Professional performances are heading to west Dorset this summer thanks to touring arts charity Artsreach.

The Dorset touring arts charity has launched its summer programme, featuring 13 artists and companies set to perform 17 live dates in 17 rural communities.

Among these rural communities are a range of west Dorset village halls that will enjoy a variety of entertainment.

In Drimpton near Beaminster there will be a special Poetry and a Pint performance at the Royal Oak pub on Sunday, June 11 at 6.30pm.

Thirst, to be performed by Callum Patrick Hughes, is a show about love – love of pubs, love of community, love of family. And a reminder that not everything you love is necessarily good for you.

There will be some foot-tapping action in Portesham on Saturday, July 15 at 7.30pm when Paprika, said to be the UK's leading Balkan band, will perform at the village hall.

This electrifying group fuses together Eastern European, Balkan, Gypsy and Classical music in a whirlwind performance of frenzied virtuosity. Fiery melodies and foot-tapping rhythms are interspersed with lilting laments in high-energy sets.

The group features Zivorad Nikolic (She’Koyokh) on accordion, Vladimir Strkalj on guitar, Marko Tesic on violin and Rastko Rasic on percussion.

With a mix of absurd and extravagant theatre, impressive acrobatics and a pinch of satirical spice and puppetry, Brainfools head to Halstock on Saturday, July 1 at 7pm with Lucky Pigeons, a soulful open-air circus show for all the family featuring daring aerials and acrobatic feats.

Yvonne Gallimore of Artsreach said “Following a fantastic spring season full of sell out performances, we are excited to unveil this exciting new summer programme.

"With music, circus, cinema and family theatre andmore taking place across the county, we hope that there is something for everyone to enjoy with friends and family in the coming months.”

Full details and tickets are available from www.artsreach.co.uk and outlets where you can pick up a copy of the programme include libraries and tourist information centres.

You can also find Artsreach on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest rural touring news.