EVENTS GUIDE: Things to do this weekend in the north west

Scarecrow Festival, Tatton Park, Saturday to Sunday, February 26

MORE than 30 scarecrows will be frightening the birds and intriguing youngsters at Tatton Park from Saturday until next Sunday, February 26.

The annual half term event invites children to follow a trail around the gardens and farm to find all the scarecrows or have a go and making one of their own.

There will also be extra themed activities on some of the days
Normal entry and car park fees apply.

RETRO

Icons of the 80s, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Friday

GO West and Nik Kershaw will be reliving the era that made them famous in a night of nostalgia for fans.

They will be sharing a stage along with special guest Cutting Crew for Icons of the 80s at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall tomorrow, Friday.

It has been more than 30 years since Go West had their first hit single, We Close Our Eyes. 

Other hits include Call Me, Goodbye Girl, Don’t Look Down, Faithful and the theme song for Pretty Woman, King of Wishful Thinking.

Nik Kershaw first achieved chart success in 1984 with Wouldn’t It Be Good?

It was followed by other classics such as Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me and The Riddle. 

A prolific writer for other artists, Nik also penned the number one single, The One and Only, for Chesney Hawkes.

The Grammy-nominated Cutting Crew formed in the mid-80s.

They are known for their hit (I Just) Died In Your Arms which helped define the sound of the club scene during the 80s and is still played widely today. 

Original songwriter Nick Van Eede has recently signed a new record deal and continues to write new material.

• Icons of the 80s is at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall tomorrow, Friday. Tickets are still available from £24.90. Visit liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/icons-of-the-80s

WORKSHOP

Beatboxing with Lee Gibling, Chester Storyhouse, Saturday

YES, you read it right. Storyhouse is going to be hosting a beatboxing workshop.
So if you fancy yourself as the next Adam Rupp or Kenny Muhammad or simply want to have it as a skill up your sleeve for a party trick head to Chester.
The one hour session is with Lee Gibling, a beatboxer with more than 10 years’ experience and a member of the contemporary a cappella group The Acafellas.
The masterclass is part of Storyhouse’s half term family festival, WayWord. Visit the events section of storyhouse.com

MUSIC

The Lovely Eggs, Band on the Wall, Manchester, Saturday

THE proudly northern Lovely Eggs are returning to the live scene just ahead of the release of their new album, This Is Eggland.

Lancaster’s raucous, psychedelic punks – made up of wife and husband duo Holly Ross and David Blackwell – worked with Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev producer Dave Fridmann on the record which is out on February 23.

At Band on the Wall you can hear them play their new song Wiggy Giggy alongside fan favourites.

Holly said the latest single was inspired by a book the couple used to read to their son. 

She said: “The book was about a spaceman who went off exploring other planets but every planet he went to, there was something inhospitable or wrong with it and when he landed back on planet Earth he realised that after all his cosmic travels that earth was the best place for him to live. We feel the same about Lancaster where we live.”

The gig will also feature support from comedian from Phill Jupitus in his musical guise as Porky The Poet. Visit bandonthewall.org

MARKET

Makers Market, Liverpool, Sunday

CRAFTED gift stalls, artisan food and live music.

You cannot really go wrong with the Makers Market which now takes place all over the north west.

The next event will be held on Sunday in Hope Street, Liverpool.

Organisers describe the market as an event that brings together the finest and often award-wining food, drink, art and craft producers in the area.

If you can’t make the Liverpool date don’t worry because there are 14 markets each month. All the details are at themakersmarket.co.uk

PANTO

Aladdin, Culcheth Sports Club, Friday to Sunday

CULCHETH Players will take to the stage for the first celebration of their 60th anniversary year.

The drama group will be staging Aladdin between Friday and Sunday at Culcheth Sports Club.

Culcheth Players, originally Culcheth Arts Society, formed in 1958 and present three productions every year.

Over the years the thespians have also had numerous nominations and awards from the Cheshire Theatre Guild.

Sue Rogers has been a member for six years.

The former Cardinal Newman RC High School student said: “I joined the group through a friend and co-worker and ever since my first rehearsal I just couldn’t get over how friendly and welcoming everybody in the group was. I was made to feel included straight away.

• Culcheth Players will present four performances of Aladdin between Friday and Sunday. Tickets are £6. Call 07548 598 898 and leave your details

MUSICAL

Flashdance, Palace Theatre, Manchester, until Saturday

STRICTLY Come Dancing’s Joanne Clifton stars in this adaptation of the popular film.

She stars as Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of becoming a professional dancer. 

When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream. 

Joanne’s co-star is A1’s Ben Adams and the show has been put together by Selladoor Productions, the award-winning team behind Footloose, Avenue Q and Little Shop of Horrors.

• Flashdance is at Palace Theatre until Saturday. Visit flashdanceuktour.co.uk