Your weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from the Bedford Clanger.
Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford Clanger what’s on guide lands every Wednesday and is the only guide you need to find out what’s on and what’s happening across the Borough for the next 11 days.
The Bedford Clanger’s What’s On Guide is kindly sponsored by The Cellar Bar.
Thursday, 13 – Saturday, 15 February 2025
Community Theatre: Platform
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm Thursday & Friday / 2.30pm & 6pm Saturday
Tickets: Pay What You Can from £7
It’s 2023. Charlie, Alex and Olivia are growing up in the post-Covid world and things are starting to get weird. Charlie is battling with conspiracy theories, Olivia can’t get anyone to like her posts and Alex is just a troll (in more ways than one).
Follow the lives of three teenagers on their journey through life and see how they cope with the twists and turns of social media. From tiktok to Insta via Snapchat, their lives will never be the same again.
Thursday, 13 February 2025
Live streaming: The Great Escaper
Stevington Cinema Club, Stevington Village Hall, MK443 7QT @ 7.15pm
Tickets: £6
Based on a true story, Bernard Jordan (Michael Caine) escapes from his care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France.
Thursday, 13 February 2025
Live music: Karaoke
The Cellar Bar at 8pm
Free entry
The ONLY place you need to be for karaoke on a Thursday night – The Cellar Bar on the High Street. Pure karaoke with over 50,000 songs to choose from.
Perform like a pro with the Cellar Bar’s professional lighting, sound and a proper stage, with the best-sounding performers and acoustics on the High Street. Sing with your friends using multiple microphones and hosted by Cameo and Sarah Ellen.
Thursday, 13 February 2025
Food & drink: The Cellar Bar Drinks Exchange
The Cellar Bar @ 9pm / bar opens at 6pm
Free entry
The Cellar Bar is transforming into a bustling stock market of drinks for the night when their drinks menu will become a live stock market where drinks prices will rise and fall in real time depending on demand! When a drink becomes less popular, the price will tumble. If a drink becomes more popular its price will rise.
Get ready to ride the market and maybe indulge in some drinks you would never otherwise try. All of the screens throughout the venue will display the live prices so you can keep on top of the market and be ready for that market crash!
Join us every Thursday from 9pm until late during karaoke. Don’t forget to pop in earlier during Happy Hour from 6pm – 9pm for cheaper drinks too.
Thursday, 13 February 2025
Dancing: Planet Swing featuring the Danny Graceland Rock n Roll & Elvis Show
The Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village, Bedford Road, Bedford, MK42 6EA @ 8pm – 10.30pm
Tickets: £12.99
An evening for dancers and music enthusiasts alike. Cashless bar, plenty of seating (night club set up) and dance floor. Book in advance and come along at 7.15pm for a 45-minute dance class in Balboa, one of the original swing dances of the era. For the main event, just turn up – pay cash at reception – have fun, no booking needed.
Friday, 14 February 2025
Live music: Plug in Maybe – a celebration of Muse
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14
The single most authentic tribute to one of the biggest and best bands on the planet, Plug In Maybe take you through the entire MUSE back catalog with pin point accuracy – a true celebration of the Devon trio, from Showbiz to Will Of The People.
Friday, 14 February 2025
Live music: Valentine’s Night Special with Samantha Hughes & Cameo
The Cellar Bar @ 9pm / bar opens at 6pm / Happy Hour @ 6pm – 9pm
Free entry
Come and watch two fabulous local solo musicians, Samantha Hughes, followed by Cameo at The Cellar Bar on Valentine’s night.
Special Valentine’s offers include a bottle of Prosecco for £24, all handmade cocktails are two for £12 all night, plus a new Tequila Rose based valentine’s cocktail.
Samantha’s set will be part acoustic so you are in for a treat as she plays a selection of Rock n Roll, Country, 50s/60s and 80’s party tunes, spreading some good old fashioned music from years gone by!
Singing classic rock/pop songs from Dolly Parton to Fleetwood Mac to The Red Hot Chili Peppers and so much in between, Cameo is back taking everyone into the small hours.
Friday, 14 February 2025
Live music: Amy Mason
The Castle, 17 Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
Free entry
Join Amy Mason for an acoustic set of popular songs this Valentine’s Day.
Friday, 14 February 2025
Live music: The Pride
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £7
The Pride are back at Esquires for a very special, headline show – Lovers Rock on Valentine’s Day.
