STAGE/FILM

Alnwick Playhouse,
Bondgate Without,
Alnwick
01665 510785

Thursday, May 29: Shakespeare's Wife. Germaine Greer presents a new and fruitful set of hypotheses about the life and career of the farmer's daughter who married our greatest poet. 7.30pm, tickets £16, £15 conc.

Friday, May 30: Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf. Toby Hadoke presents a personal, satirical and razor-sharp comic odyssey from child to man, through obsession, joy and disappointment. 7.30pm, tickets £9, £8 conc.

Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1: Elkie Brooks. Songs from one of the most successful and popular singers in the UK. Performing her classic hits, blues, jazz and a song or two from her forthcoming album. 7.30pm, tickets £20.

Monday, June 2: Horton Hears a Who? (U 86min). A charming comedy animation film perfectly capcapturing Doctor Seuss's drawings. With Jim Carrey as Horton the elephant. 2.15pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Tuesday, June 3: Jane Bond, Lip Service. Award-winning comedy duo Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding perform this pacey pastiche as refreshing as a twist of lemon in a bone-dry Martini. 7.30pm, tickets £11, £10 conc.

Thursday, June 5: George Orwell's Animal Farm. Using nothing but a wooden box Gary Shelford performs George Orwell's classic satire, bringing a modern sinister relevance to Orwell's masterwork. 7.30pm, £9, £8 conc.


The Maltings,
Berwick
01289 330999

Friday, May 30: The Spiderwick Chronicles (PG 107min). An intimate fantasy movie condensed from a series of books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. With Freddie Highmore and Nicke Nolte. 2.30pm, tickets £4.50.

Saturday, May 31: Alvin Stardust. The Million Dollar Guitar Tour showcasing the musical talents of Alvin Starust who spent more than 140 weeks in the UK singles charts. 7.30pm, tickets £15, £13.50 conc.

Thursday, June 5: Dancing Daze. Local dance schools come together to showcase an exciting and diverse range of talented youngsters, from ballet to hip hop. 7pm, tickets £6, family ticket £18.


LIVE MUSIC

Thursday, May 29: Rothbury Roots. Eleanor McEvoy performs a night of folk, blues and soul as part of her Love Must Be Tough tour. At The Queen's Head Hotel, Rothbury. Tickets, £9, book from The Queen's Head on 01669 620470.

Thursday, May 29: Jazz Thursdays in The Treehouse. James Birkett (guitar) and Rod Sinclair (guitar). Music at intervals 7pm-10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.

Friday, May 30: Live Fridays in The Treehouse. A French-flavoured musical menu played by musicians from Loon with Simon Tarrant (accordion), Jo Montgomery (violin) and Keith Hays (mandolin and percussion). Music at intervals 7pm-10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.

Friday, May 30: Performance by Seahouses Village Voices choir. In aid of the St Ebba's Church African Appeal. At St Ebba's Church, Beadnell. Adults £4, children £2 entry at the door refreshments included. 7pm.

Saturday, May 31: Tex And Leon. Good music from the 60s and 70s, a night to put on your dancing shoes. 8.45pm. At The Cottage Inn, Dunstan.

Saturday, May 31: Rothbury Traditional Music Festival concert. Fiddler Catriona Macdonald with Flash Company students from Newcastle University folk degree course. At Thropton Village Hall. 7.30pm. Tickets £6 from The Coquetdale Centre, Church House, Rothbury, 01669 620887.

Thursday, June 5: Jazz Thursdays in The Treehouse. Colin Haikney (keys) and Keith Pepardy (double bass). Music at intervals 7pm-10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.

Thursday, June 5: The Tanners Arms Unplugged. Acoustic night. Free. Contact 01665 602553.

Thursday, June 5: Rothbury Accordion and Fiddle Club. At the Queen's Head Hotel, Rothbury. Last meeting of the season. AGM at 7.30pm followed by music from guest artists, The Occasionals. Musicians and listeners welcome. Admission members £2, visitors £3. Contact 01668 281307.


EVENTS

Friday, May 30: Storytime/activity session at Alnwick Library. 2pm-3pm. Contact 01665 602689 for more information.

Friday, May 30: Lunchtime Organ Recital. Recital with Michael Dutton (assistant organist Newcastle Cathedral) at Morpeth Methodist Church. 12,30pm. Light refreshments after concert at 1.30pm. £6, conc £5, school students free. Contact 01670 511078 or visit www.morpethmeth.org

Saturday, May 31: The Amici Singers from Leeds perform a Miscellany of Music, a concert of choral items and piano solos, at St James Church, Morpeth. 7.30pm. £4 (no conc). Contact Roy Beasley on 01670 514149, Val Pope 01670 515806 or the parish office 01670 503326.

Saturday, May 31: Ventriloquist Act. Featuring Joe, the dashing knight and his Lady wife at Alnwick Castle. For more information contact 01665 510777.

Saturday, May 31: Car boot sale, Seahouses Golf Club, from 10am. Entrance 50p.

Sunday, June 1: Fairy Trail for Children. Concealed within Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens are mini model Victorian fairies which promise a fun sticker to those who can find them. From 10am. Adults £6.50, conc £5.20, children £3.30, family £16.30, EH members free. Contact 01661 881636.

Thursday, June 5: Glendale Children's Educational Countryside Day.The Glendale Agricultural Society endeavours to bring the town and countryside together so the public can experience first hand things that are related to the rural way of life. The GCEC is for schools and this year the theme is From Soil to Supper. Contact show office on 01668 283868.


SIGHTSEEING

Alnwick Sightseeing Tour. Open-top vintage bus tour of Alnwick town and its beautiful surrounding countryside. 35-40 minute tour with detailed live commentary. Tour starts at Greenwell Road (behind the Playhouse) every hour on the hour from 11am-4pm. Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Adults £5, children (5-14) £2, conc and U5s free. Tickets valid all day. Contact 01665 603022.


EXHIBITIONS

Alnwick Playhouse. Quintet. Until Saturday, June 7: Five popular artists join forces to present a diverse exhibition. Includes the work of Suzanne Stanley, Bob Turnbull, Erica Yeoman and Ian Wood. 10am-4pm. Free.

The Art House, Bondgate Within, Alnwick. The Art of Rock – rock album covers from Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd, etc.

Bailiffgate Museum, 14 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, 01665 605847. Five – exhibition of contemporary art by five final year degree students. Until Sunday, June 1. Next exhibition, Northern Lights and Textures – Two Perspectives, starts June 6. Open daily, 10am-5pm.

Belford Craft Gallery. Until, June 8. Pastels and paintings by Ana Maria Dodds & Lida Hatrick in the Courtyard Gallery. Main gallery features local work including crafts, pottery, wood turning, textiles and painting. Tuesday to Friday 10am-5pm (closed for lunch). Open all day on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1pm. Closed on Mondays.

Coastal Art Group. Free exhibition of paintings at St Ebba's Church, Beadnell. Until Sunday. Open daily 10am-4pm.

Coquetdale Arts Centre, Front Street, Rothbury, 01669 621557. Exhibition from David Winders. Starting in June; exhibition by Bob Turnbull. Permanent display of work by members including Joe Hush, Michael Ewart, Ken Spencer and others. Also Saturday classes. Opening times Tuesday-Saturday 10.30am-4pm and Sunday 1pm-4pm.

Crown Studio Gallery, Bridge Street, Rothbury. 01669 622890. New paintings from Lynda Taylor and new prints from Alison Read. Open daily 9am to 5pm except Wednesdays.

The Bakehouse Gallery, Prudhoe Street, Alnwick. 01665 602277. Original art, glasswork, ceramics, jewellery and textiles. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm.

The Design Room, High Street, Wooler. A Spring Collection – an exhibition of paintings by former Berwick High School pupil and artist Joanne Wishart. A mix of coastal and rural work inspired by the British environment. Until Saturday.

The Framehouse and Schoolroom Gallery, Alnmouth. Gallery, picture framing, Fair Trade tea & coffee, 01665 830600. A mixed exhibition featuring original works, hand-made prints and prints from many of the area's leading artists including Ken Spencer, Peter Collins and Jonathan Lloyd. Open Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mondays & Tuesdays, open bank holidays).


WALKS

Thursday, May 29: The Wonder of Water. Guided walk for children and families through the wonderful landscape at Cragside created by Lord Armstrong, exploring his use of water as you go. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Free. Normal admission charge applies. Booking essential 01669 620333 ext 7. Suitable for 4+ years. Steep terrain, strong shoes required.

Friday, May 30: Guided walk. A moderate walk covering Holy Island harbour. 6pm-7pm. Meet at main car park at Holy Island at village exit. Crossing time: 2.15pm-10pm. Adults £4, children under 12 free. Contact 01289 389225.

Sunday, June 1: Guided walks. A 5-mile Shepherd's Walk around Carriageway Drive. Starts 10am from Rothbury. £8pp. Booking essential. Visit www.shepherdswalks.co.uk and click on Guided Walks' or call 01830 540453.

Wednesday, June 4: Guided walk. A moderate walk through Holy Island's sand dune and shore. 10am-noon. Meet at main car park at Holy Island at village exit. Crossing time 6.30am-1.45pm. Everyone welcome, wear suitable footwear. Adults £7, children under 12 free. Contact 01289 389225.

Thursday, June 5: Evening Health Walk around Shilbottle. 6pm start from Shilbottle Welfare. For more information contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

Alnwick Health Walks (Long). Every Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick Tourist Information Centre, Market Place. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Alnwick Health Walks (Intermediate). First and third Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick TIC. One-hour walk. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Alnwick Health Walks (Starter). Every Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick TIC. Maximum 30 minutes. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Amble Health Walks. Every Tuesday at 1.30pm from Amble Tourist Information Centre. Starter and intermediate. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Belford Health Walks. Long walk Monday, 3pm. Meet at Market Cross. Shorter walk Monday, 1.30pm. Meet at Bell View Resource Centre. Contact Marjory Tharne on 01289 31774.

Hadston Health Walks (Starter). Every Wednesday at 1pm from Hadston House. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Rothbury Health Walks (Starter). First, third and fifth Friday of every month at 10.30am from Rothbury TIC. Long walks on second and fourth Friday at 10.30am. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Seahouses Health Walks. Every Monday at 2pm. Meet at the Resource Centre. Contact Marjory Tharne on 01289 301774.

Wooler Health Walks. Every Thursday, long and shorts walks both 1.30pm. Meet Cheviot Centre.