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(Image: BCP-Tourism)
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are known as tourist hotspots thanks to the 15 miles of golden sands between them on the sunny Dorset coast. The area’s arts and cultural offerings have been gaining in momentum, number, and popularity over recent years.
For art-lovers, the best time to visit the three towns is during Dorset Art Weeks, which runs from May 25 to June 9, with more than 250 participating venues, as well as activities and exhibitions celebrating the best of fine art, craft and making across the county. Here are some of the summer’s highlights:
Poole
Poole is proudly running its first ever Pride this year on Saturday, June 8. Hosted by Lighthouse Poole, this historic event will be alive with free vibrant family-friendly events during the day, with performances and workshops, live music, theatre, spoken word, a film festival and an exhibition from Arts University Bournemouth students on the history of LGBT+ activism in the UK.
In the evening, Lighthouse Poole will host a glittering line-up, including Drag Queen artist Bimini, DJ collective Horse Meat Disco, Ibiza resident and in-demand horn blower, Ellie Sax, the DJ talent of Woody Cook and firebrand rave legend Charlotte Devaney. For more information, visit the website here.
Just off the coast of Poole in its vast natural harbour lies Brownsea Island, home to the Brownsea Open Air Theatre. One of the biggest theatrical projects in the south, these beautiful surroundings make for a wonderful show and a fantastic evening of traditional Shakespeare.
This magical open-air theatre company has been performing productions since 1964, and this summer’s production is Macbeth, directed by Chaz Davenport – showing from Wednesday, July 24, to Friday, August 9. For more information, visit the website here.
Bournemouth
Proms in the Park 2024 returns to Meyrick Park in Bournemouth for a fantastic weekend of music and fireworks and two spectacular concerts. On Friday, July 26, classical music fans can enjoy the Classical Extravaganza, with some of the best classical music ever written, including Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, John Williams’ Jurassic Park, The Last Samurai by Hans Zimmer, other masterpieces by Johann Strauss, Bach and Grieg, and ending in an explosive finale with Wagner’s rousing Ride of the Valkyries.
On Saturday, July 27, Proms in the Park presents the sensational Disco Symphonic Spectacular, featuring an explosion of 70s disco hits, a full disco band and star singers. Early bird tickets are currently £30 (£19 for under 18s). Full price/on the day bookings will be £38 per ticket. Booking fees apply. For more information, visit the website here.
Staying in Bournemouth, the historic house, galleries and gardens that are the Russell Cotes have a full schedule of workshops, events, talks, shows, and exhibitions over the summer months, including the first major retrospective of acclaimed painter and lithographer, Albert de Belleroche. This special exhibition features more than 60 paintings and lithographs spanning Belleroche’s career. It will have some rarely seen works, many of which are on display for the first time to the public.
The exhibit gives an insight into the life of the Parisian artist and his relationships with prominent impressionists, including John Singer-Sargent, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Edgar Degas and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The exhibition runs from Friday, May 3, to Sunday, September 22. For more information, visit the website here.
Christchurch
Lying furthest east of the three towns is the historic priory town of Christchurch, home to the Red House Museum, a former Georgian workhouse that is now a museum, gardens and gallery. The Red House is hosting an Open Art Exhibition from April 27 to June 9 as part of Dorset Art Weeks. This vibrant and eclectic exhibition showcases the best of amateur and professional artists from Dorset, Hampshire and beyond.
Artworks have been selected by an invited panel of judges, and visitors have the opportunity to vote for their favourite for the People’s Choice Award. Artworks are also for sale. Free admission. For more information, visit the website here. Down on Christchurch Quay this summer is the return of the popular Xchurch Music Festival 2024, happening across three stages over three days from July 19 to 21.
Billed as ‘the ultimate summer party’, the weekend will showcase the best of the area’s homegrown musical talent with 50+ acts over the weekend, including The Audio Allstars, Groovemeister, Ragwormers, Bomo Swing, Archie Ray, Chris Payn and Old Time Sailors. For more information, visit the website here.
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