STAGE/FILM

Alnwick Playhouse,
Bondgate Without,
Alnwick
01665 510785

Thursday, November 27: South Pacific – Playhouse Youth Theatre. The senior members of the Playhouse Youth Theatre perform this Broadway classic by Rogers and Hammerstein. A Second World War drama with romance and comedy, this show includes songs such as I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair and Happy Talk. A great family show. 7.30pm. Tickets: £6, £5 conc.

Friday, November 28: Ralph McTell. A performer who has won The Ivor Novello Award and a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award. The concert features a selection from his vast repertoire performed to acoustic guitar self-accompaniment and punctuated by heart-warming anecdotes. 8pm. Tickets (almost sold out) £17, £16 conc.

Saturday, November 29: Straw Headed Peter – Northumberland Theatre Company. See what Santa sends to Straw Headed Peter and his friends who all deserve more grizzly ends. Northumberland Theatre Company's festive dramatic treat for all of the family, especially youngsters. A hilarious new telling of a classic cautionary tale, dark, grotesque and exceedingly funny. 7.30pm. Tickets: £9, £8 conc.

Sunday, November 30: Studio Jazz. The second in a series of occasional Sunday Jazz club evenings featuring the seven piece band All That Jazz under the direction of Ray Thompson. Come along, chill out and have a dance or two for another perfect Sunday evening while Ray and his band play some jazz more standards of the Swing Era, Latin numbers, and jazz from the be bop era and later. In the NTC Studio. 8pm. Tickets: £6, £5 conc.

Monday, December 1: City of Ember (PG, 90min). Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Saoirse Ronan, and Martin Landau star in this science fiction tale. 4.30pm. Tickets: £5, £4.50 conc.

Tuesday, December 2: The Magic of Christmas – Alnwick Flower Club. Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner David Fawcett-Ropner brings inspirational flair for design to the world of flower arranging and this fascinating presentation will both delight and enchant as David demonstrates his spectacular interpretation of The Magic of Christmas. 7.30pm. Tickets: £8.

Wednesday, December 3: The Dylan Project. A refreshing and vibrant interpretation of Bob Dylan's music performed by some of Britain's most talented folk-rock musicians, featuring the iconic Steve Gibbons on vocals backed by Gerry Conway, Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg and PJ Wright. Their repertoire spans the whole of Dylan's career from Highway 61 to Like A Rolling Stone. 7.30pm. Tickets: £16.50, £15.50 conc.

Thursday, December 4: The Duchess (12a, 110min). Period drama
chronicling the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana,
Duchess of Devonshire. Starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper and Hayley Atwell. 7.30pm. Tickets: £5, £4.50 conc.


The Maltings,
Berwick
01289 330999

Friday, November 28 until Sunday, November 30: Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival 2008 – brings together a rich array of film and moving image featuring the best in innovative and exciting independent cinema, short film and artist film and video. More details visit www.maltingsberwick.co.uk or www.berwickfilm-artsfest.com

Thursday, December 4 and Friday, December 5: Unisong presents – The Present. A fabulous musical production with more than 60 local performers in a kaleidoscope of music, drama and dance appealing to audiences of any age. 7.30pm. Tickets: £7.50.


LIVE MUSIC

Thursday, November 27: Rothbury Roots. Bob Fox performs a night of live folk. At The Queens Head Hotel, Rothbury; 7.30pm for 8pm start. Tickets £8. To book, contact The Queens Head on 01669 620470.

Friday, November 28: Ken and the Rebels. 50th anniversary gig from popular band Ken and the Rebels, in aid of the Alnwick Christmas Lights. At The White Swan Hotel, Alnwick. Tickets £6. Doors open 7.30pm.

Friday, November 28: Acoustic Magic. Jam session. At The Farriers Arms, Shilbottle. From 8.15pm. Free.

Saturday, November 29: Band Full Bottle perform covers from the 60s right through to the modern day. At The Alnwick Arms. From 9.30pm. Free.

Sunday, November 30: Kathryn & Peter Tickell. An evening of evocative airs and toe-tapping dance tunes. At the Jubilee Institute, Rothbury. 7.30pm. Tickets available from Tully's of Rothbury. Tickets and further information also from Sandra on 01669 620564 or Margaret 01669 620082. Adults £8, conc £7, children £4, family £18.

Thursday, December 4: Craigowl band. Rothbury Accordion and Fiddle Club. At the Queens Head Hotel, Rothbury.


EVENTS

Thursday, November 27: Christmas Preparations. Prepare for Christmas with this HospiceCare North Northumberland event. With a cookery demonstration by the head chef at Louis Bistro and Steakhouse, a flower demonstration by Christine Ogle, a Christmas cake decorating demonstration by Sandy Young as well as tips on decorating your Christmas table, wrapping the perfect presents and more. At the Alnwick Garden. 1pm–4pm. Tickets £10, including entry to the garden and a 10 per cent discount in the shop. Tickets available from 01665 606515.

Thursday, November 27: Mini Bus Tour. A guided drive round Cragside Estate. From 1pm to 2.30pm. Free event. Normal admission charge. Booking essential. 01669 620333 ext 7.

Thursday, November 27: Talk. Jimmy France speaks to North Sunderland and Seahouses Local History Society about Archive Film of Seahouses & District. At St Paul's Church Hall, North Sunderland. 7.30pm. Refreshments served from 7pm. Visitors welcome, donation of £2pp.

Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28: Yet Another Christmas Review. Paul's Players present an old-fashioned variety concert in aid of St Paul's Church. At St James's Church Centre, Pottergate, Alnwick. 7pm. Tickets £4 each from Taylors Newsagents, Bondgate Within, Alnwick.

Saturday, November 29: Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of HospiceCare North Northumberland. Crafts, refreshments, Christmas cards, Tombola, Cake Stall and much more. Donations for tombola and cake stall would be gratefully received. In the Guild Hall, Berwick. 10am–1pm.

Saturday, November 29: Charity gig. Acoustic Magic Playing for Gifts with musicians including Derek Allan, Hague and Steve Daggett. Live music in Alnwick Market Place. An appeal for people to donate toys and gifts in aid of the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity. From 12.15pm.

Saturday, November 29: Christmas Tree Festival, organised by Longhoughton and Boulmer Women's Institute in Northumberland Hall, Alnwick, has been cancelled.

Saturday, November 29: Alnmouth Christmas Lights. The seasonal lights will be switched on at 4.30pm.

Saturday, November 29: Bamburgh Christmas Lights. The seasonal lights will be switched on at 6pm. Also, a small fair selling local crafts and produce, from 4pm–7.30pm. The church bells will ring from 5pm, followed by a church service at 5.30pm. Also singing around the tree before the switch-on. Further details on www.northumberlandlife.org/bamburgh-christmas-lights/

Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30: Christmas Through The Ages. Meet Mr Adams, a butler from the Regency period and a Victorian Father Christmas as they bring Christmas past to life. At Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens. From 11am. Adults £6.50, conc £5.20, children £3.30, family ticket £16.30. EH members free.

Sunday, November 30: Light Up a Life. HospiceCare North Northumberland's annual service. Sponsor a light in memory of a loved one, friend, or colleague to celebrate their life at Christmas time. Service takes place at Barter Books at 4pm.

Sunday, November 30: Farmers Market. Opportunity to buy fresh, locally-grown produce and meat as well as mouth-watering cakes, bread and pastries and herbal products. At The Maltings, Berwick. 10am–2pm. Admission free.

Sunday, November 30: Advent carols on Advent. The Rock Festival Choir, Alnwick's chamber choir, directed by Peter Brown with Peter Hignett at the organ, gives its annual concert of festive music, including traditional and new carols. As well as excerpts from Britten's Ceremony of Carols, the choir is to continue its championing of its very own composer, Cheryl Camm, by giving the world premiere of her new piece, That First Christmas Night. At St Paul's Church, Alnwick. From 7.30pm. Tickets, £7 and £6, on the door.

