WOW What's On Where April 2011

Page 1

Issue 31

Complimentary Copy (£2.50 where sold)

Easter Special Places to go, things to do!

April 2011

Motoring WOW Tests

The new Suzuki Swift

What’s on near you.

Music Gig listings

Live music for April

All White

Win With WOW

WOW gets in the wedding mood

Hot Tickets on offer

What to wear for the wedding party

Plus - Win this Chocolate Crown!

THEATRE • CINEMA • COMEDY • MUSIC • FASHION • SHOPPING • ART • EVENTS • MOTORING

The essential guide to what’s on in the Midlands

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'&"563&4 WOW What’s On Where is published by WOW Publishing Limited, 50 St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7DU. TEL: 01858 439999. Fax: 01858 469008. EMaiL: wowmag@live.co.uk. WEbSiTE: www.wowwhatsonwhere.co.uk

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PiCTURE CREDiTS: Front Cover; Histori Royal Palaces. pp28, Dreamstime. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the permission of the publishers. Liability: while every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information herein, or any consequence arising from it.

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C740CA4 WOW TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE LATEST THEATRICAL HIGHLIGHTS

in praise of love 5FSFODF 3BUUJHBOoT EFMJDBUF NBTUFSQJFDF Fri 1 tO SAt 3 April Continuing its Made in Northampton 2011 Subscription Season, Royal & Derngate celebrates the work of another great British writer when it presents Terence Rattigan’s delicate masterpiece In Praise of Love from Friday 1 to Saturday 23 April. At once sharply witty and profoundly touching, the play is a compelling study of concealed emotions and the ties that bind. Set against a backdrop of the shifting political scene of the 1970s, In Praise of Love explores the complexities of human relationships and intimately exposes the devastating limits

of love. 2011 marks the centenary of the birth of Terence Rattigan, widely regarded as one of the most important playwrights of the 20th century, and this beautifully poignant production is the perfect celebration of one of Britain’s most gifted writers, whose well known works include The Winslow Boy and The Deep Blue Sea.

in prAiSe OF lOve is at the Royal and Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP. For tickets call the box office on 01604 624811 or go online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Calendar Girls .BLF JU B EBUF MOn 5th - SAt 30th April Calendar Girls has been the fastest selling tour ever and has triumphed in the West End. Now, it’s coming to Leicester for one week only. A group of ordinary women do something extraordinary and spark a global phenomenon when they persuade one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference! Based on an inspiring true

WOW April 011

story, Calendar Girls is quirky, poignant and hilarious. Calendar Girls has sold out in every theatre it’s visited before opening. Don’t miss out and book today for the show the Mail on Sunday said is ‘marvellous theatre, guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and come out singing Jerusalem!”

CAlenDAr GirlS is at De Montfort Hall, Granville Road Leicester LE1 7RU. For tickets call the box office on 0116 233 3111 or visit www.demontforthall.co.uk

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Buddy Marvelous! 0I #PZ n5IF 8PSMEoT NPTU TVDDFTTGVM 3PDL nOo 3PMM NVTJDBMo JT CBDL MOndAy 2 rd MAy Come and see why this sensational show, seen by over 20 million people around the world, remains loved by audiences and critics alike. A phenomenally multitalented cast come together to tell Buddy Holly’s story, from his meteoric rise to fame, to his final legendary performance at The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. Together they present two terrific hours of his greatest hits, including the timeless classics That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy, Rave On, Everyday and many more. With the Big Bopper’s Chantilly Lace and Ritchie

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Valens’ La Bamba completing a stellar musical line up, Buddy is a not to be missed evening of family entertainment that will have music lovers from 8 to 80 toe tapping, hand clapping and rocking in the aisles! BUddy is at De Montfort Hall, Granville RoadL,Leicester LE1 7RU. For tickets call the box office on 0116 233 3111 or visit www.demontforthall.co.uk

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Beyond the Barricade )JUT GSPN UIF NVTJDBMT WedneSdAy 20th April Back by overwhelming public demand, the most successful and popular touring show of its kind ‘Beyond the Barricade’ returns with a brand new 2011 production. Recreating original West End/Broadway musical hit songs with amazing authenticity, ‘Beyond the Barricade’ features a cast of past principal performers from the West End production of Les Miserables, and the recent 25th Anniversary Concert at the 02 Arena. This production will include songs from Miss Saigon, The Lion King, Phantom Of

The Opera, Love Never Dies, Mamma Mia, Blood Brothers, The Jersey Boys and many more hit musical productions, climaxing with a spectacular finale from, of course, Les Miserables! Now established as the UK’s favourite musical theatre concert, ‘Beyond the Barricade’ is one of the country’s most successful touring shows, receiving huge critical acclaim wherever it appears. BeyOnd the BArriCAde is at De Montfort Hall, LE1 7RU. For tickets call the box office on 0116 233 3111 or visit www.demontforthall.co.uk

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MOn 11th - SAt 16th April Audiences all around the world have been roaring with laughter since Monty Python’s Spamalot, by Eric Idle and John DuPrez, won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2005. Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table and features a bevy (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, witch burnings(Cancelled health and safety) not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people. The show features the hilarious songs He Is Not Dead

WOW April 2011

Yet, Knights Of The Round Table, Find Your Grail and of course the Nation’s Favourite Comedy Song ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE. Don’t miss your night with the Knights of The Round Table at the most infectiously funny musical of the millennium

SpAMAlOt is at De Montfort Hall, Granville Road Leicester LE1 7RU. For tickets call the box office on 0116 233 3111 or visit www.demontforthall.co.uk

Wed 27th Apr The Castle are delighted to welcome back Reform Theatre Company, following their sellout productions of Happy Jack and Thick as Thieves, this Spring. On Wed 27 Apr Reform present their new production Studs, a funny and moving play that will pull at the heart strings and seduce the funny bone. Mandy is hard-faced and sex mad. She’s always on a diet and loves a laugh. Tommo is an easy going sort of bloke who doesn’t like a fuss and does whatever Mandy says. Mac is hard as nails, likes football, booze and women. The gorgeous Kylie, Mac’s girlfriend, just likes everybody. These football mad lads and their wannabe “wag” girlfriends arrange separate weekends

away, the boys on a golfing trip, the girls on a shopping adventure - or that’s what they’ve told each other. When the couples are re-united, both hilarious and gut wrenching discoveries ensue, that will stay with them forever… StudS Is at The Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA. For tickets call the box office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk.

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ha ha holmes! 5IF 6ONJTTBCMF 4IFSMPDL 4QPPG Thu 28Th Apr Following the hit national tours of Ha Ha Hamlet! and Ha Ha Hitler! ... by jove ... its Ha Ha Holmes! Don’t miss this unmissable Sherlock Spoof . In this exciting and hilarious new show, from theatre’s funniest parodists, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson embark on their most dangerous adventure yet. An Age Old Legend. A Curious Murder. A Beast with a taste for Flesh and a Detective by the name of Holmes! Throughout history, Blisterville Hall has been embroiled in dark mystical legend of a supernatural creature that haunts the nearby moors. The Blisterville family are slowly being savaged and eaten. In a thrilling race against time Holmes and Watson try and solve the mystery in this most gripping comedic thriller which

promises all the nuts and bolts from the shows you have all grown to love. “It’s elementary my dear Watson!� hA hA hOLMES! Is at The Castle Theatre, Castle Way, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA. For tickets call the box office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk.

Singin’ I’m No a Billy he’s a Tim 3BOHFST NFFU $FMUJD IFBE PO JO $PSCZ Thu 28Th Apr Anyone who has ever attended an Old Firm football derby – or seen such an event on telly, or talked fitba in a Scottish bar – will know the fierce passions and rivalries stirred up from the depths of Scots’ souls by the age-old face-off of Hoops against Gers. There’s a rich seam of humour in the subject matter of lifelong paranoia, misconception and mutual loathing, and it’s movingly and hilariously mined by Des Dillon, whose classic play has two Rangers and

Celtic fans locked up together in a cell for the duration of an Old Firm match. Already a phenomenon in Scotland, the award-winning ‘Singin’ I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim’ is all about the ultimate British culture clash. It’s about much more than football, more than bigotry and fear. Join Billy and Tim, and enjoy this hilarious window looking in on the magnificent absurdity of sectarianism Thu 28 SINGIN’ I’M NO A BILLY HE’S A TIM Corby Cube

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C740CA4 the dragon’s daughter

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WOW TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT FAMILY SHOWS

5IF QFSGFDU JOUSPEVDUJPO UP UIFBUSF SAt 30 Apr, 11AM & 2pM Following sell out shows last Spring, Blunderbus Theatre Company return with their fantastic children’s show The Dragon’s Daughter. It’s the perfect introduction to theatre and there are two chances to enjoy it when it comes to Wellingborough on Sat 30 Apr at 11am and 2pm. Once upon a time, in a faraway land, stood a tiny village nestled in the shadow of a great mountain. Perched at the top of the mountain, lived a fire-breathing dragon. In the village below, a little boy called

Hans spent his days imagining the most fantastic adventures. Hans would pretend to fight scary monsters and slay fairytale dragons. But one starry night, a ball of light fell from the sky, crashing to the ground with a silent thud. And there, shivering in the darkness, was a real-life baby dragon. Now began the adventure of a lifetime; no more pretending! Could Hans return his new friend to her mother before it was too late, or would Dotty, the tiny dragon perish in the darkness? Written especially for 4

- 7 year olds, this timeless adventure will whisk you away to a world of magic and make-believe. Incorporating bewitching music, and beautifully hand-carved puppets, this is a gentle and funny tale about a brave little boy with a big imagination, and a scared little dragon with a very big heart. tHE drAGOn’S dAuGHtEr Is at The Castle Theatre, Castle Way, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA. For tickets call the box office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk.

