Halloween 2019: Top events taking place in the Midlands and Shropshire
Double, double, toil and trouble - Halloween is here.
As the air grows cold and the leaves change colour, it's time to get our pumpkin carving knives and fake blood ready for eerie celebrations.
From immersive horror events to spooky fairs, club nights, theme parks after dark, and even a tattoo festival - there's plenty to do this Halloween in the Midlands and Shropshire:
September 27 to October 31: Xtreme Scream Park, Melton Mowbray
Easy to travel to from the West Midlands and Shropshire, the award-winning Xtreme Scream Park is full of thrills and spills this Halloween.
The event includes themed scare mazes, including Ash Hell Penitentiary, Hoodoo Voodoo, Stilton Hall Hotel and Hell Spa, The Pie Factory, The Village, and Curtain Chaos.
New for 2019 is the Circus Big Top, featuring animatronics and 'homeless clowns' street theatre.
There will also be a range of live entertainment for attendees to enjoy, including live music and street theatre.
The team have numerous awards, including Best Scream Park and Best Halloween Attraction at the ScareCon Awards.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 5 to November 3: Scarefest, Alton Towers
New frights and family-friendly delights have been unveiled for this year's Scarefest at Alton Towers.
The Attic: Terror of the Towers and Darkest Depths will be unveiled at this year's Halloween event.
Based in the Edwardian era, The Attic: Terror of the Towers tells the story of the Governess, a spectre who legend says is trying to avenge the death of her charges.
The 2019 Scarefest line-up will also see the introduction of Darkest Depths. The scare maze will invite guests to board ghost ship, The Mutiny, and journey into the darkest depths to earn 'your piece of eight'.
Scarefest will also see the return of hit mazes Project 42, Sub Species - The End Games and the Altonville Mine Tours.
The event will also give thrill-seekers the chance to ride some of the park's famed attraction after dark.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 10 to November 2: Screamfest, National Forest Adventure Park
Screamfest returns to Staffordshire this Halloween with a brand new scare attraction.
Hillbilly Joe’s Zombee Zoo, one of five scare attractions at Screamfest, is based on American road trip ‘tourist’ attractions – housing its own unique café and gift shop.
The new scare attraction includes a zombie basketball game, complete with cheerleaders, a zombie wedding and a zombie Santa in his grotto.
Attendees will be able to explore five additional scare areas including Insomnia, the farm's biggest indoor scare maze, which made its debut last year and went on to win a ScareCON SCAR Award for best set, costume and make-up.
Entertainment will also include a live DJ, extreme performers, street theatre as well as food and drink outlets for visitors to enjoy.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 11 to November 2: House of Heinous, Walsall
Take a terrifying journey deep into the Midlands darkest secrets in Walsall this Halloween.
Walsall ScareMaze will take attendees on a spooky journey through the history of the area in its new scare maze.
The fully immersive live action horror maze was awarded Best Halloween Attrraction for 2018 offering, The Ward, at ScareCon.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 12 to November 3: Brick or Treat, Legoland Discovery Centre, Birmingham
Head to Birmingham's Legoland Discovery Centre this Halloween for a series of family-friendly activities.
There will be a scavenger hunt for little ones to take part in, as well as disco parties and a build a pumpkin competition to win prizes.
With Lego Hidden Side, take part in an AR adventure to capture ghouls hiding in the attraction's Halloween stations.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 14 to 19: The Rocky Horror Show, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
It's just a jump to the left - and then a step down to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to do the Time Warp to The Rocky Horror Show.
Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton will take on the role as Janet Weiss, alongside James Darch as her fiance Brad.
They will be joined by West End star Stephen Webb as Frank-N-Furter, and Kristian Lavercombe, who reprises his role as Riff Raff following more than 1500 performances around the world. Phillip Franks will play The Narrator.
The cast is completed by Miracle Chance as Columbia, Ross Chisari as Eddie/Dr Scott, Callum Evans as Rocky, Reece Budin, Shelby Farmer, Katie Monks and Jake Small as the Phantoms and swings Andrew Ahearn and Maddie Hope Coelho.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash hit show features famous musical numbers such as Sweet Transvestite, Science Fiction/Double Feature, Dammit Janet and The Time-Warp.
