Friday, February 19
* SCARECROW, community tour by the region’s professional drama company Theatr Powys with a passionate, humorous and intensely human play for children and their families, written by Chris Cooper, at the Morlan, ABERYSTWYTH, at 7pm tonight, call 01970 617996 for tickets.
Last local dates are ERWOOD Market Hall on Saturday, February 20, call 01982 560616; Canolfan y Banw LLANGADFAN on Tuesday, February 23, call 01938 820261; MACHYNLLETH Community Centre on Wednesday, February 24, call 01654 702571; CARAD Rhayader on Thursday, February 25, call 01597 610192; and LLANDRINDOD WELLS Drama Centre on Saturday, February 27, call 01597 824444.
* THE MANFREDS, Paul Jones and Mike D’Abo in new line up of the 1960s chart legends, live at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* HMS PINAFORE, Showtrime Singers production of the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre tonight and at 2.30 and 7.30pm on Saturday, February 20.
* BABES IN THE WOOD, Castle Players pantomime in the SpArC Theatre, BISHOPS CASTLE at 7pm tonight and Saturday, February 20, and 2.30pm matinee on Saturday.
Traditional pantomime with a well-loved mix of goodies and baddies, songs and dance, slapstick and audience participation. Call 01588 630321 to book a seat.
* WINTER WARMERS, exhibition of English crafts on until the end of the month at The Gallery, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* THREE BONZOS & A PIANO, madcap Bonzo Dog Band veterans Roger Ruskin Spear, Rodney Slater and Sam Spoons team up with super-pianist Dave Glasson and the odd guest to create more fun, music and subversive diversion, at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
* LOST IN PANTOLAND, Llanfair Town Players are back with another popular panto for 2010, opening tonight at LLANFAIR CAEREINION Institute, and also at 7.30pm on Saturday, February 20.
Features a host of panto favourites from ‘Jack and his Beanstalk’ to ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Cinderella’, not to mention the ‘Seven Vertically Challenged People’. The show is written by local writer Clive Hopwood and directed by Pauline Bennett. Tickets from Norma Moore on 01938 811330.
* MUSEUM OF MODERN ART WALES, new exhibitions feature works by Peter Rossiter and the Cambrian Arts Society’s annual exhibition on until February 20; and The Circle Squared by Antonia Spowers and Bill Swann until February 27, at MACHYNLLETH.
* TIME AND TIME AGAIN, new Newtown Amateur Dramatic Society’s production of the Alan Ayckbourn comedy, at the Powys Theatre, NEWTOWN with last performances at 7.45pm tonight and Saturday February 20.
* MONTGOMERYSHIRE YFC DRAMA FESTIVAL, last nights of triennial competitions continue until Saturday, February 20, at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN.
* OK BROTHER, acoustic guitar duo live at The Exchange, NEWTOWN, with free admission.
* ORIEL DAVIES GALLERY, two 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 WINTER’S TALE, Youth Theatre production of the Shakespeare comedy, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY tonight and Saturday February 20.
Also at the SpArC Theatre, BISHOPS CASTLE on Thursday, February 25.
* PAUL PARKER & ALL THE RIGHT FRIENDS, at the Bull Inn, SHREWSBURY.
Saturday, February 20
* THE RARE ONE, musical extravaganza 9pm to 3am over three stages with a stellar line-up of internationally renowned DJs, live bands and local DJs at ABERYSTWYTH.
* AMAZON CHARITY GIG, in aid of the rainforest’s Ashaninca tribe. with music by Garibaldi, Driftwood, Son of Portslade and others from 7pm at Three Tuns, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* 13th ANNUAL RORKE’S DRIFT CONCERT, this year celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Cadet Force movement, at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
* CARA DILLON, 2010 Folk Awards folk singer of the year finalist. at LUDLOW Assembly Rooms.
* CHRIS GRANT & DAVID WRIGHT, playing cello and harpsichord at PRESTEIGNE Assembly Rooms. Programme will include Bach's cello suites and Goldberg Variations.
* RHAYADER MUSEUM & GALLERY, new pictures of the Holy Wells of Wales, by south Wales photographer Phil Cope, on until April 12. Opening hours now Thursday to Saturday 10am - 4pm and Sunday 2 - 4pm. To find out more visit: www.carad.org.uk
The postponed ‘Holy Wells...on the road’ evening of inspiring stories, myths and poems, with Phil Cope accompanied by guitarist Carlton Bunce, takes place tonight, Saturday, February 20, at 7.30pm.
* BARBARA DICKSON, singer and musical actress in performance at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC HALLS BATTLE OF THE BANDS 2010’s first semi finals tonight at the new Little Civic venue at The Slade Rooms in Broad Street, includes the former Aberystwyth student trio PeopleAreThings.
The rescheduled remaining heat takes place this Sunday and semi-finals continue next Friday, February 26, and March 19 and 27.
Sunday, February 21
* COURTNEY PINE, jazz saxophonist back touring with his critically acclaimed Transition in Tradition album set, plays at the Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS.
* HOW THE KOALA LEARNT TO HUG, children’s show at 2.30pm at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* SEVERN JESTERS, comedy night at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* NATIONAL YOUTH TRAINING CHOIR OF WALES, 65 of the principality's finest young musicians perform at St Mary's Church, WELSHPOOL, including world premiere of Bendith ('Blessing') by the renowned Welsh composer, Mervyn Burtch, as part of 90 minute programme with something for all the family.
Monday, February 22
* FOLK CLUB SINGAROUND, at the Admiral Rodney, CRIGGION.
* 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. 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
* BANDAMANIA, meetings of the popular folk community orchestra continue at PRESTEIGNE Assembly Rooms at 7.15pm on Mondays.
