Grandstand tickets go on sale on Monday 27 February for a new national triathlon event taking place in Nottingham.  The British Triathlon Mixed Relay Cup Nottingham will feature some of Great Britain’s finest sporting talent, swimming, cycling and running around Victoria Embankment on Saturday 2 September.

An expected crowd of 20,000 spectators and a live BBC television audience will follow the action as up to 20 elite teams, including Olympians and Nottinghamians, battle to become the event’s inaugural champions.

The format, whilst relatively new in this country, is a well-known concept on the international triathlon circuit, with British and English national teams having won World and Commonwealth titles.

Tickets will be available here from 9am on Monday.

Take your little ones to one of our special under-fives Library Totstimes between Monday 27 February and Friday 3 March to help us celebrate World Book Day.

Children can come dressed as their favourite book character, will get a free book token and can enter a prize draw for one of two fantastic children’s books.

Totstimes involve stories, rhymes, music, movement and simple instruments for small hands to hold.  Find your nearest one here and read all about World Book Day here.

Paul Carrack is one of the UK’s great singer-songwriters.  He’s co-written Love Will Keep Us Alive for the Eagles and Over My Shoulder with Mike Rutherford and recorded 18 solo albums.

On Saturday 4 March, he will be playing at the Royal Concert Hall as part of his biggest ever tour.  Book tickets here.

Tickets are now on sale for popular opera singer Lesley Garrett, who will star in ‘Magic of the Opera’ at Wollaton Park on Sunday 23 July - the day after Splendour - making a whole weekend of music for all tastes in this beautiful setting.

The show will also feature the English National Philharmonic Orchestra and principal singers from the Royal Opera House and English National Opera.

‘Magic of the Opera’ is a show for all the family and will feature all the best ‘bits’ from all the popular operas, including many that everybody knows but may not realise are opera, including the Toreador song from Carmen, Mozart’s Marriage Of Figaro, Time To Say Goodbye, Verdi’s Anvil Chorus, the Pearl Fishers duet and Nessun Dorma.

There are some great deals on family and group tickets, so get yours here.

Uncle Sam’s Great American Circus comes to the Forest Recreation Ground from Wednesday 1 to Sunday 12 March.

There will be two performances each day, with daredevil acts, acrobats, aerial performers, clowns and traditional circus skills.  Tickets are available from the big top box office between 9.30am and 8pm.  Call 07586 832935 for more information.

Nottingham City Council only allows non-animal circuses on its land.

Hot off the back of her portrayal of Mama Morton in the critically-acclaimed show Chicago, X Factor winner and former prison officer Sam Bailey comes to the Royal Concert Hall with her very own live show on Friday 3 March.

Her Sing My Heart Out tour coincides with the release of her new album of the same name.  Get tickets here.

The PG Mutual National Table Tennis Championships take place at the University of Nottingham from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 March.

The best players in the country, including Olympians and Paralympians, will be competing at the university’s new David Ross Sports Village.  As well as the singles, doubles and under-21 categories, there will be four para classes, building on the success of last year’s inaugural competition, which are likely to feature a number of Rio Paralympians.

Book your tickets here.

Rising star of the British dance scene James Cousins' latest work is inspired by one of Shakespeare's most headstrong and independent heroines.  In a modern city - conservative by day, wonderland by night - the curious, courageous heroine, Rosalind, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, fuelled by love and oppression.

In this unique production, created in collaboration with Korean dancers and artists, Cousins takes Rosalind's passion and eloquence beyond words.  See it at the Djanogly Theatre on Friday 3 March.

The Nottingham Trent University Chamber Choir and Jazz Band will perform Will Todd's renowned Mass in Blue in the stunning surroundings of Southwell Minster on Saturday 4 March.  The conductor is Matthew Hopkins and the evening will also feature music by Eric Whitacre and Ola Gjeilo.

Tickets are available here.

Entries are now being invited for the ninth Nottingham Riverside Festival Dragon Boat Challenge in aid of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.

The 2017 Dragon Boat Challenge will take place on Sunday 6 August as part of the annual Riverside Festival and is one of the largest and most eagerly anticipated team events in the region.

Up to 50 crews from all over the East Midlands are expected to battle it out over the 200m race course.  No previous experience is required to take part in the dragon boat racing, just plenty of team spirit.  The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races, so get your team together and sign up here.

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