THE WEEK THAT'S MORE PACKED THAN A SHAKESPEARE MATINEE! 🎭

Well hello there, Harpenden! 👋 Buckle up because this week is absolutely bursting with more entertainment than you can shake a bagpipe at! We've got tiny tots pirouetting in tutus, quiz masters flexing their trivia muscles, Romeo wooing Juliet under the stars, and THE GROTTLES bringing 60s grooves to life. Whether you're into cosmic science, Highland games, or just need a good laugh at a village show, this week's lineup is so jam-packed you might need to clone yourself to fit it all in. So grab your diary, charge your phone for all those Instagram-worthy moments, and let's dive into what's making Harpenden the place to be! ✨

Thursday 10th July

4:30pm - Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience at Harpenden Library! 🚀 Author S.A. Reyhani is bringing her brilliant new book 'A Sequence of Cosmic Accidents' to life in what promises to be a mind-bending journey through space and creative writing. Perfect for budding astronauts aged 8+, this £5 ticket will have your little ones dreaming of distant galaxies and maybe even penning their own space adventures!

5:30pm - The EMC welcomes The Hurst Children's Theatre Group with 'The Beat Goes On and On' - a show that's about to become the talk of the town! This isn't just any children's production; it's written by Mike Hurst, who spent the swinging 60s producing hits for legends like Manfred Mann, Cilla Black, Cat Stevens and Marc Bolan. Expect laughs, groovy tunes, and the hilarious story of THE GROTTLES from Liverpool! 🎵

7:30pm - Love is in the air (literally) as the High Street Players take Romeo & Juliet outdoors! 💕 There's something magical about watching Shakespeare under the stars outside Cornelia's Cafe at St Nicholas Church. At £10 a ticket from Manor Pharmacy or hsplayers.org.uk, it's the perfect date night with a literary twist!

8pm - Quiz Night at The Harpenden Arms is calling all brainiacs! 🧠 Round up your team of up to 6 for the weekly battle of wits. You know the drill - heated debates about obscure 80s songs, Dave from accounting confidently spouting complete nonsense, and those glorious "how did we NOT know that?!" moments.

Friday 11th July

11am - Prepare for cuteness overload at Ballet with Zoe! 🩰 The Harpenden Trust is hosting the most adorable sight you'll ever see - tiny tots aged 2-3 attempting their first ballet moves. It's less about perfect technique and more about pure joy, though some little stars are surprisingly graceful! Email [email protected] for trial classes - fair warning, you'll probably book immediately after witnessing those tiny tutus in action!

2pm - The slightly bigger dancers (ages 3-4) are taking the stage next! These little ones are getting the hang of ballet while still adding their own creative flair to every move. It's coordination meets imagination, and honestly, it's better than any West End show! 💫

4pm - The proper little dancers (ages 4-6) are showing off their skills! These mini professionals have mastered the basics and are putting together real sequences. It's amazing how quickly they progress from wobbly first steps to graceful performances!

7pm - The EMC hosts another performance of 'The Beat Goes On and On' - if you missed Thursday's show, here's your chance to catch THE GROTTLES and their theatrical agent Harry Slime in action! With a professional rock 'n' roll band backing the laughs and 60s musical numbers, it's going to be absolutely groovy! 🎸

7:30pm - Romeo & Juliet returns to the great outdoors! Another chance to catch the High Street Players' magical outdoor production. Shakespeare, starlight, and serious romantic vibes - what more could you want? 🌙

Evening - Top Hat Stage School at Roundwood Park School is where dreams begin! 🎭 Ages 4-17, absolutely no experience necessary, and they even offer a free trial. Whether your little one dreams of the West End or just fancies trying something new, this could be the start of their theatrical journey. At the very least, you'll have a child who can project their voice when calling for dinner!

Saturday 12th July

12:30pm - St Mary's Village Show is making its grand debut! 🎪 This first-ever village show is packed with family fun, stalls, and a café. Bring your furry friends for the doggy obstacle course and competitions (because who doesn't love a good dog show?), enjoy music from The Harpenden Concert Band, try your luck at the raffle and tombola, and treat yourself to afternoon tea. It's community spirit at its finest!

12:30pm - 10pm - Wheathampstead Village Day is taking over Marford playing fields with this year's theme of Folklore and Fairytales! 🧚‍♀️ Starting with a walking fancy dress parade (time to dust off those princess costumes!), followed by arena acts, community stalls, and activities until 5pm. Then the party continues with an evening of live music.

1pm - The EMC presents another chance to catch 'The Beat Goes On and On' - the show that's proving more popular than fish and chips! Don't miss THE GROTTLES and their swinging 60s adventures! 🎵

2pm - Romeo & Juliet continues its outdoor romance tour! The High Street Players are bringing Shakespeare to the people, one performance at a time. Pack a picnic and prepare for an afternoon of star-crossed lovers and beautiful drama! ✨

7pm - Another evening performance of 'The Beat Goes On and On' at The EMC - this show is clearly the hottest ticket in town! 🎭

8pm - DJ Stewart is spinning 80s covers at The Plough & Harrow until 11pm! 🕺 Time to dust off those shoulder pads and practice your best moves - it's going to be a night of pure nostalgia and questionable dance moves!

