Saturday 27 July

Thursday 25    Friday 26    Sunday 28
 Other – Exhibition/Sale/Workshops 

ARTbeat

ARTbeat is an opportunity for local artists of all genres to socialise, display and sell their original creations in an art-village atmosphere outside the Town Hall. There will be opportunities to doodle and sketch along with the artists and engage in some arty moments during the day
Saturday 10:00-16:00
Free
Shaftesbury Town Hall Map

 Exhibition 

Meet the Cartoonists
The Cartoonists’ Club of Great Britain

An exhibition of cartoons by some of the country’s finest cartoonists! Plus Live Cartooning by live cartoonists!
Meet the cartoonists and talk about all things cartooning!
See how cartoons are created, and find out what it takes to make a living by drawing funny stuff.
Prints, books and some original cartoon art will be available for sale too!
Saturday 10:00-17:00
Free
Boatwrights Map

 Exhibition 

Cygnet Gallery – creative art and crafts

The much loved Cygnet Gallery in Swan’s Yard is widely regarded as the creative heart of Shaftesbury.
The Gallery will be open during Fringe weekend and visitors will be able to peruse exhibitions of art and crafts from 30 local artists, and buy examples if they so wish!
Cygnet Artists will be available to chat about their work, and some will be offering demonstrations and practical activities.
Saturday 10:30-16:00
Free
Swans Yard Map

 Music – Choral 

Dorset Mutineers

The Dorset Mutineers are a lively crew who love singing traditional sea shanties. They will bring a smile to your face, get your toes tapping and perhaps even bring a tear to your eye. There’s no one quite like the The Dorset Mutineers. Huzzah
Saturday 11:00-12:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Swans Yard Map

 Music – Acoustic 

KD

Back in 2024 for their 2nd consecutive Shaftesbury Fringe Festival, acoustic covers duo KD are looking forward to sharing a varied set including Jeff Buckley, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Alicia Keys, Oasis, Maneskin and many others to transport you to a different plain, chill out to some acoustic vibes and escape the times with everyone welcome x
Saturday 11:00-12:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Black Cactus Map

 Other – Various 

Snippets Of The Fringe
Various Artists

A compendium of shows from registered Fringe artists putting on an extra performance to amaze and delight you.
Enjoy music, comedy and more while soaking in the stunning views and tucking into a tasty meal from our new street food market.
Saturday 11:00-21:00
Free
Shaftesbury Fringe Park Walk Busking Stage Map

 Music – Acoustic 

Alan Brown Guitarist/Composer
Alan Brown

Original Instrumental music creating stories through unfolding layers of sound
Saturday 12:00-13:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Bell St United Church Map

 Music – Acoustic 

Jan Vaisey & Ian Harvey

Jan and Ian are an acoustic contemporary folk duo who have a very varied repertoire of songs and tunes accompanied on guitar and mandolin. They have played at numerous venues and festivals mainly in Gloucestershire/Bristol areas and are delighted to be able to play at Shaftesbury Fringe this year.
Saturday 12:30-13:30
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
King Alfred’s Kitchen – Nuns’ Passage Map

 Music – Acoustic 

Madding Crowd Ukulele Band
The Madding Crowd

Dorset ten-piece band playing eclectic mix of songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Saturday 12:00-13:00
Free
Swans Yard Map

 Music – Choral 

Dorset Mutineers

The Dorset Mutineers are a lively crew who love singing traditional sea shanties. They will bring a smile to your face, get your toes tapping and perhaps even bring a tear to your eye. There’s no one quite like the The Dorset Mutineers. Huzzah
Saturday 13:00-14:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Ye Olde Two Brewers – Garden Map

 Music – Pop, Rock & Soul 

ONYX Classic Rock Covers (16+)

Shaftesbury-based ONYX features international singing sensation Samantha on vocals, with David and Bill on guitars, Nick on bass and Andy on drums.
​We love and play lively covers of the best of classic rock from Aerosmith, Guns n’ Roses, AC/DC and Cream, through Bon Jovi, The Undertones, Heart and Metallica, to The Cranberries, The Eagles, and Queen – with quite a few surprises thrown in.
Saturday 13:00-14:45
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Pitchers Bar and Club Map

