Rock Choir is the pioneering contemporary choir of the UK and remains unique with over 33,000 members participating in approximately 400 local communities.

It offers all ages an alternative experience to the traditional classical or community choir introducing members to feel-good pop, rock and contemporary chart songs. Its uplifting ethos of fun, friendship and community spirit is a huge part of its attraction, where members enjoy a dynamic and busy new social life and connect with their community. At an individual level, it helps improve people’s well-being by building their self-confidence, self-esteem

Rock Choir performs at approximately 2000 events each year from local community and charity fund-raisers to high-profile national events. It helps raise thousands of pounds a year for local and national charities through these events.

There are no auditions and no requirement to read music when joining Rock Choir. Everyone is welcome and can sign up for a FREE taster session by visiting www.rockchoir.com or call 01252 714276 for further information.

This group now consists of two elements under two leaders:

1. 5.00pm – 6.00pm, led by Chris Pearson is for beginners and novice ukulele players who want to learn and further their personal skills and the art of playing the ukulele.
2. 6.00pm – 7.00pm, led by David Wall is for established players, of not only ukulele, but also other instruments and those who may just want to sing along, perhaps perform for the public in a string band and have fun with their music.

The vision of the Shaftesbury Community Ukulele Group is to involve other instruments and form a working community string band. It will evolve, but for now, encourages anyone interested to either come along with their instrument and enthusiasm, or contact David Wall on 01747 854108 or email dorsetnvs@hotmail.com.

An exhibition of bold artwork by two contemporary Dorset artists.

Open daily (except Sunday) 10am to 4pm.

These classes are for ladies of all ages and abilities who would like some light exercise. One class is low impact aerobic movement. The other is a gentle keep fit class.

Tamzin Grimes is a Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer and Sports/Deep Tissue Therapist, who has been working in the fitness industry for the past 7 Years.

Please contact Tamzin on 07729 222622, or tamzin@tamzingrimes.co.uk for more information about her sessions.

For ages 16 – 18, Shaftesbury Art Centre’s Theatre Group offers the chance to develop and improve your drama and theatre experiences and has a strong background in improvisation.

There is the opportunity to participate in both youth and adult productions at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.
There is a charge of £2 per week which goes towards resources and theatre tickets.

Please get in touch on youththeatre@shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk.

For further information contact Paris on 07710 420487 or email paris@parishelen.co.uk for more details.

For ages 11-16, the Theatre Group offers the chance to learn and experience different elements of drama and theatre, as well as the opportunity to participate in both youth and adult productions at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.

You’ll have the chance to explore a variety of aspects of theatre life, such as prop making, costumes, make up, lighting, sound etc. and experience the camaraderie involved in working together to bring a production to life. There is a cost of £2 per week which goes towards resources and tickets for theatre trips. The group runs in school term time only.

If you are interested in joining, please email youththeatre@shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk.

Bell Street School of Dance is a small friendly school where every child is appreciated for their individuality.

Bell Street School of Dance offers jazz and ballet classes for children and adults with regular performance and exam opportunities. But most importantly we want everyone to dance to build confidence, learn new skills and have fun.

Classes on Thursdays at the Arts Centre:

• 4:30 – 5:15pm Standard 1 Ballet (Year 2+)
• 5:15 – 6:00pm Junior Tap (Year 3+)
• 6:00 – 6:45pm Grade 2 Modern (Year 3+)
• 6:45 – 7:45pm Grade 4 Modern (Year 7+)

Other classes are available Mondays and Wednesdays. For more information contact Eleanor on 07402 218332 or bellstreetschoolofdance@mail.com, or visit the website at www.bellstreetschoolofdance.co.uk

Did you have a less than positive experience in art classes at school? Want to kick start that creative desire to make marks on paper?

Kim Pragnell has created a six week drawing course for beginners, taking you through the basics of drawing to the heady heights of filling sketchbooks. Using pencils, finding vanishing points, rendering and perspective, all tackled and dealt with. Your confidence restored, no subject will be out of reach.

Course fee: £86 for six weeks. This fee does not include art materials as you are expected to bring your own. Contact kim.pragnell@gmail.com for details on what to provide. Ages 16+. Course limited to 10 students.

Shaftesbury Arts Centre Art Group is small group based at the SAC, meeting at 2pm on Monday afternoons in the Phoenix Room to enjoy painting. We welcome all levels of skill in all mediums.

During the year we have tutors in all mediums and aspects of painting. We have an exhibition once a year in the SAC Gallery and opportunities to join other exhibitions in the gallery at certain times of the year.

