The stars are out at Venue Cymru

Dawn French is a Huge Tw*t, 14th September A jolly, self-mocking show packed with engaging anecdotes from Dawn’s 40-year career. 7.30pm. Tickets from £43.

Alfie Boe, 23rd September Alfie returns to perform classic hits, fan favourites and songs from his forthcoming album Together in Vegas. 7.30pm. Tickets from £38.

An Evening with The Hollies, 8th October Icons of British music celebrate their seventh decade with hits including ‘The Air That I Breathe’. The line-up includes powerhouse drummer Bobby Elliott

Glow in the dark

DID YOU KNOW?

and singer, songwriter and lead guitarist Tony Hicks. 7.30pm. Tickets from £35.50.

Alfie Roncalli Boe was named after Pope John 23rd whose last name was Roncalli

Daniel O’Donnell, 13th October The evergreen Donegal-based singer is one of the most prolific recording artists in the UK charts. 7.30pm. Tickets from £45.50. www.venuecymru.co.uk

Good for you

The Walled Garden School at The Good Life Hawarden Estate, near Buckley, is running three interactive workshops this autumn. On 9th September experience a well-being winddown with Simon and Colly: Last of the Summer Retreat – Move, Breathe & Explore.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ducks, geese and swans are known collectively as Anatidae

Have fun while supporting Hope House Hospice. Enter Harry’s Duck Race on 3rd September at Pontblyddyn Cricket Club, Mold. Decorate a duck to race, enjoy a BBQ and stalls. Then it’s time to glow crazy on 20th, 21st

Plum crazy

& 28th October with a series of Dark Runs at Penrhyn Castle, Chirk Castle and Conwy. Wave your glow sticks as you run to music. Fancy dress encouraged, Chirk has a warm-up Clubercise at 6.15pm! Tickets £10 (child £5). www.hopehouse.org.uk

Celebrating the only Welsh plum grown in the Vale of Clwyd, the Denbigh Plum Feast returns to the Town Hall on 7th October, from 10am-4pm. Guest chef Chris ‘Flamebaster’ Roberts will be there, and there’ll be food and drinks stalls, crafts, gifts and barbecue demonstrations – with the emphasis on this unique plum! Entry is free, and there’s free car parking. www.visitdenbigh.co.uk

On 16th September, American BBQ with Adam Williams promises a masterclass in Stateside flavours, together with a spectacular fire-cooked lunch. And on 28th October junior chefs can join a Baking Masterclass covering bread and cake-making. Tickets at www. thewalledgardenschool.co.uk

Huntin’, shootin’, shin’

If you enjoy country pursuits, the GWCT Welsh Game Fair is for you! Hosted by the Vaynol Estate, near Bangor, on 9th-10th September, there’ll be fishing, gundogs, falconry, archery, horses and hounds, as well as bushcrafts, food and drink. A packed programme includes displays by Bwyellwyr Clwyd Axemen, canines and wildfowlers, as well as a dog and sheep show. Indulge in some retail therapy and enjoy the family entertainment, all on a countryside theme. 9am-5.30pm. Tickets from £20 (child £6, under-8s free). www.welshgamefair.org

WHAT’S ON NORTH WALES

Dance and drama at Rhyl Pavilion

The Magic of Dance, 9th September Join Strictly Come

Dancing’s Ian Waite and Vincent Simone on a journey through sizzling samba to the passion of Argentine tango, with Britain’s Got Talent’s Jai McDowall.

7.30pm. Tickets from £29.

By the Waters of Liverpool, 26th & 27th September Adapted

Beneath the surface

from Helen Forrester’s bestseller, catch the premiere of this stunning 1930s drama. At 16, Helen begins a bitter battle with her parents for the right to educate herself and to work.

7.30pm. Tickets from £23.

Swan Lake, 4th October

Crown Ballet returns to perform this beloved ballet set

DID YOU KNOW?

There’s four main schools of Argentine tango: D’Arienzo, Di Sarli, Troilo and Pugliese to Tchaikovsky’s sublime score.

