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 Thursday and is the only guide you need to know 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.
Until Sunday, 26 January 2025
Last chance to see: Edward Bawden & Me
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane
Free entry
Highly recommended by Clanger HQ, there are only a few days left to view the Higgins’ popular exhibition celebrating the work of the printmaker, illustrator, watercolourist and designer Edward Bawden. If you have not yet seen some of the biggest names in British art, illustration, ceramics and textiles or want a repeat view now is your chance. And it’s completely free.
Edward Bawden & Me is curated by Bawden’s good friend, the illustrator and printmaker Chris Brown, who invited a diverse group of 30 artists and makers to respond to works by Edward Bawden in The Higgins Bedford collection. These include Lulu Guinness, Mark Hearld, Vicky Lindo & Bill Brookes, John Broadley, Rob Ryan and John Lawrence. The exhibition features their artistic response, alongside the Bawden work that inspired it.
Catch it while you can!
Thursday, 23 January 2025
Film: Stevington Cinema Club presents: Mrs Harris Goes to Paris
Stevington Village Hall Court Lane, Stevington MK43 7QT @ 6pm
In partnership with the House of Dior, Mrs Harris Goes To Paris tells the charming tale of a widowed cleaning lady in 1950s London who falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress, and decides that she must have one of her own.
After she works, starves and gambles to raise the funds to pursue her dream, she embarks on an adventure to Paris which will change not only her own outlook, but the very future of the House of Dior.
Thursday, 23 January 2025
Dancing: Planet Swing featuring Chris Lord and her Blues Express
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, 24 January 2025
Theatre Workshop: Empower You – Performance Skills Workshop
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £80 for six-week course
Unlock your full potential with the Empower You Performance Skills Workshops, brought to you by Standing in the Wings.
These dynamic sessions are designed to boost your confidence, enhance your presentation abilities, and refine your performance skills.
Whether you’re looking to excel in public speaking, improve your stage presence, or develop your personal brand, our coaches provide tailored guidance to help you shine.
Friday, 24 January 2025
Live music: Jah Wobble & The Invaders of the Heart
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £24
Combining global music, reggae, fusion and punk influences, Jah Wobble has entranced the world with his hypnotic bass riffs for over four decades and has become one of Britain’s most influential and distinct bass players.
Accompanied by his band, Invaders of the Heart, Jah Wobble is reborn into a new decade as defiant as ever with a brand new UK tour.
Friday, 24 January 2025
Live music: Mat Roberts
The Cellar Bar at 8.30pm / bar opens @ 6pm
Free entry
Mat Roberts has been a huge supporter of The Cellar Bar from the start, hosting the venue’s open mic night and junior open mic, so they are delighted to welcome him back for a night of musical entertainment.
Expect a diverse range of music, from pop to rock and anything in between. Performed with his partner in music – the duo J37.
Saturday, 25 January 2025
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Morning walk: Discover Dockland walk / meet @ Bedford Station MK40 1DS @ 9am
Afternoon walk: Near Fox and Hounds Riseley MK44 1DT @ 1pm
This Saturday’s morning walk is a nine-mile Discover Dockland walk from London Bridge to Canary Wharf and light installation show.
The afternoon walk is a little closer to home; meeting at Riseley followed by a seven-mile walk towards Swineshead.
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, 25 January 2025
Community: Volunteer recruitment day
Foyer, John Bunyan Meeting church, Mill Street @ 10.30am
Free to attend
Are you looking for a new challenge? A chance to meet new people? Improve or learn new skills? To add to your CV or do something for the community? This Saturday, the John Bunyan Meeting church and museum is holding a recruitment morning for anyone interested in volunteering at the Museum and Library, Church coffee shop, or the Basement gallery.
This is a fantastic gem of a museum, right in the heart of Bedford’s Cultural Quarter, and runs thanks to its team of dedicated volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.
“The volunteers do a brilliant job,” said the museum’s curator, Nicola Sherhod. “The last few years have been difficult with the Pandemic and flooding, but that hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm and support of our volunteers. It’s fascinating and rewarding work, a great way to meet people and develop transferable skills, and to support a great part of Bedford’s heritage.”
The recruitment event takes place in the Foyer Coffee Shop in Bunyan Meeting church on Mill Street and if you would like more details you can call the Curator Nicola Sherhod on 01234 270303 or email curator@bunyanmeeting.co.uk.
