Entertainment News

The world has gone Dahl dotty in 2016 and what better way to celebrate the legendary author’s 100th birthday, than with the world’s biggest dot-to-dot? Puzzler Media, the UK’s leading puzzle publisher, has produced a 1,000-dot puzzle recreating a classic image from Roald Dahl’s BFG featuring Sophie and the giant. The design was filled out by hand in the gardens of Surrey’s Botleys Mansion as a giant projector beamed the process live onto the side of the stately home 12 metres high by 25 metres wide. It is believed to be the largest-scale dot-to-dot puzzle ever created.

2016 has been a vintage year for Elton John; he released his 33rd studio album Wonderful Crazy Night to rapturous applause, and wowed audiences across the UK with his epic live show which culminated in a headline performance last weekend at Hyde Park in London for BBC Radio 2. Next week (18th September) he will also perform at the annual Apple Music Festival.

This autumn art lovers can look forward to big names and exciting interdisciplinary art projects in Düsseldorf. Galleries will be presenting a broad spectrum of works from centuries past and the present day, ranging from high-calibre photography by artists Andreas Gursky and Horst Wackerbarth to Titian's Venetian painting to concept art from Sol LeWitt.

Try the ancient game of pumpkin rolling and join Tom the Tale Teller for a spooky Halloween story walk. Easton Walled Gardens, Lincolnshire, which has a strict 'Keep ON the grass' policy, is welcoming children for a half term of exploring, making and creating.  Roll your pumpkin down the terraces, careful not to break it and the farthest roller wins! Tom will be there on the 27th October with some seriously spooky stories as you walk around the gardens.

After pulling in thousands of visitors over the summer Wolverhampton Art Gallery’s blockbuster wildlife photography exhibition is coming to a close. Visitors have until Sunday, September 18 to go and see stunning images of some of the natural world’s most astonishing sights courtesy of London’s Natural History Museum. Over the summer the gallery has hosted the prestigious 51^st Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition featuring awe-inspiring images capturing fascinating animal behaviour and breathtaking landscapes.

With Autumn Fair in full swing, organisers i2i Events, together with Birmingham-based trade associations, BIRA (British Independent Retail Association) and BHETA (The British Home Enhancement Trade Association), have announced plans to continue The BIRA Contemporary Collective into future shows, following a successful debut this season.

Ready to round off another memorable season that's played host to an array of iconic, world-leading DJs, Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel has now revealed the full line-up for its closing party on Saturday 1st October 2016. Welcoming an all star cast of house and techno heroes, owner of three record labels and all-round eccentric character, Seth Troxler heads the bill and will be joined by fellow Tuskegee record owners, The Martinez Brothers.

Take the new Film Trail at Blenheim Palace and discover behind the scenes of your favourite action film. From film locations inside the Palace to grand set design in the 2,000 acres of 'Capability' Brown Parkland, Blenheim Palace has hosted many blockbuster titles. Visitors can following the footsteps of their favourite movie stars as they take the free Lights, Camera, Action!' trail.

The Icehotel has released sketches of some of the bizarre designs that will feature in the 2016 version of the famous frozen structure in Swedish Lapland. A House of Cards and a White Cathedral provide the setting for two of the intriguing suites. Others will include “Lapland Waves”, in which the bed appears to float on an ocean of waves of ice, and a room designed as a whirl of passionate thoughts.

Following sell out tours of the USA, Dubai and Kenya, The King of Bollywood party numbers is visiting the Barclaycard Arena for the very first time on 25^th November 2016. Get ready for the Biggest Party in the town this Christmas! Gaining millions of fans across the world, more than two million followers on Twitter alone, Mika Singh has enriched both the Punjabi and Hindi music industry with his distinct identity and signature voice.  A singer, composer, performer, songwriter and music director in his own right, Mika Singh is better known as ‘The King of Bollywood’ reaching supreme popularity.

Head to Blenheim Palace for Halloween entertainment this October Half Term. From 22 – 30 October find lots of Halloween tricks and treats, for a spooktacular family day out. Hop on board the Blenheim Palace ghost train which takes you through a creepy tunnel to the Pleasure Gardens where a cackle of witchy goings-on are to be found. Families can lurk around the Labyrinth or take the Mini-beasts Trail around the Pleasure Gardens.

Building on the success of City Cruises' Shakespeare cruises, the leading River Thames sightseeing operator is running a comprehensive programme of cultural cruises. Launched in September 2016, culture vultures are able to take their pick from themed trips including The Great Fire of London and Georgian London to Bridges and Landmarks, Shakespeare and Liquid London. 

A new premium Castle themed family hotel will open at the Legoland Windsor Resort on 1 July 2017 offering guests a stay bursting with magic and merriment. Booking will open for the 61 room hotel in mid-October and families can choose between two imaginatively themed room types - Knights and Wizards - each with separate sleeping areas for adults and children. 

Go on a geological voyage of discovery at Wolverhampton Art Gallery when it hosts a talk about the Black Country’s most amazing natural attractions. Geology expert Graham Worton, curator and keeper of geology at Dudley Museum, will be at the Lichfield Street gallery on Tuesday, September 6, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm, to reveal the region’s impressive geological pedigree.

City of Wolverhampton Council is giving people the chance to have their say on proposed changes to opening times at four of its most important cultural venues. A survey, which will close on Friday, October 14, relates to Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Bantock House Museum (the popular café and park will be unaffected), Bilston Craft Gallery and Wolverhampton City Archives.

The month of October welcomes the exciting celebrations of Oktoberfest, a 16-day festival of live music, beer and classic German cuisine. Although traditionally a folk festival originating in the southeastern state of Bavaria in Germany, Oktoberfest celebrations have now been embraced across the world. The leading website and app for finding a travel partner, TourBar.com, is encouraging all solo party-goers to grab a pair of lederhosen and enjoy a slice of the Oktoberfest action this autumn.