 Other – Aerial Arts 

Phoenix Aerial

Don’t miss the aerialists at Phoenix Aerial perform jaw-dropping acrobatics on their hoop and silks! Catch us on the road outside the town hall.
Saturday 13:00-14:00
Free
Shaftesbury Town Hall Map

 Music – Acoustic 

Dean Carter ambient acoustic guitarist singer songwriter
Dean Carter

One man, a classical guitar, and a loop pedal producing the effect of a whole guitar ensemble, Dean Carter has been thrilling, chilling and delighting audiences an critics with his original instrumental composition and songs on four album releases in the last two years! ‘A refuge for the soul in a world overwhelmed by words and noise, providing solace, healing, and space’ -Indie Suburban.
Saturday 14:00-15:00
Pay On The Door – £8
Bell St United Church Map

 Music – Jazz & Blues 

Jazz4Shaftesbury
Rick’s Standards

Rick Jones and friends invite you to enjoy some jazz standards and some upbeat bop
Saturday 14:00-16:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
St. James’ Church Map

 Music – Acoustic 

Tattie Bogle
John and Margaret Cluett

Traditional and contemporary folk music and popular songs
Saturday 14:00-15:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Swans Yard Map

 Theatre & Musicals 

The Shaftesbury Tales (Suitable For Children)
Treehouse Theatre

FAMILY THEATRE SHOW. Inspired by Chaucer, and the terrible fate of teenage King Edward the Martyr in Corfe, ‘The Shaftesbury Tales’ is walking from Corfe to Shaftesbury in July, village to village, stopping to perform hilarious and interactive family shows along the way. Expect murder and miracles, music and mayhem from Dorset in the Dark Ages. Come along to a free workshop if you’d like to perform with us.
Saturday 14:00-15:30
Tickets In Advance / On The Door – £10 adults / £6 children / + free workshop 11am-12noon
St. Peter’s Church Map

 Music – Acoustic 

Simon Blake’s Startling Songs (12+)
Simon Blake

From haunted pubs to elephants tearing down tents, nothing is too bizzare for the world of Simon Blake’s startling songs. A pieman in a military training centre and a useless bass player are but two of the crazy characters who will come alive to a fast flamenco style guitar accompaniement! Also featuring THE SIMAPHONE – the first new instrument in over 100 years!
Saturday 14:15-15:15
Free
King Alfred’s Kitchen – Nuns’ Passage Map

 Music – Pop, Rock & Soul 

Kind Of Blue

Dishing up the blues with a side of country
Saturday 14:30-15:30
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Shaftesbury Abbey Museum And Garden Map

 Music – Acoustic 

Alan Brown Guitarist/Composer
Alan Brown

Original Instrumental music creating stories through unfolding layers of sound
Saturday 15:00-16:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Swans Yard Map

 Poetry & Spoken Word 

Freud, Erikson & Me (16+)
Andy Gilbert

Comedy, poetry, and psychological theories collide as ‘The UK’s #1 Poetry Teacher’ tries to find out why he writes what he does. Strong language, adult themes and contextual vulgarity.

‘Very funny, surprisingly moving and definitely informative’- Faversham Fringe Review
‘Very funny and at times thought provoking’ -Buxton Fringe Review
Saturday 15:00-16:00
Free
Gold Hill Museum Map

 Comedy 

The ‘Escaping Debt Collectors’ Tour (16+)
Christie Grattan, Ann Brown, Joe Fortis

Three of the South Coast’s best comedians have dared to venture past the New Forest, fleeing West until their petrol ran out conveniently in Shaftesbury town centre. Seeing as they’re here anyway, experience Ann Brown, Joe Fortis and Christie Grattan!
Saturday 15:00-16:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Shaftesbury Arts Centre – Rutter Room Map

 Music – Acoustic 

The Rhythm Junkie
Alan Newport

Very experienced local performer with a lifetime’s experience in entertainment. Singer guitarist playing well known covers…a real crowd pleaser performance guaranteed.
Saturday 15:30-17:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Ye Olde Two Brewers – Garden Map

