Welsh-born boxing champ Howard Winstone in action

words: Harriet Davies

The star-studded recent adaption of the 1983 classic, The A Team featuring the likes of Liam Neeson, Jessica Biel and established heartthrob Bradley Cooper promises to reboot the 80s retro…and perhaps remove our association with Snickers chocolate bars. Expect amusing banter, cheesy action scenes, and considerably more impressive digital effects than the original.

For a nostalgic look at Newport in the 50s and 60s, check out Welsh artist Peter Ross’ exhibition Paintings of Newport, at the Riverfront in Newport this week (Fri 23 July-Sat 21 Aug. Free). The paintings reflect Ross’ own personal memories and childhood experiences of the city, and present an interesting adaptation of how Newport has developed over the last few decades.  This’ll be worth a visit if you know the city and appreciate art, but will probably be less interesting if you don’t.

DJ and electronic music producer Ed Davenport will be headlining July’s music events at the iconic underground venue, Backroom at The Vaults in Cardiff Bay(Sat 31 July, tickets: £8). Davenport’s recent move to Germany has definitely had a positive influence on his electronic heavy-house style of mixes. The team at the Backroom have been angling for Ed to perform there ever since they discovered him on a trip to Berlin. They were pretty impressed, so you might not wanna miss this!

An extra performance week of Tim Firth’s Calendar Girls has been added due to popular demand, which is all the more reason to go and see it at the Wales Millennium Centre (if ageing women baring all wasn’t enough). The witty and inspiring true story of Calendar Girls is already hilarious, but the recent addition of Wales’ comic national treasure Margaret John to star as Lady Cravenshire makes this theatre adaption unmissable. Sir Cliff Richard loves it apparently, if you aren’t already persuaded. (Until 14 Aug, tickets: £15-30)

Sick of festival fever yet? No? Good, because the Big Weekend is returning for its 16^th year in Cardiff this weekend, and will definitely be worth the nothing it costs you to get in. Promising the best in contemporary Welsh world music and local bands, the festival will also include appearances from bigger acts such as Nik Kershaw, Chas & Dave, and The Magic Numbers. There’s loads more entertaining things on offer beyond the music, and most importantly…it’s free! (Fri 30 July-Sun 1 Aug. Free)

Ceri Dupree is bringing his original act as a comedian and female-impersonator to Cardiff this weekend. Divalicious promises, well, Ceri Dupree prancing round the stage sporting various different frocks and accents.  However, born-and-bread Welshman Dupree is far more than just a man in drag, and has been entertaining crowds with his unique talent for 25 years now. If you fancy something light-hearted, fun and risqué, give this a go. (Fri 30 July-Sat 31, New Theatre, tickets: £7.50-16)

Cardiff will be showcasing the best of international boxing this week at the CIA (Thurs 29-Sat 30 July, tickets: £25-100), hosted by the WBC. Thursday night sees the world premiere of Risen, the biopic of Welsh-born World Champion Howard Winstone, which features cameos by Enzo Maccarinelli and Erik Morales. On Friday night the perspective Olympic GB Boxing Team will take to the stage and face some hand-picked rivals in a one-off tournament. The event culminates on Saturday with The Night of the Champions; an awards ceremony for the world’s greatest in professional boxing. Prepare to be impressed.

This weekend is your last chance to catch performances from Cardiff’s open-air theatre group, Everyman Summer Theatre Festival at St Fagans Museum (6-31 July, tickets: £7-14) The four production pieces include Tim Baker’s Welsh language performance of Gair Am Air Gan, along with Much Ado About Nothing, HMS Pinafore and Winnie the Pooh.  This is definitely something for all ages to enjoy.

Raymond Depardon’s first solo exhibition, Villies/Cities will be running at Ffotogallery, Turner House in Penarth (until 14 Aug. Free). The collection, which is displayed on large canvasses, comprises of aerial photographs of random citizens from 12 different cities around the world, all going about their daily lives.  The photographer and filmmaker manages to portray life and realism in just a snapshot.

Female-fronted Ska-punk band, Sonic Boom Six are playing in Newport this Saturday evening (Meze Lounge, 8pm). The five-piece band from Manchester are regular performers at all the main festivals, and offer an upbeat, fast-paced blend of Ska-punk, hip-hop and reggae.

And if you can only do one thing…

Go to the Cardiff Admiral Big Weekend festival. Did I mention it was free…?