What’s On - Music - October 22 onwards

Oct 20 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

MUSIC

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22

CHESTER: Andrew Millinchip, Head of Music at the Grange School, Hartford, plays music by Bach and Elgar in his lunchtime organ recital in Chester Cathedral at 1.10pm. Retiring collection.

LIVERPOOL: Bryn Terfel presents a recital of songs with piano at the Philharmonic Hall in Hope Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £50-£20. Ring 0151 709 3789 or visit www.liverpoolphil.com.

MANCHESTER: The Halle, conducted by Markus Stenz with soloist Viviane Hagner (violin), perform works by Mendelssohn, Brahms and Mozart at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £36-£9.50. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

WIRRAL: John O’Connell, former member of Liverpool band Groundpigs, in concert at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight at 7.30pm. Tickets £12, concessions £10. Ring 0151 643 8757 or visit www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23

MANCHESTER: RAF in concert, presented by Alan Dedicoat and featuring Flying Officer Matthew Little and singer Emma Kershaw at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £19.50-£13.50. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24

CHESTER: The massed male voices of the City of Chester Male Voice Choir, Dorset Police Male Voice Choir, Shrewsbury Male Voice Choir with soloist Ros Evans (soprano), in concert at Chester Cathedral at 7.30pm. Ring 01244 349931 for details.

LIVERPOOL: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Shi-Yeon Sung with soloist Xuefei Yang (guitar), perform works by Bernstein, Stephen Goss and Bartok at the Philharmonic Hall in Hope Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £34-£11. Ring 0151 709 3789 or visit www.liverpoolphil.com.

LIVERPOOL: The Guinness Liverpool Irish Festival presents Irish singer-songwriter Andy White at the Philharmonic Hall in Hope Street at 8.30pm. Tickets £10. Ring 0151 709 3789 or visit www.liverpoolphil.com.

MANCHESTER: Milapfest presents Partha Bose (sitar) and Sanju Sahai (tabla) at the Bridgewater Hall at 2pm. Tickets £8, concessions £6. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Pablo Heras-Casado with soloist Alban Gerhardt (cello), perform works by Mendelssohn, Dvorak and Beethoven at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £31-£9. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

RUNCORN: Highfield Male Voice Choir Celebrity Concert with guests Manchester Youth Soul Choir at The Brindley in High Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £8 adults, £4 children. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

RUNCORN: Rewire Unplugged Gig - a special ‘unplugged’ event showcasing bands from The Brindley’s under 18’s Rewire Workshops at The Brindley in High Street from 6.30-10pm. Tickets £3. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25

MANCHESTER: The Halle, conducted by Markus Stenz with soloist Viviane Hagner (violin), perform works by Mendelssohn, Brahms and Mozart at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £36-£9.50. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

MOLD: Celebrity Classical Concert Season continues with pianist Nikolai Demidenko performing works by Schumann, Chopin and Mozart in the Anthony Hopkins Theatre at Clwyd Theatr Cymru at 7.30pm. Tickets £15.50, concessions £13.50. Ring 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26

CHIRK: The Chester & North-East Wales Organists' & Choirmasters' Association visits St. Mary's Church, Chirk, at 7.30pm for a talk about and a demonstration of the enlarge pipe organ. Retiring collection.

MANCHESTER: An evening with Ludovico Einaudi - The Nightbook Tour - a musical meditation on the transition between light and darkness, the known and the unknown at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £24-£19. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27

CHESTER: Lunchtime concert featuring Michael Shennan (oboe) at 12.45pm. Tickets £2.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28

CHESTER: Chester Music Society Club holding An Evening of Music for clarinet, tenor and piano featuring Stewart Armstrong (tenor), John Gough (piano) and Karen Slack (clarinet) at St Mary’s Centre at 7.30pm. Club members free, non-members £4. Ring 0151 339 5219.

CREWE: The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, led by Chris Dean, at the Lyceum Theatre in Heath Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £16.50, concessions £1 off. Ring 01270 537333 or visit www.lyceumtheatre.net.

MANCHESTER: Lunchtime concert featuring The Tippett Quartet performing works by Korngold and Dvorak at the Bridgewater Hall at 1.10pm. Tickets £8, concessions £6. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: Violinist Nicola Benedetti with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Jacub Hrusa, perform works by Martinu, Tchaikovsky and Dvorak at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £36-£10. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29

CHESTER: St Asaph based organist Graham Eccles, plays music by Karg-Elert, Duruflé, Whitlock and Vierne, in his lunchtime organ recital in Chester Cathedral at 1.10pm. Retiring collection.

