WHAT’S ON

#WhatsOnPulse

John Illsley May 1 Join the former bass player with Dire Straits as he returns to The Stables at Wavendon – expect to hear material from his new album alongside some of those classic Straits songs. Money for nothing: stables.org

Les Miserables Until Saturday, May 21 Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production has been seen by more than 120 million people (and counting). Will you add to that number as the new staging continues its major run at MK Theatre? Bring tickets home: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Rag Mama Rag Tuesday, May 3 Live music at the Bletchley Blues Club with the Country Blues act, who make use of a wide range of instruments. Get the blues: bletchleybluesclub.uk

Woodland Wildflower ID for Beginners Wednesday, May 4, 2-4pm A guided walk at Shenley Wood where you will learn about the different species of wildflowers and how to identify them. This Parks Trust course is suitable for those with no background knowledge, as well as those looking to improve skills. Blooming great: theparkstrust.com

Brian Downey’s Alive & Dangerous Thursday, May 5 As one of the founding members of Thin Lizzy, drummer Brian Downey sold more than 30 million records worldwide. Now hear those classic songs again; Waiting For An Alibi, Whiskey in the Jar, Killer on the Loose and Jailbreak among them. The Boys Are Back in Town: theroadmender.com

‘Claydon, Now You See It, Now You Don’t’ Thursday, May 5 Frank and Daphne Preece host this month’s talk by the Milton Keynes National Trust Association, at the Oak Tree Centre, Wallinger Drive, Shenley Brook End. Entry is £2 for members, £4 for non-members. Questions? sue-davedee@talktalk.net

An evening with Steampunk fantasy author Paul Eccentric Thursday, May 5, 6pm Join Paul as he launches The Periwinkle Perspective Vol 2, ‘Those Among Us’ at Waterstones, Midsummer Place, plus a performance from The Antipoet Book up: Visit FB @mkwaterstones

Flook are at The Stables on Sunday, May 15

The Picturedrome Comedy Club Thursday, May 5, 7pm (for 8pm start) Get the funnies with El Bandiniho, Eleanor Tiernan and MC Jon Pearson, before headliner John Fothergill takes over with cocky insults and slick banter. Heckle at your own risk: thepicturedrome.com

Typically Tina Friday, May 6, 8pm A joyfully accurate tribute to the lady with the unmistakable voice, and the best legs in the business, at Northampton’s Picturedrome. Simply the best: thepicturedrome.com

The Old Savoy Open Day and Wedding Fair Friday, May 6 – Saturday, May 7 (3-8pm Fri & 11am-4pm Sat) Includes a catwalk display of bridal and groom wear, and a variety of vendors. If you’ve got a wedding to plan and are seeking inspiration, this is for you. Entry is free. Going to the chapel: thedeco.co.uk

Delights & Baby Lung Friday, May 6, 7.30pm Manchester’s Delights are on the rise and rise, and being slated as ‘ones to watch,’ and fortunately you can catch them at The Black Prince thanks to the folks at SBD Promotions. Support comes from Northampton’s Baby Lung, and Mirror Image. Tune in: sbdpromotions.com Watercolour Pigment Making Saturday, May 7, 10am Join Lisa-Marie Price at MK Gallery as she guides you through the paint making process from start to finish, giving tips and guidance on what to look out for when foraging for pigment. All your senses will be used during this workshop. Book for a colourful event: mkgallery.org

History Weekend at Milton Keynes Museum Saturday, May 7 - Sunday, May 8, 10.30am-4.30pm Get closer to history with visits from the Romans and the Vikings. The living history event also includes 12th century re-enactors, Roman traders, and a 1940s re-enactment group. Step back in time: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Buckingham Canal Society Sunday, May 8, 10am-3pm Help needed at the Nature Reserve site, no experience necessary and all tools provided (also on Thursday, May 12 and Thursday, May 26). For details: athina.beckett@buckinghamcanal.org.uk

Denton & District Gardening Club Monday, May 9, 7.30pm ‘Everything you need to know about composts,’ a talk by Geoff Hodge at Denton Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Denton, NN7 1DT Digging deep: m.pateman@yahoo.co.uk

