Helen Stiles rounds up her pick of events happening around the county this month

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Until 4 May - British Wildlife Photography Awards Exhibition

From cute dormice to puffin munching otters, this exhibition is a celebration of the very best of British wildlife photography including several award-winning entries by local photographers. Hampshire photographer Alex Mustard’s blue shark off Cornwall caught the judges’ eye, while Wiltshire-based Nick Upton won the Documentary Series category with his hazel dormice pictures. Unusually, central London was the location for Lee Acaster’s winning shot, of a Greylag Goose against a dramatic city skyline. The exhibition is free to view at the Visitor Centre at Moors Valley Country Park. For more details go to moors-valley.co.uk or 01425 470721.

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EXHIBITIONS

Until 19 April - Spring Boody

Cleo Mussi uses pieces of broken crockery to create distinctive pieces from a giant robotic rabbit to springtime baskets at Walford Mill Crafts, Wimborne

Until 11 April - #Letter365 The Installation

Over the last year artist David Smith created a unique artwork for every day and then sealed it in an envelope for delivery to Bridport Arts Centre. All the envelopes are displayed at this unusual exhibition but only those that are sold will have their contents revealed!

Until 25 April - 15 Days in Clay

This exhibition of ceramic creations at Lighthouse Poole celebrates ten years of ceramic creations including some wonderful self-portraits.

24 April – 4 May - BraveArt 8

Over 100 new art works created by members of East Dorset BraveArt Society will be on display and on sale at the Gallery Upstairs at Upton Country Park, Poole.

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MUSIC

3 April - St Matthew Passion

Bach’s magnificent work is performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus with the Bournemouth Symphony Youth Chorus and Southern Sinfonia Baroque.

Lighthouse, Poole; 0844 406 8666

10 April - Gypsy Hill

Be swept up in an intoxicating mix of Mediterranean surf rock, Balkan brass, ska, swing and a scratch DJ as the traditional mixes with the modern at Dorchester Arts Centre. Booking; 01305 266926

17 April - Jimmy Webb

The legendary songwriter behind such hits as Wichita Lineman, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, MacArthur Park and Up, Up and Away shares his tales of the inspiration behind some of pop music’s biggest songs and singers.

Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne; 01202 885566

19 April - English Majesty

Enjoy the pomp and pageant of Handel’s Royal Firework Music alongside the pastoral tranquillity of Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending and works by Walton, Delius and Holst at this afternoon concert by the wonderful BSO at Bournemouth Pavilion.

Booking; 0844 576 3000

19 April - I Have a Song to Sing!

Bournemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society’s spring concert features ballads and songs from popular Savoy Operas including The Mikado, HMS Pinafore and The Yeomen of the Guard.

Regent Centre, Christchurch. Bookings; 01202 499199

21 April - Swanhunter

Based on a gripping tale from the Finnish folk epic The Kalevala, Swanhunter is a chamber opera specifically created for a family audience.

Lighthouse, Poole; Bookings 0844 406 8666

25 April - Bellowhead

Having won Best Live Act at the Radio 2 Folk Awards five times you know this award-winning folk band will entertain.

Lighthouse Poole. Bookings 0844 406 8666

25 April - Retorica

Harriet Mackenzie and Philippa Mo perform the rare and expressive form of the violin duo at Sladers Yard, West Bay.

Bookings 01308 459511

29 April - Kyle Eastwood

He may have a famous father (Clint) but Kyle Eastwood is famous in his own right as a virtuoso bassist, on electric and upright ,as well as a talented composer of modern jazz.

Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne. Bookings; 01202 885566

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PERFORMANCE

6-7 April - The Dinosaur Zoo

Direct from the West End, watch these awesome prehistoric creatures from cute baby dinos to teeth-gnashing giants in this imaginative and hilarious live family show.

Bournemouth Pavilion. Bookings; 0844 576 3000

12-13 April - Beauty and the Beast

An Easter family pantomime starring Step’s Lee Latchford-Evans as Prince/Beast, Dani Harmer (CBBC’s Tracy Beaker and Strictly Come Dancing) as Beauty and comedian Bobby Davro as Silly Billy.

Bournemouth Pavilion. Bookings; 0844 576 3000

22-23 April - Fifty Shades of Beige

The Grumpy Old Women – Jenny Éclair, Susie Blake and Kate Robbins bring an orgy of female fury and laughs in this live version of the hit TV show.

Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne. Bookings; 01202 885566

24-25 April - Dasiy Pulls It Off

Midnight feasts, secret societies and ripping times at a ‘gels’ boarding school are brought to life by Wildcard Productions, as mature women have more fun than you should in a gymslip!

Dorchester Arts Centre. Bookings; 01305 266926

24 & 27 April - A Room With A Stew

A new live show by comedian Stewart Lee with fresh material in preparation for his next BBC2 series of Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle.

• 24 April: Lighthouse, Poole; 0844 406 8666 • 27 April: Electric Palace, Bridport; 01308 424901

25 April - Sex in Suburbia

Claire Sweeney stars in this brand new comedy, which she has co-written, about dating, men and finding Mr Right.

Lighthouse Poole. Bookings; 0844 406 8666

26 April - The Year Clock

Tim Laycock recalls the life and times of Dorset poet William Barnes, a pioneer of linguistics whose poems capture life in the Blackmore Vale. Fiddle player Colin Thompson, provides the muscial accompaniment.

West Stafford Village Hall, 01305 261984

30 April - Ballet Boyz

Boasting rave reviews across the UK this is one of the hottest dance tickets around. The show features two new commissions from leading British choreographers, The Murmuring by Alexander Whitley and Mesmerics by Christopher Wheeldon.

Lighthouse, Poole. Bookings; 0844 406 8666

30 April - Vienna Festival Ballet

The world famous ballet company present excerpts from Tchaikovsky ballets which have featured in their regular repertoire over the past 35 years.

Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne. Bookings; 01202 885566

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BEST OF THE REST

4 April - Unique Boutique

This pop up market on Easter Saturday at Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis featuring south west artists and makers as well as hot food, posh tea and live music Event runs 10am-5pm

12 April - World Parkinson’s Day

Take part in this event in Bournemouth at Pavilion Dance South West which features information stalls, participate in workshops and join in the discussion starts 11am. More at pdsw.org.uk; 01202 203630

12 April - Classic Cars on the Prom

West Overcliffe Promenade, Bournemouth hosts a sumptuous collection of classic cars to admire.

17 – 19 April - Spring Steam Gala

Experience a weekend of steam, including many visiting locomotives, at Swanage Railway.

swanagerailway.co.uk

26 April - The Great Dorset Beach Clean

Last year this annual community event attracted almost 700 volunteers who collected 851 bags of rubbish. From toddlers to the retired – all are welcome to join in and clean up 27 beaches along the Dorset coast. Find a local beach near you at dorsetforyou/greatdorsetbeachclean.

26 April - World Tai Chi & Qigong (Chi Kung) Day

The aim of this event is for individuals, groups and clubs across the world to get together on this day and practise or display their forms or routines from 10 – 11am. In Dorset there will be a gathering in Borough Gardens, Dorchester, arrive prompt for 10am and bring a picnic to enjoy after. To find out more visit worldtaichiday.org.