Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your essential guide to what's on in and around Exeter this weekend (4-6 December).

THEATRE

A Christmas Carol
Daily, Exeter Northcott Theatre
Creative Cow present a magical new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ much-loved Christmas classic. Ebenezer Scrooge is a notoriously bitter old man who is determined not to let Christmas interfere with his miserly routine. But one Christmas Eve, Scrooge receives some unexpected supernatural visitors who are determined to show him the true spirit of Christmas and the error of his ways.  Tickets £12-£28. Show runs until 3 January. https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/

Beauty and the Beast
Friday & Saturday, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Lawrence Boswell’s enchanting adaptation of this timeless tale tells the story of a brave young girl who leaves behind her beloved, if chaotic family to discover the bewitching splendour of the Beast’s palace. Amagical pre-Christmas treat for the whole family. 7pm daily with 2pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets £11.50, £8.50 conc.  http://www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk/

Aladdin
Sunday, 2pm, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Take off on a magical carpet ride to Old Peking to meet Aladdin and his hard working mother and local laundress, Widow Twankey. Follow Aladdin on his quest to find a magic lamp for the Evil Sorcerer Abanazar, who has promised Aladdin a treasure trove of wealth. Meaning he will be able to marry the Princess but all is not as it seems once he steps inside the dark and dangerous cave… Can the Genie of the Lamp help our hero?   Tickets £10, £8 conc.   http://www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk/

MUSIC

Show of Hands
Friday & Saturday, Exmouth Pavilion
Show of Hands are undeniably one of the strongest current forces in acoustic music – England’s finest and most popular roots partnership and something of a “people’s band”, regularly voicing the hopes, fears and life stories of scores of people in song. https://www.ledleisure.co.uk/exmouth-pavilion

Live Music
Friday, various venues, Exeter:
Prospect Inn, Exeter Quay: The Perfect Strangers, 9.30pm, free.
John Gandys, Gandy Street: Firekind, 9pm, free.
The Ship & Pelican, Fore Street: Reckless, 9pm, free.
The Sorry Head, Blackboy Road: Mammoth, 9pm, free.

Exeter Festival Chorus Christmas Gala: I Got Gershwin
Saturday, 7.30pm, Great Hall, Exeter University
With Claire Martin (vocals), Big Buzzard Boogie Band and Exeter Big Noise Choruses.  The featured work is I Got Gershwin, Ned Bennett's Jazz Extravaganza, featuring ten of George and Ira Gershwin's best-known works including Summertime, I Got Rhythm and the blues from An American In Paris. Conducted by Nigel Perrin.  With Claire Martin (vocals), Big Buzzard Boogie Band and Exeter Big Noise Choruses. http://www.exeterfestivalchorus.org.uk/

Barnfield Bar Presents… December
Saturday, 7.30pm, Clifford Room, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Barnfield Bar kicks off the festive season with South West legends Grifter with their dirty rock and Lomi with the heaviest riffs heard by mankind. Hosted by the Rev JD.  Tickets £7.50. http://www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk/

CLIC for Christmas
Saturday, 7.30pm, Exeter Cathedral
La La Choirs are hosting a Christmas Concert at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 5th December to raise money for CLIC Sargent, who support children and young people with cancer, and their families. http://lalachoirs.co.uk/calendar/tickets/

Mostly James Taylor with special guest – Adelia
Saturday, 8pm, Hope Hall, Hope Road, Wonford, Exeter
Beautiful harmonies, engaging anecdotes, and respectful interpretations of the songs of James Taylor, Alison Krauss and Mark Knopfler, to name but a few. Dave and Tash are also fine songwriters in their own right, performing with a variety of instruments.  Tickets £8. Call Twigg's Gigs on 07508 169 049. Soft drinks available. Bring your own alcohol. No wheelchair access. www.mostlyjamestaylor.co.uk

Live Music
Saturday, various venues, Exeter
The Devon Yeoman, Stoke Hill: A Total Stranger, 9pm, free.
The Bishop Blaize, Commercial Road: Kiss This! 9.30pm, free.
The King’s Arms, Cowick Street: The Embezzlers, 9.15pm, free.
Prospect Inn, Exeter Quay:  Guilty Plea, 9.30pm, free.

The Great Crediton Jam Night
Sunday, 7pm, Buccaneers Bar, East Street, Crediton
The Great Crediton Jam Night is Crediton's most successful Jam night, which happens on the first Sunday of the month.  Tonight is a birthday celebration, so it could go on until late!

Live Music
Sunday, various venues
The Bridge Inn, Topsham: The Moulton Brothers, 8pm, free.
The Bishop Blaize, Commercial Road, Exeter:  The Gadge Band, 6pm, free.
The King’s Arms, Cowick Street, Exeter: Wired, 4pm, free.
The Famous Old Barrel, Exmouth: Scott Philips (Peaceful Hooligan), 8.30pm, free.
The Bank, Exmouth: The Cadence, 3pm, free.
First & Last Inn, Exmouth: The Bobkats, 6.30pm free.
Sidbury Village Inn, Sidbury: Szara King, 8.30pm, free.

EVENTS

Exeter Respect International Festival
Friday, 7.15pm, Exeter Phoenix
Live music, stalls and performers including Barefoot Bandit, Chartwell Dutiro, Lewis Esparon and more. £5, accompanied under 12s free. Details and line-up here: http://exeter-respect.org/internationalfest2015/

Santa Tour & Christmas Bazaar
Friday & Saturday, Victory Hall, Exminster
Exminster Pre-school’s famous Santa Tour and Christmas Bazaar. On Friday 4th December, Santa will tour the village in style, starting at the Stowey Arms at 4.30pm, stopping at Coffee on the Corner for mulled wine and mince pies at 5pm, then on to the Royal Oak for the grand finale.  This will be followed by the Christmas Bazaar on Saturday 5th December, from 2-4pm at Victory Hall in Exminster.  Children will have the chance to visit Santa in his Grotto, make Christmas crafts and take part in festive games.  There will also be a tombola, toy and book stall, face painting, raffle and refreshments.  Admission 50p per adult/ £1 per family. 

Family friendly nature walk
Saturday, 2pm, RSPB Shop, Darts Farm, Topsham
Family friendly walks that showcase the beautiful surrounding farmland and wetlands - a great chance to get out and see some wildlife.  Walks take place every Saturday at 2pm, until 19 December. Free. https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/events/details....

The Westcountry Equine Fair
Saturday & Sunday, Westpoint Arena, Exeter
An event for those interested in horses, horse riding and competing, including a shopping village with items for the horse,  rider and Christmas. Equestrian stars will provide demonstrations in the indoor arena, together with show jumping competitions, stallions and more. There will be educational talks and the Equestrian Knowledge Zone will offer expert advice. Full details: www.westcountryequinefair.co.uk

The 10th Velo Vintage Occasion and Ride
Saturday, 10am, Sidmouth
A great excuse to dust off  your antique bikes and step back in time. Tickets £12.60.  Event starts  Outside the Lift, Old Fore Street and finishes  at  The Anchor Inn, Old Fore Street, Sidmouth. http://www.velovintage.co.uk/

Christmas Celebration Day
Saturday, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey
A day of Christmas festivities! Carol singers, free mulled wine and homemade shortbreads, DIY making action for kids in the gallery, plus drink and food tastings in the cafe. Join expert potter Taja, for drop-in porcelain modelling - part of the BBC GetCreative campaign: Hey Clay! 10am - 5pm, free entry. www.crafts.org.uk

Crediton Parish Church Annual Christmas Tree Festival
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Crediton Parish Church, Church Lane, Crediton  EX17 2AH
Now in its 13th year, the Crediton Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival has become an annual highlight for many in the lead-up to Christmas. Open 11am-6pm on Friday, 10.30am-7pm Saturday and 2pm-5p on Sunday.  Admission is free and tours to the Governors’ Room and Bell Tower will be on offer at set times during the day. A concert will take place on Sunday at 6pm. Refreshments will be available in the Boniface Centre. www.creditonparishchurch.org.uk 

EXHIBITIONS

Our Lives, Our Community, Our Voice - Photography Exhibition
Exeter Picturehouse, Bartholomew Street West, Exeter
To  celebrate  the completion  of Our Lives, Our Community, Our Voice community project in central Exeter, Meridian RAW CIC, the Exeter-based social enterprise, is exhibiting the final photography images at The Exeter Picturehouse.   There will be over forty images on display, all captured by the participants working on the project. http://www.meridianraw.com

Home Front Fashions
RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
The First World War was a time of momentous change for individual people, families and society, when thrift and economy in dress became increasingly important on the home front. Woollen serge and silk taffeta in dark or neutral colours were frequently worn as the availability of fabrics and dyestuffs was restricted. Practical, hard-wearing suits or ‘costumes’, and washable shirt-waister blouses became a kind of everyday uniform for women in Britain during the war. This display is part of RAMM’s four-year programme of exhibitions, displays, events and activities that focuses on the First World War’s impact on the people and landscape of the Southwest.  http://www.rammuseum.org.uk/

Present Makers 2015
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell Street, Honiton
Selling exhibition exploring the skill and innovation of craft makers across the South West region. Unique examples of textiles, jewellery, ceramics, glass and lighting will be on display. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm. www.thelmahulbert.co.uk