Friday, October 30
* PRETTY EYED, PIRATE SMILE, recent video works on show at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre until October 31 by Ellie Rees who was artist in residence at the Centre last autumn. Ellie’s video works are visually lush, and draw the viewer in quickly with their good looks and unobscure references. Her subject matter is art, being an artist, and being a female human in 21st century Britain, producing good looking entertaining films with a needle sharp point. Works can also be viewed on the www.ellierees.co.uk website.
* WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR, selected from 35,000 entries by photographers from around the world, on until November 8, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* KANE & ABEL, magic show at 5pm at SpArC, BISHOPS CASTLE, as part of day of Halloween events.
* JULIE LUCKHURST, paintings exhibition during October at the Happy Gallery, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* DAVID WILSON, black and white photographs of Welsh landscapes, on to November 21 at the Old School Gallery, BLEDDFA near Knighton.
* WASTE RECLAIMED, artists from Llanidloes and Llanfyllin share ideas working with recycled materials with exhibition at the LLANFYLLIN Workhouse Gallery ending this Saturday October 31. Call Emily Morrell, volunteer for Masquerade Llanfyllin Integrated Drama on O7792 181736.
* SABRINA FESTIVAL, at the United Services Club, LLANIDLOES. Lest We Forget charity evening on behalf of Compton’s Yard Trust and the USC. Dance, listen and sing along to great tunes and songs of the 1930s and 40s, performed live, with Tea For Two, Marylin and O.J. with more to be confirmed, from 8pm.
Sabrina Festival is a group of local people committed to promoting local artists, poets, musicians through a wide variety of events to appeal to as many people as possible.
* BOBBY JONES, plus Richie Jones and Johnny Chrystal in country and western night at LLANIDLOES Community Centre, in aid of Centre funds.
* IT’S ONLY NATURAL, last chance to see the art show at the Great Oak Cafe, LLANIDLOES which ends this Saturday. Paintings and prints by Dawn Thornton of Staylittle, and photographic portraits and landscapes by her husband Roy.
* GALLIARD WIND QUARTET, in MACHYNLLETH Music Club concert at Y Tabernacl.
* MUSEUM OF MODERN ART WALES, Ancestor Bags is the major new installation by renowned Australian sculptor weaver Sue Hiley Harris on in the specially darkened upper gallery at MACHYNLLETH until November 28.
Also shows of metal sculpture by Spike Blackhurst, Water Margin by Patti Keane, and portraits from the Tabernacle Collection.
* COUNTRYWORKS GALLERY, the MONTGOMERY venue’s new exhibitions has paintings by Penny Timms on until November 4.
* TALES OF PETER RABBIT, live action stories from the world of Beatrix Potter, at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN, at 1pm and 3.30pm.
* LLEWELLYN CUMINGS, self taught artist living in Llanfyllin with an interest in landscape painting, exhibition on to the end of November at the Theatr Hafren bar gallery, NEWTOWN.
* IF ONLY DUST COULD SPEAK, first major solo exhibition in Wales by the Welsh/German duo Manon Awst and Benjamin Walther, on at Oriel Davies Gallery, NEWTOWN, until November 11.
The In Focus space has Digital Dialogues Net1 Airbrick by Darren Williams and Jason Davies.
Visitors can shape and create new ‘bricks’ in collaboration with the artists to place within the space contributing to an artwork in a constant state of evolution and change.
* SHARON KING & THE NEVER NEVER COWBOYS, back by popular demand as part of their Reckless Angels tour 2009 at PRESTEIGNE Assembly Rooms.
* ALEX ROBERTS, live at the Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.
* PAUL LEAFE & ROSEMARY FAHIMI, exhibitions at The Gallery, West Street, RHAYADER, until November 7 open Fridays, Saturdays and Wednesdays. Bird photographer Paul from Nantmel has shots of many British and European species; while Rosemary lives at Pantydwr and is studying for a degree in fine art at Aberystwyth University. Rosemary’s paintings, etchings and wood engravings reflect her love of the countryside and animals that live in it.
* PITCHPOTS & SWALLOWFORKS, first exhibition at the new RHAYADER Museum and Gallery on until November 29.
* MAD ABOUT THE MUSICALS, joyous celebration of the best of Broadway and the West End with an incredible team of performers and a fabulous band featuring the hits from everybody’s favourite musicals, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* TRINITY, live at the Dun Cow, SHREWSBURY.
Saturday, October 31
* THE IDIOT COLONY, award winning and visually stunning play by Red Cape Theatre based on real life accounts of the treatment and incarceration of ‘moral defectives’ in 1940s England, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* COR MEIBION LLANGWM, with Nerys Brown at CAERSWS Village Hall in Recreation Association concert.
* BLUES AT THE MOUNT, featuring resident Chicago style blues band Stormy Monday, at the Mount Pub, LLANIDLOES. Guest musicians welcome. Free entry, voluntary donation welcome.
* CUCKOO ALE BAND, Children in Need Halloween Ceilidh at LLANYMYNECH Village Hall.
* ROCK, SHOCK, HORROR, live songs from the most outrageous rock and cult musicals featuring the Planet Schmanet band plus award winning female vocalist Louise Martell, and BBC Any Dream Will Do finalist Rob McVeigh, in Halloween treat at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN.
* ST ALBANS CHORAL SOCIETY, playing at St Andrew’s Church, PRESTEIGNE, at 7.30pm. All proceeds to Discoed Church.
* WILLIE & THE BANDITS, at the Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.
* THE NUTCRACKER, Russian State Ballet Academy of Perm in first ever national UK theatre tour date at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY. Tchaikovsky's ballet tells of a rather dejected little girl who is given the gift of a magical Nutcracker doll.