The show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank-N-Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 15 to 19: The Exorcist, The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Experience iconic William Peter Blatty novel The Exorcist in Birmingham this Halloween.
Inspired by true events, the tale has been adapted for stage by John Pielmeier and directed by Sean Mathias, featuring the voice of Ian McKellen as the Demon.
The story follows Regan, who starts to display strange symptoms that no medical professional can explain. Her desperate mother Chris turns to a local priest for help, but before Father Damien can tackle what’s before him, he must overcome his own shaken beliefs, as this fight is for more than just one girl’s soul.
William Friedkin’s 1973 Academy Award-winning film adaption of The Exorcist, thrilled audiences across the globe and gained a huge cult following.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 19 to November 3: Halloween Spooktacular, Cadbury World
Families are invited to experience plenty of frightful family fun with spooky activities, and entertainment at the Bournville-based attraction this Halloween.
Young ghouls are encouraged to don a hauntingly good costume for the daily fancy dress competition, where brave judges will be handing out delicious prizes to the scariest of visitors.
In the Cadbury World marquee, guests can enjoy live entertainment at Freddo’s Halloween Spooktacular – a spooky show where the famous frog will teach visitors new tricks in his haunted mansion.
Fearsome Freddo will even create his own little monster, with the help of some string and a splash of slippery slime.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 19 to November 3: Spooky Spectacular, West Midlands Safari Park
West Midland Safari Park will be brimming with Halloween decorations with illuminated, themed scarecrows and hundreds of pumpkins.
With Halloween fun for the whole family, youngsters can encounter witches and wizards who will help find the missing ingredients for a magical potion.
Visitors can also journey along the Discovery Trail, picking up clues to earn a sweet treat at the end.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 19 to November 3: The Haunted Castle, Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle’s eerie Halloween event returns for another year.
By day, visitors can enjoy light-hearted fun as peculiar characters tell spellbinding stories to guests of all ages, while a scarier ambience emerges as darkness falls with actor-led and special effects-rich experiences on select evenings.
Three new spook-tacular attractions are being launched for Halloween 2019. While youngsters will enjoy convincing the snooty butler in the Junior Ghost Hunt that he’s not alone, fans of Most Haunted can experience the thrill of joining the Paranormal Encounters team as they film a live ghost hunt in the depths of the Castle.
Meanwhile, the very bravest can head out to The Haunted Castle after dark to pit their survival skills against the terrifying army of the dead. Travel through the castle to make your escape and live until sunrise in the Dead of Knight scare maze.
Other daytime attractions include helping the Witches discover the secret to eternal youth in the Witches Tower, weaving through the Haunted Hollows woodland trail and joining a host of bizarre characters for fun, games and spooky shows at Dead Centre Stage.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 19 to November 1: Halloween Spooktacular, National Forest Adventure Farm, Burton-On-Trent
This October half term holiday the National Forest Adventure Farm, Burton on Trent, is getting in to the spooky spirit with the return of the popular Halloween Spooktacular event.
Families can take the tractor ride to the Pumpkin Patch where children can pick a free pumpkin to take home and carve in to a Jack-o-lantern.
Children can join the Wizarding Academy and learn to fly a broomstick, make a wand and take Scare and Potion lessons. Families can also find the Mummies hiding in the maize maze and test their courage in the haunted house.
Visitors can also enjoy meeting and feeding the farm animals and exploring the huge indoor and outdoor play areas.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 19 to October 31: More Treat Than Trick, Drayton Manor
There are some frightfully fun family Halloween activities and eerie entertainment this October half term at Drayton Manor Park.
The attraction is also offering accommodation packages for this event, if one spooky day is just not enough.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 22 to October 31: Spooky Seas, Birmingham Sea Life Centre
Discover the tricks and treats of the sea at Birmingham Sea Life Centre this Halloween.
Meet vampire tangs and scary sharks as well as other sea creatures as you explore the attraction.
Visitors can also test their creative skills in the creepy craft zone, and dare to take part in the Yucky Dip.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 22 to October 31: Ghost Tours, Lichfield
Ghost walks around a historical Staffordshire city will take place later this month.