7.30pm. Tickets from £24.

Mum’s the Word, 25th October

An uplifting, honest show about navigating motherhood. A witty romp through the trials and tribulations of parental life!

7.30pm. Tickets £28. www.rhylpavilion.co.uk

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

•Weekends in September and October, I’m A Celebrity Tours at Gwrych Castle, Abergele Take a 90-minute tour with experienced and knowledgeable guides, who will focus on the ITV set locations. Tickets from £10, advance booking required.

In ‘Natural (Re)Sources’, one of several exhibitions running at Ruthin Craft Centre until 24th September, a selection of artists explore the ‘of the earth’ origin of their chosen materials, producing both abstract creations and practical products. Matthew Harris’s ‘Cut, Shift, Repeat’ takes mixed media abstraction to another level, while ‘Surface Matters’ showcases the work of nine ceramicists. In the studio gallery, ‘Printmaker in Focus’ examines the work of Caernarfon-born Mali Morris. Tues-Sun 10am-5.30pm. Free. www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk

At the RCA

Mmmmmm!

Rail tales

Ffestiniog Railway celebrates the glories of Snowdonia in ‘Eryri – Tales and Trails’, from 8th-10th September

From the slate industry to mountains and birdlife, there’ll be talks, walks and events to interest everyone.

Bygones Weekend on 6th-8th October features trains from major eras of this historic company, with themed services including Gravity, Slate and Freight. www.festrail.co.uk

There’s still time to catch the Royal Cambrian Academy’s 140th Summer Exhibition, in Conwy until 9th September. Online until the same date, the Secret Postcard Auction is an opportunity to acquire original postcard-sized artwork.

To view from 16th September - 21st October is a collaboration between sculptors Meri Wells RCA and Gareth Nash RCA, and a solo exhibition by Ondre Nowakowski. Tues-Sat 11am5pm. Free. www.rcaconwy.org

Llangollen Food Festival is a beacon for producers in North Wales and the Borders, with everything from Malaysian pasties to Shropshire macarons, Penderyn Whisky to Ma Baker’s Micro Bakery. At venues across town on 14th15th October, enjoy cookery demos, family entertainment and plenty of delicious food! Head to Centenary Square for live music and a host of pop-up events. Free. www. llangollenfoodfestival.com

•3rd September & 8th

October, Guided Tour, Criccieth Castle Join Deian ap Rhisiart and discover the secrets of the castle originally built by Llywelyn the Great. Hour-long walking tours are at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Tickets £6.80 (5-17s £4.80, concessions available).

•8th September, Piece of Work, Theatr Clwyd, Mold Enjoy this captivating mix of storytelling, music and comedy about a touring stand-up comedian searching for the meaning of life. 7.30pm. Tickets from £10.

•8th September, Clinton Baptiste, Brymbo Sports & Social Complex, Wrexham From Bolton via Vegas – to the stars! As featured in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, enjoy Clinton’s outrageously bogus clairvoyance! 7.30pm. £19.79.

•8th September, Northern Soul Night at 1891, Rhyl Pavilion Dig out your baggy trousers and keep the faith with a mix of Motown and soul at Rhyl’s cabaret venue. 8pm. £5, or free entry if dining.

•9th September, Comedy Night Live, Ca Isa, nr Mold Award-winning standup Alun Cochrane headlines, supported by Manchester’s Charlie Lewis and Scouser Dean Maloney. 7.15pm. Tickets £11.

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 10TH-16TH SEPTEMBER

•10th September, North Wales Classic Car Show, Bodrhyddan Hall, near Rhyl A thrilling 600plus vintage, classic and modern vehicles will be on display, with an autojumble, children’s entertainment, food and drink. 10am-4pm. Tickets from £4.30.

•12th-16th

September, The Addams Family, Grove Park Theatre, Wrexham They’re creepy and they’re kooky – a hilarious, macabre musical based the iconic characters of Charles Addams’. Call 01978 351 091.