A Circus Comes to town 5IPNBT 5IF 5BOL &OHJOF BOE 'SJFOET Fri 22nd & SAt 23rd ApriL This all new 90-minute musi-

cal adventure is packed with audience sing-a-longs, high

energy dancing and thrilling adventures.

tHOMAS tHE tAnK EnGinE is at De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU. For tickets call the box office on 0116 233 3111 or visit www.demontforthall.co.uk

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When Thomas makes a big mistake, all the engines on the Island of Sodor must work together to prepare for the exciting event under the Big Top and Thomas must prove he’s a really useful engine once again. In this fun filled family show, Percy, James, Gordon and of course Thomas join The Fat Controller and the townspeople from the Island of Sodor to welcome a colourful cast of circus performers in an engaging story that demonstrates the importance of friendship and cooperation.

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Fri 29 April tO Sun 1 MAy One wild and windy night the mischievous Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning that no Gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep dark wood and tiptoes out into the snow. But how brave is she? After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he? Combining classic onstage storytelling with songs, humour and a touch of magic, the

Gruffalo’s Child is spectacularly brought to life, captivating audiences young and old. Brought to the stage by Tall Stories Theatre Company and adapted from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s awardwinning picture books, the show has already received huge praise from the media, bring dubbed by The Scotsman as “Perfect children’s entertainment� and by The List as “Everything good children’s theatre should be�. GruFFAlO’S Child is at the Royal and Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP. For tickets call the box office on 01604 624811 or go online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk

little red robin hood

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1VQQFU TIPX GSPN (BSMJD 5IFBUSF SAt 2 Apr, 11AM & 2pM A merry mix up in the forest involving glove puppets, false teeth and a frying pan. Why is Robin Hood wearing girls clothes and what is lurking behind the trees? Is it the Sheriff of Nottingham or the big bad wolf? Two classic tales are interwoven in a fast and funny family show. Garlic Theatre entertain audiences with generous helpings of slapstick, clowning and musical delights. Perfect for for children aged 4 and over

little red rObin hOOd Is at The Castle Theatre, Castle Way, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA. For tickets call the box office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk.

tueSdAy 12 April CBeebies’ favourite doubleact Chris and Pui invite their viewers to join them at Royal & Derngate on Tuesday 12 April for a show jam-packed full of games and giggles. Fresh from their hit show Show Me Show Me, Chris and Pui are back on tour with a fabulous new roadshow brimming with songs, activities, discovery and a few surprises along the way. Chris Jarvis and Pui Fan Lee have been the main faces on CBeebies since it started and remain top of the tots with their

new high rating show shown every weekday on CBeebies.

ChriS And pui are at the Royal and Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP. For tickets call the box office on 01604 624811 or go online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Subscribe to WOW What’s On Where for only £20 a year, and get all the latest news hot off the press. For details see the ad on our classifieds pages.

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2><43H WOW FINDS OUT WHERE THE LAUGHS ARE THIS MONTH

F70C{B >= If you only go to 20 comedy gigs this month‌ with DJ Fontana Fri 1 SCREAMING BLUE MURDER COMEDY CLUB: ROB HEENEY, JULIET MEYERS, SIMON CLAYTON + Royal & Derngate Northampton Sun 3 GRUNTLED: ANDY PARSONS Nottingham Playhouse Wed 6 THE LION WHISPERER: MILTON JONES De Montfort Hall Leicester Thu 7 MAGNERS FUNHOUSE COMEDY CLUB: ALISTAIR BARRIE, MANDY KNIGHT ++ Lyric Rooms Ashby De-La-Zouch Fri THE COMEDY CLUB Lodge Park Sports Centre Corby Sat 9 Bottle ROCKET COMEDY CLUB: RUFUS HOUND + ADAM BLOOM + HENRY PAKER + Y Theatre Leicester MILTON JONES Kettering Arts Centre, St Andrews Church Kettering Comedy & Club Night: Barry Dodds, Kojo ++ Highlight Comedy Leicester ALAN MOORE, SARA SPADE The Fishmarket Northampton THE KEN DODD HAPPINESS SHOW Royal Spa Centre Leamington Spa Sun 10 MAGNERS FUNHOUSE COMEDY CLUB - SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? SPIKY MIKE

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Big Ed #ZSOF QVUT UIF NPDLFST PO UIF XFBL &S UIF XFFL TUES 12TH APRIL Not a lot of people know that Essex’s favourite adopted comedy son, Ed Byrne, studied horticulture at the University of Strathclyde. That’s the kind of information you pick up while you’re doing top-level research for a comedy listings Bible... and you can’t help wondering why the fact hasn’t the centrepoint of the Irish comic’s show for these past 13 years. After the massive success of his last show, Different Class (it was about class) the master of observational comedy is back with his new show Crowd Pleaser. (It’s about the subjects and situations the nouveau Grumpy Old Man finds frustratingly maddening. Cats. Cake. Religion. Brand-new dadhood. But nary a comedy

mention of horticulture at the University of Strathclyde.

Tue 12 ED BYRNE Royal & Derngate Northampton

Imran can &EJOCVSHI #FTU /FXDPNFS PO UIF SPBE SUNDAY 10TH APRIL “Imran Yusuf’s show heralds the birth of a new comedy star,� reckons Time Out, a London magazine that’s a bit like WOW. “Intelligent, thought-provoking and laugh out loud funny.� Imran, that is, not WOW. He’s a four-star comedy act knocking on the door of five, and now is the time to catch his

act before you see too much more of it, making the headline act look pretty sick on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow. Imran was a 2008 Hackney Empire finalist renowned for his super-high energy performance, then lifted last year’s Best Newcomer Nomination at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He has a unique

voice stamping his mark for positive, uplifting comedy at every turn. One for the future, right now.

Sun 10 An Audience with Imran Yusuf The Stables Milton Keynes Wed 20 The Glee Club Nottingham

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How To Live Your Life... 8JUI BO FYUSB JOKFDUJPO PG SJTJOH 57 TUBS %BO $MBSL Actor, writer and comedian Dan Clark has appeared in TV’s ‘The Mighty Boosh’ and ‘Comedy Nation’ and has even starred in his own Channel 4 sitcom ‘The Estate Agents’. Now he’s probably best known for ‘How Not To Live Your Life’ on BBC 3 – but that’s still not very well known. Not a bad CV for a bloke you’ve never even heard of. Yet. Dan’s cheeky. Quirky. Gawky. He has a proclivity for getting naked. He plays guitar, but not in a typical comedy kinda way. More in the kinda way that invites an audience to sing along with the rude – you might say dismissive – chorus of ‘Justin Bieber’.

Fri 8 DAN CLARK Birmingham Town Hall Fri 15 The Core Theatre Corby Sun 1 May Warwick Arts Centre Coventry

Kayal Restaurant Leicester

Keynes

Mon 11 COUNT ARTHUR STRONG Milton Keynes Theatre

Sun 24 MAGNERS FUNHOUSE COMEDY CLUB: PIERRE HOLLINS, NICK REVELL The Black Horse Leicester

Wed 13 TOM STADE Y Theatre Leicester CHRIST ON A BIKE: THE SECOND COMING: RICHARD HERRING Nottingham Playhouse Thu 14 TOO LATE TO GROW UP! JETHRO Athena Leicester Sun 17 JEREMY HARDY The Stables Milton Keynes Wed 20 SCREAMING BLUE MURDER: HILS BARKER, IAN COGNITO, ANDREW BIRD The Stables Milton

Thu 28 ALL BUSINESS NATIONAL TOUR: PAPPY’S Firebug Leicester MAGNERS FUNHOUSE COMEDY CLUB: ALI COOK, JOE LYCETT ++ Walnut Tree Inn Northampton EXTREME RAMBLING (WALKING THE WALL): MARK THOMAS Warwick Arts Centre Coventry Fri 2 THE COLLEGE YEARS: FRISKY & MANNISH Uppingham Theatre

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The gigs, The groups, The goss...

