THE first weekend of October is looking like a busy one, with plenty of events taking place across the region.

So if you’re stuck for something to do across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole the Daily Echo has got you covered with a list of just some of the activities taking place this weekend.

Black-owned business market

Kicking off the start of Black History Month, The Old Fire Station in Holdenhurst Road will be hosting a black-owned business market. 

The market will be taking place on Saturday, October 2, from 11am with plenty of stalls to take your fancy. 

Bournemouth Echo:

The market will take place at The Old Fire Station

As well as the market there is also a black business panel and a virtual photography exhibition highlighting the local black community.

Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival

The arts and culture festival returns this weekend after a range of “immersive” experiences were added.

A festival spokesperson said: “From hypnotic sound and light installations, immersive experiences of optical illusion, to the breath-taking 3D projection mapping of Bournemouth Town Hall, Arts by the Sea has commissioned some of the UK’s leading names in creative and visual art for its 2021 programme.”

Bournemouth Echo:

Projection by video artists NOVAK

The festival has also received £10,000 in funding from Bournemouth Town Centre BID to stage the optical illusion show CROSSROADS at Horseshoe Common.

Aruba 54 

The Aruba 54 Cabaret Show transports visitors back to the infamous Studio54 in New York City. With disco balls and lighting effects illuminating the venue, this experience brings a taste of the heyday of NYC 1970's nightlife to the south coast.

Andy Price, owner of Aruba, said: Guests can expect silks and aerial performances, lighting effects, world-class artistes and high energy entertainment from these shows. From feedback, we know that the shows provided the feel-good sensations that many of us craved after lockdown.

Bournemouth Echo:

Aruba 54 will return on Friday October 1 and run again on October 15 and 29.

"As the darker evenings draw in, we’re sure that these show nights will bring a well-needed lift to keep the winter blues at bay."

The first Aruba 54 event comes to Bournemouth on Friday night, October 1.

Swanage Blues Festival

The Swanage Blues Festival brings together a vast collection of blues musicians to perform in various pubs in the area as well as holiday parks and golf clubs.

More than 30 artists will perform during the festival, including The Blues Roots Soul Collective, Dawg ‘n’ Bonez and Pete Harris.

Bournemouth Echo:

Jade Like The Stone to perform at the Swanage Blues Festival

It kicked off on Thursday, Septmeber 30 and will run all weekend. 

The event concludes in the evening of Sunday, October 3 with a ‘festival finale’, showcasing Doghouse Blues who will perform at the White Swan in Swanage.

Visit www.swanage-blues.org for more information.

Oktoberfest at Belgium and Blues

The elite Bavarian tradition will be coming to Belgium and Blues, in Post Office Road, this weekend so be sure not to miss out. 

The event will run all weekend from Thursday, September 30 to Sunday, October 3. 

There will be steins of real German beer, weissebeirs, dunkles, gose, helles, and even some non alcohol helles.

It will be free to enter and there will be range of music throughout the weekend.

Visit their Facebook page to find out more.

 

What events will you be going to this weekend? Let us know in the comments.