WHAT better way to kick off proceedings this week than to bring news of a benefit concert which commendably aims to raise funds for the Burmese victims of cyclone Negis?

The concert in question takes place in Bridport tonight and features David Ferrard, Red Dirt and The Bridport Jam Band (Bridport Arts Centre, tonight, 7.30pm, £9/£7 concessions, tickets from 01308 425684).

David Ferrard, an Edinburgh-based folk singer/songwriter, comes to us fresh from the Edinburgh Festival and a clutch of rave reviews for his new album Broken Sky, and has personal reasons for getting involved. "The situation in Burma is close to my heart.

"I spent a summer in Thailand doing a project on Burma, meeting with refugees, student activists in exile and human rights campaigners. I try to follow the developments over there, even though it's difficult to piece together what's happening."

With two million people remaining homeless in the wake of the cyclone, every little helps. The money raised will go to the charities Save The Children and Children On The Edge which, says organiser Lyn Jones, are "working on the ground in Burma to help the population get back on its feet."

Warming news for the onset of autumn is that a new season of Dorchester Bluesnights is on the way, due to kick off tomorrow with the fiery Aynsley Lister (Dorchester Arts Centre, Saturday, doors open 7.30pm, £10.50/£5.25* in advance, £11.50/£5.75* at the door, *under-18s/NUS cardholders, tickets from 01305 266926).

Ticket prices are being held at last year's level so the new series of Bluesnights represents even greater value for money, and Aynsley Lister is one hell of a mission statement. A major festival headliner throughout Europe, where he has played alongside Buddy Guy, John Mayall, Robert Cray and even pop acts such as Bryan Adams and The Fun Lovin' Criminals, Aynsley has sold more than 75,000 records to date. Has he even turned 30 yet? I suspect not. Find out more about what's in store at www.bluesnights.co.uk Also on Saturday is a gig which is bound to take on a poignant resonance following the sad death of Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright. Think Floyd (Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, doors open 7.45pm, £11 advance/£13 at the door, tickets from 01297 442138) have been dubbed the definitive Pink Floyd experience' and duly offer the full panoply of sound and lighting effects, plus of course a wide range of musical highlights from that extraordinary back catalogue.

I'm really shocked about Wright's death - I had no idea he was even ill - and the passing of this dignified and gentlemanly soul removes Pink Floyd's most accomplished musician from the equation. In the early days he even used to tune Roger Waters' bass for him, and his keening Farfisa arabesques came to define that era of the band as much as his warm, womb-toned Hammond (with a glass of fine wine always close to the top manual) came to define the Dark Side days. He will indeed be sadly missed.

Now, if you're near a wireless, radiogram or crystal set on Sunday, make a special effort to catch local singer/songwriter/guitarist nonpareil Andy Grant on South:Live, which is broadcast from 7-9pm on BBC Southern Counties and BBC Radio Solent. Andy will be performing four live tracks and being interviewed about his career - and interested parties can prepare for the occasion by snapping up a copy of his excellent Hole In The Sky album via www.myspace.com/andygrantmusic Here's a jaw-dropping development: would you believe the south is due to be graced by an appearance from Ronnie Spector (The Brook, Southampton, Wednesday, £20 advance/£22 at the door, tickets from 023 8055 5366), no less? The voice and indeed the face of The Ronettes has experienced her unfair share of turbulence over the years but came out fighting recently with the Last Of The Rock Stars album, notable not only for its pugnacious spirit but also for the goodwill surrounding it.

Legends were falling over themselves to contribute, and the end result boasted the presence at various times of Keith Richards, Patti Smith and Cincinnati garage-rock royalty The Greenhornes. It does the heart good to see Ronnie Spector back in the free world: get along and adore her unreservedly.

Finally, let it be known that activities in Mr Kyps in Parkstone are temporarily suspended while the storm-damaged roof is being repaired. I'll let you know as soon as order is restored and the venue returns to raising the roof with live music instead - an infinitely more satisfactory method.