Hairspray The Musical - Now with Phil Jupitus and Belinda Carlisle

If you are looking for a Christmas family treat in London then why not check our Hairspray The Musical, currently showing at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End.

With the opportunity to also take in the Christmas Lights in Oxford Street and big stores such as Hamley’s it could make a great family day out.

The show currently stars Phil Jupitus and Belinda Carlisle, and also has Sunday performances.

To whet your appetite, have a look at the Hairspray trailer below:

Tots play The Beatles at Bestival

Here is a really cute video of a group of tots playing at the recent Bestival on the Isle of Wight.

These four tots took to the stage in the Xbox tent and got the crowd going with the Beatles classic rock and roll song, Twist & Shout. Check out the tiny one with the Kanye West shades!

Custard Pie Fight World Record Attempt - 31 May at Horsham Kidz Stuff Festival

At attempt on the World Record for a custard pie fight is being held on the 31 May as the finale to the Horsham Kidz Stuff Festival.

Sponsored by Hawkin’s Bazaar, as many people as possible are being encouraged to participate. Visit the Hawkin’s Bazaar shop in the Swan Walk Shopping Centre to buy tickets for the Kidz Stuff event and register for the pie fight.

Entry to the Kidz Stuff Festival is £8 a day - participation in the pie fight is £5. For more information on the Kidz Stuff festival visit www.kidzstuff.org.uk.

Big Toddle - Coronation Street’s Tina O’Brien Urges Parents to Get Involved

Former Corrie star and mum Tina O’Brien is teaming up with children’s charity Barnardo’s and Fairy Non-Bio Gel, in encouraging parents to get involved in the Big Toddle.

The Big Toddle is the UK’s biggest charity event for children under the age of five, and a fun opportunity for parents to celebrate a special and worthwhile experience together with their little ones. Each year, up to half a million children take part in the short sponsored walks across the country, with the money raised going towards charitable projects that help less fortunate children learn and play.

To get involved in celebrating your little ones, you can organise your own Toddle, or join one near you! Throughout the summer anyone can Toddle – nurseries, crèches and playgroups; to parents, friends and family. And this year, parents are encouraged to bring along any unwanted clothes to their local toddle to pop into ‘Fairy’s Basket of Softness’, which will be donated to Barnardo’s at the end of the event.

Terence Lovell from Barnardo’s, alongside Fairy Godmother and mum Daniela Pinto, give some handy hints and tips in this video to help you get the most out the Big Toddle.

For more information about the Barnardo’s Big Toddle and how to donate to ‘Fairy’s Basket of Softness’ at selected July Toddles visit www.softeningyourworld.com

The Little Gym - Olympic Camp Activity Week this August

The Little Gym is getting ready for 2012 with its new Olympic Camp Week this August, at centres across London and Hertfordshire. Suitable for both boys and girls of all abilities, from 3 to 12 years, the special half-day camps will allow youngsters to explore lots of Olympic-themed activities, in a vibrant, fun-packed activity session. Camps will focus on gymnastic-based skills needed for a variety of sports, including balance, flexibility, rhythm and co-ordination. All sessions will be led by professional instructors, with lots of one-to-one tuition – and gold medals are assured for all entrants!

Like The Little Gym weekly classes, all camps are non-competitive and are designed to boost confidence while building skills. All sessions will be held at The Little Gym’s purpose-built OFSTED-registered centres and will incorporate a ‘cool-down’ creative session and refreshments. (For info, visit www.thelittlegym.co.uk)

Virginia Barlow, Gym Director commented, “Seeing Team GB achieving so much at last year’s Olympics has really fired-up local youngsters. We’re keen to get behind London 2012 and help kids, of all abilities, to discover gymnastics, get a great sports grounding and to enjoy the benefits it brings. Who knows, we might help someone realise an Olympic dream in the future!”

