What's on where around Luton: listings, April 20 edition

WEDNESDAY APRIL 20

Adults with learning difficulties arts and craft sessions. Every Wednesday 10.30am to 12.30pm and Saturdays from 11am to 1pm at Arttrend, Arundel Road, Luton. Social and creative activity for adults with learning difficulties, engaging in all types of art and craft work such as painting in acrylics, papier mache, salt dough, cross stitch, rug making etc. Please see the website www.arttrend.co.uk and go to Art ALD, then see the gallery of work already done. Tel 07794 987796 if you would like more details. 10.30am to 12.30pm Wednesdays, 11am to 1pm Saturdays – but you can come and go at any time. £6 per session including materials and refreshments.

Luton Irish Forum holds a weekly Tuesday and Wednesday Club from 11am to 1.30pm at 102 Hitchin Road. This is a great chance to meet old friends and make some new ones. Refreshments are all included along with soda bread, scones with jam and monthly chicken and chips. Entry costs £1, plus optional £3 for two games of bingo and a raffle.

The Omnibus Society (Herts & Beds Group) meet each month (September to June inclusive) in Challney High School for Boys, Stoneygate Road, Luton, LU4 9TJ, generally in the Green Room. All interested in road passenger transport are welcome to attend. Next meeting is today (Wednesday) at 7.30pm. Contact Graham Smith on 01582-574903. A notice will be posted at the college entrance if it proves necessary to use a different room.

THURSDAY APRIL 21

Town Hall Square, Luton, hosts a free, special evening for all the family from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Entertainment will include a brass band, classic hits from The Commonwealth, illusion and magic spectacular, a Beefeater and Union flag stilt walkers with balloon modelling, and the lighting of a beacon at 7.20pm. St George’s Square will be one of over 260 beacons being lit nationally to celebrate the Queen’s birthday.

There’s a proper bunch of April Fools to look forward to this month courtesy of Barnstormers Comedy at the Grove Theatre. This month, hey comprise the erudite and insightful John Gordillo ,delightfully downbeat duo Brian Damage and Krysstal, and the “circuit legend” Rudi Lickwood. Kevin Precious will be MC for the night. Call 01582 60 20 80 to book.

Saturday APRIL 23

Indie hero Luke Haines, formerly of the Auteurs and Black Box Recorder, performs at George II, 70 Bute Street, Luton as part of an evening celebrating the launch of Scott King’s new book Public Art. The event runs from 6pm to 11pm and also features Paul Haworth, Georgia Lucas- Going, Lindsey Mendick, Emily Pope, Tommy Sissons and Gary Stevens. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1522690218032275 for more information.

Celebrate St George’s Day with a free, fun packed event for all the family in St George’s Square, Luton from 11am to 5pm. Activities include circus workshop, Punch & Judy, St George (stilt walker & balloon artist) and his dragon and the chance to decorate a St George flag biscuit, craft a sword, shield or princess hat, climb a wall, take part in water zorbing and enjoy Morris & traditional English dancing Maypole dancing.

The mayor’s annual charity concert with CANTATA takes place at Farley Methodist Church Hall, North Drift Way, Farley Hill at 7pm. Admission £4 or £3 concessions.

Focus on Jazz returns to the Bear Club in Luton with another special evening featuring the cream of international and local vocal talent. The evening features soul and jazz singer Noel McKoy who has recorded, performed and toured the world with many of the greatest names in music including Kool & the Gang, Gladys Knight, George Clinton, Womack & Womack, Lonnie Liston Smith, Marcus Miller and Stevie Wonder. Completing the line-up will be Luton singer Cheryl Lucas. Starpoint FM DJ Paul Goldsmith will once again play the best in gospel, soul and R’n’B, and the night will be hosted by The Real Reminiscence – Lee Drummond. Doors open 7pm. Tickets £18.00 on the door, £15.50 advance, £13.50 to Bear Club members. Visit http://tkt.to/NoelMcKoy to book.

Expect pomp, pageantry and patriotic flag waving at Wrest Park’s St George’s Day celebrations. Resplendent in shining armour and astride his noble steed, gallant St George and his attempts to slay the fearsome green dragon will be the highlight of the festival. The day features Roman gladiators, jousting tournaments, archery and breathtaking displays of Georgian falconry. The event runs from 10am to 6pm. For further information including entrance prices and to book tickets visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest

Luton Hoo Estate Walled Garden hosts the Annual Fair for Plant Heritage (Herts and Beds) from 11am to 3pm. Entrance is £3 and tours of the garden can also be taken for an extra £2.

In celebration of everything 80s, the Grove Theatre, Dunstable is hosting 80s Mania at 7.30pm, featuring 25 chart-topping pop icons authentically recreated with a band and dancers. Acts featured include Duran Duran, The Human League, Kim Wilde, Culture Club, Wham!, Madness, Madonna, Spandau Ballet, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Bananarama and many more. For more information or to book, call 01582 60 20 80 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk.

SUNDAY APRIL 24

Wrest Park’s St George’s Day celebrations continue from 10am to 6pm. For further information including entrance prices and to book tickets visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest

Central Bedfordshire Council will team up with stars of the West End to raise funds for Diabetes UK through a fantastic night of entertainment. It Takes Two will be live at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable, hosted by West End star Louise Dearman. West End stars performing in the evening of duets will include Louise Dearman, Julie Atherton, Rodney Earl Clarke and Balsamo Deighton. Diabetes UK is the chosen charity of Cllr David Bowater, chairman of Central Bedfordshire Council. Tickets are £22.50 (plus booking fee, concessions available) and available by calling 01582 602080 or visiting www.grovetheatre.co.uk.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 27

After his successful UK tour, Life Through Dance, Pasha Kovalev, the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2014, welcomes you to his new and exciting dance spectacular – It’s All About You. On his fifth UK tour, audiences can expect another evening of your favourite music, spectacular dancing, energy, lights and sparkling costumes filled with positive emotions and great entertainment for the entire family. Tickets: £25 or £23. Call 01582 60 20 80 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.

THURSDAY APRIL 28

Critically acclaimed show Essence of Ireland takes on a new lease of theatrical life with Ireland’s Call at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable, following the journey of a young man, who leaves behind his childhood sweetheart Cora and his beloved homeland Ireland, in search of a better life in New York. Tickets: £23.50 or £21.50. Call 01582 60 20 80 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.