AN AFTERNOON of fun and play for children comes to the Alban Arena next Wednesday, June 29, in the shape of Katy Ashworth.

She will be putting on her Meet, Greet, Sing & Play Roadshow at 11am and 2pm inviting youngsters to learn the raisin face, explore the magic suitcase, join in the story making and help do some giant make-believe baking.

The roadshow will include favourite nursery rhymes including Old MacDonald and the Wheels on the Bus.

Tickets at �7 for adults and �6 for children are available from the box office on 01727 844488 or online at www.alban-arena.co.uk

Folk singer songwriter Seth Lakeman, armed with his fiddle and rampant imagination, returns to the Arena at 8pm next Thursday, June 30.

His music has been described as the spirit of a rock band meeting the timeless and heartfelt subject matter of the folk tale in a blur of fiddle, acoustic guitar and foot-stomping rhythms.

He released his latest studio album Hearts and Minds in July 2010 which encompasses traditional and modern themes of love, loss and human struggle. Tickets are �22.50.

A trio of acclaimed vocalists come to the Arena next Sunday, July 3, with Girl Talk: I Am Woman which features a diverse range of material.

British vocalists and performers Barb Jungr and Mari Wilson are joined by quirky singer Gwyneth Herbert and Adrian York on piano to belt out everything from Bacharach to the B52s, Rodgers and Hammerstein to Dolly Parton in a programme which ranges from soul, pop and jazz to ballads and more.

The show begins at 7.30pm and tickets are �17.50.

n Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris is being shown at the Arena next Wednesday evening, June 29.

Written and directed by Allen, it is a romantic comedy set in Paris about a family who travel there on business and two young people who are engaged to be married in the fall.

Starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates and Carla Bruni, it is about a young man’s great love for a city and the illusion people have that a life different from theirs would be much better.

The film is being shown at 7.30pm and tickets are �6 with concessions �2 off.