Sancho was born a slave yet died a well-known and respected figure in London’s literary, artistic and musical circles. This biographical exhibition at National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London WC2, records, through portraits, engravings, documents and artefacts, his early life as slave-servant, his love of the theatre, his musical compositions, correspondence with writers and artists, the last years running a grocery, and his place in the wider context of the black presence in later 18th-century England. There is an accompanying lecture programme. Details: 0171 306 0055.

FEBRUARY 1-APRIL 6 POP ART

The major art movement of the 60s and its relationship with popular culture is explored in this exhibition at Norwich Castle Museum. It features works by Peter Blake, Andy Warhol, Richard Hamilton, Roy Lichtenstein and Colin Self, David Hockney’s Tea Painting in an Illusionistic Style, and imagery from the worlds of advertising, packaging and the media. Details: Ben Tufnell, 01603 223657223636.

FEBRUARY 3-MARCH 1 CHILDREN OF MERSEYSIDE:IMAGES OF CHILDREN 1949-1996

Photographic exhibition by Merseyside’s “Pied Piper” Chris Davis at Central Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool.

Includes images from The Inn of the Sixth Happiness and World Without End in which multiracial young people from Merseyside starred. The Pied Piper has travelled over a million miles and he is able to communicate with children regardless of language barriers.Free admission. Details: 0151 225 5424.

FEBRUARY 7-16 LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL

Jack Dee, Red Dwarf star Craig Charles, Irish storytelling maestro Owen O’Neill, the Comedy Store Players, Bobby Davro, and Asian broadcaster Sujata Barot are just a few of the stand-up comedians performing at the festival.

Theatrical highlights include: Fantastical Voyage from the creators of Thunderbirds FAB, crazy rock show, The Circus of Horrors and David Benson’s one-man show Think No Evil of Us: My Life with Kenneth Williams. Details: 0891 100702.

FEBRUARY 8-16 HALF-TERM FUN AT THE PALACE

Younger visitors to Brighton Pavilion will be able to play with a giant “Snakes and Dragons” board game, follow the “All Dressed Up” prize trail, and join drop-in craft workshops inspired by the Palace’s spectacular decorations and furnishings.

Details: 01273 603005.

FEBRUARY 9-16 CHINESE NEW YEARHALF TERM EVENTS

Celebrate the Year of the Ox with the Museum of London, EC2. Events include a Lion dance, February 9, 1.30pm and 3pm; Chinese myths and legends, most days, 1.45pm and 3.15pm; and Chinese maskmaking, February 11-14 and 16, 12.45pm and 2.15pm. Free with admission ticket. Details: 0171 600 3699, 0171 600 0807.

FEBRUARY 11 AND 13 WORK AT WASTE AT SCHOOL

Waste Watch is running two training days in London and Birmingham for recycling officers and environmental co-ordinators from local authorities and community groups. Sessions include: electronic magazining via the Internet, working with scrap materials in a resourceful way and a “hands-on” session with children. Sponsored by Textile Recycling Limited. Fees: Pounds 123.36, Pounds 99.88 community groups, Pounds 99.88 members, Pounds 76.38 member community groups. Details: Jane Skead, 0171 248 1818.

FEBRUARY 14 VALENTINES PARTY

Exposure youth magazine is raising money to meet its printing costs by throwing a party for up to 1,500 local teenagers at Alexandra Palace, north London. Topping the bill are jungle djs Nicki Blackmarket and Funky Flirt of Kool FM and X-Ray from Genesis Radio. Tickets: Pounds 5 in advance from Exposure, Muswell Hill Centre, Hillfield Park, London N10. Details: 0181 883 2906.

FEBRUARY 15-23 WHAT GRANDMA AND GRANDPA WORE

Children aged 8-14 visiting the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1, can find out what their grandparents wore in the 1940s and see ration books, Utility frocks and underwear, uniforms for men and women, gas masks and creative examples of make-do-and-mend from parachute silk to blackout material. Free worksheets available. Sessions at 11am, noon, 1pm and 2pm. Details: 0171 416 5311.