Helen Stiles picks her favourite shows, exhibitions and events happening around the county this month
EDITOR’S CHOICE
9- 16 November - Bridport Literary Festival
This popular festival, which is held at venues around Bridport, has an impressive and eclectic line-up of speakers to intrigue, enlighten and entertain. Literary lions include: Sir Roy Strong who will give an illustrated talk about the remaking of his beloved Laskett Gardens; Alan Johnson MP in conversation with Christian Tyler about his memoir: Please, Mr.Postman; historian Charles Spencer talks about his latest book The Killers of the King; A N Wilson reveals a very different side to Queen Victoria and Felix Francis, son of the late Dick Francis, tries not to give too much away about the 50th Francis who dunnit!
Full details at bridlit.com Tickets from Bridport Tourist Information Centre 01308 424901.
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EXHIBITIONS
Until 2 November - World War One: Home and Away
Beaminster Museum reflects on how war affected local families, and gives you a glimpse of life on the battlefield in this exhibition.
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Until 11 November - First World War Stories
The Priest’s House Museum, Wimborne commemorates the outbreak of the Great War and its effects on East Dorset.
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8 November – 16 December - Drawn
The Gallery at Sculpture by the Lakes, near Tincleton, features drawings by renowned international artists from Italy, USA, Kenya and the UK.
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Until 23 November - Light, Life and Landscape
Wildlife and landscape paintings and sculpture by internationally-acclaimed artists Bruce Pearson and Anne Shingleton at Durlston Castle, Swanage.
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Until 30 November - Take Stock
Gail Sagman’s retrospective of 35 years of paintings, drawings, collages, sculptures, installations and theatre pieces at her studio in The Jam Factory, Uplyme.
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14 November – 20 December - Jill Kennington
The former Sixties model turned professional photographer exhibits her treasured collection of portraits and landscapes at Bridport Arts Centre.
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MUSIC
7 November - Claire Martin
One Britain’s finest jazz vocalists is joined by the Montpellier Cello Quartet at the Lighthouse, Poole 0844 406 8666
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7 November - Stacey Kent
The renowned American jazz singer performs her Changing Lights album inspired by the rhythms of Brazil at the Regent Christchurch 01202 499199.
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8 November - Music for Remembrance
The Bournemouth Bach Choir performs Faure’s Requiem and works by Mendelssohn and Wesley at Wimborne Minster.
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23 November - Frigg
The young Finnish group play Nordgrass, a mix of Nordic folk and American bluegrass at Lighthouse, Poole 0844 406 8666
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28 & 29 November - Sonic Silents
An American country music trio provide live accompaniment to some of Hollywood’s earliest short silent films. 28 Nov: Marnhull Village Hall; 29 Nov: Buckland Newton Village Hall
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PERFORMANCE
1 & 21 November - Passion
AsOne Theatre marks the Great War and the present withdrawal from Afghanistan through the stories of soldiers and their families 100 years apart.
1 Nov: Shelley Theatre, Boscombe; 21 Nov: Weymouth Pavilion Theatre
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6 November - Kalabanda
An electrifying fusion of African movement and hip hop dance at Pavilion Dance, Bournemouth 01202 203630
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6 November - Paul Hollywood’s British Baking Live Tour
The silver fox of the Great British Bake Off entertains with his favourite regional recipes. Event runs 12pm – 5pm at Lighthouse, Poole 0844 406 8666
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7 November - Al Murray
The Pub Landlord unleashes his razor sharp wit at the Electric Palace, Bridport 01308 424901.
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18 November - Imelda May
The rockabilly queen struts her stuff at Bournemouth Pavilion 0844 576 3000
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11-15 November - Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain
Prepare for a history lesson with all the really nasty bits left in!
Lighthouse, Poole 0844 406 8666
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18 November - Dracula
Mark Bruce’s company of ten exceptional dancers bring Bram Stoker’s tale to life at Lighthouse, Poole 0844 406 8666
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19 November - Rich Hall’s Hoedown
Join the lugubrious American stand up Rich and friends for a mash-up of music and comedy at the Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne 01202 885566
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19-20 & 21-22 November - Dawn French
The Queen of British comedy entertains with funny tales of her life and career. 19 – 20 Nov: Bournemouth Pavilion; 21- 22 Nov: Lighthouse, Poole
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28 November - An Evening with Noel Fielding
Expect a psychedelic riot of mirth with one of comedy’s most surreal and bizarre stand ups.
BIC Windsor Hall, Bournemouth; 0844 576 3000
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30 November - The Princess and the Pea
Tutti Frutti’s funny retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairytale. Performances 11.30am & 3pm. Pavilion Dance, Bournemouth 01202 203630
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BEST OF THE REST
Until 2 November - +Floodlit Gardens at Abbotsbury
Take a magical evening stroll along candle-lit pathways to enchanted glades ablaze with light and colour at this subtropical garden by the sea. Between 30 Oct – 1 Nov fancy dress Hallowe’en Fun Evenings for younger visitors with laser rave, scary scars workshop and a brilliant creepy-crawlies tent. Illuminations run from 5pm - 8.30pm abbotsburygardens.co.uk
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27-30 November - Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival
Need inspiration for decorating your own tree this year? Then visit this annual charity event at Kingston Church featuring over 30 decorated Christmas trees.
