The Scottish musician Dick Gaughan plays Dorchester Arts Centre on Friday 28th November.

Gaughan has been at the cutting edge of Scottish music for over three decades and his vocal prowess, instrumental virtuosity and intelligence as a composer are legendary.

The common thread running through all of Dick Gaughan’s work is his passion for social justice and telling it like it is and his influences range from Davy Graham to Big Bill Broonzy, Bertolt Brecht to Robert Burns, and Karl Marx to Groucho Marx.

Dorchester Arts Centre: Fri 28 Nov 8pm • £10

The Light Cavalry Band present a Christmas concert at the Tank Museum in Bovington on Wednesday 10th December.

Join them for a heart warming and traditional celebration of Christmas featuring all your favourite seasonal songs and carols.

To book your tickets you can either call into The Tank Museum, or call 01929 405096.

Bovington Tank Museum: Wed 10 Dec 7.30pm • Adults £5, Under 16s £3 

Enjoy a night of entertaining folk music in the comfort of The Lookout at Durlston on Friday 28th November.

Gather at 7.00pm for 7.30pm start. A light supper will be served. To book tickets call The Lookout 01929 426473.

Durlston: Fri 28 Nov 7.30pm

Purbeck School is holding a music concert on Monday 17th November.

Admission is free and all are welcome. 

• Funk Music
• Year 9 Stomp Performances
• School Choir singing popular songs
• The award winning String Quartet and Percussion Ensemble

Purbeck School: Mon 17th Nov • 7pm-9pm • Free

Harry Skinner and Dave Saunders perform at Lulworth Castle on 17th November.

The Blues duo have played just about every Blues and Jazz festival there is in the UK and Ireland, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, both as ex members and founders of the award winning blues band The Producers, and in their own right.

Lulworth Castle: Mon 17 Nov 7.30pm

ArtsReach present the legendary northern roots band Striding Edge at Studland Village Hall on Sunday 14th December.

Striding Edge have built a reputation as one of the most thrilling and engaging ceilidh bands in England and their show comprises of Lakeland tunes; jigs, hornpipes, watzes and polkas, that are paired with good soild English dances.

The dances are demonstrated and ‘called’ by band members. No previous experience is necessary from audiences, just enthusiasm and willingness to ‘get up and have a go’ and have fun with friends old and new alike!

Studland Village Hall: Sun 14 Dec 7.30pm • Box Office: 01929 450514

California-born Guy Tortora plays Dorchester Arts Centre on Saturday 15th November as part of the Bluesnights series.

Tortota is a major figure on the UK’s blues scene and his shows feature electric and acoustic blues, with Guy on guitar and vocals, Janosch Bajtala (keyboards), Costa Tancredi (bass), and Adam Roman (drums).

Dorchester Arts Centre: Sat 14 Nov 8pm • £10.50adv £11.50 door

ArtsReach bring Umdumo WeSizwe, a Zimbabwean vocal group, to West Lulworth Village Hall on Saturday 29th November.

In the tradition and sounds of the ‘Imbube’ style, made famous by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, eight young men sing songs of love, hope, worship, courtship, hardship and African social commentary.

The group transforms serious themes into joyous and celebratory songs using only the musical energy of bass and tenor voices, which with lively harmonies and tip-toe dance routines will truly mesmerise.

Tickets £7.50 Adults, £5 U18,  01929 400321 or Winfrith Post Office from 8th Nov.

West Lulworth Village Hall: Sat 29th November 7.30pm

Lytchett Minster school follow up their successful summer Arts Festival with the sensational music of the Kokoro String Quartet on Friday November 21.

As the contemporary ensemble of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Kokoro String Quartet has received much acclaim in recent years for its edgy take on classical music. Last year, they wowed audiences throughout Dorset with their comedic music theatre piece “Strip Jack Naked”, and this year they return with a show that combines four contrasting works by minimalist composers and a 20th century masterwork.

The show begins with a representative work by the high priest of minimalism, Phillip Glass, and moves towards the devout spiritualism of Arvo Part.

Also included are works by the Cornish composer Graham Fitkin and the venerable Joby Talbot who is well known for providing the music to TV series such as the League of Gentlemen. As if this wasn’t enough, after the interval the quartet will perform Shostakovich’s powerful and highly personal Eighth Quartet. Don’t miss out!

The show will take place at 7.00 pm in the school theatre (Gainsford).For more information, please contact the school on 01202 622413.

