Our guide looks forward to the shows that are on in Leicester in 2012

Our pick of what you can do - shows, music, comedy, festivals, clubs. Forthcomging events are listed in date order.

Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 May

The King and I, Curve

The King and I has played to packed houses across the country including Plymouth, Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester. Curve will proudly welcome this spectacular production back to Leicester.

This breath-taking production is a lavish, grand-scale spectacle with giant gold Buddhas, sumptuous costumes, a chorus of adorable children, acrobatic dancers and a ten-piece orchestra. Ramon Tikaram will play the role of 'The King' and Josefina Gabrielle will play the role of 'Anna'. RAMON TIKARAM is a stage and screen actor who is probably best known as Ferdy in the BBC drama THIS LIFE, and can currently be seen playing Qadim in EASTENDERS. His other TV credits include CASUALTY, PRIMEVAL, WIRED and THE MIGHTY BOOSH. Ramon's West End theatre credits include BOMBAY DREAMS, Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Gaddafi in GADDAFI - A LIVING MYTH at English National Opera, Genie in ALADDIN at the Old Vic Theatre and Rama in RAMAYANA at the National Theatre.

JOSEFINA GABRIELLE is a double Olivier Award-nominated stage and screen actress, whose career spans the West End and Broadway. Josefina most famously starred alongside Hugh Jackman in Trevor Nunn's iconic National Theatre production of OKLAHOMA!, receiving an Oliver Award-nomination for 'Best Actress in a Musical' for her performance. She later starred in the same production when it transferred to the West End and Broadway. Most recently in the West End Josefina has played Lily in PARK AVENUE CAT, Nicky/Ursula in SWEET CHARITY, Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret in THE 39 STEPS, Roxie Hart in CHICAGO, Alex Spofford in THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK and Iris in the original cast of FAME. Her many other stage credits include HELLO DOLLY at Regent's Park, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN at Sadler's Wells, A CHORUS LINE at Sheffield Crucible, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Leicester Haymarket and CAROUSEL at the National Theatre.

The cast also features original members; Claire-Marie Hall as Tup-Tim, Adrian Li Donni as Lun-tha, Maya Sapone as Lady Thiang, Nicholas Goh as Kralahome, and Gary Wood as Prince Choulalonghorn. The rest of the cast includes Craig Turbyfield, Rowan Lewis Mitchell, Aiko Kato, Makato Leahy, Charlotte Humphrey, Naomi Bailie, Farrah Hussain, Kaho Uchida, Misa Koide, Adam Denman, Matthew Cheney, Lori Hayley Fox, and Yuki Ikezawa.

The original Leicester Louis', Matthew Russell, Keir Barradell and Daniel Cornish, have been playing dates across the country and will play their final dates at Curve. Also, many other children who appeared in the original production will return for the run.

This Curve production is lavishly brought to life by Curve Artistic Director, Paul Kerryson (42ND STREET, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, ON YOUR TOES, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and PACIFIC OVERTURES) and features a sparkling and heart warming score, re-orchestrated by Musical Director Julian Kelly. Its choreography is by David Needham.

May and June

Darbar Festival

Gurdain Singh Ryatt

Play Out at Indian Summer is at Curve on Sunday 17th June at 7 p.m. Details and bookings

Circle of Sound is at Curve on Sunday 29th April at 7 p.m. Info and Tickets

See the Darbar web site | Play Out at Indian Summer |

For artists and more show information see our Asian Arts section.

Details from Curveonline

31st July to 12th August

Oliver! at Curve

Following the sell-out success of last summer's Curve Community Production, West Side Story, the production team at Curve will once again join a hugely talented cast of local individuals to present one of the most successful musicals of all time Oliver!.

Lionel Bart's adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist has repeatedly enjoyed sellout revivals in the West End and Broadway since it premiered in 1960, and won six Academy Awards when it was adapted for the big screen in 1968.

With a score packed with favourites, including Food, Glorious Food, I'd Do Anything, Consider Yourself and the stirring As Long as He Needs Me, this new version will bring the lively Victorian streets of London to Leicester and promises to leave you asking for more. This amateur production will be performed by members of the local community.

Tickets for Oliver!

The club scene

The Roxy Disco Returns to O2 Academy Sheffield Saturday 7th April 2012 at O2 Academy Sheffield from 10.30pm to 3am, tickets £6.00 adv + STBF Over 18s only.

Paying homage to Roxy Nightclub, the venue will be transformed into its original form for a night of dancing, nostalgia and vintage pop music.

Roxy Disco will bring the biggest club hits from the nightclub's past with DJs all night playing classic dance, chart hits, disco, northern soul and classic rock. Into the late 80s and early 90s, O2 Academy Sheffield was the legendary Roxy nightclub, famed for performances from the likes of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan and local bands Human League and Heaven 17 in its heyday.

Previously owned by local Barry Noble, famed for his catchphrase "Is that alright fyuz?", the club gained cult status when TVs 'Hit Man And Her' brought 80s chart toppers to Sheffield hosted by Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan.

Tickets available from ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000

Music galore

Bands of all kinds are heading to the stage at the Musician for the annual Original Bands Showcase.

Many types and styles of music are represented in the shows that aim to take artists to the Next Level

Rock out with the bands of Leicester/shire; get the dates of gigs coming up in Leicester.

Folk music fans can get the dates of upcoming folk gigs from our concerts page.

Up for a laugh

New comedy club opens its door in Leicester: Just The Tonic

Our pick of the dates for forthcomingcomedy gigs

Shows, concerts, gigs, events

Monday 5th May to Saturday 12th May

Art and Design

Scope

Live music, refreshments and an opportunity to meet artists and designers

Finale

Friday 11th May from 6.30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

At Fabrkia, 68 - 70 Humberstone Gate, LE1 3PL

More information from the Traverse Creatives web site

Sunday 6th May

History

Lectures bring history to life

THE region's history since prehistoric times is being brought to life with a series of six lectures at Leicester's Jewry Wall Museum. Former county archaeologist for Leicestershire, Peter Liddle MBE, will give the series of weekly lectures charting the area's past, from the Stone Age to medieval times.

They will take place every Sunday, from May 6 to June 17, from 2pm to 4pm.

The six lectures focus on Early Prehistoric Leicestershire, Iron Age Leicestershire, Roman Leicestershire, Early Anglo-Saxon Leicestershire, Mercian, Viking and Norman Leicestershire, and finally Medieval Leicestershire. The series of lectures costs £25 to attend, although visitors may also be able to book tickets for individual lectures. To book e-mail: peter.liddle51@gmail.com, or phone 0116 221 4508 or 07842 120817.

For details of all these talks see the Leicester Museums and Art Gallary's web site

Sunday 6th May

Music and dance

The Rights of Spring

A celebration of folk custom, music and dance.

Join us for the day for talks, film, storytelling, music and dance workshops.

An evening in the Great Hall with live music from Nick Jonah Davis, Mary Hampton and Cath & Phil Tyler.

The Guidhall, Guildhall Lane, Leicester

Information and tickets from the Rights of Spring web site

Sunday 6th May

Music

Live Jazz with The Lazy Alligators with support from Nait-Luke Hall

We are delighted to welcome back to Sloanes the fantastic Lazy Alligators. Last time this jazz band played the whole place was up and dancing. With opening support from Nait-Luke Hall it will be the perfect way to spend your May Bank Holiday Sunday. With only PREMIUM br and spirits, an excellent range of wines and champagnes, cocktails and a wide selection of hot drinks all at great value prices such as a large ABSOLUT vodka and Energy for just £4.95 or THREE bottles of K2 alcopop or 2 JagerBombs for the same price Sloanes ALWAYS makes your money go further! Great food, great music, great drinks, great value, great times at Sloanes!

7.30 p.m. Sloanes, 3 - 5 New Walk, Leicester, LE1 6RL

Details on Facebook

Saturday 12th May

Classical Music

A concert of English Music

Elgar

The Music Makers

Addinsell

Warsaw Concerto

Lambert

Rio Grande

De Montfort Hall, 7.30 p.m.

Ticket information | Leicester Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 17th May

Opera

La Boeme

Royal Opera House Relay: La bohème to be shown on Big Screens Belfast, Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Derby, Dover, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Swansea, Swindon, Waltham Forest and Woolwich. The Big Screen will broadcast a live relay from the Royal Opera House of one of the most loved of all operas; Puccini's La Boheme. Bring a picnic and a chair: 17th May.

Find out where the BIG Screen is located | See our report of the last BIG Screen operatic broadcast

Friday 18th May

Song

Singers of Distinction

A line-up of top class vocalists will be on hand to delight lovers of solo singing. Singers of Distinction presents leading singer/songwriters from our local area.

