A huge selection of events for you to enjoy across Dorset throughout September
EDITOR’S CHOICE
20 – 28 September - Lyme Regis ArtsFest
During the wild winter storms Lyme Regis photographer Richard Austin’s images of raging seas pounding the Cobb like stampeding horses went viral around the world. So its not surprising that ‘Weather Beaten’ was chosen as this year’s festival theme, and local artists have responded to it with gusto. During the Artsfest Town Mill Galleries will have paintings, photographs, sculptures, textiles, glassware and installations all inspired by the weather at its most powerful. Richard will share his iconic photographs of storm-battered Lyme at a special evening event at the Marine Theatre (24 Sept) and an Art & Word Trail around town features stories and poems about the weather by local school children and adults alongside art works.
Other events include LitNight @By the Bay (23 Sept), with Louisa Young, acclaimed author of two novels about the First World War. The Marine Theatre hosts an Evening with Beverley Craven (21 Sept), Jazz in the Bar with Julie Dunn and Philip Clouts (26 Sept) and the theatre company Dumbshow performs John Steinbeck’s evocative piece The Pearl (27 Sept).
For walkers and history buffs, Natalie Manifold leads a series of walks themed around Jane Austen, smuggling, the Cobb, Mary Anning and The French Lieutenant’s Woman. Artists Ronnie Creswell and John Hoar will be demonstrating monoprinting (20 Sept) and watercolour (23 Sept) respectively and Maisie Hill, Brian Matravers, Gail Sagman and Peter Wiles will be running Open Studios. The final weekend features an Arts and Crafts Market at the Marine Parade Shelters. For a full list of all events visit lymeregisartsfest.com.
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EXHIBITIONS
Until 5 September - Changing Light
Ben Spurling’s oil paintings are inspired by Purbeck’s varied landscape and coastline in different weathers and light, seen and sketched by Ben on his daily walks..
Mulberry Tree Art Gallery, Swanage
8-13 September - Dorset Meets Africa
Sally Derrick’s sculptures and Jennifer Evans’ paintings feature at The Guggleton Gallery in Stalbridge.
25 August – 12 September - Textile Exhibition
Renowned for her ecclesiastical embroidery Kirsten Webb’s exhibition at St Andrew’s Church, in the grounds of Lulworth Castle, draws inspiration from the natural world and Viking designs. (kirstentwebb.co.uk/)
Until 14 September - Dan Llywelyn Hall
Sladers Yard, West Bay hosts an exhibition by this talented young British painter, whose exploratory use of colour is coupled with a deep affinity to the history of art.
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MUSIC
Sundays in September - Folk at The Stable
Folk-inspired music sessions in the afternoon by local musicians at The Stable, Poole. Acts playing this month include The Victorian Barbers, Clive, Krista Green and Drew Allen. Starts 2pm.
4 & 5 September - Concerts in the West
Violinist and concertmaster Jane Gordon teams up with chamber musician and conductor Julian Perkins for a fabulous Baroque musical feast for the senses.
4 Sept: 7.30pm Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis; 5 Sept: 11am Bridport Arts Centre
18 September - Seth Lakeman
Folk superstar Seth Lakeman plays a one-off date at Bridport’s Electric Palace 01308 424901.
18 September - Virtuoso Baroque!
Continuum perform at St Andrew’s Church, Fontmell Magna featuring flautist Elizabeth Walker, cellist Christopher Poffley, harpsichordist Michael Overbury and guest virtuoso violinist Florian Deuter. More details 01747 811734.
21 September - The Big Sing
Hundreds of singers of all abilities come together to learn Verdi’s Requiem before performing it in public at Lighthouse, Poole. To take part visit lighthousepoole.co.uk.
27 September - Najma Akhtar
Mysterious, sensual and bewitching, Najma’s songs and poetry draws on Indian Ghazal and Western Folk traditions.