LIVERPOOL: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vasily Petrenko with soloist Baiba Skride (violin), perform works by Emily Howard, Sibelius and Prokofiev at the Philharmonic Hall in Hope Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £34-£11. Ring 0151 709 3789 or visit www.liverpoolphil.com.

MANCHESTER: The Halle, conducted by Cristian Mandeal with soloist Natalie Clein (cello), perform works by Vaughan Williams, Walton and Ravel at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £37-£9.50. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

MANCHESTER: Raymond Gubbay presents The Four Seasons By Candlelight featuring music by Bach, Handel, Purcell, Charpentier, Stanley and Vivaldi at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £32.50-£18. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31

CHESTER: Charity concert for Christian Aid featuring organist John Evans and soloist Angela Evans (contralto) at the Hamilton Street Methodist Church at 7.30pm. Tickets £6 including refreshments. Ring 01244 674878.

ELLESMERE PORT: Chester Wind Band 20th anniversary concert The Last Night of the Proms at the Civic Hall at 7.30pm in support of Claire House Children’s Hospice. Adults £8, concessions £5. Ring 0151 355 7652.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1

LIVERPOOL: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vasily Petrenko with soloist Baiba Skride (violin), perform works by Sibelius at the Philharmonic Hall in Hope Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £34-£11. Ring 0151 709 3789 or visit www.liverpoolphil.com.

LLANDUDNO: Orquestra Buena Vista Social Club featuring Guajiro Mirabal, Jesus Aguaje Ramos, Manuel Galban and Barbarito Torres at Venue Cymru at 7.30pm. Tickets £28.50. Ring 01492 872000 or visit www.venuecymru.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: Bolton Symphony Orchestra, featuring soloists Peter Donohoe (piano) and Paul Gibson (baritone), perform works by Parry, Bliss and Walton at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £20-£10. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3

CHESTER: Lunchtime concert featuring Russell Thompson (piano) at 12.45pm. Tickets £2.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

CHESTER: Chester Music Society Club concert featuring Interludes performing an evening of Gilbert and Sullivan, with music director Margaret Holmes and presented by Tim Holmes, at St Mary’s Centre at 7.30pm. Club members free, non-members £4. Ring 0151 339 5219.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6

STOKE-ON-TRENT: Stoke-on-Trent Festival presents the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ilan Volkov with soloist Janine Jansen (violin), perform works by Mendelssohn, Sibelius and Brahms at the Victoria Hall at 8pm. Tickets £27.50-£12. Ring 0844 871 7649 or visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

MANCHESTER: BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda with soloist James Ehnes (violin), perform works by Bartok and Rachmaninov at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £31-£9. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

CHESTER: Chester Music Society Celebrity Concert featuring Paul Watkins (cello) and Huw Watkins (piano) performing works by Beethoven, Schumann, Prokofiev, Watkins and Rachmaninov at St Mary’s Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets £12. Ring 0151 339 7326.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

MANCHESTER: Tallis Scholars present Rose Without A Thorne, conducted by Peter Phillips, celebrating 500 years since Henry VIII’s accession to the throne of England, featuring music by Taverner, John Nesbett, Cornysh, Browne and White at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £29-£10. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

WREXHAM: Chamber Music at The Stiwt at The Stiwt in Broad Street, Rhos, at 7.30pm. Adults £10, concessions £8.50 concessions. Ring 01978 841300 or visit www.stiwt.co.uk.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

WREXHAM: Cantorion Rhos in concert at The Stiwt in Broad Street at 7.30pm. Ring 01978 841300 or visit www.stiwt.co.uk.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20

MANCHESTER: BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Vassily Sinaisky with soloist Sergey Khachatryan (violin), perform works by Shostakovich, Brahms and Sibelius at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £31-£9. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21

CHESTER: Chester Music Society Choir presents An Evening With Mozart featuring pianist John Gough and soloists Denise Leigh (soprano), Katherine Allen (mezzo soprano), Michael Bracegirdle (tenor) and Simon Lobelson (baritone) plus the Liverpool Sinfonia, conducted by Graham Jordan Ellis, at Chester Cathedral at 7.30pm. Tickets £16, £12, £6. Ring 01244 380347.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1

MANCHESTER: The Academy of St Martin in the Fields, featuring director Murray Perahia (piano), perform works by Bach and Mozart at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £36-£10. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

RUNCORN: Highfield Male Voice Choir Christmas Charity Concerts with guests Frodsham Silver Band, Lunt’s Heath Primary School Choir and Brow Primary School Choir at The Brindley in High Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £6 adults, £2 children. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2

CHESTER: Chester Music Society Club concert featuring Yale College Wrexham choirs, band and soloists, directed by Tim Jones, at St Mary’s Centre at 7.30pm. Non-members £4. Ring 0151 339 5219.

