October 6

Friday night live music; Philanthropist and Firkin, Victoria Street, St Albans; doors open 7.

October 6

Friday night live music; Philanthropist and Firkin, Victoria Street, St Albans; doors open 7.30pm until 10.30pm; admission £3.

The Big Cheese plus DJ Hansi; all the hits of the 70's and 80's until 1am; The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans; admission £5.

Fame - The Musical; a four-year journey through New York City's High School of Performing Arts featuring a variety of high-energy song and dance numbers; Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans; 8pm; tickets £10; details from box office on 01727 844488.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; conducted by David Cripps with Ian Balmain playing solo trumpet; Dacorum Pavilion, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead; 7.45pm; tickets £7.50 to £16.50; call the box office 01442 228700.

Family Learning Weekend; have fun in a seek and search with the theme of the environment; Museum of St Albans, Hatfield Road, St Albans; 10am to 5pm; admission free.

Ceramics; display by Caroline Newton; Craft Cabinet, The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead; 10.30am to 10.30pm; exhibition on until October 31.

Exhibition; The Scrapyard - a diversity of content and visual images; The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead; 10.30am to 10.30pm; exhibition on until October 14.

Rough Crossing; Tom Stoppard's frothy comedy set in the 1930's of two playwrights who embark a luxury ocean liner with only four days to complete their musical; Palace Theatre Watford; 8pm; tickets £4.50-£17 from the box office on 01923 225671; on until October 28.

Exhibition of Paintings; oils, watercolours and pastels for sale; The Refectory, St Albans Cathedral; 10.30am- to 4.30pm daily; until November 2.

Tomorrow

October 7

The Sarah Jane Morris Acoustic Band; a singer of enormous and diverse talent with a penchant for jazz, soul, Latin and blues styles; The Red Note Jazz Club, Maltings Arts Theatre, The Maltings, St Albans; 8.30pm; tickets £9 from box office on 01727 844222.

The Glambusters; T-Rex, Slade, Sweet, Gary Glitter and all the Glam stars you can think of performed by the incredible Glambusters until 1am; The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans; admission £5.

Hot Corn; rhythm rock and blues with the ultimate classic covers band; The King Offa, Wallingford Walk, St Albans; 8.30pm; admission free.

Stir Crazy; local pop/rock acoustic duo; The Spotted Bull, Verulam Road, St Albans; 8.30pm; admission free.

Faultline; band with eclectic mixture of African, bebop and Latin jazz featuring soulful chanteuse Helen 'Diva' MacDougall; The White Hart Tap, Keyfield Terrace, St Albans, 8.30pm; admission free.

Fame - The Musical; see Today.

The Strawberry The Clown Show; children's theatre - wacky show of slapstick, hilarity and crazy mayhem; age four upwards; Maltings Arts Theatre, The Maltings, St Albans; 3pm; tickets £3.80 from the box office on 01727 844222.

Nosferatu The Visitor; a no fangs, no cloaks, shocking new production of the Dracula story that will unnerve the most hardened of audiences; The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead; 8pm; tickets £8 from the box office on 01442 228091.

Family Learning Weekend; see Today.

Legion XIIII on guard at Verulamium; members of Legion XIIII occupy the galleries, describe the tactics and equipment of the Roman Imperial Army and the life of a foot soldier; Verulamium Museum, St Michael's, St Albans; 10am to 5.30pm; admission free to residents of St Albans city and district.

Ceramics; display by Caroline Newton; Craft Cabinet, The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead; 10.30am to 10.30pm; exhibition on until October 31.

Exhibition; The Scrapyard - a diversity of content and visual images; The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead; 10.30am to 10.30pm; exhibition on until October 14.

Ceramics; see Today.

Exhibition; see Today.

A Brass Band Concert; by the famed Regent Brass; Dagnall Street Baptist Church, Upper Dagnall Street, St Albans; 7.45pm; tickets £6 from Regent Brass on 01442 235263, Church's Cross Street Centre between 10am and 2pm daily, or on the door.

Ella Fitzgerald Song Book; three of Britain's finest female vocalists with saxophone accompaniment combine for a splendid show; the Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett; 8pm; for details call 01923 859291.

Rough Crossing; see Today.

Hertfordshire Chorus; open rehearsal devoted to singing extracts from Verdi's Requiem for a concert on November 19, singers of all ages and from all musical backgrounds are welcome; St Paul's Church, Hatfield Road, St Albans; 2pm to 5pm; for details call 020 8367 5441.

