GIG GUIDE; Gerard and the Watchmen at Dorchester Arts Centre

The Fab Beatles and Half Dead Darlings are at the Dorchester Arts Centre tonight, Brazilian metal giants Sepultura are at the Weymouth Pavilion and ska specialists The Decatonics are at The Dorothy tomorrow night.

Who says there’s nothing going on?

And, by way of a contrast to pop, metal and ska, you can add to that list the rather lovely Gerard and the Watchmen who bring their hauntingly beautiful folk-inspired songs to the county town’s arts centre tomorrow night, Saturday, February 1.

They’re one of the most highly-regarded acts on the UK alt-folk circuit and frontman Dave Gerard flits from guitar to mandolin to harp to percussion.

He’s even been known to brandish a banjo, so be warned.

They’ve earned high praise with BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris, who whispered: “Really impressed, knocked out, and wonderful on stage.”

You can find out what caused Bob’s warm and fuzzy moment tomorrow night with tickets on sale from £6 at the box office on 01305 266926.

Staying at the Dorchester Arts Centre, here’s early notice of the DA Blues Session next Saturday, February 8, featuring The Spikedrivers.

The blues roots trio are making a welcome return with their spellbinding fusion of blues, gospel and rock and have been tearing up stages across the European circuit.

Once again, this is likely to be a sell out so get in quick for your tickets, at £13 from the arts centre box office.

Moving on, it’s a warm welcome back and hearty congratulations to the intrepid 13 heroes who scaled Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa earlier this month to raise money for the Steve Charles Help A Friend Fund.

It would have been Stevie’s 60th birthday last Tuesday and I know he would be completely overwhelmed and proud of all the amazing achievements done in his name.

The sponsorship money has been collected and there will be a cheque presentation tonight from 6pm at the Durnovaria wine bar in South Street, Dorchester.

Organisers tell me they are thinking of holding a sweepstake tonight on the total amount raised to bring in even more money for this hugely worthwhile charity, so take a tip from this experienced betting man: Think of a number and double it. Then double it again.

It’s a quite unbelievable amount, so I hear.

And talking of fundraising events, there are a couple coming up of which you should be aware.

We all know how kind and generous musicians are with their time and the guys from 50s/60s revivalists Phoenix and The Silhouettes are no exception.

The two bands are sharing the bill at Wyke Regis Working Mens Club in Weymouth next Friday, February 7, to raise money for cancer hospice charity Weldmar as a way of saying thank you for the amazing care shown to Workies regular Peter Davy, who was a good friend to both bands but sadly passed away last September.

It’s £3 on the door for non-members with all proceeds from raffles etc going to this incredible local charity.

And ageless folk legend Big Al Whittle is teaming up with his acoustic gang of Paul Openshaw, Bob Kirkpatrick and five-part harmony group The Heavens to raise money for repairs to the village hall at Moreton.

Tickets for Big Al’s gig there next Friday, February 7, are priced at £8 which includes supper and are available from Maeve on 01929 463221.

And it’s hats off and good work fellas to the Tom Alford Band whose gig at Broadmayne village hall earlier this months raised a creditable £436 for the WIll Mackaness Fund, which is linked to the Wey Valley School in Weymouth where Will was head boy.

That’s it for this week. I’m off for a driving lesson with Justin Beiber. Now, where did I put that golf club?

’Till next time..

TONIGHT (31)

Fab Beatles, Half Dead Darlings (Dorchester Arts Centre)

Jolly Boys Outing (Finns, Westham Rd, Weymouth)

Stereoironics (Golden Lion, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Pronghorn (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Danny Adams (Café Aura, Esplanade, Weymouth)

Average Wyke Band (Wyke Smugglers, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

Richard Young (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Mama Feelgood (Royal Exchange, Weston Rd, Portland)

Vanilla Radio (Cafe Jagos, High East St, Dorchester)

Jilly Ann (Eight Kings, Southwell, Portland)

Under The Carousel (Conservative Club, Easton Sq, Portland) £6 on the door. Fundraiser for Portland Utd youth teams.

Dougie Cooper Quartet (Royal Portland Arms, Fortuneswell, Portland)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas St, Weymouth)

Leggomen (Royal Oak, Quayside, Weymouth)

Jam Night (The Lounge, Colwell Centre, Weymouth)

SATURDAY (1)

Sepultura, Primitai, Death Remains (Weymouth Pavilion)

Gerard and the Watchmen (Dorchester Arts Centre)

Mama Feelgood (Sailors Return, St Nicholas St, Weymouth)

Speedway Snails (Finns, Westham Rd, Weymouth)

Cuba Libre (The Factory, Maiden Street, Weymouth)

Lo Numbers (Market House Tavern, Weymouth)

Tripod (Golden Lion, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

The Decatonics (Dorothy, Esplanade, Weymouth)

The Skones (Clifton, Portland)

Tim Andrews (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

The Crack (Wyke Smugglers, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

The Mighty Fine (Victoria, Dorchester)

Brass Monkeys (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

The Curst Sons (Goldies, High East St, Dorchester)

BJ McCabe (Bridge Inn, Preston, Weymouth)

Freak Circus (The Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Simon Gee (Wyke Regis Social Club, Chamberlaine Rd, Weymouth)

Replay (RBL Club, Fortuneswell, Portland)

Neon (Belvedere, High West St, Weymouth)

The Unpredictables (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Bob Mallett (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas St, Weymouth)

Tom Caulfield (Royal Oak, Quayside, Weymouth)

SUNDAY (2)

The Dinnerladies (Three Compasses, Charminster)

Jamie Parker (Tom Browns, Dorchester) 7pm.

Finn (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Richard Young (Belvedere, High West St, Weymouth) 8.30pm.

Leggomen (The Gap, St Mary’s Passage, Weymouth) 6.30pm.

Danny Adams (Oasis Bistro, Weymouth) 1pm.

Gut and Steel (Old Ship, Upwey, Weymouth) 2.30pm.

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, St Nicholas St, Weymouth) From 3pm.

Jam Night (Sailor’s Return, Nicholas Street, Weymouth)

Mark Stacey and friends host this regular Sunday acoustic jam session. Music from 8pm.

MONDAY (3)

Lucy’s Ukulele Night (King’s Arms, Portesham) 8pm.

TUESDAY (4)

Jinder (The Boot, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (5)

Dave Bowen and Jazz Friends (Three Compasses, Charminster) Danny Adams (Oasis Bistro, Weymouth) 7pm.

Jam with Mark (Wellington Arms, St Alban Street, Weymouth) Mark Stacey hosts this regular acoustic jam session.

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Nicholas Street, Weymouth) Acoustic folk, here every Wednesday.

THURSDAY (6)

Powelly (Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (Aura, Esplanade, Weymouth)

Open Mic Surgery (Tom Brown’s, High East St, Dorchester) All backline provided, come on down and have a play.

Steve’s Singalong (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund Street, Weymouth) Steve hosts this session, with guests joining in.

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, ChiswelI, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, St Nicholas St, Weymouth) Strum on down from 8pm,

FRIDAY (7)

Phoenix, Silhouettes (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

Big Al Whittle, Paul Openshaw, The Heavens, Bob Kirkpatrick (Moreton village hall) Tickets £8 from 01929 463221.

Omega Project (Finns, Westham Rd, Weymouth)

Chill (Golden Lion, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Dutch Solo Mouses (Royal Exchange, Weston Rd, Portland)

Amy Mayes Acoustic (Café Jagos, High East St, Dorchester)

Acoustic Session (Victoria Inn, Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell)

Leggomen (Royal Oak, Quayside, Weymouth)

Jam Night (The Lounge, Weymouth)