Saturday, 25 January 2025
Classical music: Bedford Sinfonia
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: vary
An evening of classical orchestral music that is fun, fabulous and uplifting.
It features an exciting percussion and timpani concerto by Panufnik with soloists David Hext and Rachel Gledhill who came through the Bedfordshire Youth Music scene, and are now at the top of their game playing for top UK orchestras.
In addition, Milhaud’s Le Boeuf sur le Toit, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7 and a short piece from Svendsen, Norwegian Rhapsody will complete the programme.
Saturday, 25 January 2025
Open mic: Bedford’s Got Talent – Open Mic Night
The Quarry Theatre @ 7pm
Tickets: Pay What You can from £7.50
Discover Bedford’s brightest stars and hidden gems at Bedford’s Got Talent – Open Mic Night, a unique evening celebrating creativity and the arts.
From thought-provoking spoken word to heartfelt poetry, captivating music, and laugh-out-loud comedy, this event promises something for everyone. Be part of Bedfordshire’s first-of-its-kind showcase, bringing together an eclectic mix of local talent and performers from further afield. Whether you’re here to support or step up to the mic yourself, it’s going to be a night to remember.
Saturday, 25 January 2025
Live music: Black and Gold Band
The Castle, 17 Newnham Street @ 8.30pm
Free entry
Head to The Castle pub for some seriously foot-tapping Irish music to celebrate Fran’s birthday. The craic is sure to be mighty!
Saturday, 25 January 2025
Live music: Megapint?
The Cellar Bar at 8.30pm / bar opens @ 6pm / Happy Hour @ 6pm – 9pm
Free entry
Saturday, 25 January 2025
Live music: The Greensands Single Launch Party + Car Boot Sale + WKTD & Mind Sigh
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £10
Head down to Esquires and celebrate the launch of the Greensands’ new single ‘Going Gold’.
Saturday, 25 January 2025
Dance music: UK Garage Legend MC Kie + Sean Harvey
Halo Nightclub, 29 Mill Street, Bedford @ 9pm
Free entry before 11pm / £11.55 on the door
Halo, the new nightclub on Mill Street, will be opening its door at a launch event this weekend, featuring UK Garage legend MC Kie and Bedford’s very own Sean Harvey.
The club’s new owners said: “We’re incredibly excited to breathe new life into this iconic venue. Our mission is to restore the venue as a cornerstone of Bedford’s entertainment scene, offering a space that brings people together, whether it’s for a night out with friends or a special daytime event.
“This launch party is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to share what’s to come.”
Saturday, 25 January 2025
Dance music: Get Ready – 60/70s Motown, Soul & Disco Night
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
Tickets: £6
Get Ready! featuring the biggest hits of 60s/70s Motown Soul and Disco.
The biggest floorfillers of the era including The Jacksons, Al Wilson, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Rick James, Chic, Sister Sledge, The Temptations, James Brown, Diana Ross, The Supremes, The Marvelettes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Ray Charles and more…
Sunday, 26 January 2025
Family fun: Crafternoon
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane @ 2pm – 4pm
Free / no need to book
Inspired by the Edward Bawden exhibition at the Higgins, enjoy an afternoon of creativity with Bedford-based artist, Marisa Straccia.
Sunday, 26 January 2025
Classical music: Organ Recital featuring Paul Searle-Barnes
St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2PF
Free to attend / no tickets required
Organ recital from accomplished organist and Director of Music at St Andrew’s featuring music by JS Bach, Mozart, Percy Whitlock, Derek Bourgeois and Dupré.
Free with retiring collection.
Sunday, 26 January 2025
Live music: The Flamin’ Wet Gurus play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
A warm welcome back to Flamin’ Wet Gurus for their first Esquires Sunday Session of 2025. Reggae, drum n bass, folk n funk, brass, percussion and harmonies. What more could you want?
Sunday, 26 January 2025
Community Theatre: Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £12
Spies, murder, love, and other trademarks of Alfred Hitchcock come to life in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast of the master of suspense’s earlier films. With The Lodger, Sabotage and The 39 Steps, Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play is a triple feature, complete with vintage commercials, that recreates a daring train chase, a serial killer’s ominous presence, and a devastating explosion through the magic of live sound effects.
