Beauty and the Beast has been nominated for four awards at the Great British Pantomime Awards, which were announced on Sunday 11^th February. The star-studded family pantomime was co-produced by Derby LIVE and Little Wolf Entertainment and staged at Derby Arena last year.

After six years presenting dance theatre outdoors, acclaimed choreographer and Artistic Director of Tilted Productions Maresa von Stockert is returning to the stage. Constructions of Thin Air is a brand new work merging contemporary dance with physical theatre and featuring an inter-generational cast ranging in age from early 20s to mid 60s.

The Board of Buxton International Festival is delighted to announce that Michael Williams has been appointed to be the new CEO of the Festival.

Michael Williams, who is currently Managing Director of Cape Town Opera, (CTO), will take up his new post in Buxton in April 2018.

New Mills Art Theatre are staging the musical ‘The Addams Family’ from 14 to 17 November and casting the show starts with a Get-Together at The Art Theatre, Jodrell Street, New Mills, SK22 3HJ, on Wednesday, 14 March at 8.00pm.  Everyone is welcome to come along and meet the production team led by Director, David Carlile, who will talk about the show, characters, music and answer any questions you may have about all aspects of the production.  You can also pick up audition pieces for principal parts or chorus.  Auditions will be held on Sunday May 13th, from 10am onw

The first students from Derby College’s new level 3 Agriculture study programme based at Broomfield Hall in Morley have secured places at university.

Dutch conductor Frank Zielhorst will make his debut concert performance as Sinfonia Viva’s new Principal Conductor at Derby Cathedral on Wednesday March 14.

The concert, entitled Masters and Maestros, features a tantalizing programme based on dances from the ballroom and theatre stage to the pub and village hall.

The programme starts with a whirlwind of Dionysian ballet music from Mozart’s opera ‘Idomeneo’ highlighting the wonderful virtuosic qualities of the members of Sinfonia Viva.

Former Derby College Engineering student Melissa Chimutanda has won a £1,000 bursary from a leading industry body to support her future studies.

Melissa (21) is now studying Mechanical Engineering at Leicester De Montfort University and applied for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Engineering Horizons Bursary which includes membership of the professional body.

Two former A level students at Derby College’s Joseph Wright Centre are busy raising money to fund a trip to Fiji where they will be taking part in an environment project to improve the lives of local people.

Amelia Sutcliffe (18) from Alfreton (pictured right) and Yasmin Crofts (19) from Riddings (pictured left) are both now studying Law at the University of Lincoln after attending Derby College together.

Sinfonia Viva – the Derby-based orchestra of the East Midlands – is teaming up with Andrew Smyth, finalist of the 2016 Great British Bake Off, for an evening of musical treats and fabulous eats.

The ticket-only event will be held in the atrium of the University of Derby, Kedleston Road, on Friday March 2. The doors open and drinks served from 6.30pm and a show starts at 7pm.