Culture

-Bagel on the menu with cutting-edge klezmer

Expect thrillingly original cutting-edge klezmer and world folk music from some of Scotland’s finest musicians as Moishe’s Bagel bring their performance to Cerne Abbas Village Hall on Sunday, March 13 at 7.30pm. Formed in Edinburgh in 2003, Moishe’s Bagel combines the energy and passion of Eastern European folk music with the excitement and soul of improvisation. Moishe’s Bagel have notched up sellout gigs at venues across the country and have recordedfour albums, earning them a Songlines Top of the World and Sunday Telegraph top 10 world albums accolade. For tickets ring 07823 778758 or online at artsreach.co.uk

CERNE ABBAS DATE: Moishe’s Bagel

Is Harry’s Kane able to survive plague?

By Karen Bate

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Dorchester Football Club, the Army Camp and Royal Signals Museum at Blandford and Launceston in Cornwall are featured in The Rusting Shires, the debut novel set in Weymouth by Dorset author Harry Walton. The former Dorset Echo journalist, who lives in Weymouth with his wife Hazel, has wanted to write a novel for years. His retirement coupled with covid restrictions gave him the time to achieve his dream. The novel is set in 2048 as the world attempts to recover from a The Red Plague, which takes the planet to the brink of extinction. Using the vast storehouse of abandoned food and goods, mechanic John Kane attempts to rebuild his life in Cornwall. Two women cross his path, 73-year-old Maisie, who might save him from loneliness if he can keep her alive and Army communications corporal Dawn, who might become the love of his life if he can find her. But to do either, John must face lawless gangs, tackle journeys through overgrown towns and villages which have become silent graves for the dead and survive escaped big game animals in a wild countryside fraught with danger. The book follows Kane’s survival efforts and find a way of making contact with any viable society left in the world. Harry said: “This novel has been something I’ve wanted to write for a long time. It took retirement and covid restrictions to give it life. I began just after Christmas 2019 and finished in May 2020 after which my fantastic illustrator Kevin Frost, a talented painter, took over and designed the cover while I began to edit the manuscript. “Various interruptions along the way included a major operation for me and numerous work trips to South Korea for Kevin, but we came through and the book was published just before Christmas 2021.” And now Harry, who worked in the Dorset Echo newsroom for almost 30 years, has already completed the draft for a sequel and has the plot outlined for a third book to complete the trilogy. Harry added: “Readers really seem to like it and want more. Fortunately I’ve already written a sequel which I hope will be published later this year. “I’ve also got the plot sorted out for the final part of the trilogy, but at the moment I’m writing a completely different book about a spaceship appearing over Weymouth. The story twist is that the plot doesn’t involve an alien invasion but a test of whether Earth should be allowed space travel. “Finally, I have ideas for a fifth book completely unconnected with the other novels. It will be a love story with a difference.”

Harry with The Rusting Shires

n The Rusting Shires is available from Amazon or as an eBook from Kindle.

By Karen Bate

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Dance lovers will be able to chasse down to Chideock Village Hall on Monday, February 28, as Dee Lanning and her team at Dynamic Dance return to teach Modern Jive after a two-year hiatus due to covid restrictions. Prior to lockdown, the popular Chideock-based class was well-attended by social dance enthusiasts from all over Dorset and now restrictions have been eased, dance lovers can burn up the dancefloor once again. Dee said: “After almost two years away from the dancefloor and then restricted classes, I am beyond excited to be able to return to social dancing again. Dancing is not only something I do for my own mental health, but I take enormous pleasure in coaching new dancers, especially adults who have regretted not learning before now. “Sharing that ‘eureka’ moment with a new dancer is something very special. Dynamic Dance is more than just a dance class - we are a community, and we are looking forward to meeting and welcoming new dancers, too.” Dee is a qualified dance instructor with 15 years’ experience teaching Modern Jive. She has taught all over the UK and Europe, and has hosted a range of events including Dance for MS Society, a year-long campaign of fundraising and events in West Dorset to support people living with MS . Dynamic Dance will be offering six-week beginner courses from the end of this month. During the course, teaching dancers the entire Beginners Syllabus, which includes six complete partner routines. Classes run from 7.30pm 10.15pm, and include more than 90 minutes of tuition and an hour of freestyle, which is broken down into manageable chunks throughout the evening. Freestyle not only gives dancers plenty of opportunities to practise their moves to a range of music, but is a great way to keep fit, meet new people and have fun. Dee added: “The social nature of Modern Jive means dancers attending these classes do not require a fixed partner and are very welcome to attend alone or with friends.” In addition to teaching Modern Jive, Dee also offers Solo Charleston classes, and workshops in Vintage Burlesque, Blues, Smooth Jive, Ladies Styling and Doubles. For more information, ring Dee on 07740 349 393

LET’S DANCE: Dynamic Dance returns to Chideock after a two-year covid haitus We’re talking jive as Dee’s dance classes make return

Sam’s Lazy Bears Sam’s Lazy Bears

Teddy bears Teddy bears l l Repairing Repairing l l Cleaning Cleaning l l Rehoming Rehoming

Visit us at Lyme Bay Antiques and Crafts, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis or call 07483 872897 Email info@samslazybears.co.uk or go to samslazybears.co.uk

Dorchester’s recordbreaking run of community plays is back on after a two-year covid hiatus, with the relaunch of their seventh production Spinning the Moon which is taking place next year. For the play to be a success a substantial sum of money needs to be raised to pay for the venue, professional director and playwright, costumes and staging. The play’s trustees are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic person to join the board and take on the role of fundraising lead with immediate effect. The role will include formulating a plan for a successful fundraising drive and devising ideas that members of the Dorchester Community Plays Association, cast and crew can adopt and use to collect funds. Major fundraising targets will need to be identified including those in the private sector. DCPA chair Rowan Seymour said: “Fundraising is vital to the success of Spinning the Moon and we are looking for someone with enthusiasm and ideas who can not only reach out to the wider community but also inspire and encourage the play’s community, cast, crew and their families, to help raise the money we need.” Spinning the Moon is written by well-known writer Stephanie Dale and was only weeks away from being performed in spring 2020 when it was halted by the covid pandemic. Set in the years following the Wars of the Roses and with a cast of more than 120 amateur performers of all ages and abilities, plus local musicians, it is hoped that the play will finally be performed in spring 2023. If you are interested in being a key part of this

MOONSTRUCK: The cast of Dorchester Community Play’s production of Spinning the Moon Community play reaches for the Moon after break

wonderful community project and would like to have a chat please contact any of the following: n Rowan Seymour dcpachair@gmail.com n Business manager David McGarel at dfmcg58@gmail.com n Treasurer Laurie Scott at DCPA Treasurer2@gmail.com

Raising a laugh and a glass or three at comedy night

A one off comedy special is being held at Milborne Port Village Hall on Saturday, March 26. Headliner Michael Hackett is a Manchester born comedian who tours the UK, Europe and Australasia. He’s a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe, hosted Oktoberfest to 2,500 people and released a bestseller book Gobsmacked! Johnny Wardlow is a quirky comic who has won the BBC Comedy Award for three years running. The night is being supported by Brewed Boy, the west of England’s award-winning craft beer makers, and there will also be delicious craft beers and ciders, top wines and Proseccos. There are also two mystery guests. Doors open at 7.30pm and show starts at 8pm. Tickets on sale via MilbornePort Comedy.Eventbrite.co.uk. 18+ only.