WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK IN SURREY?
Need a giggle? Gagging to get out and about? Well you’re in luck dear reader, for we bring you the latest instalment of what’s on in Surrey this week. We’ve got funny stuff, serious stuff, film stuff, healthy stuff – by ‘eck I think we’ve got some fluffy stuff too. Check it out, call some friends, buy some tickets, and nourish yourselves on the cultural feast that lies in wait.
FERN BRADY / JANUARY 9 / FIGHTING COCKS, KINGSTON
January? We laugh in the face of January! Get your comedy kicks in Kingston this January as the fantastically funny Fern Brady takes centre stage at The Fighting Cocks. With support acts to be announced, why not join Outside The Box Comedy Club’s monthly giggle on the regular? It’s probably good for you. Laughing and that.
For more information, visit outsidetheboxcomedy.co.uk
JANUARY FILM FESTIVAL / JANUARY 9 – 14 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Fancy a film? You’re in luck, for Guildford’s Electric Theatre has loads of them to choose from. Your cinematic feast includes; Parallel Mothers, Nitram, The Last Bus, Hit The Road, Swan Song, and Vortex.
For more information, visit electric.theatre
QIGONG FOR HEALTH AND BALANCE / JANUARY 9 / THE GUILDFORD INSTITUTE
Learn how to truly live and sign up for this 10-week course, whereby you’ll learn all about the ancient philosophy of Qigong. Literally meaning ‘life energy cultivation, Qigong has roots in Chinese medicine, martial arts and philosophy and is a holistic system of coordinated body posture, movement and breathing. So cultivate your Chi this January and feel the force of balance and the flow of energy.
For more information, visit guildford-institute.org.uk
PATCHWORK & QUILTING FOR BEGINNERS / JANUARY 10 / CAMBERLEY CENTRE
A bit chilly out there, isn’t it? If you’ve got plenty of textiles and are not quite sure what to do with them, why not sign up for this five-week Patchwork and Quilting course provided by Surrey Adult Learning? Learn about fabrics, colour and contrast, cutting, sewing and hand quilting before you cosy up and create a lovely quilt and keep warm this winter.
For more information, visit surrey.gov.uk
SPANISH FOR BEGINNERS / JANUARY 10 / THE GUILDFORD INSTITUTE
Hola! Thinking about escaping to warmer climes in the foreseeable future. Give your brain some exercise this January and learn a new language with this Spanish For Beginners course at The Guildford Institute. Taking place on Tuesdays over twelve sessions, work in pairs and groups as you get to grips with some basic language skills that will help you get by while you’re abroad.
For more information, visit guildford-institute.org.uk
SLOW TEXTILES / JANUARY 10 / WEST END CENTRE, ALDERSHOT
Enter the fascinating world of textiles in this exciting new course. Ginny will be your guide as you trace back their origins and reconnect to the slow processes of their creation. The course focuses on sustainable textile practices and will be a mix of discussion, exploration and practical activities including basic spinning and weaving, natural dyeing, hand stitching and patchwork. You will have the opportunity to naturally dye fibres and fabrics using plants, which can then be used to create a final textile piece or pieces of your choosing.
For more information, visit westendcentre.co.uk
IMPROV COMEDY COURSE / JANUARY 11 / BELLERBY STUDIO, G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Join Chris Mead, a renowned comedy improviser and develop and learn key improv techniques and skills for building responsiveness and improvisational bravery. Sessions are delivered in a fun and supportive environment, where you will improve your creativity and focus on your playfulness and ability to work on the hop. Suitable for those new to improv and those wishing to improve their skills.
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
TASTING EXPERIENCE & DISTILLERY TOUR / JANUARY 13 / THE GIN KITCHEN, DORKING
Gin o’clock? If you’re bonkers about this botanical-based drink and are thirsty to learn more about your beverage of choice, then why not sign up for this Tasting Experience & Distillery Tour at the Gin Kitchen near Dorking? Discover how these distillers create their luxurious taste and perhaps arrange a taxi for the way home. As ever, please drink responsibly.
