Royal wedding street parties, not the royal wedding street parties, professional darts, cocktails, canapes, Envirorock, children’s drama lessons, guitar lessons for grown ups, and of course the best of the local music scene - it's all here in Cherry Pullinger's latest what's on roundup...
Friday 29 April is of course the date of the royal wedding, and Southampton seems to be going for it with all guns blazing. Join in the festivities from 10am until 4pm with a street party at Guildhall Square. The ceremony will be shown on big screens, and will be followed by dancing, singing, face-painting, balloon modelling and loads more activities for people of all ages.
Continue the royal theme at Harbour Lights Picturehouse on Friday, by watching a special screening of The King's Speech. The showing takes place at 3:45pm, and tickets cost £10 for adults an £5 for children. Toast the happy couple with a slice of wedding cake and a glass of bubbly and then sit back and enjoy the film.
Not the royal wedding alternative street party
For republicans everywhere, the choices of what to do are only limited by your imagination; from grabbing what promises to be some relative peace and quiet in open spaces around the city and indeed the region, to turning off all live media and re-visiting your own music or DVD collection, I'm sure you'll think of something! You can even join the street party they apparently tried to ban, the 'Not the Royal Wedding' alternative street party in Red Lion Square, London, organised by Republic – which campaigns for a democratic alternative to the monarchy.
“With food, stalls and entertainment, Republic's alternative street party is sure to be a fun day out. But there will also be a very serious message - Britain's 10 million republicans won't be ignored, and we certainly won't be hiding. We're out and proud and determined to succeed!” shouts Republic's website.
(Slightly) nearer to home, there are also two ‘What Wedding walks’ from Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. Read what our hyperlocal friends at Ventnor blog say about it here.
If you are thinking of travelling up to London, South West Trains are promising a Saturday service on 29 April.
Following the regal nuptials, children's drama classes start at City College on Saturday 30 April with an open day, and sessions taking place every Saturday subsequently. For £12.50 per week, children from three years and upwards can take part in and enjoy all aspects of dance, singing and acting between 10:30am and 1pm. Participants get the chance to take part in larger productions. (Similar classes offered by various organisations are available around the city.)
Head to the Grosvenor Casino on Sunday 1 May for the Casino's Cocktail Club launch. From 8pm, you can enjoy an evening of cocktails, canapes and free live music!
Envirorock entertains while raising awareness
During the afternoon and evening on Bank Holiday Monday (May 2), it's Envirorock at the Hobbit on Bevois Valley. The event has become a firm favourite on Southampton's calendar, and neatly combines entertainment with stalls and workshops to raise environmental awareness. Confirmed bands include ASP, The Lost Boys, Stereoview, Dlugokecki and Bitterne Park/St Denys locals The Spiraltones (pictured below).
On Tuesday 3 May, the Nuffield Theatre will be putting on their very special Chouf Ouchouf: Groupe Acrobatique de Tangier shows. Visitors will be able to meet the cast of the Groupe Acrobatique de Tangier, a 12-person Moroccan acrobat team, and watch their fabulous acrobatic displays, weaving together contemporary and traditional Moroccan performance.
For Ska lovers everywhere, get yourselves down to The Talking Heads, Portswood, on Wednesday 4 May to enjoy New Riot. Their Ska-tinged and playful tracks are reminiscent of a young Blink 182 and will no doubt produce one of the feel good live shows of the summer. Tickets will be just £6 in advance with the band taking to the stage at 7:30pm.
If after seeing New Riot, you fancy yourself as a bit of a musician, make your way to the Oasis Academy Mayfield at The Grove, Sholing, on Thursday 5 May for Adult Beginners' Guitar Classes. Playing the guitar is a great new hobby to take up and you're never too old to start learning.
As summer seems to have come a little early this year, it's only fitting that The Royal Southampton Horticultural Society are putting on their annual meeting at the Wesley Centre in Bitterne on Friday 6 May. Gardening and flower lovers will be able to see shows and digital presentations from handpicked speakers. Tickets: £2
Now, if you want to get active, I’m told that, starting on Fridays in May, a Sustrans volunteer is running a led walk from Riverside Park, starting from Bitterne Park Triangle at 6pm.
Riverside Park family day
Meanwhile, for a fab family day out, take a trip to Cobden Meadows at Riverside Park on Saturday 7 May from 11am, where you'll be able to enjoy lots of free activities including a climbing wall, pottery workshop, living science and rides on the miniature trains (small charge applies). Even dogs are invited, as there are plenty of activities to keep them amused as well!
If you're a bit of a darts fan, there's a treat in store at Oceana, Southampton on Saturday 7 May, where you can experience 'The Untouchables,' starring a world-class line up of Raymond Van Barneveld, James Wade, Simon Whitlock, Mark Webster, Andy Fordham, Aaron Monk and Peter Manley. Tickets will be £30 from the club.
If you're an 'expectant parent', you might want to check out the Baby & Children's Market, taking place at North Baddesley Village Hall on Sunday 8 May. You can apparently pick up quality clothing, toys, books, nursery furniture, buggies, cots and lots more new baby essentials. There will also be a number of unique businesses in the baby and children industry showcasing their products and services.
It's time to get in shape from Monday 9 May with the Southampton Cycle Challenge. Businesses across Southampton will compete from Monday 9 - Sunday 29 to see who can get the most members of staff to ride a bike for at least 10 minutes. It's a great way for you to cram in some exercise - and a great excuse to get out of working.
Punk rock in Portswood
Welsh Punk Rockers 'The Alarm' will be taking to the stage at The Brook in Portswood on Tuesday 10 May. After 17 top 50 UK singles, a host of successful albums and over 5 million sales world-wide, The Alarm will be gracing Southampton with their popular 'Bob Dylan meets The Clash' brand of Punk.
On Wednesday May 11, men and women can try some mixed touch rugby at the Outdoor Sports Centre in Basset, Southampton. The sport is loosely based on rugby, but focuses on running and passing. Sessions will be taken by a current England touch player, and players are able to turn up whenever they fancy.
US alternative rock band Taking Back Sunday will be taking to the Guildhall stage on Thursday 12 May. They'll be playing hits from their back catalogue of albums including 'Tell All Your Friends,' 'Where You Want To Be,' 'Louder Now' and 'New Again,' with the possibility of performances of their brand new tracks from their upcoming album. Tickets cost £20 and are available from the Southampton Box Office. For rock fans, this is a great gig to attend as you'll be wowed by the band's unique stage present and great live show.
So there you have it for this time. If you've got an event you'd like featured next time, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. me, and I'll do my best to include it.
Cherry Pullinger
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All details believed to be correct at the time of writing. We strongly suggest you confirm details with individual venues before making a special journey. We cannot be held responsible for errors or inaccuracies however caused.
Pics: Cherry Pullinger / bitternepark.info / individual copyright holders
The footpath by the Itchen at Riverside Park earlier in the year