Essential Harrogate guide to gigs, events, and comedy this weekend and into August

If you are planning to go out in the Harrogate district this weekend or in the next month, here are the shows, gigs and comedy not to miss:

Until Sept 6: Aesthetica Art Prize 20: Defining the Future of Contemporary Part II: Perception at Mercer Gallery, Harrogate.

Thursday, July 30, 9pm: Live music with The Ashley Sherlock Band at the Blues Bar, Harrogate.

Friday, July 31, 7.30pm: 80s Anthems By Candlelight featuring hits by Bon Jovi, Prince, George Michael, and more at Ripon Cathedral.

Friday, July 31, 9pm: Live music with Green at the Blues Bar, Harrogate.

Saturday, August 1, 8pm: Hyena Lounge Comedy Club with Andrew Maxwell, Justin Moorhouse and more at Harrogate Theatre.

Saturday, August 1, 5pm: Theatre Tour and Gin Tasting Experience at Harrogate Theatre.

Sunday, August 2, 2pm: Susie Dent: Word Perfect at Harrogate Theatre.

Sunday, August 2, noon: Wilfrid’s Folk Club presents Mini Music Festival charity event with cream of local music acts at St Wilfrid’s Church and Community Centre, Ripon.

Sunday, August 2, 9pm: Live music with The Ed Balls Band at the Blues Bar, Harrogate.

Wednesday, August 5, 7pm: The HandleBards present Shakespeare’s Macbeth at Newby Hall’s Victorian Gothic Revival Church of Christ the Consoler.

Friday, August 7: Thank You, Sorry, and Congratulations exhibition by Thomas James Butler at RedHouse Gallery, 15 Cheltenham Mount, Harrogate.

Friday, August 7, 7.30pm: The Wihan Quartet perform Smetana and Dvorak at St John’s Church, Sharow, Ripon. Part of Ripon International Festival.

Friday, August 7, 9am: Harrogate Youth Theatre presents Play in a Day: Lands of Dreams for children in Year 3 to Year 6 at Harrogate Library.

Sunday, August 9, 3pm: Summer Sessions with Cover Story at the Bilton Club, Harrogate.

Friday, August 14, 7pm: The Lord Chamberlain’s Men perform Shakespeare’s Othello on Newby Hall’s West Lawn.

Friday, August 14-22: Knaresborough Festival of Entertainment and Visual Arts (Feva), various events, various venues, Knaresborough.

Friday, August 14, 7pm: Northern Soul Night with DJ Ian Smith and more at The Bilton Club, Harrogate.

Friday, August 14, 7.30pm: Live music with The Wrangers live at Frazer Theatre, Knaresborough. Part of FEVA.

Saturday, August 15, 2pm: Feva Music Festival @ The Kiosk, Knaresborough. Part of FEVA.

Saturday, August 15, 7pm: Symphonic Ibiza – Brought to you by Masons of Yorkshire – featuring Vernon Kay’s BBC Radio 2 Dance Sounds of the 90s Live Tour and more at Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.

Saturday, August 15, 7.30pm: RSPB – Night of Nature Concert at Harrogate Convention Centre.

Sunday, August 16, 7,30pm: Qween UK - at Frazer Theatre, Knaresborough. Part of FEVA.

Monday, August 17-19, 9.15pm: Riot Act presents Blind Jack's Last Road at St John’s Church churchyard. Part of FEVA.

Saturday, August 21, 7.30pm: Vincent Flatts Final Drive at Frazer Theatre, Knaresborough. Part of FEVA.

Saturday, August 22, 7pm: Ripley live presents Kyla Brox Band plus Reno Sparks at Ripley Town Hall.

Thursday, August 27, 7.30pm: Desperados – The Music & Legacy of Eagles at Frazer Theatre, Knaresborough. Part of FEVA.

Saturday, August 29, 7pm: Ripley Live presents British rhythm & blues giants Paul Jones and Dave Kelly at Ripley Town Hall, Ripley.

Saturday, August 29, 8pm: Hyena Lounge Comedy Club at Harrogate Theatre.

Thursday, September 3, 2pm: Brighton ’84 presented by Richard Jordan Productions. Part of Harrogate Theatre’s HT Drama Season. And 7.30pm.