Work has started on the 4m extension/refurbishment of Salisbury Arts Centre which will reopen in April 2005. Staff will move back into the building towards the end of this year while the technical equipment is fitted ready for the Spring 2005 programme. Meanwhile several events are taking part at other venues around Wiltshire including a performance by 9-strong African outfit Batanai Marimba at Blackledge Theatre, Godolphin School, Salisbury on Thursday April 15.
The music of Batanai Marimba is a mix of modern sound technology and
traditional African roots with instrumentation including marimbas, percussion, horns, bass and guitars plus ngoma drumming, all backed up with sweet vocal harmonies. The catchy and danceable music performance is preceded in the afternoon with a workshop featuring African drumming, dance and song from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. The evening
concert begins at 8pm; tickets are £5 for the workshop, £10 for the concert, £1 off if booking for both. Call 01722 321744 for more details.

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Ragamuffin Radio present an evening with South Carolina singer-songwriter Jack Williams at Roddington Forge, Allington Lane, near Eastleigh on Wednesday April 7.
Jack is a virtuoso guitarist and troubador who spends his life on the
highways and byways of North America appearing at coffee houses, concerts and festivals. As well as being a master guitarist he is an inspired storyteller too, as anyone who saw his gig at Southampton’s Talking Heads a couple of years ago will confirm. The gig begins at
8pm and tickets are £6 via Brian Glanville on 02380 614763 or Mike on 07766 122754. Don’t miss a great performer.

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Spring is guaranteed to go with a swing in Hampshire’s beautiful Meon Valley when some of the finest jazz groups in the South are scheduled to begin a series of Thursday evening performances at The Upland Park Hotel, Droxford. With enlargements to the premises now complete, proprietor Brian Lay has booked some great bands to perform on eight successive Thursday evenings beginning with the popular New Gateway Jazz Band on Thursday, April 1.
The emphasis is on jazz in the traditional, swing and Dixieland styles, and
lined up to appear on subsequent weeks are Alan James ‘n’All That Jazz (April 8), Cuff Billett’s New Europa Jazz Band (April 15), The Chris Walker Swingtet (April 22), The New Gateway Jazz Band (April 29), Cuff Billett’s New Europa Jazz Band (May 6), Alan James ‘n’ All That Jazz (May 13) and Tim Eyles and the Gentlemen of Jazz (May 20).
Brian is hoping that these Meon Valley jazz evenings will generate enough support to become a regular fixture. He is banking on a combination of the Upland Park Hotel’s superb setting alongside the A32 road at Garrison Hill, coupled with the appeal of bands with strong followings. "It will be well worth the drive," promises Brian who hopes to attract jazz-loving patrons from all over Hampshire. Admission is free as is the car parking. Start time is 8.30pm.
"Our enlarged main bar allows room for the musicians to perform to jazz
lovers – who can enjoy a quiet drink or bar snack while they listen," says Brian. His thriving main restaurant will continue to cater for diners, who will have the option of sitting within earshot of the music. Restaurant reservations are advised. Tel. 01489 878507.

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