The BV

Semley Music Festival
2025-07-05 12:00 - 23:30 (Europe/London) | Church Green, Semley, SP7 9AS, Church Green, Semley, SP7 9AS
A not-for-profit community music festival in rural Dorset, bringing together talented and innovative musicians from a range of genres. We have musicians – both local and global, emerging and established. From dubstep and DJ sets to ceilidh and blues rock, we have it all.

In addition to the live music, we have always been determined to offer free activities for children and young people as part of the festival. Year by year we have managed to extend this offer which typically has included: music workshops, art and craft workshops, team projects making and decorating festival flags and banners, circus skills training, Tai Chi exercises, bubble sculpting etc.

Swanage Jazz Festival
2025-07-11 16:00 - 2025-07-13 23:30 | The Mowlem, Shore Road, Swanage, BH19 1DD
The 34th Swanage Jazz Festival with 35 top quality bands in the ticketed programme from New Orleans to Contemporary Jazz plus a FREE Festival Fringe. Headline acts this year include Elainer Delmar, Andy Sheppard, Hejira, Soothsayers, The Adrian Cox Trio, The Sultan Stevenson Trio, Ian Bateman’s Tribute to Louis Armstronic All Stars, Pete Long’s Jazz at The Mowlemonic and Rainey’s Revue.

A Folk Song Walk
2025-07-15 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-07-29 18:30 - 20:30 | John’s Pond and Watermeadow, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7SD, United Kingdom
Join local folk singer Alastair Braidwood for walks in the countryside close to Dorchester, accompanied by traditional folk songs from Dorset and further afield. Explore a beautiful part of the county, and hear songs relating to nature and rural ways from years before.
Walks are about 3 miles and take roughly 2 hours. Bring your own water bottle, stout walking boots, and headgear if hot. Walkers are responsible for their own surefootedness.
Well-behaved dogs on leads are very welcome, so long as they don’t ‘sing along’!
In association with Dorset Rural Music School.

Shaftesbury Fringe
2025-07-18 00:00 - 2025-07-20 23:59 | Shaftesbury
For three days, performers of all stripes will be taking over Shaftesbury – with music, comedy, theatre, dance, cabaret, magicians and more, the town will come alive as a record-breaking 300 acts squeeze into venues that range from the typical (Shaftesbury Arts Centre and the Shaston Club) to the unusual (The Lido or the Nun’s Passage).

Relax at the Fringe Hub on Park Walk, where you’ll find food and drink alongside the Fringe Busking Stage, then dive back in to find your next new favourite show!

The North Dorset A Capella Choir free concert
2025-07-23 19:00 - 20:00 | St Eustace Church, Ibberton DT11 0EN, Ibberton, Ibberton, DT11 0EN, United Kingdom
Come and enjoy a Summer Concert by
The North Dorset A Capella Choir
Including music by Handel, Purcell, Morley and Rachmaninov
directed by James Crawshaw
on Wednesday 23rd July in St Eustace Church, Ibberton DT11 0EN
@ 7 pm
Free entry but a donation to the fabric fund would be gratefully received
Drinks and food available at ‘The Ibberton’ afterwards.
Please make a reservation beforehand to
theibberton@gmail.com

Blokes Play Blues
2025-08-30 16:00 - 22:00 | henstridge recreation ground, 10 playfield close, Hesnstridge, dorset, BA8 0qw, United Kingdom
🎸 Blokes Play Blues – Live in Henstridge! 🎶
Saturday from 4pm | Music from 5pm
Get ready for an evening of toe-tapping tunes and good-time vibes!
🌤️ Outdoors on Henstridge Rec (weather permitting)
🏠 Inside the Village Hall if not – the music goes on!
🎷 Blokes Play Blues hit the stage at 5pm – seasoned musicians bringing blues with a smooth jazz twist. No egos, just brilliant music and great fun.
🍔 BBQ sizzling | 🍻 Bar flowing
🎧 Disco tunes during the break to keep the energy going!
Bring your friends, your dancing shoes, and your appetite – it’s going to be a brilliant night!

The Shillingstone Station Stomp
2025-08-31 16:30 - 18:30 | Shillingstone Station, St Patricks Industrial Estate, Station Rd, Shillingstone,, Blandford Forum, DT11 0SA
Live boogie woogie music plus tea and cakes at the station in Shillingstone. Entry is free but cash contributions towards the costs at the event are welcome.

