COME face to face with a whole host of fairytale characters as Hillingdon's annual street festival of art, music and dance, BIGfest, returns this Sunday.
Meet the likes of Humpty Dumpty and Sleeping Beauty, then introduce yourself to the Wizardette and Unicorn, and help to decorate a magical gingerbread house in the centre of the High Street - just do not eat any of it or the witch will get you!
Later, try your hand at one of many exciting arts and crafts activities, from jewellery design to mega sketch drawing and decorating your very own shopping bags.
Local dance acts Futunity UK and Movement Academy, and the Shrishti school of traditional Indian dance, will perform a modern-day Bharatanatyam version of Cinderella in the shops at The Mall Pavilions.
The main music stage, at the Civic Centre, will be hosted by DJ Penny Metal, featuring gipsy punk band Mano De Dios, as seen at Glastonbury and on Love Box 2010. There is support from jazz punk act The Kings Cross Hot Club, dance-reggae troupe Black Cherry Jam and contemporary folk artists Pig Earth.
An great afternoon for people of all ages.
what? BIGfest
when? Sunday, October 24, noon-4.30pm
where? High Street, Uxbridge
cost? Free call: 01895 250 111
see: www.hillingdon.gov.uk/bigfest
Tapping into charity
WOMEN of all ages and from all walks of life will take part in a flamboyant tap dancing extravaganza in aid of charity. Members of a weekly tap class in Ruislip will showcase their skills in Ace of Dance to raise money for Let's Face It, an international support network for people with facial disfigurement and their families.
Group leader Jan Clark set up her school of dance in 1993 and has been working tirelessly for the charity since her mother, Joyce, suffered from cancer and needed her face rebuilt.
The group will also be joined by members of amateur theatre group Klos, who have taken part in various musical productions across Hillingdon.
what? Ace of Dance
when? From Thursday, October 21 to Saturday, October 23, 7.30pm Thursday and Friday, 2pm and 7pm Saturday
where? Winston Churchill Hall, Pinn Way, Ruislip
cost? £12, under-12s and senior citizens £10, matinee £8.50. Tickets available on the door call: Box office on 07979 952 277 or email show@jansdanceandfitness.com
Jubilee jubilation
BOB Mills, the man who bridged the gap between the first wave of alternative comedy in the mid-80s and the new laddism of the early 90s, is as popular today as when he strolled on to the comedy circuit in 1985, and is sure to be well received when he visits the Comedy Bunker tonight.
Now approaching his silver jubilee as a stand-up, Mills has also carved out a successful career as a television host, an acclaimed comedy and drama writer, as well as a popular radio personality.
He is appearing supported by from Richard Sandling, the winner of So You Think You're Funny 2007, and Eastender Jeff Innocent, who turned his back on the family 'firm' for a life of laughter.
what? Bob Mills
when? Wednesday, October 27, 8.45pm (doors 8.15pm)
where? Comedy Bunker, The Fairway, Ruislip Golf Centre, Ickenham Road, West Ruislip, HA4 7DQ
cost? £13
Celebrate the kings of swing
SWINGING into the Beck Theatre tonight is a celebration of Big Band vocalists including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett - aptly titled The Kings of Swing.
The Kings of Swing Orchestra, under the direction of Paul Francis and with some of the best current 'swing' artists in Europe, will perform a whole host of toe-tapping hits, including Mr Bojangles,
Mack The Knife, Fly Me To The Moon, Everybody Loves Somebody, That's Amore, I Get A Kick Out Of You, Beyond The Sea, and New York New York.
what? The Kings of Swing
when? Wednesday, October 20, at 7.30pm
where? Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, UB3 2UE
call: Box office 020 8561 8371
You'll need to be quick to catch the man with a thousand guitars
ALMOST 30 years since the release of his first album, when he was compared with the likes of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nile is showing no signs of slowing down.
Now in his fifties, The American singer/songwriter, who has also been hailed as a 'one-man Clash', is once again on tour and will make a welcome visit to Ruislip to perform hits old and new, including numbers on his most recent studio album, House Of a Thousand Guitars.
what? Willie Nile when? Sunday, October 24, 8.30pm (doors 7.45pm)
where? Tropic at Ruislip, Ruislip Social Club, Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip, HA4 6JQ
cost? £10 (£8 in advance) call: Box office 01784 460 094
