Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your essential guide to What’s On in and around Exeter this Bank Holiday weekend (25-28 May):

THEATRE

English Touring Opera: Il Tabarro & Gianni Schicchi
Friday, Exeter Northcott
Puccini’s one-act operas Il tabarro and Gianni Schicchi could hardly be more different: one is a moody romance ending in a grotesque murder on a barge in Paris, and the other is a sparkling comedy about a family inheritance in Florence. First performed in 2011 to great critical acclaim, this double bill shows Puccini at his finest as a master of the theatre that speaks to the heart. Sung in Italian with English subtitles https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

Ballet Central
Sunday, Exeter Nothcott
Under the artistic direction of Christopher Marney, Ballet Central returns with a new programme showcasing the best in dance theatre. These young dancers on the cusp of their professional careers will perform a mixed bill, featuring works by world-renowned choreographers. https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

Flashdance – The Musical
Monday, Exeter Northcott
Flashdance tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of going to the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy and becoming a professional dancer.  When a romance with Nick Hurley complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream. Prepare to be blown away with an astonishing musical spectacle and phenomenal choreography to this iconic score including the smash hit Maniac, Gloria, I Love Rock & Roll and the award-winning title track Flashdance – What a Feeling. https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

MUSIC

Brahms Requiem for Hospiscare
Saturday, 7.30pm, Exeter Cathedral
The Isca Ensemble stages  the 2018 Joanna Leach Memorial Concert in Exeter Cathedral.  The large symphony orchestra will be joined by a specially formed Isca Chorus, the Maynard School Senior Girl's Choir and three soloists - Heloise West (soprano), Julian Rippon (baritone) and Emmanuel Bach (violin). The specially chosen programme consists of three great classics: Fauré : Pavane for Choir and Orchestra Op. 50; Mozart: Violin Concerto No 5 in A major K219 'Turkish'; Brahms: German Requiem Op. All proceeds of this concert will be directed to Hospsicare. Tickets £6-£24.   Tickets available from Exeter Visitor Information and Tickets, Dix’s Field, Exeter (01392 665885) and online. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/394321

Jive Talkin’ perform the BeeGees
Saturday, Exmouth Pavilion
The timeless repertoire of the Bee Gees is brought to life in this stunning stage production that is taking the country by storm. This charismatic ensemble boasts stars from TV and London's West End and is fronted by real-life family members Darren, Gary and Jack Simmons making for an unrivalled vocal harmony blend. https://www.ledleisure.co.uk/exmouth-pavilion

City Steam Jazz Band 
Saturday, 7.45pm, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth
The popular City Steam Jazz Band return to the Manor Pavilion Theatre with their unique blend of popular music. Singer Vicki Campbell also returns for this performance with her guests Nikki Mae Butcher, Matt Colson,  and David Finlay. Tickets are £12.  Box Office 01395 514413 (10am-2pm).

Little Rebels Indie Disco
Saturday, 1pm, Exeter Corn Exchange
Little Rebels Indie Disco for the whole family. For big indie kids and their little indie kids. Dust off your Adidas and bucket hats, and dance like a rock n' roll star! DJ Louie Louie will entertain you with your favourite classic 90's indie anthems and britpop hits. Along with the joy of showing your small people how to throw some Mis-shapes on the dancefloor, there will be crafting, face painting, an open bar, and more! Adults unaccompanied by children may be denied entry. Doors open 12.15pm.   www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

King King
Sunday, 7.30pm, Exeter Phoenix
King King are the band to beat. Glasgow’s favourite sons have already been saluted as ‘the best blues-rock band in the world’ (Blues Rock Review), credited for ‘setting the blues world on fire’ (Classic Rock), nominated for Best New Band at the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour and handed back-to-back British Blues Awards. http://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Kitty Macfarlane with special guest Victoria Pearce
Sunday, 7.30pm, St James Church Hall, Mount Pleasant Road, Exeter 
Kitty Macfarlane is a Somerset-based singer and songwriter. Her lyrics combine honest snapshots of everyday humanity with the bigger questions that have connected minds and voices for centuries, driven by her own fingerpicked guitar.  Kitty's special guest will be Devon singer songwriter Victoria Pearce. http://www.wegottickets.com/event/434832

EVENTS

The Exeter Corn Exchange Darts Masters
Friday, Exeter Corn Exchange
Darts fans in Exeter will get the chance to see the sport’s greatest ever player in 2018 when Phil Taylor appears in an exclusive exhibition event alongside Welsh ace Mark Webster and Darts’ original entertainer Bobby George. www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