 Comedy 

Darren Walsh: New Puns (18+)
Darren Walsh

Join award-winning punslinger Darren Walsh as he road-tests some new jokes, with some old jokes thrown in for good measure. Please don’t come if you don’t like puns, like: “My Scottish girlfriend got drunk on Martini Extra Dry.I couldn’t believe the stuff that came out of vermouth” and “Tom Holland is short for Thomas Netherlands” or “My boss only hires people who like Blur. He’s Oasist “.
Saturday 16:00-17:00
Tickets In Advance – £10
Shaftesbury Arts Centre – Theatre Map

 Music – Choral 

Dorset Mutineers

The Dorset Mutineers are a lively crew who love singing traditional sea shanties. They will bring a smile to your face, get your toes tapping and perhaps even bring a tear to your eye. There’s no one quite like the The Dorset Mutineers. Huzzah
Saturday 16:00-17:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Grosvenor Arms Hotel – Courtyard Map

 Music – Acoustic 

Jan Vaisey & Ian Harvey

Jan and Ian are an acoustic contemporary folk duo who have a very varied repertoire of songs and tunes accompanied on guitar and mandolin. They have played at numerous venues and festivals mainly in Gloucestershire/Bristol areas and are delighted to be able to play at Shaftesbury Fringe this year.
Saturday 16:00-17:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
St. Peter’s Church Hall Map

 Music – Acoustic 

Musical Musings (14+)
Miranda Pender

Musical Musings is a sparkling set of original songs and the stories behind them. Raunchy, romantic, heartbreaking, humorous – Miranda’s subjects range from shipwrecks and stalkers to bed bugs and banned books. Her performance will appeal to audiences who relish something light-hearted and a little bit subversive!
Saturday 16:00-17:00
Charity Collection – Collection for The Cinnamon Trust, the National Charity for elderly and terminally ill people and their pets.
Potting Shed – Garden Map

 Music – Pop, Rock & Soul 

Pop Punk Covers
BandX

Covers of all the best high-energy pop-punk legends such as Blink 182, Green Day, Sum41, Offspring, Jimmy Eat World and more.
Saturday 16:00-18:00
Free
Pitchers Bar and Club Map

 Music – Jazz & Blues 

The Old Fashion’d
Jim and Carl

A local guitar/vocal duo delivering iconic sounds of the 50s, 60s and twists of popular songs underpinned by a smokey blues tone, in addition to original pieces. The act prides itself on vintage tone as reflected in their equipment setup; use of analogue amps and vintage guitars immerses the audience into the golden era, all underpinned by a great sense of humour and passion for great music.
Saturday 16:30-17:30
Charity Collection – RBL Battle Back Centre
Royal British Legion Hall Map

 Music – Acoustic 

Americana, Country Rock
Can’t Make Monday

Can’t Make Monday are an americana, country rock covers band. Either an acoustic trio or four piece electric.
Saturday 17:00-19:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Shaston Social Club Map

 Other – Health and Wellbeing 

Singing Bowl Chill Out (12+)
centreforpuresound.org

Lie down, relax, and allow the Pure Sounds of a crystal and Tibetan bowl soundbath plus sacred vocal overtoning take you into the deeper brainwave states of ‘the relaxation response’, while charging and balancing the aura and chakras of the subtle body, and detoxing the physical body.
Saturday 17:00-18:00
Tickets In Advance – £12 – phone 01935 389655 or
Book
Bell St United Church Map

 Comedy 

The Expression of a Unique Mind (16+)
Dai Davies

Dai Davies began his comedy career in 2015 at the Welsh Unsigned Stand-up Awards, and was described as “the comedic version of the Super-Furry Animals” (David Owens).
His current show “The Expression of a Unique Mind” explores his experiences with bi-polar disorder.
Having spent 20 years facing many challenges, there are certainly tales to tell.
Saturday 17:00-17:30
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Black Cactus Map