California dreaming (P OVUT GPS ,1 MOn 4th April California gurls, California dreams, California sun and plenty of just-for-laughs, justpretend, cartoon Californication. From the minute she popped into our heads with ‘I Kissed a Girl’, there’s been no stopping the pneumatic Miss P: all she needs to count you as a fan is a chance meeting over the Gra-

ham Norton Show, or any one of a thousand teen/daytime slots, during which time your pants are duly charmed off, without fail. Admit she makes you feel like a big kid, and just give in.

Mon 4 CALIFORNIA DREAMS TOUR: KATY PERRY LG Arena Birmingham

Brotherhood of Maan Venue of the Month 1VOKBCJ 8PSME .VTJD HJBOU IJUT UIF .JEMBOET sun 17th & sAt 30th April If you want to understand the legend of Gurdas Maan, the man who has dominated the Punjabi Bhagra scene for almost three decades, just click along to his website at – you guessed – gurdasmaan.com. What greets you and draws you in immediately is ‘Jugiya’, the first and title track off Gurdas’s hot new 27th album – a warm, groovy, gently funky exercise in purest bass and table-driven joy.

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Almost single-handedly, Maan has raised the profile of Punjabi folk music to international level, making him the most influential Punjabi singer ever, not to mention the most prolific. Probably. Long a Bollywood star, expect the great singer-songwriter-actor-choreographer to put on one heck of a show. Sun 17 GURDAS MAAN De Montfort Hall Leicester Sat 30 LG Arena Birmingham

5IF .VTJDJBO -FJDFTUFS Standing at the vanguard throughout the rise of the Americana and new folk/ roots scenes, The Musician is continually showcasing new transatlantic talent, underappreciated Blues heroes, wispy folkettes and guitar bands who’ll be appearing on Jools Holland’s Later some time next year. There’s only four words for the Muso’s booking policy: ahead of the game. Let’s talk Midlake. This month, look out for Noo

Yawk State folk-rock semilegend Willie Nile, who often shares a stage Stateside with Bruce Springsteen; the fragile pop-folk of Bristolian Jane Taylor, and dirty amphetamine middle-aged punk-rock R&B from the otherwise exemplary Dr Feelgood.

Thu 7 WILLIE NILE Wed 13 JANE TAYLOR Fri 29 DR FEELGOOD The Musician Leicester

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Beware! Trumpton Riots +PIO 1FFM GBWFT JO UIF åFTI THUR 28TH APRIL Time to drop by Leicester’s newest central music venue, the Auditorium – formerly an Odeon Cinema, and ever since the 1970s somewhat wasted as a bingo joint.

Now pop culture is once again live and kicking in the Market Place, who better than longtime Peel favourites and allround indie darlings Half Man Half Biscuit to shout out lengthy lists of witty references over a

F70C{B >= If you only go to 30 gigs this month… with DJ Fontana

biscuit-tin drumbeat and Kays Catalogue guitars. All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit! Joy Division Oven Gloves! Bad Losers on Yahoo Chess! And many more smashing tumbledown sub-pop hits...

Sun 3 VIV ALBERTINE (THE SLITS) The Musician Leicester THE SOLID SILVER ‘60S SHOW: DAVE BERRY + CHRIS FARLOWE + WAYNE FONTANA ++ Royal & Derngate Northampton Tue 5 SCOUTING FOR GIRLS O2 Academy Leicester Wed 6 BLACKFIELD The Assembly Leamington Spa

Thu 28 HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT + ECHOLOCATION The Auditorium Leicester

Thu 7 HAZEL O’CONNOR & THE BLUJA PROJECT The Stables, Milton Keynes 10CC Royal & Derngate Northampton Fri 8 ULTIMATE BOWIE The Stables, Milton Keynes AUDIO BULLYS New Roadmender Northampton Sun 10 BARB JUNGR & FRIENDS WITH GWYNETH HERBERT The Core, Corby Mon 11 WISHBONE ASH The Stables, Milton Keynes Wed 13 DOGAN MEHMET & THE DEERHUNTERS The Castle Wellingborough Fri 15 ELKIE BROOKS The Lighthouse Theatre Kettering BLACK INTERNATIONAL Northampton Labour Club Sat 16 T-REXTASY Market Harborough Leisure Centre Sun 17 DARBAR FESTIVAL Curve Leicester JAMIROQUAI LG Arena Birmingham Wed 20 MAT ANDASUN BAND FEATURING BOSCO DE OLIVEIRA Y Theatre Leicester Fri 22 PAUL RODGERS The

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Royal Centre Nottingham Sat 23 BIG COUNTRY Rock City Nottingham SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED The Stables, Milton Keynes

Led there be Zep 8IPMF MPUUB MPWF HPJOo EPXO

Thu 28 STACKRIDGE The Stables, Milton Keynes SARAH JANE MORRIS Warwick Arts Centre Coventry Fri 29 DR FEELGOOD The Musician Leicester FISH Rushden Athletic Club

Jazz & Classical Sat 9 NORTHAMPTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA St Giles Church Northampton KOSMOS STRING TRIO St Peter’s Church Northampton Fri 15 UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN Royal Centre Nottingham Sun 17 CHARLIE CHAPLIN: THE MUTUALS ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (RPO) Royal & Derngate Northampton Mon 18 ACKER BILK & HIS PARAMOUNT JAZZ BAND Belgrade Theatre Coventry Thu 21 KENNY BALL AND HIS JAZZMEN The Stables Milton Keynes Fri 22 ANDRE RIEU, THE JOHANN STRAUSS ORCHESTRA LG Arena Birmingham Wed 27 THE GREAT BRITISH BARBERSHOP BOYS The Stables, Milton Keynes Thu 28 TAD NEWTON’S JAZZ FRIENDS The Castle Wellingborough

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Unlike the majority of bands on the tribute circuit, Whole Lotta Led are a soundalike band as opposed to mere lookalikes, eschewing wigs and cossies for a big bad blues sound – the vocals, the guitar, the bass, the drums – that sounds uncannily like it rolled out of the West Midlands at the turn of the ‘70s. Expect at

least two hours of your LP collection transformed into a great live show, with Jimmy Page’s personal thumbs-up. Meanwhile, the West Midlands’ own Fred Zep were the first tribute band ever to be included in the Kerrang reader’s poll, reportedly recommended by both Jimmy Page and Robert Plant!

Livin’ Dhol #PMMZXPPE NFFUT )PMMZXPPE WJCFT SUN 3RD & WED 6TH APRIL The Dhol Foundation have garnered plaudits around the world for their unique crossover performances fusing drum and bass and hip hop with tabla and Bhangra, all delivered with great theatrical relish. The dhol is a trad Indian instrument made from a large wooden shell played with a cane and a curved stick: its vibrant beats bind the band’s elements of electronica with more traditional Punjabi song

and dance. Great hi-energy choreography, infectious beats... you’ll recognise the mighty ambience from movies the band have soundtracked including Gangs of New York and Incredible Hulk.

Sun 3 April THE DHOL FOUNDATION The Stables, Milton Keynes Wed 6 Royal & Derngate Northampton

Thu 7 40th ANNIVERSARY OF LED ZEP IV: WHOLE LOTTA LED The Assembly Leamington Spa Tue 19 BOOT LED ZEPPELIN Belgrade Theatre Coventry Thu 21 FRED ZEPPELIN The Greyhound Inn Nottingham Sat 23 LED ZEP TOO Lock 42 Leicester

To promote your event in the East Midlands’ leading guide to what’s going on and where to be seen, call 01858 439 999

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Watson Where 808 5PQ UFOPS PO UPVS

Having started out crooning in the pubs and working men’s clubs of northwest England, Russell Watson now trades as Salford’s own answer to Pavarotti. His debut album ‘The Voice’ established him as a major international tenor rumble, creating his own niche as a pop-rock-operatic ‘Tenor of the People’. All this and a duet with Shaun Ryder too! Now recovered from two life-shaking cancer scares,

Watson counts George W. Bush and the Pope among his many live fans. Time to get on the Russ bus.

Wed 13 RUSSELL WATSON The Royal Centre Nottingham Thu 14 Royal & Derngate Northampton Sat 30-Sun 1 May Symphony Hall Birmingham Thu 5 May De Montfort Hall Leicester

don’t miss the Signals 3VHCZ 3FBM "MF BOE -JWF .VTJD SAturdAy 30th April Leicestershire based covers band, The Signals, impressed the crowds at a Market Harborough charity concert in February and received rave reviews. Now they’re coming back to play at Market Harborough Rugby Club to entertain the crowds at a Rugby Seven’s Tournament

and Beer Festival on April 30. So if you love Rugby, Real Ale or live music, you know where you should be. the SignAlS. Sat April 30. Market Harborough Rugby Club Northampton Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9HF. Entrance Free!

