WHAT'S ON THIS APRIL

There are various exciting activities happening in Rotherham Libraries which includes International Children's Book Day, Easter Craft activities, World Book Night and Wrestlefest.

It’s April and there are lots of fun events taking place across Rotherham.

This month, Rotherham town centre will once again be transformed into an urban playground, as UPLIFT Rotherham Skate and Art Festival returns for its second year. (Photo above by Sam McQueen)

Running from Wednesday 5 until Friday 7 April, 11am to 4:30pm, UPLIFT is set to be even bigger than last year’s event with the addition of a roller-skating zone, two skateboarding and BMX arenas, plus three full days of live music with performances from local musicians as well as some from further afield. Putting the art into UPLIFT there will be a number of brilliant workshops on offer, giving everyone the chance to flex their creative muscles.

UPLIFT will also feature renowned circus company, Ockham's Razor who will bring their outdoor aerial theatre performance in 'Public'. Other exciting new activities include The Actual Reality Arcade, a life-sized interactive zone inspired by classic arcade games where you play for real. Plus, Rotherham Council has teamed up with The Teenage Market to offer free stalls to young people aged 16 to 25 years, so be sure to check out the market, where you will find handmade jewellery, hand-drawn posters, clothing and more. The town centre is a vibrant place, well-used by young people and students.

The UPLIFT Rotherham Skate and Art Festival is delivered by Rotherham Council, Flux Rotherham and Children's Capital of Culture in partnership with The Hive, Skateboard GB, The Teenage Market, The House Skatepark and Without Walls. 

The Rotherham Civic Theatre welcomes a family show The Not So Grimm Twins on Saturday 8 April, 2:30pm.  A (f)un-expected family adventure, where fairytales really do come true…’ Roll up one and all, to hear the fabulous Grimm Brother’s fairytales like never before, as world-famous twins Jake and Will Grimm (oh, and their little sister Lottie too!) tumble from their magical wagon brimful of famous fairytales collected from every inch of the world. But sometimes even familiar stories can take a turn for the (f)unexpected, and our heroes will need all the help they can get to defeat the creatures of their own creation!

Flux Rotherham are providing a textiles project across the borough. The final textiles session will take place on Thursday 6 April, 10am to Midday, for the Threads That Connect Us* session at Yella Brick Road/Over the Rainbow. The ‘Threads That Connect Us’ offers free creative sessions led by Amanda and other talented textile artists to bring people together to create new artworks for Rotherham, which will go on show as part of future exhibitions.  

There are various exciting activities happening in Rotherham Libraries which includes International Children's Book Day, Easter Craft activities, World Book Night and Wrestlefest.

Also, Keppel's Column Tours are now open. Tickets for April and May are selling fast but don’t panic if you miss out this time, more are being launched throughout the year. Keep an eye on social media for the latest details on Clifton Park Museum Facebook page.

EVENTS INCLUDE:

• Open until Sunday 18 June 2023, the 'Dishes of Rotherham' Exhibition. In this exhibition, artist Simon Grennan creatively brings together food made by ten local cooks from contemporary Rotherham and Rockingham tableware from Clifton Park Museum’s collection. The cooks come from different cooking traditions, including Pakistani, Sudanese, Guinean, Ukrainian, Czech, Yemeni, Chinese and British. Each cook chose a piece of Rockingham tableware from the collection and then cooked, styles and served their dishes on the Rockingham. This fusion of contemporary and traditional comes together in an explosion of spectacle in this unique portrayal of Rotherham past and present, Clifton Park Museum
• Saturday 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 April, 9am, Rother Valley parkrun, Rother Valley Country Park - a 5K Run for beginners to experienced runners, all welcome. A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you. You need to register online before you first come along. Please register in advance to gain your free bar code on the parkrun website. Only register with parkrun once and don't forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won't get a time. Normal Parking charges for the park apply. To volunteer please email: rothervalley@parkrun.com
• Saturday 1 and Saturday 8 April, 10am to 3pm, Canklow Creative activity sessions - Ceramic Squirrel Painting*, Canklow Pavilion
• Saturday 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 April, 9am, Rotherham parkrun, Clifton Park
• Sunday 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 April, 9am, Junior parkrun, Rosehill Victoria Park
• Monday 3 April, 11am to 2pm, Discovery Day - join us for spring and Easter activities in the park, including a treasure hunt, create your own bird feeder and take part in craft activities, Thrybergh Country Park
• Monday 3 April, Midday to 4pm, Wath Creative activity sessions - Circus Skills, Environmental Art, Poetry*, Keble Martin Green, Wath upon Dearne
• Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 April, 11am to 4:30pm, UPLIFT Rotherham Skate & Art Festival returns for its second year, Rotherham Town Centre. For updates about UPLIFT, please check out RMBCEvents on Facebook
• Thursday 6 April, 10am to Midday, Final Threads That Connect Us* session at Yella Brick Road/Over the Rainbow 
• Friday 7 April, 11am to Midday, Family History Workshop: Census, Clifton Park Museum
• Saturday 8 April, 10am to 3pm, Yorkshire Crafters and Makers Market, Effingham Street
• Saturday 8 and Saturday 22 April, 10am to 2pm, Wath Creative activity sessions - Nature Sketch Book*, Montgomery Hall, Wath upon Dearne
• Wednesday 12 April, 11am to Midday and 1pm to 2pm, ‘Cup and Saucer Stories’ -Join artist Simon Grennan in this free family drop-in workshop, inspired by the Dishes of Rotherham Exhibition. Create and design your very own paper Cup and Saucer with Simon and learn about the "Comic" drawing and design techniques he uses in our exhibition. This activity is suitable for children 6-11 years, Clifton Park Museum
• Saturday 15 April, 10am to 3pm, Canklow Creative activity sessions - Wind Chime Making*, Canklow Pavillion
• Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 April, Midday to 4pm, Catcliffe Creative activity sessions - Circus Skills and carnival costume making*, Catcliffe Recreation Ground
• Sunday 16 April, 11am to 3pm, Dishes in the Walker Kitchen - Join us for a fun day of cookery demonstration in the Walker Kitchen inspired by our ‘Dishes of Rotherham’ exhibition. Meet Rotherham cook Jo, who will share her tips and tricks to make her noodle dish and learn how to make a historic recipe fit for a King’s dinner service, Free event, drop-in anytime during the times listed. Walker Kitchen in Clifton Park Museum
• Wednesday 19 April, 10am to 11am and 11:30am to 12:30pm, Nelson's Cub Club 'Pour' - In our 'Pour' session you and your teddy can join in with the teddy bear's picnic! Play with the sensory rice, serve up lots of teatime treats and enjoy a story. £3.50 per child, adults free. Book by searching 'Nelson's Cub Club' at www.rotherham.gov.uk/events, Clifton Park Museum
• Saturday 29 April, 11am to 2pm, Catcliffe Creative activity sessions - Wind chime making*, Catcliffe Glass Cone
• Saturday 29 to Sunday 30 April, Exhibition: 29 April to 18 June, Jason and his Argonauts exhibition - Opening Weekend*, Wentworth Woodhouse