Weekly event news roundup

Weekly event news roundup NEWS

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As Halloween and Guy Fawkes nights become a fading memory, Christmas is now in our thoughts as we prepare to head towards the festive period. But let's look back at what the last seven days brought us in the world of music, theatre, sport, attractions and visual arts.

Let's take a look at what's been happening over the last seven days in the events scene.

It's all over for the halloween and fireworks nights across the country as organisers pack their bags of bangers for another year, unless you're lucky enough to have another bonfire night next weekend, which we have in the Telford area with Donington Bonfire Night kicking off next Saturday. The event attracts over 20,000 spectators every year, and it's going to be a big 'un again this year.

Thank your lucky stars you weren't at Oban in Scotland on Saturday - over 6,000 fireworks detonated in under one minute, the result of an electronic timing failure. The display should have lasted twenty minutes, but the fault meant that all the fireworks went off at the same time. Still, must have been spectacular, and at least revellers could get back home to warm up quickly!

In just seven weeks time we'll all be relaxing in our chairs thinking what our New Year's Resolutions will be - Christmas will be over and we'll be heading into 2012. Phew, where does it go?

Music

Music first, and news that troubled singer Amy Winehouse wrote a secret album, which will be released just months after her tragic death.

Singers Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga dominated the MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday night - the two picked up numerous top prizes, including best male and best female act. Other awards went to Bruno Mars, Eminem and Katy Perry, with rock band Queen picking up the Global Icon award.

Artists that'll be touring in 2012 include Christina Perri, Example, Il Divo, James Morrison, Kaiser Chiefs, JLS, Katherine Jenkins, Olly Murs, and rock giants Red Hot Chili Peppers, who will be headlining an open air concert at Knebworth Park and Stadium of Light in June 2012. Watch this space for details of tickets.

A big list of bands touring in 2012 will be compiled and published here very soon.

Fears have arisen over the health of Robin Gibb after he was pictured looking frail and then cancelled a planned meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron this weekend.

Art

An overzealous German cleaner scoured off a layer of paint on a sculpture by the late Martin Kippenberger, valued at £690,000. Ouch.

A Gustav Klimt landscape which was recently returned to the owner's family after being looted by the Nazis has been sold at auction for $40.4m (£25.4m) at Sotheby's in New York.

Exhibitions

A new exhibition of Patrick Lichfield's photographic portraits unveils a fabulous collection of previously unseen celebrity photographs.

The exhibition, called Perceptions, which features many portraits of the rich and famous, will feature at the Chris Beetles Gallery in London and is sure to attract a significant number of viewers and potential purchasers for the 34 previously unseen photographs will be on sale for between 1,000 and 1,800 each.

The British Library's latest exhibition, Royal Manuscripts: The Genius of Illumination, is said to provide 'the most vivid surviving source for understanding royal identity' in the Middle Ages, with many fascinating artefacts never seen before.

Manuscripts dating back to the 9th century discuss all aspects of a monarch's life, offering advice on how best to rule, covering appropriate regal behaviour, what to eat and even how to cure an upset stomach:

The exhibition starts 11 November at The British Library in London and will be open to the public until 13 March 2012.

Film

The latest title for the next 007 James Bond film, was revealed, that will see heartthrob Daniel Craig return for the third time. Titled Skyfall, the film is due to be launched at the end of October 2012, and will star Javier Bardem, Dame Judy Dench as M, and Naomie Harris.

The twenty-third film in the Bond series of movies marks the 50th anniversary of the first ever James Bond film, Dr No, back in 1962.

Gay & Lesbian

It has been announced that same-sex couples are to allow civil partnership ceremonies in churches in England and Wales. Following a consultation, Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP and Equalities Minister announced the news, even though the Roman Catholic Church believe homosexuality is a 'deviation'.

Heritage

A pair of Queen Victoria's baggy bloomers were sold by auctioneers at Lyon and Turnbull. The 35 inch waist knickers, worn by Queen Victoria in the 1860s, were sold at auction yesterday for £9,375, and were amongst items including art and furniture from Old Battersea House, former home of the Forbes family.

Edinburgh Castle was named the Best UK Heritage Attraction at the 2011 British Travel Awards, held in London last Wednesday. With over one million visitors a month, the castle is popular with music fans as well as tourists, after attracting the likes of Brian Ferry and Arcade Fire.

Sport

The British Horseracing Authority has made over 30 recommendations to improve the safety of the Grand National in a review of the famous Aintree race.

Football, and reports have suggested that there is a chance of Carlos Tevez returning to the Man City fold should he apologise to manager Roberto Mancini and the other players. Hmmm, will he, won't he?

Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif have been found guilty of corruption by a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London. Despite consistent protestations of their innocence both former captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif were found guilty of corruption for their part in a spot-fixing plot that involved a plan to bowl deliberate no-balls during a Pakistan versus England Test Match at Lords last year.

Theatre

Television stars Robert Lindsay and Joanna Lumley will star opposite each other in a new stage production of the play The Lion in Winter. The fictional play is set in Christmas 1183 and is based in Henry's chateau in Chinon, France. Henry is joined by his wife, whom he has imprisoned for the last 10 years, and his three sons, Richard, John and Geoffrey, for a festive family celebration.

The popularity of the 2012 Olympic Games in London has had a negative impact on West End theatre - Andrew Lloyd Webber's theatre company is considering closing its West End shows during the Olympics after reporting a drop of 95percent of bookings for that period.