Broadstairs Dickens Festival takes place in Kent this month, with quirky events including Mother’s Ruin Gin Tastings, Victorian Scruffs,and a Dickensian hat demonstration…
Archives for Cinema
A festival of cycling in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Festival of Cycling (EdFoC) is back this month, with quirky highlights including a magical mystery cycle tour of Edinburgh, a parade of dressed up bikes and the chance to try a cycling challenge whilst enjoying some beer…
Floating assault courses and films on ferries at Fal River Festival
Fal River Festival, Friday 25th May to Sunday 3rd June, promises ten days of diverse events including gin cruises, a hidden cinema, films on ferries, floating assault courses and a flotilla of boats, known as the Beer Fleet…
A Wolf Safari and grotesque mime at Brighton Fringe
Brighton Fringe 2018 will take place from 4th May to 3rd June with more than 4000 performances at 155 venues across the city…
Take a peek behind the scenes at Cardiff Animation Festival
Cardiff Animation Festival (CAF) will take place from 19th to 22nd April with special events including a screening of Wes Anderson’s new animated feature film, Isle of Dogs…
Acrobats, animated sushi and a paper cinema at Flatpack 2018
A one-of-a-kind film fiesta, the critically acclaimed Flatpack Festival returns to Birmingham this spring, with everything from animated sushi and a Paper Cinema, to Swedish witchcraft and the Solihull underground…
The best Easter events for adults in 2018
That gloriously long Easter weekend is almost upon us and to help you prepare for some quirky fun, we at Contrary Life have put together a round-up of the more unusual events happening this year…
Take the Slow Boat in Birmingham
Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery has converted an old narrow boat into a unique artistic space. Step aboard the Slow Boat on Wednesday 21st March for the free launch event and make your own screenprint…
Discover the Ghost Streets of Balsall Heath
Discover the lost streets of Balsall Heath with a new exhibition by American filmmaker and photographer Janet Mendelsohn at Birmingham’s Ort Gallery…
A new season of quirky outdoor cinema events
Picnic Cinema has carved out a national cult following for their ‘cinema parties’ over the past six years and are upping the ante with a season of seriously offbeat films for 2018…
Parades, dancing and pasty eating for St Piran’s Day
On 5th March, the annual celebration of St Piran’s Day takes place in Cornwall with parades, music, dancing and pasty eating. Read our round-up of quirky events…
Mesmerism and magic at Whitby Steampunk Weekend
Whitby Steampunk Weekend III will take place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th February in the North Yorkshire town, with activities, presentations, demonstrations and the Famous Steampunk Emporium…
A four-day festival of death (and life) in a Bristol cemetery
Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol will be tackling the tricky subject of death, with a four-day festival of talks, walks, theatre and workshops…
An alternative guide to a quirky Valentine’s Day in the UK
Contrary Life is back again with An Alternative Guide to Valentine’s Day. We’ve dug out some great quirky events taking place in the UK this year…
Pratfall workshops and Transylvania costume competitions at the Slapstick festival
Slapstick, the festival of silent and classic screen comedy will be returning to Bristol this month with appearances from Christopher Biggins, Jo Brand and Ade Edmondson…