One Enchanted Evening; a programme of popular songs from musicals of the 20th Century from the Harpenden-based chamber choir, The Music Makers; Rothamsted Conference Centre, Harpenden; 7.30pm; tickets £8 from 01582 767421 or on the door.

Exhibition of Paintings; see Today.

Harpenden Photographic Society ; annual exhibition; Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Harpenden; 10am to 4pm; refreshments available, everyone welcome, entry free.

National Childbirth Trust Nearly New Sale; sale of good quality baby/children's wear, maternity clothing, toys and equipment, cake stall, refreshments, jams, all welcome; St George's School, Sun Lane, Harpenden; 10am to 11.30am; entrance 30p.

Sunday

October 8

Semi-acoustic weekend wind down; The Blue Angel Acoustic Caf; The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans; 7.30pm to 10.30pm; admission free.

Herts Jazz; Gilad Atzmon Quartet; The Fairway, Fairway Suite, Old Herns Lane, Welwyn Garden City; doors open 7.30pm, music starts at 8pm; admission £5.

Fame - The Musical; see Today; 3pm.

Family Learning Weekend; see Today, 2pm-5pm.

Legion XIIII on guard at Verulamium; see Tomorrow, 2pm to 5.30pm.

Howard Burrell's Symphony No 1; the concert will be a showcase of luscious 20th Century English music with Burrell's symphony (world premiere) juxtaposed against works by Elgar, Britten and Holst; Prince Edward Hall, Hatfield Campus, University of Hertfordshire; 7.30pm; tickets £6 to £15 from box office on 01707 284004.

Exhibition of Paintings; see Today.

City of St Albans Guided Walks; town walks start at the Clock Tower, Verulamium Park walks start outside the Museum; 11.15am, Historic St Albans; 3pm, Victorian St Albans; 3pm, Verulamium Park; free; no booking necessary.

St Albans YHA Group; Walk followed by visit to Capel Manor Gardens, Enfield, meet 10.30am at War Memorial, St Peter's Street, St Albans, or 11.15am at Cheshunt Marsh GR 370010 sheet 166; contact Carol Hill on 01438 724049.

Monday

October 9

Jammin' Night; bring your guitar, voice or sticks and join in - a free pint for performers; The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans; admission £2.

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (15); original film is a new twist on the hitman thriller; Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans; 8pm; tickets £5; details from the box office on 01727 844488.

Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club; best of the bunch from the UK comedy circuit; The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead; 8.30pm; tickets £5 from the box office on 01442 228091.

Ceramics; see Today; 10.30am to 3pm.

Exhibition; see Today; 10.30am to 3pm.

Rothamsted 2000 Series of Open Meetings; on Agriculture-Environment Interactions - The Role of Science in Agriculture for Developing Countries; Rothamsted Conference Centre, IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden; 7pm; admission free; for details call Barbara Vernon 01582 763133 ext 2547.

Rough Crossing; see Today; 7.45pm.

Exhibition of Paintings; see Today.

Yoga; for relaxation and meditation every Monday; Redbourn Junior School, Long Cutt, Redbourn; 7.30pm to 8.30pm; for beginners and intermediates.

Tuesday

October 10

Battle of the Bands IV; second heat - Aline plus Hush plus Tawana; The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans; admission £3.

Double Dose; acoustic pop/rock/blues duo; The Spotted Bull, Verulam Road, St Albans; 8.30pm; admission free.

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (15); see Monday.

Candide; riotous 18th Century journey through bizarre encounters, misfortune and misadventure in a quest for lost love; The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead; 8pm; tickets £9 from the box office on 01442 228091.

Ceramics; see Today; 10.30am to 3pm.

Exhibition; see Today; 10.30am to 3pm.

Rough Crossing; see Today; 7.45pm.

Who's Who?; a high-spirited, fast-moving comedy by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall of hilarious confusion of mistaken identities, vengeful wives and desperate improvisations; Tilbury Hall, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar; 8pm; tickets £6 from the box office on 07932 602274.

Our Friends from the North; contemporary art from Finland, Norway and Sweden, two simultaneous exhibitions with a free shuttle-bus between the venues; Margaret Harvey Gallery, 7 Hatfield Road, St Albans and Art and Design Gallery, College Lane, Hatfield; until November 11; details from 01707 285310.

Exhibition of Paintings; see Today.

Lunchtime organ recital; by David Gammie from Wimbledon; Marlborough Road Methodist Church, St Albans; 12.30pm; light lunches served from noon to 12.20pm and from 1.15pm to 2pm.

Wednesday

October 11

Wild Rain plus Solvent 27 plus Bowfinger; a night of indie rock/pop; The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans; admission £3.

