Player Kings</a> featuring Ian McKellen is on from 10-13 July and <a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/grease/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/">Grease</a> from 15-20 July



<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/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-657-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57204" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-657-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-657-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-657-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-657.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The RSC never fails us, and we&#8217;ve got heaps to choose from this month, starting with <a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-school-for-scandal">The School for Scandal</a> from 2 July &#8211; 6 Sept. Expect big gowns, even bigger wigs and heaps of period flair. For more comedy there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-merry-wives-of-windsor">The Merry Wives of Windsor</a> until 7 Sept, with girl power aplenty. <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. For something a little more serious check out political thriller&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/kyoto">Kyoto</a>&nbsp;until 13 July, with a standout cast including Stephen Kunken (Billions&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Handmaid’s Tale). 



At The Belgrade in Cov there&#8217;s Olivier Award-nominated <a href="https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/my-sons-a-queer-but-what-can-you-do/">My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?)</a> on from 15-17 July, and if you like your hip hop with a side of opera then you&#8217;re going to want to check out <a href="https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/tones-a-hip-hop-opera/">Tones</a> from 18-20 July.



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



Like your dance music performed by an orchestra in the grounds of a stately home? Who the hell doesn&#8217;t! <a href="https://www.classicibiza.co.uk/ragley">Classic Ibiza</a> is back at Ragley Hall on 6 July, with a vibe that starts like an Ibizan chill-out bar, building to a nightclub headed by the 32-piece Urban Soul Orchestra, known for their work alongside dance music greats like Robert Miles and Nightmares On Wax. For traditional classical music then there&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="http://birmingham.bachchoir.com/">Birmingham Bach Choir</a>&nbsp;performing a summer concert at St Alban&#8217;s Church on&nbsp;6 July.



<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/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-637-1000x667.jpg" alt="Classic Ibiza" class="wp-image-57201" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-637-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-637-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-637-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-637.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



At the Utilita Arena there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.utilitaarenabham.co.uk/whats-on/megan-thee-stallion-tickets/">Megan Thee Stallion</a> on 16 July and at Cov&#8217;s HMV Empire there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.hmvempire.com/don-broco">Don Bronco</a> on 11 July. There&#8217;s some blasts from the past in Brum with <a href="https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2institutebirmingham/events/1471760/death-above-1979-tickets">Death From About 1979</a> at the O2 Institute on 20 July and <a href="https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2institutebirmingham/events/1466614/alkaline-trio-tickets">Alkaline Trio</a> on 31 July. 



Listen up ladies! It&#8217;s all happening at Coombe Abbey on 14 July with smooth jazz music from a sax player, a Michael Buble tribute act and DJ but wait I haven&#8217;t got to the best bit yet &#8211; there&#8217;s afternoon tea, fizz and shopping too! What are you waiting for? <a href="https://www.coombeabbey.com/product/ladies-event/">Get booking!</a> There&#8217;s also a <a href="https://www.coombeabbey.com/product/summer-silent-disco/">silent disco</a> on 20 July if that&#8217;s more your jam. For more tunes on the sax head to FarGo Village on 4 July for Jazz Jam with music by <a href="https://www.fargovillage.co.uk/events/jazz-jam">Ben Martin</a>, who has worked with the likes of Paul McCartney and Groove Armada. 



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



The RSC&#8217;s bringing <a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/open-stage">free theatre</a> to the great outdoors at The Holloway Garden Theatre with a line-up of student, community and semi-professional productions, performances, workshops and stories. There&#8217;s The Tempest on 20 July, Star Crossed Fools on 21 July and The Future Movement on 28 July.



<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/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-616-1000x667.jpg" alt="RSC Holloway Garden" class="wp-image-57195" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-616-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-616-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-616-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-616.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



For more outdoor theatre there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.quantumtheatre.co.uk/event-details/hagley-park-and-visitor-centre-jemima-puddleduck">The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck</a> at Hagley Park on 6 July, perfect for an afternoon outing with the family. Also at Hagley Park there&#8217;s a <a href="https://www.hagleyhall.com/contact/">net-walking</a> event on 17 July. Meet other businesses while taking in sights of Hagley Park&#8217;s Ruined Castle and Milton&#8217;s Seat &#8211; and your dog is invited too (always a bonus).



For some &#8216;me&#8217; time in Warwickshire&#8217;s beautiful countryside then visit <a href="https://woottonparkwellness.co.uk/bookings/">Wootton Park Wellness</a> for a total recharge. Think yoga, breathwork, relaxing walks and more at the Recharge Retreats on 7 &amp; 8 July, a Monday Mindful retreat on 8 July or the Four Elements Retreat on 14 July. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exhibitions">EXHIBITIONS</h2>



Birmingham Museum &amp; Art Gallery’s Waterhall is reopening, and Muddy favourites Birmingham Royal Ballet will be filling the venue with dancers and music until 2 July. In the Gas Hall there’s the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brb.org.uk/bmag">Victorian Radicals</a>&nbsp;exhibition, with ballet costumes on show. In Leamington there&#8217;s Warwickshire&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warwickshireopenstudios.org/">Summer Art Weeks</a>, when more than 100 venues open for a snoop around their work until 7 July.



Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010)&nbsp;is known for her arachnoid sculptures &#8211; don&#8217;t know what I&#8217;m on about, then you&#8217;re going to want to visit Compton Verney where you can <a href="https://www.comptonverney.org.uk">see her work</a> across the galleries, landscape and collections from 6 July &#8211; 6 Oct.



<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/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-619-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57199" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-619-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-619-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-619-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-619.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foodies">FOODIES</h2>



We can&#8217;t wait for this one &#8211; <a href="https://birminghamcocktailweekend.co.uk">Birmingham Cocktail Weekend</a> is back from 11-14 July to take you on a journey of boozy discovery. There&#8217;s everything from hidden gems to masterclasses at some of the hottest joints in the city and all cocktails are just £5. I know, bargain! <a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/birmingham-cocktail-weekend/">Here&#8217;s our roundup</a> of where to visit first.



Like your dinner with a side of mystery? Then you&#8217;re going to want to head to The Makers Space on 13 July for it&#8217;s <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/murder-at-the-makers-space?_pos=1&amp;_sid=b8b29ed7e&amp;_ss=r">sewing-themed murder mystery</a> starring the last 3 competitors of TV’s Sew Me Something. Tuck into a two-course supper while you create a team of detectives and try to suss out who&#8217;s guilty. 



Live music on a champagne terrace sound like a bit of you? Head to The Arden Hotel&#8217;s <a href="https://www.theardenhotelstratford.com/event/hotel-open-day/">Open Day</a> on 6 July for live music, delicious food and drink and tasting samples from the likes of Monsoon Estates coffee, Shakespeare Distillery, Henley Chocolates and Welcome Hill Wines. See you there!



Fancy tucking into finger sandwiches and scones while sipping mimosas in a 16th century castle? Errr, yes! On 21 July there&#8217;s an afternoon tea with live entertainment at modern luxe hotel Studley Castle, at a bargain £25 each. Pinkies poised and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get booking</a>!



At Billesley Manor Hotel there&#8217;s the <a href="https://shakespearedistillery.com/stratford-gin-rum-festival/">Stratford Gin &amp; Rum Festival</a> on 14 July, held in the hotel&#8217;s stunning 100-year-old topiary gardens. Think craft gins and rums, locally sourced food and live music. Pack your own picnic blanket!



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



Physical performance sessions for the whole family? Sounds like you&#8217;ll be sleeping well! The RSC is hosting the <a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/open-stage">workshop</a> with Sprung Youth on 27 July. If art is more your thing then there&#8217;s <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 from 8 Aug (get it in your diaries people!). If you fancy being involved then you can <a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/your-visit/see-for-free/the-glasshouse">make your own</a> Glasshouse on 30 &amp; 31 July by upcycling cut-offs from the perspex used in the artwork. It&#8217;s suitable for ages 5 up and pieces will form part of the final showcase. 



<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/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-618-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Glasshouse RSC" class="wp-image-57197" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-618-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-618-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-618-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-618.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



On 20 &amp; 21 July there&#8217;s a <a href="https://www.fargovillage.co.uk/events/batik-art-painting-workshop">batik art painting workshop</a> at FarGo Village. It&#8217;s being held alongside its <a href="https://www.fargovillage.co.uk/events/summer-makers-market-2024">Summers Markers Market</a>, brimming with local artists and talent from homeware to delicious treats. 



If you want to try your hand at <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/willow-hare-workshop?start=2024-07-01T00:00&amp;select=2024-07-12T10:00">willow weaving</a> then head to The Makers Space in Alcester on 12 July, <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/candle-making-workshop?start=2024-07-01T00:00&amp;select=2024-07-14T10:00">candle making</a> is being held on 14 July, an intro to still <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/an-introduction-to-still-life-drawing?start=2024-07-01T00:00&amp;select=2024-07-18T10:00">life drawing</a> on 18 July, <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/intro-to-pottery-workshop?start=2024-07-01T00:00&amp;select=2024-07-19T10:00">pottery</a> on 19 July, <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/macrame-pot-hangers?start=2024-07-01T00:00&amp;select=2024-07-23T10:00">macrame </a>on 23 July and <a href="https://sewmesomething.co.uk/products/an-introduction-to-watercolour-painting?start=2024-07-01T00:00&amp;select=2024-07-27T10:00">watercolour painting</a> on 27 July where you can take home a cute painting of mice on a branch, adorable!

Feeling hot! 55+ fun things to do in Warks & the West Mids in July

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