Three Letter Plague is Jonny Steinberg’s enthralling investigation into HIV and AIDS in South Africa, discovering why the AIDS epidemic will proliferate.

Mark Doty follows the success of his 2007 New York Times bestselling memoir, Dog Years, with a superb new collection of poetry, Theories and Apparitions.

The Hounding of David Oluwale is the emotional new play from Eclipse Theatre, investigating the life, tragic death and search for justice for David Oluwale.

School of Seven Bells’ stunning debut album, Alpinisms is a beautiful fusion of different styles combined with Alejandra and Claudia’s haunting vocal harmonies.

For a group of young art graduates interested in “music and surrealism”, The Je Suis Animal collective remain refreshingly unpretentious.

Lambchop’s latest album showcases an artist becoming more comfortable in his own efforts while embracing the band’s trademark youthful playfulness.

From sporadic appearances with the likes of Current 93 to his forays into outdoor recording and junk percussion, Keith Wood is always changing and adapting.

Independent cinemas are offering a fresh alternative to the staid multiplex environment. Aesthetica explores the varied pastimes on offer around the UK.

Sundance is keen to explore new ideas, and this year their New Frontier on Main programme illustrates their commitment to new territories through film.

In Winter 2008, the Royal Academy of Arts opened its doors to challenging and exciting works of art, that question not only the conceptual, but the theoretical.

Shigeyuki Kihara: Living Photographs explores themes of Pacific culture, identity, colonialism, stereotypes and gender roles.

The exploration of immersive art is celebrated in Modern Art Oxford’s multimedia installations from Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller.

A look through the lens: 10 Magnum Photographers’ work goes on display at the Magnum Print Room, which looks at Cuba over the past 50 years.

The Outcast is refreshing and captivating, proving that Jones is an astonishing new voice on the literary scene, and a publishing sensation.

Mashirika theatre company is helping Rwandan communities to unite and international audiences to understand the 1994 genocide through Africa’s Hope.

Saint Dymphna is not easily classifiable, a jarring fusion of electro, 80s techno, African guitar and tribal beats. “We call it Gang Gang. We do our own thing.”

With her striking debut solo album, Laukinis Šuo Dingo released, Alina Orlova is set to make a lasting impression on music fans worldwide.

As the founding member of Gregory and the Hawk, Meredith Godreau is no stranger to self-promotion and the wonders of 21st century marketing.

It’s been a long time since a really cool band has come along that introduces a sound that opens up new possibilities. Fujiya & Miyagi is a wave of joy.

Leeds International Film Festival is the largest annual film festival outside of London and it brings the world of film out of the traditional setting of a cinema.

Gaston Kabore, one of Africa’s premier filmmakers, talks about African cinema, and the politics of representation.

Expanding the form of calligraphy and blending it with contemporary painting, Golnaz Fathi’s renowned style has led to international acclaim.

A new large–scale outdoor installation project at Attingham Park that looks at the fragile relationship between the environment and Man.

The latest art fair to hit the London circuit in 2008, calling in to question the nature of art fairs and redefining standard practice.

A man with several ideas, Roberto Cuoghi has many personalities. His opening show at ICA in Autumn 2008 pushes the boundaries of sound, art and installation.

David Shrigley, the man with all the ideas. His work excites, but also outrages, provokes and evokes. David Shrigley is something of an enigma.

At the age of 17, Faïza Guène wrote her first novel and sold over 360,000 copies. Now, with the release of her second novel, all eyes are on this creative prodigy.

Irvine Welsh tackles controversy to explore the darker side of humanity. In his latest novel, Crime, he exposes the human impact of child abuse.

Forced Entertainment is a dynamic ensemble of six artists based in Sheffield, who create original work that challenges and subverts notions of urban life.

We caught up with Port O’Brien’s lead singer, Van, enjoying his first summer away from commercial fishing in Alaska to chat about life in the burgeoning band.

Workout Holiday explores a wide variety of musical genres; crossing boundaries and creating what White Denim refer to simply as “sound collage.”

As their peers began to drift off to college, founding members, Raphael Mura, Marion Andrau and JB Ganivet collaborated, with ambitions for stardom.

Liejacker, Gilmore’s latest release, is a critique of the music industry, “that last bastion of misogyny”, and its various corruptions.

Multiple identities, nationality, home and boundaries — the interface between where we come from, who we are, and where we go.

A docu-fantasia, which serves to question the legitimacy of our memories, combines with an impressive retrospective on the world’s coldest city.

Catherine Yass’s latest exhibition amalgamates social ideals with the awe-inspiring precision of high-wire artist, Didier Pasquette.

‘A’ to ‘Z’ Project, at BALTIC, is the latest exhibition from Japanese artist, Yoshitomo Nara, and creative design team, graf.

Mashups features five of the UK’s most exciting artists, offering an intriguing insight into how a new generation is making sense of mass culture.

Games and Theory explores the radical potential of play as a form of resistance and expression of freedom, examining emotional interaction between people.

Illustrative hosts Illustrative 08 in Zurich, Switzerland, an event which plays a critical part in the debate surrounding contemporary visual culture.

In Person 30 Poets, gives readers the opportunity to not only experience words that inspire, but also to see the people behind the ideas.

Alex Wheatle’s work is not only an expose of violence and gun-crime, but also an account of how identity and personal history changes after immigration.

Al-Harah, in their recent production, Born in Bethlehem, explore the shocking reality of Palestinian life today sixty years after the formation of Israel.

The irreverent Born Ruffians have just completed several tours, culminating with the launch of their debut album, Red, Yellow and Blue.

It must be said that Gonzales is an interesting man; a bit of a mystery, but with the recent success of many of his collaborators, Gonzales is on the radar.

Try to squeeze the love out of something and you’ll find its essence vanishes. So it is with Free Kitten’s latest pirouette, Inherit, a decade apart from its closest sibling.

Malcolm Middleton has been a very busy man. With the release of 2007’s A Brighter Beat, Malcolm has developed a new era for “happy music for sad people.”

In summer 2008, Rushes Soho Shorts Festival brought the best in short film by celebrating the genre over ten days. 2008 marked their ten year anniversary.

The Escapist is the spectacular feature film debut from co-writer and director, Rupert Wyatt. The film examines prisons, harsh and unforgiving places.

When two strangers’ lives cross they ultimately changed forever. Take explores the complex feelings of forgiveness, chance and the death penalty.