RUNCORN: Highfield Male Voice Choir Christmas Charity Concerts with guests Frodsham Silver Band, Lunt’s Heath Primary School Choir and Brow Primary School Choir at The Brindley in High Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £6 adults, £2 children. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4

MANCHESTER: BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda, perform works by Dallapiccola and Tchaikovsky at the Bridgewater Hall at 7pm. Tickets £31-£9. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

CHESTER: Chester Music Society Celebrity Concert featuring the 18th Century Orchestra performing music by candlelight, with buffet and wine, featuring music by Purcell, Bach, Hellendaal, Bach, Charpentier, Clarke, Handel, Corelli and Stanley at St Mary’s Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets £15. Reduced prices available. Ring 0151 339 7326.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

STOKE-ON-TRENT: Stoke-on-Trent Festival presents the BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda with soloist Tasmin Little (violin), perform works by Puccini, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky at the Victoria Hall at 8pm. Tickets £27.50-£12. Ring 0844 871 7649 or visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19

CHESTER: Chester Music Society Youth Choirs Christmas concert featuring the Youth Choir, Preludes, Alumni Choir, conducted by Helena Thomas and Katie Wilkes, at All Saints Church in Hoole at 7.30pm. Tickets £7. Ring 01244 300717.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21

CHESTER: Chester Music Society presents A Christmas Celebration, a celebration in words and music for all the family with readings by members of Chester Little Theatre and featuring Phoenix Brass, organist Philip Rushforth and Chester Music Society Choir conducted by Graham Jordan Ellis at Chester Cathedral at 7.30pm. Tickets £13, £6. Ring 01244 380347.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22

CHESTER: Chester Music Society presents A Christmas Celebration, a celebration in words and music for all the family with readings by members of Chester Little Theatre and featuring Phoenix Brass, organist Philip Rushforth and Chester Music Society Choir conducted by Graham Jordan Ellis at Chester Cathedral at 7.30pm. Tickets £13, £6. Ring 01244 380347.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6

CHESTER: Chester Music Society Club meeting featuring the the Chester Catholic High School Swing Band, under music director Kevin Tout, at St Mary’s Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets £4. Reduced prices available. Ring 0151 339 5219.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8

MANCHESTER: The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christopher, present Celebrating Handel at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £36-£10. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16

MANCHESTER: BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda, perform works by Mahler and Kurt Schwertski at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £31-£9. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30

MANCHESTER: Eternal Blue Horizons - Exploring Mahler’s Song of the Earth - a day devoted to a work which achieve Mahler’s lifetime goal of a perfect synthesis of symphony and song, with a discussion session at 1.30pm (admission £10), BBC Radio 3’s Discovering Music at 5pm (free event) and Manchester Camerata, conducted by Douglas Boyd with soloists Jane Irwin (mezzo soprano) and Peter Wedd (tenor), performing the entire work plus music by Beethoven and Bushra El-Turk at 7.30 (£29-£10), all at the Bridgewater Hall. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

WREXHAM: Chamber Music at The Stiwt at The Stiwt in Broad Street, Rhos, at 7.30pm. Adults £10, concessions £8.50 concessions. Ring 01978 841300 or visit www.stiwt.co.uk.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15

MANCHESTER: Pianist Murray Perahia in concert at the Bridgewater Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £29-£10. Ring 0161 907 9000 or visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

SATURDAY, MARCH 6

LIVERPOOL: Classical Spectacular featuring the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at the Echo Arena. Tickets £36-£25.50. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 12

WREXHAM: Chamber Music at The Stiwt at The Stiwt in Broad Street, Rhos, at 7.30pm. Adults £10, concessions £8.50 concessions. Ring 01978 841300 or visit www.stiwt.co.uk.

SHOWS

ALSAGER: October 27 - The Blue Stocking Social Club presents Home From Home including cabaret and theatre playing out a series of scenes around the subject of family at Alsager Arts Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets £7, concessions £4.50. Ring 0161 247 5302 for details.

ALSAGER: October 29 - Proto-type Theater presents Virtuoso (working title) - three performers stage the story of a stagnant American suburbia, circa 1963, where the minutiae of everyday life has become strange, at Alsager Arts Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets £7, concessions £4.50. Ring 0161 247 5302 for details.

