Crufts, Cheese Fest and more: What's on this weekend in the Midlands and Shropshire
From Crufts 2018, to rock gigs, comedy shows, orchestra performances and even a cheese festival, there are loads of events to keep you entertained this weekend.
FRIDAY
Crufts 2018 - NEC, Birmingham
Thousands of dogs and pooch lovers will descend on Birmingham's NEC this week for Crufts.
The annual show, held from Thursday to Sunday, will see a multitude of breeds compete in a variety of categories, from agility, to freestyle heelwork, flyball and more.
Read more: Crufts 2018: Full list of arena competitions, displays and times, plus other top events
On Friday, shows include Rescue Dog Agility, Heelwork to Music Competition, Breeders Competition, Group Judging (Terrier) and Presentation, and Group Judging (Hound) and Presentation.
Tickets start from £15.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Doreen: Rise Of The Yam-Yam - Oakengates Theatre, Telford
The Comedy Queen of the Black Country returns with her very own Theory of Evolution in Rise Of The Yam-Yam.
Voted Midlands Entertainment Personality of the Year by What’s On readers, and then crowned Best Newcomer at the recent Great British Panto Awards in London, Doreen heads to Telford's Oakengates Theatre with her brand new show.
In a unique mixture of hilarious stand-up, sit-down, video surprises and unforgettable music, the comedienne sets out to challenge Darwin with her very own Theory of Evolution.
Tickets cost £15.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
The Elvis Years - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
The king of rock 'n' roll will be brought to life this weekend in Stafford.
With a top line-up of actor-musicians, multiple costume changes and nostalgic film footage, the production charts the entirety of Elvis' career - from from poor truck-driving teenager from Tupelo, Mississippi through the army, Hollywood and finally the legendary Las Vegas concerts.
Tickets cost £21.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Joe Brown - Brierley Hill Civic Hall
Joe Brown MBE is set to wow crowds at Brierley Hill Civic Hall this weekend.
The Lincolnshire star began his career in the late 1950s as a television performer, and a UK recording star in the early 1960s.
He has made six films, presented specialist radio series for BBC Radio 2, appeared on the West End stage alongside Dame Anna Neagle and has written an autobiography.
In recent years he has again concentrated on recording and performing music, playing around 100 shows every year and releasing an album almost every year.
Tickets cost £25.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Sartinder Sartaaj - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Indian poet and singer Sartinder Sartaaj is heading to Wolverhampton this Friday.
He gained fame with his hit song Sai, and has performed various headline tours across the world.
Tickets cost £24.50.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
BANFF Mountain Film Festival - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
Experience an extraordinary collection of short films from the world's most prestigious mountain film festival.
Follow the expeditions of some of today's most incredible adventurers, see footage of adrenaline sports, and see remote places from across the globe.
This year there are two shows, both a matinee and evening performance.
Tickets cost £15.50.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
SATURDAY
Crufts 2018 - NEC, Birmingham
Thousands of dogs and pooch lovers will descend on Birmingham's NEC this week for Crufts.
The annual show, held from Thursday to Sunday, will see a multitude of breeds compete in a variety of categories, from agility, to freestyle heelwork, flyball and more.
On Saturday, shows include RAF Display, West Midlands Police Display, Vulnerable Breeds Competition, Scruffts Final, Group Judging (Utility) and Presentation, and Group Judging (Toy) and Presentation.
Tickets start from £15.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Jon Richardson - Birmingham Hippodrome
Comedian Jon Richardson is set to bring his new show, Old Man, to Birmingham this weekend.
The British Comedy Award nominee and star of Live At The Apollo and 8 Out Of 10 Cats is embarking on a nationwide tour.
The show covers everything from loading a dishwasher, to the UK vote to leave the EU, and the rise of Donald Trump.
Tickets cost £20.50.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Cheese Fest - Starworks Warehouse, Wolverhampton
Cheese Fest is coming to Wolverhampton for the very first time this weekend.
The event will be packed full of the best UK independent cheese vendors selling everything from mac and cheese, to halloumi fries and mozzarella sticks.
