ON THE STAGE

whitney queen of the night back of singer

Don’t miss this one. Direct from the West End, Queen of the Night is a celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of all time: Whitney Houston. It’s on at Buxton Opera House on Sat 21 Sept. If you miss it, it’s back in our ‘hood on 1 Nov at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.

Another dose of musical nostalgia as Pretty Woman takes to the stage at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal from Mon 2-Sat 7 Sept for a Big night out. Big. HUGE. With a blazing rock score, this is deservedly a smash-hit musical.

Emerging from a summer of exam results with your teen? Take them to Alan Bennett’s brilliant The History Boys (Tues 10-Sat 14 Sept) at Nottingham Theatre Royal and enjoy an evening exploring the anarchy of adolescence (that’s not in your own home).

One for the whole fam, Cirque: The Greatest Show is part musical, part circus – and it’s a jaw-dropper. An all-star cast and mesmerising aerial displays, it’s on for one weekend only, Sat 14-Sun 15 Sept at Nottingham Theatre Royal.

And don’t miss a night of firey flamenco on Thurs 12 Sept at Winding Wheel, Chesterfield. The Art of Believing sounds sensational – passionate, authentic flamenco music and dance.

MUSIC

Thank you for the music abba tribute band on stage

It’s a great month for classy tribute acts in our ‘hood, with ABBA faves being belted out by Thank You for the Music on Fri 20 Sept, Queen hits from Radio Ga Ga on Sat 21 Sept and boyband hits by the bucketload at The Ultimate Boyband Party Show on Sun 22 Sept. All at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall.

George Michael fan? This terrific tribute to George, Fastlove, could be right up your street. At Derby Arena on Sat 21 September and, although it’s a seated gig, ‘standing up and dancing’ is allowed! Woop woop.

More feelgood tribute music the following night at ELO Again on 22 Sept at Derby Arena, with corkers like Mr Blue Sky to boost your mood.

For the real thing, you’ve got Calum Scott on Tues 3 Sept, blast from the past David Essex on Thurs 12 Sept and Paul Carrack on Fri 27 Sept (all at Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham).

Always had a soft spot for Aled Jones? From his angelic-voiced Snowman days through to his parts in West End musicals, he’ll be bringing his best bits to Winding Wheel, Chesterfield on Fri 27 Sept (including never-heard-before music).

Book now for one of the loveliest candlelit concerts in the spectacular setting of Southwell Minster – Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight on 1-2 Oct.

COMEDY

Injecting a blast of comedy into back-to-school month, TV favourite Ed Byrne brings the laughs to Newark’s Palace Theatre on 28 Sept.

More giggles with comedian Nish Kumar, who is back on tour with his brand new politically-charged stand-up show, Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe on Wed 18 Sept at Buxton Opera House.

And Ben Elton lands in Nottingham on Sun 8 Sept as part of his latest laugh out loud tour of the country. He’ll be closely followed on Sun 29 Sept by off the wall Milton Jones who you’ll know from Mock the Week. Deliciously daft.

OUTDOORS

This scenic running challenge sounds tempting – a mixed terrain 10k run in the stunning grounds of the Chatsworth estate on Sun 22 September. If the full 10k feels a stretch too far, there’s also an achievable 3k fun run on offer.

If you’ve never visited Matlock Bath’s famous illuminations, it’s well worth a trip en famille. This year’s spectacle opens on Sat 7 September, along Derwent Gardens and Lovers’ Walks. The best bit though is the pretty parade of illuminated boats, led by the candle boat (lit with more than 70 night lights in glass jars) every Saturday and Sunday until 27 October. And if that’s not enough lights for you, there are fireworks every Saturday.

Up, up and away! Grab your kite and get thee to the Kite Azaadi Festival at Wollaton Hall on Sun 15 Sept for a celebration of kites, culture and sport.

How about a weekend of top-tier archery action, as the country’s best talent descend on the legendary home of Robin Hood for the Final of the National Archery Tour. Head to Wollaton Hall, Nottingham on Sat 7 and Sun 8 Sept.

Cycle buffs in the family? The Tour of Britain pedals our way on Fri 6 September for the fourth stage that runs from Sherwood Forest to Newark-on-Trent. Spectators can watch all the action by the roadside for free (an impressive 225,000 fans lined the route that ran through Nottinghamshire last year) but there are also race day hospitality packages offering guaranteed prime views of stage starts and finishes for super-fans. Check out the full route here and pick your perfect spot.

