Michael Pickett plays Dorchester Arts Centre on Saturday 17 May as part of the Bluesnight series.

In the few short years since Toronto-based Michael Pickett began visiting the UK, he has become one of the most popular Canadian musicians on the British blues scene.

Armed only with his acoustic guitars, rack harmonica and a deeply soulful voice, Michael holds his audiences spellbound. Come discover what makes this veteran bluesman so special!

Dorchester Arts Centre: Sat 17 May 8pm: £10 adv, £12 door

Swanage Railway is holding a Beer Festival & Diesel Gala weekend from 9th to 11th May.

As well as a number of visiting locomotives running on the tracks, up to 50 beers and ciders will be available to sample at the beer tent at Harman’s Cross, with live music on Friday and Saturday evening.

Beer tent open 11am-11pm Friday and Saturday, 11am-3pm Sunday.

Swanage Railway: Fri 9- Sun 11 May

This year’s Purbeck Aware Festival takes place from 17th May to 15th June.

This celebration of Purbeck’s natural heritage includes events such as rock climbing, quarry tours, fossil finds, dry stone walling and much more.

This year, Purbeck Aware’s theme is based on the rocks and stone which forms Purbeck’s beautiful landscapes. It’s aim is to enable local people and visitors to:
• Find out more about Purbeck’s rich and varied heritage;
• Appreciate the great diversity found in the area; and
• Get involved with helping to make Purbeck more special

Purbeck Aware Festival 2008: See full list of events below: (more…)

Join a Ranger on a gentle stroll to discover Durlston’s wildlife, geology, history and more.

Meet at the Visitor Centre. Adults £3, Children £2

Durlston: Sun 11 May 2.30pm

Sigur Rós’s first ever film, ‘Heima’ receives a rare public showing at Dorchester Arts Centre on Friday 2 May.

The film was shot over two weeks last summer when they undertook a series of free, unannounced concerts in Iceland.

Last year, in the endless magic hour of the Icelandic summer, Sigur Rós played a series of concerts around their homeland. Combining both the biggest and smallest shows of their career, the entire tour was filmed, and now provides a unique insight into one of the world’s shyest and least understood bands captured live in their natural habitat.

Dorchester Arts Centre: Fri 2 May 8pm: £11 advance, £12 door

Britain’s biggest annual International Beach Kite Festival takes place in Weymouth on 4-5th May.

Over 300 kite flyers from Britain, USA, Germany and Spain will be taking part and there will be plenty to keep you entertained including: Kite competitions, kite displays, kite stalls, free children’s kite workshops, funfair, side stalls and a magnificent firework display.

Enjoy a magical May dawn chorus on this guided walk around Arne nature reserve listening to the lyrical sounds of songbirds followed by a hearty breakfast to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day.

Meet at RSPB Arne nature reserve car park. Price includes breakfast.

Arne: Sun 4 May 4.30am, £6 (£4 members)

The Kids Are All Right at Dorchester Arts Centre on Friday 25 April.

The Centre’s Saturday Morning Pop Club present an evening of live music showcasing their Spring term songs, a raffle boasting a selection of fantastic prizes (including a guitar donated by Dorchester’s Harmony Music), rounded off by a performance from hotly-tipped young Dorchester band The Daze.

Dorchester Arts Centre: Fri 25 April 8pm, £5

The NCCPGare holding a plant sale at Athelhampton House on Sunday 4th May.

The event is very popular with gardeners throughout the south with rare and unusual plants for sale from nurseries and enthusiasts

Athelhampton House: Sun 4 May 10.30am-3pm

Get close to history and experience the sights, sounds and smells of the English Civil War at Lulworth Castle over the May Day bank holiday weekend.

Sir Thomas Tyldesley Regiment of Foote and other members of the English Civil War Society bring the turbulent history of the 17th century to life with Big Gun firing displays and village encampment in the Park and crafts and music of the period in the Castle.

There will be the opportunity to witness amazing re-enactments of military and civilian life from the days of the English Civil War.

Lulworth Castle: Sun 4 & Mon 5 May: 10.30am-6pm

This year’s Dorchester Festival runs from 22 to 26 May.

The theme this year is Cuba so there will be a heady mix of salsa and samba and lots of other events running over the long weekend.

As well as two days’ of free events in Borough Gardens there are other events at the Corn Exchange and Dorset County Museum. More details to follow but see the full list of events below. (more…)

Enjoy a spot of stargazing at Durlston with experts from the Wessex Astronomical Society who will give a short talk and allow you the chance to use telescopes to view Mars, Saturn, the Moon and spring and summer constellations.

The event is weather dependent so phone (01929) 424443 to confirm.

Durlston: Fri 9 May 9.00pm

As part of the Bluesnights series, JC & Angela Grimshaw play Dorchester Arts Centre on Saturday 19 April.

The brother and sister duo, based on the Isle of Wight, have worked together for more than a decade.

They have travelled extensively, playing festivals and clubs as far afield as Russia, Japan and the USA, working with and supporting high profile acts including Dr John, Buddy Guy and Van Morrison.

Dorchester Arts Centre: Sat 19 April 8pm: £10.50 adv, £11.50 door

Listen to fascinating smugglers tales on this 2 hour guided walk around Corfe Castle.

Smugglers of old led double lives; Quarrymen by day, but as soon as night fell they lurked in coves and caves.

Goods were loaded into waiting wagons and carried to Corfe Castle under cover of darkness.

Booking essential on 01929 480609

Corfe Castle: Tue 22 April 10.30am, castle fees apply

Dorset Spring Bird week runs from 26 April to 4 May with events all over Dorset designed for anyone interested in birds and wildlife - from absolute beginners through to experienced birdwatchers.

Breeding birds are at their most active during this period and migration is at its peak so it’s an ideal time to get out and spot birds and other wildlife from butterflies to reptiles to dolphins and more.

See below for a full list of events (more…)