What's on in and around Exeter this weekend (15-17 March)

There's lots on offer to keep the whole family entertained this weekend:

THEATRE

Jonathan Kay is a 21st Century Fool
Friday, 7.30pm, New Theatre, Exeter
Jonathan is recognized as a leading performer and teacher of Fooling, whose work with audiences is nationally and internationally known, bringing laughter, poignancy and a mischievous delight that blends into the audience. There is no other show like it. Tickets £8, box office: 01392 277189. www.cygnetnewtheatre.com

Sweeney Todd School Edition, The Deamon Barber of Fleet Street
Friday & Saturday, 7pm, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
There’s no place like 19th Century London. Benjamin Barker (Sweeney Todd), a wrongly accused and unjustly treated barber, returns home after 15 years imprisonment. He discovers that, in his absence, his wife has killed herself after the vile treatment of Judge Turpin, and how his now grown up daughter is to be the Judge’s newly intended bride. With the help of Mrs Lovett, his old razor blades (his “friends”) and some resourceful enterprising at her pie shop, the pair plot revenge not only on the Judge but also this corrupt Victorian society. Vengeance! A dish best served hot… inside a pie! Tickets: £10, £7 children, family (2 adults, 2 children) £30. Box office: 01392 270891. http://www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk/

Curiosity Shop: Charles Dickens’ Old Curiosity Shop revisited
Friday & Saturday, 7.30pm, Northcott Theatre
Nell Trent lives with her grandfather above The Curiosity Shop, a vintage record store. When the shop is repossessed by Quilp, a malignant loan shark, Nell and Grandpa are forced to hit the road. Living rough, they meet the usual suspects – conmen, Good Samaritans, wide boys and buskers - in cities and villages across England. Tickets: £12.50-20.50. Box office: 01392 493493. www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

MUSIC

Dizraeli and The Small Gods
Friday, 8.30pm, Exeter Phoenix
A poetry slam winner in his own right, singer/poet/rapper Dizraeli blends his rhymes with beatboxing from band member Bellatrix and a multi-instrumental 7 piece band who play a filed, melodic, unashamedly heartfelt reinvention of hiphop in a distinctly English style. Part of Vibraphonic Festival 2013. www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Louise Parker & Craig Milverton
Saturday, 8pm, The Bridge, Topsham
Louise Parker sings jazz and blues with Craig Milverton on piano. Tickets:  £10 in advance, £12 on the door, £8 conc, 01392 873862.

Indie Club – Floods of Colour
Saturday, Cavern Club, Exeter
DJs Jake and Johnny present a night of the best in Indie and Alternative music, playing the likes of The Cure, The Smiths, Pulp, Blur, Oasis, Muse, Kaiser Chiefs, Joy Division and The Strokes etc. Live bands Floods of Colour, Lion the Weak and Dog Gone will be on stage from 8pm. 8pm-1am, admission £4, free entry before 9pm.

Exeter Bach Society Choir and Orchestra: St Matthew Passion
Saturday, Mint Methodist Church, Fore Street, Exeter
Regarded as Bach's greatest work, the music of the Passion encompasses emotional extremes, the shouting of the mob for Jesus' crucifixion closely followed by Peter's quiet despair at his own betrayal. The work in its entirety runs to over three hours: a shortened version, in the original German, will be performed here. Richard Rowntree - Evangelist, Julian Rippon - Christus; featuring soloists from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, orchestras led by Anna Cockcroft and Julie Hill, conducted by David Davies. Tickets: £15 unreserved (half price for full-time students). Box office: 01392 667080. www.exeterbachsociety.org.uk

The Mudskippers at Cafe at 36
Sunday, Cafe at 36, Cowick Street, Exeter
The Mudskippers are a Devon-based band, playing contemporary acoustic English roots music. Our live music gigs are an ideal way to spend a lazy Sunday morning, enjoying a late breakfast or brunch, with friends, family or just bring yourself. All are welcome, the music is great, and entry is free! We'll be baking Guinness Cake, and offering an Irish Breakfast too!

