The 11th Harleston and Waveney Festival promises to be another packed week of entertainment, from August 20 to the family fun day on August 27.

This year's headline act is award-winning blues singer and guitarist Shar-Baby – 'the little woman with a big sound' – from Birmingham, Alabama, who will appear at the Apollo Rooms, Harleston, with the Dave Thomas Blues Band on August 24, at 8pm. Tickets �10.

The festival starts with a free exhibition of pastels, oils and watercolours by the Wortwell Art Group at the Swan Hotel, Harleston, from August 20 to 25.

Hear about Pocahontas and make a dreamcatcher at a free family workshop, Catching Dreams with Pocahontas, at Harleston Library on August 22, 2.30pm-3.30pm.

Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole series will be the subject of Harleston's first Town Read, which starts at the library on August 24 with a 'Cappucino Years' coffee morning, 10.30am-11.30am. Pick up a book from the series, read it and post your comments in the library, until the end of September.

Light-hearted music from the 12th to 16th centuries will be performed by King Henry's Band at St John's Church on August 23, 7.30pm. �7.

BBC Radio 4 newsreader Susan Rae will talk about life as a broadcaster at King George's Hall on August 24, 12.30pm. �5.

Local film historian Stewart Orr will introduce The Secret Tunnel, a 1947 children's film shot in Harleston and Flixton about two boys battling antiques smugglers, at Archbishop Sancroft High School, Harleston, on August 24, 7pm. �5.

An eclectic mix of local bands will perform at a free music festival at the Swan Hotel from 6pm on Friday, August 24, midday to midnight on Saturday, and Sunday afternoon.

Sue Kuzmic, of Batty Candle Shop, will give a free candle-crafting demonstration in Union Street at 10am on August 25.

That evening, poet Brian Ellis will present 'an evening of poems half-remembered from childhood' at Starston Church at 7.30pm. �7.50, including refreshments.

Former Radio Norfolk presenter Stewart Orr will hold a free open day featuring vintage sound equipment at Prior's Croft Barn, Withersdale Street, on August 26, 11am-5pm. There will be teas and coffees on the terrace and a display by the Friends of Norfolk Dialect.

Gordon Lascelles will take people on a free hour's tour of Harleston at War, starting in Broad Street at 2.30pm on August 26.

The Festival Choir returns for the free Big Sing of favourite hymns, old and new, and upbeat readings at St John's Church on August 26, 6pm.

Finally, the family fun day will take place on Harleston recreation ground on August 27, 11am-4pm, featuring stalls, attractions and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast.

For tickets, call the box office at the Swan Hotel on 01379 852221 or Harleston Information Plus in Exchange Street on 01379 851917.

andrew.smith@archant.co.uk