Tuesday, 28 January 2025
Art talk: Colin Schindler: ‘Gotta Dance’: the Hollywood Musical
The Addison Centre, Kempston MK42 8PN @ 11am / Refreshments from 10.30am
Tickets: £10.00
This lecture, ‘Gotta Dance: the Hollywood Musical’, looks at the evolution of the Hollywood musical from the beginning of the sound revolution in 1929, through its glory years in the golden age of Hollywood, to its near disappearance at the end of the studio era.
Speaker Colin Schindler has been involved with American and British social and cultural history for over 30 years. He has written and produced radio plays, films and television, including producing ‘Lovejoy’ and is well known for having chosen the music for ‘Juliet Bravo’.
His publications include ‘Hollywood Goes To War: Films & American Society 1939-1952 ‘ and ‘Hollywood in Crisis: Films & American Society,1929-1939’.
Tuesday, 28 January 2025
Live music: Tuesday lunchtime concert
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ 1pm
Free entry with retiring collection (suggested donation £5)
Mark Christian Bautista (Tenor) and Riho Akagi (Piano). Free with a retiring collection.
Free with a retiring collection.
Tuesday, 28 January 2025
Film: Bedford Film Society presents – The Old Oak
The University of Bedford, Polhill Avenue @ 7.30pm
Tickets: members free / £5/day guest
The Old Oak is the last pub standing in a once-thriving mining village in northern England, a gathering space for a community that has fallen on hard times.
There is growing anger, resentment, and a lack of hope among the residents, but the pub and its proprietor TJ are a fond presence to their customers. When a group of Syrian refugees move into the floundering village, a decisive rift fueled by prejudices develops between the community and its newest inhabitants.
The formation of an unexpected friendship between TJ and a young Syrian woman named Yara opens up new possibilities for the divided village in this deeply moving drama about loss, fear, and the difficulty of finding hope.
The film reunites legendary British director Ken Loach with Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber following the 2020 release of his film Sorry We Missed You. Loach, who is 87 years old, has announced that The Old Oak will be his final film.
Tuesday, 28 January 2024
Art: The Circus of Illustration’s Drink and Draw – Tear-away street posters
The Park pub, Kimbolton Road @ 7.30pm
Free (£2 donation appreciated)
On the last Tuesday of every month, Bedford’s creative community meets up at the Park pub for the Circus of Illustration’s monthly Drink and Draw sessions. With a different theme each month, it’s open to absolutely anyone (over 18) of any skill level and there’s no need to book.
Join them for their first get-together of the year, where they will be designing street tear-away posters. Lost your pet penguin? Got a cool silent disco at the skating rink? Want people to know about your new baking business? The possibilities are endless!
Equipment and resources are provided in a no-pressure, relaxed atmosphere to chat, drink and doodle.
Drink and Draw is for all grown ups!
– Chat with new people who like creative stuff
– Do some no-pressure doodling and get inspiration from others.
– Equipment provided
– All abilities welcome
– No membership, no signing up, it’s free to just turn up and join in.
– £2 donation welcome!
Wednesday, 29 January 2025
Theatre: Victorian Gothic
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £12
This is an anthology stage show based on a classic trio of nineteenth-century chillers – The Body-Snatcher, The Monkey’s Paw and Lot No 249. Dramatic story-telling in the theatre style at its best! Actor Jonathan Goodwin performs a show scripted by himself and co-directed with Gary Archer.
Wednesday, 29 January 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, 30 January 2025
Live music: Karaoke
The Cellar Bar at 9pm / requests @ 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, of course, the Cameo and Sarah Ellen hosting your night.
Thursday, 28 January 2025
Dancing: Planet Swing featuring The 251s
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, 31 January 2025
Children’s Storytelling: Exploring Animals with Kaye Leidoscope
The Place Theatre @ 10am
Tickets: Pay What You Can from £2
Join Kaye Leidoskope for these lively & lovely interactive storytelling sessions for under-fives and their grown-ups. Expect songs, games, crafts and dancing …perfect for little ones to creatively learn through play!
Friday, 31 January 2025
Comedy: Shaparak Khorsandi: Scatterbrain
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £18
Having reassessed her life through the prism of an ADHD diagnosis in last year’s funny and moving memoir, one of Britain’s most beloved and most scatterbrained stand-ups lets you back into her mind (warning: it’s cluttered in there).