Summer 2022

• Monday 25th April – What you did at Easter.
• Monday 2nd May – Bank Holiday.
• Monday 9th May – Tutor June Ridgway – Frottage.
• Monday 16th May – Own new work or finish Frottage.
• Monday 23rd May – Tutor Lynda Appleby – Landscape
  and seascape, traditional form.
• Monday 30th May – Consolidate work with Lynda’s supervision.
• Monday 6th June – Still life.
• Monday 6th June – Own work planned for the Summer.
• Monday 6th June – TBA.
• Summer break. Start back 12th September.

For more information, contact Gillian on 078737 40979 or email louthlincs1@gmail.com.

Click here for more information about the Art Group 

A young boy and his working-class Belfast family experience the tumultuous late 1960s.

A semi-autobiographical story for which Kenneth Branagh won the Oscar for best original screenplay.

Director: Kenneth Branagh, 2021, 98 min. Cast includes: Jude Hill, Ciaran Hinds, Catriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan and Judi Dench.

Tickets: £7. Under 18s £5. Members £6.

Tamzin Grimes is a Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer and Sports/Deep Tissue Therapist, who has been working in the fitness industry for the past 7 Years.

Please contact Tamzin on 07729 222622, or tamzin@tamzingrimes.co.uk for more information about her sessions.

Tap dance classes for children and adults of all ages and abilities. Erica has had over 20 years experience teaching tap classes so whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned tap dancer you can develop your tapping skills, improve your rhythm and musicality along with meeting new people and having fun whilst dancing. Everyone is welcome.

Summer Term – Apr – Jul 2022

4.30-5.00pm – Junior Tap – Age 4 (Nursery/Rec) to Age 8 (Yr 3) – Mixed Ability
5.10-5.50pm – Youth Tap – Age 8 (Yr 4) to Age 14 (Yr 9) – Mixed Ability
6.00-6.50pm – Adult Tap – Age 14+ (Yr 10 to Adults 99+) – Beginners/Advanced Beginners
7.00-7.50pm – Adult Tap – Age 14+ (Yr 10 to Adults 99+) – Intermediate/Advanced

All of our classes at Shaftesbury Arts Centre are non-syllabus based and work well as stand-alone classes or alongside any syllabus classes already being attended. Within these classes, students will learn a variety of rhythms and how to apply those to the sounds they make with their feet and hands. As they develop they will learn how to develop into a percussionist creating their own music with their feet.

Within each lesson, students learn a variety of tap techniques and develop them into exercises, drills and combinations over each term. Within the children classes, we play a variety of games to help children develop their musicality and within older students and adult classes we have a variety of challenges and drills. Not only are these classes great fun, but they also work on developing coordination, posture and stance, help with brain training and muscle memory. A wonderful place to meet new people and make new friends.

Erica is an I.S.T.D registered member with a Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education (DDE), has dance teachers’ insurance with G Gallagher and is DBS checked.

Classes can be joined on a pay-as-you-go basis or by monthly standing order. For further details about the classes, please either visit our website at www.elevatedtapcompany.co.uk or email Erica at elevatedtapcompany@gmail.com.

Perspectives – Helen Baddeley, Brady Turner and Jane Barnard.

In this new exhibition, Helen Baddeley, Brady Turner and Jane Barnard reveal their unique perspective on painting and the world.

London specialist auctioneers Dix, Noonan and Webb return for their regular Valuation Day at the Arts Centre. Full social distancing measures will be in place if required.

Please ring 020 7016 1700  for an appointment or email jewellery@dnw.co.uk.
Appointments must be booked in advance – there will be no walk ins on the day.

Jewellery specialists, Frances Noble and Laura Smith, with coin and medal specialist Christopher Webb will be available by appointment to offer confidential valuations free of charge and without obligation on the value of your items with a view to possible sale in DNW’s Mayfair auction rooms.

One in a mini-series of Thursday lunchtime recitals by outstanding cellists in St Peter’s Church, Shaftesbury.

Tickets: £10. Members £9. Includes sandwiches and coffee.

Recital schedule:

9th June 2022 – Music For Friends – Nick Cooper

30th June 2022 – Bach And At The Turning Of The World – Emily Burridge

From humble beginnings in the marshlands of Kent, young Pip is determined to make strides in the big city and get a leg-up in society.

Caught up in a world of compelling characters – the elderly jilted bride Miss Havisham, the criminal Magwitch and alluring Estella – can our ambitious protagonist realise his dreams or will life inevitably present itself with obstacles and trickery?

Abounding in trademark Dickensian humour, this wry coming-of-age story has been a landmark of English Literature since its publication in 1861, and continues to charm readers to this day. Teeming with eccentricity, fearsome convicts, stopped clocks, decay and decadence.

By Charles Dickens. Adapted by Jo Clifford. Directed by Jenny Stephens. Production Design by Fiona McKeon.

Tickets: £15. Members at £12.50. Under 18s £8.

Ever been in an infants’ school classroom and listened to their chatter? Now’s your chance! The Shaftesbury Arts Centre Music & Drama Group’s Autumn production is ‘The Flint Street Nativity’ by Tim Firth.

Meet our group of children – all played by adults. There’s the bossy one … the timid one … the spoiled one … the ruffian … the obsessive one … the new one trying to fit in … You’ll recognise them all as they prepare to perform their first nativity play. Hilarious misunderstandings, sad revelations and some interesting insight into their parents’ lives!

To join the reading group the only qualifications required are to enjoy reading and sharing ideas about books, and to be a member of the Shaftesbury Arts Centre.

We meet on the third Thursday of each month from 7.30pm to 9.00pm in the Rutter Room.

Contact Viv Rudd 01747 851619; reading@shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk

Verdi’s hugely popular La Traviata returns to the Sydney Harbour water stage featuring a breath-taking, soaring nine metre high, 3.5 ton chandelier covered in 10,000 shimmering Swarovski crystals.

This glamorous production was captured on location on Sydney Harbour in 2021 in front of a sold out audience. La Traviata features timeless romantic arias, lively choreography, beautiful costumes and spectacular fireworks.

Tickets: £10. Under 18s £7.50.

A young boy and his working-class Belfast family experience the tumultuous late 1960s.

A semi-autobiographical story for which Kenneth Branagh won the Oscar for best original screenplay.

Director: Kenneth Branagh, 2021, 98 min. Cast includes: Jude Hill, Ciaran Hinds, Catriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan and Judi Dench.

Seniors’ Film (over 50’s). Tickets: £4.

Living In Interesting Times

Thoughts on and interpretations of the unprecedented occurrences in today’s world; also some landscapes and studies of Mother Nature’s generous gifts.

Abstract shape and form combine with colour in a set of unique images showing the beauty of Dorset.

An exhibition by local photographer David Joy LRPS.

Open 10am to 4pm daily.

A mini-series of Thursday lunchtime recitals by outstanding cellists in St Peter’s Church, Shaftesbury.

This is the third of a series of lunchtime cello recitals run by the Arts Centre at St Peter’s Church, Shaftesbury. Here virtuoso cellist and composer Emily Burridge will ‘lift the spirit, harmonise with the emotions and take you on a journey’.

Tickets (including sandwiches and coffee) £10. SAC Members £9.

Recital schedule:

9th June 2022 – Music For Friends – Nick Cooper

30th June 2022 – Bach And At The Turning Of The World – Emily Burridge

Based on the true story of Kempton Bunton, a 60-year-old taxi driver, who in 1961 steals Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. 

‘An unashamedly old-fashioned underdog tale – an absurdist struggle of the little man against monolithic bureaucracy’.

Director: Roger Michell, 2020, 96 min. Cast includes: Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Anna Maxwell Martin.

Tickets: £7. Under 18s £5. Members £6.

Walking Feet Quilters.

Our Music & Drama Group presents ‘The Three Musketeers’. Written by Ken Ludwig, adapted from the novel by Alexander Dumas.

Young D’Artagnan has always dreamed of being a musketeer and protecting the King, but now that he’s in Paris, things aren’t quite so simple! The scheming Cardinal Richelieu is the real power behind the throne and he is plotting to overthrow the King. The only people who can save the King and Queen are D’Artagnan and The Three Musketeers – Athos, Porthos and Aramis. It’s just a shame he’s already managed to offend all of them…

Come and join the adventure! ‘All for One and One for All’. Directed by Alexander Chase.

Performances (all 7.30pm to 10pm):

• 6th July £8 – Opening Night offer, Under 18s £6
• 7th July £10, Members £8, Under 18s £6
• 8th July £12.50, Members £10.50, Under 18s £6
• 9th July £15, Members £13, Under 18s £8
• 13th July£10, Members £8, Under 18s £6
• 14th July £10, Members £8, Under 18s £6
• 15th July £12.50, Members £10.50, Under 18s £6
• 16th July £15, Members £13, Under 18s £8

Group offer – Two free tickets for parties of over 10

This amateur production of ‘Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers’ is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.

High Tops, Knobs, Birdseyes and Mites – An Exhibition Of Artwork Celebrating 400 Years Of Dorset Buttonry.

Exhibition open 10am to 4.30pm daily.

Noonans of Mayfair hold monthly specialist valuation days at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.