ALSAGER: November 3 - Ridiculusmus presents Tough time, nice time - two naked Germans sit in a spa in bangkok and undertake an interminable conversation, weaving through genocide, movies, celebrity, murder, drugs and the art of telling stories, at Alsager Arts Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets £7, concessions £4.50. Ring 0161 247 5302 for details.

CHESTER: October 23-24 - Up The Wall - an adventure in sound and light in which audiences embark on a celebratory promenade witnessing live art, contemporary performance, sonic art and architectural projection at the Roman Gardens from 7-9pm. Admission free. Ring 01244 409113.

CHESTER - October 24 - Boogie Nights 70s & 80s Night -two rooms of music at Diva’s Showbar in Station Road. Fancy dress optional. Doors open at 8pm. Admission £5 before 9pm, £7 after. Over 25s only. Ring 07929 055879 for details or visit www.fusionpartynights.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 28-31 - Brownpaper Productions presents This Is My Musical 2, a musical journey through shows including Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde, Grease, Wicked and many more at the Forum Studio Theatre in Hamilton Place at 7.30pm. Tickets £10, concessions £9. Ring 01244 341296 or visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 31 - Alexander’s Comedy Club presents Juliet Myers and Lewis Charlesworth at Alexander’s in Rufus Court at 8pm. Tickets £10. Ring 01244 340005 or visit www.alexanderslive.com.

CHESTER: November 21 - Cheshire Rural Youring Arts presents Two Friends Productions’ show Pretty Witty Nell, a one-woman comedy about Nell Gwyn, the most popular mistress of Charles II, at Mollington and Backford Village Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £9-£5. Ring 01244 851045.

CREWE: October 30 - An evening with Sally Morgan, psychic to the stars, at the Lyceum Theatre in Heath Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £19.50. Ring 01270 537333 or visit www.lyceum-theatre.co.uk.

CREWE: October 31 - Cornish comedian Jethro at the Lyceum Theatre in Heath Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £18. Ring 01270 537333 or visit www.lyceum-theatre.co.uk.

ELLESMERE PORT: October 21-24 - Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre Company present Sweet Charity at the Civic Hall at 7.30pm. Ring 0151 339 4390 or visit www.amdramtheatre.com.

FADDILEY: December 4 - Cheshire Rural Touring Network presents Blaize Theatre’s production of The Christmas Cratchits at the Goodwill Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £9-£5. Ring 01270 524441.

LIVERPOOL: October 26 - Hi-Five Surprise - join Cat, Chris, Emma, Jenny and Luke and their friends Jup Jup and Chats and get ready to party at the Empire Theatre, Lime Street, at 1pm. Tickets £14.50, children £12.50. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

LIVERPOOL: October 27 - An evening with impressionist, comedian and actor Alistair McGowan at the Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, at 7.30pm. Tickets £23.50, £18.50. Ring 0151 709 3789 or visit www.liverpoolphil.com.

LIVERPOOL: October 30 - Frank Warren presents Championship Boxing featuring Smith v Quigley at the Echo Arena. Tickets £200-£30. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: October 31-November 1 - Eddie Izzard brings his Stripped tour to the Echo Arena. Tickets £30. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: November 8 - WWE Raw presents DX Invasion Tour at the Echo Arena. Tickets £50-£30. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: November 8 - Roy Chubby Brown live in concert at the Empire Theatre, Lime Street, at 7.30pm. Tickets £20. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

LIVERPOOL: November 17 - Daniel Kitson brings his stand-up show We Are Gathered Here to the Playhouse Theatre in Williamson Square at 7.30pm. Tickets £10. Ring 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.

LIVERPOOL: November 19 - Comedian Stewart Lee brings his stand-up show If You Prefer A Milder Comedian, Please Ask For One to the Playhouse Theatre in Williamson Square at 7.30pm. Tickets £16-£12. Ring 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.

LIVERPOOL: November 25-29 - Disney On Ice present Princess Wishes at the Echo Arena. Tickets £33.50-£11.50. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: December 4 - Thriller Live at the Echo Arena. Tickets £35. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: December 13 - Abba - The Show at the Echo Arena. Tickets £35. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: December 16 - Comedian Russell Howard brings his Big Rooms & Belly Laughs tour to the Echo Arena. Tickets £35. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: January 18-19 - Strictly Come Dancing Live! at the Echo Arena. Tickets £55-£35. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: January 28-31 - Holiday On Ice presents Spirit at the Echo Arena. Tickets £29.50-£10. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: March 7 - Elvis Presley Tribute Show at the Echo Arena. Tickets £35-£33.50. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LLANDUDNO: October 31 - A Journey with Ray Mears - a celebration of Canada, Earth’s last great wilderness, with the best selling author and TV presenter, at Venue Cymru at 8pm. Tickets £21.50-£16. Ring 01492 872000 or visit www.venuecymru.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 22 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Desert Island Poems - novelist and screenwriter Frederic Raphael in conversation with Michael Schmidt at Chetham’s School of Music’s Baronial Hall at 8pm. Tickets £7, concessions £5. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 23 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents award-winning American poet and translator Marilyn Hacker at Manchester Town Hall at 1pm. Tickets £5, concessions £3. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 23-25 - Comedian Jimmy Carr at the Apollo Theatre, Ardwick Green. Doors 7pm. Tickets £22.50. Ring 0161 242 2560.

MANCHESTER: October 24 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents leading Northern Ireland poet Sinead Morrissey at the Whitworth Art Gallery at 2.30pm. Free event, no need to book. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 24 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Bernard MacLaverty and Atef Abu Saif who each draw on their experience of growing up in divided communities, at the Friends Meeting House from 3-4pm. Tickets £5, concessions £3. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 24 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Hassan Blasim and David Constantine, reading from their new collections, at the Friends Meeting House from 4.30-5.30pm. Tickets £5, concessions £3. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 24 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Chris Beckett and James Lasdun, two of the leading exponents of the short story form, at the Friends Meeting House from 6-7.30pm. Tickets £5, concessions £3. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 25 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Michelle Magorian, author of best-selling books including Goodnight Mister Tom, at the Imperial War Museum North at 5.30pm. Adults £5, concessions £3. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 25 - Vampires Rock at the Opera House in Quay Street. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 26 - Mediums Colin Fry and TJ Higgs at the Opera House in Quay Street. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 27 - That’ ll Be The Day rock ‘n’ roll show at the Opera House in Quay Street. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 28 - Al Murray brings The Pub Landlord’s Beautiful British Tour to the Apollo Theatre, Ardwick Green. Doors 7pm. Tickets £25. Ring 0161 242 2560.

MANCHESTER: October 29 - Sing-A-Long-A Abba at the Opera House in Quay Street. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 30 - Halfway To Paradise - The Billy Fury Story at the Opera House in Quay Street. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 31 - Sing-A-Long-A Rocky Horror at the Opera House in Quay Street. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

NESTON: December 6 - Cheshire Rural Touring Network presents Blaize Theatre’s production of The Christmas Cratchits at the Civic Centre at 7pm. Tickets £9-£5. Ring 0151 336 3758.

NORTHWICH: October 22 - Back To The Good Old Days featuring singers Louise Franck and Kenny Richards, Beverley Alexander and Lucy Coffey, comedian Gerry Graham and chairman Graham Smith at the Memorial Hall at 2pm. Tickets £8, concessions £7. Ring 01606 867539 or visit www.cheshirwestandchester.gov.uk.

RHYL: October 23 - The Freddie Starr Show at the Pavilion Theatre at 7.30pm. Tickets £18, no concessions. Ring 01745 330000 or visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk.

RHYL: October 28-31 - Rhyl & District Musical Theatre Company present Fiddler On The Roof at the Pavilion Theatre at 7.30pm with 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Tickets £12-£8. Ring 01745 330000 or visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk.

RHYL: November 1 - Comedian Joe Pasquale at the Pavilion Theatre at 7.30pm. Tickets £17, no concessions. Ring 01745 330000 or visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk.

RUNCORN: October 22 - Comedian Jan Ravens at The Brindley Studio in High Street at 8pm. Tickets £15, concessions £13. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

RUNCORN: October 23 - Rob Grant - Standing Up - comedian and co-creator of Red Dwarf brings his new stand-up show to The Brindley Studio in High Street at 8pm. Tickets £15. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

RUNCORN: November 2 - Rich Hall & Otis Lee Crenshaw at The Brindley in High Street at 8pm. Tickets £15. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

RUNCORN: November 3 - Mayor’s Civic Charity Night with Susan McCann and Ban and special guests Olwen Grounds School of Dance and Glenda Hill Theatre Works Elite Singing Group at The Brindley, High Street, at 7.30pm. In aid of Another Chance to Care (formerly Halton Fostering Families), HCPT The Pilgrimage Trust and The Widnes Fellowship Centre. Tickets £10. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

