The summer is on its way and so is the Riverfront's new summer programme.

Jam-packed with music, dance, theatre, comedy and an extensive workshop programme, the Riverfront is guaranteed to get your summer off to a sizzling start.

Taking place from April until July, the programme promises something for all ages and interests, from comedy to classical music, and from children's theatre to contemporary dance.

The summer season starts with the superb family show Spud Pirate and the Very Hungry Crocodile. TV's most insane scientist Dr Bunhead (featured on Blue Peter and Sky One's Brainiac) will also visit in June to entertain children and adults alike by bringing science to life with an outrageous assortment of madcap experiments.

Down By The River, the Riverfront's own music festival, is taking place at the end of May and will bring together flamenco, big band jazz, country and western and the blues in performances from Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, Juan Martin, Terry Lightfoot, Tino Gonzales, Hank Wangford and Reg Meuross.

The Riverside will also be featuring as much local talent as possible in the foyers and on the terrace.

Other music events through the summer will include performances from Joe Brown and His Bruvvers, Show of Hands, the Kathryn Tickell Band, Stacey Kent, Julie Felix and the Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers.

For those interested in theatre, there will be three weeks of great drama on offer - one each in April, May and June.

This starts with Compass Theatre's production of Chekov's 'The Seagull', followed by Salisbury Playhouse's adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's 'Jamaica Inn' before wrapping up this part of the season with Middle Ground's classic thriller 'Dial M for Murder'.

To make the most of this high quality drama there is an advantageous 'three for the price of two' offer for all of these shows.

There are also performances of 'Greek', by Wildcard Theatre, 'Beautiful Thing', by Pilot Theatre and Octagon Theatre Bolton and the West End Hit 'Stones in his Pockets'.

Dance highlights include performances from Independent Ballet Wales, Wales Independent Dance, Edge and Sakoba Youth Dance.

Alongside the regular Comedy Shed events, one of Ireland's funniest comedians Dara O'Briain will be performing in April.

He will be followed by talks from reporter and journalist Martin Bell, the presenter of the BBC's cinema review for 26 years Barry Norman, and best-selling author Steve Biddulph.

Cinema at the Riverfront continues on Monday and Tuesday evenings at 8pm and includes a celebration of Oscar-nominated films including The Phantom of the Opera (12A), Ray (15), Sideways (15) and The Aviator (12A). Other highlights include Riding Giants (12A), House of the Flying Daggers (15) and Nashville (15).

The class and workshop programme will be offering a wide range of activities including everything from salsa, ceramics and dj-ing and mixing to break-dancing and life drawing among others.

Special additions to the programme include music mania rock school, adult scriptwriting, directing and acting workshops and youth theatre.

* Tickets for all events at the Riverfront are on sale from the central box office booking line on 01633 656757.

Or for further information about the Riverfront, see the website: www.newport.gov.uk/riverfront or join the free mailing list by sending contact details to: The Riverfront, FREEPOST NAT15773, Newport, NP20 1YY.