The Robin Bibi Trio Tuesday, May 10 British Blues Awards nominees come to Bletchley Blues Club as they continue their never-ending mission to lift the spirits of audiences with their rock of the highest order. Still got the blues: Bletchleybluesclub.uk

Guns 2 Roses Friday, May 13, 8pm The most notorious tribute to Slash, Axl and Duff that you’ll find – and during their history these imitators have played with four members of the real rock n’ roll aces! All the hits and all the attitude are promised. Appetite for Destruction: theroadmender.com

Northampton Sailing Club Open Day Saturday, May 14, 11am-4pm Northampton Sailing Club offers dinghy racing, casual sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking and wing-foiling for people of all ages. The open day is a chance to enjoy taster sessions, sailing demonstrations, boat displays and to find out more about all the activities on offer. Water-way to spend the day: northamptonsailingclub.org

MK Walking Festival: Gyosei Trail Saturday, May 14, 2pm An opportunity to take a deeper look into some of the pieces of art along the trail, and participants will be joined by one of the artists responsible. The trail is located on both sides of the Grand Union Canal from H3 Monks Way to H5 Portway. For more MK Walking Festival events: theparkstrust.com

The Best of Broadway with The Northampton Male Voice Choir Saturday, May 14, 7.30pm Join the Choir at its annual concert, with songs from Guys and Dolls to West Side Story and We Will Rock You ready and waiting. NMVC will be raising money for charities including Prostate Cancer UK and Parkinson’s UK, so taking a seat at The Cripps Theatre at Northampton School for Boys will help do great things elsewhere. Sounds good: ticketsource.co.uk/cripps-hall

Newport Pagnell Tennis Club Sat, May 14th, 10.30am and 2.30pm & Sun 15th, 10.30am Willen Road Recreation Ground, Newport Pagnell. A small but very friendly club for players of all ages and abilities, holding Open Day Sessions to show that tennis is for everyone. Bring along your children and grandchildren for free play, fun and games. Racquets and balls can be provided. Love it: info@newportpagnelltennis.net

Mapdance 2022 at The Venue MK on Thursday, May 26

Flook Sunday, May 15, 8pm Join the quartet who take inspiration from their roots in the Irish and English traditions, as they weave and spin traditionally rooted tunes over precise acoustic grooves, with fiery technical brilliance. End the weekend on a high in Wavendon. Innovators: stables.org

Inner Wheel Newport Pagnell Tuesday, May 17, 2-4pm Strawberry Tea – everyone welcome at the Olney Centre (MK46 4EF) An annual fundraising event and raffle, which this year will be raising funds for The Redway School who provide care and education for children with complex needs. £5 entry on the day to include tea/cake/strawberries and cream. Tasty: 01908 610200

For all jazz piano fans Thursday 19th May at 7.00pm Woburn Sands Big Band Appreciation Society presents top Jazz pianist Alan Houghton playing live and talking about his favourite artists, in Woburn Sands. We meet every third Thursday at the Ellen Pettit Memorial Hall, High Street, Woburn Sands. Members £3, guests £5. For more information call Mike on 01908 234634, or David on 01908 583937. www.wsbigband.net Profits go to support Willen Hospice The Old Lawnmower Club Saturday, May 21 – Sunday, May 22, 10.30am-4.30pm Anyone with an interest in mowers will love this green event as the club hosts its annual rally at Milton Keynes Museum, with 100s of mowers on display, including some particularly rare examples. Short ‘cut’: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Fuchsias and more 2022 Saturday, May 21, midday-5pm A huge selection of fuchsias and perennials for sale in Lathbury. Gardening advice, and craft and vintage stalls with a tea garden serving homemade cakes. Live music in the church and gardens to wander around. Entry and parking are free. Profits to Thames Valley Air Ambulance and the ancient church. Floral fabulousness: 01908 616804 or 07487 531251

The Sand Dragon Saturday, May 21, 2:30pm Theatrix Arts perform a magical story with songs, music, loads of puppets, changing scenery and a magic trick or two. Suitable for ages 4+ and families. Dragon delight: stantonburytheatre.co.uk