Among other things, this show will be a love letter to letter-writing, a trip back through her early years as a comic and woman-about-town, and a whirlwind tour of a chaotic, hilarious brain.
Friday, 31 January 2025
Live music: Anti-Nowhere League
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
An unmissable ‘all killer, no filler’ show from the band who are starting their 45th-anniversary celebrations at Esquires on the start of their own 35th anniversary.
Friday, 31 January 2025
Live music: New Classics
The Cellar Bar at 8.30pm / bar opens @ 6pm / Happy Hour @ 6pm – 9pm
Free entry
Hailing from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, this five-piece band blends eras and genres to create an unforgettable musical experience.
Friday, 31 January 2025
Live music: Helen Lester
The Cellar Bar at 11pm / bar opens at 6pm / happy hour @ 6pm – 9pm
Free entry
Helen Lester is back, once again making quite an impact at the Cellar Bar! Performing a wide range of material from across the decades, Helen will blow you away with her powerful vocals and upbeat style. Expect a bit of everything from Motown, pop, disco, soul and more.
Saturday, 1 February 2025
Live music: CEREMONY 4.5
Bedford Esquires @ 2pm
Tickets: SOLD OUT
The first music all-dayer of the year at Esquire – and predictable it’s a sell-out.
Headliners Divorce plus Heartworms, TTSSFY, KYNSY and more… There may be some returns, so check with Esquires to see if you could be lucky.
Saturday, 1 February 2025
Live music: Soul Factory – Saturday Afternoon Chillout with DJ Rocky & Bobby
The Cellar Bar @ 3pm
Free entry
Head to the Cellar Bar for an afternoon of pure soul, funk, R&B, house, Motown & Northern Soul classics with Soul Factory.
Saturday, 1 February 2025
Community Theatre: From Scratch
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £10
From Scratch is Bedford’s very own short play scratch night, aiming to provide a platform for new and upcoming artists to share their work. Playwrights, directors and actors will have the opportunity to showcase their talents as as series of short plays is staged in the legendary Place Theatre.
It will be an evening of raucous fun with a line-up of brand-spanking new short plays to keep you entertained.
Saturday, 1 February 2025
Live music: Double header featuring Cameo & Five Five Six
The Cellar Bar at 8.30pm / bar opens at 6pm / happy hour @ 6pm – 9pm
Free entry.
They are back!
First up Cellar Bar favourite Cameo is back for another solo performance, so expect a beautiful voice and some cracking party tunes! Singing classic rock/pop songs from Dolly Parton to Fleetwood Mac to The Red Hot Chili Peppers and so much in between, be ready to party.
If you’ve not seen Five Five Six at The Cellar Bar before, you are in for a treat, get ready for a great night of legendary rock tunes. The Cellar Bar literally rocks when these guys play!
Sunday, 2 February 2025
Poetry: Read Poets Society
The Eagle Bookshop @ 7pm
Tickets: Free but please book via theplacebedford.org.uk
Join the Swan Poetry Society for their monthly reading of poems and prose reflecting the season. This month’s theme is – Pipe Dreams.
Sunday, 2 February 2025
Dance music: Gilles Peterson presents Independent Venue Tour feat Oreglo
Bedford Esquires @ 4 – 8pm
Tickets: £20
Small independent venues are the lifeblood of the British music industry both as places where artists, bands and DJ’s can develop their craft but also as places where audiences can discover and develop musical bonds that can last a lifetime.
As part of a wider effort to shine a light on this vital part of our cultural landscape and celebrate it in all its diverse musical glory, DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson is going on the road for the first instalment of his Independent Venue Tour.
He will accompanied by the young, upcoming band Oreglo and book-ending the event with a DJ set.
Sunday, 2 February 2025
Jazz: Cong-Fusion & Gina Sedman
The Cellar Bar @ 5pm – 7pm
Tickets: Free entry
The two-hour bottomless afternoon tea may have sold out, but you can still come along to enjoy an afternoon of jazz with Cong-Fusion.
Making their debut at The Cellar Bar, Cong-Fusion combines Afro-Cuban, Latin, funk, soul and jazz with the added bonus of Bedford-based Californian soul singer, Gina Sedman joining them.
Sunday, 2 February 2025
Live music: Cheap Thrill$ play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Female-fronted rock and blues covers featuring Bob Peters on keyboards.
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
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
