WATERSTONE’S AUTHOR EVENTS

Authors’ reading and signing sessions include Michael Palin (Hemingway’s Chair), April 10, Nottingham, 6.30pm, free, and April 12, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, 5.30pm, Pounds 2; Simon Callow (Orson Welles: The Road to Xanadu), April 9, Dublin, noon, free; and Joanna Trollope (The Best of Friends), April 12, Bristol Galleries, 1pm, free, and Bath, 7pm, free. Children’s events include “Where’s my space suit, Mum?”, Edinburgh West End, April 11-12. Details: Wendy Simpson, 0181 742 3800.

APRIL 9

DIGNITY AND DAILY BREAD

Talk by Sheila Rowbotham, the feminist historian, at Conway Hall, London WC1, 7.30pm, which will link women and work in Britain now and strategies used by women worldwide. Tickets: Pounds 5.50, Pounds 4 concessions from Hillcroft College, 0181 399 2688.

APRIL 13-JUNE 18

OUT OF THIS WORLD: THE INFLUENCE OF NATURE IN CRAFT AND DESIGN 1880-1995

Exhibition at the Crafts Council, 44a Pentonville Road, London N1. Educational events include ceramics workshops for primary school teachers, metal workshops for secondary teachers, and a two-day ceramics workshop and study day for students. School and college groups can work with one of the craftspeople in residence and do a guided tour (free but bookable in advance). Group bookings: 0171 278 7700 ext 234.

APRIL 15-23

EASTER AT THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM, HENDON, LONDON NW9

Children can fly “A10 Attack!”, the latest in computer flight simulation game technology in a specially built cockpit, complete with joystick and rudder controls. Workshops include: building and flying a simple model aeroplane and building a flying boat using recycled, everyday materials. Details: 0181 205 2266.

APRIL 17-22

CANTERBURY TALES PILGRIMAGE

The Chaucer Festival starts in Southwark Cathedral where the Mayor of Southwark will welcome the pilgrim band and there will be a commemoration service with readings in modern and Middle English and songs from the Canterbury Tales musical. It ends in Canterbury with a costumed cavalcade from Westgate Towers to the Cathedral where there will be a craft fair and medieval entertainment. Details: Philippe Wibrotte, Chaucer Heritage Trust, 01227 470379.

APRIL 21-23

MEMS ‘95

Midi, Electronic Music and Recording Show at Olympia 2, London W14, sponsored by Future Music magazine, with demonstrations by leading manufacturers of high-tech music equipment and opportunities to try out new technology. On April 21 teachers are invited to join Alistair Jones at a forum on music technology in the classroom. Tickets: Pounds 5 in advance, Pounds 8 on the door. Discounts for group bookings: 01369 707 888.

APRIL 23-MAY 14

WE WILL SING! TRAINING AND REPERTOIRE FOR CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CHOIRS

Workshops and masterclasses for conductors, teachers and music education students with Doreen Rao, the choral conductor. She will visit three London venues, Northampton, Reading, Cardiff, Bristol, Canterbury, Preston, Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham. Details: Boosey Hawkes Music Publishers, 0181 205 3861.

APRIL 24-29

LONDON POETRY FESTIVAL

Apples and Snakes, the performance poetry group, has co-ordinated a wide-ranging programme at the Camden People’s Theatre, 58-60 Hampstead Road, London NW1. It features Urban Poets Society, Survivors’ Poetry, Asian Women Writers, floorspots every evening for aspiring poets, free workshops on April 29 and more. Details: Steve Tasane, 0171 639 9656.