Lytchett Minster School: Fri 21 Nov 7pm, £6, £3 concessions

The Sam Kelly Band play Dorchester Arts Centre on Saturday night (18th October) as part of the Bluesnights series.

The Sam Kelly Band is a rarity in being led by a drummer - the legendary Sam Kelly. Five-times UK blues drummer of the year, Sam’s band plays a unique mix of blues with a flavour of funk, soul, and reggae, reflecting the backgrounds and experiences of the musicians in the band.

Dorchester Arts Centre: Sat 18 Oct, 7.30pm, £10.50adv, £11.50 door

As part of the ArtsReach Autumn programme, Piaffinitee bring a touch of French chic to Winfrith Village Hall on Friday 24th October at 8pm.

Piaffinitee consist of the fabulous voice of Djamila, from the South of France, and the atmospheric and evocative accordion playing of Ukranian Basil Bunelik.

Their music is based on the earlier performances of Edith Piaf and their authentic flavour of France has made them a favourite on the ArtsReach circuit. 

Contact: Winfrith Post Office on 01305 852117 for tickets.

Piaffinitee: Fri 24 October 8pm

The Martin Harley Band play Dorchester Arts Centre on Saturday night (11 October).

Their fusion of folk, world music and funky roots has been attracting large audiences at gigs all around the world so be sure to catch them as they tread the Dorchester boardwalks.

Dorchester Arts Centre:  Tickets £10.50 Advance, £11.50 Door 

The Swanage Blues & Roots Festival takes place on 3rd to 5th October.

The festival is a celebration of the Blues in all its forms - rural, urban, electric and acoustic - with over 40 gigs in 15 venues.

There is free admission to all venues but please donate generously as it costs the organiser, Steve Darrington, a lot of money, time and effort to organise.

LINE-UP:Robin Bibi Band * The Mustangs * Keith Thompson’s Strange Brew * Ian Hunt Band * Chris Scott’s Bluesdevil * Jon Walsh Blues Band * Coalhouse Walker Blues Band * Chris Collins & Blues Etc * Motel 6 * Ernie’s Rhythm Section * Slim Lightfoot Band * Fabulous Fezheads * John Crampton * C Sharp Blues * Coast * The Jives * Pete Smith * Martin Froud & Jim Tigwell * Sonny Black * Will Killeen * Bob Long * Honey On My Grave * Andrew Bazeley * Mike Healey

Inspired by Last Choir Standing? Do you enjoy singing and wish to improve you skills? Why not come along to a one-day singing workshop?

The Weatherbury Singers are hosting a Voice Workshop on Saturday 11th October at St George’s Church Room, Fordington, Dorchester from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

The workshop is being led by Linda Brown and Fiona Clarke, who are both well known and accomplished musicians and singers.

The format will be friendly and fun and include working with the voice, focusing on common vocal problems and learning new songs as a group. The cost is £15 and all music will be provided.

Complete and return the registration form or email Margaret MacLeod for further details.

The Weatherbury Singers are a lively and enthusiastic community choir based in Puddletown, with members from many of the surrounding towns and villages. We are a four-part choir performing a mixture of music styles including pop, musicals and choral, under the direction of our Musical Director, Linda Brown.W

We currently have vacancies for altos, tenors and basses and meet on Tuesday evenings in St Mary’s Church Room, Puddletown from 7.30pm until 9.30pm.

For further details please contact Margaret MacLeod on 07747 610746, margaret@macleodhanlon.co.uk, or Peter Casemore on 01305 848202.

This year’s Swanage Folk Festival runs from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th September.

The festival is a great blend of superb music, street entertainment, dancing and kids activities.

Don’t miss the dance procession through Swanage on Saturday afternoon at 3.30pm as well as the following main concerts:

• Friday night:Pete Coe, Dave Pegg & PJ Wright, Dansaul, Compere; Ben Campbell
• Saturday night:Mad Agnes, Jez Lowe & the Bad Pennies, Little Johhny England   Compere: Keith Donnelly
• Sunday night: The New Scorpion Band; Compere: Bob Kirkpatrick

Concerts and events are held at a variety of venues in the town centre, including the Conservative Club, The Corner Restaurant Cellar, The Committee Room in the Mowlem Theatre, St Mary’s Parish Church, and the main marquee on Sandpit field. Saturday night is the showpiece concert at the Middle School.

The Sanpit field is also the venue for the alternative delights of the colourful craft fair and events tent featuring a range of free bands over the Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Swanage Folk Festival: Fri 5-Sun 7 September