Visitors to Lichfield can take in the Guildhall prison cells, the history of the Market Square burnings – along with places where ghosts are rumoured to have been sighted.
It comes as part of the Gruesome and Ghostly tours held by Visit Lichfield.
The tours will be rounded off with a visit to a pub for a drink and light snack.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 22: An Evening of Clairvoyance, Robin 2, Bilston
Philip Solomon, world famous clairvoyant medium, will be demonstrating clairvoyance with messages from the Other Side to random people in the audience this Halloween at Bilston's Robin 2.
There will also be a collection of haunted objects on display which will include a terrifying clown, a puppet, and a ventriloquist dummy that belonged to an owner who claimed it talked without his assistance.
There is also a vintage radio that was claimed to broadcast when not plugged in and haunted by a World War 2 pilot.
Other objects include haunted paintings, one which has been seen on TV and reported on the news all over the world. Every time you view it different things are seen in it, such as ancient warriors, skulls, scary faces, but also very pleasant faces.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 25 to November 3: Gandeys Circus, Flood Street Car Park, Dudley
Gandeys Circus' Autumn Spectacular is returning to Dudley this spooky season.
The annual show - now hosted as Flood Street Car Park - will be raising money for Birmingham Children's Hospital at every performance.
As a special (trick or) treat for Halloween, the new show will see performances from the world class Havana Troupe, direct from Cuba, return with three brand-new acts.
Four motorbikes will be roaring away as they race round in the iron thunderdome in the centre of the circus ring at 45 miles an hour and the G Force of a fighter jet.
There will also be performances from 'Bendy Man' Aimiri Kisingaji, Camile the Princess, Europe's 'favourite female clown' Andrea and more.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 25 to 31: Halloween at Aston Hall
Aston Hall will be letting loose its most fearful spooks yet for Halloween.
Fright Nights: Aston Alive is a completely new interactive ghost story taking place on October 25 to 26. The one-hour experience will see visitors exploring the mysterious nooks and crannies of the grand mansion in the darkness of night.
Visitors will come face-to-face with Madame Manium’s Maledictorian, a travelling museum of curiosities.
For one time only, Aston Hall is home to this peculiar collection of oddities, which Madame Manium has obtained both from this world and the other real.
On October 30, families are invited to explore Aston Hall, one of Birmingham’s most haunted buildings, under the safety of daylight and accompanied by a member of our team.
Hear some of the most well-known of Aston’s ghost stories and try using dowsing rods to detect the presence of spirits as we look around this atmospheric old house together.
Then on October 31, visitors can encounter creepy characters as well as create their own spell jar.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 25 to 26: Halloween Nights, Black Country Living Museum
Watch street entertainers bring Halloween to life as you explore the eerie atmosphere at the Black Country Living Museum on Halloween Nights.
Bring the whole family along including the kids treat bags for a sweet surprise as you trick or treat around the Museum’s houses and shops.
Enjoy street performances from a range of costumed staff members, and even get your own face painted.
Get spooked by tales told by candlelight, or even embark on the haunted mine experience - if you dare.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 26 to November 3: Halloween Half Term, Weston Park
Enjoy spooky half term fun at Weston Park.
Throughout the holiday visitors can explore a spooky trail and take part in craft activities daily.
From October 26 to 31, pumpkin carving will also be taking place.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 26 to November 3: Half-Term Fun, Birmingham Museums
Come and take part in some spine-chilling fun with the whole family this October half term at Birmingham Museums.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery will be host to a whole load of delightful spooks throughout the week. No two days are the same, with creepy craft activities where you can make a scary mask or a brain in a jar, gruesome object handling and spooky storytelling.
Join the Monster Madness Party on October 30 where little witches, mummies and vampires can celebrate in style. There will be music, dancing, activities, ghoulish games and prizes.
Prepare for a night of fang-tastic fun as Thinktank is transformed for Spooky Science Night on October 31.
Children can unleash their inner mad scientist with an array of eerie experiments, as well as the chance to enjoy the Science of Fright show, dance the night away at the Silent Zombie Disco, and take part in lots more tricks and treats.
The most frightful fancy dress will be chosen from a prize draw on the night.
Meet the fearsome witchfinder while on a family tour of Blakesley Hall on October 31. This property has a sinister side and you’ll take a spooky journey through the rooms and find out all about vampires, trolls, fairies, goblins and ghosts and the history behind some of these characters.
There’s also the spooky Halloween trail to take part in from October 29 to 31.
Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is giving visitors the chance to explore the abandoned Smith & Pepper factory with a spooky makeover on October 30. Explore the atmospheric museum with the help of costumed guides and the haunted factory trail.
The popular kids’ jewellery workshop is back at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter on October 31, where children can use their imagination to create their own spooky design for the perfect Halloween keepsake to take home.
Visit the Jewellery Quarter Type exhibition by Tom Hicks while there which is a photographic exploration of the area.
The Pumpkin Flotilla is back at Sarehole Mill from October 29 to 31. In the fading light of dusk, bring a beautifully carved pumpkin with you to the mill.
Staff will then add a light and float it on the mill pond as a part of the popular seasonal event. The event will also have spooky storytelling in the mill and hot chocolate too.
A darkness has crept over Soho House. On October 30 and 31 use a torch and explore the spooky corridors to hunt down all the bats which have escaped around this Georgian house.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 26 to 31: Ghost Trains, Severn Valley Railway
There’ll be spooky goings-on at the Severn Valley Railway this October half-term as a ghost train returns.
The train will be steaming along the Severn Valley Railway into Kidderminster on October 26, 30 and 31.
Passengers can arrive early to enjoy spooky face-painting and a ghoulish disco before their train arrives to take them for a ride out into the dark, through the SVR’s haunted stations to Arley – and hopefully back again.
There will also be face-painting and a disco.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 26 to 31: Halloween in Southside, Birmingham
Birmingham’s Southside district is getting a spooky makeover this Halloween with six days of frighteningly fun activities, as a hair-raising terror maze, pumpkin patch and fairground rides head to Hurst Street.
Hosted on Hippodrome Square, ScareSide activities will commence from 12pm daily, as visitors attempt to find their way through a haunted maze featuring live actors, designed by one of the team from award-winning scare specialists Twisted Attractions.
After navigating to the other side of the maze, the frights continue with a funfair featuring thrill rides, ghost trains and street entertainment.
There’s also chances to win prizes across the six day event, as the BID is hosting a pumpkin carving competition for local businesses, with the finished jack-o-lanterns going on display in the Southside pumpkin patch. The top three creations will all receive prizes, and visitors will be able to see all of the entries when the pumpkins go on display from Saturday, October 26.
There will be daily prizes for the best fancy dressed trick-or-treaters who pass through, as well as photo opportunities and refreshments until 10pm every night. Donations and profits raised by the BID during ScareSide will be donated to the Southside Safe Space initiative – a campaign that keeps night time revellers in the area safe and offers first aid and support.
Running parallel to Southside BIDs Halloween activities, Birmingham Hippodrome will be bringing a jaw-dropping acts to the stage courtesy of Circus 1903, including aerial acts, contortionists and balancing performances.
For more information, click here.
October 26 to 27: Halloween Tattoo Bash, Wolverhampton Racecourse
Halloween Tattoo Bash returns to Wolverhampton Racecourse this month.
Beginnings as a small convention in Devon in 2007, the event has grown to feature some of the most popular tattoo artists in the industry.
More than 170 artists will be tattooing visitors across the weekend, with an alternative trade market selling curios.
There will also be a VIP fancy dress ball, live entertainment, custom car display and a charity auction and tombola.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 26: The Nightingale Halloween Freakshow, The Nightingale Club, Birmingham
Welcome to the freakshow at Birmingham's Nightingale Club.
There will be a £1,000 prize to be won on the night for the best dressed attendee.
The club will have four rooms across three floors with DJs, dancers, drag queens, entertainers, pyrotechnics and special shows.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 26: Halloween Party, Planet Nightclub, Wolverhampton
Planet's Halloween bash returns for another year.
Open from 10am until 6am, the spooky event will see prizes such as an Xbox One, PlayStation 4, or a day sitting at Poison Apple Tattoo studio up for grabs for best fancy dress.
Two floors will be open playing the best in rock and alternative music, with drinks from £1.
For more information, click here.
