Friday, January 28
* NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY WALES, opening their spring tour with double bill of ravishing and enthralling new commissions, “By Singing Light” by hip New York choreographer Stephen Petronic and “Quixoteland” by Netherlands Dance Theatre choreographer Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre, tonight and on Saturday, January 29.
* JANE BOWN: EXPOSURES, exhibition of the photographer’s work over 60 years providing portraits for The Observer, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* ”ROBIN & THE BIG FREEZE”, play for children staged by the Brighton Dome and Festival Theatre, at 6.30pm at the SpArC Theatre, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* STARGAZING EVENT, shooting stars and more at free astronomy event from 5.30pm at the Brecon Beacons Visitor Centre near BRECON. Contact 01874 623366 or email visitor.centre@breconbeacons.org for more details of this event and a similar event planned for Saturday March 5.
* COLEG POWYS THE GREAT TRI-CLASS SHOW, combined group show from adult art classes at Brecon, Llangorse and Hay, at the Theatr Brycheiniog gallery, BRECON, until January 31.
* LOWRI EVANS, the talented singer songwriter and recording artist from Wales, at The Globe, HAY ON WYE.
* MOVING DRAWINGS, work by five artists involved in the Celf o Gwmpas Arts Mentoring Programme, on show to March 8 at the Beaufort Gallery, LLANDRINDOD WELLS.
* ”THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS”, Tanat Theatre’s new musical production of Kenneth Graham’s wonderful story of Toad, Ratty and Mole, at LLANRHAEADR Village Hall with more shows at 7.30pm tonight and Saturday January 28 and 29, and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday February 3, 4 and 5. Call 01691 860497.
* OPEN ART COMPETITION EXHIBITION, at LUDLOW Assembly Rooms to February 13.
* ”THE MAN WHO WALKED THROUGH WALLS”, new Theatr Powys production of Charles Way play set in Paris in the Jazz Age about an ordinary man who discovers he has a special power, on tour until February 26, at Y Plas, MACHYNLLETH, at 7pm tonight.
Also at Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS, on Saturday, January 29; at Canolfan y Banw, LLANGADFAN, on Wednesday, February 2; at Theatr Clera, WELSHPOOL, on Thursday February 3; at CARAD theatre, RHAYADER, on Friday, February 4; and at Ivor Hughes Centre, PRESTEIGNE, on Saturday, February 5.
* MUSEUM OF MODERN ART WALES, exhibitions at the MACHYNLLETH gallery comprise “Cryd-Nine Artists” with work by Jean Napoer, Valerie Land, Mihangel Jones, Jane Whittle, Jay Haddow, Marion Telford, Eileen Harrison, Mary Jones and Gill Everard, on show to February 12.
New exhibitions now open by Susan J. Adams “There Are Receivers in the Woods”, and by Julie Jones.
* DAYLEVEL, at the Lowfield Inn, MARTON.
* STATIK ATTAK, at The Exchange, NEWTOWN.
* BRONWEN STRUGNELL, artist now living in Llanidloes using different media and techniques to try and express the unity in the diversity of creation, with new exhibition on to the end of February at the Theatr Hafren bar gallery, NEWTOWN.
* TEDDY THOMPSON & DAVID FORD, folk stars at The Ironworks, OSWESTRY.
* LES BARKER, monologues, poems and parodies from the entertainer, writer and recording artist now living in Wales, at the Cross Keys, SELATTYN, near Oswestry, with A Short Biography From the Age of Three Until Nearly Teatime Today. Call 01691 650247.
* “THE LAST 5 YEARS”, last performance of the award winning Broadway musical at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* ”THE RAPE OF LUCRECE”, director Gareth Armstrong presents a performance of Shakespeare’s brutal narrative poem, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* ”THE CANAL”, linocuts inspired by the Montgomeryshire Canal and other waterways by Machynlleth artist Ian Phillips, on show until February at the Powysland Museum, WELSHPOOL.
Saturday, January 29
* JUNO AND THE MOOK, at the Golden Lion Hotel, LLANDYSILIO.
* SOUNDBITES, this month’s session at the Great Oak Cafe, LLANIDLOES, features acoustic guitar, ukulele and double bass duo Oj and Amiro, plus Little Hoedown, a Radnorshire-based group of Old Time Appalachian musicians and dancers.
