SALISBURY Arts Centre is offering people the chance to take a break from the seasonal rush with a free Live Lunch series for the festive season.

There’s a wide range of music to tempt all tastes, with something programmed for every weekend up to Christmas.

The Live Lunch series features some up-and-coming artists, chosen by music programmer Thomas Brooman, and includes everything from bhangra to award -winning folk and roots artists.

First up is a Live Lunch Special: Bhangra Project, pictured below, this Saturday.

Expect a riot of colour, thrilling stunts and exciting bhangra sounds.

Professional group 4x4 will be joined by students from Avon Valley College and Sarum Academy, who have taken part in a series of workshops learning about the origins of bhangra and developing choreography.

And there will be a chance for the audience to get involved as well.

Ninebarrow follows on Sunday.

Recent winners of the 2013 Larmer Tree Breakthrough Music Award 2013, the Dorset duo Ninebarrow combine their vocal talents with a variety of instruments to create a rich blend of folk-influenced songs with ukulele, piano, tenor mandola and harmonium.

Soulful young singer-songwriter Paddy Benedict will perform a session of original songs and a selection of covers on December 15.

And on Sunday, December 22, brother and sister duo Six Days, who are through to the finals of the Open Mic UK competition, due to be held in January, will perform.

Live Lunches run from noon to 2pm.

For more information visit salisbury artscentre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01722 321744.

l The Arts Centre’s Outreach department is working with Horatio’s Garden to bring live music to patients at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre, Salisbury Hospital.

Opened in September 2012, Horatio’s Garden was designed as a sanctuary for patients of the centre, who are often long-term residents and facing difficult life adjustments, sometimes far from their homes and loved ones.

Salisbury Arts Centre will present live music at the garden on a regular basis, drawing on the Arts Centre’s Live Lunch series.

A festive afternoon session on Sunday, December 22 will feature acoustic guitar and soulful vocals from popular singer-songwriter Hannah Robinson.