SHAFTESBURY Arts Centre throws wide its doors and launches its new season on Saturday with an open day to show people the wealth of events taking place there in the coming months.

The day, from 10am to 4pm, will include performances by the Starlite Dance Company at noon, 1pm and 2pm. The dancers will be displaying a wide variety of styles including jazz and contemporary, tap and belly dancing.

This season promises to be one of the most vibrant yet held at the centre and as well as film screening for all ages, there will also be performances of Fay Weldon's Flood Warning (Friday and Saturday, September 19 and 20, 8.30pm), jazz with Rob Coral and Sue Hawker (Saturday, October 11, 8pm), Jane Austen's Emma, presented by Shaftesbury Arts Group (Thursday to Saturday, September 16 to 18, 7.30pm) and a Murder-Mystery Night on Friday, November 1.

Multi Story Theatre Company brings its one-hour adaptation of Cassandra to the venue on Saturday, November 8, starting at 8pm, The New Scorpion Band will stage its Christmas Show on Saturday, November 29, at 7.30pm and Leikin Loppu, 'a hilarious tale of love, lies and longing', returns to the centre on December 6 at 8pm with Tony and Pat.

For full details call the box office on 01747 854321.