FOLK duo Coates and Cotterell, whose influences range from Shetland and around the British Isles to Quebec are coming to Dorset with Artsreach with gigs at the village halls at Shipton Gorge on Thursday 27th February, Milborne St Andrew on Friday 28th and Woodlands on Saturday 1st March. Arthur Coates and Kerran Cotterell are an…
SCOTLAND has Robert Burns, Yorkshire has the Brontes, Hampshire has Jane Austen, London has Charles Dickens (and many Moore) – but Dorset, quite small in comparison, has two great major figures who are rooted in the county – Thomas Hardy and William Barnes, who will be celebrated at a gathering to enjoy his poems, with…
IF you’re suffering Strictly Come Dancing withdrawal, Artsreach has a double dose of tango in February, which may not have the glitz and glamour, but certainly has the passion, with acclaimed trio Tango Calor and a new play exploring love between two middle-aged people, united by a love of the dance but divided by an…
DORCHESTER Arts has a packed programme for February ranging from tribute shows to half-term fun – to a one-woman entertainment celebrating opera and triathlon! Next up is a visit from the boisterously energetic folk music from The Churchfitters on Thursday 27th. The last day of February (Friday 28th) brings comedian Alyssa Kyria (pictured) in her…
BRIDPORT Arts Centre features the second of two outstanding folk duos in its Spring programme when Miranda Sykes and Jim Causley come to the Dorset coast on Saturday 22nd February. Well-known in the West Country and beyond as outstanding folk musicians, they have come together as a duo and will be touring a new album…
THE Neil Maya Quartet, popular throughout the region through regular gigs and tours with Dorset’s Artsreach, is touring with a celebration of the music and tragically short life of one of the greatest jazz musicians ever – Charlie Parker. The Charlie Parker Story continues at Nether Compton village hall on Friday 14th February and Sturminster…
IF you think a chamber ensemble is all about serious string quartets, solemn musicians in evening dress playing beautiful but often quite austere music, you haven’t met Bowjangles. This is the quartet that puts the swing into strings. They are back in Dorset, at Litton Cheney community hall on Thursday 23rd January, Lytchett Matravers hall…
THE internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble Windborne travels from New England to Dorset in January, making a welcome return to the Artsreach circuit with To Warm The Winter Hearth, showcasing the singers’ powerful and innovative vocal harmonies. The four singers come to Blandford parish church on Friday 17th January, and Yetminster’s Jubilee Hall on Wednesday 22nd,…
THE long and complicated journey of an ancient violin continues – this week Lev’s Violin (the instrument and its story) is in Dorset for dates with Artsreach, including Shipton Gorge village hall on Thursday 5th December, West Stafford hall on Friday 6th and Chetnole village hall on Saturday 7th, all starting at 7.30pm. Former bandmates…
THE autumn programme at Sladers Yard, the West Bay gallery, cafe and arts centre, gets under way with an exhibition running throughout October, featuring recent paintings by a gallery regular, a jazz concert with some favourite musicians and the latest in the series of Help Our Planet (HOP) talks. Skylines, the exhibition that runs to…