JETSKIS: they're at the big splash.

words: John Price

A lot is happening in Newport. With the Ryder Cup just around the corner, the city’s festival is stepping things up a gear. The Big Splash starts on Saturday and features, among other things, the highest wire walk in Europe. Sat 28 Aug, starts from 11am, ticket prices vary. Info: (01633) 656757

Promising silliness, singing and plenty of shrubbery, Spamalot is going to be shown in Wales Millennium Centre this week. Mon 23-Sat 28, 7.30pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm, tickets £15-£37. Info: (02920) 636464

All summer, Barry has held their Summer Season, and this week Barry Festival comes to town. There’ll be music, art and dance and, on Friday, huge flames, fiery trees and flaming plant pots courtesy of Le Jardin Flambee. Mon 23-Sat 28 Aug, ticket prices & performance times vary. Info: (01446) 700111

The Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay continues its occasional habit of putting on great gigs (in June, they invited gnarly psych heroes Rangda) with Matt Valentine and Erika Elder on Wednesday. Weds 25 Aug, 8pm, tickets £5. Info: (02920) 454899

Klaus Kinski play Clwb Ifor Bach with The Dogbones and Mechanical Cabaret. Sat 28 Aug, 8pm, tickets: £5.

Fans of Gavin and Stacey have the chance to see the landmarks from the show in a Gavin And Stacey tour. It might be rubbish, of course, but with a list of locations that includes where Nessa and Dave didn’t get married, as well as Stacey’s house, it looks tidy. Sat 28 Aug-Sat 25 Sept, 10am+1.30pm, tickets £20. Info: Brit Movie Tours

Newport Museum and Art Gallery offers enthusiasts some fascinating exhibitions of watercolour images. Open six days a week, Seasons concludes this Saturday. Mon 23-Sat 28 Aug, Mon-Thurs 9.30am-5pm, Fri 9.30am-4.30pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm, free admission. Info: (01633) 656656

An event for the family to enjoy at Dyffryn Gardens where they will learn about bats presented by ecologist David Clements. Also, there will be an opportunity to find bats in the gardens using specialist detectors. Weds 25 Aug, 7.45pm, tickets £7/£5 kids. Info: (02920) 593328

Koko Gorillaz continues to uphold its reputation as undoubtedly the most diverse bar in the city with a night for poker enthusiasts. There’s a poker tournament taking place at Koko Gorilaz, Cathays, Cardiff. Thurs 26 Aug, 8pm-midnight, entry £5+£3 cash table buy in. Info: (02920) 341767

Live band Ted Crook & The Blues Highway are going to perform in Swansea for the city’s Bay Beer Festival for the weekend in Brangwyn Hall. Fri 27-Sat 28, 12-11pm, entry £5/£3 CAMRA members. Info: (01792) 635432.