EVENTS

vintage fairground rides at Chatsworth country show — Chatsworth Country Fair / Image by Helena Dolby

Finish the school hols with a flourish by taking the whole fam to Chatsworth Country Fair on 1 Sept – it’s a corker. Held in the 1000-acre parkland surrounding Chatsworth House, it’s the final day of thrilling Grand Ring entertainment, acrobatics and stunts, inspirational cooking masterclasses (including James Martin and Nadiya Hussain), delicious food, fantastic shopping and plenty of have-a-go activities.

Spend a lazy Sunday messing about in boats at Tapton Lock Festival, Chesterfield on Sun 8 Sept. Take a trip on a narrowboat, try your hand in a canoe, and enjoy promenade performances.

Head for the hills and to New Mills Festival at the foot of the Kinder Scout plateau from 13-29 Sept. Expect a town art trail plus an eclectic mix of musical, comical, food and drink, social, sporty, performing art, and downright obscure events that showcase the skills and personalities of New Mills.

Back for a 3rd year, the Georgian Derbyshire Festival kicks off in Buxton on Wed 25 Sept (running until 29 Sept). As well as family-friendly crafts, Georgian dress-up and costumed tours, there’s also a packed programme of intriguing talks and tours.

Gorge on mushy peas and go wild on the waltzers, it’s time for Nottingham’s famous Goose Fair. Running for 9 days from Fri 27 September, it’s one of the oldest fairs in England and one of the biggest in Europe.

ART AND CULTURE

two men fix a painting to an exterior wall at melbourne festival

Roll up for the Melbourne Festival, a brilliant arty celebration with arts, crafts, musical performances, busk and story stops, recitals and exhibitions. The highlight? The Arts & Culture Trail that leads you around Melbourne in Derbyshire and in and out of residents’ houses on Sat 14 and Sun 15 September to view the work of talented artists and craft workers. Good for nosey parkers!

Another arty town takeover at the Wirksworth Festival -10 days of music, performance and visual arts from Fri 6 to Mon 16 September. Don’t miss the Art Trail on the weekend of 7 and 8 September, when the town transforms into a giant art gallery with homes, gardens and public spaces thrown open for over 100 artists to exhibit their work.

A chance to browse 20 years of artworks from Grayson Perry, the witty chronicler of contemporary life at Lakeside Arts, Nottingham from Sat 21 Sept.

Last chance to see the stunning Erdem: Imaginary Conversations fashion exhibition at Chatsworth, which runs until 20 Oct.

From criminal courtrooms and murders in museum archives to tall towers and vertiginous viaducts, there are more than 130 secret historical gems to visit in the local area as part of Heritage Open Days from 8-17 September. The best bit? You don’t have to pay a penny.

SHOPPING

Cosy season will soon be upon us. Get some seasonal home inspo at the Fabulous Places Autumn Market on Sat 14 Sept at Osmaston Park, Ashbourne. Browse gorgeous goodies from more than 70 local small businesses, from decorative interiors and jewellery to vintage goods and gardenware.

Wild day out in the Peak District? Head to Waterhouse Farm, Longnor for the annual Longnor Races on Thurs 5 September. This bonkers sports fest with a long tradition hosts an eclectic mix of races that includes a pony gymkhana, harness trotting races, motorbike racing and a cross-country fell run through the hills and mud.

FOOD & DRINK

toasting with a glass of red wine and a glass of white wine — Image / Zisan Ozdemir

Just the kind of ‘enrichment’ Muddy is up for – an evening genning up on wine at gorgeous Norwood Park in Southwell. Yup, Enrichment with Norwood is a wine tasting evening on Fri 20 Sept led by an expert sommelier who will guide you through the world of wines on offer while you quaff and scoff with your mates.

An unbeatable excuse to eat yourself silly, the Festival of Food and Drink kicks off on Saturday 21 and Sun 22 September at Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire, and there’s a lot to look forward to. With celebrity chef demonstrations, workshops, live music and local produce, the family-friendly festival also offers a wide-range of have-a-go activities for visitors to take part in, from cocktail masterclasses to kids’ cookery workshops.

Ooh, a seven-course tasting menu at elegant Woodborough Hall? Er, yes please. Book now for the Taste of Woodborough Hall tasting evening on Fri 27 Sept.

Fancy an arty weekend nosing around open houses and picking up some original local art? Bookmark these brilliant local art festivals now.

Sensational September! Your guide to what’s on locally this month

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