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SAturdAy 16th April T.Rextasy are the only band to have been authorised and endorsed by Marc Bolan’s catalogue management and family and are now recognised as the Worlds No1 group dedicated to the greatest glam rocker of all time. The Great Marc Bolan and T.Rex. With their incredible lead singer Danielz who has an uncanny natural likeness to Marc Bolan and who owns an extensive collection of Bolan’s original stage costumes, T.Rextasy perform a very powerful and mes-

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merising presentation of Marc Bolan’s Rock anthems. Now in their 17th year of touring the world, this show will take you on an incredible journey through all of those amazing hits, which were the soundtrack for an entire generation. Iconic hits such as: Jeepster, Ride a White Swan, We Love to Boogie, 20th Century Boy, Children of the Revolution, Metal Guru & Telegram Sam. This event is a special Double set and is at Market Harborough Leisure Centre on Saturday April 16th. Doors Open at 8:00pm with Tickets priced at £15.00Tickets can be obtained by calling the Box Office on 01858 446 662 or visiting www.madhatter-concerts.co.uk You can find out more by visiting www.trextasy.com

the NC Exprience .VTJDBM XPSL FYQFSJFODF XJUI UPQ SFDPSE MBCFM It was a world apart from his usual life when Northampton College student JamieLee Vickers swapped his classroom books for a week of professional musical magic in a top London record label. The 20-year-old, who is studying for an HND in Music Practise, enjoyed a week of work experience at Roadrunner Records, the UK’s leading rock and metal record label. “I admit I thought I’d do little during the week other than make tea and coffee, but I actually got really stuck in,� said Jamie-Lee. “I made calls, sent demos off to DJ’s around the UK, wrote media briefs about

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tracks and had a real insight into the whole industry. I couldn’t believe how relaxed the work environment was – everyone worked really hard but they didn’t seem stressed and the atmosphere was charged with lots of heavy metal music

blaring out. Fantastic.� Jamie-Lee now hopes this record label experience and insight will help him achieve future ambitions. “Firstly I want to get my HND and top it up to a degree with an extra year of study,� said the musical student. “Then, I want to concentrate on performing with my heavy metal band Valhalla. While I was at Roadrunner I passed a demo of our band on to the boss – it was worth a shot!� Ray Meadham, Curriculum Manager in Music at Northampton College, said: “Jamie-Lee has been with us on music courses for five years,

progressing from a BTEC first diploma to his current HND. He has always shown a mature attitude to study and is very keen to progress musically. We are lucky enough to have a link with Roadrunner Records, and it was great to be able to reward Jamie-Lee for his consistently high levels of achievement by selecting him for this opportunity.�

To find out more about Northampton College log on to www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk/

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30=24 WOW TAKES A LOOK AT THE DANCE, CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY

Everybody Dance! 5IFSFoT TPNFUIJOH GPS FWFSZPOF BU 6OJU s /PSUIBNQUPOoT OFX EBODF EFTUJOBUJPO Expertly staffed by dance teachers bubbling with energy and inspiration, Northampton’s beautifully equipped new Unit 17 Studios have thrown open their doors to the county’s movers and shakers. Classical ballet. Hip-hop. Classes for children and adults. No matter what style of dance or branch of the performing arts you’re inspired by, no matter what level you’re at or want to achieve, Jessica and Bex and their fully qualified tutors are ready and able to help. Their brand-new daytime classes include ‘Tiny Dancers’ for children aged two to four, designed to help develop confidence and understanding of a variety of dance styles such as Ballet, Modern Jazz, Hip Hop and Tap whilst having lots of fun and burning lots of energy! Also for pre-school children, ‘Caterpillars and Butterflies’ aims to further extend their allround capabilities through games, gymnastics and dance. Unit 17 DAncE AnD PErfOrming Arts LimitED Unit 17, Rothersthorpe Avenue Industrial Estate, Far Cotton, Northampton NN4 8JH Tel: 01604 708993 or 07817 428592 Email: unit17dance@live.co.uk www.unit17dance.com

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Spirit of the Dance

Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square Nottingham, NG1 5ND www.royalcentre-nottingham. co.uk

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Sun 17 – TueS 19 April The International smash hit Spirit of the Dance is one of the most successful shows ever to come out of Ireland and has been seen by more than twenty million people around the world. Winner of nine Global Awards, including Best Choreography and Best International Production, this spell-binding show has smashed box office records in fifteen different countries. Theatres worldwide

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report record-breaking ticket sales as soon as a performance of this thrilling Irish dance spectacular is announced. Irish in origin and bursting with raw energy, Spirit of the Dance is a breathtaking production featuring a spectacular blend of traditional dance cultures. Powerful, show stopping Irish dance combines with the passionate Latino rhythms of tango, flamenco and redhot salsa to produce a thrilling, heart-pounding production that

the International Post describes as “The World’s Greatest Irish Dance Show”. The world champion dancers of the Irish International Dance Company sound like a runaway express train and their frenzied skill and military precision sends shivers down your spine. Not one Irish dance shoe steps out of line as the thunderous feet perform as one, with an excitement that leaves audiences screaming for more.

Spirit of the Dance delivers a foot-stomping entertainment spectacular with dynamic lighting, dazzling costumes and stunning choreography. With thunderous applause, standing ovations and sold out crowds at every performance Spirit of the Dance is one of the greatest dance shows ever.

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ART AND CULTURE NEAR YOU...

Sneaker Peek " QIPUPHSBQIJD FYIJCJUJPO GFBUVSJOH UIF XPSL PG TJY UBMFOUFE ZPVOH QFPQMF until 8th MAy The Sneaker Peek exhibition is the culmination of a threemonth project funded by the Heritage Lottery Collecting Cultures scheme, which gave young people the chance to work with professional artist

and photographer Kenneth Martin and explore the museum’s growing collection of sneakers before taking the photographs featured in the show. Victoria Davies, Northampton Borough Council museums officer who helped organise the exhibition, said: “Thanks to Heritage Lottery funding we have been fortunate to be able to purchase some extra special sneakers which have added enormously to our collection. These young people have had full access to the collection to explore how they feel about sneakers and what they mean to people. They have also learnt about the art of photography and how to develop photographs. It is a wonderful exhibition which is definitely worth a visit.� SneAker Peek is at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery until 8 May and admission is free. Opening times are Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 2pm to 5pm.

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Small but perfectly formed &YRVJTJUF NJOJBUVSF USBJOT BOE äOF BSU QSJOUT BU %FSOHBUF SAT 23 - MON 25 AprIL The Charles Rennie Mackintosh House & Galleries are set for an exciting change of scale this month, as one of Northampton’s biggest attractions focuses in on the miniature world of vintage model trains. Easter will find 78 Derngate alive with the sound of model trains from the 1920s to the 1950s rumbling around tiny tracks, as enthusiasts flock for a rare chance to see some of Britain’s finest micro-scale engineering in all-puffing, all-chugging action. WJ Bassett-Lowke, the local manufacturer who commissioned Charles Rennie Mackintosh to remodel his home at 78 Derngate, was also the man behind these exquisite model

locomotives – perfect, priceless scale models which are now much admired and sought after by collectors. In May, the same theme is set to continue with ‘Small Print: Big Impression’, a showcase exhibition of 150 mini print artworks representing the best in contemporary etching and lithography, relief and digital printmaking. Sat 23-Mon 25 BASSETTLOWKE SOCIETY WOrKING MODEL DISpLAY 10am-5pm. ÂŁ2 entrance fee 78 Derngate: The Charles Rennie Mackintosh House & Galleries Northampton NN1 1UH Tel: 01604 603 407 www.78derngate.org.uk

Calling all young contemporary artists! (SBOE QSJ[F DPNQFUJUJPO BOE XJOOFSTo FYIJCJUJPO BU K(BMMFSZ CLOSING DATE: MAY 6 Sue Brooks at Moulton’s wonderful jGallery, Northampton’s foremost space for contemporary arts, recently announced the gallery’s irresistible Young Artists Competition, to be held in conjunction with the county’s schools. It’s a unique showcase for art of all styles encompassing paintings by under 14 yearolds and mixed media by 15-19

year-olds, with the shortlisted entries to be shown at the jGallery’s inaugural annual exhibition of contemporary arts by young people, during May’s 40th Moulton Festival.

