PIANO duets have always been both a regular fixture as well as being a favourite among audiences at the Ulverston International Music Festival and this year's event is no different, promising to bring us a duelling programme full of elegance and excitement, featuring young pianist Miki Yumihari and the very talented Anthony Hewitt. Music includes Mozart/Grieg's Sonata 'Facile' in C Major plus Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre and so much more. The pianists will be on stage at the Coronation Hall tomorrow (Friday, 7.30pm). The UIMV continues until June 16. Box office 01229-587140.

Tickets £13-£22; students £2.

AWARD-winning Yorkshire artist Emerson Mayes is showcasing his latest exhibition called Fur and Feather, at Coniston's Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin. Emerson's artwork reflects his obvious passion for wildlife and this resonates through his paintings and drypoints in this collection, which explores the birds and animals that can be found on the Lakeland estate. The exhibition which is showing in the Severn Studio continues until June 26. Open daily 10.30am-5pm. For further information on this and other exhibitions on show go to www.brantwood.org.uk.

Entry is included in house admission

RAILS by Simon Longman is a funny, poignant and emotionally arresting new play. It tells of Mike (Toby Vaughan), a 16-year-old who's really into his scooter. He's really into Sarah (Lydea Perkins), too. But she's probably not that into him. Cars are passing through the dead end town they live in, but they don't ever stop. The play examines loneliness, dreaming and trying to hope in a town that doesn't seem to want you to. On stage for the summer season at Theatre by the Lake (times vary). Box office 017687-74411.

Tickets £12.50 - £26.00

APPLEBY Horse Fair – the annual gathering of Gypsies and Travellers in the heart of Cumbria’s Eden Valley is the venue for the week long popular event. Starting today (June 7) until June 13, though the main days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 8, 9 & 10) when most of the horse trading takes place on ‘Flashing Lane’ where the horses, after being ridden into the river to be washed, are trotted up and down at speed to be shown off to prospective buyers. This fair is extremely popular, catering for around 30,000 visitors each year - for full details of this fascinating event, go to www.applebyfair.org.

Free event

THE Great North Swim – Europe’s biggest open water swimming event is this year taking place at its new home of Brockhole Visitor Centre, where around 10,000 swimmers are expected to compete. There will be lots of family activities on site, together with a tasty selection of locally produced food, craft beer tent, entertainment and live music plus kids activities from archery to laser clay pigeon shooting and adventure play ground. The swim takes place tomorrow (Friday, noon-5.30pm); Saturday (7.30am-5pm) and Sunday (9am-2pm). The distances range from 250m; ½ ml; 1ml; 2ml; 5k; 10k or the fantastic SwimRun event. Swimmers of all abilities are encouraged to take the plunge, braving the chilly waters of Windermere to raise money for charity.

For more information and to register, go to www.greatrun.org/great-swim/great-swim-north

Fee – from £15 to £85 depending on the swim distance

THE Bon Jovi Experience, the world’s leading tribute to the 80’s icons, will be performing at The Platform in Morecambe on Saturday (June 9, 8pm). The five-piece band power their way through two hours of rocking tunes. Front man Tony Pearce bears an uncanny resemblance to Jon Bon Jovi and his soaring vocals complement the tight musicianship of the band. 

Box office 01524-582803

Tickets from £15