There's some really special events happening in this area over the next couple of days. Take a look!

*DON'T miss the world premiere performances of a new play about Dorset's best known son Thomas Hardy.

A Pure Woman will be performed at Dorchester Corn Exchange tonight, Saturday and Sunday.

It tells the story of 84 year-old Thomas Hardy’s affair of the heart with Gertrude Bugler and the jealousy it inspired in his second wife, Florence.

The play is inspired by Christopher Nicholson's novel Winter. Contact Dorchester Arts for tickets.

*THE UK’s best-selling classical crossover artist of all time comes to Weymouth Pavilion tonight.

Russell Watson will perform Canzoni d'Amore for a Weymouth audience.

To date, his illustrious career has included performances for Her Majesty The Queen, The Pope and two US Presidents. Following a series of sell-out performances in 2015-16, The People’s Tenor returns to the stage with this, his brand-new show.

Contact the box office for tickets.

*SEE some beautiful artwork and help support the ABF The Soldiers' Charity (formerly the Army Benevolent Fund).

Admission to the Art4Army exhibition at Duke's in Brewery Square, Dorchester, is free.

People will be able to view more than 150 works.

There is a programme of daily talks by eminent speakers, introduced by Kate Adie. Learn about the Slade painters, influenced by Thomas Hardy, who came to work in Dorset. Discover the roots of the modern SAS in a talk about the Artists Rifles and appreciate the influence of World War II on the artists of the time - LS Lowry, Henry Moore, Stanley Spencer and many others.

eventbrite.co.uk/e/art4army-tickets-46614973641

*ALSO on the topic of art, there are just a view days left to see Royal Academician Philip Sutton's colourful and vibrant artworks at Bridport Arts Centre.

Sited in the Allsop Gallery, they are free to view and will remain there until Saturday, October 6.

*SCULPTURE by the Lakes' final Plein Air Painting festival takes place tomorrow (29) between 10am and 5pm.

This is an amazing chance to watch some of the best Dorset artists working in the open air. The Dorset based artists will show their skill in a variety of media, capturing the light over the lakes, glorious gardens, stunning natural habitats and the sculptures by Simon Gudgeon. Entry is £10 a ticket.

*EVERYONE'S favourite 80s crooner Paul Young will perform at Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts on Sunday (30).

He'll be performing his much loved album No Parlez in celebration of 35 years since its release.

The album produced Paul’s first UK number 1 single – The Marvin Gaye cover of Wherever I Lay My Hat and hits Come Back & Stay and Love of The Common People.