EuroBal Wessex: Dorchester, No.28
2025-09-12 19:00 - 22:30 | The Brownsword Hall, Pummery Square, Poundbury, Dt1 3GW
Join us for another friendly evening of French and Euro dance and music in Dorchester; a chance to dance to fine live music, and enjoy simple comforts in company. Bring a partner, an instrument, or just yourself and enjoy some Balfolk tunes and dances.

As ever, musicians are welcome to join the scratch band (new tunebook link in the discussion), novice dancers are invited to learn some basic steps at the workshop before the main Bal, and old friends who already know the steps can help at the workshop, or just come for the Bal.

Workshop: 7pmBal: 8pm – 10.30

Kitchen facilities and hot drinks are available, but bring your own drinks and nibbles. There are a pub and a convenience shop opposite.

EuroBal Wessex: Dorchester, No.28
2025-09-12 19:00 - 22:30 | The Brownsword Hall, Pummery Square, Poundbury, Dt1 3GW
Join us for another friendly evening of French and Euro music and dance in Dorchester; a chance to dance to fine live music, and enjoy simple comforts in company. Bring a partner, an instrument, or just yourself and enjoy some Balfolk tunes and dances.

As ever, musicians are welcome to join the scratch band (new tunebook link in the discussion), novice dancers are invited to learn some basic steps at the workshop before the main Bal, and old friends who already know the steps can help at the workshop, or just come for the Bal.

Workshop: 7pmBal: 8pm – 10.30

Kitchen facilities and hot drinks are available, but bring your own drinks and nibbles. There are a pub and a convenience shop opposite.

To Yollow Autumn Turn'd - Tim Laycock & Alastair Braidwood
2025-09-21 14:00 - 17:00 | Mill House Cider Museum, 33 Moreton Road, Owermoigne, dorset, DT2 8HZ, United Kingdom
Dorset folk singer Alastair Braidwood is joined by his friend and mentor, esteemed and respected folk musician Tim Laycock, for an evening of words and music relating to the turning of the year towards Autumn: the harvest, countryside ways and, most importantly, cider! Alastair and Tim are both actors and storytellers, as well as musicians and singers. They are best known for their unaccompanied close-harmony singing woven into short stories. Readings, songs, and traditional tunes to toe-tap along to, all from the Westcountry, will come together to create a seasonal evening that educates as well as entertains.

Arts by the Sea 2025
2025-09-26 16:00 - 2025-09-28 19:00
Arts by the Sea Festival returns this September from Friday 26 – Sunday 28th as The South West’s biggest celebration of art, culture, people and place.

This year’s theme, WE ARE HERE, is a bold celebration of community, creativity and the power of place as the festival amplifies homegrown talent and those who call Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole home.

With a range of walkabout acts, art installations, musical performances and workshops over the weekend, Bournemouth town centre will be filled with colour, creativity and art in a not-to-miss event!

Concerts in the West - Mitsu Trio
2025-09-26 19:30 - 21:30 | Ilminster Arts Centre, East Street, Ilminster, TA19 0AN
Concerts in the West presents rising stars Mitsu Trio in an exciting tour featuring Classical and Romantic repertoire.

Concerts in the West - Mitsu Trio
2025-09-26 19:30 - 21:30 | Ilminster Arts Centre, East Street, Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 0AN, United Kingdom

A Little Stand Up and A Little Sit Down - Chris Difford
2025-10-05 19:30 - 21:30 | Thomas Hardye School, Queen's Ave, Dorchester, dorset, DT1 2ET, United Kingdom
Chris Difford is a Grammy nominated and double Ivor Novello Award winning lyricist who has brought us characters and sketches from everyday life, and has successfully turned the mundane into the beautiful, the urbane into the exquisite, for over 40 years. As part of the legendary Squeeze, Chris has co-written some of the most enduring and best-loved songs of our time such as ‘Up The Junction’, ‘Cool For Cats’ and ‘Labelled With Love’, ‘Tempted’ and many others.
Chris sums up this solo tour in his own words…”Being on tour is something I really enjoy, seeing people and being with people is part of my experience as a performer. I will be playing songs from the Squeeze catalogue and from the solo albums I have recorded over the last 23 years. My story is told through stand up and some sit down, a trip back to my council estate in South London, from my very first lyrical expression to the dressing rooms of this show. My new songs written with Boo Hewerdine tell a story of celebration, 25 years writing lyrics and playing on stages big and small. A journey I look back on with great fondness and gratitude.
I can’t wait to climb back on stage and perform, although have been shy in the past I now find myself feasting on the here and now deep within the shell like of your ear. I will be joined on stage by Melvin Duffy on his pedal steel and together we will deliver an evening of warm and I hope funny stories. Melvin’s playing is outstanding and I feel so lucky to have him as my sideman, he cries over the songs and makes them sound always amazing.
The show is not just a look back on 50 lyrical years, it’s a journey that asks, What Happened? What happened to all those years and mates I grew up with before I formed a band. I hope you enjoy this new show.”

