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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 2026 Concerts & Other Events Programme
Saturday 23 May | 6pm – Opening Night Concert!
I Fagiolini
Anniversary Concert – ‘We’re not Dead Yet’
Venue:The Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham
Tickets: £27, £2 students, £21.60 concessions
Join us for an unforgettable opening evening on 23 May, where I Fagiolini return to PAW to bring their signature blend of creativity and imagination to the stage. They will be performing an anniversary programme for their 40th year: ‘We’re not dead yet’. Expect exquisite vocal artistry from one of Britain’s most creative ensembles, an atmosphere-rich programming that sits beautifully with the visual and artistic spirit of Purbeck.
Sunday 24 May | 6pm – Concert 2
Parnassus Ensemble with artist Jérémie Queyras
3in1 – A Triadic Reflection
Venue: Lady St Mary, Wareham
Tickets: £25, £2 students, £20 concessions
We’re delighted to be hosting this unique collaboration between Parnassus – an early music ensemble of leading musicians from across Europe, including members from Ayres Extemporae who gave us such a wonderful concert at Church Knowle for last year’s festival – and the visual artist Jérémie Queyras who is building a global reputation for his work, in particular his live paintings to music performance.
This interdisciplinary performance presents vocal music by Pachelbel, Kuhnau and J.S. Bach whilst Jérémie responds in real time on three large canvasses, acting as an evolving visual backdrop behind the ensemble for the drama of the music to unfold. In addition to the artistic responses, selected contemporary texts will be woven throughout the performance.
Tuesday 26 May | 7pm – Talk
Dr Gill Clarke, Guest Curator Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Bournemouth
Creative Relationships: Artists in Purbeck 1900-1950
Venue: The Barn, Kingston Country Courtyard
Tickets: £12, £2 students, £9.60 concessions
Curator and art historian Gill Clarke will talk about leading artists who were resident or visiting Purbeck between 1900-1950, giving us a fascinating insight into the area’s rich artistic heritage. This includes Slade School Artists linked to Swanage, members of the Bloomsbury Group who visited Studland, the Head of Glasgow School of Art and the artistic community in Corfe, and many others. All inspired by Purbeck’s distinctive scenery their creative relationships led to work that crossed artistic boundaries.
Special 20% discounted dinner offered to pre-booked ticket holders at the Sawmill Restaurant (01929 481066) in Kingston Country Courtyard. Space limited so essential to book your meal in good time either before or after the talk, quote PAW when booking your table.
Wednesday 27 May | 10.30am – 11.30am – Children’s Workshop (aged 4 – 8 yrs)
Nick Jubber
Adventures with Flying Beasties
Venue: Wareham Youth Centre, Worgret Road, Wareham, BH20 4PH
Tickets: £5 per child (aged 4-8 yrs), parents welcome to sit in
Calling all children who’ve ever dreamed of flying through the sky – on the back of a dragon, or a giant bird called a roc (which is so big, it’s said it can carry an elephant in its talons), or the most beautiful bird in all fairy tales – the legendary firebird. In this interactive event, author Nicholas Jubber will guide the children through tales of flying beasties – and together we’ll create our own new ones. 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 WeekendBuy a mini-festival pass for £85 and gain entry to all five concerts over the weekend (Friday 29 May – Sunday 31 May) saving £11!
Friday 29 May | 7pm – Concert 3
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Monday 1 June | 7.30pm – Poetry Event
Purbeck Poets Performing
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
Friday 5 June | 6pm – Concert 8
Jeremy Avis, Sam Stadlen, Rebecca Askew, Suntou Susso, Simo Lagnawi and Timothy Dickinson with the Purbeck Arts Choir and students from Stoborough and Swanage Primary Schools
The Whispering Dome
Venue: The Mowlem, Swanage
Tickets: £20, £10 family, £2 students, £16 concessions
The Whispering Dome is an award-winning concert-adventure that follows a single nightingale on her epic migration from the UK to The Gambia. Blending early and contemporary music with immersive multimedia projections, the performance imagines the human music rising from the lands she flies over – from medieval Europe to North Africa and West Africa. Five exceptional performers draw on European early music, Moroccan Gnawa Sufi traditions and West African Griot song, weaving ancient love songs, pilgrims’ tales, bird songs and new choral works into a rich, border-crossing sound world. We’re delighted to have received Dorset Council funding to support this event.
Tickets for the Whispering Dome will be sold through The Mowlem and will be available soon.
Saturday 6 June | 6pm – Concert 9
Guy Cutting, Sophia Prodanova, Olwen Foulkes & Nathaniel Mander
Waft her, angels, through the skies: Handel arias with Guy Cutting
Venue: St James’s, Kingston
Tickets: £25, £2 students, £20 concessions
Internationally renowned tenor Guy Cutting presents a journey through the dramatic and emotional world of Handel, with highlights from operas and oratorios including Acis and Galatea, Jeptha, Alexander’s Feast, Joshua and Theodora. Joined by a trio of outstanding specialists on period instrumentalists – Olwen Foulkes, Sophia Prodanova and Nathaniel Mander – this intimate programme explores the full expressive range of Handel’s music.
Tuesday 30 June | 7pm – Concert 10
Young Purbeck Musicians
Venue: Emmanuel Baptist Church, Swanage
Tickets: free
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.