It's been an extraordinary six days... thanks to everybody who helped make it happen: the artists and performers, the community groups and schools, the 100+ festival volunteers and stewards, the staff and technicians - and of course to everybody who took part and came along.
We'll be putting some of the Festival pictures and videos on the website over the next few days - as well as uploading a great summer programme plus... a sneak peek of the forthcoming Inside Out spectacular in Dorchester this September
JAMBO - Dorchester Festival is back !
tune in to our Festival preview here:
Dorchester Festival Radio
It’s great to be back... with a stunning line-up of events to blow your socks off... From the Congo to Algeria, Dorchester Festival brings you a taste of Africa - with African rhythms and tunes to our own Tunisian market - from the 200 voice choir in the Festival Grand Parade to the stunning Soukous of Congolese Kanda Bongo Man. Download a programme in pdf format or view or highlights at a glance.
Our comedy night gives you a rare chance to see one of our greatest comedy talents - the wonderful Gina Yashere. We’ve secured some cutting edge small scale theatre - the tale of Little Lupin and the extraordinary Little Box of Horrors. Visual art is represented with our third Open exhibition in Dorchester Arts’ newly refurbished gallery space. More community participants than ever are involved in this year’s Festival - we hope they are inspired to greater things by performing alongside our professional acts. Most important of all - have a great time!
Get in the Festival mood with our audio preview - put together by music producer Mickey Wills: Dorchester Festival Radio
This link downloads a listen.m3u media playlist file which should open automatically in iTunes, Real Player or VLC. If it does not play automatically, find the downloaded file and open in one of these programs.
28-31 May • Tunisian Market • 9am-5pm
A traditional Tunisian ‘Souk’ is coming to town!
This colourful and exotic street market will be selling a heady array of North African wares such as stunning ethnic jewellery, remarkable Andalusian pottery, sumptuous carpets (quite possibly magical), wood & metalware, as well as shoes, bags, belts and spicy foodstalls.
This Aladdin’s Cave of collectables and treasures will be coming to South Street on Friday and Saturday and West Walks Road on Sunday and Monday.
Friday 28 May • Bongo • School drama performance
Music, dance, drama extravaganza based on a Kenyan theme presented by students from Westfield Arts College to pupils at Manor Park First School.
Friday 28 May • Grupo Lokito • Congolese Dance Workshops
Congolese dance workshops in schools lead by Eugene Makuta and master dancer Iddo from Grupo Lokito. Advanced booking only
Prince of Wales First School
Budmouth Technology College 10-3pm
MALCOLM WRIGHT PARTNERSHIP SPONSOR EDUCATION
Prince of Wales First School
Budmouth Technology College 10-3pm
MALCOLM WRIGHT PARTNERSHIP SPONSOR EDUCATION
Friday 28 May 8pm • Grupo Lokito • Congolese Dance Performance
Grupo Lokito’s music is an energetic fusion of African Congolese and Latin.
They play Salsa, Congolese Rumba, Seben and everything in between. Salsa dancers love it, as do the African community and World music fans. The energetic front-line of singers are true performers, we defy the crowd not to copy and join in!
29 May-10 June • Open2010 • Visual Art Open Exhibition
Paintings, Prints, Photographs, and other mixed media two-dimensional works by Wessex artists. All works have been selected from open submission for the third Dorchester Arts Open in Dorchester Arts newly refurbished rear hall.
29 May-10 June • Seen Stitched and Silver • Visual Art Exhibition
Susan Sloan, Helen Francis, Colin Tracy and Sue Theobald return to the Old Nurseryman's House in Borough Gardens with a vibrant collection of contemporary work - Fine Art, Photography,Textiles and Jewellery.
Saturday 29 and Sun 30 May • Jurassic Dorset • Dorchester Stitchers
Saturday 29th - Sunday 30th May • Magistrates Room, Dorchester Corn Exchange • 10am - 4pm • FREE
As part of the town's Moving On Community Fringe in 2009, dozens of people joined Dorchester Stitchers to make a wonderful wall hanging - entitled the Colours of Africa.
The stitching challenge for the 2010 Dorchester Festival is to make a Jurassic Dorset tapestry which will eventually go on display in the Corn Exchange.
