Dluxe West Midlands Winter 2019

LU E D X WEST MIDLANDS EDITION

WINTER‘19

INSIDE

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

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THE PARTY ISSUE DAVID WALLIAMS ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE VEGANUARY RECIPES NEW LANDROVER DEFENDER THE DARKNESS CITY OF ART: TORONTO HURRAH FOR HAMPERS

READY FOR THE NEW YEAR? Welcome 2020 in style.

Celebrate with a four-course dinner and Champagne on arrival at Harvey Nichols, Birmingham.

BOOK NOW +44 121 616 6028 | harveynichols.com/nyedining

harveynichols.com

IN THIS ISSUE

TALK TO US MANAGING DIRECTOR Kevin Urquhart Kevin@fu-media.co.uk 07713 740 272

GROUP EDITOR IN CHIEF Jonathan Fraser Jon@fu-media.co.uk 0772 580 9654

PRINT & DIGITAL ADVERTISING Lilith Hunt-Sheppard lilith@fu-media.co.uk 07975 970711

ACCOUNTS & ADMINISTRATION Carey Cooper carey@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445 DIGITAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE Francesca Arculeo Francesca@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445

The must have colours for the season; Mellow Yellow and more on page 34

46 DINING

Our personal picks of our favourite features, stories and products from around the West Midlands.

We get ready for Veganuary.

20 SPOTLIGHT We rock out with The Darkness.

24 TWENTY TRENDS Our top partywear picks and we look at what’s on the top of everyone’s Christmas list.

DLUXE WEST MIDLANDS EDITION

WINTER‘19

50 DIARY David Walliams and the RSC plus what is happening and what’s happened in and around Brum this season.

64 HI SOCIETY

INSIDE

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

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THE PARTY ISSUE DAVID WALLIAMS ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE VEGANUARY RECIPES NEW LANDROVER DEFENDER THE DARKNESS CITY OF ART: TORONTO HURRAH FOR HAMPERS

Cover image: Dune London

08 AGENDA

Did our photographers catch you out and about?

DLUXE WEST MIDLANDS

32 MOTORS

66 HOROSCOPES

An icon of British motoring reimagined for a modern age; the new Defender by Landrover.

31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE TEL: 0116 2533 445

National treasure, sensational star gazer Russell Grant on what the future holds for us all.

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

34 LIVING A look at 2020’s top colour trends to keep your interior tip top and don’t forget the garden th

40 TRAVEL A trip to Toronto and the top Honeymoon Hotspots of 2020.

Disclaimer: Copyright 69 & dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy in compiling this publication, the Publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, omissions, breach of copyright or otherwise since compilation. The Publisher cannot be held responsible for any material submitted to the publication, not excluding advertisements. The views expressed within this title are not necessarily the views of the Publisher. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply recommendation by the Publisher. © 69 Magazine Ltd 2019

info@fu-media.co.uk

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Wishing You A Moving Christmas.

For you free home valuation and a box of Cadbury’s Milk Tray please call 0800 862 0870.

IN THIS ISSUE. Where on earth has 2019 gone? They say as you get older that time goes more quickly and it really does seem to. I think the true sign of actually being a proper grown up is when you move from feeling that Christmas is never coming to I can’t believe Christmas is already here!

And already here it is and I am totally unprepared for it! Luckily for mine and thine this issue is full of Christmas spirit including a wonderful gift guide full for festive treats for all the family and we’ve even got a special reader offer for you to have all of your Christmas fayre delivered to your door – super stress free and might be just what I need after such a busy year!

media for upcoming events in the new year or if you need an event organising and access to the hottest guestlist in town, drop us a line at jon@fu-media.co.uk.

2019 has been an incredibly busy year for us as publishers – it’s not just dluxe that we publish, you see, this issue is just part of a suite of premium sector magazines we produce for ourselves and for companies and societies across the region - including the Birmingham Law Society and Leicester Business Festival. Think a magazine or brochure could work for you and your customers? Then give us a call.

All this alongside what’s on and what’s happening in the region for the next few months, an interview with David Walliams and The Darkness and our round up of new happenings, products, restaurants and bars across the West Midlands.

We also run events in and around the magazines, so you’ll find us behind launches and lunches, VIP shopping events and hosted dinners for some lovely Birmingham businesses including Harvey Nichols and The REP, amongst others. Keep an eye out on our social

So, aside from all things festive this issue is full of new year treats in which to indulge. We travel to Toronto and delve deep into some of its undiscovered districts to see what makes it a great alternative city break to the Big Apple.

We also get onboard the new Landrover Defender and see how this icon of British design and everyday life has been updated for a new world and we get down and dirty in the kitchen in time for Veganuary with some tasty recipes to try at home.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year, Until March

Jonathan Fraser Group Editor In Chief

WE CAN’T WAIT FOR...

Peter Pan @ THE REP A thrilling re-imagining by The REP, Wendy and her little brothers are feeling lost.

Separated from their mother, they’ve been sent to live in a flat high up above the city of Birmingham. Then one night, a remarkable flying boy arrives offering her an escape.

The boy’s name is Peter Pan and he invites Wendy and her brothers to fly away with him to a magical world beyond their urban reality. A world of mischievous Lost Children and boundless dreams called Neverland.

But there’s danger lurking – it’s also a place of malicious mermaids, feisty fairies and the devious Captain Hook, who is plotting on Skull Island with a band of fearsome pirates. Can Wendy defeat them to save her new-found friends?

6 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Just the tonic

Ever get bothered by Mosquitos on your hollibobs?

Then make sure your drink of choice is a Gin and Tonic as Tonic Water was originally developed as a cure and preventative measure to malaria and mozzie bites!

For fans of all things Gin, Just the Tonic explores the drinks roots in the Victorian era.

Read up on the changing role of the G&T: the rise and fall, and rise again, of cocktails during the 19th century; the art deco cocktail bars of the 1920s, through to the recent resurgence of the spirit.

British asparagus and smoky beans on toast

WHAM!

With multiple changes in writers and directors, Bond is back and it’s Craig’s fifth and reported last outing as British Spy 007. Is there a place for the historically misogynistic Bond? With the likes of Phoebe Waller Bridge on the writing team it seems that everyone’s favourite super spy is being dragged into the modern world. Does that mean the end of the Bond Girl?

We think it’s more like the very beginning and we can’t wait!

DUA LIPA

With a global arena tour starting in April, Dua Lipa’s sophomore long player will be more upbeat with no ballads and a distinctly disco edge. If new single ‘Don’t Start Now’ is anything to go by then we cannot wait. The 24-year-old singer has teased that her new music is a change of direction, she said: “It would probably be risky if I wasn’t risky with the next record. I don’t think it would be as fun.

12th OCTOBER 2019

RECRUITING YEAR 7 NOW FOR SEPTEMBER 2020 Scholarships available for Academic, Art, Languages, Music and Sport Assisted Places (Bursaries) available on application.

We are holding a Year 7 Taster Day on Friday 14 February 2020 To register your place and find out more, please contact the Admissions Manager on: admissions@hallfieldschool.co.uk 48 Church Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3SJ Tel. 0121 454 1496

AGENDA.

MMMmmm...

MACARONs!

Luxury French patisserie brand Ladurée has opened its first pop up outside London at Selfridges Birmingham.

Located in Selfridges Food Hall on the ground floor, Ladurée’s iconic and decadent macarons will be on offer, along with chocolate gift boxes, jams, teas, candles, tote bags, keyrings and hampers.

The Ladurée pop up is now open and customers can indulge themselves in a sweet paradise at Selfridges Birmingham until the end of the year.

Indulgent flavours include Salted Caramel, Strawberry Candy, Pistachio, Orange Blossom and Matcha Moringa.

Macarons can be taken away or enjoyed in store at a specially created cosy corner tea room.

Indulge in luxur

WIN WOOFERLY GOOD RECIPES

The Happy Dog Cookbook is packed nose to tail with nutritious treats that readers can bake at home for their dogs.

With 24 beautiful, easy to make recipes created by head vet Sean McCormack, and featuring Annabel Karmel, The Happy Dog Cookbook uses simple, healthy ingredients from the kitchen cupboard, and spans all four seasons throughout the year. The collection includes treats for Pancake Day, Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas, meaning that your dog doesn’t have to 8 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

miss out on calendar date catering. All profits from the book go to StreetVet, the UK charity who offer free vet care to the homeless and their pets. The Happy Dog Cookbook is published by White Fox and available to buy from Amazon, Waterstones.com, Foyles.com priced at £14.99.

WIN!

We’ve got five copies to give away to some lucky pups!

For your chance to win visit www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

3 REASONS WHY ‘YULE LOVE COV’ With only days remaining before ‘The Big Day’, Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) is leading the way in announcing its festive season and the host of special Christmas activities set to hit the city.

‘Yule Love Shopping’: 30th November-1st December Those looking to get all their Christmas gifts purchased early can head into Coventry to pick up some bargains on Black Friday and also be in with a chance of winning a gift for yourself with a special giveaway that’s running across the weekend.

‘Yule Love Music’: 6th-8th & 20th22nd December With live performances and DJ sets organised by Sandra Godley, it’ll be the perfect opportunity to come into the city and soak up the festive atmosphere.

‘Yule Love Family Fun’: 14th & 15th December At Christmas, spending time with your loved ones is always at the top of the list, so this is a perfect opportunity to gather everyone together and head into the city to celebrate. The highlight of this weekend involves a lantern competition in which 10 local primary schools will take part.

Finalists will be narrowed down on the Saturday, with the winners being announced on the Sunday and all the lantern designs are to be displayed in West Orchards Shopping Centre right through the festive period. It’s also a perfect excuse to enjoy spotting the 24 Christmas trees delivered by Coventry BID throughout the city centre.

Trish Willetts, Coventry BID Director, said: “There’s so much going on in our fantastic city across the festive season and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming visitors to celebrate with us. We start in spectacular fashion when the Christmas Lights event adds some extra sparkle to Coventry city centre and continue with our #YuleLoveCov events.”

rious dining at Harvey Nichols THIS CHRISTMAS Celebrate with friends, family and loved ones with a specially-created menu to mark the festive season in style.

Take your seat in the elegant Harvey Nichols Brasserie and enjoy a traditional turkey ballotine served with stuffing and pigs in blankets followed by a classic handmade Christmas pudding. Or dine on Head Chef Stewart Mackie’s festive creations including mandarin and sesame seed duck terrine with beetroot and black garlic purée; Spinach and ricotta ravioli, mushroom and onion crumb; and toffee apple sponge with cinnamon ice cream.

Priced at just £33 per person for three courses, the festive menu is available up to and including Christmas Eve. To book email reservations. birmingham@harveynichols.com or call the Brasserie on 0121 616 6028.

Jerusalem artichoke soup, parsley root & truffle.

Mandarin and sesame seed duck terrine with beetroot and black garlic purée.

Spenwood cheese millefeuille, parsnip crisp and parsnip purée. ****** Turkey ballotine, turkey leg stuffing, pommes Anna & pigs in blankets.

Seabass, chestnut & gnocchi with a hazelnut and celeriac purée.

Spinach and ricotta ravioli, mushroom, onion & onion crumb. ****** Harvey Nichols Christmas pudding, brandy sauce.

Banana split with chocolate sauce & cherry purée.

Toffee apple sponge & cinnamon ice cream.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 9

AGENDA.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING TO BUlLRING & GRAND CENTRAL

Journey to the centre of the fairy light with Once Upon A Time in Birmingham this Christmas with Bompas & Parr. This festive tea parlour and party bar features 88,000 fairy lights totalling 9km of illumination.

Offering an experience like no other, you’ll be able to indulge with drinks and the world’s first crystal clear Christmas puddings. Intrigued?

Find out more at www.bullring.co.uk.

DATES FOR THE DIARY It’s Black Friday on 29th November with lots of shops expected to run discounts across that weekend. Also look out for the Bull’s Christmas outfit as it will be unveiled on this day!

The tree is up, the final touches are being put to the Bull’s outfit and the fairy lights are shining, Christmas has arrived at Bullring & Grand Central.

WHAT’S NEW? Over the last few months Bullring & Grand Central have welcomed over 10 new shops and restaurants to the centre including H&M HOME, Levi’s and the only LEGO shop in the region. And that’s not including exclusive brands that have launched in Selfridges and John Lewis including Ladurée and Mulberry.

The Snow House Bar is back for its second Christmas on St Martin’s Balcony. Offering one of the best views in the city, Snow House is open daily between 11am & 8pm (10pm on Friday and Saturday).

In a wrapping rut?! If you’re looking to turn your Christmas present into a real under-the-tree showstopper, or disguise its contents from nosey friends or family, then head along to Bullring & Grand Central’s mystery wrapping pop-up on 19th and 20th December.

Set those alarms early for the Boxing Day sales. Bullring opens at 8am and Grand Central at 9am but some stores including Next and Selfridges will be opening their doors even earlier for eager bargain hunters. The key advice is get there early!

Merry Everything In Real Life. Three car parks, hundreds of shops and restaurants, and thousands of brands, visit www.bullring.co.uk to find out more.

GET CHRISTMAS IN THE BAG

Treat your loved one to a beautifully created and expertly crafted gift this Christmas with a Digbeth bag. Designed to be the perfect partner for the daily commute, international travel and everything in between, each Digbeth bag is crafted from a meticulously selected range of materials, including supple leathers and luxurious suedes.

