Dorchester Arts Press Releases

Touring 25 venues across the UK - Moonfleet

2010-09-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

15 September • Sturminster Exchange 01258 475 137
16 September • Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis • 01297 442 138
23 October • Mowlem Theatre, Swanage • 01929 422 239 •
27-28 October • Lighthouse, Poole

Dorchester Arts' resident physical theatre company Angel Exit are taking their sell-out show, Moonfleet back on tour to 25 venues across the UK this Autumn. A fearsome and funny show for everyone with a sense of adventure aged from 8 to 108.

A straggling gang of hilarious buffoons are washed up amongst the flotsam onto the wild shores of Chesil Beach, and conspire to spin this yarn of a young orphan boy clashing with both smugglers and excise men in his quest to find Blackbeard’s lost treasure.

Inspired by the rugged landscape of the Dorset coastline and J Meade Falkner’s classic novel Moonfleet, Angel Exit weave together live music, striking physicality, storytelling and puppets to tell a thrilling tale of smuggling, dastardly deeds and wicked escapades.

More details and a full tour list are on the Angel Exit website.

All aboard for Sam Kelly's Station House

2010-09-05T04:59:00.000-07:00

The new Bluesnights season kicks off with the legendary Sam Kelly and his band Station House.

'Station House' is a rarity in being led by a drummer. Five-times UK blues drummer of the year, Sam's band plays a unique mix of blues with a flavour of funk, soul, and reggae, reflecting the backgrounds and experiences of the musicians in the band.

The band started out as the ‘house band’ playing at Bob’s Goodtime Blues at the Station Tavern, London W10 in the mid 90’s. A regularly Sunday lunchtime spot turned into a long-term residency at the venue and the ‘house band’ simply became ‘Station House’.

Don't miss them!

"...really superb musical entertainment - nobody wanted the evening to stop!" - Lewis Harris, Bluesnight's Review (October 2008)

www.sam-kelly.com

Unmissable drama at Dorchester Arts - supported by the British Council

2010-07-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

Dorchester ARTS • August 19-21st, 8pm (Doors and bar 7:30pm) • £8 / £6 members

Actors Kevin Hanssen and Anne Fischer come to Dorchester from Zimbabwe to take the leads in the Pulitzer / Tony Award Winning Drama DOUBT: A PARABLE at Dorchester Arts from August 19-21.

This brilliant and powerful drama - supported by the British Council Zimbabwe - has been called “Funny, shocking, stimulating and ultimately wise”.

Themes relating to the nature of doubt, the desire for justice and the right of individuals to live with integrity, freedom and safety, are explored in a series of evocatively terse scenes, leading to an explosive climactic confrontation between self-righteousness and compassion.

Director, Mel Hooley, brings you a very relevant piece for these troubled times, as the conflict between a well-intentioned progressive priest and a conservative nun develops over the priest’s relationship with a young boy at a school in the Bronx.

An evening of unmissable drama

Supported by British Council Zimbabwe

DOUBT: A PARABLE
Supported by British Council Zimbabwe
By John Patrick Shanley
Directed by Melanie Hooley

The Lost World - Paper Cinema in Maumbury Rings

2010-07-22T03:38:00.000-07:00

Maumbury Rings Saturday 31st July – gates and bar 7.30pm / Performance 9pm – £8 / £5
In case of bad weather relocate to Dorchester ARTS Centre

Step into The Lost World, where shadow puppets hunt for dinosaurs in a magical tale for children of all ages.

As a finale to the South Dorset Ridgeway Festival, Dorchester ARTS presents Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World - a tale of adventure, discovery and dinosaurs - in the outdoor setting of Dorchester’s Maumbury Rings.

When lovestruck reporter Edward Malone agrees to travel to a remote South American plateau to impress his lady friend Gladys, he hopes to return a hero, but along with his four fellow Edwardian explorers, finds a Lost World beyond imagination, from which they’ll be lucky to return at all… What will they find? Will Malone win the heart of his lady? Will any of them come back alive? Watch and see...
Someone once described the work of Paper Cinema as like finding yourself in a village where television had not been invented, but something altogether more enchanting had been dreamed up in its place.

It’s a live animation to live music which takes on a filmic quality because of the way the artists use the camera to film the drawings being projected onto the big screen.
Music and live sound effects by Chris ‘little boat’ Reed, performed by Imogen Charleston and Nic Beard.

Celebrate the South Dorset Ridgeway and join in two weeks events, talks and walks.

