The Hen Racing World Championships take place annually in Derbyshire, at the Barley Mow Inn, Bonsall. This year’s quirky event takes place on Saturday 4th August…
Archives for East Midlands
An open air performance of The Pirates of Penzance
Illyria’s 2018 outdoor theatre season is under way, so we headed to Storrs Hall Hotel in Windermere for a performance of The Pirates of Penzance…
Well Dressing in Derbyshire
Our latest Curiosity of the Week is a traditional custom that takes place every year throughout the villages and towns of Derbyshire…
Watch some Shakespeare in unusual historical locations
This summer, watch a unique production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing in some unusual and beautiful historic locations across the UK…
If you go down to the woods today…
Timber, a new festival weaving together the forest with arts and ideas, will take place this weekend in the heart of the National Forest in Derbyshire…
Championships guaranteed to leave competitors with egg on their face
Swaton Vintage Day will be hosting the prestigious World Egg Throwing Championships on Sunday 24th June, challenging competitors to a day of egg-based games…
Visit the big top at the end of the world
Featuring a mix of acrobatics, surprising aerial feats and masterful juggling, The Exploded Circus weaves a story without words, where six women come together to seek order in the chaos and create a new normal…
A Pop-Up Opera, popping up in some unusual locations
Returning with a twist to their summer season, Pop-Up Opera will present a special Mozart double bill, popping up in unusual and unique spaces around the UK, including farms, museums, castles and festivals…
Support your local indie shop on Record Store Day
This year’s Record Store Day will take place on Saturday 21st April with a whole host of events and special releases for music fans to enjoy…
Coconut puts intercultural relationships in the spotlight
Coconut, a new play based on writer Guleraana Mir’s real experience of interracial and intercultural relationships, will embark on a UK tour from this month…
The best quirky Easter events for families
Looking for some inspiration on how to spend the Easter break? Contrary Life has compiled a round-up of alternative family friendly Easter events taking place this year, including a hunt with a difference, an inflatable park and a fun afternoon tea…
Mechanical hippos and giant creatures in Nottingham
An iron man, giant pedal-powered creatures, a diabolical Mr Punch, a mechanical hippo and a host of marionettes will be taking over Nottingham this month for the city’s first ever Puppet Festival…
The ten best quirky events for Easter 2018
Looking for some inspiration on how to spend your long Easter weekend? Contrary Life has compiled a round-up of the quirkiest Easter events taking place this year, including the best of the UK’s customs and contests, such as coal carrying races and marbles championships, chair lifting and bottle kicking…
A room full of clocks in Lincolnshire
Our latest Curiosity of the Week is an installation of more than 2,000 clocks in Lincolnshire. This unusual creation, titled Harrison’s Garden, is the brainchild of artist Luke Jerram, and can currently be found at the National Trust’s Gunby Hall…
Get flipping, skipping and throwing this Pancake Day
From old local customs to wacky races, there are quirky events taking place all over the UK this Pancake Day. Contrary Life brings you a selection of our favourite events…