Music: The beautiful Teatro Massimo, Piazza Verdi (tel: (091) 605 3111; website: www.teatromassimo.it) is the obvious choice for classical music, opera, ballet, concerts and recitals. In summer (July to September), it moves to Teatro del Parco (tel: (091) 605 3353) for outdoor performances. Teatro Politeama Garibaldi on Piazza Ruggero Settimo and Teatro Golden, Via Terrasanta 60, put on concert programmes throughout the year. Classical and jazz performances, many of which are free, can be heard at Lo Spasimo, Via dello Spasimo (tel: (091) 616 1486).

Theatre: Mainstream theatres include Teatro Lelio, Via Furitano 5 (tel: (091) 681 9122) and Teatro Biondo, Via Teatro Biondo 11, off Via Roma (tel: (091) 743 4341; website: www.teatrobiondo.it). For avant garde productions, try Teatro Libero, Salita Pantanna 4, Piazza Marina (tel: (091) 617 4040). Teatro F.Zappala, Via Autonomia Siciliana 125 (tel: (091) 543 380) features traditional performances in Sicilian dialect, while puppet shows, a big part of the local folklore (usually retelling the history of Sicily through battles between Moors and Christians), take place at Cuticchio, Via Bara all'Olivella 95 (tel: (091) 323 400) or Ippogrifo, Vicolo Ragusi (tel: (091) 329 194).

Film: Palermo has over 20 screens showing new releases. Try Fiamma, Largo degli Abeti 6 (tel: (091) 625 1868), Astoria, Via Magliocco 45 (tel: (091) 582 222), the Metropolitan, Viale Strasburgo 356 (tel: (091) 688 6532) and Tiffany, Viale Piemonte 38 (tel: (091) 625 8974). For art house movies, try Aurora, Via Natale 177 (tel: (091) 533 192). Many of Palermo's cinemas are closed in August.

Dance: Teatro Massimo (see Music above) is the best place for ballet.