Sergeant Musgrave's Dance; striking colliers, avaricious mine-owners and conflicts between soldiers set in a small mining town in the North; Abbey Theatre, Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans; 8pm; tickets £5.50 to £7 from 01727 855185.

Ed Byrne; comedian with loveable brand of humour; Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans; 8pm; tickets £12; details from the box office on 01727 844488.

Lunchtime Recital; Annett Busse (piano); Maltings Arts Theatre, The Maltings, St Albans; 1pm; admission £2; box office on 01727 844222.

Candide; see Tuesday.

Ceramics; see Today; 10.30am to 3pm.

Exhibition; see Today; 10.30am to 3pm.

Rough Crossing; see Today; 7.45pm.

Our Friends From the North; see Tuesday.

A Different Take on Psalms St Peter's Church in St Albans city centre has a series of informal music and poetry on Wednesday lunchtimes, coffee and light lunches are served in the Octagon between 10.30am and 2.30pm, concerts 1pm to 2pm, are free, with a voluntary collection in aid of local music therapy work with disabled children, details phone Terence Handly MacMath on 01727 851401.

Exhibition of Paintings; see Today.

Art Club; places available for everyone with any level of artistic experience; Artezium Arts and Media Centre, 65-67 Bute Street, Luton; every Wednesday, 9.30am to 12.30pm; £3 per session.

Slimming Magazine Club; meets in the Town Hall assembly rooms, St Albans; 6.30pm and 7.15pm; details from Ann on 01582 733271.

St Albans YHA Group; AGM; St Paul's Church Hall, Blandford Road, St Albans; 8pm; contact Shirley Welch 01582 620433.

Thursday

October 12

DJ's Sound Sensorium; acoustic music showcase hosted by Mr Jolly, every Thursday, take part, join in or just come and listen; The White Hart Tap, Keyfield Terrace, St Albans, at 9pm; admission free.

Traditional music sessions; every Thursday - mainly English and Irish traditional tunes and songs - everyone welcome to listen or to play; Rose and Crown, St Michael's Street, St Albans, 9pm.

Hugh Cornwell; lead singer, guitarist and main songwriter for The Stranglers, Hugh will be performing The Stranglers hits and his own solo material; The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans; admission £7.

Sergeant Musgrave's Dance; see Wednesday.

Bacchae; with chilling parallels to modern cult tragedies, this new adaptation of a classical drama provides a frightening commentary of contemporary events; Maltings Arts Theatre, The Maltings, St Albans; 8pm; tickets £8 from the box office on 01727 844222.

The Virtual Journalist; opportunity to work with professional writer and journalist Norma Cohen in a six-week course, for 17 to 25 year olds; The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead; 4pm to 6pm; course £18, details from Paul Russ on 01442 228097.

Trainspotting (18); a wickedly funny, poignant, and brutally shocking raw examination of youth and drug addiction; Wyllyotts Centre, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar; 7.45pm; tickets £6.95 from the box office on 01707 645005.

Ceramics; see Today; 10.30am to 3pm.

Exhibition; see Today; 10.30am to 3pm.

Macbeth; Shakespeare4Kidz present an innovative and musical fast-moving thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seats; the Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett; 7.30pm; for details call 01923 859291.

Rough Crossing; see Today; 7.45pm.

Single Spies; a double bill of plays about the notorious Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt; Memorial Hall, Marford Road, Wheathampstead; 8pm; tickets £5 from the box office on 01438 718561.

Our Friends from the North; see Tuesday.

Exhibition of Paintings; see Today.

St Albans Abbey Folk Dance Club; meetings every Thursday; St Stephen's Church hall, Watling Street, St Albans; 7.45pm to 9.45pm; all welcome; for more details call Brenda on 01727 846606.

Afternoon Tea Dance; dancing and social club, over 50's welcome, every Thursday; Catholic Church Hall, Beaconsfield Road, St Albans; 2pm to 4pm; details on 01727 857106.

Locomotive Club of Great Britain (St Albans Branch); illustrated talk on Mechanised Track Maintenance and Machines Provided By Plasseur and Theurer; Chiswell Green United Reformed Church Hall, Watford Road, St Albans; 7.30pm; visitors welcome.

The National Trust - St Albans and District Centre; fundraising slide show by Ken James - Claydon and Chastleton - Contrasting Houses; St Peter's Church Hall, Hatfield Road, St Albans; 7.45pm; all welcome (non-centre members £1).

RSPB Harpenden Group; an illustrated talk, Birds Of Israel, by Colin Kirtland, a keen birdwatcher and photographer; All Saints Hall, Station Road, Harpenden; 8pm; non-members very welcome.

Observer

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