ALNWICK PLAYHOUSE, Bondgate Without, Alnwick, tel: 01665 510785

Tonight: Zoom – based on The Tortoise and the Hare, a sparkling comedy in which the junior members of the Playhouse's own Youth Theatre retell the famous fable in an unusual way. 7.30pm, tickets £6, £5.

Today and Saturday, May 23: Gran Torino (15; 116min). Drama starring Clint Eastwood. 2pm today, 7.30pm on Saturday. Tickets £6, £5.50.

Friday, May 22: The Manfreds, with original front-man Paul Jones, will be performing many of their hits along with a mix of jazz and blues songs from some of their best-known albums. 7.30pm, tickets £16.50, £15.50 almost sold out.

Saturday, May 23: Monsters vs Aliens (PG; 94min). Family animation. 2pm tickets £6, £5.50.

Sunday May 24: The Fureys with Davey Arthur – legends of Irish music. 7.30pm, sold out, try box office for returns.

Tuesday, May 26: Soul'd On Blues - Chris Farlowe, Cliff Bennett and Herbie Goins, with the Norman Beaker Band, perform a true blues and soul summit meeting. 7.30pm, tickets £16.50, £15.50 conc.

Wednesday, May 27: The Secrets of Moonacre (U; 103min). Family film. 11am tickets £6, £5.50 conc.

Wednesday, May 27: The Strawbs – A concert from one of England's most beloved folk-rock bands in existence now for 30 years,with a number of personnel changes over the years which have included such luminaries as Rick Wakeman and Sandy Denny. 7.30pm, tickets £16.50, £15.50 conc.

Thursday, May 28: Bolt (U; 87min) Family animation. 11am, tickets £6, £5.50 conc.

Thursday, May 28: John Suchet: Beethoven the Last Master – one of the country's best known television newscasters takes us on a fascinating tour of the life, times and music of one of greatest geniuses who ever lived. 7.30pm, tickets £14, £13.

THE MALTINGS, Berwick, tel: 01289 330999

Tonight: Stephenson 150 night – celebrating the 150th anniversary of the death of Robert Stephenson, three short films London to Brighton in 4 minutes, Snowdrift at Bleath Gill and Night Mail followed by the classic Brief Encounter. 7.30pm, tickets £5 (two for one).

Tomorrow: Rockin on Heaven's Door – portrayals of musical giants Presley, Orbison, Holly, Cochrane and the Big Bopper. 7.30pm, tickets £20, £17.50, £15, £5.

Saturday, May 23: Three of the Best – a showcase of talent that can be found at the mouth of the Tweed. Iain Petrie, Saint Monday, Mark Reid and the IPAs. In the Henry Travers studio. 7.30pm, tickets £5.

Sunday, May 24: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (12a; 166min). Adapted from a 1920s short story by F Scott Fitzgerald. With Brad Pitt. 7.30pm, tickets £4.50.

Wednesday, May 27: The English Patient (15; 162min). Tragic Second World War love story. With Ralph Fiennes. 7.30pm, £5.

Thursday, May 28: Psycho (15; 109min). A horror masterpiece from Alfred Hitchcock set at the Bates Motel. 7.30pm, tickets £5.

LIVE MUSIC

Tonight: Rothbury Roots singer-songwriter Jez Lowe performs at the latest Rothbury Roots session. At The Queens Head Hotel, Rothbury. £8. Contact 01669 620470.

Tonight: Buskers Night run by Acoustic Magic. 8.45pm. At The Schooner, Seahouses. More information www.myspace.com/clearblueskies

Saturday, May 23: Acoustic Magic. Acoustic Magic night with Steve Daggett. 8.45pm. At The Angel Inn, Wooler. More information www.myspace.com/clearblueskies

Saturday, May 23: Live Music. Middle Name John at the Tanners Arms, Alnwick. Acoustic covers and originals from Tanners Unplugged regular Mike Makin. 9pm.

Wednesday, May 27: Traditional Northumbrian Music Session. Live music at The Ship Inn, Low Newton. 8pm. Free. Contact 01665 722835.

Thursday, May 28: Buskers Night. Buskers Night run by Clear Blue Skies. 8.30pm. At The Blue Bell, Amble. More information www.myspace.com/clearblueskies

EVENTS

Today: Beadnell Craft Group. Share your skills and learn new ones. Upholstery, soft furnishings, cross stitch, shell work and more. £1.50 includes refreshments. In the WI Hall, on the first and third Thursday of the month. 1.30pm.

Today: Talk. Marjorie Mitchell presents The Box to Warkworth and District Flower Club. In the Memorial Hall, Warkworth. 7.30pm. Contact Linda on 01665 712895

Saturday, May 23: Concert by the Da Vinci String Quartet from Northern Sinfonia. In St George's United Reformed Church, Morpeth. Canapes and wine included. 7.30pm. Contact 01670 515870.

Saturday, May 23: Druridge Bay 10-mile Charity Horse Ride. Part of the Druridge Bay 10K weekend.

Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24: Giant Model Aircraft Rally. Annual giant model aircraft rally. Continuous demonstrations from 11am-5pm each day, weather permitting. Held six miles west of Longhorsley, near Wingates, NE61 4PE. Refreshments/toilets on site. Adults £5, children £2, U5s free.

Saturday, May 23 to Wednesday, May 25: Secret Fairy Trail and Garden Games for Children. Concealed within Belsay Hall's enchanting gardens are the mini model Victorian fairies who promise a sticker to those who can find them. Plus there's a selection of outdoor garden games – skittles, quoits and croquet for all the family to enjoy. www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay

Saturday, May 23 to Sunday May 31: Hedgehog and Squirrel Hunt. Trusty's friend and relations had such a great time at Cragside last half term, they've decided to return again this year. How many can you find hiding as you go round the house? No booking required. 11am to 4pm.

Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, June 7: Northumberland Rocks. Discover the secrets of Northumberland at the sixth annual festival of North Pennine geology and landscape. More than 30 events range from rock climbing to exploring old lead mines. Various locations throughout the North Pennines. Contact 01388 528801 or visit www.northpennines.org.uk

Sunday, May 24: North Tyneside Pipe Band. Listen to the traditional sound of Scottish pipes and drums in the courtyard of Wallington Hall, 2pm to 4pm. Normal admission applies.

Sunday, May 24: Bamburgh Spring Fair. Starts 10.30am until 3.30pm at Bamburgh Hall Farm.

Sunday, May 24: Lakeside Wildlife Kielder. A gentle stroll suitable for those in pushchairs, wheelchairs or on foot to discover some of the wildlife along the Lakeside Way.

Sunday, May 24: Druridge Bay 10k Fun Run. In aid of the Grace House Children's Hospice Appeal. Suitable for over-13s. Also with music from Clear Blue Skies. Contact Karen Larkin on 0191 5166302 or email kl@gracehouse.co.uk.

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