At The Shed, Yeoman Street, Leicester, LE1 1UT, from 7.30 p.m. Entrance £5.00

Friday 18th May

Flash Fiction

Curveball

From 6.30pm until the show, Wah! Wah! Girls begins at 7.30, a group of aspiring writers will be stationed around Curve's circular meeting area. They are there to share their short stories with theatre-goers and members of the public. The event is entirely free. Come along and listen to stories covering themes of LOVE, DREAMS and A DEEP SECRET.

Saturday 19th May

Music

OBS Grand Final

Some of Leicester's top bands will gather at the Musician in Grafton Street West for the final of the Original Bands Showcase 2012

See our OBS news page for more details

Tuesday 22nd May

Music

Horus Music presents a night of live original music at the Musician. Performing on the night will be four of Leicester's most up and coming singer/songwriters Martin Luke Brown, Rosie Doyle, Meri Everitt and Leo Stannard.

Martin Luke Brown is a young singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist who has become one of the most recognizable names on the local scene having been performing around Leicester on a regular basis for the last couple of years. He has performed at Summer Sundae festival and has also been featured on the BBC performing a session for BBC introducing's the Beat. Martin is currently working on an EP.

Rosie Doyle is a young singer/songwriter from Leicester who has built up her reputation through playing at local acoustic and open mic nights throughout the city. Last year Rosie released her debut EP and played the White Noise Festival in Leicester. She also collaborated with fellow Leicester band By The Rivers on a track that featured on Exports 03 a charity compilation released last year. As well as continuing to play live locally Rosie is also currently working on a brand new EP.

Meri Everitt is a singer songwriter based in Leicester. She has performed all over the country in bands and as a solo artist winning 1st place in the 2009 Leicestershire sunflower song writing competition, and performing at The Big Session folk festival. She has recorded across many genres and had her track Lonely played on BBC Radio 1. To date she has released an EP and an album.

Leo Stannard is a relatively new young singer songwriter who is starting to build up his reputation on the local scene. He has recorded his debut EP and has gigged locally around Leicester securing a support slot with Richmond Fontaine and has also ventured further afield with shows in London. Leo is set to release his first single Lose Yourself this year.

Details of this event are on Facebook

Friday 25th May

Music

Following on the success of last years guerrilla Aternative Reality Tour, Josie Long and Grace Petrie are back in Leicester, but this time in the more comfortable surroundings of Leicester's Historic Guildhall.

Combining award-winning comedy with folk music, the cuts-fighting duo will tickle, serenade and outrage you about the state of Coalition Britain. Josie Long won the best newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006, and has since performed worldwide. She appears regularly as a panellist on TV show's such as Never mind the Buzzcocks, and 8 out of 10 cats, and has a regular morning show on BBC Radio 4.

Leicester's own Grace Petrie has seen her star rising in recent years. Inspired to write about politics following the coalition cuts, Grace is leading a new generation of protest singers. In 2010, folk legend Billy Bragg heard her music and invited her to play at Glastonbury on the Leftfield stage, where she went down a storm.

More information about this show is on Facebook

Friday 25th May

Comedy

Isy Suttie: Pearl and Dave

Isy Suttie: Pearl and Dave , taking place at The Y in theatre Leicester in Association with Bottle Rocket Comedy on Friday 25th May 2012 at 8pm .

Info and Tickets from the Y Theatre

Friday 25th May

Music

100 Indian Stings

One of India's greatest santoor maestros performs this incredible 100 strings instrument. Enjoy a special intimate concert setting limited to just 100 people, sure to take you back to the days when concerts were performed to small audiences only. Harjinderpal Singh (santoor) with Bhupinder Singh (tabla). "Dexterity and masterful control over the santoor is superb"

At Curve, tickets

Sunday 27th May

Food & Drink

Leicester Market is delighted to announce the date for this year's Leicester Summer Food & Drink Festival. This year's food and drink extravaganza will take place on Sunday 27th May 2012, with trading commencing at 11:00am and finishing at 5:00 pm. It is expected over 200 local producers, market traders and restaurant chefs will be descending on Leicester's outdoor market for culinary cook-offs and sizzling food stalls next month. In addition, there will be live entertainment and face painting for children. In addition to a wide choice of local and international food, there will be a range of real ales to sample and buy, including Everards new Diamond Jubilee Ale.

Details from the Markets web site | See our page on the Art of Food

Tuesday 29th May

Poetry

Pinggg...k! Featuring Moses I Banton

We are an open mic poetry group that meets the last Tuesday evening of the month 7.30 - 9.30.The venue is The Red Tent, 8 Pocklingtons Walk, Leicester LE1 6BU. The event is compered by Leicester Gay Grey Poet, Bobba Cass.There are three minute slots to perform your own poetry, said or read, sung or enacted. A featured poet concludes the evening's programme.Home-made cookies and nibbles are provided. Pingg ... K! is free but come prepared to participate in a lively evening of metrosexual verse.

