Pro Nobis Singers are back in performance mode and ready for their Christmas concert at St Mark's Church, Natland, on Friday (7.30pm) December 16. Billed as Dans cette table, the singers will present a programme of Christmas music and readings - sacred and secular, humorous and serious from different periods and in different styles. Featured this year is Adrian Self's Song of the Virgin Mary, a profoundly beautiful setting in Latin of the Magnificat.

Other works in the programme include medieval carols and Christmas music by Humphrey Clucas, Paul Edwards, Carl Rtti, John Tavener and Pro Nobis musical director Clive Walkley. Local organist Ann Bond will accompany the choir. Programmes are £7.50 / concessions £6.50 and available on 01539-723482.

PENRITH Singers celebrate Christmas with a performance of one of the world's most exhilarating and well-loved choral works, Handel's Messiah. Conducted by Colin Marston, the concert takes place at St Andrew's Church, Penrith, on Sunday (7.30pm) and features four rising young soloists from Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music, an orchestra led by Susan Johnson, and organ continuo from Ian Hare. Tickets are £10/ senior citizens £9/ students £4 and available from the town's Bluebell Bookshop.

SIMON Yaxley, well-known local actor, is one of the contributors to the Kendal and District Support Group for Derian House Children's Hospice evening of Christmas Readings and Carols. Held at Kendal United Reformed Church, Highgate, on Wednesday, December 7 (7.30pm), readings and carols feature together with performances this year by pupils from Ghyllside School and the choir of Kendal United Reformed Church. Admission is free.

BAY Potters' eighth Christmas market takes place at the Brewery this weekend, from 10am-5pm, both Saturday and Sunday. The region's giants of ceramics will all be showing their wares at the Kendal arts centre, including the Edens (Michael and Vicky), John Calver, Hans Ullrich, Libby and Nigel Edmondson, Maggie Berkowitz and Sue Bartholomew.

Flutes and Co, with Suzanne de Lozey, appear at Heaves Hotel, at Levens, tomorrow (Saturday, 7.30pm) in a fund raiser for the NSPCC. Suzanne and her ensemble are fresh from Birmingham Conservatoire, where they performed at the first National Flute Choir day. Tickets are £10 and available from Dorothy Routledge on 015395-60640.