A Ginger's Guide to Summer - Step 3

You're sun safe, you're looking good, so now it's time to get outside! With hundreds of events taking place up and down the country this Summer, you'll be spoilt for choice. Here are just a few highlights.

A Ginger's Guide to Summer - Step 2

Right, your sun protection's sorted so Step 2 is all about lookin' goooood! Redhead beauty is difficult enough at the best of times, but it's nigh on impossible to find pale make-up shades that will withstand Summer temperatures. My May to September beauty palette is constantly changing but here's a round-up of my current favourites.

A Ginger's Guide to Summer - Step 1

'Tis officially the first day of Summer! Rejoice Britain, for the season of hibernation, windswept commutes and damp weekends is over ... for a little while at least. The country is in the midst of a heatwave and though the sunshine is being savoured by the masses, there are some who can't help but crave the shade - we are the gingers of this great land - your melanin-deprived cousins and for us, the sun is a tempting but ultimately dangerous mistress. This year though, I'm determined not to let Summer get the better of me. I will not wilt, I will not complain, I will venture outdoors to soak up the vitamins and up my endorphin levels. Here's how I plan to do it ...

Lusaint - 'Everything'

Optimist favourite Lusaint has released a dreamy new demo that's just too good not to share. Get a load of that voice! Happy Wednesday readers xx

La La Land

I am being brave. It's deepest, darkest January and the rain here in Manchester can only be described as thick drizzle ... but I'm going out in it. What could warrant such bravery? Escapism, dear reader. A chance to spend two hours bathed in sunlight and swept up in romance. Finally, La La Land is in cinemas and it's here to banish the January blues.

The Best TV of 2016

And with the bonging of Big Ben, 2016 is over - a year that has tested even the most optimistic of optimists. Though it would probably do us all good to leave it in the past and never speak of it again, I'm going to linger a little longer and ask you to do the same, as I look back on those moments of light that led us through the darkness - the best TV of the year.

Jersey Boys

Captain's log: It's been more than 36 hours since I saw Jersey Boys at the Piccadilly Theatre. Will I ever stop humming 'Big Girls Don't Cry?' Reason tells me it's unlikely.

Bug

Friday 25th March and the evening's turned cool after a balmy spring day in London. I'm making my way to Found111, a pop-up theatre hidden within the bowels of what was the Central St Martin's School of Art on Charing Cross Road. Opposite, the Phoenix Theatre is bedecked with lights and glitzy signs for its new show Guys and Dolls but there's no such fanfare at Found111. We're beckoned in through a side door - a temporary sign above it giving the only hint that there's something exciting awaiting us inside.

Happy Valley - Series 2 Q&A

Not only is it pancake day on Tuesday, it's also the day that Happy Valley returns, almost two years after its triumphant first series - yay! Last night I was lucky enough to attend a preview screening of episode one in aid of the Community Foundation for Calderdale who are supporting victims of the recent floods near where the show was filmed in West Yorkshire. Last night's screening raised more than £30,000 for the charity and although there were no pancakes, the lucky few of us in the Victoria Theatre in Halifax were treated to a Q&A with writer, creator and director (Wonder Woman) Sally Wainwright and members of the, frankly tremendous, cast. Don't worry, this post doesn't contain any spoilers from the first ep, but I wanted to share a few of my favourite bits from the evening.

Steve Jobs

It's been five years since The Social Network and at long last, Aaron Sorkin's given the dialogue lovers of the world another film to fawn over, the talk-a-thon that is Steve Jobs. Helmed by Danny Boyle and starring Michael Fassbender as the co-founder of Apple, I've been desperate to see this one for months. I've taken the time to review it so you already know what I'm going to say ...

For anyone who hasn't been watching Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell ...

You must! The BBC's adaptation of Susanna Clarke's fantasy novel is a shining example of the boldness and brilliance of British TV.

The Walk

Watch this heartstopping trailer for The Walk, a new film from Robert Zemeckis, director of Back to the Future, Forrest Gump and Castaway. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars at Phillipe Petit, a french dare-devil who attempted to tightrope walk between the twin towers in 1974. It's the same story that featured in the Academy Award winning documentary Man on Wire in 2008. Part biopic, part heist movie, the trailer for The Walk is exhilarating, let's hope the film is too.

Brandon Flowers - A long time coming

Typical isn't it, you wait five years for a new Brandon Flowers track and he releases two at once! I'll forgive him the agonising wait though, as I'm told he's been quite busy with some band called The Killers in between times. King B's been dropping cryptic hints about his upcoming solo album The Desired Effect on Twitter since last September though and now, with the release date just weeks away, we're finally getting to revel in its gloriousness. Here are the new videos for your audio/visual pleasure.

Just a friendly reminder ...

Pride gets its DVD and download release in the UK today. If you saw it at the cinema, I expect you've had it on pre-order for months, if you didn't, read The Optimist's recommendation here then head down to your local VHS retailer and get yourself a copy. Like I said back then, you HAVE to see it. It's wonderful.

The Theory of Everything

It was back in early August that the trailer for The Theory of Everything first appeared and The Optimist got terribly over excited about it. The wait has been long and at times testing but rejoice, for the film has finally been released in cinemas. So, does it live up to the expectation? Read on ...

The Best TV Dramas of 2014

Christmas is but 6 days away and I can smell the panic in the air. Need some last minute gift ideas? Well roll up roll up for I, a recognised television connoisseur have drawn up a list of 2014's best British dramas. Head on down to your local Woolworths Megastores and pick up a boxset or five.

The Imitation Game

It's been a tough few months waiting for this one but we made it through. The Imitation Game is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year - turns out it might also be one of the most important. Now The Optimist offers you less of a recommendation and more of a shove towards the cinema. Mark my words, you'll be glad you've seen this when award season comes around.

Shakespeare in Love

The Optimist has been living the high life in London again. This time I paid a visit to the Noel Coward Theatre, to see the newly opened Shakespeare in Love.

Pride

I don't want to come across as bossy, but you have to go and see this film, it's the best one you'll see all year! I'm about to use all of my powers of persuasion to convince you - get ready for a gush-fest.

Once - The Musical

The Optimist spent Saturday night watching Olivier award winning musical Once, at London's Phoenix Theatre. In the words of Iggy Azelia: I'm proper fancy - or something along those lines.