Keenan, Reeves and Miles Davies too
The second Chapter & Verse Literature festival got under way at the Bluecoat this week, but don’t worry, most of the good stuff is saved until the weekend anyway.

Make it a big night out this Friday with Evil Cradling author Brian Keenan's Belfast memoirs between 6pm-7pm and, later, Vic Reeves and his new “preposterous” book The World According to Vic. Discuss the dying art of book reviews with Suzi Feay (Fri), learn how to paint a dead man with Sarah Hall (Sat) or marvel over Miles Davis and the making of modern music with the Guardian's chief sportswriter Richard Williams (Sat), former editor of Time Out and Melody Maker.

The Bluecoat will be packed with contemporary writers all weekend and there’s a whole load of other stuff to do. Scheduled events- most of which are free- range from readings and discussions to workshops and book launches. Sign up to everything going or just drop in for a drink and soak up the arty author-filled atmosphere. Either way, you shouldn’t be lost for words.

*Chapter & Verse Literature Festival, the Bluecoat, School Lane, until Sun 18th Oct, for full listings, visit www.chapterverse.org.uk

KOF up
It’s that time of year when, for one month only, fanatical gig-goers become focused gig-organisers and raise buckets of cash (literally) for charity. Yes, Oxjam is back. This year’s Mersey effort takes place at the Novas Contemporary Urban Centre on Saturday night and the line up is looking rather, er,+ energetic.

KOF - the man of many mixtapes- has bagged the headline slot, which should be worth sticking around for going on his slick, fezzy performance at Glastonbury earlier this year.

But, if hip-hop isn’t your bag, there’s a bit of punk in The House That Jack Built, a bit of pop in Married to the Sea and plenty of fun elsewhere.

The country’s collective gigging effort hopes to raise around £1 million for Oxfam this year. Give your pennies and help push up the pounds.

*Oxjam, Contemporary Urban Centre, Greenland Street, Sat 17th Oct 7:30pm

Big Red Moon
Got any classy 18th century-ish garments, preferably red and gold with a mask to match?

If you have, dust them off and get them on, if you haven’t, head to Smiffy’s immediately because you wouldn’t want to miss the Unity Theatre’s fabulous Red Moon Ball on Saturday.

Following on from the Cherry Blossom Ball in spring, “the dreamers” are back to explore the darker side of love and take you dancing through a wonderful set packed with autumnal pleasures”.

Whatever. Snuggle up on The Couch of Ardour, find out your Fortune in Love, pose for a picture on the Balcony of Desire, share a chestnut or two…

*Red Moon Ball, Unity Theatre, Sat 17th Oct, 8pm, tickets £9/£7 concessions, book online at www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Look of the Irish
This weekend kicks off the Liverpool Irish Festival, a fortnight filled with fermented fun and frolics celebrating of the special relationship between us and Emerald Isle.

To see the festival in, local historians Dr Ian McKeane and Greg Quiery would like to take you walking.

They've done these heritage tours before, and will be guiding groups through the north (Sat) and south (Sun) of the city, uncovering a whole manner of interesting little links.

Enjoy tales of paupers, priests and politics on Saturday but, to be sure, save yourself for nurses, nuns and knaves on Sunday.

*Liverpool Irish Heritage Walks, meet at St Luke’s Gardens, Leece Street, Sat 17th and Sun 18th Oct, 1pm, to book tickets call 07854415721

People: If you have writing aspirations, are looking to get your name all over the web and fancy some free stuff in exchange for compiling Liverpool Confidential's weekend round-up, contact us at editorial@liverpoolconfidential.co.uk