HERE we are in what seems the fifteenth week of January and you’d have thought the season of goodwill to all men and general positivity and loveliness that is Christmas might have worn a bit thin by now.

Not a bit of it and there’s an event coming up next Friday, January 18, which will warm the coldest of hearts.

It’s a fundraising gig at Wyke Regis Working Mens Club on Portland Road, Weymouth, and features a number of top bands and solo artists, all of whom are giving their time and not inconsiderable talents to support a very worthy cause.

So who’s playing and what are they fundraising for, you’re no doubt asking.

I was just coming to that, hold on… Eighties revivalists The Cubes are topping the bill with support from keys ace and leading Elton John tribute Ed Hintze, outrageously talented nippers The Undecided, who will be making the most of not having school in the morning, duo Mischief Managed plus amazing tricks from magician Chris Howat.

And they’ll be hoping to raise a lot of loot to help Leukaemia UK, a charity which helps those affected by leukaemia, myeloma, lymphoma and other blood cancers.

As Cubes singer Tahnee Thorne tells me: “I have personal experience of the devastation that this disease can cause and the more I found out about it, the more people I discovered who have had similar experiences.

“There are a number of people who are involved in next Friday’s fundraiser who have close friends or family members who are dealing with this or have lost their lives to leukaemia so this is a cause close to our hearts.

“We’ve had a tremendous amount of support and interest so we’re hoping for a hugely successful and enjoyable night,” she adds.

It’s free entry at Wyke Workies next Friday, January 18, from 7pm so please give generously to the donation buckets in the club and don’t forget to buy tickets for the raffle.

Every little helps, okay?

And talking of kind gestures and the spirit of goodwill, let’s hear it for Matt Carbis and a host of other local musos who took part in the fundraiser for the Lantern Trust held at the Royal Oak pub on Weymouth harbourside on New Year’s Eve.

While most of us we’re getting our fancy dress on and getting off our faces saying goodbye to 2018, Matt and bands including the Speedway Snails, Surfing Birds and musicians including Matt Lock and Rob McIlroy kept scores of punters entertained throughout the day and raised a healthy sum of £476.50 which includes £150 from the pub itself.

Matt presented the takings to Lisa Fernly of the Lantern Trust, which helps with housing issues for homeless and vulnerable in the Weymouth area.

Top job all round, chaps!

Now, if the sound of the flamenco guitar can remind you of sunnier climes, then you're in for a bit of a treat next Friday, January 18 with the visit of world renowned virtuoso Eduardo Niebla to Dorchester Arts Centre.

Ed, as his pals call him, is a formidable exponent of the Spanish art and is rated as the master of his generation.

He's worked with a huge array of artists from George Michael to Craig David, whom he met on the Monday, had a drink on the Tuesday, made the album on Wednesday, I understand.

He'll be hosting an evening of stunning flamenco jazz and will be accompanied by fellow fretboard ace Matthew Robinson and tabla player Dharmesh Parmar.

Tickets are £15 from the box office on 01305 266926.

Till next time…

FRI 11

Hello Again: Neil Diamond Story (Weymouth Pavilion)

T-Rextasy (Bridport Arts Centre)

Toxic Fish (Finns, Weymouth)

Django (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Mark Walker (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Chris Payne (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Mutter Slater Band (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Chill (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Speedway Snails (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Singalong with Aaron Carter (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Kelly Lorraine (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Kathy (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

SAT 12

The Shakespearos (Finns, Weymouth)

Studio 55 (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Paul Williams (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Johnny King (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral (No 10, Bridport) 12.30-2.30pm.

Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral (Reloved, Dorchester)

Bring Me The Pistols (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Stacey Lou (Market House, Weymouth)

Quinn’s Quinney (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Matt Wallis (Weymouth Conservative Club)

Compass (Park, Weymouth)

Tequila Mockingbird (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Skinful (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Georgie Broad (Little Ship, Portland)

Tree Fellahs, Teresa Rabbetts (Osmington village hall) Tickets £11 in aid of Myeloma UK from 07816 832554 or 01305 833108. From 7pm.

Leanne Jackson (Three Compasses, Charminster) 6pm.

The Crack (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Pam Johns (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

SUN 13

TBC  (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 3pm.

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 8pm.

Nature’s Cage (Ropemakers, Bridport) 4-6pm.

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

Kathy (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Mark Davis (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Scots Dan’s Open Mic Night (Duke of Albany, Weymouth) 6pm.

MONDAY

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return,  Weymouth) Acoustic folk, here every Wednesday.

Open Mic Night (Rock, Weymouth)

THURS 17

Open Mic (Drax Arms, Bere Regis)

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.

FRI 18

Mischief Managed, The Cubes, Ed Hintze, The Undecided, Chris Howatt (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth) Fundraiser for Leukaemia UK charity

Eduardo Niebla Experience (Dorchester Arts Centre)

Fluke (Finns, Weymouth)

Elijah Wolf Band (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Something Borrowed (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Speedway Snails (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Miss Ruby and the Roadhouse Blues Band (Ship, Wool)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Jazz Café (Bridport Arts Centre)

Andy Grant Trio (Golden Lion, Weymouth)