Join the stitchers and get stitching painting, sticking and felting images from the Jurassic Coastline.
Dorchester Stitchers will be on hand to help produce a piece of Community Art which will eventually be hung in the Corn Exchange. All welcome.
Friday 28th May – Saturday 29th May Magistrates Room, Dorchester Corn Exchange 11am - 4pm FREE
Saturday 29 May 12noon • Grand Parade on African animal theme
The parade based on the theme of African animals will be led down South Street on its way to Borough Gardens by a GIANT SNAKE, the Dorchester Stitchers Colours of Africa banner and Dorchester’s new GLOBAL STREET BAND.
Children wearing specially created animal masks and head dresses will be joined by huge recycled letters on wheels and 200 VOICES filling the streets with African song.
Dorchester’s MARACATU drummers will add pulsating rhythms. Congolese band Grupo Lokito will welcome the parade to Borough Gardens with their incredible Salsa and Rhumba sound.
Saturday 29 May • Skateboarding family event •
Mobile Skate Park Free supervised family event, try your hand at skateboarding- Beginners Welcome
Saturday 29 May • Busker's Feast • Town centre street performers
Musicians, dancers, artists and all manner of street performers are appearing throughout the day in South Street, Dorchester.
11am Mummer’s Play of St George, Dorchester Community Play Association
11.30am Taiko Evolution Japanese Drummers
12 noon - 1pm The Grand Parade
12.45pm Taiko Evolution
1.15pm Mummer’s Play of St George
1.45pm Magic Drum Orchestra led by Glyn Bush and Ralph Cree
2.30pm Mummer’s Play of St George
2.45pm Dorchester Maracatu Drummers
3.15pm Dorchester Community Choir and Colliton Choir with Kathie Prince
3.45pm Global Street Band led by Clive Ashley
Also appearing are Dorchester Youth Theatre, Papa Le Gàl, Dorchester Community Play Association’s Mummers Play, Creature Feature’s “Going Ape”, Pavement Art with Art Xtra, Frome Valley Morris Dancers, members of the Quangle Wangle Choir, Dorchester Dance and Ballet School, Local Vocals, Brilliant Buskers from Damers First School, Island Voices, Distinction Street and Belly Dancers plus more local and international performers.
Saturday 29 May • Random Readings & Rhythms • Music and Poetry
Random Readings & Rhythms A feast of music and poetry
Town Mill Bakery (next to Waitrose) 11am - 4.30pm FREE
11am Noah Messomo, Music and Storytelling
11.45am Belladonna, songs with an African flavour
12 noon - 1.30pm Louisa Adjoa Parker dual heritage poet
12 noon - 1.30pm Susan Northcott poet, invites you to pick-a-poem
1.30pm Sam Hughes singer-guitarist
2pm Wild Thyme a cappella quartet
3.15pm Ev Goodchild, Lauren and Glyn Bush
4.15pm Limited Edition - Tina Leeming and Karen Brown
Town Mill Bakery (next to Waitrose) 11am - 4.30pm FREE
11am Noah Messomo, Music and Storytelling
11.45am Belladonna, songs with an African flavour
12 noon - 1.30pm Louisa Adjoa Parker dual heritage poet
12 noon - 1.30pm Susan Northcott poet, invites you to pick-a-poem
1.30pm Sam Hughes singer-guitarist
2pm Wild Thyme a cappella quartet
3.15pm Ev Goodchild, Lauren and Glyn Bush
4.15pm Limited Edition - Tina Leeming and Karen Brown
Saturday 29 May 1.30pm, 2.30 and 3.30 • Little Lupin • Street Theatre
The tragic and disturbing tale of Little Lupin tells the story of a young girl who is bullied for being a wolf-child and is taken into the woods where she begins to live with the wolves.
Gather outside the tent to practise being a wolf, then go inside to watch her story on film.
Limited to 16 audience members at a time. £3 each
The Tragic and Disturbing Tale of Little Lupin is a promenade performance that tells the tale of a girl who is not like others and how life in the wild can take unexpected and sometimes rather unpleasant turns. With its roots in the dark, rich soil of fairy tales, the show is suitable for people who have ever strayed off the path and into the woods...
