Pigs will fly

Flying Pigs Storytellers were a big hit at a recent gig at Cafe Unlimited with their improvisation of traditional stories, involving the audience for special effects.

Darren and Sarah promise to add a good sprinkling of glamour, wit and playfulness to authentic legends and folk tales, creating a genuinely up-to-date tradition.

The duo blend the zany with the poignant for what is widely regarded as an uplifting and engaging evening.

You can catch their Summer Mayhem Stories next on Tuesday 27th May at Cafe Unlimited in Gloucester Road, 7.30pm for 8pm start.

Concert cancelled

The Colston Hall has had to reschedule the Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert on Sunday 25th May because founder member, Joseph Shabalala has had to return to South Afica.

Joseph, who is also lead singer for the celebrated vocal group, has been officially summoned by the High Court of Justice in Durban, South Africa to give testimony at the trial of the accused muderer of Joseph's late wife, Nellie Shabalala.

The date has been rescheduled to Friday 20th June.

The last dance

Ever wondered what happened to little Billy who you used to push into the sandpit at primary school, or little Nicky who used to eat your sandwiches?

Well former pupils and staff at Portishead Primary School are getting the chance to find out what happened to their former friends and foes, with a grand reunion to celebrate the school moving to new premises at Port Marine.

The event takes place on 28th June between 2pm - 4.30pm.

Life is a cabaret

A special cabaret show is being held at the BAWA Leisure Centre in Filton on Saturday 21st June.

The show is in memory of Jo Burnett from Clifton with proceeds going to the Hammer Out brain tumour action group.

Featured acts include Queen/ Freddie Mercury tribute band QEII, comedian Phil Charles and singer Dave Brooks. Tickets are available via the event website

Gig cancelled

Bad news for fans of Susheela Raman. She has cancelled her Colston Hall appearance on Tuesday 10th June due to delays in finishing her new album. The tour is currently being rescheduled for the autumn.

Blowing their own trumpet

Congratulations to the City of Bristol Brass Band for its recent win at the West of England Brass Band Championships in Torquay.

The group is off to Dundee in September to represent the southwest at the national finals and in 2004 will be promoted to the championship section.

Find out more about the band

Spotlight on art history

Early photography, medieval wall-paintings, and the work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel come under the spotlight in a series of study days run by Bristol University's Department of History of Art this summer.

The Saturday courses are aimed at members of the public with an interest in art history and cost between £20 and £30 each.

The study days include a look at Fox Talbot and Lacock Abbey on Saturday 31st May 2003, exploring the advent of photography as an artistic medium.

On Saturday 7th June 2003 the subject is medieval wall-paintings of Wiltshire and on Saturday 14 June 2003 the focus is on Brunel and Bristol.

All courses run from 10am to 5pm.

Coarse Actors

The Pucklechurch Players are preparing to get a little... coarse, with a series of Three Plays for Coarse Actors at the village hall on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th June 2003. Tickets are £5.

She's behind you...

The Hippodrome has announced that this year's pantomime will star Lily Savage as the Wicked Queen in Snow White.

It promises 'magic, music, fantastic sets, wonderful costumes and a full orchestra'.

Lily says: "Watch out people of Bristol… I'm coming to town and I'm gonna be more evil than ever!"

The show will run from Friday 19th December to Sunday 18th January and tickets go on sale from Monday 12 May.

Conservatoire accolade

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is to join the prestigious National Conservatoire for Dance and Drama.

The conservatoire was established by the Government in 2001 to provide vocational training in dance and drama for talented students, regardless of their financial situation.

BOV Theatre School joins RADA, the London Contemporary Dance School and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance as conservatoire members.

Christopher Denys, BOV school principal said: "This is a great honour for the school and an eloquent recognition of the importance of Bristol and the West country in the cultural life of the nation."