Something to look forward to: flamenco, ballet, basketball...

...and Blondie

by Adrienne Wyper

The dull, chilly days of February can drag on a bit: Christmas is a distant memory and the bank holiday weekend of Easter seems miles away. I feel more inclined to stay indoors but there's nothing like a treat to look forward to, so I like to line up fantastic things to go and see... Buy the tickets in advance and by the time they arrive, when you've almost forgotten about it there's another little frisson of pleasure. So on the list of my forthcoming attractions...

ROCIO MOLINA: DANZAORA, PART OF THE FLAMENCO FESTIVAL AT SADLER'S WELLS, LONDON

I love flamenco. I've been to see it in Spain, Cuba and Sadler's Wells, and I've taken a flamenco course. When I lived in Madrid I always used to walk v-e-r-y slowly past the window of Joaquín Cortes's flat in the hope of a glimpse of him in action. The annual Flamenco Festival at Sadler's Wells is always on my list of must-sees. 2013 is the festival's tenth anniversary (March 15-27). There are 10 performances and numerous special events. (I'm trying to resist submitting a performance on YouTube for the chance of performing in the foyer - trust me, it's best.) 

As with all art forms, flamenco evolves, and the dancer I'm going to see, Rocío Molina (above left, photo by Felix Vazquez), is at the forefront of modern flamenco, combining flamenco with classical Spanish dance forms. Also taking part in the festival is Eva Yerbabuena, who I saw dance in Madrid some years ago: such elegance, power and fluidity.
Click here for performance details and to book
: tickets from £12 to £40
Watch videos of the performers here

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS, WEMBLEY

Watching the cartoon series was a fundamental part of childhood Saturday mornings. The team itself began in 1920s Chicago as a proper competitive side, but therese days they play exhibition matches, allowing plenty of time for them to show off their phenomenal ball skills, which I also remember seeing on TV: spinning the ball on a fingertip, rolling it from one hand to the other along their outstretched arms, and dribbling the ball right around the body and through the legs - something we all tried and failed to emulate in the playground.
Harlem Globetrotters UK tour, March 25 to April 2 Click here to book: tickets from £12.50

NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA: ROMEO AND JULIET, SADLER'S WELLS

Prokofiev's 'Romeo and Juliet' has been one of my favourite pieces of music since I first heard its 'March of the Montagues and Capulets' as an unusual start-of-the-night choice by a DJ in a club quite a few years ago. The National Ballet of Canada is bringing a new production to the UK after 26 years. I can't wait to see the whole story danced, with that score (played by the company's own orchestra).
National Ballet of Canada's 'Romeo and Juliet', April 17-21. Click here to find out more, and to book: tickets from £12 to £45

BLONDIE, BEDGEBURY PINETUM, KENT

The 80s pop icon is taking to the woodland stage at the stunning Bedgebury Pinetum as part of the Forestry Commission's Forest Live concert series taking place at seven venues. As a way of enabling people to enjoy woodland it's certainly original. I can't bvelieve how good Debbie Harry still sounds (and looks) at 67. Other artists include Paloma Faith, at all seven venues, and Jools Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, at Westonbirt Arboretum.

Forest Live, June 14-July 21. Click here to find out more, and to book: tickets from £32

Comment Print

Post your comment

About This Blog

Escaping to the country, abroad or just down the road for a long weekend – exploring the world around you. Follow our team of staff writers and add your comments to kick off the debate.
Read more Subscribe to this blog via RSS

About The Authors

Carla  Griscti

Carla Griscti

Editorial assistant on allaboutyou; Music lover, travel bee and food fanatic.

Read more
Emma Marsden

Emma Marsden

Food consultant of All About You, loves creating something out of nothing and decluttering.

Read more
Bernadette  Fallon

Bernadette Fallon

Editor of All About You; an online journalist with a fetish for glossy magazines.

Read more
Adrienne  Wyper

Adrienne Wyper

Deputy editor of All About You. I love cycling, cooking and creating

Read more
Carol  Muskoron

Carol Muskoron

Associate editor of All About You, loves life (mostly) and one-pan recipes (always).

Read more

MORE FROM ALLABOUTYOU

View by magazine : View by magazine Prima
production