Friday March 12
* ‘THE HAIRY BIKERS BIG NIGHT OUT’, evening of cooking, chatting and laughs, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* WOW WALES ONE WORLD FILM FESTIVAL, Wales wide event to March 18 with the best of world cinema with 12 Welsh premieres and two UK premieres, Venues include ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre where special guest Nicola Schumacher unveils WOW's collaboration with the development charity Practical Action tonight. For cinemas, films and dates, visit www.wowfilmfestival.com.
* BOLLYWOOD & CURRY, night at BISHOPS CASTLE Community College in aid of college funds.
* ‘GROWING IDEAS’, exhibition of art by Angela Martin and Heather Prescott on until end of month at the SpArC gallery, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* MR BEAT, good time party band, at the Stag Inn, LLANIDLOES with free admission.
* HILLMAN & QUINN, at the Red Lion, LLANIDLOES.
* WHALEBONE, exciting acoustic music by the rootsy, funky Shropshire, trio who perform their own compositions alongside supercharged renditions of traditional music and wild re-workings of rock guitar classics, all played with dazzling musicianship. at LYDBURY NORTH Village Hall, with the magical Celtic songstress Beck Sian.
Whalebone’s music is a marriage of folk and classic guitar rock played on acoustic guitars and fiddle, combining upfront spellbinding musicianship, infectious driving rhythms and exuberant presentation. The trio’s performances feature fiery and emotive original material, supercharged renditions of traditional music and wild re-workings of rock guitar classics played with dazzling virtuosity.
Beck Sian draws on inspiration from her native Australia to create what she describes as ‘haunted forest music’. Sometimes reminiscent of Kate Bush, to whom she is related, Beck performs mystical, magical and enchanting songs with voice, guitar, whistle and didgeridoo.
* MUSEUM OF MODERN ART WALES, new exhibitions on to April 24 at the MACHYNLLETH gallery feature Recent Works by Annie Giles Hobbs, the Cardiff artist and art and design school tutor who is a former first prie winner of Machynlleth’s Tabernacle Art Competition. There is also ‘Interiors’ by Matthew Wood whose paintings on board include some local locations; ‘The Fabric of Life’ by James Guy Eccleston, who paints still lives, portraits and landscapes; and ‘Root and Branch’ by Pembrokeshire artist Ian Jacob on to May 5.
* RHAYADER ART GROUP, exhibition of recent work on show at Creation Gardens, NANTMEL throughout March, April and May. Paintings, which are all for sale will be displayed in the restaurant area and will include local scenes, wildlife and flowers as well as buildings of local interest. Artists exhibiting include David Richards, Janet, Dennis and Helen Barlow, Lorna Kendrick, Jean Chaplin, Angela Lewis, Christel Elsmore, Jon Hudson and Caroline Davey.
* ALLAN TYN Y FAN, Wales’ best Celtic band of the 21st century teams up with the pre-eminent Celtic harpist Delyth Jenkns for concert at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN, to launch tour with the new ‘Lle Arall’ EP. Also at Wyeside, BUILTH WELLS on March 2 , and at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre on April 10.
* THE FLOK, at The Exchange, NEWTOWN, with free admission.
* DISCO FUNK NIGHT, Authentic Dance Nights show at The Buck, NEWTOWN with free admission.
* ORIEL DAVIES GALLERY, new exhibitions at the NEWTOWN venue feature ‘The Scenery is Very Wonderful. The Weather is Good’ by Stuart Whipps, and ‘Afield’ and ‘Louphole’ works by Simon Whitehead, part of a series of concurrent exhibitions and events exploring mankind’s relationship with place, landscape and environment.
The renamed ‘Test Bed’ space now features ‘On Wasted Energy’ by Adele Vye working in live action and documented performance end this Saturday. From Monday you can see Vye’s ‘The Steel Work Series’ on to April 7.
Free informal lunchtime tour of exhibitions with curator Alex Boyd will be available at 12.30pm next Wednesday March 17.
* AMANDA SKIPSEY, Rhayader artist’s collection of imaginative Welsh townscapes, at the Theatr Hafren bar gallery, NEWTOWN, to April 23.
* RHAYADER MUSEUM & GALLERY, pictures of the Holy Wells of Wales, by south Wales photographer Phil Cope, on until April 12.
* JULIAN CLARY, Lord of the Mince tour date at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* ‘ANNIE JNR’, Game Productions Junior Theatre shows based on ‘Little Orphan Annie’, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY tonight and at 2.30 and 7.30pm on Saturday, March 13.
* JAMES SHERWOOD, comedian and pianist in Music Trust concert at the Gateway Centre, SHREWSBURY.