Sunday 13th July

10:30am - The Highland Gathering is bringing Scotland to Harpenden! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 From traditional Highland Games events to marching pipe bands, dancing, stage performances, arena displays, and children's events, it's a full day of Celtic celebration running until 5pm. Get your tickets at Harplions.com and prepare for a day of kilts, bagpipes, and possibly some caber tossing!

12pm - The EMC hosts the penultimate performance of 'The Beat Goes On and On' - if you haven't seen THE GROTTLES yet, you're seriously missing out! 🎸

6pm - The final performance of 'The Beat Goes On and On' at The EMC! Last chance to catch this groovy show before it becomes just a wonderful memory! 🎵

7:30pm - Self-Care Sunday Evenings wraps up before summer at The Kinsbourne Barn! 🧘‍♀️ This peaceful escape for women includes calming aromatherapy, guided Yoga Nidra, and a meditative sound bath. It's the perfect way to end the weekend and prepare for the week ahead. Book at zen-pass.com/provider/balanced-with-becs - your soul will thank you!

Monday 14th July

10am - Bennets Coffee Morning at the Royal British Legion welcomes parents and toddlers for coffee and play! ☕ Nothing beats starting the week with caffeine and watching little ones burn off energy while you chat with other parents who understand the beautiful chaos of toddler life!

10:30am - Coffee Morning at Harpenden Library offers mid-morning coffee and browsing! ☕ Perfect for those who like their literature with a side of latte and their Monday mornings with a gentle start!

3:45pm - Lego Club at Harpenden Library is calling all master builders aged 5+! 🧱 At £4.40 per session, it's cheaper than therapy and probably more effective at improving your architectural skills. Booking essential - these plastic bricks are serious business!

6pm - Free Inclusive Cricket at Harpenden Leisure Centre welcomes ages 12-25 with all disabilities! 🏏 Contact [email protected] to join in - it's community sport at its absolute best!

6:45pm - Frazzled Cafe at Harpenden Trust Halls offers free emotional support and hot drinks every Monday! 🤗 Because sometimes we all need a place to decompress with like-minded souls who understand that Mondays can be tough!

Tuesday 15th July

2:15pm - StoryTime at Harpenden Library welcomes all ages for tales and adventures! 📖 Donations appreciated, but the real treasure is watching little faces light up with wonder at a good story!

9pm - Weekly Quiz at The Engineer is ready for teams of 6 max! 🧠 £1 entry, cash prizes, and the eternal glory of proving you know more random facts than your neighbors. What more could you want from a Tuesday night?

Wednesday 16th July

9:30am - THC Networking Breakfast is the perfect way to start your Wednesday! Whether you're looking to make business connections or just enjoy a good breakfast with interesting people, this is your chance to network like a pro! 🥐

8pm - The EMC hosts The Arts Society Harpenden Evening featuring 'The Golden Age of British Comedy'! 🎭 Tyler Butterworth (son of comedy legends Janet Brown and Peter Butterworth) is taking us on a journey through the 1970s-80s, when British comedy was at its absolute peak. Expect classic extracts from TV and film that'll have you remembering why we fell in love with British humor in the first place!

8pm - Quiz Night at The Amble Inn offers another chance to test your knowledge! 🎯 Because one quiz a week is simply not enough for true trivia addicts!

Ongoing Activities

The WWII Exhibition at Harpenden Museum (EMC lower floor) is FREE until September 25th! 🎖️ Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays - it's a fascinating journey through history that'll leave you with a deeper appreciation for the past. Check out harpenden-history.org.uk for more details!

Summer Reading Challenge at Harpenden Library is in full swing! 📚 This year's "Story Garden Crew" theme is perfect for getting kids excited about reading during the holidays. Any child who's a library member can join the adventure - read books, collect stickers, and become part of a reading quest that'll keep them busy all summer. It's like Pokémon but with books, and honestly, that's brilliant!

Harpenden Station Book Exchange continues to spread literary love! 📚 Take a book, leave a book - it's the most civilized way to travel!

Playing Out Sessions are creating safe spaces for children to play! 🛣️ Road closures mean kids can be kids - check sustainablestalbans.org/playing-out for details!

Litter Angels are keeping Harpenden beautiful! 🗑️ Want to help keep our town tidy? Email [email protected] for your pack and join the ranks of local heroes making a difference one piece of litter at a time!

What a week ahead, Harpenden! From cosmic accidents to Highland gatherings, from ballet tots to quiz nights, there's something magical happening every single day. See you out there! 🌟

 Got a local event or special day you'd like us to feature? We'd love to hear from you! Just drop us a line at [email protected] and we'll shine our spotlight on your community happenings! ✨

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