RUNCORN: November 6-7 - Bluegrass & Beyond Festival - Halton’s annual festival featuring Bluegrass and other roots music from the UK and overseas, featuring performances by Clive Carroll, Tony Furtado (USA), Bakers Fabulous Boys, Chill Until Blue, Cousin Pearl, Hope Mountain Band, Jaywalkers, Mind The Step, Shake The Roots, Cousin Pearl and Helsby Young Bluegrass Stars, all at The Brindley, High Street. Weekend tickets £24, concessions £20. Friday and Saturday evening £10, Saturday daytime £5. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

SALFORD: October 25 - Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre presents The Three Bears at The Lowry, Salford Quays, at noon and 2pm. Adults £7, children £5. Suitable for ages 3-7. Ring 0870 111 2000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

SALFORD: November 1 - Who Killed Ramona Rhapsody? - join eight members of the BBC Philharmonic for an unusual and fun-filled musical murder mystery at The Lowry, Salford Quays, at 11am and 1.30pm. Free event but must be booked in advance. Ring 0870 111 2000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

SALFORD: October 25 - Let Your Left Hand Sing - writer Kevin Fegan joins a special performance of his recently published book, a dramatic monologue in verse which captures tales of migration from around the world, at The Lowry, Salford Quays, at 4pm. Tickets £6. Ring 0870 111 2000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

SALFORD: October 25 - Comedian Russell Kane brings his Human Dressage tour to The Lowry, Salford Quays, at 7.45pm. Tickets £12. Ring 0870 111 2000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

SALFORD: November 1 - Comedian Adam Hills brings his Inflatable tour to The Lowry, Salford Quays, at 8pm. Tickets £13. Ring 0870 111 2000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

STOKE-ON-TRENT: October 23 - Hi-Five Surprise - join Cat, Chris, Emma, Jenny and Luke and their friends Jup Jup and Chats and get ready to party at Victoria Hall at 1.30pm. Tickets £14.50 adults, children £12.50. Ring 0844 871 7649 or ring www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke.

STOKE-ON-TRENT: October 25 - Comedian Freddie Starr at Victoria Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £19.50, £17.50. Ring 0844 871 7649 or ring www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke.

STOKE-ON-TRENT: October 28 - Medium Colin Fry at Victoria Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £19.50. Ring 0844 871 7649 or ring www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke.

STOKE-ON-TRENT: November 1 - Grumpy Old Women 2 featuring Jenny Eclair, Wendi Peters and Susie Blake at Victoria Hall at 8pm. Tickets £20. Ring 0844 871 7649 or ring www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke.

WARRINGTON: October 24 - Boogie Pete Live! - join Pete as he shows you some moves, some magic and some silliness in this fun-packed show at the Parr Hall in Palmyra Square at 11am. Tickets £7.50, £6.50. Ring 01925 442345 or visit www.pyramidparrhall.com.

WARRINGTON: October 24 - The Al Pitcher Picture Show at the Pyramid in Palmyra Square at 7.30pm. Tickets £12. Ring 01925 442345 or visit www.pyramidparrhall.com.

WARRINGTON: October 24 - Fascinating Aida - Dillie Keane, Adele Anderson and Liza Dulman - celebrate their silver jubilee at the Parr Hall in Palmyra Square at 7.30pm. Tickets £15. Ring 01925 442345 or visit www.pyramidparrhall.com.

WARRINGTON: October 29 - Andrew Motion presents The Cinder Path at the Pyramid in Palmyra Square at 7.30pm. Tickets £13, £10. Ring 01925 442345 or visit www.pyramidparrhall.com.

WARRINGTON: November 4 - Comedian Stephen K Amos at the Parr Hall in Palmyra Square at 8pm. Tickets £16.50. Ring 01925 442345 or visit www.pyramidparrhall.com.

WINSFORD: October 24 - Andy and Mike’s Big Box of Bananas - CBeebies presenter and comedy partner Mike James bring their fast paced and very silly children’s show to the Lifestyle Centre at 2pm. Tickets £8.50, £7.50. Ring 01606 867539 or visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

WINSFORD: October 28, 30 & 31 - Vale Royal Amateur Operatic Society presents Godspell at the Lifestyle Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets £8, £5 concessions. Ring 01606 867539 or visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

WIRRAL: October 22 - Gotta Sing Gotta Dance - a magical night at the musicals at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton at 7.30pm. Tickets £18.50, concessions £17.50. Ring 0151 666 0000 or visit www.floralpavilion.com.

WIRRAL: October 23 - Psychic Tony Stockwell at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight at 7.30pm. Tickets £18. Ring 0151 643 8757 or visit www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk.

