What will you do with your precious two days off?
BIRMINGHAM
JAMAICAN ART
Art In The Dancehall celebrates the designs inspired by dancehall music, popular in Seventies Jamaica. Vintage records, posters and flyers from across the world are exhibited alongside new and emerging dancehall artists. Until 13 July; free; The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, B6
FESTIVAL FEVER
The Mostly Jazz, Funk and Blues Festival returns to Birmingham for its third year with weekend headliners including Roots Manuva, Mr Scruff and The Family Stone. Don’t miss local saxophone player Soweto Kinch. 29 June-1 July; £79 weekend ticket; Moseley Park, Alcester Road, B13
OLD MEETS NEW
Curious Visitors sees a range of contemporary artworks displayed at Aston Hall. Paintings, sculptures and installations from the UK’s best British names are featured, including artist Laura Ford’s three-metre 'Giraffe' sculpture (left). Until 9 September; 12pm-4pm; free; Trinity Road, B6
LOCAL LIFE RETOLD
Rare amateur footage of family life in the Midlands during the Thirties to the Seventies is set to an atmospheric soundtrack in unique cinematic experience Past Lives. 29 June; 6pm-9.30pm; £10; The Public, New Street, West Bromwich, B70
IRONIC THEATRE
A disused metal pressing factory turns theatre for Stan’s Café’s new play The Just Price Of Flowers', a satirical take on the 2008 financial collapse. Look out for props made entirely of origami. Until 30 June; from 7.30pm; £12; A E Harris Building, 109-138 Northwood Street, B3
LEEDS
GET SYNCHRONISED
The Balbir Singh Dance Company has drawn inspiration from the Olympics for Synchronised, fusing Indian kathak dance and synchronised swimming. 30 June; 1pm; £10.50; The Edge Sports Centre, Willow Terrace, LS2
ORIGINAL CARTOONS
Leeds Gallery has over 100 works by the UK’s original cartoonist, the late Ronald Searle. Famous prints from his St Trinian’s and Molesworth [left] series hang alongside lesser-known court drawings and letters. Until 31 July; 10am-6pm; free; Leeds Gallery, York Street, LS9
FOLKY SUNDAY NIGHT
Singer songwriter Emily Levy brings an ethereal folky end to the weekend with a live album launch for her debut, Lost & Found. She’s joined by blues singer Helen Watson. 1 July; 7pm; £6; Seven, 31A Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, LS7
WATERFRONT FESTIVAL
The annual Leeds Waterfront Festival returns this weekend. There will be dragon boat rides, craft and vintage stalls, live music, food, drink and inflatable Wowballs. Perhaps best not in that order, though. 30 June-1 July; free; Thwaite Mills, Granary Wharf, Brewery Wharf, Clarence Dock, LS
DOUBLE THE DANCE
Contemporary dance double bill Aerowaves will showcase Clément Layes’ solo piece Allege and premiere Tabea Martin’s Duet For Two Dancers. 29-30 June; 9.15pm; £10; Yorkshire Dance, St Peter’s Square, LS9
SCOTLAND
DANCING SHOES ON
Dance along to a screening of Dirty Dancing and join in a Guinness World Record attempt for the world’s largest tea dance at Big Dance Edinburgh. 30 June-1 July; various times; free; register here; venues across Edinburgh
SWEET SHOPPING
Dream Out Loud’s first event, Bon Bon Box, pops-up this Sunday, with the best in local fashion (we love Eleanor’s Riot’s limited-edition collars) plus cocktails and hair styling. 1 July; 11am-6pm; free; The Bon Vivant’s Companion, Thistle Street, EH2
NIGHT DELIGHT
Novelists, poets, actors, musicians and playwrights come together for Whatever Gets You Through The Night, a stunning circus, cabaret and story experience. Until 29 June; 8pm; £12; The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2
LATE-NIGHT ART
Sixteen art venues, shops, cafes and bars across Leith stay open late tonight for Leith Late. There will be exhibitions, music and an interactive ping-pong sound installation. 28 June; 6pm-9pm; free; various venues in Leith
IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC
Prepare to be amazed by Edinburgh International Magic Festival. Award-winning magicians from all over the world perform illusions, mind-reading and close-up magic. 29 June-6 July; times and prices vary; venues across Edinburgh
MANCHESTER
MEET THE ARTIST
To celebrate the relaunch of The Manchester Gallery, DJ and author Dave Haslam will be in conversation with contemporary artist Kelley Walker, whose work appears in new exhibition Dreams Without Frontiers. '''28 June, 7pm-8pm; free; Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, M2
CUBA ON SCREEN
Attend a preview of 7 Days In Havana, a film depicting the city over seven chapters (including a directorial debut from Benicio Del Toro) with a free mojito and an after-party thrown in. 28 June, 7pm; £5; 2022NQ, 20-22 Dale Street, M1
MAKE FRIENDS WITH TIGS
Hear London-based electronic dancepop duo Chew Lips tour their infectious new single Do You Chew? Frontwoman Tigs has a big-voiced, swaggering style that makes us want to befriend her. 29 June, 7.30pm; £8; Soup Kitchen, 31-33 Spear Street, M1
DON’T BE SHY
This Life Drawing class is just one of the events we’ve ear-marked as part of the eclectic Greater Manchester Fringe Festival. Bring your own materials; refreshments are provided. 1 July, 4.30pm-7pm; £4; Sandbar, 120 Grosvenor Street, M1
GO FERAL
Embrace the undead trend at the launch of Wolf Girls: Dark Tales Of Teeth, Claws And Lycogyny, an anthology of 17 tales of female werewolves. There will be wine (red, obviously). 29 June, 7pm-9pm; free; MadLab, 36-40 Edge Street, M4
LONDON
PARADISE CITY
Where can you see a brilliant pyrotechnics display, partake in a tea dance, and feast on delicious street food and cocktails all in one weekend? At the grand opening of the London Pleasure Gardens, that’s where. 30 June-1 July; free; North Woolwich Road, E16
FUN SOUTHSIDE
Brixton Market is enjoying a renaissance. At Saturday’s Brix Mix you can rummage for second-hand clothes, homeware and art and design and then head to one of the many (fantastic) food stalls for sustenance. 30 June 10am- 5pm; free; Brixton Station Road, SW9
QUEEN FOR THE DAY
See Alison Jackson’s imaginary behindthe- scenes photographs of the queen are thoroughly witty. Final weekend. Until 29 June; free; 2 Newburgh Street, London W1F
DESIGNER DEALS
Snap up pre-owned pieces from brands such as Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Chanel courtesy of Merchant 24’s pop-up store. Until 12 August; free, 340 Kings Road, SW3
LATE NIGHT OPERA
A twice weekly event (Thurs and Fri), at this Friday’s Late Shift at the National Portrait Gallery, there will be a showcase some of the best voices from the English National Opera’s training programme. 29 June, 6.30pm, free; St Martin’s Place, WC2H
