There are plenty of fun summer events to enjoy across the Ipswich and Felixstowe area this weekend, from music festivals to a theatrical production and a giant floating aqua park.
Global Rhythm, Christchurch Park, Ipswich, July 7
Worldwide music and culture are showcased in this annual event, featuring fusions of musical genres that originated thousands of miles apart. Belly dance, reggae, bossa nova and samba all feature. There will be a wide range of performances and workshops, plus plenty of delicious cuisine from around the world. The festival runs from 1 to 7pm. For more information and to see the full line-up of acts, visit the website.
Fleetingwood Mac, Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe, July 7
If you’re a fan of classic band Fleetwood Mac, famous for songs like Go Your Own Way and You Make Loving Fun, now’s your chance to see a dedicated young tribute band re-creating their sound. Fleetingwood Mac use authentic instruments and vocals, working hard in rehearsal to get the details right and do justice to classic songs. They track the sound of Fleetwood Mac from the early rhythm & blues style right up to the arena rock and anthems which followed. For more details, visit the website.
Jigzaw Dance Creationz, Corn Exchange, Ipswich, July 7
Dance takes centre stage in Hip Hop Hooray, an upbeat show for all the family. The show will feature hip hop, street dance and commercial routines to great chart-topping songs. Jigzaw is an Ipswich-based dance school for children from three right through to adulthood. This is their fourth year running at the Corn Exchange, with a show which will be packed with fast, funky and energetic routines. The show starts at 7.30pm. For more details and to book, visit the website.
My Fair Lady, Ipswich Regent, July 4-7
Love musicals? Then now’s your chance to see one of the greatest musicals of all time, presented by locally-based IODS Theatre Company. The show tells the story of a Cockney flower girl transformed into an elegant lady, with classic songs including Wouldn’t It Be Loverly, I Could Have Danced All Night and Get Me to the Church on Time. You’ll have to hurry to get tickets. For more information, see the website.
Aqua Park Suffolk, Alton Water, July 7 to September 9
A massive floating inflatable park arrives at Alton Water near Ipswich this weekend. It will include 72 obstacles, from climbing walls to trampolines, balance bars, rockers, rollers, blast bags and the UK’s biggest slides. There will also be a special corner for adrenaline junkies. Individuals, families and groups are all welcome, but children need to be over eight and more than 1.2m tall, and you need to be able to swim 50m unaided in the park’s buoyancy vest. There are also various other rules, which are stated on the park’s website, where you can check availability and book.
Ipswich Indian Summer Mela, Christchurch Park, Ipswich, July 8
Take your family along to the Mela, and join in a celebration of Asian culture. Highlights will include Bollywood dances, songs and music, dance workshops, Indian cooking demonstrations, sari & turban demonstrations and Mela’s Got Talent. There will also be a market and an Indian food village, offering the chance to indulge in delicious Indian cuisine from across the Indian subcontinent. The event runs from noon to 6pm. For more details, visit the website.
Peter Pan, Alton Water Park, July 8
Sail away to Neverland with this touring open-air musical from Immersion Theatre Company. Peter introduces the Darling children to the lost boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee, and a host of other exciting characters before facing the most feared villain of them all, Captain Hook! The show contains catchy music and a lot of audience interaction, and is suitable for age four upwards. Take low-backed chairs or rugs and you are also welcome to bring your own picnics. Doors open at 1.30pm and the show starts at 2pm. For more details and to book, see the website.
Autism & ADHD Summer Fete, Great Blakenham Village Hall, July 8
Following the success of last year’s event, another summer fete is being organised at the village hall and recreation ground. Attractions will include pony rides, craft stalls, bouncy castles and much more. The event runs from 10am to 3pm, and will raise funds for the Autism & ADHD Community Fund, which provides support to families across Suffolk. For more details, see the event’s Facebook page.
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