* OPEN MIC NIGHT, new singers and acoustic music welcome at The Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.
Tuesday, February 23
* CERI WILLIAMS, plays flugelhorn and trumpet with the Dave Jones trio in jazz night at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
* NEWTOWN MALE VOICE CHOIR, weekly practice now on Tuesdays with new members welcome 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 first for confirmation on 01597 810029.
* RHAYADER & DISTRICT MALE VOICE CHOIR, rehearsals held from 8pm every Tuesday at the St Johns Ambulance Building. Call Graham Benbow, press officer, on 01547 528286 for more details.
* CROESI’R RUBICON, Theatr Bara Caws present the latest in a series of tongue in cheek Welsh language thrillers by Valmai Jones, at Neuadd TALYBONT, near Aberystwyth.
Wednesday, February 24
* CIRCUS OF HORRORS - DAY OF THE DEAD MEXICANO, back rocking-and-a-shocking with a brand new show at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON. Set in Mexico during the early 1900s, the cast of chaos-mongers transport the body of their doyen Dr Haze to a remote area. Unbeknown to them, they settled in a former burial ground of Aztec warriors where they join the local inhabitants’ Day of the Dead rituals to try and revive their esteemed leader. Set against the backdrop of an old ruined Aztec temple, witch-doctors, voodoo acrobats, pickled people, bendy bodies, demon dwarfs, and flying chained vampires erupting from tanks of blood to perform their blood curdling stunts.
Also at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN on Friday, February 26.
* 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 Call Brian on 01938 850659.
* GUILSFIELD SINGERS, enterprising local mixed choir’s weekly rehearsals at GUILSFIELD Old School at 7.30pm on Wednesdays, now rehearsing for their Easter Concert in Welshpool on March 27. For more information ring 01938 559612.
* ACOUSTIC SESSIONS, informal folk, blues and jazz every Wednesday from 8.30pm now at the Elephant, LLANIDLOES. Musicians welcome.
* LIVE JAZZ, informal music sessions at the Dragon Hotel, MONTGOMERY, from 9pm on Wednesdays.
* SEAN HUGHES, former regular Never Mind the Buzzcocks team captain who returned to stand-up last year brings his hit live show What I Meant to Say Was.. to Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN.
* COR MERCHED MALDWYN, the Montgomeryshire ladies choir weekly rehearsals on Wednesdays at NEWTOWN Evangelical Church at 7.30pm. Now rehearsing for concerts starting at GUILSFIELD on Saturday, March 6. 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. Book a slot on 01547520843.
* TONY SKEGGS, regular musician at the Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.
* MARTIN SIMPSON, celebrated folk player, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* HARMONY SINGING CLUB, new series of fortnightly meetings at the United Church, New Street, WELSHPOOL at 7.30pm.
Also fortnightly meetings at 7.30pm on Thursdays at the United Reform Church, NEWTOWN. Call Dee on 01654 700028 for more information.
Thursday, February 25
* THE DEMON HEADMASTER, opening for Youth Theatre production of the popular children’s book, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre tonight, and on Friday and Saturday, February 26 and 27, at 7.30pm.
* WHOLE LOTTA LED, mighty Led Zeppelin tribute show at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* NEWTOWN SILVER BAND, with plans for concert at Theatr Hafren on Saturday, April 17, practice at the NEWTOWN Band Room every Thursday from 7.30pm with all welcome. Also Junior Band practices at 6.30pm every Thursday,
* TIM VINE, king of the one-liners and star of BBC1 comedy Not Going Out at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* NORTH POWYS DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY, meeting with talk by landscape gardener Keir Davidson on the Saihoji Moss Garden of Kyoto, at the Royal Oak Hotel, WELSHPOOL, at 8pm.
Friday, February 26
* INAUGURAL RECITAL GALA NIGHT, Paul Derrett, one of Britain’s top organist, plays the rebuilt Compton Pipe Organ, at 7pm at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, BLEDDFA near Knighton, in preparation for the Singing Festival of Welsh Hymns for St David’s Day, featuring a choir of 100 Welsh Voices, at 7pm on Sunday, February 28.
* THE HOT DOTS, So & So Circus Theatre presents award-winning Lauren Hendry and Kaveh Rahnama, in a passionate love story, at Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS.
* LLANFAIR CAEREINION MALE VOICE CHOIR, singing in aid of Llandysilio Church at 7.30pm. in FOUR CROSSES Village Centre. Tickets £6 from Arwel on 01938 830248 or Carol on 831008.
* MACHYNLLETH MUSIC CLUB, welcomes Welsh pianist Llyr Williams and violinist Cerys Jones, at Y Tabernacl.
* PRESTEIGNE CONCERT, John Beddoes School sixth form fund raiser towards a trip to Gambia, at the Methodist Church, including Marion Rowlatt, Concordia, Ruth Watson, Loxley and The John Beddoes School Choir and Wind Band.
Saturday, February 27
* NOTHING UP MY SLEEVE, Ian Keable’s one-man magical show at LINGEN Village Hall, with optional meal available at 6.30pm.
* THE BLACK DYKE BAND, national championship winners and the most recorded band in the world, in concert at Theatr Hafren, NEWTOWN.
Sunday, February 28
* THE ENGLEFIELD TRIO, David Lewis (Violin/Viola) , Nicholas Shipman (clarinet) and Stefan Hofkes (piano) play works by Bruch, Dvorak, Finzi, Katchaturian and Gershwin, at the Knighton and District Concert Society date at St Edward's Hall, KNIGHTON at 3pm.
* SEND your items for What’s On to: barry.jones@countytimes.co.uk