I AM writing my article this week from the top deck of the ark hastily constructed in my back garden before being swept out to sea via the River Wey.

Checking the latest weather charts and reports from the Met Office and making use of my novelty comedy binoculars, I can tell you that there are brighter times on the horizon, with even some sun heading our way.

No, not the real sun, it’s February for goodness sakes, but Saturday Sun, the Purbeck four-piece who are sweeping all before them with their debut album Orixé.

They’re returning to Dorchester Arts Centre next Friday, February 21, the venue they sold out last year as a duo and this time they’re turning up mob-handed with the Full Monty quartet of Alex Hedley, Billy Merrick, Alan Varnfield and Tobias Fitton.

 

 

 

Saturday Sun boast a hugely original sound which takes its inspiration from early Pink Floyd and Nick Drake.

Support comes from The White Bicycles and, as always, it’s bound to be a sell-out at the compact and bijou arts centre, so get your tickets quick, priced at £9, from the box office on 01305 266926.

Moving on, don’t be alarmed if you encounter some angry-looking hairy blokes with long coats, big boots and floppy hats in Weymouth this weekend.

It’s all part of the Crabchurch Conspiracy event which commemorates events in the town during the English Civil War.

The weekend gets off to a storming start with a concert by The Dolmen at No 6 in King Street, Weymouth, tonight, Friday, February 14.

Sadly, co-headliners Soar Patrol have been unable to make it down from their native Scotland because of the horrendous weather.

Because of this, The Dolmen have waived the entrance fee and anyone who has bought tickets in advance will have their money refunded.

What a decent gesture by a top band, eh?

Right, that’s it for this week. I’m off to get some waders.

Till next time…

TONIGHT (14)

The Dolmen (No 6, King St, Weymouth) Part of the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend celebrations.

TBC (Finns, Westham Rd, Weymouth)

Dakota (Dorothy, Esplanade, Weymouth)

ACBBs (Moby Dick’s, Esplanade, Weymouth)

Finnian (Black Dog, St Mary St, Weymouth)

Chill (Royal Exchange, Weston Rd, Portland)

Replay (Golden Lion, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Amy Mayes (Ocean Room, Weymouth Pavilion) and later.

Amy Mayes Trio (Aura, Esplanade, Weymouth)

The Debonairs (Ropemakers, Bridport)

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

Dave Vincent (King’s Arms, Trinity Rd, Weymouth)

Robbie McIntosh and Andy Grant (Chalk and Cheese, Maiden Newton)

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

Leggomen (Royal Oak, Quayside, Weymouth)

Jam Night (The Lounge, Colwell Centre, Weymouth)

SATURDAY (15)

Dainton and Pritchard from Dirty Sanchez (Finns, Westham Rd, Weymouth) An Hourglass Promotions night.

Chill (Sailors Return, St Nicholas St, Weymouth)

Biproxy (Dorothy, Esplanade, Weymouth)

Slipped Disc (Golden Lion, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Magic (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

Barry Hobson (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

Tempo (RBl Club, Fortuneswell, Portland)

Ricky Solo (Cove House Inn, Chiswell, Portland)

Left, Right and Centre (Eight Kings, Southwell, Portland)

Elvis 56 (Wyke Regis Social Club, Chamberlaine Rd, Weymouth)

The Mother Ukers (Ropemakers, Bridport)

In the Doghouse (Wyke Smugglers, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

Sheryl Lee (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Martyn Freed (Black Dog, St Mary St, Weymouth)

Gale Force 4 (King’s Arms, Trinity Rd, Weymouth)

Weird and Gilly (Belvedere, High West St, Weymouth)

Ska (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas St, Weymouth)

Dale Fender Band (Centenary Club, Jubilee Sidings, Weymouth)

Under The Carousel (New Star Inn, Fortuneswell, Portland)

Victorian Barbers (Royal Oak, Quayside, Weymouth)

SUNDAY (16)

ACBBs (Three Compasses, Charminster)

Robbie McIntosh and Andy Grant (King’s Arms, Portesham) 3pm.

Danny Adams (Oasis Bistro, Weymouth) 1pm.

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

Sheryl Lee (King’s Arms, Trinity Rd, Weymouth) 5pm.

Karen (Royal Oak, Quayside, Weymouth) 3pm.

Leggomen (Belvedere, High West St, Weymouth) 8.30pm.

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 (17)

Open Mic Night (Old Town Hall, High West St, Weymouth)

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

TUESDAY (18)

TBC (The Boot, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (19)

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 (20)

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

FRIDAY (21)

Saturday Sun, White Bicycles (Dorchester Arts Centre)

Splinter (Finns, Westham Rd, Weymouth)

Diva Lea (King’s Arms, Trinity Rd, Weymouth)

The Dolmen Acoustic (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas St, Weymouth)

Leggomen (Royal Oak, Quayside, Weymouth)

Jam Night (The Lounge, Colwell Centre, Weymouth)