Start date: 16/03/24
End date: 17/03/24
All-day event
Location: Shire Hall Café, Dorchester
Booking Details
Concerts | Other Event | Workshops

Organised by Damian Clarke

This will be the first celebration of Hammer and Mountain Dulcimers in the historic town of Dorchester. Why here? Well, it turns out that Dorset is a hub of dulcimer players, with professional performers, and players who meet together to explore these wonderful instruments.

So this is an opportunity to build on the expertise of the local players and players from the wider South-west region, as well as to involve players who would appreciate attending workshops to further their skills as well as listening to concerts that highlight a variety of styles and techniques.

This will also be an ideal opportunity for anyone who is interested in trying out a dulcimer as there will be instruments available and beginner workshops for both Hammer and Mountain dulcimers. Perhaps, having listened to the beautiful sounds and playing at a concert, you may want to sign up to a workshop the next day.

On the Sunday evening there is a popular music session, just down the road from the Shire Hall at the Convivial Rabbit Micro pub. Why not take your dulcimer along and join in the fun? There will also be a space for any spontaneous sessions between workshops and concerts in the Shire Hall café.

There is plenty of accommodation in the town, much of it within five minutes walk from the Shire Hall Café where the event will be held. There is a range from traditional hotels and B&Bs to modern hotels and AirBnB. Dorchester is served by trains from Bristol and the North, as well as trains from London and the South-east.

Dorset is near to many traditional seaside towns such as Sidmouth and Weymouth. There is the UNESCO heritage site all along the Jurassic Coast. You could go for a walk near Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Charminster Beach and Golden Cap – though not in one day! Dorchester was a fascinating place in history. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were sentenced here, and you can visit the Courtroom and dramatic dungeons where they were held. Judge Jeffries sentenced hundred of rebels from the Monmouth Rebellion from a building just down from the Shire Hall. So pack your walking boots and be ready to take in a lot of new music, history, and fabulous views.

PROGRAMME

Saturday 16th March

  • 3pm – 4pm Workshop for Hammer Dulcimers with Dizzi Dulcimer (Content TBC)
  • 4pm – 5pm Workshop for Mountain Dulcimers with Tony Gillam (Playing by ear, songwriting)
  • 7.30pm – 10pm  Concert with Tony Gillam, Dizzi Dulcimer, Grahame Hood, Damian Clarke

Sunday 17th March

  • 11am – 12pm Workshop for Hammer Dulcimers with Damian Clarke (beginners; scales, chords and arpeggios.
  • 11am – 12pm Workshop for Mountain Dulcimers with Grahame Hood (beginners).
  • 2pm – 4pm Concert with Magdalena Atkinson, Grahame Hood, Tony Gillam, Damian Clarke
If you have no instrument then there will be ones that can be booked by email to Damian Clarke at voxpopontheroad@yahoo.co.uk.

Tickets

Available in advance from Eventbrite.

  • Whole weekend (all events): £20 + booking fee, in advance from Eventbrite,  £24 on the door
  • Concert ticket: £8 + booking fee, in advance from Eventbrite, £10 on the door
  • Workshop ticket: £3 + booking fee, in advance from Eventbrite, £5 on the door

Any queries or for further information contact Damian Clarke, voxpopontheroad@yahoo.co.uk or 07773128885