October 26: Uprawr Halloween, The Asylum Venue, Birmingham
Uprawr's massive Halloween party returns for another year.
Party-goers on the night will have the chance to win a smart TV, Chrome Book laptop and more, while also enjoying mega drinks deals.
The event will see the venue completely transformed, promising to make 'It look like a Disney film'.
There will also be an afterparty taking place until 6am.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 26: Nightmare on Broad Street with Blast Off, Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton
Blast Off is back! And it's getting spooky for Halloween.
Resident DJs Gave, Imran, Ian and Carl will be spinning tunes for the evening, taking place at the city's Slade Rooms.
The event follows the cancellation of the Blast Off summer party earlier this year.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 26: Halloween Charity Ball, Telford Hotel and Golf Resort
Go and join the frightening fun at Telford Hotel and Golf Resort's Halloween charity ball.
Guests can enjoy a spooky punch on arrival before sinking their fangs into a themed three-course meal.
The event will feature a magician as well as music, an auction, raffle and face painting.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 26: Soul Society Haunted Halloween, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury
This Halloween sees the return of Soul Society to The Buttermarket.
Now in its 11th year, the event will see performances from Ronnie Herrel, Mikael Diaz, Robin Holland, Mikey D, Captain and Country and more.
Fancy dress is encouraged and early bird tickets are available now.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 26: Halloween Comicfest, Forbidden Planet, Wolverhampton
Halloween ComicFest is the comic book industry’s premiere autumn event – a single day when participating comic book speciality shops across North America and around the world give away specially published comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops.
Wolverhampton's Forbidden Planet will be taking part in the event, promising additional surprises for those who visit the store on the day.
For more information, click here.
October 28 to 30: Children's Halloween Party Dudley Zoo
Enjoy family-friendly entertainment and ghoulish crafts at this Dudley Zoo party.
The event allows youngsters to ride the ghost train to the Castle Courtyard, where they can enjoy a variety of themed entertainment.
There will be a children's show, disco, games, crafts, and a fancy dress competition.
Visitors will also have the chance to come face to face with some of the zoo's critters and creepy crawlies.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 28: BOOM Halloween Bar Crawl - Zombie Apocalypse, Wolverhampton
BOOM Bar Crawl returns with a Halloween special.
The zombie-themed crawl will visit Wolverhampton venues such as The Goose, The Bohemian, The Grain Store, The Royal London, Popworld and The Planet Nightclub.
Attendees must purchase a pod t-shirt from select venues to join the crawl.
For more information, click here.
October 29: Halloween Outdoor Cinema, Wolverhampton Racecourse
Take a trip to Salem with this outdoor screening of cult classic Hocus Pocus at Wolverhampton Racecourse.
Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimi, the film follows a curious teenager who moves to Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century.
Over the years, through various outlets such as strong DVD sales and annual record-breaking showings on Freeform's 13 Nights of Halloween, the film has achieved cult status.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 29: Dead Men's Eyes, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
Enjoy thrilling tales from M R James at Theatre Severn for Halloween.
In A View from a Hill a pair of old binoculars reveal the grisly history of an idyllic stretch of English landscape. In The Treasure of Abbot Thomas a treasure-seeker comes face to face with unspeakable horror at the bottom of ancient well.
Dead Men’s Eyes is the sixth instalment of Nunkie’s M R James Project, a series of one-man shows that seek to revive the tradition of oral, supernatural storytelling that was perfected by Montague Rhodes James in Cambridge in the years leading up to World War One.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 31 to November 1: Candy and Cobwebs, Blists Hill Victorian Town
Cobwebs, pumpkins and lanterns in the townsfolk's shops and homes will delight families at Candy and Cobwebs.
On arrival, all children taking part will be given a fun activity sheet to lead them around some of the exhibits in the Victorian Town. There will be a goody bag for all children who have a go at all of the activities.
Activities on offer include candle dipping, listening to a spooky story, playing a trick on the townsfolk and designing a pumpkin.
During the evening you will happen across Victorians in spooky costumes at the Grocers, Chemist, Post Office, Terrace, Plasterers, Printers & Candle Factory. Do you dare knock on their doors and trick or treat?
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 31: From Almost Dusk Till Midnight, Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton
Join Wolverhampton's Light House to celebrate this cult classic film for Halloween.
Written by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, the film follows two criminals and their hostages unknowingly seek temporary refuge in a truck stop populated by vampires, with chaotic results.
Starring Harvey Kietel, George Clooney, Juliette Lewis and Tarantino himself, the film won multiple MTV Movie Awards and garnered Saturn Award nominations.
The film screening will be followed by a Halloween party until midnight.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 31: Shrewsbury Prison Ghost Hunt
Only the very brave should head to Shrewsbury Prison for this Halloween event.
The building has only very recently opened its doors again as it has stood closed and abandoned for two and half years - but its life as a prison first began way back in 1793 - before actually closing for the last time in 2013.
The event will include a tour of the prison, as well as vigils, seances, ouija board experiments, table tipping, and free time to walk around - if you dare.
Refreshments will be provided on the night.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 31: Murder Mystery Dinner, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Head to Birmingham Botanical Gardens for a night of mystery this Halloween.
Guests will have a chance to play detective alongside a three-course dinner in the surroundings of the Loudon Suite.
The best detective could be in with the chance of winning a champagne prize on the night.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 31: Halloween Family Spooktacular, Brierley Hill Civic Hall
The whole family can enjoy an evening of Halloween fun at Brierley Hill Civic Hall.
The event will include special guests, games and prizes, face painting, glitter tattoos, party dances and more.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 31: Haunted High House, Stafford
Will your nerves hold out enough for you to get to the very top floor?
Head to the Ancient High House for an evening of frights, as well as workshops and activities for the whole family.
Visitors are encouraged to dress up in their best costumes for the event.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
October 31: Thriller Dance Class, Be At One, Birmingham
From crotch grabbing, to moonwalking - learn the iconic moves from Michael Jackson's spooktacular Thriller at this dance class.
Sessions are ran by Sean Christopher, who played MJ himself in the West End hit show Thriller.
Classes last one hour and will see Sean take you through the moves to the infamous thriller dance while you sip your complimentary Be At One Halloween cocktail.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
November 1: Festival Of The Dead, O2 Academy, Birmingham
The Festival Of The Dead returns to Birmingham this year.
And a whole new cast of otherworldly characters and creations, part of "The Dark Carnival", will take to the stage along with the UK's largest skeleton prop.
The huge mechanical skull, known as 'El Diablo', will feature along with the country's only giant spider on stilts.
Live music from DJs will blast out songs as face painters get to work during the event.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
November 1: Besse the Beer Opera, Dig Brew, Birmingham
Birmingham brewery and taproom Dig Brew Co has teamed up with local opera company Infinite Opera to offer a wicked concoction for Halloween.
Besse, the first-ever beer-themed opera to be staged in a brewery, is returning to the award-winning craft brewery on River Street in Digbeth by popular demand with celebrated American baritone Jared Ice making his Birmingham debut.
The Frankfurt-based singer is a triple winner of the international Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg singing competition that included his professional debut as Scarpia in Puccini’s Tosca. He is also co-producer of the award-winning opera podcast Sex, Drugs and Opera, which gives a humorous insight into the opera industry.
Created by librettist and soprano Roxanne Korda, and composer and conductor Daniel Blanco Albert, both Royal Birmingham Conservatoire graduates, Besse tells the story of a female brewer during the time of the Black Death when brewing was changing from a domestic industry in the hands of women to a commercial business controlled by men, and when an increasingly paranoid public were starting witch hunts.
Performed on a purpose-built stage around Dig Brew’s brewing equipment, the production will be part of an opera, pizza and craft beer extravaganza.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
November 2: Skindred, KKs Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
Skindred are set to bring the 'Newport Helicopter' to Wolverhampton.
The Welsh quartet will bring the Night of the Living Dred tour to KKs Steel Mill ahead of their European tour.
Formed in 1998, the band are best known for songs such as That's My Jam, Pressure, Rat Race, Nobody/Vampire Killa, Ninja, Stand for Something, Kill the Power, Warning and more.
They are well known for their energetic and involving live performances, and have won several awards including Best Live Band at the 2011 UK Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards[ and the Devotion Award at the 2011 Kerrang! Awards.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
