Kingsclub 7

Kings Langley Jazz Club’s regular house band led by John Davis, featuring the usual front line of leader on alto/soprano sax with John Mole on tenor sax, John Bridge on trombone and Annie Dehany-Steven on vocals.

3-5 Hempstead road, Kings Langley, Wednesday, April 17, 8.15pm. Details: 01923 262982 kingslangleyjazz.co.uk

Richard Leach’s Street Band

John has been playing jazz for nearly 50 years. Being in the same class at school, Hugh Crozier and Brian Lawrence joined John in his first band, The Black Bottom Stompers. They travelled through Belgium and Germany before he moved to Poole in Dorset where he then formed his ‘Jazzmen’ and, after 40 years, it is as popular as ever. Their style was based on Johnny Dodds but has matured into John’s own sound.

Colne River Room, Pump House Theatre, 5 Local Board Road, Watford, Thursday, April 19, 8.15pm. Details: 01923 467269 pumphouse.info

Martin Kasik – Piano

Martin ranks among the foremost present day Czech pianists and makes a welcome return to the music club. He started playing at the age of 4, became a prize-winner and has already made 12 CDs. He travels the world to perform and plays Chopin and Mussorgsky in this program.

The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, Wednesday, April 18, 8pm. Details: 01923859291 radlettcentre.co.uk

Gilbert O’Sullivan

One of the industry’s true legends, Gilbert O’Sullivan dominated the charts in the 1970s and continues to enjoy success and acclaim to the present day. Enjoy every facet of his history in this new live show, including classics such as Alone Again Naturally, Nothing Rhymed, Clair Matrimony and Get Down as well as songs from the forthcoming album.

The Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, Thursday, April 19, 7.30pm. Details: 01727 844488 alban-arena.co.uk

Herts Jazz

Led by Stan's son Clark on drums, the Legacy Octet was formed shortly after Stan's death in 2013 and has since performed at sold out venues and festivals, recreating a selection of the octet's music dating back to its formation in 1973. From the many suites Stan wrote for this group, Clark has selected some of his personal favourites which feature some of the best musicians and nearly all ex-alumni of the original band.

Maltings Arts Theatre, The Maltings, St Albans, Tuesday, April 17, 7.30pm. Details: info@ovotheatre.co.uk

A Bunch of Amateurs

Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard but a sleepy Suffolk village and the cast are a bunch of amateurs. Jefferson's monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested by the enthusiastic amateur thespians - who are not averse to a spot of ego, vanity and insecurity themselves. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson's career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself and his relationships with other people.

Pump House Theatre, 5 Local Board Road, Watford, Monday, April 16, to Saturday, April 21, 7.45pm. Details: 01923 467269 pumphouse.info

Quarter Life Crisis

Alicia is a hot mess. She doesn’t know what she’s doing with her life. Swiping left, swiping right to find the perfect match. Even though she’s a Londoner, born and bred, the scent of Lagos peppers her existence in the ends. Everyone around her seems to know where they’re going in life, but she’s trying to find ways to cheat growing up and keep her 16-25 railcard. What does it mean to be an adult, and when do you become one? Quarter Life Crisis mixes addictive bass lines, spoken word and audience participation.

Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford, Thursday, April 19, 8pm. Details: 01923 225671 watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

What the Ladybird Heard

Two crafty robbers, one tiny ladybird, and a whole farmyard of fun! Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal the farmer's fine prize cow. But they reckon without the tiniest, quietest creature of all: the Ladybird has a plan of her own. Join the woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat red hen and the dainty dog in this hit musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks' colourful farmyard adventure. Direct from the West End with live music, puppetry, plenty of audience participation and lots of laughs.

The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, Thursday, April 19, to Saturday, April 21, various times. Details: 01923859291 radlettcentre.co.uk

Confabulation

A show about memory and making stuff up. It starts with a spotty teenager at a Motorhead gig and ends up at the cutting edge of memory research. Join Eamonn Fleming, writer, performer and 'O' level Biologist (Grade C), as he stumbles through the amazing world of memory palaces, false memories and Werther's Originals. Confabulation is a funny and startling show about not being able to trust a single thing you remember about your past.

