Friday, November 20
* FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD, Youth Theatre production of the Thomas Hardy classic at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre at 7.30pm tonight, Friday and Saturday November 21.
* WINTER CRAFT & GIFT FAIR, open at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre until December 23.
* MOONFLEET, bursting with live music, larger than life puppets and laughter as Arts Alive present Angel Exit Theatre’s new show telling the tale of a straggling gang of hilarious buffoons washed up onto the rugged shores of a ghost village, and conspire to spin the yarn of a young boy’s quest to find Blackbeard’s lost treasure, for ages eight and over at the SpArC Theatre, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* DAVID WILSON, black and white photographs of Welsh landscapes, on to November 21 at the Old School Gallery, BLEDDFA near Knighton.
* JACK & THE BEANSTALK, the pantomime season starts with the annual visit by the Owen Money Theatre Company to Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON, featuring Mike Doyle and a cast of favourites in a new song and laughter packed show, Final public performances at 7pm today and at 2 and 7pm on Saturday and at 2 and 5pm on Sunday November 2.
* JASON COOK: FEAR, the comedian’s new touring show opening a door to a realm of hilarious admissions that most of us keep inside, at the Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS.
* AS I SAW IT, exhibition by local photographer David Bunyan on show at KNIGHTON Library during November. Pictures of the effects of wind turbines in the landscape.
* THE THRILLBILLIES, Midlands country and western duo in Rainbow Records show at LLANDRINIO Village Hall, with special guest Chrissy Byrne, formerly of Blue Orchard.
* CHRISTMAS CRAFTS, annual show at Minerva Arts Centre, LLANIDLOES. Running 10.30am to 4.30pm daily, except Sundays, until Christmas Eve. Open until 7.30pm Saturday, November 28 for Llanidloes Christmas Lights Night.
* 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 other shows of metal sculpture by Spike Blackhurst, Water Margin by Patti Keane, and portraits from the Tabernacle Collection.
* COUNTRYWORKS GALLERY, Christmas exhibitions at the MONTGOMERY venue. Featured artists include Judith Moy, Michael Edmonds, Anna Ravenscroft. Tony Caplin and David Wiley, with special appearance by RoboSanta, and Scandinavian decorations, Open every day to Christmas Eve.
* EDDY GARTRY at The Exchange, NEWTOWN with free admission.
* 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.
* BALTHAZAR’S BIZARRE BAZAAR. exhibition for Christmas gifts at the Workhouse Studio Gallery, PRESTEIGNE until December 22.
* PITCHPOTS & SWALLOWFORKS, first exhibition at the new RHAYADER Museum and Gallery on until November 29.
* SILHOUETTE, new musical play by Chris Eldon Lee based on stories of workers at Shrewsbury's world famous swimsuit and underwear factory, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY, with final shows at 7pm tonight and at 2.30 and 7pm on Saturday November 21.
* CHRIS WOOD’S HANDMADE LIFE, debut of English folk scene giant’s new band at start of national tour, with BBC Folk Award nominated Mawkin:Causley, and Lauren McCormick’s trio, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
Saturday, November 21
* CASTLE ARTISTS, new exhibition open from 11am at the Three Tuns, BISHOPS CASTLE today, Sunday and Monday.
* SONGS FROM TWO WORLD WARS, given by the Parlour Consort at BUILTH WELLS Primary School at 7pm, presented by Builth Wells Committee, in aid of Cancer Research.
* BRECON & RADNOR GUILD OF SPINNERS & WEAVERS, workshop day from 10am at Riverside Community Centre, BUILTH WELLS. Call Joan on 01544 340693 or Yvonne on 01597 810937.
* THE MUSIC OF JOHN MARTYN, Keith James and Rick Foot return with their latest tribute show to the Scottish singer with the seductive guitar style and enigmatic voice who died last January, together with songs by Nick Drake, Sandy Denny and Davy Graham, at the Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS.
