If you are looking for something exciting and fun to do during the holidays that will suit all ages and you don’t want to break the bank, then there are 2 great FREE events taking place in Dorchester over the August bank holiday weekend.
Firstly the super popular Open Air Cinema event is back! This is happening on Saturday the 27 August and is being held at the amazing Roman amphitheatre, Maumbury Rings. There are 2 classic films being shown – the visually gorgeous ‘Moana’ at 2pm, followed by (the original) Back to the Future at 5.30pm. During the interval, there will be live music from the amazing 8 piece band ‘The Skalatans’ bringing a laid back, Latin, ska vibe to the afternoon.
Cinema event 2018 (click to enlarge)
Entrance is free and there will be a fab stone baked pizza van onsite as well as hotdogs, candy floss, popcorn, ice-cream and delicious coffee on sale – everything you need to complete your cinema experience! Plus the Brewhouse and Kitchen will be giving away free samples of their delicious beers – adults only!
Attendees are encouraged to come early (gates open at noon), bring a blanket or deckchair (please no tents!) and get themselves comfortable for this truly wonderful community event.
Parking is available at the Fairfield Market car park – just across the road from Maumbury Rings, and there are also regular buses to close to the site – plus Dorchester South Station is less than a 5 minute walk away.
Please note, there is a maximum capacity at the venue, so if it is very crowded, entry may be restricted – also if the weather is very bad, it may need to be postponed – keep an eye on the Facebook page @dorchestertowncouncil for updates.
Walkabout entertainers (click to enlarge)
And then to round off the bank holiday, on Monday 29 August the well-established Anonymous Festival is returning – now in its 12th year! Running from 11am-5pm, this year the event will be held in the much loved setting of Borough Gardens in Dorchester.
You will have the opportunity to try your staying power with an inflatable rodeo, test your nerve on some bungee trampolines, push yourself on the inflatable bungee run, get a henna tattoo, try your hand at screen printing, create some fabulous craft, get a glitter tattoo or have your hair braided. You will even have the chance to do a masterclass in how to create a special effect wound!
And remember, all the activities, as well as entrance is free!
Plus there are 2 stages of music showcasing some of the best young musicians in the South West. Performers this year include, Conor Smith, Ruby Dew, Asha Zee, Olivia Sebis, Shannon White, the Dark Descendants, Ben Reidy, Lizzie Pawsey, Malelei, Vicky Limm and The Undecided.
They will be covering a wide range of genres from rock to pop and including some punk, funk & folk – again something for everyone!
Headlining this year will be Galaxy Thief – an indie pop/rock 4-piece from Swanage. The band are Yamaha Music London Ambassadors, meaning they represent Yamaha across the UK and they are sure to bring a highly energetic and entertaining performance.
There will be a range of affordable, delicious food on offer, including burgers, sausages and chips and mouth-watering freshly cooked Thai dishes and a Jamaican inspired BBQ. There will also be a quality fresh coffee stand, popcorn, candy floss and ice-cream, and the park kiosk will be open for light snacks and drinks.
Feel free to bring your own blanket or deckchair and make a day of it.
Emma Scott, Dorchester Town Council, says “I am really proud of Anonymous which involves so many young people. It’s been amazing to see how many of the young musicians who have played over the years have gone on to become professional performers and tour the world! And the cinema event will also be a brilliant day out.
“And a special shout out must go out to the funders of the events including Dorchester Town Council,
The National Lottery, Sovereign Housing, Dorset Council, Magna Housing, Brewery Square and the Brewhouse and Kitchen, as well as our partners Antix Music, Air 107.2 and the Vinyl Van”.
“We’re really pleased to have raised the money so that we can offer all the activities for free and support our local families and community”.
Frazer Mitchell, founder of Antix Music Network, coordinating this year’s Anonymous Festival line up says “This year, the line-up is incredibly strong, with solo acts and bands from all over the Dorset area, all under 25 years old.”
Frazer, who founded the Antix Music Network In 2015, providing live music across the Dorset and Somerset says “Anonymous Festival is exactly the type of event we want to get involved with; helping develop younger artists and giving them platforms for their creativity”
To find out more information about the Anonymous Festival, check out the Facebook page, or to contact Emma directly, email her at e.scott@dorchester-tc.gov.uk or call her on 01305 819463.
For more info about the Antix Music Network, please check the website;
www.antixmusicnetwork.co.uk