The long weekend is nearly here. There are lots of things to do in the Ipswich and Felixstowe area during the bank holiday weekend and coming week, ranging from a May Day Festival and Beachfest to concerts and shows.
BeachFest, Manning’s Amusements, Felixstowe
May 5
The second day of this family-friendly music and food festival is on Saturday,
Live music starts at noon, with bands and musicians including The Girl in the Hat, Meg Hughes, James Nunn, Hurricane Wolves, Falling from Trees and In My Disguise. From 10pm onwards there will be a silent disco.
Refreshments include a South African barbecue, and there will be fairground rides, face-painting and balloon modelling. For more details, see the festival’s Facebook page.
Blood Brothers, The Ipswich Regent
May 5
Saturday is your last chance to see this powerful musical by Willy Russell, starring Lyn Paul of New Seekers fame.
The show tells the moving tale of twins from Liverpool who are separated at birth and grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with dramatic results.
There are two performances on Saturday, at 2.30 and 7.30pm. For more information and to book, see the website.
You Win Again - A Celebration of the Bee Gees, Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe
May 5
One of the top pop bands of all time are celebrated in this show, direct from London’s West End.
The show includes songs such as Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive, You Should Be Dancin’, More Than a Woman and many more.
As well as the Bee Gees’ own hits, it also features songs the Gibb Brothers wrote for other artists, such as Celine Dion, Diana Ross and Dolly Parton. For more details, see the website.
The Great Exhibition of Witnesham 1851, Le Panto Theatre, Church Lane, Witnesham
May 5 and 6
The Barley Players are putting on a show this weekend, with an unusual theme.
When the locals find out that only Lord and Lady Meadows can afford to go to the Great Exhibition in London, they decide to hold their own exhibition, with surprising results.
Profits will go to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. Performances are at 7.45pm on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday. Call 01473 785707 to book.
Our Blue Heaven, New Wolsey Theatre,
May 5 and 6
May 6 marks the 40th anniversary of Ipswich Town’s FA Cup victory. The New Wolsey is celebrating with a musical production.
Mad-keen Blues fans are keen to make it to the final, but, with hurdles ranging from a hasty wedding to a first birth and missing tickets, will they make it to Wembley?
The show is created from the memories of fans, with chart hits from 1978. Tickets for Sunday have sold out and there aren’t many left for Saturday, but you may be able to get returns, or buy seats for later in the run. See the website.
May Day Festival, Alexandra Park, Ipswich
May 6
Go and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the May Day Festival.
There will be three stages of entertainment to enjoy including headliners YT & Innerheart Band, Impilo and Beard FX. Speakers include Emily Thornberry, Sandy Martin, Chris Baugh and Becky Tye. There will also be stalls, food and rides to keep you entertained.
The event runs from 10am to 6pm. For more details, see the website.
The Rutles, The Smokehouse, South Street Studios, Ipswich
May 6
Cult comedy band The Rutles are taking the stage in Ipswich this weekend to launch a tour of the UK.
Neil Innes of Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band fame heads the line-up, which includes two band members from Ipswich.
The Rutles began 40 years ago with the Beatles spoof film All You Need is Cash, a spin-off from comedy series Rutland Weekend Television. Doors open at 7.15pm, the film will be shown at 7.15pm and the concert starts at 8.45pm. To book tickets, call 01473 214331.
Jimmy’s Spring Fayre, Jimmy’s Farm, Wherstead
May 6 and 7
A new event being held this year, the fayre will include a lot of stalls selling seasonal goods and produce.
There will also be various spring activities in the farm’s wildlife park, and food and drink, as well as children’s entertainment, garden games and cupcake decorating. Parking is free.
As well as the fayre itself, there will be slime workshops for children over the two days. For more information on the fayre, see the website and for information on the slime workshops, which must be booked, see the Facebook page.
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