2010-07-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

Friday 16th July 7.30pm

Romeo & Juliet Dorchester Arts presents Miracle Theatre's production of Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare Maumbury Rings, Dorchester, 7.30pm

Tickets £11 / 9 member / £5 child / £27 family of 4 / £23 member's family of 4 Tickets available from Dorchester Arts 01305 266926

Saturday 17th July 9.30am - 4.30pm

Ridgeway Uncovered: Symposium on the recent Archaeological work of the South Dorset Ridgeway. Archaeologists from Wessex Archaeology. English Heritage, Bournemouth University, Dorset County Council and the National Mapping Programme talk about recent archaeological work on the South Dorset Ridgeway.Kimmeridge Theatre, Weymouth College

Download the Programme 285.09 Kb

Tickets Free Booking advisable £5.00 charge for sandwich lunch (if booked in advance) Bookings Essential

Saturday 17th July 5pm - 6pm

live IT love IT film IT: Screenings Short films made by young people as part of the South Dorset Ridgeway Heritage Project will be screened together with work by Jorn Ebner in a short presentation Kimmeridge Theatre, Weymouth College

For more information Download the programme 268.29 Kb

Tickets Free. Booking not necessary.

Saturday 17th July 7.30pm

Romeo & Juliet Dorchester Arts presents Miracle Theatre's production of Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare Maumbury Rings, Dorchester

For more information about this production download this file 45.56 Kb

Tickets £ Tickets available from Dorchester Arts 01305 266926

Saturday 17th to Sunday 25th July, 10am - 5pm

Upwey Summer Craft Show at the Upwey Old School Village Hall, next to the Wishing Well Cafe and Water Gardens, a display of locally produced craftwork, including demonstrations by exhibitors.

Sunday 18th July 10am - 4pm CANCELLED

Poetry on the Ridgeway with Paul Hyland.

Sunday 18th July 7.30pm POSTPONED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES

Dorset History on Film Osmington Village Society presents a chance to see a collection of archive film footage of Dorset Collected by Trilith Osmington Village Hall

Trilith are a rural media charity who have been collecting archive and historic film of Dorset for many years. The show they put together is based on their archive and the location in which they show - so on this occasion they are selecting film with relevance to South Dorset, Weymouth & Portland and perhaps the wider area

THE SCREENING WILL BE RESCHEDULED LATER IN THE YEAR

Tuesday 20th July 2pm - 5pm

A Potter from Portesham with Poems Join Yettie band member Bonny Sartin on very personal discovery of a small corner of the Ridgeway around Hardy's Monument with poetry and song.

Tickets Free Bookings Essential

Wednesday 21st July 2pm - 4pm

A Ridgeway Church Crawl A car tour of three of the most interesting churches within the Ridgeway Area, considering precautions against magic and why time was different in the past, ancient angels and the last choir in Dorset, as well as a church designed by a vicar to express his hatred of a modern English Saint.

Meet 2.00pm St Martin’s Church, Winterborne St Martin SY 647 890 Very little walking involved, 1 ½ - 2 Hours

Tickets Free Bookings Essential (please indicate if you would be willing to offer a car share)

Thursday 22 July 2pm - 4pm

An Artist's Ridgeway Join artist John Walker as he ventures across the Ridgeway with sketchbook in hand. Bring your own sketchbook and pencil to capture the magic of the Grey Mare and her Colts.

Tickets Free Bookings Essential

Friday 23rd July 2pm - 5pm

Hardy Monument and around: A geology walk Join leading Dorset Geologist Alan Holiday on a guided 5.25 mile circular walk along recognised bridleways and minor roads, taking in Portesham Farm and Corton.Bring a picnic to enjoy en-route and learn about the fascinating geology of the area and enjoy stunning views of the West Dorset coast and countryside.

Meet: Car Park at the Hardy Monument (SY 613876) (Please note that the car park is private property)NB: Sensible footwear is recommended as you will be walking on sloping or uneven ground which may be slippery if wet.

Tickets Free Bookings Essential

Saturday 24th July 9am to 12.30pm

Tell a Tale Gladly: Digital storytelling Do you live in a village? Hamlet? A town? A farm? In the middle of nowhere? Why do you live where you live?

We are collecting the stories from people like you. We want to hear your story about where you live.If you want to come along to a half day workshop on the 24^th July we can begin to work together and prepare your stories for scripting and editing on the 31^st July at the Dorset History Centre. Broadmayne Village Hall

Tickets Free Bookings Essential

Saturday 24th July 2.00pm to 5.00pm

Tell a Tale Gladly: Digital storytelling Do you live in a village? Hamlet? A town? A farm? In the middle of nowhere? Why do you live where you live?

Tickets Free Bookings Essential

Saturday 24th July 7.30pm

Tell a Tale Gladly: Storytelling with Tim Laycock Tim retells stories and legends from West Dorset and theJurassic Coast. Hear about Skipper's Teeth, the Wonderful Crocodile and the Dorset Giants! Suitable for all the family.Portesham Village Hall

Tickets Free Bookings Advisable

Sunday 25th July 9am

The Ridgeway Charity Challenge: Coast to coast on the South Dorset RidgewayWe DARE you to take the Challenge! Walk or run the whole length of the South Dorset Ridgeway (17 miles), or choose the 7 mile route and support the British Heart Foundation.