* STEREOTONICS, Britain's top Stereophonics tribute band plus local band Colour Sunday supporting, at Molto nightclub, WELSHPOOL.
Saturday, March 13
* SIERRA MAESTRA, Cuban music stars at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
Also at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON on Thursday, March 18.
* SOMETIME WONDER, playing at the Three Tuns, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* THE BOHEMIANS, Queen tribute band at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
* VERVE 10, Northern School of Contemporary Dance featuring some of Europe’s most talented young dancers, at Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS.
* SALSA CLASS, Wesley Price runs workshop at LINGEN Village Hall from 2pm to learn, improve or practice salsa. Call Lynden Rees-Roberts on 267418.
* JIGSAW, mixed choir from Shrewsbury sing mix of show songs, popular songs and light sacred music at LLANYMYNECH Village Hall, in fundraising event for the Duchess Countess narrowboat trust.
* MELLSTOCK BAND, folk heroes play at NEW RADNOR Community Hall.
* ‘MEIA’, new Welsh language musical show about problems faced by young people, by Linda Gittins, Derek Williams and Penri Roberts, performed by Ysgol Theatr Maldwyn at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN, tonight only. The spirit of youth refuses to yield and they vow to change things for the better.
* MARION ROWLATT, invites you for another gathering around the piano singing for fun at PRESTEIGNE Assembly Rooms from 10am to 12.30pm.
* MAKING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, in the family workshop series at the CARAD Centre, RHAYADER, every Saturday from 10am to 1pm, continuing with glitz and glamour jewellery making on March 20. Call 01597 810192 to book place.
* THE HOLLIES, the evergreen British pop band celebrate vast catalogue of hits, at WOLVERHAMPTON Civic Hall. County Times winners of tickets to the show were A. Hale of Sarn, and J. Williamson of Gungrog Hill, Welshpool.
Sunday, March 14
* FOLK & ROOTS SESSION, join in, or just go along for the craic, at the Stag Inn, LLANIDLOES, from about 4.30pm.
* JAZZ PREMIERE, featuring Stuart Goodhew and Stuart Spiers, at 3pm at Gateway Centre, SHREWSBURY with free admission.
* LUKE DAY, Welshpool guitar vocalist at the Wheatsheaf, SHREWSBURY.
Monday, March 15
* ‘TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD’, the powerful story of a fight for racial justice (above) in an American community divided and ruled by prejudice and discrimination in the 1930s, from Harper Lee’s modern classic novel, at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
Also at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN at 7.45pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 18, 19 and 20; and at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre on Friday and Saturday March 26 and 27.
* JUS’ LIKE THAT! Clive Mantle brings to life the magic and laughter of Tommy Cooper, at the New Theatre, CARDIFF.
* ACOUSTIC NIGHTS, singers and songwriters welcome at the Golden Lion Hotel, LLANDYSILIO, every Monday and Wednesday.
* SING YOUR HEART OUT, singing group meeting on Mondays at 7pm at MEIFOD Village Hall for all ages, abilities and experience. Further information from Kath on 01938 500459.
* FFONIC, community world music band meets for sociable music making on Monday evenings at NEWTOWN, playing traditional and new music. Call Steve for details on 01686 411366 or visit www.ffonic.co.uk
* ‘THE SEAGULL’, opening night for Attfield Theatre production of the Chekov play at The Guildhall, OSWESTRY, with performances nightly to March 20.
* BANDAMANIA, meetings of the popular folk community orchestra continue at PRESTEIGNE Assembly Rooms at 7.15pm on Mondays. New players are always welcome.
Tuesday, March 16
* OPENING DOORS, start of Wales International Festival of Theatre and Young Audiences on to Saturday, March 20, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre. Includes drama, puppets, comedy and more with dates, times and locations available at www.agordrysau-openingdoors.org
* NEWTOWN MALE VOICE CHOIR, weekly practice on Tuesdays with new members welcome at at the United Reformed Church at 7.30pm.
* BORDER FOLK COMMUNITY NIGHTS, musicians and singers welcome at weekly sessions from 9pm at The Grapes, NEWTOWN.
* RHAYADER JAM, session at The Cornhill Inn every Tuesday from 8pm. Call the pub for confirmation on 01597 810029.
* RHAYADER & DISTRICT MALE VOICE CHOIR, rehearsals held from 8pm every Tuesday at the St Johns Ambulance Building. New CD now on sale at £10 each. Working on annual concert on April 4 at Rhayader Leisure Centre.
Wednesday, March 17
* SOUTH POWYS YOUTH MUSIC CONCERT, at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
* RAPE OF LUCRECE, Olivier award nominated actor Gerard Logan in British Shakespeare Company presentation of Shakespeare’s narrative poem, at Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS.
