This week's new events

British Tarantula Society Annual Exhibition, BilstonIf you thought tarantulas came in only one variety ? hairy and horrific ? think again. Categories in this eight-legged expo range from "cuddly" Brachypelmas to tree-creeping Asian Arboreals, and even scorpions get a stab at netting the prestigious Best in Show prize. As well as gawping at tanks of leggy lovelies, arachnophiles can browse books and paraphernalia, enter an art contest, and catch a talk on the sustainability of Cambodia's street-food trade in spiders.The Coseley School, Henne Drive, SunColette BernhardtBath FringeThere are over 170 events taking place on Bath's fringe this year, taking in burlesque, Afro-funk and even a comic play about wrestling giants Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks. Things kick off on Friday with the Bedlam Fair at Green Park Station, and continue next weekend at Green Park Market and Kingsmead. Look out for the Spiegeltent on The Rec, which hosts acts daily from 1 Jun (including The Destroyers & The Carney Villains), with several daytime shows aimed at children.Various venues, Fri to 10 JunIain AitchKapow! LondonYou only have to check the guestlist to realise that two-year-old Kapow! has already established a rep as the UK comics con. Comic-book royalty in attendance includes Frank Quitely, the artist behind what's considered to be the 21st century's definitive Superman, plus Warren Ellis, co-creator of early-noughties game-changer The Authority, a superhero team that included a bio-engineered gay Apollo and a drug-addled shaman. Guest-of-honour is Marvel head honcho, chief creative officer Joe Quesada. British comedians swell the ranks too including Jonathan Ross, who recently penned his first comic, Turf, plus Frankie Boyle, Jimmy Carr and Nick Frost. There'll also be the Stan Lee Awards, plenty of cosplay, plus ? of course ? stand after stand of all things comics-related.Business Design Centre, N1, Sat, SunSkye SherwinOut & aboutProtest, Power, Struggle and Strife �No Pasar�n! London, SatA political marketplace and forum, taking in screenings, exhibitions, workshops and more.Rich Mix, E1Olympic Torch Relay, Nationwide, Sat to 27 JulThe Olympic flame's 70-day jaunt begins at Land's End, meandering via Plymouth, Exeter and Bristol, before fetching up in Cardiff on Friday.Various venuesCrimefest, Bristol, Thu to 27 MayCrime fiction celebration with PD James, Lee Child and Frederick Forsyth.Bristol Marriott Royal HotelArts Festival, Dumfries & Galloway, Fri to 5 JunJazz and classical music kick off two weeks of music, theatre, art, comedy and more.Various venuesCharleston Festival, Firle, Fri to 3 JunJoanna Lumley kicks off proceedings on Friday, with Annie Leibovitz, Marcel Theroux, Bonnie Greer and Andrew Motion later in the festival.Charleston, LewesStuart GoodwinSkye SherwinColette BernhardtIain Aitchguardian.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

Lapland holidays Lapland skiing holidays Travel Finland holidays