BURNESIDE...

AFTER last year's sell-out success, the stomping musical Showstoppers 6 returns to the Bryce Institute from tonight (Wednesday) with two-hours of singing, comedy, costumes and dance. Many of the hits from the West End and Broadway, including songs from Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Aspects of Love and Jesus Christ Superstar, are in the jam-packed programme, so if you like a good tune, it is worth a viewing. For tickets, call 07792-777213.

KENDAL...

WITH enchanting tales to warm the heart, the legendary storyteller Taffy Thomas returns to the Brewery Arts Centre on Saturday afternoon (2pm-3pm) with some of his Favourite Tales from the Tale Coat. A workshop in the tale-spinning craft will follow. Box Office 01539-725133.

PENRITH...

THE New and Vintage Guitar Show (on Sunday and Monday) will bring dealers, used and vintage instruments, amps, effects and accessories to Rheged this weekend as the seventh annual show comes to town. There will be performances, workshops, lessons and tips on all musical genres as well as series of rock-related musical films including School of Rock, This is Spinal Tap and a special preview of the new rockumentary, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster. For more details, call 01768-860092.

HAWKSHEAD...

THAT talented tickler of the ivories, Paul Gregson, will present fans with a soothing concert of organ music on Saturday. The Organist Entertains will take place at Hawkshead Parish Church from 8pm.

NEAR APPLEBY...

AN exhibition of watercolours by Diane Gainey and her students will fill Ormside Village Hall with an array of wonderful and captivating paintings over the Bank Holiday weekend. In aid of the Great North Air Ambulance, the fifth annual exhibition will also feature local crafts and the pottery of Soulby man Bob March. Open 10.30am-5pm Saturday-Monday.

KENDAL...

IT may not be Baywatch, but on Saturday the Westmorland Shopping Centre will be filled with Lifeguards as the Fairly Famous Family Street Theatre Company perform their latest show. There will be face-painting for children, BJ the Magician and a host of local craft stalls to keep the whole family amused this Bank Holiday. Shows begin at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm.

WINDERMERE...

MEDIEVAL revellers are set to invade the shores of Windermere this weekend (Sunday and Monday) with knights in shining armour dashing to rescue damsels in distress in a 15th Century frolicking foray. Don't miss your chance to wander among the Nomad gathering which will set up a living and working village at Brockhole Visitor Centre and see how folk from times gone by went about their lives. 015394-46601.

NEAR PENRITH...

THE splendid grounds of Hutton-in-the-Forest will resonate to the sound of finely-tuned engines when the classic car event the Lakeland Historic Vehicle Weekend takes place. On Sunday and Monday, visitors can drool over more than 500 exhibits, ranging from classic cars, motorcycles, trucks, vans and military vehicles to tractors and full-size traction engines. 01253-407779.

KENDAL...

THE National Children's Orchestra, the UK's premier orchestra for talented youngsters, is heading to Cumbria for the first time in seven years this weekend. On Sunday (3pm), the Westmorland Hall will play host to a score including Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol, Elgar's Serenade for Strings and the theme from The Onedin Line, Spartacus. Call 01934-820254 for tickets.

LEVENS...

BRETTARGH Halt will be the venue for two days of Holiday Fun starting today (Wednesday). The two-day programme of visual and performing arts, for eight to 13-year-olds, will include card-making, textiles, claywork and dance. From 10am-3.30pm both days, tomorrow (Thursday) will end with a final performance. 01539-560340.