Strictly winner Chris McCausland's Walsall show sold out - but plenty more to do at town venues
Tickets for BBC Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland's Yonks! show at Walsall Arena and Arts Centre have all been snapped up by fans.
The comedian, who is blind, danced his way to lift the glitterball trophy with Australian professional Dianne Buswell at the live final on December 14.
The 47-year-old will be performing his Yonks! show at the arts centre in Hawbush Road, Leamore, on January 17 following his success on the prime time dance contest and appearances on ‘Scared of the Dark’, ‘Would I Lie to You’, ‘Have I Got News for You’, ‘The Royal Variety’, ‘QI’, ‘Blankety Blank’, ‘The Last Leg’.
Theatre owner Walsall Council said the show was sold out.
Other events at the centre include drag show ‘Drag Me To The 80s’ which promises a dazzling celebration of music from the decade on January 25 at 7.30pm featuring a live band and the music of Kylie, Madonna, Whitney, Bananarama, Queen, Abba, Rick Astley, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Duran Duran, Wham, Tina Turner and more.
Book tickets at the box office on 0300 555 2898 Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 2pm or via the website walsallarena.com
The award-winning New Art Gallery Walsall in Gallery Square kicks off its 25th year with thought-provoking exhibitions exploring our relationship with the natural world as well as mental health issues.
There will be a free Collections Tour this Saturday from 2pm-3pm featuring a talk celebrating the lives of siblings Theo and Esther Garman which will include references to poor mental health and the possible outcomes.
Other art gallery events include the free Sunday Art Club from 12noon-3pm suitable for children aged four and upwards. Families meet artists and learn to paint, print, sculpt, craft and make films.
On Sunday 5 - calendar making session using oil pastels.
On January 12 - clay hedgehog making.
On January 19 - Coloured pencil and collage portraits inspired by Charmaine Watkiss’ ‘Plant Warriors.’
On January 26 - Paper art creating huts and decorating with animals, inspired by ‘The Sanctum of the One-Eyed Toad'.
On second Wednesdays of the month from January 8 is the Baby Club from 10.30am-12noon and 12.30-2pm is suitable for children aged up to two-years-old. The cost is £3 per child, places are limited, booking is essential on 01922 654400. The sessions for parents, carers, babies and toddlers explore colours and light projections, story-telling and comfy cushions and a chance to meet other new parents.
On second Saturdays of the month from January 11 will be free Walk and Draw sessions from 11am-12.30pm. Booking is essential. Make speedy sketches of artworks in the collections and temporary exhibitions, the gallery’s architecture, the magnificent views from the windows including the wildlife along the nearby canal basin, public sculptures and historical buildings.
Opening hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am-5pm, Sundays 12noon-4pm. The gallery is closed on Mondays and bank holidays.
At Walsall Leather Museum, in Littleton Street West, visitors can enjoy creative session Paint Like a Master with Rob Conway on January 25 from 1pm-4pm. The cost is £27 per person including all materials and refreshments. Participants get a step-by-step workshop to create a painted canvas inspired by Monet's wintery scene 'The Magpie'. The sessions are extremely popular and lots of fun. No experience necessary. To book your place phone 01922 652288.
The Stitchers & Skivers textile group is running on January 8 from10am-1pm and1.30-4.30pm. The cost is £6.50. To book phone 01922 652288.
Walsall Market will host a Vegan Market showcasing sustainable food, drinks, crafts, cosmetics and other eco-friendly products on January 11 from 10.30am-4pm in Park Street in the town centre. The market will bring together a variety of vegan street food vendors, artisan bakers, craft brewers, ethical jewellers, sustainable chandlers, artists, zero-waste champions and environmental charities.
Current exhibitions at The New Art Gallery Walsall include Earthbound until June; Reflector until March 9; Equal & Able - Not a Label until May 19; and Walsall Society of Artist’s 74th annual exhibition runs until February 2.