Young artists of each age group are invited to enter work on the following themes: 0-7 yrs – ‘In The Garden’ (paintings only) 8-14 yrs – ‘My Friend’ (paintings only) 15-19 yrs – ‘Objects in Disarray’ (mixed media) There will be prizes for each group winner and certificates for all shortlisted entries. Entry forms are available

via participating schools or college art departments, or as individuals directly from the gallery website. Closing date is 6 May!

jGALLErY 25 West Street, Moulton, Northampton NN3 7SB Tel: 01604 492192 www.jgallery.org.uk info@jgallery.org.uk

To advertise your event in the East Midlands’ leading guide to what’s on and where to go, email wowmag@live.co.uk or call 01858 439 999

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the poetry of drawing 1SF 3BQIBFMJUF USFBTVSFT GSPN #JSNJOHIBNoT TVQFSC DPMMFDUJPO Until 15th MAy When you’ve got Pre-Raphaelite treasures, best flaunt them instead of hiding them away from view. And when you’ve pulled together a major exhibition that offers simply the largest survey of Pre-Raphaelite drawings and watercolours ever staged, why not come right out and say it? In a wonderful, inspirational exhibition at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, the spectacular favourites from Brum’s world-class collection hang alongside key loans from the public and private lenders, including important drawings

by D.G. Rossetti, William Holman Hunt and Edward Burne-Jones that have never previously been exhibited. Drawings to take your breath away. Until 15th May thE POEtRy OF DRAWinG: PRE-RAPhAElitE DESiGnS, StUDiES AnD WAtERCOlOURS Entrance fee ÂŁ6.00 (Senior Citizens ÂŁ5.00; Income support/ unwaged, children aged 5-16 years ÂŁ2.00; Family (2 adults & 2 children) ÂŁ12.00. Tel: 0121 303 1966 Birmingham Museum www.bmag.org.uk

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<>E84B WOW’S JAZ COX LOOKS AT SOME OF THE NEWEST CINEMA RELEASES

F70C{B >= NeW films this mONth... fridAy 1st April sucker punch source Code Oranges and sunshine Killing Bono hop fridAy 8th April rio mars Needs moms fridAy 15th April your highness Winnie the pooh tomorrow, When the War Began the Way the roommate scream 4 red riding hood meek’s Cutoff little White lies A small Act fridAy 22Nd April Zombie Undead World of the dead: Zombie diaries 2 fast five Arthur Apollo 18 fridAy 29th April thor

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red riding hood "MM UIF CFUUFS UP FBU ZPV releAse dAte: April 22 In Red Riding Hood, Amanda Seyfried plays Valerie, a beautiful young woman torn between two men. She is in love with a brooding outsider, Peter, but her parents have arranged for her to marry the wealthy Henry. Unwilling to lose each other, Valerie and Peter are

planning to run away together when they learn that Valerie’s older sister has been killed by the werewolf that prowls the dark forest surrounding their village. For years, the people have maintained an uneasy truce with the beast, offering the creature a monthly animal sacrifice. But under a blood red moon, the wolf has upped the stakes by taking a human life. Hungry for revenge, the people call on famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon, to help them kill the wolf. But Solomon’s arrival brings unintended consequences as he warns that the wolf, who takes human form by day, could be any one of them. As the death toll rises with each moon, Valerie begins to suspect that the werewolf could be someone she loves. As panic grips the town, Valerie discovers that she has a unique connection to the beast... one that inexorably draws them together, making her both a suspect... and bait. CertifiCAte: TBC GeNre: Drama thriller direCtOr: Catherine Hardwicke CAst: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez , Max Irons, Virginia Madsen, Julie Christie rUNNiNG time: 100 mins

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Flame On! 1IPFOJY 'JMN BOE %JHJUBM .FEJB XJOT "SUT $PVODJM 'VOEJOH From 2012 onwards, Phoenix Square Film and Digital Media in Leicester will receive conditional funding of £245,000 spread across three years from the Arts Council England for its innovative programme in the digital arts. Executive Director, John Rance said: “...I am delighted. The Arts Council Funding will really help us to develop our digital arts programme. We will use the funding to attract more work of national and international standing to Leicester’s Cultural Quarter whilst also helping the burgeoning community of local digital artists through commissions and exhibitions.” Phoenix Square Film and

April’s brochure is out now Digital Media has a state of the art immersive gallery called the DMU Cube for exhibiting cutting edge digital art. The gallery space extends into the centre’s cafe and foyer area where digital works are exhibited. The cafe has become the networking venue of choice for many people who live and work

in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter and the digital arts exhibitions complement the world cinema programme. “We’re about to celebrate our 100,000th cinema customer and the growing numbers of people using the cafe bar and educational facilities means there are great opportunities for cross-over activities and for a wide range of people to experience the digital arts”. The arts programme is developed with the support of De Montfort University, which is a leader in the field of digital arts and technologies. “The partnership with De Montfort University means that we have access to unparalleled expertise in the digital arts

and we can show some truly innovative and experimental work as well as supporting the artists of the future through student exhibitions”. Phoenix Square digital gallery is currently showing Let’s Celebrate 365, a UNESCO Award-winning photographic collection by Jeremy Hunter which explores the DNA of the world’s cultures through their festivals and celebrations. PhOenix SquAre Midland Street Leicester LE1 1TG Box Office: 0116 2422800 General Enquiries: 0116 2422803 www.phoenix.org.uk

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With a wedding in the air, whites are always in fashion.

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0W, we all love a Royal Wedding! What a great excuse to wave the flag and have a street party. But what will your wear to celebrate? WOW looks at a selection of whites to get you in the mood. Why not add a touch of red and blue to feel really patriotic? Congrats to Kate and Will’s from all of us at WOW!

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1. Debenhams. Red herring lace prom dress, £45. 2. River Island. Whale white sandal, £34.99. 3. Mint Velvet. Brodrais lace maxi dress, £99.. 4. House of Fraser. Michael Kors white leather clutch, £150.. 5. M&S union jack Pack of 8 flags, £1.50. 6. M&S, Crown Crest Gold Metallic Dome Umbrella, £15. 7. Sainsbury’s Tu Clothing, Made For Each Other the Perfect Couple T-Shirt 8. M&Co. Boutique peasant top, £35. 9. Matalan. Straw trilby. 10. French Connection. Pandora petals ruffle dress, £125.

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11. Debenhams. 12. House of Fraser. Kenzo cream grandad collar t-shirt, £79, Paul Smith cream double-breasted linen jacket, £550, Kenzo cream linen trousers, £170, Polo Ralph Lauren khaki canvas and leather trim tote, £240. 13. Tamaris. Silver rose heel, £39.99. 14. River Island. Holdall. 15. GorGeus, Converse white leather trainers, £50.

'"4)*0/ 1 1 M&S union jack 12ft bunting, £2. 2. bonprix.co.uk. Cream blouse with lace detail. 3. Dune. Nasa sandals, £85. 4. Next. Bracelet, £12. 5. New Look. Crochet trim kaftan, £24.99, white rose necklace, £3.99. 6. M&S union jack golf umbrella, £19.50 7. Debenhams. J Jeans by Jasper Conran jacket, £75, t-shirt, £18, chinos, £35, caprideck shoes, £65. 8. Sainsbury’s Tu Clothing, Childrenswear, Navy Hello Kitty Crown T-Shirt 9. George at ASDA

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708A 140DCH MAKE SURE YOU’RE BEAUTY, NOT THE BEAST...

Its that time of year again... 8IFO UIF TVO TUBSUT TIJOJOH BOE UIF DMPDLT HP CBDL XF LOPX XF BSF TUFQQJOH JOUP 4QSJOH And what better way to do that than with Decleor’s 3 NEW ANTI AGEING Products. (I’m very excited) Decleor have created these products in addition to their three anti-ageing ranges. The first product is EXPRESSION DE L’AGE SMOOTHING ROLL ON, this is applied to any wrinkles or expression lines, and also for first signs of ageing. It contains Hibiscus which

imitates Botox by blocking the daily actions of a muscle, Hylauronic Acid plumps the skin by gorging the skin with moisture and lastly your essential oil; Neroli. As our skins energy depletes, we need a little extra help! So in EXPERIENCE DE L’AGE range we have the RESURFACING PEELING product. This contains 6% AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and small per-

cent of Glycolic Acid, to mildly exfoliate the skin without any vigorous or dragging action. This is a great product as its so easy to use and is perfect for a more mature skin. Last but definitely not least, we have EXCELLENCE DE L’AGE DARK SPOT CORRECTOR. Most of us mistake the appearance of age spots with pigmentation. Its important we determine the identity of spot so we can treat the age spot/sun damage spot or ‘liver spot’ (i’ve had some clients call them that) correctly. This product has a very high concentration of Vitamin C in so counteract the production of the melanin with the spot. 80% off the women who tried this product said in one month they had a clear, visible reduction. To have one fantastic product launched is always good but to have three new anti ageing products launched in one month is Amazing!!

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If you have any beauty questions you would like to ask our expert, please write to: Kara @ Beauty Manor, C/O WOW, 50 St. Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7DU.

