After a string of inevitably cancelled live events last year due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the bingo rave phenomenon is bringing the party back in 2021 with more amazing outdoor events, epic indoor shows, wild weekends in Amsterdam and all kinds of other mayhem dropping in over the next few months.
But now, there is a brand new event – Bongo’s Bingo School Reunion – which features a whole host of special guests, pool parties, Donkbusters, Jim’s Quiz, Cooper’s Karaoke, and of course, bingo, all set to take place at the the iconic Pontins resort at Prestatyn Central Beach from Friday 24th – Saturday 26th September.
Nadine Coyle, Charlotte Church, Fuse ODG, Basshunter, 5ive, The Cuban Brothers, Pete and Bas, Ultrabeat ft. MC Cover, Lancashire Hotpots, Paul Chuckle, Dene Michael (Black Lace) and a welcome party with Goldie Lookin’ Chain all feature on the unbelievable throwback lineup, so for anyone who ever did detention, got caught smoking behind the bike sheds or had a weird crush on their PE teacher, this is the ultimate “purely bonkers” school reunion party for you.
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As well as three days packed full of parties, raves and even strolls on the beach, there’ll also be plenty of celebrity cardboard cut outs, fluffy pink unicorns, crowd renditions of Mr Brightside, dance offs, many hands in the air moments and a mobility scooter or three thrown in for very good measure.
Everything you’ve come to know and love about a classic Bongo’s Bingo experience.
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Speaking ahead of the nostalgic event, Bongo’s Bingo founder, Jonny Bongo said: “We are really feeling it now, it’s palpable how close we are to coming back.
“We all can’t wait to be on stage again doing what we love, but we know how hard it has been for over a year now, just getting to this moment as the country re-opens has been a very long and difficult time coming.
“Everyone has been through so much, so we hope we can bring some smiles and lots of fun back at our shows and this huge Pontins party”.
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Bongo’s Bingo
Ticket price includes chalet accommodation for the weekend, with early release tickets going on sale from midday today and general release from midday Friday 21st May.
Trafford Centre to host FREE family science weekend with robots, dinosaurs, experiments, and more
Emily Sergeant
A new science festival is coming to Manchester next month, and little ones can meet robots, dinosaurs, and more.
Families are invited to enjoy a free fun-filled weekend full of different interactive and hands-on science activities, as FunLab takes over the Trafford Centre early next month to mark the launch of British Science Week – which runs from Friday 6 through to Sunday 15 March.
The weekend-long celebration is hosted by the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester.
You can expect robots, dinosaurs, experiments, and interactive activities to be brought to life for visitors of all ages, and for completely free of charge.
In the dedicated dinosaur zone, you can step back in time with spectacular displays and meet real-life palaeontologists who will reveal fascinating secrets of the prehistoric world, as well as get the chance to handle genuine fossils, find out how scientists understand ancient life, and take as many selfies as possible.
FunLab takes over the Trafford Centre early next month / Credit: Supplied
Over in the robot zone, this is where you’ll get to discover smart robots that move, react, and perform crowd‑pleasing tricks, while young engineers test their skills, control mini‑bots, and learn how robotics keeps people safe.
There’ll also be a flight simulator – suitable for children aged seven and above – where you can soar into the science of flight and take the controls in an exciting experience, before exploring how aircraft design, weather, and environments affect flight.
Families can also enjoy a wide mix of creative, sensory, and scientific fun in the dedicated experiments zone too.
There’ll be robots, dinosaurs, and loads of interactive experiments to try out / Credit: Alex Kondratiev (via Pexels)
“We’re thrilled to welcome FunLab to the centre and provide families with an unforgettable experience,” commented Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at the Trafford Centre. “From robot dogs to giant dinosaurs, there’s something to amaze everyone.”
A spokesperson for The University of Manchester added: “We are proud to showcase our world‑leading researchers directly to the community.
“Our scientists, engineers and students are passionate about sharing their work, and events like FunLab we want to show young people and their families that that science is exciting, creative and truly for everyone.”
FunLab takes over the Trafford Centre on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March, and you can find out more information here.
Featured Image – Mikhail Nilov (via Pexels)
What's On
New stage adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House to arrive in Manchester this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
A brand-new stage adaptation of a bestselling horror novel and TV series is coming to Manchester this Halloween.
Following the critically acclaimed Netflix hit series that introduced a new generation to the eerie masterpiece, author Shirley Jackson’s famous The Haunting of Hill House is being turned into a brand-new stage adaptation later this year, and will be taking to one of Manchester’s most iconic stages at the spookiest season of all.
Written by Olivier and BAFTA award-winner Stef Smith, and directed by Martin Constantine, the new production is set to conjure the iconic supernatural thriller on stage.
It will be making its world premiere with a UK tour this autumn, stopping off in several major towns and cities along the way.
If you’re unfamiliar with the story, The Haunting of Hill House follows a group of daring investigators who take on the mystery of Hill House, before their curiosity quickly descends into fear.
A new stage adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House is coming to Manchester this Halloween / Credit: Supplied
“The Haunting of Hill House is one of the greatest supernatural novels of the last hundred years and to have the chance to adapt it for the stage is a true privilege,” explained writer Stef Smith, as the UK tour was announced this week.
“I find Shirley Jackson’s world intoxicating, thrilling and gut-wrenching.
“I believe there is something so deeply theatrical at the heart of Hill House. From the spooky, to the surreal, through heartache and hope. I hope that our cast of characters will take the audience along for a ride quite unlike anything else. Above all we will examine that the biggest horrors are usually human.”
The brand-new stage adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House will arrive in Manchester and take to the stage at Manchester Palace Theatre from Tuesday 27 October right through to Halloween itself (Saturday 31 October 2026).
Emily Sergeant -
20th May 2021 
