As the leaves continue to come down our thoughts turn to warming doses of opera, pop music, comedy - and beer. Here's your guide to the weekend.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

*Weymouth Pavilion will be the place to lift your stein and shout Prost! with an Oktoberfest celebration today and tomorrow

Drinkers will be able to sample more than 50 beers and more than 15 ciders.

Four sessions will take place over the two days; the first from 11am to 4pm and the second from 6.30pm to 11.30pm.

Tickets cost £10 for the event and include a pint of ale or cider. They can be bought online from camrawdorset.org.uk or by phone on 01305 788939.

FRIDAY

*PATIENCE, a light opera, by Gilbert and Sullivan, will be performed at Dorchester Corn Exchange tonight at 7.30pm.

This infrequently performed little masterpiece is about the Aesthetic Movement of the 1880s, with willowy poets, sighing maidens, hearty milkmaids and burly officers galore. Contact Dorchester Arts for tickets.

*MADONNA fans should head to Weymouth Pavilion tonight for Into the Groove - the Ultimate Tribute to Madonna, starting at 7.30pm.

Celebrate the incredible 35-year career of the best-selling female artist of all time. This dazzling and colourful production features all of Madonna’s greatest hits such as Holiday, Like a Prayer, Papa Don’t Preach, Material Girl, Vogue, Music, Hung Up and many more. Call the box office for tickets.

*HEAR one of the UK's fastest rising Country and bluegrass collectives in Burton Bradstock tonight.

The Orange Circus Band will play Burton Bradstock Village Hall from 7.30pm as part of a rural tour with Artsreach. Whilst having a hand in roots, rock and gospel music, and updating traditional songs taken from The Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, The Orange Circus Band produces original music that has a wholly unique, fresh sound. Call 01308 897421 for tickets or book at artsreach.co.uk

SATURDAY

*STAND-UP comedy comes to the Wyke Smugglers in Portland Road, Wyke Regis, Weymouth, on Saturday, October 5 from 8pm.

Providing the laughs will be Benjamin Bankole Bello, David Arnold, Suzy Bennett and Fran Kissling. Doors open at 7.30pm. Go to heckleandsquelchcomedy.co.uk for more information.

*A CHARITY car wash is being held by Weymouth West Air Scout Group at Weymouth Fire Station tomorrow from 10am to 1pm.

The scouts are raising money for disabled facilities and an extension for their building. There is a suggested donation of £5 a car. All proceeds will be shared between Weymouth West Air Scout Group Extension Project and the Firefighters Charity.

*GO on a whistle stop tour from the heart of London's theatre land to the glitz of Broadway with Mad About The Musicals at Weymouth Pavilion tomorrow at 7.30pm.

From the bittersweet For Forever to the powerful One Day More and the rousing This Is Me! Sit back and enjoy two hours of unforgettable London and New York favourites, brought to you by a talented cast.

SUNDAY

*HEAD to the Great Field on Poundbury for a Family Fun Day on Sunday from 12pm to 4pm.

Entertainment will be provided by Uncle Mick (children's entertainer) and The Dorset Wrecks.

There will also be a barbecue and refreshments

Other activities on offer include face painting, glitter tattoos and bandage your brother/sister.

There will also be a raffle, a book stall and the chance to look around the ambulances and practise CPR ready for Restart-a-Heart Day.

If the weather is wet the event will be moved into the St John Ambulance building on Bridport Road.

The aim of the day is to raise £5,000 for new radios so all donations, big or small, are welcome.

Entry is free. Call 0758 7786173 for more information.

*CELEBRATE everything to do with one of Dorset’s best-loved harvests– the apple in Martinstown near Dorchester on Sunday.

This fundraiser for Dorchester Arts will be held in the magical surroundings of picturesque Ashton Barn from 3pm and offers a mini festival of traditional music, poetry and prose, Dorset baking and sweet treats.

There will be quizzes, games, a baking competition with fantastic prizes, and music from harpist Sarah Deere-Jones. Tickets cost £15 to include afternoon tea. Contact Dorchester Arts.