Helen Stiles rounds up her pick of events happening around the county this month
MUSIC
The Perk Ensemble - 4 September
This dynamic ensemble are renowned for their exciting arrangements of chamber music classics. Discover why at this Coffee Concert at Bridport Arts Centre (11am).
Box Office: 01308 42420
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Pianola Recital - 5 September
A rare chance to hear early recorded music played by a grand and upright pianola. Starts 2.30pm.
Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 39 Christchurch Road; 01202 553525
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Blake - 12 September
The Brit award-winning trio bring their ‘In Harmony’ tour to Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne.
Box office: 01202 885566
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Kate Rusby - 18 September
Possessed of one of the most distinctive and soulful voices in contemporary folk music, Kate Rusby and her band perform songs from her new album Ghost.
Lighthouse Poole; 0844 406 8666
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Salome - 30 September
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra get their new season underway with Strauss’ psychosexual stunner at Lighthouse, Poole.
Box office: 0844 406 8666
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LAST CHANCE TO SEE
Alphonse Mucha: In Quest of Beauty - Until 27 September
Discover the exquisite work of an Art Nouveau genius at this exhibition at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum in Bournemouth.
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Turner’s Wessex: Architecture & Ambition - Until 27 September
Pop over the border for this exhibition at Salisbury Museum where you can see some of JMW Turner’s Dorset and Wiltshire landscapes painted at the start of his illustrious career - alisburymuseum.org.uk.
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John Craxton: A Poetic Eye - Until 19 September
Exhibition at Dorset County Museum by Sir David Attenborough’s favourite artist charting John Craxton’s journey from the bosky woods of Cranborne Chase to the beautiful sun drenched landscapes of Crete.
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PERFORMANCE
Far From the Maddling Crowd - 16 September
Screening of the recently restored 1967 film version, starring the mesmerising Terence Stamp as the blade-twirling Sergeant Troy.
2pm, Electric Palace, Bridport; 01308 424901
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Warfare Through the Ages - 19-20 September
Hundreds of the UK’s best re-enactors will take over the Tank Museum at Bovington for a pageant that traces warfare from Medieval to Modern Day with living history encampments, drills, weaponry displays and period battles. Medieval, Napoleonic, First World War, English and American Civil War, are just some of the historic periods you’ll see brought to life and at the end of each day a grand parade brings everyone together to remember the fallen of conflicts past and present. Tickets available online at tankmuseum.org
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Untold Stories - 20, 22, 23. 25 & 28 September
Dorset-based ImpAct Theatre perform Alan Bennett’s acclaimed memoirs Hymn and Cocktail Sticks in this funny and tender double bill. 20 Sept: The Exchange, Sturminster Newton; 22 Sept: Tivoli, Wimborne; 23 Sept: The Hub, Verwood; 25 Sept: The Mowlem, Swanage; 28 Sept: The Regent, Christchurch
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A Murder is Announced - 22-26 September
Judy Cornwell steps into Miss Marple’s sensible shoes in this Agatha Christie classic, where the villagers of Chipping Cleghorn are waiting for a murder to happen.
Lighthouse Poole; 0844 406 8666.
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Iolanthe - 24-26 September
Christchurch Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s sparkling production of one of the most enjoyable of the Savoy operas featuring fairies, humans and satire comes to the Regent Centre Christchurch.
Box office: 01202 499199
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Jay Rayner: My Dining Hell - 24 September
Award-winning writer and broadcaster Jay Rayner remembers some of his most excruciating experiences as a restaurant critic.
Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. Box office: 01297 442138
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FIVE GREAT TRIBUTE ACTS
Waterloo - 6 September
This Best of Abba Tribute show faithfully replicates the sound and the look of this Super Trouper group and will awaken your inner Dancing Queen.
BIC; 0844 576 3000
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The Legend Continues - 11 September
Navi, the world’s number one Michael Jackson impersonator, features in this magnificent production of slick dance moves and classic hits from the King of Pop.
Regent Christchurch; 01202 499199.
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Classic Clapton - 12 September
Front man Mike Hall, not only looks like Eric Clapton (he won a national look-alike competition), he also sings and plays guitar like him too.
Regent, Christchurch; 01202 499199.
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Totally Tina - 18 September
Get ready to shake your tail feathers from Nutbush to Simply the Best in this award-winning tribute by Justine Riddoch to the Queen of Rock and Soul, Tina Turner.
Regent Christchurch; 01202 885566.
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Ready Steady Girls - 26 September
Mari Wilson pays tribute to Dusty, Petula, Cilla and other great female singers of the Sixties that influenced her youth in this very personal musical journey.
Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne; 01202 885566.
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SIX SENSATIONAL FESTIVALS
Waterfest Weymouth - 5-6 September
Celebrate Weymouth’s maritime heritage with sailing, diving, crafts, shanty music and exciting aquatic displays in and around Weymouth Harbour.
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Swanage Folk Festival - 11-13 September
The seaside town resounds to the sound of bells, clogs and fabulous folk music.
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BFX Festival - 18 September–4 October
A celebration of British creativity in the field of animation, computer games and visual effects at the BIC in Bournemouth with talks, workshops and screenings.
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Lyme Regis Arts Fest - 19–27 September
Meet artists in their studios and follow the town’s Art Trail to view art work from paintings and photography to glass and textiles in over 100 shops and businesses.
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Swanage & Purbeck Walking Festival - 19 – 26 September
Step out on an exciting range of guided walks for all ages and abilities on the beautiful Isle of Purbeck.
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Eggardon Kite Festival - 20 September
Fly your kite from this magnificent Iron Age hill fort (A35 signed Askerswell and Maiden Newton). Starts 10.30am. Dogs welcome.
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BEST OF THE REST
Great Dorset Steam Fair - 2–6 September
Tarrant Hinton hosts this ever popular fair which is filled with all things steam driven.
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Dorset Architectural Heritage Week - 9-17 September
Organised by East Dorset Heritage Trust to raise public awareness of Dorset’s rich architectural and cultural heritage, this annual event includes free access to properties that are normally closed to the public.
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Ride + Stride - 12 September
Whether on foot, by bike or on horse back explore Dorset’s spectacular church heritage and visit churches not usually open to the public in this annual fundraising event organised by Dorset Historic Churches Trust.
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Talk: The English Cabinet Maker - 16 September
Stephen Church a master cabinet maker talks about the research required to create authentic furniture inspired by original classics. Starts 7pm at Brights of Nettlebed, York House, 61-63 Leigh Road, Wimborne. Booking required 01202 884613 £5 pp. Proceeds to go to children’s charity Wholechild.
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Autumn Garden Fair - 20 September
Mapperton Gardens hosts this fundraising event for the Yeovil Hospital Scanner Appeal, featuring over 25 stalls of specialist nurseries, garden ware and other gifts. Starts 10am.
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Smedmore House & Gardens Open Day - 27 September
This beautiful 18th-century house and gardens with spectacular views of Kimmeridge Bay opens its doors in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
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