Things really get going this weekend as our theatres and music venues swing into life.

FRIDAY

HEAR the sounds of a string quartet who dance, sing, leap, tumble and juggle as they play. Bowjangles will perform at Frampton Village Hall near Dorchester this evening at 7.30pm, presenting a magical, musical journey of myths and folklore on the quest to find the most priceless relic of all, a violin bow known as Excalibow. The show will be full of comedy, energy and almost every musical genre you can think of, including traces of Abba. Tickets are £10 for adults and £6 for children, available from Artsreach. Bowjangles will also perform at Corfe Castle Village Hall on Saturday, and at Shillingstone's Portman Hall, Blandford, on Sunday, with both shows beginning at 7.30pm.

TAKE part in the Big Midwinter Ceilidh at Dorchester Corn Exchange tonight from 7.30pm. Music will be provided by Tatterdemalion, the band of The New Hardy Players, who will perform traditional tunes from the Hardy family in a fun and modern style. Expert caller Angela Laycock will be on hand to teach everyone the moves, with no experience necessary. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for under-18s, available from the Dorchester Arts website or box office.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

CATCH the Swanage Drama Company in action as they perform Dick Whittington at 7.30pm tonight and 2pm tomorrow. Follow Dick as he tries to rid the world of rats and win the hand of Alice, accompanied by his beloved pet cat Tom. Held at the Mowlem Theatre, Swanage, tickets are £11 for adults, £10 for concessions and £5 for children, available from the venue's website or box office.

SATURDAY

*BRING your broken Christmas gifts and decorations to the Repair Café tomorrow morning, held at the Palm House in Weymouth. Open from 10.30am to 12.30pm, skilled volunteers will try their best to fix your knick knacks and offer advice on using your gadgets, games, software and sewing machines. Help is free in return for a donation!

*CELEBRATE the music of John Strauss and his contemporaries as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra takes to the stage at the Weymouth Pavilion tomorrow from 7.30pm for a New Year Gala. With the outstanding soprano Soraya Mafi, the BSO will perform a range of pieces including the Fledermaus Overture, waltzes from Der Rosenkavalier and The Blue Danube. Tickets range from £14 to £27 and are available from the pavilion website and box office.

*ENJOY a night of country music at the Trinity Club in Dorchester, tomorrow from 8pm. Featuring music from the Jeff Gallant Band, plus a fantastic raffle, all proceeds will go towards Marie Curie Cancer Care. Entry is £7.

SUNDAY

*IF you're preparing to tie the knot, head to Weymouth Pavilion on Sunday for a free wedding fair. The venue will be showcasing its function rooms and theatre, all of which are available to hire for ceremonies and receptions. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet local suppliers, who will offer tips and advice on how to make your day extra special. The fair runs from 11am to 3pm.

*LAUGH away the January blues as Stephen K Amos performs at Weymouth Pavilion on Sunday at 7.30pm. With funny anecdotes and hilarious takes on the everyday, Stephen will open the 2020 Sunday Night Comedy season in style. Suitable for over-16s only, tickets are £15, available from the pavilion website or box office.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

*TRY your hand at stone carving with a one or two day workshop led by expert Jonathan Sells at Corfe Castle this weekend. The practical, friendly sessions will run from 10am to 4pm tomorrow and Sunday, and will take place outside if the weather allows. The one day course costs £70 for adults and £45 for children, while the two day course costs £125 for adults and £75 for children. To book a place, visit jonathan-sells.com