The buckles and clasps are exclusive to Digbeth and designed for durability whilst looking unique, beautiful and in harmony with the leathers used. The core bag range has an interchangeable pocket that can be moved from bag to bag, meaning essential items are never forgotten.

The collections are available to buy now at www.digbethofficial.co.uk

10 dluxe-magazine

Carols In Real Life

Enjoy a not so silent night.

Open ‘til late.

O N LY AT

MAILBOXLIFE.COM

The destination for flagship and concept stores that send fashionistas and foodies, home lovers and style seekers wild.

Harvey Nichols

Castle Fine Art

Emporio Armani

Siematic Kitchen Gallery

Paul Smith

Ribble Cycles

Calvin Klein Underwear

The Wedding Club

Burrows & Hare

Nicky Clarke

Gieves & Hawkes

Bar Estilo

James Lakeland

Chez Mal

English Brands

Gas Street Social

MADE.com

Aluna

Heal’s

and more...

It’s all here waiting for you.

STYLE

|

HOME & INTERIORS

|

DINING

AGENDA.

GIVE THE GIFT OF GOOD TASTE

Festive Feast, £550.

Festive Fancies, £40.

Crowd Pleaser hamper, £300

Season’s Eatings, £100.

The Drinks Cabinet, £500

The Classique Duo, £32

14 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

The Sweet Shop Hamper , £40

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a few indulgent luxuries. From delectable duos to decadent treats, the HARVEY NICHOLS hand-picked hamper collection certainly ticks all our festive boxes. Whether you’re looking for a present for a hard-to-please loved one or planning a gastronomic feast, you’ll be spoilt for choice this season at the luxury Mailbox store.

Discover everything you need to celebrate the most fashionable festive season at the Harvey Nichols Christmas Shop, Foodmarket and Wine Shop. You’ll find an impressive range of hampers, seasonal food and drink, and gift ideas. For details call 0121 616 6024.

Boxing Day, £100

French Spritz Gift Set, £55

winter’s most wanted On the hunt for a new winter wardrobe? The quickest way to update your look is with a sleek blackout look.

This winter, embrace the dark side and discover the best designer pieces and all of your winter essentials at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands for up to 60% less.

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Show this page to Guest Services to receive your Fashion Passport, giving you a further 10% off outlet prices.*

4 1. JAEGER, RETAIL £299.00, OUTLET £209.00 2. FOSSIL , RETAIL £139.00, OUTLET £90.00 3. M&S OUTLET, RETAIL £27.50, OUTLET £9.50 4. KURT GEIGER, RETAIL £149.00, OUTLET £109.00 5. FIORELLI, RETAIL £75.00, OUTLET £30.00

destination style With extended opening hours throughout the festive period, there’s plenty of time to discover the perfect gifts for all the family. And some extra time for something special to drop into the shopping bag, just for you. To plan your trip and find out what else we have in store for Christmas, visit us online.

eastmidlandsdesigneroutlet.com *terms and conditions apply

You’ll find a huge range of designer brands at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands like Converse, Jaeger, Kurt Geiger and many more. Visiting by car? Find us conveniently located off junction 28 on the M1 motorway and take advantage of the free spaces at our brand-new car park.

AGENDA.

ONLY AT MAILBOX:

If you’re looking for head-turning fashion, unique interiors inspiration and the most memorable venue for a special celebration, step into Mailbox for the very best shopping and entertainment this season.

Only at Mailbox can you shop the latest Autumn/Winter trends at Harvey Nichols, before enjoying a long overdue catch up and plenty of giggles over a glass of fizz at one of 16 canalside bars and restaurants.

BIRMINGHAM’S GO-TO DESTINATION FOR STYLE, HOME & INTERIORS AND DINING

COM, Heal’s, BoConcept, Calligaris and Lovett & Judge. Then toast your exceptional taste with a glass of wine, port or Champagne at Churchills – there are over 300 to choose from!

For festive celebrations and Christmas parties with a difference, you’re spoilt for choice. Only at Mailbox will you find fine dining alongside independent eateries.

Impress your colleagues and book a much sought-after party igloo at Gas

Browse the latest menswear from awardwinning independent, Burrows & Hare, before heading to Pall Mall Barbers for a luxury wet shave, and sinking into a sofa at Everyman Cinema, with a slice of freshly cooked pizza served to your seat.

Start your weekend being pampered from head to toe at Malmaison Spa, then indulge in some retail therapy at Emporio Armani and James Lakeland before seeking out the perfect party transformation at Nicky Clarke and enjoying waterside cocktails at Aluna with friends.

As the nights draw in, explore luxurious lighting and inviting interiors at the largest selection of home furnishing brands in the Midlands. Unique to the region, Home at Mailbox brings together a collection of the most essential names in furniture, kitchens, art, lighting, home accessories and gifts.

Hosting family and friends for Christmas this year? Browse the latest collections and access expert interior design advice from innovative brands, including MADE. 16 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Street Social, or get a taste of authentic Indian street-food at Indico, now open at Mailbox.

Looking to get ahead with your Christmas shopping? Your friends and family will love you for choosing Mailbox. From designer accessories and perfume, to unique gifts for him and her, check out our range of premium brands including Paul Smith, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein

Underwear and BOSS. Don’t forget to visit Harvey Nichols’s luxury food and drink collection for the ultimate stocking fillers, their decadent hampers make the perfect gift for every foodie. Or for the beauty lover in your life, head to iconic brands including Fenty Beauty and MAC for pro-worthy eyeshadow pallets alongside cult skincare and supplements.

Fancy fitting some culture into your day? Explore Castle Fine Art’s brand new flagship gallery, and work from renowned artists including Bob Dylan and Lorenzo Quinn.

Relax in the luxurious viewing room or take a guided tour with one of the gallery’s experienced art consultants, whilst enjoying a complimentary glass of bubbly or two. Or make a weekend of it and explore everything that the city has to offer this Autumn with an overnight stay at Malmaison or AC Hotel.

Located in the heart of the city, with an award-winning 24 hour carpark, Birmingham’s iconic lifestyle destination has everything you need for style, interiors and dining.

Find out what’s here waiting for you at www.mailboxlife.com.

UNLOCKING

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LIVING

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AGENDA.

WEST Midlands Entrepreneur Leads The Property Market By A Mile

the traditional values that Bobby leads his life by and are what have influenced him to use his business’ presence to give back to his 33,000 avid fans and followers on LinkedIn.

Bobby Singh, 39, is an award-winning business owner, a practicing Sikh, a devoted husband and father and one of the most recognisable business leaders in the Midlands.

The proud entrepreneur is the brains behind, and quite literally the face of, Love Your Postcode & Performance&™ – a property group which has brought a breath of fresh air to the British real estate and business community.

This winter a collection of over two thousand digital billboards and screens, feature an image of his son Ekongkar Singh wishing everyone a moving Christmas, can be seen on some of the country’s most prominent establishments such as the NEC, ICC, Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham Bullring and Grand Central. Through these bold campaigns, the business is marketed as a ‘No.1 Performance&™ Brand’. So, what does that mean exactly?

Bobby Singh explains “…We chose not to compete with traditional or online estate agents, but instead chose to create our own market. Secondly, we created products that were heavily results and time focused. Thirdly, we challenged ourselves to stand out, create a brand and a make a real difference in the minds and hearts of the next generation on the best available network of out of home digital screens supplied by Nick Smith of Elonex .”

“We looked at the various availble property models and analysed the flaws.

18 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

The core values were always the same, home-sellers want a distinguished and reputable brand, local expertise, transparency, and care. Speed of sale and a final price that was promised on the outset are also two key factors. I say ‘final’ because too many inflated prices are slowing down the market at the mid to top price bracket.

So, we created a performance property brand backed by a personal guarantee in 2009.”

Anyone that has had the pleasure of meeting, or speaking to the tenacious Bobby, will know that he’s certainly done it his way, by becoming the face of British estate agency – “I take inspiration from my faith, which is full of stories of valour and great courage.” he added.

“Stories that allow me to be proud of our unique identity and what it represents in the modern world. Every day I look in the mirror whilst tying my beautiful crown, I think about each layer and the immense amount of sacrifice my ancestors have done for our freedom to play a bigger game. This is not just a cloth, it’s not just threads, it’s million interwoven promises that are upheld by any individual that walks this path”.

“Our forefathers have always shown us how to be completely successful in both our spiritual and material lives. This is what I aspire to and daily I keep the principles of truth, integrity and absolute commitment at the centre of every decision.”

But despite riding high on the business’ success, his feet have never left the ground. Trust, care and hard work are

Moving from headline sponsorship in 2018 to ‘official property partner’ with Grands Design Live; a channel 4 series that has been gracing our TV screens for twenty years. Kevin McClould was heard quoting, “Mr Singh just can’t put a foot wrong at the moment. We have seen him go from strength to strength since sponsoring ‘Ask An Expert’ last year.

The show has really benefitted from his stage talks, impeccable knowledge and charming character.”

Recently winning the title of ‘Sikh Businessman of the Year’ at The House of Lords and ‘Most Influential Businessman of the Year’ at the MBCC Awards, he takes time out of his busy schedule to speak at high profile sell out events across the country.

As an expert in his field and exuding natural charisma, Singh is called on for his open and honest talks which centre round his journey from PwC to leading the property industry within ten years – this winter alone his group headline sponsored Birmingham Awards, Brit Asia Awards, Festival of Enterprise, Midlands Media Awards, White Boxing Championships, Variety Children’s Charity 70th Black Tie Ball and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s UK Tour. Assisting in raising over £75,000 for charities such as Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Variety and Love Brum.

Putting a face to the usually faceless property industry, clients of Love Your Postcode can expect an entirely personal and professional experience when selling, buying, renting a home across the country.

And of course, a sprinkling of personality from its founder.

Find out more at: www.loveyourpostcode.com or call the team on 0800 862 0870

HAVE YOURSELF A DESIGNER CHRISTMAS & New Year Pizza Express to the Japanese inspired restaurant Wagamama as well as the latest barista in town, 200 Degrees Coffee.

As well as the unmissable brands, restaurants and exceptional savings, the centre has seen a selection of improvements in 2019 which will continue to provide the best possible guest experiences into 2020. The newly expanded carpark with 500 additional spaces allows a smoother experience for guests during peak times. Alongside this, the centre has also welcomed four brand new dual charging units, located at the front of the main car park, the eight new units include universal charging for all types of electric vehicles allowing full charge in as little as 3 hours for most electric cars. Meaning guests can leave their car to charge whilst enjoying the centres ever growing fashion and homeware stores as well as the extensive food and beverage offering.

Those looking for the perfect place to pick-up a last-minute Christmas gift or a New Year, new you treat need not look any further than the much-loved McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands.

one. Fashion lovers can shop in over 65 stores, including the recent new premium brands that have been welcomed to the centre during 2019. From Hugo Boss, Crew Clothing and Charles Tyrwhitt through to Joules and Converse, there is something to suit all ages and style.

Guests can take their pick of the centre’s extensive eateries, from the nations favourite handmade pizzas from

With year-round savings of up to 60% off, a trip to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands is an unforgettable

Conveniently located just off junction 28, with easy access from the M1 motorway and A38 expressway. Those travelling by train arriving at Alfreton train station are a short 15-minute drive away by public transport or taxi.

Alternatively, other stations locally include Sutton Parkway, Kirkby-InAshfield and Mansfield. There are direct services from Nottingham, Leeds and Sheffield.

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dluxe-magazine.co.uk 19

ENTER THE DARK SPOTLIGHT.

20 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

KNESS

With an acclaimed new album, UK tour and the best Christmas single of recent years blasting out across the airwaves December Will Be Magic Again for Glam Rock renegades The Darkness. Neill Barston caught up wth guitarist Dan Hawkins ahead of their show at Birmingham, O2 Academy on the 1st December.

Armed with a hit-laden debut album, The Darkness swiftly found themselves amid the global limelight with their infectious brand of unashamedly glammed-up classic rock. Their swagger was matched with success as they quickly gained a tally of three Brit Awards for their troubles, which prompted headline festival slots and global tours that delivered a loyal international following.

by the services of Rufus Taylor, son of Queen’s Roger Taylor, on drums, who joined their ranks four years ago.

Deftly demonstrating their renewed spark is their epic-sounding sixth studio album, Easter is Cancelled, described by frontman Justin as a concept record that’s “biblical” in scale. It’s seen them make a welcome return to the top 10 charts, with a collection of catchy riffs resounding with confidence.

Before we got our deal, nobody wanted to sign us, including the label who eventually did!

“I’ve a slightly different take on the album to the other members as I produced it, as I have done with our past few records. With the previous albums, I’d be listening back to them looking out for any mistakes I might have made, but that really wasn’t the case with our latest one. I think it sounds amazing,” enthuses Dan of their efforts to restore rock music to its glorious former pinnacle astride the top of the ever-shifting musical pecking order.

“

”

As guitarist Dan Hawkins explains, it’s been one heck of a ride over nearly two decades, emerging triumphant over naysayers dismissing them for their clear influences of heroes such as Queen, AC/ DC and Thin Lizzy. While he admits that in true rock n’roll spirit they’ve endured their share of trials, including member departures and a split for several years, yet it seems they are now enjoying life as a re-united band more than ever.