Sunday, November 30: Christmas Market/Fair. Everything you need for a local Christmas – food and craft stalls, hog roast, street entertainment, Santa's grotto, stories and seasonal refreshments – all with a Victorian theme. A great day out for all the family. Held in the picturesque village of Ford and within Lady Waterford Hall in aid of Grace House North East Children's Hospice Appeal. 11am–3pm. Contact 01890 820338 or email tourism@ford-and-etal.co.uk for further details.

Monday, December 1: Coquetdale Members' Group. Cyril Guthrie presents Making Wildlife Films. In the Jubilee Hall, Rothbury. 7.30pm. Group members free. Non–members welcome: £2.

Thursday, December 4: Holly and Ivy. Sugarcraft/cake decorating demonstrations at Cragside, Rothbury. £30 includes admission. Relax afterwards with delicious Christmas lunch. From 10.45am–2pm (10.45am, arrival and coffee, 11.15am demonstration, 12.30pm, lunch). Booking essential on 01669 620333 ext 7.


EXHIBITIONS

Alnwick Playhouse. Local Art. Alnwick District Camera Club's annual exhibition which highlights its members' talents. There is a great variety of subject matter, photographic technique and printing style with both film and digital materials. Until Saturday. New exhibition – Alnwick District Arts Association Members' Christmas Exhibition – starts on Friday, December 5.

Bailiffgate Museum, 14 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, 01665 605847. New exhibition – Christmas Past. Festive celebrations of bygone days from tomorrow until December 22. Open daily, 10am-5pm.

Belford Craft Gallery. Main gallery open. Open Tuesday to Friday 10am-12.30pm & 2pm-5pm. Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday 1pm-5pm.

Coquetdale Arts Centre, Front Street, Rothbury, 01669 621557. Exhibition by Barbara Segal. From December, new exhibition by the Friday group. Display of work by members including Joe Hush, Michael Ewart, Ken Spencer and others. Also Saturday classes. Opening times Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am-4pm and Sunday 1pm-4pm.

The Frame-House & Schoolroom Gallery, Alnmouth, Gallery & Picture Framing, 01665 830600. Currently showing a mixed exhibition featuring original works, hand-made prints and prints from many of the area's leading artists including Ken Spencer, Peter Collins, Jonathan Lloyd, Derek Jones, Daphne Harrison, Sue Fenlon, Alan Smith Page, John Fieldhouse, Jim Thompson and more. New print room featuring work by Lincolnshire artist Alison Read. Open Wed to Sun (closed Mon & Tues but open on bank holidays).

The Glendale Gallery, Florin of Wooler, 3 High Street, Wooler, 01668 283700. Open Monday to Friday 10am–5pm, Saturday 9.30am–5pm, Sunday noon–4pm.


WALKS

Saturday, November 29: Guided Walks. A six-hour, long walk over varied terrain to visit memorial stones in the Ingram Valley. 10am. £8. For more information call 0191 257 2601 or visit www.walknorthumbria.co.uk

Alnwick Health Walks (Long). Every Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick Tourist Information Centre, Market Place. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

Alnwick Health Walks (Intermediate). First and third Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick TIC. One-hour walk. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

Alnwick Health Walks (Starter). Every Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick TIC. Maximum 30 minutes. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

Amble Health Walks. Every Tuesday at 1.30pm from Amble Tourist Information Centre. Starter and intermediate. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

Belford Health Walks. Long walk Monday, 3pm. Meet at Market Cross. Shorter walk Monday, 1.30pm. Meet at Bell View Resource Centre. Contact Stephanie Glas-Thompson on 07515 288070.

Hadston Health Walks (Starter). Every Wednesday at 1pm from Hadston House. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

Rothbury Health Walks (Starter). Every Friday at 10.30am from Rothbury TIC. Intermediate/long walks every Friday at 10.30am. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

Seahouses Health Walks. Every Monday at 2pm. Meet at the Resource Centre. Contact Stephanie Glas-Thompson on 07515 288070.

Wooler Health Walks (Intermediate). Every Thursday at 1.30pm. Meet at the Cheviot Centre. Contact Stephanie Glas-Thompson on 07515 288070.