Batman Live - UK tour

1-31 March 2012

This years AV Festival runs, for the first time, for a month. The theme is As Slow as Possible and it features exhibitions, screenings, music events and much more, hosted by numerous venues across the region.

One of the more eye-catching events is a night time walk titled Taking Coals to Sunderland along some of Sunderland's disused railway tracks with the artist Tim Brennan.

For information on all the events, screenings, exhibitions and venues, go to www.avfestival.co.uk

This years Live at Leeds festival runs from Friday 4th May to Sunday 6th May and has some mouthwatering bands scheduled to appear, including the likes of Marina and the Diamonds, Los Campesinos, The Subways, Ladyhawke, Reverend and the Makers and TNP tips for 2012, Spector. That is just a soupcon of the goodies you can expect.

The festival is spread across 11 venues throughout the city and access is gained by purchasing the festival wristband.

For details of how to purchase the wristband, venues, bands and the festival as a whole, go to www.liveatleeds.com

Are you tired of bog-standard, homogenised photos and long for individual, personal, intriguing and well executed photography?

Then may I point you in the direction of Graeme Stark Photography.

Browsing through the blog I came across some beautiful pictures, depicting landscapes, street life, people and even the occasional personal portrait. All pictures were beautiful and of the standard on display at the much-cherished Side Gallery.

Having spoken to Graeme personally, he explained that he will take commissions, including personal portraits, weddings and other special occasions and works with both colour and black and white film in analogue or digital.

For a look at some of his wonderful pictures, a read of his blog and details of how to contact him go to www.graemestarkphotography.blogspot.com