International Women's Day will be celebrated around the world on Wednesday 8 March and, in Nottingham, you can get involved with a range of activities.

There will be an Amnesty International talk, a Lush bubble bar workshop, an Asian drumming workshop and more at Nottingham Women's Centre.  You can explore themes relating to women, law and the justice system in an interactive museum workshop at the Galleries of Justice Museum.  The New Art Exchange will be hosting an evening of comedy, live music and special guests.  All these events are free but some are open to women only.

International Women's Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and calls for action to accelerate gender parity.

If you're into dance, you won't want to miss this year's Nottdance festival, curated by Matthias Sperling.

Taking place at Dance4's international Centre for Choreography and other venues, it will aim to celebrate new works from UK-based artists and provoke discussion and debate.  Events will include breakfast conversations with artists, performances, classes, aerial filming and talks. 

Many events are free but places need to be booked.  Find out more here or watch this video to see what you can expect from the festival.

Matthew Bourne's production of The Red Shoes comes to the Theatre Royal from Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 March.  Based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, it is a story of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world, with fatal consequences.

Matthew Bourne is widely hailed as the UK’s most popular and successful choreographer and director and is renowned for his all-male Swan Lake.

Tickets are available here.

Cirque du Soleil is bringing its latest show, Varekai: Tales of the Forest to Motorpoint Arena Nottingham from Wednesday 8 to Sunday 12 March.

The show will feature new acts and tell the story of an extraordinary world called Varekai, located deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano - a world where something else is possible.

Find out more and book tickets here.

St Patrick's Day is on Friday 17 March but the celebrations for the feast day of the patron saint of Ireland are starting early in Nottingham.

There'll be a talk about Irish Republican women at Five Leaves Bookshop on Wednesday 8 March.  Then, Irish breakfasts, sports, music and dancing will be on offer at Greyfriars Social Club on Sunday 12 and Tuesday 14 March.

Find out more about other celebrations, which continue until Sunday 19 March, and what's happening on the day, including the festival and parade, here.

With a brand new show for 2017 - All Night Long - Brendan Cole hosts another spectacular production featuring his guest dancers, a new leading lady, a band and singers live on stage.  With stunning lighting, amazing special effects and superb choreography, it’s going to be a party.

Find out more, view pictures of the show and get tickets here.

Nottingham Community Voices and Nottingham Concert Orchestra present Classics of Stage and Screen on Sunday 12 March at the Albert Hall.

This foot-tapping concert will include well-known numbers from Les Miserables, Annie Get Your Gun and Lionel Bart's Oliver!.  The programme will also include orchestral and solo items performed by the Nottingham Concert Orchestra and guests Morven Harrison and Simon Theobald.

Book your tickets here.

The cream of Nottinghamshire's young musical talent will be showcased at the Royal Concert Hall on Friday 10 March and you can watch the stars of the future for free.

The performance will feature a unique collaboration between County Youth Arts’ supergroup Forgotten Rockets and acclaimed Nottingham singer Joe Knight, with a guest appearance from soulful songstress Nina Smith.

Hosted by BBC Radio Nottingham’s Dean Jackson, the show will be preceded by a music industry panel to give the youngsters essential advice on a career in music, from getting gigs to releasing records.  Tickets are free but must be booked in advance.

There are a few places left for a free workshop and advice fair to help young people aged 14 or over get into the music industry, taking place at Nottingham Trent University on Wednesday 8 March.

The Nusic Academy will involve experts from Radio 1, Radio X (formerly XFM), Metal Hammer magazine, Nottingham venues and many other organisations.  It will focus on getting media exposure.

Be quick if you want to book one of the remaining places.

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