* SOLOISTS OF THE MID WALES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, with programme including works by Vivaldi, Dvorak, Pergolesi and Shostakovich, at CARAD theatre, RHAYADER.
* WYNN TRIO, in Lunchtime Jazz session at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* ”THE LOST FOREST”, magic and mayhem in the rainforest with animal homes at risk as bulldozers and diggers crash their way through trees and foliage in drama for younger audiences, including puppets, shadow theatre and original music, at 2.30pm at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* WELSHPOOL (COLLECTED) LIVE, Halflight, String The Marionette, Andrew Neve, Rob Picken. Moses, Misty Blue Trio, and Rob Dunsford,, all performers from the new Teller Promotions local compilation CD play live at the Raven Inn, WELSHPOOL.
Sunday, January 30
* ABOUT MUSIC PROJECT, free singing and drumming workshops for young people, plus guitar with Jon Crowe, from 2.30pm at the Three Tuns, BISHOPS CASTLE. Book a free place on 01588 638173.
* LAUGHTER LINES COMEDY CLUB, monthly show at the Old Post Office, SHREWSBURY.
Monday, January 31
* SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLASSES, at St Mary’s Church Hall, BUILTH WELLS, from 7.30pm with beginners welcome. Contact Scilla Allaway on 01982 570324 or email scilla.allaway@btinternet.com
* 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.
* CHINESE STATE CIRCUS, live action spectaculars at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday.
* WELSHPOOL CHORAL SOCIETY, rehearsals at the Methodist Churchroom at 7.30pm on Mondays with new members welcome. Currently working on their contribution to the Montgomeryshire County Music Festival at Llanidloes on May 7. For further information contact secretary Johannah Guttridge on 07891445418.
Tuesday, February 1
* RUSSELL KANE, comedian brings his Edinburgh Fringe smash show Smokescreens & Castles, to ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
Also at The Ironworks, OSWESTRY on March 16.
* KNIGHTON TOWN SILVER BAND, rehearsals held at KNIGHTON Church Hall at 7.30pm every Tuesday. Junior Band meets at 6pm. Both bands welcome new members. Contact the secretary Gill Wilson on 01597 824726.
* DANCING IN THE STICKS, classes starting with Latin Dance from 6.45pm at LINGEN Village Hall. Continues February 8 and 15. Register with Lynden Rees-Roberts on 01568 267418.
* ”A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES”, Clwyd Theatr Cymru production of the Dylan Thomas favourite, at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN, tonight and Wednesday, February 2.
Also at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre on Friday and Saturday, February 4 and 5.
* RHAYADER & DISTRICT MALE VOICE CHOIR, all welcome at the annual meeting at 8pm at the St John’s Ambulance Building. rehearsals held from 8pm every Tuesday. Call Graham Benbow on 01547 528286.
Wednesday, February 2
* CREOLE CHOIR OF CUBA, with passionate melodies and wild harmonies by 10 inspiring vocalists in concert at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* ”HOTEL METHUSELAH”, contemporary ghost story from Inherit The Dog, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre, at 6 and 8pm.
* STREETDANCE, weekly classes for ages six to 25, with BBC1 Strictly Dance Fever winner Hollie Robertson, at the SpArC Theatre, BISHOPS CASTLE. Call 01588 630243.
* ACOUSTIC SESSIONS, informal folk, blues and jazz every Wednesday from 8.30pm now at the Elephant, LLANIDLOES. Musicians welcome.
* NEWTOWN MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY, rehearsals for the new adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” held every Wednesday at 7.30pm at NEWTOWN Methodist Church, all welcome.
The Wizard will be staged at Theatr Hafren from March 30 to April 2.
* MALDWYN STRINGS, meeting at NEWTOWN High School on a Wednesday night fortnightly during term time from tonight. The string ensemble play a wide variety of serious music from the baroque period right up to the present day. They are led by String Tutor Mark Purdy and have around 15 regular players drawn from a wide catchment area. They perform at two or three concerts per year, usually with other musicians taking part in the programme. New string players are always welcome. Contact Julie Turner on 01686 626442.
Thursday, February 3
* ”KING LEAR”, live high definition satellite screening of the Donmar Warehouse production of the Shakespeare tragedy with Derek Jacobi in the lead role, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre, at 6.45pm.
* OPEN MIC, at The Vaults, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* PLANT PORTRAITS, painting workshops with botanical illustrator Moya Davern, at the Hall Barn, BLEDDFA. Continues February 10 and 24. Call 01970 621580.
