ART

The Joy of Gardens

Enjoy the final art show of the season at the Pavilion Gallery at Chenies Manor. Members of the South West Herts U3A Mixed Media Art Group present this colourful show, and will donate ten per cent of profits to the Friends of Little Cassiobury to support their plan to save the historic building and turn it into an arts and heritage centre.

Pavilion Gallery, Chenies Manor, Rickmansworth, every Wednesday and Thursday until September 24, 2pm to 5pm. Details: 01494 762888, cheniesmanorhouse.co.uk

COMEDY

Papermouth – Get Your Giggle On!

Get ready to giggle away those end-of-summer blues with a fantastic line-up of local comedians at the Space2 Gallery. On the bill are Nick Clohessy, Dale arpenter, Mark Tomlinson, Alan Ronald and special guests Owen

Niblock and Tiernan Douieb. And the best bit? It's absolutely free.

Watford Museum, High Street, Watford, Saturday, September 5, 7.30pm. Details: 01923 232297, watfordmuseum.org.uk

MUSIC

Tropicana Nights

Looking for a fun filled evening of fantastic 80s music and dancing? Indulge yourself in pure 1980s heaven at Tropicana Nights. Whether you go all out in your favourite 80s outfit or not, you're guaranteed to get in the party mood as soon as you walk into the Colosseum.

Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, Friday, 4 September, 8pm. Details: 01923 571 102 watfordcolosseum.co.uk

The King is Back

Hailed as one of the Best Elvis Tributes in the world, Ben Portsmouth will bring his style and charisma to the Colosseum. In August 2012, Ben made history when he won the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, which took place in Memphis, crowning Ben as the Worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist. He is the only artist from outside the USA to win this prestigious title. In February 2013 Ben headlined on the David Letterman show and has toured the globe with his band.

Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, Thursday, September 10, 8pm. Details: 01923 571 102 watfordcolosseum.co.uk

ABBA Reunion

The ABBA Reunion tribute show gives ABBA fans, old and new, the opportunity to once again get together and re-live the addictive musical phenomena that swept the airwaves and discos during the 1970s and 1980s. From Mama Mia to Dancing Queen, all of the hits are performed with authenticity from both an audio and visual perspective. And an amazing finale is sure to take you back to where it all began in 1974!

Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, Saturday, September 12, 7.30pm. Details: 01923 571 102 watfordcolosseum.co.uk

THEATRE

Jewish Legends

Following the success of their last visit, Jewish Legends returns with a celebration of some of the greatest Jewish performers in entertainment history. Why did American Jews find such success in the world of entertainment? Because they arrived in America in the late 19th Century with nothing but a gift to peddle. And what better to peddle than a song, a dance or a comic routine. This show explores a century of song, dance and comedy with a nod to some legendary performers such as Streisand, Midler, Fanny Brice and Groucho Marx.

The Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, Sunday, September 6, 4pm and 7.30pm. Details: 01923 859291 radlettcentre.co.uk

The Gruffalo

Don’t miss Tall Stories’ hit musical stage adaptation of the award winning picture book, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep dark wood in search of hazelnuts and meet the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the party mad Snake on the way. Will the story of the fabled Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these wily woodland creatures? The Gruffalo is the perfect family treat with plenty of songs, laughs and scary fun for children and their grown-ups.

The Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, Thursday, September 10 and Friday, September 11, 10.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Details: 01923 859291, radlettcentre.co.uk

FILM

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (12A)

A look at the remarkable genius of Orson Welles on the eve of his centenary - the enigma of his career as a Hollywood star, a Hollywood director and a crucially important independent filmmaker.

Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road, Watford, Wednesday, September 9, 7.30pm. Details: 01923 225671 watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Amy (15)

From BAFTA award-winning director Asif Kapadia, Amy tells the story of six-time Grammy-winner Amy Winehouse - in her own words. A once-in-a-generation talent, Amy Winehouse was a musician that captured the world's attention. Her huge success, however, resulted in relentless and invasive media attention which coupled with Amy’s troubled relationships and precarious lifestyle saw her life tragically begin to unravel.

Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road, Watford, Thursday, September 10, 2pm and 7.30pm. Details: 01923 225671, watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Inside Out (U)

After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - joy, fear, anger, disgust and sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school. This latest Pixar hit stars Amy Poehler as the voice of Joy.

Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road, Watford, Saturday, September 12, 11am. Details: 01923 225671 watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

The Beaux Stratagem

Simon Godwin (Man and Superman) directs George Farquhar's wild comedy of love and cash. The beaux - a Mr Aimwell and Mr Archer, are two charming, dissolute young men who have blown their fortunes in giddy London. Shamed and debt-ridden, they flee to provincial Lichfield. Their stratagem is to marry for money.

Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road, Watford, Sunday, September 13, 7pm. Details: 01923 225671 watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

EXHIBITIONS

Watford during the Great War 100 Years On

To commemorate the sacrifices made by men and women of Watford during World War One, Watford Museum presents an exhibition which investigates the impact of the war in the town during 1915, with a focus on the sinking of the RMS Lusitania.

Watford Museum, High Street, Watford, until September 26, 10am to 5pm. Details: 01923 232297 watfordmuseum.org.uk

The Language of Things

Talented local artists present an interesting exhibition exploring themes including separation, souvenirs, surfaces and the passage of time.

Space2 Gallery, Watford Museum, High Street, Watford, until October 31, 10am to 5pm. Details: 01923 232297 watfordmuseum.org.uk

BOOKS

A Literary Lunch with Natalie Meg Evans

Come along and hear multiple award-winning author Natalie Meg Evans discuss her forthcoming novel, The Milliner’s Secret. Set in war-torn Paris, The Milliner’s Secret follows a young woman who is treading the line between survival and collaboration, but which side will she choose? The Chorleywood Bookshop invites you to meet the best-selling author and enjoy a two-course lunch with tea and coffee in the peaceful grounds of the Sandy Lodge Golf Club.

Sandy Lodge Golf Course, Sandy Lodge Lane, Northwood, Tuesday, September 8, 1pm. Details: 01923 283566 chilternbookshops.co.uk

Top Five

Tales from the Vicarage Live

Following two sell out events during 2014, Tales from the Vicarage Live returns to the Palace Theatre. This is the launch night for volume four in the series of books which explores Watford Football Club. The night will feature guest appearances from a selection of former Watford players and managers alongside host Adam Leventhal.

Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road, Watford, Sunday, September 6, 7.30pm. Details: 01923 225671 watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk