Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your essential guide to What’s On in and around Exeter this weekend (27-30 May).

THEATRE

English Touring Opera: Iphigénie en Tauride
Friday, 7.30pm, Exeter Northcott Theatre
Vampire-like villains and human sacrifice form a bloodthirsty backdrop to what is one of the most refined and perfect of operas, based on a famous story from Greek myth.  By a composer who influenced future generations from Mozart to Wagner, this account of the reunion of Iphigenia and her brother in the aftermath of the Trojan War is an eloquent, heart-wrenching masterpiece. Sung in French with English surtitles. https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

Gods are Fallen and All Safety Gone
Friday & Saturday, 7.30pm, Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter
Gods Are Fallen and All Safety Gone is an investigation into what happens when we discover that our parents are flawed human beings, and that at some point, sooner than we think, they are suddenly going to disappear from our lives. Tickets: £12 (£10). 2 for 1 on Tuesdays. Members rate: £10 (£8) https://www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk

English Touring Opera: Don Giovanni
Saturday, 7.30pm, Exeter Northcott Theatre
Don Giovanni is one of the best-loved of all operas, with a dramatic story and ravishing music.  Part thriller, part comedy, it’s the provocative tale of a womaniser whose conquests come back to haunt him. Is Don Giovanni a hero who defies all authority − or a murderous villain? Whichever way you are pulled, Mozart’s masterpiece is a musical and dramatic whirlwind – from the first bars of the magnificent score to the chilling supernatural conclusion. Sung in English. https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/calendar/don-giovanni/

Avenue Q
Monday, 7.30pm, Exeter Northcott Theatre
Created by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez, Avenue Q is an irresistibly charming musical which tells the story of the loveable characters on a downtown New York street trying to make sense of life’s burning issues. Hilarious, cheeky and uproariously entertaining, with a terrific batch of songs performed by a cast of hugely talented performers and puppets, Avenue Q is the musical like no other. The show runs until Saturday 4 June.  https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

MUSIC

Paintobox Jane
Friday, 8pm, Clifford Room, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
On the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, Raoul Dufy paints a portrait of Jane. A troupe of singers and instrumentalists celebrate the painter in Waltz, Blues and Repartee until the sun goes down and night envelopes the warm, sensual world of Monsieur Dufy. Tickets; £10/£5 in advance, £12/£6 on the night. http://www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk/paintbox-jane/

Paradise Bikeshed
Saturday, 8pm, Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter
Exeter’s answer to disco’s Paradise Garage, New York. So, if you’re pelvically driven and need to let off some serious steam, let the Bike Shed take you on a toe-tingling journey, deep down into the very soul of dance music; Disco, the world’s only true bottomless goldmine. Steve Waller, Ben Carding and Ray Touchpool will be manning the wheels of steel while a skilled team of bartenders will be on hand to keep you topped up with the finest cocktails all night long. Tickets: £3 on the door

Radio 1’s Big Weekend
Saturday & Sunday, Powderham Castle, Kenton
Hosted by Radio 1 DJs, Radio 1’s Big Weekend is Europe’s largest free ticketed festival and has an unrivalled reputation for attracting live performances from some of the biggest and newest UK and international acts, bringing the nation together for a shared live music moment.  Big Weekend will be broadcast live on Radio 1, streamed in vision at bbc.co.uk/radio1, with highlights on 1Xtra. Find out more here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e2f9rz

Exeter Respect Official Launch Party
Saturday, 7pm, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Barnfield Bar and the Front of House Gallery play host to a free buffet and opening speech from Mr Steve Sitch, followed by an exciting evening of music, dance, song and poetry. Bar and Gallery open from 6pm, entry by donation. http://www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk

Den Miller in Concert
Saturday, 7.30pm, Hope Hall, Hope Road, Wonford, Exeter
Den Miller is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumental musician and entertaining solo performer, whose fifth studio album, A Headful of Fancies, was released to great reviews in April 2015. Den's songs mix the silly and the serious, often in the same song, but always with his trademark mission statement of a strong melody plus intelligent lyrics. Tea and coffee available. BYO alcohol. No wheelchair access. Tickets £8.  http://www.wegottickets.com/event/355879

Jive Talkin' perform the Bee Gees
Saturday, 8pm, 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

EVENTS

Exmouth Festival
Friday-Monday, Exmouth Pavilion
A great weekend of family entertainment awaits!  Live music, arts and crafts, children's activities, food & drink and lots more! The festival runs until Sunday 5 June. For the full programme of events visit   http://www.exmouthfestival.org.uk/

RSPB family friendly nature walk
Saturday, 2pm, RSPB Shop, Darts Farm, Topsham, Exeter
Family friendly walks which showcase the beautiful surrounding farmland and wetlands - a great chance to get out and see some wildlife. The RSPB’s resident expert will be alongside to answer questions and point things out. 2pm-3pm (binoculars available for hire). RSPB members free, non-members £3.
 
Topsham Community Market
Saturday, 8.30am, Matthew’s Hall, Topsham, Exeter
A good mix food stalls, antiques, clothes, jewellery and craft stalls, every Saturday, 8.30am-1pm.

Vintage and Classic Car Rally
Sunday, 10am, Pecorama, Beer
The Vintage and Classic Car Rally has evolved from the Steam Festival Days held at Pecorama in the mid 1990's.  The event which has grown in popularity over the years, with vehicles travelling from far and wide to take part. 10am-4.30pm. https://www.pecorama.info

Boishaki Mela (Bangladeshi New Year Celebration)
Sunday, noon, Exeter Corn Exchange
Exeter's 6th Boishaki Mela is open to all ethnicities - enjoy world famous Bollywood singers and musicians, Bengali dance, music, stalls and children's activities. Noon-5pm.  Free admission.

May Bank Holiday Car Boot Sale
Monday, 9.30am, Topsham Rugby Club, Exeter Road, Topsham
A great day out with the chance to grab a bargain or two too! The clubhouse will be open with hot food and drinks available all morning. Bar will also be open towards lunchtime, with guest ales and longstanding favourites on offer. Open 9.30am-1pm. Public on foot free entrance, £1 donation for parking. Sellers will welcome to set up at 8am with fees from £6 per car and small vans, larger vehicles at £10 each.

EXHIBITIONS

Sean Lynch: The Weight of the World
Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Queen Street, Exeter
In this solo exhibition Irish artist Sean Lynch presents three new artworks commissioned by Spacex and inspired by aspects of RAMM’s collection. The exhibition also features the UK premier of the video artwork Adventure: Capital, produced to represent Ireland at Venice Biennale 2015. Throughout his work Lynch caries out investigations into stories, historical records, and places, creating idiosyncratic narratives that signal new understanding and questions.
Opening Event and Artist Talk, 3pm-5pm on 14 May at Exeter Phoenix. The exhibition continues at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery until 2 July, open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm, free entry. 

Posters from the Past Masters
From Sunday, Brook Gallery, Exeter
Many of the world's leading artists have enjoyed making posters for their exhibitions. These often took the form of original lithographs, printed by some of the great Parisian ateliers. The poster, by nature, is ephemeral and mint copies are rare so Brook Gallery are delighted to exhibit a selection of these striking prints. Open from 8 May until 7 June, 11am-5.30pm.  http://www.brookgallery.co.uk/

Inspired by Dartmoor
Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centre, Princetown
Visitors to the National Park Visitor Centre in Princetown can enjoy an exhibition of the work of four members of the West Dartmoor Art Group. David Mather, Peter Blake, John Streeter and Gloria Sprague will be exhibiting a selection of paintings in different media, all inspired by their love of Dartmoor.  The exhibition runs until Thursday 30 June and the centre is open daily, 10am-5pm. http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/visiting