LANCASTER SCOTTISH writer A.L. Kennedy, homegrown talent and Booker shortlist nominee Sarah Hall and Iraqi poet Saadi Youssef are among some of the famous names at this year's Litfest. The literary event runs until November 14. For details call 01524-598500.

BOWNESS DANISH director Lars Von Trier's The Five Obstructions is on the bill at The Old Laundry on Thursday, Nov 11, 7.30pm. The first of Dogme's non-fiction features Trier challenges his mentor Jorgen Leith to remake his influential short film The Perfect Human. Introduced by Alaistair Goolden as part of the Bowness theatre and film festival. For details call 015394-88444 BARROW SPACE enthusiasts can hear founder and MD of Starchaser Industries Ltd Stephen Bennett talk rockets at Forum 28 on Wednesday, Nov 10. The illustrated lecture will cover the background and future plans of Starchaser and other rocket prototypes which have been tested in Morecambe Bay. Starts 7.30pm. For tickets call the box office on 01229-820000.

ULVERSTON THIRTEEN schools show off their new music skills at the Coronation Hall, Ulverston. South Cumbria Sings a two-night show on Thursday and Friday (Nov 11 & 12) at 6.30pm is part of the South Cumbria Music Festival.

For details call 01229-587140.

KENDAL Tim FitzHigham, James Campbell and Duncan Walsh Atkins tackle the entire history of music in eighty minutes from the first ting to the final thud in the brand new comedy, Monkeys Do Music. Written by award-winning production team An Infinite Number of Monkeys you can catch the sketch show at the Brewery Arts Centre on Friday, Nov 12, 8pm. For tickets call the box office on 01539-725133.

URSWICK CATCH the Christmas craft fair on Sunday, Nov 14, 10am-4pm. The event to raise funds for new equipment for the Urswick Playground Association includes cake stalls, a raffle and a tombola.

BEETHAM Occasional Opera's limited company' revisit two popular Savoy Operas when they present Peers and Yeoman Ltd at The Heron Theatre on Friday and Saturday night, Nov 12 +13, 7.30pm. For details call 015395-64283.

HAVERTHWAITE TRAIN enthusiasts should speed down to Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway for the Diesel Gala Weekend, Nov 13 +14. For more information call 015395-31594.

FLOOKBURGH CHRISTMAS rolls into town early as Holker Hall launches its first festive fair this month. More than 25 of the region's food producers and crafts people will be showcasing their wares at the Holker Christmas Fair on November 13 and 14, 10.30am.

PRESTON COME face to face with sword swallowers, voodoo acrobats and vampires at the Circus of Horrors show on Thursday, Nov 11. The 27-strong show at Preston Guild Hall includes the Wasp Boy a sword-swallowing slip of a thing with an 18" waist and the stretchy-skinned Gary Stretch. For details call 01772-258858.