The audience is led through a series of scenes by three unusually hairy sisters who draw them deeper and deeper into their off kilter world. They arrive at a curiously decorated tent where they are seated in balding, velvet cinema seats and offered a selection of odd refreshments. Seated together in the dark in one of the smallest cinemas in the world, they see the crimson curtains draw back to reveal a hand drawn animation accompanied by an original score.
After the film, the audience are taken back to real life and left there to fend for themselves...
The intense and intimate nature of the show makes this a highly memorable experience.
Little Lupin is innovative; using installation, performance, participation, animation and live music in a way that is unusual in the UK street arts sector.
Pick of the week twice in The Guardian
‘It’s an appealing mix of absurdist whimsy and heartbreak. There’s popcorn too.’
Lyn Gardner, The Guardian
‘It’s quirky, clever and extremely amusing. The animation has an attractively simple feel, and there’s something slightly magical about being in an audience of only a dozen or so people.’ Timothy Ramsden, Reviews Gate
Audience feedback
“Loved the show! Really inspired and inspiring...just what theatre should be like all the time.”
“I just didn’t want the show to end – I felt so included.”
“Loved it. I’ve known my parents for 34 years and we’ve never howled together before tonight. What fun!”
The Tragic and Disturbing Tale of Little Lupin opened to acclaim at The Bristol Do in September 2009 and sold out during its week at the Bristol Old Vic.
Saturday 29 May 1.45pm, 2.45pm • Noah Messomo • Storytelling & Music
Noah Messomo is a musician and storyteller from Cameroon who brings a taste of real Africa to the ears and hearts of adults and children.
Saturday 29 May • Free events in the Borough Gardens
1.15pm • Afro Dance Grupo Lokito kicks off the afternoon in the Borough Gardens with some great music and dance
3.30pm • RAI music Algerian Abdelkader Saadoun started to play RAI music in his home country and now leads a five piece band of musicians and Egyptian dancers.
RAI originates from traditional Algerian music fused with Pop, Jazz, Funk, Rock, Reggae, Fusion, and Blues.
Saturday 29 May • Belly Dance with Farah Nasri • workshop
Belly Dance Workshop with Farah Nasri - Learn to belly dance then watch her dancing with Abdelkader Saadoun Rai band in Borough Gardens
Saturday 29 May • Obey the Wind • Dance premiere
Natasha Player premieres a dual heritage duet
Obey the Wind - "I was pulled by wherever the winds blew, neither left nor right, black or white, wherever the wind blew me, I obeyed the wind".
"Zena loves getting her hair done at Aunties until Zena leaves with her proud new hair style to be confronted/expelled for not having acceptable and different hair. Isolated, wanting to fit in Zena explores her journey of obeying the wind, becoming a chameleon to survive, suppressing her own thoughts and feelings, as not to stand out".
A scintillating 20 mins long show
Saturday 29 May 5pm • Alistair Chisholm • Poetry Walk
A gentle Stroll down the Millstream with Dorchester’s Champion Town Crier, Alistair Chisholm.
Listen to his velvet voice as he reads a selection of poems by Thomas Hardy, William Barnes, Sir John Betjeman, Ogden Nash and others.
Saturday 29 May 4pm • From Africa to the Americas • workshop POSTPONED
Dorchester Arts • 4pm • £10, Under 18’s £5 (£1 reduction when purchased with Bluesnight ticket for Groanbox)
Grammy-award winner Lekan Babalola leads a two hour workshop and talk, exploring the African roots of Blues music through the use of voice, hands and instruments.
Max. no. of participants: 25
Saturday 29 May 7pm • Dorchester Piano Trio • classical music
Dorset County Museum • 7pm (doors 6.30) • £8, £2 students
Programmes are based around the piano trio repertoire, but also include sonatas and duos. Music by Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich, and Rachmaninov
Saturday 29 May 8pm • Groanbox • Bluesnight
Groanbox are the multi-instrumental North American trio of Michael Ward-Bergeman, Cory Seznec and Paul Clifford. At first glance a roots band steeped in the traditions of American music; however, they play with all the guts of rock and roll and all the soul of the wandering troubadour. This Dorchester Festival Bluesnights brings to town one of the most exciting contemporary roots bands currently on the international music scene
Saturday 29 May 8pm • Kanda Bongo Man • African Music
Your feet will always bop to Kanda Bongo Man’s irresistible soukous rhythms. Soukous - THE Pop music of Africa - comes from the French meaning ‘to shake’ and that’s all you can do when you are under Kanda’s spell.
His all-consuming groove combines mesmerising guitar work, and gorgeous close harmony vocals with Congolese rhythms from his native Kinshasa and Cuban rhumba. They are the greatest dance rhythms of all time and it was Kanda who brought them to western audiences. Don’t miss him!
Sunday/Monday 30-31 May • What The Romans Did! • workshop / picnic
What The Romans Did!
The Ancient Wessex Network will demonstrate Roman art and craft techniques using clay, metal and textiles. Drop in and make a mosaic to fill in gaps on the floor or make Roman jewellery. On Monday bring your picnic to the Town House between 12 and 2pm and join in a World Record attempt for the biggest picnic ever.
Sunday 30 May • Little Box of Horrors • Theatre
Step inside if you dare… the Little Box of Horrors is an extraordinary five minute performance for one person - and a spectacle for many.
Watch from outside the box and you will find it fascinating and slightly comic but watch from inside and you will feel you have stepped into Psycho! Are you brave enough to try?
Warning: (14+ only) this show is not suitable for children. it contains scenes which some might find disturbing. The wider public performance surrounding the box is suitable for all ages.
"... a delicious performance." Lyn Gardner, THE GUARDIAN
Sunday 30 May • Afternoon events in the Gardens • Music and storytelling
12.30pm • Borough Gardens Stage • Wild Thyme Acoustic accapella
This close harmony singing group, delight audiences with their tightly woven harmonies with an occasional sting in the tail.
1pm • Borough Gardens • Moontown
Emma Friendship and Toby Kilburn are Dorchester-based MOONTOWN - an electronic/pop/synth set-up with seriously catchy, home-grown melodies.
1pm • Berber Tent • £2 • Storytelling and Music
Join Master storyteller Tim Laycock as he weaves together stories, songs and music about Dorset and the wider world.
2pm • Berber Tent • Dub Poetry • £3 • Workshop with Jah Lance
Join Lance for a special introduction to the world of dub poetry. He will show you how to craft poems about everyday issues incorporating a blend of sharp wit from his upbringing in Jamaica.
3pm • Berber Tent • £2 • Storytelling and Music
Join Master storyteller Tim Laycock as he weaves together stories, songs and music about Dorset and the wider world.
2pm • Borough Gardens Stage • Andy Grant Trio
Innovative singer-songwriter Andy Grant, double bass supremo Simon Rushbrook, and drummer Lee Miller, complete a line up that brings a wide range of influences, from delta blues through jazz and folk, to improvised renditions of Andy’s eclectic and original songs.
2.45pm • Borough Gardens Dorchester Big Band
Geoff Miller has been running the popular Dorchester Big Band for over four years.
They are currently recording their first CD which should be out for the summer.
3.45pm • Borough Gardens Island Glo • Reggae Music
Island Glo is a Bournemouth based Reggae Band with an eclectic mix of influences from roots, lovers’ rock, ska and dub.
This close harmony singing group, delight audiences with their tightly woven harmonies with an occasional sting in the tail.
Emma Friendship and Toby Kilburn are Dorchester-based MOONTOWN - an electronic/pop/synth set-up with seriously catchy, home-grown melodies.
1pm • Berber Tent • £2 • Storytelling and Music
Join Master storyteller Tim Laycock as he weaves together stories, songs and music about Dorset and the wider world.
2pm • Berber Tent • Dub Poetry • £3 • Workshop with Jah Lance
Join Lance for a special introduction to the world of dub poetry. He will show you how to craft poems about everyday issues incorporating a blend of sharp wit from his upbringing in Jamaica.
3pm • Berber Tent • £2 • Storytelling and Music
Join Master storyteller Tim Laycock as he weaves together stories, songs and music about Dorset and the wider world.
Innovative singer-songwriter Andy Grant, double bass supremo Simon Rushbrook, and drummer Lee Miller, complete a line up that brings a wide range of influences, from delta blues through jazz and folk, to improvised renditions of Andy’s eclectic and original songs.
