Yorkshire's Cultural Calendar 2011

Bigger Trees Near Warter: David Hockney's biggest painting is being shown outside of London for the first time. York Art Gallery Feb 12 to Jun 12; Hull's Ferens Art Gallery June 25 to Sept 18 and Bradford's Carwright Hall Oct 1 to Dec 18.

Sports Lab: The Science Behind the Medals: A new interactive exhibition will look at how natural talent combines with technological innovation to take athletes to the top of their game. Weston Park Museum, Sheffield, Jan 29 to Nov 20.

Henry Moore: Two exhibitions will celebrate the life and work of one of Yorkshire's greatest artist sons. From Feb 3 to Apr 3 the Henry Moore Institute will stage a major exhibition of the prints, etchings and drawings exploring the stories behind Moore's graphic work. Then from Mar 4 to Jun 12 Leeds Art Gallery – where Moore laid the first foundation stone in 1982 –will stage a major exhibition exploring his work.

Damien Hirst: Love him or loathe him, you simply can't ignore him. The former Young British Artist set to make a triumphant homecoming with a major exhibition, set to be one of Yorkshire's biggest. Leeds Art Gallery, July to Sept.

BOOKS

Ours Are the Streets, published Jan 7: Raised in Derbyshire, now working in York, Sunjeev Sahota's first novel reveals a seriously exciting new British talent. His bravery in venturing inside the mind of a British born suicide bomber is electrifying.

King Crow, published Jan 28: Hebden Bridge's Bluemoose Books continues to bring us interesting new work – including this novel from Michael Stewart which is described as Kes meets Fight Club.

Julian Assange: The Wikileaks founder this month signed a deal with Canongate Books to publish his autobiography in Britain. One of 2011's hottest reads.

Ed Miliband: Biteback Publishing has acquired a biography of Labour leader Miliband, which will be written by political journalists James Macintyre and Mehdi Hasan and published in the summer of 2011. The book will look at Miliband's life from childhood through to his leadership of the Labour Party, covering his decision to stand against his brother David, and the battle that followed the contest.

FILM

Black Swan: Out in January, Darren Aronofsky's latest movie is already hotly tipped for Oscar glory. Natalie Portman stars in an intriguing thriller set in the world of ballet.

The King's Speech: Coming early January, Yorkshire audiences had the opportunity to see this movie at the Leeds International Film Festival first. A magnificent performance from Colin Firth could spell Oscar recognition.

Brighton Rock: Sam Riley, plucked from obscurity to play Ian Curtis in Control, will play gangster Pinkie Brown in this latest version of Graham Greene's classic novel about a small-town hood who marries a waitress who saw him kill a rival to keep her quiet.

True Grit: Joel and Ethan Coen team up with Josh Brolin, Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon for what is bound to be a fantastic result. The Coen brothers are the second directors to adapt the 1968 novel – following the 1969 film that brought John Wayne an Oscar. After opening the 61st Berlin International Film Festival on February 10, expect it here.

THEATRE

The Crucible: Arthur Miller's coruscating play about the deadly consequences of superstitious hysteria – seen at the time as a comment on McCarthy-era America – has lost none of its power. York's theatre will be transformed to an in-the-round space to really bring out the intense nature of this staggeringly powerful play. York Theatre Royal, May 7-28.

Bus Stop: William Inge's play was a major Broadway hit, which became an iconic film starring Marilyn Monroe. The Oscar-winning writer's play is set over a night in an American roadside diner. Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, March 2-12.

Racing Demon: Of the three plays and all the events that make up the Sheffield Theatres' David Hare season, this play, directed by Daniel Evans on the stage of the Crucible, is the one you want tickets for. Hare's 1990 play tackles the biggest subject of all: religion. Sheffield Crucible, Feb 10-Mar 5.

To Kill a Mockingbird: Anyone who saw Duncan Preston playing crusading lawyer Atticus Finch at the West Yorkshire Playhouse a few years ago, will know that he is masterfully brilliant in the role. He reprises it this year. York Theatre Royal, Feb 11-26. Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, Mar 29-Apr 2.

MUSIC

Roll Deep: Grime pioneers Roll Deep were nominated for Best UK Act at the 2010 MOBOs and the next 12 months promises equally big things. The Duchess, York, February 10.

The Streets: In celebration of his final album as The Streets, Mike Skinner tours with Computer and Blues. O2 Academy Leeds, February 24.

Shaun Ryder: Fresh from the I'm a Celebrity jungle, Shaun Ryder presents Happy Mondays, Black Grape and solo material in a string of live shows. O2 Academy Sheffield, February 18; O2 Academy Leeds, February 22.

Usher: The platinum-selling artist arrives in Yorkshire fresh from his critically acclaimed American tour. Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, February 23.

Primal Scream: Following on from their two sold out dates at London's Olympia, Primal Scream tour by playing their seminal 1991 album Screamadelica. O2 Academy Leeds, March 11.

DANCE

Matthew Bourne's Cinderella: After working his magic on Edward Scissorhands and Swan Lake, Bourne returns with his latest reworking. Bradford Alhambra, Mar 8-12.

Cleopatra: What's really great is that the tour starts in Yorkshire and finishes in London, not the other way round. Proof, were it needed, that there is some really high quality work that comes out of Yorkshire.

World premiere, Leeds Grand Theatre Feb 26-Mar 5. Hull New Theatre, Mar 16-19, Sheffield Lyceum Mar 22-26.

Phoenix Dance, Reflected: It's been down and out and back again more times than Rocky, but under Sharon Watson one suspects Phoenix could be about to enter another glorious period. It could start with this new piece of work. West Yorkshire Playhouse, Jan 26-29. Barnsley Civic, Mar 10.

OPERA

Carmen: Opera North continues to lead the way; a company of international repute on our doorsteps. A new production of the Georges Bizet opera is

always worth celebrating. Leeds Grand Theatre,

Jan 17-May 11.

The Portrait: British premiere for this Weinberg opera which tells the story of a talented but unsuccessful painter who acquires a portrait that is under a curse and allows him to quickly become a celebrated society artist. Leeds Grand Theatre, Feb 2-Feb 12.

HIDDEN GEMS

Sholmo Mouthtronica: He's appeared on TV with Jools Holland and when you see this beatboxer in the flesh, he will blow your mind. West Yorkshire Playhouse, Feb 17.

Terry Alderton: More will know about the comedian after his appearance on Michael McIntyre's Roadshow, but only when you see him in the flesh do you realise what a special talent this man is. York Hyena Lounge, Feb 6, Leeds Hi-Fi, Feb 7.