DBS News
Our 100th Bluesnight
Well, here we are less than a week away from the 100th Bluesnight. When I launched them in February 1999, I really had no idea how long they would run for; and certainly doing a 100 was way beyond my vision at the time. I just wanted to offer local people a quality of live blues that is normally only found in big cities!
I just want to share with you a comment from the SPIKEdrivers after our Xmas Bluesnight on 15 December 2007. If you were there you'll know it was a knock-out occasion - fabulous music from a truly awesome band. As Ben, Constance and Maurice were about to set off for their base in London, they said "We've had some great gigs this week, but this was the one that we were really looking forward to; and we haven't been disappointed." That is as much a tribute to you, our loyal audience, as much as it is to those of us who promote and produce Bluesnights. Thank you for all your support over the years, and for helping to make Bluesnights such a success!
The only criteria for selecting bands to play at Bluesnights are that they should be excellent. Although we typically bring to Dorchester artists from all over the U.K. and abroad, we also recognise that there is great talent right here in the South West. This is certainly true of the Harry Skinner Blues Band, whom we have chosen to celebrate our 100th live performance. Fronted by Harry Skinner, one of the best-known and most talented of UK blues musicians, this five-piece outfit has its roots in the Dorset/Hampshire area. Its musical scope, however, embraces a wide span of blues: Chicago, New Orleans, the Mississippi Delta, plus self-penned material that sits easily alongside the original stuff. If you're not yet familiar with these guys, then check out one of their live performances via this video link: You Tube Harry Skinner Live Video.
Good news! Some of you have asked if when you attend a Bluesnight it's possible to purchase tickets for the next gig. Until recently, this hasn't been possible, but following discussions with the Arts Centre management, from this Saturday you can. However, as the electronic booking and credit card system is located in the office, which doubles as the artists' dressing room, we can only handle cash on the evening. So, if you want to get tickets in advance, thus saving £1 per head, make sure you bring sufficient cash with you.
Even more good news! Over the last few years we have built up a stock of blues CDs; some from artists who have played at Bluesnights, others donated by people who have uploaded their CD collection to an iPod, a few given to us by promoters. On our two March Bluesnights, the 8th and 29th, we will be holding a CD sale. Single CDs will be £3, doubles will be £5. All proceeds will go towards maintaining Bluesnights reputation for top quality music at affordable prices and bringing you the very best artists. So come to the March gigs ready to stock up on some great CDs. And if you have any CDs in good condition that you'd like to donate, please let me know.
Finally, if you have been trying to get through to the box office at the Dorchester Arts Centre over Xmas, it has been closed between the 21 December 2007 and 7 January 2008 and forgot to tell us! So if you were frustrated in your attempts to book tickets or just make enquiries, please don't think it was our fault!
On behalf of us all at Bluesnights, may I wish you a very Happy New Year. We hope to see you at our 100th Bluesnight or another one soon.
Tom Hopkins,
Founder & Chairman, Dorset Blues Society
Monday, 7th January 2008
'Purveyors of fine live blues since 1999'
About DBS
Now in its 9th year, the Dorset Blues Society is Dorset's only regular blues club, featuring the best in UK and international live blues music. The Dorset Blues Society is a not-for-profit club for blues lovers everywhere and particularly for those visiting or living in the Dorchester and Weymouth areas. Made up entirely of volunteer blues enthusiasts from top to bottom (from the organizing committee, and all those in between - right down to the erstwhile webmaster), our sole aim is to promote and keep the blues " live & alive" in this little southwest corner of England (and have fun doing it!).
As well as hosting Bluesnights, DBS runs regular "Blues Trail" events, to introduce new audiences to the blues and live blues to new venues.
DBS also hold their highly successful and unique "Blues Summer Schools" each year, plus a series of "Listen and Learn" workshops and master classes taught by visiting artists.
For further information about DBS, please get in touch.
Cara Weaver
The Cara Weaver Fund
Cara was a student at the first ever DBS Blues Summer School, back in 2000. She was a very talented young musician; her death in a holiday accident later that year was an enormous blow to her family and friends and a loss to the local music community.
The Cara Weaver Fund was founded in 2001 in her memory, with the aim of raising money to support young people in achieving their ambitions - musical, sporting and educational. The fund has provided bursaries for young people to attend Blues Summer School over the last five years, and helped launch our 'Big Girls Blues' singing project for local young women in 2005.
If you are interested in helping the fund, please send your donation to:
Gilly Weaver, Grove House, Osmington, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 6EZ
or e-mail: Gilly.Weaver@btinternet.com
Cheques can also be sent to: Mandy Cockwell, The Wey Valley School, Dorchester Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 5AN. Cash/cheques (payable to the Cara Weaver Fund) can be deposited at the HSBC Bank: St. Mary's Street, Weymouth.
Any support you can offer, either by way of donations or publicising this appeal, will me much appreciated.
Bluesfully yours,
Tom Hopkins
Chairman, Dorset Blues Society
From the archives
"Ride over the Rockies in memory of Cara, aged 14"
© Dorset Evening Echo (5 August 2006, by Paul Greave):
BLUESNIGHTS music producer Tom Hopkins is planning a 600-mile charity cycle trip in memory of a Weymouth schoolgirl killed on holiday. Tom, 60, will cycle through the Canadian Rockies later this month to raise funds for the Cara Weaver Fund. Cara, 14, died in a cable car accident in 2001 while on holiday with her parents and brother in South Africa. The Wey Valley School pupil had visited the first of Tom’s blues summer schools for talented young musicians and following her death a fund was set up to provide bursaries for other youngsters to attend.
Tom, who has just retired from his job as a higher education consultant, said: “Cara was a talented musician, her death was an enormous blow to her family and friends, and a loss to the local music community.
“The Cara Weaver Fund was founded with the aim of raising money to support young people in achieving their ambitions - musical, sporting and educational. “I’ve wanted to do this ride since I first saw people cycling in the Rockies while driving through them in 1989. I’d now like to use my bike to try and put some money back into the fund so that it can help more young people.”
Tom will personally meet the £2,000 costs of the nine-day trip but is looking for people to sponsor him. He is due to take to the saddle on August 23 and has the full support of Cara's family.
He said: "Most of the journey will be on the roads and the longest day will cover about 85 miles, I expect it to be difficult but rewarding."
The Cara Weaver Fund has provided bursaries for young people to attend blues summer schools over the last five years and helped launch the Big Girls Blues’ singing project for local women in 2005. All money raised will go directly to the fund. If you are interested in sponsoring Tom, please email: Gilly.Weaver@ btinternet.com for details.