No strangers to the venue, The Pride are following last year’s sold-out headline show and Patio Party performances with another night of the finest in Reggae and Ska, with the band tearing through some of the greatest music ever made.
Friday, 14 February 2025
Comedy: Castle Comedy Valentine Special
The Quarry Theatre @ 8pm
Tickets: £17
Castle Comedy is back at The Quarry Theatre for Valentine’s Day with headliner Cally Beaton. A natural storyteller, Cally’s set is full of intelligent, distinctive, and punchline-rich material and her TV appearances include being a regular panellist on BBC’s QI and starring in the Live at the Apollo Christmas Special in 2022.
Also on the bill are Richard Moreton, described as “possibly Newcastle’s finest export since the famous brown ale” he has nailed the twin talents of musicianship and comedy into one perfectly suited package and Wayne the Weird mixing stand-up with mind-boggling magic tricks. Host with the most, Paul Revill will be holding it all together.
Saturday, 15 February 2025
Exhibition: Colour and Light
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane (check website for opening times)
Free entry
Art from the 18th century right up to the present day will be on display at The Higgins Bedford in its new exhibition, exploring the fascinating relationship between Colour and Light.
Read: Exhibition: ‘Colour and Light’ illuminates The Higgins Bedford
Running until 2 November 2025, the exhibition will showcase works from The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection, including iconic pieces by JMW Turner, John Singer Sargent, Sonia Delaunay, Peter Blake, and Chila Kumari Singh Burman.
Colour and Light will also feature a specially commissioned artwork by Bedford-based artist, Alison Goodyear, entitled ‘Light & Colour’, as featured on the front cover of the February issue of the Bedford Clanger. This immersive digital experience, created in collaboration with four Bedford community groups and is inspired by the works in the exhibition.
Saturday, 15 February 2025
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Afternoon walk: Upper Dean, meeting place probably Dalton Hall (TBC) @ 1pm
A seven-mile walk around the local countryside.
Please bring a drink, snack or lunch as the group always stops for a break. Check out the North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ excellent website for further information.
Saturday, 15 February 2025
Live music: Saturday organ recital
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ 1pm
Free entry with retiring collection (suggested donation £5)
Saturday lunchtime organ recital by Ivan Linford.
Free with a retiring collection.
Saturday, 15 February 2025
Classical music: Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra with guest conductor Cathal Garvey
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: prices vary
Anatoly Liadov’s composition The Enchanted Lake is a marvel of mystical serenity, with sounds that are vivid and picturesque; a fairy-tale tone poem, and it will begin the Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra’s February concert.
The Benjamin Britten Violin Concerto, a most beautiful and emotionally complex work, will be played by one of the most promising international violin soloists of his generation, Charlie Lovell-Jones.
Sibelius’ unconscious emblem of national liberation, his Symphony No. 2, Opus 43, will conclude the concert.
Saturday, 15 January 2025
Live music: Megapint?
The Cellar Bar at 8.30pm / bar opens @ 6pm
Free entry
The guys are back for another regular gig at The Cellar Bar. Expect musical excellence mixed with a wonderfully curated list of rock/pop classics.
Saturday, 15 February 2025
Dance music: DJ Yoda – 80s Mix Tape: Live – Audio Visual show
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £18
DJ Yoda returns to Bedford, following his sold-out appearance earlier this year, with a brand new audio-visual show – 80s Mixtape Live.
Celebrating the decade of decadence, Yoda’s new show takes you on a journey through the 80s, from the biggest dancefloor fillers, through film, TV and back again.
As with his ’50 years of Hip Hop’ show, Yoda will be mixing the visuals, as well as the tunes. We’ve seen a few snippets already and you’re in for a treat! Leg warmers and shoulder pads encouraged.
Sunday, 16 February 2025
Family fun: Princess Live!
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 1pm and 4pm
Tickets: £12
The Princesses are tired of their royal duties, so they decided to come together and make the ultimate pop girl group.
Cinderella’s fairy godmother has given her a magic wand so she can give the other princesses a new look and style. With pop and musical theatre songs that will get the whole family singing and dancing along, imagine your favourite princesses but as you’ve never seen them before.
The ticket also includes a photo opportunity after the show with the characters.
