Start the year as you mean to go on by getting out of the house and finding some fun
WHAT: Drive-in cinema
WHERE: Sandon Hall, Sandon, Staffordshire
WHEN: Dates throughout January
Drive-in entertainment was able to restart at the end of the national lockdown, despite many indoor entertainment venues having to remain closed. It’s seen a resurgence of drive-in cinema screenings around the country.
The Great British Drive In, at Sandon Hall, is one of our absolute favourites. Members of the J’AIME team have been paying customers and heartily recommend it.
It feels very safe and you have the backdrop of a stunning stately home behind the massive cinema screen.
There’s no need to leave your car at all but if you do you can buy food prepared by Digbeth Dining Club.
January’s films are set to include Grease, The Greatest Showman and Interstellar.
WHAT: Pantomime
WHERE: Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
WHEN: January 15 to 31
At the time of going to print, Birmingham is still set to get a good old fashioned pantomime, Robin Hood, starring Craig Revel Horwood from Strictly Come Dancing as The Sheriff of Nottingham.
The socially distanced, one-act show has been shortened so that members of the audience won’t risk mingling during an interval.
The line-up is also due to include Richard Cadell and Sooty, Black Country favourite Doreen Tipton and Matt Slack who usually appears in panto at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Expect traditional panto fun at the end of a very untraditional year.
WHAT: Chinese New Year
WHERE: Locations around Birmingham
WHEN: January 24 to 26
At the time of going to press Birmingham city centre was still set to play host to elaborate celebrations to mark the Chinese New Year.
COVID-19 may cause some plans to change, but you can still anticipate a riot of colour in Birmingham’s Chinatown.
There’s due to be a wish tree in Grand central that visitors can add their own wishes to.
There are also set to be stalls, street entertainers and performances.
WHAT: Self-guided walk
WHERE: Birmingham
WHEN: Whenever you like
You can enjoy a guided heritage walk around Birmingham with members of your bubble without even needing to interact with another human.
Curious About has organised two different walks around the city, both with a treasure hunt theme.
You simply need to download the guide from the website and then get out and about at a time and day to suit you.
You can find out more by visiting the website at www.curiousabout.co.uk/birmingham
WHAT: Art exhibition
WHERE: Ikon Gallery, Brindleyplace, Birmingham
WHEN: Throughout January
Ikon Gallery’s new group show, Faster Than Ever, is an exhibition invented out of necessity in response to the challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Involving more than 20 artists from across the world, it is an exercise in capitalising on chance, making the most of incongruity and happy accidents.
Participating artists include Thomas Bewick, Julie Brook, Alice Cattaneo, Lee Bul, Edmund Clark, Martin Creed, Kate Groobey, Graham Gussin, Arturo Herrera, Carmen Herrera, On Kawara, Lutz and Guggisberg, Haroon Mirza, Ivan Morison, Nástio Mosquito, Grace Ndiritu, Cornelia Parker, Navin Rawanchaikul, Noguchi Rika, Shimabuku, Dayanita Singh, Bosco Sodi, Nancy Spero and Beat Streuli.
Admission is free of charge.
WHAT: Live music
WHERE: Lichfield Garrick
WHEN: Saturday, January 30
At the time of going to press live music was still set to return to Lichfield Garrick in January, including tribute evening The George Michael Legacy.
International tribute artiste Wayne Dilks and his band pay tribute to the late George Michael in this show.
Wayne has been a George Michael tribute artiste for almost 20 years, dedicating his professional career to pay homage to the late pop phenomenon.
He delivers his heartfelt tribute to the global superstar in a sensitive and spectacular way, receiving five star reviews nationwide.
