What’s on this weekend
FRI 27 – SUN 29 APRIL
Families all have their moments – embarrassing, cringingly awful and utterly ridiculous. That’s just Ma Muddy. But David Baddiel is about to up the ante. His show is covers, ageing, infidelity, dysfunctional relatives, moral policing on social media, golf, and gay cats. It’s massively disrespectful celebration of the lives of David’s late sex-mad mother, Sarah, and dementia-ridden father, Colin. Come and be offended on David’s behalf! readingarts.com/hexagon
Grump Old Women To The Rescue, Corn Exchange Newbury, Sat 28 Apr
Fed up with flogging their guts out and alway having to be in charge? Join the Grumpy Old Women (Jenny Eclair, Dillie Keane, Lizzie Roper) who have put their knobbly old feet up in glorious retirement, free at last to practise their extreme colouring-in, ukelele orchestra and novelty fudge-making. A riot of truth be told laughs. cornexchangenew.com
Are Your Listening Festival, South Street Reading, Sat 28 Apr
When the bill includes one of the late great Prince’s personal faves, you sit up like a meerkat. Indie pop kings Field Music (Mercury prize nominated) will perform at Are Your Listening? Reading’s fab multi-venue one day festival alongside breakbeat pioneers Plump DJs. The duo, who’ve collaborated with Mark Ronson, Gary Newman and Fatboy Slim, will perform their legendary four deck DJ set. Add Carnival Youth who supported the Red Hot Chili Peppers and BBC 6 Music DJ Steve Lamacq and you know it’s a bit spesh. readingarts.com/south-street
The Art Of Style, The Oracle Reading, Fri 27 – Sun 29 Apr
The Washboard Resonators, The Hope Windsor, Fri 27 Apr
The Washboard Resonators are a duo that play foot-stomping blues, vaudeville, ragtime, hokum, skiffle, swing and folk like it was in the 1920s, 30s & 40s. Expect a show with upbeat songs, tap dancing and an array of instruments, including; washboard, resonator guitars, banjo, ukulele, snare drum, suitcase bass drum, spoons and their very own invention—the kazoosaphone. fireythings.com
The Great British Dog Walk, Windsor Great Park, Sat 28 Apr
Benson the Muddy hound
Walkies! This is a nice idea to get you, your family and your pooch out into the Spring air, while raising funds for the charity Hearing Dogs For Deaf People. The Great British Dog Walk takes in a 4km family route or an 8k scenic one around Windsor Great Park, where you might just spot deer or royalty. There’s also various stalls, activities and refreshments. It’s £10 for an advance adult ticket, with children under the age of 16 go free. Plus you get a free doggie bandanna to jazz up Rover. hearingdogs.org.uk
Need to give the credit card a battering? Ascot Racecourse is hosting an SS18 fashion frenzy. Designers and boutiques will be wafting about like peacocks at the Ascot Fashion Weekend. Whether you just need a trend injection, have a party to go to or your looking for something to see you through the new season, you’ll find it here. Grab the girls, join the stampede and shop till you drop. ukgrandsales.co.uk
Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist, Showcase Cinema Reading, Fri 27 Apr –Wed 2 May
Anyone else a bit mad about Westwood? And I mean the super cool punk icon, NOT the cheesey DJ – just to be super clear! We’re giddy at the thought of checking out this (first) documentary about the legend’s life and work and, we are gonna make sure we dress appropriately outrageously for the occasion! Yaaaaaaaaa cornexchangenew.com
A Shot In the Saddle: A Murder Mystery Treasure Hunt, Queen’s Walk Plaza Reading, Sat 28 Apr
Great for teens and tech obsessives who could do with seeing daylight – vitamin D levels running dangerously low. A Shot in The Saddle is a murder mystery treasure hunt against the clock. Reading is the set for this real life whodunnit, fusing live action, escape room style puzzles and cryptic clue cracking using smartphones. #WhoKilledGideonUp ashotinthesaddle.com
Tractor Ted Live, Stonor Park, Sun 29 April
The UK’s favourite little green tractor will be making a star appearance at Stonor Park. There’s also a mobile farm for kids 1-7 years (are you kidding me, I LOVE a mobile farm), and a giant Tractor Ted Bouncy Castle. You can book online for a 10% reduction.
Children’s Fun Day, Mary Hare School, Sun 29 Apr
Kick the kids out and raise money for a great cause. Mary Hare School for the Deaf is running a Family Fun Day with a Mini Olympics to test their Rocket Balloon Javelin, Water Bomb skills and, er, Ankle Breaking. Plus all the standard fete activities like tombola, glitter tattoos, Beat The Goalie, Hoopla, cake decorating and crafting. Drop a tramadol and keep handing over the cash. maryhare.org.uk
BOOK NOW FOR
Royal Windsor Horse Show, Wed 9 – Wed 16 May
Photograph: Peter Nixon
I love the Royal Windsor Horse Show – hanging out casually with the royal family (there’s always a good turn out), top competitors including Olympic gold medallist Carl Hester (above), military pomp and ceremony, the Shetland pony kids’ Grand National, shopping, food. Nuff said, right? This year marks the 75th anniversary of the show and it’s a brilliant day out for all the family whether you’re obsessed with horses or not. Plus you can get a cheeky Muddy discount on general daytime tickets: Quote MUDDY at checkout and you’ll get £3 off weekday; £3.50 on weekend tickets. Alternatively call the Ticket Factory on 0844 581 4960 or visit Windsor Information Centre or call 01753 743589. rwhs.co.uk
Supercar Sunday, Stonor Park, Sun 20 May
Calling all Penelope Pitstops! Get yourselves down to Stonor Park, the idyllic backdrop of this annual supercar event, featuring a parade of pioneering race cars, classic sportscars, and modern hypercars. It’s set to be a fantastic family day out where you can enjoy a picnic – once the cars have left the lawn of course, health and safety fans – try some exciting street food or let loose in the Wonder Woods. Book now and save £3 per ticket. stonor.com
The Little Welly Adventure Course, Culden Faw Estate Henley, 9-10 June
Give it some welly and book now for this summer’s much-loved Little Welly kids’ obstacle course (even the most iPad-obsessed nippers can’t resist). It’s 9 and 10 June just over the border in in Henley. Go, go, go! Snap up your tickets. thelittlewelly.co.uk
The Shed at Pub in the Park, Marlow, Sun 20 May
Tom Kerridge has Marlow residents eating out of the palm of his hand (not literally, that would be disgusting). His latest grand plan for the town is a special Sunday lunch at The Shed, followed by VIP Sunday night tickets to Pub in the Park – think bubbles in the private bar and the best view of the stage – and then a stay at The Hand and Flowers for the night. The privilege will cost you £450 per person (*gulp*) but what price 24 hours of gastro happiness? Call 01628 401530 or theshed@thehandandflowers.co.uk.
FURTHER AFIELD
Fashioned By Naturem V&A London, now – 27 Jan 2019
Embroidered silk waistcoat, France, 1780-9. Image: Vee Speers © V&A
Loving the sound of this eclectic festival. Reggie Yates and Gorky Paul rub shoulders with Terry Waite and Lionel Shriver in various venues throughout this elegant Cotswolds town in North Oxfordshire.
Totally groovacious after hours event at Tate Modern on the last Friday of every month, with a mix of art, music, film and workshops. Yours from 6-10pm and absolutely free. tate.org.uk
