Well, after seemingly endless anticipation, it’s finally here – one of the most eagerly awaited events for absolutely ages.

All the colour, all the noise, all the drama, the highs, the lows, the glory of triumph, the anguish of defeat, the skill, the athleticism, all played out in front of an audience of, well maybe a few hundred.

Yes, it’s Dorchester Carnival this weekend and there’s a veritable feast of live music for your delight and wonderment.

It all kicks off tonight at the Borough Gardens with Lauren Bannon, Ty Xanders and Vanilla Radio playing in the bandstand.

And the music continues tomorrow at Brewery Square from 10am with Boytits, Half Dead Darlings, Ansell and Gretel, the Skint Imperials, The Dinnerladies and many others on the bill.

Moving on, rock ’n’ roll legend Jumpin’ Jimmy Thunder may have had more comebacks than Lazarus, Frank Sinatra and Fairport Convention put together, but when Jimmy takes to the stage to the strains of his signature tune Jack the Ripper, it’s always to a capacity crowd.

And that will certainly be the case next Friday, June 20, at Wyke Regis Working Men’s Club in Weymouth when Jim dons his black cape, black top hat and black leather bag for yet another fundraising epic.

Having raised thousands for the dementia unit at Weymouth Community Hospital with his recent gigs, this time Jim will be helping the Friendship Club for people with learning disabilities, a hugely worthy cause I think you’ll agree.

And he’ll be ably backed by The Dinnerladies, with Phoenix and Stacey Lou also playing. Admission is free for Workies members, £3 for non-members and get there early – it’s going to be rammed.

And finally, if you’ve not got your ticket for next weekend’s Ska Fest II at the Spice Ship in Weymouth, you’d better lively up yourself and get your act together quick.

 

Last year’s was a hugely memorable experience and this year’s is sure to be the same, with an earthquake predicted in the Preston area of Weymouth, probably caused by excessive moonstomping.

On Saturday, June 21, there’s the Lo Numbers, Guns of Navarone and The Decatonics and on Sunday, June 22, they’ve got RatRace, Offbeat Offensive and Lewis and his Sound of the Suburbs.

Tickets are £6 for one day, £10 for the weekend and are available from the pub.

Right, that’s it for this weekend. I’m off to work out how I got Scotland in the office World Cup sweepstake.

Till next time…

TONIGHT (13)

Party in the Park (Borough Gardens, Dorchester) Part of the carnival celebrations.

The Dinnerladies (Finn’s, Westham Rd, Weymouth)

Hustle (Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth)

Darren H (Wyke Smugglers, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

Bob Mallet (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Under The Carousel (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Shooter (Royal Exchange, Portland)

The Mighty Fine (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Amy Mayes (Beach and Barnicott, Bridport)

Lauren Bannon (Royal Oak, Quayside, Weymouth)

Jam Night (The Lounge, Colwell Centre, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Vanilla Radio (Café Jagos, Dorchester)

The Omega Project (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

Replay (Ocean Room, Weymouth Pavilion) Lions summer ball.

Brian Harris (Weymouth Working Mens Club, Mitchell St, Weymouth)

Scott Bench-Taylor (Spice Ship, Preston, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Park, Grange Rd, Weymouth)

Karen (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

SATURDAY (14)

Jamie Pinnow, Boytits, Jilly Ann, Radioplay, Ansell and Gretal, Skint Imperials, Samsara, Half Dead Darlings, Dinnerladies (Brewery Sq, Dorchester) Part of the carnival celebrations, from 10am onwards.

Dale Storr (Dorchester Arts Centre)

Slither (Finn’s, Westham Rd, Weymouth)

Hustle (Sailor’s Return, St Nicholas St, Weymouth)

Blazing Strings, Under The Carousel (Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth)

Suckerpunch (Wyke Smugglers, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) Hot Bacon (Tides Inn, Weymouth) 8pm.

TBA (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Average Wyke Band (Centenary Club, Jubilee Sidings, Weymouth)

Dr Robert (Wyke Regis Social Club, Chamberlaine Rd, Weymouth)

Replay (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Candy Slagindrag (Café Jagos, Dorchester)

Steve Francis (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

The Usual Suspects (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

Diane (Bridge Inn, Preston, Weymouth)

Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral (No 10, Bridport) 12.30pm-2pm.

Diva Lee (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

SUNDAY (15)

Loop (Wyke Smugglers, Portland Rd, Weymouth) 4pm.

Skint Imperials (Durnovaria, Dorchester) 4pm.

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

Replay (Red Lion, Hope Sq, Weymouth) 2pm.

Weird and Gilly (Crown Inn, Punknowle) 5pm

Brothers Grimm (Park Hotel, Weymouth) 6pm.

Amy Mayes and Andy Grant (The Brewhouse, Dorchester) 3pm.

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

Jam Night (Sailor’s Return, Nicholas Street, Weymouth) Mark Stacey and friends Music from 8pm.

Martin Freed (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 3pm to 5pm.

Six String Steve (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

MONDAY (16)

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

Open Mic Night (Old Town Hall, High West St, Weymouth) 8pm.

TUESDAY (17)

Open Mic Night (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 8pm.

WEDNESDAY (18)

Double Shot (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Dave P’s Open Mic Night (Rendezvous, Weymouth) From 8pm.

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 (19)

Ann and Norman (Ferrybridge, Wyke Regis ,Weymouth)

Martin Freed (Edinburgh House of Sounds, 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) 8pm.

FRIDAY (20)

Jumpin’ Jimmy Thunder, The Dinnerladies, Phoenix, Stacey Lou (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

A Bit of Ruff (Finn’s, Westham Rd, Weymouth)

Amy Mayes Trio (Wyke Smugglers, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

Jolly Boys Outing (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Chloe and Tom (Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth)

Stereoironics (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Peacock Suit (Royal Oak, Quayside, Weymouth)

Johnny Mac (Black Dog, Weymouth)

One II One (Weymouth Working Mens Club, Mitchell St, Weymouth)

Jam Night (The Lounge, Colwell Centre, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)