MusicNights & SwapShops in Village Halls & Community Venues
Our aim is to provide to provide a forum for the exchange of support, ideas, crafts, produce,
art, poetry, spoken word, music, song, company
and simply to enjoy being alive
art, poetry, spoken word, music, song, company
and simply to enjoy being alive
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Holwell Village Hall
between Sherborne & Sturminster Newton Regular Music Events Snacks & Refreshments Available Contributions Welcome We are delighted that Chiselborough Performance Night has now been taken over by the local village community We are also running:- Yeovil Folk & Roots Night at The Courtyard Community Cafe in Market Street And Live Music Supper Events at The Emporium Cafe in Yeovil Check the Diary Page for dates Events will be starting soon in... Yeovil Community Church The Gateway, Addlewell Lane Details TBC... watch this space! We love running rural village hall events and are currently pursuing funding to tour more halls in Dorset & Somerset |
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"We've been hearing how challenging it can be for families to get out, do something special and relax together. It has also been challenging for us, as musicians, to find venues that can afford to host live music. This is our solution, providing affordable events close to home, having fun doing what we enjoy most and also helping to breathe more life into our beautiful under-used rural village halls. "
BearCat Sam |
We launched our village hall project in 2012 at Holwell in Dorset, on the eve of the annual International Day of Peace, which is every 21st September.
There are well displayed tables and rails of SwapShop stock, including games, bric-a-brac, toys, & clothes.
Please bring items to swap or donate including garden produce and seedlings.
If you have talents to share pop your name down for a spot on the stage.
Children are welcome and there is a special kids area at all BearCat village hall events with toys to play with or swap and pastels to draw colourful pictures.
We hope that our combined Music Nights & SwapShops are soon to be popping up at village halls all around North Dorset & South Somerset.
Check the Diary for forthcoming village hall doos
Thank you to everyone who supported the first 'Ssshh! Secret Acoustic Folk Supper' at The Emporium
such a wonderful event, a wealth of fabulous local musicans, gorgeous food and standing room only!
Here’s a little video clip, kindly made by Conceptai Design Studios.
As always, we would love to see your photos too, please share them via social media or email. Many thanks
such a wonderful event, a wealth of fabulous local musicans, gorgeous food and standing room only!
Here’s a little video clip, kindly made by Conceptai Design Studios.
As always, we would love to see your photos too, please share them via social media or email. Many thanks
BearCat Music Event Feedback :
"The BearCat events are vital to those of us in rural Dorset. There is so little for us to enjoy without traveling many miles. The activities also act as a preventative measure to ensure some of us become, or remain reasonably happy and healthy. Our wellbeing depends very much on small, local, well organised events such as the ones run by Sam. I hope this quote is of some use, 'tis true" - Barry, Village Resident
"All the fun of the fair ... it was an affordable night out right on our doorstep, we loved it, there was loads for the kids to do and there was such a great atmosphere." - Mark, Parent
"What an amazing evening! Magical." - Isla, Teacher
"BearCat are great. They helped us set up a music night in our village hall, which is now a thriving event for the local community. The swap shop is a fantastic idea, which we have replicated - so many people have things they don't want any more and it's great to be able to share instead of bin!" – Pete, Rural Resident
"Thanks for that and all you do to keep communities alive." - Mike, Entertainer
“BearCat have put on several events at the cafe I run, and it truly is amazing watching the impact these events have on people’s lives. The environment that is created is safe and supportive and allows people with little or no confidence to perform, with a supportive and positive reaction allowing their confidence to grow. I have watched performers who are nervous and scared be reassured by the BearCat team, gone on to perform, and have returned again and again, each time with a little more confidence. The events build bridges across ages and abilities that are essential in our communities today.“ – Holly, Venue Manager
"Was a really nice 'come back' for me after so long in hospital" – Laz, Musician
"Good night on Friday, the kids enjoyed it as well, down side is they cannot wait for the next one!" – Gilly, Grandparent
"Getting on stage in the village hall felt like such a supportive, safe, friendly place. It helped me overcome anxiety of going out and speaking to people after long term domestic abuse" - Performer
"what a special evening. I think you have an incredible gift at creating an environment where people feel loved and safe and seen. It's a beautiful thing" – Miles, Songwriter
“I have been to a lot of BearCat's Performance Nights over the last few years. Sam and her team are always on hand to support and help anyone who needs it, and it has been amazing to watch the self-confidence growing in those who are brave enough to get up on stage. Great fun, whether I join in with the playing, or just listen to others” - Sylvia, Violinist
“The BearCat music nights recreate, in our village of Holwell, gatherings reminiscent of a former age, when local residents of all ages, come together to share their talents and make their own live entertainment .These events are a welcome change from watching TV. The low-cost and child-friendly atmosphere is an added incentive for families struggling to make ends meet to socialise, thus ensuring inter-generational links in our community.” – Pat, Community Leader
"I have played at many BearCat events over the past few years. They are always well-run, friendly affairs giving me the opportunity to play my songs to an appreciative audience." - Chris, Postman
"How lovely to see people enjoying themselves with home-made music. This is how entertainment ought to be." – Roger, Preacher
