Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your essential guide to What’s On in and around Exeter this Bank Holiday weekend (4-7 May)

THEATRE

Sing-a-long-a Beauty and the Beast
Saturday, Exeter Northcott
Singalonga Productions invite you to at Sing-a-Long-a Beauty and the Beast. The Singalonga host will start with a pre-show where they will warm up your voices, teach you some hand actions, show you how to use the famous Singalonga props bag during the film and when to Boo the arrogant Gaston and of course judge the fancy dress competition! https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

My Dog's Got no Nose
Saturday, 7.30pm, Cygnet Theatre, Exeter
Giles Shenton returns to the Cygnet with another one-man play after last year’s highly acclaimed production of Old Herbaceous.My Dog’s Got No Nose takes us on a journey through the events surrounding a stand-up comedian’s first ever performance. Before picking up his microphone and venturing into the limelight, he regales stories and tales about his life and experiences. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes poignant and often laugh-out-loud hilarious, he shares his soul reminiscing about his early career as a furniture-salesman-turned-photographer, love, marriage and ambitions.  https://cygnettheatre.co.uk

Tom Allen: Absolutely
Saturday, Exeter Corn Exchange 
The sharply dressed, well-spoken, disparagingly camp son of working class Bromley, Tom Allen embarks on his debut solo tour. As seen on Mock The Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Live at the Apollo, The Great British Bake Off’s Extra Slice, The John Bishop Show, Channel 4’s Comedy Gala at the O2 and heard on Radio 4’s Just a Minute and News Quiz. https://www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

Encore Dance Company
Sunday, Exeter Northcott
Encore Dance Company, the 3rd year Graduate Company from Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, returns with an exciting mixed programme of all dance genres. This year’s show includes works by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Ernst Meisner, Kerry Nicholls and many other world-acclaimed choreographers. https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/

MUSIC

African Head Charge
Friday, Exeter Phoenix
Co-founded by the legendary underground producer Adrian Sherwood, African Head Charge is a globally-acclaimed, pioneering live dub ensemble led by original co-founder, master percussionist and royal rastaman, Bonjo Iyabhinghi Noah. Pulsating with tribal drumbeats and chanting from the soul of Africa, African Head Charge fuse together primal rhythms with heavy psychedelic dub, roots reggae and 21st century electronica.  Tickets £15.  http://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/

Exeter Beats Music Festival 
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Exeter Castle, Castle Street, Exeter 
The all-new Exeter Beats Music Festival will be held each evening at Exeter Castle, with exciting live music acts performing each night in the Castle Courtyard alongside street food, real ales and cider. The fun kicks off at 6.30pm on Friday with live music, tasty street food and a lively atmosphere. Full programme and tickets: https://exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk

Scotlands Doghouse Toses and Philadelphia's Joseph Parsons
Saturday, 7.30pm, The Bridge Inn, Bridge Hill, Topsham 
Joseph Parsons is a prolific songwriter, recording artist and performer with over 20 commercial label releases including 2016’s “The Field/The Forest” (Blue Rose Records). His music weaves elements of rock, folk & soul into a distinctive and authentic sound. Both as a solo artist, and also with his band, his stage shows are dynamic, spirited and deeply moving experiences. Doghouse Roses are a highly acclaimed folk / Americana duo from Glasgow formed by guitarist Paul Tasker and singer Iona Macdonald in 2006. https://www.facebook.com/thebridgeinntopsham

Jon Boden and The Remnant Kings, Spring 2018
Saturday, Exeter Phoenix
Jon Boden, former lead-singer of Bellowhead, heads out on the second leg of his Afterglow album tour. This is his first new release since leaving Bellowhead in May 2016 and features the newly extended Remnant Kings – a band that hasn’t performed together since 2012. Post show tunes and songs session in the Café Bar led by Jon Boden.  http://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/

EVENTS

Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink 2018
Saturday, Sunday & Monday, Northernhay Gardens, Exeter
The award-winning Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink returns for its 15th consecutive year. From celebrity chefs and producers to workshops and live music, expect a long weekend of foodie indulgence and food-themed activities for the whole family. https://exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk

May Holiday Fun
Saturday, Sunday & Monday, Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton
Discover more about Drogo as you follow the free spotter sheet around the garden and grounds. This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue. Open daily 11am-4pm. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo

Seaton Artisan Market 
Saturday, Thury Harcourt Place, Seaton
The Artisan Market returns to Seaton with a mix of stalls selling the very best quality art and craft items, upcycled gifts and handmade homeware. Expect to find wood carvings, soft furnishings, tailor made clothing, handmade jewellery, glass ware and delicious food. Free entry. 10am-3pm.  www.seatondevon.org.uk

What's that bird? 
Sunday, 2pm, Tower Hide at Seaton Wetlands, Colyford Road, Seaton, EX12 2SP
Whatever your level of knowledge come along and enjoy an afternoons birdwatching with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced volunteer guide. Meet in the Tower Hide at Seaton Wetlands. Free. Further information here. 

Open garden
Monday, Houndspool, Ashcombe, EX7 0QP
A fabulous opportunity to see the wonderful private garden at Houndspool by kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Bourne in aid of the British Red Cross. The garden will be open to visitors between 2pm and 5pm. Go along and enjoy the beautifully well established, landscaped garden with wide range of planting by expert hands-on gardeners.   Admission: £5 adults, £2 children under 16. Plenty of free parking, cream teas and cakes available.  Dogs on leads welcome.

Car boot sale
Monday, 9.30am, Topsham Rugby Football Club, Exeter Road, Topsham, Exeter 
Topsham Rugby Club's popular car boot returns! Open 9.30am-1pm. Public on foot free, £1 donation for parking is most welcome. Sellers can set up at 8am -  £6 per car and small vans, larger vehicles and trailers at £10 each. The clubhouse will be open with hot food and drinks available all morning and the bar will also be open towards lunchtime, with guest ales and longstanding favourites on offer. For more details visit www.topshamrugby.co.uk or call Bee Jenkins on 01392 873651.

EXHIBITIONS

Branded: Fashion, Femininity and  the Right to Vote
Killerton House, Broadclyst, Exeter
To mark 100 years since some women got the right to vote, this exhibition reflects the timeline of the campaign for women’s suffrage from 1866 until 1928 through the changing styles of fashion. The exhibition highlights the relationship between politics and dress and how this was exploited by the campaigners and supporters of women’s suffrage. Groups involved in the campaign used design and colour to identify themselves and to raise awareness and support for their cause. The exhibition runs until 4 November and entry is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton

A Curious Turn: Moving Mechanical Sculpture
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell Street, Honiton
Automata are moving mechanical sculptures which are brought magically to life through a sequence of cogs, cams and levers. For centuries they have delighted and bewitched people. Visitors are able to turn, push and crank to see many of the pieces in action! A Curious Turn presents automata from the leading makers of the last 40 years, ranging from the humorous to the macabre and from the playful to the satirical. Works on show take a look at key automata makers such as Rowland Emett, famous for creating the elaborate inventions of Caractacus Potts in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The exhibition runs until 19 May. https://www.thelmahulbert.com