If you haven’t come across it yet, Rest Less Events is our virtual community and events platform. Here, we run lectures, workshops, groups, and clubs on a wide range of topics over Zoom.
With around 100 events running monthly – from weekly workouts to culinary classes – there’s surely something to pique your interest.
Below, we’ve pulled together some of the most exciting events coming up in January.
1. Pilates (seated)
When? Tuesdays at 10:30am
Designed to exercise the whole body, Pilates is an accessible way to build strength, improve posture and flexibility, and more. So, if you’re looking to boost your fitness, why not check out Helen Tudge’s online seated Pilates class?
The whole class takes place in a chair, which means it’s ideal for beginners and people with limited mobility. Helen also runs a mat-based session, as well as a morning stretching event every week.
2. Here We Come A-Wassailing: British Twelfth Night Music and Traditions
When? Tuesday 2nd at 11:30am
While many of our holiday celebrations end with the New Year, in times gone by, the festive season would stretch to the 5th of January (the Twelfth Night of Christmas). And part of these festivities included wassailing.
Dating back to ancient pagan times, wassailing – or the blessing of fruit trees – urged spirits to provide a bountiful harvest in the new year. Tune into this event to find out more about this tradition.
3. The Colourful History of Watercolour Painting
When? Tuesday 2nd January at 4:00pm
From romantics like J.M.W. Turner to post-impressionists like Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne, watercolour has provided some of our best-loved paintings – and many that are sadly underappreciated.
Join artist Mark as he leads us through the history of this extraordinary painting tradition. He’ll take us from ancient Chinese works to the British ‘Golden Age’ of watercolours in the 18th and 19th centuries.
4. Getting Started with Microsoft Word for Beginners
When? Wednesday 3rd at 10:00am
Digital skills are becoming more and more important in our lives. They can help us to succeed in the workplace as well as in our personal lives.
In this session, you’ll learn the basics of Microsoft Word to help you draft professional-looking documents – so whether you’re creating a CV or writing your memoirs, it can be a handy skill to have in the bag.
5. The Fizzical Experience: LIVE with Mr Motivator
When? Wednesdays at 6:30pm
If you remember Derrick Evans (aka Mr Motivator) from his appearances on breakfast TV during the 90s, you’ll know he’s got a talent for getting people moving.
Join him for his movement class every Wednesday. It’s aimed at all abilities and fitness levels – and you can choose to take part sitting down or standing up.
6. Exploring British History – The Stuarts
When? Thursdays at 11:30am
If you’re a history buff looking for a deep dive into Britain’s past, this six-part series of talks might be for you.
From execution and abdication to civil war, the Great Fire of London, and the last great bubonic plague, the Stuarts witnessed some of the UK’s most significant events. Join Chris Green, also known as ‘The History Chap’, to explore this interesting period.
7. Berlin: a window on German history
When? Thursday 4th at 4:00pm
From its birth as a nation-state just over 150 years ago to the fall of the Berlin Wall, Germany has a unique, turbulent, and fascinating history – and nowhere has played a more significant part in this than its capital.
In this one-off talk, historian and tour guide Dr Simon Gregor takes us on a whistle-stop tour of German history, using Berlin as a focal point. He’ll explore the unification of 1871, the two World Wars, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and everything in between.
8. Twelfth Night
When? Friday 5th at 2:30pm
If you enjoy any of our book clubs, this reading of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night could be right up your street.
Spend an hour listening to talented actors read lines from one of the Bard’s most treasured comedies. There’ll even be opportunities to get involved yourself – whether by acting along with them or engaging in discussions about the play.
9. Drawing Figures: 4 Week Course
When? Mondays at 7:30pm
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to lean into your artistic side, why not check out this four-week drawing course from London-based artist Caitlin Heslop?
Taking inspiration from masters of the form, this course will teach you how to create simple and expressive drawings, as well as tonal studies. Suited for all abilities, each session works as a standalone, so you can drop in for one or tune in to the whole series.
10. Learn Spanish: 8 Week Beginner's Course
When? Tuesdays at 9:15am
Perhaps your New Year’s resolution isn’t to get creative but to expand your language skills. If so, we’ve also got you covered with this eight-week Spanish course for beginners.
From the basic words and phrases you’ll need to get by on a trip to how to have a simple conversation, this course will give you a foundation to build spectacular Spanish speaking skills.
11. Ironbridge Gorge – Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution
When? Tuesdays 9th and 23rd at 4:00pm
In 1779, the world’s first iron bridge was built over the River Severn in a tranquil, picturesque part of Shropshire. It was a landmark development that would help usher in the Industrial Revolution and change architecture forever.
In these two talks, host Ian will introduce us to how this splendid structure came to be and its enduring legacy, accompanied by many fascinating photos and stories.
12. Digital Declutter
When? Wednesdays 10th and 24th at 10:00am
Just like our living spaces, sometimes our digital spaces can become cluttered, making us feel overwhelmed. This is particularly true when it comes to things like photographs and contacts we no longer want/need.
In these sessions – brought to you by the Three Discovery Team – you’ll learn how to tidy up the information on your smartphone and tablet, making them simple and stress-free to use.
For more tips on sorting out clutter, why not check out our articles; How to declutter and reorganise your home and 8 tips for minimalist living?
13. The Great British Seaside Experience
When? Wednesday 10th at 2:30pm
Many of us have enjoyed a beach holiday or two in the UK, especially when we were children – whether riding donkeys at Skegness, playing the penny machines in Brighton, or building sandcastles on the Pembrokeshire coast.
To relive these sun-soaked days, why not book a spot at this talk from virtual tour guide Ginny Brown as she investigates the history and nostalgia of the British seaside experience?
