INTERNATIONAL CELLO FESTIVAL by the Royal Northern College of music, Manchester. Runs from Wednesday May 2 to Sunday May 6. Events include Wednesday, Opening of Exhibition from 6pm. Also, BBC Philharmonic perform a concert featuring music by Herbert, Bernstein and Walton. Starts 7.30pm. Also, Concert Plus with Eugene Friesen and Rebecca Carrington. Starts 10.30pm. On Thursday, MBF International Master Classes. Starts 10am. Also, Young Artist Recital featuring music by Corigliano, Popper and Menotti. Starts 1pm. Also, MBF International Master Classes. Starts 2.15pm. Also, Workshops. Starts 4.30pm. Also New Horizons feturing music by Maw and Baker. Starts 7pm. Also, Yale Cellos featuring music by Bach and Vivaldi. Starts 8.30pm. On Friday, MBF International Master Classes. Starts 10am. Also, Young Artist Recital featuring music by Schumann, Stern, and Rachmaninov. Starts 1pm. Also, MBF International Master Classes. Starts 2.15pm. Also, Workshops. Starts 4.30pm. Also, Gala Concert featuring music by Beehoven and Barber. Starts 7pm. Also, Awards of Distinction featuring music by Rachmaninov and Paganini. Starts 10pm. On Saturday, MBF International Master Classes. Also, The Strad Cello and Bow Making Competition. Starts 1pm. Also, Young Artist Recital - Fournier Award Winners. Starts 3.15pm. Also, Workshop and Lecture exploring the American Influence. Starts 4.30pm. Also, The Strand Cello and Bow Making Competition presentation of awards. Starts 5.45pm. Also, Concert Preview. Starts 6.30pm. Also, BBC Philharmonic Concert. Starts 7.30pm. Also, Concert Plus featuring music by Bach and Rouse. Starts 10.15pm. On Sunday, Exhibition by the Strand Celia and Bow Making Competition semi finalists. Starts 10am. Also, MBF International Master Classes. Starts 10am. Also, Young Artist Recital featuring music by Beethnove and Debussy. Starts 1pm. Also, Workshops. Starts 2.15pm. Also, Closing Recital The Bach Suites. Starts 4pm. All events take place at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester apart from the Preview, Orchestral Concert and Concert Plus on Saturday May 5 which take place in the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. For further details contact the Festival Office on 01625 530140 or the RNCM Box Office on 0161 907 5278/5279.

JAPAN 2001 FESTIVAL NORTH WEST. Turnpike Gallery, Civic Square, Leigh. The Festival is launched on Friday May 4 at 3pm with a preview of Masakatsu Kondo's Landscape Paintings. Other events include Tokyo Life at Selfridges in the Trafford Centre throughout May, the opening of the Japanese Garden at Tatton Park. Saturday May 23. Also, Tozai Fusion Ensemble, a musical performance blending Japanese and British classical music. Peel Hall, Salford University. Sunday May 28.

X TRAX/STREETS AHEAD FESTIVAL. Various events to held at different venues in Manchester. Runs from Friday May 4 to Monday May 7. Ring 0161 234 5207. Admission free.