What's on guide

Southport Food and Drink Festival

Date: 15th May 2008
Location: Southport; 01704 533333

Until 18th May
SOUTHPORT is hosting its second major culinary festival this month after the success of the inaugural event in 2007.
There will be a range of activities and attractions throughout the four-day festival - from beer and wine tastings to food related beauty treatments. The ‘Celebrate Southport’ Pavilion, will, as its name suggests, celebrate everything that is fabulous about food, drink and talent in Southport. The Pavilion is the hub of the whole festival, with a rolling programme of events taking place, plus a local producers’ market.
Businesses in the resort have once again signed up to the festival and will include taster menus, special offers, locally sourced foods, wine tastings, themed nights, competitions, talks and special offers.

Website: http://www.visitsouthport.com

Pam Ann:Terror at 41,000 feet

Date: 25th May 2008
Location: Grand Theatre,Blackpool; 01253 290190.

WHATEVER happened to the golden age of flying? When the ladies always wore heels, donned their finest couture and had hairdos so big they could barely get on board. In those days passengers would sit in the cockpit drinking champagne with the captain en-route to LA. The only thing about flying these days is the thought that we may not get off the plane alive! Where’s the glamour? Where’s the fun? It’s HERE.
Following the release of her highly acclaimed debut DVD ‘Come fly with me’ and sell out 2007 tour, Pam Ann, the 'A list hostess to the stars', is back with this brand new spoof comedy show which she promises will bring the thrill back to flying and includes new films including 'Pam’s One World Alliance'. The show is written and performed by Caroline Reid.

Return of the Rochdale sculptors

Date: 28th March 2008
Location: Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade. Tel: 01706 924492

Until 11th May
As part of Touchstones Rochdale’s ‘I love 70s’ season, key members of the Rochdale Sculptors return with an exhibition of work from their 70s heyday shown along recent contemporary work.
The Rochdale Sculptors were formed in 1968 by Peter Wolstenholme and Tony Smart who at the time were lecturers at Rochdale College of Art. More tutors at the college soon became involved and the group grew to include other artists, some of whom had no direct connection with the college or Rochdale. The exhibition focuses on the work of the eight key artists from the group. It features surviving original works created when the group was active alongside contemporary pieces the artists have created more recently and show developments in their practice and links between the old and new works. From the late 60s until they split in 1974, the sculptors often took their work outdoors to bring it directly to members of the public, targeting viewers with little or no experience of art. Their sculptures regularly appeared along the Esplanade and in other parts of the Borough. Admission free.

Preston Caribbean Carnival

Date: 25th May 2008
Location: Avenham Park, Preston; 0787 020 3209

STARTED by a small group of Caribbean immigrants more than 30 years ago, Preston’s Caribbean Carnival is now one of the largest events of its kind in the country. After years on the back streets of Preston it moved to the city centre in 2004 This year’s carnival will start and finish at the city’s Avenham Park and parade through the city centre. Anyone can join in and participants have included the Chinese and Asian communities, youth groups, schools and colleges along with the Afro-Caribbean community. The carnival committee believes that the multiculturalism, vibrancy and all inclusive community spirit that is the carnival epitomises what a new city should be in the 21st century. Apart from the dynamic and visual impact of the parade they see it as also a tool towards educational and creative skills, and an example of how people of different cultures, ages and abilities can work together. The carnival has also received a substantial cash boost with the Arts Council providing £80,000 of extra funding over the next two years. In the weeks leading up to the event , participants are invited to the carnival workshops in Oyston Mill, Preston to make their costumes, assisted by experienced carnival designers and artists, some of whom have worked on such events for more than 20 years including the famous Notting Hill Carnival.