2.45pm • Borough Gardens Dorchester Big Band
Geoff Miller has been running the popular Dorchester Big Band for over four years.
They are currently recording their first CD which should be out for the summer.
3.45pm • Borough Gardens Island Glo • Reggae Music
Island Glo is a Bournemouth based Reggae Band with an eclectic mix of influences from roots, lovers’ rock, ska and dub.
Sunday 30th May 3pm and 7pm • Bard at the Kings Arms • Theatre
Sunday 30th May • Kings Arms Pub • 3pm and 7pm • 3pm Childrens' performance £6 includes Shakespeare workshop. 7pm performance £10 include free glass of wine
Company Theatre, present two, one-act plays: 'Farbeit' - a wry and moving account of an American actor in London whose life is touched by love. A dark and poignant comedy featuring local actor, Chris Gallarus. Duration 45 minutes
'The Nurse's Tale' - many years after the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, Nurse Angelica sits in a neglected and overgrown Capulet garden and reminisces about her life and times. The Nurse is a hugely comic figure, Chaucerian in her language. Duration 45 minutes, 2 actors with Reggae Music.
Company Theatre, present two, one-act plays: 'Farbeit' - a wry and moving account of an American actor in London whose life is touched by love. A dark and poignant comedy featuring local actor, Chris Gallarus. Duration 45 minutes
'The Nurse's Tale' - many years after the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, Nurse Angelica sits in a neglected and overgrown Capulet garden and reminisces about her life and times. The Nurse is a hugely comic figure, Chaucerian in her language. Duration 45 minutes, 2 actors with Reggae Music.
Sunday 30 May 5pm • Salley Vickers • Writer's Tea and Talk
Join Salley Vickers for a cup of tea and hear her read from her latest novel Dancing Backwards - BBC Radio 4’s Book at Bedtime read by Dame Eileen Atkins.
Bestselling author of Miss Garnet’s Angel, Mr Golightly’s Holiday and The Other Side of You has received international acclaim for her subtle depictions of human dilemma and the power of human nature to recover. Book signing
Sunday 30 May 8pm • Gina Yashere • Comedy Night
Gina Yashere’s bombastic delivery, infectious personality and cheeky observations have turned this British comedienne into one of America's hottest comics, following a barnstorming performance on US TV.
As she is now LA-based we’re thrilled to welcome her to Dorchester Festival for what promises to be an extraordinary evening of hilarity.
A rare chance to see one of the country's most recognisable and uncompromising comedy stars - miss at your peril.
'One of the best comics in the land' The Guardian
Watch Gina on the Lenny Henry Show
Stop Press: Double grammy award winner Lekan Babalola and his Afro beat trio are playing a 45 minute set at the start of the evening. "Lekan’s workshop on the Roots of the Blues had to be postponed to a later date - but we’ve managed to squeeze in a set from his band into the start of our comedy night - it should be amazing,” said artistic director Sharon Hayden.
Monday 31st May 11am-2pm • Sing, Bang, Bop • African song, dance and drumming workshop
African song, dance and drumming workshop with members of Zimbabwean group Bulawayo. Devise a performance and perform in Borough gardens with them at 4pm.
Please bring drums if possible and welly boots for the Gum Boot Dance!! ALL AGES WELCOME (under 12’s should be accompanied by an adult)
Monday 31st May 12noon and 3pm • Spacehoppers • Children's theatre
Jump into your space suits and take off on an interplanetary adventure with acclaimed children's theatre company Tell Tale Hearts!
Join us, your experienced astronaut guides, as we defy gravity and float through space to discover new planets and their inhabitants!
An interactive, promenade style performance for 3-7 year olds combining beautifully designed environments, performance, live music, puppetry and poetry to create a magical experience for young children and their families.
Monday 31st May 1pm • A Walk through the Pleasure Garden • Theatre
Monday 31st May • Borough Gardens • All day from1pm • FREE
Pleasure Garden by Hoodwink is an intimate performance set in a formal garden: small groups are escorted through the garden for 15 minutes of bees, blossom, extravagant characters and elegant comedy. Glimpse moments in time such as Adam’s first bite of the apple, secret love trystes, spectacular peacocks and the thunderous age of steam.
Pleasure Garden by Hoodwink is an intimate performance set in a formal garden: small groups are escorted through the garden for 15 minutes of bees, blossom, extravagant characters and elegant comedy. Glimpse moments in time such as Adam’s first bite of the apple, secret love trystes, spectacular peacocks and the thunderous age of steam.
Monday 31st May 1pm • Moving On Youth! • Music, theatre, dance
Monday 31st May • Borough Gardens • 12.45pm to 3.00pm • FREE
Young local bands, DJs, dancers and performers showcase their work: Pop Club, Karmaside, 3 Hours In, The Sanctuary, Epic Journey, Change Of Scene, DJ Crux and friends, Distinction dance company, Dorchester Youth Theatre, Simyune Djembe Drummers from Budmouth Technology College
12.45pm Pop Club
1.15pm Karmaside
1.45pm The Sanctuary
2.15pm Epic Journey
2.45pm Change of Scene
Plus DJ Crux and friends…….
Young local bands, DJs, dancers and performers showcase their work: Pop Club, Karmaside, 3 Hours In, The Sanctuary, Epic Journey, Change Of Scene, DJ Crux and friends, Distinction dance company, Dorchester Youth Theatre, Simyune Djembe Drummers from Budmouth Technology College
12.45pm Pop Club
1.15pm Karmaside
1.45pm The Sanctuary
2.15pm Epic Journey
2.45pm Change of Scene
Plus DJ Crux and friends…….
Monday 31st May 3.30pm • Bulawayo • Zimbabwean Music
A journey through Zimbabwe with the infectious music of Bulawayo, featuring Cecilia Ndhlovu’s entrancing mbira thumb-piano and the hypnotic and joyous Ndebele and shona vocals.
Monday 31st May 10.30am • A Walk in our poetic landscape with Dorchester Strollers
Join the Dorchester Strollers for a two+ hour walk, with readings from Dorset Poets, in the countryside which inspired them.
Wear walking shoes, and appropriate clothing for the weather. Meet at Thomas Hardy Pub - Alington Avenue - Dorchester
Monday 31st May 4pm • Sing, Bang, Bop • Music, dance, drumming
Monday 31st May • Borough Gardens • 4pm • FREE
Workshops participants perform with members of Zimbabwean group Bulawayo.
Workshops participants perform with members of Zimbabwean group Bulawayo.
Monday 31st May 10am-4pm • The Cask of Amontillado • Opera Workshop
Be an opera singer for a day. Learn the chorus with Hanna Trevorrow in the all-day workshop - then take part in the premiere!
The Cask of Amontillado is a new four part opera with community chorus. A tale of deathly revenge and passionate love set in the wine cellars of Venice, this delicious black comedy is an Edgar Allen Poe story transformed into a community opera, by musical director Brian Parkhurst and librettist David Bushrod - featuring promising young soloist, Robbie Hastings .
Following our tradition of G&S operas in a day - singers are invited to join soloists and chorus director Hanna Trevorrow for a great day of singing fun. Scores will be available in advance from Dorchester Arts places are limited.~advance booking essential
If you can, come in costume - or at least wear a mask !
Sponsored by: MERCEDES - BENZ DORCHESTER
Monday 31st May 7.30pm • The Cask of Amontillado • Opera Premiere
The Cask of Amontillado is a new four part opera with community chorus. A tale of deathly revenge and passionate love set in the wine cellars of Venice, this delicious black comedy is an Edgar Allen Poe story transformed into a community opera, by musical director Brian Parkhurst and librettist David Bushrod - featuring promising young soloist, Robbie Bowering.
Chorus members have spent the day learning their part in a workshop with Hanna Trevorrow. This new work is also being performed later at Bridport Arts Centre.
Tuesday 1st June 7pm • Comrades • Film
Following its release on DVD, Dorchester Film Society presents COMRADES, the epic tale of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, filmed in 1986.
Director Bill Douglas rebuilt the fronts of Tyneham’s ruined cottages as his 1830s Tolpuddle but other scenes were filmed in and around Dorchester and many local people appear as extras.
The evening will be introduced by Phil Wickham, Curator of the Bill Douglas Centre.
Dorchester Festival 2010 Sponsors