This week's events previews

East, London While the Olympic construction soldiers on, the creative buzz in east London is also booming and is celebrated at this year's East festival. Events include a bike tour – taking in the London Gypsy Orchestra, Sweet Billy Pilgrim and Soweto Kinch – and performances in the shape of The Manganiyar Seduction, the African blues of Muntu Valdo and folkie Alasdair Roberts. Elsewhere are the East Commonwealth Games: bicycle polo, kabbadi and the billiards-esque carrom. Various venues, Thu to 9 Mar, findeast.co.uk Amy Redmond Bath Literature Festival With themes such as Britain, bodies and nature, this growing literary event draws disparate groups of writers together to share and debate their work. The Female Body sees Natasha Walter discuss feminism with fellow writers Kat Banyard and Sarah LeFanu, while a Prospect magazine debate on identity politics sees Sarfraz Manzoor chew the fat with Mary Loudon and Geoffrey Wheatcroft. Big names such as Dan Cruickshank, Tony Benn and Mark Kermode are also in attendance, with plays, performances and cookery demonstrations all making for a lively week of cerebral entertainment. Various venues, Sat to 7 Mar, bathlitfest.org.uk Iain Aitch AV Festival, North-east This biennial festival of electronic arts features over 150 exponents of the form, with events spanning much of the north-east of England. Newcastle, Gateshead, Middlesbrough and Sunderland all host a variety of screenings, exhibitions, performance, music and conferences, with highlights including a collaboration between Iain Sinclair and Graham Dolphin as well as Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard's aural seance Silent Sound at Middlesbrough Town Hall. Science is the main theme of the festival and this is reflected in Sounds Of Science, an evening of performances that feature the unexpectedly unusual sounds of the Tesla coil, fireworks, dry ice and even gold leaf. Various venues, Fri to 14 Mar, avfestival.co.uk Iain Aitch Out & about Secret Cinema , London, Saturday & Sunday Romantic adventurers are summoned to take part in the action at the next site-specific film experience. Film And Movie Memorabilia Bazaar , London, Saturday & Sunday Michael Winner opens this fundraiser where film buffs can get hold of stills, posters, projectors and collectibles or hear about Charlie Chaplin outtakes. The Cinema Museum, SE11, call 020-7840 2200 World Book Day , Nationwide, Thursday Events include a Mad Hatter's Tea Party at Foyles, Westfield, W12; an after-school party at The Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden; and teen authors Chris Higgins and Sophie McKenzie at Waterstone's Plymouth signing special £1 novels. Destinations , Birmingham, Friday to 7 March Holiday and travel show to plan your next trip on or off the beaten track, with guidance from zoologist Mark Carwardine, journalist David Shukman and food adventurer Stefan Gates. Birmingham NEC, call 020-7370 8207