Camille O’Sullivan sings Cave Sunday, May 22, 8pm Join Irish/French singer Camille at The Stables in Wavendon as she explores the dark and light of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ music in her dangerous yet fragile theatrical style. Jubilee Street: stables.org

Aspley Guide Open Gardens

Liam Ward Band Tuesday, May 24 Enjoy epic hard-driven sounds of vintage American dance music – rocking blues, west coast swing and funky, soulful roots music. No ‘harm’ done: bletchleybluesclub.uk

Mapdance 2022 Thursday, May 26 University of Chichester’s performance company comes to The Venue MK with three newly commissioned dance works. Dynamic, theatrical and beautifully crafted. Get tickets by emailing schools@motusdance.co.uk

Woof Walk: Great Linford Manor Park Saturday, May 28, 10am Starting from the Memorial Hall car park, this group walk will take an hour and show you a new route to walk your dog. A great opportunity to socialise your pooch and meet rangers. Tail wagging: theparkstrust.com

Pic: The Parks Trust Steve Harley Acoustic Band Saturday, May 28 The original cockney rebel visits The Core at Corby with a stripped back set of excellence – and he’s had 45 years of practice at this stuff; expect an ace performance. He’ll make you smile: thecorecorby.com

Toddle Tours and Child Tours at MK Gallery Saturday, May 28 Child Tours are artist-led sensory tours for families with children with additional needs, including autism spectrum disorder and profound and multiple learning disabilities. Toddle Tours accommodate families with youngsters under the age of five. Tours last 40 minutes each. Art for all: mkgallery.org

Aspley Guise Open Gardens Sunday, May 29, Midday -5pm Enjoy a gorgeous selection of open gardens around the village, also homemade cakes and light refreshments served in the Village Hall from 11.30am. Tickets £5 in the Village Square from 11.30am. Bloomin’ brilliant: opengardens.co.uk

Workshop: Hedgehog Surveying for Families Monday, May 30, 2-3pm The hog is one of the fastest disappearing animals in the country. As they are rapidly declining in the countryside, the gardens of MK are of increasing importance. This session, at Howe Park Wood Education Centre (opposite Westcroft District Centre), will help create a survey tunnel, find out about MK Hogwatch and how to help these beautiful creatures. Booking for you and your hoglets: theparkstrust.com

Shark in the Park Monday, May 30, 2.30pm Featuring all three of the ‘Shark in the Park’ Series – ‘Shark in the Park’, ‘Shark in the Dark’ and ‘Shark in the Park on a Windy Day’ – this fin-tastic, family musical follows Timothy Pope (and his telescope!) on three exciting adventures. Some-fin different: stantonburytheatre.co.uk

Cluedo Monday, May 30 – Saturday, June 4 Based on the classic detective board game, and the 1985 film CLUE, this brand new play promises a nostalgic, fun and thrilling evening at MK Theatre. Michelle Collins stars. Could it be Professor Plum? Atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

May Highlights

The London Tango Quintet Thursday 12 May The London Tango Quintet is a unique group of five internationally acclaimed musicians performing tango music at the highest level. Music by the legendary Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla is interspersed with stunning instrumental solos.

Flook Sunday 15 May Taking inspiration from their roots in the Irish and English traditions, Flook have an enviable trademark sound, weaving and spinning traditionally rooted tunes over precise acoustic grooves. 24 years after their first gig together, Flook continue to inspire and enchant audiences of all ages.

Tony Christie Thursday 26 May Tony’s exciting new tour sees him performing all of his greatest hits including I Did What I Did For Maria, Walk Like A Panther, Las Vegas and the unforgettable (Is This The Way To) Amarillo. Joined by his superb band, this is an evening not to be missed!

An Evening with Jimmy Webb Saturday 28 May Jimmy Webb is an American songwriter, composer and singer known worldwide as a master of his trade. His timeless hits include Up, Up And Away, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Wichita Lineman, Galveston and MacArthur Park.

Mark Thomas Tuesday 31 May In his new show 50 Things About Us, Mark Thomas combines his trademark mix of storytelling, stand-up, mischief and really, really well researched material to examine how we have come to inhabit this divided wasteland that some of us call the United Kingdom. (16+)

The Stables, Wavendon Milton Keynes MK17 8LU Box office: 01908 280800 stables.org