Family and fun at Pontio

Pontio Family Day, 18th March Events for the whole family include art sessions based on the Tree Sense exhibition, origami workshops, poetry with Children’s Laureate of Wales Connor Allen, sing-along films, Caffi Babis events and more! Full details on the website.

Pulse, 23rd March National Dance Company Wales presents two physically thrilling works to set your pulse racing: ‘Waltz’ and ‘Say Something’. 7.30pm. Tickets from £12.

Dear Reader…

A murder mystery evening with author Ann Cleeves and a conversation with the National Poet of Wales, Hanan Issa, are just two of the highlights of Wrexham’s Carnival of Words on 22nd-29th April. There’s also a Charles Dickens readathon, an historical fiction night, storytelling, poetry, comics and graphic novels, and a Writers’ Carousel of open mic readings and interactive panels of Welsh writers, bloggers and journalists. www.wrexhamcarnivalofwords.com

Full steam ahead

Steam fans, book soon for The Snowdonian, an 80-mile round trip over the whole Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway on 22nd April Merddin Emrys and Welsh Pony will be starring, as well as NG/G16 143, with meals on board as you make your way from Porthmadog via Blaenau Ffestiniog and Caernarfon. Tickets from £250 (includes optional tour of Boston Lodge on 21st). www.festrail.co.uk

Woodland Tales with Grandad, 8th April With a cast of extraordinary puppets, this uproarious family show also has an important environmental message. 11.30am & 2.30pm. Tickets £6.50.

An Evening and a Little Bit of a Morning with Mark Steel, 21st April The critically acclaimed Mark Steel’s in Town was voted the sixth best radio comedy ever. Now the BBC Radio regular is in Bangor! 8pm. Tickets £17. www.pontio.co.uk

Art at the Academy

e Royal Cambrian Academy in Conwy hosts several interesting exhibitions this spring. From 4th March – 1st April Mike Knowles presents bold and striking landscape paintings from locations around his home on Anglesey, and Maurice Greenwood re ects on the beauty of light in the landscape, particularly after rain. From 8th April Richard Gant has mixed sculptural pieces on display and there’s an exhibition by new members. Tue-Sat 11am-5pm. Free entry. www.rcaconwy.org

The big one

Celebrating its 30th year, Llandudno Transport Festival takes place from 29th April – 1st May at Bodafon Fields showground. Events include the ever-popular Crosville gathering of vintage buses and coaches, and the Extravaganza Street Parade of walkers in costume, cyclists, marching bands, entertainers and traction engines. There will be two road runs of vintage vehicles, including the now iconic circuit of the Great Orme. See www.llantransfest.co.uk

•25th March, Tapestri, Blue Sky Café, Bangor This bilingual band fuses Americana, roots, folk and country with angelic harmonies and slide guitar. 7-11.30pm. £13.20.

•25th March, Catrin Finch – The Story So Far, Canolfan Ucheldre, Holyhead Join Catrin as she journeys through the music that’s most important to her, woven with anecdotes, chat and insights into the life of an extraordinary harpist. 7.30pm. From £4.

26th March, Seed Swap, Plas Newydd, Llangollen Bring your seeds and cuttings to swap with other greenfingered visitors. There’ll be a gardening themed ra e plus a session with Nature for Health. 10amnoon. Donations appreciated.

•27th March, Conwy Seed Fair 700-year old Royal Charter Fair o ering seeds and plant stalls, honey and farmers’ market stalls. 9am-4pm. Free entry.

•31st March – 2nd April, North Wales Jazz Guitar Weekend, Coleg Cambria, Wrexham. Learn from and play with world-class musicians, including Michael Sagmeister, Trefor Owen, Darren DutsonBromley and Adrian Ingram. £140. 07423 016888.

•1st April, Coastal Foraging Taster, Castle Dyke Street, Flint Join Forager Jim for a workshop and walk, including ID guidance, finding and tasting wild ingredients on Flint’s coastline. 10am-noon. £20.

•2nd April, Open Day/Wedding Showcase, Plas Isaf, Corwen “We are opening the barn to showcase our lovely venue, the perfect setting for your wedding. We’ll be around to answer any questions you may have. No need to book, just turn up! 1-4pm.