Village halls and other community venues in west Dorset will be hosting professional performances as Artsreach bring a varied selection of artists to the area.

With the support of the Arts Council England and Dorset Council, plus local solicitors Blanchards Bailey, Dorset touring arts charity Artreach is bringing live music, theatre and dance to rural venues.

Loaded with current affairs, childhood nostalgias and one hit wonders, ‘A Real Fiction’ by aKa Dance is an energetic new dance show created with and for rural communities.

Whilst in Dorset, aKa will also lead workshops with Broadmayne First School and the Friends of Stour Connect in Sturminster Newton.

Catch the show in Halstock (01935 891744) on Saturday, January 22.

Meanwhile, ALAW is three leading musicians - described as a 'Welsh supergroup' - who bring a wealth of experience to a shared passion - the traditional music of Wales. In August 2018 ALAW collaborated with the BBC Concert Orchestra for a televised Prom at The Royal Albert Hall; their performance was described on BBC Radio 2 as 'show-stopping'. In 2019 they won a Wales Folk Award after being nominated in three categories.

See this outstanding folk group as they tour to Portesham (01305 871035) on Friday January 28.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

For theatregoers, Devon-based Multi Story Theatre present ‘Hefted’, above, a play told through nine stories embedded in the landscape, history, and psyche of rural life.

Artsreach Co-Director Yvonne Gallimore said: “Inspired by tales collected from those living in rural communities across Devon, Multi Story have used created an emotive new play; and what better audience to share that with than our rural communities here in Dorset.”

‘Hefted’ will tour to Litton Cheney (01308 482514) on Saturday, January 29.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

The traditional music of Jewish culture is explored by Loshn, above, an exciting collaboration between some of the UK’s most established and acclaimed Klezmer musicians and the next generation of Klezmorim. Fiddle player Anna Lowenstein and clarinetist John McNaughton are joined on accordion by Susi Evans.

They play Broadwindsor Comrades Hall (01308 867252) on Friday, February 4.

For tickets call the numbers listed or visit www.artsreach.co.uk for more details.