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Concerts & Events
Purbeck Art Weeks offers a vibrant programme of concerts and events that extends beyond the festival itself, showcasing outstanding international talent right here in Purbeck. From world-class performances to inspiring talks and community collaborations, our year-round events bring the arts to life for local audiences. We’re committed to making these experiences accessible to all, offering opportunities for everyone, including children and young people, to engage with exceptional creative talent.
PAW 2025 Concerts & Other Events Programme
Concert: The Comic Muse
Kitty Clive’s 18th-Century London Apollo’s Cabinet
Date: Saturday 24 May | 6pm
Venue: Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham, BH20 4ND
Tickets: £25, £2 students
Angela Hicks soprano
Teresa Wrann recorder
Harry Buckoke viola da gamba
Jonatan Bougt theorbo
Thomas Pickering recorder, harpsichord
Angela Hicks plays actress, soprano and London stage star Kitty Clive (1711–1785), who had a unique command of the 18th-century theatre world. Born as Catherine Raftor in 1711 and rising to fame as Mrs Clive, she negotiated the raucous, fast-moving, and sometimes unforgiving London scene with intelligence and grace. In this programme, multiple award winning ensemble, Apollo’s Cabinet, explores her world, shines a light on the vocal genres in which she excelled, and celebrates the vibrancy of mid-18th-century theatre performances through the instrumental publications that they inspired, including music by Handel, Arne and Geminiani.
“Baroque meets Bridgerton”
Göttinger Tagblatt
Concert: Bach and His Roots
Ayres Extemporae with Hannah Ely (Soprano)
Date: Sunday 25 May | 12 noon
Venue: Church of St Peter, Church Knowle, BH20 5NF
Tickets: £20, £2 students
Xenia Gogu baroque violin
Víctor García García cello piccolo
Teresa Madeira baroque cello
Winners of the 2024 York Early Music International Young Artists Competition, this talented trio present a programme focusing on the vocal and instrumental music of J.S. Bach and his predecessors: Erlebach, Biber, Schein, Buxtehude, and others. For this concert, they are joined by soprano Hannah Ely to explore the rich soundworld of the 17th and early-18th centuries, offering insight into the musical influences that shaped the style of the great master. Through tracing the artistic pathways that inspired Bach, whose mastery of counterpoint and profound expressiveness were deeply rooted in the innovations of his predecessors, Ayres Extemporae invite you to experience the foundational music that contributed to the rise of one of the most significant composers in history.
Parking at the Village Hall.
Coffee and cakes will be available from 10.30am in the Village Hall in aid of St Peter’s Church.
Local artworks also on sale.
Children’s Workshop: Make your own Monster (aged 4 to 8 years)
Date: Wednesday 28 May | 10.30am – 11.30am
Venue: The Studio, Mowlem Theatre, Shore Road, Swanage, BH19 1DD
Tickets: £2 per child (aged 4-8 yrs), parents welcome to sit in
In this workshop, local writer Nick Jubber (author of ‘Monsterland’ and ‘The Fairy Tellers’) will talk to the children about freaky, fantastic monsters, telling tales about monsters and encouraging the children to tell their own. We’ll also make some monster masks and act out a communal monster tale. This should be a great opportunity for kids to express their wild imaginations and learn a little about how to channel them into storytelling.
Mini-Festival Weekend
Concert: The Prince of Music
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Purbeck Poets Performing
Date: Monday 2 June | 7.30pm
Venue: Swanage Royal British Legion, 150 High Street, Swanage, BH19 2PA
An open event
A friendly open mic poetry night. The evening will be hosted by local poet, Martin Hobdell, and will include poets from the regular monthly open mic sessions as well as outside poets. All are welcome. If you would like to perform, please contact Martin to book a slot in advance or turn up early on the night –
first come first served. Martin Hobdell: martinhobdell24@gmail.com
Come for 3 Pees at The Legion And a welcome that’s hearty and warming No, not for 3 Pees in the loo – This is Purbeck Poets Performing!
