Entertainment News

Since the launch of 4DX at Cineworld Birmingham Broad Street last month, the introduction of the revolutionary cinematic experience has been a huge success for the cinema, resulting in a strong increase in sales. With over 773 effects per film, the Cineworld Birmingham Broad Street has coordinated over 100,000 4DX effects for local cinema-goers since its opening on 21^st October, putting viewers right in the heart of the movie.

The world biggest girl group Little Mix have announced an extra date at Birmingham’s Genting Arena next October as part of The Glory Days Tour. Since 2011 Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall have established themselves as one of British pop’s brightest acts. With their new album ‘Glory Days’, led by the glorious and cheeky lead single 'Shout Out To My Ex', this only makes this fact even more glaringly obvious. 

Hollywood A-lister Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has a Samoan mother and Canadian father and his latest project sees him drawing on his Samoan heritage and  lends his voice to demi god Maui, in Disney's Moana. Originally described as a "mythic adventure set around 2000 years ago and across a series of islands in the South Pacific", the film follows the journey of a spirited teenager named Moana as she embarks on a quest across the Pacific Ocean to save her people.

The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! champion, Scarlett Moffatt, is truly facing up to the ‘Reality’ of stardom with news that she is in line to pocket a whopping £1million after winning the latest installment of the show which delves into the japes of the perhaps not so rich and probably no loger famous in the extremes of the Australian outback.

Tickets are selling fast for Christmas at the Valley with limited availability on the weekends. Don’t miss out – book your tickets now! There’s lots to see and do - visit Santa Claus in his grotto and receive a gift, write him a letter, visit our animals and Santa’s reindeer and enjoy festive food and drink. There will be lots of children’s activities, a festive treasure hunt and much more. Christmas in the Valley runs until 24 December with extra activities scheduled for weekends. 

The Gogglebox star beat Joel Dommett to be named Queen of the Jungle of the 2016 show. Breaking down in tears after the announcement she stated “I’m dizzy, I can’t believe it. Oh my god.  Never did I ever think this would happen ever!”

The Young Filmmakers Competition 2017, launched to celebrate the British Safety Council’s 60th anniversary in 2017, is well under way. The competition for short films on the topic of ‘risk’ has already received lot of interest from film schools, festivals and young filmmakers. However, the organisers are still looking for further submissions, wishing to tap into the creativity of young filmmakers, before the deadline of 31st January 2017.

RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) is celebrating a successful year for its Talking Books with over 11,000 new members subscribing since the service became free last November. Mark McCree, Senior Manager of Library and Heritage Services at RNIB said: “It is amazing that our Talking Books service has seen a 30 per cent growth in its membership at a time when library services across the country are struggling in the face of severe cuts."

Imagine the fun of stepping into a larger-than-life Nintendo adventure.  Gigantic Piranha Plants spring to life.  Question blocks, power-ups and more surround you.  And Mario and all his friends are there to pull you into a brand-new world. You will enter an entire realm filled with iconic Nintendo excitement, gameplay, heroes and villains, and it is coming to three Universal theme parks around the globe.

Wolverhampton’s Mayoress is looking to solve a Victorian mystery as the city counts down the days to the 150^th anniversary celebrations of its iconic Prince Albert Statue. Next Wednesday (NOV 30) marks 150 years to the day that Queen Victoria travelled to Wolverhampton to unveil the famous tribute to her beloved late husband. The city is celebrating the occasion with a programme of celebrations including a military parade, a re-enactment of Victoria’s visit and a mass toast to the statue at exactly 1.50pm.

Having firmly established itself as the best alternative festival for pop-punk and rock revellers alike, Slam Dunk Festival 2017 has announced the second-wave of fantastic acts for its biggest year yet. Headlined by the searing electronic masterminds Enter Shikari as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of their monumental debut album ‘Take To The Skies’, the festival welcomes alt-rock men of the moment Don Broco, pop-punk pros Bowling The Soup, ska punk outfit Less Than Jake, Californian ska mob Reel Big Fish, and American east coast pop-rock powerhouses We The Kings and Cute Is What We Aim For.

Following a successful opening to the general public last month, Prince's home and recording studio, Paisley Park in Minnesota, has announced that it is expanding and enhancing its tour of the legendary production complex by offering new, themed fan experience packages, starting 1st December, in addition to the current General Admission and VIP tours.

The View from The Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe, has unveiled a programme of Christmas wonder, from carol singing to champagne and even a cinematic classic… there really is something for everyone. The open-air Skydeck on Level 72 will also be transformed from 21 November into a serene winter hideaway – 800ft above the capital for all guests to enjoy. You can experience 360-degree views for up to 40 miles with winter plants, pine trees and twinkling lights.

New research from VoucherCodes.co.uk, and the Centre for Retail Research reveals that Brits will be spending an impressive £1.96 billion on Black Friday this year, up 19 per cent on last year and equating to a massive £2,313,760per minute. Falling on Friday 25^th November, Black Friday kicks off a four-day sales weekend for 14 million shoppers in Britain - with UK sales accounting for 60 per cent of total Black Friday expenditure across Europe this year.

Presenter and singer Louise Redknapp, model Daisy Lowe and actor Danny Mac are the first celebrity contestants announced to appear on the 10^th anniversary Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour, which kicks off in Birmingham on 20 January 2017.  Louise, Daisy and Danny will join new tour host, Anita Rani and the new live tour judging panel of Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood (who also directs the tour) and former Strictly professional dancer and winner of the 2006 series, Karen Hardy for the 30 date live arena tour extravaganza. 

Get ready for a dinosaur road trip: Dippy the Diplodocus is on the move and coming to Birmingham. Never before on public display outside of London, Dippy will travel the length and breadth of the country from early 2018 to late 2020, stopping at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery for four months as part of the tour. The British icon is on a mission to inspire five million natural history adventures, encouraging families to explore nature on their doorstep.