Heather Smith's weekend whirl

Parky politics
This years annual TUC May Day March in Wallasey looks set to be more memorable than most with an action packed programme of events.

Campaign groups including Stop the BNP, Future for Youth and Wirral Against Cuts will be meeting at 12pm to march from Seacombe Ferry to Central Park on Saturday.

Rallying crowds at the park, Brian Caton, sacked whistleblower nurse Karen Reissmann and Cllr Dave Nellist will be taking to the megaphone for a bit of old school public speaking. Whilst the local Love Music Hate Racism team have organised live sets from the unpredictable Urban Strawberry Lunch, Toxteth Rebel Alliance DJs, and Newbo's own indie trio Alexis Blue.

Speakers and singers aside, there will be women's football, food stalls and a funfair to get stuck in to. Fingers crossed for some sunshine.

*TUC's May Day March, Sat 2nd May, from Seacombe Ferry 12pm, on to Central Park, Wallasey, 1pm-5pm, free

Green Oasis
Bank holidays are all about finding that beautiful bit of green and enjoying it.
This Sunday, the Ranger Interpretation Service (did you know there was one?)has planned “a sedate journey through the tranquil green oases to be found within Liverpool's city centre.” A friendly guide showing you all the hotspots for free, brilliant.

Green Oasis is another of these curious five hour long day trips where guests trawl through “various parks” laughing and learning along the way. The plan on Sunday is to meet at L8's pretty Falkner Square and head for the city centre's secret circuit of greenery, who knows where you might end up.? In the car park Under Chavasse Park? Don't forget your flask and butties

*Green Oasis, Sun 3rd May, 10am-3pm, free, meet at Falkner Square, main gate on Grove Street

Shower power
Songs of the big screen made for popular music in a pre-Elvis world. A strong plot never packed out the picture houses when MGM and co were churning out big musical numbers back in the day.

If Singin' in the Rain didn't do it for you on film, the stage version would probably make your toes curl. If you loved every extravagant minute, be sure to head to the Empire this weekend for your dose of care free, colourful fun.

In this touring run, West End and Broadway star Tim Flavin plays Don Lockwood, made famous by Ernie Wise and Gene Kelly. Pack a mac, should you book tickets for the first few rows, as, when a certain song is played a soaking may be on the cards.

*Singin' in the Rain, Empire Theatre, until Sat 2nd May, tickets £32.20-£15.50, book online at www.liverpoolempire.org.uk

Egged on
If you fancy yourself as a bit of a closet poet or maybe a bedroom acoustic buff, perhaps you might consider exposing your inner performer this Monday to the Egg Café's quirky crowd.

Performers and listeners of every calibre are welcome to the warm atmosphere of the venue's open floor poetry and acoustic music extravaganza, which takes place on the first Monday of every month, but first timers are particularly encouraged.

Don't forget the Egg works on a bring your own booze basis, so take along enough to enjoy a long candlelit evening's entertainment.

*Open Floor Poetry and Acoustic Music, Egg Café, Newington, Mon 4th May, 8pm onwards, for more information, call 0151 280 5453