 Poetry & Spoken Word 

Dylan Squared (12+)
Roland Jones

I compare and contrast the work of Dylan Thomas and Bob Dylan through performance of some of their classics. Poetry and acoustic guitar work.
Saturday 18:00-19:00
Charity Collection – www.senseinternational.org.uk
King Alfred’s Kitchen – Nuns’ Passage Map

 Comedy 

International Man of Mestory (16+)
Nathan Cassidy

Multi-award winning Nathan Cassidy: Best Stand-up Winner Brighton Fringe 2022/23 and Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show Nominee. He’s ‘clever, classy and full of surprises’ (FringeReview.co.uk 2023), and he’s back at the Shaftesbury Fringe with two brand new stand-up shows. Just like Austin Powers, it’s time to unfreeze the past, and maybe freeze this moment in time together! Groovy baby!
Saturday 18:00-19:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Grosvenor Arms Hotel – Assembly Room Map

 Children’s 

Through the Looking Glass
Hedgehog Theatre

From comedian and writer Jacob Hulland, comes a new adaptation of an old tale. Have you ever stepped through a looking glass? Join Alice as she climbs into a world of bossy chess pieces, talking flowers, a woman made of egg and a topsy-turvy world where opposite day is every day! A family interactive show based on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, that is as colourful as it is silly.
Saturday 16:30-17:30
Pay On The Door – Adults – £10
Children – £6
Family – (4 people, maximum 2 adults) – £25

Heritage Suite Map

 Comedy 

Laugh at the Shaft (18+)
Travis Booth-Millard and Liam Wilcox

One has his head in the clouds (figuratively speaking) and the other is often taken lying down (figuratively and literally speaking). Join this surreal pair of comedians as they tackle hard hitting subjects such as dating, vaping and nursery rhymes.

Both Travis Booth-Millard and Liam Wilcox have been comedy competition finalists and will be sure to get you slapping those thighs!
Saturday 18:00-19:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Royal British Legion Hall Map

 Comedy 

Grease Monkey (16+)
Tim Biglowe

Join Tim (A runner up at West End New Act Of The Year) for his new stand-up show. Starting married life living on a canal boat, this laid-back hippy panics – and takes a job as a mechanic. All to be viewed as a ‘proper married bloke’. Can this calamitous captain transform into a grease monkey? Or will his in-laws’ dubious scheme offer him a way out of the rat race?
Saturday 18:30-19:15
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Gold Hill Museum Map

 Theatre & Musicals 

Life Under The Sun – Part 1 (14+)
Stephen Bathurst

4**** – “STARTLING & AMBITIOUS”
“What good is it to gain the whole world but lose your soul?”
A theatre show that explores the biggest question of all: What’s the point?
Features underpants, pompous man-servants, self-deprecating witticisms, an existential crisis and one giant hangover.
King Solomon had it all…
Saturday 18:30-19:30
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Bell St United Church Map

 Children’s 

Through the Looking Glass
Hedgehog Theatre

From comedian and writer Jacob Hulland, comes a new adaptation of an old tale. Have you ever stepped through a looking glass? Join Alice as she climbs into a world of bossy chess pieces, talking flowers, a woman made of egg and a topsy-turvy world where opposite day is every day! A family interactive show based on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, that is as colourful as it is silly.
Saturday 19:00-20:00
Pay On The Door – Adults – £10
Children – £6
Family – (4 people, maximum 2 adults) – £25

St. Peter’s Church Hall Map

 Music – Pop, Rock & Soul 

dreamWeaver

Original Rock Pop Jazz and every thing in-between.

This will be our 4th year at the Fringe

Played on the same stages as: Wilko Johnson, Steve Gibbons Band, Ozric Tentacles, Roy Harper, Cardiacs, Pop Will Eat Itself and more, to name but a few. European tours, festivals, clubs and pubs, parties and everything in-between.