The O Marleys and The Rotten Apple Orchestra
Sunday, The Old Firehouse, New North Road, Exeter
The O Marleys - Mac on fiddle, electronic bagpipes and vocal, John on 6 and 12 string guitar and vocal, James on the Irish Bodhran and backing vocal will be playing lots of Irish songs and tunes on St Patrick's Day from 9.30pm for two hours, followed by The Rotten Apple Orchestra playing on till 1am. Lots of food, drink and plenty of the black stuff. Go along and have a great evening, entry is just £1.

EVENTS

Telling our Stories, Finding our Roots
Saturday, 7.30pm, RAMM, Exeter
An evening of traditional tales from oral cultures around the world, true stories of moving to Exeter and living here, as well as secrets uncovered from Exeter’s past. Hosted by local story-tellers Sandhya Dave and David Heathfield and stories told by members of Exeter’s communities. Part of the Global Centre’s project Telling our Stories, Finding our Roots: Exeter’s Multi-Coloured History. Tickets are free and available in person or by phone on 01392 265858 during opening hours. www.rammuseum.org.uk

Rock Solid Race
Saturday, 3.15pm, Escot Park, Ottery St Mary
Go along  and cheer on those participating in the Rock Solid Race. After the race there is live music in the Big Top with Adam Isaac, live 6 Nations rugby in the beer tent, plus activities such as tug of war. Grab some locally sourced food and relax. Access to the event village is just £4 and will allow you to get amongst the racers pre and post race, and provide you with a great vantage point over some of the best obstacles; the warm up, The Pyramids, Shiver me Trainers and The Green Mile. Racers will need all the support they can get so come and cheer them on! As a spectator you are also welcome to roam the course, so pack those walking boots. For more details visit www.rocksolidrace.com

Lambing Sunday
Sunday, Bicton College, East Budleigh
A fantastic day out for all ages. Meet Bicton’s new arrivals, feed new born lambs, tour EaRTH, Bicton’s Environmental and Renewable Technology Hub and enjoy a walk through the grounds plus lots more. 10am-4pm, for more information visit www.bicton.ac.uk Please note that dogs are allowed on the main campus but not on the farm.

Xpression FM Charity Football Match
Sunday, 11am, University of Exeter Sports Park, Stocker Road, Exeter
University of Exeter radio station Xpression FM take on the University Staff in a battle of skill and determination - all in aid of the Adam Stansfield Foundation. The event kicks off at 11am on the Rubber Crumb, there will be a cake stall, raffle, auction and the chance to take part in a penalty shoot out. Please check out the facebook event for further information: http://tinyurl.com/d3r7th7

SALES & MARKETS

Jumble sale
Saturday, Whipton, Exeter
There will be lots of bargains at the jumble sale taking place at Whipton Community Hall, Pinhoe Road from 10am-4pm.

Topsham Community Market
Saturday, Matthew’s Hall, Topsham
Topsham Community Market runs from 8.30am-1pm every Saturday. There is a good mix of food stalls, antiques, clothes, jewellery and craft stalls.

EXHIBITIONS

Painting the Everyday
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell Street, Honiton
This year marks the centenary of the birth of the artist Thelma Hulbert and, as a special tribute, a collection of Thelma’s Still Life canvases will be shown at the gallery which bears her name, starting on 16 March. The exhibition runs until 27 April, and the gallery is open 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Saturday. www.thelmahulbert.co.uk

Naomi Hart Exhibition
Cafe at 36, Cowick Street, Exeter
Well known local artist Naomi Hart has a small exhibition of her latest paintings at the Cafe. The paintings are inspired by a road trip to the Kimberley region of Australia in 2011. All artworks exhibited are for sale, so please see a member of staff if you wish to purchase.

Katy Dove: Thought Becomes Action
Spacex Gallery, Preston Street, Exeter
Katy Dove presents a selection of new and recent film and print based works at Spacex. The exhibition runs until 4 May, admission is free and the gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm. http://spacex.org.uk