This week's new events

Alternative Comics Fair, LeedsThis compact comics fair in Leeds is small enough to fit in a bar behind the city's art gallery, but the enthusiasm displayed by local exponents of comic arts and regional visitors could fill Elland Road. It's a great opportunity to catch young artists and buy originals from those on the way up, not to mention skilled organisers and local stalwarts Steve Tillotson and Hugh "Shug" Raine. Look out for the bright, illustrative style of Adam Cadwell, John Allison's Bad Machinery, and engaging character-driven stuff from Dan Berry.A Nation Of Shopkeepers, SatIain AitchCathedral Quarter Arts Festival, BelfastIt's the 13th outing of this ace multi-arts fest. Velvet Underground legend John Cale heads the music bill (Thu), alongside Death In Vegas (5 May), and Field Music, (7 May) while the plastic bag-faced Rubberbandits (Fri) will be doing their comic electro thing. There's stand-up with Dylan Moran (13 May), Roisin Conaty (11 May), and Simon Amstell (6 May), and even the street performers are worth your time, not least sweetly crap Aussie clown Mooky Cornish (5 to 7 May).Various venues, Thu to 13 MayStuart GoodwinAmy Lam�'s Unhappy Birthday, On tourShe pioneered the Lesbian Beauty Contest, set Gay Shame up against Gay Pride, and most recently began her Mama Cass Family Singers show by walking onstage eating a ham sandwich, the meal (wrongly) reputed to have killed the Mamas & The Papas singer. Suffice to say Amy Lam� is not your average hostess. For her latest solo extravaganza, she celebrates her birthday through "party, performance and poncing about", and true to Lam� borrowing the title of a Smiths track, a seat will be left vacant for Morrissey, should he fancy coming along. Lam�'s shows are rarely the most polished, but expect laughs, glitz, and at times painfully intimate autobiographical detail.Camden People's Theatre, NW1, Tue to 12 May, touring to 29 JunSGOut & aboutBeltane Fire Festival, Edinburgh, Sat & MonToday's family day is followed in explosive fashion on Monday as the streets come alive in fiery colour. Flame on, and that.Calton HillWOW Festival ? Below Decks, Liverpool, Sat to 31 MayHistory and activism, with Benjamin Zephaniah, Pauline Black, plus Tom Watson on the death of the News Of The World.Various venuesCycling Protest Rides, Edinburgh & London, SatHuge organised rides, with campaigners seeking safer streets for cyclists.Edinburgh: from 2pm, Meadows Park; London: from 11am, Park Lane, W1 Fossil Festival, Lyme Regis, Thu to 6 MayHands-on goodness as scientists showcase history both ancient and everyday.Various venuesJack-in-the-Green Festival, Hastings, Fri to 7 MayTraditional music sessions and jigging, barely hinting at the May Day panto triffid fun to follow.Various venuesIain AitchStuart Goodwinguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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