Workshop on Writing Non-Fiction
Date: Wednesday 4 June | 6pm – 7pm
Venue: The Studio, Mowlem Theatre, Shore Road, Swanage, BH19 1DD
Tickets: £5, students £2
£15 joint ticket for workshop and talk on 6 June
In this workshop, local writer Nick Jubber (author of ‘Monsterland’ and ‘The Fairy Tellers’) will analyse what makes non-fiction work, taking participants step-by-step through key passages in some of his favourite travel and history writing, and outlining a few key techniques that can help your writing shine. He’ll also discuss the broader writing process and respond to any questions participants have.
Guitar Classics with Craig Ogden
Coffee Concert at Encombe
Date: Thursday 5 June | 10.15am
Venue: Encombe House, Kingston, BH20 5LW
Tickets: (priority given to the Festival Friends): £35
No admission on the day without a ticket
(tickets are not available on the door)
Craig Ogden is one of the most sought after classical guitarists of our time, whose career has included a stream of best-selling albums, appearances with the world’s finest orchestras and a regular presence on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. This is a rare opportunity to listen to Craig as a soloist up close in the intimacy of Encombe’s beautiful entrance hall, performing a wide range of guitar favourites.
Festival Friends can enjoy the wonderful gardens both before and after the concert.
We are very grateful to James and Arabello Gaggero for their generous hospitality
Please park as directed by the stewards. From the parking area you can then enjoy the lakeside walk to the house. (transportation can be provided if required).
“This is the real thing: a hugely enjoyable potpourri of pieces that…have not only been firm recital favourites of Ogden’s over the years but of lovers of classical guitar everywhere.”
Gramophone
Talk: Myths and Monsters: Tales from Dorset & around the World
Illustrated talk by Nick Jubber and Tim Laycock
Date: Friday 6 June | 7pm
Venue: The Studio, Mowlem Theatre, Shore Road, Swanage, BH19 1DD
Tickets: £12, students £2
£15 joint ticket for talk and workshop on 4 June
Award winning local travel writer, Nick Jubber, is joined by folk musician, storyteller and actor, Tim Laycock, for a one-night-only celebration of stories, from Purbeck ghost tales to vampire stories from Eastern Europe, from the King of Corfe Castle to the Dragon of Bavaria. Along with Tim’s interactive musical accompaniment on concertina, melodeon and guitar, and vivid pictures from Nick’s travels, this will be an immersive, atmospheric feast of magical tales.
Concert: The Fairy Queen
Date: Saturday 7 June | 4pm
Venue: Careys Secret Garden, Wareham, BH20 7PG
Tickets: £20, family tickets £5, students £2
The Echoing Air:
Amy Carson and Emily Vine sopranos
Kieran White tenor
Timothy Dickinson bass
Music for Awhile:
Maggie Faultless and Rachel Stroud violins
Francesca Gilbert viola
Andrew Skidmore cello
Enter a world of music and mischief with Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, a dazzling semi-opera inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Performed by vocal ensemble The Echoing Air and instrumentalists Music for Awhile, this special abridged version brings together professional musicians and young singers from local Purbeck schools. Set in the beautiful Careys Secret Garden in Wareham, this picnicstyle performance promises an afternoon of spellbinding music, mischievous fairies, and love-struck mortals, with scenery and props made by local primary school children. Enjoy tea and cake while exploring the magical gardens during the extended interval as part of this charming summer event.
“an impressive and hugely enjoyable evening, undoubtedly enhanced not only by the superb performances but also the lovely rural setting and relaxed ambiance.”
audience member
Young Purbeck Musicians in Concert
Date: Monday 30th June | 7pm
Venue: Methodist Church, 105 High Street, Swanage, BH19 2LZ
Tickets: Advance sales (from 9th – 29th June) from purbeckyouthmusic.org: £3 adult, £1 child
Tickets on the door: £5 adult, £1 child
Each year we celebrate the wonderful abilities of some of our best local younger musicians, together with school groups and inter-school instrumental and vocal ensembles. Do join us as we celebrate our young talent.
As in previous years, to enable more young musicians to participate, this year’s concert takes place towards the end of term and after exams.
A programme of what will be performed will be available on the day.