Your 2 minute guide to the week.

Byline: Compiled by Graham Young

Add a string to your bow

LEADING violinist Tasmin Little will play Birmingham Town Hall tomorrow to help children to learn about classical music in a down to earth and accessible way.

With countless tours across continents and appearances with many of the world's best orchestras behind her, Tasmin embraces music with passion and enthusiasm, introducing each piece before playing.

Tasmin Little - No Strings Attached will run from 11am to 1pm and is aimed at children aged eight and under.

Tickets: Adults pounds 5, 60 plus pounds 4.50, Under 16s pounds 2.50 Family Ticket (4 people, minimum one adult) pounds 12.

MONKEY BUSINESS

A NEW movie called 'Arctic Monkeys at The Apollo' will be screened at a selection of Vue and other independent cinemas in the UK for one night only on Tuesday, October 14.

This is a 76-minute, super 16mm film of the last gig in the band's acclaimed 2007 world tour, shot at their Manchester Apollo show and recorded with 5.1 surround sound. Tickets on sale from Vue Star City box office or by calling 08712 240240.

BALL'S UP

JOHN Cleese will be among the comic legends involved as Amnesty International takes its flagship comedy event, the Secret Policeman's Ball (18) to a global audience tomorrow night.

The year's show will take place at London's Royal Albert Hall and will include Frank Skinner (pictured) and Alan Carr.

Screens across the world will show the event, including Birmingham's Cineworld Broad Street cinema.

From 6pm. Tickets: pounds 14 for Amnesty.

HORSEY JUBILEE

THE UK's largest indoor equestrian extravaganza, the Horse of the Year Show will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee when it returns to the NEC from Wednesday to Sunday next week.

To cater for demand during sell out performances, weekday 'Shopping Only' tickets are also available for more than 250 trade stands.

Show tickets priced from pounds 24.50-pounds 54.50 and from pounds 20-pounds 44 (concessions), standard booking fee pounds 2.90 - call 08719 45 45 00 (for groups of 10 or more call 0800 358 0058; for season tickets, general enquiries, hotels and hospitality call 01582 711411). More details: www.hoys.co.uk

CROSSOVER

BIRMINGHAM Town Hall is hosting a special crossover evening tonight from 7.30pm-2am to take the restored venue in a new direction.

The Heritage Orchestra will be performing the music of Amon Tobi. There's also an album launch with former Birmingham Conservatoire student turned soul-jazz singer Lizzy Parks.

Standing tickets pounds 15 available on the door or from Town Hall & Symphony Hall Box Offices in the city centre. Call 0121 780 3333.

GOLDEN WONDERS

MEET at the Sons of Rest building in Handsworth Park, Holly Road, at 1pm tomorrow for an hour-long autumn stroll.

Wear suitable outdoor clothing if you want to join in with some practical conservation volunteers during a Burbury Brickworks Conservation Workday from 10.30am - 3pm tomorrow.

There's a similar event from 11am tomorrow at Quinton Meadows. Strong shoes, old clothes and waterproofs required.

ARTISTRY

VISITORS to Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum will be able to view a new display of historical artworks in the main gallery from Saturday, October 11.

Old favourites remaining include The Mission Room by Lowry and Cookham Rise by Stanley Spencer.

At 1pm on Friday, October 10, Chloe Johnson will introduce the new displays as part of the centre's Friday Focus programme of talks.

HEAVENS ABOVE

THE Birmingham Astronomical Society will host an evening called Sky Watch 2008 from 7.30pm- 10.30pm next Friday, October 10.

And in the visitor centre at Lickey Hills Country Park off Warren Lane, Rednal, you can also meet members of the society and watch a series of slide shows.

Tickets for the planetarium are strictly limited and go on sale from 7.30pm with no advance booking.

REALLY GOOD ALE

SOLIHULL is the place to be this weekend for real ale lovers.

The borough's British Legion on Union Road is the HQ for the 10th Solihull Beer Festival (2008).

The booze starts flowing tonight from 5.30pm-11pm (admission pounds 2) and again tomorrow from 11.30am-3.30pm (pounds 1) and 5.30pm- 11pm (pounds 2).

The event will feature 36 real ales, cider and perry and hot and cold food and live entertainment.

For more details, visit www.solihullcamra.org.uk/festival

ROCK AND ROLL

LED Zeppelin tribute band Fred Zeppelin play the Robin 2 at Mount Pleasant, Bilston tonight with on the door tickets costing pounds 10. Details from: www.therobin.co.uk or telephone [phone].