Top Five Museums: Helmand - The Soldiers' Story

Photographs, objects, footage and online blogs from the soldiers at the frontline, at the National Army Museum

Top Five for Kids: Milkshake! My First Concert

Noddy, Mr Men, Rupert Bear and other favourite TV characters are live on stage in this touring musical show, at Richmond Theatre

Top Five Gigs: Ben & Jerry's Sundae

Serenading the crowds as they attempt to counteract the soporific effects of the cookie dough are the Charlatans and Lemonheads

Top Dance: Swan Lake

The National Ballet of China with Natalia Makarova’s new production of Tchaikovsky’s grand classic, at the Royal Opera House

Top Five Galleries: Norman Stevens Tribute

The likes of David Hockney and John Loker in a show for the deceased Stevens, at the Redfern Gallery

Top Five Jazz: Elaine Stritch

A reprise of the grand old dame's louche and lusty reminiscences of life as an irrepressible Broadway Baby, at Shaw Theatre

Top Five Comedy: The Big Chill 2008

Including the Mighty Boosh, John Shuttleworth, Bill Bailey, Adam Buxton, Mitch Benn, Danny Bhoy, Simon Day and Susan Murray

Oh what a Carry On

Carry On films taught Richard Morrison about comedy, history and the comely charms of Barbara Windsor

Top Five Clubs: AKA Tenth Birthday

A Narnia-themed bash for the End's little brother, and a cracking bill featuring Basement Jaxx, Gilles Peterson and lots more

Top Five Opera: Monkey: Journey to the West

Damon Albarn’s and Chen Shi-Zheng’s pop opera has been reworked for its London premiere, at the Royal Opera House

Edinburgh Festival highlights: the best music

From recitals by the impulsive Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero to the UK's crown prince of grime Dizzee Rascal

All the fun of the fête

The village fête season is here. Louise Cohen highlights a blissful, temporary jam and cake-laden event near you

Top Five Theatre: The Wizard of Oz

The familiar old tale of Dorothy and the worryingly weird friends she picks up on the yellow brick road is restaged by Jude Kelly

Top Films in Rep: Clint Eastwood

A tribute to the actor/director kicks off with the iconic saga The Good, the Bad & the Ugly, at the BFI Southbank

Top Five Events: Friday Late Village Fête

You get the opportunity to play on Carl Clerkin’s roulette wheel, sing along with the Helium Karaoke and pimp your plimsolls

Top Five Museums: Hadrian: Empire and Conflict

The life and legacy of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, looking at his military might, his architectural projects, and his sexuality

Top Five Comedy: Latitude Festival

The lengthy bill of comedic talent features Bill Bailey, Tim Minchin, Rich Hall, Stephen Grant, Dan Atkinson and Carey Marx

Richard Morrison's Six Golden Tips of Blathering

Never be without a cocktail party gambit. Read our chief critic's guide and always have something to say on the arts

Top Five Kids: Fifi and the Flowertots Live

See the TV stars live on stage for the first time in this show for ages 3-7, at Leatherhead Theatre

Top Five Jazz: Vinicius Cantuaria

Quite a coup, this, one of the most sophisticated Brazilian singer-guitarists turns on the bossa charm in an intimate setting