Sunday, 16 February 2025
Children’s Theatre: Room on the Broom
The Quarry Theatre @ 1.30pm
Tickets: from £13
Based on the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Sunday, 16 February 2025
Live music: Devil’s Mojo play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm – 7pm
Free entry
Devil’s Mojo are an energetic, eclectic, contemporary and rock/pop cover band.
Sunday, 16 February 2025
Live music: U18’s Open Mic
The Cellar Bar @ 5pm – 7.00pm / bar opens at 3pm
Free entry
The Cellar Bar is throwing its doors open to the next generation of Bedford musicians, with a dedicated junior open mic session for under 18s.
Whether you sing, play guitar, drums, or any other musical instrument, or are a band already, you are welcome to take part. It’s a chance for you to perform on a stage in front of an audience with a full pa, drum kit, amps, lighting.
Hosted by none other than Mat Roberts, Mat will be on hand to offer support and advice, as well as doing a few jam sessions of his own.
Under-18s are welcome in the bar from 5pm until 9pm on Sundays for Junior Open Mic.
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Family fun: Ready Steady Roll Games Gurus
Bedford Central Library @ 11am- 12.30pm & 1pm-3.30pm
Free entry
Board game fun for the whole family as the Ready Steady Roll ‘Games Gurus’ take up residence on the first floor of the Bedford Central Library with a selection of board games for families to try.
This is a free session and no need to book but there may be busy periods. Please note games may not be suitable for under 5s and parents and carers are responsible for children.
Ready Steady Roll is an award-winning board game café and shop with a dedicated area to play games with guidance from the Games Gurus.
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Live music: Tuesday lunchtime concert
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ 1pm
Free entry with retiring collection (suggested donation £5)
A trombone recital by Pau Hernandez Santamaria of the Philharmonia.
Free with a retiring collection.
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Classical music: Songhaven
St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road @ 12 noon
Free entry (including light lunch)
A proundly ‘dementia friendly’, professional concert that is open to all. Relaxed, inclusive and joyous!
Songhaven is founded on the belief that people living with dementia (including carers and companions) deserve the dignity of high-quality live music experiences in a relaxed, inclusive, and joyous atmosphere. Each concert features three professional classically-trained artists performing a range of musical genres, followed by a free social light lunch.
Audience feedback on previous events: “A fantastic, uplifting concert”; “Very enjoyable, especially the singalongs. Friendly atmosphere. More please!”; “Amazing will definitely come again”.
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Family fun: Get Ogre It – an Ant & Shrek Musical Adventure
The Quarry Theatre @ 6.30pm
Tickets: £7.50 / carers/U14s free
Once again, the team from Living It Up Performing Arts Centre are taking to the stage to bring their joy-filled annual theatrical extravaganza to the people of Bedford.
Adapted from the film Shrek, the entire show has been created by members of the Living It Up Performing Arts Centre with learning disabilities and/or autism and is certain to leave the audience amazed and thoroughly entertained.
The story follows the royal family who are left in crisis by a kidnap and an evil curse – and only Ant and Shrek can save them. Audience participation is greatly appreciated. Highly recommended by Clanger HQ.
Tuesday, 18 – Saturday, 22 February 2025
Community Theatre: Blithe Spirit
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £12
Noël Coward’s hilarious farce takes place in the quaint English countryside as Charles Condomine, a successful novelist, is seeking inspiration for his next book. To gather material, he invites the eccentric medium Madame Arcati to conduct a séance at his home, much to the amusement of his wife, Ruth, and their friends. However, the evening takes an unexpected turn when Madame Arcati inadvertently summons the mischievous spirit of Charles’s first wife, Elvira.
With her ghostly charm and wit, Elvira decides to stick around, creating havoc and hilarity as she meddles in Charles’s current marriage. Caught between his two wives—one alive and one deceased—Charles finds himself in a whirlwind of supernatural shenanigans. As he tries to navigate this new reality, the tension and laughter escalate, leading to a series of comical and unpredictable events.
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Film: Bedford Film Society presents – Totem
The University of Bedford, Polhill Avenue @ 7.30pm
Tickets: members free / £5/day guest
In a bustling Mexican household, seven-year-old Sol is swept up in a whirlwind of preparations for the birthday party for her father, Tona, led by her mother, aunts and other relatives.
As the day goes on, building to an event both anticipated and dreaded, Sol begins to understand the gravity of the celebration this year and watches as her family does the same. This poignant and emotionally expansive film from Lila Avilés (The Chambermaid) cements her skill at directing dynamic ensemble performance.
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Community: Bedford Friends of Al Walaja host: Voices from Palestine
Queens Park Community Centre, 52 Marlborough Road, MK40 4LF @ 7.30pm
Free entry
A group of visitors from the village of Al Walaja in the West Bank of Palestine will be visiting Bedford this week to share their experiences of life under occupation.
The three visitors will be talking about their lives in the West Bank, the day-to-day challenges they face under Israeli occupation and their hopes for the future. The event is hosted by Bedford Friends of Al Walaja.
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Karaoke: Drag karaoke and Bingo hosted by Drag Queen Fanny Burns
The Cellar Bar @ 8pm / bar opens at 7pm
Free entry
Guaranteed to be a very funny evening with Fanny Burns, her new home at The Cellar bar.
Joining us every month, drag queen Fanny Burns will bring her own spin on karaoke and bingo, it’s hilarious and good fun. The bingo cash jackpot has been well over £100. £2 per card of 6 tickets, meaning 6 chances of winning. Raffle tickets for Fanny’s Flaps game are just £1. £2 tickets for Fanny’s Flaps with a cash jackpot of upto £250 to be won.
The Cellar Bar is a safe, inclusive, environment for all of our customers. Free entry, just turn up.
Make sure you’re there early enough to get drinks and bingo tickets. Bar opens at 7pm. This show contains adult humour and swearing and is strictly an over 18’s event.
Thursday, 20 February 2025
Dancing: Planet Swing featuring the Fabulous Miss Jones Trio
The Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village, Bedford Road, Bedford, MK42 6EA @ 8pm – 10.30pm
Tickets: £12.99
An evening for dancers and music enthusiasts alike. Cashless bar, plenty of seating (night club set up) and dance floor. Book in advance and come along at 7.15pm for a 45-minute dance class in Balboa, one of the original swing dances of the era. For the main event, just turn up – pay cash at reception – have fun, no booking needed.
Thursday, 20 February 2025
Live streaming: NT Live: The Importance of Being Earnest
Stevington Cinema Club, Stevington Village Hall, MK443 7QT @ 7.15pm
Tickets: £6
Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy.
While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.
Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.
Friday, 21 February 2025
Live music: Moments of Pleasure – Kate Bush tribute
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
This five-piece band features the amazing vocals of Lisa-Marie Walters whose vocal and visual performance is frankly astonishing, emulating the voice and mannerisms of Kate Bush like no other and generating so much love and emotion from the audience.
The show will take you on an amazing journey through much of the incredible Kate Bush back catalogue – Moments Of Pleasure will perform many of the singles such as Running Up That Hill, Wuthering Heights, Hounds of Love, Babooshka, Wow and Cloudbusting together with popular tracks from albums such as The Kick Inside, Lionheart, Never For Ever, The Dreaming and Hounds Of Love.
Friday, 21 February 2025
Double header: Lord Baker Soul & Ska Show all night until 1am
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm
Free entry
An incredible Soul and Ska show that will get you dancing from the first song. Lord Baker really knows how to entertain and we guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Saturday, 22 February 2025
Community: Bedford Repair Cafe
Project 229, Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8DA @ 10am – 3pm (last walk-in @ 2.30pm)
Free
Get one item per household fixed for free by local volunteers.
No need to book, just turn up! Bikes, small electricals, clothes, toys. More info at their Facebook page.
Saturday, 22 February 2025
Live music: James Taylor Quartet + The Hurricanes
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £22.50
One of the pioneers of the Acid Jazz scene, JTQ have taken their distinctive trademark howling Hammond sound to the masses for over 30 years; still famed for their upbeat, energetic live shows with no sign of slowing down.
Guest support comes from The Hurricanes – a raucous blend of loud garage/Mod vibes, channelling the soulful groove of 60s Soul, the rhythmic pulse of R&B, and the rebellious spirit of Boss British Beat, as if transported straight from the iconic year of 1966.
Saturday, 22 February 2025
Live music: Money for Nothing – Dire Straits tribute act
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £30
Money for Nothing was formed in 2000 as a tribute to one of the world’s premier rock bands – Dire Straits.
The abundant energy and the excellence and musicality of their performance makes Money For Nothing a “must see” for any rock enthusiast or Dire Straits fan. The line-up features top-class and experienced musicians that make this band a worthy tribute to Dire Straits.
