The festival opens with a concert at 8pm at the Gregson Centre and runs until Sunday.

Various concerts, puppeteers and other gurdy events take place for the whole family, some at free locations across Lancaster.

A free closing event is on Sunday, with all musicians invited to join in as part of the Grand Orchestre de Lancaster.

For more details call Lancaster Tourist Information on 01524 32878 or email festival@gurdy.co.uk.

Tickets for all events are on sale at gurdy.co.uk.

Film
CATCH the comedy blockbuster filmed in Cumbria at Lancaster's Vue cinema from this weekend.

Three and Out opens as hapless tube driver Paul Callow (Mackenzie Crook) accidentally runs someone over with his train.

Taking a few days off to calm his nerves, he returns only for another passenger to fall on the tracks.

His colleagues advise him about a little known loophole in the London Underground's hiring policy: If three people go 'under' within a month, he could enjoy early retirement and a lump sum pay off.

With heavy debts, Paul sets about finding someone who might want to jump under his train.

Comedy
TICKETS are now available for comedian Jimmy Carr at Blackpool Opera House.

Due to popular demand Carr, one of the biggest faces in comedy, has announced a second date on August 3.

Fresh from releasing his third DVD, 'Comedian', his first book 'The Naked Jape', and presenting the fifth series of 8 Out of 10 Cats, the British Comedy Awards winner is back on the road with a brand new show – Repeat Offender.

Not suitable for the easily offended, not even a show for people that are quite difficult to offend – essentially this is a show for people without a moral compass.

Tickets are £19.50. Book early to avoid disappointment at www.blackpoollive.com or call 0844 856 1111.

Concert
THE Promenade Concert Orchestra perform Music for You from the Palm Court at Morecambe's Platform on Sunday, at 3pm.

Picture potted palms and the Grand Hotel Palm Court Orchestra, and you will be in the mood for the Promenade Concert Orchestra's spring
concert.

The charm of this period music still gives pleasure today, reflecting on the great days of music-making with such items as Rosemary by Elgar, In a Clock Store, Percy Grainger's Country Gardens, Heyken's Serenade, The Arcadians overture and many more.

Tickets cost £10, £8 concessions or £25 for a family ticket (two adults, two children).

Call 01524 582803 or go to www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform
anddome to book.

Theatre
MICHAEL Morpurgo's brand new retellings of Aesop's Fables at Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre, on Sunday April 27, include The Hare And The Tortoise and The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

From the team behind the phenomenally successful 'The Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business' comes truly fabulous entertainment for the young and not so young.

This is a brilliantly imaginative piece of theatre which is suitable for age five and above.

Tickets are priced at £8 (£5 concessions, £22 family ticket).

Call the box office on 01539 725133 or book online at www.breweryarts.co.uk/theatre.

The show starts at 2.30pm.