These products are available from April within the salon and we are so excited to be launching them. And for the second year running we are very pleased to announce that we have been awarded the Most Progressive Salon for 2011 across five counties, so a big THANK YOU to our clients and to any new clients. I cant forget to say THANK YOU to my wonderful team of therapists as they have worked extremely hard the past few months and i’m truly grateful for their work and passion. See you soon Kara x BeAuty MAnOr is above Browns Hairdressing, Manor House, High Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7NL. To book an appointment telephone 0844 999 4365 www.thebeautymanor.co.uk

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Feel the summer sun... BOE HFU JOTQJSFE XJUI +PF .BSDI It’s only a matter of weeks away now until the long awaited summer of 2011. It seems an eternity since we felt that warm glow of the sun warming our skin but rest assured it won’t be long. Now is the perfect time to look at the big fashion houses to get inspiration for what will be the colour and style trends for this summer, we have seen huge 70’s and 80’s influence. Long feminine curly locks have defiantly been a standout

look for spring which goes hand in hand with the feeling of spring being a romantic time full of love and new beginnings. Choices are either the very sexy ‘just out of bed look’ which we create perfectly with our ‘Awapuhi Sea Salt Spray’ or the natural understated curl, both will rule the spring this year. Never fear if you have been parading a sexy short look from Autumn/winter 2010 and aspire to have the long luscious curls of a spring goddess, why not consider hair extensions? We offer a new, revolutionary hair extensions system called ‘Micro loop’ that is applied using no g l u e ,

no chemicals, no heat so no damage to hair or scalp, just 100% natural human hair extensions. Available in a range of colours. Micro loop extensions are attached to your hair using lightweight little links that grow down with your hair. The hair is re-usable and the micro loops can be detached and new loops can be fitted onto your hair when needed. Call us for more information. Your colour statement for this spring should be to ‘change it’. Make your own statement, go bold, go different. Reds will continue to stun along with gold blonde and honey tones and with the amazing luscious condition and shines achieved with the Paul Mitchell colour we use there is no need to worry about your hairs condition and

If you have any hair styling questions you would like to ask our expert, please write to: Joe @ March Hair, C/O WOW, 50 St. Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7DU.

integrity. We have the perfect solution to creating your WOW spring/ summer look from every aspect, just call us for a free consultation. Happy Easter all x Joe March

MARCH HAIR is at 9 Church Square, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7NB. To book an appointment telephone 01858 469 656 www.march-hair.co.uk

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40C8=6 >DC DON’T JUST STICK TO YOUR USUAL HAUNTS, TRY SOMEWHERE NEW TO EAT!

Celebrate springtime 5IF UJNF JT SJQF GPS B TFBTPOBM GFBTU BU POF PG ,JCXPSUIoT UXJO *UBMJBO HFNT Moving into spring is always a time of rebirth and rejuvenation: along with the sunshine, the return of colour and birdsong comes an air of anticipation. If any chef could capture the essence of these positives and serve them up on a platter, we’d all be overflowing with exuberance. And that’s exactly the trick pulled off with characteristic verve at Kibworth’s Firenze and Boboli restaurants, whose new spring menus signal an end to signal an end to winter’s long nights and comfort food, and hello to a new world of possibility. At the multi-award-winning Firenze, Lino, Max and JJ are pushing the boundaries, raising

the bar to tease and tantalise your tastebuds. Be wowed by their creativity, and sample the explosion of flavours in their new dishes for spring – timehonoured classics given a new and edgy twist that simultaneously amuse and satisfy. The complementary flavours react and ignite in our starters of insalata mimosa – asparagus, artichoke and slow cooked duck egg (£7.25). Everything here is bursting with the season’s freshness: you must taste the quaglia arrosto con tortellini alla salsiccia – roast quail with sausage tortellini (£16.75). For pudding, Italian cheese with chestnut honey, mustard fruits and home-made crispbread.

Meanwhile at Boboli, Tom, John, Ben, Sam and Freddie start from a more traditional Italian menu base, yet also consistently surprise and delight. There’s no better way of celebrating the restaurant’s fourth

birthday in May than with a dish of extraordinary lasagne, a fabulous pizza strewn with the best Italian ingredients, a helping of home-made tiramisu. Exciting, hearty food, served with style. For once, not to die for, but to live for. . HOW tO find it firenze restAurAnt 9 Station Street, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire LE8 0LN Tel: 0116 2796260 Email: info@firenze.co.uk www.firenze.co.uk BOBOli restAurAnt 88 Main Street, Kibworth Harcourt , Leicestershire LE8 0NQ Tel: 0116 279 3303 Email: eat@bobolirestaurant.co.uk www.bobolirestaurant.co.uk

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7><4 60A34= IDEAS TO MAKE YOUR HOME A WOW HOME.

Heart of oak $VTUPN EFTJHOFE PBL GSBNF CVJMEJOHT PGGFS CFBVUZ IBSNPOZ BOE WBMVF Oak is one of the classic British building materials, as versatile and rich in character today as it has been for thousands of years. Building with oak somehow brings life into the interior space as well as beauty to the exterior, and it sits well with every other building material. Based in Market Harborough but increasingly in demand all over the Midlands,

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Simon Lew and his colleagues at Natural Structures specialise in oak-frame homes, extensions and outbuildings, garden rooms and home offices – and every job they embark on is utterly unique. Rather than offering ‘offthe-shelf’ conservatories and home offices as found in bigger building firms’ catalogues, Simon discusses every client’s individual needs before

designing a custom solution that perfectly matches their available space, existing arhitecture and required function. Natural Structures add a real feelgood value to your home, as well as adding to its market value. Simon’s materials and the personal service he offers may be traditional, but he employs all the latest design

and construction technologies, so that the structure he builds for you can have an authentic, traditional or contemporary look.

Natural Structures 2 Fir Tree Walk, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7AE Tel: 01858 445 401 www.natural-structures.co.uk

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FANCY TRYING SOMEWHERE NEW TO DRINK? LET WOW HELP YOU DECIDE!

The Lamplighter, Northampton 3FBM BMF MJWF NVTJD TNBTIJOH OPTI BOE B 3PZBM 8FEEJOH #FFS 'FTU

HOW TO FIND IT: The Lamplighter 66 Overstone Road Northampton NN1 3JS

DATES TO REMEMBER Thu 28-Tue 3 May Lamplighter Royal Wedding Real Ale Festival

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he Lamplighter is a vibrant, friendly and above all traditional pub situated in the Mounts area of town, just minutes away from the town centre. The pub attracts young and old with homecooked food, real ales, Belgian beers, ciders and continental lagers, regularly hosting beer festivals which have proven hugely popular with appreciative customers pouring from miles around to the public-voted Community Pub of the Year 2010/11. Landlord Paul Hanna bought the pub in 2009 with his brother James, saving it from being

boarded up and possibly sold as flats – much to the relief of the regulars and many new devotees – transforming it into the kind of warm and welcoming pub that’s worth travelling to visit. Food is served until 7pm at the weekends, and there’s no better time to drop by than Saturday or Sunday morning after 10am for a big breakfast and papers... except maybe Sunday lunchtime to evening for a famous Lamplighter’s Sunday roast! The forthcoming Royal Wedding provides Paul with a perfect excuse for a celebration, their real ale fest featuring

over 22 ales from around the country, plus miles of bunting and entertainment running all weekend. Supporting local and national micro-breweries, the pub is listed in many editions of CAMRAs The Good Beer Guide. Well established on the local music scene, the pub attracts local musicians, DJs and artists from around the UK and sometimes beyond, being a key venue in the annual Twinfest festival which links Northampton with Poitiers and Marburg. Expect live music from French and German artistes at the beginning of June!

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7^c Ra^bb Qd]b This classic Easter treat is a WOW Kids favourite and can also be enjoyed at any time of year. Using Prunes from California adds a delicious twist.

CX\T Preparation time: Over two hours. Cooking time: 10 - 30 mins Makes 12 Buns

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For THe BunS 625g/1.3lb strong white flour, plus extra for dusting 1 tsp salt 2 tsp ground mixed spice 45g/ 1.5 oz unsalted butter, cut into cubes, plus extra for greasing 85g/3oz sugar 1 lemon, zest only 1½ tsp fast-action yeast 1 free-range egg 275ml/10fl oz tepid milk 125g/4oz prunes from California, chopped For THe ToPPing 2 tbsp plain flour vegetable oil, for greasing 1 tbsp golden syrup, gently heated, for glazing 2 tbsp cold water uTenSilS Scales Zester/grater Sieve large and Small Mixing Bowl Small Saucepan Tea Towel Baking Tray greaseproof Paper large Polythene Bag Tablespoon Piping Bag Cooling rack

3XS h^d Z]^f. California Prunes are the best and most consistently high quality Prunes in the world. Just three California Prunes equals one portion of your 5 a day, but at only 20 calories each also make an ideal nutritious snack any time of day. California Prunes can be found at Tescos (it’s important to check the country of origin on the label) or your local Holland & Barrett. We bought ours from Holland & Barrett in St. Mary’s Place, Market Harborough. For more facts and recipes go to www.californiaprunes.co.uk

Zest the lemon by either using a zester or a grater and removing the peel from the lemon (trying not to get too much of the white pithy bit underneath) and put to one side for use in a moment. Chop the California Prunes into small pieces and set aside. For the buns, sieve the flour, salt and ground mixed spice into a large mixing bowl, then rub in the butter using your fingertips. Make a well in the centre of the mixture, then add the sugar and lemon zest and yeast.