Dorchester Arts Centre; 01305 266929
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PERFORMANCE
13 September - An evening with Sunny Ormonde
Better known as the raunchy Lilian Bellamy in BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, Sunny reveals behind-the-scenes stories from this much loved soap opera.
Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis; 01297 442138
15 September - Graft – Tales of an Actor
Steven Berkoff’s unique play, performed by George Dillon, is a savage cautionary tale about the perils of the theatrical profession.
Layard Theatre, Canford Magna; 01202 847525
18 September - An Audience with Sir Jonathan Miller
Meet one of Britain’s most intriguing polymaths and the co-creator of the seminal comedy revue, Beyond the Fringe.
Regent Theatre, Christchurch; 01202 499199
16-18 September - Not About Heroes
Stephen MacDonald’s acclaimed play paints a moving picture of the friendship between the ‘Great War’ poets, Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon
Lighthouse Poole; 0844 406 8666
24 September - Wessex Scenes
Thomas Hardy’s play is bought to life by the New Wessex Players.
Tivoli Theatre Wimborne; 01202 885566
25 September - Mark Steel’s Back in Town
The award-winning comedian brings his new show based on his BBC Radio 4 series Mark Steel’s in Town to Wimborne’s Tivoli Theatre. 01202 885566
27 September - The Story Giant
From the windswept landscape of Dartmoor the Story Giant is seeking a tale to save his life.
Lighthouse Poole; 0844 406 8666
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FESTIVALS
5 – 7 September - Swanage Folk Festival
The seaside town comes alive with hundreds of Morris dancers, jingling bells, and folk music. (swanageff.co.uk)
6 September - Bridport Hat Festival
A hat-inspired event for lovers of stylish and eccentric head wear as the town centre is taken over by thousands of hat wearers. (bridporthatfest.org)
6-7 September - Waterfest Weymouth
New habourside festival celebrating Weymouth’s rich maritime history includes the tall ship Le Marite, the Historic Diving Association and a giant seahorse called Percy. More details weymouthbid.co.uk
13-14 September - Wessex Food Festival
Weymouth College hosts over 50 artisan food and drink producers selling everything from pies to preserves and sushi to sweets.
13-14 September - Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival
Over 60 traditional food stalls, craft stalls plus real ale and cider tents and plenty of cheesemaking, cheese tasting and cheese related events. (cheesefestival.co.uk)
19-27 September - Swanage & Purbeck Walking Festival
Themed walks include Dorset at war, shipwrecks, smuggling, fossils, literature, art, photography, bug life and spooky ghost stories. (walkswanage.com)
26 – 28 September - Love Charmouth Festival
Family festival with live music, local food and drink, guided walks, fireworks, brunch on the beach and talks from TV geologist Iain Stewart and fossil expert David Martill. (charmouth.org)
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BEST OF THE REST
1 September - The Natural History of Dorset
Bridport Camera Club hosts a presentation of wildlife and landscape images by Colin Varndell based on his new book of the same name.
7.30pm Bridport Town Hall
13-14 September - Clavell Tower Open Weekend
The local landmark that inspired writers such as Thomas Hardy and PD James is opened to the public by the Landmark Trust for Heritage Open Days 10am and 4pm.
20 -21 September - Roman Weekend
Step back in time as the Vicus’ Roman re-enactors demonstrate daily life in a Roman town in Britain at the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne. For more details ancienttechnologycentre.co.uk.
21 September - Autumn Garden Fair
Mapperton Gardens, Beaminster hosts this charity event with over 28 stalls of specialist nurseries, gardens and other gifts. Runs 10am – 4pm.
Weekends in September - Civil War Academy
Corfe Castle hosts a range of Civil War inspired events from crime and punishment to gunpowder and explosives.
27 September - The Dorset Do
Ringwood School hosts the ‘see it made’ craft show with woodcarving and turning, exhibitions and craft talks. (dorset-do.co.uk)
27 September - Nature in the Garden
Talk on wildlife friendly gardens. Starts at noon at the The Potting Shed, Swans Yard, Shaftesbury.