Serenade Big Band
2025-10-25 19:00 - 22:00 | Saint Nicholas Church Henstridge, Church St, Henstridge, dorset, BA8 0QE, United Kingdom
🎷 Serenade Big Band live in Henstridge!
16 musicians + 2 singers will light up St Nicholas Church with swing, jazz & modern favourites.
📅 Sat 25 Oct | ⏰ 7pm for 7:30 start
🎟 Tickets £15 – Henstridge Post Office or online (Ticket Tailor CLASH)https://buytickets.at/clashcommunitylegalactionforsafetyinhenstridge/1799433
🍷 Refreshments available
✨ Don’t miss the power of a full big band on your doorstep!

A Halloween Evening With FRANK SINATRA
2025-10-31 19:00 - 22:30 | NEO Restaurant & Bar Lounge, Exeter Rd, Bournemouth, dorset, BH2 5AH, United Kingdom
A Halloween Evening with Frank Sinatra

Friday, 31st October 2025
19:00-22:30 (Live Show Starts at 20:00)
Step into a night of swing, style, and sophistication at Neo Bournemouth, dining in our first-floor panoramic glass-fronted restaurant with breath-taking sea views.
Feel the magic as Lucien De-Laloi channels the timeless charm and iconic voice of Frank Sinatra, performing classic hits that defined an era. With years of experience entertaining audiences nationally and internationally, he brings elegance, charisma, and showmanship to every note.
Savour the evening with your choice of:
À La Carte Menu – individually priced dishes
4 Course Set Menu – £59.95pp
Reserve your table now for a Halloween night of Sinatra classics, exceptional cuisine, and unforgettable ambiance.
LIMITED SPACES

UNDER WINTER STARS – Choral Advent Concert
2025-11-22 19:30 - 22:00 | St James Church, St James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8HG
A Choral Celebration of Light, Hope, and Wonder
Join us for an evening of beautiful seasonal choral music
and audience carols, including music by Bob Chilcott
and Philip Stopford with a special item featuring the
World Premiere of “Stars” by Stephen Deutsch
Tickets £12 at the door, or £10 in advance from Novia Stationery (High St Gillingham). Cash Only
Tickets may also be booked from Carole Brooks on 07572 786416
Glass of wine/soft drink included

Salamanca Band and Bugles of The Rifles Christmas Concert
2025-12-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Sherborne Abbey, The Abbey Close, SHERBORNE, DT9 3LQ, United Kingdom
Kick start your Christmas and join us for some free Christmas Cheer at Sherborne Abbey.
This free to enter event will have a retiring collection that is split 50/50 with Sherborne Abbey and The Rifles Charity.
The Rifles have a long steep history with Sherborne with the Dorset Regiment and Devon an Dorset Regiment being antecedent Regiments of The Rifles.

Graffiti Classics: Frolics and Laughter
2026-01-10 19:30 - 21:30 | Blandford Corn Exchange, 17 Market Place, Blandford Forum, DT11 7AG
“A cabaret that will leave you wanting more” Daily Mail 16 strings, 8 dancing feet and 4 voices in 1 electrifying and hilarious musical show, touring Dorset with Artsreach, the county’s rural arts charity. Graffiti Classics are a comedy string quartet who never sit down, bursting the perceived elitist boundaries of traditional classical music with their hilarious all-singing, all-dancing musical comedy show. Wickedly funny, the group energetically leap and clown their way through an eclectic musical landscape, from Beethoven to Elvis! This ground-breaking group is on a mission: to make classical music irresistibly fun. Expect a virtuosic mix of musical comedy, gypsy-folk, opera, bluegrass, stand-up comedy and dance, with lots of laughs, dancing and singing, all tied together with cheeky audience interaction.

Acoustic Rock and Pop across the decades!
2026-03-21 20:30 - 22:30 | Holme Bush Inn – Corfe Mullen, Old Wareham Rd, Corfe Mullen,, dorset, BH21 3RZ, United Kingdom
Rock/pop/blues/funk and soul – the classics to noughties – played with passion!

