I’VE always struggled to make ends meet, which is probably why I lost my job as a circus contortionist.

But poverty, the one thing that money can’t buy, is no laughing matter. Very much like my intro...

And it’s a jolly poor show to think that in this day and age with all the advances in technology and improved lifestyles, there are people who don’t have the most basic essentials and have to rely on the kindness and generosity of others.

And talking of kindness and generosity, you’d be hard pushed to find a kinder and more generous lot that some of our local musicians who are always ready to give their time and undoubted talents to help those in need.

Take this weekend for example, with an all-day fundraiser at the Ayya bar in Weymouth’s St Thomas Street.

Last year, the bar hosted a fundraiser for the International Red Cross, which was a huge success.

And this Sunday, December 11, they’re helping a cause much closer to home: The Weymouth Baptist Church Food Bank.

The food bank has been even busier than usual in the run-up to Christmas and you’re invited to bring donations of food, clothing and gifts along to Ayya on Sunday to help those less fortunate and also enjoy a terrific line-up of live music.

There’s Lauren Bannon and friends, Powelly, The Leggomen, Matt Taylor and Side Door project, with many more likely to put in an appearance during the epic 10-hour session.

It all starts at 4pm, by the way.

And here’s another reminder of another great fundraiser event taking place next Saturday, December 17 at the Wyke Smugglers in Weymouth.

The Gimme Shelter festival will be raising money for YOU Trust which helps homeless people across the south.

Again, it’s another great line up with Paisley, Surfing Birds, Edd Bleach, and many, many more all taking part from 1pm onwards.

Moving on, and tomorrow night, Saturday, December 10, it’s the final DA Blues session of the year at Dorchester’s Corn Exchange and it’s the ever-popular Producers this time.

They’re celebrating 25 years of rocking and rolling around the blues circuit, earning high praise from Radio 2’s Johnnie Walker and Whisperin’ Bob Harris and opening for such blues giants as Taj Mahal, Dr John and John Mayall.

They also supported Peter Green on his first tour for 25 years, so it’s safe to say they know their onions.

Tickets for tomorrow night are £13 from the box office on 01305 266926.

And here’s a Santa hat-clad head’s up for boogie-woogie pianoman Ben Waters’ Christmas shows at the Royal Manor Theatre on Portland on Thursday and Friday, December 22 and 23.

Ben, who will be joined by sax-playing son Tom, have been all over the world this year and have just returned from dates in New York and have shows lined up for 2017 in New Zealand, Canada, Scandinavia and the Caribbean, so catch ‘em while they’re home!

Tickets are just £12 and available from ticketsource.co.uk/royalmanortheatre.

Till next time…

GIG GUIDE

TONIGHT (9)

Drive By Jamming (Finns, Weymouth)

Mad Hatters (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth)

Elmore Goes Electric (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Shaun Marx (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Karen (Park, Weymouth)

Watkins and Swarbrick Band (Preston village hall, Weymouth)

Sheryl Lee (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Saxuality (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Acoustic Session (Victoria Inn, Chickerell, Weymouth) 8pm.

Compass (George, Dorchester)

Fitzy’s Open Mic (Market House, Weymouth)

Nina Garcia (Café Jagos, Dorchester)

Splinter (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Skinful (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

The Silhouettes (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Chill (Spice Ship, Weymouth)

Average Wyke Band (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Gut and Steel (Britannia, Portland)

Arnie Cotterell and Matt Tarling (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Seabass (New Star Inn, Portland)

SATURDAY (10)

The Producers (Corn Exchange, Dorchester)

The Fab Beatles, Margot Escargot, Half Dead Darlings, Kipper, Till There Was Uke (Upwey memorial hall, Victoria Avenue, Upwey)

Jess Upton, Steve Wilson and Robbie McIntosh (Old Town Hall, Weymouth)

Big Gunz (Finns, Weymouth)

The Mighty Fine (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Stereoironics (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Steve Nicholas (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

Dr Robert (Market House, Weymouth)

Under The Carousel (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth)

Sticky Jam Band (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

The Shakespearos (Ship Inn, Wool)

Kathy Boorman (Park, Weymouth)

The Defibrillators (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth) A band of former or current paramedics, I’m assured.

Chris Woodchuck (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Replay (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth) Christmas party, from 7pm.

Jukebox Junkies (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Stress (Bull, Fordington, Dorchester)

Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral (No10, Bridport) 12-2pm.

Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion (Tom Browns, Dorchester)

Dale Fender Band (RBL Club, Marnhull)

Silhouettes (RBL Club, Portland)

Karen (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Gut and Steel (George, Portland) 4pm.

The Katz (Belvedere, Weymouth)

SUNDAY (11)

Leggomen, Lauren Bannon, Powelly, Side Door Project (Ayya, Weymouth) From 4pm.

Sheryl Lee (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Roger’s Singalong (Gloucester, Weymouth)

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

Sheryl Lee’s Sunday Club (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 7pm.

Farrago (Globe, Weymouth) 4.30pm.

Hokum Society (Belvedere, Weymouth) 4pm.

Ratpack (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Stacey Lou (Black Dog, Weymouth) 3-5pm.

JD Acoustic (Closet, Weymouth) 11pm.

MONDAY (12)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY (13)

Du Kane (Boot, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (14)

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Open Mic (Bull, Fordington, Dorchester)

THURSDAY (15)

Leggomen (George, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Open Mic (George, Dorchester)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

SoapBox Night (Belvedere, Weymouth)

FRIDAY (16)

Mad Hatters (Finns, Weymouth)

Alexis (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Charlie (Park, Weymouth)

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

The Shakespearos (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Leggomen (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth)

Jumping Jimmy Thunder, Sheryl Lee, Stacey Lou (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

The Remedy (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Cloud 9 duo (Spice Ship, Weymouth)