IF ever a story typified the ultimate highs and tragic lows of a career in the entertainment industry it is that of Whitney Houston.

The one time golden girl of pop and soul, selling countless millions of records, selling out countless stadiums and theatres across the planet with an incredible voice and performance contrasts with a total car crash of a personal life, leading to her untimely passing at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles in 2012.

But it’s her music we’ll always remember and love and that’s what Whitney: Queen of the Night will be celebrating this Sunday, November 18 at Weymouth Pavilion.

Following in the footsteps of Adele and Leona Lewis, former BRIT Performing Arts School student Shanice Smith gives her quite unbelievable set of pipes a huge work-out as she takes us through three decades of Whitney’s smashers, from I Wanna Dance with Somebody, One Moment In Time, My Love is Your Love, Saving All My Love for You and, of course, her take on Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love you, ably backed by, as you might expect, a top-drawer band and stage show.

Incidentally, did you know what Whitney’s favourite type of co-ordination was? Hand-Eye, apparently… It promises to be night to remember for fans of the ultimate soul diva and tickets at £25.50 are available from the box office on 01305 783225.

Moving on but staying on a soul theme, it’s Soulvember tomorrow, Saturday, November 17, at the Spice Ship pub in Weymouth.

It’s a joyous celebration of the glory that is Motown and soul music in general with a quality line-up including Detroit Magic, Baby Love, Alexis and Groovemeister.

But they’ll also be a touch of sadness as soul singer Scott Bench Taylor, who was originally booked for the event, sadly passed away last month while working in Benidorm.

Scott will be remembered with a special wristband for all those who come along tomorrow and there are a few tickets left at £15 from the pub or 01305 834651.

And finally, dig out your pork pie hats and your best moon-stomping Doc Martens Boots for the visit of ska legends Bad Manners who are set to shake the foundations and take the roof off the Electric Palace in Bridport next Thursday, November 22.

Buster Bloodvessel and the boys will no doubt be playing their floor-filling hits including Lorraine, Lip Up Fatty, Special Brew and that one that goes Ne Ne Na Na Nu Nu.

Support comes from Max Splodge so if you want to order your Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps please at the bar you’ll need to snap up tickets at £21 first from the box office on 01308 424901.

And finally, it’s high fives and woops all round for Ben Waters and Amy Mayes who were joined on stage at Ronnie Scott’s club in London on Wednesday night by two rock’n’roll legends.

Boogie woogie pianist Ben and chanteuse Amy, who have been playing with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and singer Imelda May recently, including a gig at Wimborne’s Tivoli Theatre this week, were thrilled to have none other than Sir Rod Stewart get up from his table at the famous West End venue to sing Sweet Little Rock’n’Roller, the Chuck Berry classic.

Ben tells me: “Rod was a perfect gent and great fun,” while Amy added: “Can I just say Sir Rod Stewart used MY microphone!”

Till next time…

TODAY (16)
Glass Spiders (Finns, Weymouth)
Kelly Lorraine (Gloucester, Weymouth)
Jolly Boys Outing (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)
Milk and Two (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)
Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)
Sammie (Weymouth Working Mens Club)
Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)
The Cubes (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)
Dolmen Acoustic (Park, Weymouth)
Tequila Mockingbird (Golden Lion, Weymouth)
The Imprints (Ropemakers, Bridport)
Darren H (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)
Big Al Whittle (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)
Aaron and Karina (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)
Finnian (Black Dog, Weymouth)
SATURDAY (17)
Tripod (Finns, Weymouth)
Glass Spiders (Ropemakers, Bridport)
Detroit Magic, Baby Love, Groovemeister, Alexis (Spice Ship, Weymouth) It’s SOULVEMBER! Tickets are £15 from the pub.
Hot Bacon (Sailors Return, Weymouth)
Johnny King (Gloucester, Weymouth)
Hardcore Troubadours (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)
Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)
Replay (Portland Social Club)
City Limits Duo (Weymouth Working Mens Club)
Handle With Care (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)
Neil Wale (Conservative Club, Weymouth)
Surfing Birds (Tom Browns, Dorchester)
Dale Fender Band (Centenary Club, Weymouth)
V8 Hearts (Golden Lion, Weymouth)
Surfing Birds (Tom Brown’s, Dorchester)
Matt Lock (Market House Tavern, Weymouth)
Martin Freed (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)
Pam Johns (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)
Mark Davis (Three Compasses, Charminster) 6-8pm.
The Ferals (Wyke Regis Social Club, Weymouth)
Sheryl Lee (Black Dog, Weymouth)
SUNDAY (18)
Whitney: Queen of the Night (Weymouth Pavilion)
Acoustic Night (Old Town Hall, Weymouth) From 7.30pm
David Lukas (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)
Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 3pm and 8pm.
The Shakespearos (Bull, Fordington, Dorchester) From 4pm.
The Boarding Crew (Park, Weymouth)
Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth) From 3pm.
Adam Chevis and Paul Sharod (Belvedere, Weymouth)
Jinder (Ropemakers, Bridport)
Danny Adams (Dolphin, Weymouth) 3-6pm.
Sheryl Lee (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)
Scots Dan’s Open Mic (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)
Strings and Reeds (Black Dog, Weymouth) ( 4 til 7pm )
Folk and country evening (The Old Town Hall, Weymouth) (from 7pm)
MONDAY (19)
Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)
Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)
TUESDAY (20)
Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)
Martin Freed’s Open Mic Night (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)
WEDNESDAY (21)
Mike Denham’s Speakeasy with Michael McQuaid (Corn Exchange, Dorchester)
Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)
Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth) Acoustic folk, here every Wednesday.
Open Mic Night (Rock, Weymouth)
THURSDAY (22)
Dodge Brothers (Electric Palace, Bridport)
Roger’s Singalong (Gloucester, Weymouth)
Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)
Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, ChiswelI, Portland) 
Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth) Strum on down from 8pm.
FRIDAY (23)
Stereoironics (Finns, Weymouth)
Stacey Lou (Gloucester, Weymouth)
The Shakespearos (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)
The Skalatans (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)
Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)
Martin Maton (Weymouth Working Mens Club)
TBA (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)
Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)
Mother Ukers (Ropemakers, Bridport)