Registration £5.00 Minimum sponsorship

More information www.bhf.org.uk/ridgewaychallenge or call Leah on 01892 893918

Sunday 25th July 10am - 9pm

Ancient Wessex Network near Gould's Hill The Ancient wessex Network will be on site all day with displays, art and craft. If you are not taking part in the Ridgeway Challenge walk, cycle or take the bus to Ridgeway Hill (number 10 or 31).

For more information www.ancientwessex.net

Wednesday 28th July 1.45pm

The Trumpet-Major & The Melancholy Hussar Tony Fincham the Chairman of the Thomas Hardy Society leads a walk from Sutton Poyntz through landscape broght alive by Thomas Hardy.

Tickets Free Bookings Advisable

Saturday 31st July 10am - 4pm

Tell a tale Gladly: Digital Storytelling See 24th July for details

Saturday 31st July Doors 8.30pm / Performance 9pm

Paper Cinema: The Lost World As a finale to the South Dorset Ridgeway Festival, Dorchester ARTS presents Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World.

Four gentlemen set out on a head-long journey across a continent searching for the existence of pre-historic life. One is journeying to prove his findings right, one to prove the other wrong, one to win the hand of his sweet heart and the last just for the adventure.

Hand-drawn marionettes are projected and animated, to tell a fairytale version of the story, accompanied by improvised live music. Music and live sound effects by Chris ‘little boat’ Reed, performed by Imogen Charleston and Nic Beard. Maumbury Rings
In case of bad weather relocate to Dorchester ARTS Centre

Tickets £8.00/5.00 Tickets available from Dorchester Arts 01305 266926

Show captivates all ages - July 16 and 17

2010-07-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

A picnic and a glass of wine… and wonderful theatre by Cornwall’s extraordinary Miracle Theatre.

What more could one ask on a summer’s evening in Dorchester's ancient neolithic henge Maumbury Rings ?

Miracle never cease to surprise - and with their new production of Romeo and Juliet, they have created a production to captivate audiences of all ages.

It’s a story of young love - innocent, intense, intoxicating and deadly in a totally original world where senses soar and humour is found in unexpected places.

Don’t miss it - Friday 16 July and Sat 17 July • Romeo and Juliet • Outdoor Theatre
Maumbury Rings – Gates and Bar 6.30pm / Performance 7.30pm
£11 / £9 member / £5 Child / £27 family / £23 family members

Here's what the Western Morning News said about the show:

Young lovers' chemistry ensures a production of authentic tragedy
We've all seen actors and actresses old enough to know better concealing a paunch here or applying extra make-up there in an attempt to kid themselves — and their audiences — that they are still young enough to play Romeo and Juliet convincingly.

And while Bristol Old Vic may have made a virtue of septuagenarian "star-cross'd lovers" in its recent version of Shakespeare's most enduring tragedy, Cornwall's Miracle Theatre chose to play it as the writer intended.

Few Juliets in the history of the play can have been more lovely, delicate and yet eagerly passionate as Catherine Lake. Looking more mid-teens than the mid-20s she is, Catherine approaches her role with just the right balance of coy and comely. A regular member of Bottlefed Theatre, it is Miracle's gain to have signed her up for this 50-venue tour.

Her beau, Wesley Griffith, who was a graduate of Miracle's own youth group from the age of eight before going on to study at Guildford School of Acting, is an exciting new Cornish talent. And together he and Catherine forge an on-stage partnership which oozes sexual chemistry, giving the scenes of love an authentic tenderness.

Bill Scott, the company's founder and director, said he wanted to "play it straight" with this production — though Miracle's idea of straight is inevitably further from the conventional than other companies.

With outrageously liberated adaptations of such classics as The Taming Of The Shrew, The Time Machine, The Government Inspector, The Case of the Frightened Lady and 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea under his belt, Bill has been remarkably restrained this time round.
Judiciously trimming and deflty editing, rather than performing a wholesale rewrite, his version is true to Shakespeare's original in both spirit and text, keeping the essence, emotion and meaning in tact.

Through a series of short, pacy scenes, there are no moments of confusion or lost concentration simply because Bill has at all times remained focused on solid storytelling with a definite purpose.

"By the standards of RSC's Such Tweet Sorrow and Baz Luhrman's 1996 film, our production is quite straightforward," he said. "We began by ruthlessly trimming the text to bring it in under two hours and adapting it for performance by only six actors. This helped us to discover the essence of the story and how to bring it alive in an authentic and enjoyable way."

