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.

Recent events have been:

Modou Ndiaye & Band.   A celebration of West African music with Modou Ndiaye, brother of Seckou Keita, who memorably played here in March 2007.  As with Seckou, Modou’s principal instrument is the mesmerising classical 22 stringed West African harp, the kora, but he is also a virtuoso percussionist and songwriter. Both are members of the famous Cissokho  family of griot musicians from the Cassamance region of South Senegal. With a superb repertoire of rhythms and melodies, Modou fuses together modern and traditional beats, and together with his band will feature material from his latest album ‘Londo’, which draws on inspiration from his homeland, and his life experiences. Uniting traditional and modern sounds, this energetic band leaves you invigorated and inspired!    www.modoundiaye.com “Alec Dankworth's World Spirit”.  Formed out of renowned bass player Alec Dankworth's love of music from the Iberian Peninsula, World Spirit crosses the Straits of Gibraltar into Africa and beyond. Alec has joined forces with daughter Emily Dankworth, leading tenorist Brandon Allen and world percussionist Paul Clarvis to explore melodies from Africa, South America and other continents from a jazz perspective. With tunes by Duke Ellington, Bela Flek, Antonio-Carlos Jobim, Abdullah Ibrahim and WC Handy originating from Ireland, Venezuela, Bulgaria, South Africa, Mali and Brazil, World Spirit offers an evening of global song and improvisation.  Alec is the son and Emily the granddaughter of Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth.  www.alecdankworth.com  Tom Langham's Hot Fingers - The Banned Played On.  Hot Fingers and Emily Campbell present an eclectic mix of tunes from the 1920's - 1940's which were deemed unsuitable for the public by the various authorities and governments of the time. Whether the censorship was due to political or social reasons or, just plain bad taste, Hot Fingers share all the background stories. From Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald, to Fats Waller and George Formby, all will be played in the inimitable Hot Fingers styles of hot jazz, low down blues and popular song. Featuring guitar, double bass, sousaphone, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, clarinet and tuba, combined with the sublime vocals of Emily Campbell, expect an outstanding evening of entertainment.   www.hotfingers.co.uk  Ranjana Ghatak & Band.   London based singer Ranjana Ghatak has worked nationally and internationally as both an artist and composer.  Commissioned by the Commonwealth Games to write a piece for the Big Big Sing Project in Glasgow 2014, Ranjana also recorded on Gareth Malone’s Christmas album alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Singing in Sanskrit, Bengali, Hindi and English, Ranjana takes inspiration from Indian Classical music, mystic poetry and her own writing, performing new material written by herself and songs composed to mystic poets such as Kabir and Meera Bai.   Touring Dorset with Artsreach, the County’s touring arts charity, and following the release of her debut album, she shares the stage with Mercury nominated bass player Liran Donin and in demand guitarist Jack Ross. This trio have spent the last 2 years exploring and performing in several venues including Kew Gardens, the Bath International Festival, the Barbican foyer and the Wigmore Hall. Tall Tree Theatre - Lily and the albatross.  A tale of wild weather, wild birds and wild ambition.  Combining their unique style of puppetry, live music and storytelling, Lily & the Albatross is a heartfelt tale about achieving the unachievable and never letting go of your childhood dreams. Panta Rei Danseteater – ‘Promise of Departure’.   Norwegian dance troupe Panta Rei, a highly acclaimed company known for the overall immersive feeling of their productions catching the imagination of audiences worldwide, returned to our village hall after a gap of several years. Their new show, Promise of Departure, looks at how vulnerability and strength come to play in the relationships we have, and the struggles we are forced to overcome. It explores the promise of connection and the departure from our comfort zone, and challenges the dancers to share personal stories and push their physicality over and over again. Promise of Departure is a co-production between Panta Rei Danseteater (Norway) and Teater Innlandet (Norway), a double bill created in collaboration with British choreographer Rachel Erdos. A fantastic life affirming performance!   www.pantareidanseteater.com/en “Brave Folk” performed by Farnham Maltings Theatre Co.   Around 10 years ago Farnham Maltings brought us an amazing production called ‘The Polish Play’. Those of us who were lucky enough to be there will remember a joyful performance on the floor of the village hall in the middle of the audience with music, drama and lots of humour. ‘Brave Folk’ promised to transport us with an evening of story and song from the lands of the far, far north. Yorgjin Oxo is a carefree young man who has been taught the sounds of storms and how to sing into the rain, until one day everything changes as the familiar disappears. This is a Nordic tale fizzing with humour about love and courage and knowing when to act. Snow White: The Return of Little Things We were delighted to host Angel Heart Theatre and their new children's show at Piddle Valley First School. There was also a marvellous pre-show puppet making workshop. Angel Heart have been engaging and enriching hearts of all ages with their performances since 2007. They celebrate their 10th anniversary by breathing new life into this timeless fairy tale, with a visually striking Steam Punk style. Far, far away there lies a curiously mechanical kingdom in which everything ticks but nothing laughs. It is ruled by The Queen Who Never Smiles and she is determined to control everyone and everything, even Time itself. Snow White knows what it is like to live in such an unhappy land, and our tale begins when she must flee for her life to escape the Queen's terrible jealousy. Seeking refuge in the mysterious Wild Wood, Snow White discovers she is not the only one who refuses to live in a world without laughter. Under the trees, little steps are being taken to bring about big changes. “No Petticoats Here”.  Marking the Centenary of the First World War; award winning singer, songwriter and musician Louise Jordan tells the stories of inspirational women of the First World War who challenged expectations. From the woman who dressed as a soldier on the Western Front to the women football players banned by the FA, the ambulance drivers running the gauntlet of enemy fire in Flanders and the so-called ‘surplus million’ single women; working in a time of conflict, leaving a legacy. Cornwall’s Near-ta Theatre in “Christmas. Time.” A fabulously funny festive treat, putting the 'cell' firmly back in to celebration! Charlie and Toby are feeling low, and why wouldn't they? It's Christmas Day and they are serving time at Her Majesty's pleasure. But why shouldn't they be having a Merry Christmas in spite of their incarceration? What's stopping them from creating Christmas around them? Absolutely nothing! And so they set off on their festival of carols, Claus, Christ and custody! Join them on a fantastical adventure through Dickens, pantomime, musical, Christmas dinner and festive films! See as they build a wonderfully Merry Christmas around them with songs, snowmen and lots of laughs in this truly seasonal show that puts the 'cell' firmly back in 'celebration'! Written by Daniel Richards and Ciaran Clarke, and directed by Simon Harvey (Kneehigh and o-region), Christmas. Time. is a musical comedy for all the family and is a whole lot of fun, for all 10+ www.neartatheatre.co.uk Faith i Branko.  Serbia's leading Roma violinist Branko Ristic and UK accordionist Faith Ristic and band performed high-energy original Roma/Jazz influenced music guaranteeing a sensational, authentic experience of Roma music straight from the village of Gornja Grabovica. Following a summer of appearances at events including Camp Bestival, Ealing Jazz and Boomtown, the band arrived in Dorset for their debut UK rural tour. A joyous, passionate, boisterous, fiery and spirited performance! After the show, the musicians were also be available to talk about Romani culture and music - a real insight from this leading group of musicians. www.faithibranko.com "Musically a delight" The Guardian "Moving and virtuosic" BBC Radio 3 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.