If you’re looking for something to do in the Ipswich area this weekend, you can take your pick from a beer festival, a car-themed fun day, concerts and more.
Sproughton Beer Festival, Sproughton Tithe Barn
Mary 12-13
The village of Sproughton is celebrating its 10th beer festival this weekend, with more than 30 different real ales, ciders and perries to choose from.
There will also be live music on the Saturday evening, and the festival will be rounded off with a quiz on the Sunday evening. The festival runs from 12 noon to 10.30pm on both days.
Admission is free, but you can buy commemorative beer glasses, with profits going to charity. For more details, see the website.
The Quo Experience, Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe
May 12
If you’re a Status Quo fan, you can enjoy the their music at this spectacular stage show, featuring legendary Quo drummer Matt Letley, who was with the band from 2000 to 2013.
The show is led by Shaun Michaels as Francis Rossi and Dave Crawte as Rick Parfitt. Both have spent years studying every detail of Rossi and Parfitt’s looks, playing styles and stage performances, to make sure they are both as close to the real thing on stage as possible.
Hits include Rockin’ All Over The World, Whatever You Want, Down Down, Living On An Island, In The Army Now, Burning Bridges, What You’re Proposing and many more. For more details, see the website.
Our Blue Heaven, New Wolsey Theatre,
May 12
Want to enjoy some footballing nostalgia? Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ipswich Town’s FA Cup victory with this 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. There are two performances on Saturday, at 2.30 and 7.45pm. For more details and to book, see the website.
Somersham Wheelie Fun Day
May 12
Now in its second year, this car-themed fun day in Somersham playing field, just outside Ipswich features stalls, games, food and many more attractions.
The programme will include vehicles from Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Club, with classic cars, performance race course, motorbikes, model car driving and more. There will also be live music from 12 noon to 10pm, including Wattisham Military Wives Choir, the RAF Honington Band, Offton Limeburners Buskers, Hollow Box, Unit Ninety Nine and many more.
For more details, see the fun day’s Facebook page.
Community Light Orchestra Concert, St John’s Church, Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich
May 12
Light classics and music from the shows will be on the bill for this concert, conducted by Roger Jones with leader Cecilia Metherell.
The concert, due to start at 7.30pm, will feature soloist Martyn Robinson on clarinet.
There will be free admission, with a retiring collection in aid of the charity Talitha Koum. To find out more about the orchestra, see their website.
Contemporary Chinese Works on Paper Exhibition, Ipswich Art Gallery
May 12-13
If you fancy going to an art exhibition with a difference this weekend, this varied exhibition of Chinese art is the answer.
The largest selection of contemporary Chinese works on paper outside China is on show, with 72 different artists and more than 100 works of art featured.
Many artists from China still employ traditional techniques of calligraphy, while also embracing more modern methods, so the exhibition is extremely varied. For more details, see the website.
The Real Thing and Odyssey, Ipswich Regent
May 13
Dance music legends take the stage in a double bill at the Regent this weekend.
Following the sad passing of soul singer Eddy Amoo – vocalist with the 70s and 80s group – the band’s fellow founding members and vocalists, brother Chris Amoo and Dave Smith, are dedicating the group’s tour to his memory. They will be performing hits like Can’t Get By Without You and the soul classic You to Me Are Everything.
Also on the bill, direct from New York, Odyssey will take fans back to their roots with songs including Native New Yorker and Inside Out. For more details, see the Regent’s Facebook page.
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