These days, they are very ably aided

It’s this very subject on which Lowestoft’s finest appears to have trained its attentions – Rock and Roll Deserves to Die, lamenting in tongue-in-cheek fashion a perceived lacklustre state of their beloved genre. The track’s accompanying video is one of their most memorable to date, including a finale of Marshall amplifiers raining down from the sky.

“For that song, we went for essentially four styles of music in one – from Led Zeppelin, a Deep Purple scream, to Black Sabbath and AC/DC. It’s not something we are afraid to do with our music.

“I do think that there are some really good bands out there, but a lot of what I hear is very linear sounding. So forget being authentic, what’s needed is some innovation to move things forward,” says Dan. Their latest album, recorded and mixed at the guitarist’s self built Hawkland studio, Sussex, contains a number of standout moments including the crowdpleasing ballad Heart Explodes, hard rock tribute in the form of Heavy Metal Lover, and the defiant closing song, We Are the Guitar Men. As he relates, recording the album proved an intense dluxe-magazine.co.uk 21

SPOTLIGHT. “I’ve been a dad for 10 years now and it’s the best thing ever, and makes everything else you do worthwhile,” adds the guitarist, who says when he’s not in his studio, spending time with the family is his foremost priority. As he reflects on his career to date, he acknowledges the band’s success was hard-won through paying their dues for years on the live circuit.

He recalls that both he and his brother were particularly musical from a young age, briefly playing in a group together called Vital Signs, which Dan joined up with when he was just 12 years old.

But far from being overnight trailblazers, he says that it took a long while before they would ultimately make it in a late 1990s music scene that had been dominated by the tail end of Britpop acts.

experience, with a spirit of determination to ensure that it delivered its full potential.

“The one thing that I wanted to bring to the new album was just in terms of giving as much of my own studio time for it as was possible – allowing them to come back and spend as long as they wanted on it.

“It’s about as close as we’re ever going to get to making a concept album, with a definite thread of subjects covering life and death, and how we bring meaning to them,” he notes of their new release.

Beyond laying down their latest recordings, they’ve certainly not been slacking off on the live performances – enjoying performances last year with Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp’s band, The Hollywood Vampires.

According to Dan, it was something of a surreal 22 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

episode hanging out with some of the most famous musicians on the planet, yet it proved a blast.

“Our lives are pretty insane really – it was amazing to be playing those shows. I’m not someone that gets star struck, but with Johnny Depp I actually felt a bit freaked out that we were just hanging out with him. But after talking to him backstage for about half an hour, he was actually pretty down to earth.”

Another major highlight from this summer was their invitation to join fellow Suffolk-raised star Ed Sheeran on his UK tour dates. The shows resulted in delivering footage that served as the basis for their Heart Explodes single, which revealed how they remain very much in their element on the road.

It seems the solo star took time out to chill out with

them and share some tales from their home county.

“Ed was very affable indeed – he’d come and see us before and after our shows, which was nice. He’s the only person I can think of that when he is at gigs and there are fans are around, he actually goes up to people and asks them if they and their kids want selfies with him, rather than them having to ask for pictures.

In a world where we have things like Brexit and Trump, thank goodness that we’ve got Ed Sheeran,” adds Dan, who at 42, says that life in Sussex with his family, which now includes three children, is treating him very finely indeed.

He jokes that the two of his youngsters who appreciate the music of The Darkness, will be remaining on his Christmas present list this year.

“Before we got our deal, nobody wanted to sign us, including the label who eventually did. It was a long wait for us to make it – I was 27 and actually at the point where I thought we’d missed our chance. So Justin and I just thought we’d form a band playing the music that we wanted to play,” which would finally see their determination pay off, after self-financing their debut singles.

In terms of overall highlights, he says that while gaining the Brit Awards was something to celebrate at the time, it was subsequently gaining an Ivor Novello songwriting award that meant even more.

As for the present day, he enthuses that there will be plenty for fans to enjoy this time around, mixing their new material alongside a greatest hits set.

“It’s going to be really good to be playing some material we’ve not played before, and the whole thing about this being a concept album will be answered on this tour,” offers Dan of what we can expect from one of rock music’s great survivors as they continue boldly on their journey.

The home of the

HOUSE PROUD

New Roman Blinds Collection Our exciting new collection of Roman Blinds opens up a whole world of style choices. All backed by a service we’re pleased to say is second to none; with the highest quality products expertly made to measure and fitted beautifully.

So whatever the design, window or room we will do your house proud.

luxaflex.co.uk

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HER STYLE. 1

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GOING OUT OUT ESSENTIAL PARTYWEAR FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

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1. Jumper: £45 Trousers: £38, Wallis.

2 Gold Jumpsuit, £995, Galvan 3.

Strappy Heels, £359, Julia Mays. 4.

Rose Gold Fine-Knit Wrap Dress, £360, Alice And Olivia. 5. green wool midi dress, £1350, Roland Mouret. 6.

Black clutch, £825, Saint Laurent. 7. rosa print dress, £30, lipsy 8. Shimmer Dress £89.99 Zara 9. Black asymmetric blazer dress, $1350, offwhite. 10.

Darmina floral-print cotton midi dress, £700, Dries Van Noten. 11. Espionage bronze silk wrap dress, £550, Zimmermann. 12. Bag, £19.99, Zara.

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HER STYLE.

FASHION’S FAKING IT When it comes to ethical fashion choose faux fur, leather and suede to ensure you’re dressing with a conscience. Where Stella McCartney has led the way, other brands are now following with the likes of Free People, Vince and Stand Studio offering cruelty-free collections. LISA PIDDINGTON selects her AW19 must-haves that are just as sumptuous and luxurious as the real thing.

Free People faux fur hooded jacket, £170.

Stella McCartney Alter 115 faux leather ankle boots, £545

Stella McCartney Eclypse flecked faux leather sneakers, £455.

By Malene Birger faux Antelope coat, £510

Stand Studio Camille leopardprint faux fur coat, £300

Stella McCartney faux fur-panelled wool jacket, £855

Vince faux fur coat, £595

Free People ruched faux suede mini skirt, £70

Samsøe & Samsøe faux fur jacket, £210

Velvet by Graham & Spencer faux fur gilet, £275

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Women’s fashion and accessories are available from Harvey Nichols Birmingham and online at harveynichols.com Stella McCartney Stella Logo faux leather shoulder bag, £525

CURATED CHRISTMAS: GIFTS FOR her 3 1

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1. Klimt Gold Crepe Du Chine Scarf, £45, Fox and Chave. 2. Cat Scratching DJ Deck, £19, Red Candy. 3. Maison de Jeu Playing Cards, £32, Christian Lacroix. 4. Fenty Beauty Glossy Posse Mini Gloss Bomb Collection, £34.Harvey Nichols.

5. 3 Tier Hanging Planter, £49, Oliver Bonas. 6. Butterfly Doormat -£14.00, RedCandy.co.uk. 7. Brew Crew Mug, £12, Oliver Bonas. 8. Linda McCartney. The Polaroid Diaries, £40. 9. Lilibeth of New York Brow Shaper, Lilith New York, £14.95. 10. Lips and Lashes Make-Up Bag, £44, Podevache. 11. Rose Jewellery Box, £79, Oliver Bonas. 12. The Mini Satchel, £190, Digbeth Official. 13. Caorunn Scottish Raspberry Gin, Caorunn, £20.75. 14. Christmas Tree Bauble with Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel Truffle, Montezuma's, £4.99. 15. Cherry Bakewell, Popcorn Shed, £3.50. 16. Just the Tonic, Kew, £18. 17. NovAge True Perfection Renewing Night Care, Oriflame Sweden, £22.

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ESSENTIAL PARTYWEAR FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

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1. Davide Blazer £125 White Stuff.

2. Gold Tuxedo Jacket £80 Next.

3. Green Bow Tie, £10, River Island. 4. Hawkbridge Check Waistcoat, £69.95, White Stuff 5. M&S Collection Velvet Blazer, £89, M&S. 6. Black embroidered cotton-blend blazer, £1275, Dries Van Noten, Harvey Nichols. 7. Velvet double breasted evening jacket, £625, Hackett 8.

Slash Band white cotton shirt, £320, Helmut Lang. 9.

Blue printed silk pocket square, £90, Salvatore Ferragamo. 10. Tuxedo Jacket £80 Next. 11.

Leopard Slipper £38 Next. 12. Bold Boot, £79, Office. 13. Monochrome houndstooth wool-blend blazer, £910, Harvey Nichols. .

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 29

HIS STYLE.

THE PARKA: Master modern cool with Givenchy’s olive parka. Expertly tailored for a relaxed silhouette, it’s topped with a drawstring hood and stamped with the address of the house across the back for a militaryinspired finish.

Perfect to add a rebellious touch to your weekend wardrobe, keep it casual with distressed jeans.

30 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Givenchy printed cotton parka, £1,985.

THE SHELL COAT: Sought-after highperformance outerwear is Stone Island’s forte and this olive shell coat demonstrates why.

It’s treated with an innovative anti-drop finish creating a water-resistant style that will keep you protected while looking cool. Team with sweatshirt, jeans and statement trainers.

Canada Goose crew camouflage shell coat, £550.

THE CAMOUFLAGE COAT: Canada Goose takes its Arctic outerwear in a street-led direction; the tonal green and charcoal camouflageprint is shaped to a three-quarter length trenchstyle that has a zipped and press-stud front plus a classic collar but with the added option of a detachable hood.

Functional details come in the form of its multiple pockets, adjustable cuffs and a drawstring hem.

Acne Studio camel wool coat, £850.

Stone Island garment-dyed quilted shell coat, £950.

A new winter coat will probably be your biggest fashion investment so choosing the right one is crucial. Whether you want to focus on the functional or the stylish, LISA PIDDINGTON from HARVEY NICHOLS reveals this season’s key looks.

Alpha Industries Injector III shell bomber jacket, £210.

THE WINTER 2019 COAT EDIT

THE MILITARY BOMBER: Alpha Industries' sage Injector III bomber jacket blends the label’s iconic silhouette with today’s urban modernity. The style is rooted in practicality, crafted from wind and rainresistant 2tone nylon with an insulating shearling collar. Wear with a college grey hooded sweatshirt and ripped jeans for casual chic.

THE CAMEL COAT: A fashion classic, perfect for the office or smart weekends away.

Acne Studios’ signature Scandi minimalism is fully realised in the wool Chad coat. Cut with clean lines, it’s shaped to a laid-back fit that’s enhanced by dropped shoulders for a modern touch, while its camel hue gives it a cool retro note.

Menswear available at Harvey Nichols Birmingham and find it online at harveynichols.com.

CURATED CHRISTMAS: GIFTS FOR HIM 5

1 2 3 6 4

8 10 9

7 1. Very Merry Christmas Board Game, Rascals, £20. 2. Grooming Ritual Gift Set, Green People, £15. 3. Varta Power Bank, £24.99. 4. Jack Daniel's Honey Glaze, £2.04.

5. Opies Pickled Walnuts, Opies, £2.99. 6.

Smart True Wireless Earbuds, Mifo, £129.99. 7.

Melitta Single 5 Coffee Filter Machine, £39.50. 8.

Chocolate Reindeer Model, Thorntons, £8. 9. 5 Second Rule Game Interplay, £15. 10. Tomatin Legacy Bourbon £26.95.. 11. Craft Gin Club G&T Crackers, £39.99. 12. Russell Hobbs Steam Genie, £44.99. 13. Deco Zig Zag Scarf, Fox and Chave, £65. 14. Classic Platinum Waddingtons Number 1 Playing Cards, £4.99 15. Grahams Six Grapes Port Wine, 16. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt,The Folio Society, £44.95. 17. NovAge Men SET, Oriflame Sweden, £99.

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MOTORS.

RE DEFENDER

As reassuringly British as jam roly poly and custard, the original Land Rover Defender just refused to die with used models of this motoring legend changing hands for more money than Boris promised we’d all be getting post Brexit! It’s little wonder then that replacing this classless icon of British design was going to be tough but golly they’ve done it. Ladies, Gentlemen the new Land Rover Defender is here, and we think it’s rather spiffy!

An icon reimagined for the 21st century; the new Defender has been built to appeal to markets old and new – hose down interiors are available but so are sumptuous leather and heated seats and with prices starting at £35,000 for the van version alone, this is far from the farmers hack of old. We’ll not dwell on that though as time’s do change and Land Rover would be foolish to ignore 32 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

the lifestyle market which always found the Defender so fashionable.

And those fashion-conscious buyers will adore this. The unmistakable silhouette is familiar yet new. It looks tough enough to take on the rough stuff with ease. Minimal front and rear overhangs provide excellent approach and departure angles and the new 4x4 features a purposeful upright stance, alpine light windows in the roof as well as the side-hinged rear tailgate and externally mounted spare wheel that make the original so identifiable.

The stripped-back personality of the original Defender has been embraced inside although it’s a massive leap forward compared to Defenders of old.

Structural elements and fixings usually hidden from view have been exposed, with the emphasis on simplicity and

practicality. A dash-mounted gear shifter means there’s the option of the traditional central jump seat which provides three-abreast seating across the front like early Land Rovers.

As before, Defender will be available in 90 and 110 body designs, with up to six seats in the 90 and the option of five, six or 5+2 seating in the 110.

The model range starts at Defender and works through S, SE, HSE, First Edition and top of the range Defender X model. Customers will be able to personalise their vehicle in more ways than any previous Land Rover with four Accessory Packs. The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban Packs each give Defender a distinct character with a specially selected range of enhancements.

User-friendly features include practical

join the range next year providing the prospect of silent EV-only progress.

seen the Defender tackle the muddy stuff. Configurable Terrain Response debuts on new Defender, allowing experienced off-roaders to fine-tune individual vehicle settings to perfectly suit the conditions, while inexperienced drivers can let the system detect the most appropriate vehicle settings for the terrain, using the intelligent Auto function.

The new body architecture provides ground clearance of 291mm and worldclass off-road geometry, giving the 110 approach, breakover and departure angles of 38, 28 and 40 degrees (Off Road height) respectively. Its maximum wading depth of 900mm is supported by a new Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system, which ensures drivers can ford deep water with complete confidence- useful at time of writing when we’re all growing gills.)

touches and advanced technological innovations. Durable rubberised flooring shrugs off the spills of daily adventures and once-in-a-lifetime expeditions, providing a brush or wipe clean interior. An optional Folding Fabric Roof provides an open-top feel and allows passengers in the second-row seats of the 110 to stand up when parked to provide the full safari experience!

An all new body structure is the stiffest that Land Rover has ever produced; three times stiffer than traditional body-on-frame designs and provides the perfect foundations for the fully independent air or coil sprung suspension whilst supporting the needs of the latest electrified powertrains.

Old McDonald may turn in his grave at the thoughts of an electric Defender but he’d haunt you no more once he’d

On dry land, Land Rover’s advanced ClearSight Ground View technology helps drivers take full advantage of Defender’s all-conquering capability by showing the area usually hidden by the bonnet, directly ahead of the front wheels, on the central touchscreen.

As a result, the new Defender redefines breadth of capability, raising the threshold for both off-road ruggedness and on-road comfort. It can negotiate crowded city streets as effortlessly as climbing mountains, crossing deserts and withstanding freezing temperatures.

Its carefully honed handling delivers both a rewarding drive and first-class long-haul comfort across all terrains.

It's much, much cleaner too. A choice of advanced petrol and cleaner diesel engines ensure the new Defender has the power, control and efficiency for any environment, while a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain will

To start of with though the petrol line-up comprises a four-cylinder P300 and a powerful six-cylinder P400 with efficient Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology.

Alternatively, customers can choose from a pair of four-cylinder diesels – the D200 and powerful D240 – both of which deliver fuel economy of 37.2mpg thanks to innovative engineering solutions including a flat underbody to optimise aerodynamic performance across the line-up.

The tech continues inside with Jaguar Land Rover’s new Pivi Pro infotainment system. The next generation touchscreen is more intuitive and user-friendly, requiring fewer inputs to perform frequently used tasks, while its always-on design guarantees almost instant responses. In addition, the new Defender takes Software-Over-TheAir (SOTA) technology to a new level, with 14 individual modules capable of receiving remote updates.

By downloading data while customers are asleep at home or in far-flung locations, the new Defender will get better with age: as electronic updates cascade down to the vehicle immediately, without delay and with no need to visit a Land Rover retailer. One really clever idea is the option of Satin Protective Film from new to make the exterior paintwork even more durable.

The completely recyclable wrap helps protect against everything from car park scratches to bramble rash and will be available as a factory-fit option with Indus Silver, Gondwana Stone and Pangea Green colours, providing a unique contemporary finish as it protects paintwork.

So, choose your model, engine, paintwork and accessory pack as the order books are now officially open.

Defender 110 starts from £45,240 on the road with Defender 90 and Commercial pricing confirmed at a later date.

You can configure your Defender 110 at www.landrover.co.uk/Defender - so far we’re up to ££99,081.00 with options…

Eek! dluxe-magazine.co.uk 33

LIVING.

FOUR NEW TRENDS FOR 2020 It’s time to say goodbye to grey and follow a little mid century styling with popping pastel paints and colourways being the top tip for 2020 style. Here are four key colours that ooze style.

NEO MINT

A fresh tone that lends a cool futuristic feel; fit for the new decade ahead say the interior experts at Essential Home.

Minty greens when used as an accent or contrast to neutrals such as taupe, can pop– for a really fresh look pair with white or maybe blue to echo the sea.

Bloomingville Cotton Rug 120X60cm £39 Amara

Alpaca Throw - Mint Green, Annabel James, £149.95

Conway Plastic Bar Stool, Sage Green £59

Skyler Metal Desk Lamp, Green £29

Impressions Side Plate £7 John Lewis

Scandi Clock, Newgate, £65

Broste Copenhagen Wind 3 Seater Sofa Chinois Green £1,695 Harvard Storage Cabinet £399 John Lewis

A paler, more subdued version of the youthful oranges that have made such turbulence recently, with a feel-good quality that is perfect for high summer 2020.

Washed Cotton Throw 250X260 £80 John Lewis

Normann Copenhagen £110 Nest

Bronte Wingback Armchair, Velvet Upholstered, Burnt Orange £249 Cult Furniture

Lund London Flash Blocco Acrylic Storage Pot £20 Audenza

Perci Cushion Orange 45X45cm £25 Habitat

Day Birger Et Mikkelsen Cushions £63 & £36 Amara

34 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

CANTALOUPE

Image from Essential Home

MELLOW YELLOW ‘Peace’ Candle Hand £34.95 audenza

Wyatt 12-Pc Dinnerware Set £60 Habitat

Lizzie Yellow Desk Lamp £25 Habitat Theo Floor Lamp, £89.99 V By Very

Love Frankie Cole & Son, £40, Kissed By Betty

k bu Ka

Newgate Alarm Clock £22

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£3 Re d

Image from Essential Home

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Anderson Armchair, £399

by Cult Furniture

Diamantini & Domeniconi Wall Clock - Yellow £190 Amara.

Toni Embossed Vase, £18, Habitat

Tota Lantern - Rose & Black £51 Amara

Velvet Palm Tree Cushion Cover -£46 Amara

Cushion Cover With Fringing £39.95 Audenza

With clear roots within mid-century design, it’s impossible not to feel nostalgic for sun soaked summer days with these muted yellows and mild mustards. Add an upbeat, playful tone to your colour palette.

Image from Essential Home

Normann Copenhagen Lust Mirror £97 Amara

Lamp Base £200 Laura Ashley.

Stool from Essential Home

Verso Vase,

Villeroy & Bo

ch, £79.90

Missoni Home Timmy Throw £282 Amara

Kiss The Froggy Chair £199 Cuckooland

Soho Home Chesterfield Sofa Lilac Linen £3,995 Spherical Glass Candlestick Holder £22 Amara

CASSIS Naturally grading from crushed blackcurrant to rich aubergine, the deep purplish tones of the elegantly understated Cassis draws inspiration from nature in shades that are sophisticated, colorful and rich.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 35

LIVING.

Going from winter to spring – getting your garden ready

Here are some other tasks you should be getting on with during the winter and into the early spring weeks: • Make sure you top up the bird feeders and bird bath – our feathered friends need our help in the depths of winter.

• Make sure leaves are raked up off the lawn so they don’t kill the grass.

• In January, start to force rhubarb – just think of the amazing crumble you can make!

It’s winter, but there’s plenty to enjoy in the garden. Canny gardeners tend to stock up on bare root plants at this time of the year: they are often significantly cheaper than pot-grown plants. Take a tip out of their book and see if there are any spaces in your borders that could be filled. Once they arrive, plant as soon as possible.

We’re looking forward to taking delivery of a magnificent 15ft Christmas tree that will be placed in the car park, ready to greet visitors for the festive season and for the big day.

It will be business as usual, though, inside the Gardens as we have a great deal of work to do to keep the thousands of plants we look after in tip-top condition.

One of the major tasks is to cut down the dahlias now that they have been frosted.

We remove the tubers and overwinter them in the nursery so that they can be

planted again next year for an autumn display. Like all good gardeners, we like to ensure we can reuse as much as possible – it’s more economical, much more satisfying and environmentally friendly.

We’ll also be planting the new Alan King Alpine Garden over the winter months, focusing on the two Alpine Houses first.

The Alpine House is still closed to the public, but keep an eye out for news about when it will open and for the grand unveiling.

Use the next couple of months to do some tidying to ensure your borders and pots are protected for the coldest months of the year. We get rain all year round, obviously, but as the temperatures are colder in the winter, raise your pots with bricks or pot feet to minimise the potential for waterlogging. Use bubble wrap to insulate pots that cannot be moved into greenhouses.

• Tidy up the old stems on perennials, but be careful not to disturb new growth.

• Deadhead winter pansies to stop them setting seed.

• Cut back the old foliage from ornamental grasses to about a few centimetres from the ground.

• In February, we’re turning a corner – signs of spring will be here so start weeding the borders and prepare your seed beds, if the ground isn’t frozen, of course.

• Trim winter-flowering shrubs and heathers.

• Sharpen and clean any gardening tools and give the mower a bit of TLC so it is ready for action in the spring.

• Scrub clean any pots - come spring, you’ll be glad you bothered!

For more tips, follow Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Twitter @ BhamBotanicalGd or visit www. birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk 38 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

t u o y a d t a e r g a r o Join us f Located less than two miles from Birmingham city centre, explore exotic glasshouses, Japanese gardens, traditional tea rooms and enjoy a variety of fun events for the whole family.

birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk

Find us on: Thank you for your support it keeps our Gardens growing The Gardens are a registered Educational Charity, No: 528981

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TRAVEL.

HONEYMOON HOTS

A honeymoon is the opportunity for a holiday of a lifetime, with the person you’ve decided to spend forever with. It’s the time to relax, unwind and settle into married bliss after the stress of wedding planning.

Whether you fancy a fortnight on a Caribbean island or a week exploring a European city, these top honeymoon destinations will guarantee you have a fabulously romantic time. Read on to plan a honeymoon to remember.

THE GAMBIA EXPERIENCE The Gambia is the perfect choice for a honeymoon with numerous romantic hideaways for you to choose from, including adult-only properties, boutique hotels, hidden-away river lodges, wildlife experiences and spa hotels for that extraspecial treat.

Get up, close and personal with fascinating wildlife at the Fathala Wildlife Reserve. This incredible experience allows you to combine a safari experience with a wide range of other excursion options, making the most of its unique location close to the waterways of the Sine Saloum Delta, rich with birdlife.

40dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Enjoy the sights and sounds of Africa from the terrace of your luxurious accommodation or cool off in the plunge pool.

A magical atmosphere exists by night as guests gather around the fire pit, observing the wildlife at the nearby watering hole before dining in the traditional thatched restaurant.

Easily reached from The Gambia, Fathala Wildlife Reserve makes for that extra special experience you’re both looking for.

SPECIAL FEATURE

float down the river in the middle of the Jamaican jungle on a bamboo raft.

Take a jerk chicken cooking class, go cliff jumping, or relax on a catamaran, as you watch the sunset into the horizon.

Montego Bay, or Mo-Bay as the locals call it, is one of the most popular and colourful resort areas on the island. It is also where you will fly into and is the gateway to other destinations on the island.

SPOTS MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA White sand beaches, turquoise water gently lapping the shore, palm trees swaying in the breeze – enjoy all this with the love of your life in Jamaica.

Add friendly locals, tasty food and a rum punch or two, and you’ve got a top honeymoon destination.

Explore one of the many stunning waterfalls on the island, sail a boat out to a bar in the middle of the ocean, or

BARBADOS Well known for its spectacular beaches, laid back lifestyle and potent rum punch, Barbados has mastered the art of fine living. Relaxation comes easily on this little island, so pack your bags with swimwear, sun cream and a good book and escape to the Caribbean for a perfect honeymoon.

the wine, the art and architecture, the charming hotels, the lazy afternoons people watching at cafés, even the elegant sound of the French language – these are all among the city’s seductions. There are many things to do for honeymooners in Paris.

Wander down the River Seine at dusk, visit the remains of the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral and get a romantic snap at the world-famous Eiffel Tower. Take a day trip to the magical champagne region and another to Versailles. French cuisine is some of the most exquisite in the world, so enjoy lots of it with accompanying French wine. This is your honeymoon, so you also have to tie a ribbon (locks are discouraged now) on the Pont des Art bridge, which symbolizes your committed love to one another.

The West Coast of Barbados attracts royals and the world’s leading sports stars to its upscale resorts such as Sandy Lane.

The South Coast is ideal for all-inclusive holidays where water sport lovers can enjoy the premium wind and kite surfing conditions.

Barbados is so small you can tour the whole island in a day. Couples seeking to explore should head to the Barbados Museum to learn the history of the island.

Those who would prefer a history of rum, can take a tour of Mount Gay distillery with plenty of tastings along the way.

With its flawless coastline spanning 70 miles, Barbados is the perfect playground to discover marine life. So, ping on a snorkel and dive straight in!

GETTING THERE Fly direct from Birmingham Airport to these destinations with a variety of airlines.

