SONGBIRD Cerys Matthews is returning to the Alban Arena next Saturday, March 12, with a concert of old and new songs written or collected by her during her travels.

Cerys has come a long way from her widespread popularity as lead singer of Catatonia who burst on to the music scene with hit singles like Road Rage and Mulder and Scully as well as number one albums.

She has had an equally successful solo career duetting with Tom Jones on the classic, Baby it’s Cold Outside and with Space on The Ballad of Tom Jones as well as three critically-acclaimed solo albums.

Cerys comes on stage at 7.30pm and tickets at �20 are available from the box office on 01727 844488 or online at www.alban-arena.co.uk

The Great American Soulbook opens its pages for two of its greatest exponents appearing together at the Alban Arena next Sunday evening, March 13.

Gary US Bonds will host the show as well as belting out his own hits such as New Orleans and Quarter to Three and performing other tunes. He will be teaming up with another soul legend, Ben E. King, and the two performers will backed by an eight-piece band with musicians who have performed with the likes of Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Stevie Winwood and Jeff Beck.

The show begins at 7.30pm and tickets are �21 and �19.

n Danny Boyle’s film 127 Hours which tells the gruelling true-life story of mountain climber Aron Ralston who becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab in Utah is being shown at 1.30pm and 7.30pm next Wednesday, March 9.

Starring James Franco as Ralston, it tells how he is forced to resort to desperate measures in order to survive.

Tickets are �6 with concessions �2 off for the evening showing and �4, which includes tea and biscuits, for the matinee.

n Comedian Micky Flanagan’s show at the Arena next Friday, March 11, has sold out but he will be appearing again at 7.30pm on Thursday, May 5. Tickets are �17.50.