* GUILSFIELD SINGERS, enterprising local mixed choir’s weekly rehearsals at GUILSFIELD Old School at 7.30pm on Wednesdays, now rehearsing Karl Jenkins's 'Sacred Songs', plus shorter pieces by Haydn, Mendelssohn and Wesley, for their Easter Concert in WELSHPOOL on March 27. For more information on 01938 559612.
* ACOUSTIC SESSIONS, informal folk, blues and jazz every Wednesday from 8.30pm now at the Elephant, LLANIDLOES. Musicians welcome.
* MIND OUT FOR MUSIC, the group behind the El Sueno Existe festivals in Machynlleth, organised fundraising supper at 6.30pm followed by screening of dramatic Chilean film ‘Subterra’ at Y Plas, MACHYNLLETH in aid of the Chilean earthquake appeal. To book contact Tony on 01654 702166.
* LIVE JAZZ, informal music sessions with local musicians at the Dragon Hotel, MONTGOMERY, from 9pm on Wednesdays.
* COR MERCHED MALDWYN, the Montgomeryshire ladies choir weekly rehearsals on Wednesdays at NEWTOWN Evangelical Church at 7.30pm. All choir enquiries to secretary Gay Roberts on 01686 630678 or visit www-cor-Merched-Maldwyn.org.
* OPEN MIC NIGHT, every Wednesday at Norton Manor Hotel, PRESTEIGNE from 8pm. Entry is free and all ages and abilities are welcome. Book a slot call 01547 520843 or email welshmusicevents@yahoo.co.uk
* COMPLETE ORGAN WORKS OF BACH, Richard Walker concert from 5.45pm at St Chad’s Church, SHREWSBURY with free admission.
* HARLEQUIN, back at the Wheatsheaf, SHREWSBURY High Street.
Thursday, March 18
* MOONSTREAM, playing at the Vaults, BISHOPS CASTLE, with free admission.
* THE MUSICIANS OF BREMEN, Rude Mechanical Theatre Company in commedia dell’arte version of the Brothers Grimm tale, at Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS.
* NEWTOWN SILVER BAND, with plans for concert at Theatr Hafren on April 17 with special guests Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd School Choir, practices are at the NEWTOWN Band Room every Thursday from 7.30pm with all welcome, Also Junior Band practices at 6.30pm every Thursday,
* OPEN ACOUSTIC NIGHT, at the Old Post Office, SHREWSBURY.
* TRIO CLASSICO, Music Club season ends with programme of Spanish music for voice, guitar and piano, at WELSHPOOL Methodist Church.
Friday, March 19
* COMEDY CLUB, night hosted at Crystals nightclub, NEWTOWN. Padraig Hyland MCs, with Tom Crane and headliner Andi Osho. Tickets are limited and booking before the night is essential to ensure groups are seated together.
* HICKMAN & QUINN, at The Exchange, NEWTOWN with free admission
* DOG DAYS & LION NIGHTS, Arts Alive bring wildlife photographer Ben Osborne and his show to OSWESTRY Library at 7.30pm.
* THE FUREYS & DAVEY ARTHUR, Irish folk legends return to Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC HALLS BATTLE OF THE BANDS 2010, competition semi finals continue tonight at the new Little Civic venue at The Slade Rooms in Broad Street. Line-ups are online on the website. Last semi-final on March 27. The final will be at Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall on Saturday April 17.
Saturday, March 20
* SONG, MUSIC & STORIES FROM WALES, with storyteller David Ambrose and the group Tabor comprising singer Lynne Denman, harpist Delyth Jenkins and Pete Stacey on pipes and sax, interweaving Welsh folk tales told in English, with songs and music drawing on the Welsh folk tradition and language, at LLANFECHAIN Memorial Hall.
* JOHN HEGLEY, songs and comedy at PRESTEIGNE Assembly Rooms.
* NORTHERN HARMONY WORLD MUSIC CHOIR, at Gwernyfed High School Drama Studio, THREE COCKS, near Brecon, includes singing workshop from 2pm. Call 01497 847676 to book.
Sunday, March 21
* CANOLDIR MALE CHOIR, with soloists tenor Alun Rhys-Jenkins, and mezzo soprano Sian Meinir, plus guest accompanist Bryan Davies, at MINSTERLEY Parish Hall, in Minsterley Eisteddfod weekend concert.
* KRISTA DETOR, the American singer songwriter returns to SHREWSBURY, to run an afternoon songwriting workshop and play an evening concert at The Hive, with her new CD ‘Chocolate Paper Suites’. Contact neil@shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk