Week Starting 21 June 2010

There's More to Life than Football...

... though after a rubbish England performance, it's easy to say that. Anyway, we practice what we preach here at TGTG so we'll be giving you a meaty list of where to go this week - and for Wednesday's crunch game against Slovenia, we've even given you a football and non-football option.

So as always, enjoy your sunny Monday and plot and plan your week thusly...

Monday - Backline Recording and Rehearsal Studios - Now Open!!

It's finally here! A brand new venue that will get music-lovers all giddy with excitement! Backline Studios have undergone an enormous overhaul, meaning that whether you're recording, rehearsing or watching live music, you'll be blown away by your surroundings - it's going to be spectacular!

But enough of empty superlatives; what's the fuss actually all about? Well, a 300 capacity, 2 floor live music venue, complete with 2 bars, a viewing gallery, chill out zones, and a green room for performers - all catered to enhancing Guildford's burgeoning live music scene. Moreover, despite all this fantastic new and shiny stuff, Backline have always taken pride in providing a welcoming and unintimadting environment, something that's not about to change after 15 years due to an overhaul.

So, fancy booking out a studio? Click here - £40 for four hours is a bargain! Anything else you want to know? Click here or call 01483 533876!

Tuesday - Quartet By Sir Ronald Harwood at Yvonne Arnaud

An oscar winning director is at the helm of this wonderful production - that should give you an indication of the calibre of Quartet. Take it away, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre:

"Retired opera singers Cissy, Reggie and Wilfred are excited about performing a concert until their tranquil world is unexpectedly interrupted by the arrival of legendary Diva, Jean Horton. As old rivalries resurface and past secrets are revealed, can the four put aside their differences?"

Starring Timothy West, Susannah York, Michael Jayston and Gwen Taylor, Sir Ronald Harwood has one again created a fantastic play - in equal part funny, poignant and bittersweet, you'll surely love it.

Quartet runs until Saturday 26th June - tickets start at £15. Call 01483 44 00 00 or click here to book!

Wednesday - England vs Slovenia: Free at Odeon, Guildford... or, how about Ruins of Earth at Boileroom?

Much has been made of the frankly abysmal England performance against Algeria, so TGTG will let the tabloids dwell on that. Now, Englands game against Slovenia is a real must-win, so seeing as it's a 3pm kick-off, why not take all your work-mates (or indeed the kids; far safer and less foul-mouthed than a pub) down to Guildford's Odeon Cinema and watch it on the ginormous screen for free? That way, Englands spectacular resurrection/shocking failure (delete accordingly) can be witnessed in it's full glory. Call 0871 2244007 for a ticket. Other ideas for where to go to watch? Click here.

However, if you hate football, either due to the crushing feeling every four years when England get eliminated or just because 22 men chasing a ball doesn't interest you, then how about some techincal thrash metal at Boileroom? First of all, make sure you get there nice and early and grab 2 for 1 noodles with your TGTG offer card, and then settle in to watch Ruins of Earth absolutely slay! Click here for more info and buy tickets!

Thursday - Get a Delicious Bargain Milkshake at Cliche Shisha Bar

Of course, for such an offer you'll need one of these. Buy yourself a lump of shisha tobacco and pipe (note: you can't keep the pipe) and you get one of the best milkshakes you'll ever taste for just £1. Alternatively, buy said shisha and get another half price. Either way, it's a great idea and a deal worth getting - of course, you'll have to be over 18 for either.

But we haven't told you about Cliche - where are our manners? A unique and popular destination, it's a bar/cafe with a real difference, offering milkshakes, paninis and other delicious snacks while always serving up the tradtitional shisha pipe with flavoured tobacco - of course, that's an optional extra. It's open late, and will show football as well! If you want more info, feel free to click on that handy little link above!

Friday - Tonight is 'Desire' at Dusk Nightclub

... Complete with TGTG Offer - just pack that handy orange card with you! £2 entry before 11pm or 1/2 price before midnight - worth it. If you're after a way to unwind, have a drink and dance, you'll do far worse than kicking off your weekend at Dusk Nightclub.

R'n'B, party and dance will be on the playlist, and dress is smart casual, so jeans and trainers are all good (providing they're nice - don't rock up looking like an extra from Wayne's World). Should you fancy bringing a party of people, you can always book a booth as well, for the full VIP experience. If not, be sure you'll have a great time dancing the night away with your mates!

Anything else you want to know? Click here!

Saturday - Celebrating Surrey at Loseley Park

Because we should all celebrate the joys of our little county! Celebrating Surrey is a large outdoor festival celebrating the best of music, art, community, performance, food and drink in the area. Over 4000 people (you read that right) will be performing, be it music, art or dance, at this illustrious event and expect loads more to be flooding the beautiful surroundings of Loseley Park.

There really is a ridiculous multitude of things going on this weekend (June 26th to 27th), but to bullet point it, you can expect a diverse range of musicians and performers, plays, a wide range of food and drink, innovations, arts and crafts, family events and free workshops - all taking part in an environmentally friendly framework - needless to say you won't have time to do it all!

Want more info on all this weekend has to offer? Click here, and navigate accordingly!

Sunday - Mid-Season BBQ at Guildford Lido

They say you shouldn't swim right after you eat, but that is, in fact, just a massive lie. You may feel a bit uncomfortable if you go in too quickly, but that's about it (unless of course you can't swim). So we think everyone should get involved with the mid season BBQ on Sunday 27th June, a delightful mixture of swimming and food. A party for all, but book your tickets quickly - and as the Lido say; "Don't wait for the weather forecast....when was the last time they got it right?!"

There will be food (obviously), soft and alcoholic drinks (the latter for after your swim, of course) and a good time, party atmosphere. Tickets are limited, so get yourself down to the reception and fork out £7 stirling, or £6 if you're a season ticket holder. More info right here!

Tip of The Week

Farnham Carnival

We like a bit of originality here at The Good Time Guide and we think that providing a theme for a carnival is borderline genius! 'Fashions Through The Ages' is especially creative, as it's not merely confined to clothes, so think outside the box!

This years carnival takes place on Saturday 26th June, and will contain all the frivolities you can imagine! More info required? Here's where you wanna be!