Beat the egg and add to the flour. Heat the milk in a saucepan or microwave until tepid, then add to egg & flour. Mix together to a form a soft, pliable dough.

next you will have to knock back the dough. Turn out the proved dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead again. Shape it into a ball again and return it to the bowl, then cover again with the tea towel and set aside for a further 30 minutes to rise. now is a good time to wash up your dishes and utensils that you have used so far. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divide it with a knife into 12 equal pieces. roll each piece into a ball, then flatten slightly into a bun shape using the palms of your hands. Cover the buns again with the tea towel and set aside to rest for 5-10 minutes.

Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Carefully work the chopped California Prunes into the dough until well combined. Knead the dough lightly for 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. grease a large, Warm a large mixing bowl and grease with butter. Shape the dough into a ball and place it into the prepared bowl, then cover with a clean tea towel and set aside in a warm place for one hour to prove.

grease a baking tray with butter and transfer the buns to the tray. Wrap the tray with the buns on it loosely in greaseproof paper, then place inside a large polythene bag. Tie the end of the bag tightly so that no air can get in and set aside in a warm place for a further 40 minutes to rise. Preheat the oven to 240C/475F/gas 8. Meanwhile, for the topping, mix the plain flour to a smooth paste with 2 tablespoons of cold water. When the buns have risen, remove the polythene bag and the greaseproof paper. Spoon the flour mixture into a piping bag (being careful it doesn’t spill out of the bottom) and pipe a cross on each bun. Transfer the buns to the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until pale golden-brown. Heat the golden syrup then as soon as you remove the buns from the oven, brush them with the hot golden syrup, then set aside to cool on a wire rack.

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30HB >DC SWITCH OFF THE TV AND GO OUT INSTEAD!

Catmose gets the cream! 'BOUBTUJD TUBUF PG BSU $BUNPTF 4QPSUT $FOUSF PQFOT JO 0BLIBN By the time you read this, a wonderful new sports centre will be open for business in Oakham, bringing exciting new benefits and leisure opportunities to readers right across the east of our region. Following an open weekend of free events and fun on 2-3 April, the state-of-art Catmose Leisure Centre centre on the site of the equally impressive new Campus and

Community Hub opens its doors to one and all. The enviable array of facilities includes an eight-court sports hall, two dance studios and a state-of-art computerised Technogym with virtual trainers – not to mention the adjoining Adult Education Centre, swimming pool and the new Coffee House serving Costa Coffee! And it’s good to see this exciting new venture is owned

by the local authority, run on behalf of the community by the non-profit distributing Stevenage Leisure Trust. Ian Morton, Managing Director of SLL, told us, “We look forward to working closely in partnership with Rutland County Council, the Catmose College and other local stakeholders, to deliver a wide range of leisure activities and opportunities for all the local community�.

Meanwhile, Councillor Terry King, Deputy Leader of Rutland County Council, said, “This is a key project for the council that we are looking forward to delivering for the benefit of our local community. We will be working with Stevenage Leisure to make sure that together we are able to provide a first class facility that meets the needs of those who will be using it�.

Xxxxx

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Weekends afloat "U MBTU JUoT UJNF UP HFU DBOPFJOH BHBJO PO UIF JEZMMJD /FOF You might remember a WOW feature from last autumn where our intrepid reporter Derek Hammond and his young family paddled for six miles through the gorgeous countryside of Northeast Northamptonshire, returning not just tired and happy but dry, chilled-out and full of tales of serene adventure. Well, now it’s spring – and it’s your turn! Last year, well over 1,000 groups took a broad-bottomed North American canoe for two or four and floated off in the vague direction of Oundle and Peterborough, in search of peace and quiet and country pubs… finally calling up those nice people at Canoe2 so they didn’t have to paddle back! Whether you’re canoeing

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for one day or a week, the fastgrowing company’s offer is now expanded to include luxury camping in fully kitted yurts and bell tents (sleeping up to six) along the beautiful riverbank. Overnight stops with all trad cons and comforts, including a high-quality barbecue and welcoming pubs, await at Oundle, Ditchford, Wadenhoe and Fotheringhay (actually on the ancient castle mound by the river, where Lady Jane Grey famously lost her head in Elizabethan times!) Needless to say, proper training and all the equipment you’ll need – like lifejackets and watertight barrels for your gear – are all supplied. Prices from £30 per canoe – see the website or call Richard

or Ian to find out more about the recommended corporate, family, camping and custom day packages available.

CAnOe2, Ditchford Lock, Ditchford Road, Irthlingborough, Northants NN8 1RL Tel: 01604 832115 www.canoe2.co.uk

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4E4=CB WOW LOOKS AT WHAT’S GOING ON...

Curry favour 5IF TFBSDI GPS /PSUIBNQUPOTIJSFoT äOFTU DVSSZ DIFG JT CBDL PO Take out the turmeric and grab the garam masala – the search is back on to find the ‘Curry Chef of the Year’ in this, the third annual Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards! The competition, devised by Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited (NEL), is aimed at celebrating all that is great about the county’s produce and drink, to recognise excellence within its dining venues and to reward those who work so hard within the culinary sector, and WOW is delighted to lend its support to this hot and spicy category! The award was newly launched in 2010 with the support of sponsors British Pepper & Spice and Northampton College and it was in the latter’s kitchen last year that winner, Hao Dang of Dang’s Vietnamese Restaurant in Northampton, impressed the judges at the final cook-off to take the title. “I was amazed and honoured to get this award because I was up against some of the finest curry chefs from across the county in the cook-off, which was in itself an amazing experience. People wouldn’t traditionally think of Vietnamese food as curry but I’ve been cooking this kind of cuisine for years and

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thankfully my dishes of fish curry and pineapple rice were enough to win! My award now stands proudly in the window of the restaurant so it’s really helped to catch people’s attention!” As title-holder, Hao cannot enter this year but is encouraging other curry houses to put themselves forward. “Whether it’s Indian, Bangladeshi, Thai or other styles I think everyone should enter, especially as it’s free to take part! It has certainly been a boost to me and all my staff and it’s a privilege to represent the county with this achievement.” In addition to the increased publicity and prestige that success in the competition brings, the winner of the ‘Curry Chef of the Year’ category will receive not only a trophy to display on their premises at the Awards Dinner at Holdenby House in September but also a free feature in WOW to promote their success. Alongside this category, there are nine other categories in which Northamptonshire’s food producers, growers, chefs and food lovers can get involved. Those being: • ‘Best Local Product’ • ‘Best Local Drink’ • ‘Restaurant of the Year’ • ‘Pub or Bar Restaurant of the

Year’ • ‘Community Pub of the Year - Town’ – sponsored by Carlsberg UK with Chronicle & Echo and Evening Telegraph • ‘Community Pub of the Year - Rural’ – sponsored by Carlsberg UK with Chronicle & Echo and Evening Telegraph • ‘Local Food Hero’ – sponsored by CPRE Northants (Campaign to Protect Rural England) with Aspire Magazine • ‘Booker Chef of the Year’ – sponsored by Booker • ‘Young Chef of the Year’ – sponsored by Booker Rachel Mallows of The Mallows Company, which coordinates the Awards, is hoping that this year’s competition will go even further to help promote the county’s food and drink sector, which is currently worth £150m to the local economy. “With ten categories to choose from this

year, Northamptonshire food lovers have a real chance to take part and help decide who our winners will be - whether it’s entering a category such as ‘Curry Chef of the Year’, nominating a community pub or a local food hero, or indeed voting for their favourite venues later in the year. I urge everyone to visit the website – www.letyourselfgrow.com/ foodanddrinkawards and get involved!” Anyone interested in finding out more about the Awards or indeed entering the ‘Curry Chef of the Year’ or any of the other nine categories in the competition can visit the Let Yourself Grow website for further details - www.letyourselfgrow. com/foodanddrinkawards or can contact Rachel Mallows on 01933 664437 or email rachel@rachelmallows.com

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Show time! (FU SFBEZ GPS UI #MBTUPO 4IPX SundAy 26th June The Blaston and District Agricultural Show Society committee has launched the 54th Show which will take place later this year on Sunday 26th June 2011. The Board, with the support of the Show’s many section heads, continue in their roles to organise this year’s Show with the aim of raising money for a variety of local charities, which last year were able to donate over £4,000. The Show’s main ring displays will also include heavy horse displays, terrier racing, classic and vintage tractors and show jumping. There will be many equine events including gymkhanas, Equifest and BSPA qualifiers for hunters, cobs, riding, coloured horses

and ponies, and mountain and moorland ponies, dressage and driven ponies. This year will be the first year of a full range of cattle showing classes and the usual sheep and goat showing will also be present. The many other attractions will include children’s fair rides, trade stands, rural crafts, a licensed bar and food outlets, a modern farming display, dog showing and a hound show. In line with the Society’s objectives to continue to develop the show, all new attractions this year will include three major show jumping classes, cookery demonstrations and a dedicated craft tent. The layout of the show will also be altered to encompass the increased space requirements of the additional

attractions and events. The Society’s Chairman, Rupert West commented: “Our aim is raise the bar in what we can offer at Blaston Show every year. The addition of show jumping classes and other new attractions this year means we hope to attract an even wider audience. Raising as much money as we can for local charities is our ultimate aim, but it is also important that this local rural show offers a great day out for

everyone�. The 54th Show will once again take place on the temporary Blaston Road showground which is located between the villages of Blaston and Slawston in Leicestershire. Bookings for all classes are now taking place. For full information about class bookings and the show, visit the website www.blastonshow.co.uk

Walk in the Park 2011 8BML *O 5IF 1BSL XJMM CF n5IF 3FBM 5IJOHo UIJT ZFBS Fri July 1 - SAt July 2 The Real Thing, S-Club, Curiosity Killed The Cat, The X-Factor’s Diva Fever, and Reality TV star Andrew Stone are the headline acts at this year’s Walk In The Park festival, organised by Wootton and East Hunsbury Parish Council. Organisers of Northamptonshire’s biggest open air family extravaganza promise this year’s event will be the biggest and best yet - and the star they have lined prove just that. This year’s ‘Walk In The Park’ takes place over two nights: the Big Family Night Out is on Friday, July 1, and the community festival on Saturday, July 2, when local bands get the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of a big audience.

