DANNY ROBINS' EVENTS GUIDE: 16TH DECEMBER 2010

Alternative Christmas Shows

I recommended some pantomimes last week, but if panto isn't to your taste, this week I've got some recommendations for alternative non-Christmassy Christmas shows.

You've probably heard about this as it's had a fair old wave of publicity, but the RSC are doing a musical production of Roald Dahl's Matilda. With music by Aussie musical comedy star Tim Minchin (currently doing an arena tour) and script by Dennis Kelly, a playwright who was also co-writer of BBC 3's Pulling, it's not your average kids musical. The reviews have been pretty rave. There are still tickets available but they are selling fast...

Another musical inspired by a popular kids book is Swallows and Amazons at Bristol's Old Vic Theatre. Maybe a slightly strange choice for Christmas as it's about messing about in boats during a long hot summer but it's a good old tale and has decent musical credentials as the songs have been written by Neil Hannon from the Divine Comedy.

No songs, but how about some Swedish magic? Carl Einar Häckner is Sweden's answer to Paul Daniels and David Blaine. He's a massively popular magician on telly over there. He's not as well known here but he has been starring in La Clique, the cabaret show that caused quite a buzz recently. He's doing a run at the Roundhouse in North London, until Dec 22nd. Not many tickets left so get in fast if you fancy a bit of Scandinavian wizardry.

Winter Solstice - Stonehenge and The Burning of the Clocks

Next Tuesday, 21st December is the Winter Solstice. Lots of druids, hippies, ravers, pagans and plenty of normal folk will gather at Stonehenge.

The exact time for the Winter Solstice is 11.39pm on the 21st, but people will celebrate as the sun rises on the morning of the 22nd. Last year a lot of pagans were left red faced as they turned up a day early for the Solstice thinking they'd watch the sun rise on the 21st.

If you live anywhere near Stonehenge or just fancy a bit of an adventure all the photos I've seen make it look like a pretty memorable occasion - lots of bearded druids and the man who believes he is King Arthur reincarnated, that sort of thing... Access times haven't been confirmed yet but they'll probably be from around 7.30am till 9am on the 22nd.

There are organised tours or I think you can just rock up, but probably best checking with English Heritage in advance - not quite in the spirit of hippie abandon I know but might save you a wait in the cold. There is also a blog if you're looking for a bit more info.

For an alternative way of celebrating the solstice, head to Brighton. The Burning of the Clocks is an event that takes place in Brighton every year, organised by a group called Same Sky - their aim is to create 'new urban rituals' to replace traditions that have died out in our modern world.

There's a procession, with lots of people in costume - all the costumes feature a clock face - and local bands. People carry lanterns they've made out of paper and willow and march down to the beach where they set fire to the lanterns to celebrate the solstice and the end of the year.

It's a nice idea to create an alternative secular ritual and it's billed as an antidote to the commercialisation of Christmas.

It was cancelled last year because of bad weather, so this year's should be even bigger than normal as they'll have two year's worth of lanterns saved up.

This Friday, Dec 17th, there's a good old vintage Christmas knees up at the Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes in Russell Square in London.

Two of London's best vintage club nights, Rock a Hula and Hellzapoppin' have joined forces for this Christmas party that features music from the Thirties to the Sixties.

The Thirties are covered by Top Shelf Jazz, who have performed their brand of 'filthy swing' at the Royal Albert Hall, The Big Chill and Secret Garden Party.

Representing the Forties and Fifties are The Twilighters - a 'hot off the record-press jump blues 4-piece formation' whatever that means - they'll be providing some dancehall classic from that era... then to take you from the Fifties to the Sixties there's The Surfin' Gorillas who, as the name suggests, provide a mixture of surf instrumentals, garage and rock n roll. The band claim they originated when the Planet Gorilla went dry and, after light years of searching for the mighty waves they craved, the few remaining inhabitants discovered earth and started the band in celebration. Nice one.

There's also lots of retro vintage DJs plus Miss Constance Irkles, Rock a Hula's Chief Hooping Officer (CHO) showing off her skills in a special hula hooping performance.

The entry price includes a beginner's swing dance lesson from Brace Yourself, as much hula hooping as you can stand all night, a surprise film screening in the cinema as well as bowling and karaoke available to book on the night. It's £12 on the door or £10 in advance. Suggested dress code is 'vintage vixens and stylish gents from the 30s - 50s'. Sounds fun if you enjoy getting your vintage on.

For a bit more info check out The Vintage Guide To London website - a cool and useful site if you're into vintage stuff going on in the capital.

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