Artsreach Events

Artsreach is an organisation that brings

professional theatre, music, dance and art to

rural Dorset via the Village Halls.  There are

usually four productions a year hosted in

the Village Hall.  There is always a

pantomime, music, drama and dance if

possible.

Artsreach events are normally held in Buckland Newton Village Hall.  Postcode DT2 7BZ.  The Village Hall is located on the B3143 approximately 150 yards south (towards Dorchester) of the recreation ground / primary school crossroads, and 200 yards north (towards Pulham and Sturminster Newton) of the Old Chapel Stores. Dragons Hope - an Artsreach children's workshop and performance by MAIDENCRONE Once again we are delighted to be hosting an Artsreach children’s event at Piddle Valley First School, Piddletrenthide, on Thursday 31st August, 10.30 am - 1.0 pm.  Storyteller Lizzie Bryant and musician Caellia Leuniss will be leading an exciting craft workshop followed by a performance titled Dragons Hope - A Woodland Adventure. Children are invited to come and enjoy a carousel of craft activities using willow weaving, feathers, clay, natural and recycled materials to create headdresses, dragon masks and percussion instruments. The children will then use these as props to support and interact with the storytelling. The workshop starts 10.30am and at midday there will be an interactive performance of Dragons Hope. "Be pixie-led and fairy-bound, in the wood turn thrice around. If riddles speak and paths unwind then Dragon’s Hope is yours to find. All is not well with the deep dwelling dragon of the dimpsy wood and the fairy queen is worried, very worried. If she cannot find the right remedy for the dragon, and he leaves, never to return, what will happen to the wood? It falls to Scrumpy, the wood’s naughtiest pixie and most unlikely heroine, to save the day, the wood, and pos-sibly the whole world." A woodland adventure story for the whole family with live music from Caellia Leuniss. Come dressed as fairies and pixies! Please note that weather allowing this performance will take place outdoors so suitable clothing and stout foot-wear is advised. Suitable for children 5yrs+. Children under 7 must be accompanied. Tickets for workshop and performance £8. Tel: Felicia Webb on 07775 902516 or felicia@feliciawebb.co.uk Recent events have been: Holy Moly & The Crackers.  Hailing from North-East England, this nationally acclaimed seven-piece gypsy folk-rock performed an evening of lively music and tall tales. Their 2016 festival appearances included Glastonbury, Larmer Tree, Kendal Calling and Towersey, plus many more. Influenced by an eclectic range of music, Holy Moly & The Crackers play an exciting and visceral blend of rock, pop, folk, blues, balkan, klezmer, ska and reggae. In the perfect collision of rowdy tunes, pumping danceability and compelling storytelling, this wrangling folk group present a medley of original songs and old time drinking tunes, both hilarious and thrilling, and sure to entertain!  “The musicians are stylistically dazzling…” Bright Young Folk.  “The Odyssey”.  From the makers of ‘Great Expectations’ and ‘Dracula’ comes a tale more exciting than excitement itself: The ODYSSEY.  The journey of all journeys.  To Hell. And back again.  Gods, Monsters, Sirens, Derring-Dos and Derring-Donts!  A love story that lasts decades.  It’s Greek stuff… with all the boring bits removed!  "Cyclops!  A hulk of flesh, Ship tall. Arms reaching to his knees.  Mouth - a gaping universe.  And in the middle of his foolish forehead  One  Single  Eye  Mwah-ha-ha. . ."   If ever a show was designed for small venues, this is it; a compact piece of theatre magic. David Mynne's skill with just a few simple props, a rubber face and clear and concise storytelling will fill you with drama and delight!  A host of exciting (and daft) characters - including a one-eyed. Cyclops, a six-headed monster and the terrifying Sea God Poseidon - will conjure up a mighty storm and keep you on the edge of your seat. John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe.   Legendary guitarist John Etheridge has had substantial relationships during his 45 year career with some of the most famous names of 20th century music including Stephane Grappelli, Nigel Kennedy, John Williams, Yehudi Menuhin and Soft Machine.  He joins forces with sensational new vocal star Vimala Rowe, who has been gaining plaudits wherever she goes. She featured recently in Paco Pena’s Flamencura at Sadlers Wells: an indication of the breadth of her talent. Together John and Vimala weave a magical spell, effortlessly travelling musically from India to Africa, Middle East and the USA. With several solos from John, this is an unique pairing that satisfies on so many levels. “Dallahan”.  Fabulous Scots/Irish/Hungarian live band Dallahan are one of the fastest rising forces on the international folk circuit, heavily rooted in traditional Irish music, but with hugely diverse backgrounds and influences. They call on their mixed Irish, Scottish and Hungarian heritage to create a unique and seamless musical montage, drawing in influences from jazz, funk, pop and classical music. Following the release of their debut album 'When The Day Is On The Turn' in 2014, which was highly praised by audiences and critics alike, the band toured extensively in North America and Europe, establishing themselves internationally as one of the most enthralling live shows, captivating audiences at such prestigious international events as Milwaukee Irish Fest, Celtic Connections and countless others. In December 2015, they were shortlisted for 'Album Of The Year' and nominated for 'Folk Band Of The Year' at the Scots Trad Music Awards. A track from their debut album was also awarded 'Instrumental Cut Of The Year' at the Live Ireland Awards 2016. “Moscow Drug Club”.  Moscow Drug Club is a curious place, where elements of 1930's Berlin Cabaret, Hot Club de France, Nuevo tango and Gypsy Campfire meet, have a few drinks and stagger arm in arm into the darkness of some cobbled street in eastern Europe, on a mission to find the bar where Django Reinhardt and Tom Waits are having an after hours jam with the local Tziganes... Moscow Drug Club formed in Bristol, when North American chanteuse Katya Gorrie and International guitar virtuoso Denny Ilett met a Django guitarist named Dave Archer. Finding that they each had a passion for the swing music of the 30s and 40s, and the Parisian songwriters of the 50s, an idea began to form in their minds. Teaming up with classical violinist John Pearce and double bassist Andy Crowdy, the five-piece was complete. Combining original material with songs by the likes of Jacques Brel, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Bertolt Brecht and Duke Ellington, Moscow Drug Club have wowed crowds across the UK with their intoxicating and infectious sound. Living Spit - ‘A Christmas Carol’.  Hard-hearted Ebeneezer Scrooge hates the season of goodwill. Until a visit from three ghoulish Phantoms one memorable Christmas Eve makes him rethink his miserly ways and turn his wicked life upsidedown blah blah blah. We all know the story. But who’s the best Scrooge of all time? With silly songs, pitiful puppetry and more Dickensian daftness than you can shake a selection box at, Living Spit’s Christmas Carol promises to be a feast of festive foolery that you will never forget. Cscape – ‘Taste’.  Tea: how do you take yours?  Milk no sugar. Milk in first. No milk at all? Builders, Earl Grey...Herbal? What’s behind our choices? What defines our identity? Do we really fall into “social tribes” and if so, how far up the social ladder is our tribe? Can we climb higher? Inspired by the tapestries of Grayson Perry, Taste is a delicious romp of a show with humour, irreverence and playfulness at its heart.  Blending dance from Choreographers Sally Knight and Neil Paris and writing from Murray Lachlan Young (BBC Radio 2 & 4) Taste explores what defines our identity and ponders the intricacies behind our choices.  As refreshing as your perfect cup of tea. Surprising Handa with Justine Fry.  A fun and energetic African Dance Workshop based on “Handa’s Surprise” by Eileen Browne.  Packed with Songs, Dance, Music and Theatre. She’Koyokh.  In 19th century Eastern Europe, Jewish musicians travelled from town to town performing at weddings and other celebrations, meeting and playing with local musicians and sharing repertoire. In the same vein London-based group She'Koyokh has spent the last decade soaking up the rich folk music of Eastern Europe, Turkey and the Balkans. The band perform soulful Gypsy, Yiddish, Turkish, Kurdish, Ladino and Russian songs and music, including wedding dances and virtuosic solos, all with huge energy and passion.  Nominated as Best Group in the Songlines World Music Awards 2012, their third album ‘Wild Goats and Unmarried Women’ was released to high acclaim in 2014. A sumptuous mix of violin, accordion, clarinet, double bass, guitar and percussion, and vocals from acclaimed Turkish singer Cigdem Aslan. Cartoon de Salvo’s “The Powercut Compendium”.  A tech-savvy theatre company, fresh from the city, begin their latest high-tech show when the room is plunged into sudden darkness. Is it a blow-out? Or is it something more mysterious? How will audience and performers keep one another entertained until light returns?   With restless ghosts, lost legends, some stuffed animals, and three characters who only begin to see when they can't see at all, one of the UK's best loved touring companies, Cartoon De Salvo, explore what happens when we have only storytelling left to keep the night at bay. The very funny New Rope String Band, on their farewell tour, after more than twenty years touring, including at least a couple of visits to Buckland Newton during this time.   “Pacific Curls”.  Celtic and Pacific rhythms collide when Kim Halliday and Ora Barlow (New Zealand) and Sarah Beattie (Scotland) bring an uplifting musical show of great depth and originality.  With a cornerstone of backbeat Pacific rhythms, vivacious fiddle playing and evocative Maori instrumentation and vocals, Pacific Curls pioneer a wonderful fusion sound that seamlessly mixes and reflects their indigenous roots. They use jazz choral transitions, traditional Celtic tunes, expressive vocals, Maori and English lyrics and world instruments with Pacific Style to create music with an intriguing contemporary sound.    “The Fossil Lady of Lyme”.  A one-woman play about Mary Anning; the fossil lady of Lyme Regis.  Born 200 years ago at a time when it was widely accepted that the world was 6000 years old and everything was created in 6 days.  Mary Anning played a key part in this extraordinary time, discovering the first complete fossil of a prehistoric reptile in Great Britain and within a generation it was proved that there had been a vast historic age with unimaginable monsters roaming the earth and swimming the seas.   www.alisonneil.co.uk