The BV

A Few Crusted Characters
2025-06-15 16:00 - 18:00 (Europe/London) | Minterne House, Minterne House and Gardens, Minterne Magna, DT2 7AU
To celebrate their 20th year, the New Hardy Players bring Thomas Hardy’s famous series of short stories to Minterne House. Dorset’s most celebrated author’s answer to ‘The Canterbury Tales’, this is a series of comic and tragic stories, with small scenes of village gossip from 200 years ago, told by an ensemble of authentic Dorset voices.
Suitable for all ages, the play is followed by country dancing with live music in the best tradition.Come early and enjoy the festivities! Bring a picnic! No seating provided.
Written by Victoria Bowles after Thomas Hardy. Directed by Penny Levick and Alastair Braidwood.

Art Meets Sky: Helm Gallery Brings Bold 'DISRUPTION' Exhibition to Branksome's Roof Terrace
2025-06-18 19:00 - 22:00
Rockwater Branksome is hosting an exclusive one-night-only rooftop takeover by Brighton’s Helm Gallery on Wednesday, June 18th.

The evening will showcase thought-provoking prints and original works from over 10 different artists set against the coastal backdrop of Branksome at sunset.

This rooftop takeover represents everything Helm Gallery stands for – bringing exceptional art into unexpected spaces where people can truly connect with both the work and each other,” said Eden Maseyk, Co-founder of Helm. “There’s something magical about experiencing disruptive art against the backdrop of the Branksome coast at sunset.”

Helm Gallery has redefined the traditional gallery experience since opening, combining limited edition prints and original pieces across two floors with an innovative cocktail bar concept. The gallery’s main exhibition hall regularly hosts conversation-sparking shows, while the top floor features carefully curated collections in an atmosphere designed for lingering, connecting, and finding inspiration.

Guests at the Rockwater Branksome pop-up will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine on arrival, alongside carefully selected canapés. Throughout the evening, visitors can experience a true taste of Helm with a specially curated cocktail menu available for purchase, featuring gallery favorites such as the Chilli Peach Margarita and Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Espresso Martini. The combination of exceptional art, Helm’s signature drinks, and the dramatic coastal rooftop setting promises an unforgettable evening that brings every aspect of the Brighton gallery experience to the coast.

The ‘DISRUPTION’ pop-up offers a tantalizing preview of Helm Gallery’s full offerings, inviting art enthusiasts and cultural explorers to experience why Brighton’s boldest culture space has become a destination for those seeking something beyond the ordinary gallery visit.

This exclusive event is part of Rockwater Branksome’s dynamic summer programming, which includes Roebuck Supper Clubs during English Wine Week (June 21-29), sound baths led by in-house wellness expert Vivienne Yardley, and weekend Sunset Sessions in collaboration with Casamigos on the roof terrace.

HMS Heron
2025-06-19 19:30 - 22:00 | Henstridge Church, Henstridge
Enjoy a fabulous evening of popular music by the renowned HMS Heron Band

A Folk Song Walk
2025-07-01 18:30 - 20:30 | John’s Pond, nr. Hangman's Cottage, Dorchester, DT1 1YB
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.

Semley Music Festival
2025-07-04 19:00 - 23:30 | Church Green, Semley, SP7 9AS, Church Green, Semley, SP7 9AS
Bringing you the very best music, arts, crafts, food and drink from around the world to your doorstep.From dubstep and DJ sets to ceilidh and blues rock, we have it all.

Semley Music Festival
2025-07-05 12:00 - 23:30 | 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.

Spetisbury Station Project Summer Tea Party
2025-07-13 10:00 - 14:00 | Spetisbury, Spetisbury Station Project, off A350, Spetisbury, BH11 9DJ, United Kingdom
‘Railway 200’ Summer Tea Party
Sunday 13th July 2025
Join us at the old railway station in Spetisbury, Dorset, from
10am to 2pm to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of the
birth of modern railways.
Pimms, teas & coffees, scones, cakes
and other tasty treats available.
Second hand gifts for sale, and a range of exhibits and
information by the North Dorset Railway.
Entertainment by Blandford Ukulele Group at 12.45.
All for a donation (cash only please) to the Spetisbury Station
Project to help us maintain and improve the station site.
If wet, find us in the Spetisbury Village Hall.

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

Charity Auction & Cat Walk show
2025-08-02 19:00 - 22:00 | The Tithe Barn, Hinton St Mary, Hinton St Mary Estate, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1NA, United Kingdom
On Saturday 2nd August I am hosting a Charity Auction and Preloved Fashions Cat Walk show, with a Wedding feature, at The Tithe Barn, Hinton St Mary
The evening is a ticketed event ( tickets available from 1855 , The Emporium and by email to me) and will include:-

A Dorset Deluxe grazing supper from Black Cat Catering, with a free glass of fizz
A bar and live music and a DJ throughout the evening
A preloved Fashions Catwalk show, with all outfits from the Pre loved Boutique and Dapper Chaps in town with a Wedding feature of some of the stunning wedding dresses and suits they have been donated
Followed by a Dorset dessert (Brownies and Berries)
Then a Charity Auction of Lots donated by local businesses. ( these will include a months subscription to The Hinton Workspace, A Dorset Delights food hamper, a Beautiful Dorset pamper hamper and a Dorset Tipples, drinks hamper ( plus anything else I can persuade our wonderful local business to donate…)
All the models are local volunteers from the community shops, The Girl Guides and a great model friend of mine. The Hair and Make up for the models is all being done for free by local Hair and Make up artists
Most of the outfits will be for sale on the evening.
All the profits from the Evening will be donated to Stur Action ( the Sturminster Newton Community benefit society) and Home Start Blackmore Vale

Kington Magnafest 2
2025-09-06 12:00 - 22:30 | Kington Magna Music Field, Church Hill, Kington Magna, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 5ET, United Kingdom
A village music festival with a sideshow of vintage tractors, three live bands, line dancing, cider and cocktail bars, pizza/fish and chips/BBQ, artisan coffee and cakes, ice cream and a circus skills workshop. All profits to #teamtorri

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.

Free Lunchtime Concert
2025-09-20 12:30 - 13:00 | St Peter’s Church Dorchester, 26 High East Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XA
Join us at St Peter’s Church on Dorchester Saturday 20th September between 12.30pm and 1pm for our free lunchtime concert. This is a thirty-minute programme of music given by jazz pianist, Sam B Hanson. Alongside his programme of jazz classics, Sam will be taking requests for improvisations from the audience! Admission is free and all are very welcome.

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.

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.

BSO Brass Ensemble 'Winter Fanfare'
2025-12-16 19:30 - 21:30 | Blandford Parish Church, Market Place, Blandford Forum, DT11 7AD
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The BSO Brass Ensemble takes a festive frolic from days of old, through favourites from near and far, and over into contemporary cinema soundtracks. Settle into the seasonal spirit in style this midwinter.
Beloved traditional pieces, including the Coventry Carol, March from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and We Three Kings, to warm the heart, like a hot chocolate on a snowy day. With musical marshmallows and sprinkles in excess!
A heartwarming programme filled with festive cheer, complete with classics like Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and the rousing favourite Fairytale of New York.
The festive sound of BSO Brass is made to be listened to with good company, so gather the family and make merry – Christmas is just around the corner!
Touring Dorset with Artsreach, the county’s rural arts charity.