29th May to 9th June

Exhibition

Exhibit A is the end of course show for the 23 students graduating from the Foundation Degree in Photography and Video at Leicester College.

See details of this and other exhibitions

The exhibition runs from Tuesday 29th May until Saturday 9th June 2012 at Fabrika IAC, 68-70 Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 3PL between the hours of 10.00am until 6.00pm.

How to get an enhanced listing

Upgrade the impact of your entry with our enhanced listings service.

Sunday 10th June

Comedy

Schadenfreude New Acts Comedy Night

James Scott-Howes & The Soundhouse Leicester present SCHADENFREUDE!

A new acts comedy night taking place monthly, starting on the 10th of June 2012.

With FREE ENTRY & DRINKS OFFERS the event is a chance to catch some new acts from our fine city, whilst finishing your weekend with a drink in hand and a smile on your face :D

The SoundHouse, Southampton Street, Leicester

Details on Facebook

Saturday 16th June

Choral music

City of Leicester Singers

perform their Summer Concert at St James the Greater, 7.30 p.m.

See our Choral Music page

Friday 22nd June

Music

Piano recital tour and CD launch

Composer Rosemary Duxbury

performed by Swiss Concert pianist Patricia Siffert.

Friday June 22nd: Fraser Noble Hall, University of Leicester 7.30 pm

World premiere of Mirrors of Light 1 and British premiere of Mirrors of Light 2.

Tickets for the Leicester concert are now on sale from Embrace Arts. Telephone booking: 0116 252 2455

£10 / family of four £34 For tickets (£12) at Gloucester cathedral please phone: 01452 528095

Rosemary Duxbury's web site

16th June to 23rd July

Installation Art

Multi-screen Installation Art

Gundecha Brothers perform raga Gowati. This inspiring multi-screen installation art piece, was the thought piece of Sandeep Virdee, Artistic Director of the Darbar Festival.

Recorded on HD 1920 x 1080 with 5.1 surround sound, it was shot on 12 high definition cameras by technicians from the Kings Place, led by Scott Myers.

At Phoenix Arts

Sunday 17th June

Music

Indian Vibes, Play Out for Indian Summer

An emotional and uplifting premier featuring Europe's no1 Indian saxophonist alongside leading jazz musicians tour - Play Out at Curve.

Jesse explores the improvisational nature of Indian and Jazz music through fascinating creative partnerships that cross musical and geographical borders with Zoe Rahman has established herself as a rising star on the contemporary jazz scene described as 'one of the finest young pianists in Europe' (The Observer). The brilliant pianist has all to rarely been heard in Leicester and performs saxophone/percussion dialogue with the powerfully original drummer, Seb Rochford . Kenny brings his dynamic bass to the collaboration. At its heart lies the leader's distinctive sound, honed from years of absorbing influences from Indian classical music, jazz and contemporary composition.

Leicester Carrom Championship tournament

The tournament will begin with 64 teams . Each board will have several players. The boards will be dotted around the foyer of Curve theatre, with heats being played throughout the day. The finals, including the Grand Final will be played the following day in the Studio at Curve.

This show is a part of the Indian Vibes series, this includes 100 Indian Strings, Indian Vibes, Circle of Sound and Indian Summer.

Details and tickets on the Curve website

Thursday 21st June and Friday 22nd June

Music and theatre

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Diva A Choreopoem by Carol Leeming

Curve Studio Rutland Street Leicester

Part of this years wonderful Cultural Olympiad 2012 Festival , a very special Leicester Summer to remember !

This is an amazing must see Show by my Good Friend and Stage Sister Carol Leeming, with whom we spent many wonderful times backstage sharing stories and laughter before and after our shows. She is THE DARING, FABULOUS AND WONDERFUL DIVA! Jeanie Tracy Former Weather Girl and Friend of Sylvester.

Curve Show Information & Tickets

See the Dare to Diva web site

How to get an enhanced listing

Upgrade the impact of your entry with our enhanced listings service.

Saturday 7th July

Music

Concert with Uppingham Jazz and Soul Band

At St James The Greater, London Road, Leicester

with the Fosse Singers

Join us as we perform a range of contemporary songs including pop and musical numbers.

Details and tickets from the Fosse Singers web site

How to get an enhanced listing