Eye Lights

Help to celebrate the third birthday of Big Word. Just back with rave reviews from the Edinburgh Festival, Big Word are an eclectic line- up of performance poets who include the trip hop rapping Melissa, the intimidating Mr Social Control and Jem Roll's unsurpassable energy as compere.

Finnegan's Wake, London N1, 9pm (0171-354 2016)

Fancy yourself a bit? Then put it to the test at the Highland Spring Face of '97 beauty contest, being run in association with talent spotters Storm Model Management. For further information, call Charlotte Armitage (0171-402 2272).

Or for something that needs a super-model wage, there's a doll auction at Christie's, South Kensington at 2pm today. Highlights of the sale include a French Bebe by A Thuiller, which is expected to fetch a cool pounds 40,000, and a Halopeau doll going for an estimated pounds 30,000 (below). For further information contact: Christie's South Kensington (0171-581 7611).

Former Labour minister, deputy party leader Roy Hattersley, may be a doll, but he could never lay claims to being a model. Mr Hattersley is due to talk about his new book, Fifty Years On, a history of Britain since 1945 at 6.30pm, Dillons, Sydney Street, Cambridge (01223 351688).

For a wider range of books at a price even students could afford, why not try out Book Week, a sale of secondhand and new books. The market will be held at the University of London Union where, in such an atmosphere of fevered learning, some of the intellect may rub off on you.

ULU, Malet St, WC1 (0171-580 9551)

Jennifer Rodger