Forty top jazz musicians play over the two days as part of the first Norwich Jazz Weekender, Red Card Comedy Club welcomes four more stand-ups, David Melling's much-loved children's book Hugless Douglas is brought to the stage, while soprano Geneviève Usher and pianist Chris Underhill perform the 5th Norfolk Schubertiade. SIMON PARKIN picks six cultural highlights not to miss this weekend.

COMEDY

Red Card Comedy Club

Carrow Road, Norwich, August 28, 8.45pm, £6, 8.45pm, 0844 8261902, www.redcardcomedyclub.com

Fresh from the triumph of Laugh In The Park, Red Card return to their more regular monthly night at Carrow Road, but with an extra special treat — it's a half price summer special. On the bill will be massively engaging guitar-playing stand-up with a razor sharp wit Silky and warm and witty Laura Lexx, who has a loveable confessional style with a unique, joyous take on life and musings on the funny world we live. Ex-teacher Luke Toulson offers stories about parenthood, dating and self-depreciation and exasperated observations about his time at the chalk face. Regular host and Red Card Comedy original, John Mann returns with his warm and laid back Essex style.

MUSIC

Jazz Weekender

Open, Bank Plain, Norwich August 30-31, £5 per session, £25 day passes, 01603 508050, www.norwichjazzclub.co.uk

Forty top jazz musicians play in different combinations over the two days as part of the first Norwich Jazz Weekender. Sessions include The Paul Hill Band (Aug 30, 12pm), Tom Dunnett Quintet (Aug 30, 2pm), Norwich trumpeter Freddie Gavita (Aug 30, 4pm), acclaimed trio Treehouse (Aug 30, 6pm), Beyond Cantaloupe (Aug 30, 8pm) and Mammal Hands (Aug 30, 10pm). Then Christian Garrick (Aug 31), a celebration of the songs of Hoagy Carmichael (Aug 31, 3pm), Alan Barnes and Bruce Adams (Aug 31), the Tommaso Starace Quartet exploring the music of alto saxophonist Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley (Aug 31, 7pm), and Hitchcock & Barnes All-Stars (Aug 31, 9pm).

CONCERT

5th Norfolk Schubertiade

St Botolph's Church, Trunch, August 30, 7.30pm, £9 (£7 cons), 01263 722193, www.trunchconcerts.co.uk

Replacing the scheduled recital by Anda Anastasescu is Geneviève Usher (soprano) and Chris Underhill (piano). To keep some of Anda's original programme, Chris will play the Piano Sonata, Op 26, by Beethoven and Schumann's Faschingsschwank aus Wien, a lively portrait of the waltzes and swagger of the Viennese carnival season. Genevieve will be singing songs for the stage and concert hall by Mozart, Puccini, Gounod, Delibes, Strauss and Edward German.

FAMILY SHOW

Hugless Douglas

Norwich Playhouse, August 30-31, 11am/1.30pm, £10, 01603 598598, www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk

Blunderbus Theatre Company perform this delightful new show, based on the much-loved book from David Melling, which comes to life with an irresistible blend of music, puppetry and high energy storytelling. Hugless Douglas is a huggable, lovable young brown bear who wakes up one morning in need of a hug. He tries to find the perfect one, but none of them seem quite right. After all, there are so many different hugs to choose from. But Douglas soon discovers that there's only one hug that will do - a big bear hug from his mum. Heartwarming tale suitable for ages 3+

EXHIBITION

Henri Matisse Sculpture: The Backs

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, until March 2015, Tues-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm, free admission, 01603 593199, www.scva.ac.uk

These monumental works are now recognised as a group and were made over a period of 20 years as Matisse progressively refined the original pose of a model with raised arm. The figure is portrayed with her back to the artist and progressively through the four works the figure is reduced to its essential elements of form. Although Back I had been exhibited in 1913, the series remained almost unknown until 1949-50 when the plaster Backs I, III and IV appeared in exhibitions in Paris and Lausanne. Back II was only rediscovered after Matisse's death and all were cast posthumously in bronze. The sculptures are on loan to the Sainsbury Centre from Tate for one year as part of a programme of 20th century sculpture loans.

MUSIC

Anna Mudeka Band

Diss Corn Hall, August 30, 8pm, £12 gig only, 01379 652241, www.disscornhall.co.uk

Anna moved to Norwich from Zimbabwe over a decade ago. Much of her time is spent raising funds to help improve the education of disadvantaged children in her homeland. Her songs range from the traditional sounds of the Mbira music of Zimbabwe fused with jazzy beats guitar and pop melodies. From the traditional sounds of the Mbira music of Zimbabwe fused with jazzy beats guitar and driving bass rhythms, she draws all that best from the Sub-Saharan Africa, with a string of new songs in Swahili, Nyanja, Shona and Ndebele. They will also be hosting a pre-gig dance workshop (4pm-5.30pm, £8 booking essential).