* EDDIE GARTRY & NUCLEAR WEASELS, from 6pm at CHURCHSTOKE Community Hall in aid of Churchstoke FC’s new stand project.
* FOLK EVENING, songs, stories, tunes and drama with the Llandinam Village Band plus special guest Guto Dafis, at GARTH Village Hall near Builth Wells.
* NORTH POWYS YOUTH ORCHESTRA, at 7pm, in LLANIDLOES High School with music to be performed to include the first movement on Beethoven's 5th Symphony, The Overture to The Magic Flute and music from Star Wars.
* SOUNDBITES, first birthday celebration at the Great Oak Cafe, LLANIDLOES, headlined by Emma & the Professor with Emma Heath playing border sounds with world influences. Support acts are Sammy Smith from Presteigne with acoustic guitar, and Bung Bungs, a feisty quirky trio of women from Aberystwyth singing acapella.
* RIDGEWAY ARTISTS, Christmas Exhibition open at KERRY Village Hall today 12noon to 5pm, and Sunday November 22, 11am to 4pm.
* THE CORY BAND, Rhondda Valley ensemble celebrate 125th anniversary year with concert at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN.
* BEYOND PATTERN, opening of new exhibition on until January 27, exploring the cultural meanings of pattern, through exhibition, commission, publication and debate, at the Oriel Davies Gallery, NEWTOWN.
The In Focus space is renamed Test Bed to reflect encouragement of more experimental use of the gallery space and its first exhibition is Alex Duncan’s Eocene inspired by the fragility and power of the natural world.
* STEADY EDDIE & THE BOOGIE MEN, playing at The Royal Oak, PRESTEIGNE.
* STEPHEN K.AMOS: THE FEELGOOD FACTOR, third solo stand-up comedy tour date at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
Sunday, November 22
* LLANFAIR MALE VOICE CHOIR, in Pastorate concert at ABERMULE Community Centre.
* BURGLER BILL, musical version of the popular children’s book presented by Pandora’s Box Theatre Company at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre at 2.30pm.
* RHYMES & TELLS, tall tales, short stories, myths and legends, jests and jokes, poetry and poems, raps and rhyme, tales of the unexpected, mystery and mayhem, sonnets and song, monologues and the spoken word, all at the Six Bells, BISHOPS CASTLE at 8pm. Free open session.
* THE NUTCRACKER, European Ballet present the most magical and enchanting of all fairy stories with music by Tchaikovsky in two act classical ballet at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN, with pupils of the Glyn Hafren School of Dance, shows at 2.30 and 6.20pm.
Call 01743 460492 for details of new dance school classes at Newtown on Mondays and Bettws Cedewain on Thursdays.
Monday, November 23
* SKELLIG award-winning children’s book brought to the stage by Birmingham Stage Company at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON, with performances tonight and on Thursday and Friday November 27 prior to a London season. Tells the story of 10-year-old Michael, who finds a creature hiding in his garage. Includes music by composer Jak Poore from Llandrindod Wells.
* SING YOUR HEART OUT, singing group meeting on Mondays at 7pm at MEIFOD Village Hall for all ages and abilities. Call Kath on 01938 500459.
l 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
* WELSHPOOL CHORAL SOCIETY, weekly meetings at the Methodist Schoolroom, WELSHPOOL at 7.30pm on Mondays. Working on Christmas concerts with a programme of seasonal items starting at LEIGHTON Church on Sunday November 29.
Tuesday, November 24
* JAM SESSION, with all musicians welcome every Tuesday from 9pm at the Black Boy Hotel, NEWTOWN.
* RHAYADER JAM, session at The Cornhill Inn every Tuesday from 8pm for performers of all types. Call for confirmation on 01597 810029.
Wednesday, November 25
* EDWARD II, folk roots band return to the stage after a 10 year absence to launch their new Definitive Collection album, with date at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* STARKADDER, Spoken Word Society’s informal gathering for storytellers, poets, and anectdonists, held at the Red Lion, CASTLE CAEREINION. All welcome to participate or just listen.
