A talk by Michael Palin, a live album recording from one of the country’s “most respected songwriters” and a chance to dress your dog up for halloween are just some of the things featured in our top five this week.

Tuesday

Having spent some 25 years travelling the world and bringing its wonders to our television screens, Michael Palin will be giving a unique talk reflecting on a career that began with Around The World In 80 Days. In his own words: “I’ll be trying to give the audience something different this time, talking about the travelling, how we make the programmes, the highlights and showing some wonderful photographs”.

The 70-year-old will be giving his talk at The Peter Samuel Theatre in the Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £15 and can be bought at www.wegottickets.com or on 020 7431 1266.

Thursday

Live Album

Described as one of Britain’s “most respected songwriters” and a regular supporting artist of Jack Johnson, guitarist and singer Neil Halstead has invited fans to join him as he performs and records his future live album at Cecil Sharp House, in Regent’s Park Road, Primrose Hill. .

Past albums have drawn influence from British and American folk and his latest venture will include both solo pieces and music composed with the Band Of Hope.

The three hour show starts at 7pm with tickets costing £12. More information can be found at www.cecilsharphouse.org.

Friday

Extinct Music

Get a rare chance to hear recordings of now extinct bird songs as part of a concert from composer David Holyoake at Lauderdale House in Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill. “Extinct Birds” is a collaboration with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) that features new chamber music set against live electronics and sound recordings of extinct and endangered birds. The evening will also include music by Beethoven, Ravel and Messiaen and is introduced by Dr Sue Armstrong Brown from the RSPB. Starting at 7.30pm, tickets are £13 (£10 concs) and can be purchased by calling 07732 661414 or emailing franbarritt@aol.com.

Saturday

A rare chance to see what one Guardian critic described as “one of the best shows at the Edinburgh Fringe this year” comes as Danny Braverman ends his four-day solo show at the JW3 in Finchley Road.

Using a projector to show a selection of images, his performance tells an hilarious and moving story with the previously lost art of his great-uncle.

In 1926, shoemaker Ab Solomons drew a doodle on the wage packet that he gave to his wife Celie. Throughout their marriage for the next 60 years, Ab developed his art and drew a wage packet cartoon every week for Celie. It has provided a remarkable timeline chronicling Ab and Celie’s family life, through their ups and downs.

Braverman presents the story with great wit, warmth and with a blistering honesty, making it a unique and heartfelt performance charting the life experiences of an East End Jewish couple’s marriage.

Four stars in The Times, “outstanding show” of the Fringe Review and four stars in The Scotsman, you’d be hard pressed to not enjoy it.

n The show will be running today through to Saturday at 7.30pm, with a final performance on Sunday at 4.30pm. Tickets cost £10 (concs £5) available from www.jw3.org.uk.

Sunday

Spooky Pooches

From the team that brought you the surprise hit of the summer, Pup Idol, comes their latest unique canine venture - the Devilish Dog Walk.

A spine-tingling event sure to petrify pooches and owners alike, Highgate-based charity All Dogs Matter will run a Halloween spook-tacular complete with walk along Hampstead Heath, a doggy fancy dress competition, raffles and plenty of tricks and treats.

The walk will start off at “one of London’s oldest haunted pubs”, the Spaniards Inn in, Hampstead.

This is your chance to monstrify your mongrel or turn that Golden Retriever into a ghoulish ghost.

To enter, all dogs and owners need to arrive at the Spaniards Inn by 10.30am. The walk will start at 11.00am. The entrance fee per dog is £5, with all proceeds going to All Dogs Matter.