By: Pramod Thomas
LIVE PERFORMANCE
RAISE THE ROOF
When: Saturday January 14
Where: Opera House, 3 Quay Street, Manchester M3 3HP
What: A live concert promoting mental health and wellbeing, headlined by popular British Asian singers Malkit Singh, Navin Kundra, and Arjun, who will be performing bhangra, Bollywood and r’n’b hits.
ATTAULLAH KHAN ESAKHELVI
When: Sunday January 15
Where: Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE
What: Legendary Pakistani folk singer Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi, who commences another UK tour, will perform the greatest hits from his distinguished career. Tickets include a VIP meet-and-greet option.
www.wycombeswan.co.uk
SUFI ROCK & BOLLYWOOD WITH IRFAN AHMED
When: Friday January 20
Where: Streatham Space Project, Sternhold Avenue, London SW2 4PA
What: An evening of soulful and uplifting Bollywood and Sufi music headlined by acclaimed singer-song writer Irfan Ahmed with a live band.
www.streathamspaceproject.co.uk
GHULAM ALI
When: Saturday January 28
Where: Indigo at The O2, 205 Peninsula Square, London SE10 0ES
What: Legendary ghazal singer Ghulam Ali in concert as a part of a farewell tour, where he will perform his greatest hits and familiar classics. He will be supported by his son and grandson on stage.
www.theo2.co.uk
VARNAM – THE MYRIAD SHADES
When: Friday February 3
Where: The Bhavan, 4A Castletown Road, London W14 9HE
What: Acclaimed dancer Divya Kasturi delivers a classical Bharatanatyam concert with live musicians Mavin Khoo (nattuvangam) Vamshikrishna Vishnudas (vocal), M Balachander (mridangam) and Vijay Venkat (flute).
www.bhavan.net
TRIBUTE TO LATA MANGESHKAR
When: Saturday February 4
Where: The Bhavan, 4A Castletown Road, London W14 9HE
What: Talented music duo Pooja Angra and Karan Rana will pay tribute to the late Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar by performing her timeless classics across various genres.
www.bhavan.net
JAVED ALI LIVE
When: Saturday February 4 and Sunday February 5
Where: De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU; and Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 2UE
What: Live music concert headlined by popular singer Javed Ali, and a full live band, where he will perform his greatest hits and all-time classics.
www.rockonmusicuk.com
AKAAR
When: Sunday February 12
Where: Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH
What: The Sonia Sabri Company perform outstanding south Asian music and dance, featuring new talent.
www.macbirmingham.co.uk
THEATRE
HAKAWATIS: WOMEN OF THE ARABIAN NIGHTS
When: Until Sunday January 14
Where: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
What: Fearless new play written by Hannah Khalil and directed by Pooja Ghai, which is a retelling of a classic feminist story featured in One Thousand and One Nights.
www.shakespearesglobe.com
LIFE OF PI
When: Until Sunday January 15
Where: Wyndham’s Theatre, 32-36 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DA
What: Final chance to see the theatre play based on Yann Martel’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name at the West End, which revolves around the sole human survivor of a shipwreck stuck on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, as they battle to survive an epic voyage across the ocean.
www.lifeofpionstage.com
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
When: Tuesday January 17-Saturday January 21
Where: The Marlowe, The Friars, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2AS
What: The stage adaptation of the best-selling book and hit film about an eclectic group of British retirees embarking on a new life in India continues its UK tour. Check website for further tour dates.
www.marigoldshow.com
PARADISE NOW!
When: Until Saturday January 21
Where: Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush, London W12 8LJ
What: Rakhee Thakrar and Shazia Nicholls are part of a talented cast in the story of six women drawn in by a multi-level marketing scheme, which looks at ambition, exploitation, and connection in a fractured world.
www.bushtheatre.co.uk
TWO BILLION BEATS
When: Friday January 20-Saturday February 4
Where: Orange Tree Theatre, 1 Clarence Street, Richmond, Surrey TW9 2SA
What: The critically acclaimed Sonali Bhattacharyya-written play returns for another run. The coming-of-age drama tells the story of the relationship between two British Asian teenage
sisters with contrasting personalities.
www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk
COMEDY GUZ KHAN LIVE
When: Sunday January 15
Where: The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford Manchester M50 3AZ
What: The popular Man Like Mobeen star and Hollywood actor kicks off his new stand-up tour, which sees him deliver a unique laughter-filled take on relatable subjects. Check website for further tour dates.
www.guzkhanlive.co.uk
PAUL CHOWDHRY – FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMEDIAN
When: Tuesday January 17
Where: Royal & Derngate, 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP
What: The acclaimed funny man carries on his hit stand-up tour with rescheduled dates. He dissects diverse topics that include UK’s handling of the pandemic, fame, and England
football fans.
www.royalandderngate.co.uk
BRING THE LAUGHTER
When: Saturday January 21
Where: Kenneth More Theatre, Oakfield Road, Ilford IG1 1BT
What: Laughter filled stand-up comedy shows featuring top talents Raj Poojara, Sukh Ojla, Muhsin Yesilada and Kat B. Check website for further tour dates.
www.luventertainment.co.uk
LADIES OF LAUGHTER
When: Friday January 27
Where: The Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes UB3 2UE
What: The popular all-female stand-up comedy show returns for another UK tour. The laughter-filled evening features Noreen Khan, Sukh Ojla, Emily Lloyd Saini, and Maria Shehata. Check website for further tour dates.
www.luventertainment.co.uk
CLASSES
BOLLYWOOD DANCE CLASS
When: Saturdays on January 14, 21 and 28
Where: CRATE, 35 Saint James Street, London E17 7FY
What: Fun weekly Bollywood dance classes that focus on movement and mindfulness.
www.eventbrite.com
VEGAN SRI LANKAN COOKERY CLASS
When: Tuesday January 17
Where: All Saints Church, 7 Blenheim Grove, London SE15 4QS
What: Chef Jahan will teach delicious, authentic Sri Lankan dishes followed by a sit-down meal, with a fun, laidback homestyle cooking experience.
www.eventbrite.com
HALF-DAY INDIAN CURRY COURSE
When: Sunday January 22
Where: Hounslow, London
What: A practical hands-on cooking course learning how to cook easy curry sauces from scratch. Check website for further cooking courses.
www.cookingwithmonisha.com
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