What's on where around Luton: listings, June 8 edition

WEDNESDAY JUNE 8

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 Hat Factory in Luton hosts global contemporary dance star Jean Abreu. The show melds geometric sculptural set designs with Jean’s contemporary dance theatre choreography. The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 or £8 for concessions. Suitable for ages 12 and above. Call 01582 878100 or visit lutonculture.com to book.

FRIDAY JUNE 10

Strictly Come Dancing stars Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe present a Touch of Class at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable at 8pm.

The pro pairing are best known for their high-intensity performances. Ian and Natalie have become family favourites, known for pushing the boundaries of dance to bring the best out of their duo.

On the night they will dance a mix of Ballroom and Latin, transporting you away to a place of wonderful moments with fun-filled entertainment and a close up history of all things related to their life. Pre-show meet and greet available. Tickets: £26 or £24. Call 01582 602080 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.

SATURDAY JUNE 11

Complete with Pork Pie Hats and sunglasses, the Chicago Blues Brothers are back on their new Jailbreak Tour at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable. Featuring over two hours of the best blues, Motown, soul and comedy from both of the Blues Brothers movies, including Everybody Needs Somebody, Soul Man, Respect and Shake A Tail Feather. With an elaborate new stage production including a nine-piece live band, the show also features classics from James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and many more. The show starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £23.50 or £22. Call 01582 602080 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.

SUNDAY JUNE 12

Dame Helen Mirren stars in an encore screening of The Audience at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable at 2pm. Celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday, the Grove will be showing a pre-recorded screening of the acclaimed production and winner of two Olivier Awards, The Audience. During her 60-year reign, Elizabeth II has granted a special weekly audience to each of her 12 Prime Ministers. Both parties have agreed never to repeat what is said. Now, this blend of fact and fiction imagines the meetings that have taken place between the various Downing Street incumbents and the Queen. Tickets cost £15. Call 01582 60 20 80 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk.

TUESDAY JUNE 14

Acclaimed Pakistani music television show Coke Studio is being screened at the Hat Factory in Luton at 7.30pm. Starting in 2008 and founded by Rohail Hyatt, Coke Studio has been popular throughout Pakistan. The series provides a platform for renowned and less mainstream artists of various genres, regions and languages, to collaborate musically in live studio recording sessions. Tickets cost £6. Visit www.lutonculture.com for more information.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 15

The Kimpton Players present Tom Jones at Kimpton Memorial Hall, Hall Lane, Kimpton. Based on the novel by Henry Fielding, the fast-paced comedy romp through 18th Century England follows the fortunes of Tom Jones, a young man “much beset by women” as he discovers the joys and hazards of love and lust. Call 01438 488337 or visit www.thekimptonplayers.co.uk to book.

THURSDAY JUNE 16

The Kimpton Players present Tom Jones at Kimpton Memorial Hall, Hall Lane, Kimpton. Based on the novel by Henry Fielding, the fast-paced comedy romp through 18th Century England follows the fortunes of Tom Jones, a young man “much beset by women” as he discovers the joys and hazards of love and lust. Call 01438 488337 or visit www.thekimptonplayers.co.uk to book.

Chapterhouse Theatre Company presents The Railway Children, the heart-warming story of adventure and family set in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, at Wrest Park at 7.30pm. E. Nesbit’s classic story has delighted adults and children alike for generations. The show features period costume, traditional music and songs and a whole host of unforgettable characters. Visit www.chapterhouse.org for more information.

FRIDAY JUNE 17

Los Pacaminos perform at Luton Library Theatre. At least one member of this highly respected seven-piece Americana group will be very familiar – the London-based outfit is led by Paul Young. And he’s not the only reason to part with your hard-earned cash and leave the house - some of the best musicians in the business have teamed up to present this mix of Tex-Mex classics. Tickets: £17.50. Visit www.lutonculture.com or call 01582 878100 to book.

The Kimpton Players present Tom Jones at Kimpton Memorial Hall, Hall Lane, Kimpton. Based on the novel by Henry Fielding, the fast-paced comedy romp through 18th Century England follows the fortunes of Tom Jones, a young man “much beset by women” as he discovers the joys and hazards of love and lust. Call 01438 488337 or visit www.thekimptonplayers.co.uk to book.

Russell Watson presents Songs from the Heart at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable at 7.30pm. The UK’s best-selling crossover artist of all time returns to the stage in 2016 with a stunning collection of our best loved songs. Tickets: £45 or £37.50. Call 01582 602080 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.

SATURDAY JUNE 18

The Kimpton Players present Tom Jones at Kimpton Memorial Hall, Hall Lane, Kimpton. Based on the novel by Henry Fielding, the fast-paced comedy romp through 18th Century England follows the fortunes of Tom Jones, a young man “much beset by women” as he discovers the joys and hazards of love and lust. Call 01438 488337 or visit www.thekimptonplayers.co.uk to book.

Following huge demand after their performance here last year; Let’s Hang On returns to the Grove Theatre in Dunstable with their award-winning celebration of the legendary Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Featuring an anthology of classic hits including Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Bye Bye Baby, Sherry, Working My Way Back To You and many more. The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £23.50/ £21.50. Call 01582 602080 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.

Caritas Harmony are in concert at St Mary the Virgin church, Church Road, Studham at 6pm to support Friends of Studham Church. Tickets £12, including food. Under 12s are free. Cash bar available. Call 01582 599520 or visit www.caritasharmony.co.uk to book.

Thousands are expected to flock to Wrest Park in Bedfordshire for its first Country Fair. Set in the surroundings of the historic park, managed by English Heritage, entertainment will include Jez Avery’s Stunt Bikes, children’s entertainment with Banana Brain, John Cavana’s working dogs, birds of prey flying displays, terrier racing, the goat show including bottle feeding lambs and kids, historical re-enactment with Swords of Chivalry, ferret racing, children’s petting pens, full-size and scale vintage steam engines as well as rural demonstrators. There will also be a selection of arts, crafts and gifts exhibitors. Admission costs £7.50, concessions £6, children age five to 16 £3, accompanied children under five free. Visit www.oakleighfairs.co.uk/wrest for more information.

SUNDAY JUNE 19

Following its West End success, The Simon and Garfunkel Story comes to Watford Colosseum. Featuring seasoned West End leading man Greg Clarke and a full cast of talented actor-musicians, the show takes audiences back through the 1960s, telling the story of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel from their humble beginnings as duo Tom and Jerry, right through their massive success, dramatic break-up and finishing with a recreation of the 1981 Central Park reunion concert. Using a projection screen, the show features 1960s photos and film footage whilst a full live band perform all their hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, Sound of Silence and many more. Call 01923 571 102 to book.