14. There's no such thing as a houseplant
When? Thursday 11th at 4:00pm
From spider plants to peace lilies, more and more people are choosing to decorate their houses with greenery of all kinds. But where did this practice of bringing nature into our homes start?
In this one-off event, Michael Holland delves into the history of houseplants and looks at some familiar favourites. This includes lucky bamboo, which, as you’ll find out, is neither lucky nor bamboo.
15. Activating Basic Feng Shui: 6-week course
When? Fridays 12th, 19th, and 26th at 2:30pm
For thousands of years, the art of feng shui has been used to design spaces to create harmony and balance. So, if you’re looking to feel happier and less stressed in your home, why not apply this ancient Chinese practice?
Throughout these six sessions, interior therapist Suzanne Roynon will introduce us to how the different areas of our home relate to different aspects of our lives (health, relationships, wealth, etc.) and how to boost the positive energy around us.
To learn more about feng shui and how to apply it to your home, you may also want to read our article on the subject.
16. Sisters Are Doing it For Themselves: Female Solo Artists of the 60s (US)
When? Friday 12th at 4:00pm
Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Tina Turner – these legendary songbirds are all household names now. But, of course, there was a time when they weren’t.
In this session, music lover Clive turns back the clock, taking a look at some of America’s best-loved female artists and how they broke down barriers and prejudices.
17. Introduction to Criminal & Forensic Psychology
When? Tuesdays 16th, 23rd, and 30th at 11:30am
Delve into the minds of offenders with this exclusive series on criminal and forensic psychology. Led by ex-Detective Chief Inspector Steve Gaskin, these sessions will take a look at violent crimes, how reliable lie detectors are, and the link between crime and mental disorders.
Perfect for those interested in true crime, this series will shine a spotlight on how police officers use psychology to solve cases.
18. Creative self-care: reflection, visualisation and art-making
When? Tuesdays 16th and 30th at 1:00pm
With responsibilities like work and looking after family, we often put ourselves at the bottom of the priority pile. But if we want to stay emotionally and physically healthy, devoting some time to ourselves is essential.
In this three-part workshop, art therapist Sarah helps us identify obstacles – through practical exercises, like visualisation and art making – that might stop us from giving ourselves the TCL we need.
19. A Journey to the Wudang Mountains
When? Tuesday 16th at 4:00pm
The mist-shrouded Wudang Mountains in China are a mysterious and fascinating place. Not only are they steeped in myth and legend, but they’re also considered the birthplace of Tai Chi and the centre of the philosophy of Taoism.
Join Tai Chi teacher J.T. Turner as he explores this wondrous place. You’ll learn about fabled spots like the Five Dragons Temple and the Yuxe Palace and dive into some of the stories behind them. Part travel talk, part history lesson – there’s something here for everyone!
20. An Introduction to Music Therapy
When? Wednesday 17th at 10:00am
Music is powerful and can have a profound effect on our mood and wellbeing – so it’s perhaps no surprise that it’s sometimes used as a tool for therapy. But if you’d like to learn more about this unique form of healing, why not check out our upcoming event?
Host Serenna Wagner (a neurologic music therapist and opera singer) will introduce you to some of the science behind it, give a practical demonstration, and share some simple techniques anyone can use.
21. Harry Houdini
When? Thursday 18th at 4:00pm
Probably the most famous magician in history, Harry Houdini was known for his bamboozling illusions, death-defying stunts, and seemingly impossible escapes. Though, if you’re interested in learning more about the man behind the magic, why not tune in for this event?
Throughout the hour, host Steve will take us through Houdini’s life – from his beginnings as a trapeze artist to his untimely death at age 52. A skilled magician himself, Steve will also treat viewers to some of Houdini’s famous tricks live.
22. Get Cooking! Vegetable Paella
When? Monday 22nd at 2:30pm
Looking for something healthy, delicious, and vegan-friendly to add to your cooking repertoire? If so, this vegetable paella could be your new favourite home-cooked meal.
More than just a recipe, this event will walk you through the process step-by-step, with host Anne Marie offering some pro tips to make your time in the kitchen easier. Use the button below to find out what ingredients you need.
23. Dances from Around the World
When? Monday 22nd at 4:00pm
Whether it’s to entertain, as part of a religious ceremony, or simply for the joy of it, dance has been a part of human culture since time immemorial. In fact, cave paintings found in India show our ancient ancestors boogying 10,000 years ago – and, since then, the art of dance has morphed and evolved into countless forms throughout the world.
In this event, host Malcolm takes us through some of the various dances from around the globe – from the Charleston to the cha-cha-cha.
24. Lord Byron: Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know
When? Thursday 25th at 4:00pm
While some artists weren’t appreciated in their time, Lord Byron certainly wasn’t one of them. Catapulted into literary stardom after the first part of his poem, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, was published, Byron was a celebrity of the Romantic period. However, he was as much renowned for his literature as he was for his personal antics.
In this talk, Oxford scholar Jeremy introduces us to the legendary poet, peeling back the curtain to reveal some of the more scandalous aspects of his life and how they informed his work.
25. Microsoft Excel – The Basics, Beginners Class
When? Wednesday 31st at 10:00am
While many of us associate Microsoft Excel with the professional world, this spreadsheet software can also be handy in our personal lives. From working out a budget to planning our weeks, it can help us stay organised and on top of things.
So whether you want to add Microsoft Excel skills to your CV or start using it daily, why not tune into this beginner’s class?
Final thoughts…
The new year might be a time for change and new beginnings, but as the list above shows, nothing’s changing at Rest Less Events. As usual, there are plenty of exciting events to look forward to in January – from heart-pumping workouts to thought-provoking talks.
Are you excited about any of the events on this list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.