The Old Town Hall, High Street, Old Town, Hemel Hempstead, Wednesday, April 18, 8pm. Details: 01442 228091 toth.dacorum.gov.uk

Ed Byrne

Is life that bad or have we good reason to complain about it? Are we filled with righteous anger at a world gone wrong or are we all just a bunch of whiny little brats? In short, are we spoiled? Come and watch as Byrne takes this question, turns it upside down and shakes it until the funny falls out. Go on, spoil yourself.

The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, Tuesday, April 17, 7.30pm. Details: 01923859291 radlettcentre.co.uk

Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

Hollywood actress Gloria Grahame finds romance and happiness with a younger man, but her life changes forever when she is diagnosed with breast cancer in the 1970s. Stars Jamie Bell and Annette Bening.

Chorleywood War Memorial Hall, Common Road, Chorleywood, Friday, April 20, 7.30pm. Details: cwfilmclub.org

The Wildlife of Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia

Wildlife expert Dr Graham Lenton will give a talk on The Wildlife of Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia. Dr Lenton has been an avid traveller and has published many articles and photographs on natural history. He was formerly a lecturer at Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University. The talk will cover his trips to the Falklands, to remote islands of South Georgia, with its enormous penguin colonies, and then to the Antarctic peninsula.

The Russell School, Brushwood Drive, Chorleywood, Thursday, February 19, 8pm. Details: 01923 897885

The Story of South Oxhey

Come along to Oxhey Library to hear Neil Hamilton talk about the History of South Oxhey. Neil’s talk about the history of Oxhey will be followed by tea and cake and an opportunity to have a chat with local Oxhey historians Neil Hamilton and David Reidy. Oxhey volunteers will also be on hand to demonstrate the Our Oxhey site, so bring along any photographs you may have to share.

Oxhey Library, Bridlington Road, South Oxhey, Friday, April 20, 2pm. Details: 01707 281533 ouroxhey.org.uk

The Women Who Flew For Hitler

The fascinating story of Nazi Germany's only two female test-pilots, Hanna Reitsch and Melitta von Stauffenberg.

Watford Central Library, Hempstead Road, Watford, Wednesday, April 18, 7.15pm. Details: 0300 123 4049 hertfordshive.gov.uk/litfest

Radlett Art Society

Bernard Leach (1887-1979) was acknowledged as a master craftsman with his work accepted as the standard by which others were judged. The Leach Pottery founded in 1920 is considered by many to be the birthplace of British Studio Pottery and is amongst the most respected and influential in the world. A lecture by Diane Lloyd, freelance lecturer in ceramics.

The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, Tuesday, April 17, 1pm. Details: 01923859291 radlettcentre.co.uk

Social Media Course

This popular social media course will be running again for five week from April 19. It is suitable for absolute beginners or for those who would like to learn more features of popular platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Pinterest.

South Oxhey Library, Bridlington Road, South Oxhey, Thursday, April 19, to Thursday, May 17, 10am to 1pm. Details: 07771 992895 clp.pmoriarty@gmail.com

Life of Crime – Kimberley Chambers

Bestselling crime writer Kimberley Chambers chats about her colourful route to becoming a top author - from market trader to cabbie - and discusses her latest novel, Life of Crime.

St Albans Library, The Maltings, St Albans, Wednesday, April 18, 7.15pm. Details: 01707 281533

Big Night of Word

A night celebrating poetry, spoken word and prose. We encourage all writers to come and read out their words in front of an audience of other literary mind people from all walks of life. Open to all, free entry and with a drinks bar. Come and read, or just listen to some of the amazing talent.

Watford Museum, 194 High Street, Watford, Friday, April 20, 6pm to 9pm. Details: 01923 232297 watfordbigevents.co.uk