Vintage Variety Day in Exeter

Vintage enthusiasts are set to flock to Exeter's Bike Shed Theatre for a packed day of activities and entertainment.

The Vintage Variety Day on Sunday, August 16, begins with a flashmob at 1pm in Princesshay, when singers, dancers and musicians, including members of the many Devon ukulele groups, will join cabaret star Tricity Vogue in a singalong of You Are My Sunshine. The gathering will then promenade through the Exeter streets to the Bike Shed Theatre, in time for the opening of the vintage fair at 2pm.

Tricity said: "The day will be a chocolate box of vintage treats. I'll be looking to pick up some bargains to add to my vintage wardrobe, and I can't wait to model in the fashion show. I'm hoping to introduce some new people to the joys of my favourite instrument at my afternoon ukulele workshop too."

The event runs until midnight, and includes stalls, music and live entertainment. Entrance to the fair is free, and tickets are also free to the 6pm fashion show, featuring models of all ages wearing outfits supplied by vintage shops including The Real McCoy and Hanger 124. For music lovers, Tricity Vogue will be teaching a ukulele workshop for beginners of all ages at 3pm, with ukuleles provided.

Organiser of the vintage fair, Missy Lils, said: “We've had an incredible response from the vintage community already. Demand for stalls has been so high that I've had to give up my own stall to make room. And we've got some wonderful shops showing their wares in the fashion show. It's going to be exciting!"

After six, the Bike Shed café will transform into a cocktail bar, with DJ Thorax The Thurd and friends playing classic tunes. Lovers of the jazz songbook can join singer Lola Portmanteaux on a journey of rediscovery through favourite tunes in her show “Lola Portmanteaux's Vintage Songbook” in the theatre at 7.30pm. Later on Tricity crowns the day's programme with her highly acclaimed and decidedly saucy post-watershed cabaret show “Songs For Swinging Ukuleles” at 9pm.

“The most exciting part of the day for me is the chance to perform my solo show in Devon for the first time. The Bike Shed is a beautiful, intimate theatre, just perfect for cabaret, and it's been my dream to perform here ever since I first saw the space,” said Tricity.

Lola Portmanteaux added: "I'll be inviting my audience to travel through the 20s, 30s and 40s with me, as I perform classics and jazz standards by Porter, Gershwin and more."

There are a limited number of all-day tickets available at £15.

There are also two-show tickets for Lola Portmanteaux and Tricity Vogue for £12.

To find out more and purchase tickets for the event visit www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk.