Although all the conurbation’s vibrant and busy theatres, museums, art galleries, cinemas and music venues are currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a number of cultural festivals have been postponed or cancelled, there are many clever, creative and easily accessible ways of getting a rich cultural fix over the next few weeks and months.
This month Pavilion Dance South West (PDSW), located in the heart of Bournemouth, are screening the digital premiere of Can’t Sit Still: Oh no George! Visit the page in this link, https://www.pdsw.org.uk/whats-on/oh-no-george/ and enjoy the fantastically funny and energetic story of a dog who wants to be good but just can’t resist temptation! The show, created by award winning picture book artist Chris Haughton, is perfect for 3 – 7 year olds and their families and runs for 50 minutes. This delightful production is a perfect cultural distraction in our new lockdown lives.
For details of online dance classes at PDSW and other forthcoming digital premieres in April such as Vincent Dance Theatre’s In Loco Parentis, go to https://www.pdsw.org.uk/
The annual Arts by the Sea Festival has launched a simple and fun scheme to help keep us culturally engaged – Arts by the Sea at Home! The festival team are inviting aspiring artists of all ages to help colour in the official 2020 Artwork. When you are satisfied with your endeavours upload the artwork to Facebook , Twitter or Instagram using the #ABTSatHome , tagging @artsbythesea. All the beautiful designs will be shared on a dedicated gallery on 23rd April. https://artsbythesea.co.uk/
Christchurch’s cultural hub, the Regent Centre, is screening a number of free blockbuster productions along with their broadcast partners in the coming weeks, including the Met Opera’s Don Carlo on April 3rd, The National Theatre’s One Man Two Guvnors starring James Corden on April 8th while Cosi Fan Tutte by the Royal Opera House can be enjoyed on April 10th. Ignore the “sold out” signs on the broadcast page and follow the links for details of how to log on to each show , dates and times. https://regentcentre.co.uk/index.php?filter=Broadcast.
Meanwhile other local arts centres such as Lighthouse Poole and the Shelley Theatre in Southbourne are providing listings of national live streaming of iconic national and international productions of opera, ballet and theatre on their websites and social media channels. Lighthouse Poole will also be curating a host of digital content from Memory Mondays to Film Fridays , Workshop Wednesdays and Sunday Fundays.
SoundCellar, a hidden gem and haven for fans of non-mainstream music , usually playing out of the atmospheric cellar of the Blue Boar in POOLE , has become a YouTube Jazz Club during the pandemic closures. Every Thursday at 8.15pm the team will be releasing archive material from the hours of amazing gigs and jazz sessions that have featured local, national and international artists.
We will be updating you regularly on all things culture, art and entertainment in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area in these strange and challenging times.
#stayhomestaysafe