Yes, there's comedy – as is to be expected of any Miracle show – but the most power is contained in the darker passages. When Old Capulet loses his temper with Juliet, his wife and the nurse in turn, the brutality has real menace. Played by Steve Jacobs, a Cornish actor who brings a sense of humanity to every role he tackles, his grief at Juliet's apparent death is heart-felt.

With young and believable lovers the audience can really empathise with, menace and wisdom in equal part from Steve Jacobs as Old Capulet and Father Laurence, and classic clowning from Ben Dyson as the nurse, this is Miracle on top form.

Alan Munden's simple but effective set, painted entirely blood red, echoes the bare Elizabethan stages of Shakespeare's day and compliments the drama. The other star was the venue. On a June evening, under a cloudless sky, Indian Queens Pit is an enchanting setting, ringed at this time of year by blackthorn in a riot of blossom. The Minack may boast of dolphins and fishing boats, but the display of bat aerobatics as the final, terrible denouement unfolded, gave the show an added dimension.

In the company's most ambitious tour ever, open air performances will be staged in variety of venues, from castles and gardens to ancient playing places and even on a beach.

Storytelling and music from the extraordinary Devils Violin

2010-06-21T02:19:00.000-07:00

Take a captivating storyteller and three wonderful musicians - then mix melody with story to make an evening of magical entertainment.

The Devils Violin Company have sold out venues across the UK with their unique blend of storytelling and music. Now they are bringing their extraordinary new show - The Singing Bones - to Dorchester.

A burning tree, a mysterious bird, a sackful of secrets - the Singing Bones is a timeless tale of secrets and lies, or love and hate… essential viewing for a midesummer’s evening.

The Company are: Daniel Morden (storyteller), Sarah Moody (cello), Oliver Wilson-Dickson (violin) and Luke Carver Goss (accordion).

Dorchester Arts Centre Saturday 26 June 8pm, Doors 7.30pm tickets £8.50, members £7.50 - £5 under 16s. Box office 01305 266926.

Six extraordinary days - Thanks for making Dorchester Festival such a success...

2010-06-07T00:41:00.000-07:00

A huge thank you to everybody who helped make Dorchester Festival so special this year. Over the six days of the Festival, we've involved hundreds of artists and performers, many thousands of audience members and participants, more than a dozen schools and community groups and well over a hundred stewards, volunteers helpers, staff and technicians.

Thanks also to the funders who make it all possible - the Arts Council, Dorchester Town Council who allow us to fill the Borough Gardens with music, theatre, storytelling and more - and to West Dorset and Dorset County Councils and our commercial sponsors. Without their support, it simply could not happen.

Lots of people have been telling us how much they enjoyed the Festival this year - we're grafeful for your comments. While we are not planning a festival in 2011, Dorchester Festival will - funds permitting - be back in 2012 but in the meantime there are two more extraordinary outdoor events to look forward to: An Inside Out spectacular in Maumbury Rings in September and a breathtaking large scale event on the top of Maiden Castle next summer - don't miss them!

Cheeky comic Gina confronts theatre reviewer...

2010-05-31T00:27:00.000-07:00

Veteran theatre critic Marion Cox found herself at the receiving end of comedienne Gina Yashere’s wit when she spotted her making notes during Dorchester Festival’s comedy night.

Grabbing the notes, the keen-eyed comic demanded: “Why are you writing down my jokes - are you a standup ? What is you name?”

“I’m a theatre reviewer,” Mrs Cox gulped in reply to the audience at Charlton Down’s Herrison Hall. “I’d rather be doing Shakespeare!”

Gina, a comedy sensation in the US where they love her cheeky English observations, told Mrs Cox she would be back to see her if the write up was not up to scratch.

Festival artistic director Sharon Hayden, pictured with Gina after the show, said the audience had loved it. “Gina is still jet lagged from her flight over from LA but managed to give us nearly two hours of wonderful standup - she’s taken the mickey out of all of us in her own charming way - and we love her.”

The Kanda Bongo Man Band at Dorchester Festival - wow

2010-05-30T04:04:00.000-07:00

Relax and enjoy the show

2010-05-30T01:04:00.000-07:00

There's still two full days of amazing events to enjoy in Dorchester Festival...

After last night's pulsating sell-out gigs with Groanbox and the extraordinary Kanda Bongo Man band, Festival Sunday kicks off at noon in laid back mode with chilled out tunes, storytelling and small scale theatre in the Borough Gardens.

Bestselling author Salley Vickers invites you to tea and talk at 5pm in the Corn Exchange and later in Charlton Down's Herrison Hall we present one newspaper's "must see" event in the region this bank holiday - our comedy night with the amazing Gina Yashere - fresh from an appearance with Trevor Nelson on Radio 1 extra - and a bonus 45 minute set from double Grammy Award winning Lekan Babalola and his Afro beat trio - Doors open 7.30 at Herrison Hall - Don't miss them!

