I generally try to steer clear of politics on this page.

In fact the only arguments I have any truck with regarding In or Out are nothing to do with Brexit, but the merits of the hokey cokey which, after all, is what it’s all about.

Even so, there’s an event with a political tinge coming up in Dorchester which you may like to be aware of.

The Rock Against Racism movement was launched in the mid-Seventies and flourished in the post-punk explosion as a reaction to the rise of extreme right wing politics of the National Front and the British Movement.

Two of the biggest events were in 1978 when upwards of 100,000 people marched across London to Victoria Park in Hackney for a festival featuring The Clash, Steel Pulse, Sham 69, X Ray Spex (with whom I was to later share a flat, fact fans) and the Tom Robinson Band.

Later that year, another 100,000 people, including a teenage me, descended on Victoria Park in Brixton for another huge occasion with Elvis Costello, Stiff Little Fingers and Aswad.

So here we are, more than 40 years on, and the Rock Against Racism movement is still doing its best to promote a tolerant multi-cultural society and tackle even more extreme right-wing movements.

And the county town of Dorchester is doing its bit by hosting a RAR concert at the Corn Exchange next Saturday, February 9.

As event co-ordinator Kevin Reed tells me: “We want to bring the community together to say clearly that we don’t want the ideology of race hate and all that it leads to.

“There are times when you have to stand up and say no. Think about what happened when people sat back.

“This isn’t a time for splits and division. We need to put aside our differences and present a united face against the very real racist threat.”

Anyways, on the bill at next Saturday’s bash are well-seasoned (some even might say pickled) performers The Leggomen, the folk-pop of Kipper, the self-styled Welsh Woody Guthrie, and headlining and no doubt filling the dancefloor are the infectious reggae and soca sounds of Antigua Joe.

There’s also support from DJ The Rev. Jack Daniels playing his punky-reggae party selection and your MC is Dapper Dan.

Tickets are a mere £6 from the Dorchester TIC at the library, Harmony Music, Reloved or Claire’s Jewellery.

There’ll also be some for sale at the RAR stall outside Barclays in South Street tomorrow, Saturday, February 2, from 10.30amd and again on the Wednesday, February 6.

Meanwhile, chanteuse and avid Tupperware collector Mari Wilson was Sixties retro with her beehive and kitten heels in her Eighties heyday when she had huge hits with songs such as Just What I Always Wanted and Cry Me A River.

Mari is still touring with her fabulous band The New Wilsations and recent gigs included a guest appearance from Marc Almond. She’s also been touring with Heaven 17.

Her most recent album Pop Deluxe featured songs made famous by such icons as Dusty, Cilla, Petula and Sandie (surely her true musical ancestors) and will no doubt form the main mart of her touring show which comes to The Exchange in Sturminster Newton next Friday, February 8.

Tickets are £17 from the box office on 01258 475`37.

Till next time…

FRIDAY FEB 1

Dave Griff (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Louise Day (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

The George Hall Trio (Tom Browns, Dorchester)

4 Go Mad (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Acoustic Session (Victoria Inn, Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Stevie P (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

George Hall Trio (Tom Browns, Dorchester)

Big Al Whittle (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Finnian (Black Dog, Weymouth)

SAT FEB 2

Lithium (Finn’s, Weymouth)

Stereoironics (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Replay (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Ocean Drive (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Blue Quays (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Johnny King (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Dakota (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

V8 Hearts (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Strings and Reeds (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

Under The Carousel (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Strings and Reeds (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

The Crack (Black Dog, Weymouth)

SUNDAY FEB 3

Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral (Vinny@6, Dorchester) 4-6pm.

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 4.30 and 8.30pm.

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

Moondog (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Sunday Blues Jam (Belvedere, Weymouth) 4-7pm.

Di’s Open Mic (Duke of Albany, Weymouth) 6pm.

Johnny Mac (Black Dog, Weymouth) 4-7pm.

MONDAY FEB 4

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Quaystage Folk Session (Pilgrim House, Hope Sq, Weymouth) 8pm.

Open Mic with Martin Freed (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY FEB 6

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

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

Open Mic Night (Rock, Weymouth)

Dave Bowen and Jazz Friends (Three Compasses, Charminster)

THURSDAY Feb 7

Slow Americana Jam (Drax Arms, Bere Regis) Bring your banjo, from 8pm.

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 Feb 8

Mari Wilson (Exchange, Sturminster Newton)

The Skones (Finns, Weymouth)

Stacey Lou (Gloucester, Weymouth)

The Ferals (Ship Inn, Wool)

Alexis (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Total Madness (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Compass (Golden Lion, Weymouth)