Friday. October 24

BRECON BAROQUE FESTIVAL, following September's Music for Baroque Strings concert, violinist Rachel Podger returns to Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON, and other venues in the town to present this year's weekend festival, opening with Festival Choral Evensong at Brecon Cathedral from 5.45pm today with the Cathedral Choir and the Brecon Baroque Festival Emsemble performing choral and instrumenal music by Henry Purcell and his teacher John Blow.

The festival continues with The Baroque Ball at Bishop's Meadow from 7.30pm today; and with a recital featuring Alison McGillivray and Gary Cooper at St. Mary's Church on Saturday night.

Theatr Brycheiniog also hosts concerts with Rachel Podger and Friends playing on Sunday night; and Rachel directing a specially assembled baroque orchestra on Monday night.

Rachel Podger runs an international summer school at Brecon with some of the brightest young musical talents in the world coming from as far afield as Turkey, South Africa, Denmark and Sweden.

ANGELO DEBARRE QUARTET, with leading gypsy guitarist and jazz violin superstar Christian Garrick, at Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS.

ARTHUR EBELING, return of the Dutch blues player on autumn tour at the White Horse Inn, CLUN

Also at the Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE on Tuesday, October 28' The Bull, SHREWSBURY on October 29; at Scholars, ABERYSTWYTH on October 31; and the Courtyard, HEREFORD on November 1.

BECK SIAN, MICHELLE CHANBDLEY & JANETTE GERI, three Australian songwriters and musician performing individually and together at MEIFOD Parish Church.

GENTRICORUM, award winning Canadian folk band supported by Calan, the exciting five-piece Welsh traditional band who have just recorded their first album on the Sain label, playing live double bill at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN.

THE DOUBTFUL GUEST, live music at the Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.

Saturday October 25

RICH HALL/OTIS LEE CRENSHAW, the American comedian and his redneck country creation at ABERYSYWYTH Arts Centre.

Also at SHREWSBURY Music Hall on Sunday October 26.

COR MEIBION DYFI, with north Wales singer Trystan Lewis, at CAERSWS Village Hall.

EMMA & THE PROFESSOR, energetic and captivating folk music at The Sun Inn, CLUN.

ABERHONDDU & DISTRICT MALE CHOIR, with supporting artists at DOLFOR Community Hall, with proceeds to Cedewain School.

RHAYADER & DISTRICT MALE VOICE CHOIR. performing concert with harpist Menna Breeze plus Ian and Roland Davies, from 7.30pm at PRESTEIGNE Baptist Church.

BELLOWHEAD, legendary folk band at SHREWSBURY Buttermarket.

GOLDFRAPP, the enigmatic electronic folk rock band characterized by Alison Goldfrapp's distinctive breathy, soft vocals, play live at WOLVERHAMPTON Civic Hall.

Sunday, October 26

BOY GEORGE, finally returning to live shows with all the hits live at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.

Monday, October 27

OPEN MIC NIGHT, new singers and acoustic music welcome at The Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.

Tuesday, October 28

JAM SESSION, with all musicians welcome every Tuesday from 9pm at the Black Boy Hotel, NEWTOWN.

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 for musicians, writers and performers of all types. Check with pub first on 01597 810029.

Wednesday, October 29

MARI WILSON, beehive queen of retro pop is back with her catchy iconic hits from the 1980s and her Platinum Collection CD playing live with her 12-piece band The Wilsonettes at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.

ACOUSTIC SESSIONS, informal folk, blues and jazz every Wednesday from 8.30pm at the Red Lion, LLANIDLOES. Musicians welcome.

LIVE JAZZ, informal music sessions with local musicians at the Dragon Hotel, MONTGOMERY, from 9pm on Wednesdays.

TONY SKEGGS, regular at the Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.

Thursday, October 30

TRIO NAATYASHWORA, three of Nepal's finest traditional musicians touring Wales in their first performances outside the sub-continent, with Wales Arts Council Night Out scheme supporting this rare chance for Westerners to experience Nepali culture, at the Tabernacle Arts Centre, MACHYNLLETH tonight.

Also at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON on Friday October 31.

NEWTOWN SILVER BAND, with their new CD "Adventures in Brass", practices at the NEWTOWN Band Room every Thursday from 7.30pm. Junior Band practice at 6.30pm.

RICHARD DIGANCE, musical comedian live at SHREWSBURY Buttermarket.