AN APPALACHIAN Roots concert is being staged at Shap Memorial Hall on Sunday, November 27 (7.30pm), featuring a dynamic mix of traditional dance, song and instrumental music from the southern Appalachian region of the USA.

With a few international twists thrown in, the gig is courtesy of Ira Bernstein, who is regarded as one of the most versatile and accomplished performers of percussive step dancing (clog, tap and step) in America, alongside string king (fiddle, guitar and banjo) Riley Baugus, who apparently made a musical contribution to the film Cold Mountain. In the afternoon, from 2.30pm-5pm, the guys will run dance and music workshops at the hall, where people can choose to have a go at either Appalachian flatfooting or old time fiddle music. Tickets for the concert are £6 / concessions £4.50/ family £17.50. Admission to the workshops will be £5/ concessions £4. Booking is essential for both events via Janet Wood on 01931-716273.

WHAT a night it promises to be at Ulverston's Coronation Hall tomorrow (Saturday, 7.30pm) as two of the area's finest youth ensembles team up for a joint concert. Ace string coach Roland Fudge steps into Noel Bertram's shoes to conduct the Westmorland Youth Orchestra while another leading light in the musical circles of Cumbria and beyond Richard Butler directs his Ulverston Victoria High School Swing Band. Both sets of instrumentalists come highly recommended and will no doubt provide a great evening of musical entertainment. Josie Blakey leads the WYO with Gareth Brookfield solo violin for one of the pieces in the extensive programme, the Legend by H. Wieniawski. Tickets are £7 and £6 adults/ £5 and £4 senior citizens/ £3 and £2 under-21s and unwaged. Available from the Coro box office on 01229-587140.

Spinning the Round Table is an intriguing play of passion and politics. Written by Welsh playwright Lewis Davies, it takes the love triangle from the heart of the Arthurian legend, giving a modern slant to a traditional parable that reflects 21st century life. Staged by Hijinx Theatre under the Highlights Touring banner, the company performs the play at Staveley Village Hall tomorrow (Saturday, 7.30pm). The play is suitable for young people aged 12 and upward. The event is promoted by SV Enterprises, the Staveley Village community group, which aims to send the net profits to the Asian Earthquake Fund. Tickets are £6/ £3 under-16s/ £12 for families and available from Staveley Post Office or on 01539-821629.

LEARN how to draw cartoons and devise characters courtesy of The Westmorland Gazette cartoonist and illustrator Colin Shelbourn at Barrow Library on Saturday, November 26, between 2pm-3.30pm. Colin tells me that one of the aims of the workshop will be to create the longest cartoon in Barrow, apparently in the region of 30-metres in length.

OXEN Park Cinema Club presents the 1927 silent masterpiece Murnau's Sunrise on Friday, November 25 (7.30pm) at Ulverston Victoria High School. Tony Milledge provides live piano accompaniment. Admission is £4/ club members £3. To book, contact 01229-861507.