Mid-November can be something of a quiet time for events, with Halloween and Bonfire night now behind us, and most of us reluctant to yet think about December festivities.
However, there is still plenty going on in Stroud, with the Festival of Wonder circus spectacular kicking off at St Laurence’s this weekend and the annual Stroud Shindig bringing live music, DJs and fire juggling to the Subscription Rooms. Plus, music, local history and folk tales at venues up and down the Five Valleys.
Find out more in our weekly look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district.
Regular and one off events
- Make music on at Stroud Brewery – Wed 13 Nov, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Norma Mills and friends gather in the upstairs bar at Stroud Brewery each Wednesday morning to play acoustic tunes together and sing songs. All welcome, no need to sing or play if you are not in the mood.
- Watch the Acapellies at Brimscombe Mill – Thu 14 Nov, 8pm
Fresh from their recent gig at Rudolf Steiner House in London, join Eleanor Holliday’s Acapellies community choir for In consolable, a special evening of food and song at the Long Table, with a pay-as-you-can dinner open to all from 6-8pm, followed by a live gig for ticket holders in the Sanctuary at 8pm.
- See Bisley’s history through an Edwardian lens – Thu 14 Nov, 7pm
This special talk from Stroud Local History Society at the St Laurence Rooms in town offers the chance to see Bisley through the lens of Frederick Major, an Edwardian photographer based in the parish. Major’s photography continued up until the end of the First World War, including some fine snaps of the Great Snow of 1916.
- Learn local folk tales and legends with Kirsty Hartsiotis – Fri 15 Nov, 10:30am
Join local folklorist and storyteller Kirsty Hartsiotis at the Museum in the Park for an exploration of stories told by generations of Cotswold folk. We are told to expect tales of flying monks, little folk, big cats and standing stones.
- Attend the Festival of Wonder, Fri 15 – Sun 17 Nov
St Laurence Church’s annual circus spectacular returns for another year, with special free and ticketed events from a host of international circus performers themed around the headline Snow Globe show. Plus, a performance from award winning stand-up comedian Jo Enright, Stroud’s own School of Larks and a community lunch and workshops on Sunday.
- Go dancing at the Stroud Shindig – Sat 16 Nov, 7pm
The Stroud Shindig is back for another year, with headliners the Baghdaddies returning the stage as part of their last ever UK tour. Plus, DJs Filthy Dirty Disco and Robbie Duncan in the ballroom, Valley Steppas, Rygby, Griz-O, Jakobin and Tek Gremlin in the bar and samba stars Simbora and fire juggler Maisie Finn on the forecourt.
Continuing this week
- Visit Dursley Heritage Centre – ongoing
This permanent exhibition in the heart of Dursley explores 1,000 years of history in the town, from flourishing market town trading woollen cloth to a centre for global engineering, producing agricultural machinery and engines at R.A. Lister and electrical machinery at Mawdsley’s and Open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10am – 12noon.
Further afield
- Explore Compton Verney sculpture park – ongoing
The new sculpture park, at Warwickshire’s Compton Verney brings together cutting-edge contemporary art within the estate’s 120-acres of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland. Works on show include one of Louise Bourgeois’ monumental Spider sculptures, Permindar Kaur’s stark Overgrown House and Sarah Lucas’ life-size bronze horse and cart Perceval. Plus loads more art to explore in the main house.
- For a full month of art, music, theatre, literature, film and comedy events, pick up a copy of Stroud’s popular listings magazine, Good on Paper.
