COMEDY and camaraderie are being celebrated at CAMRA’s Ale & Arty Beer festival which takes over Arc in Stockton this week.

Friday night festival only tickets have sold out but there are still spaces to sample ales, perry, cider and lager on Thursday and Saturday nights, as well as taking in the live entertainment over the three days.

The Cadillac Kings featuring blues and roots musicians inspired by the sounds and styles of the 40s and 50s will perform on Thursday night with comedians of Nick Doody, Brendan Riley, Adam Rushdon and MC Matt Reed the night after with a local collaboration between tribute act, The Southmartins, and male-voice choir, Infant Hercules, wrapping up the festival.

The Southmartins are a homage to The Housemartins and The Beautiful South songs written by Paul Heaton while Infant Hercules is Stockton’s own 25-piece male voice choir created by Wildcats of Kilkenny frontman, Mike McGrother.

The gig will include an array of back-catalogue hits including Caravan of Love, Don’t Marry Her and A Little Time.

Tickets for the beer festival cost £4.50 on Thursday and £3.50 on Saturday with doors to Arc arts centre opening at 6pm. The Cadillac Kings concert on Thursday and the stand-up comedy night on Friday start at 8pm and cost £12 each including entry to the beer festival. The Southmartins/Infant Hercules performance on Saturday night starting at 8pm costs £10 which includes entry to the beer festival. All events are for revellers aged 18 and over.

For tickets call the box office on 01642-525199 or email box.office@arconline.co.uk