These destinations are perfect for that holiday of a lifetime with someone special.

PARIS, FRANCE We couldn’t write a list of honeymoon destinations without including the city of love itself. Paris is a dream come true for honeymooners. The food, dluxe-magazine.co.uk 41

TRAVEL NEWS. a quiet relaxing weekend break in one of Vienna’s glamorous hotels and enjoy all the charm of this historical city at a more leisurely pace.

CHOOSE FROM THREE BITES OF THE BIG APPLE FROM BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT THANKS TO JET2.COM AND JET2CITYBREAKS Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks is once again giving holidaymakers the chance to enjoy a bite of the Big Apple in Winter 20, after re-introducing Winter trips to New York from Birmingham Airport.

JET2.COM INN-TRODUCES NEW SUMMER DESTINATION- INNSBRUCK! Leading leisure airline Jet2.com has announced summer flights to Innsbruck for the first time, with serviced on sale from Birmingham Airport for Summer 20.

The UK’s third largest airline has put 10,000 seats on sale from Birmingham Airport for its first programme of summer services to Innsbruck, this includes weekly Wednesday services which run from 3rd June through to 16th September. Flights are perfectly timed for holidaymakers, with morning departures helping customers to make the most of their stay.

Innsbruck is the fifth largest city in Austria and is surrounded by stunning high mountains and dazzling lakes, making it attractive to the increasing number of holidaymakers who are enticed by wellness, adventure and sport. With miles of mountain ranges and alpine meadows on the doorstep, adventurers, hikers and cyclists are spoiled for choice, and that’s not mentioning the unique mountain trams that offer up some of the most staggering views around.

TUI UK ANNOUNCES HOLIDAYS TO SHARM EL SHEIKH FOR 2020 FROM BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT TUI, the world’s largest holiday company and the UK’s number one holiday provider, is delighted to announce that holidays to Sharm El Sheikh are back on sale from Thursday 7th November with a flight from Birmingham Airport for winter 2019 breaks and additional flights added in the summer.

The holiday company are delighted to give customers the opportunity to return to the stunning Red Sea resort. They are was always a firm favourite due to its breath-taking scenic landscape, yearround dry climate with hot summers and warm winters as well as its long stretches of beautiful natural beaches and clear, calm seas. The resort is also widely popular with those seeking water sport activities such as scuba diving and snorkelling in the famous coral reefs.

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LAUDA STARTS NEW ROUTE FROM BIRMINGHAM TO VIENNA Austria’s No. 1 low-cost airline starts the new direct connection from Birmingham to Vienna. Lauda offers three weekly connections from Birmingham to Austria’s capital. Customers and visitors can book their tickets now for an unbeatable price and will fly with the greenest/cleanest airline group in Europe, which has the lowest CO2 emissions. On Tuesday the 29th of October, the Lauda Airbus A320 took off for the first time from Birmingham and flew to the Austrian Capital.

Until late December Vienna’s beautiful squares transform into a magical Christmas wonderland with numerous markets popping up across the city. Alternatively, enjoy a quiet relaxing weekend break in one of Vienna’s glamorous hotels and enjoy

Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks has put three trips of-a-lifetime for winter 20 on sale, with flights direct from Birmingham Airport. The four-night trips include Christmas Shopping and Winter in New York trips departing on the 6 and and 13th December from Birmingham Airport, giving holidaymakers fantastic choice and flexibility when it comes to visiting the magical city.

NEW BIRMINGHAM FLIGHTS TO THE GAMBIA The Gambia Experience has successfully secured more flights to The Gambia this winter to meet demand and will operate a new direct Birmingham-Banjul route from December 18th until April 22nd, 2020.

Wednesday flights with convenient morning departure slots are now on sale with a wide range of holidays. Showcasing the best of the Gambia the tour operator’s Luxury, Unique and Classic accommodation collections include exclusive boutique hotels, spa resorts, family friendly allinclusive resorts, safari and river lodges plus beachfront hotels and more.

Package, flight-only and tailormade holidays along with multi centres embracing wildlife and beach resorts plus neighbouring Senegal are offered, as well as group or private excursions to help visitors explore. New cruise holidays are also available this winter. Exploring the waterways of the River Gambia aboard the Harmony V Mega Yacht, guests can observe wildlife along the way. From beautiful birdlife to crocodiles, hippos, chimpanzees, monitor lizards and monkeys, the Gambia is brimming with incredible wildlife opportunities.

Holidays are fully ATOL protected and are priced from £699pp, based on sevennights bed & breakfast at the Kombo Beach Hotel (Grade 3.5) which is situated on an unspoilt, golden sand beach within the resort of Kotu. This price includes Birmingham flights and hotel transfers.

TRAVEL.

TORONTO: With a flight time from London that’s equivalent to New York, I had to ask myself why I’d never made the trip across the pond to Toronto so when we were invited to visit the Toronto Biennial of Art I jumped at the chance to immerse myself in the city and explore its cultural identity.

Built around Lake Ontario, Toronto is Canada’s most populated city with a downtown district filled with glass and steel hi res developments. Property is at a real premium and there are new developments all across the city. The hustle of city living, it’s stunning skyline and proximity to the water’s edge gives downtown Toronto a distinctly Manhattan feel – it even has its own Flat Iron building!

Just like Manhattan it’s the city’s cosmopolitan districts that show its true character. Since its founding in 1793 under the name ‘York’ by the British (which 44 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

explains the very British feeling tree lined streets that are home to beautiful Victorian villas and townhouses), Toronto has been an important destination for immigrants to Canada and despite each district historically being inhabited by its own distinct community groups there is no ghettoisation; Toronto is a truly multicultural city with more than 50 percent of the city’s residents belonging to a visible minority population group, and over 200 distinct ethnic origins are represented among its inhabitants. It gives the city a unique and welcoming vibe .

DISTRICTS TO EXPLORE KENSINGTON MARKET: Toronto’s Camden and perfect for those that like a walk on the wild side, Kensington Market is full of boho, hippy chic stores, cafés, bakeries and boutiques. Perfect for vintage fans, the area’s Victorian buildings are also home to hipster bars and eateries.

CITY OF ART & CULTURE

CHURCH AND WELLESLEY: Right in the heart of downtown and perhaps the best location for a fun night out, the LGBTQ village is home to inclusive bars, clubs and boutiques. We loved the Glad Day Bookstore – by day an LGBQT bookshop and café and at night an event space and sometime nightclub! Go party amidst the paperbacks.

HARBOURFRONT: With an epic view of the lake, The Harbourfront is a tranquil escape from the city within its very heart. Walk the promenade, take a boat trip, visit a gallery or grab some lunch. In fact, why not do it all?

QUEEN STREET: Vintage and vinyl stores make up this hipster paradise which goes from punk to preppy depending on your direction – but hey this is Canada so everyone is still super chill and friendly. Tons of independent bars, breweries, restaurants, bakehouses and unique stores make it a great place

ART IN TORONTO We visited during the city’s Biennial of Art; a new international contemporary visual arts event that takes place for ten weeks across the city meaning that for every district you visit, you are sure to find some art to experience on your journey. This year’s festival, offering 72 days of free art, took its theme from Toronto’s evolving relationship with its Shoreline with wide ranging exhibition examining the region’s indigenous routes, Canadian identity, immigration and cultural appropriation as well as traditional crafts explored using contemporary techniques.

The centre point of the festival is Toronto’s infamous Nuit Blanche where for one sleepless night, Toronto is transformed by hundreds of artists and nearly 90 art projects. It’s a night of art and revelry across the city, exploring installations and popping into a bar or two along the way.

The crowds are huge, the atmosphere electric and with a programme of art that is for everyone. What’s not to love.

Find out more at www. torontobiennial.org

VISITING TORONTO For further information about Toronto, visit Tourism Toronto at www.seetorontonow.com. : #OpenYourCuriosity #SeeTorontoNow

DISTILLERY DISTRICT: Located close to downtown, the Distillery District was home to the city’s burgeoning whiskey trade but has now been converted into a slick retail and relaxation zone with designer stores, chocolatiers, craft breweries and restaurants located within it’s vintage industrial architecture. It’s also a popular place for wedding photos so expect to see a bride or ten…

to explore or stay- we stayed at The Broadview Hotel, an uber cool ex strip club on the corner of Queen Street East and Broadview Avenue. Rooms come equipped with their own record player, there’s a vinyl library on each floor to select from and a hip rooftop fusion restaurant to enjoy with a killer cocktail menu. Try the Peary Godmother; bourbon, pear juice, honey and sage syrup.

DUNDAS WEST: Home to a huge collection of Street Art, so much that it’s classed as an open-air museum (@dundaswest. museum), Dundas West is home to independent bars, barbers, restaurants and stores that have retained their vintage shop fronts giving the area a mini Shoreditch feel.

Make sure you visit MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art and order the Pesto Falafel at La Palma.

Getting there: Air Canada offers more daily flights from the UK to Canada than any other airline. From London Heathrow this winter, the airline operates up to 4 daily flights per week to Toronto, with Economy fares starting from £448.82 inclusive of taxes and 1 x checked bag (subject to change). Find out more at www.aircanada.com or call Reservations on 00 800 6699 2222 Hotel: Double Rooms at the Broadview Hotel Toronto start at $289CAD Book your room at www.thebroadviewhotel.ca Toronto City Pass: A Toronto CityPass (www.citypass.com/toronto) provides access to key attractions across the city including the CN Tower, Casa Loma, Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and Toronto Zoo or Ontario Science Centre. The passes are £52 for adults and £34 for children (plus taxes).

Getting around Toronto costs just £7 per day with a TTC day pass (www.ttc.ca).

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DINING.

GET READY FOR VEGANUARY

ASPARAGUS AND SMOKY BEANS ON TOAST A simple vegan brunch option packed full of goodness and flavour.

Serves: 4, Preparation time: 10 minutes, Cooking time: 25-30 minutes You’ll need: 2tbsp olive oil 2 echalions, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, crushed 1 red bell pepper, cut into small chunks 1 ½tsp smoked sweet paprika 2tsp fresh thyme leaves ½ tsp chilli flakes Salt and pepper 2 cans of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 2 cups of water 300g British asparagus, chopped into 2-3cm pieces 4 slices of sourdough What to do:

With environmental, ethical and health concerns growing, many of us are making the decision to eat much less meat, if any at all. Taking a break after the excesses of Christmas, Veganuary is the perfect health kick start to the year and, who knows, with these delicious recipes you may never go back to meat!

CHANTENAY CARROT THAI STYLE SATAY STIRFRY Serves: 2, Preparation time: 5 minutes, Cooking time: 12 minutes You’ll need: 3 tbsp peanut butter 3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce 2 tbsp soy sauce 300g straight to wok noodles 1 tbsp oil 1 thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled and grated 3 garlic cloves 150g – 200g Chantenay carrots, sliced 300g green stir-fry vegetables 1 small handful basil leaves 25g roasted peanuts, roughly chopped What to do: Mix the peanut butter, chilli sauce, 100ml water and soy sauce to make a smooth sauce

Put the noodles in a bowl and pour boiling water over them.

Stir gently to separate, then drain thoroughly Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then stir-fry the ginger, garlic and Chantenay carrots for 2 mins Add the rest of the veg, then stir-fry over a high heat for 1-2 mins until the veg are just cooked. Add the noodles and stir-fry for another minute or so.

Pour in the peanut sauce and stir into the ingredients. Divide between bowls and sprinkle over the basil leaves and peanuts to serve

Heat a large, heavy based saucepan over a medium heat. Add the olive oil and shallots and cook until they have softened, about 4 minutes. Crush the garlic and add to the pan along with the pepper, paprika, thyme and chilli flakes.

Allow the heat to release the aromas and continue stirring for 2-3 minutes.

Add the beans along with 2 cups of water. Turn up the heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Leave to simmer for 10 minutes to allow the beans to soften and the liquid to reduce. Once the liquid has reduced, check the seasoning and add salt and pepper if necessary.

Finally, add the chopped asparagus and allow to heat through for 5 minutes until cooked but still tender. While the asparagus is cooking, pop 4 slices of sourdough in the toaster or under the grill.

To serve divide the toast onto 4 plates and spoon over the beans and asparagus and top with a drizzle of olive oil. www.britishasparagus.com

www.chantenay.co.uk

FROZEN YOGHURT AND ZESPRI GREEN KIWIFRUIT BITES Fancy a satisfying snack between meals?

This one is full of protein and vitamins. The yoghurt provides the protein to tide you over until lunch and the vitamin C in the kiwifruit will help fill you with vitality.

Recipe rich in fibre with high vitamin C content. Good source of potassium and natural source of folate.

Serves: 4 people, Prep time: 15 minutes + freezing

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Ingredients: 1 cup coconut yoghurt 1 tablespoon coconut oil ½ cup diced Zespri Green kiwifruit 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 pinch cinnamon ½ cup goji berries Preparation: Prepare silicone muffin or bonbon moulds.

Put the yoghurt in a bowl. Add the vanilla and cinnamon and stir well.

Put a little into the base of each mould, add the finely diced Zespri kiwifruit on top.

Cover with more yoghurt, another spoonful of diced kiwifruit, and then more yoghurt.

Decorate the top with the goji berries and put in the freezer.

