From a magnificent matchstick fleet to a glorious Georgian street fayre, Helen Stiles rounds up her pick of events happening around the county this month
EXHIBITIONS
John Boyd - Until 15 May
This Bridport-based artist finds inspiration in the diversity of the coastline, melding colour and perspective at this exhibition at Gallery on the Square, Poundbury.
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Robert Organ - 7-24 May
The acclaimed English painter’s love of nature is superbly rendered in new paintings of golden carp, verdant gardens and the French landscape at Town Mill, Lyme Regis.
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Sheila Girling: Tender Light - 13 May- 29 July
Vibrant oils, watercolours, papercuts and collages infused with a Modernist spirit and the vivid style of the American “colour field” abstract painters at The Gallery at Lighthouse Poole.
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Time & Tide - 13-21 May
Painting, printmaking and jewellery, by Liz Bath, Anne-Louise Bellis, Catrina Bruce and Mags Maxwell, inspired by local landscapes, seascapes and wildlife feature at The Old Cow Shed Studio, Manor Farm, Glanvilles Wootton.
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Ann Armitage & Elsa Taylor - 13-31 May
Armitage uses her botanical knowledge as a gardener in still life works, while Taylor is fascinated by colour and how light can create something a little more mysterious at Jerram Gallery, Sherborne.
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Matchstick Fleet - 19-21 May
Built over 60 years by Phillip Warren, a Blandford man, this free exhibition at Blandford Forum Corn Exchange features 200 models of 1:300 scale of ships of the Royal Navy and the United States Navy.
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The Poetry of Philip Sutton RA - Until 18 June
Exuberant paintings of landscapes, figures and still life, particularly flowers, express the poetry Sutton sees all around him as this exhibition at Sladers Yard, West Bay reveals.
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MUSIC
BSO: Exotic Spice - 3 May
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra perform Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade at Lighthouse Poole. Box office 01202 280000.
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Maxwell Quartet - 5 May
The quartet perform Haydn and Ravel at 11am Coffee Concert at Bridport Arts Centre. Box office 01308 424204.
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Concert for Autism Wessex - 6 May
Mezzo-soprano Sophia Grech and pianist Duncan Honeybourne perform a fundraising concert for Autism Wessex at 6pm, St Mary’s Church, Dorchester.
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Nick Capaldi - 6 May
The Dorset singer songwriter, a rising star of the UK music scene, launches his nationwide Neon Heart Tour at Weymouth Pavilion. Box office 01305 783225.
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Snarky Puppy - 7 May
Their Grammy-winning album Family Dinner - Volume One topped the iTunes Jazz Charts, find out why at this gig at Lighthouse Poole. Box office o1202 280000.
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Kokoro - 7 May
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s new music ensemble performs Milhaud, Arvo Part and Shostakovich at Dorchester Corn Exchange. Box office 01305 266926.
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Al Stewart - 9 May
Born in Scotland, raised in Dorset, Stewart plays acoustic versions from his back catalogue including Year of the Cat at Bournemouth Pavilion. Box office 0844 576 3000.
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Sounds of the Sixties - 19 May
The Zoots perform songs from the swinging sixties at Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. Box office 01297 442138.
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Music for Viols & Voice - 20 May
Cambridge Renaissance Voices and the viol consort Concordia play English music from Dowland to Purcell at Sherborne Abbey. Box office 01747 854321.
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Israel in Egypt - 20 May
The New Elizabethan Singers are joined by professional soloists, orchestra and period brass section to perform Handel’s oratorio at 7.30pm, St Swithun’s Church, Allington.
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Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young 25 May
Rockin’ Tex Mex Border music with brilliant vocals from Paul ‘wherever I lay my hat’ Young. Tivoli, Wimborne 01202 885566.
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Driftwood - 27 May
The vocal harmony band play music from the 60’s to now, joined by guest singer Chris Stone. Harmans Cross Village Hall from 8pm. harmanscrosshall.co.uk.
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The Foghorn Stringband - 27 & 28 May
Square dance tunes rub shoulders with Cajun waltzes, vintage honky-tonk songs and pre bluegrass picking, creating an intoxicating musical brew. Starts 7.30pm. 27 May: Corfe Castle Village Hall 07590 352219; 28 May: Portesham Village Hall 01305 871925.
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PERFORMANCE
Rent - 1-6 May
Bruce Guthrie’s brand-new production of the multi-award-winning rock musical, inspired by Puccini’s La Bohème, is set in 1990s New York City’s East Village. Lighthouse Poole 01202 280000.
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Burton - 3 May
The life of the great Welsh actor Richard Burton in his own words from humble beginnings to Hollywood mega-stardom and his tempestuous relationship with Liz Taylor. Dorchester Corn Exchange 01305 266926.
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Let’s Dance the Night Away - 5–6 May
Strictly star Pasha Kovalev brings breathtaking choreography, sensational music and stunning costumes to the Regent, Christchurch. Box office 1202 499199.
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Othello - 12, 13, 15 & 20 May
Fast-paced telling of Shakespeare’s tale of jealousy, love and ambition, four actors play multiple roles in a masterful debate on the human condition. 12 & 13 May: Lighthouse Poole ; 15 May: Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis 01297 442138; 20 May: Shelley Theatre, Bournemouth 01202 413600.
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Far From The Madding Crowd - 13-14 May
Hotbuckle Productions brings Thomas Hardy’s romantic story to life as headstrong Bathsheba Everdene decides between three very differnt suitors. Dorchester Corn Exchange 01305 266926.
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Frazzled: A Guide to Mindfulness - 16 May
Ruby Wax’s best-selling book is the basis of this funny and insightful show at Lighthouse Poole. Box office 01202 280000.
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Tortoise vs Hare - 16-19 May
Join Living Spit for an adrenaline fuelled theatrical lap as Barry Hare, Wrington running champ takes on Toby ‘Tortoise’ Gollop, eater of doughnuts. Two very different men. One running club, and the race to end all races. Starts 7.30pm. 16 May: Winfrith Village Hall 01305 852117; 17 May: Broadoak Village Hall 01308 424922; May: Halstock Village Hall 01935 891744; 19 May: Cranborne Cecil Memorial Hall 01725 517500.
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Gangsta Granny - 24-28 May
World premiere of the stage version of the best-selling children’s book by David Walliams. Shows at 10.30am, 11am, 2.30pm & 7pm. Lighthouse Poole 01202 280000.
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Gary Clarke Company: Coal - 31 May
Marking the 30th anniversary of the British miners’ strike, this riveting piece of dance theatre looks at the realities of life at the coal face. Lighthouse Poole 01202 280000.
