Six of the Best: Cultural highlights not to miss this weekend

COMEDY

Off The Kerb

Norwich Arts Centre, January 10, 8pm, £12.50 (£10 cons), 01603 660352, www.norwichartscentre.co.uk

2015 brings us a brand new comedy club at Norwich Arts Centre, the first night headlined by Sony Award Winner, Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee and star of Radio 4 Tom Wrigglesworth. Expect elegant flourishes of language, twisted logic and whimsical storytelling courtesy of one of the finest and most original comics in the UK. Joining him will be Angela Barnes, whose witty world view has catapulted her to numerous radio and television shows, and Joel Dommett.

MUSIC

Joan Armatrading

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, January 8, 7.30pm, returns only, 01284 758000, www.theapex.co.uk

In over her 42 years of live performing, Joan Armstrading has never done a solo world tour. Saving the best until last, for her final major tour she has decided this is the perfect time to perform her first ever full scale solo concerts. Her performances will include songs that span her entire career so far. It's just her, a guitar, a piano and some amazing songs. 'I want them to be a special lively interactive one-to-one experience,' she said. 'I have absolutely enjoyed the last 42 years of performances but now, with my final major tour, I want to capture a unique memory for both myself and the audience.'

MUSIC

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra

Norwich Playhouse, January 9, 7.30pm, £19.50 (£17.50 cons), 01603 598598, www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk

For the last few years at the Norwich Playhouse, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra has been showing a full house just how entertaining a live dance band can be. The orchestras' treasure trove of original arrangements has been augmented by brand-new orchestrations and transcriptions from the great British dance bands such as Ray Noble or Roy Fox. You will also hear some of the original arrangements of Bing Crosby or Fred Astaire's finest recordings, plus versions of the great American song-book from composers such as Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and George Gershwin.

SHOW

Jack & The Beanstalk

Carnegie Room, Cage Lane, Thetford, January 9-10/16-17, £34-£7.50, 01842 751975, www.ticketsource.co.uk

Thetford Players always wait until after the festive rush is over to stage their New Year panto. This year they bring Ben Crocker's adaptation of Jack & the Beanstalk to life and due to popular demand they have also increased the number of performances this year to six, including a second matinee show. Join Jack (Emma Patrick), his mum Dame Madonna Trot (Tim Lovejoy), cowman Simple Simon (Jade Balmer), as they go on an adventure to rescue Princess Demelza (Charlie Wilson) from the clutches of the Giant (Stuart Wright) and his sidekick, Slimeball (Mark Robinson).

MUSIC

The Jive Aces

Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich, January 10, 7.30pm, £15, 01603 620917, www.maddermarket.co.uk

They were first live band to reach the final rounds of Britain's Got Talent and have performed everywhere from Buckingham Palace for the Coronation Festival to Trafalgar Square for the Olympics. This extremely in-demand sextet have also worked with Van Morrison have their latest live set includes songs from their latest album King of the Swingers featuring such classics as Bare Necessities, Mack The Knife, Sing, Sing, Sing and their hit version of Morcambe & Wise's Bring Me Sunshine.

COMEDY

Jongleurs Comedy Club

Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich, January 9, 7.30pm, £10-£8, 01603 620917, www.maddermarket.co.uk

The famous comedy club, which had a briefly lived club in Norwich, here return for a one-off night at the Maddermarket. The line-up includes Canadian born comedian Peter White, star of Impractical Jokers and Russell Howard's Good News Paul McCaffrey, a top drawer, anecdotal stand-up with warm and cheeky wit, and Geoff Norcott who had a very successful 2014 including a nomination for Best New Show at Dave's Leicester Comedy festival as well as appearances on QI and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.