Octagon, Bolton Beautiful Thing

Award-winning story about life on a Manchester council estate, filled with nostalgic music and promising a witty and winning take on what it is like to be 16 and falling in love.

Until Apr 2 (except Easter Monday, 28 Mar) £6.50 - £15.95.

ALBERT HALLS, BOLTON

New Rosemere AOS present Princess Ida

Gilbert and Sullivan's hilarious comedy of women's liberation in medieval days.

Until Friday, doors 6.45pm, 7.15pm, £9/conc £7

ROYAL EXCHANGE, MANCHESTER

Anthony and Cleopatra

Shakespeare's tale of two mighty rulers whose passion for each other is more important than politics and more powerful than death. Directed by Braham Murray

Until April 9

HARMONY YOUTH PROJECT, HARMONY MEDIA CENTRE, WORDSWORTH ST, HALLIWELL, 496161

Variety of midweek workshops including new Rock School featuring free drum, guitar and songwriting sessions - progressing to setting up a Rock Band - whether you can play or would like to learn how to play. Also DJ and MC club teaching basic DJ/MC skills through to advanced; music production sessions and karaoke; film club, working on a full length feature film and performing arts workshops focusing on music, dance and art from a wide range of cultures including street dance and break-dance and graffiti art.

Mondays 5pm -7pm/7pm - 9pm, Thursdays 5pm - 7pm/7pm - 9pm, Saturdays 12pm - 2pm/ 2pm - 4pm

Bolton Museum AND ART GALLERY

Carved Earth

Sculptural Ceramics by Halima Cassell - a unique exhibition by one of the most exciting young ceramicists in Britain. The artist's work is a fusion of her multi-cultural background, inspired by a combination of her Asian roots, a fascination for African pattern work and a love of Islamic architectural geometry, which should make for a varied and engaging display.

Until March 12

Lancashire Landscapes

Get the most out of your environment. Bolton's collection of oils, watercolours and prints take you on a journey through the Lancashire landscape, from the sea to the windswept moors. Discover what could be living near you: mammal, bird, insect and plant specimens will feature alongside the landscapes where they might be found.

Until July 9

Recent Acquisitions: 1995 to 2005

An opportunity to view a wonderful collection of artworks, that have been added to Bolton Museum's art collection in the past 10 years. This includes the first opportunity to see the most recent acquisitions of works by Prunella Clough, Edward Bawden, Cedric Morris and Winifred Nicholson.

Until July 9

SMITHILLS HALL HISTORIC house, SMITHILLS DEAN ROAD, BOLTON

Historic Manor House, the oldest part dating from the 14th century. Get a guided tour around this beautiful house, visit the gift shop or look out for events such as ghost evenings throughout the year. Now licensed for civil weddings.

Tuesday 1pm to 5pm Saturday, 1pm to 5pm Sunday 2pm to 5pm (last admission 4.15pm) Tel 01204 332377 or www.smithills.org

HALL I' TH' WOOD HISTORIC HOUSE AND MUSEUM, BOLTON

Late Medieval hall which was the home of Samuel Crompton, the man who revolutionised the cotton industry when he invented the spinning mule in 1779.

Open weekends until Easter, adults £2, children & concs £1, family ticket £5

THE PORTICO LIBRARY & GALLERY, MANCHESTER

Sheila Dewsbury - an exhibition of recent paintings

A Saddleworth-based landscape and figure painter whose work explores the underlying structure of the subject and how the play of light exposes form.

Until March 24, Mon to Fri, 9.30am-4.30pm, Special Sunday opening March 20th, 1pm-4pm

THE WHITWORTH ART GALLERY, MANCHESTER

Truce: New Sculpture and Drawings by Shirley Diamond

A new series of installations by artist Shirley Diamond. The exhibition comprises a collection of interrelated works exploring the experience of time through the use of fragile materials and vulnerable structures.

Until April 10

NUMBER 15, CHURCHGATE

Burn the Mona Lisa, To the Bones, Liam Snow

Tonight

WEAVERS ARMS, BRUNEL ST, HALLIWELL

Buskers Ball

Open mic night for musicians and singers

Every Saturday, from 8pm.

MOSES GATE HOTEL, FARNWORTH

Mad Racket

Friday, 8.30pm

Led Balloon

Sat, 8.30pm