Pop down, grab a drink and have a singalong!
#keepmusiclive #rock #dorsetevents #supportyourlocalpub

https://fb.me/e/3APjD0vZw

SWING from PARIS
2026-03-22 19:30 - 22:00 | East Stour Village Hall, Back Street,, East Stour,, dorset, SP8 5JY, United Kingdom
Swing from Paris are an all-string jazz quartet of violin, guitars and double bass, inspired by the music of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s: from the cafes and cabarets of Montmarte to Artie Shaw, Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli and the master of tango Astor Piazzolla.
Know for their tight ensemble sound and virtuosic performances, the group brings a distinctive Parisian flair to vintage jazz and stylish swing.

Jazz - Rebecca Chambers' New Tricks
2026-04-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Thornford Village Hall, Pound Road, Thornford, Sherborne, DT9 6QB
Screenshot

An evening of laid-back jazz, sultry melodies and upbeat rhythms with Rebecca Chambers’ New Tricks Jazz Trio, hosted by the Friends of St. Michael’s Church, Beer Hackett. Tickets available now from our website.

Ambient afternoon
2026-04-26 13:30 - 17:30 | Museum of East Dorset, 23-27 High Street, WIMBORNE MINSTER, BH21 1HR, United Kingdom
Love the sounds of Brian Eno or Robert Fripp? Chilling out to relaxing music in a garden setting, over tea and cake? If so, this is for you! Join us on Sunday 26th April, 1:30–5:30pm, for an immersive afternoon of ambient music in the beautiful setting of the tea room and garden at the Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne.
The concerts are free to attend, and will include an exploration of the soundscape of garden ponds; a Soundhenge sound installation situated on the garden lawn; and a series of musical performances featuring improvised shakuhachi, tape loops, Frippertronics and electronic keyboards. Performers will include Mosaicist with Geoff Hearn, Tim Cowie, James Osland, Andrew Heath, Grasslands, POND and Obelisks.
It’s completely free and open to all – come and go as you please, or settle in and soak up the atmosphere. Perfect for curious ears and quiet minds.

Teddy Rocks Festival
2026-05-01 17:00 - 2026-05-03 00:30 | Charisworth Farm, Blandford Forum, DT11 9AL
Teddy Rocks Festival is a multi-award winning 3 day family-friendly charity music event in Dorset, UK.
Tickets – Teddy Rocks Festival – 1st May to 3rd May – Charisworth Farm, Blandford, Dorset
Teddy Rocks has raised over £815,000 for children’s cancer charities, is the UK’s best family festival award winner and Heavy Music Awards “H” recipient for exceptional positive contribution. Sponsored by Hall & Woodhouse
All the profits from Teddy Rocks Festival go directly to our partner cancer charities.
Tickets – Teddy Rocks Festival – 1st May to 3rd May – Charisworth Farm, Blandford, Dorset

The Big Dorset May Day Family Ceilidh
2026-05-01 19:30 - 22:00 | Hardye Theatre, Thomas Hardye School, Queen's Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2ET
Come and celebrate May Day in traditional style with a modern twist with this popular ceilidh band and experienced caller.

Join Tatterdemalion, the band of the New Hardy Players, who will be bringing to life traditional Dorset tunes enjoyed for nearly 200 years. With expert caller Angela Laycock to guide every move, it’s fun for all ages and no experience or partner is needed; someone will take you by the hand, metaphorically and literally!

The bar will be available to quench danced-up thirsts. A treat for those who enjoy the simpler things in life, such as fine company, good music, and energetic dancing, it’s a joyous celebration of local music, community spirit, and good old-fashioned fun.

Family-friendly fun starts early with a special hour-long session perfect for younger dancers of single-digit age from 5.30pm, before the main ceilidh kicks off at 7.30pm.

Lunchtime Concert Sherborne Abbey
2026-06-13 12:30 - 13:15 | Sherborne Abbey, The Abbey Close, SHERBORNE, DT9 3LQ, United Kingdom
Wimborne-based award-winning choir, Vivamente Voices, are delighted to be performing a lunchtime concert in the glorious setting of Sherborne Abbey on Saturday 13th June at 12.30pm. The choir love to sing to audiences around the county, and beyond, and can’t wait to share some musical gems with you. Their repertoire is varied and includes classic and contemporary pop, songs from the musicals and a little gospel. The concert will include The Prayer, Then Sings My Soul, the gospel song Total Praise, as well as Bring Him Home and Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat. With some beautiful classic pop songs too, there truly will be something for everyone. A choir with a big heart, they have donated over £15k to local good causes in recent years and every year choose a local charity to support. The lunchtime concert is free, with a retiring collection to be shared with the choir’s charity of the year “Routes 2 Roots” and the Sherborne Abbey Facilities Upgrade Project. It’s a not-to-be-missed opportunity. For more information about the choir visit www.vivamentevoices.co.uk.