WIRRAL: October 24 - The Jimmy Cricket Laughter Show with special guest Des Casey’s tribute to swing at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight at 7.30pm. Tickets £13.50, concessions £12.50. Ring 0151 643 8757 or visit www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk.

WIRRAL: October 25 - New production of the children’s classic Pinocchio at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton at 2.30pm. Tickets £8.50, concessions £7.50. Ring 0151 666 0000 or visit www.floralpavilion.com.

WIRRAL: October 29-31 - St Paul’s Operatic Society present My Fair Lady at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton at 7.30pm with Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets £14, concessions £12. Ring 0151 666 0000 or visit www.floralpavilion.com.

WIRRAL: October 30-31- An audience with Tom O’Connor at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight at 7.30pm. Tickets £13.50. Ring 0151 643 8757 or visit www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk.

WIRRAL: November 12-14 - The Woolgatherers of Heswall present Humble Boy by Charlotte Hastings at Heswall Hall in Telegraph Road at 8pm. Tickets £6. Ring 0151 348 1084.

WREXHAM: November 3 - Vienna Festival Ballet presents The Nutcracker at 7.30pm in the William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University. Tickets £16, concessions £11. Ring 01978 292015 or visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk/events.

WREXHAM: November 5 - Comedian Stewart Lee at 8pm in the William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University. Tickets £15, concessions £13. Ring 01978 292015 or visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk/events.

WREXHAM: December 2 - Chekhov’s Short Plays in the Carin Finch Centre, Glyndwr University, at 7.30pm. Tickets £14, concessions £12. Ring 01978 292015 or visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk/events.

WREXHAM: December 12 - Bink and the Hairy Fairy, a family musical, at 2pm and 6.30pm in the William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University. Tickets £7 adults, £5 children, £22 family ticket. Ring 01978 292015 or visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk/events.

WREXHAM: February 25 - Comedian Rhod Gilbert in the William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University at 8pm. Tickets £16.50. Ring 01978 292015 or visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk/events.

EXHIBITIONS

CHESTER: November 21-January 24 - Moods & Sensations: Evocative Art from the Collection - an exhibition combining historic and contemporary art from the Grosvenor Museum’s collection, selected by Maggie Jackson, senior lecturer in art history at the University of Chester, in the museum’s Exhibition Gallery Two.

CHESTER: November 2-26 - Lache Now and Then - display of photographs from Lache Primary School’s involvement in the Lache Photographic Project together with images from the 1940s, at Chester History & Heritage on Bridge Street Row.

CHESTER: October 5-29 - Murder, Mystery and Mayhem - join a photographic trail of the spooky, bizarre and quirky in an exploration of ghostly goings on and strange events in the city, at Chester History & Heritage on Bridge Street Row.

CHESTER: September 26-Novemner 22 - My Favourite Outfit - an exhibition bringing the contents of your wardrobes centre stage and providing people with the chance to make public the stories behind them, at the Grosvenor Museum Exhibition Gallery One. Ring 01244 402029 for details.

CHESTER: September 12-Novemner 15 - Wild Britain - Wildlife photographs by Cheshire’s Ben Hall, who honed his skills on the wild moors of the Peak District and the woodland glades of the Cheshire plain, at the Grosvenor Museum Exhibition Gallery Two.

CHESTER: August 22-February 21 - Curious Clothing: Playful Fashions - a small exhibition examining how the design of clothes can take us unawares, at the Grosvenor Museum Costume Gallery, First Floor Period House.

FRODSHAM: October 30-December 18 - The Castle Park Open Competition featuring an eclectic collection of art by artists from across the area at Castle Park Arts Centre. Ring 01928 735832 or visit www.castleparkarts.co.uk.

FRODSHAM: Until October 23 - Landscape paintings by Robert Gray and the winners from a community photographic competition on display at Castle Park Arts Centre. Ring 01928 735832 or visit www.castleparkarts.co.uk.

LIVERPOOL: October 2-January 10 - Joyous Machines: Michael Landy and Jean Tinguely - renowned British artist Landy has co-curated this exhibition of work by Jean Tinguely, one of the most redical, inventive and subversive sculptors of the mid-20th century at Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock. Ring 0151 702 7400 or visit www.tate.org.uk/liverpool.

LIVERPOOL: Until December 31 – White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon – exhibition featuring memorabilia belonging to Beatles’ legend, John Lennon, charting his life with former wife Cynthia and son Julian at The Beatles Story, Pier Head, Georges Parade. Ring 0151 709 1963.