Tickets start from £5.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
The Wailers - O2 Institute, Birmingham
Reggae’s best known band, The Wailers, will return to Birmingham to headline the O2 Institute.
The band, who played alongside Bob Marley, will be performing hit album Legend in its entirety.
Fans can look forward to singles such as Three Little Birds, I Shot The Sheriff and Jamming.
Tickets cost £27.25.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Buddy Holly and The Cricketers with the English Rock and Roll Orchestra - Town Hall, Birmingham
In March 1958, Buddy Holly and The Crickets headlined a variety bill compered by Des O’Connor.
To celebrate this diamond anniversary, the UK’s first and best-loved tribute act, Buddy Holly and The Cricketers, will perform a very special show backed by The English Rock and Roll Orchestra.
The show stars some of the finest actor-musicians in the UK and was endorsed as Britain’s most popular Buddy Holly act when the boys guested on BBC One's The One and Only, hosted by Graham Norton.
Tickets start from £22.58.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Brian Conley - Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
Brian Conley returns to Wolverhampton as part of his brand new show.
Still The Greatest Entertainer in his Price Range incorporates brand new comedy, sketches and songs alongside some of his best-known material from stage and screen.
Read more: Brian Conley on being funny for 40 years ahead of his Wolverhampton and Birmingham show
Tickets start from £17.50.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
The Ska45's - Robin 2, Bilston
Birmingham-based band The Ska45's return to Bilston's Robin 2 this weekend.
The seven-piece band plays a range of songs from the two tone era, from bands such as Bad Manners, The Selecter, The Specials, The Beat, Madness, and The Bodysnatchers.
They will be joined by special guests The Curv3.
Tickets cost £7 in advance and £10 on the door.
For more information, click here
SUNDAY
Crufts 2018 - NEC, Birmingham
Thousands of dogs and pooch lovers will descend on Birmingham's NEC this week for Crufts.
The annual show, held from Thursday to Sunday, will see a multitude of breeds compete in a variety of categories, from agility, to freestyle heelwork, flyball and more.
On Sunday, shows include Gundog Display, Southern Golden Retriever Display Team, Groomer of the Year, Group Judging (Gundog) and Presentation, as well as the prestigious
Best in Show and Presentation
Tickets start from £15.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
An Evening with Any Middleton - Town Hall, Birmingham
Former soldier, and SAS: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton is set to deliver a talk at Stafford's Gatehouse Theatre.
In his one-man show, Ant recounts his life in the military - having achieved the elite forces holy trinity serving in the Paras, Marines and SBS - with tales that will defy belief for their sheer bravery and danger.
The tour also includes further tales and behind the scenes moments, revelations and gossip from his shows; and will give an exclusive insight into his life and exciting future projects.
Tickets cost £25.50.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Satyricon - O2 Institute 2, Birmingham
Black metal duo Satyricon are heading to Birmingham this weekend.
The band formed in 1991, and have since released nine full-length studio albums.
The group are best known for songs such as Mother North, K.I.N.G, Fuel For Hatred, and The Pentagram Burns.
Tickets cost £20.50.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Tom Misch - O2 Institute, Birmingham
Critically acclaimed soul and jazz multi-instrumentalist Tom Misch is making his way to Birmingham.
His headline show comes in support of his debut album Geography.
Tickets start from £39.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Oscar Winners: Music from the Academy Awards - Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Enjoy the glitz and the glamour of the awards season with a concert featuring some of the finest scores in film history.
Scores that can be enjoyed by fans include films such as Jaws, E.T, Born Free, Dances with Wolves, Lord of the Rings. Finding Neverland, and Up!
The concert will be performed by the full 60 piece London Concert Orchestra under the baton of award winning conductor, Anthony Gabriele.
Tickets start from £19.50.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Hell's Gates: Tear It Down - Robin 2, Bilston
A charity gig is set to take place at Bilston's Robin 2 this weekend to raise money for Walsall Bereavement Services.
Read more: Teen in charity gig at Bilston to thank Walsall bereavement charity for support
Live music comes from the likes of Riding Light, Not My Words, Tear It Down and Gells Gate.
Tickets start from £2.