Wait for it to harden (at least two hours) Remove 5 minutes before eating.

DLUXE READERS: 20% OFF CHRISTMAS FAIR

Royal Warrant-holding butcher Donald Russell (www.donaldrussell.com) has everything you need for the perfect Christmas feast and dluxe readers can get 20% off orders over ÂŁ50 with code SIXTY19

prepared by their master butchers in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Donald Russell preps its products to perfection, and can deliver up until 21st December 2019, leaving you to relax without the stress of shopping ahead of the big day.

A vast range of traditional produce is available for delivery direct to your door.

With everything from Carvery Rib Roasts and Pigs in Blankets to Christmas Hams and Free-Range Bronze Turkey Crowns, the endless variety is guaranteed to delight friends and family throughout the festive season.

All products are hand prepared and professionally frozen at their butchery in Aberdeenshire to ensure quality and can be simply unpacked and defrosted, before being cooked or served straight away.

Each centrepiece can be purchased with all the trimmings as an optional extra, and arrives with full cooking guidelines to remove any guesswork or worry, leaving people with a delicious and memorable

Using only the finest meat and fish

meal for festive entertaining.

Whether you like to keep it classic with a festive turkey or choose from a range of grass-fed British beef cuts to suit different tastes, Donald Russell offers a one-stopstop with unrivalled quality, and the choice is endless.

All Donald Russell produce is meticulously prepared, packed and frozen on site to deliver the exceptional craft of their master butchers with the convenience of home delivery.

To take advantage of your reader discount, visit www.donaldrussell.com and enter code SIXTY19

WOK NO MEAT? VEGGIE TAKEAWAY HOMEMADE The Veggie Chinese Takeaway Cookbook is the green holy grail of Chinese takeaway (and restaurant) trade-secret recipes. A recent poll of Brits found that Chinese food is far and away the top takeaway of choice. Everyone has a favourite dish, and with this book, chef Kwoklyn Wan will help you re-create those dishes at home, with step-by-step simplicity.

Master iconic dishes, from starters of crispy Mini Spring Rolls, succulent and juicy Potsticker dumplings and crunchy Chinese Beer-battered Pakoda, perfect for sharing, to delectable mains including spicy Kung Po Cauliflower, a velvety umami Teriyaki Bowl, and rich and aromatic Hong Kong Crispy Noodles with Mixed Vegetables.

With over 70 recipes, this book is the ultimate guide to re-creating your favourite Chinese takeaway and Cantonese restaurant dishes at home.

Available now online and in all good bookshops. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 47

DINING.

dINING DIGEST It’s all going on in Birming-yum writes DLUXE Dining correspondent Anita Champaneri. Read more food news at dluxe-magazine co.uk and msdelicious.blogspot.co.uk

CRAFT ENGLISH GARDEN SET TO BLOOM IN 2020 Launching in January 2020, the Craft English Garden will be a stunning garden terrace and inside dining room located on the Canalside at the ICC, and will sit alongside the well received Craft Dining Rooms.

The setting has been envisaged with nostalgia and childhood in mind and will specialise in afternoon tea and beautifully crafted gin and tonics, with over 32 British gins on offer – _from small batch gins to more recognised favourites, all customisable with a selection of Double Dutch tonics. The cocktail list will also embrace an English botanical theme, with deliciously vibrant and innovative creations garnished with hand-picked British ingredients.

REVIEW : CHAKANA

GINO’S

Peruvian cuisine comes to bohemian Moseley. Not in the form of some street food snack shack but from the talented hands of Chef Robert Ortiz. We learnt a lot when we popped in for dinner at the 60-cover restaurant on a cold Friday night, such as what Chakana means - an Incan cross which is an ancient symbol that represents the sun, land and sea, and promotes the idea of individuals living in harmony with each other and their surroundings (take note Brexiteers).

Our favourite Italian chef Gino D’Acampo arrived in Brum looking like a Hell’s Angel and gave us a first look of his new restaurant on Temple Row, which I’m sure is his interpretation of Italian heaven.

Making its home in a converted bank, they’ve actually turned the old vault into a private dining space. The design celebrates the earthy elements of South America, with textures and colours inspired by Peruvian weaving and textiles, paired with clean white walls and matt black hardware.

The bar staff (some formerly from the now defunct Nocturnal Animals) were very helpful with their suggestions. I kicked off with a robust and spicy glass of Argentinian Malbec - Casa Solera Bonarda.

I don’t think I have ever tried Peruvian cuisine and have only associated the country with the Incas, Machu Picchu and llamas!

The menu showcases a range of Ceviches, from salmon, tuna and sea bass to a vegetarian option of Green and White Asparagus with Kombu and Plankton Spuma.

I had first tried ceviche on a plane to Mexico in my teens and thought nothing much of it. But these are beautifully prepared from fresh raw fish, cured in tiger’s milk. Not real tigers milk but Leche de tigre, the Peruvian term for the citrus-based marinade that cures the seafood in a ceviche usually flavoured with chilli.

The ebullient waitress talked us thought the menu giving us her advice and suggestions. She advised us to try several causas, a unique Peruvian starter, traditionally served cold as spiced potato terrines with a choice of ornate dressings.

We tried the King Crab Causa - red potatoes, achiote mayonnaise, avocado and the Chicken Causa - yellow potato, aji chilli, spring onion. We struggled to decide which one we preferred, they both looked beautiful and tasted great. I didn’t even mind it being cold.

For mains we had the Carne option, the popular Confit Suckling Pig with Yucca Root, Majadito, and Charapita Chillies, which was amazing, although the octopus was even better - beautifully presented and popping with colour, taste and texture.

To sum up, Chakana is definitely Robert and his Technicolour Dream dishes.

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Sat right next to The Ivy, the 165-cover restaurant, looks impressive. Guests are greeted by a striking 25m marble eat at cocktail bar. Flowing through into the beautiful open plan restaurant, guests get their first taste of the real Italian food on offer with the restaurant’s deli bar providing a mouth-watering visual feature although the photos of himself along the walls with his celebrity friends might not be to everyone’s liking...

A first look at the real-Italian menu promises something for everyone with meat eaters, lovers of seafood, vegetarians, vegans and those with a gluten intolerance all well provided for. We really enjoyed the seafood linguine and the Wild Boar Ragu – both big portions!

Bringing a further touch of Italian culture to the heart of Birmingham, every afternoon at the restaurant will see Aperitivo time, when guests can enjoy typical Italian nibbles called “Cicchetti” in the bar- all on Gino!

SPECIAL FEATURE

Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2019

winners celebrate moment in the spotlight

Outstanding employees and innovative companies were given their moment in the spotlight at the Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2019.

More than 360 people attended the redcarpet awards ceremony on Thursday, November 21, at the Voco (St Johns) Hotel on Warwick Road.

Sponsored by Mell Square , Touchwood, Solihull College & University Centre, Phoebus Software, BNP Paribas personal finance , Solihull Observer and Wasps Rugby, the awards shine a light on the up-and-coming Solihull town centre trainees and businesses leading innovation, customer service and training.

Among invited guests were the Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Stuart Davis , leader of Solihull Council Councillor Ian Courts , and Chief Executive of Solihull Council, Nick Page.

The awards were split into seven categories; Outstanding Young Person, Best Customer Service, Best Independent, Outstanding Innovation & Enterprise, Outstanding Team, Best Hospitality & Leisure, Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Project.

Winners celebrated in style as they were announced by Solihull BID CEO Melanie Palmer, who congratulated all finalists on their well-deserved recognition. “Well done to all our nominations for showcasing the success story that is Solihull, and a huge congratulations to the winners and highly commended companies this year,” she said.

“Once again the bar has been raised and the standard of applications were outstanding this year. Solihull is the hot spot of talent and vision that sets the standards for others to follow.”

The judges at this year’s Excellence Awards were Solihull College & University Centre Principal, John Callaghan; Eileen

Schofield of Schofield & Associates; Director, EY, Paul Brown; consultant chef David Colcombe; Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management, Ojay McDonald; Managing Director, Dluxe Magazine, Kevin Urquhart; and Northfield BID Town Centre Manager, Marcia Greenwood.

The Outstanding Young Person category was won by Alexandra Sheldon of Phoebus Software. Judges described Alexandra as confident and professional with incredible knowledge of her industry. “Her independent inquisitive brain means that she will certainly go far,” the judges added.

Outstanding Team winners were charity retailer Cancer Research UK. The judges described the team as ‘selfless, passionate and committed, going over and above in a sensitive and friendly community hub’.

Jamaican jerk chicken restaurant Jamaya – a newcomer to the town centre dining scene – won the Best Independent category. The venue has taken Touchwood by storm since opening earlier in 2019, along with Asha’s, which was crowned winner of the Best Hospitality & Leisure category.

For more information about Solihull BID visit www.solihullbid.co.uk

SOLIHULL BID EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2019 WINNERS OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSON

Winner: Alexandra Sheldon – Phoebus Software Highly Commended: Becky Salt – Dorothy Perkins / Burton BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

Winner: Specsavers Opticians Highly Commended: Holland & Barrett BEST INDEPENDENT

Winner: Jamaya Highly Commended: Lucent Financial Planning OUTSTANDING INNOVATION & ENTERPRISE

Winner: BNP Paribas Personal Finance Highly Commended: Touchwood OUTSTANDING TEAM

Winner: Cancer Research Highly Commended: Loaf BEST HOSPITALITY & LEISURE

Winner: Asha’s Highly Commended: Tap & Tandoor OUTSTANDING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT

Winner: Phoebus Software Highly Commended: Mountain Warehouse dluxe-magazine.co.uk 49

THE DIARY.

the boy in the dr feels “there like there could be a lovely synergy/ poetry in this

�

50 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

ress @ THe RSC One of the most hotly anticipated shows this winter must be The Boy in the Dress, a new musical for all the family based on David Walliams’ best-selling debut novel.

Premiering at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 8 November, the show also boasts a score by the chart-topping song-writing team of Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers.

During rehearsals, David Walliams spoke to Terri Paddock about his inspiration for the book, and how the book came to be adapted by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The Boy in the Dress was your first children’s novel. Why did you want to write children’s books?

I just had an idea for a story that involved a child. I thought, as a child is the central figure, maybe this would be a good story for children to read and it would be a good story about what it is to be different, which is something you feel a lot as a child.

Was there a particular message you were trying to convey with The Boy in the Dress?

It’s quite an adult theme – a boy dressing as a girl – but it’s dealt with in a simple way. I didn’t want to put any labels on Dennis, the boy in the dress. He doesn’t really understand everything that’s going on in the world or what anything means. He’s just Dennis. He wants to be different and to express himself and, in doing so, the world around him changes for the better.

How did your collaboration with the RSC begin?

I certainly never thought, oh, one day The Boy in the Dress will be a musical with the RSC. About four years ago, Mark Ravenhill asked to adapt it. At that point, he didn’t say that it should be a musical. I thought it was going to be a play version. So I met Mark a few times. I liked him a lot, I liked his work a lot. I thought, well, he’s a proper playwright, it’s brilliant that he wants to do it.

I’d seen all of Mark’s plays – Shopping and F****** (like everyone else), Mother Clap’s Molly’s House, Some Explicit Polaroids, The Cane. You don’t think of his work as being child-friendly, especially not a play called Shopping and F****** But I knew that he’d know how to make the story theatrical, and there are issues in the book where I thought, where he’s coming from with his previous work, he’ll know how to deal with that in a sensitive way.

Later I met Mark with Greg Doran (the show’s director) and they said, Oh, we’d like to do it as a musical and ask Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers to write the music. I know Robbie and Guy a bit and I thought, well, you can ask them, I’m not going to ask. When they said, Robbie and Guy are on board, then I thought, yeah, well, I’ll believe it when I hear the songs.

Then, when I came to a workshop and I heard 18 incredible songs, I was like, oh, this is real now.

It’s quite a long process putting a musical together so I didn’t want to start crowing about it before it became a reality. But now that the tickets are on sale, it really is going to happen.

What do Guy Chambers and Robbie Williams in particular bring to The Boy in the Dress?

They’re brilliant. What I was really impressed with when I first heard their songs for The Boy in the Dress was how immediate they were.

There’s a directness and simplicity to them.

Sometimes you can see a musical and you’re listening and you can think, what were they just saying? Because Guy and Robbie are used to writing pop songs, they’re very immediate and very gettable.

Also, while their songs are obviously based on things in The Boy in the Dress, they’re not slavish to it. They’ve found their own new language, but also they’ve somehow enlarged it. They’ve made the whole thing grow and feel much bolder than it was before. Songs have that power, don’t they?

They’re all really catchy too and each song is unique to the character, that character’s voice and the emotion they’re expressing.

What would you like audiences to take away from the musical?

Although there are some serious themes in The Boy in the Dress, it’s a funny show. I hope people will have a really good time, have a laugh and sing along, but also take away something that’s a little bit surprising and a little bit challenging. Guy Chambers says it’s feelgood – it’s an overused word, I know, but it is, it’s a really feelgood piece. You should come out feeling more positive about the world.

The Boy in the Dress runs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon until the 8 March 2020.

For tickets call 01789 331 111 or visit www.rsc.org.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 51

THE DIARY.