Saturday, 22 February 2025
Live music: The Krakens
The Cellar Bar at 8.30pm / Bar opens at 6pm / Happy hour @ 6pm – 9pm
Free entry
The Krakens are back, covering a variety of rock songs through the ages from Elton John, Queen, Nirvana, Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day and many more.
Sunday, 23 February 2025
Family fun: Crafternoon
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane @ 2pm – 4pm
Free
Crafternoons are a monthly creative activity sessios for families to have a go at together and enjoy. Suitable for under 12s. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please be aware that space is limited and there may be a wait to start.
Sunday, 23 February 2025
Soul Factory: Soul Factory – Sunday Afternoon Chillout with DJ Rocky & Guests
The Cellar Bar @ 3pm
Free entry
Head to the Cellar Bar for an afternoon of pure soul, funk, RnB, Motown and Northern Soul classics with Soul Factory.
Sunday, 23 February 2025
Live music: The Soho Dukes play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
World-renowned, critically-acclaimed, electrically-powered, rascally rock ‘n’ roll the Soho Dukes make their Esquires debut at the Sunday afternoon session.
Sunday, 23 February 2025
Live Music: Open Mic Night
The Cellar Bar @ 7.30pm / doors open @ 3pm / Happy Hour 3pm – 9pm
Free entry
Mat Roberts hosts the Cellar Bar’s Open Mic Night – an opportunity for new and experienced performers to get up on stage and perform. So whether you think you are the next Tom Grennan or just want a good night of entertainment head to the Cellar Bar every Sunday.
So, just turn up and take advantage of the full PA, full backline and drums and even an in-house bass and guitar.
At the Higgins Bedford
Exhibition: Rediscovering Black Portraiture
The Higgins Bedford
Free entry
The newest exhibition at the Higgins began as a diversionary lockdown project in 2020 and can now be seen at Kensington Palace, the Bodeian Library in Oxford and now in Bedford.
It features the work of Manchester-born professional opera singer, Peter Brathwaite, who has lived in the Black Tom area of Bedford since 2018.
With all his singing work cancelled during the pandemic, Peter began looking for an outlet for his creative talents and started recreating famous and lesser-known Black portraiture paintings using as props whatever he could find around his house.
It was inspired by the Getty Foundation’s lockdown project, but quickly took on a life of its own, gathering a large international online following. You can explore the project at his Instagram page @peter_brathwaite.
And from Saturday, 18 May, they will form part of an installation at the Higgins Bedford which will lead visitors through the main collections and into Cecil Higgins’ house, with Peter’s interpretation of The Paston Treasure at its heart.
Read: ‘Rediscovering Black Portraiture’ at the Higgins Bedford this May
At the Panacea Museum
Permanent exhibition: Discover the amazing story of a unique religious community
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, Bedford MK40 3NX
11am – 5pm (last entry 4.30) Thursday – Sunday
Free entry
This fascinating hidden gem of a museum tells the story of the Panacea Society – a Christian group formed in the early twentieth century who created their own ‘Garden of Eden’ in the centre of Bedford.
The Panacea Museum is located across several Victorian buildings that formed the community’s headquarters. It tells the story of the Panacea Society and other similar religious groups.
Every Thursday
Cocktails, Quiz Night & Karaoke
The Cellar Bar from 5.00pm
Pit your wits against The Cellar Bar’s resident quizmaster to see if you can win the jackpot every Thursday from 8pm. £2 per person entry and a maximum of six per team. The winning team will win the jackpot PLUS a round of shots. Followed by Karaoke til close
Every Saturday
Food & drink: Cocktail mixology masterclass
The Cellar Bar @ 3pm / doors open at 12 noon
£30 per person
The Cellar Bar’s resident mixologist, Marley, will explain how to create some outstanding cocktails for your tasting enjoyment. Then, it’s your turn to put what you’ve learned into practice by making (and drinking) three cocktails!
Every Sunday
Live Music: Open Mic Night
The Cellar Bar @ 7.30pm
Free Entry
Every Sunday, join Mat Roberts for the Cellar Bar’s weekly Open Mic night. An opportunity for new and experienced performers to get up on stage and perform.
So whether you think you are the next Tom Grennan or just want a good night of entertainment, head the to Cellar Bar from 7.30pm.
Theatre highlights by Paula Walker
The February issue of the Bedford Clanger is out now. Grab a copy at one of our many pick-up points throughout the Borough.
You can find your nearest one using our map here.