LLANDUDNO: September 1-October 31 - Photographic exhibition of black and white images by Jonathan Patrick Smith who spent two years documenting Llandudno Pier and surrounding coastline, at Venue Cymru. Ring 01492 872000 or visit www.venuecymru.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 3-29 - Manchester Astronomical Society: Four Centuries of Astronomy in the North West - a scientific journey of discovery spanning more than 100 years to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy and the manchester Science Festival, at the Portico Library & Gallery in Mosley Street. Ring 0161 236 6785 or visit www.theportico.org.uk.

MANCHESTER: September 26-January 10 - Angels of Anarchy - Women Artists and Surrealism - a fascinating insight into the crucial role that women artists played in the Surrealist art movement featuring work by Frida Kahlo, Lee Miller, Meret Oppenheim and others at the Manchester Art Gallery. Visit www.manchestergalleries.org or ring 0161 235 8888.

MANCHESTER: From August 15-Summer 2010 – The Manchester Indian - Thomas Wardle and India - a celebration of the centenary of the death of Sir Thomas Wardle, best known for his collaborations with William Morris, but here the focus is on his efforts to reinvigorate the silk industry in India as well as the impact India had on his work, at the Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester, in Oxford Road. Ring 0161 275 7450 or visit www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth.

MANCHESTER: From August 1-Summer 2010 – The Complete Roberta Breitmore by Lynn Hershman Leeson – in San Francisco in the mid-70s, Leeson created Roberta Breitmore and performed this persona as a work of art for four years, documenting it through artefacts, photography, film and sound which is being shown for the first time in its entirety at the Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester, in Oxford Road. Ring 0161 275 7450 or visit www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth.

MANCHESTER: August 1-May 2010 – Deep Rooted – How Trees Shape Our Lives – drawing from the Whitworth collection’s internationally important collection of watercolours and drawings, this exhibition explores how trees and woodland have shaped our lives, both physically and emotionally, at the Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester, in Oxford Road. Ring 0161 275 7450 or visit www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth.

MANCHESTER: Until November 29 – A Natural Selection: The Life and Literature of Charles Darwin – an exploration of Darwin’s life and published works looking at his theories of evolution and natural selection at John Rylands Library, University of Manchester, Deansgate. Ring 0161 306 0555 or visit www.manchester.ac.uk/library.

MANCHESTER: Until January 17 – Mapping Manchester: Cartographic Stories of the City – exploring the growth of the city, road networks and public transport at John Rylands Library, University of Manchester, Deansgate. Ring 0161 306 0555 or visit www.manchester.ac.uk/library.

MOLD: October 17-November 28 - Liverpool artists Veronica & Mike Knowles exhibit their most recent works in the Oriel Gallery at Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

NORTHWICH: Until November 8 - Above The Clouds - Mallory & Irvine’s Quest For Everest - a look at the ill-fated 1924 expedition to climb Mount Everest by George Mallory and Sandy Irvine, at The Salt Museum. Ring 01606 271640 or visit www.saltmuseum.org.uk.

RUNCORN: November 14-January 9 - Exhibition of work by Wendy Dison, exploring her response to the environment and history of rural West Cork, at The Brindley, High Street. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

RUNCORN: October 24-November 14 - The Drawing Show - An interactive exhibition featuring a range of drawing activities to take part in. Join the artists from Markmakers, Halton’s visual arts collective, and students from local schools and colleges in making their mark on the walls at The Brindley, High Street. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

RUNCORN: September 19-October 24 - Creative Minds - Paintings by Stanley Lench and artwork by Weaver Creative Arts at The Brindley, High Street. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

SALFORD: October 17-January 31 - The Sea: LS Lowry and Maggi Hambling - Hambling, one of Britain’s most distinguished contemporary artists, shows her latest powerful images of the North Sea alongside LS Lowry’s own deceptively calm seascapes at The Lowry. Ring 0870 787 5788 or visit www.thelowry.com.

WIRRAL: October 16-November 22 - Rising Stars featuring the work of Chloe Holt at the Artroom Gallery in the Old Post Office, The Parade, Parkgate. Ring 08700 852085.

WREXHAM: December 19-February 13 - Making An Impression - original contemporary prints from Wales at Oriel Wrecsam in Rhossdu Road. Ring 01978 292093.

WREXHAM: October 24-December 12 - Ground - Welsh artist and curator Tim Davies has selected works by five young artists currently practising in South Wales, at Oriel Wrecsam in Rhossdu Road. Ring 01978 292093.