IN THE past few years, the region has hosted some of the biggest names in music. From The Who to the Kings of Leon and the Kaiser Chiefs, we have had more than our fair share of crowd-pleasers and it is looking even better for 2008.
The region has a great selection of venues to choose from, from the intimate to the extraordinary. The KC Stadium and Elland Road – football and rugby pitches for the most of the year – can cram in a massive 23,000 people for a concert and have seen names such as Elton John and Blue headline in the past.
But if you want something a little more sedate, look towards somewhere like the Leeds Irish festival. Alternatively, for local music, check out Grassroots or the Beverley and East Riding Early Music Festival. One of the great things about music is its range of styles can appeal to all.
So get dad out of his armchair and introduce him to something new.

Grimsby Auditorium theatre:
Based in Cromwell Road, Grimsby, the popular auditorium looks set to host a classic selection of shows in the coming year.
The Bootleg Beatles – a Beatles tribute band – will play on Saturday, March 15 while comedian Roy Chubby Brown will take the stage on Wednesday, April 30.
For more information, call: 0870 060 2331

West Yorkshire Playhouse:
THE West Yorkshire Playhouse is theatre at its very best.
Since opening in Leeds, in March 1990, it has established a reputation both nationally and internationally as one of Britain's most exciting producing theatres. It houses the Quarry Theatre (750 seats), the Courtyard Theatre (350 seats) a CAMRA award-winning bar, restaurant, the Newlyn Gallery, two function rooms (the Congreve Room and the Priestley Room), three rehearsal spaces, a recording studio, extensive technical workshops, dressing rooms, a costume hire department, a Cyber Café and offices for production, administrative and artistic teams.
The playhouse produces 16 of its own shows each year in its two auditoria.
For more information visit: www.wyplayhouse.com

Carriageworks Theatre:
Located in the Millennium Square in Leeds, the Carriageworks houses an exciting mix of plays, musicals, dance, film, community events and workshops.
Seating more than 400 people it is also the new home of the long-established Leeds Civic Arts Guild. This is an umbrella organisation of about 15 local amateur performing groups that provide an on-going range of entertainment for all ages.
Showing this spring are The Merry Wives of Windsor, from April 7 to April 12, Bouncers by John Godber from April 8 to April 12, Much Ado About Nothing by the Young Shakespeare Company from April 15 to April 18, Happy Jack by John Godber, The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson, Built on Bones and Groping For Words by Sue Townsend.
For more information, call: (01132) 243801 or visit: www.carriageworkstheatre.org.uk

Stephen Joseph Theatre :
THE Stephen Joseph Theatre was founded in 1955 by theatrical pioneer Stephen Joseph.
He was determined to bring in-the-round theatre to the UK and initially set it up on the first floor of a public library. The theatre flourished and moved to the ground floor of the Scarborough Boys High School in 1976 before moving again to the former Odeon cinema in the town in 1990. The new theatre finally opened on April 30, 1996. It contains a 404-seat in the round auditorium and a 165-seat endstage and cinema.
Performing this year are the Northern Broadsides who return with William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet directed by Barrie Rutter from April 15 to 19. Then on May 14 and 15, Roger Llewellyn will star in The Death and Life of Sherlock Holmes.
For more information, call: (01723) 370541 or visit: www.sjt.uk.com

Lincoln Theatre Royal: LINCOLN Theatre Royal is one of Lincolnshire’s premier performance theatres.
Located in Clasketgate, it is currently selling its spring/summer season tickets and for more information, visit: www.theatreroyallincoln.com or call: (01522) 519999.
Parking is easy at the theatre with several car parks in the city centre and a small car park opposite the stage door of the theatre. It is secure and less than a minute’s walk from the front of the Royal.
Subject to availability, patrons can also pre-book a space for the performance they are attending. The charge is £4 and is available from 6.30pm.

York Opera House:
The 106-year-old Grand Opera House, in York, is the county’s largest theatre.
Originally built as a Corn Exchange, it was bought by William Peacock and opened on January 20, 1902 with Little Red Riding Hood starring Florrie Ford. Through the years, its programmes have varied from pantomime to music hall, variety, serious theatre, amateur opera, plays, reviews and silent film. In 1987 the theatre was bought out by India Pru Co. Ltd who spent more than £4m restoring it to its former glory.
The decor is now very similar to how it was in the beginning; the carpet is a rewoven copy of the original with the GOH logo incorporated into it and the light fittings sympathetic to the period style.
Sure fire hits coming to York this year, include: Jimmy Carr on Wednesday, March 19 and Thursday, March 20; One Night of Elvis on Friday, April 4; Dave Spikey on Sunday, April 6 and Dara O’Briain on Wednesday, May 28.
Visit: www.york-operahouse.co.uk or call: (01904) 678700

Hull New Theatre:
HULL New Theatre is one of the UK’s premier touring venues, attracting a host of big name acts every year.
Situated in Kingston Square, its colourful history involves surviving a bomb hit during the Second World War to almost being turned into a bingo hall in the 1960s. Thankfully, it survived both of these scares and in 1985 underwent a massive refurbishment, reopening its doors as the Hull New Theatre, the name it has kept to this very day.
Appearing this year are:
Rat Pack from Thursday, March 27, to Saturday March 29. Prices range from £15 to £26 for adults; £10 to £21 for children and £11.50 to £22.50 for OAPS.
Aspects of Love from Tuesday, April 8, to Saturday, April 12. Prices: Adults £14.50 to £27.50; children £9.50 to £22.50 and OAPS £11 to £24.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (with Craig Chalmers, Chris Barton and Keith Jack from BBC One show “Any Dream Will Do”) from Monday, May 12, to Saturday, May 17. Prices: Adults £13.50 to £25 and children £10 to £21.50.
For details, call: (01482) 226 655.

Hull City hall:
HULL City Hall has been a central part of Hull’s culture since it was first used in 1909.
Housing a concert room and art gallery – which later moved to Ferens Art Gallery across the street – it was one of the city’s most popular night spots in the early part of the last century. It was forced to close after heavy bomb damage during the Second World War but reopened in 1950 and is now used to accommodate functions, concerts and large scale receptions. The Mortimer Suite can accommodate up to 600 for some large scale receptions, 400 for combined seating and dancing and 350 for exhibition.
Appearing at Hull City Hall in 2008 are Journey South on Thursday, May 8; Essence of Ireland on Thursday October 2; Rocking on Heaven’s Door on Saturday, October 18 and Mercury (a tribute to Freddie Mercury) on Saturday, November 1.
For more information on the city hall, call: (01482) 613816.

Hull Truck:
WHEN it opens this autumn, the new Hull Truck Theatre will provide a 21st century theatre space in one of Hull’s most fashionable areas.
When complete, it will house a 440-seat main auditorium, 136-seat studio theatre, rehearsal space, education facilities, bars and a café, corporate facilities, offices, green room and a workshop.
Eve Jackson, director of marketing and sales at the theatre, said: “We are really excited at the progress being made at the theatre.
“The new building will allow us to move on and be more technically-advanced to present new productions.
“It will also allow us to be open during the day for educational events.”
Work began on the site in October 2006, while productions continued at the current premises in Spring Street, off Spring Bank.
Joanne Gower, executive director at Hull Truck Theatre, said: “The building is due for completion this autumn, and is set to open its doors in spring 2009.
“Until then, the company continues to provide a vast range of activity from its modest Spring Street home.
“New and loyal audiences alike have their final chance to catch a spring/summer performance at the legendary venue.”
Up and coming this year is Studs from April 10 to May 3, Our House, the acclaimed John Godber play, from June 3 to June 21 and The Flags from July 3 to July 26.
Studs is a Gordon Steel play based on the “studs” of Easton Bank Club who think they are the Arsenal of the Sunday Football League while Irish writer Bridget O’Connor penned the dark comedy The Flags about hopeless lifeguards JJ and Howie.
For more information on Hull Truck, visit: www.hulltruck.co.uk or call the box office, on: (01482) 323638.

Jazz festival:
HULL Truck Theatre is home to Hull Jazz festival in 2008.
The week-long series of events run from Monday, July 28 to Sunday, August 3. During this time six events are planned and hundreds of fans are expected to attend. Opening on Monday night is the Stacey Kent and Jim Tomlinson Quintet.
Tickets are priced at £19.50 (£17.50 concessions) with students and under-21s getting in for £10.
The Gilad Atzmon Orient House Ensemble with the Sigamos String Quartet play on Friday, August 1 from 8pm while the Courtney Pine Band perform on the Saturday. Sunday is the day to pay homage to the grandfather of jazz, Miles Davis, with the Nu Troop Kind Of Blue Miles Davis Celebration. The final event is the Jazz Jamaica festival finale.
For tickets, call: (01482) 323638.

Leeds Irish Centre:
THE Leeds Irish Centre has been an integral aspect of the city’s Irish culture since its opening day in January 1970.
The centre houses four function suites, a private members bar, a sports field with changing and showering facilities, a travel shop and in-house catering facilities which open to the public every Sunday for lunch.
For more information, call: (01132) 480887.

Grassroots:
A MUSIC festival in Hull is proving a hit and is ready for its eighth successive year.
The Grassroots Free Festival was established in 2000 and is now typically held in Pearson Park, west Hull. Highly respected for its mixture of internationally-acclaimed world music, hip-hop, and live dance, it is held on five stages and attracts artists from the world over.
Over the past eight years Grassroots has attracted artists and performers from places as far afield as Morocco, New York, Iraq, Holland and Hebden Bridge as well as representing the best in local original music art and dance.
Recent highlights include performances from the Mad Professor and Skinnyman on the Full Flava stage, the Russian Gypsy dance of Koshka, Nick Harper’s Treasure Island album launch and French Jazz fusion band La Cédille.
In addition to the music, Grassroots also features a tipi village for family workshops including lessons on breakdancing, rap battling and beat boxing.
For more information, visit the website: www.grassrootsfreefestival.co.uk

Doncaster Dome:
THE Dome is one of the region’s best loved sporting and concert complexes.
Based at Doncaster Lakeside, in Bawtry Road, Doncaster, the Dome performs as a state-of-the-art leisure complex offering some of the best facilities for swimming, ice skating, racquet sports and climbing in the area.
It also acts as a health and fitness centre for aerobics, spa days and physiotherapy as well as providing conference facilities.
Events penned in for this year are big name acts such as The Editors on Sunday, March 2 (tickets £18.50 and doors open at 7.30pm) and Jimmy Carr on Sunday, May 25 (tickets £19.50 and doors open at 7pm).
For more information on Doncaster’s favourite day time an night time venue, visit: www.the-dome.co.uk or call the ticket line, on: (01302) 370777.

Bridlington Spa:
THE historic seaside town of Bridlington is getting a makeover.
“Brid”, as it is affectionately known by the locals, has undergone a host of redevelopments in the past few years and it all culminates this May as the Spa, on the seafront, prepares for its re-opening.
The multi-million pound redevelopment will re-launch on May 31 with a week-long series of events. It kicks off with a concert from top Yorkshire band The Pigeon Detectives on May 31. They will be the first group to use the new state-of-the-art facilities and increased capacity of the Royal Hall. On June 3, hundreds of invited guests from leading businesses will attend a celebration dinner as part of Business Week 2008. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay will be supervising food preparation and deliver an after-dinner speech. The Royal Hall, built in the 1930s, is capable of holding audiences up to 3,500.
Elsewhere in the Spa, the Edwardian Spa Theatre and eight other purpose-built function rooms are perfect for conferences, weddings, training, exhibitions and events.
For more information on Bridlington Spa, call: (01262) 678258 or visit: www.thespabridlington.com