“My partner and I always enjoy the BearCat Music nights at Holwell village hall, which we have been attending for about 5 years. We find the performances really entertaining, showcasing folk and acoustic musicians of all ages from about 8 to 80 years old, plus occasional poetry-readings or story-telling. It's great that BearCat provide this opportunity to help budding musicians get experience on stage and build confidence, whilst helping people from local villages get together as a community and make friends in a warm and friendly atmosphere. “ – Pam, Councillor
“Very welcoming and a great opportunity to meet other musicians / performers in an informal setting to support and create community.” – Roy, Vicar
“As a senior amateur musician who took up playing very late in life, and who suffers very badly from performance anxiety I really appreciate the inclusive, friendly and welcoming attitude at BearCat Music events, which has allowed me to introduce a little more purpose into my life and kept me ‘in the loop’ and stopped me feeling isolated and pointless." – Colin, Retired Lecturer
"Thank you so much for a great evening, we had a brilliant time with lovely people. Really appreciate the time and effort that went in for the benefit of the community." - Village Resident
"The BearCat events are vital to those of us in rural Dorset. There is so little for us to enjoy without traveling many miles. The activities also act as a preventative measure to ensure some of us become, or remain reasonably happy and healthy. Our wellbeing depends very much on small, local, well organised events such as the ones run by Sam. I hope this quote is of some use, 'tis true" - Barry, Village Resident
"All the fun of the fair ... it was an affordable night out right on our doorstep, we loved it, there was loads for the kids to do and there was such a great atmosphere." - Mark, Parent
"What an amazing evening! Magical." - Isla, Teacher
"BearCat are great. They helped us set up a music night in our village hall, which is now a thriving event for the local community. The swap shop is a fantastic idea, which we have replicated - so many people have things they don't want any more and it's great to be able to share instead of bin!" – Pete, Rural Resident
"Thanks for that and all you do to keep communities alive." - Mike, Entertainer
“BearCat have put on several events at the cafe I run, and it truly is amazing watching the impact these events have on people’s lives. The environment that is created is safe and supportive and allows people with little or no confidence to perform, with a supportive and positive reaction allowing their confidence to grow. I have watched performers who are nervous and scared be reassured by the BearCat team, gone on to perform, and have returned again and again, each time with a little more confidence. The events build bridges across ages and abilities that are essential in our communities today.“ – Holly, Venue Manager
"Was a really nice 'come back' for me after so long in hospital" – Laz, Musician
"Good night on Friday, the kids enjoyed it as well, down side is they cannot wait for the next one!" – Gilly, Grandparent
"Getting on stage in the village hall felt like such a supportive, safe, friendly place. It helped me overcome anxiety of going out and speaking to people after long term domestic abuse" - Performer
"what a special evening. I think you have an incredible gift at creating an environment where people feel loved and safe and seen. It's a beautiful thing" – Miles, Songwriter
“I have been to a lot of BearCat's Performance Nights over the last few years. Sam and her team are always on hand to support and help anyone who needs it, and it has been amazing to watch the self-confidence growing in those who are brave enough to get up on stage. Great fun, whether I join in with the playing, or just listen to others” - Sylvia, Violinist
“The BearCat music nights recreate, in our village of Holwell, gatherings reminiscent of a former age, when local residents of all ages, come together to share their talents and make their own live entertainment .These events are a welcome change from watching TV. The low-cost and child-friendly atmosphere is an added incentive for families struggling to make ends meet to socialise, thus ensuring inter-generational links in our community.” – Pat, Community Leader
"I have played at many BearCat events over the past few years. They are always well-run, friendly affairs giving me the opportunity to play my songs to an appreciative audience." - Chris, Postman
"How lovely to see people enjoying themselves with home-made music. This is how entertainment ought to be." – Roger, Preacher
“My partner and I always enjoy the BearCat Music nights at Holwell village hall, which we have been attending for about 5 years. We find the performances really entertaining, showcasing folk and acoustic musicians of all ages from about 8 to 80 years old, plus occasional poetry-readings or story-telling. It's great that BearCat provide this opportunity to help budding musicians get experience on stage and build confidence, whilst helping people from local villages get together as a community and make friends in a warm and friendly atmosphere. “ – Pam, Councillor
“Very welcoming and a great opportunity to meet other musicians / performers in an informal setting to support and create community.” – Roy, Vicar
“As a senior amateur musician who took up playing very late in life, and who suffers very badly from performance anxiety I really appreciate the inclusive, friendly and welcoming attitude at BearCat Music events, which has allowed me to introduce a little more purpose into my life and kept me ‘in the loop’ and stopped me feeling isolated and pointless." – Colin, Retired Lecturer
"Thank you so much for a great evening, we had a brilliant time with lovely people. Really appreciate the time and effort that went in for the benefit of the community." - Village Resident
BearCat MusicNight & SwapShop @ Chiselborough Village Hall in Somerset
BearCat MusicNight & SwapShop @ Holwell Village Hall in Dorset
BearCat Folk & Roots Night @ The Courtyard in Yeovil (formerly Vintage Fair Arts Cafe)
BearCat Ssshh! Secret Acoustic Folk Supper at The Emporium in Yeovil
Many more photos on our facebook page
