Gordon Haskell

Singer songwriter Gordon Haskell is on his way back to Blighty for his first UK gig in almost seven years. It’s 12 years since he claimed a famous victory for the underdog, notched up a hit single from nowhere with How Wonderful You Are and declared his earnings “back pay”. Only kept from the top Read More…

We Will Be Free

Artsreach, Burton Bradstock Village Hall, 11 October 2013 Setting the poignant, ever-resonant story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in the framework of a traditional Mummers Play is an inspired move as Neil Gore’s thought-provoking play instantly smashes the fourth wall and sets about creating an informal atmosphere more akin to the village pub or festival tent Read More…

Carleen Anderson

Her godfather was the Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. Her mother is Brown’s explosive backing singer Vicki Anderson; her step-father, his right-hand man Bobby Byrd. She grew up with her grandparents during the civil rights movement of the 1960s and by the age of there was singing solos in her grandfather’s church.  Somehow the Read More…

Rex, camera, Durlston! – Purbeck Film Festival

Now in its 17th year, Purbeck Film Festival confidently lays claim to being Britain’s longest running rural film festival. It’s also one of the largest with more than 30 venues showing around 70 films to some 4,000 people during its two-week run last year. The Purbeck Shorts competition attracted more than 70 short films, while Read More…

Gilson Lavis

Best known as the superbly versatile drummer with Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Gilson Lavis is launching a second career as an artist.  His characterful portraits of fellow musicians go on show this month in a new exhibition, Portraits: Gilson Lavis in Black and White, at the Hatch Gallery in Christchurch.  Over the past Read More…