* DRAMA IN THE BAR, monthly informal readings led by local actor Ian Milton, at 7.30pm at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON with free entry.
* SPIRIT OF PLACE, photographer Liz Fleming-Williams and sound recordist Simon Fraser launch their new DVD with a screening of Gwesyn, a 30 minute sequence of still images with surround sound, tracing the journey of the river Gwesyn, at the Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS.
* GUILSFIELD SINGERS, enterprising local mixed choir’s weekly rehearsals at GUILSFIELD Old School move to Thursdays from today at 7.30pm. Currently rehearsing Vivaldi's 'Gloria', which they will perform on May 14, along with shorter pieces by Pergolesi and Samuel Barber. After that they have their annual Supper Concert on July 2, with the theme 'Favourites Old and New'. For more information ring 01938 559612.
* CANTORION SINGERS, local choir with rehearsals on Thursdays from 8pm at the Powys Dance Centre, LLANDRINDOD WELLS. Postponed winter concert with soloists, the Irfon Singers, and the Herefordshire Chamber Orchestra, now rescheduled for March 12 at Llandrindod Wells Pavilion.
* NEWTOWN SILVER BAND, practises at the NEWTOWN Band Room every Thursday from 7.30pm with all welcome. Also Junior Band practises at 6.30pm every Thursday,
* JOE LONGTHORNE, rescheduled October date for the entertainer at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
Friday, February 4
* JAKE & ELWOOD, Blues Brothers show at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
Saturday, February 5
* THE BON JOVI EXPERIENCE, tribute to the New Jersey rock band, at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN.
* ORIEL DAVIES GALLERY, official opening of new exhibition at the NEWTOWN venue featuring “Fables from a New World: the life and times of T. H. Thomas, as Imagined by Jennie Savage”,
LIFE DRAWING, the gallery starts new season of creative and relaxed sessions on Saturday mornings with new Life Drawing tutor Andy McIntyre.
* GYLES BRANDRETH, the witty author, actor. presenter and politician, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
Monday, February 7
* BRECKNOCK YFC ASSOCIATION, opening of the 64th Entertain and One Plus Festival week at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
Saturday, February 12
* ”HAMLET”, brand new production portraying Shakespeare’s definitive tragedy of justice and revenge, with Icarus Theatre Collective cutting the original text down to around two and a half hours, bringing vividly to life some of literature’s most vibrant language and characters, at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN.
* ZOOT MONEY BIG ROLL BAND, rescheduled date for the rock night at WORTHEN Village Hall which was one of the casualties of the snow in December.
Promoters Stone Circle also line up Rubee and the Rockets in support. Original tickets remain valid or call Ian Franklin on 07855 250213.
Panto Parade
* THE members of the LLANDRINDOD WELLS Theatre Company stage “Dick Whittington” at the Albert Hall at 7.30pm today Friday, January 28; and at 2.30 and 7.30pm this Saturday.
Abi Evans takes on the lead role after playing a rat in a production of the show they staged 10 years ago. The show is directed by Keith Davies and nearly 40 people are involved in the production.
* BRECON drama company The Westenders stage the last of their eight panto shows of “Robin Hood” at the town’s Theatr Brycheiniog, at 7pm tonight Friday, January 28, and ar 2pm and 7pm on Saturday, January 29.
* PONTESBURY Players opened with the Martin Jones pantomime “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at PONTESBURY Public Hall on Wednesday night and there are more shows today and Saturday, January 29.
* KNIGHTON’S Teme Spirits open next Thursday, February 3, with their production of King Arthur’s Adventures in Camelot, by Paul Reekes, with more shows on Friday and Saturday, February 4 and 5 at 7.30pm at the Community Centre.
Ian Sharp will play Arthur with Stephen Pearson as Merlin and Helen Wyles as Morgana. Producer is Carol Pigram and tickets are available from the Knighton Bookshop.
* THE Castle Players will be back at the SpArC Theatre, BISHOPS CASTLE on February 24, 25 and 26 with their production of “Captain Hook’s Revenge”. Tickets will be on sale soon on 01588 630243.
* THE Llanfair Players’ 2011 production “No Place Like Rome” will come to the stage at LLANFAIR CAEREINION Institute on Friday and Saturday, February 25 and 26.
* TO include your local production in these listings email: barry.jones@countytimes.co.uk