Our specialists are available to offer free confidential valuations of jewellery, watches, coins, antiquities and detectorist finds.

14th July – Jewellery, watches and coins.
8th September – Jewellery, watches and coins.
6th October – Jewellery, watches, antiquities and detectorist finds.
10th November – Jewellery, watches and coins.
8th December – Jewellery, watches, antiquities and detectorist finds.

Free entry.

Based on the true story of Kempton Bunton, a 60-year-old taxi driver, who in 1961 steals Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. 

‘An unashamedly old-fashioned underdog tale – an absurdist struggle of the little man against monolithic bureaucracy’.

Director: Roger Michell, 2020, 96 min. Cast includes: Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Anna Maxwell Martin.

Seniors’ Film (over 50’s). Tickets: £4.

Three Colourists – An exhibition by Percy Lizzard, Andrea Jenkins and Corrina Cooper.

Open daily 10am to 4pm (Sunday 11am to 4pm). Free admission.

NEW MATERIAL FOR 2022. Flat-footed, dyslexic, self-doubting comedy graduate seeks audience for an afternoon of whimsical fun, stepping out on the rungs of his life.

Apply Within. You never know, he might even be funny! ‘Top comedy show, with the energy and style of a Lee Evans routine’ – VoiceMag.uk.

Tickets: £5.

The Great Baldini (Emperor of Illusion, Prince of Prestidigitation, Maharajah of Mystery) has lived a lifetime of magic.

‘A Magician’s Journey’ tells this story with spectacular illusions – from his first trick to his career zenith – attempting Houdini’s greatest escape. A joyously silly magical romp. ‘Incredible’ Front Row, Radio 4.

Tickets: £8. £6 (concessions).

‘Singing sensation’ Thomas Cameron is a Classic Brit nominated tenor, whose voice has been making ‘waves in the world of Classical music’ (BBC One).

Thomas has achieved seven number one Amazon Broadway singles and has recorded with the likes of Liz Mitchell (Boney M), Carol Decker, Phil Gould (Level 42), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Bucks Fizz.

Tickets: £10 adults. £8 concessions.

Full of post-covid fallout, antibodies and menopausal rage, Daphna Baram emerges out of her safe cave into her fifties, to find out what is left of our world as we knew it.

What will she find? Is there hope for us yet? ‘Amazing’ ✭✭✭✭ (The Wee Review). ‘Masterful’ ✭✭✭✭✭ (Bunbury Magazine).

Tickets: £5.

Ever heard a bald man sing Rihanna? As seen at the biggest comedy clubs in the world, including Caroline’s on Broadway in NYC.

Scottish baldy Gary Sansome takes an irreverent look at popular culture in this hilarious, fun-packed show.

‘An hour of pure entertainment and hilarity’ – ★★★★★ Bunbury Magazine.

Tickets: £5

With a busted knee, a burst eardrum and heroic reveries replaced by painkillers and words like ‘ouch’, ‘pardon’ and ‘I’m down here!’, Todd reckons he has one last chance to reinvent himself, and just enough body parts to do it.

A new show from award-winning comedian Richard Todd. ★★★★ The Scotsman, Chortle, The List, The Skinny, Fest.

Tickets: Pass-the-hat.

Back by popular demand, The Project Dance Company presents, UNTAMED.

An eclectic showcase of dance pieces specially curated for the Shaftesbury Fringe, Project Dance returns to the Shaftesbury Arts Centre after winning Best Overall Performance as voted for by the public last year.

Tickets: Pass-the-hat

In conversation – Project Dance presents – The Story So Far.

An opportunity to learn about Project Dance’s history and its ambitions, join the directors, creatives and dancers as they discuss how Project Dance came to be, its current projects and how audience members can work with us in the future. There will also be time for a Q&A.

Tickets: Pass-the-hat

Summer concert of ROKiT choir with special guest act and live band.

Tickets: £12. Members £10.

Mick Fleetwood has assembled a stellar cast of musicians to celebrate the music that established Fleetwood Mac as one of the biggest bands in the world – the music of Peter Green.

With a line-up featuring Neil Finn, Noel Gallagher, Billy Gibbons, David Gilmour, Kirk Hammett, Jonny Lang, John Mayall, Christine McVie, Pete Townshend, Steven Tyler and Bill Wyman, this once-in-a-lifetime concert event captured at The London Palladium on 25th February 2020 is an absolute must-see for any music fan out there.

“The concert is a celebration of those early blues days where we all began, and it’s important to recognise the profound impact Peter and the early Fleetwood Mac had on the world of music.” – Mick Fleetwood

(145 min)

Tickets: Adult £10. Under 18s £7.50.