DAYS OUT

Willow Watercolours

Come down and rummage through a bargain selection of artwork at Willow Watercolours and help raise money for the Welwyn Scouts Hall. The Willow Watercolours studio is about to be sold, so paintings galore are on sale - some are framed, some are unframed in mounts and wraps - for low prices. A variety of art materials are also on offer, including paints, pencils, easels, frames, mounts and a manikin.

Scouts HQ, Lockleys Drive, Welwyn Village, July 18 to 19, 9am to 4pm. Details: 07956 537140

St Albans County and Dog Show

The annual extravaganza returns to Highfield Park - and it's bigger, and better than ever. Watch in awe as daredevils complete breath taking stunts in the arena, or relax with the slightly more serene cookery demonstrations, rural crafts and shire horse show. For those who like to boogie, enjoy music and dance from the Zulu Dancers and the Jive Dancers. Marvel at the moving 6ft T-Rex or watch the Galloping Cambridge Vaulting Acrobatics group perform amazing tricks on horseback. All the fun is topped off with the Dog Show.

Highfield Park, Hill End Lane, St Albans, July 18 to 19, Details: stalbanscountryshow.co.uk

Curious Coins

A family event for the Festival of National Archaeology at Verulamium Museum. Try your hand at metal detecting, identifying coins, coin rubbing and stamp a coin to take away with you as a souvenir.

Verulamium Museum, St Michaels Street, St Albans, Saturday, July 18, 2pm to 5pm. Details: 01727 751810, stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Folk by the Oak

In the beautiful parkland at Hatfield House, a host of fantastic folk acts will come together to perform for one uplifting summer day of music. On the line up this year is five-times Grammy Award-winner Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bellowhead, The Unthanks, Nancy Kerr, Keston Cobblers Club, Lady Maisery and Moore Moss Rutter.

Hatfield House, Hatfield, Sunday, July 19, from 12.30pm. Details: 01707 287010, hatfield-house.co.uk, folkbytheoak.com

MUSIC

Battle of the Bands

It's time for the final showdown in this year's Battle of the Bands competition - the first to be held at The Horn in two years. Four great acts from the local area will perform to win the coveted title of BOTB champion. Facing the music this week are ska-punk band Bright Conclusions, singer Sam Rabin, metal outfit Munition and rock four piece Interstellar Airship.

The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans, Thursday, July 16, 8pm. Details: 01727 844 627, thehorn.co.uk

Gravity

Get ready for a night of top-quality covers from this group of professional musicians. Gravity play a range of music by the likes of Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon, Pink, Chaka Khan and Michael Jackson.

The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans, Friday, July 17, 10pm. Details: 01727 844 627, thehorn.co.uk

St Albans Organ Festival

A fortnight of fantastic live music is underway in St Albans. A host of large-scale choral and instrumental music is lined up alongside solo recitals, a percussion ensemble, some dance and the haunting sound of Northumbrian pipes. This year’s Organ Festival is accompanied by a Fringe Festival which presents street entertainment from the likes of The Dragon and Balloonatic, along with the chance to learn an instrument with harmonica, didgeridoo and one octave organ workshops. Also enjoy an exhibition of beautiful work by St Albans artists at Kingsbury Barn in St Michael's Village.

The festival runs across various venues in St Albans until July 18. Details: 01727 844765, organfestival.com

Battle Proms

This year, the popular summer music extravaganza marks 200 years since the end of the Napoleonic Wars at the Battle of Waterloo. Along with commemorating this conflict, the celebration will remember the conclusion of World War Two 70 years ago, and the Battle of Britain 75 years ago. The programme includes The Battle of Britain Evening Gun Salute heralding the arrival of the Grace Spitfire and a volley of shots from a vintage 13-pounder field gun. Enjoy classical favourites from the New English Concert Orchestra and music with a vintage twist from The Rockabellas.

Hatfield House, Hatfield, Saturday, July 18, 4.30pm. Details: 01432 355416, battleproms.com

Red Not Really Peppers

Hailed as the UK's premier Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute act, this band promise a night of accurately re-created hits by the Californian super band. Based in Hertfordshire and performing throughout the UK, they provide an energetic display of Chili Pepper funkiness - from Scar Tissue to Suck My Kiss, Californication to Can't Stop - get ready for an evening of red hot entertainment.

The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans, Saturday, July 18, 9pm. Details: 01727 844627, thehorn.co.uk

Jimmy Cliff and His Band

Jamaican ska and reggae singer, Jimmy Cliff is best known for songs including Sitting in Limbo, You Can Get It If You Really Want and Many Rivers to Cross, from the soundtrack to The Harder They Come which helped popularise reggae across the world.

Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, Friday, July 24, 8pm. Details: 01727 844488, alban-arena.co.uk

DANCE

Double Exposure

Musical theatre meets exhilarating dance in a new show by Bedford-based Stella Mann College students. The programme is crammed with contemporary and jazz dance, singing and acting. There's something for everyone in this entertaining yearly show.

Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, Saturday, July 18, 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Details: 01727 844488, alban-arena.co.uk

THEATRE

Romeo and Juliet

The classic story of two young people from different backgrounds chasing love but finding tragedy. Performed by the Company of Teens, this well-known tale is presented in a new light. Communication, or lack of it, seems to be at the heart of Shakespeare’s play. The Teens link this to the modern obsession with constant sharing and emoting.

The Abbey Theatre, Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans, July 16 to 17, 8pm. Details: 01727 857861, abbeytheatre.org.uk

Northanger Abbey

Young Catherine Morland's view of life outside her small home town are highly coloured by the romantic Gothic novels she reads. On a trip to Bath she is invited to stay with friends at Northanger Abbey where Catherine's imagination begins to run riot. Will Catherine’s imagination be her downfall? Are all the people she meets as they seem? And are those shadows in Northanger Abbey friend or foe? Enjoy DOT Productions' witty adaptation of JAne Austen's gothic classic.

Maltings Arts Theatre, Level 2, The Maltings, St Albans, Friday, July 17, 8pm. Details: 0333 666 3366, maltingsartstheatre.co.uk

COMEDY

The Tringe Festival

A week longer than usual and, as always, packed with a fantastic array of outstanding comics, magicians, sketch groups and wonderful variety including such gems as Arthur Smith sings Leonard Cohen. This year’s star-studded line-up features Jenny Eclair, Ed Byrne, Josh Widdicombe, Sara Pascoe, Mark Thomas and Patrick Kielty. There are still tickets available but they will soon be snapped up, so make sure you take your chance to see top talent locally.

The Tringe Festival is at The Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring until July 25, various times. Details: 07973 291821, tringefestival.co.uk

FILM

Far From the Madding Crowd

In Victorian England the headstrong Bathsheba Everdene attracts three very different suitors: a sheep farmer, a reckless sergeant and a prosperous bachelor. Starring Carey Mulligan and Tom Sturridge.

Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, July 22 to 23, various times. Details: 01727 844488, alban-arena.co.uk

EXHIBITIONS

Eastern Approaches Winner Show

Exploring the collection of artefacts at St Albans Museum, artist Arabel Rosillo de Blas has create a new exhibition using craft to breathe new life into history.

Museum of St Albans, Hatfield Road, St Albans, from July 24 to August 6, weekdays, 10am to 5pm, weekends, 2pm to 5pm. Details: 01727 751810, stalbansmuseums.org.uk