The tempo picks up again on Monday with some of our great youth bands, the infectious music of Bulawayo with joyous Ndebele and shona vocals and a comedy walk through the Pleasure Garden with the hilarious Hoodwink.

Singers are invited to join in an at all day Opera workshop and premiere at St Mary's Church of The Cask of Amontillado, an exciting new community opera, and at Dorchester Arts, there's a chance to take part in African song, dance and drumming with members of Bulawayo - Sing, Bang, Bop!

For young children, leading children's theatre company Tell Tale Hearts bring their new show Spacehoppers to the Corn Exchange at 12noon and 3.30pm.

Company Theatre, present two contrasting one-act plays at the Kings Arm: 'The Nurse's Tale' at 3pm a Romeo and Juliet follow on story with hugely comic nurse and Reggae music followed at 7pm by 'Farbeit' - a dark and poignant comedy featuring local actor, Chris Gallarus. The 3pm children's show includes a Shakespeare workshop.

Gina… and Lekan - vibrant music and side-splitting comedy, both with a Nigerian twist

2010-05-26T03:25:00.000-07:00

Catch a vibrant 45 minute set from double grammy award winner Lekan Babalola and his afro beat trio - then sit back and relax with the comedy talent of Gina Yashere for the rest of the evening.

After Lekan had to postpone his workshop on the Roots of Blues, Dorchester Festival director Shaton Hayden decided to throw the talented performers together for a night of music and comedy.

“This is going to be some show - a set from Lekan’s trio, followed by two 45 minute stints from Gina. It’s a rare chance to see Gina as the star of Mock the Week and the Lenny Henry show now lives in the States where she is a TV comedy sensation.”

Book tickets

Watch Gina on American TV

We're back: Dorchester Festival Radio

2010-05-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

We're back... sort of. Remember Dorchester Festival Radio - our community radio station which broadcast for several weeks around the 2007 Festival ?

We're not on FM this year - but our resident music producer and project leader Mickey Wills has put together an hour long Festival2010 preview with some great tracks and programme details.

Shops and cafes around Dorchester are playing it in the run up to the festival - and everybody can listen in on iTunes, Real Player, VLC or other media players.

Tune in here: Dorchester Festival Radio

This link opens a media playlist file which should open automatically in iTunes, Real Player or VLC. If it does not do so you can find the listen.m3u file and open in one of these programs.

A night at the Opera with Mercedes

2010-05-25T05:54:00.000-07:00

Beauty therapist Mulu Thomson has won a night out for two at the opera - in a prize draw run by Dorchester Festival sponsors Mercedes Benz of Dorchester.

She received her prize from sales executive Roger Lee at the Mercedes Benz of Dorchester showrooms at the weekend. The opera - a first for the Festival - is the premiere of a new work by Brian Parkhurst and David Bushrod entitled The Cask of Amontillado.

The libretto - based on an Edgar Allen Poe short story - tells a dark tale of death, revenge and passion in the wine cellars of Venice.

The five soloists are: Robbie Bowering as Luchese, John Greenbank as Montresor Amanda Gallaher as passer by Antonia, Robert Eshelby as Fortunato and Ruth Eshelby, Vittoria supported by a community chorus.

Chorus director Hanna Trevorrow is leading a day long workshop for singers in St Mary’s Church on Monday May 31st 10am-4pm, before the evening performance at 7.30pm.

“We’ve done this before with Gilbert and Sullivan and it has been hugely successful, but to be presenting the premiere of a new opera is a first for the festival and we are very excited about it,” explained artistic director Sharon Hayden.

To give the event an added frissant, audiences members are invited to come wearing a masked ball style mask. The performance is at St Mary’s Church on Monday 31st May at 7.30pm, doors and bar open 6.30pm, tickets £10/£8, Workshop • 10am-4pm • St Mary's Church • £12.

Double Grammy winner Lekan at Festival comedy night

2010-05-25T05:36:00.000-07:00

As Dorchester Festival gets underway this weekend, hundreds of performers and thousands of festival goers will be flocking to the county town for five days of extraordinary African-themed events.

Pulsating rhythms will echo through the streets as singers, dancers and spectacular street performers bring the town alive on Saturday morning, followed by a grand parade with hundreds of children in stunning animal headdresses make their way past the African street market to Borough Gardens.

While singers, poets and performers continue through the afternoon at Town Mill Bakery, the focus moves to the Gardens where Afro Dance Group Grupo Lokito kick off a vibrant mixture of music, dance and performance. The spectacular Black Eagles who learned their acrobatic skills on the streets of Dar-es-Salaam make a special appearance, along with a group of gorillas and their intrepid comic explorer.

Sultry belly dancers, storytellers, street performers all join in as the day comes to a close with a headline performance at the Corn Exchange by the man who single handedly ignited the African music revolution in Europe when he first appeared at the Womad world music festival - Congolese musician Kanda Bongo Man and his extraordinary soukous band, who will be playing some of the tracks from their electrifying new EP.

On Sunday, the Festival in the gardens moves into a more chilled out phase with music, storytelling and cutting edge small scale theatre, before a special talk in the Corn Exchange by author Salley Vickers who will be talking about her new novel Dancing Backwards - a recent Radio 4 Book at Bedtime.

Headlining Sunday night is comedy sensation Gina Yashere at Herrison Hall, Charlton Down with a late addition to the programme - a stunning 45 minute set from double grammy award winner Lekan Babalola and his Afro beat trio. Lekan’s workshop on the Roots of the Blues had to be postponed to a later date - but we’ve managed to squeeze a set from his band into the start of our comedy night - it should be amazing,” said artistic director Sharon Hayden.

“As Gina is of Nigerian descent we thought it would make her feel at home to have a Nigerian musician playing before her.” The trio, who fuse African and English folk music, are Lekan on percussion, Kate Luxmoore on clarinet and Karen Street on accordian.

On Monday, the Festival showcases a fantastic selection of local bands, as well as a journey through Zimbabwe with the infectious music of Bulawayo. In the Corn Exchange, leading children’s theatre company Tell Tale Hearts present their new show for 3-7 year olds, Spacehoppers, before their appearance in the Kindergardens international festival of children’s theatre next month.

The weekend wraps up with a chorus workshop and premiere of a new Community Opera, the Cask of Amontillado and the screening on Tuesday of Comrades - the epic story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs filmed in and around Dorchester with many local people appearing as extras.

Best dressed animal parade

2010-05-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

The herds are gathering for a huge migration….
Dozens of African animals will make the journey from the Corn Exchange to the Borough Gardens in Dorchester Festival’s Grand Parade on Saturday May 29th.

Celebratory artist Heidi Steller is working with more than 200 children to create a range of stunning animal masks for the parade which will be led by a giant wicker snake and accompanied by two bands - the newly formed Global Street Band and the Macaratu drum band.

“It’s going to be an amazing spectacle - our best Festival parade yet,” said Artistic Director Sharon Hayden.

Leaving the Corn Exchange at 12 noon, the parade will wind its way through the crowds in South Street, past the visiting Tunisian street market and up Bowling Alley Walk to the main festival site in the Borough Gardens in time for the first of the main stage performance by African/Salsa fusion band Grupo Lokito.

Performers appearing over the weekend include African music legend Kanda Bongo Man and comedienne Gina Yashere, making a rare appearance in the UK, following her rise to fame in the US where she now lives.

Best dressed animal parade: Children from Manor Park First School get ready for the Festival procession.

Festival's Art on wheels

2010-05-14T23:30:00.000-07:00

Art being created for this year’s Dorchester Festival is literally very moving - it’s on wheels!

Artist Pete Sheridan is working with a group of young people from Dorset V to create the work - which is on six huge wooden letters spelling our the theme of the festival - Africa.

He explained: “It’s art on wheels. By mounting these letters on heavy duty casters we are planning to move them around during the course of the Festival.”

“Last year’s project was the spectacular Moving On mural depicting bikes, skateboards and all things on wheels - this years project is on wheels itself,” said the Festival’s community events co-ordinator Kathie Prince.

Over the next two weeks members of Dorset V will paint the letters with African designs and patterns - watch out for them over the Festival weekend.

Dorchester Festival - main listings

2010-05-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

Dorchester Festival2010
Grupo Lokito, Friday 28th May • Dorchester Corn Exchange • 8pm • £13/£10
Grupo Lokito’s music is an energetic fusion of African Congolese and Latin. Salsa dancers love it, as do the African community and World music fans.

The tragic and disturbing tale of Little Lupin, Saturday 29th May • Borough Gardens Dorchester, Dorset • 1.30pm 2.30pm 3.30pm • £3 per person
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. Limited to 16 audience members at a time. £3 each
www.dorchesterfestival.co.uk

From Africa to the Americas: The roots of the Blues - Workshop & Talk - This event has been postponed until later in the year
Saturday 29th May 4pm • Dorchester Arts • £10, Under 18’s £5
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.

Belly Dance workshop with Farah Nasri • Saturday 29 May • Dorchester Arts • 1.30pm • £5/£3
Learn to belly dance with Farah then watch her dancing with Abdelkader Saadoun Rai band in Borough Gardens

Groanbox , Saturday 29th May • Dorchester Arts • 8pm • £10.50, £8.50, £5.25
Groanbox are the multi-instrumental North American trio of Michael Ward-Bergeman, Cory Seznec and Paul Clifford.

Kanda Bongo Man, Saturday 29th May • Dorchester Corn Exchange • 8pm • £15/£13
Your feet will always bop to Kanda Bongo Man’s irresistible soukous rhythms. They are the greatest dance rhythms of all time and it was Kanda who brought them to western audiences. Don’t miss him!

Little Box of Horrors, Sunday 30th May • Borough Gardens • 12noon - 4pm • One audience member at a time • £2
Step inside if you dare… the Little Box of Horrors is an extraordinary five minute performance for one person - and a spectacle for many. Warning: (14+ only) this show is not suitable for children. The wider public performance surrounding the box is suitable for all ages. "... a delicious performance." Lyn Gardner, THE GUARDIAN www.dorchesterfestival.co.uk

Tea and Talk with Salley Vickers, Sunday 30th May • Dorchester Corn Exchange • 5pm • £8/£6
Join Salley Vickers for a cup of tea and hear her read from her latest novel Dancing Backwards - the current BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime read by Dame Eileen Atkins.

Comedy Night with Gina Yashere, Sunday 30th May • Herrison Hall, Charlton Down, Dorchester • 8pm • £20/£16
Gina Yashere’s bombastic delivery, infectious personality and cheeky observations have turned this British comedienne into one of the hottest comics in America where she now lives. Miss at your peril. 'One of the best comics in the land' The Guardian.

Spacehoppers, Monday 31st May • Corn Exchange • 12 noon and 3.30pm • £7
Jump into your space suits and take off on an interplanetary adventure with acclaimed children's theatre company Tell Tale Hearts! 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.

The Cask of Amontillado • Monday 31st May • St Mary's Church • 7.30pm • £10/£8 Please note change of venue to St Mary's Church
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

COMRADES , Tuesday 1st June • 7pm • Dorchester Arts • £4.40
Following its release on DVD, Dorchester Film Society presents COMRADES, the epic tale of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, filmed in 1986. Scenes were filmed in and around Dorchester and many local people appear as extras.

Great snakes - it’s a whopper! - Festival snake takes shape

2010-05-10T01:10:00.000-07:00

A giant snake which will lead Dorchester Festival's grand parade at the end of the month is taking shape at a series of community workshops with celebratory artist Heidi Stellar.

The colourful snake, carried in huge segments on long poles, will wind its way through the town, leading an African themed procession to the Festival site in the Borough Gardens on Saturday May 29th.

Amiong the first participants at the “Snake workshops” were a group of adults from the AnA Care Farm at Charminster. “We’ve had a wonderful time working on the snake. Heidi has been brilliant - really encouraging,” said activity supervisor Kate Moore.

Heidi is also running a series of public workshops for anybody to come and join in. The next two are on May 18th and 19th from 4-6pm - adults £3, children £2.

The Festival’s new Global Street band is tuning up to play it’s role in the procession. New players are welcome to join the band - led by saxophonist Clive Ashley, which meets at Dorchester Arts every Wednesday from 7-9pm.

There’s also an opportunity for would-be drummers to join in with a one day Macaratu drumming workshop with Ralph Cree and Glyn Bush from Magic Drum at Dorchester Arts on May 22nd.

Picture: Snakes alive: A group from AnA Care Farm at one of Heidi Steller's Dorchester Festival community workshops

New gallery for Open2010

2010-04-22T01:27:00.000-07:00

Dorchester Arts’ new gallery space is ready for this year’s Open2010 which will be part of Dorchester Festival (May 27-31) and Dorset Arts Weeks.

Entries for the exhibition have closed and around 200 paintings, drawings and other works will compete for a place in the exhibition - the third Open hosted by Dorchester Arts.

A selection panel of artists and experts now have the tough job of sifting through them and deciding which to display.

Since it was launched in 2008, the exhibition has been shown on hired display boards but for the new exhibition, the centre’s rear hall has been redecorated, refurbished and lined.

“Thanks to the support of West Dorset District Council and other funders, and a lot of hard work by volunteers, we have created a hugely improved gallery space for our Open exhibition” said Jackie Henville, chair of Visual Art at Dorchester Arts. “The space has been transformed and we are delighted that it is not simply a new gallery but a multi-purpose community space where groups can meet in a creative environment. I am sure it will be the start of many interesting projects and partnerships.”

The hall will still be available for community groups to hire and for meetings and events, but now in a much improved condition.

To discuss a prospective exhibition or to hire the hall contact Irene Archibald at Dorchester Arts on 01305 266926

Opera ? at Dorchester Festival ? Don't miss The Cask of Amontillado!

2010-04-02T01:42:00.001-07:00

A new community opera is being premiered at Dorchester Festival - and everybody can join in!

The Cask of Amontillado is a tale of love and deathly revenge set in the wine cellars of Venice. Musical director Brian Parkhurst and librettist David Bushrod have taken an Edgar Allen Poe story and transformed it into an opera with four soloists - and community chorus of local singers.

Artistic director Sharon Hayden says the opera is a first for Dorchester Festival. “It’s a great opportunity for singers to join a workshop with experienced chorus director Hanna Trevorrow - and then take part in the evening performance.We’ve done this with Gilbert and Sullivan operattas and they have been very popular - now we’re offering the chance to be part of an exciting new work.”

The story is a delicious black comedy set in 19th century Venice - in carnival time.

Parkhurst and Bushrod are developing a track record for small scale community operas after previous successes The Devil’s Trill and Echo & Narcissus.

The Cask of Amontillado - Monday 31st May - workshop 10am-4pm, performance 7.30pm St Mary's Church, Dorchester

Open 2010 art exhibition - deadline for entries April 13th

2010-03-31T03:47:00.001-07:00

Artists from across the west country are being invited to take part in Dorchester Arts Open2010 exhibition being held in the county town at the end of May as part of both Dorchester Festival and Dorset Art Weeks.

Prizes for the annual exhibition - first held in 2008 - include a £500 cheque, solo exhibition and magazine feature in the regional arts magazine Evolver.

Dorchester Arts chair Alastair Nisbet said they were hoping for a bumper entry from artists not just from Dorset but across the west country. “As the Open is attracting more interest from the art community, our visual arts group decided it was time to extend eligibility to the wider region. We hope that combined with Dorset Art Weeks, this will contribute to a stunning show in 2010.”

The deadline for entries is 13 April 2010 and entry forms and full details can be downloaded here.

Good Bye Mr Cassanova - new single and video from Pop Club

2010-03-29T01:25:00.000-07:00

Dorchester Arts' Pop Club have released a stunning new single - Good Bye Mr Cassanova - with the simultaneous launch of a music video filmed in the county town.

The new track, available for download on iTunes as well as from the Dorchester Arts website, has been written by music producer Micky Wills and recorded at Dorchester Arts, School Lane centre.

The band is part of the ongoing Dorchester Arts project Saturday Live, which aims to engage young people in creative musical activities and is funded by Youth Music and the Dorset Youth Opportunities programme.

For parents and supporters, who saw the new video for the first time at a launch on Saturday, Mr Cassanova is a revelation. "We knew they had got talent but this track is really something special - a great sound and a terrific movie," said Dorchester Arts Director Sharon Hayden.

Stunning line-up for Dorchester Festival May27 - June 1st

2010-03-10T23:05:00.000-08:00

The sights, sounds - even smells of Africa come to Dorset for six days of great events this May as the World Comes to Town for Dorchester Festival.

Pulsating rhythms, spectacular dancers and hundreds of children in African-inspired costumes come together for a free weekend of music, dance and celebration over the end of May bank holiday. Performances from African music legend Kanda Bongo Man and stand-up comedy talent Gina Yashere head a stunning line up of international artists appearing in the Festival’s evening venues.

And to top it off - a North African “souk” will transform the streets with a diverse range of African textiles, leather and other products and a range of exotic food and drink.

“It’s going to be an amazing festival with something for everybody,” said artistic director Sharon Hayden. “There will be dozens of free daytime events throughout the town on bank holiday Saturday, Sunday and Monday and evening events spread across the week.”

Highlights include Spacehoppers - a new show for 3-7 year olds by acclaimed children’s theatre company Tell Tale Hearts,

Tea and Talk with novelist Salley Vickers, and Dorchester Arts’ third visual art Open exhibition in the centre’s newly refurbished rear hall.

The Festival offers a rare chance to see newly developed cutting edge small scale theatre - The Tragic and Disturbing Tale of Little Lupin and small scale horror show - The Little Box of Horrors.

Pulsating programme: Dorchester Festival Artistic Director Sharon Hayden (left) with administrator Irene Archibald, membership manager Mike Furze, Boad member Rod Drew, Marketing officer Bruno Sajno and young helpers Issy and Archie.

The Willow Pattern Story - new film from animation workshops

2010-03-10T22:59:00.000-08:00

Storytelling through animation helps children develop a broad range of skills - from literacy to art and drama, computer skills to critical and cultural appreciation.
This short animation, produced by a group of children at a two day animation workshop with filmmaker Alastair Nisbet at Dorchester Arts, is a re-telling of the centuries-old story of the Willow Pattern.
A beautiful princess… an evil suitor, and the hapless palace guard - they all feature in this charming version of the classic story, depicted on Willow pattern china across the world.