Evidently back in town...the self-appointed Luckiest Guy Alive

Dr John Cooper Clarke, Grand Opera House, York, Saturday

THE good doctor's gig in York comes in the wake of John Cooper Clarke John releasing his first collection of new poetry for nearly 40 years.

The Luckiest Guy Alive was published by Picador last November and the tour of the same title is the first chance to hear the fast-talking, deadpan-drawling Bard of Salford rattle off his new works live, read as always from his battered notebooks.

Classics from Cooper Clarke's back catalogue are promised too, along with off-the-cuff observations, rapid-fire gags and off-the-wall chat.

Comedy gig of the weekend

Glenn Wool in Wool's Gold II, The Iron Pirate, The Basement, City Screen, York, Sunday

COMFORTABLY into his forties, ex-pat Canadian comedian and new dad Glenn Wool delves into his back catalogue to perform some of the more subversive routines from his 25 years of gigging.

Does he still agree with those points of view or has he finally grown up? Find out at York's Burning Duck Comedy Club, where Wool will throw in a little navel gazing too.

Come up and see him in acoustic revamp of the weekend

Steve Harley Acoustic Trio, Pocklington Arts Centre, Sunday

COCKNEY Rebel leader Steve Harley returns to rock Pock with his intimate acoustic renditions of songs from any or all 13 of his albums.

Accompanied in his trio by fellow Rebels Barry Wickens and James Lascelles, Harley will be refreshing Mr Soft, Judy Teen, Mr Raffles, Sebastian and, wait for the infamous pause, Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me).

Surely it must be time for yet another Blues Brothers tribute show? Well, fancy that, here comes...

The Chicago Blues Brothers – Motown Mission, Grand Opera House, York, Sunday

WHAT'S different about this one, then? This high-octane, adrenaline-pumping musical mash-up"jump starts the legacy of Jake and Elwood for a new generation with its modern twist on this cult classic and an energy and spirit that is impossible to resist", apparently.

Back with a brand new mission, The Chicago Blues Brothers head for Detroit to take on Motown anthems alongside the regulation Blue Brothers classics, backed by the CBB Band, the Sweet Soul Sisters, a new stage design and state-of-the-art projection.

What's cooking this weekend?

An Evening With The Hairy Bikers, York Barbican, Sunday

HAIRY Bikers Si King and Dave Myers serve up an "epic night" of cooking and conversation with their customary enthusiasm on their return to York.

These big- hearted, down-to-earth cooks have been making grub together for more than twenty years, while travelling the world and exploring the length and breadth of the British Isles to discover new recipes and create their own fresh takes on culinary classics.

Look out for the latest "slim" volume, 2018's The Hairy Dieters Make It Easy, in the foyer, no doubt.

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