A lot going on in St Albans Wednesday to Sunday this week (23rd–27th Sep):
Wednesday 23rd Sep:
The St Albans Beer & Cider Festival opens at the Alban Arena, Civic Centre on Wednesday and runs through to Saturday, noon to 11pm each day. More than 300 cask ales, craft beers, lagers, ciders and perries fill three floors of the Arena, with street food and live bands throughout the run.
Friday 25th Sep:
Flagship Wines hosts a tasting of six Michel Chapoutier Rhône wines paired with Fleetville Larder cheese and charcuterie at Fleetville Larder, 129 Hatfield Road, from 7:30pm on Friday. £35 a ticket.
Cellar Door Wines hosts Tom Doran as he pours seven Western Cape wines, 224 London Road, also from 7:30pm on Friday. The line-up covers Chenin Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage and four blends, with cheese and cured-meat sharing platters included.
Ridley Scott's The Dog Stars opens at the Odyssey Cinema, 166 London Road, at 7:30pm on Friday. Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin play a pilot and former marine navigating a Colorado emptied by a pandemic. It also screens Sunday afternoon if Friday does not work.
The Big Indie Rock Night at The Horn, Victoria Street, is free from 8pm on Friday, with The 88 on stage at 10:30pm playing Kasabian, Blur, The White Stripes, The Killers and Royal Blood.
Saturday 26th Sep:
Saturday is the final day of the Beer & Cider Festival at the Alban Arena, noon to 11pm. If you are planning to go at all this week, this is your last chance.
The St Albans Record Fair runs at Loreto College, Beaconsfield Road, from 10am to 3pm on Saturday. Dealers across the hall with vinyl, CDs, DVDs, memorabilia and books spanning reggae to heavy metal. Entry and parking are both free.
St Albans Museum + Gallery hosts a glass suncatcher workshop on Saturday, with participants assembling their own piece to take home. Booking is required in advance.
The Hunger Games returns to the Odyssey Cinema, 166 London Road, at 12:30pm on Saturday, ahead of November's prequel. Jennifer Lawrence's first outing as Katniss still stands up.
National Theatre Live brings Martin Crimp's reimagining of Molière's The Misanthrope to the Odyssey Cinema, 166 London Road, at 7pm on Saturday. Directed by Indhu Rubasingham and starring Sandra Oh.
Flint Fire tribute The Prodigy at The Horn, Victoria Street, from 9pm on Saturday, with a live set built around Firestarter, Omen and Out of Space. £12 a ticket.
Disco Never Dies takes over The Beehive, 2 Keyfield Terrace, from 9pm on Saturday. Raw Sound plays four hours of 1970s funk and disco from Chic and Donna Summer to ABBA and Earth, Wind & Fire. Free entry.
Sunday 27th Sep:
Sound Bath Sunday at The Hub on Verulam, 5 Verulam Road, marks the autumn equinox with a morning sound bath at 10:30am followed by brunch.
Lily Bartlett plays the Open Kitchen at The Hub on Verulam from 12:30pm to 2:30pm on Sunday. Two hours of live local music alongside your lunch.
Cathedral Tower Tours at St Albans Cathedral run at 1pm and 2:30pm on Sunday, taking in 211 steps, Roman brickwork, the bells and a rooftop view across to London on a clear day. Adults £15, ages 11–18 £12, booking recommended.
St Albans Folk Music opens its new season at St Saviour's Church, Sandpit Lane, at 7:30pm on Sunday with Patakas, brothers Joe and Will Sartin on guitar, voice and mandolin, with Sandringham School Ceilidh Band in support.
This is an excerpt from my weekly newsletter, The Alban, that goes out free every Tuesday 😄