From sea shanties to skating Helen Stiles rounds up her pick of events happening around the county this month
EXHIBITIONS
Winter Exhibition - Throughout February
Works by Amy Albright, Edward Kelly, Rebecca Fontaine-Wolf and Bill Zima’s unique glowing ‘tree’ paintings created from oil on panel with beeswax glaze feature at Artwave West, Morcombelake.
Coastline & Printmakers Open - 9 February–1 March
The Town Mill in Lyme Regis hosts these two exhibitions: One features the iconic Jurassic Coast and its colours, shapes and rhythms. The second showcases the best of West Country printmaking including etching, silkscreen, linocut and monoprint.
Ruth Dresman - 14–26 February
Walford Mill hosts this exhibition by leading glass artist Ruth Dresman who has an on-going commission from Buckingham Palace to make gifts for visiting dignitaries.
Celebrating Picture Book Art - 16–24 February
Part of the Purbeck Literary Festival children’s programme, this exhibition at the Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park features work from some of the UK’s best contemporary authors and illustrators.
Exhibitions On Screen: I, Claude Monet - 21 February
Shot on location in Paris, London, Normandy and Venice this fascinating film gives new insight into the man behind those famous waterlilies. Lighthouse Poole 01202 280000.
Art Exhibitions at Lighthouse Poole
The Top Floor Gallery features Thomas Marshall’s en plein air sketching and lively interpretation of local life and Dorset scenes (14 Jan – 18 Feb). Designer and illustrator Evelyn Bartlett shows her strong distinctive style using gouache in the Mezzanine (21 Jan - 18 Feb), this is followed by ‘A Poole Perspective’ by talented professional architectural illustrator Brian Freelander (21 Feb – 15 Mar). The Top Floor Gallery features ‘Retrospective’ by Anthony Dover (22 Feb – 15 Mar) who is particularly taken with post-impressionism and expressionism.
MUSIC
Kissed By a Rose - 1 February
Berlioz, Mozart and Richard Strauss feature in this rose inspired concert by the BSO at Lighthouse Poole. Box office 01202 280000.
Matthew Drinkwater - 3 February
Winner of the Chappell Medal - the Royal College of Music’s most sought after prize for piano – Matthew performs pieces by Mozart, Janacek and Brahms at this Coffee Concert (11am) at Bridport Arts Centre. Box office 01308 424204.
String Serenade - 3 February
BSO Resonate Strings perform classic string repertoire from Vivaldi to Astor Piazzolla. 7:30pm, St Gregory’s Church, Marnhull.
Songs of the Sea - 3 February
Harbour Voices, a 20-strong group of men and women, bring you a heart-warming celebration of the sea, recounting tales of our Dorset coast. Starts 7.30pm. 3 Feb: Litton Cheney Community Hall 01308 482532; 5 Feb: Royal Manor Theatre, Portland 0333 666 3366; 11 Feb: Sturminster Marshall Hall 01258 857447.
Jo Harman - 11 February
One of the finest female soul blues vocalist in the UK performs a mix of her own compositions and covers, ranging from powerful rockers to heart melting ballads at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester. Box office 01305 266926.
Instant Sunshine - 12 February
With their blend of witty songs and hilarious routines this cabaret group will brighten up a dark winter’s afternoon. Starts 2.30pm. Corn Exchange, Dorchester 01305 266926.
Rêverie: The Life and Loves of Claude Debussy - 19 February
Simon Russell Beale evokes Debussy’s personal and revealing journal, accompanied by some of his most famous solo piano pieces performed by Lucy Parham. Starts 3pm. Regent, Christchurch 01202 499199.
Out of Dresden - 22 February
Steven Isserlis performs Schumann’s Cello Concerto in this German-themed BSO concert under the baton of Kirill Karabits at Lighthouse Poole. Box office 01202 280000.
Ian Watt - 24 & 25 February
Guitarist of international repute plays pieces from the Spanish and British classical guitar repertoire. Starts 7.30pm. 24 Feb: Chetnole Village Hall (VH) 01935 873555; 25 Feb: Ibberton VH 01258 817269.
Fisherman’s Friends - 25 February
The original buoy band hit the road with favourite songs of the sea handed down to them by their Cornish forefathers. Lighthouse Poole 01202 280000.
PERFORMANCE
William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play - 1-2 February
The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s irreverent celebration of our cultural heritage – as seen through the eyes of three Americans wearing trainers. Lighthouse Poole 01202 280000.
Dare Devil Rides to Jarama - 1, 4 & 11 February
Townsend Productions’ new play captures the raw passion and emotion generated by the Spanish Civil War. 1 Feb: Sherling Studio, Lighthouse Poole; 4 Feb: Burton Bradstock VH 01308 897421; 11 Feb: Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis 01297 442138.
Oz & Armonico – Drink to Music! - 3 February
Join wine expert Oz Clarke and the internationally renowned Armonico Consort for an evening of wine and music at Lighthouse Poole. Box office 1202 280000.
Rewind Forward - 9 February
Yorke Dance Project’s performance includes a rarely seen ballet inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and Lacrymosa by the legendary Robert Cohan. Pavilion Dance South West 01202 203630.
Glorilla - 9 – 11 February
The French/English comedy duo Spitz & Co show that man and gorilla can live “sans frontiers”. Suitable 14+ Start 7.30pm. 9 Feb: Halstock VH 01935 891744; 10 Feb: Tarrant Gunville VH 01258 830361; 11 Feb: West Stafford VH 01305 265282.
Banff Mountain Film Festival - 14,21 & 28 February
These two evenings of extraordinary short films with mountains at their heart will ignite your passion for adventure, adrenaline packed action sports and travel to far flung corners of the globe. Lighthouse Poole 01202 280000. Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne (21 February & 19 April) 01202 885566.
The Odyssey (Greek Stuff!) - 16–18 February
Dave Mynne retells Homer’s epic tale of heroes, gods and monsters with the help of a few simple props and a wicked sense of humour. Suitable 12+. Starts 7.30pm. 16 Feb: Kimmeridge VH 01929 481323; 17 Feb: Pentridge VH 01725 552378: 18 Feb: Sydling St Nicholas VH 01300 341777.
Round The Horne - 17– 18 February
Rambling Sid Rumpo, Charles and Fiona, Peasemold Gruntfuttock and the outrageous Julian and Sandy, bring one of the best radio comedy shows of all time to the stage at Lighthouse Poole. Box office 01202 28000.
Swinging at the Cotton Club - 19 February
The Lindy Hop Dance Company & Harry Stutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra, take you through the doors of Harlem’s hottest nightclub. Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne 01202 885566.
The Play That Goes Wrong - 20 – 25 February
Fawlty Towers meets Noises Off in this smash hit West End comedy. As the accident-prone thesps of Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society battle to reach their final curtain call. Lighthouse Poole 01202 280000
Lullaby - 23 February
A striking production by Norwegian Panta Rei Danseteater exploring emotions from friendship to friction. 7.30pm Gillingham School Theatre. Box office 01747 833844.
BEST OF THE REST
Chinese Arts & Culture Night - 2 February
Enjoy spectacular acrobatic performances, Chinese dance, traditional Chinese music and marvel at the ancient art of Bian Lian as Lighthouse Poole celebrates China through music and performance. Box office 01202 280000.
An Evening with Eric Cantona - 21 February
One of the most influential footballers of all time takes to the stage to discuss his football career and what it was like making the Ken Loach movie, Looking For Eric. BIC 0844 576 3000.
