Enjoy

Cinemas

A night at the flicks is easy in Ipswich. The only hard part is deciding which film to see click here to find out more.

Classical

Ipswich sees many of the country's best performers visiting the town as well as local talent to entertain in both lunchtime and evening concerts.

Comedy

As well as regular comedy slots, Ipswich also hosts special seasonal events. Take your pick from the range available.

• Sunday 6th April 2008, 4 St Margarets Green, Ipswich, IP4 2BP Tickets - from £8 to £11 (plus booking fee) online at www.jokerscomedyclub.co.ukDoors open at 7pm, Comedy 8pm Headliner - Ian Cognito Support - Matt Kirshen, Tiernan Douieb and MC Ninia Benjamin

Markets

There’s always something different to see and try at a Market and a great place to pick up those unique gifts.There is a regular market in Ipswich Central every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the Cornhill.

General Events

The latest and greatest events are all here for you to choose from.

• Christ Church Mansion every Tuesday (excluding Easter) from Tuesday 4th March – Tuesday 20th May Are you sitting comfortably? Then let’s begin. Imagine far off places and people, hear stories and tales taking you on all kinds of journeys, with storytelling sessions at Christchurch Mansion. Featuring local story teller John Row this programme of storytelling sessions can be enjoyed on Tuesdays throughout March, April and May. A great way to spend a day with the children! The sessions, which last 45 minutes – 1 hour, are ideal for children aged 2 – 6 and can be enjoyed absolutely free. Sessions start at 1.30pm and take place in comfortable surroundings, with mats and cushions to sit on – a perfect way to settle down with a young one for some creative and inspirational time. Each of the storytelling sessions will be different, some sessions will explore storytelling in a traditional format and some will be un-traditional, but each very magical and full of fun. The sessions will be a great way to encourage children to make use of their imaginations as they are taken on exciting journeys, with fabulous people and places. Some of the sessions will even offer the chance for children to handle an object and make up their very own story, from what they find inspiring and interesting. Museum admission and storytelling sessions are free, all children must be accompanied at storytelling sessions.

• Christchurch Mansion Hatch a Creature! Monday 24th March - Friday 28th March 10am - 12:45pm and 1:45 - 4:30pm. What is hatching this Spring Perhaps fairies in the nooks and crannies, or monsters in the kitchen and scullery! Whatever wonderful creatures are in your imagination – you can make them in a fun activity session, with the wonderful surroundings of Christchurch Mansion to inspire you.Using environmentally friendly happy maize you can let your imagination run wild as you create your own crazy creature! Why not make a day of it and pop over to Ipswich Museum (Tues – Sat) and be inspired by the amazing animals in the natural history collection too.

• Ipswich Museum ZooLab Week Tuesday 25th - Saturday 29th March 12pm - 3pm £1 per person, tickets on sale between 10am and 2:45pm. Wake up from a winter of hibernation and discover an array of fantastic animals with ZooLab at Ipswich Museum, hosted by an expert and friendly ZooLab ranger. Throughout the week you can meet, touch and learn more about all kinds of animals and insects. See a corn snake, a tarantula and a scorpion – if you are brave enough! However, if you just fancy a cuddle then why not say hello to a rabbit, guinea pig or gerbil. There will plenty of other creatures to meet too, so come along and discover your wild side.

• Christchurch Mansion The Bees Monday 31st March and Tuesday 1st April 10am - 4:30pm. Ever wondered how bees make honey? Well come and find out for free An expert beekeeper will be on hand to answer all of your buzzing questions and show you a real bee hive. There may even be the chance to see some live bees, if our British weather is being kind! There will also be the opportunity to buy some honey and wax blocks, and children can have a go at rolling their own wax candle to take home for 50p.

• Christchurch Mansion Bumble-bee Wind Turbines 31st March - Friday 4th April 10am - 12:45pm and 1:45pm - 4:45pm 50p per child. Come along to Christchurch Mansion this Easter and have a go at making your own bumblebee wind-turbine. They are too small to create enough energy to run your house, but they will look lovely in a houseplant or a garden plant! Remember to put it somewhere breezy so you can watch the bumblebee's wings spin.

• The Birds at Ipswich Museum Tuesday 1st April - Friday 4th April 10am - 12:45pm and 1:45pm - 4:45pm, £1 per person. Get crafty this April at Ipswich Museum and make your very own bird - complete with flapping wings! Our chirpy freelance artist will be on hand to give you all the advice you need to create your masterpiece. You will be provided with all the materials you need to create your flapping bird, including cardboard and wonderful things to decorate your bird. Will you make a bird of tropics, or a good old fashioned favourite like a robin? The choice is yours. Whatever kind of bird you make, you won't be short of inspiration with one of the best collections of mounted British birds on display at Ipswich Museum.

Live Music

Theres' a range of music styles from great visiting entertainers at venues all around Ipswich.

Ipswich Jazz Club

• Sunday March 16th 2008 Karen Sharp Quintet---£10.00 Undoubtedly Karen is the best tenor saxophone player to have been born in Ipswich. If that seems like faint praise let’s add straight away that she is already one of the best young jazz artists in the UK.

Talks

Get insights into new subjects or simply learn more about something you’re interested in with these varies and exciting talks.

• Wednesday 2nd April 2008, annual general meetingAnthony BaileyIpswich Institute, Tavern Street. Anthony Bailey was a writer for the New Yorker Magazine. He has written biographies of Vermeer and Turner as well as John Constable: A Kingdom of his Own. If you think of Constable as a chocolate box painter, think again.

Theatres

If you fancy a night out at the theatre in Ipswich you'll have several dedicated venues to choose from click here to find out more.

Visual Arts

A listing of exhibitions both one-offs and on-going works featuring arts and crafts, painting, ceramics and jewellery.

Town Hall

• Gallery 1 – Visual Arts Ipswich

• GALLERY 2 : The Suffolk Craft Society until 29 March Elizabeth Cook, Eco-friendly domestic textiles and furnishings

• Gallery 3 Colchester & Ipswich Museum Services

John Russell Gallery

• 3rd March '08 - 29th March '08- Gill Levin - Mixed Media Paintings

• Mixed Media by Gallery Artists – A continually changing mixed exhibition