* OUT OF ORDER, opening night for Guilsfield Amateur Dramatic Society with new production of the Ray Cooney farce at GUILSFIELD Community Centre with further shows at 7.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 28. Tickets available from Welshpool Jewellers or from Liz on 01938 553379 or Sarah on 01938 500627.
* GUILSFIELD SINGERS, mixed choir’s weekly rehearsals at GUILSFIELD Old School at 7.30pm on Wednesdays. Now working on Christmas concerts of old and new carols in December. Call the secretary on 01938 559612.
* ACOUSTIC SESSIONS, informal folk, blues and jazz every Wednesday from 8.30pm now at the Elephant, LLANIDLOES. Musicians welcome.
* JEFF CLIFFSON DUO, Country and Western stalwart returns to headline Rainbow Records show at MIDDLETOWN Village Hall, Former BBC Radio Shropshire presenter Mike Breeze is compere and Stevie ‘J’ Kramer will open up the show.
* 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 26
* THE ART OF CATASTROPHE, Rachel Blackman stars in a poetic, dark and wryly funny piece of solo performance at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* ILLEGAL EAGLES, The Long Road Tour date for the popular tribute band at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE, London Classic Theatre Company present a darkly comic tale set in the mountains of Connemara of Maureen Folan, a plain, lonely woman in her early 40s, and Mag, her manipulative, ageing mother, at Wyeside, BUILTH WELLS. When Mag interferes in Maureen’s first and possibly final chance of a loving relationship, a train of events is set in motion that leads inexorably towards the play’s terrifying finale. Not recommended for children under 14.
* TUNE CLUB, from 7pm at DOLANOG Community Centre for those wishing to learn and swap Welsh folk tunes. Last Tune Club for 2009 will be on December 10. More details on 01938 810626 or e-mail garynortheast@tiscali.co.uk
* SIOE NADOLIG CYW, Cyw’s Christmas Show 45 minute performance for children at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN at 1pm.
* NORTH POWYS DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY, Glynis and Brian Radford present Music for Medieval Christmas with their unique collection of early musical instruments, from 8pm at the Royal Oak, WELSHPOOL.
* SLAPPY & LOOSE, fortnightly Open Mic Night at the Pheasant Inn, WELSHPOOL hosted by Luke Day and Dan Eldon with all musicians and music lovers welcome. Starts at 8pm.
Friday, November 27
* HALFWAY HOUSE MALE VOICE CHOIR, in concert at BELAN Community Hall near Welshpool.
* EDDY GARTRY & BLUES STATE UK, with special guests including Amsterdam’s legendary rock band Old Tennis Shoes, at the Old New Inn, LLANFYLLIN.
* BENJI KIRKPATRICK, one of the leading members of Bellowhead plays gig at LYDBURY NORTH Village Hall.
* VOICE OF SINATRA, Jim McAllister returns with the music of ol’ blue eyes, at Revells Restaurant, WELSHPOOL.
Saturday, November 28
* PERFECT ALIBI, classic Pink Floyd tribute band at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
* COR MERCHED MALDWYN, the Montgomeryshire ladies choir in concert at BUCKNELL Memorial Hall in aid of hall funds.
* CHRISTMAS CHARITY DANCE, bringing together two Newtown favourite bands Trensetts and Off the Record, playing on the same bill for the first time ever, at the Elephant and Castle Hotel, NEWTOWN.
* IS EVERYONE OK, Joel Harwood play at PRESTEIGNE Assembly Rooms at 8pm. A brutally honest combination of explosive comedy and tragedy was written by Joel who has Presteigne family connections. It has strong language and an adult theme.
* SHERRI. country and western singer from Pembrokeshire, at the Elan Valley Hotel,near RHAYADER.
Sunday, November 29
* CATHERINE MASCLELLAN, Canadian solo folk singer songwriter returns to the UK for tour with new album Water in the Ground, at the Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.
* TO GET an item included in the What’s On listings email barry.jones@countytimes.co.uk