For more information, visit gin.kitchen
GAZ COOMBES / JANUARY 13 / PRYZM, KINGSTON
The well-sideburn-ed singer of 90s Brit-Pop legends Supergrass, the one and only Gas Coombes, comes to Kingston’s Pryzm this month. Celebrating the release of his new album ‘Turn The Card Around’, get a first-listen live, and why not buy a copy while you’re there?
For more information, visit banquetrecords.com
LUCY PORTER: WAKE UP CALL / JANUARY 13 – 14 / BELLERBY STUDIO, G LIVE, GUILDFORD
A brand new stand-up show from the TV and radio favourite. As heard on Radio 4’s The News Quiz and The Now Show and seen on Would I Lie to You, QI and Live at the Apollo. Wake-Up Call is a show about revelations, realisations and epiphanies – both large and small. Subjects covered include Bin collection schedules, the novels of Jean Rhys, cats, school fair booze tombolas, the Scottish Enlightenment, pressure washers and Huel. It’s an exuberant, silly show with some wisdom sprinkled on top.
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
PHOENIX: DOUGHNUT DASH / JANUARY 14 / ELMBRIDGE XCEL SPORTS HUB, WALTON
Love doughnuts? Love running? At long last, an event to combine these two polar-opposite passions of yours, dear reader. Taking place this January, Pheonix Running host this hilarious hurrah that’ll leave you wanting more. This six-hour timed route offers a 5k, 10k, half, to marathon, to ultra. So run as many or as few laps, and eat doughnuts. Win. Win. Book now – it’s usually a sell-out.
For more information, visit phoenixrunning.co.uk
ONE WINTER’S NIGHT / JANUARY 14 / YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Local musician Gavin Thomas returns to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre to host an evening of live music to raise money for its chosen charity, St Luke’s Cancer Centre, at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. With 100% of the proceeds going to charity; the ridiculously stonking line-up for your evening’s entertainment includes local musicians and friends; Adam Knight, Eden J Howells, Hard Work, Luke Fraser, Polly Gone Wrong, ‘Justments, Eltel, Charlie Austen and China Bears.
For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
SOUND BATH / JANUARY 14 / CRANLEIGH ARTS CENTRE
Be transformed by multiple frequencies as you take a dip in this group sound bath held at Cranleigh Arts Centre this January. The perfect way to unwind and find peace and the festive furore, take part in this sound experience and let the vibrations wash over you.
For more information, visit cranleigharts.org
QUILTERS’ FAIR 2023 / JANUARY 15 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
If you’ve recently discovered that you’re a dab hand with textiles, why not head to the excellent annual Quilters Fair held at Farnham Maltings? Enjoy a day indulging in fantastic fabrics from a curated selection of leading suppliers selling patchworks and more. So join like-minded enthusiasts and enjoy this midwinter sew-cial celebrating cosy quilts.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
A DENCH AND 2 WILLIAMS / JANUARY 15 / CHARTERHOUSE SCHOOL, GODALMING
Charterhouse school is opening its doors and hosting a once-in-a-lifetime event for the Surrey charity Mane Chance Sanctuary. The legend and theatre icon Dame Judi Dench will be joined by her daughter, actor Finty Williams and her grandson Sam Williams for an afternoon of anecdotes and no doubt, laughter! Dame Judi will look back at her long and illustrious career, and Finty and Sam will share their life as a family as they navigated it alongside her.
For more information, visit manechancesanctuary.org
INTRODUCTION TO COLD WATER SWIMMING / JANUARY 15 / BUCKLAND PARK QUARRY, BETCHWORTH
Love nature? Love to swim outdoors? Brace yourself for a dip in Buckland Park Lake and join the Surrey Hills Adventure Company for an introduction to cold water swimming. You’ll need to register online, and once you do, you’ll have access to all the great activities the company runs. Whether you fancy swimming, paddleboarding or e-foiling, getting wet and wild in the great outdoors has never been easier.
For more information, visit theshac.co.uk
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