Over 30 years of experience.
Saturday 19:30-20:30
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Ye Olde Two Brewers – Garden Map

 Music – Choral 

Rolling Harmony

“An exquisite blend of voices and rich harmonies.” Gorgeous vocal harmonies, soaring melodies, interweaving vocal lines, captivating rhythms, and brilliant a cappella arrangements of classic songs… something for everyone. Rolling Harmony is a vibrant vocal group of choir leaders and singers from the South West, delighted to be back at the Fringe.
Saturday 19:30-20:30
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
St. Peter’s Church Map

 Music – Pop, Rock & Soul 

The Cabin Band

Covers of popular songs from over the decades. 5 piece local guitar based band.
Saturday 19:30-21:30
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Shaston Social Club Map

 Music – Jazz & Blues 

A Summer’s Night At The Hot Club With Afternoon In Paris
Afternoon in Paris

Afternoon in Paris is on a mission to entertain! Their music stems from the forties swing of the Hot Club of France, but extends to encompass a miasma of styles from Latin to Klezmer, Bebop to Pop with some fab originals thrown in. Fronted by clarinet, bass clarinet and vocals in several European languages, the result is a unique and joyful fusion of superbly delivered music.
Saturday 20:00-21:45
Tickets In Advance / On The Door – £12
St. Peter’s Church Hall Map

 Music – Pop, Rock & Soul 

Big Brass Ska

Gigging regularly across Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset and Hampshire, Big Brass Ska is one of the most popular ska acts in the South West.
Our stage show includes songs made famous by Bad Manners, Madness and The Specials, classics from the era of The Pioneers & Prince Buster and a sprinkling of punk-influenced tracks from the likes of Rancid and Reel Big Fish.
Saturday 20:00-22:30
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Pitchers Bar and Club Map

 Music – Acoustic 

KD

Back in 2024 for their 2nd consecutive Shaftesbury Fringe Festival, acoustic covers duo KD are looking forward to sharing a varied set including Jeff Buckley, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Alicia Keys, Oasis, Maneskin and many others to transport you to a different plain, chill out to some acoustic vibes and escape the times with everyone welcome x
Saturday 20:00-21:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Bell St United Church Map

 Variety & Cabaret 

Matrix of Magic
The Great Baldini

The Great Baldini, Emperor of Illusion, Prince of Prestidigitation, Maharajah of Mystery, presents an extraordinary hour of effects, illusions and miracles from his own private collection. Painstakingly assembled over the years from all corners of the world, Baldini has selected his personal favourites. He tells their stories, weaving a matrix of mystery that questions whether can believe our eyes
Saturday 20:00-21:00
Tickets In Advance / On The Door – £9 Adults
£7 Children
£25 Family Ticket

Shaftesbury Arts Centre – Theatre Map

 Comedy 

Stella Graham – Phoenix (18+)
Stella Graham

Stella’s rising from the fiery chaos of being one of nine Coventry siblings, eight time EdFringe veteran, seen on Never Mind the Buzzcocks & Booze Britain. “If you’re a TV executive… see her now” (The Skinny) “Stella Graham is a powerhouse provider of lols who is destined for great things and should be hosting TV and radio – BBC listen up.” – ToDoList.london
Saturday 20:00-21:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Royal British Legion Hall Map

 Comedy 

The Spine That Shagged Me (16+)
Nathan Cassidy

Star of 3 Amazon Prime Specials ‘Bumblebee’, ‘Fifty’ and ‘Observational’ and a regular on BBC Radio 5 Live. He’s ‘A star-in-waiting. Untouchable’ ★★★★ The Times and he’s back at the Shaftesbury Fringe with two brand new stand-up shows. In this show – first he did his back in, now he’s tripping on Diazepam watching Life of Pi. Always very popular so grab those seats early!
Saturday 21:00-22:00
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Grosvenor Arms Hotel – Assembly Room Map

 Music – Pop, Rock & Soul 

The Beagles

We are a working four-piece function, pub, WMC, band playing a wide variety of pop music throughout the decades. We aren’t too serious just enjoy creating good energy, and have great fun entertaining people in the Dorset area. Come and enjoy the vibe!
Saturday 21:30-23:30
Pass-The-Hat / Pay What It’s Worth
Ye Olde Two Brewers – Garden Map

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