Exeter Phoenix announces an exciting new season

Exeter Phoenix has announced an exciting new season of programmed events for September to December 2013. New exhibitions, performances, comedy, music, classes and courses mean there is plenty to inspire, enjoy and embrace.

Highlights include big name music acts such as Tim Burgess (lead singer of The Charlatans), The MagicNumbers performing their first ever acoustic tour, modern folk duo Turin Brakes and classic bands Big Country and The Damned.  As well Exeter Phoenix welcomes American blues legend Eric Bibb and the highly rated American 10-piece The Youngblood Brass Band. Furthermore, this year’s Acoustica Festival presents over 60 alt-folk and Americana acts across seven stages during a two-day festival in early September.

A particularly strong performance lineup has major coups with Carol Ann Duffy, Britain’s first female Poet Laureate sharing her work, and international theatre innovators Forced Entertainment bringing their new show Tomorrow’s Parties.  Warhorse author Michael Morpurgo talks about his work as Theatre Alibi present an adaptation of I Believe in Unicorns, a family show based on another of Michael’s books. High energy, Devon-based, clown troupe Le Navet Bete will be premiering their eagerly anticipated new show Once Upon A Time In A Western and the captivating Quirk Theatre return with Treasure Island, a family show at Christmas time. The usual blend of cutting-edge comedy including Robin Ince, Simon Munnery, Mark Thomas and many more, means the autumn programme is packed full of high quality, innovative shows.

Art enthusiasts will be delighted to know that nine fantastic artists have been shortlisted for the eighth Exeter Contemporary Open (Sep-Nov) in what promises to be a diverse and stimulating exhibition. The Overall Award winner will be announced mid-September and the Audience’s Choice Award bestowed in October.  Following this will be Kit Poulson’s intriguing After The Enlightenment, mixing paintings with a parallel set of short fictions.

The Two Short Nights Film Festival returns packed full of screenings, seminars and industry insight. Coupled with the unbelievable 48 Hour Film Challenge, which involves making a short film in just two days, this distinctive festival is perfect for film fans.  Autumn’s Monday night film lineup screens work by prestigious directors including Blue Jasmine, Woody Allen’s follow up to Midnight in Paris, Richard Curtis’ About Time starring Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy, and The Bling Ring by the Oscar award-winning Sofia Coppola.

A host of classes, courses and workshops will be taking place throughout this period. New skills in digital, art and performing can be accessed for families and people of all ages.

Finally, Exeter Phoenix is going for something completely different this New Year’s Eve as they present Dr. Phoenix’s Spectacula Fantastica, a party full of themed rooms, fancy dress, live music, DJs, entertainers and performers.