The smart money will be on the award-winning Tony Kofi Quartet gig at Kettles Yard on Friday, but the clever ears will be appreciating the peerless piano and drums of Jonathan Gee and Winston Clifford even more. This group has covered the A-Z of modern jazz with albums of Monk and 50's hard bop, its leader mining the seams of alto sax expression. £12-16. Kettle's Yard, Cambridge. 7.30 pm, Friday March 12th -- David Ellingham, Jazz Editor

Described by The Times as "A wind quintet with flair and verve" the members of the prize-winning Zephyr Ensemble make a return visit to Saffron Walden Music Club to play a varied programme from across Europe, rich in melody, charm and wit. £10/ Free for under 18s. Baptist Church, Saffron Walden. 7.30 p.m, Saturday 13th March.

Forget idiots with aerosols and tumble down the rabbit hole instead into Tim Burton's 3D version of 'Alice in Wonderland'. Shuffling characters from both of Lewis Carroll's nonsensical children's books, a grown-up Alice flees Victoriana into Wonderland in a similar way to 'Return to Oz' or 'Hook'. All cinemas from Friday 5th March. -- David Perilli, Cinema Editor

Sweden's where it's at this week with the thriller Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - out on Friday 12th March. Based on the bestselling novel by Stieg Larsson it's a posthumous whodunnit. When disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist is hired to investigate the disappearance of a girl some 40 years ago he unearthes deadly dark secrets -- David Perilli, Cinema Editor

Yes, it's here - described as the 'most incredible visual experiences ever seen on the big screen', Avatar comes to Saffron Screen. This Oscar-nominated epic transports us to the breathtakingly beautiful world of Pandora, following marine Jake Sulley as he integrates himself into the native alien culture. Director James Cameron ties it all up with a story that's worth caring about. 3pm, Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th March -- Sara Varey, Saffron Walden Editor

Visit The Junction this weekend for a veritable platter of dance delights from Friday to Sunday. Junction Sampled: Dance offers the full range of artistic emotion, from truth and beauty to grief and loss via dark comedy. Imagination runs wild as various dance companies showcase their breathtaking best in innovation. Tickets £10 - 30. The Junction, Cambridge. Friday 12th to Sunday 14th March -- Davina Barron, Theatre Editor

St Edmundsbury Cathedral is the venue on Saturday night for an evening capturing the life and work of one of Britain's most prolific writers Hilaire Belloc, best known for his 'Cautionary Verses.' The performance is devised and written by Hugh Williams who appears alongside Sue Lawley and Hugo Swire MP. Tickets £10/8 from Theatre Royal Box Office. St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds. 7.30pm, Saturday 13th March

Pack your hat for Seussical The Musical at Buckden Community Centre on Saturday. Squeezing together many of children's author Dr. Seuss' well known books the production follows elephant Horton who hears voices coming from a tiny speck of dust. Expect lots of songs, the odd Grinch and a certain hatted cat. £8/6. Buckden Community Centre, Huntingdon. 2.30pm & 6.30pm Saturday 13th March

Bedfordshire puppeteers Theatre of Widdershins whisk everybody in Ely away to the court of the Sultan in Arabian Nights. The show at the Maltings at 3pm on Sunday takes in three tales from 1001 Nights as told by the beautiful Sheherazade. Explore the desert sands, the depths of the ocean and hear the word from the donkey's mouth in this inventive production. The Maltings, Ely. 3pm Sunday 14th March

For once here's an exhibition that's literally in black and white! INK continues at the Babylon Gallery in Ely on Sunday 21st March. Featuring the work of two East Anglian artists, Steven Bramble and Cary Outis, this is the culmination of a two year project making hundreds of drawings, prints and paintings, varying in size from A5 to huge.

Melissa Castrillon is an exciting new local artist currently displaying her exhibition entitled 'Without Words' at the Arts Picturehouse. The show is made up of her wonderfully playful illustrations that reflect both the imagination and real life events. So why not come along to the relaxed, informal setting of the Picturehouse bar for a coffee and a chance to see some pictures that will make you smile? Arts Picture House, Cambridge. 8th March - 5th April -- Jenny Hinchliffe, Art Editor

Glorify in all things 'science' (...and maths, technology and engineering) at the Cambridge Science Festival which starts on Monday 8th March. Bringing out of the cupboard all the interesting, curious and occasionally downright lunatic things the university gets up to, most of the events are free and they're a fantastic way how much you don't know! Runs until Sunday 21st March.

On Saturday rush down to the Zoology Museum with your brood where you can learn why animals have the colours they do, and how they see them. This is on from 11 am- 4pm. And from 2-4 pm on the same day you could go on down to the Fitzwilliam Museum and turn the staircase into a giant fish tank. Both are free drop in events suitable for all ages. From 11am Saturday 13th March -- Thelma Mort, Families Editor

On Friday 12th Chris T-T returns to The Portland Arms, supported by Paul Goodwin and Rivers. Tickets are £5 in advance; as T-T is releasing a new album on Monday 15th, we can probably expect tonight's solo set to feature a fair bit of new material as well as old favourites. Portland Arms, Cambridge. 8pm, Saturday 12th March -- Holly Davies, Gigs Editor

The Corner House on Newmarket Road celebrates a year since it re-opened its doors with a new attitude. The past year it has played host to a variety of band nights and party nights. Celebrate the past year and enjoy the talents of some bands that have played in that time. The Cornerhouse, Cambridge. 8pm - 1am, Saturday 12th March -- Denise Green, Clubs Editor

Parkrun is an exciting new concept to get more people into running and offers a weekly 5k timed run. It's not a race, but a regular event open to all ages and abilities. Everyone runs for their own enjoyment. Come along and join in whatever your pace - please register in advance on the website. FREE. Milton Country Park. 9am, every Saturday -- Robert Coe, Sports & Outdoors Editor

The College Backs are currently a riot of colour with the crocuses, aconites and snow drops in full bloom. And why not continue along the river to Grantchester Meadows and stop for refreshments at the iconic Orchard tea garden? The Orchard is currently open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, seven days-a-week. Grantchester & Cambridge -- Robert Coe, Sports & Outdoors Editor

Spot birds of prey swooping through the air at Fowlmere Nature Reserve on Saturday 13th March. Depending on the weather there will be a co-ordinated watch where you may get the chance to enjoy resident birds of prey such as kestrels, sparrowhawks and buzzards. Assuming it doesn't rain (!) the event starts at 10am from Manor Farm. FREE. Fowlmere Nature Reserve, Royston. 10am - 1pm Saturday 12th March

The sky's the limit at the Institute of Astronomy in Madingley Road. Every Wednesday from 7- 9 pm there will be a chance to learn more about the stars, kicking off with a very short talk and then the opportunity to star gaze. -- Thelma Mort, Family Editor

It's time for another giant antiques fair. Loads of old stuff to buy, an appraisal service, and demo's of how to restore or look after the old stuff you already own; great! Free. Rowley Mile, Newmarket. 9am-4pm Sunday 14th March -- Stephen Nicholson, Newmarket Correspondent