IF your thoughts go north of the border at the mention of “the Fringe” you clearly haven’t discovered the Shaftesbury Fringe, a weekend of entertainment, comedy, music, dance, theatre, cabaret, poetry, eccentricity and all-round original creativity.

This year’s Shaftesbury Fringe, running over four days, from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th July, features a massive line-up of local, visiting and returning talent, for a staggering total of around 230 performances, in 33 venues large and small, including the arts centre, clubs, pubs and cafes, the Grosvenor Arms, open air sites and the churches.

Like its bigger Scottish cousin, the Shaftesbury Fringe can honestly claim to have something for everyone, whatever your age or interest.

Festival chairman Rob Neely, a familiar figure in his colourful jackets and shirts, says in his welcome message in the fringe programme: “We do not vet performers so there’s always an element of unpredictability … that’s the very nature of what makes a Fringe so much fun.”

Many of the events are free, others are pay what you can afford, or pass-the-hat. The festival is a not-for-profit organisation and is self-funding. “We are only able to function with the help of our amazing sponsors and the public,” says Rob.

With so many performers and so many different events, it is hard – and probably unfair – to single any individual out. It is safe to say, that if you enjoy live performance, you will find something to delight, inspire and surprise you!

All the information is in the free programme – or visit www.shaftesburyfringe.couk

Pictured: Folk-singer Jo Philby lives on Orkney but she returns regularly to Dorset, to the delight of family and friends, bringing her soulful songs. She has several solo gigs at the Fringe as well as appearing in a duo with Shaftesbury-based singer and guitarist AnnLouise Richards, who also performs as Mermaid Nerissa.

Hardy Annuals is a delightful entertainment performed by Richard Hall and well-known local actress Jan Wild with violinist Richard Willetts playing Hardy’s own instrument. The trio explores Thomas Hardy’s fascination with music, which he used it frequently in his novels and poems.

(Check out performance dates and times in the Fringe programme).