There's no shortfall of events happening in west Dorset this weekend. 

We've compiled a handy list to make planning your weekend even easier.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11

  • Comedian and psychiatric nurse, Rob Gee, will give a performance and Q&A session at the Sir John Colfox Academy from 7.30pm. Rob’s live act uses a heady combination of poetry, comedy, storytelling and theatre to explore the world of chaos and adventure that lurks behind the veneer of everyday life. Tickets cost £10 or £7 for concessions.

 

  • The Sex Life of Bandages (18), a big screen tribute to Scot comedian Billy Connolly will be shown at Bridport Electric Palace from 8pm. Screening as a one night only event, Connolly will also muse upon his career, life and legacy in a deeply personal interview. Tickets cost £12 in advance from Bridport Tourist Information Centre or at electricpalace.org.uk, or £13 on the door.

 

  • Red Joan (12A) will be shown at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, from 7.30pm. Starring Judi Dench, this is the story of Joan Stanley, who was exposed as the KGB’s longest-serving British spy. Tickets cost £6 in advance from Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre or at marinetheatre.com, or £7.50 on the door. The bar opens at 6.30pm.

 

  • Jazz Café in The Theatre returns to the arts centre with Terri Quaye from 8pm. International veteran jazz singer and pianist, Terri Quaye brings a programme of ‘New York style’ jazz classics and her own compositions. Tickets are available from bridport-arts.com

 

  • Grace and Jake, a duo who between them have performed in Mr Jean, Papa le Gal and Psychadelephant, will be performing jazz, blues, folk, soul and funk at Bridport Stables from 9pm.

 

  • Uphill and Still, a duo of vocals, mandolin, guitar and washboard made up of Jon and Maddy, will perform live at The Ropemakers from 9.15pm.

 

  • Firm favourite Shelby’s Elbows will be back in Number 10 from 9pm, playing all your favourite tracks.

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12

  • Members of the Bridport and District RNLI will hold a coffee morning in the Skyrm Room of Beaminster Public Hall from 10am to 12.30pm. There will be homemade cakes and RNLI souvenirs.

 

  • The Bridport Vegan Market returns to the town hall from 10am to 2.30pm. Find vegan food, beauty products, gifts and more. For more information, visit bridportveganmarket.com

 

  • It’s Apple Day at Bridport Community Orchard, behind St Mary’s Church off South Street. Expect apple-themed entertainment, activities and refreshments as the celebration gets underway from 11am until 3pm. For more information, visit bridportcommunityorchard.org.uk

 

  • An exhibition of recent work by Annie Ward goes on show at The Gallery, Symondsbury Estate, until October 23. Her abstract paintings are inspired by and delve into historical narratives and half-remembered recollections, based on her own drawings of Dorset field margins which she interweaves with details gleaned from historic maps and contemporary satellite photographs.

 

  • The Nature of Dorset, an exhibition by artist Sally Pinhey will take over the arts centre until November 2. Admire her watercolours depicting the beauty of Dorset’s nature and landscape. Entry is free.

 

  • Vampirina Fang-Tastic Party (U) will be shown at Bridport Electric Palace from 11am. For more information and tickets, visit electricpalace.org.uk

 

  • A new to you jumble sale is being held at St Swithun’s Church from 2pm to 3.30pm. Entry costs 50p, which includes tea and biscuits, and shoppers should bring their own bags. Money raised will go towards Dorset County Hospital’s Chemotherapy Appeal.

 

  • Enjoy an evening of bingo at The Beehive, Bridport Football Club. Doors open at 7pm, eyes down at 7.30pm. All proceeds in support of Matthew Webb and his family. Matthew was diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer in August this year.

 

  • Renowned as the founding fathers of British folk-rock music, Fairport Convention will be coming to the arts centre from 7.30pm. For more information and tickets, visit bridport-arts.com

 

  • A musical story of love divided by the greatest voyage of exploration the world has seen will eb performed by Bob Whitley and Leo MacKenzie at Shipton Gorge Village Hall from 7.3pm. Doors and bar open at 6.45pm with tickets available from artsreach.co.uk or by calling 01308 897407.

 

  • The Christians will bring their blend of Motown and gospel with 80s synth to Bridport Electric Palace from 8pm. For more information and tickets, visit electricpalace.org.uk

 

  • Youth Empowerment Day, as part of the Sunflower Project Festival, will be celebrated with an evening concert at Bridport Youth and Community Centre from 8pm to late. A variety of local talented musicians will come together to perform and empower other young talents to help raise money for the Sunflower Project and to reach and befriend the people who really need it. These include rapper DNE, Vicky Limm, Katy Palmer, Second Hand Smoke, Eve Appleton, DJ ELLM and B Sharp attendees. Tickets cost £7 for adults, £5 for students and £3 for under 16s and are available at Bridport Tourist Information Centre.

 

  • Little Thief will be performing at The Shed at Bredy Farm from 8pm, while The Parlour will be cooking up an Italian feast.

 

  • The B-Sides return to Bridport Stable from 9pm, delivering chilled out covers from the 50s through to modern day.

 

  • The Transitions will performing at The Ropemakers from 9.15pm.

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13

  • The Sunday Sessions will once again be at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis from 3pm. This regular, free entry event is dedicated to promoting quality live music at this post-roast session. Enjoy local drinks and the best musicians in the bar overlooking the Cobb. If you would like to play, just turn up.

 

  • TV presenter, naturalist, conservationist, award-winning photographer and author Chris Packham will give a talk, slideshow and Q&A session at the Electric Palace as part of the Sunflower Project Festival. Chris’ Pictures from the Edge of the World will take place between 3pm and 5pm.

 

  • Join the Bridport Mummers for an afternoon of cider singing and apple mummers at The Woodman, South Street, from 3pm to 6pm.

 

  • An encore screening of Turandot MET will be shown at Bridport Arts Centre from 4pm. For more information and tickets, visit bridport-arts.com

 

  • Featuring Arnie Cottrell, Graham Bushell and Rick Foot, The Velvet Doonicans were formed when the Velvet Underground replaced Lou Reed with Val Doonican in the early 70s. They will be performing at The Ropemakers from 4pm.

 

  • Natalie Reckert and Mark Morreau present Natalie Inside Out at the Lyric Theatre, Barrack Street, from 7.30pm. The show is a unique collaboration between world-class hand balancer Natalie and digital artist Mark Morreau, using technology and video projections to turn our conventional ideas of circus upside down and inside out. Tickets cost £12 for adults or £5 for those aged 12 to 18 and are available from Bridport Tourist Information Centre.