Spellbinding ballet is vividly brought to life on stage by 40 talented young dancers in a performance that captures the refinement and charm of this classical Russian ballet.
* REAL REEL GONE, folk blues and beyond from Pete Beasley on slide guitar, acoustic guitar, dobro and vocals; Al Davies on banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar and vocals; and Dave Haigney on vocals, harmonica, kazoo and percussion, at the Red Lion, TREFEGLWYS.
* SWING COMMANDERS, long awaited return of the Texas swing and lively western music band in Rainbow Records night, with special guest Irish vocalist Jim Reynolds, at WELSHPOOL Town Hall.
* METALICIOS, Halloween night special featuring Midlands metal bands Extreme O.D., I.C.O.N, and DevilDown, at the Raven Inn, WELSHPOOL. “Brutally heavy” Extreme OD’s new three-track CD This is the End will also be available.
Sunday, November 1
* STICK MAN, Scamp Theatre production based on the children’s book by Julia Donaldson, suitable for children aged four and over, at 2.30pm at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* NEWTOWN MALE VOICE CHOIR, new members welcome at weekly practices at the United Reformed Church on Sundays at 7pm.
Monday, November 2
* ABERMULE QUILTERS, following their first ever exhibition in September, the group meets on the first Monday of the month at ABERMULE Community Centre and details can be had from Ann Edwards on 01686 627516.
* THE GLASS MENAGERIE, Clwyd Theatr Cymru’s presentation of Tennessee Williams steamy American stage classic set amid the squalor and passion of a St Louis Tenement in 1937, at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON tonight and at 7.30pm on Tuesday November 3.
* AS I SAW IT, new exhibition by local photographer David Bunyan on show at KNIGHTON Library during November. Pictures of the effects of wind turbines in the landscape above Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian and near Dolfor off the A483.
* 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. Call Kath on 01938 500459.
* FFONIC, community world music band meets for sociable music making on Monday evenings at NEWTOWN. Call Steve for details on 01686 411366 or visit www.ffonic.co.uk
* BANDAMANIA, weekly meetings of the popular folk community orchestra continue at PRESTEIGNE Assembly Rooms at 7.15pm.
* OPEN MIC NIGHT, new singers and acoustic music welcome at The Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.
* CABARET, classic racy musical featuring Wayne Sleep as the emcee, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY. Performances tonight at 7.30pm through to Saturday November 7, plus matinees at 2.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday.
* WELSHPOOL CHORAL SOCIETY, weekly meetings at the Methodist Schoolroom, WELSHPOOL at 7.30pm on Mondays. Contact secretary Johannah Guttridge on 01938 554615.
Tuesday, November 3
* HOT MIKADO, Watermill Theatre’s fast moving updated version of the Gilbert and Sullivan musical classic, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre with 7.30pm show tonight, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday November 7.
* THE BACCHAE, opening night for the Mid Powys Youth Theatre’s bold. exuberant retelling of the compelling Greek tragedy by Euripedes, at Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS, tonight and at 8pm on Wednesday, Thursday. and Friday; and at 12noon and 8pm on Saturday November 7.
* JAM SESSION, 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 performers of all types.
Wednesday, November 4
* ACOUSTIC SESSIONS, informal folk, blues and jazz every Wednesday from 8.30pm now at the Elephant, LLANIDLOES. Musicians welcome.
* LIVE JAZZ, informal music sessions with local musicians at the Dragon Hotel, MONTGOMERY, from 9pm on Wednesdays.
* OPEN MIC NIGHT, every Wednesday at Norton Manor Hotel, PRESTEIGNE from 8pm. Book a slot on 01547 520843.
* TONY SKEGGS, regular at the Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.
* OKLAHOMA!, opening night for Buttington Musical Theatre Company’s new production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein western musical at TREWERN Community Centre with shows at 7.30pm each night to Saturday November 7. Cast includes Doug Skilton, Linda Skilton, Paul Watkins, Tina Lawson, and John Parkinson. Tickets available from Val Jones on 01938 570262, or from Kenton Jones, Church Street, Welshpool on 01938 555666.
* SINGING GROUP, weekly meetings at the Armoury Recreation Centre, WELSHPOOL, at 7.30pm each Wednesday with all welcome. More info ring Bee on 01654 700028.
Thursday, November 5
* SANTA CRUZ RIVER BAND, band from Arizona who perform songs in English, Welsh, Spanish and American Indian languages, at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN.
Friday, November 6
* JETHRO, the Cornish comic legend returns to Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
* THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, Mid Wales Opera nears end of massive British tour with Mozart’s most popular opera with dates at LUDLOW Assembly Rooms tonight and Saturday November 7.
* LLANELLI MALE VOICE CHOIR, in concert at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN.
* THE STRAVINSKY DUO, Dylan Howe and Will Butterworth playing at PRESTEIGNE Assembly Rooms.
Saturday November 7
* ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY WALES CHARITY CONCERT, with opera and classics sung by local young soprano Sarah Jane-Davies and tenor Ben Johnson at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
* PETER COE, folk club stalwart with incidental and additional music by Rees Wesson and friends, at LLANDINAM Village Hall.
* SHOWSTOPPERS, 10th anniversary show at the Albert Hall, LLANDRINDOD WELLS.
* BANKRUPT BRIDE, new musical comedy about a bridal shop owner whose business is on the slide, at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN, starring Vivien Parry from the hit West End production of Mamma Mia.
* TO GET an item included in the What's On listings it must be received by first thing on a Monday morning of that week's publication. Send details to: barry.jones@countytimes.co.uk