COMEDY
Jimeoin, Parr Hall, Warrington, Saturday
DO jokes and buildings have anything in common? Well they both have to be well constructed or they fall flat.
And Jimeoin is possibly the only stand-up on the circuit who is an expert with both.
The Edinburgh Fringe regular, who grew up in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, worked as a builder before moving to Australia when he was 22.
He found he had a knack for stand-up quite by chance when he took part in an open mic night in Sydney almost 30 years ago.
Jim’s life changed pretty much overnight as he threw himself into the comedy circuit at full pelt, often performing six nights a week to make a name for himself.
He first rose to prominence in Australia and New Zealand and was relatively unknown in the UK.
That all changed in 2013 when Jim was invited to do a routine for Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Live At The Apollo, watched by millions.
He now has a solid base of UK fans which he regularly jets back to perform in front of.
Jimeoin has also appeared on some of the biggest comedy shows on TV including Live at the Apollo, Sunday Night at the Palladium, The John Bishop Show, O2 Comedy Gala and the Royal Variety Performance.
Tickets are £18. Visit pyramidparrhall.com or call 442345
THEATRE
Strangers on a Train, Opera House, Manchester, until Saturday
CORONATION Street’s Christopher Harper, Emmerdale’s John Middleton. Call The Midwife’s Jack Ashton and Mr Selfridge’s Hannah Tointon are recreating the tension and suspense of a classic Hitchcock film
The story, originally a 1950 novel, is about a fateful encounter that takes place between a jealous businessman and a chancer with a dark secret in the dining carriage of a train crossing America.
Visit atgtickets.com/shows/strangers-on-a-train
MUSIC
Kendrick Lamar, Manchester Arena, Saturday
SEVEN-TIME Grammy-winning hip-hop icon Kendrick Lamar will be in Manchester on Saturday following the release of his fourth album, Damn.
The acclaimed record saw Lamar, who was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2016, tackle the complexities of today’s culture through his signature rap.
It peaked at number two in the UK charts and featured guest appearances from the likes of Rihanna and U2.
Visit manchester-arena.com
VARIETY
Britain’s Got Talent Big Celebration, Liverpool Empire, Sunday
TWO exclusive shows of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) are coming to Liverpool in aid of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
The BGT Big Celebration marks the return of MerseyGirls performer Julia Carlile who has received treatment and support from Alder Hey since she was young. MerseyGirls were finalists on BGT last year after which Julia successfully underwent life-changing spinal surgery.
To celebrate the 15-year-old’s return to dancing, MerseyGirls will perform at the two shows alongside 2017 winner Tokio Myers, musical theatre group Collabro, dog trick act Ashleigh and Sully, magician Lance Corporal Richard Jones, Attraction, Susan Boyle, Paul Potts and many more.
Singer and TV personality Myleene Klass will be hosting the show with two performances on Sunday at 3pm and 7.30pm. All proceeds go to Alder Hey.
You can find tickets at atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire
RUN
Run Britain, Tatton Park, Knutsford, Saturday
MADE a new year’s resolution to get fit?
Well here’s the chance to do a 10k with a beautiful backdrop.
Run Britain’s RunThrough will see runners enter Tatton Park before the gates open to cars – meaning they can charge down the traffic-free and scenic Knutsford Drive in an attempt to set a personal best.
Entry includes a Tatton Park themed medal, free access to the park afterwards as well as bananas and flapjacks. The race starts at 9am.
For more information or to book a place visit run-britain.com
RECITAL
Juliette Kowalski, Holy Trinity Church, Market Gate, Warrington, Saturday
DID you know there are free classical music recitals in Warrington on Saturdays?
WACIDOM (Warrington Arts Council Initiative for the Development of Music) started arranging lunchtime recitals in 2000.
That year there were five events, with 14 the following year. Now there are around 25 recitals that attract an audience of up to 80.
This Saturday will feature a performance by Juliette Kowalski, who plays the viola, with a piano accompaniment.
Juliette is from eastern France but moved to Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2009 she worked with several professional ensembles and formed the Appassionato Quartet.
She then continued her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, where she completed a masters degree last year and won the Rachel Godlee Viola Prize.
The recital takes place between 12.30 and 1.15pm. Voluntary donations are welcome on the day to help keep the programme of music going.
TALK
Michael Bolton – My Life Story, Opera House, Manchester, Sunday
SONGS will be taking a backseat to stories when Michael Bolton shares the highs and lows of his career which has taken him to Hollywood’s Hall of Fame.
Having sold more than 65 million records worldwide and won two Grammy awards and six American Music Awards, the 64-year-old remains a pop/rock icon.
The evening has been billed as ‘once in a lifetime’ event full of star-studded stories, anecdotes and life lessons.
Visit atgtickets.com/shows/an-audience-with-michael-bolton-my-life-story
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