DECEMBER

Billy Bragg

1st-3rd December at O2 Institute Birmingham

and the ever-changing meaning of family. This delightful new theatre and dance production is inspired by a true story reported in the New York Times that touched hearts worldwide.

Marvel Universe Live!

5th – 8th December at Arena Birmingham

Birmingham Royal Ballet The Nutcracker 2019 Until 14th December at Birmingham Hippodrome

Join young Clara as she is swept away into an enchanting winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes and a Sugar Plum Fairy. Her magical Christmas tree and her handsome prince with his army of toy soldiers are an unforgettable delight.

In this most festive ballet, gigantic sets, lavish costumes, 60 dancers and a full orchestra combine to make the perfect Christmas treat for the entire family.

Billy Bragg has been a fearless recording artist, tireless live performer and peerless political campaigner for over 35 years and to mark this milestone, he’ll be performing three unique shows on consecutive nights.

Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas Until 29th December at Warwick Arts Centre

Until 11th January at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Not performed at the Belgrade for many years, this thrilling adventure ‘tail’ about a very crafty cat is guaranteed to kick-start a very Meowy Christmas!

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7th December – 4th September 2020 at

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Peter Pan

From formal balls to a night out on the town, clothing plays an important part in special occasions. This exhibition is about dressing up and going out from around 1850 to the present day.

Until 19th January at Birmingham REP

Following last year’s acclaimed retelling of The Wizard Of Oz, director Liam Steel brings the classic Peter Pan story into the twenty-first century. This new Birmingham-set version will make you fall in love with the family favourite all over again.

Until 31st December at MAC Birmingham

Puss in Boots

4th December at Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Dressed to the Nines

A heart-warming adaptation full of merry touches, with plenty of live music, songs and playful puppetry. Join Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve.

Kipper’s Snowy Day

Based on the award-winning ‘Kipper’ stories by Mick Inkpen, Slot Machine Theatre present the first stage adaptation of these well-loved books. Filled with original songs and music, gorgeous puppetry and gentle humour.

Rhod Gilbert

Marvel fans, assemble for this live, action-packed battle to defend the universe from evil. This all new show unites Spider-Man, The Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Strange in a race against time to recover the Wand of Watoomb before Loki gains control.

It has been a while, but the multi-award-winning Welsh comedian is back, with a brand new live show. In a sixyear break from stand-up, a lot has happened to Rhod.

Birmingham Revolutions – Power to the People

Penguins

This display will explore Birmingham’s vibrant and varied history of protest and activism, and the role the city has played in some of the most important campaigns and movements in British history.

4th – 14th December at

Emeli Sande

Snowman at Christmas

2nd December at Symphony Hall, Birmingham Multi-platinum, awardwinning singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé MBE announces her U.K tour ahead of the release of her much anticipated third album Real Life.

7th December – 4th September 2020 at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Birmingham REP

Penguins is a unique and engaging show for children about friendship, fun, identity

8th December at Town Hall, Birmingham Festive favourites aplenty, including The Snowman with a narrator telling the story, plus numbers from seasonal films and Christmas classics to warm your hearts. This performance will feature

COMING SOON...

PETER PAN 30 NOV – 19 JAN

Join us for an adventurous reimagining of the magical tale

ASKING FOR IT 29 JAN – 15 FEB

The acclaimed stage adaptation of Louise O’Neill’s devastating novel

FAUSTUS: THAT DAMNED WOMAN 26 FEB – 7 MAR A radical reimagining of the Faust myth

TARTUFFE 20 MAR – 4 APR

The RSC’s wickedly hilarious version of Molière’s classic returns to the stage

ROMEO & JULIET 16 – 25 APR An ambitious new version of this timeless love story

Box Office 0121 236 4455 | BIRMINGHAM-REP.CO.UK birminghamrep

@birminghamrep

@therepbirmingham

Registered in England 295910 Charity No.223660

THE DIARY.

SPRING DANCE & DRAMA AT HIPPODROME

children’s choirs from around the West Midlands.

Rod Stewart

13th December at Arena Birmingham

Rod’s 2019 shows promise to be filled with both classics and new hits in his dazzling signature style. As one of the best-selling artists in the history of recorded music, with more than 200 million records sold worldwide, his performance will include show stopping classics from his glittering career as well as new album Blood Red Roses - a deeply personal 13-track collection of originals and three covers.

Kate Rusby at Christmas

14th December at Town Hall, Birmingham When all the world is nesh, The modern magician of dance, Matthew Bourne is back at Birmingham Hippodrome this February as his multi-awardwinning production of The Red Shoes returns to the stage.

You may have caught his retellings of Swan Lake or Romeo and Juliet in 2019, now his double Olivier Award winning adaptation of the classic movie is coming back to the city for the first time since 2016.

The Red Shoes is a tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives to dance but her ambitions become a battleground between the two men who inspire her passion. Set to the achingly romantic music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, The Red Shoes is orchestrated by Terry Davies and played by the New Adventures Orchestra.

An intoxicating drama where life imitates art with fateful consequences; The Red Shoes will dazzle your senses and break your heart.

More unmissable dance comes to the Hippodrome next spring when Message in a Bottle comes to the West Midlands for the very first time.

This exciting new production is choreographed by the acclaimed Kate Prince and set to the iconic music of Sting.

Highly original lyrical hip hop dance and breath-taking music combine in an uplifting story of humanity and hope. In Message in a Bottle, a village alive with joyous celebrations is suddenly under siege. Determined and daring, three parted siblings step out on their own extraordinary adventures. Songs include Every Breath You Take, Roxanne, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Walking On The Moon, Englishman in New York, Shape of My Heart and Fields of Gold.

The cast features dancers from ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company, the creator behind Some Like it Hip Hop and Into the Hoods, and a Hippodrome Associate Company.

For more information and to book tickets visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).

54 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

nights are dark and telly schedules are stacked up with seasonal specials, there’s only one seasonal speciality to see you through advent – the Christmas songs of Kate Rusby. She’ll give you the old and traditional, infused with lively and impassioned newness.

Join us this Christmas at Club 2B – where you’ll leave reality behind as our host and club owner, the enigmatic “Z”, takes you on an exhilarating trip through time in an immersive theatrical party event like no other.

Pete Tong Presents Ibiza Classics 11th December at Arena Birmingham

Now firmly part of the live music calendar, the voice of Radio 1’s prestigious dance programming and Britain’s most influential figures in electronic dance music, Pete Tong along with conductor Jules Buckley and a 65 piece, The Heritage Orchestra, will be taking a fresh show of Ibiza Classics across the UK.

UB40

21st December at Arena Birmingham

Happy Mondays

14th December at O2 Institute Birmingham After an amazing year of touring the world, UB40 are ending the year in style with a very special Christmas show in their hometown!

Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs Legendary Manchester band, Happy Mondays are back and will be cementing their status as one of Britain’s most treasured bands with a marathon headline tour.

Club 2B

11th – 31st December at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

21st December – 2nd February at Birmingham Hippodrome

Packed with comedy and festive fun, Birmingham Hippodrome’s magical pantomime brings together a galaxy of stars for Britain’s biggest regional panto.

NEW & EXCLUSIVE

Introducing Premier Lounge - the brand new, exclusive contemporary lounge bar with panoramic views across Arena Birmingham.

Your Premier Lounge Membership includes: Access to 1 seat at 20 performances of your choice at Arena Birmingham, such as: LIAM GALLAGHER CRAIG DAVID ELTON JOHN Private Balcony Seating to watch the performance A complimentary welcome drink at every performance

Access to exclusive Amplify member events

ÂŁ2,500 +VAT

Per Membership

A R E NA B H A M .CO.U K / PR E M I E R

THE DIARY.

WINTER DRAMA AT BIRMINGHAM REP

Grandpa’s Great Escape

The Influence Project

The first ever stage adaptation of Grandpa’s Great Escape, the exhilarating number one bestselling children’s book by actor and comedian David Walliams, is coming to Arena Birmingham this Christmas.

The Influence Project is a photography exhibition celebrating the impact of leading black musicians on contemporary sound and culture.

23, 24th & 26th December at Arena Birmingham

18th January – 22nd March at MAC Birmingham

Kaiser Chiefs

25th January at Arena

Birmingham

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Already an award-winning book, Asking For It now reaches the stage in a sensational adaptation at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 29 January – 15 February.

Louise O’Neill’s devastating novel was inspired by real events. An account of an 18-year-old girl, Emma O’Donovan, raped at a house party by the sports stars of her school, and distrusted in the fallout by the divided community of her picturesque Irish village.

26th December – 12th January at Town Hall, Birmingham

See the smash-hit production of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt on tour, direct from the West End, as it returns vividly and noisily in director Sally Cookson’s fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower’s versatile lively score.

Having already received huge acclaim and a sold-out season at Ireland’s national theatre, The Abbey, Asking For It is theatrically extraordinary. A stunning multimedia production that vividly portrays what it’s like to be young in this hyper-sexualised, hyperscrutinised age.

Following on from the Time’s Up and the #MeToo movement the timeliness of this production, its necessary probing and truthful examination of the consequences of rape and society’s penchant for victim blaming continues the conversation in a vital and disruptive way. Heart-breaking and truthful it may be but Asking For It is that rare thing – a necessary show about now and an unforgettable night at the theatre.

Another provocative story to be told from a female perspective at The REP in 2020 is Faustus: That Damned Woman from 26 February – 7 March. In this radical re-telling by the award-winning playwright Chris Bush, of the darkly compelling tale of Doctor Faustus, Johanna Faustus makes the ultimate sacrifice and sells her soul in order to time travel across the centuries and change the entire course of history. This devilishly striking production, by the ever-brilliant Headlong, promises to thrill purists while captivating new audiences. Faustus will be played by Jodie McNee (pictured).

As a contrast to these two gripping dramas is The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel from 25 – 29 February – an homage to two men who, as young, unknown performers, toured the USA for two years together as part of Fred Karno’s famous music hall troupe and ended up changing the world of comedy forever. Brought to the stage by the playful Told by an Idiot this hilarious and deeply moving play without words features an original piano score composed by Mercury Award Nominee Zoe Rahman played live each night.

For tickets and info visit birmingham-rep.co.uk 56 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Fresh from their triumphant homecoming gig at Leeds Elland Road, Kaiser Chiefs have announced a date in Birmingham with very special guests Razorlight.

Anton & Erin

25th January at Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Anton & Erin, the nation’s favourite ballroom stars are back with their brand-new show for 2020 as they dance those magical movies.

Strictly Come Dancing

16th – 19th January at Arena Birmingham Clear the floor and whip out your score cards, because the Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour is back for 2020 and will waltz its way to Birmingham in January for six scintillating sequin-filled shows

The Gift

18th – 25th January at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

An outrageous comedy drama about imperialism, cross-racial adoption, cultural appropriation and drinking tea.

Asking For It

29th January – 15th February at Birmingham REP Landmark Productions and The Everyman’s sensational adaptation of Louise O’Neill’s devastating novel about sexual consent makes its UK première at The REP following huge acclaim, including a sold-out season at Ireland’s National Theatre, The Abbey.

Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH See website for Relaxed and BSL performances.

Kipper’s Snowy Day was originally produced by Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead Midlands Arts Centre / Reg company no: 718349 / Reg charity no: 528979

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THE DIARY.

The Premier Lounge - Arena Birmingham’s newest exclusive hotspot

Since Arena Birmingham opened the exclusive Premier Lounge, it’s proved an exciting new hotspot in the city for enjoying live events in style.

The new contemporary lounge, run by the Arena’s hospitality arm Amplify, is the ultimate way to enjoy Arena Birmingham’s world class events – whether it’s music, comedy or sport that takes your fancy.

Every Premier Lounge member receives a welcome drink as they enter the lounge, before being taken to their private balcony seating with panoramic views across the Arena. From there they can browse the menu of Premier Lounge’s very own bar, from which in-house caterers Amadeus serve up an exclusive range of drinks (including a selection of cocktails), alongside deli-style platters designed by their awardwinning chefs. Drinks can be ordered right to your seat with Amadeus’ bespoke Qjacker app created for the venue – making sure you won’t miss a moment of the show.

For the ultimate way to personalise their experience, members will also receive the unique opportunity to put their name, or company name, on their very own seats.

Premier Lounge brings with it a new debenture-style of membership, similar to what you might expect from a football or rugby season ticket. Each membership purchases access to 1 seat for 20 performances and includes access to Amplify member events and exclusive discounts for future shows.

Amplify is run by a dedicated team of account managers who know their clients’ 58 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

needs inside out and aim to take the headache out of organising corporate

entertainment or that big night out. The team recently won the prestigious accolade of “Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Business of the Year”, with the six-strong team praised for their “mindset of continuous improvement” and growing performance from modest beginnings.

Amplify offers a portfolio of hospitality packages at the two NEC Group Arenas in Birmingham, Resorts World Arena and Arena Birmingham. Packages range in levels from Freestyle single event packages to their most premium annual membership, Air. Prices for Premier Lounge membership start at £2500+VAT. To find out more about the Premier Lounge visit www.arenabham.co.uk/ premier or to receive a tour of the space from the Amplify team, please give them a call on 0844 338 0333.

