HAPPY Easter to one and all. Away from “the greatest story ever told”, here are CHARLES HUTCHINSON’S weekend picks for April 19 to 21

Puppet horror show of the weekend

Odd Doll in Seaside Terror, York Theatre Royal Studio, Saturday

YORK director, designer, puppeteer, teacher and performer Kathleen Yore's Odd Doll show takes a trip to the seaside, where the only other inhabitant of the dilapidated pier is a rather sinister ice cream man. What's more, he has some very strange stories to tell, from Evil Seagulls to Zombie Donkeys and Bingo Hairballs.

Stuffed with fun frights and ice cream chills, Seaside Terror celebrates British horror and British holidays of the 1970s in a funny, nostalgic and visually arresting show whose strange brew of puppetry, clowning and specially composed music fills the stage with nerve-shattering shocks.

Jazz vibe of the weekend

Ouroboros & Jazz Is Dead present The Midnight Hour with Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge, he Crescent, York, Sunday

THE Midnight Hour is a collaborative project between two titans of American hip hop, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, from rappers A Tribe Called Quest, and producer Adrian Younge.

As heard on last year’s self-titled album, these golden-eared crate diggers fuse orchestral jazz, soul, R&B and blues, harking back to the bygone era of the Harlem renaissance, while exploring the roots of hip hop. Jack Waterson and Loren Oden will be performing too.

On the Ball this weekend

Michael Ball, Come Home To You Tour, York Barbican, Sunday

DOUBLE Olivier Award winner Michael Ball plays York on the back of his new album of self-penned songs, Come Home To You, hitting the top spot.

Ball’s 21st studio album is his first solo number one since his self-titled debut in 1992. Now, for the first time, he presents a handful of his own compositions, led off by the first single, Home To You, inspired by family, loved ones and his dogs.

The West End and Broadway leading man promises “an evening of entertainment”.

It's Easter, so there has to be a Resurrection

Resurrection, Fibbers, York, Easter Sunday

THIS is the fifth anniversary night under the covers at Fibbers. "It's always packed, always sold out," says boss Tim Hornsby. "This is the real Manc Holiday Weekend in York!"

Prepare for an invasion of tribute acts to the pantheons of Manchester music: Oasish; The Total Stone Roses; Happy Mondaze; True Order; Transmission (presumably Joy Division) and The Smiths Utd.

Joining the party too will be Stereotonics, York indie rock band Skylights, The Resonance and guest DJs, Dave Booth among them.

Last chance to see...

York Stage Musicals in The Sound Of Music, Grand Opera House, York, today and Saturday

YORK Stage Musicals mark the 60th anniversary of Rodgers and Hammerstein's ever popular musical with a superb production, under the direction of Nik Briggs and musical direction of Adam Tomlinson.

Joanne Theaker plays Maria with a warmth, radiance and joy in singing such fabulous songs; the children are a delight; Alex Papachristou, back on a York stage for the first time in eight years, is on top from as "Uncle" Max, and Rowan Kitchen's Mother Abbess takes Climb Ev'ry Mountain to new peaks.

This hit show really should be your favourite thing to catch this weekend.