For more information, please contact:

The Little Gym Bishop’s Stortford on 01279 652017
The Little Gym Harpenden on 01582 712423
The Little Gym Westfield on 0208 735 0817
The Little Gym Chiswick on 020 8994 3729
The Little Gym Hampton Hill on 0208 977 0099 or
The Little Gym Wandsworth on 0208 874 6567
or visit The Little Gym

2009 Walk for Skin - Sponsored Walks for British Skin Foundation

In its fourth year, the 2009 Walk for Skin, proudly supported by Sanex, is a series of sponsored walks taking place throughout the UK, with the first being kick started by Denise Van Outen in Kensington Gardens, London on May 10th.

Other walks will take place as follows:

Glasgow – Mugdock Country Park, 31st May
Manchester – Heaton Park, 17th May
Midlands – Coombe Country Park, 17th May
Cardiff – Bute Park, 17th May
Newcastle – Tyne and Riverside Country Park, 17th May
Cheddar Gorge – Cheddar, 17th May
Edinburgh – Holyrood Park, 31st May
Dundee – Camperdown Park, 31st May
Southampton – The Common, 31st May
Leeds – Temple Newsam, 7th June

Everyone’s favourite Essex girl, Denise Van Outen, is getting behind the Walk for Skin to help raise as much money as possible to fund the British Skin Foundation’s, the only charity in the UK dedicated to skin disease research.

Getting behind a charity fundraising event is always worthwhile, but there is another reason why Denise is supporting the Walk for Skin:

“My Nan lived to the ripe old age of 83, but she did get skin cancer in her later years, which really affected my attitude to looking after my skin and is the reason why I’m supporting the 2009 Walk for Skin”

Healthy skin brand Sanex supports the Walk for Skin and has been working closely with the British Skin Foundation since 2005, to help promote the importance of healthy skin.

Visit www.walkforskin.org.uk (this will be updated later this month) for more information on the nearest walk to you and to register to take part. All walkers will also receive a walker’s pack including a Walk for Skin bag, Sanex healthy skin goodies for the whole family and fun stuff for the kids.

Traditional Festive Celebrations in Staffordshire

Recreate the enchantment of a by-gone era this Christmas with a visit to Staffordshire for traditional festive celebrations. Stately homes, picturesque market towns and historic churches will be hosting Christmas themed events for all ages. If you live in the vicinity here are some cracking suggestions given to us by the local tourist board.

Victorian Candlelit Evenings at Shugborough Estate

Hundreds of candles and fresh flowers will bring a sparkle to the Victorian Candlelit Evenings at the Mansion House and working Servants’ Quarters at Shugborough Estate from 3 to 6 December. Magical snow showers, reindeers, carol singers and stilt walkers will help recreate the sights and smells of an authentic Victorian Christmas at the historic family Estate. Tickets for the Victorian Candlelit Evenings cost £10 for adults and £5 for children.

Christmas Reindeer Parade at The National Arboreturm

‘Elfee Okee’, ‘Christmas Carriage’ and ‘Jingle Jangle’ will be leading the lantern lit, Christmas Reindeer Parade at The National Arboretum in Alrewas, near Lichfield on 7 December. Visitors are invited to light their route with lanterns for this magical afternoon, which also sees the opening of Santa’s grotto and a children’s fun fair. A traditional open air Christmas concert will also be taking place on 19 December. Tickets are free and hymn sheets are available to download from the National Arboretum website.

Medieval Christmas at Litchfield Cathedral

This Christmas, discover Lichfield as it would have been in medieval times - by candlelight. Historic Lichfield Cathedral, the only medieval English cathedral with three spires, will be offering guided candlelit tours of this spectacular gothic building from 22 November to 23 December and 27 December to 4 January. Tickets cost £10 each.

Christmas Family Day at Museum of Cannock Chase

There is something for young and old at the Museum of Cannock Chase for their Christmas Family Day on 7 December including Christmas Carols with the Salvation Army Band, Snow Queen puppet shows, Christmas storytelling sessions and a special Wartime Christmas in the 1940s Room. Santa and his Elf will be in the Coal Mine, and there will also be festive games with Cannock Chase Council play rangers.

Real Christmas Trees from Birches Valley Forest Centre

Over at the Birches Valley Forest Centre in Cannock Chase, real Christmas trees will be available to buy. Head over and soak up the atmosphere with thousands of fresh Christmas trees available to buy as well as traditional festive decorations. The centre will be open daily until the 22 December.

Winter Wonderland at SnowDome

Enjoy a game of snowballs, hitch a ride on a sledge and have fun sliding about as you wander through the snowy Christmas landscape at Tamworth’s SnowDome magical Winter Wonderland. Real snow is, of course, guaranteed as is real reindeer and a festive Winter Wonderland show. Open from 28 November - 31 December, Santa will also be bringing children’s favourite, Sooty to entertain guests. Tickets are £16.95 per person.

Carols by the Lake at Rudyard Lake

Throngs of brass bands and a chorus of carol singers will be bringing to life the ‘gem of the Staffordshire Moorlands’, Rudyard Lake on 19 December. The lake will be illuminated with hundreds of lights whilst a traditional brass band perform festive favourites. The ‘Carols by the Lake’ event starts and 6.30pm and entry is free of charge.

Christmas Steam Trains at Churnet Valley Railway

Visitors are cordially invited aboard the Majestic Vintage Steam Trains at the Churnet Valley Railway to take a journey through the beautiful and unspoilt, Churnet Valley. The trains will be departing from Moorland stations at Cheddleton, known for its grade II listed Victorian station and Froghall, featuring Victorian style tea rooms. Onboard the trains, Father Christmas will be presenting gifts for children whilst adults will be able to enjoy mince pies and a glass of sherry. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £7 for children.

New Year Walks at Weston Park

Why not walk off the festive indulgences with a New Years Walk through Weston Park’s grounds on 4 January 2009. The 350-year old Estate, which has hosted everyone from international politicians to royalty, is renowned for its charm and family atmosphere. Head Gardener, Martin Gee will take guests on a three and a half mile walk around the Estate to explore medieval parkland and winter woodland. After walking up an appetite a three course Sunday lunch will be served in the Stables Bistro Restaurant. Tickets cost £27.50 per person for adults and £15.00 for children.

For more information about Christmas events in Staffordshire visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com

Christmas Art Exhibition featuring Fairytales by Antonio Nocera

The World of fairy tales in the artworks of the Italian artist Antonio Nocera is the theme of the Christmas Show at La Galleria Pall Mall this year with works based on the fables of Pulcinella, Pinocchio, Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, Cinderella and more…

Antonio Nocera  has brought to life the fairytales we all remember from our own childhood in this exhibition. The puppet Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, all contain something which is much deeper, the mystery of metamorphosis, of weakness that transforms into strength, of oppression that is won over by the oppressed, of poverty that is transformed into abundance, the frog into Prince Charming.

Antonio Nocera was born in Naples in 1949 graduated from the Naples Academy of Fine Art in painting and sculpture, Nocera has been a professional artist for 40 years, his love for Pinocchio lead him to illustrate two books for The Collodi Foundation. Today he lives between Paris and Rome.
Fairy tales bring children and adults closer to the real world and encourage and stimulate fantasy and interactivity, two magic elements that should not be missing in an exhibition. Fairy tales are essential for growth and life, poetic metaphors to discover and understand the mysteries of life. Antonio Nocera invites us to penetrate the enchanted forest of our personal certainties. Fairy tales are carriers of a culture which reach us from a distant oral and verbal tradition.

The show includes more than 60 works of lithographs, fine art limited print editions, large paintings and bronzes. The exhibition is an invitation to reflect on the times we live in and how with our current priorities we risk losing for ever an essential part of our soul, that of the enchanted forests, of the animals of the adventure.

The exhibition has been shown in Italy promoted and sponsored by the Italian Senate in the former Juvenile Correction Centre St Michele in Rome and in the Royal Palace in Naples.

The London Exhibition is the first opportunity to purchase the artworks from this unique show and artist.

The Christmas Art Exhibition “ Once Upon a Time” by the Italian artist Antonio Nocera runs between 16 December - 23 January 2009 - La Galleria Pall Mall, 30 Royal Opera Arcade

http://www.lagalleria.org