Entertainment News

Students from Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Academy are tuning up to perform a selection of musical pieces as Wolverhampton Art Gallery's programme of lunchtime recitals continues. James Hough, Michael Spiers, Lewis Smith and Tom Hough will be performing a diverse selection of pieces ranging from composers such as Brahms, Rameau and Rachmaninov to Ed Sheeran and John Mayer.

Leading brands and personalities from the world of field sports, countryside pursuits and the rural life will be at the inaugural UK Game Fair, at the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre (NAEC) Stoneleigh, from 22-24 July 2016. Launched last October to fill the void left by the failed CLA Game Fair – a loss-making show since the CLA (Country Land and Business Association) had brought the event’s management in-house in 2011 – the UK Game Fair takes place on the same showground as the famous Royal Show, which attracted over 200,000 visitors during its peak years. 

The hottest sensation of Bollywood, Arijit Singh, has announced his UK and European tour for 2016!  Accompanied by top musicians and vocalists, Singh will be hitting the Barclaycard Arena on 9 July. Named the most popular artist of 2014 by Hungama Digital Media Entertainment, Singh has a voice that’s known for having a pain and romance which leaves you humming his songs every time you hear his name.

The Legoland Windsor Resort Hotel's Junior Builder Week is back for February half term 2016 with a swashbuckling jam packed programme of pirate themed Lego building activities at an amazingly good value price tag! From just £140, a family of four can enjoy an overnight stay in a Lego themed room plus breakfast at the awesome Bricks Family Restaurant - AND the chance to develop their building skills with hints and tips from the Legoland Hotel experts.

David Bowie, an icon in his era, and one of the most influential musicians of late, has died of cancer at the age of 69. A statement was issued on his social media accounts, saying he "died peacefully, surrounded by his family" after an "18-month battle with cancer".

The RSC brings Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary year in Stratford-upon-Avon to a close with a powerful programme, matching two major Shakespeare titles with two irreverent Jacobean comedies and a new play from Anders Lustgarten, which plays out across 400 years between Caravaggio’s Naples and the housing estates of Bootle.

India is trying to establish itself as a world-class motoring tourism destination by spreading awareness both inside and outside the country. The two-day event will see enthusiasts, corporates, tourists and others come to see and take part in the rally. This is the laudable vision of Madan Mohan, who wears many hats but most important is as founder of 21 Gun Salute Vintage Car Rally, the 6th edition of which will be held in Delhi on February 6 and 7.

In a male dominated music industry, the BBC Asian Network are bringing forward the names of some of the most talented women who are both Punjabi and British and represent the unique style of music originating from the subcontinent. In the first of a four part series, Dipps Bhamrah plays out a live music session recorded with Sazia Judge exploring her folk Punjabi sound & talks to her about her experiences and influences within the Bhangra music industry.

Reports are abounding that US singer Janet Jackson has put her Unbreakable world tour on hold until spring to have surgery. She went onto her website and social media to let fans know that due to the discovery of a growth on her vocal chords the tour would be rescheduled in the Spring of 2016. Those dates have not been announced yet but if the tumor is cancerous it could be the end of her career.

After its phenomenal run on and off Broadway, the critically acclaimed five times Tony award nominated play ‘Hand to God’ (including Best New Play and Best Director) is making its way to London’s West End and will open at the Vaudeville Theatre in early 2016.  Previews start on February 5. Hand to God will feature an all-star cast, including Janie Dee, Neil Pearson, Harry Melling, Jemima Rooper and Kevin Mains. 

Philips recently organized an international press event to celebrate the World Innovation and Technology Day in Eindhoven, the Netherlands which was attended by media persons from around the globe. Special demonstrations on connected lighting, the Internet of Things (IoT) and human centric lighting were created to allow visitors a glimpse into how lighting is turning Sci-fi into reality.

Scores of people packed the dimly lit auditorium at Birmingham’s The Drum Arts/Theatre Centre to witness the soaring success of yet another Big Comedy Night presented and organised by the BBC Asian Network. Having already toured Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival twice, London and Birmingham once, the tour once again stopped in Britain’s second city. Both acts and performers had to put on a performance of a lifetime if they were going to beat the success of previous events.

What do the stars of The X Factor, the neighbour’s cat, EastEnders and unexpected callers have in common? No, they’re not guests at the strangest party you’ve ever been to, they’re among the top 50 things which makes dads in the West Midlands grumpy, according to a new survey. Lights left on in empty rooms, heating on too high, drum and bass music and being treated like a taxi service also featured on the chart of cantankerousness.

Through personal experience, from the Bible and from urge from people wanting him to document the things he said which motivate them in the course of teaching or conversation has inspired author Fidel Frederick to write “Greatness Without Tears”. This book will teach readers how not to be contented with their comfort zone or current position by giving them the vim to move to upper levels even when they think they do not need to grow further in anything.

A particularly diverse set of subjects go under the spotlight in a series of local history talks taking place in January. The City of Wolverhampton Council's Arts and Museums Service organises regular talks on a wide variety of historical subjects, including three next month. They begin with He's Behind You!, which tells the story of Victorian and Edwardian pantomime.

Following a hugely successful first leg of the tour, the people’s favourite and one of Britain’s greatest ever comedians, Jim Davidson OBE has added a further 17 dates to his ‘Charlton Nil’ UK tour.The son of a Glaswegian father, born and bred in Charlton, this show is all about Jim’s previous experiences ranging from drummer to window cleaner via shelf stacker - coming to a theatre near you. It’s guaranteed to be the most irreverent, outrageous and truthful show of Jim’s to date.