The event attracts thousands of people every year to the Wootton recreation ground, and is regarded as one of the big family nights out of the year. Over 15-thousand people flocked to the event last year, and organisers are delighted that it is now attracting visitors from all over the town, and the county. “We have a fantastic lineup this year - something for everybody of all ages - and that reflects what a great family event Walk In The Park has established itself as,� said Parish Councillor Brandon Eldred, a member of the organising committee. “We are really chuffed to have The Real Thing from the 70s, Curiosity Killed The Cat from the 80s, S-Club from the

90s, and then popular acts from today in Diva Fever and Andrew Stone. It’s going to be a fantastic family night out, and we’re expecting a great turn out. “All of them are terrific entertainers, and it’s going to be a fabulous opportunity for our ‘Wootton’s Got Talent’ winner Evangeline Anyahoa, who is being given her big chance to perform alongside these famous names, and she is really excited about it - but she’s a very talented young lady, and I’m sure she’ll shine� said Mr Eldred. “Over the last five years this event has really taken off, and we’ve been overwhelmed with interest from all over Northamptonshire, and everyone is

welcome to come and join our fun,â€? said Mr Eldred. “It’s a wonderful local occassion, but the more the merrier, and it’s always a great atmosphere. This year will be fantastic!â€? Tickets for the Friday family extravanganza cost of ÂŁ10 for adults, and ÂŁ6 for children, until March 31, and then ÂŁ12 for adults, ÂŁ6 for children. A family ticket for four people costs just ÂŁ26. Admission on Saturday is free! Tickets can be purchased online: www. walkintheparkfestival.co.uk

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1DB8=4BB WOW HAS A LOOK AT REGIONAL BUSINESS EVENTS

Saturn Computers launch a success /PSUIBNQUPOoT OFX /VNCFS DPNQVUFS DFOUSF GPS DVTUPN CVJMU 1$T SFQBJST BOE B EFDFOU DVQ PG DPGGFF If you’re in the Northampton area and are experiencing problems with a PC or laptop, there’s no-one more experienced or competitively priced to turn to than Saturn Computers in Kingsthorpe. Their brandnew shop on Harborough Road is now up and running, featuring a retail area selling new and

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secondhand machines, a hitech workshop for repairs and a comfortable internet cafe – all with a friendly welcome from Ivan and his expert team. Set your controls for Saturn if you’re thinking of buying a new PC, as a machine custombuilt to include everything you need (and not just what the off-

the-shelf giants want to bundle and sell you) can save hundreds of pounds, will include nothing but high-quality parts, and deliver optimal value. Get in touch with the experts if you’re experiencing virus or other running problems – or, if you rely on your computer for business, ask about a main-

tenance programme to beat problems before they arise, and save yourself time and money. Saturn Computers 23 Harborough Road Northampton NN2 7AX www.saturncomputers.co.uk Tel: 01604 242754

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<>C>A8=6 WOW TAKES A LOOK AT THE LATEST DEALS ON WHEELS

Neat & Nippy 5JN #BSOFT $MBZ UFTUT UIF 4V[VLJ 4XJGU 4; The latest incarnation of the Swift is short and wide and yet its body appears to be rippling with energy. Viewed from the front, side or rear, the small hatchback is unmistakably new with unique curves that make it look, dare I say, quite attractive – for this type of car. Inside, things get even better. The Suzuki is like the TARDIS from Doctor Who – with plenty of space for a small family. A black-and-silver theme runs

MAx speed: 103 mph 0-62 Mph: 12.3 secs COMbiNed Mpg: 56.5 eNgiNe lAyOut: 1242cc 4 cylinder 16v petrol MAx. pOWer (bhp): 93 at 6,000rpm MAx. tOrque (lb.ft): 118Nm at 4,800rpm CO2: 116g/km priCe: ÂŁ12,245 OTR

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throughout the interior and the top of the range SZ4 five door model, on test here, includes automatic air conditioning, a Bluetooth integrated audio unit, electric rear windows, push button keyless start, automatic headlamps, rear privacy glass and cruise control as standard. The newly designed details are packed with user-friendly functionality while the fabric seats feel supportive and look hardwearing. Overall, Suzuki has

pulled out all the stops to make the cabin feel upmarket. . Behind the wheel the new Swift is surprisingly fun to drive, with nimble handling thanks to a wide track and short wheelbase. The steering is a tad too light, but the five-speed manual transmission is slick and effortless to use. What is really impressive though is that the car makes you feel confident and safe on the road. This is due to a range of safety technologies

only found in bigger cars once upon a time. These include an anti-lock braking system and electronic braking-force distribution. Passive-safety features include a light, reinforced, energy-absorbing body in which front crumple zones help to absorb impact energy and direct it away from the cabin. But the most notable advance in terms of protection in the new Swift is that it now has seven airbags - front, side, curtain, and driv-

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er’s knee airbags - as standard equipment. The Suzuki is a great car to nip around town in, and it has more than enough potential to travel further afield, although I wouldn’t recommend it as a regular long distance commuting tool. The Swift doesn’t have the largest boot in the world either and getting more than one pushchair in as well as the family shopping will be a challenge. Otherwise this offering from the Japanese automotive manufacturer is a good choice

for anyone who wants a compact, nippy, city motor, with big car technology.

_a^ R^] POSITIVE • Safe • Nippy • Equipment level • Economical NEgATIVE • Small boot • Very light steering

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38A42C>AH WOW CLASSIFIEDS... BIG ONES AND SMALL ONES! "$$06/5"/54

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2><?4C8C8 =B ...AND READER OFFERS FROM WOW WHAT’S ON WHERE.

8JO UIJT .JML $IPDPMBUF $SPXO DPVSUFTZ PG )JTUPSJD 3PZBM 1BMBDFT April is no ordinary month this year, so give your Easter weekend a Royal twist to start celebrating the wedding of the year with this unique and moreish chocolate crown as featured on our front cover! Milk chocolate crown made exclusively for Historic Royal Palaces by Charbonnel et Walker, purveyors of fine English chocolates since 1875. WOW has 6 to give away to our lucky readers. Height 11cm, diameter 8cm, weight 150g (5.25oz). Presented in a transparent box. For UK and EU shipment only. Available online at www.historicroyalpalaces.com. rrp ÂŁ6.99 For your chance to win, send your entries to “Chocolateâ€? and follow the instructions at the foot of the page. Closing date for entries is Monday 25th April.

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T.Rextasy, the Worlds No1 Marc Bolan and T.Rex tribute act, are performing at Market Harborough Leisure Centre on Saturday April 16th. Doors Open at 8:00pm with Tickets priced at ÂŁ15.00. Mad Hatter Concerts has kindly donated 2 pairs of tickets to lucky WOW readers. For your chance to win apply to “T.Rextasyâ€? and follow the instructions at the

Buddy, The World’s most successful Rock ‘n’ Roll musical is coming to De Montfort Hall in May. Including some of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits, That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy, Rave On, Everyday and many more, Buddy is a not to be missedevening of family entertainment De Montfort Hall have kindly given us a pair of tickets for a lucky WOW reader for the opening night of Buddy on Monday 23rd May

foot of the page. Closing date for entries is Wednesday 13th April.

For your chance to win apply to “Buddy� and follow the instructions at the foot of the page. Closing date for entries is Wednesday 18th May.

8JO B NPOUI TVCTDSJQUJPO UP 808 8IBUoT 0O 8IFSF WOW What’s On Where has a 12 month subscription worth £20 to give away. To win, all you need to do is

tell us in less than 50 words why you’d like to win! Please be sure to send us your name, age, address,

telephone number, mobile and email address and mark your entries “WOW Spring Subscription Offer�.

Please state clearly which competition you are entering and post your entries along with your name, address, phone number and email address to WOW What’s On Where, 50 St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DU.

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