Exmouth Festival 2018 
Various venues, Exmouth
The Exmouth Festival brings a week of family entertainment and is a popular annual event. It's a vibrant and contemporary, free, community arts festival. There will be live music, arts & crafts, children's activities, food and drink stalls, bar, circus skills, art trail and a fairground. The festival takes place at various location across Exmouth including Imperial REC, Manor Gardens, The Strand, Ocean and the Art Trail.  The festival runs until Sunday 3 June. http://exmouthfestival.org.uk

Another Spring: Curator’s Tour
Saturday, 2.30pm, Exeter Phoenix
Join the exhibition’s curator, art historian and critic Dr Jean Wainwright for a special tour of the exhibition.  Another Spring brings together work by a group of internationally recognised artists. The exhibition reflects on the current trends and broader developments of nationalist impulses in Western society, where the debated question of citizenship, the foundation for identity and political governance is tied to ultranationalist concerns and increased measures to regulate and control the movement of people across borders.  www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Dawlish Arts Festival
From Saturday, The Strand, Dawlish
The Dawlish Arts Festival is a week-long festival with events taking place throughout each day, it will include music for every taste, poetry, dance, children's activities, walking town tours, flower displays, exhibitions, crafts and family events.  www.dawlishartsfestival.org.uk

River Cottage Food Fair 2018
Saturday & Sunday, Park Farm, Trinity Hill Road, Axminster
A weekend packed full of activities and family fun - from chef demos, artisan food stalls, kids' workshops and activities, talks and live music, to garden and foraging tours. Tickets £12.50.  www.rivercottage.net

Spring Family Fun Day and Dog Show
Sunday, The Donkey Sanctuary, Slade House Farm, Sidmouth
The Donkey Sanctuary's Spring Family Fun Day and Dog Show is an action-packed day for all the family - four-legged friends very much included! Entry £2 per adult, under 12s free.
 www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/visit-us/sidmouth

Exe Estuary Mud Walk
Sunday, 10.30am, Exmouth LNR, opposite the toilets, Imperial Road Rec, Exmouth
A free  mud walk as part of Exmouth Festival.  Discover what is living in the mud of the Exe Estuary. Dig for worms, search for crabs and shells and fish for shrimps. Wear wellies or old shoes that can get very wet and muddy. Not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies. Children must be accompanied. Book a place here.

Brick Kingdom
From Sunday, Powderham Castle, Kenton, near Exeter
Make magical Medieval memories this May half-term at Powderham Castle. Take an adventure through a magnificent LEGO® Brick Kingdom, with fiery dragons and brave knights, regal queens and magical wizards waiting for you.  http://www.powderham.co.uk

Family Fun Beach Day 
Monday, 11am, Dawlish Warren Beach, Dawlish Warren
Activities include: Sandcastle Competition, Circus skills Worshop, Craft workshop, RNLI Roadshow, Beach Clean, Beach Games, Face Painting, open 11am-3pm. Sandcastle competition: 12pm - 1pm, registration: 11-11.45am.

Bank Holiday Car Boot sales
Monday, 9.30am, Topsham Rugby Football Club, Bonfire Field, Exeter Road, Topsham
Back by popular demand Topsham Rugby Club host their Bank Holiday Car Boot Sale from 9.30am-1pm. Public on foot – free,  £1 donation for parking welcomed. Sellers welcome to set up at 8am with fees £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. www.topshamrugby.co.uk 

EXHIBITIONS

Exhibition: Anita Reynolds - A Year on Dartmoor
Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Riverside Mill, Bovey Trace
Local  printmaker and artist Anita represents her journeying over 365 square miles of Dartmoor through various prints, painting and installations. Her dynamic artwork often created on-site, reflects the impact of the changing seasons on the wild Devon landscape. The exhibition runs until Sunday 1 July and is pen daily, 10am-5.30pm.  http://www.crafts.org.uk

Another Spring
Exeter Phoenix
An exhibition curated by art historian, critic and curator Dr Jean Wainwright. The show brings together work by an outstanding group of internationally recognised artists.   Running alongside the exhibition will be a series of special events including a free tour of the exhibition with curator Dr Jean Wainwright, a talk from artist Steffi Klenz, and a workshop where you can create your own protest posters. The exhibition runs until 17 June 2018. Exeter Phoenix Gallery is open Monday to Saturday between 10am–5.30pm and on Sundays from 12–5.30pm. Entry is free.

Conversations in Colour
Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
An Exhibition showcasing the art of The Budding Friends Art, a group of dementia patients who, along with their carers are using art to “express something beyond language” in a creative and fun environment. This exhibition showcases their work which is supported by Age UK Exeter and Veronica Gosling of  Studio 36. The exhibition runs until Thursday 31 May. Open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm Sunday. Free entry.  www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk

Braded: Fashion, Femininity and the Right to Vote
Killerton House, Broadclyst
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