Arena Birmingham is one of the busiest indoor entertainment venues in the world – so members won’t be short of shows to choose from. Here are some upcoming shows to use your Premier Lounge membership on, as recommended by the Amplify team: SALLY WALDER, GENERAL MANAGER: “I’m really looking forward to Rod Stewart’s date with us on 13th December. I’ve seen Rod live a few times and he puts on a great show. And the great thing about being in the Premier Lounge is there’s plenty of room to get out of your seat and dance!”

PHILIP BOYCE, SENIOR TICKETING EXECUTIVE: “I cannot wait to see the Chemical Brothers perform live here at the Arena on the 29th November following on from their amazing set at Glastonbury, watching them from the Premier Lounge means you will see all of their amazing production and soak up the atmosphere of the crowd whilst enjoying having the private bar located next to your seats!”

ELAINE WHITBY, OPERATIONS MANAGER “One not to miss is the one and only Diana Ross who plays Arena Birmingham on the 6th July 2020, watching this iconic artist whilst sipping Champagne from my private balcony seat in the Premier Lounge for £180.00 per person is a must do whilst she is here in our city!”

Unforgettable performance, powered by you 0844 338 5000* birminghamhippodrome.com *Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge.

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dluxe-magazine.co.uk 59

THE DIARY.

Get set for Spring @Belgrade

having won two Olivier Awards and dazzled audiences and critics across the UK and the USA.

Birmingham Royal Ballet – Swan Lake 18th – 29th February at Birmingham Hippodrome

Ed Byrne

30th January at Town Hall Birmingham

As excitement builds for Coventry’s year as City of Culture in 2021, the Belgrade Theatre is gearing up for an incredible season in Spring 2020, with tickets already booking up fast for a whole host of hotly anticipated shows.

West End smash hit musical SIX is set to take the city by storm when it arrives in Coventry from 2-7 June, telling the tale of Henry VIII’s six wives as you’ve never heard it before. Now reborn as pop princesses, these Renaissance queens take to the mic to reclaim their stories, remixing 500 years of historical heartbreak into a celebration of women standing strong together.

Musical fans can also look forward to the multi-award-winning international hit Once, which heads to Coventry from 10-14 March as part of its first ever UK tour. Based on the critically acclaimed film, this touching tale of unlikely romance includes the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly”. Then from 17-21 March, Willy Russell’s ever popular Blood Brothers is back at the Belgrade with the return of Bill Kenwright’s phenomenally successful production.

Join Ed as he takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has any traits that are worth passing on to his children.

Ballet’s greatest love story returns in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s lavish production.

This romantic fable of illfated passion, powerfully illuminated by Tchaikovsky’s legendary score played live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, has bewitched audiences for generations.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Midge Ure 31st January – 3rd February at Arena Birmingham

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will bring everyone’s favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks to life, combining Hot Wheels’ iconic jumps and stunts with epic crashing and smashing to deliver an exhilarating family entertainment experience for kids of all ages.

21st February at Town Hall, Birmingham

Brought to life by Midge Ure and Band Electronica, this is the very first time in the 40 years since it was made that the ‘Vienna’ album will be performed in its entirety. It is also the first time that many of the songs from the debut Visage album will be played live.

Hot on the heels of its sell-out West End season and American tour, Stephen Daldry’s visionary National Theatre production of An Inspector Calls plays in Coventry from 28 April-2 May, reimagining JB Priestley’s classic in a version that’s been described as the theatrical event of its generation. Meanwhile, from 3-7 March, Sally Cookson’s Olivier Awardwinning A Monster Calls brings to life Siobhan Dowd’s and Patrick Ness’ heartbreaking story of love and loss in spectacular style.

Don’t miss the hilarious Friendsical from 26-30 May, a unique musical parody of Warner Bros’ iconic TV sitcom Friends; or Alan Ayckbourn’s masterpiece of 70s suburban social climbing in Absurd Person Singular, a potent mix of farce and black comedy showing from 6-9 May. All of these shows and more are available to book individually or as part of My Belgrade subscription packages, entitling you to 15% off tickets for 3 or 4 shows, or 25% off tickets to 5 or more.

Book now by calling the box office on 024 7655 3055 or visiting www.belgrade.co.uk.

60 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

The Red Shoes

11th – 15th February at Birmingham Hippodrome

A sell-out before its world première tour opened in 2016, Matthew Bourne’s triumphant adaptation of the legendary film returns to Birmingham Hippodrome,

Faustus: That Damned Woman 26th February at Birmingham REP

A reimagining of the darkly compelling tale of Doctor Faustus, inspired by the works of Marlow, Goethe and other versions of the Faust Myth.

from the company that brought you

HI SOCIETY.

After a bumper season of events and openings in th

Birmingham Childrens Hospital Charity Roald Dahl Window Launch

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

The Birmingham Awards

The Birmingham Awards

Glee Club Anniversary

THSH Dinner

The Birmingham Awards

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

Glee Club Anniversary

Moet & Chandon Summer The Birmingham Awards Party

Birmingham Law Society Annual Dinner

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

62 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

he West Midlands, have you been caught on camera?

The Birmingham Awards

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

Birmingham Law Society Annual Dinner

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

Glee Club Anniversary

Birmingham Childrens Hospital Charity Roald Dahl Window Launch

Birmingham Law Society Annual Dinner

The Birmingham Awards

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event Photography by Edwin Ladd, Jas Sansi, Nick Robinson

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 63

HI SOCIETY.

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

Macdonald Burlington Hotel Refurbishment Launch

The Birmingham Awards

Birmingham Childrens Hospital Charity Roald Dahl Window Launch

Macdonald Burlington Hotel Refurbishment Launch

Glee Club Anniversary

Birmingham Law Society Annual Dinner

The Birmingham Awards

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

64 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

The Business Desk Leadership Awards

Glee Club Anniversary

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

The Birmingham Awards

The Business Desk Leadership Awards

Glee Club Anniversary

Birmingham Law Society Annual Dinner

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

The Birmingham Awards

Birmingham Childrens Hospital Charity Roald Dahl Window Launch

Harvey Nichols Christmas Hamper Event

Glee Club Anniversary

Solihull Bid Awards

The Business Desk Leadership Awards

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 65

HOROSCOPES.

Written in the Stars with CELEBRITY Astrologer Russell Grant To find out more or to arrange a personal reading, visit www.russellgrant.com ARIES (March21st-April20th) Upsetting news about a community issue will arrive on the 12th December, due to a stressful Full Moon. Government officials have been cutting deals behind the scenes. These negotiations will have a negative impact on the people living in your neighbourhood. Working behind the scenes will be rewarding starting on the 6th January.

Take this opportunity to launch an important and confidential project. Your imagination will run wild if you can escape the attention of critics and cynics. This is also a good time to work with big bureaucracies like hospitals, universities and government agencies. The Full Moon on the 9th February will bring news of an engagement, marriage or pregnancy. You might be celebrating this happy event.

TAURUS (April21st-May21st) Payment for a job well done will be less than expected. An aggravating Full Moon on the 12th December will trigger an angry exchange with a deceptive client or customer. If you loaned money to a friend, it will be difficult to be repaid.

The Lunar Eclipse on the 10th January will bring some surprising news about a community concern. This information will make you see a leader in a new and different light. A friend will invite you to go on holiday with them on the 2nd February; you’ll make wonderful travel companions. Splash out on a gourmet restaurant on the 3rd, as you’re sure to enjoy whatever is on the menu. Your unique ideas will get a popular reception on the 5th.

GEMINI (May22nd-June21st) You’ll be placed in an awkward position in the middle of December. Your boss may ask you to take the blame for their mistake on the 12th, when a Full Moon threatens to expose their ineptitude. It’s better to walk away from a secure position than serve as a human shield. A business or romantic partnership is worth pursuing on the 3rd January. Teaming up with someone who is adventurous, curious and light-hearted will be a source of great joy. Make your desire to work together known; playing hard to get could easily backfire. A rewarding job with lots of perks could come your way on the 3rd February. Stop doubting yourself and accept the position; you won’t regret it.

CANCER (June22nd-July23rd) Troubling information will come to light on the 12th December, due to a revelatory Full Moon. Someone who has been pretending to have expert knowledge will be exposed as a fraud.

A role will come to an end on the 10th January, due to a jarring Lunar Eclipse. Although you’ll mourn the passing of this phase, it’s important to know there are even better things ahead. Make some exciting plans that reflect your heart’s desire.

Working with an experienced person will turn out to be exciting and energising at the start of February. Going on a business trip together will be informative and profitable. The 7th is ideal for making a professional presentation. Your audience will be both charmed and impressed with you.

LEO (July24th-August23rd) Things will be tense on the friendship front in mid-December. The Full Moon on the 12th will fuel tempers. Resist the temptation to respond to an obnoxious or offensive remark on social media. You may feel compelled to defend a group who is being attacked. An exciting job with generous benefits will be offered to you on the 7th January. This will be a wonderful opportunity to get the marketable skills you need to move forward. Hard work will pay off handsomely on the 3rd February. Don’t be surprised if you’re given a bonus, pay rise or other perk as thanks for your excellent contributions. If you’re unemployed, you could be offered a splendid position on the 5th that draws on your artistic abilities.

VIRGO (August24th-September23rd) A tense career situation will come to a head on the 12th December, due to a powerful Full Moon. You may confront a rival who has been spreading lies about you. A flirtatious conversation on the 2nd January could lead to an exciting romance. It feels wonderful to be with someone who shares your ambitions. By joining forces, you can build a prosperous life that is a continued source of pleasure. Let your romantic partner pamper and pet you on the 2nd February. A little tender loving care will bring out the best in you. If you’re single, this would be an excellent time to make your move and launch a new relationship. The sparks will be instantaneous. More money for luxuries will become available on the 7th, thanks to an investment.

LIBRA (September24th-October23rd) On the 12th December, you might experience a series of frustrating travel delays. The more flexible you are about this situation, the better. If your flight is overbooked, it would be wise to accept a seat on a plane that leaves the next day. A Lunar Eclipse on the 10th January could mark a power struggle with an overbearing employer.

You may decide to leave your job or start your own company because of this conflict.

Your job prospects are looking good as February gets up and running; if you’re unemployed, you’ll get at least one potential packed employment offer. This would also be a good time to launch a business from your home. Working with a daring partner will bring a success on the 7th.

SCORPIO (October24th-November22nd) An unexpected expense could strain your bank account on the 12th December. That’s when the Full Moon will shed light on a shortage. You might have to buy additional memory for your computer or increase your router bandwidth.

On the 10th January, a Lunar Eclipse will bring a painful legal matter to a close. Although you might not be happy with the outcome, you will be relieved that the situation is over and done with. Give yourself a reward for having survived this challenge. A powerful attraction between you and an unusual person will be evident on the 5th February. This is an excellent time to embark on a relationship. On the 9th, a fulfilling Full Moon will draw attention to your professional accomplishments.

To find out more or to arrange a personal reading, visit www.russellgrant.com 66 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

SAGITTARIUS (November23rdDecember21st) A troubled relationship will reach the breaking point on the 12th December. That’s when the Full Moon will urge you to walk away from a manipulative friend, romantic partner or business associate. You now recognise their quirky behaviour as manipulative. Becoming more active on the 3rd January will give you a healthy glow. This is an ideal time to join a gym, hire a personal trainer or begin a fitness regimen. When you move your body, creative ideas will flow like a mighty river. Money for furniture, artwork and other household items could arrive on the 2nd February. Take this opportunity to buy things that are not only pleasing to the eye and stimulating to the senses but also comfortable and easy to live with.

CAPRICORN (December22ndJanuary20th) A health problem will demand your attention on the 12th December, due to a disruptive Full Moon. If you’re not satisfied with a doctor’s prognosis, get a second opinion. It may be necessary to see a specialist to pinpoint a problem.

A business or romantic partnership will undergo a big transformation on the 10th January, due to a stressful Lunar Eclipse. If this relationship is going to survive, some big changes must occur. A temporary or permanent separation is possible. Your powers of persuasion are very strong on the 2nd February. Take this opportunity to negotiate and finalise a contract, ask for a date or make a sales pitch. Your expertise will command a good price on the 3rd; use this extra income to take a series of short pleasure trips.

AQUARIUS (January21st-February19th) A romance will hit a rocky patch in December. The Full Moon in the middle of the month could reveal something troubling about your partner’s financial situation. If you discover your amour has been less than honest about their income or debts, tread carefully. A Lunar Eclipse on the 10th January will prompt you to get treatment for a health concern. If you’re not happy with a medical diagnosis, get a second opinion. Working for a large organisation like a hospital, university or government agency could be profitable on or around the 2nd February. You will appreciate the stability of a regular income, as well as significant perks, that come from this employer. A generous relative could give you the money for a household expense on the 5th.

PISCES (February20th-March20th) The Full Moon on the 12th December will force a family confrontation. You’ve been turning a blind eye to a troubled relative’s behaviour. It will be impossible to ignore these outbursts in mid-December. You will have to issue an ultimatum. The start of January is a good time for checking out the possibilities of changing your job. Although the competition will be stiff, you will emerge as a top contender. An important person will be impressed by your gracious behaviour on the 3rd February; be unswervingly polite to everyone you encounter. Give yourself a reward for reaching a health goal on the 9th, when the Full Moon yields admirable results. Take yourself off to a private hideaway with your lover on Valentine’s Day.

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