What will you end up doing this weekend?
LEEDS
DON’T MISS THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
A new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, The Phantom Of The Opera opens at The Grand tonight. It runs for a month but tickets are selling fast, so book now. Until 15 September; 2.30pm and 7.30pm; £19-£55; The Grand, 46 New Briggate, LS1
SEE LOCAL FINE ART
The creatives at Leeds Fine Artists show their work at Leeds Gallery’s Insight, Group 7 exhibition. The seven artists include acclaimed Australian painter Mark Sofilas and printmaker Cath Brooke. Until 25 August; 10am-6pm (closed Sunday); free; Leeds Gallery, York Street, LS9
PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES
Lindy hop and blues enthusiasts from around the country unite at the Leeds Swing Exchange this weekend. There will be parties, picnics, dance workshops and dinners for a one-off price over three days. 10-12 August; £42; various locations, Leeds, LS1
GO ON A TREASURE HUNT
Leeds City Museum is hosting a Treasure Dash to accompany its new Treasured! Smuggled, Stolen, Saved? exhibition of seized objects. Find the six treasures across Leeds for the chance to win £100 of gig tickets. Until January 2013; 11am-5pm; free; Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, LS1
ARTSMIX MARKET
The Artsmix market sees 20 local crafters, jewellers, artists and designers descend on Albion Place this Saturday. We love the quirky Perspex necklaces from Kitschen Sink and cute Jellisox soft toys. 11 August; 11am-5pm; free; Albion Place, LS1
BIRMINGHAM
MODERN SHAKESPEARE
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Iqbal Khan stars Meera Syal and Paul Bhattacharjee and is set in present-day Dehli. Until 15 September; 7.30pm; £5-£48; The Courtyard Theatre, Southern Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37
STRIKING IMAGES
Through My Eyes is a thought-provoking photographic exhibition compiled by schoolchildren in Khayelitsha, South Africa. The collection of images depicts everyday life in the town, through the eyes of its youth. 10-14 August; 10am-3pm; free; Quayside Tower, Broad Street, B1
QUIRKY ART
Within The Glass Dome is an exhibition of sculptures encased in glass domes – a collection inspired by artist Michaela McMilan’s diaries. It draws on events and emotions, and combines imagination with the everyday. Until 1 September; free; Bilston Craft Gallery, Mount Pleasant, WV14
JAZZ TIME
Catch the Apex Jazz and Swing Band performing a two-hour set in the bandstand at the picturesque Botanical Gardens. The al-fresco performance is part of the venue’s Music in the Gardens programme. 12 August; 2pm; £7; Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Road, B15
STREET PERFORMANCE
Brightly clad performers, The Reds will be putting on slightly random impromptu street animation shows around Birmingham this Saturday. 11 August; free; 1.45pm at New Street, B2; 3.30pm at The Mailbox, B1; 6.45pm at Birmingham Hippodrome Piazza, Hurst Street, B5
MANCHESTER
ROLL THE TAPE
Have you always wanted to make a film? Now’s your chance. The Filmonik “Gorilla” Micro Kabaret offers beginners the opportunity to work (frantically) with more experienced filmmakers to create a mini-masterpiece in 36 hours. 10 August; 10.30am; free; Nexus Art Cafe, Dale Street, M1
SEE ACCESSIBLE ART
Paper Gallery is an intimate new micro-gallery opening this weekend, showcasing affordable drawings, paintings, prints and photography from emerging and more established artists. Open Saturdays from 11 August; 11am-5pm; free; Mirabel Studios, 14-20 Mirabel St, M2
FESTIVAL FUN
Head down to the idyllic surrounds of Heaton Park for Band On The Stand, a summer party with all the trimmings including live music, refreshments and a harmonica workshop for those with enough puff. 11 August; 12pm-6pm; free, Heaton Park, M25
BARGAINS TO BE HAD
Bargain hunters, craft lovers and foodies alike will be overjoyed with Fleasy Street market, an eclectic mix of vintage and artisan traders with DJs and a full bar open all day. 12 August; 1pm-7pm; £1; Chorlton Irish Club, 17 High Lane, M21
AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE
Set in the Sixties and following the stellar career and untimely injury of barefoot runner Abebe Bikila, The Athlete is a stirring film offering insight into the strength of the Olympic champion. 10 August at 1.40pm and 12 August at 4pm; £5.50; Cornerhouse Cinema, 70 Oxford Street, M1
SCOTLAND
THE MUST-SEE SHOW
Beautiful, brave and brilliantly funny, Mark Thomas: Bravo Figaro! is storytelling at its very best, as Thomas tells us about his builder Dad and his love of opera. Until 26 Aug; various times; various prices; Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, EH11
NEVER TOO OLD FOR GOLD
Gripped by Olympic fever? You’ll love Ping Pong. It’s the delightful documentary about eight pensioners (all over 80!), who are competing in the World Table Tennis Championships. Until 14 Aug; various times; £7; GFT, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow, G3
LATE NIGHT LITERATURE
Unbound is a “foray into the literary unknown”. This mini festival within Edinburgh International Book Festival will treat you to literary cabaret, a death match and even a talk by author Mark Haddon. Until 26 Aug; 9pm-11pm; free; The Guardian Spiegeltent, Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh, EH2
ILLUMINATING ART
Runners (dressed like extras from TRON) sprint up Arthur’s Seat in Speed Of Light, creating a stunning light display. A guided tour will take you up the hill, carrying your own light stick as you go. Until 1 Sept; various times; £24; Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh, EH8
JOIN THE CIRCUS
Tumble Circus is the true story of Swedish Tina and Belfast boy Ken, who meet, fall in love (both with each other and circus performing) and then fall out of love. Until 27 August; 3.40pm; various prices; Underbelly, Bristo Square, Edinburgh, EH8
LONDON
MARKET MAKEOVER
Greenwich Market has undergone a refurb. As well as an array of food, fashion and homewares, there are new attractions including Pop Up @SE10 where you can buy fashion and furniture from hot new designers. Daily; 12-8pm; free; 6 College Approach, Greenwich, SE10
A NEW ORLEANS BIG EASY
Storyville promises to be an evening of music, drinks and dancing inspired by New Orleans. There will be classic cocktails and food such as gumbo and jambalaya. The event is hosted by Shoreditch bar Nightjar. 11 August; 7pm-4am; £25; Factory 7, 13 Hearn Street, Shoreditch, EC2A
VINTAGE OLYMPICS
Cocktails, DJ and live music in a vintage clothes shop? This is our idea of fun. Paper Dress Vintage’s Olympics-themed Mexico 1968 party is on Saturday. We went to their Rome 1960 party last weekend and it was great fun. 11 August; 2pm-10.30pm; free; 114-116 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, EC2A
MASTER OF SUSPENSE
We’re loving The Genius Of Hitchcock season at the BFI and The Lodger is showing this weekend. It’s a brilliant suspense which was inspired by a play and novel about Jack the Ripper and stars Ivor Novello. Various dates and times; £10; BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, London, SE1
INSPIRING PHOTOGRAPHY
The Hampstead Photographic Society is celebrating its 75th anniversary with an exhibition of works by its members. Pictures include this atmospheric image of a River Thames barge race by Mike Howell. Until 27 August; free; Burgh House, New End Square, Hampstead, NW3
