AUTUMN is approaching, the evenings are closing in and Arts Alive has a new brochure packed with top quality live music, theatre, dance and comedy to delight audiences in intimate community venues across Herefordshire and Shropshire.

Arts Alive brings performers from across Britain and the world – from the crazy musical cabaret of Sweden’s Variete Velociped, who perform at the Steiner Academy’s Birch Hall on September 15, to the beautiful kora playing of Doudou Cissoki in Ancient Strings and Fabulous Things , from the exhilarating kathak dancing of Sonia Sabri to the thrilling Ghanaian Kakatsitsi drummers who will visit Peterchurch and Kimbolton in mid-November.

Bowjangles get into the Olympic spirit by attempting rowing, fencing, gymnastics and more – all while playing and singing – in Eardisley on September 14 and at Lyde Court on September 16.

Kosmos present a mix of music from gypsy to Arabic, and Xylophone Productions negotiate a rap battle between a gardener and a slug.

Some of the best small touring live theatre companies feature in the forthcoming season, including Multi Story Theatre with the thought-provoking Josh’s Monsters and Francesca Millican Slater is back by popular demand with Me, Myself and Miss Gibbs .

Award-winning performance poet Inua Ellams – “London’s hottest new spoken word talent,” said The Times – creates a moving narrative from the links between his Nigerian heritage and global capitalism.

And Caroline Horton, one of the stars of last year’s Arts Alive season with You’re not Like the Other Girls, Chrissy , directs family theatre with Grisly Tales from Tumblewater.

Younger audiences will enjoy KinderGardens, four performances specially created for the under-sevens.

Arts Alive shows combine professional performances with community enterprise, with all events promoted by local volunteers.

For full details of all the events, go to artsalive.co.uk, where you can sign up for weekly email alerts. To receive a copy of the brochure, call 01588 620883 or email mary@artsalive.co.uk.