Not one but two shows forever associated with John Travolta will have York dancing in the week ahead. And who knew that gardening questions could be essential viewing? CHARLES HUTCHINSON on his pick of things to see and do next week...

1. For fans of John Travolta, The Bee Gees and white suits: Saturday Night Fever, Grand Opera House, York, February 12 to 16

York Press:

FORTY one years since its Paramount/RSO movie release, Saturday Night Fever has been reimagined and revitalised as music and dance spectacular by Robert Stigwood and Bill Oakes. Directed by impresario Bill Kenwright, the story of Brooklyn loose cannon Tony Manero and his reckless road to dancing success stars Richard Winsor, complemented, of course, by the disco music of The Bee Gees, played live on stage, and new choreography by Bill Deamer.

2. For fans of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, the word is Grease is back: York Light in Grease, York Theatre Royal, February 13 to 23

York Press:

MARTYN Knight presents one of the most enduring musicals of all, starring real-life couple James Horsman and Sarah Craggs as lovers Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski. Leather jackets, hand jives, milkshakes and plenty of grease are in store in Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s frank, funny show as Danny and Sandy, the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies navigate high school.

3. Anything could happen, for Pete’s sake: Peter Doherty & The Puta Madres, Who’s Been Having You Over Tour, Fibbers, York, February 13

PETER Doherty, yes, that Peter Doherty from The Libertines and Babyshambles, returns to York, this time with his “bizarre collective” The Puta Madres (look it up, it’s rude and it’s Spanish). “Peter Doherty shows tend to be balanced on a knife edge with the room descending into tumultuous chaos,” says Fibbers boss Tim Hornsby. “This may well happen here but, whatever, you can’t predict what a true rock’n’roll star will do – and that’s the genius of it.”

4. Selby date of the week: Breabach, Selby Town Hall, February 15

York Press:

BOUNDARY-PUSHING Scottish folk group Breabach showcase last October’s Frenzy Of The Meeting album in a night of twin bagpipes, fiddle, Gaelic vocals and step dance. Alongside traditional songs and contemporary tunes are original compositions from each band member, with the material themed largely on today’s frenzied experience of global politics, media and the natural world.

5. Question: can you have gardening in a theatre? Here’s the answer...: Gardening Question Time, York Theatre Royal, February 12, 2pm

GARDENING Question Time will be held on Tuesday afternoon to raise money for the Theatre Royal’s £50,000 Patio Garden Project to create an outdoor cafe and performance areas. Among the panel of experts will be garden designer Lizzie Tulip; BBC Radio York’s Martin Fish; Yorkshire Arboretum director John Grimshaw; Castle Howard head of landscape and gardens Alastair Gunn and Harrogate Flower Show director Nick Smith.

6. Young musicians’ concert of the week: York Youth Orchestra, The Centre@Burnholme, Mossdale Avenue, York, February 16

BUILDING on the impetus of last December’s debut concert, York Youth Orchestra focus on music for festivals and films in this7pm programme. Conductor Ben Crick has chosen music written for special occasions, such as Walton’s Crown Imperial, and film classics from Star Wars, Schindler’s List, Mission Impossible, The Sound Of Music and The Dam Busters.

7. Dance at the double show of the week: Dance Double Bill, York Dance Space, York Theatre Royal Studio, February 15

York Press:

THIS 7.45pm performance combines Plastic Soul, created and performed by Seke Chimutengwende (pictured), with Ensemble Improvisation, directed by Lewys Holt. Plastic Soul follows the rise and fall of a mythical performer, whose image and identity are constantly morphing in a cross between a music gig, a dance performance and a documentary. In Ensemble Improvisation, the dancers will choreograph and perform this 30-minute dance piece at the same time.

8. Knockout studio play of the week: Rob Ward’s Gypsy Queen, York Theatre Royal Studio, February 13

ROB Ward’s story of “Gorgeous” George O’Connell throws the bare-knuckle fighter and traveller into the professional boxing world. In the opposite corner is gay boxer Dane “The Pain” Samson. As their paths collide, a tragedy ensues that neither can predict.

9. Spoken word clash of the week: Say Owt Slam #21, The Basement, City Screen, York, February 15

York Press:

IN a poetry slam, each poet has three minutes to impress the audience, with the winner receiving a cash prize and bragging rights. In addition, competitors can listen and learn from special guests Jemima Foxtrot and Ciarán Hodgers.

10. Exhibition of the week: Form & Flight by Cathy Denford, University of York department of music, until September 30

CATHY Denford’s paintings and drawings explore landscape and the movement of birds in works ranging from figurative to abstract. On show too is Barbara Hepworth’s sculpture Antiphon, back home after restoration by the Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield.